After the destruction of her entire Talon gang, eighteen-year-old Shin Lina―the Reaper of Sunpo―is forced to become a living, breathing weapon for the kingdom’s most-feared crime lord. All that keeps her from turning on her ruthless master is the life of her beloved little sister hanging in the balance. But the order to steal a priceless tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple incites not only the wrath of a legendary immortal, but the beginning of an unwinnable game…
Suddenly Lina finds herself in the dreamlike realm of the Dokkaebi, her fate in the hands of its cruel and captivating emperor. But she can win her life―if she kills him first.
Now a terrible game of life and death has begun, and even Lina’s swift, precise blade is no match for the magnetic Haneul Rui. Lina will have to use every weapon in her arsenal if she wants to outplay this cunning king and save her sister…all before the final grain of sand leaks out of the hourglass.
Because one way or another, she’ll take Rui’s heart.
Even if it means giving up her own.
*Olivia’s Review*
LAST OF THE TALONS is a lush and enchanting YA fantasy. Lina is known as the Reaper of Sunpo, a title bestowed upon her as the assassin of the Talons, a gang in Sunpo. After a terrible night for which she feels responsible, her gang was destroyed and she was captured by the Blackbloods from whom she is forced to work under threat of her little sister’s life. After being forced to steal and destroy a tapestry from a Dokkaebi temple, she incurs the wrath of the Dokkaebi emperor, the Pied Piper.
When she is captured and taken into the Dokkaebi realm, she is offered a chance to save her own life – she must kill the Pied Piper within 14 days or her life is forfeit. If she dies, her little sister will be too, at the hands of the Blackbloods. As she spends time with Pied Piper, Lina will find herself in the middle of rebellion as well caught between her task and her heart.
What I loved: This is a lush fantasy with plenty of atmosphere and world-building. The mythology and folklore around Sunpo and the Dokkaebi was fascinating, and we learn some of it through stories and information passed during the story. This larger context was so important to building and understanding humanity, the Dokkaebi, and their shared history.
Lina is a really compelling character. She is dealing with grief, angst, and a broken heart from the loss of the Talons and the ways in which her life has changed and is challenged. Her life has been revolving around self-recrimination, hate, and a fierce need to protect her sister for so long. As she experiences the Dokkaebi realm and gets to know Rui, she begins to find other purposes, and her changing perspectives challenge her in new ways. Her character growth throughout the story really endears her to the reader, as she begins to take account and control over her life and her plans. This also lends itself to a strong romance, and I loved the dark and angsty build of it all, caught in a cat-and-mouse game with rules that neither seems to fully understand – an incendiary relationship building into an inferno.
Rui is also a fascinating character, and his story is building as he tells it to Lina. There is still a lot that we as the reader do not yet know, and I am curious to understand more of the separation between the worlds and the sacrifices made that have led to his role as the Piper. Although the reader gets tidbits, more story is clearly forthcoming, and I am so excited to see that this will a series, so we can learn more in the future.
The main plot is riveting with themes of family, loss/guilt, survival, the power of the heart, the importance of self-determination, what really makes a monster, trust, and healing. The lush world-building and setting of Sunpo, the Dokkaebi realm, as well as another realm which we glimpse later, create a really strong and potent story that will consume the reader. The pace is really perfect, balancing between the background, present, and action/adventure so well. This is a book that hooks the reader from the start and keeps them turning pages until the end.
Fans of dark, angsty romance reads with a fascinating plot and world will definitely need to pick this one up. Although it is part of a series, the major plots of this first book are wrapped up, so there is not a huge cliffhanger. I really appreciated this as it is a very satisfying conclusion to the first book, and I cannot wait to see where these characters and world will go and what will happen next.
Final verdict: With lush world-building and compelling characters, LAST OF THE TALONS is an unforgettable YA fantasy with elements of adventure, romance, and mystery that are sure to thrill readers. Highly recommend for fans of THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US, RAYBEARER, DANCE OF THIEVES, and TO KILL A KINGDOM.
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
Title: This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi
THIS WOVEN KINGDOM is a lush and atmospheric YA fantasy that sweeps the reader away into this world where the Clay (humans) and Jinn are at odds. Alizeh is a Jinn in the kingdom of Ardunia, where they are generally reviled, despite the peace treaty signed years ago that stopped the direct crimes on their people. As such, her inability to find work and lodging is not unexpected and has led her to be a snoda, a maid or servant who wears a mask, in a wealthy house, as the lowest of the low servants. She has a little closet and gets some water, enduring abuse for these small things. At the same time, she is working her nights as a seamstress to gain a small amount of extra coin. The garments she creates cannot be too good or she will be run out of town – again.
After a chance encounter with the prince, Kamran, he decides that there is something suspicious about her and begins looking into her. However, what he finds is merely an impoverished servant with a great deal of kindness and mercy for others. His attention sparks a new inquiry, however, and they soon realize that she is the heir to the jinn kingdom – and a potential enemy to Ardunia.
As they get to know each other and the world starts to unravel, they feel an undeniable and dangerous pull to the other that they cannot deny.
What I loved: This was an absolutely delicious and highly devourable read. The writing pulls the reader into Alizeh’s life so quickly, and she is an incredibly compelling and complex character. Her past has been challenging, as she and the other Jinn have suffered at the hands of the Clay, and she was orphaned and forced onto the streets at a young age. Even working as a snoda is difficult with long hours and painful tasks, often rewarded with physical and emotional abuse. Although her wish is to be allowed to quietly live her life, the world seems to have other plans for her.
Iblees, considered to be a devil of sort, is another intriguing figure that appears to her and speaks in riddles she cannot decipher. His interest in her is enduring and adds an intriguing element to the story. Some of the secondary characters, such as Deen and Hazan, are particularly interesting, and I would be curious to learn more about them in future books.
Themes around poverty, financial concerns of healthcare, treatment of servants/lower classes, underpaid labor, intolerance/prejudice, fate, oppression, education, and political corruption make this a really thought-provoking read. As Kamran investigates Alizeh and tries to understand motives, he is exposed to the concept of wealth inequality and what this actually means in terms of healthcare, limited choices, and tolerance for abuse. These themes will resonate with readers and bring up important questions about wages, healthcare, and education as well as financial gate-keeping.
The plot is relatively fast-paced, and I loved Alizeh’s expertises and ability to defend herself mixed with her compassion, fears, and desires. The storyline is one that will easily pull the reader in and keep them riveted until the end. The twists in the last several chapters were surprising, and I loved the way it all evolved and kept the surprises coming. That ending was shocking, sure to leave the reader reeling and very eager for the next installment. This is definitely a series I am excited to continue!
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, Kamran was a character that I sometimes struggled with, as he is relatively immature but with enough power that it can be dangerous. He does begin to grow and learn during the story, so I think he will continue to mature in future books. As a very small thing, there are a couple scenes where he analyzes his attraction to Alizeh, how she is different from all the other girls, and requires education – something basically forbidden to the lower class, which makes him rule out girls from that class – that are less savory. He does have many redeeming qualities however that make these early insights able to be overlooked, and I think his character has a lot of development potential as the story continues. His life and world is changing, and he may rise to the occasion.
Final verdict: An enchanting and lush YA fantasy, THIS WOVEN KINGDOM is a thought-provoking and atmospheric read that is sure to keep readers quickly turning pages to the shocking end. Highly recommend for fans of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES, THE KISS OF DECEPTION, and THE RED QUEEN.
New from the author of Counting Down with You comes a sparkling YA romance about an aspiring screenwriter who falls for the indie film star who goes undercover at her school.
All Mina Rahman wants is to finally win the Golden Ivy student film competition, get into her dream school, and leave New York City behind for good. When indie film star Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school under a secret identity to research his next role, he agrees to star in her short film for the competition…if she acts as his NYC tour guide.
As Mina ventures across the five boroughs with Emmitt, the city she grew up in starts to look more like home than it ever has before. Suddenly, Mina’s dreams—which once seemed impenetrable—begin to crumble, and she’s forced to ask herself: Is winning worth losing everything?
*Olivia’s Review*
A SHOW FOR TWO is a consuming and delightful YA contemporary romance that celebrates dreams, film, and sisters. Mina has a plan for her life – she wants to win the Golden Ivy student film competition and go to USC to get away from her parents and pursue her dream of screenwriting. Mina is hyper-focused and will do anything to reach her goals, even talk to the rude celebrity undercover at her high school, Emmitt Ramos.
After a particularly terrible meet-cute, Mina would love nothing more than to avoid Emmitt, but it seems the only way to win a Golden Ivy is to have a celebrity cameo. Although he is equally reluctant to work with her, Emmitt agrees to be in the film in exchange for Mina’s help with a photography contest. Using different themes, he needs to take a photo each week, and being from London, he needs a city expert (Mina) to pick locations and help him get there. As they spend time together and begin to get to know each other, they find that they are maybe not so different after all.
What I loved: Bjuiyan really has a gift with words. Much like her first book, this one is unputdownable and so compulsively readable with all the feels. Mina’s story is emotional and gripping, with moments that will have readers laughing and others that will leave them bereft. With an ultimately happy ending, this is a journey of self-discovery and following your dreams that will leave readers cheering (and with a book hangover – it is that good).
Beyond the compelling writing, the characters are also gripping, with Mina and Emmitt stealing the show and hearts. Other characters also really came to life, such as Mina’s sister and her BFF. Mina has a lot of missteps in navigating these relationships. She has become really prickly, in part due to her parents’ deep criticism, but she often lashes out at those around her. She is not always a likable character, and this makes her feel more genuine. Eventually, she does begin to see what the reader sees and understand where she has gone too far and change her behavior, and, as per real life, this is not smooth sailing but shows a lot of growth. Learning is always a bumpy road, and Mina is definitely finding herself and beginning to understand herself better, particularly through her close relationships. Her goals are consuming her, and Mina is working to find her own balance.
Themes around family, strained parent-child relationships, safely reaching for your goals, the power of the arts/film, self-discovery, and balance make this a really thought-provoking read that will resonate with YA readers. Beyond Mina’s own journey and complex relationships, Emmitt is also struggling with self-discovery, parental expectations, and how to navigate where he is to where he wants to be. Their parallel journeys are certainly different, but complement to make for a stronger discussion of these important themes. This is a really powerful read for YA readers who may be struggling with similar situations and trying to define themselves and their independence.
Final verdict: A riveting and compelling YA contemporary romance, A SHOW FOR TWO will captivate and consume readers through a beautiful, emotional, and heartfelt journey that leaves them with powerful and hope-filled messages. Highly recommend picking up this fantastic book!
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
Title: Mirror Girls by Kelly McWilliams
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
A thrilling gothic horror novel about biracial twin sisters separated at birth, perfect for fans of Lovecraft Country and The Vanishing Half
As infants, twin sisters Charlie Yates and Magnolia Heathwood were secretly separated after the brutal lynching of their parents, who died for loving across the color line. Now, at the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, Charlie is a young Black organizer in Harlem, while white-passing Magnolia is the heiress to a cotton plantation in rural Georgia.
Magnolia knows nothing of her racial heritage, but secrets are hard to keep in a town haunted by the ghosts of its slave-holding past. When Magnolia finally learns the truth, her reflection mysteriously disappears from mirrors—the sign of a terrible curse. Meanwhile, in Harlem, Charlie’s beloved grandmother falls ill. Her final wish is to be buried back home in Georgia—and, unbeknownst to Charlie, to see her long-lost granddaughter, Magnolia Heathwood, one last time. So Charlie travels into the Deep South, confronting the land of her worst nightmares—and Jim Crow segregation.
The sisters reunite as teenagers in the deeply haunted town of Eureka, Georgia, where ghosts linger centuries after their time and dangers lurk behind every mirror. They couldn’t be more different, but they will need each other to put the hauntings of the past to rest, to break the mirrors’ deadly curse—and to discover the meaning of sisterhood in a racially divided land.
*Olivia’s Review*
MIRROR GIRLS is a riveting and powerful YA historical magical realism/fantasy about twin sisters separated by life and skin color. Charlie (Charlene) and Magnolia were born to a white man and a Black woman, who were killed for their relationship not long after the twins were born. Seeking a better life, their grandmother is tricked into giving up Magnolia, whose skin is light enough to appear white, to their father’s mother, who has her own plans for an heiress to the family’s plantation.
Their grandmother (Nana) takes Charlie and flees to New York City, where in the 1940s and 1950s, there are still the ripple effects of racism, but nothing like the small town in Georgia and Jim Crow laws they left behind. In 1953, with a 17-year-old Charlie, Nana is determined to return to that small town for her final breaths, as she wants to be laid to rest there and set Charlie on a path to fix the past.
Magnolia learns of her heritage on her grandmother’s deathbed, trying to convince her to continue living the lie. It is then that the curse placed on them as infants becomes deadly, with Magnolia’s life on the line. And in a place where the veil between the living and dead is thin, their paths will be challenged by both sides.
What I loved: This was a really powerful and riveting read. McWilliams really has a way with words, and I absolutely devoured this book in an afternoon – it is unputdownable, much in the vein of her previous book. The story hooks the reader from the start with a world of danger, history, and a touch of the otherworldly with ghosts and curses. Without saying too much to give away the plot, there was nary a dull moment in the story – this book was gripping all the way through. The pacing was absolutely perfect, keeping the reader engaged and with enough reveals and action to feel the intensity and atmosphere of the story.
Both Magnolia and Charlie were compelling characters, having experienced completely different lives and relatives. I appreciated the dual perspectives that made each of the sisters come to life. They were both shaken and challenged by the events around their grandmothers’ deaths and the truths that life in 1953 Georgia had to hold for them. The historical elements of the story felt very well researched and were told with such passion and emotion, that it really brought them all to life.
This book deals with some really important and powerful themes around segregation/Jim Crow, generational trauma, protests, Southern culture, the ripples of slavery, the power of sisterhood and love, being mixed race, and the importance of embracing oneself fully. These themes all came to life in a really potent and commanding way that will bring this history and its echoes to life for readers. These elements are definitely worth discussion, and this book would be a great pick for book clubs as there is much to think about and consider.
Final verdict: An atmospheric and potent read, MIRROR GIRLS is a riveting story of sisterhood, segregation, and ultimately, the power of community, love, and self-acceptance. Highly recommend for fans of LEGENDBORN, WINGS OF EBONY, and SHATTERED MIDNIGHT.
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
Title: Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
After a night of magic turns deadly, Iris Gray vows to never let another person learn she’s a witch. It doesn’t matter that the Witches’ Council found her innocent or that her magic was once viewed as a marvel―that night on the lake changed everything. Now settled in Washington, Iris hides who she really is and vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. And while she loves working at the wildlife refuge she runs with her mother, she loathes Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.
When Pike makes a particularly hurtful comment, Iris concocts a cruel curse for him. But just as she’s about to dispel it, an owl swoops down and steals the curse before flying far away from the refuge. The owl is a powerful amplifier, and if it dies, Iris’s dark spell will be unleashed not only on Pike but on everyone in the region.
WILD IS THE WITCH is a sweeping and riveting YA fantasy. In a world where everyone knows witches exist, Iris is keeping the fact that she is a witch a secret. After her best friend tried to turn a boy into a mage and he died, Iris has felt the cruelty of people who rejected her, particularly her father who refused to come with them when they were pushed out of town. Two years later, Iris and her mother own a wildlife refuge, which is perfect for her affinity for animals. It is the perfect job for Iris, if only she did not have to work alongside Pike, who pushes all her buttons and hates witches.
After a particularly rough comment, Iris decides to perform a ritual to create a curse for Pike and then burn it without having it activate. Before she is able to complete the process of burning it, a northern spotted owl swoops down and takes the curse before flying away into the mountains. Knowing that the owl is powerful multiplier of magic and fearing the consequences, Iris knows she must go after the owl and transfer the curse to something she can destroy before it activates and destroys the Pacific Northwest.
However, her mother will not allow her to go alone, and she must take Pike with her into the mountains. As she begins to search for the owl, she begins to learn more about Pike and realizes things may not have been so simple.
What I loved: This is such a beautifully written story about anxiety, understanding, and mistakes. Iris has been struggling with her worries and her anger. She feels the weight of the world on her shoulders after her friend’s decision and consequences as well as her father’s abandonment. Her journey here fields her secrets with fears for the bird and for all the people who might be impacted if the curse is released. The camping trip with Pike is anything but easy, not only because of their animosity but also due to encounters with wildlife and nature.
Iris is a really compelling character. The reader is pulled into her life and fears quickly, and it was easy to want what is best for her. Her rivalry with Pike is a driving force for her to place a lot of her energy, and as they journey together, she begins to understand more about who he is and why he pushes her buttons so much. Seen through Iris’s eyes, the reader feels the way she feels, irritated with Pike and then beginning to see him differently through key conversations. As the relationship evolves, it feels really natural, and they became really easy to cheer for. This felt like a really fantastic enemies-to-lovers story with a genuine arc.
The plot is perfectly paced, and I was riveted from start to finish. The world and characters really come to life through the story, and this alternate reality with witches in the open felt so believable. Thought-provoking themes around understanding, trust, secrets, family, power, and fate really elevated the story. Lush writing complements the story in a way that helps bring it all to life.
Final verdict: With lyrical prose and lush world-building, WILD IS THE WITCH is a riveting and lovely story about a young woman’s adventure to fix her mistakes and find love in the process. Highly recommend picking up this thought-provoking and enchanting read!
