What I Loved:
While I was initially intrigued by the premise for A Riddle in Ruby, I did not expect to it to be so completely fascinating and cool. Alternate histories are an interesting concept, and I love the focus on colonial Philadelphia for this one. There are mixtures of the Royal Navy, pirates, magical chemistry (or chemical magic, depending on how you look at it), and societal struggles. Kent Davis does a masterful job at world building in this first book while still leaving more to be discovered in the next. The writing in general is so smooth and fast paced that I had a hard time putting this down.

The action is nonstop. It seems that Ruby can never find a fully safe place, one with answers and comfort, so her, Lord Athen, and Cram are continuously moving around, and none of them really have a solid idea of what everyone wants with Ruby. The mystery and suspense makes the plot go even quicker, and though this is a longer novel, it is easy to get lost in the pages, holding your breath until you find out if the characters are safe.

What Left Me Wanting More:
For the most part, I absolutely love this story. I love the fierce and questioning characters, the mixture of magic and science, and the unending adventure. However, there are one or two plot twists that feel a bit random (especially Lord Athen’s identity). Sometimes, the story would seem to hint at an issue or topic, but then it never resurfaced. Of course, this may be explained or examined further in the series, so this certainly didn’t stop my high praises.

Final Verdict:
Fast action, complex characters, and a dazzling and dangerous world make A Riddle in Ruby one of my favorite reads of 2015. Kent Davis writes remarkably, and I can’t wait to read more from this incredible author and discover the further riddles of Ruby Teach.

Review originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/18340-a-riddle-in-ruby

This was super cute!

*Happy but emotionally spent sigh* This is a stunning ending to the trilogy. While several books have made me cry, few put a constant lump in my throat and knot in my stomach throughout (and I mean that in the best way). My heart broke over and over for Jaden in this, and I can't even begin to say how utterly real and moving the emotions are. I thought Jaden faced a lot in the second book, but this brings whole new levels of challenges to her life. But even in all the despair and heartache going on, there is so much hope and fight surrounding it.

The way everything unfolds is breathtaking. It's the longest novel of the three, and it uses every page to its best advantage. Just like the other two, it had me consumed from the beginning. While the ending was certainly not what I expected from the first book, I now couldn't have seen it ending any other way. It felt so right and just rang perfectly true to the story and the characters. Vicky Savage has written a trilogy that just takes your heart by the end. I feel like the best books leave me with a little different perspective when I finally look up from the last page, and Illuminosity has done that. I'm now taking a comfortable spot on the edge of my seat to wait for her next work."

5 Hearts!!!

Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/blog-tour-transcender-trilogy-by-vicky_26.html

"After winning a photography contest, Willa gets a trip to Dublin. Fortunately for her, the trip is a perfect opportunity to get away from her problems, namely a heart-twisting breakup. When she meets tough, brass Shane Claymore whose family hosts her stay, she does her best to push aside the attraction she feels for him, especially as it gets her more confused than ever over how she feels about her breakup. But as the two try to stay away from each, their chemistry won't seem to let them stay away for long. They will both have to learn what it means to open themselves up and be honest if they ever want to be together." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=43288

"After a night that still gives her nightmares, Haley has sworn never to kickbox again and to do her best to stay far away from her ex and fellow fighter, Matt. When confrontation becomes inevitable, mysterious and flirty West Young accepts a challenge in the ring. Now, Haley must help train West to fight if he's going to stand a chance, and while they work, sparks they can't deny fly while secrets they try to keep hidden refuse to go away." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=43767

Fairest is a new spin on Snow White done by Gail Carson Levine (author of Ella Enchanted). It takes place in a country where singing is a major part of the customs. The protagonist, Aza, is a remarkable singer, but is deemed ugly by society and herself. I've read bad reviews on this book, and many of them I believe are not accurate in how they viewed the book. This book is directed to middle school aged kids. It is a fairy tale, I.e. a place where people can fall in love quickly, people can sing as much as they want, etc. Certain aspects may not seem realistic because this is not a realistic fiction novel. Having said that, I loved this book. I first read it when I was in 6th or 7th grade and adored it. I had already read Ella Enchanted, an I was ecstatic to find another book set in the same world. Aza is a very easy character to relate to. Everyone has worried at some point about fitting in, being proclaimed a beauty by society, considered a love life impossible, etc. Yet, even with all the odds against her, Aza remains a pure hearted, caring person. Her relationship with the prince is adorable and sweet. They truly seem to bring out the best in each other. For all of those reasons and more, I have gone back to Fairest again and again throughout the years, and it has a spot on my shelf of books never to get rid of. I hope someday in the future to share this book with an insightful look on looks with my children.