Review: Song of Summer by Laura Lee Anderson

Song of Summer by Laura Lee Anderson

The thirteen qualities of Robin’s Perfect Man range from the mildly important “Handsome” to the all-important “Great taste in music.” After all, Westfield’s best high school folk musician can’t go out with some shmuck who only listens to top 40 crap. When hot Carter Paulson walks in the door of Robin’s diner, it looks like the list may have come to life. It’s not until the end of the meal that she realizes he’s profoundly deaf.
Carter isn’t looking for a girlfriend. Especially not a hearing one. Not that he has anything against hearing girls, they just don’t speak the same language. But when the cute waitress at Grape Country Dairy makes an effort to talk with him, he takes her out on his yellow Ducati motorcycle.
Told in first person alternating perspectives, language, music, and culture go along for the ride as Carter and Robin find their song.

Publishes in US: July 7th 2015 by Bloomsbury Spark
Genre: ya contemp
Source:  Bloomsbury via netgalley
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free. 
Series? no

Buy it:
Click here to order on Kindle from Amazon.
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Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~blog

 

    I wanted to read Song of Summer because I am drawn to teens with illnesses or disabilities, and ASL has always interested me. I tried to learn it at one point, but only remember a bit. I also liked the tension that comes about with her passion for music and that she is falling for a boy who can't hear it. 

   The romance is sweet, and I loved their instant connection. I thought it was hilarious that she thought he was gay at first because he came into the diner with a guy friend, and he just texted his order, and said friend did all the ordering and talking. Without knowing he's deaf, I probably would have assumed the same thing. But they flirt and he comes back again to the diner, and they have conversations written on her ordering pad. 

    I liked Robin and her best friend, but I didn't like that her ex Trent who broke up with her because he didn't want to be tied down senior year.  He is everywhere, and they play music together at the same church, and he is still flirty with her and acts like he didn't hurt her. Which obviously is fine because I liked her connection and how she tried with Carter where some people discovered he was deaf and act all weird or condescending. 

   I like the unique family situation with Carter. He is adopted by his deaf father and his mom knows sign language because one of her parents were deaf. They have adopted him and two other deaf children, and I love their culture, and the fact that his parents were open to adoption and could bring the kids up in a household that understood and could communicate with them. 

   There was some drama that I felt was unnecessary, but I suppose that it did serve some purposes to let us know some of the history and decisions that were made. 

    The ending managed to leave a hint of possibility but it was pretty realistic and also felt pretty open in some ways. I wanted a more wrapped up HEA, but there were so many things that were on the way to fixing, and there was some maturity needed as well as perspective on how the other was dealing with. And there was also the fact of the distance between them, it felt like a nice summer romance, but it hinted throughout that they were dreaming up ways to make it work past then. 

Bottom Line: Sweet romance between two very different people.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you know any sign language?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:
  Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass, #4) 
Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series reaches new heights in this sweeping fourth volume.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.


Releases: September 1st 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens

What are you waiting on?

Sponsored Exclusive Giveaway and Interview: Inches Aren’t Everything by Sarah B. Daniels

Inches Aren’t Everything by Sarah B. Daniels

An intriguing and sexy romance novel set around the fitness industry, Inches Aren’t Everything will keep the reader engaged on a flight, on the beach, or even during a little “me time” at home.
BMC owner, Zack Johnston is not happy. Though he’s poured his life and soul into his fitness company, he’s struggling against an irate business partner, a lack of sales, and trainers who either sleep with their clients, take work on the side, or have far too many personal issues to concentrate on their work. Then there’s Orlanda Kennedy, the sensual young woman who sees the world as her own private chess game. With a chip on her shoulder and men melting in her hands, Orlanda has aspirations far and beyond everyone at BMC, and she’s ready to crush them all under her heel. She’s the silent enemy, the snake in the grass, and now she’s ready to pounce.
Only Keith Langley, Zack’s right hand man can be trusted. Even he seems to be losing his grip. Into Zack’s life comes Leena Ryan; a beautiful and confident woman dressed in red, who won’t take no for an answer. Leena is about to push Zack into a whole new world of action, which causes Zack to question everything.
Keith is the natural leader, a squeaky clean all-American trainer who runs the corporate accounts, but ends up healing and managing a high profile star tennis player whose secret sexuality and promiscuous behavior threatens the million-dollar sponsorship that the Tennis Association relies on. Burned out rock stars, luscious twin sister trainers, clients who tempt, trainers who accept, and demanding corporate clients round out the roster of characters who romp, play, scheme and love in this page turner of a popular fiction paper back.

“If you think the world of fitness and personal trainers is all about sit-ups, crunches, and sweating on a treadmill–think again! Inches Aren’t Everything is a sexy and exuberant romp through the boardrooms and the bedrooms of some very intriguing people. If you like working out with a good read, minus the sweat, then this is the book for you. I loved it!”
– S.P. Hozy, author of A Cold Season in Shanghai and The Scarlet Macaw


GET YOUR COPY TODAY!
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http://sarahdanielsauthor.com
https://www.facebook.com/SarahDanielsAuthor?fref=ts

Sarah B Daniels is a nom-de-plume and she has ratcheted the tension for her sexiest novel yet. A clinical counselor for over 35 years, she uses the stories she lived through to flesh out her sexy romance novels into realistic page-turners.

Interview

The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.- Fun, sexy page turner about the fitness industry, trainers, clients, rock stars and sports stars. On the treadmill and between the sheets.

How did you get the idea for the story?- From my years as a counselor and therapist, I hear so many stories... it's amazing how complicated people make their lives.  Plus the stories I heard from my personal trainers over the years. 

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with? Orlanda, she's such a complex powerful yet vulnerable woman, it would be fascinating to spend time with her and learn about the ICHI game that is central to her life and character.

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?

Yes, I have another novel, working title - Behind Closed Doors - the first of a series of novels about an apartment building and the people who live there, make love there, and leave there.

Every apartment contains its own story. The people within the walls most often stay separate- except for careful interaction in the elevator or between loading and unloading the laundry machines.  But sometimes something happens that brings them together.  A crisis of mind and body. And when this happens, the most surprising people step forward to be counted.  And healing happens on many levels.

--What book(s) is your book’s “cousin”? (Similar kind of read, set-up or style)   

Debbie Macomber books, in that my novels are interactive with very human stories, showing foibles, strength and redemption.  However Sarah B Daniels's books contain more sex in their romance, more heat in the interactions between characters.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?  I make time.

Anything by Dylan  Thomas _ I'm currently re-reading his Small boy's Christmas in Wales.

The Four Agreements - I carry the flyleaf around with me in my wallet - it keeps me true to myself and my world.

--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?  West With the Night by Beryl Markham, I visited Kenya once and loved it... It has changed since this book was written... but I would like to be there at that time.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?  Cool jazz.  Mint tea and a promise of a meet up with a friend later in the day to get me away from the computer!

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose? A harmony wand.  Wave it where ever there is tension, hatred, bigotry and fighting.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?  Theatre LOVE going to the theatre with friends, walk and talk and coffee. Plus I'm an animal activist and am involved in community work at different levels.

--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?  Know that you can - don't let anyone rain on your parade!  Operate from a platform of kindness for yourself and others.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?  Don't forget to make time for fun!

Lightning round: this or that?

Vanilla or chocolate?  Icecream? Vanilla

Video or Board Games?  Board games

Summer or Winter?  Summmmmmmer!!!

Edward or Jacob?  depends

Hockey or soccer?   soccer

Ebook or paper?   both depends on where and when

Salty or sweet?    sweet

Beach or mountains?  depends on where or when

Phone call or email? mornings... phone, evening email  (I get 'used up" in the clinic during the day and don't often want to talk in the evenings.)

Early bird or night owl?  Early bird

Dog or cat?  both, but right now I have cats.... either way always rescues

Messy or neat? depends on the day

Ninjas or pirates?   huh?   Unless it's Johnny Depp  <> 

Giveaway is for: ebook of Inches Aren’t Everything by Sarah B. Daniels (Int)
If under 18, must have parent's permission.
No Purchase Necessary
Open: 7/28- 8/17
The Sponsor: publicist
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-If you win a review on your blog and/or amazon is appreciated but not required.

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Review: A Million Times Goodnight by Kristina McBride

A Million Times Goodnight by Kristina McBride

A teen Sliding Doors. One choice creates parallel dual narratives in this romantic contemporary mystery-thriller perfect for fans of Just Like Fate and Pivot Point.
One Night. Two Paths. Infinite Danger.
On the night of the big Spring Break party, Hadley "borrows" her boyfriend Ben's car without telling him. As payback, he posts a naked picture of her online for the entire senior class to see.
Now Hadley has a choice: go back to the party and force Ben to delete the picture or raise the stakes and take his beloved car on a road trip as far away from their hometown of Oak Grove, Ohio, as she can get.
Chapters alternate to reveal each possible future as Hadley, her ex-boyfriend, Josh, and her best friends embark on a night of reckless adventure where old feelings are rekindled, friendships are tested, and secrets are uncovered that are so much worse than a scandalous photo.

Publishes in US: July 28th 2015 by Egmont USA
Genre: ya scifi alternate/parallel universe
Source: Edmont via Netgalley
Series? no
Other reviews of Kristina's books:
One Moment 

Buy it: Amazon IndieBound Book Depository B&N

Author stalk away: ~site 

 

    I wanted to read A Million Times Goodnight because I love the concept of parallel universe or alternate stories based on the effects of one choice versus another. I loved Pivot Point as well, so the comparison there also helped. 

   Hadley, our main character, starts out the story with two of her friends, they've borrowed her boyfriend's car to go to a place where a girl they were friends with died a year ago. And I use the term borrowed lightly, because as we find out he is not aware that she's taken it, and they are also not on the best terms. Not that that gives him any right for the picture of her half nude and posting on facebook. I get that teens do ridiculous things without thinking, but it was hard for me to accept that he made such an extreme choice. 

   Her choices: take the car back and in doing so bring a boy )that has a history that is hinted at with Hadley but we obviously don't know the whole story) with her to make him jealous or going on a road trip with said stolen/borrowed car. Now, of course neither of these are wonderful choices, but they are the two that the story focuses on and the two different paths that are played out. 

    The story line with the pictures went much deeper than I thought and it exposed Ben as even more of a jerk than you would think at first. There was also a lot to untangle with the history and current tension between her and Josh. A Million Times Goodnight is well paced, and the mysteries kept me reading.

    I liked the friendship story line with her and Mia and Brooklyn. Also you could tell that she used to be good friends with the girl who died penny. And for even more more suspense, everyone blames Josh and I was wrapped up in the reason why and why Hadley blamed herself.

    I had to take off half a star though because of the ending. It felt a little rushed to me. It did answer the questions that I had, and also brought justice to those needing it. And I also did like the way that the two parallel "universes" were brought together, making it feel more like a contemporary than sci-fi. There was so much build up though that it just felt like the ending pieces needed more fleshing out to me.

    

Bottom Line: Good exploration of two possible what ifs.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think out possibilities of different futures often for your choices?

Stacking the Shelves, The Sunday Post, Bought Borrowed and Bagged

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews,  check it out and sign up  here

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Bought, Borrowed, & Bagged is a weekly meme, hosted by TalkSupe, where I share with you the books I have bought, borrowed, or bagged. Link up with me here.

Currently reading:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns, #1) source: library

Carson, Rae *

What I read:

Until Friday Night (The Field Party, #1 source: edelweiss

Glines, Abbi *

The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide (Twilight, #4.5) source: library

Meyer, Stephenie

Fans of the Impossible Life source:

Scelsa, Kate *

From This Moment (Moment of Truth, #3) source:

Barnholdt, Lauren *

Last Week on the blog:

• Waiting on Wednesday, WoW
• Free book and Interview: Courage Series by Jill Da...

Alive Source: Disney for review Review

Baker, Chandler *

Black Dawn (The Morganville Vampires, #12) source: library Review

Caine, Rachel *

The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen, #1) source: library Review

Meadows, Jodi *

Because You'll Never Meet Me Source : Bloomsbury Review

Thomas, Leah *

My week: Played a lot of mario, went bowling with the family last night.

What are you reading? Any of my books new to you or have you read any of my books? If so, what did you think?
Also, feel free to link up your blog and mailbox post.

Review: Alive by Chandler Baker

Alive  by Chandler Baker

Stella Cross's heart is poisoned.
After years on the transplant waiting list, she's running out of hope that she'll ever see her eighteenth birthday. Then, miraculously, Stella receives the transplant she needs to survive.
Determined to embrace everything she came so close to losing, Stella throws herself into her new life. But her recovery is marred by strange side effects: Nightmares. Hallucinations. A recurring pain that flares every day at the exact same moment. Then Stella meets Levi Zin, the new boy on everyone's radar at her Seattle prep school. Stella has never felt more drawn to anyone in her life, and soon she and Levi are inseparable.
Stella is convinced that Levi is her soul mate. Why else would she literally ache for him when they are apart?
After all, the heart never lies...does it?

Publishes in US: June 9th 2015 by Disney-Hyperion
Genre: ya contemp
Source: Disney for review.
Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free. Series? no

Buy it: Book Depository  BN Amazon Indiebound

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter

    I wanted to read Alive because I am drawn to books about teens dealing with illnesses. Heart transplants are also something that I have been very interested in, especially when the cell memory theory is thrown in, which is what the pain reminded me of. I figured she was experiencing things with the donor's death possibly, and the connections of him since the heart is such a personal organ. 

   I liked the strength of Stella, how she faced such hard things and still managed to have an attitude of facing the world, and focusing on getting back to school and regular life after being sick for so long. She has a sort of boyfriend Henry that she talks to and whose been texting and been there for her, but they haven't really been defined mostly because of Stella and her reluctance. 

   Family is a focus, even though of course Stella feels at times that her mom hovers and worries too much and also doesn't understand her. You can tell that Stella loves her toddler sister, but she also jokes with bitterness about her being the replacement or upgrade child since she was born after Stella got sick with the cardiomyopathy which is what landed her needing the transplant. 

   It does take a mysterious turn with the pain that she feels and like I said earlier I thought might be related to the death of her donor I really wasn't expecting a paranormal fantasy type explanations to be behind the mystery of the book but it makes sense even though it takes it out of the category of contemporary. 

    I like part of the romance for this one but not all of it. I wasn't fully convinced either way until the book was almost ending, which was fine because then it was sweet and it gave it feeling of the second chance love kind of thing for me.

   I did like how the book ended it was fitting for the story and actually pretty upbeat which is a little surprising considering how dark it was at one point.

Bottom Line: Enjoyable read with blend of contemp and fantasy element.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Are you an organ donor? Why or why not?

Review: Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

Black Dawn (The Morganville Vampires #12) by Rachel Caine

With its eclectic mix of vampire and human citizens, Morganville, Texas, has always been a risky place to call home. But with the invasion of the vampire’s deadliest enemy, Morganville isn’t just in danger—it’s dying…
Ever since the draug—mysterious creatures that prey on vampires—took over Morganville, the lives of student Claire Danvers and her friends have been thrown into turmoil. Most of the town’s residents have evacuated, but Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael have chosen to stay and fight.Using the city’s water system to spread, the draug have rapidly multiplied. Things in Morganville look grim, especially since vampire Amelie—the town founder—has been infected by the master draug’s bite.
Now, if Claire and her friends don’t figure out how to cure Amelie and defeat the draug, it looks like Morganville will become little more than a ghost town…

Publishes in US: May 1st 2012 by Penguin New American Library
Genre: ya paranormal vampires
Source: library
Series? The Morganville Vampires #12
#1 Glass Houses 
#2 Review: The Dead Girls' Dance
#3 Midnight Alley
#4 Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine 
#5 Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine
#6 Carpe Corpus
#7 Fade Out 
#8 Kiss of Death
#9 Ghost Town 
#10 Bite Club
#11 Last Breath

Buy it: US buyers:Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound |Amazon
Canada:
Chapters Indigo | Amazon CA
UK:
Waterstones | WH Smith | Amazon UK

Author stalk away: ~site series

 

   I wanted to read Black Dawn because I had to know what was going to happen with Amelie, and I am loving this series in general. I have raced through them and can't stop making moments to read it. 

   It was hard seeing Eve and Michael having a hard time after the events in the last book, but I am so rooting for them to somehow make it work. But some of the comments and being in M's head makes me think that maybe it won't. I hope so hard that I am misreading it though, because even though Eve has such a vulnerability she is also very strong and knows how to handle herself. 

   Claire is coming even more into her own, and less afraid to speak up. She had a confrontation with Oliver, and I was so proud of her. I sincerely hope that some cure can be found for Amelie, but it was looking pretty grim, and I wondered just how Morganville would continue to exist and how the humans would fare if Oliver did take over. 

    It was neat though, to see humans and vamps working side by side and growing a bit more appreciation for the other in fighting the powerful draugh. They are water dwellers, and can move and multiply. Though they prefer vamps, they will go after humans too, and it was very action filled as they were fighting them. I was worried by the tone that the epilogue took, but I imagine it will just be another obstacle for them to overcome. 

   It didn't disappoint with keeping me guessing, bringing new challenges and developing the charac ters that I have come to love or at least love to hate. There is still the hint of unpredictability, and characters acting in a way that I haven't come to line up with their personalities and actions thus far. 

    Definitely still enjoying the series, and will continue until its over, at which point I might cry.

Bottom Line: Good installment, new enemies to fight and insights on the characters.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think that you could risk your life to save vampires?

Waiting on Wednesday, WoW

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. I also feature books that may have already released, but I am anxiously waiting to read.

This week, I'm featuring:
 
Court of Fives (Court of Fives #1) by Kate Elliott
In this imaginative escape into an enthralling new world, World Fantasy Award finalist Kate Elliott begins a new trilogy with her debut young adult novel, weaving an epic story of a girl struggling to do what she loves in a society suffocated by rules of class and privilege.

Jessamy's life is a balance between acting like an upper class Patron and dreaming of the freedom of the Commoners. But at night she can be whomever she wants when she sneaks out to train for The Fives, an intricate, multi-level athletic competition that offers a chance for glory to the kingdom's best competitors. Then Jes meets Kalliarkos, and an unlikely friendship between a girl of mixed race and a Patron boy causes heads to turn. When a scheming lord tears Jes's family apart, she'll have to test Kal's loyalty and risk the vengeance of a powerful clan to save her mother and sisters from certain death. 

Releases: August 18th 2015 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

What are you waiting on?

Review: The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen #1) by Jodi Meadows

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.
She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.
She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.
She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others.
Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.

Publishes in US: March 10th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books Harper Teen
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: library
Series? The Orphan Queen #1

The Hidden Prince (The Orphan Queen, #0.1) Published June 2nd 2015 by Epic Reads Impulse
The Glowing Knight (The Orphan Queen, #0.2) Expected publication: September 1st 2015
The Burning Hand (The Orphan Queen, #0.3) Published December 1st 2015)
The Black Knife (The Orphan Queen, #0.4) Published March 1st 2016)


The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2) Expected publication: April 5th 2016

Buy it: HarperCollins
IndieBound
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Books-a-Million
iBookstore
Powells

Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook           

 

I was so excited to read Orphan Queen because I adored Jodi's first series. I also liked the idea of the resistance group fighting for their kingdom in secret for now, but advancing their plans. The idea of Wil and her best friend going undercover in the castle. Sure enough Orphan Queen did not disappoint.    This one did get off to a bit of a mixed start for me I like Wilhelmina aka Wil and how she was trying to protect the other kids that were left behind as orphans when a neighboring kingdom slaughtered her parents and the ruling class, since her kingdom had such magic users which they thought was responsible for the curse.. She is an heir and feels the responsibility for them, and wants to reclaim her kingdom, Aecor. The other pressing issue is the wraith, the nasty by product of magic began to effect the land, bringing a stench along with mutated and strong and unnatural beasts and humans transformed into monsters who used so much magic for power.      It's the fantasy set up with a little bit hard for me to understand with all the political alliances and such. But that sort of thing is usually confusing for me no matter the author. I got a hang of the major players enough to start really enjoying and loving the story.      I did understand how she was trying to take back control of the kingdom and that she had a small group to help her do it they were planning to infiltrate the castle that is now in rule and also knew that she had an enemy the Black Dagger that has been showing up whenever they are going on missions. I like I will and how she was trying to protect the other kids that where left behind as orphsms when their parents who were the nation's rulers before they were killed. I also like the closeness that the group and how tight knit they were family whether not everyone was actually related or not. I was really sad when some of them began to turn on each other.    Wil may have been the orphan queen but she is strong. She's learned to fight, and she has to steal in order to feed others. She fights the wraith creatures with and with out magic. I admired the lines that she would not cross and her determination and will power to make that happen. She is fierce and a protector. She is determined and smart. But I love that she also has some unique talents. She is super talented at forgery and I am surprised how much that helped her and got her into the castle for her undercover, and was able to advance the plans, and help protect her people without being suspicious. Love this quote as she answers as a duchess (the answers in quotes) and what she really wants to say. “What do you enjoy doing?” Forgery? “Writing letters. Drawing.” Picking locks? “Puzzles.” Fighting? “Sewing.”      I was really surprised at some of the turns, and people who I thought was enemies that became a strong alliance. There also was a romance involved, and it was slow developing and increasingly complicated because even though they both understand who the other is at heart, they have to keep so many secrets including their true identities.     I was suspicious of everyone, but there were some, like the prince's cousin that I loved. He treated Wil disguised as a ruling class refugee from a kingdom that the wraith made impossible to keep living there. She is supposed to get their military plans, the castle layout, etc. But she begins to see some of them as people who are just in impossible situations, acting in what they truly believe is in the best interest of their kingdom, the only way to save them.     Wil is a magic user, and she struggles with not using it, because while her kingdom viewed magic as something to use when necessary instead of it being banned like the king of Skyvale and many others believed it should be banned completely. She is very interested in trying to solve the problem, but she doesn't by into not using at all, and wonders if her parents were on to something by continuing to use magic, or if they were just being blind to the huge and detrimental effects. But Wil wants to discover the problem and figure out a solution.  She sets this as priority over taking her land back and that is when the division in the Ospreys begins.     I suspected a few people of being the black knife would be but the ending in the reveal was awesome. I gotta say I kind of agree with her mom with all my gosh is that really where the book is ending? That's horrible. Only horrible in the best way though dear readers because of.what happened and how long we have to wait too find out how it ends.     Despite my floundering (totally my issue not Jodi's), I quickly fell in love with the character and the plot, how it would all turn out. I will certainly be finishing this series, and would like to make time for novellas as well.

Bottom Line: Loved Wil, her strength and dedication to figuring out her challenges for the best of her people.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you want to rule a kingdom?