Posted October 20, 2016 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
Maid of Secrets by
Jennifer McGowan Series: Maids of Honor #1 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2013)
Paperback (406 pages)
Rating: Reading Challenges: 2016 Backlist Books,
2016 Royal Challenge,
2016 What's In A Name?,
Read 2016 Synopsis
If God won't save the Queen...they will.
Orphan Meg Fellowes makes her living picking pockets—until she steals from the wrong nobleman. Instead of rotting in prison like she expected, she’s whisked away to the court of Queen Elizabeth I and pressed into royal service. With a faked noble identity, Meg joins four other skilled girls in the Maids of Honor, the Queen’s secret society of protectors.
Meg's natural abilities as a spy prove useful in this time of unrest. The Spanish Court is visiting, and with them come devious plots and hidden political motives. As threats to the kingdom begin to mount, Meg can’t deny her growing attraction to one of the dashing Spanish courtiers. But it’s hard to trust her heart in a place where royal formalities and masked balls hide the truth: not everyone is who they appear to be. Meg’s mission tests every talent she possesses, even her loyalty to her fellow Maids. With danger lurking around every corner, can she stay alive—and protect the crown?
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Tagged as 4 star, Read 2016
Posted June 20, 2016 in Reading, Review / 4 Comments
Lady Midnight by
Cassandra Clare Series: The Dark Artifices #1 Publisher: McElderry Books (2016)
Hardcover (668 pages)
Rating: Also by this author: City of Bones,
City of Ashes,
City of Glass Reading Challenges: Read 2016 Synopsis
In a kingdom by the sea…
In a secret world where half-angel warriors are sworn to fight demons, parabatai is a sacred word.
A parabatai is your partner in battle. A parabatai is your best friend. Parabatai can be everything to each other—but they can never fall in love.
Emma Carstairs is a warrior, a Shadowhunter, and the best in her generation. She lives for battle. Shoulder to shoulder with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, she patrols the streets of Los Angeles, where vampires party on the Sunset Strip, and faeries—the most powerful of supernatural creatures—teeter on the edge of open war with Shadowhunters. When the bodies of humans and faeries turn up murdered in the same way Emma’s parents were when she was a child, an uneasy alliance is formed. This is Emma’s chance for revenge—and Julian’s chance to get back his brother Mark, who is being held prisoner by the faerie Courts. All Emma, Mark, and Julian have to do is solve the murders within two weeks…and before the murderer targets them.
Their search takes Emma from sea caves full of sorcery to a dark lottery where death is dispensed. And each clue she unravels uncovers more secrets. What has Julian been hiding from her all these years? Why does Shadowhunter Law forbid parabatai to fall in love? Who really killed her parents—and can she bear to know the truth?
The darkly magical world of Shadowhunters has captured the imaginations of millions of readers across the globe. Join the adventure in Lady Midnight, the long-awaited first volume of a new trilogy from Cassandra Clare.
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Tagged as 4 star, Read 2016
Posted May 26, 2016 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
City of Fallen Angels by
Cassandra Clare Series: The Mortal Instruments #4 Publisher: McElderry Books (2011)
Hardcover (424 pages)
Via: Library Rating: Also by this author: City of Bones,
City of Ashes,
City of Glass Also in this series: City of Bones,
City of Ashes,
City of Glass Reading Challenges: 2016 Backlist Books,
Read 2016 Synopsis
The Mortal War is over, and sixteen-year-old Clary Fray is back home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and to use her unique power. Her mother is getting married to the love of her life. Downworlders and Shadowhunters are at peace at last. And—most importantly of all—she can finally call Jace her boyfriend.
But nothing comes without a price.
Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second, bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her—his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.
The stakes are higher than ever in the #1 New York Times bestselling fourth installment of the Mortal Instruments series.
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Tagged as 4 star, Read 2016
Posted May 16, 2016 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
The Bane Chronicles by
Cassandra Clare,
Sarah Rees Brennan,
Maureen Johnson Publisher: McElderry Books (2014)
eBook (507 pages)
Via: Library Rating: Also by this author: City of Bones,
City of Ashes,
City of Glass Reading Challenges: 2016 Backlist Books,
Read 2016 Synopsis
Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices can get to know warlock Magnus Bane like never before in this collection of New York Times bestselling tales, in print for the first time with an exclusive new story and illustrated material.
This collection of eleven short stories illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality, flamboyant style, and sharp wit populate the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices.
Originally released one-by-one as e-only short stories by Cassandra Clare, Maureen Johnson, and Sarah Rees Brennan, this compilation presents all ten together in print for the first time and includes a never-before-seen eleventh tale, as well as new illustrated material.
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Tagged as 4 star, Read 2016
Posted April 4, 2016 in Reading, Review / 0 Comments
Daughters of Ruin by
K D Castner Series: Daughters of Ruin #1 Publisher: McElderry Books (2016 - April 5)
Paperback ARC (316 pages)
Via: Publisher Rating: Reading Challenges: 2016 Royal Challenge,
Read 2016 Synopsis
Game of Thrones meets Graceling in a thrilling debut that follows the four fierce princesses of enemy kingdoms as their worlds collide in the throes of war.
Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren have lived together since they were children. They are called sisters. They are not. They are called equals. They are not. They are princesses…and they are enemies.
Not long ago, a brutal war ravaged their kingdoms, and Rhea’s father was the victor. As a gesture of peace, King Declan brought the daughters of his rivals to live under his protection—and his ever-watchful eye. For ten years the girls have trained together as diplomats and warriors, raised to accept their thrones and unite their kingdoms in peace.
But there is rarely peace among sisters. Sheltered Rhea was raised to rule everyone—including her “sisters”—but she’s cracking under pressure. The charismatic Cadis is desperately trying to redeem her people from their actions during the war. Suki guards deep family secrets that isolate her, and quiet Iren’s meekness is not what it seems.
All plans for peace are shattered when the palace is attacked. As their intended futures lie in ashes, Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren must decide where their loyalties lie: to their nations, or to each other.
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Tagged as 4 star, Read 2016