A queer, contemporary, dark horror novel with a slow start but a fast paced, tense second half. I enjoyed the Asian folklore/mythology that underpinned the story and the eerie unsettling, claustrophobic atmosphere. This book offered insightful social commentary about damaging female beauty standards and the pressures of stardom in the cutthroat world of K-Pop. It felt a bit muddled at times but overall, a compulsively readable thriller.

Beautiful and brutal, compelling and vivid, this book offers a unique and original perspective on the Holocaust. It makes us think about what makes us human, what defines a monster, what remains of us after we are gone. The writing was lyrical and poetic, the story highly emotional with an emphasis on grief, loss, despair and anger, not only anger directed against the Nazis, but also those who collaborated with them and those who remained silent.

The Only Girl in Town was not what I expected. The book is composed of short chapters, is told in dual timelines, and moves quickly. The story follows July Fielding, for whom nothing has been the same since the summer before her senior year. It is difficult to review without major spoilers. The pacing is masterful, the writing lyrical and allegorical. The Only Girl in Town is urgent, emotional, compelling and impossible to put down.

Thieves Gambit follows Rosalyn ‘Ross‘ Quest, a 17-year-old highly skilled thief. This story hits the ground running and takes the reader on a wild ride filled with twists, turns, high stakes heists, danger, tentative alliances, betrayal and exotic locations. It has a very cinematic feel to it. Thieves Gambit is a fast-paced, fun, entertaining, thrilling read. I definitely burned the midnight oil with this one. I can't wait for the sequel.

This unique debut horror novel is creepy, unsettling and deliciously dark. The story explores themes of racism, privilege, nepotism, entitlement and power. The Paris setting was atmospheric and vivid, alternating between the beautiful Palais Garnier and the gloomy depths of the Paris catacombs.
The writing skillfully weaves fantasy, horror and real-world elements creating a compelling, haunting, tense and exciting story. I could not stop reading.

Ella Durand is the first Conjurer to attend Arcanum Training Institute, where Marvellers learn to discover and develop their magical talents. She is a brave and persistent girl. The Marvellers is a middle grade fantasy that tackles some important real-world issues while being suspenseful and engaging. The world building is detailed, creative and vivid with a well woven plot. A highly recommended addition to the magic school genre.

The Meadows is set in a future in a country ravaged by climate disaster. A totalitarian government has taken control and has created a society based on homophobia, misogyny, white supremacy and lies. The story follows Eleanor who lives in a small rural, coastal community. The Meadows is powerful and important Sapphic dystopian fiction. The Meadows is well written, immersive and heartbreaking. I liked Eleanor and her journey to self-acceptance.

Paloma is part of a large family of psychics in Miami. Paloma's parents have uprooted Paloma and her sister and moved to California. Totally Psychic is well written, engaging, creative and fun with some important lessons about family, rules, peer pressure and boundaries. Paloma is a very relatable character for middle school students as she works through conflicts with her family and figures out relationships with her old and new friends.

All You Have to Do follows two young Black men living about thirty years apart. We see how each young man grows as he attempts to succeed at his academic institution while navigating systemic white supremacy and discovering connections between class, race and gender. This book is eye opening as it shows us how much has changed, but also how much has stayed the same. Characters are well written and real. The story is powerful and thought provoking.

The story follows Quell who has lived her whole life on the run, trying to hide her dangerous, forbidden magic. The beginning started strong with Quell running from mysterious enemies. She seeks shelter in a magic school, and the pace slows right down. There is a plethora of tropes accompanied by a paucity of world building. I spent much of the time hoping the magic system would be explained rather than there being such a focus on the romance.

Bittersweet in the Hollow is set in the small, isolated Applachian town of Caball Hollow which is encompassed by the National Forest. The story follows Linden James who has a paranormal gift. This dark fast-paced YA thriller combining mystery, horror, folklore and a touch of romance, grips the reader from the beginning, the tension mounting with each revelation and twist. I completely devoured Bittersweet in the Hollow and absolutely recommend it.

Forgive Me Not follows fifteen-year-old Violetta who has been incarcerated after her drunk driving killed her younger sister. Young offenders are subject to one of 3 outcomes: forgiveness and return home, a prison sentence, or undergoing Trials while incarcerated to earn forgiveness. “Trials“ were designed to improve upon a broken system, it's evident that the same biases remain: racism, sexism, class and privilege. Well written and heartrending.

The Bell in the Fog is the sequel to Lavender House and follows detective Andy Mills. The series is set in early 1950s San Francisco among the LGBTQ+ community. Rosen paints a vivid picture of the times and the constant threats to queer people. It is a well written, immersive, unpredictable, historical mystery with an atmospheric setting and complex morally grey characters. It was even better than Lavender House and I could not put it down.

Together We Rot is lyrically and compellingly written, the setting dark and atmospheric. The sensitive subjects of grief, alcoholism, religious cults and corruption are skillfully blended with a dark, riveting story of paranormal horror. This book would have benefited from being longer which would have allowed for more world building and explanation of the fantasy elements. I could not put it down.

Lying in the Deep follows Jade as she sets sail on the Campus on Board ship, for a semester at sea.
The adventure is soon marred by a gruesome murder. Jade realizes that she has become a suspect and races to clear her name. More deaths occur, and Jade finds herself trying to untangle a complicated web of motives and secrets. Lying in the Deep is a thrilling murder mystery with an atmospheric, claustrophobic setting and unpredictable twists.

The formatting of the book which includes multiple points of view, police reports, and a local crime podcast kept the pages turning and the pacing fast. There were some aspects that were unrealistic such as the sloppiness of the police investigation and Spencer's apparently endless prescription of Vicodin, and her parents lack of awareness of her addiction. The Headmaster's List is a gripping addition to the YA thriller genre. 4 stars

The story is fast paced with plenty of action, glamor, and an antagonism to attraction romance. Both Winter and Sydney must confront their respective trauma in order to relate to each other and fulfill their mission. Some suspension of disbelief is required, as some aspects are unrealistic. The characters are both 19 years old, but the book has a YA vibe. Stars and Smoke is a fun teen thriller with some good plot twists toward the end. 4 stars

It is 1940 and the bombs are falling in London. Reg and Millie make the heartrending decision to send their 11-year-old girl Beatrix to the United States to live with strangers until the war is over. Beyond That, The Sea is told through multiple POVs and is primarily character driven. This powerful, emotional, beautifully written complex story of love and loss carries the reader across the ocean and through the decades. Highly recommended. 5 stars

If We're Being Honest is an extended family drama debut novel set in the small town of Eulalia, Georgia. The story follows the Williams family as they gather for a funeral and then a wedding over the course of one week. We follow each family member as they deal with personal struggles, family dynamics, and their grief. Their stories range from funny to heartwarming to sad. It was well written and enjoyable. I couldn't put it down. 4 stars

Star Splitter is an incredible mix of sci-fi, horror and thriller, and had me addicted right away. It is thought provoking and unsettling as it raises many questions about the nature of consciousness and personhood, as well as the ethics and costs of interstellar travel and exploration. The ending leaves some questions unanswered, and I would have liked more of an epilogue. Star Splitter is absolutely gripping, intriguing and unique. 5 stars

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Teenage Eleanor flees home to her strange, savage family after an incident at her boarding school. The haunting, isolated setting of a gothic mansion on the outskirts of a small village creates an ominous foreboding atmosphere. The author skillfully builds tension, fear and a pervasive unsettling feeling of constant threat. I could not put this creepy yet triumphant book down. An astonishing and highly recommended debut about family and identity.

A beautifully written, haunting apocalyptic journey. The Electric Kingdom tells the story of a world in the near future ravaged by an apocalyptic pandemic. Carnivorous flies, carrying a deadly Fly Flu, have devastated the world, leaving behind few survivors. The wonderful characters are a group of orphaned young survivors who seek safety, love and answers. The Electric Kingdom is mesmerizing, dark, sad, thought-provoking and strangely hopeful.

Strange and shambolic. Sebastian is a mediocre guy who manages a plant store in Vancouver. There is a conspiracy involving those who would use a mind altering plant against the people of Vancouver. It was difficult to care about any of the characters. Women were not portrayed well. I came close to DNF several times. There were several hilarious vignettes, for example, a malodorous yoga class and a toilet disaster on yacht.

A compelling and original coming out story. Amir is an Iranian American teenager who is gay and in the closet. When another student blackmails him, he absolutely panics and flees to Rome. The story unfolds during Amir's time in Rome, but also at the end of the story, as Amir and his family are interrogated in the airport. Themes of prejudice run throughout - there is homophobia, but also addressed is the systemic bigotry against Muslim people.

A non-stop action filled ride.
The Nemesis Manifesto is an cleverly written espionage/political thriller involving all-too-real politicians and situations. I really liked the character of Evan Ryder who is a lone wolf agent with the DOD. The story was action-filled and complex with many twists and turns. There were double and triple agents and suppressed memories. This book reads like an action movie and I could really picture it as a film.

A hilarious queer superhero action romance. The main character is Nick, a gay teenager with ADHD who has a huge crush on Shadow Star, one of the local super heroes ( which they call Extraordinaries). Nick has a great group of friends who have each others' backs and a supportive dad. I was often doubled over laughing while reading this. Although this book is very funny, big themes of love, loss, grief, friendship, and acceptance run throughout.

Haunting, atmospheric and beautiful. Mila is eighteen and has aged out of the foster care system. She is traumatized, lonely, broken and ravaged by grief and guilt. She takes a job teaching at an isolated self-sustaining farm on the Northern California coast. The story is a slow build, quiet, well written and alternates between Mila's past and present. The setting is eerie and atmospheric. This book is haunting and healing. It will stay with you.

Nnamdi's father, the chief of police, has been murdered and his killer has not been discovered or convicted. Nnamdi is consumed with grief, anger and helplessness. One year later, he is approached by the ghost of his father and given a figurine called an Ikenga, which allows Nnamdi to become like a superhero. He thwarts local criminals and tries to solve the mystery of his father's murder. The story is well paced with lots of action and suspense.

A fun, action-packed fantasy debut. The main characters Buc and Eld have a Sherlock-Watson kind of vibe. Buc is a genius street rat who loves to read, and needs to slow her mind down with drugs. Eld is a sensible ex-soldier, two years older than Buc, with a hatred for magic. They are employed by a trading company to find out why ships carrying sugar are going missing. There was a lot of humor. The Sin in the Steel is a really enjoyable fantasy.

Excellent and complex fantasy. The country of Crache is, on one side of the coin, a successful and productive society. Flip the coin and there is rot, corruption and cruelty. Savage Legion is skillfully crafted, well-written and has great world-building. The characters are complex and grow throughout the story. I really enjoyed and appreciated this book. Savage Lesion is a must read for the issues it raises and for sheer entertainment value.

A masterpiece of epic science fiction. To Sleep in a Sea of Stars blew me away. I would give it six stars if I could. The pacing is hold-on-to-your-seat fast, but still allows for skillful world building and well-developed characters. I loved the science, technology and aliens in this future world. Immense research and imagination went into this book. It took years to write. Spectacular, beautiful, stunning, intense and thought-provoking. Read it.

This book is told in two POV: Sparrow, a teenage ballet dancer and Lucas, her friend and dance partner. Sparrow enters a toxic relationship with Tristan, a good looking, popular, high school athlete. It becomes apparent to Sparrow's friends that Tristan is abusive. Tristan brutally assaults Sparrow when she tries to break up. This book addresses the important issue of abuse in teenage relationships. It was a difficult but very important read.

Paul Adams returns to his home after an absence of 25 years because his mother is in hospice. He left because of the horrifying murder of one of his friends by two very disturbed teenagers. One is convicted, but Charlie, the instigator, disappears. There are rumors that Charlie is hiding in The Shadows, the dark, sinister woods surrounding the town. It is compelling, chilling, spooky, creepy, twisty, turny, terrifying and impossible to put down.

Emily loses her job, her apartment and her acting agent all in one day. Her circumstances make her desperate and she takes a job with her former employer Scott Denny. She is to be the house-keeper and personal assistant to Scott's wife Nina and his daughter Aurelia on their enormous isolated waterfront estate in the south of France. It sounds too good to be true. It is. This book has drama, suspense, twists, and turns. I could not put it down.

Deal with the Devil is set in the Atlanta area in the 2080s. Solar flares and storms in the 2040s destabilized the government. The southeastern US is controlled by a corporation called TechCorps. Nina is an escaped genetically engineered clone and leads a group of three women. Garrett leads a squad of super soldiers, the Silver Devils. The action and intrigue are non-stop. It was a great read. I'm really looking forward to the next book.

The Kingdom of Liars is set in the Kingdom of Hollow, which feels like a medieval society except there are guns. Michael Kingman comes from a family that was once renowned, until his father was arrested and executed for the murder of the King‘s son, ten years earlier. The story revolves around Michael trying to find out whether his father is guilty. There are many interesting characters. The magic system is fascinating. I really liked this book.

I absolutely loved this book. The world building was amazing and turn of the century London made for an atmospheric and evocative setting. I loved the characters and became attached to them quickly. I particularly liked the characters of Cordelia, Lucie and Anna. The plot was engaging and complex with a chilling and clever enemy. I couldn't put it down. There is no doubt that Cassandra Clare is a major talent. I can't wait for the next one.

Vagabonds is set in 2201 when Mars has been colonized and there recently has been a war between Earth and Mars. A group of Martian young people were sent to live on Earth for five years and are now returning to Mars. If you are looking for sci-fi with space ship battles and non-stop action, this is not for you. Vagabonds is for those who love politics and philosophy. It is a beautifully written, introspective and thought provoking book.

The Vanishing Deep is set in a fascinating future world in which global warming melted the polar ice caps and The Great Waves submerged most of the planet. A facility called Palindromena is able to resurrect the drowned dead for 24 hours, after which they must die again. Tempest decides to resurrect her sister who died 2 years ago. This aquatic adventure is non-stop and the complex plot has many twists and turns. A well done YA sci-fi dystopian.

The Only Good Indians is a well written and superbly crafted horror story which takes place in the northwestern US and has characters from the Blackfeet and Crow tribes. This story has great depth in its exploration of themes of cultural identity, tradition, social justice, revenge and respect for the natural world. I can see why this The Only Good Indians is receiving so much critical acclaim.

Ivy is a band geek and Autumn is the “bad girl”, dealing drugs and getting into trouble. They barely communicate, but when Autumn is kidnapped, Ivy knows something is very wrong and does not give up. This book is a well written thriller with excellent characters, and skillfully explores the bond between the sisters, friendships, and families. The author also examines how girls‘ lives are valued less than those of boys.

Woven in Moonlight is a beautiful and lush fantasy, based on Bolivian culture. It is set in the fictional country of Inkasisa. Ximena is a stand in for the Condesa, the last remaining royal of the Illustrian people. Her people were driven from La Ciudad when Atoc, of the Llacsan people, usurped the throne. When Atoc demands the hand of the Condesa, Ximena travels to La Ciudad in her place. The story is fast paced and world building is great.

When Claire is only 7 years old, her 18 year-old sister Alison disappears and is found dead on their family's Caribbean vacation. This book takes place mostly in NYC when Claire is a young adult. The initial impression was that of a fast paced thriller. It is more a commentary on unresolved grief, the assumptions that are made based on race and class, and how one event can shatter the lives of so many. It was a compelling and interesting read.

The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a debut historical fiction novel. It takes place in England during the second world war. Hetty Cartwright is tasked with moving animal specimens from the Natural History Museum collection to a manor in the countryside to protect them. After moving the animals, she suspects all is not quite right within the Manor. The novel is well-written, tense, and atmospheric. It was highly readable and difficult to put down.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but was hooked from the moment I started reading it. It is a disturbing and interesting story, as all we have to do is look around us at people glued to their phones, counting their followers and watching ridiculous reality tv shows, to realize that the future in Followers is eerily possible. The future it portrays is chilling. Very difficult to put down and highly readable.

Father of Lions is excellent book about the Mosul Zoo and its keeper Abu Leith. This books chronicles Mosul through the end of its occupation by American and Iraqi forces through the years it is under the control of Daesh. The people of the city live through terror, deprivation and hunger, as do the animals. This book is well written, and extensively researched. It is heartbreaking, inspiring and compelling.

This book is set in the world of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, although it can be read as a standalone. This was the first book I have read by Julie Dao and I really enjoyed it. It is a love story and adventure twined together. There are star crossed lovers, a curse, a villain, a quest, a long lost prince, a plague and an evil drug. The world building is excellent and the reader comes to care about the characters and what happens to them.

I read an ARC of Fireborne and loved it. It was plot and character driven, fast paced and had great world building. The characters inspire empathy and the reader very quickly cares what is going to happen to them. The Dragons add an exciting dimension to the story. Fireborne is thought provoking and raises a lot of ethical questions about how to structure a society.