Two girls, both gifted with magic, and intertwined with each other’s fate. Annalise is the cousin to the prince and has been hiding her powers, waiting to get revenge against the king, however when he announces that she is to be betrothed to a stranger 20 years her senior and sent to a far away kingdom...that is the last straw. Her rage, her magic, cannot be tamed and when her cousin tries to bring her back to the ball to dance with her new fiancee she snaps...and accidentally damages the prince. Now she uses her magic to not only influence the king but to influence the advisors into believing her cousin has run away and that she is the rightful heir... all to further her plans to not only save the kingdom from the slightly deranged king but to also avenge her mother. Evra was raised to believe she didn’t have magic, but after a disastrous meeting with her crush that ends with her crushed... she is suddenly thrust into a painful vision. Evra soon finds out that she is a once in a generation clairvoyant... who is meant to serve the crown. With her new visions Evra is sent to warn to King about the visions she is seeing but soon she finds herself in the midst of court politics as well as trying to decipher her new visions and a strange boy who appears in them. Filled with intrigue, romance, and politics this was such a fun read. It is told from alternating POVS between Annalise and Evra, you get to see both sides of their stories and their motivations and personally I empathized with Annalise so much. The romance was interesting as we got two different types of relationships: Annalise with hers which had a interesting take on whether this love was right, whether it was magic, or how far and deep loyalty goes, and Evra’s was a sweet one, from building their friendship and helping one another. Overall a great stand-alone fantasy read!

A desperate girl, a feral wolf, and the frozen wasteland of a planet they are stranded on. Sena Korhosen has had to live a difficult life, as the daughter of a racers who have died tragically she has sworn to never become a racer herself. After angering a local gangster she is given the ultimatum, heal the boss’s fighter wolf Iska in one month or be turned over to be forced to race to her death. She is offered a different deal though, a team of scientists offer to pay her way off her frozen planet if she helps them to the finish line of the planet’s infamous sled race. With no options and a need for money and to get away from the crime boss, Sena takes up with the scientists and helping navigate the treacherous tundra. Soon a battle for survival on the frontier begins and the bond between Sena and Iska grow as both girl and wolf work to survive the icy hell. This is a story about survival, found family, and the bond that grows between a girl and a wolf in a twist on the classical survival stories of the frontier. Filled with fighting people, monsters, and the icy weather, this was an interesting read. Sena has had to deal with so much and only wants to find a way off the frozen planet she is stranded in, with so little cash and job opportunities, she finds herself backed into a corner of resorting to thieving. The bond between Sena and Iska was the most pivotal aspect of the book and I always enjoy reading a story about a person and an animal bonding with one another. Iska is a wolf bred to fight, wounded, and mistreated, so when Sena comes in to her life both of them find an understanding between each other.

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Sixteen bloodless bodies, two teenagers, and the truth that will change them forever. In the summer of 1958 there are a string of murders that plague the Midwest, with all the victims being found with their bodies drained of blood. On September 19, the Carlson family is slaughtered in their Minnesota farmhouse...except this time there is a 16 year old girl covered in blood found at the scene...and the blood is not hers. Cue Michael Jenson, the son of the local sheriff who dreams about becoming a journalist and finds himself drawn to the case of the blood drenched girl, Marie Catherine Hale. Marie and Michael soon find themselves tied together, Marie refusing to recount the events to anyone but Michael, and Michael finding himself drawn further and further into her story. The truth begins to draw in more questions and soon Michael doesn’t know what to believe and what is the actual truth of the events. This is the perfect story for fans of true crime podcasts and such, its definitely a plot-driven book and the turn it takes was definitely a surprise to me. The ending threw me off a bit but in a way it was definitely a unique way to end the story. I liked how the plot formed and it definitely felt as if I was watching a true crime show or some mystery mini series. Though with a title like that i had wished it leaned further into the paranormal if that was it’s main aim the entire time and gone deeper with the gothic horror elements but the book definitely blends true crime in with paranormal horror. It’s definitely a good read for the upcoming spooky season.

The grief of losing a child is unimaginable.... and the rage of knowing that the killer is still out there, thriving, and living scot free of consequences is even worse. Camille Gardner is furious, five years after her daughter’s death she is still obsessed with the young man she believes killed her. On the night he receives a humanitarian award Camille goes there...and goes off. Her breakdown goes viral and soon she is approached by a secret group of women who are all grieving and seeking revenge and is invited to be part of their collective. They offer her revenge in exchange for her participation in the group and silence... and yet Camille soon finds out this is more than she signed up for, The story had me going in the first half, I was extremely sympathetic and empathetic to Camille’s anger and pain, and to the pain of each of these women, then the story takes a turn with Camille balking, questioning everything, even after everything happens... and I just sorta lost interest in her but oh man did the story make a great final twist. I loved that last minute twist and found the ending to be just right for everyone. Everyone got what they deserved. So yes, read this book, it was amazing and such a thrilling that kept me going through until the very end.

Let me first begin by saying my rating was pretty generous considering that I came into this very biased, The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my all time favorite books. When I heard that this was a new YA take on it, I couldn’t resist picking it up, but I have to say this is a VERY VERY LOOSE adaptation of the classic. The story is meant to be a gender-swapped retelling told from the perspective of Amaya ( our Dantes) and Cayo ( our Albert de Morcerf sort of character). Amaya was sold to debtors and has been slaving away on a ship biding her time until she has enough money to escape. When she rescues Boons ( our Abbé Faria) they both escape and she joins him in taking revenge against the people the did this to her. Cue Cayo, a guy who has a gambling addiction and whose’s soul purpose in his life so far has just been to feel good. He gambled away his savings and his family fortune, and when his sister is sick he has to find a way to get money for her medication, no matter what it takes. Soon Cayo and Amaya cross paths and a complicated relationship ensues. Cayo needs money and Amaya’s wealthy Countess identity could be what helps him, while Amaya wants revenge against Cayo’s father and needs to wrap him around her fingers to get to him. Both of them find themselves unmasking the other and seeing each other for more than what first appears. Now the story has very light traces of the original material and while Amaya does feel wrath and wants revenge, she isn’t as sure of her plans or as convicted as Edmund was in his journey. Amaya is fairly new to this entire plan while Edmund has spent years crafting his plans. She is still unsure about her actions and how to perfectly move the machine of revenge, she feels so fresh faced compared to how convicted and determined Edmund was. While I did enjoy reading a new take on one of my favorite classics I kinda wish it had some more semblance to the original material ( though I can understand how difficult it would be considering how many points and parts there were in the original to layout the story). I did love all the representation in the story and I liked Amaya but knowing that she was suppose to be a different version of Edmund kinda tampered how much I could have liked her if she wasn’t. (

Spoiler

P.S. If I'm being honest I really did ship her with Roach despite them only having like 3 scenes together...

)Overall, if you enjoy a story about a girl getting revenge and fun twists ( and aren’t so bent on accuracy or haven’t read The Count of Monte Cristo) I definitely think this could be an enjoyable read for you!

Picking up where the last book left off, Amaya and crew are now off to the Rain Empire to find a cure for Cayo’s sister, capture Boon, and deal with the counterfeit money situation. Cayo and Amaya are still at odds and ends with one another, and we get the wonderful addition of MORE REMY. Cayo is still super mad that Amaya lied about her identity....despite everything his dad did to her.. and now that he has no money he has to *get a job* since he has no literal practical skills for life. He also is dealing with his addiction to gambling and drinking still. Amaya on the other hand has to deal with not only looking after Cayo but finding Boon to exact revenge and finding a way to solve the counterfeit money issue and what really happened to her parents. This one leans even further away from the Count of Monte Cristo-ness of the first book and feels like it just wraps up the journey of the first books events. If I’m being honest this one lacked the flare of the first book for me and I liked Cayo less and less by the end. I honestly preferred Remy to Cayo as Remy was the more supportive, understanding, and caring to Amaya between the two. Cayo was still in his self destructive rage, and his overall rage at Amaya despite knowing her situation and circumstances and what was done to her by his family and if I’m being completely honest she didn’t even do anything that bad to him that he wasn’t doing to her.... like she conned him yes but he completely wanted to use her for money too...so like??? what? Overall it wraps up the overarching stories well and ties up all the loose ends.

What happens when one day you find yourself attacked by a creature and wake up with new scars and now idea what has exactly happened? Throw in sleepwalking, hearing voices, and a lot of fresh murders in this teenage girls life and you’ve got a very interesting coming of age story splashed with demonic possession. I really had a fun time reading this story. I found the characters to be interesting and I really liked the way the demonic possession and creatures played into the story. Our protagonist is Lorelai Blake, an overweight and self conscious girl who is just trying to get by until she is attacked. Lorelai is smart and tries her best to deal with what has happened to her. The overall arc of her journey was an interesting one and this is just the beginning of the series. I am very interested to see where it goes and how Lorelai continues.

* Thank you Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A beautiful collection of poems that really just hits you in the center of your emotions. Filled with emotions, art, prose, and everything in between, this is for all the girls out there who have dealt with the struggles of life, from relationships, to mental health, and to loss. This was a fierce and relatable read that spoke to me in a way I didn’t expect it to. It thoroughly was a great read and I would highly recommend it for everyone.

*Thanks Netgalley and Central Avenue Publishing for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Claire Ventura dreams about opening up her own cookie decorating business, the only problem? Her anxiety and insecurities, mainly her concern about taking the next step, about disappointing her family, and about making a change in her life. Claire currently works as a bookseller with a part time job selling her cookies and spends most of her time outside looking after her grandmother. One day on her way to trying a new restaurant she accidentally almost runs over a mysterious stranger... who turns out to not only be the owner of the restaurant but also tech billionaire Nate. The two of them fall instantly in love and Nate offers to take her to Paris, soon Claire and Nate are in a whirlwind relationship that includes fancy trips around the world, extravagant gifts, and Claire starting to doubt whether this Prince Charming and Fairytale romance will last. This relationship is moving too fast and Claire starts doubting whether things should be as smooth as they are and if she really does fit into Nate’s world. While juggling with these doubts, she also is dealing with her family struggles, her sisters fighting and her aunt constantly condescending her and her worry for her sick grandmother. This romance story was like a romance movie, like I could honestly see this being made into a movie, very Crazy Rich Asians-esque ( about a girl finding out her boyfriend is a rich billionaire and trying to fit into his world while trying to still be herself despite being poorer than him and her support and connection with her family). The romance was definitely insta-love and I could empathize with Claire, she was anxious and insecure and dealing with it and Nate was perfect, like literally one dimensional perfect. This was a quick read and I definitely think it can be enjoyable for romance readers out there. Definitely give this a try, it’s a quick and cute romance read that will have you wanting to eat one of the cookies Claire has decorated.

*Thanks Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

In a post apocalyptic world, Blue Haven is a seventeen year old girl who is about to have her world changed. In a world where its human vs beautiful elves who drink blood, known as Shadow Elves exist, however they have died out over the past 150 years. Blue and her town have been living in seclusion trying to just live a peaceful farming life. Anyone with “gifts” is instantly tested and as someone who has been hiding her own gifts, Blue is about to let her secret out. Blue has dreamed about being a warrior but her mother has been trying to keep her from it for a some reason. When her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend starts acting suspiciously Blue follows him... and sets off a series of events that will change her village. It doesn’t help that Blue has been having visions of a handsome green eyed elf boy... who isn’t suppose to exist... and yet.... he does. Now Blue’s village is about to go up into chaos and Blue must decide who she can trust and what side she will be on. This is the first book in the series and I definitely can’t wait to see where the second one goes. If I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Mason, aka our green eyed elf boy. He was just so interesting and his backstory? GIMME MORE. I can’t wait to read from his POV. I loved the dynamic between Blue and Mason and can whole heartedly say, yes I ship it already. This was such an interesting take on an apocalyptic world, and I loved all the mentions of Lord of the Rings ( cuz ya girl is a huge fan haha).

*Thank you to Lenore Stutznegger for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*