Necromancing the Stone

With the defeat of the evil Douglas behind him, Sam LaCroix is getting used to his new life. Okay, so he hadn't exactly planned on being a powerful necromancer with a seat on the local magical council and a capricious werewolf sort-of-girlfriend, but things are going fine, right?

Well . . . not really. He's pretty tired of getting beat up by everyone and their mother, for one thing, and he can't help but feel that his new house hates him. His best friend is a werebear, someone is threatening his sister, and while Sam realizes that he himself has a lot of power at his fingertips, he's not exactly sure how to "use "it. Which, he has to admit, is a bit disconcerting.

But when everything starts falling apart, he decides it's time to step up and take control. His attempts to do so just bring up more questions, though, the most important of which is more than a little alarming: Is Douglas really dead?

from goodreads.com

Beth says 5 Stars...
I read Hold Me Closer, Necromancer last year and absolutely fell in love with the world McBride created.  It's absurdly clever and filled with sarcastic individuals that make weird references constantly.  At the outset of the book it appears as though things are going pretty well for Sam and his band of misfits.  Unfortunately, in order to have a decent plot for a novel, things go downhill relatively quickly.  Something I can't say enough about this series is how astoundingly funny it is.  Don't read it in public unless cackling to yourself is something you find acceptable.  I spent at least half of the time I was reading this book in some sort of laughter, ranging from giggles to near hysterics.  The plot itself is the weakest part of the book and didn't have me on the edge of my seat.  However, because I kept falling out of it due to uncontrollable laughter I'm willing to give it a pass.  This isn't to say the plot is bad, it's just not spectacular.

Sam just gets better and better.  He tries to develop his necromancy skills while growing into the role thrust upon him as the necromancer of the Seattle area.  He's still sensitive, hilarious, and not quite sure what he managed to get himself into with this supernatural gig.  What makes the book, though, are the secondary characters and the interactions between everyone.  How can you not love the fact that Sam's best friend has been turned into a werebear?  Brid becomes even more bad-ass than I thought possible, despite making some decisions that I didn't quite agree with.  Douglas's house has some amazing quirks, including some highly aggressive garden gnomes that have names like Twinkle the Destroyer and Gnoman Polanski.  The dialogue crackles with quick wit and I could read the conversations that happen between McBride's characters all day long.

If you haven't read this or the first book yet, go buy them immediately.  They're perfect summer reading; light and funny without lowering your IQ.  Be ready for one of the most fun reading experiences you'll ever have.
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Uncommon Criminals

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners. 

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.
from goodreads.com

Beth says 4.5 Stars...
I picked up the first book in this series last summer because it was on sale and sounded fun.  I consider that a very good decision, because thus far the books have been an absolute blast to read.  I like to think of the series as Ocean's Eleven with the pop culture sensibilities of shows like Gilmore Girls or Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  There's all of the heist action, but constantly peppered with witty banter and one-liners.  The process of planning and going through the mental lists of different cons and tricks took up most of the book, with the actual action limited to a few scenes.  Luckily, the planning is as delightful as the various robberies.  There were a couple of plot twists, one of which was a bit more obvious because of the action that had occurred and the length of the book.  The ending worked wonderfully and had me giving a little satisfied fist pump at the book.

Kat's dealing with rather a lot from all directions.  She starts out the book having decided to lone wolf things for various re-acquisitions.  I'm not saying thefts because she's only stealing already stolen items and returning them to their rightful owners.  Using her skills for good!  However, the crew that was assembled in Heist Society is concerned that she's taking too many risks.  We get Hale and Gabriella being their generally awesome selves starting from almost the beginning of the book.  It takes a bit for the rest to join in, but it's worth the wait.  I love the relationship between Kat and Hale.  Yes, there's the romantic tension, but their priority is making sure that they can still be friends and get the job done.  Granted, that does come with lots of wonderfully quick banter.  The characters do develop some, but the main draw here is the brilliant heist and the rest of the breakneck plot.  Don't look too deeply; let yourself enjoy the ride.

This is a delightful entry in a series I'm thoroughly enjoying.  I definitely want to get my hands on the next book, which I'm sure I'll devour as rapidly as this one.  If you're into globe-trotting adventures with wit and serious capers then go out and buy these books immediately.
ebook from library

Unbreakable

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures novels.
from goodreads.com

Beth says 3.5 Stars...
I was excited to see that Kami Garcia had a book of her own and I managed to find it right when I wanted a bit of adventure.  Although it generally doesn't take much to creep me out, this book didn't scare me and I appreciated that.  Yes, there are ghosts and evil spirit type creatures that haunt with varying levels of aggression that might scare some people.  It isn't that bad, so don't worry if you're someone who's easily scared.  The idea behind the book is super cool with secret societies, horror type entities, and complex familial ties.  However, the plot had some issues, especially at the beginning.  I understand the need for time to set up the world of a series, but it took quite a bit of time to finally get to the point where the plot moved forward smoothly.  The background was also rather spotty, but perhaps the information will come in other books.

A strength of the book was the young members of the Legion.  Kennedy had a few issues adjusting to her new life, but eventually works out her place among the group.  She's a perfectly serviceable heroine, but her tendencies to play things close to the chest and constant self-doubt did get annoying at times.  Although Kennedy is obviously the main character, the others received their own time and space to develop.  They all had distinct personalities and strengths that brought the group together.  My favorite has to be Priest, the delightfully quirky inventor extraordinaire.  His presence made my little nerd heart happy.

Overall I think this is a promising start to the series.  There were problems for sure, but the premise is interesting and the set-up solid.  The ending in particular plays directly into the next book which I think will be better.  I'd suggest giving this a try based on its potential.
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Hollow City

The extraordinary journey that began in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children continues as Jacob Portman and his newfound friends journey to London the peculiar capital of the world. But in this war-torn city, hideous surprises lurk around every corner. Like its predecessor, this second novel in the Peculiar Children series blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reacting experience.
from goodreads.com

Beth says 5 Stars...
I loved the first book when I read it a while back and was super excited to get my hands on this one.  What's fantastic about this series is that it embraces being different.  Peculiar doesn't just describe the characters, it's a fitting adjective for the story itself.  The overall structure is familiar since the children have to go on what is in essence a quest to find assistance unavailable except in one specific place.  Said place just happens to be located both far(ish) away and in a dangerous area, in this case London in the midst of WWII.  The journey and search for aid for Miss Peregrine comprises the majority of the story.  The plot moves at a nice, consistent pace save the ending in which all hell breaks (metaphorically) loose.  The vintage photographs add a unique and interesting level to the story and serve to bring readers even deeper into the world of the book.  They give striking and atmospheric visuals to make imagining what's going on even easier.

The cast of characters is so delightfully odd.  Throughout the book the peculiar abilities of the children grow stronger and show new facets.  The ending of the last novel marked all of the children and this book allows the development to shine.  The relationship between Emma and Jacob is a delight because it's sweet, relatively normal, and not the central focus of the book.  It's an important factor in some of the actions the characters take, but it doesn't dominate the story.  Most of the individuals the group meets flutter in and out of the story, adding something for the brief time they're important.  They find a few more peculiars with different abilities and I'm enjoying the various types of special talents.  It takes quite a bit of creativity to keep coming up with them!

I can't recommend this series highly enough.  Hollow City is just as good of a second novel as the first book was series opener.  The ensemble of characters, brilliant use of vintage photos, and unabashed oddness make it a breath of fresh air.  If you're looking for something different, delightful, and highly readable grab this book/series.  You shan't regret it.
ebook from Library

Til Death

Sixteen-year old Selena Fallon is a dreamer. Not a day-dreamer, but an I-see-the-future kind of dreamer. Normally this is not a problem as she has gotten pretty good at keeping her weird card hidden from everyone in her small town. Except from her best friend Kyle and her grandparents, of course. But when Selena dreams of her own rather bloody death, things get a little too freaky even for her.

Enter Dillan Sloan. Selena has seen the new guy in a different dream, and he is even more droolworthy in person. Beyond the piercing blue eyes and tousled dark hair, there is something else that draws her to him. Something…electric. Unfortunately, Dillan makes it more than clear that he does not feel the same. They just met, so why would he act like he hates her?

When Dillan and Selena are forced together one weekend to work on a school project, Selena prepares to be ignored as usual. But when she stumbles across a few undead in the backyard, Dillan comes to her rescue and reveals a whole lot more. Not only is he part of a society that hunts otherworldly creatures…she is too. And she is being targeted by a force bigger and darker than anything she ever imagined. Despite her death dream, Selena is not going to give up easy, especially when she discovers that Dillan might not actually hate her after all.
from goodreads.com

Beth says 3.5 Stars...
I just have to start off by mentioning the cover... how absurdly gorgeous is that?  After reading the book I'm not entirely sure what it has to do with the plot, but I'll take the pretty where I can.  We first meet Dillan as he's on his way to live with his uncle after some sort of mission.  As the book goes on we learn about the strongly hierarchical society of world protectors he's grown up in, although it does take a while to get a decent explanation.  The pacing of the book is a significant problem because information isn't distributed in a logical manner.  Some things that would be important to know at the beginning of the novel aren't revealed until halfway through or even later.  The action also clusters around certain events, moving the plot rapidly forward at sporadic intervals.  A lot of the in between bits felt like filler and did nothing to advance character development or enhance the story.  Of the two major reveals in the book I was able to easily guess one and in hindsight should have figured out the other.  The mystery wasn't that intense; I was more interested in getting information about the supernatural society.

The synopsis is a bit misleading as this is as much Dillan's book as it is Selena's.  The narrative alternates between their two perspectives, although Dillan's is told from a third person narrator while Selena's is in the first person.  I found that a bit odd and it took a little while to get used to, but after the initial transition period it wasn't too bad.  I enjoyed the way the relationship between the two of them built up.  The constant bickering and vexation reminded me of a scenario in my own life and made me smile.  It shows that often those who push and challenge you most can be a good partner.  However, the magical (and unexplained) electric shock-like sensation that the two have when they touch each other is a bit too convenient.  They literally have a physical spark between them.  The secondary characters had promising starts and will hopefully have time to mature over the course of the series.

This is a fairly standard entry into the paranormal romance genre.  The end was quite exciting and sets up the next book pretty solidly.  In fact, it rather cut off in the middle of an intense scene and is certainly a cliffhanger.  You might pick this up if you're really into paranormal romance as this has a bit of a different slant on the paranormal side of things, but doesn't diverge too greatly from the usual.
ebook from Publisher

Allegiant

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.
from goodreads.com

Beth says 4 Stars...
If you're unaware of this series at this point then I'm actually rather impressed.  I know this came out a little while ago, but I was waiting until I could check it out from the library instead of buying it.  Although that might seem odd, I knew the reactions from fans were super mixed and I didn't want to purchase something I thought I'd have a substantial chance of disliking.  Luckily for me I quite enjoyed the book, although I do see what made people upset.  Roth was extremely bold in this novel because she made some significant alterations to the overarching plot of the series and moved in unexpected directions.  Going into the book there's no way I would have guessed the ending or even most of the middle and I really appreciated the surprise.  Yes, there are some plot holes and everything doesn't make perfect sense.  However, the whole series requires a certain suspension of disbelief and Allegiant didn't take it too much farther.  The book was compulsively readable and totally sucked me in.  I found the experience worth it solely for the pure escapism of the story.  The alternating perspectives in the chapters worked well and added another layer of complexity.

There were definitely issues with character development, or a lack thereof, during the course of the novel.  Neither Tris nor Four grew significantly or revealed a new side of their personality.  I don't really hold it against the book because the main focus was definitely the plot.  Of course, some new characters enter into the mix, but none of them were particularly remarkable.  The major novelty was the introduction of another society that encompassed the previous world.  I'm a sucker for world within a world stories, so this hit right in a sweet spot for me. 

Although I understand the anger and disappointment of many fans, I think that Roth made interesting choices that took the book away from predictability.  I'm attempting to do this without major spoilers, which is proving quite difficult.  Suffice it to say that the book will go somewhere different from the rest of the series and whether or not that's a good thing is up to you to decide.
book from library

Entice

Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla, so Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. But it's taking time, and meanwhile a group of evil pixies is devastating Bedford, with more teens going missing every day. An all-out war seems imminent, and the good guys need all the warriors they can find. But how to get to Valhalla? And even if Zara and her friends discover the way, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. When she finds Nick, will he even want to go with her? Especially since she hasn't turned into just any pixie. . . She's Astley's queen.
from amazon.com

Beth says 3.5 Stars…
I find this series difficult to describe… I really enjoy reading the books, but know they’re nowhere near amazing. The plots keep getting more and more complicated to the point of confusion. This plot bounced around from one thing to another without emphasizing clarity. I didn’t always know where I was in the story or how the action related to the endpoint of the novel; I actually got a bit fuzzy on the purpose of the story as well. However random the plot might have been, it still managed to be quite entertaining and engaging. The settings could have used a bit of improvement, although I acknowledge the brevity of the characters’ stays in a few locations. I also feel like I haven’t seen any growth in Jones’s writing style, which I rather expected. Not to say that there’s anything particularly wrong with it, but improvement can always happen.

Oh Zara. The angsty conflict that surrounds her grated mightily on my nerves. I really wanted her to make up her mind in her love life, which wouldn’t have had nearly the amount of drama but would have been more satisfactory to me. I also didn’t see an evolution in Zara’s character; she changed more in the first novel than in the second two combined. Nick’s absence caused a large amount of moping and pining, and that was one the biggest sources of angst in the novel. Astley started to grow on me, but I don’t particularly buy their relationship. There’s no heat coming off of the page when the two of them are together, which doesn’t exactly make for the most believable of love triangles. I still love the supporting characters and find them vastly entertaining. The Buffy references slid into the dialogue made me super happy!

I can only recommend this book as fun. It isn’t the greatest literature by any stretch of the imagination and at times falls into mediocrity because of the huge volume of paranormal/fantasy books flooding the market currently. However, I once I started the book I just couldn’t stop reading it. This is a fun and mindless summer series that could work well either on the beach or just sitting attempting to do next to nothing.
Book from Library

Torment

Lucinda is sure that she and Daniel are meant to be together forever. Now they are forced apart in a desperate bid to save Luce from the Outcasts–immortals who want her dead. As she discovers more about her past lives, Luce starts to suspect that Daniel is hiding something. What if he has lied to her about their shared past? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?
from laurenkate.com

Beth says 4 Stars...

This book was just fun. Serious literature; heavens no. I was actually expecting a little less, so the book came as a pleasant surprise. The change of scenery was really helpful in creating a new atmosphere to differentiate this novel from Fallen. I loved the new school, and it was a great device to allow more information about the angels to be given to the reader without seeming forced. Unlike in other novels, having Lucinda go to class really made sense. One of my biggest complaints with many recent novels is that they don't really explain any of the mythology. Lauren Kate finally did, and it made me even more interested, particularly the highly blurry relationship between good and evil. I also really liked how she developed the role of the creepy shadows. In general, the school environment was just more layered and delightful. The pacing of the plot, unfortunately, was off. It felt like a middle book because there were long stretches where nothing would really happen.

The characters were better, particularly Lucinda. Daniel remains the swoon-worthy and emotionally conflicted fallen angel. He didn't actually become more interesting, although he and Lucinda continued to smolder whenever they were together. I was impressed by Lucinda, though. Initially I thought that she was just another stereotypical paranormal romance heroine who couldn't do a thing by herself. Imagine my shock when she proved me wrong on multiple occasions! Specifics would be too spoilery, but suffice it to say that she officially isn't wrapped up in meeting the love of her life as a teen. The supporting cast was relatively good as well, but nothing absolutely stellar.

If you liked Fallen, or even just thought it was okay go ahead and grab Torment. It improves where Kate left off, but be prepared for a slower read that's definitely setting up for the next installment. It won't blow your mind, but you'll have a good time reading it.
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Guardian of the Gate

The ultimate battle between sisters is nearing, and its outcome could have catastrophic consequences. As sixteen year-old Lia Milthorpe searches for a way to end the prophecy, her twin sister Alice hones the skills she'll need to defeat Lia. Alice will stop at nothing to reclaim her sister's role in the prophecy, and that's not the only thing she wants: There's also Lia's boyfriend James.

Lia and Alice always knew the Prophecy would turn those closest to them against them. But they didn't know what betrayal could lead them to do. In the end, only one sister will be left standing.
from amazon.com

Beth says 5 Stars...

I'm seriously in love with this series. I must say that this wasn't the follow up that I expected. What I loved about Prophecy was its dark and gothic tone, which changed in Guardian, but it wasn't bad. In fact, it was delightful. The cause of this difference was the altered setting; this time the story moved to England and other locations that I shan't name in order to attempt to remain spoiler free. Instead of dark and foreboding I was treated to exotic and intoxicating. I was swept up in Lia's journey and loved every minute of it. The plot moved along very nicely, slowing down and speeding up to keep things interesting. Even when there wasn't a lot of movement in the middle I understood why because instead of going somewhere new physically, I got so much new information that enhanced the mythology of the prophecy.

This book was amazing for Lia. It was astounding to see her without the constant foil of Alice. This isn't to say that she wasn't in the book, but she instead became an ominous figure looming in the background. Personally, that made her even more creepy. Now back to Lia. It was really interesting to see her on her own because she turned into a different character. She became so much stronger, but these changes weren't overdone. It felt as though Lia adapted to the circumstances and came out a force, one that will be needed in the third book. There's also some love triangling, with Lia away from dear James while Alice still is near him, and the addition of a dark and mysterious man. It gets a little steamier, but you'll have to read to find out the details. Sonia and Louisa continued to have layers added to their characters, but this really was about the evolution of Lia.

The main question is when the third book is coming out. The end leaves things hanging and primed for the final chapter in this delightfully different series. Pick these books up if you're tired of reading the same paranormal romances over and over. Michelle Zink creates a lush and entrancing gothic world different from anything you're likely to read. If you haven't read this series yet, go and get it right now. This was an amazing continuation of a great story, and I'm anxiously awaiting the third novel.

Lord Sunday

Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins.

In this thrilling conclusion to Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series, Arthur Penhaligon must complete his quest to save the Kingdom he is heir to...and Arthur's world.
from amazon.com

Beth says 4.5 Stars...

So another series comes to a close. Garth Nix (who's one of my favorite authors) has taken us on a ride through the House that controls the universe and all of the worlds that compose it. As a closer this book was good. It did get choppy at times, but that was really because it attempted to tie up all of the loose plot ends. I felt that particular goal was accomplished rather successfully. He doesn't leave everything hanging, and the few lingering questions are just the normal ones for a series ender. The only other thing that I had an issue with was the pacing. It got really slow in the middle, and then ended with a final chunk so fast it almost gave me whiplash, but I enjoyed the ride. I was not expecting the ending, which was refreshing. Nix wrapped up everything in a way that proved why he's a great talent in fantasy.

Arthur grew yet again in this book, and what's more, this book belonged to him. I don't think that he's ever remained stagnant, which is remarkable. This time he became even more Denizen than anything else, and felt that weight. He was more aloof and quick to anger, but a major part of the book is Arthur's struggle to retain his humanity and identity. There were, of course, other characters, but they all paled in comparison and importance to Arthur. I love the fact that Nix isn't afraid to place that sort of content in a book meant for middle schoolers. Nothing is dumbed down for the sake of an age group that supposedly can't comprehend complex issues. The high point of this philosophical and intense musing is in the final chapters, which bring the series to a beautiful close. They send a message that validates the books without getting too heady or preaching.

This was a lovely closer. The main issue that I had was that it got rather slow in the middle. The grand scope of this series wasn't lost in attempting to wrap everything up in a tidy little package. Instead, although it created some struggles, Nix pulled the threads together and wove them into a workable ending. The gaps are slight, proving that this is a fantastic, and epic, series.

Gone

Things should be great for Janie—she has graduated from high school and is spending her summer with Cabel, the guy she’s totally in love with. But deep down she’s panicking about how she’s going to survive her future when getting sucked into other people’s dreams is really starting to take its toll.

Things get even more complicated when she meets her father for the very first time—and he’s in a coma. As Janie uncovers his secret past, she begins to realize that the choice thought she had has more dire consequences than she ever imagined.

from simonandschuster.com

Beth says 4 Stars...
I've enjoyed this series and am sad to see it close. Again, the unique style employed by McMann took a little getting used to, but then became enjoyable. The issue I had was that it took the first third of the book to get anywhere at all. It didn't feel as though there was a plot, and the book had no direction. It was just kind of angsty and Janie just moped around. Once it got going it was really enthralling, and because of the writing style it moved so rapidly

The characters developed just enough. They could have grown more, but I wasn't left feeling severely disappointed. It was great that Janie's mother played a larger role and that their relationship, though dysfunctional to say the least, was explored. Of course, Janie and Cabe were a major focus. There were a couple of things that really surprised me that were a part of the book.

Overall this was a fun book. I've enjoyed the series and am sad to see it come to a close. This was a fitting end, although with a very different plot point from particularly the second book. If you've read the other two definitely grab this one to see how it all ends. I'm actually not quite clear on precisely what happened in the end, but it works. A good quick read for the summer.

Perchance to Dream

Guys, we're so terribly sorry this has taken so long, but both of us were taken hostage by the monster that is finals and the end of freshman year. Now, we're home and everything should go back to normal!

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
Act Two, Scene One
Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.
Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY
But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—
Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.
Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.
When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

from amazon.com

Beth says 4.99 Stars...

I love this series. Eyes Like Stars quickly won a spot on my favorites shelf, and this second installment doesn't disappoint. Mantchev takes a risk by leaving the familiar setting of the Thèâtre and literally taking the show on the road. It was the slightly stereotypical hero's journey and traveling of a second book in a trilogy. However, what could have been flat and boring was lifted into the realm of entertaining by the quick wit that permiates the novel. Literary allusions abound, and there's impressive hilarity for those well-read enough to understand the jokes. I didn't get them all, but when I did I felt a small sense of pride and had a chuckle.

The funniest part of the book was the fairies. From the very first page they had me in stitches whenever they appeared. There were some fun new characters who added to the dynamic, but I still missed everyone from the Thèâtre. Bertie grew as a person, and so did her relationships with both Nate and Ariel. I love that they went in different directions and weren't stereotypical. I'm interested to see how everything resolves in the final book. The different magics in that world were also significantly explored, and I'm waiting for more. Bertie's powers have begun to take a fascinating shape, and what the other different characters can do is intriguing was well.

Overall I really liked this book. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that there was just something little missing that would have made it amazing. I can't put my finger on it, but it was there in Eyes Like Stars and not in this one. However, the book is still fantastic. Mantchev proves that she has a singiature style that absolutely delights and avoids the pitfall of a terrible sequel. I'm thoroughly excited for the next book. This is a good continuation of the series and sets up what should be a hilarious thrill ride of a final act.

Book from Publisher