**About The Book**Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.
*Book Review* The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye
*Waiting On Wednesday!* Ruined
Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.
*Waiting On Wednesday!* Three Dark Crowns
Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest.
*Book Review* Ruined by Amy Tintera
![]()
Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.
*Waiting On Wednesday!* Nemesis
The princess didn't expect to fall in love--with her nemesis.Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?A thrilling futuristic fantasy in which the fate of the world's energy source is in the hands of a prince and princess who are rivals, by the New York Times-bestselling author of the Syrena Legacy.
*Book Review* The Affiliate by K.A Linde
![]()
On the day of her Presenting, in front of the entire Byern Court, seventeen-year-old Cyrene Strohm's lifelong plans come to fruition when she's chosen for one of the most prestigious positions in her homeland—an Affiliate to the Queen. Or so she thinks.
When Cyrene receives a mysterious letter and an unreadable book, she finds nothing is as it seems. Thrust into a world of dangerous political intrigue and deadly magic, Cyrene's position only grows more treacherous when she finds herself drawn to the one man she can never have...
King Edric himself.
Cyrene must decide if love is truly worth the price of freedom. Find out in this first book in USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s new Ascension series.
*Book Review* Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas
**About the Book**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?
Wasteland (Wasteland #1) by Lynn Rush
Reviewed by: DestinyFormat: Kindle ebook
Published: September 1, 2011
Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Source: Lynn Rush for Review
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository
Description:
Bound by the blood contract his human mother signed four centuries ago, half-demon, David Sadler, must obey his demonic Master's order to capture fifteen-year-old Jessica Hanks. But as he learns more about her, he realizes she may be the key to freedom from his dark enslavement.
Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey
Format: Arc Paperback
Pages: 407
Published: 5th Jan 2012
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Genre: YA Fantasy, Romance
Source: Author for review
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository
Description:
Oriana's Eyes (Great Oak Trilogy #1) by Celeste Simone
Format: PaperbackPages: 268
Published: 24th Feb 2010
Publisher: iUniverse, Incorporated
Source: Author
Genre: YA Fantasy
Description:
Review:
Obsidian (Lux Series #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Format: Kindle ebookPublisher: 6th Dec 2011
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal
Description:
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don’t kill him first, that is.
Review:
Obsidian is not your typical alien novel! It is far from that. Katy, the main character, moves to a small town in West Virginia. Things seem boring until she meets Daemon - He is anything but boring. I immediately loved both characters. Katy is a book blogger and was so easy to relate to in that respect. Daemon was arrogant and should have been totally unlikable, but somehow his personality created a chemistry with Katy's that was very believable and real.
Jennifer Armentrout really put a unique spin on aliens with Obsidian. Normally I steer clear of books with aliens; however, I was fascinated with the world she built. The plot was well constructed, the storyline never lagged, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Her writing is excellent and I can easily see why she is becoming such a popular author!
Obsidian is definitely a book for fans of YA paranormal and for those who don't normally read about aliens because Jennifer will entrance you with her story and make you believe in a whole new world of possibilities. The next book can't come soon enough!
Wither (The Chemical Garden #1) by Lauren DeStefano
Format: HardcoverPages: 358
Published: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Genre: YA Fantasy, Dystopian
There are almost no words on where to start with a review for Wither. It is such a unique, refreshing book. The plot is so unlike any book I have ever, ever read. A genetic mutation causes all girls to die at twenty years old and all boys to die at twenty-five years old. Because of this, Rhine Ellery has been abducted by wealthy Linden Ashby's father, unaffected by this mutation, to become one of three sister wives for his son. The population is taking multiple wives at young adulthood in an attempt to re-populate society while scientists and doctors search for an antidote for this virus killing off the masses.
Wow. Just wow. Rhine, Cecily, and Jenna are all married to Linden, and couldn't be more different. I couldn't necessarily connect with any of the girls on a personal level, but I came to really like each one. Rhine is headstrong and determined to save herself from a life of luxurious imprisonment. Cecily is young, naive, eager to please, and oh-so happy to be the wife of a House Governor. Jenna is strong, bitter, and determined to ride out the end of her life getting Linden back for stealing her family.
The plot was amazing. I loved reading the intricacies of the sister wives, the way the luxurious mansion is set up to depict the outside world with holograms, and how Linden's father has created a suspicious, mysterious environment that is just begging to be unraveled.
This was a book I could not put down. It goes beyond the boundaries of normal dystopian fiction and touches on so much more. Three girls are torn from their worlds and are forced into a polygamous marriage - albeit in a luxurious, wealthy mansion they are imprisoned in - but they learn to create a family amongst themselves with their sister wives. I loved watching each of them grow and develop and the plot never grew stale. The suspense and mystery of the mansion's activities kept the pages turning quickly.
I have fallen in love with Lauren DeStefano's writing and am eagerly awaiting the release of Fever!
The Mers by Ami Blackwelder

Format: Kindle ebook
Published: October 19, 2011
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: YA Fantasy, Dystopian
Review:
I was a little surprised at how Ami Blackwelder described the dystopian world because it seemed so realistic. Often times dystopian worlds can seem a bit far-fetched, but this seemed entirely plausible and her description of how the Mers' appearances evolved was plausible as well. Seeing as how they are not the "traditional" mermaids, this made the story fresh and exciting.
Mira and Nerin are both very strong characters that you really grow to love as you get to know them. Their personalities balance each other perfectly and you want to see them succeed in their adventure so badly! Mira's hunt for her birth parents sends her, Nerin, and his sister Nerissa into the world of Remnantville, a place where Mers are hunted and killed, their bodies used to make products for the Aristos. The three of them must stay safe, unravel the mystery behind Mira's identity, and possibly save the Mers all at the same time.
Ami Blackwelder's writing is very vivid and colorful. She paints a picture with her words that leaves readers with a gorgeous image of the sea and the creatures inside it. The action inside this novel will leave readers turning the pages long into the night. While the story had a good resolution in my opinion, I can definitely see how the next two books will add so much more to the series. This is a brilliant start!!
Destined (House of Night #9) by P.C. & Kristin Cast
Format: HardcoverPages: 325
Published: October 17, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal
Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow…
But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans, including Lenobia’s handsome horse whisperer, threatens their precarious stability. And then there’s the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous teen boy who is actually more – or possibly less – than human. Only Neferet knows he was created to be her greatest weapon. But Zoey can sense the part of his soul that remains human, the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. And there’s something strangely familiar about him…
Will Neferet’s true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox’s humanity in time to protect him – and everyone – from his own fate? Find out what’s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.
Review:
However, in Destined, P.C. & Kristin Cast really shake things up and the story almost reads like the original few books. The characters are bold-voiced and really make the plot work for them. That said, the plot in this book is outstanding. The beginning starts out a little bit slow but when it picks up - it really takes off!
Darkness has an ever present role in the novel and Neferet is out to sabotage the fledglings more than normal, as well as bring chaos to the professors by introducing humans to the school. She has spun her web of Darkness around herself, her Consort, and is slowly spinning it around those at the school who are on the side of good...and with each page the story unveils something new about who really is on the side of light and dark.
Zoey is dealt a harsh blow in this book; however, she doesn't seem as angsty or whiny, which was refreshing. The side story involving the triangle of Rephaim/Stevie Rae/Kalona was absolutely riveting. The Casts also introduce us to a new Priestess who really shed new light on the atmosphere of the House of Night.
There were so many shocking twists and turns in this book that I absolutely cannot wait for the next one! The ending was a total cliffhanger that left me gasping because in a million years, I never could have seen that coming. This may possibly be my favorite House of Night book yet!!
Born at Midnight (Shadow Falls #1) by C.C. Hunter
Format: PaperbackPages: 416
Published: March 29, 2011
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Genre: YA Fantasy, Paranormal
One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.
Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she? They insist Kylie is one of them, and that she was brought here for a reason. As if life wasn’t complicated enough, enter Derek and Lucas. Derek’s a half-fae who’s determined to be her boyfriend, and Lucas is a smokin’ hot werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past. Both Derek and Lucas couldn’t be more different, but they both have a powerful hold on her heart.
Even though Kylie feels deeply uncertain about everything, one thing is becoming painfully clear—Shadow Falls is exactly where she belongs…
Review:The quest to decipher her background is aided by her new roommates, vampire Della, and witch Miranda, and the two boys Lucas and Derek who both have their eyes set on stealing her heart before the summer is out.
Kylie's journey of self-discovery in this book is real and exciting, leaving you hanging on the edge of your seat as you yearn to find out more about her true self and watch her grow over the course of the summer.
In addition to the personal growth aspect, the camp is being threatened to be shut down by the government and this happens just as Kylie is beginning to accept her supernatural status. Her mission soon changes to saving the camp so she can save her camp and herself.
C.C. Hunter writes a wonderful tale about teenage self-discovery, blends it flawlessly with interesting supernatural elements, and adds in enough suspense at the end to have a climax that rocks the core of the book.
Fans of young adult supernatural novels will no doubt fall in love with Kylie and company and Shadow Falls!!
























