Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan

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I received an Advanced Reader's Copy

of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Ignite the Stars 

by Maura Milan

Ia is a rebel, a soldier, the protector of the disenfranchised.  She's out to save the world from the corrupt Commonwealth.  Her world is very black and white; what she believes to be the right way, and everything else is evil.  And she is willing to do whatever it takes to bring down those who go against her.

And then she is captured.  Her punishment?  To train with the Royal Star Force, the very entity that she has been fighting all these years.  And while she attends classes with other students, her world becomes more shades of gray.  

Ignite the Stars is a masterful tale of justice, friendship and courage.  One of the subplots is that Ia's roommate isn't what she claims to be.  She is hiding a secret about her identity that threatens to destroy everything that she has worked so hard to achieve.  I think students will connect Brinn's situation with what is currently happening in our own country, and that will lead to some great discussions!

I loved Ignite the Stars, and I think it will appeal to a variety of readers!  There is just enough romance to satisfy romance readers.  All the girls are kick-ass, which will appeal to readers who like strong girl characters.  And there are detailed descriptions of jet fighters and epic battles to appeal to readers of action and adventure!  I am definitely purchasing this title for the library, and I think my readers are going to keep it off the shelves!

The Opposite of Here by Tara Altebrando

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I received an Advanced Readers Copy 

of this title in exchange for a fair review.

The Opposite of Here 

by Tara Altebrando

The Opposite of Here is the story of Natalie.  Natalie is grieving over her boyfriend, who has recently died in a car accident.  In an effort to cheer her up, her parents take her on a cruise for her 17th birthday with three of her closest friends.

On the first night of the cruise, Natalie meets a charming young man, who mysteriously disappears.  She quickly learns that this young man is not what he appears to be.  She also suspects that her friend Nora is hiding something from her.  Is she just hyper-sensitive after Paul's death.  Or is she starting to question everyone around her?

Altebrando has created a vivid image of life on a cruise ship for a teenager.  I loved the way the story was interspersed with scripts from two-line plays; which was the girls' assignment from their film teacher.  I also appreciated all of the nods to other works of art that take place on a boat, and yes, I would include the classic Love Boat as art, don't judge!

That being said, I didn't feel that I got to know any of the characters.  I didn't relate to Natalie at all, and I found her friends to be insipid.  I think that the ending was meant as a cliffhanger, but it wasn't compelling enough to hold my interest.

I think the story was interesting and there were many plot twists, but I wasn't sold on any of the characters, and I think the ending was a let down.  I think there might be some interest among high school girls and anyone who has ever taken a cruise.  I will not likely buy it for my middle school library.  

Furyborn by Claire Legrand

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I have received an Advanced Readers Copy 

of this title in exchange for a fair review.

Furyborn 

by Claire Legrand

In this high fantasy novel, there are two queens - the Blood Queen and the Sun Queen.  One will unite the land and the other will destroy it.  In the first book of what will be The Empirium Trilogy, we meet the cast of characters that will lead us through the, what can only be called "epic", journey of two young women.

Told in the alternating voices of Rielle and Eliana, their stories span two times of turmoil in their kingdom.  Rielle, raised in the elite company of the King's son and his cousin, has been training for years to keep her gift a secret and under control.  Eliana, a deadly assassin, working for the evil Emperor, has talents that she is unable to explain.

Furyborn will keep you in your seat as you become acquainted with Reille, Eliana and their friends and family.  Every chapter in this tale is packed with action, adventure, danger and romance.  It is breathtaking in it's scope and lush in it's descriptions.  The character development is strong, and the writing is vivid and fast-paced.

The story of Furyborn will appeal to every fantasy lover out there.  However, I have some concerns about putting this book in a school library.  It is my opinion that the sex scenes are way too graphic for a school library - even high school!  I would blush if I ever had student check out this book - and I don't consider myself a prude.  It's not that they are having sex, it is the detailed description of the sex!  

The story is great, but I will not be buying this book for the library.  

Some of the Parts by Hannah Barnaby

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Some of the Parts 

by Hannah Barnaby

Tallie blames herself for her brother's death.  And when she finds out that he was an organ donor, she does what every bereaved sister would do; sets out to find his parts.

Some of the Parts is the best book that I have read in quite some time.  Barnaby accurately conveys the grief that a family suffers after the loss of a child.  The characters come alive as we get to know Tallie and her family.  Tallie is all at once fragile and strong.  Hopeful and resigned.  A good daughter and awful friend.  The truth in this novel is so poignant that I believe we can all learn a little humanity from reading Tallie's story.  

Although this book might be too complex for some middle school students, I have ordered it for the library.  If just one student is comforted by Tallie's journey, it will be worth it.

Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh

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Fear the Drowning Deep 

by Sarah Glenn Marsh

To say that Bridey fears water is an understatement.  She gets that queasy feeling just seeing the sea from her window.  When Bridey was nine, she watched as her beloved grandfather fell to his death from the cliffs just beyond their home on the Isle of Man.  She recalls hearing a strange singing and seeing a black fin, but no one believes her.

Then one day Bridey wades into the shallow water to save a young man from drowning.  This young (and handsome, of course!) man can't remember who he is, where he is from or what he was doing on the island.  Bridey calls him "Fynn" and  takes him home where her family can nurse him back to health.

But when other people start to disappear, the townsfolk look at Fynn suspiciously.  The timing is too perfect, and the town cannot fathom that there could be sea monsters living in their midst.

Bridey has to determine whether or not she can trust Fynn, or herself.  Sarah Glenn Marsh has cast a spellbinding tale of magic, fable and courage.  Young girls will be inspired by Bridey's bravery.  This book would fit into a school library starting in 5th grade.  The romance is sweet and the violence is minor.  Although the descriptions of monsters might be scary for some younger students, the story is tame enough to delight older elementary school students.  I have purchased this for my middle school library, and I urge you to do so as  well!

Keeper by Kim Chance

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I have received and advanced reader's copy in exchange for a fair review.

Keeper 

by Kim Chance

When we first meet Lainey Styles, she's studying for the SAT at a comic book event.  She has humored her friend Maggie by going with her, but she truly doesn't understand the appeal.  All Lainey can think about is college, and getting out of this small town.  But when she meets Ty, suddenly things start to change. 

Lainey starts seeing ghosts.  One ghost in particular.  A young girl, covered in blood, and wearing a green, stone pendant.  When the girl calls her name, Lainey is sure she's losing it.

Soon Lainey realizes that there is something else going on here.  Someone is trying to warn her that she's in danger.  And what does Ty have to do with it?  Can Lainey and her friends figure it out in time?  Suddenly, she's not so sure that that SAT prep book is going to help her at all.  She might need some different kind of skills to prepare for what's coming next!

I loved this story and have added it to my book order for the library.  Chance does a great job at balancing the suspense with the romance in a way that will appeal to both boys and girls.  There is some violence, but it is mild enough for me to put in my middle school library.  I'm looking forward to the next installment of Lainey Styles' story!

The Seduction of Water by Carol Goodman

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The Seduction of Water 

by Carol Goodman

Iris Greenfeder is a self proclaimed ABD, all but dissertation.  She is adjunct professor at a local college, teaching mainly immigrant adults and also teaches English at a nearby prison.  She has never married, lives alone and has a very structured romance with an artist.  She seems at peace with her predictable life until the day she assigns the fairy tale lesson to all of her students.

Reflecting on the story that her mother told her, handed down from generation to generation of women, Iris shares the story of the Selkie's Daughter with her students. She reads her own essay on how the memory of her mother is wrapped up in the telling of that story.  Iris asks her students to retell their own fairy tale, informing their own family stories.

This assignment brings out memories of Iris' own childhood and the stories of her mother that bring about events that change Iris' world.  The Seduction of Water is a breathtakingly beautiful book about story, family and love.  The settings in this book are just as detailed and powerful as the characters.  Goodman's story development is superb and blossoms into a compelling tale that twists and turns.  I couldn't put it down, and was sad when it was over.  I'm rushing to the library to see what other of her books are available.  I think I might have found a new favorite author!

Blink by Sasha Dawn

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I received an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Blink 

by Sasha Dawn

Joshua Michaels is stoked that he has been given some quality playing time as quarterback for his high school team.  And all he should be worrying about right now is hitting the weight room and keeping his grades up.  But Joshua Michaels isn't your ordinary high school athlete.  Joshua Michaels is also responsible for the care and safety of his twin four year old sisters when his mother is unavailable, and she's unavailable a lot!

One day, while on a beach trip with his sisters, he meets a beautiful, haunted girl, Chatham Claiborne.  She asks Josh to watch her bag while she swims.  She ends up hanging out and Josh is smitten; he can't stop thinking about her.

Fast forward to school, and who shows up?  Chatham  Claiborne, of course.  As smitten as Josh is with Chatham, he also knows that she has secrets.  Where did she come from?  Why is she here?  

Josh soon realizes that Chatham is in some way connected with the disappearance of a young girl, Rachel Bachton, a decade ago.  And he just might be as well.  Blink is the unfolding of the mystery of what happened to Rachel Bachton, and how these characters fit into the picture.

Dawn writes a very compelling story that kept me up way too late on several occasions!  This is definitely a high school - young adult book, there are detailed sex scenes, descriptions of child abuse and issues of domestic violence.  Parts of the story were also hard to believe, what high school quarterback puts his four year old twin sisters over his love interest?  But it was a pleasure to read!  I think this book will appeal to mystery lovers, but mystery lovers with thick skin!