**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**
*Please note: This is a series that must be read in order. If you are new to this fantastic series, check out the first book, Cage of Deceit!*

Cage of Darkness by Jennifer Anne Davis is the second in a young adult series called the Reign of Secrets series. It is a young adult fantasy series that totally rocked my world! The first book, Cage of Deceit was my favorite books of 2015. And it continues to be one of my favorite fantasy series I have ever read. It was seriously that good. This is my first book I've read by Jennifer and I have to say, I will be reading many more. As soon as I finished the first book, I was dying and I do mean dying to get my hands on the second book. So as soon as I got an advanced copy of Cage of Darkness, I immediately went on a binge read fest. I re-read book 1, and I loved it just as much as the first time reading it. And then I dove directly into book two.

I loved the disclaimer that she put on page one, about the kind of book this is and the kind of book it is not. It is not a book that wraps up nice and neatly by itself. It is most definitely part of a series and there will be loose ends. You are warned. I loved Cage of Darkness every bit as much as I loved Cage of Deceit, however this is also a book that does not neatly wrap up. Cage of Darkness picks up exactly where book one left off, with Alyssa, Jarvik and Odar in the hands of the Assassin. But trust me when I say that is only the beginning for this story. Cage of Darkness has so many twists and turns- it blew my mind. I love the world that Jennifer Anne Davis has created. It is seriously so politically interesting and richly detailed. I am more than a little obsessed. (Can you tell?)
And I have to say, Cage of Darkness went in a completely different direction than I was expecting. At the end of book one, I had some very strong opinions regarding the love interest, and I was so not expecting that to change at all. But Jennifer Anne Davis is a masterful storyteller and with the plot developing, and new characters and twists added into the mix, I would be lying if I said my opinions did not change. They did. A character that I was totally infatuated with started acting like a bit of a jerk and a new character totally caught my eye. I am just as desperate for the next book because now I have no idea what to do with myself on the love and alliance front. Jennifer Anne Davis you are killing me. And I love it so much!

Allyssa is still a wonderfully complex and multi faceted character. I love her. And Prince Odar is a very complicated character as well. As is all of the characters in the Kingdom of Russek. And I don't want to say much more than that, but if anyone has read the book, I would absolutely love to discuss a certain extremely fascinating character with you. Prince Kerdan has completely captivated me, but maybe not for the reasons you are thinking. He is just so so interesting and different. Jennifer Anne Davis has flipped my world upside down with Cage of Darkness.

There are so many good ole fashion fantasy elements in this series, including kick ass world building, lots of castley- empires, lots of sword fighting and dagger throwing and characters are are engaging and fascinating. To hold me over until the next book, I am going to read the prequel series, featuring Alyssa's parents, the True Reign series. I could see where the series would overlap in this book and I am really excited to read about her parents' story. I cannot recommend this book and this series enough. It is perfect for fans of Mary E. Pearson, Maria V. Snyder (yes, even though there is no magic) Sarah J. Maas, and Rae Carson. Everyone needs to read Cage of Deceit! Everyone. It is one of my favorite fantasy series EVER. And I do not say that lightly. Cage of Darkness is pure magic.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Swoon Reads has done it again! Love, Lies and Spies is one of my favorite books of 2016. It is a young adult historical romance by Cindy Anstey, and I refuse to believe this is actually Cindy's debut novel. Young Adult historical is a genre that I don't read too much of...not because I don't enjoy it. When it is is well done, I love it. But I am super picky when it comes to the writing and world building in my historical books. And Cindy Anstey has the historical writing IT FACTOR in spades. I felt like I was reading a young adult Oscar Wilde. Love Lies and Spies to me is the modern day Importance of Being Earnest...you know, with spies. If you haven't read it already, you need to read this book. It is hands, down, one of the best young adult historical romances I have ever read

I loved the Regency wit and charm. Flirting in their flowery way just seems so much more fun to me. And both Julianna and Spencer were witty and sharp tongued, just the way I like my characters to be. Love Lies and Spies is such a romantic book. I think it would make an excellent movie or play. I just want to see more of my (yes, my) swoonworthy Spencer. Not only is Love Lies and Spies making my top books of 2016 list, but Spencer is making my top book boyfriends of 2016 list as well.

Love Lies and Spies is told in dual narrative between Julianna and Spencer, two characters who were thrown into the dating season against their best efforts. Neither one of them is looking for a marriage, but they each have their own reasons and agendas for being in London. Julianna wants to get her research on the Lady Beetle published and Spencer is a spy for the War Office. I knew this was going to be a romance from the start, but I was very surprised to see just how romantic of a book this was. It made me feel all sappy and warm inside. I think that is part of the magic of a historical fiction book if it is well done. Everything makes it feel more romantic; the flowery over the top language, the setting, the wit and charm of the period- all of it works for me. Cindy Anstey has a fan in me. She impressed me big time with this book. I cannot praise it enough.

Bottom line: If you are a lover of historical fiction, read Love Lies and Spies. If you are new to the genre or a reluctant reader, read Love Lies and Spies. It is that simple. Just read this book. I think it is one of the best books of 2016.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

Cindy Anstey has done it again! Love, Lies and Spies was one of my favorite books of 2016. And now Duels and Deception is one of my favorite reads of 2017! I just love Cindy's books. Duels and Deception is a companion novel, set in the same time period as Love Lies and Spies. So while you do not need to read Love Lies and Spies to understand Duels and Deception, both of these books are seriously so good that you need to read both. Trust me on that one!

Duels and Deception is a young adult historical romance by Cindy Anstey. Young Adult historical is a genre that I don't read too much of...not because I don't enjoy it. When it is is well done, I love it. But I am super picky when it comes to the writing and world building in my historical books. And Cindy Anstey has the historical writing IT FACTOR in spades. I felt like I was reading a young adult Oscar Wilde. Cindy is my favorite YA historical author. If you haven't read it already, you need to read this book. It is hands, down, one of the best young adult historical romances I have ever read.

I loved the Regency wit and charm. Flirting in their flowery way just seems so much more fun to me. Duels and Deception is the story of Lydia and Robert. Lydia is delightfully headstrong and independent. I loved how she carried herself and how she was not afraid to speak her mind. And Robert is a stand up guy. Fans of good guys will swoon all over Robert. I know I did. Plus, Duels and Deception centers around an estate. And you all know how nerdy I am about estate planning. I can't say enough positive things about this book. Stick with it for the first 6 chapters and I promise you will be sucked in. From that point on, nothing could tear me away from this story. I am having the hardest time picking my favorite of these two books. (I think it might have been Love , Lies and Spies...but only by a hair. )

Just like the first book, Duels and Deception was wonderfully witty, and awesomely romantic in the way only a fantastic historical romance can be. Everything makes it feel more romantic; the flowery over the top language, the setting, the wit and charm of the period- all of it works for me. Cindy Anstey has a fan in me.

Bottom line: If you are a lover of historical fiction, read Duels and Deception. If you are new to the genre or a reluctant reader, read Duels and Deception. It is that simple. Just read this book. I think it is one of the best books of 2017. (read Love Lies and Spies too!) Cindy Antsey is quickly climbing the ranks as a favorite author for me. I have absolutely loved both of her novels!

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**

YA Review
My Thoughts
Ahh, I can't believe the Heirs of Watson Island Trilogy is done. I loved Illusion, it might be my favorite book out of all of them, and this was one heck of an ending. The hard part about this trilogy is that with each of the books it is getting harder and harder to write spoiler free reviews. Martina Boone has created such a detail rich world that is so woven is layers and layers of secrets and mysteries that it is almost impossible to say something about book 3 without giving something away. Needless to say, you need to read this series in order. So if you have not read Compulsion or Persuasion yet, stop reading this review right now and go start reading this series. You will love it!

I can see this trilogy, appealing to so many different kinds of readers. It will appeal to fans of romance, mystery, as well as fans of creepy/dark books. It is labeled as a southern gothic. I can't say that I have had too much experience in this particular genre, but if they are all like the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy, I need to start reading more of them. This series had so many layers and such a depth to its' story.

You really had to pay attention or you would miss something, both in Illusion and in this trilogy. Each of the books really builds and builds so read each page carefully. A few times I felt myself getting swept up in the story and reading quicker and quicker to find out what was going to happen next and then before I knew it I felt a little lost, like I had missed something. When I picked up Illusion, it took me a moment to get back into the swing of things and to remember what each of the three families "gifts/curses" were. But once I did, I was once again completely swept up in the magic that Martina Boone weaves with her words.

The story is crazy good, and it just keeps unfolding. Right when you think there couldn't possibly be any more, there is. I loved this series so freakin much, and I have to say the ending is pretty great. It is not often that I feel like a series or trilogy is wrapped up perfectly, and this one is! I think that is why Illusion is my favorite book in the bunch. I just want to re-read this series right now.

Bottom line: You need to read this series. If you haven't go out and grab Compulsion right now. If you have read the first two books, Illusion is not going to disappoint. I loved Barrie and Eight. Freaking loved them. Not only that but I love how vivid and rich this series feels. I can feel the mansion, the fire, the spirits, and all the tensions among the families. Not to mention the suspicion and distrust that was a tangible force on every page. Martina Boone is amazing at subtly and character building and atmospheric writing. She has created three incredible families, one incredible world and a kick butt story. The Heirs of Watson Island is one of my favorite series. It is great from start to finish.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Jackaby is the first book in the young adult paranormal detective series by author William Ritter. The first three books in the series are already out, and believe me when I tell you, this is a series you are going to want to binge read. I LOVED Jackaby. It is one of my favorite books of the year, and hands down my favorite young adult book I have read in 2016. I need to start Beastly Bones ASAP. If you are new to the series, never fear, I have a giveaway you can enter at the bottom of the post to win a copy of the first book so you can become as addicted to this awesome series as I am.

Jackaby is like a mixture of Sherlock and the anime Ghost Hunt (which, btw, is one of my favorite anime's EVER. If you haven't watched it yet, shame on you! It is on Netflix, so get to it! Even if you don't like Anime's- watch Ghost Hunt. I will accept thank you's in the form of Instagram comments or vanilla cupcakes) I love how awkward, and quirky Jackaby is. While the book had more of a Sherlock, dark and dreary vibe, Jackaby himself reminded me of a mixture of Sherlock's cryptic-ness and the awkwardness of the new detective from the British TV show, Death in Paradise. (also on Netflix) Bottom line- he is a very interesting guy, and I absolutely love him as the main character in this series. I like him even more than his assistant, Abigail, which I didn't think was initially possible. I love Abigail. She doesn't know how to hold her tongue, ever, but there is just something endearing about her. I love how spunky and inquisitive she is. She is the perfect compliment to Jackaby. They really make a great team.

In fact, the two of them together is a lot of magic of the series. I want to go on adventures with them forever. I know there will be at least four books in the series, but I am personally hoping it is even longer than that. I love the paranormal twist to the mysteries, and I really enjoy the mix of creatures and legends that are used. William Ritter does a fantastic job with the atmosphere, world building, and characterization in Jackaby. I fell in love with the characters, and the plot had me totally captivated. I didn't want this book to be over. And I can't wait for more.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**We Are Still Tornadoes is a young adult novel by Michael Kun and Susan Mullen. We Are Still Tornadoes is an epistolary novel, which is a book told through a series of letters. There are so many things I love about We Are Still Tornadoes, one of them being the format. I loved getting to read the letters back and forth from these two high school friends that parted ways after senior year. I also loved the way Michael Kun and Susan Mullen partnered to write this story. Susan would draft Cath's letters and Michael would draft Scott's letters. I love this because it added two distinct personalities and vibes to the characters. Of course, I also love the 80s setting, and I love that these two authors met in law school (I realize that has nothing to do with the story, but I love finding lawyer authors.)

We Are Still Tornadoes made me feel nostalgic in all the best ways. I used to love writing letters to my friends. (yes, even though I could text.) And the whole friends to more concept is a favorite of mine. We Are Still Tornadoes will have you laughing, it will make you sad, it was make you want to blast some great 80s music and watch some old school MTV, but most of all this is a book that will put a smile on your face. I really really enjoyed We Are Still Tornadoes. It is part realistic fiction, part humor, part romance, and part classic romantic comedy, (yes that gets it's own category, it is not the same as humor or romance.)I think everyone will find something to love about We Are Still Tornadoes. I am so glad I read this book.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore is a beautiful story in the young adult magical realism genre. The Weight of Feathers has been called The Night Circus meets Romeo and Juliet. Now I haven't read the Night Circus yet (I know, don't shoot me!) but I can totally see the circus meets Romeo and Juliet comparison. Throw a little magic in and you have it. I loved The Weight of Feathers so much. I was equally fascinated by the Palomas and the Corbeaus.

The story starts out with the Palomas, but then shifts for much of the book to the Corbeaus. At first, I started out on the Palomas side and then switched over to the Corbeaus camp, but I soon realized that there are no good guys and bad guys here. Just two families that each have a bit of their own special magic and each have a whole lot of judgment and confusion over what the other family has done. It was almost comical the way that they blamed the other family for everything. It all centers around one event that took me by total surprise near the start of the book. I really liked how everything fit together around this event.And I loved that the two families acts were so totally different. The Palomas have a water act and the Corbeaus have an act high up in the trees. The big difference in their acts, just served to justify to each family just how different they thought they were from the other. I can't emphasize enough how fantastically executed this story is. It felt like I was reading something really special.

Author Anna-Marie McLemore did such a beautiful job with this story. The writing is moving and the characters will have you rooting for them until the very end. I was swept up in the magic of The Weight of Feathers. I think this is a book that will appeal to young adult and all ages of adults alike. (I was going to say old adults, but I thought better of that almost immediately.) I cannot wait to see what Anna-Marie McLemore will come up with next.

This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
Alive is one of those young adult books that has such a cool concept, that you can't not read it. Alive is about a teenage girl that gets a heart transplant, and then some strange and dare-I-say-it... creepy, things begin to happen. You cannot tell me that story doesn't sounds, original and flat out awesome, can you? Nope, I didn't think so. Alive is a great read. One that will leave you more than a little spooked.Stella is a character that I think could be very polarizing in the young adult book world. I can certainly see people getting frustrated with her, but it was really easy for me to put myself in her shoes and imagine how hard her recovery and every day life must be. I haven't gone through anything as traumatic as having a bad heart or needing a transplant, but Stella is a very easily relate-able character.

Sure, she gets a bit of first boyfriend tunnel- vision, and sure she takes a couple craps on her friends, but put in context of everything that was going on, I got it. Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't give her a free pass for being a crappy friend more than once during Alive. In fact, I wanted to shake her every single time I imagined Henry's hurt feelings. Stella kind of went on a path of teenage destruction in parts of Alive. She is lucky that her friends are so awesome, because I know a lot of people that wouldn't not put up with half of her decisions. I know it seems like I am hating on Stella. but I'm not. Because even through everything I just mentioned, I was still on Team Stella. Why? Because of Chandler's writing. Chandler Baker made me care for Stella, because I understood Stella's motivations.

I love Henry. I shipped hard for him in this book. Levi totally creeped me out. He was not a bad boy that made me swoon at all. But then again, how could anyone steal my attention from Henry. I just wanted to hug him from the very first text that Stella sent him. (and I hadn't even met him yet!)

Chandler's writing was the highlight of Alive for me. It was thought provoking writing. I loved the idea that an organ might not just be an organ. That it might carry some impressions, and history from its' previous owner. That concept alone has a ton of ramifications, and interesting ideas to explore. Alive is the product of that thought, and I loved seeing where Chandler Baker took it. So whether you end up loving Stella or hating Stella, I think there is something for everyone to enjoy, and to think about, in Alive.


This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net** 
3.5/5

Illusionarium is a young adult fantasy novel that is super vivid. The sky is the limit with Heather Dixon's Illusionists, and the world(s) she created are both captivating and freaky-deaky. I blew through Illusionarium in one quick sitting. This book grabbed me right from the start and I couldn't put it down. The concept was crazier than I initially thought it would be, and I enjoyed the twists and turns that Heather had in store for Johnathan and the readers.

Set sometime in the future, London as we know it is no more. Instead people live on airships. A deadly disease called the venem is spreading so rapidly. It is only affecting women, but once infected with the disease, 100% of the victims die within a week. Scientists are working as quickly as possible to try and find a cure. The nations best scientist and Johnathan's father (the second best scientist) are called in to try and find the cure. Lady Florel is the top scientist and she has discovered that the cure may lie in this new drug, called Fanatalium. The drug causes shared hallucinations, and scientists can illusion things to happen while using it. In these illusions, Lady Florel thinks they can manipulate time to speed up so they can test out potential cures and see the effects. It was kind of a cool idea. But I didn't really understand why only scientists could be illusionists, and I didn't really understand why there only seemed to be 2 main scientists in their whole part of the world. Either way, Johnathan, as his father's apprentice goes on a quest with Lady Florel to illusion a cure for the drug. but things are not always what they seem, and along the way so many twists and turns happen that derail the experiments. I won't ruin anything, because those are the heart and fun of the story.

There is not really a romance in this one, and I am unsure if there is going to be a second book or not. It was kind of left open ended. I would really like to see another book, because I think there are many different avenues that can still be explored and I really liked traveling into this crazy world. The idea of illusionists were really cool. I think that some people may take issue to the idea of the drug use with the fanatalium that causes the shared hallucinations, but the dangers of the drug are explained later in the book, so I don't think it glorified drug use or anything like that.

If you like inventive young adult fantasies and don't mind little to no romance, this would be a great book for you to check out. And I have to say, the cover is beautiful and the hardback book is intricately designed. I am so in love with the way everything looks. From the cog designs on each chapter to the color scheme of the actual hardcover. It is just beautiful. This was a really cool read.

 This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

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3.5/5

Finding Paris is a young adult contemporary/mystery. The set up is instantly intriguing. It is a story about two sisters in Las Vegas. Paris, the older sister demands a post break-up pie trip in the middle of the night and ends of disappearing in the middle of it. She leaves her sister a clue and tells her to come find her and that she needs help. What starts out as a kind of unconventional scavenger hunt, becomes more and more mysterious as the book progresses. I really liked Finding Paris. It is part scavenger hunt, part mystery, part romance, and more secrets than you can count. Hold on to your seat and get ready to go on a twisty, turn-y adventure with this one.

I don't know whether to be impressed with Paris or disturbed. Maybe a little bit of both, but I will say one thing for her. No matter what it seems like at any given time, she really loves her sister Leo. And the sibling relationship aspect of Finding Paris is kind of beautiful, even amidst all of the chaos that is happening. I loved hearing about their memories and the things that they did together.

On that pie run, Leo meets Max, and he kind of gets wrapped up in the whole adventure. I liked Max. I am a little unsure what kind of person would go on a middle of the night scavenger hunt with someone he just met, but I was happy that he was a part of the book. I loved reading and learning everyone's secrets. And his was a doozy. Actually, everyone's were.

I think Finding Paris will take a lot of people by surprise. I don't think there is anyway for someone to predict just all the twists and turns and plot reveals that Joy Preble has waiting around corners for readers. This book was very masterfully done. A few of the reveals were very shocking, and while It wasn't the ending I was hoping for or even guessing as a possibility, it was a very cool real. I liked that each page was a surprise for me. I just let go and enjoyed the ride.

 This review was originally posted on Book Briefs