Highly escapist trash, but did I enjoy reading it? Yes. 'nough said.

A seamless continuation of further adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han post-Episode IV. A classic adventure in it's own right, and I had so many gasp out loud moments

THE CHEST IN OBI'sS HUT! Han's MARRIED?!

.

Also, the ending panels when Vader discover's a huge piece of information from none other than Boba Fett are stunning.

Highly recommend.

Covering the actions of Princess Leia immediately following the events of Episode IV, I was utterly pleased with the cast of characters our Princess enlisted to help her round up the remnants of Alderaanian society. The art wasn't specifically my favorite, but it didn't over-sexualize the female characters and it sped the story along.

It is always great to see more of Leia in action.

Prior to the onslaught of The Force Awakens and the "new canon" created by Disney, I based my views on the after events of the Battle of Endor on [b:The Truce at Bakura|302618|The Truce at Bakura (Star Wars)|Kathy Tyers|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1326718249s/302618.jpg|591520].

Shattered Empire rewrites this tale, and arguably in a more realistic manner. We see that the Rebellion has much work today, and we are introduced to some new characters, including Poe Dameron's parents (I see where the hotness comes from).

There is no rest for our weary fighters, and Rucka gives you just enough of Leia, Han, and Luke to satisfy (barely).

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!


I especially loved Leia's trip to Naboo where she got to participate in a dog fight with some other kick ass ladies. Luke's quest for the ancient Jedi trees was a bit confusing, but I hope to learn more. Also, we got to see some sexy times in an Ewok hut. Hawt.

I highly recommend picking this up.

I read some of the essays in this short piece, but not all. The one that resonated with me focused on the lack of acknowledgment that violence against women is pervasive, prevalent, and needs to stop. I agreed with Solnit that it is a shame we focus on "The War on Terror" but no such war has been declared on this.

An ice-cold assassin becomes entranced with a stage beauty. Too bad he was hired to kill her...

Overall, a bit uneven. The insta-lust overshadowed the beginning of the book and Millie's secret, once revealed, was fairly lame-o. However, there were shining moments out of the dark heart of this story. And believe me, there were some VERY dark parts. I

It was also nice to see the returning Dorian and Farrah, however briefly.

I think Byrne is a promising new voice and I'll keep her in my TBR pile.

**Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

At the end of [b:Scarlet|11983940|Scarlet (Scarlet, #1)|A.C. Gaughen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370147602s/11983940.jpg|15084403], Rob has confessed his love for our lady thief, endured torture, and was bravely rescued after Scarlet agrees to marry the terrible Guy of Gisbourne. Scarlet and the rest of the band escape (and we have no smoochies).

So, whence we meet our beloved characters again, Scarlet, Rob, John, and Much are hiding out, even more in trouble for their actions on the terrible day they blew the castle walls. Rob and Scarlet are deeply in love, but haven't yet kissed, and Rob is suffering massive PTSD from the torture he is barely recovered from. This trauma is also leading him to unintentionally hurt Scarlet during his dreams, which angers the rest of the band, and causes her to agree to an odd proposal from her still-husband, Guy. Guy vows that if she comes to the castle, acts as his wife, and persuades King John to appoint him Sheriff, he will allow an annulment of their marriage.

Scarlet takes the deal, with massive consequences for all, especially herself. More light is shed on Scarlet's past, revealing secrets even she was unaware of.

Man. This book. I powered through it in one night because I just couldn't stand not knowing. And oh, the tension between Scarlet and Rob. Gaughen does an amazing job of making REAL characters. While it is terrible what Rob is going through, I find it utterly believable. I also enjoy that Gaughen honors the faith both Rob and Scarlet have, which leads them to make decisions based on their souls, not on their desires.

Also, Gaughen does an excellent job showing the plight of women during this time; their lack of power, their "weaknesses" all caused by their status as property. Our poor Scarlet is subjected to so much, but it is a wonder to see her keep her head up high, and her faith she will find a solution (with help from no one).

I don't want to say much more, because dammit read these books. I'm sorry I waited so long!

I adore a Nora Roberts contemporary, and with her focus on sort of supernatural tales lately, this was very refreshing. A bit darker than her normal fare, starting with a young girl stumbling upon her father's secret rape den and rescuing his current victim, I found the story compelling throughout.

What I especially loved about this story is that our two main leads don't get caught up in secrets and lies. Honesty rules the day, and it is exterior forces that threaten to break their happy bubble. Also, I was not expecting the identity of the killer at the end, so bravo.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Hope Walton discover's her adoptive mother may not be dead after all after she is invited to spend the summer at her Aunt's Scottish estate. Instead Hope discovers that her family is part of a ring of time travelers and she is their last hope to bring her mother back from the time of Queen Eleanor of Aquitane.

This is being billed as a "Outlander" for teens. I disagree with this comparison. Just because a story is set in Scotland and includes time-traveling does not an Outlander make. Nothing much new explored here, and I felt explanations, especially of time traveling, were way to rushed for my personal tastes.

I think teens will enjoy this tale as it is fast-paced, violent, and historically accurate enough to make it interesting. Add in some swoon-y boys and a manic pixie dream girl BFF, and this is a fine start to a trilogy.

Insta-love and Insta-lust tale set in Civil War era America, loosely based Wuthering Heights. Very poetic and dreamy language, I'm just not sold on the main relationship.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.