I Am Not a Serial Killer John Cleaver #1 by Dan Wells Horror Mystery Supernatural Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) 15 year old John Wayne Cleaver is a sociopath and he is obsessed with serial killers. While he finds them fascinating, he’s also concerned that he might become one, so he comes up with rules he has to follow in order to keep that part of himself locked away. When a series … Read more
All These Bodies by Kendare Blake Historical Fiction Mystery Supernatural Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) It’s 1958 and Michael Jensen, aspiring teen journalist, gets the opportunity to interview the prime suspect in a string of unusual murders, 15-year-old Marie Catherine Hale, where the victims have been found exsanguinated (drained of all their blood). She’s caught red-handed (and red everything else as she’s covered in the blood of the dead when she’s arrested), … Read more
Lines of Courage by Jennifer A. Nielsen Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) One wrong turn. That was all it took to fire Austria-Hungary and Germany into war after the assassination of their Archduke. Of course, this war grew as other countries joined their allegiances. The war was titled, “The War to End All Wars.” WWI. The story is told from five different points of view. Felix Baum – a … Read more
The Summer of June by Jamie Sumner Realistic Fiction Tween (grades 5-8) * * * * Stars (Great!) Summer just started and eleven-year-old June Delancey has shaved her head. She experiences a lot of anxiety and uses hair pulling as one of her coping mechanisms. She figures she’ll have to find some other way to cope if she doesn’t have any hair… That works for about 5 minutes and then she feels BOTH anxious AND … Read more
What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum Realistic Fiction Young Adult * * * * Stars (Great!) Kit Lowell and David Drucker don’t really move in the same social circles, but when Kit’s father dies in a car accident she finds herself sitting with David at lunch one day, and that one conversation leads to another, and soon they are…friends? Up until now David hasn’t had many friends – his quirks sometimes make people uncomfortable … Read more
Sadie by Courtney Summers Mystery Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) Sadie has always looked after her little sister Mattie, but when their mother leaves them on their own, Mattie falls into a deep depression that only lifts when she finds out where their mother went. She becomes obsessed with finding her and going to her and it causes a lot of friction between her and Sadie. When Mattie attempts to hitchhike after … Read more
The Hawthorne Legacy Inheritance Games, book #2 by Jennifer Lynne Barnes Mystery Romance Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) In her search to discover why billionaire Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to her, Avery Grambs uncovers a number of interesting leads and family secrets that put her in danger. She may have discovered a link between herself and the Hawthorne family that actually makes sense, but confirming it involves tracking down a … Read more
The Captive Kingdom Ascendance series, book #4 by Jennifer A. Nielsen Adventure Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book takes place before the epilogue of the third book. Jaron, Imogen, Tobias, Roden, and Amarinda are all sailing on an Avenian Pirate ship, loaded with weapons Carthya despearately needs. Before they reach safety, they are overtaken by a ship commanded by a ruthless captain. The captain is taking them to a land … Read more
The Shadow Throne Ascendance series, book #3 by Jennifer A. Nielsen Adventure Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Jaron has survived the Avenian Pirates, but now he has to guide his kingdom through war. Against 3 kingdoms. And if thins couldn’t get more complicated, the love of his life, Imogen, has been kidnapped. So now Jaron must make the decision to rescue her, if he can. That means breaking into the … Read more
The Theft of Sunlight Dauntless Path series, book #2 by Intisar Khanani Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “The Theft of Sunlight” is a gorgeous and riveting story set against a dark, lush world inspired by middle eastern fantasy. Khanani spins a tale of intrigue, captivating you in the deceivingly glittering palaces and ethereal beauty of Menaiya, all whilst a chilling secret lurks just beyond the next page. Amraeya ni Ansarim has … Read more