After several failed attempts to arrange a marriage, Ai Ling’s father travels to the palace to fix his reputation, which has been the cause of all the failures. After he doesn’t show up for a long time, Ai Ling sets out to find her father in the Palace of Fragrant Dreams, she doesn’t expect the dangerous journey she’s starting. She gets attacked by demons, ones that seem to specifically target her, and she encounters numerous life-threatening situations. Along the way, she meets Chen Yong, a young man who’s journey is also taking him the same direction. Ai Ling faces trial after trial while she attempts to find her father.

Cindy Pon is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. SILVER PHOENIX is a stunning, lush novel. Like in SERPENTINE, Pon does a perfect job at setting up a journey story. Ai Ling has to travel far in attempt to save her father. The fighting scenes between her and various demons are incredible, and you won’t want to put down the book. Likewise, Ai Ling’s internal journey is just as magnificent. Even though her parents love and care for her, she’s still limited by her society. As she travels, she discovers a freedom she never knew she had, and she blossoms in it.

The minor romance with Chen Yong is a delicious slow-burn, full of romantic tension side plot. I love their interactions, as well as the the scenes with other secondary characters. There are some seriously heartfelt moments, and these characters will stay with you for a long time.

I couldn’t be more excited to read the sequel, FURY OF THE PHOENIX, soon. This duology-start is so incredible, and I can’t wait to see where the characters go next.

Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2017/02/review-silver-phoenix-cindy-pon/

After a rough freshman year, Emma is ready to start sophomore year with a new haircut and a, hopefully, new attitude. When she’s suddenly called to be the assistant stage manager for her school’s production of Hamlet, she’s nervous but excited. However, her long time crush, Brandon, is directing the show, her best friend, Lulu, doesn’t get the role she desperately wanted, and the guy who helped her at a rough moment last year, Josh, is cast as the lead…. even though his acting is terrible. It feels like just when Emma is getting comfortable, something else goes wrong. While Emma is attempting to figure everything out, she falls through the stage’s trap door and lands in London, 1601, at the Globe Theater. Through time-travel adventures, friendship mishaps, and drama all around, Emma discovers what it means to step into the role of herself.

Molly Booth’s SAVING HAMLET is a delightful, dramatic surprise. The premise sounded fun, and I wasn’t expecting the incredible depth and emotion SAVING HAMLET captures. Friendship is perhaps the most prominent theme throughout, and Booth navigates the different characters (and timelines) expertly. No one is perfect, but Emma battles with seeing a character or two through rose-tainted glasses. On the opposite side, she also sees humanity and surprise in characters she never expected to, and she frequently must battle with her first (and sometimes second and third) impressions of the people around her.

Most notably, however, is Emma’s relationship with herself. She’s been abandoned and betrayed by friends, and she’s unexpectedly given responsibility she wasn’t anticipating. Though she begins believing a personality overhaul is due, she slowly discovers new facets she already has within herself. She learns to voice her opinions and to trust in her instincts.

With humor, excellent nuances of friendship, and a fun, light time-travel element, SAVING HAMLET is a touching story about finding your strength, standing your ground, and learning through the Bard.

Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/21075-saving-hamlet

"Cassie Arroyo attends school in Rome, though she is American, while her father teaches art history at a university there. What starts as a normal day for Cassie takes a dramatic turn when her father suddenly hustles her into the car and starts talking about how they've been found. With limited time, Cassie's father explains that a secret society is after her, an heir to an ancient bloodline that can use the Spear of Destiny and change futures. When her father is shot and rushed to the hospital, Cassie is left to run and find the answers on her own while trying not to get killed in the process." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=61839

"Abbie Wu hates being in the middle. She's the middle child in her family, and now she's headed to middle school. The worst part is that Abbie doesn't even know what her "thing," her talent or passion is, when everyone around her already seems to know theirs. With illustrations and hilarious antics throughout, FRAZZLED follows one girl's journey to find herself." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=61903

"In the sequel to MOVING TARGET, Cassie Arroyo, an American going to school in Italy, has finally found the Spear of Destiny. Unfortunately, just when she had it, she lost it in a betrayal she never expected. Now, Cassie must find it again and fix the dark destiny she may have set for the world. As Cassie starts to feel the pull of the power she could have, she faces a major choice of trust that will change everything." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=61904

EXO follows Donovan, a security force with an excocel and the son of the Prime Liaison who works with the aliens that have taken over Earth for roughly 100 years. Donovan is dedicated to his cause and taking out those who rebel, but when he is captured by rebel forces, he finds conflict within himself he didn’t expect. But war is dangerous, and Donovan’s fate rests with people who despise everything he stands for.

The world building in EXO is fantastic. Lee crafts a unique Earth where aliens and humans have a shaky relationship both internally and externally. With his father, Donovan has been enmeshed in a specific mindset all his life, and when his world gets shaken, he has to question everything, and the answers reveal a complex situation that is personal in more ways than one.

The action progresses perfectly throughout the narrative. There isn’t so much happening all at once that the reader gets lost and misses the nuances, nor are there any dull moments where you can’t feel the tension mounting in the characters and in the world around them. There’s a consistent edge of “If someone makes the wrong move, war could be unleashed,” which propels the story forward and makes for a surprisingly quick read.

Fans of thrillers, sci-fi/futuristic narratives, and a blend of action, romance, and family conflict will love EXO.

Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2017/01/blog-tour-exo-fonda-lee-giveaway/

Mini-review:
-Fantastic, musical contemporary
-Great themes of finding yourself, discovering your passion, and embracing your talents
-TOP-NOTCH romance plot that shows bittersweet nuance

Mini-review:
-Original and perfectly creepy premise
-F/F romance that's super cute
-Solid friendships too
-I would love a sequel!

Mini-review:
-Unique premise that nails the different ages
-Emotional, will probably cry
-Discusses the day-to-day storms people weather