Young Adult Fantasy

Review of Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson

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Synopsis:
Elisabeth Scrivener is finally settling into her new life with sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn. Now that their demon companion Silas has returned, so has scrutiny from nosy reporters hungry for gossip about the city’s most powerful sorcerer and the librarian who stole his heart. But something strange is afoot at Thorn Manor: the estate’s wards, which are meant to keep their home safe, are acting up and forcibly trapping the Manor’’ occupants inside. Surely it must be a coincidence that this happened just as Nathaniel and Elisabeth started getting closer to one another…

With no access to the outside world, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas—along with their new maid Mercy—will have to work together to discover the source of the magic behind the malfunctioning wards before they’re due to host the city’s Midwinter Ball. Not an easy task when the house is filled with unexpected secrets, and all Elisabeth can think about is kissing Nathaniel in peace. But when it becomes clear that the house, influenced by the magic of Nathaniel’s ancestors, requires a price for its obedience, Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to lean on their connection like never before to set things right.

Review:
While I haven’t read Sorcery of Thorns in a hot minute, I was able to score this book in paper form because I knew I’d want it and I am, of course, blown away. Though a small novella, this story captures the magic and story of the Sorcery of Thorns universe. I absolutely loved seeing more of Silas, learning more of what he’s done with himself his many long years of living, and how despite perhaps not being human, he does grow to feel something towards his charges. What I truly adore, however, is how sometimes things can be seen by not said–it can be easier to put in work and do the impossible than to say what one feels, and worry that it might not be reciprocated. I also quite like that Elisabeth isn’t sure of herself and her future, but she’s learning and working and trying to forge a new path unlike others; something her own.

All in all this book was magical, and I only wish I’d read it more closer to when I read Sorcery of Thorns so the characters and setting would have already been ringing in my mind. I highly recommend this book if you liked Sorcery of Thorns.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Forest of Ruin by Kelley Armstrong

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Synopsis:
The world is in chaos. Twin sisters Moira and Ashyn have been torn apart, forced on their own secret missions.

Moira—strong-willed and brave—must confront sorcerer Alvar Kitsune, father of her once-friend Gavril. Meanwhile, soulful, compassionate Ashyn faces an even more terrifying task. She must bring to life a dragon.

The sisters have been forced down separate paths. But the time is coming when they must face the greatest battle of their lives—together.

Review:
Both sisters have very different adventures in this book, and while Ashyn seems content to let Moria be front and center, it seems odd that she can just fade into the background. It was nice seeing the two sisters try to channel the other when they needed to act in a way that is more innate to the other. “Moria’s thoughts seemed to run in a linear path, clear and decisive and leading straight to action. Ashyn’s were more like a spiderweb, with infinite possibilities, and she could get lost in them.” (page 68) There was some violence in this novel that could be upsetting. This book definitely wasn’t quite as good as the previous two, and it had a decent, if not somewhat expected ending. I do wish there had been some sort of several years later epilogue, but I suppose what happens next is up to the imagination.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong

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Synopsis:
Sisters Moria and Ashyn are the Keeper and Seeker of Edgewood. Or at least they were.

Their village is gone. Their friends have betrayed them. And now they are all but prisoners in court, forced to watch and wait whilst the emperor decides whether to help the children of Edgewood, who remain hostages of the treacherous Alvar Kitsune.

But when the emperor finally sends the girls on a mission to rescue the children—accompanied by Prince Tyrus and a small band of men—the journey proves more perilous than any of them could have imagined. With lies and unrest mounting in the empire, Moira and Ashyn will have to draw on every bit of influence and power they possess to unite their people and avert an all-out war.

Review:
This book had me wondering, who, exactly we are supposed to consider good and why. There always seems to be some sort of ulterior motive for people’s actions, and while intrigue can be good in books, it became somewhat exhausting in this one. The relationships were a large part of what this book was about, though often you would wish the characters would just share their feelings with each other already! Despite the various backgrounds, I really enjoyed how much everyone found someone who wanted to protect them and keep with them regardless of whether or not they were a “proper escort”. I found the scholar, and his lack of social graces quite amusing. “That seemed to be the honest excuse in every facet of the young scholar’s life. A basic ignorance of acceptable behavior. When he thought a thing, he did it. Not an uncommon failing with scholars. Brilliant at their work; lost when it came to social graces.” (page 68)

*Unfortunate/unsettling social situations and graphic violence. AND A HORRIBLE CLIFFHANGER ENDING that will certainly leave you needing to continue on the next book immediately.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong

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Synopsis:
In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned. Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls make their way to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.

Review:
I absolutely loved this book, and while it didn’t answer the oh so many questions raised along the way, it was a great story about a journey and the growth of two young adult girls who didn’t realize how sheltered they were. This book was very much the slow trudge and yet I felt that there was enough action and back and forth from our two main protagonists that I wondered exactly where they might end up. I quite like the world this is set in; I feel like it was well developed and had a great proper fairy tale/Grimm/gothic atmosphere for the tale.

I did very much enjoy this book, and would recommend it based on that, however, the complexity of story/trigger warnings increase throughout the other two books, so bare that in mind if you decide to read this YA novel.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard

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Synopsis:
The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.

Winnie Wednesday’s future is looking bright. Hemlock Falls is no longer hunting the werewolf, she and Erica Thursday are tentative friends, and Winnie finally knows exactly where she stands with Jay Friday.

With everything finally on track, Winnie is looking forward to the Nightmare Masquerade, a week-long celebration of all things Luminary. But as Luminaries from across the world flock to the small town, uninvited guests also arrive. Winnie is confronted by a masked Diana and charged with an impossible task—one that threatens everything and everyone Winnie loves.

As Winnie fights to stop new enemies before time runs out, old mysteries won’t stop intruding. Her missing father is somehow entangled with her search for hidden witches, and as Winnie digs deeper into the long-standing war between the Luminaries and the Dianas, she discovers rifts within her own family she never could have imagined.

What does loyalty mean when family and enemies look the same?

Review:
This book was the ending that I am so excited to finally have in the trilogy! There is a huge mystery of what/where the Dianas are, and what they are up to, and there is no greater girl up to the task than Winnie. Interchanged bits of the past with the present fit perfectly together as Winnie attempts to uncover both what happened to Jenna, Erica’s sister, as well as her own father.

Despite having done everything right and appearing as a huge saviour/girl who was bitten, Winnie still finds herself fighting against the Luminary council people who should be her allies. It’s interesting to see how even when one just tries to survive, if you are perceived as elite, how you can be used to bolster the image of an organization–even if you’re a very unwilling poster child. I quite liked how Winnie did not suddenly become detached or able to cope with the horrors she previously faced, and how multiple times she had to try to go through her PTSD. Despite the hunters being considered elite, it is amazing to see how important that the leaders take mental health into account and not just physical well being/training.

That being said, it’s clear that I would recommend this book series to any YA Fantasy/Urban Fantasy lovers.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

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Synopsis:
Blythe Hawthorne has never let anyone tell her what to do—not society, not her overprotective father, and certainly not the man she’s bound herself to, no matter how rude and insufferable he is. In fact, she’s determined to be a thorn in his side for the rest of her days, even as he ensures that her life in his palace is anything but a fairytale. But as Blythe discovers a new side of herself linked to his past, she’ll have to decide if she’s willing to let an unexpected spark ignite…and to discover the truth about who she really is.

Review:
This book is where the series went downhill for me. I personally didn’t like Blythe from the other two books that much, and it was hard at first, having her as the main protagonist. This story didn’t have quite the same mystery and allure as the other two, and it may have had to do with the two characters it was set around. I very much disliked a certain female character that turns up later, but I do believe that was the intention. All in all, I loved the ending of this book, but it seemed as if everything took too long for the characters to figure out what seemed obvious, and while there was still a bit of Signa/Death mystery/appearances, if I hadn’t read this book I don’t feel like I would have really missed anything.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Foxglove by Adalyn Grace

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Synopsis:
A duke has been murdered. The lord of Thorn Grove has been framed. And Fate, the elusive brother of Death, has taken up residence in a sumptuous palace nearby. He’s hell-bent on revenge after Death took the life of the woman he loved many years ago…and now he’s determined to have Signa for himself, no matter the cost.

Signa and her cousin Blythe are certain that Fate can save Elijah Hawthorne from wrongful imprisonment, if the girls will entertain Fate’s presence. But the more time they spend with him, the more frightening their reality becomes, as Signa exhibits dramatic new powers that link her to Fate’s past. With mysteries and danger around every corner, the cousins must decide whom they can trust as they navigate their futures in high society, unravel the murders that haunt their family, and play Fate’s unexpected games—all with their destinies hanging in the balance.

Daring, suspenseful, and seductive, this sequel to Death and Signa’s story is as utterly romantic as it is perfectly deadly.

Review:
On one hand, I absolutely loved how there was a sudden murder that has to be solved by Signa and Blythe but on the other I found Fate to be quite insufferable at times. It was quite frustrating how Fate had the power to know and do and fix everything all along yet played a game to try to get what he wanted. While I somewhat suspected part of the twist, something hidden all along, I hadn’t expected who the murderer was! I did have an inclination what deal Fate would have sealed in the end, and while I wasn’t wrong, I still absolutely loved how this book ended. I immediately started the third when this was finished, and I’m quite glad I hadn’t started the series until it was complete.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Belladonna by Adalyn Grace

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Synopsis:
Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each one more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation, and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.
 
However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.

Review:
This book was the perfect gothic romance that I had read in quite a while. I absolutely adored Signa’s relationship with Death, both the “person” and how death effects her. Death is something that can be considered taboo, and everyone processes it differently, so it was a unique approach to see how Signa reacts to something that touches her deeper than many others. To any who lost a loved one before being old enough to truly know and understand them, this book did an amazing job at capturing what you thought a loved one might have been like, enjoyed, or even wanted from you–which all has to come from your imagination after losing them so early in life. I thought Signa’s abilities were quite unique and I hadn’t seen or read anything like it before.

This book was exceptional, and I, of course, had to immediately jump into the second–especially since there was a huge cliffhanger and I wanted to know how the next mystery is solved!!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Frogkisser! by Garth Nix

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Synopsis:
Poor Princess Anya. Stuck living with her evil stepmother’s new husband, her evil step-stepfather. Plagued with an unfortunate ability to break curses with a magic-assisted kiss. And forced to go on the run when her step-stepfather decides to make the kingdom entirely his own.

Aided by a loyal talking dog, a boy thief trapped in the body of a newt, and some extraordinarily mischievous wizards, Anya sets off on a Quest that, if she plays it right, will ultimately free her land—and teach her a thing or two about the use of power, the effectiveness of a well-placed pucker, and the finding of friends in places both high and low.

Review:
Now this book sounds like a true fairytale, meant for everyone, and it is! The book is humorous and yet has a princess that has to work to keep herself safe and learn to do things on her own, while also learning to ask for help in the right way, at the right time, and who to trust. While there are quite humorous bits, there are also many characters that have very serious consequences or situations thrust upon them that both show that one cannot always control what happens, but also that making smart choices results in better futures. There is a moral and lesson for everyone who reads this story; it’s fun, it’s sweet, it’s cute.

It’s very much not what one thinks of when they would think of a Garth Nix book, especially if they had read the Abhorsen trilogy because this book is very much written for a younger audience. While Garth Nix had previously stated that he wouldn’t write down for younger readers, it would take a certain type of reader/person to read said trilogy because the depth involved. While these character all have good backstories, it’s written in a way that younger people could easily connect, understand, and resonate with what’s going on.

I immediately handed this book off to a good friend when I was finished because it’s a nice, sweet, fairy tale, light read for an adult, and I think it’s something that most younger people would enjoy and everyone would get something out of. I highly recommend this book, as I likely would all Garth Nix works.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

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Synopsis:
Two sisters.One brutal murder. A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself… And an intoxicating romance. 

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe — witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden. Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…

Review:
Despite the synopsis very much informing the reader of what was to happen, it still was quite a shock to discover after becoming so embroiled in the lives of the twin sisters Vittoria and Emilia. One of the interesting parts of this novel is that while it is written in third person it is very obviously in the limited view of Emilia; so while we may have thoughts and inklings as to what happened or didn’t, we are led to believe her line of reasoning must have some merit.

I quite loved how stories told and used as warnings were so clearly twisted from the truth. The way in which truth and story blended and not everything was known worked well throughout the novel to leave you wondering. The story, while clearly fantasy, was given great depth and life by the way it worked around the family restaurant and everyone’s specialties and help within. Emilia’s relationship with the monastery in town, and in particular Fratello Antonio gave way to the perfect bits and pieces of gothic horror/romance. I absolutely loved the characterization, the depth of the characters, and, I’ll admit, Wrath.

This book was something I eagerly devoured, and there was never a part that didn’t seem perfect. From learning about ways to cook in the restaurant, the type of perfume or drinks Vittoria liked to make, to the horrible cliffhanger of an ending, I was always left wanting more. I highly recommend this book for lovers of gothic romance/fantasy, enemies to lovers, witches and demons.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯