Final Girls by Riley Sager

Final Girls by Riley Sager

Published by Dutton July 11, 2017

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Pages 342

Quincy Carpenter is trying to move on. In fact, life has become almost great - she has a successful baking blog, a caring and protective boyfriend, a Xanax prescription that never runs out, plenty of wine, nightmares that only happen once in a while, and she has faded from the media’s grotesque camera lens. She works to put her nightmares of ten years earlier behind her, shedding her media-dubbed title as a Final Girl much like she shed the dress soaked with the blood of her friends after they were all murdered around her. She rejects being thrown into a macabre and casually morbid club with Lisa, who lost nine of her sorority sisters to a college dropout’s butcher knife, and Sam, who single-handedly killed the Sack Man after his rampage during her shift at the Nightlight Inn that left six people dead. 

But “recovery” and “moving on” come to a standstill when one of the Final girls ends up dead, and the other shows up on Quincy’s doorstep, intent on discovering the truth. The questions become who is lying and who is telling the truth? Just what happened to Quincy and the others at Pine Cottage? And, most importantly, is what happened all those years ago actually over?

I would be lying if I said I was not at war with myself to read Riley Sager’s debut novel, between a recommendation from Stephen King, awards, and positive reviews almost everywhere it would have been easy to get swept up in the blind positivity. However nothing is ever as good as it seems, and I tried to keep a level head while reading. I was terrified that I wanted to love it and would end up bitter and hating it instead.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Frost and Starlight  by Sarah J Maas
Published by Bloomsbury May 1, 2018
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult, Romance
Pages 229

Hope warms the coldest night.

Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. 

Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated--scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.

“To the readers who look up at the stars and wish” 

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas

Published by Bloomsbury on May 2, 2017

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult, Romance

Pages: 699

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's manoeuvrings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit – and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords – and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

WARNING: SLIGHT SPOILERS

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas
Published by Bloomsbury on May 3, 2016
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, New Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Pages 624

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world torn apart.

I honestly am not sure where to even begin with this book. Sarah J. Maas has taken an already established story and turned it on its head into something new, different from where we once were and what many were most likely expecting. It certainly was not what I was expecting. 

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury on September 2, 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy
Pages: 565

Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak―but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth . . . a truth about her heritage that could change her life―and her future―forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?

Upon finishing this book I wasn't sure what to think, there was so much in 565 pages. So many events, characters, and places. However, Heir of Fire gave me things I wanted and even more that I wasn't expecting.

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury on August 27, 2013
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Retelling

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

The last time we met Celaena Sardothien she was fighting to win a competition that would one day set her free; I am very happy to say Crown of Midnight expanded, in a much needed way, upon Throne of Glass. This was everything I was hoping for its predecessor to be. 

The Perfectionists By Sara Shepard

The Perfectionists by Sara Shepard
Published by HarperCollins on October 7 2014
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 336

Ava, Caitlin, Mackenzie, Julie, and Parker are all driven to be perfect—no matter the cost.

At first the girls think they have nothing in common, until they discover that they all hate the same person: handsome womanizer Nolan Hotchkiss, who's done things to hurt each of them. 

They come up with the perfect plan to murder Nolan—jokingly, of course. They'd never actually go through with it. But when Nolan turns up dead in the exact way they'd discussed, the girls suddenly become prime suspects in his murder. 

Only, they didn't do it. 

So who did? Unless they find the real killer, and soon, any one of them may be the next to die….

"You don't have to be good to be perfect."

At first glance, this novel seemed familiar. Very, very familiar. From the pastel cover with beautiful script writing and a group of affluent girls all hiding dirty secrets that run the risk of being discovered after they become involved in a mysterious death. However, I found I enjoyed this work much, much more.

All That Remains by Al Barrera

All That Remains by Al Barrera

Published by Al Barrera on September 15 2015

Genres: Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Pages 353

The old world is dead, and humanity struggles to survive in the shadows of the new one. Kyle, Sara, and Tim are scavengers, hiding in the remains of human civilization from the hungry things that destroyed it. Living on the few items that haven’t rotted in the thirteen years since civilization was wiped out.

But something has shown itself: A terrible creature that betrays an intelligence in the madness of the beings that rule the planet.

When the group finds Kaylee, a little girl who claims to know of a safe haven somewhere in Tennessee, they embark on a desperate journey to find it. Memory and loss, depravity and salvation— their last run will put them face to face with horrors of both man and monsters the likes of which they’ve never seen.

“If they made it back. Always if.”

Covers can make or break books for some people. A lousy cover can mean some readers decide to never look twice, we have all been there. That being said, I have hardly ever picked up a book quite as fast as I did with this novel. The cover alone screams, darkness, fragility and a loss of innocence

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

Published by Hyperion on April 1, 2007

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Pages 302

Schuyler Van Alen has never fit in at Duchesne,her prestigious New York City private school. She prefers baggy, vintage clothes to the Prada and pearls worn by her classmates. But when she turns fifteen, Schuyler's life changes dramatically. The death of a popular schoolmate haunts her in unexpected ways. And strangest of all, Jack Force, the most popular boy in school, is showing a sudden interest in her.

Once an outcast, Schuyler is thrust into Manhattan's most exclusive social circle. Its members are the powerful, the wealthy, and - as Schuyler soon discovers - the unhuman. They are Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires, and for centuries they've been invincible. Now something is preying on this elite group, and Schuyler wants to find out the truth. But is she the most vulnerable of them all?

Melissa de la Cruz knows how to create a world that is a juicy little voyeuristic view into the world of the socially and economically elite youth and that is one aspect I enjoyed.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Published by HarperTeen on February 10, 2015
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Pages 383

This is a world divided by blood - red or silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.

I was promised prejudice, romance, and science-fiction like abilities in a new and devastating world along with a hell of a plot twist and betrayal.

Draw the Line by Kim Carmichael

Draw the Line by Kim Carmichael

Published by Kindle Press on December 27 2016

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Comedy, Contemporary

Pages 226

The performance artist and con artist come together for the ultimate marriage of convenience.

Performance Artist, Argyle Brink, lives his life as one big art exhibit. No matter if he is hatching from a gilded egg to show his emergence as a new persona, or donning a suit of mirrors to reflect reality back to his audience, he never misses an opportunity to take a chance and stand by his convictions. Only one thing has eluded him…fame.

In order to save her family’s estate, Malone Summersfield must never return to England. After conning an art critic into taking her across the pond as his fiancée, she thinks her life will be smooth sailing. However, when the man’s wife enters the picture, she realizes the con is all on her, and she needs to get married now. When the strange, yet handsome, performance artist offers to marry her for the price of co-starring in his reality show, she figures she’ll give it a go and become a living art piece.

The show takes on a life of its own, gaining ratings from the sparks between the two stars. Airing everything from their dirty laundry, to public sex in an abandoned zoo, and even living off the grid in a micro house, nothing is off limits. However, when the INS decides to investigate their marriage further, and Argyle uses their predicament to broaden his art, Malone wonders if she will ever come first in his life.

With their marriage, their show, and her citizenship at stake, the two must decide if the ultimate truth lies in the art or in their love.

This book held a lot of quirky promise for me, but I found it fell short of my expectations.

Wicked: Witch and Curse by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié

Wicked: Witch and Curse by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié

Published by Simon Pulse on September 9 2008

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Pages 672

Holly Cathers's world shatters when her parents are killed in a terrible accident. Wrenched from her home in San Francisco, she is sent to Seattle to live with her relatives, Aunt Marie-Claire and her twin cousins, Amanda and Nicole.

In her new home, Holly's sorrow and grief soon give way to bewilderment at the strange incidents going on around her. Such as how any wish she whispers to her cat seems to come true. Or the way a friend is injured after a freak attack from a vicious falcon. And there's the undeniable, magnetic attraction to a boy Holly barely knows.

Holly, Amanda, and Nicole are about to be launced into a dark legacy of witches, secrets, and alliances, where ancient magics yield dangerous results. The girls will assume their roles in an intergenerational feud beyond their wildest imaginations...and in doing so, will attempt to fulfill their shared destiny.

CLARIFICATION: Witch and Curse are the first two books in a five book series. They were originally published in 2002 and 2003 , however my combined edition is from 2008. Each book is approximately 330 or so pages.

I enjoy fantasy, especially fantasy rooted in lore and/or history and when I picked up this book I had high hopes. While reading a couple thoughts went through my mind: 

Sarah By Teri Polen

Sarah by Teri Polen

Published by Black Rose Writing in 2016

Pages 190

Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal

Seventeen-year-old horror fan Cain Shannon thought helping a ghost find her killers would be the supernatural adventure of a lifetime. Now, he just hopes to survive long enough to protect his family and friends from her.

A bet between friends goes horribly wrong, resulting in Sarah's death. When she returns to seek justice against those responsible, Cain agrees to help her. But when he discovers Sarah has been hijacking his body, he realizes she wants retribution instead of justice.

Terrified of what could have happened when he wasn't in control, Cain commands Sarah to leave his house - but exorcising her isn't that easy. She retaliates against her murderers in bloody, horrific ways, each death making her stronger, then sets her sights on Cain. With the help of friends, Cain fights to save himself and his loved ones and searches for a way to stop Sarah before she kills again.

My first impression of this book came from its cover and the knowledge that this is the debut of Teri Polen. I was reminded of ghost stories in pop culture movies and thought this could go one of two ways: a suspenseful and terrifying ride or end up a complete flop.

Throne of Glass By Sarah J. Maas

 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Published by Bloomsbury on February 8, 2012
Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Retelling
Pages 432

Meet Celaena Sardothien.

Beautiful. Deadly.

Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake. She got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

"What if Cinderella was not a servant, but an assassin? And what if she didn't attend the ball to meet the prince, but to kill him, instead?"

With that statement alone I was very interested in this series. As a debut novel from a fantasy author it is not bad, in fact I enjoyed it, but it was a step down from her second series A Court of Thorns and Roses (as is expected when an author gets a feel for things and changes personally and in a working mindset).

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Published by Bloomsbury on May 5, 2015

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, New Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Retelling

Pages 432

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin--one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world. 

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin--and his world--forever. 

Let me begin by saying I was introduced to not only this series, but also this author, by a friend. Statements used to describe this book to me utilized phrases such "it's amazing", "pretty fantastic" "he's ferocious but so romantic" and while I enjoyed this book I have to disagree somewhat with those word choices.