'Golden Braids and Dragon Blades: Steampunk Rapunzel' (Steampunk Fairy Tales Book 4) by Melanie Karsak

5 stars

'Golden Braids and Dragon Blades’ Book Blurb:

“Being the heir to Camelot is a tangled mess.

Rapunzel has spent her entire life living in Merlin's cave on the coast of Cornwall. Under the protection of her faerie guardian, Gothel, she’s stayed safe. Safe and bored. Dreaming of a life that looks more like a Jane Austen novel, Rapunzel fears she'll never have the chance to explore Victorian England's modern delights. Or meet a man. Or be kissed. Or anything else remotely resembling normal.

When Red Cape Society Agent Ewan Goodwin's monster-stalking device leads him to Rapunzel—and her unusual pets—the pair’s destinies entwine. Together, they must solve a mystery tied to the very roots of King Arthur's Britannia.

Golden Braids and Dragon Blades is a retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale set in Melanie Karsak’s bestselling gaslamp London steampunk universe.”

Review:

Author Melanie Karsak has expertly blended a Repunzel re-telling with King Arthur's legend. Hope to see more of this storyline in her Steampunk Fairy Tale series! While the other entries in Karsak's Steampunk Fairy Tales are also fun, Rapunzel's story is easy to follow if you start with this book.

Highly recommended for YA readers and fairy-tale fans.  Currently available as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.

'Golden Curse' (Fantasy and Fairytales #1) by M. Lynn

‘Golden Curse’ - ‘Golden Chains’ - ‘Golden Crown’

Fantasy and Fairytales Series #1-3 by M. Lynn

5 stars

‘Golden Curse’ Book Blurb:

“A curse. A hidden identity. A dangerous love.

Ten year old Persinette Basile was forced to flee the palace of Gaule for her life.

Now at eighteen, she must find a way to return in order to obey a curse on her family line.

The prince won’t know who she is. Not anymore. But she knows him and what he will do if he discovers her true name.

Made to fight for her life to earn her place, she vows to find a way to break the curse no matter the cost.

-------

To. The. Death.

The words describing the tournament turn Prince Alexandre Durand’s blood to ice.

The last warrior standing will win a spot at his side.

As he's thrust onto the throne, forbidden magic, dangerous betrayals, and a complicated love could tear his reign apart.

When the secrets begin to unravel, will Alex stay true to the laws and traditions of Gaule or will he give it all up for a woman who deceived him?

Inspired by the Rapunzel story, this is the golden-haired princess as you’ve never seen her before.”

Review:

The ‘Golden’ trilogy is a beautiful and unique tale drawing inspiration from both Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty.  It reads like a fairy-tale in its own right and contains magic, dragons, royalty and a strong, skilled leading lady.  Narration switches back and forth between main characters Persinette and Prince Alexandre to give readers a more complete picture of the kingdoms and their thoughts and feelings as surprises unfold.

Highly recommended for YA readers and fairy-tale fans.  Currently available as part of the Kindle Unlimited program.

‘To Best the Boys’ by Mary Weber

5 stars - Incredible YA fantasy stand-alone.

Book Blurb:

“Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port receive a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. Every year, the poorer residents look to see that their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.

In the province of Caldon, where women are trained in wifely duties and men are encouraged into collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her Mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.

With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone’s ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the maze.”

Review:

While ‘To Best the Boys’ is set in a fictional fantasy world, it would be entirely believable as YA historical fiction if not for the touch of magic and supernatural elements.

Rhen Tellur and her cousin Seleni are strong, fearless ladies and the best of friends despite their different upbringings.  Rhen’s mother was outcast from the posh ‘Upper’ lifestyle she was born into when she married a ‘Lower’ for love.  As such, Rhen has grown up with the love and support of two amazing and smart parents.  Against community ‘norms’ they have nurtured Rhen’s interest in science as well as her baking skills.

Through Rhen’s friendship with Seleni, readers encounter a multitude of teenagers, both stuffy, political Uppers and goofy yet hard-working Lowers; all of whom provide sarcasm and humor in the way teenagers usually do.  (A set of brothers even remind me of Fred and George Weasley.)

As the blurb suggests, the cousins do, indeed, enter the scholarship competition disguised as girls – to best the boys and change their circumstances.  Their time spent in the labyrinth is a joy to read.  But this book is so much more than that.  There’s class and gender inequality, there’s magic in the ever-surprising labyrinth, there’s family love and young romantic love and tugging on heartstrings. 

It’s a beautiful, touching story that I cannot recommend highly enough.

‘To Best the Boys’ will be available on March 19, 2019.

#ToBestTheBoys #NetGalley  I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.  

'Gilded Cage' (Dark Gifts #1) by Vic James

4 stars

Book Blurb:

“In modern-day Britain, magic users control everything: wealth, politics, power—and you. If you’re not one of the ultimate one-percenters—the magical elite—you owe them ten years of service. Do those years when you’re old, and you’ll never get through them. Do them young, and you’ll never get over them.

This is the darkly decadent world of Gilded Cage. In its glittering milieu move the all-powerful Jardines and the everyday Hadleys. The families have only one thing in common: Each has three children. But their destinies entwine when one family enters the service of the other. They will all discover whether any magic is more powerful than the human spirit.

Have a quick ten years. . . ”

Review:

'Gilded Cage' is a brilliantly written, frighteningly plausible dystopia set in Britain with both magic and government-permitted slavery.  While I’m still not comfortable with the slavery aspect of this series; the politics, secrets, and magical skill are too intriguing for me to stop reading.

The 'Dark Gifts' trilogy was completed with the publication of 'Bright Ruin' on October 9, 2018.  Check for 'Gilded Cage,' 'Tarnished City' and 'Bright Ruin' at your local library or bookseller.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  I received a free book from Penguin Random House in exchange for this review.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

'The Similars' (The Similars, #1) by Rebecca Hanover

4 stars

Book Blurb:

“When six clones join Emmaline’s prestigious boarding school, she must confront the heartbreak of seeing her dead best friend’s face each day in class.

The Similars are all anyone can talk about at the elite Darkwood Academy. Who are these six clones? What are the odds that all of them would be Darkwood students? Who is the madman who broke the law to create them? Emma couldn't care less. Her best friend, Oliver, died over the summer and all she can think about is how to get through her junior year without him. Then she comes face-to-heartbreaking-face with Levi—Oliver's exact DNA replica and one of the Similars.

Emma wants nothing to do with the Similars, but she keeps getting pulled deeper and deeper into their clique, uncovering dark truths about the clones and her prestigious school along the way. But no one can be trusted…not even the boy she is falling for who has Oliver's face”

Review:

'The Similars' is set in the near-future with believable advancements in technology, including cloning.  The characters were easy to relate to and their emotions and reactions felt real.  All in all, an enjoyable YA series starter about rich prep school kids and how wealth and politics affect their lives.  Highly recommended.

'The Similars' will be available on January 1, 2019.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

Cover Reveal: 'Temptation' by Micalea Smeltzer

Blurb:

temp·ta·tion

a desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.

After the death of my boyfriend, my whole world is tossed upside down. I lose not only him but my home and, suddenly, nothing is the same.

Then I meet him.

Siva.

My savior.

He’s dark and brooding, the complete opposite of everything I’ve ever known. Somehow, though, I’m able to see the light in him that no one else can. He tempts me ever closer, my heart reaching out to him, even while my mind shouts out me to stay away.

That it’s too soon.

That it’s wrong.

But when temptation becomes too strong, who am I to resist?

Genre:

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date:  October 19, 2018

Cover:

About the Author:

Hi. I’m Micalea. Ma-call-e-uh. Weird name, I know.  My mom must’ve known I was going to be odd even in the womb. I’ve written a lot of books. Like a lot. Don’t ask me how many, I don’t remember at this point. I have an unhealthy addiction to Diet Coke but I can’t seem to break the habit. I listen to way too much music and hedgehogs have taken over my life.

Join my Facebook group for an early look at covers, exclusive teasers, behind the scenes photos, and much more.

Contact Stephanie with SBR Media for any foreign or audio rights questions:  stephanie@sbrmedia.com

Where to find Micalea:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

‘Frequency’ by Christopher Krovatin

4 stars

Book Blurb:

“Nine years ago, Fiona was just a kid. But everything changed the night the Pit Viper came to town. Sure, he rid the quiet, idyllic suburb of Hamm of its darkest problems. But Fiona witnessed something much, much worse from Hamm’s adults when they drove him away.

And now, the Pit Viper is back.

Fiona’s not just a kid anymore. She can handle the darkness she sees in the Pit Viper, a DJ whose wicked tattoos, quiet anger, and hypnotic music seem to speak to every teen in town…except her. She can handle watching as each of her friends seems to be overcome, nearly possessed by the music. She can even handle her unnerving suspicion that the DJ is hell-bent on revenge.

But she’s not sure she can handle falling in love with him.”

Review:

The ‘Pied Piper of Hamelin’ has been re-imagined as the ‘Pit Viper of Hamm.’

An intriguing and dark retelling of the Pied Piper, full of teenagers using bad language, detailed rock music references, and a hint of magic.  There is some new adult romance to be had, though that is not the focus of this story, and I’m happy to say that the plot kept me guessing.

‘Frequency’ will be available on October 2, 2018.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.  

‘War of the Wilted’ (Garden of Thorns #2) by Amber Mitchell

3.5 stars

Book Blurb:

“Like flowers denied water, people are wilting under the emperor's tyranny.

Rose will not rest until the Gardener is dead. But there are bigger battles to fight, and Rayce—leader of the rebellion and the only man Rose has ever loved—believes their best chance at winning the war is to join forces with her sworn enemy.

Saving innocent people is more important than her quest for revenge. But their new ally can’t be trusted—and he knows her darkest secret. One betrayal could leave the war and Rayce’s life hanging in the balance, and Rose will need to make the ultimate sacrifice to save them all.”

Review:

While ‘Garden of Thorns’ did not end on a cliffhanger, per se, ‘War of the Wilted’ picks up where book 1 left off and builds upon its events, while offering more action and picturesque scenery descriptions.  Though Rose has endured many hardships in her past, being at odds with the love of her life while he holds her tormentor captive is a new, harsh challenge for her.

Political turmoil comes to a head and some of the secondary characters are further developed while Rayce and Rose struggle to do what is right for the Rebellion and not necessarily what’s best for their relationship.

‘War of the Wilted’ will be available on October 1, 2018.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

‘Garden of Thorns’ (Garden of Thorns #1) by Amber Mitchell

3.5 stars

Book Blurb:

“After seven grueling years of captivity in the Garden—a burlesque troupe of slave girls—sixteen-year-old Rose finds an opportunity to escape during a performance for the emperor. But the hostage she randomly chose from the crowd to aid her isn’t one of the emperor’s men—not anymore. He’s the former heir to the throne, who is now leading a rebellion against it.

Rayce is a wanted man and dangerously charismatic, the worst person for Rose to get involved with, no matter what his smile promises. But he assumes Rose’s attempt to take him hostage is part of a plot to crush the rebellion, so he takes her as his hostage. Now Rose must prove where her loyalties lie, and she offers Rayce a deal—if he helps her rescue the other girls, she’ll tell him all the Garden’s secrets.

Except the one secret she’s kept for seven years that she’ll take to her grave if she must.”

Review:

‘Garden of Thorns’ is a gripping YA fantasy with a strong narrating female main character.  Author Amber Mitchell provides rich world building and creative cultural and political backgrounds for the different kingdoms.

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book.  All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.  

Series Review: 'The Thousandth Floor' by Katharine McGee

4.75 stars for the entire series

Imagine, if you can, all the glitz and glamour and secrets of ‘Gossip Girl’ set 100 years into the future, where the entirety of Manhattan exists in an enormous thousand-floor skyscraper and technology has advanced beyond your wildest dreams.  Add a murder mystery and high school drama to this, and you have Katharine McGee’s expertly thought-out and executed thriller trilogy.

We follow the same characters from 'The Thousandth Floor' to ‘The Dazzling Heights’ and ‘The Towering Sky’ – though the murder victim and the motives change.  In each sequel, McGee adds more details of her vision of the Earth in 2118 and 2119.

This series is LGBTQ+ friendly futuristic fiction recommended for upper-YA readers.

'The Thousandth Floor'

‘The Dazzling Heights’

‘The Towering Sky’