The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa

THE IRON RAVEN
Author: Julie Kagawa 
Published: February 9, 2021
Publisher: INKYARD PRESS

Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Fantasy; Folklore and Fairytale; Paranormal romance
336 pages

About the Book

 Wicked faeries and fantastic danger... Welcome to book one of the new trilogy in New York Times bestselling author Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey fantasy series, as infamous prankster Puck finally has a chance to tell his story and stand with allies new and old to save Faery and the world. 

 "YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF ME..."

 Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Prankster, joker, raven, fool... King Oberon's right-hand jester from A Midsummer Night's Dream. The legends are many, but the truth will now be known as never before, as Puck finally tells his own story and faces a threat to the lands of Faery and the human world unlike any before.

 With the Iron Queen Meghan Chase and her prince consort, Puck's longtime rival Ash, and allies old and new by his side, Puck begins a fantastical and dangerous adventure not to be missed or forgotten. Filled with myths and faery lore, romance and unfathomable dangers, The Iron Raven is book one of a new epic fantasy trilogy set in the world of The Iron Fey.

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The Iron Raven is everything I want in the continuation of The Iron Fey series. I was actually never a super big Puck fan, but I love him in this book. Plus new characters? Yes, please.

Okay so the character I love the most in this story is not Puck. Poor Puck. I do like him. I just don’t love him the way I did some other characters. Nyx, however, I love her. The Forgotten assassin who is mysterious and cool. Lol. She’s not broody though, just quiet and intelligent. You can tell she is a people watcher. I’m excited to hopefully find out more about her story and see how her character develops.

So yes Puck. I did like Puck. He’s funny and of course powerful. I really like his story arc. The way his character develops due to some unforeseen circumstances is great. He has to deal with things that might have been glossed over before. 

It’s always fun to see former characters. Although Kierran. My heart still breaks about Kierran. Meghan and Ash have a little part as well and although we are missing Ironheart, his herd is still a part of the story. Of course there is also Grimalkin.

I love the plot. I’m always a fan of adventure stories that involve a group of characters. Maybe because I’m such a rpg game player. I have no idea but I also love the depth that multiple characters bring. Puck falls into this adventure with the merry band by chance but he is in some respects sort of the leader. Not only are they journeying to fight this new evil there are a lot of Puck’s memories that come up and of course the mysteries of Nyx. It incorporates new and old seamlessly.

Another great addition to The Iron Fey series. I’m so excited for what happens next.

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About the Authors

 JULIE KAGAWA is the New York Times, USA TODAY and internationally bestselling author of The Iron Fey, Blood of Eden, The Talon Saga and the Shadow of the Fox series. Born in Sacramento, she has been a bookseller and an animal trainer and enjoys reading, painting, playing in her garden and training in martial arts. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and a plethora of pets. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Love Spells and Other Disasters by Angie Barrett

Love Spells and Other Disasters by Angie Barrett

Publication Date: February 1, 2021

Publisher:  Entangled Teen

I didn’t know when I wrote the first love spell that it would actually make things happen. Like, actually make people fall in love with each other…

How could I have known something like that? I mean, magic isn’t real, right?

But here’s the thing—the spell does work and so does the next one and the next one...and suddenly I’m getting a whole lot of attention from everyone at my high school. Me, Blend-into-the-Walls, Please-Let-Me-Introvert-in-Peace Rowan Marshall. And not only that, but I’ve also caught the attention of Luca Russo, a godlike, football-playing hottie who claims he likes me just the way I am. Ummm...

But as I’m about to learn, playing around with things you don’t understand means when things go wrong—like really, very awfully wrong—you don’t know how to fix them.

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Love Spells and Other Disasters is such a cute and fun story. I really enjoyed it and it was the perfect mix of a contemporary story with a little realistic magic mixed in. 

After the unlikely duo of Rowan and Abby are partnered for a marketing project, they come up with a booth that sells crush spells. Things start getting a little weird when the spells Rowan writes actually work. 

I really liked Rowan. She is so comfortable with herself and that’s not saying she doesn’t have some insecurities. I think it’s the little things she doesn’t even realize. Like if she does a makeover she isn’t going to cut her hair because she likes it. She might dress differently for a party but she doesn’t throw out all her comfy clothes. Even as her friends and life might change a bit, she’s still Rowan.

I loved that Rowan’s mom is a ghost hunter. My FIL was actually a ghost hunter before he passed. He was part of a group that would go to houses for free to help ghosts move on. So I enjoyed having that be a part of her mom’s life. I also liked that they seemed to have a solid relationship. No relationship is perfect but even though Rowan is not a fan of her mother’s activities, she still supports her. 

I also love her relationship with her best friend, Ethan. I love a story that has some strong relationships already established. I think he reminds me of friends I had in high school so I had a fondness for him. 

I loved the plot! It’s one of those ones where you keep reading because, first you know things are going to go bad somehow and you want to know how. Then you keep reading because you want to know how they are going to get out of the situation. It is such a cute and unique idea as well. It is fast paced and engaging.

So if you are looking for something light and fun. This is a great read. Gives you those good vibes.

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Author Angie Barrett lives in a small town in Ontario, Canada in an old century home that is also known as the “cat house” because, well, Angie likes cats. A lot. She also likes shopping for books, or for anything really, and spending time RVing in the summer with her family. She has worked for sixteen years as a high school English teacher and Librarian and is currently a Curriculum Consultant for new teachers. Angie has always dreamed of being a published author and strives to create worlds where there are strong, relatable characters who maybe are not always perfect but who understand the meaning of friendship and loyalty and who will use their collective strengths to overcome adversity.

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In The Penalty Box by Lynn Rush & Kelly Anne Blount

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The Cutting Edge meets Friday Night Lights in a sizzling new hockey romance from bestselling authors Kelly Anne Blount and Lynn Rush!

In the Penalty Box 
by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount  
Genre: YA Contemporary 
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Entangled Teen 

Summary: 

Willow: Figure skating was supposed to be my whole world. But one unlucky injury and now I’m down...but I’m definitely not out. I just need to rehab—a boatload of rehab—and who’d have thought I could do it on the boys’ hockey team? Of course, the infuriatingly hot captain of the team seems to think I’m nothing but sequins and twirls. What’s a girl to do but put him in his place? Game on.

 Brodie:  Hockey is my whole world. I’ve worked my tail off getting my team in a position to win the championships—hopefully in front of major college scouts, too—so what’s a guy to do when a figure skater ends up as our new goalie? Of course, the distractingly sexy skater thinks I’m nothing but a testosterone-laced competitive streak. And surely she’s only biding her time to heal, then she’s gone. Game over.

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REVIEW

When I started In The Penalty Box I was hooked. I think the immediate chemistry between Willow and Brodie and just the general awesomeness of Willow sucked me in.

I really enjoyed Willow. She is hardworking and tough. Even though she hurt her achilles, even though she was taking longer to rehab then she wanted. She kept at it and was absolutely determined to get herself in shape. No matter what it takes. I find people like that amazing because I would consider myself on the lazy side.

Brodie is also a great kind hearted guy. He has some struggles in his personal life but he is a devoted brother and good friend. Sometimes though I felt a little frustrated with him when he was making some of Willow’s things about him. He’s also 17 though and that is what you do at 17. I also liked that there are some things in his life that are not magically fixed. Like it’s something that is a process and is going to have to take beyond the book.

The romance is cute and I did really enjoy the banter and chemistry between characters. Again towards the end I had some frustrations. I’m still not sure how I feel about it but I guess if that’s what the characters wanted that’s what they wanted.

It also addresses discrimination against girls and what people think figure skaters are like. Figure skaters are hard workers, just because they wear sequins and make up doesn’t make them any less so. I was a dancer and I remember when there was a whole football team that would come in for a class to help with their balance. I think you see the same thing here with figure skating and hockey crossover. I really enjoyed that part of it. I also enjoy sports in books even though I rarely watch sports in life. It’s kind of funny.

So this is a great quick read. I’m still conflicted about the end but it doesn’t take away from what the story is at all. 

About the Authors:

 

Lynn Rush: New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author, Lynn Rush, is a full-time writer, wife, and trail runner living in the Sonoran Desert, despite her fear of rattle snakes. Known as #TheRunningWriter, Lynn can’t resist posting epic sunrise pictures while running in the desert with her trail sisters, even if she has to occasionally hop a scorpion.

When she’s not running or writing, she’s watching movies that fuel her everlasting love of superheroes, vampires, and all things Supernatural. The books she reads usually carry the same theme, but this former college athlete loves reading sweet sports romances as well.

She’s madly in love with her Ironman husband of 20+ years who is the inspiration for what true love is. You can find her on social media as @LynnRushWrites and her website is: www.lynnrush.com 

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Kelly Anne Blount: USA Today Bestselling author and Wattpad Star Kelly Anne Blount has more than seventy-three-thousand followers on social media. Her Wattpad stories have been read more than twenty-million times. She’s contributed to Tap, Wattpad’s new app for chat-style stories, where her work has been “tapped” more than fifty-million times. She is a writer and reviewer for SpoilerTV, which has allowed her to develop an incredible network of film and TV stars.

Two of her Wattpad works, including Captured (seventeen-million reads), have been optioned for film by Komixx Entertainment, and she is regularly invited to present seminars about social media at author events.

Stop by any of Kelly’s social-media platforms (@KellyAnneBlount) and stay tuned to this website for announcements and information about upcoming releases and events.

Kelly Anne Blount is represented by Jennifer Wills (jennifer@theseymouragency.com) and Nicole Resciniti (nicole@theseymouragency.com) of The Seymour Agency.

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Warriors of Wing and Flame by Sara B. Larson

Title: Warriors of Wing and Flame
Author: Sara B Larson
Published: Published October 27th 2020 by Tor Teen
Indie : Andersons : Semicolon : B&N

The doorway between the magical Visempirum and the human world has been reopened. Paladin are once more living in the citadel where Zuhra and Inara grew up completely isolated by the magical hedge that trapped them there. Amidst the brewing conflict between the Paladin and humans looms the threat of Barloc, who has stolen Inara’s immense power and continues to elude the Paladin who are desperately searching for him.

In this sequel to Sisters of Shadow and Light, Inara and Zuhra must navigate the treacherous paths of self-discovery, their love for each other, and for the boys who have captured their hearts. Together, they search for the strength within themselves to bridge the divide between the two worlds they inhabit, even as war threatens to destroy everything—and everyone—they love.

I’ve really enjoyed the Sisters of Shadow and Light duology. I just found it to be really unique in it’s characters and story. Warriors of Wing and Flame wrapped thing ups nicely.

I don’t know what my deal is with Inara but I don’t exactly like her. I don’t dislike her, like I found her storyline interesting. I enjoyed her navigating her way through her new life. Not just without the roar but from what Barloc had done to her. I just kept feeling like people didn’t give Zuhra enough credit. Like Inara is Ray of Light but dude she wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for Zuhra making sacrifices for her. I don’t know. I do love the fact that the two sisters love one another so much. Especially since they have a complicated relationship with their parents and grandparents really. So it is always nice to see.

On the other hand I love Zuhra. She gives so much and really has the pure heart. I guess I do like that Zuhra and Inara compliment one another in that way. Plus it was sweet to see Zuhra’s expanding relationship with Raidyn as well as her own comfort into her own life. Both girls went from being locked away to having to be involved in some crazy epic battleness.

There is a little more of a sullen tone to this book. The characters experience loss in many different ways. Not every character even has the same things that impact them. Which is another thing that has made me really like this series. You see different personalities fitting together to create this world.

I love the world itself. It’s really interesting the magic and of course the gryphons! I don’t want to give too much away because a lot happens and I don’t want to do any spoilers.

I thought this was a great conclusion. A good duology and an enjoyable read.

You can check out my review for book one HERE

Sara B. Larson is the best-selling and critically acclaimed author of the YA fantasy DEFY trilogy (DEFY, IGNITE, and ENDURE) and the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN duology. Her next YA fantasy, SISTERS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT, comes out November 5th from Tor Teen. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their Maltese, Loki. She writes in brief snippets throughout the day and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims she should have a degree in “the art of multitasking.” When she’s not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction.

She’s online at www.SaraBLarson.com

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GIVEAWAY:

Enter to win five (5) finished copies of Warriors of Wing and Flame by Sara B. Larson! Open USA only. There will be 5 winners.

Giveaway starts: Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Giveaway ends: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 12:00 a.m. CDT

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Send Me Their Souls by Sara Wolf

Title: Send Me Their Souls
Author: Sarah Wolf
Published: November 3rd 2020 by Entangled: Teen
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The finale to the epic Bring Me Their Hearts series reaches its thrilling conclusion, full of intrigue, emotion, and of course romance.

Reunited with Lucien, Malachite, and Fione, Zera finally has the choice of whether or not to regain her humanity and give up her life as a Heartless. But with war raging and an army of valkerax on the loose, she’s never needed immortality more. Will they be able to stop Varia without sacrificing themselves in the process?

Send Me Their Souls is quite the ending to the Bring Me Their Hearts series. It almost felt like something separate from the rest. It continued and wrapped up the story well. It just a lot happens and a lot of world building.

I can’t remember if I felt before that this story gives me Final Fantasy vibes. I thought it would fit perfectly as an RPG game. I loved the world building and how we get to explore different cities and how they all have their unique attributes. I think the first two books were really focused on the characters and their development and this felt more focused on the world, it’s history and of course those pesky trees.

Despite that I felt that this book had a strong focus on world building, I still loved the characters. Again it’s quite the diverse crew and again I think that’s why it reminds me of a videogame. Bringing together a group that comes from different parts of the world, with different talents. We also get to know Malachite a little bit more and maybe why he’s always so prickly. Zera of course does not drop her witty banter, doesn’t matter if she has two eyes or six. The way that her and Lucien work as a team makes me so happy. I love when we drop the romance drama and see the love interest come together and work in a partnership. Also the unbreakable friendships are good to see.

I don’t want to give too much away, again it is a big book and a lot of things happen. I can’t think of any questions that were left unanswered. Well I had one and it has to do with a brain situation but it really has no impact on the story. It’s kind of like when you wonder if someone closes a door after they have opened it.

I loved Send Me Their Souls and I have loved this series. I feel like it doesn’t get as much love as it deserves. From the witty character interactions, to the engaging story and of course the interesting world. I would highly recommend picking this up if you love fantasy and want something a little more unique.

The Black Kids by Christina Hammonds Reed

Title: The Black Kids
Author: Christina Hammonds Reed
Published: Published August 4th 2020 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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Los Angeles, 1992

Ashley Bennett and her friends are living the charmed life. It’s the end of senior year and they’re spending more time at the beach than in the classroom. They can already feel the sunny days and endless possibilities of summer.

Everything changes one afternoon in April, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating a black man named Rodney King half to death. Suddenly, Ashley’s not just one of the girls. She’s one of the black kids.

As violent protests engulf LA and the city burns, Ashley tries to continue on as if life were normal. Even as her self-destructive sister gets dangerously involved in the riots. Even as the model black family façade her wealthy and prominent parents have built starts to crumble. Even as her best friends help spread a rumor that could completely derail the future of her classmate and fellow black kid, LaShawn Johnson.

With her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the us? And who is the them?

The Black Kids is a great coming of age story that really captures teenage life in the 90s. It’s impactful with its perspectives during the 1992 Rodney King trial.

This story revolves around Ashely and it’s really about her final months as a senior in high school. She’s just trying to make it through when the Rodney King trial and verdict comes down. She starts to take a different look at her life, at her friends and where she feels like she belongs. Her growth and understanding are really the center of the book. I loved Ashely because she felt like a real teenager to me. That some of her experiences, like the friends drifting apart and even the boy debacle reminded me of High School. Her mistakes don’t make her.

There are so many things in this story that reminded me of high school. There are things that happen like cheating, which I know some people do not like that in books. I know that’s a part of life, it happened to me in High School. Should it happen, of course not. Lots of things shouldn’t happen but I would hope that would not steer you from the book because that’s not the most important message here.

I really liked how there are so many different perspectives. We have Ashely who attends a predominantly white private school and her friends are also all white. There are other black students. Her sister Jo is older and believes in fighting for your rights. She also mentions communism a lot. There is Ashley’s Uncle and Cousin who live in her father’s old neighborhood. Trying to protect their family store from rioters. LaShawn is a scholarship student and star athlete. We get to see what the 1992 LA riots mean to each of this characters and I think it’s so good to read about.

The book is well written and interesting. This is one to pick up.

Court of Lions by Somaiya Daud

Title: Court of Lions
Author: Somaiya Daud
Published: August 4, 2020
Publisher: Flatiron Books
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Court of Lions is the long-awaited second and final installment in the “smart, sexy, and devilishly clever” Mirage series by Somaiya Daud (Renée Ahdieh, New York Times bestselling author of The Beautiful)!

On a planet on the brink of revolution, Amani has been forced into isolation. She’s been torn from the boy she loves and has given up contact with her fellow rebels to protect her family. In taking risks for the rebel cause, Amani may have lost Maram’s trust forever. But the princess is more complex than she seems, and now Amani is once more at her capricious nature. One wrong move could see her executed for high treason.

On the eve of Maram’s marriage to Idris comes an unexpected proposal: in exchange for taking her place in the festivities, Maram will keep Amani’s rebel associations a secret. Alone and desperate, Amani is thrust into the center of the court, navigating the dangerous factions on the princess's behalf. But the court is not what she expects. As a risky plan grows in her mind, and with the rebels poised to make their stand, Amani begins to believe her world might have a future. But every choice she makes comes with a cost. Can Amani risk the ones she loves the most for a war she's not sure she can win?

This is a perfect finish to the Mirage duology. This is one of those series that I hope more people pick up and appreciate.

I love how when I’m reading about this world sometimes I feel like it’s a Fantasy and then they get into a spaceship and I’m like oh ya the Sci-Fi aspect. The two genres are so well merged that it delights me.

The story is filled with politics. After all it is a story of Maram trying to take the throne and Amani trying to save her people. I absolutely love the writing style, I think it really made this part of the story more interesting. I was fascinated by the alliances being made and the courts being navigated. I was really impressed by the different things characters said and how they operated.

As far as characters are concerned. We really see Maram and Amani bloom in their own ways. They give one another strength, even when they are at odds.

Amani character development was so great to read. Remembering her from Mirage to who she has become is just amazing. She’s drawn from her experience of being Maram’s double. As herself she had seen first hand the destruction the Vath can cause. When she pretends to be Maram she sees how the politics of the Vath work. She becomes this well rounded formidable woman who finds strength in her love for people. She has some really great lines in the story that had me riveted.

Maram also develops in the story and we actually get to hear from her POV. I really liked the character that is introduced into her life and how that has some impact on her. Also despite her anger with Amani, she also has the seed of what love of a sister can be like sprouting in her. Amani shows her another way things can be and Maram finds that strength that Amani always knew was there.

The romance is sweet but again the two badass ladies are the main focus of the story. There are also other characters we are introduced to and more culture that I loved learning about. The descriptions of the celebrations, food and clothes made me wish I could visit their world.

If you enjoyed Mirage this is the perfect way to end the duology. The characters work hard and make sacrifices and find their ending.