The Beacon (The Crystal Coast #3)

There can only be one queen…

Still reeling from the devastation wrought by Susan, Stevie struggles to find a way to retrieve the amulet from the dark witch who now calls herself queen. She develops a plan to amplify her powers, believing it will give her an edge, but the magic is untested and dangerous.

Susan will stop at nothing to complete her rise to power, including eliminating the last of Lucia’s descendants: Stevie and Charlie. She calls for a showdown, with all of the town’s witches present, leaving Stevie no choice but to comply.

Queens who came before her sacrificed their lives to protect the witches, and Stevie is prepared to join their ranks. In this life or death battle, she'll do whatever it takes to save her people.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Chrissy Lessey wraps up her Crystal Coast series with The Beacon in which the final battle between Stevie and Susan takes place. Stevie is the rightful heiress to the station of Queen because of her family's bloodline within the coven, yet Susan is a vengeful and power-hungry witch determined to kill Stevie and rule the coven. And as they say, it all comes down to this. 

Stevie is obviously the better character in terms of relatability and character connection so I think it's safe to say that most (if not all) readers will be rooting for her. She's a caring mother, a loyal friend, and a courageous leader. Though it may be a little risky, Stevie is determined to fight Susan and keep the other witches of Beaufort, NC safe, even if that means she'll die. Over the first two books, readers have seen Stevie suddenly have her magical powers show up, learn how to use them, watch Susan and Vanessa try to get their revenge, and witness the death of her mother. Through all of this, her character has grown so much. She's become a true leader who cares and has the sense of morality a leader needs. I think readers will be really impressed with Stevie's choices in this third book as she does something I would have never thought of in order to give her coven a chance to not only survive but to win the battle against Susan. 

In the second book, readers also saw a shift in personality with Vanessa's character. I'm happy to say that that continues in this third book as well. Vanessa, though terrified of her mother, knows that Susan is making malevolent and evil choices. She's worried for the safety of Charlie, who showed her extreme kindness in the second book. But Vanessa also knows that if she goes against her mother and Susan ends up winning... she'll make Vanessa's life a living hell. However, Vanessa isn't just going to stay out of it. She and Stevie end up making a little deal, a plan B if you will, which is both surprising and smart. 

Like previously mentioned, the plot of The Beacon revolves around the showdown between Stevie and Susan. The book follows the coven members helping Stevie prepare and figuring out how they will fight against Susan, who is all powerful thanks to her stealing of the amulet in the previous book. I think readers will be very happy with how this book turns out as it demonstrates a community of people coming together to fight against an evil threat. It's entertaining, easy to read, and engaging. I'd highly recommend the entire series to anyone who enjoys the supernatural genre with an empowered female main character and a little romance. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Read the first two books in the series:

     

What's Next, Wednesday (69)

•  To play along share a book you've been looking forward to reading, whether it's new or has been on your reading list for a while.

I'm looking forward to...

The Coven by Chrissy Lessey. This book promises to be full of supernatural spice as a woman realizes, the hard way, that her daughter has inherited the right to rule a coven. Needless to say, one witch, in particular, isn't happy with this occurrence and is on the offense. Really excited to get to this one. 

InHuman

Mira’s mother sizes up bodies at the morgue like she’s rifling through the sales rack: this one’s too big… this one’s too small… ah, here it is. Just right. The perfect vessel for the one they’ll call Adam.

Since Adam’s survival is the key to drawing out the Conduit—a slippery sort bent on evacuating souls from their human bodies—Mira must help him pass for a typical teenage boy. That means showing him how to talk right, walk right, chew with his mouth open... blend in.
​
Ironic, because blending in is has always been a challenge for Mira, especially with hair the color of a Dorito. But at their small, secluded prep school, blending in is a matter of life and death.
​
Because the Conduit is watching.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Kama Falzoi Post brings a race of aliens to Earth in hopes of trying to save their species in her book, InHuman. The beings need a host and become a parasitic race, accidentally evacuating human souls from bodies and taking their place. They realize their mistake and begin searching for deceased bodies to reinvigorate, but it's too late. The damage is done and revenge from one specific soul is underway. 

Mira is half-human, half-conduit, with no world-saving experience, but she's still tasked with the job. A conduit is part of the alien race who functions as a doorway that souls can travel through. Specifically, souls that have been sent to the Dark Eternal, aka the other side. Mira has been trying to find *The* Conduit for years. The Conduit is the villain of the story, taking souls from the Dark Eternal and giving them bodies that were originally used for the alien species to reside in. This has resulted in many alien souls being trapped in the Dark Eternal, threatening the extinction of the alien species. Mira, since she's half-conduit, has been assigned the job of finding The Conduit in order to bring back all the trapped alien souls. Though Mira has no idea exactly how to do this. It doesn't matter though, because her father is one of the trapped souls, and she'll do anything to get him back. 

Mira is also a teenage girl, which comes with its own set of problems and character traits. She has a bit of trouble making friends and is unsure of herself when it comes to boys. Though she'd give anything to only have those problems. Readers will enjoy learning about this alien race and how exactly their species survives, but they'll also be interested in Mira's life as a half-conduit. I think the teenage aspect of her character creates a fun addition to the story while also adding weight to the search for her father. 

Adam is the newest Initiate from the alien race and his story is a bit sadder. He's been brought to Earth in order to be bait for The Conduit. Mira and her two leaders, Hal and Larry, think that if Mira is with the Initiate then she can catch The Conduit when it comes for Adam. Adam gives the readers a sort of insight when it comes to the aliens invading former deceased bodies. As described in the book, it's like a new foal - a little clumsy and unsure of how to act. I think readers will like Adam's character and offer an understanding of what he's going through. He knows he's bait and it's a difficult position to be in. 

The only real problems I had with the book were the lack of training Mira has when it comes to her capabilities as a half-conduit and her father. Her father is also a conduit, which is why Mira has that ability. However, I'm not sure how The Evil Conduit could force her father out of his body and into the Dark Eternal without him fighting back. It seems like her father could/should have had the power to stop The Evil Conduit from evacuating the alien souls in the first place. There's also a lot of back-stabbing in this book and though there are reasons given, it doesn't seem like loyalty is a well known trait in this cast of characters. 

InHuman is a book that brings aliens to Earth and creates a chaotic mess that could potentially destroy the human race as well as the alien species. I think young adult readers as well as those who enjoy supernatural, alien, or fantasy genres will like this novel. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Mark your Calendars: 

December 13th, Guest Post by Kama Falzoi Post,

 author of InHuman

Moonlight War - Act 1 (The Realmers #2)

After the catastrophic events of book 1, Evan and Brooke are trying to come to terms with recent revelations. However, it isn’t long before their duties as Venators throw them back into action.

Whilst Evan faces a deathly trial to advance further in his training, Brooke embarks on her very first mission, which sees her embroiled in a war between the vampires and werewolves of London. If the werewolves and shifters baying for her blood wasn’t enough, Brooke also has to face a starkly changed Arantay.

Meanwhile the Dark-Venator forces are rising, whilst Evan and his friends contend with the mysterious disappearances of several Venators. Could they have been kidnapped? Evan also faces backlash from many of his fellow trainees, who hate or fear him. Evan thinks their reactions are bad now, but it would be nothing if they discovered his secret. His peers may even try to kill him if they learned the truth.

Evan knows he has to pass his trial to gain his first mission as a Venator, but he may never make it that far if his hidden powers aren’t controlled. Across the realms, a terribly malignant force has learned of Evan and Brooke, and plans to strike.

*May Contain Spoilers*

William Collins delivers an action packed novel in Moonlight War - Act 1, the sequel to A Darker Shade of Sorcery. The attack on Veneseron has just ended and the chaos is over, but the war has just begun. This book picks up exactly where the first left off, allowing readers to refresh their minds and re-align themselves with the characters. 

Brooke and Evan are still the main characters, but more of the supporting cast is included and even focused on in this sequel. After Brooke and Evan learned they were half-demon, they were sent back to their studies, filled with worry, guilt, and fear. Readers can understand, and witness, that Evan and Brooke are terrified they'll hurt someone and that their friends will turn against them if they know the truth. The backlash carries throughout Veneseron, as fellow students blame Evan for the attack. 

Whereas the first book was focused on introducing the world of Veneseron and the training for demon hunting, this book is nearly all action. From trials to first mission, missing venators and dark-realmers, Moonlight War - Act 1 sets up many combustible situations. 

Readers will build on their relationship with Evan as he attempts to become a Mid-Realmer and handle the dirty looks and mean spirited whispers of his fellow students. The fears of rejection and uncontrollable powers that Evan has is understandable and readers will undoubtedly support him. Readers watched as Evan found his place in this new world and they'll push for him to keep it. 

The relationship readers have with Brooke will also flourish, as she prepares for her first mission as a Mid-Realmer. Just before the assignment comes in, Brooke and Arantay share a moment of raw emotion. Brooke's feelings of rejection cloud her sunny disposition. It doesn't get easier as her mission partner is revealed as Arantay. They're assigned to locate an insane werewolf and try to heal him before he kills anyone else. If they can't succeed, then they'll be forced to kill him, an act that will surely ignite a war between the wolves and the Venators. 

On top of the action with Brooke and Evan, there are Venators disappearing and more demon-spawn being discovered. There's also another dread lord/disciple trying to locate Evan and Brooke, which brings a certain evil someone from Brooke's past into the present. The one downside of this book is it's the first act. It creates and shares a lot of problem situations, but it doesn't solve any of them. It's a book that promises entertaining and exciting conclusions with an often disliked phrase, 'To Be Continued.'  

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Read the review of Book 1 - A Darker Shade of Sorcery

What's Next, Wednesday (22)

•  To play along share a book you've been looking forward to reading, whether it's new or has been on your reading list for a while.

I'm looking forward to...

Moonlight War -- Act I by William Collins. This is a sequel to a book I reviewed a few weeks ago in the Realmers series. The main characters have advanced to level testing and dangerous missions while some student Venators have gone missing. While Brooke and Evan battle demons, werewolves, and vampires, they also have to keep the fact that they are part demon a secret. Otherwise they could be in even more danger ... maybe from their fellow students.

A Darker Shade of Sorcery (The Realmers #1)

The lonely and grieving Evan Umbra is the newest Venator to enter Veneseron, the school for demon hunters.

A Venator is a wizard, a spy and a demon hunter rolled into one. They’re taught how to wield their sorcery and enchanted weaponry by orcs, elfpires and aliens alike.
Their missions range from battling monsters and saving countless lives in the multiple worlds, to the more peculiar, like wrangling killer unicorns and calming down drunken yetis.
In their free time Venators enjoy goblin soap-opera’s and underwater bubble travel, but they also understand that every new mission they’re given could be their last.
Whilst learning how to manipulate the elements, summon magical creatures and shoot Spellzookas, Evan meets a girl who makes him feel nauseous; but in a good way.

He makes the first friends he’s ever had in the carefree Jed and the reckless Brooke. Whilst Jed gets on the wrong side of a rival Venator, Brooke finds herself falling for the enigmatic demon hunter who brought her to Veneseron, not knowing he isn't quite human. But it soon becomes apparent that Evan is more than just a Venator. Everyone wants to kill or capture him, from demons to Dark-Venators and even people he’s supposed to be able to trust.

Evan reckons he probably won’t survive his first year at Veneseron.

*May Contain Spoilers*

William Collins creates a universe that contains many different planets, realms, races, and threats in his novel, A Darker Shade of Sorcery, the first book in The Realmers series. Demon hunting has been taken to the extreme as people from all over the universe, who have the power to perform sorcery, come to Veneseron to train. They train to fight demons and dark-realmers, students who have been turned evil. Among the new recruits are Evan and Brooke, two teens from Earth who have no idea how special and unique they are. 

Evander, Evan for short, hated his life. His Gram, the woman who found him abandoned as a baby, died and there was nothing he could do. Living in the orphanage, Evan was often attacked by a group of teenage thugs. Until the day he finds out that he has a bit of magic within him. And by find out I mean, of course, kidnapped by evil demons who want to convert him. Luckily, he is saved and taken to Veneseron to train to be a demon hunter. Though he is still hunted, even as a student. Evan is a young man who is given the chance to rise above his fears. He's unsure of himself at first, but readers will see his confidence grow as he trains. Evan is loyal, friendly, and strong. His old fears push him to be braver and better than he was before. Readers will undoubtedly like Evan as he grows into a courageous fighter. They'll also understand his fears of putting his friends in danger, since the demons only seem to want him, yet they'll kill anyone who tries to get in their way. 

Brooke was ignored by her family, often feeling alone and a little lost. When she's found by the Realmer team, ordered to take her to Veneseron, her fear of the unknown and leaving her family freezes her into indecision. Yet, she accepts that she has been granted magic and vows to study and train to be a demon hunter, though the thought terrifies her. Brooke's a young girl who is nice, understanding, and curious. Readers will witness her falling in love for the first time and see how it affects her. They'll also see her grow into her abilities and find strength through training. She also displays a bit of loyalty, standing by Evan as he is fearful of being hunted by the demons. 

The plot involves Brooke and Evan training at Veneseron, exploring the new world, and forming friendships. It's also focused on the hunt for Evan, hinting that something bigger is at play. The descriptions and details that Collins gives the readers are incredible. Everything is new and unique that even during the down time of the novel, readers will enjoy learning about Veneseron and the possible magical abilities. I couldn't help thinking that it was like Hogwarts for demon hunting, reminiscent of Clare's Shadowhunter series. Readers who enjoy fantasy and supernatural genres will thoroughly enjoy A Darker Shade of Sorcery, with all of the twists, surprises, and revelations. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Tail & Trouble

When Gabriel’s witch girlfriend doesn’t return from her latest trip, he gets on the road and heads out to find her. Sheila's coven is secretive and distrustful of Gabriel, so the only help he has is Sheila's familiar, a bulldog named Orson, who is psychically linked to both of them.

In Florida, they walk right into an elaborate plan to steal Orson. A mysterious wizard named Yareth is behind the plot, and he may also know where Sheila is.

Gabriel and Orson will have to fight for their lives as they navigate around all the magical roadblocks to force Yareth’s hand. They won’t give up until Sheila is safe.

*May Contain Spoilers*

One of the funnest books I've read all summer! (Don't kill me for using 'funnest'.) Tail & Trouble by Victor Catano is an energetic story of adventure and magic. Sheila is missing and no one's telling her boyfriend, Gabriel, anything. He decides to take matters into his own hands with the help of Orson, the loving bulldog who has his own magical powers.

Gabriel is a great leading character. Catano wrote his past as a military operative to help garner trust and respect from readers right off the bat. Gabriel is a man who shows courage, bravery, and intelligence in his search for Sheila. Especially as a normal man up against black magic. Readers will relate to Gabriel's loyalty and willingness to do anything for the one he loves. They'll also enjoy his sarcasm and banter with Orson. (Yes, they can talk to each other.) His skill set will also be more than impressive as he comes up with some crazy solutions to magical problems. Though he is a bit weighed down with anger, a trait that makes him more down-to-earth and less perfect hero, Gabriel is working on controlling his temper. Though is temper is aimed at the villains, so ... it can't be a completely negative motivator. 

Orson is a fantastic companion to Gabriel in this novel. He's your typical dog who just happens to be able to do magic and talk (telepathically). Nothing beats a good belly rub and a stack of salami, or taquitos, for this sweetheart, who just wants to find his mom. Orson provides ample amounts of comic relief as the serious search for Sheila is in operation. Readers will enjoy his sparky personality and his go-get-em attitude when it comes to taking down the bad guy. 

The plot of the story is a little complicated, but Cantano makes it easy to follow. After being sent to retrieve an object from Florida, Sheila disappears. Two weeks with no word worries Gabriel and Orson, who set off on an adventure to find her. What they find first is Yareth -- a dark magician with a band of followers who have a power amplification stone and a desire to own Orson. While avoiding kidnappings and car chases, Gabriel must keep Orson safe while they search for Sheila. This thrilling adventure is a fun read with magical action and enough fighting to destroy a theme-park. I think anyone who enjoys not-too-serious supernatural novels will love Tail & Trouble. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Teaser Tuesday (224)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm/Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



Tail and Trouble (Kindle 16%)
   - Victor Catano

I tucked his wallet into my front shirt pocket, then I got out my own wallet and pulled out a photo of Sheila. I held it up in front of his face. "Have you seen her? Is she part of the plan?"

Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children #3)

A boy with extraordinary powers. An army of deadly monsters. An epic battle for the future of peculiardom.

The adventure that began with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and continued in Hollow City comes to a thrilling conclusion with Library of Souls. As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he’s diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They’ll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil’s Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England. It’s a place where the fate of peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all. Like its predecessors, Library of Souls blends thrilling fantasy with never-before-published vintage photography to create a one-of-a-kind reading experience.

*May Contain Spoilers*

An absolutely brilliant end to Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series, Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs is a work of written art. His poetic prose and descriptive nature paints a world in the minds of readers. A world they can't see because they aren't peculiar, but a world that lives along side ours, just the same.

Jacob Portman had just been briefly introduced to a new detail of his peculiar ability in Hollow City: he can speak in Hollowspeak, which is the language of Hollogasts, evil invisible monsters with superior strength. In the opening of this third book, Jacob realizes that he can use the language to control the monsters. Throughout the novel, his knowledge of the language, how to use it, and how to make it work evolve. This seemingly small accomplishment is the key to the survival of the peculiar children. With this talent, Jacob becomes the heroic figure of this epic tale. He describes himself as the new Jacob. A young man who is brave, courageous, loyal, and a leader. Readers will undoubtedly feel connected to Jacob as they've traversed the peculiar world with him through the previous two books. The horrors and betrayals that he has faced, and overcome, will allow readers to believe in future success. However, the odds are not in Jacob's favor without ymbryne help or any other peculiar children. Jacob and Emma must push to find their loved ones while fighting for survival and battling wights and Hollogasts. The reality is that they most likely will fail and this fact has readers hoping beyond hope that a miracle will happen. After all, we haven't committed to the series to watch our heroes die in battle. 

The plot is a complicated twist of loops, successes, and failures. It begins at the same moment Hollow City ended, with Jacob and Emma trying to escape from a Hollogast. They end up in present day London during a Comic-Con where they are able to hide in the crowds and escape the wights. Addison, the daring dog, tracks the scented trail of their peculiar friends and they are all introduced to Sharon, a man who looks like a grim reaper. Sharon agrees to take them to Devil's Acre where they believe Caul to be hiding. Things get tricky as they are met with Ambrosia users --- a drug that enhances peculiar abilities before robbing the body of it's own peculiarity. During all of this adventuring, readers will be pulled even tighter into the story as they witness how persistent and focused Emma and Jacob are. They know that there's a chance they'll never leave Devil's Acre, a chance that no one will, but they continue forward because they're wonderfully loyal friends with hearts full of love for their fellow peculiars. The battle eventually begins and Caul's plans are fully revealed: he wants to visit the Library of Souls so he can consume another peculiar soul and become the King of Peculiardom. The Library of Souls itself is a believed myth among peculiars, but the place does exist and houses thousands of old souls. And Jacob is the key to Caul's success.

I don't want to give away the ending, because it's been a long time coming for readers of Ransom Riggs. I do want to say that this ending does not disappoint, no matter how sad it is that the series is at it's official end. Library of Souls was everything I wanted it to be: satisfying, fantastical, and full of peculiarities. The photos that Riggs chose to accompany his work were perfection. I have always been mystified with the strangeness of the old pictures that exist out there in the world (though Riggs does admit a few were altered). 

For all of you who have read Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children series, I'm glad we've all reached this point together. I can't wait to reread them all, one day soon, and relive the wonderfulness of peculiarity. And for those of you who have yet to read them: do it as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed. The world that Riggs created is amazing and astounding, full of love, friendship, family, good and evil, wars, history, supernatural aspects, and more. 

Here's looking forward to whatever Ransom Riggs comes up with next. 

Rating: 4.5/5 Cups

Miss out on the first two book reviews? Check them out below:

     

Above the Flames

Jasmine’s sixteenth birthday was the worst ever…

All in one day, her dad died, she met a demon, and her mother rejected her existence forever. After all, the demon who killed her dad was there to take her, and all because of her stupid powers—the ability to conjure blue flames.

Two years later, she’s happy. But happy never lasts…

After moving to Idaho to live with her grandparents, Jasmine has a new life. Almost nobody knows about her powers, and she’s just a normal teenager with normal problems. Then comes her eighteenth birthday—and the earthquake that changes her world forever.

An army of demons rise from Hell. And Jasmine is right in the middle of the battle…

When demons claw their way to Earth, Jasmine is surrounded by hundreds of fire-eyed beasts. Worse, she is captured by a big-shot demon named Bael. He’s a tricky foe with a chip on his shoulder—and the desire to make Jasmine use her powers for evil.

Amon is a fallen angel with an attitude—and everything to lose.

Successfully escaping the underworld undetected, Amon is on a quest to regain God’s grace when he rescues Jasmine from the clutches of a particularly nasty demon he knows all too well. The attraction between him and the not-entirely-human captive is instantaneous. Heavenly sparks fly, but ideas of romance will have to wait. First they have to stop the demon race from wiping out the mortal realm. Humanity’s fate rests in their hands.

Can two troubled angels rise above the flames to ensure a future for mankind? Or will Jasmine and Amon’s souls be bound together—in hell?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Many years ago, Heaven and Hell made a deal. If Hell could take down Heaven, then the demons of Hell would be free to try to take over the Earth in 100 days or less. To ensure a second option, five children were chosen to carry Angelic powers in hopes that one day they'd be ready to fight for Earth after Heaven was defeated. That time is now in Cassandra Fear's novel Above the Flames. 

The main characters include Jasmine, Amon, and Bael. All with incredibly different personalities, goals, and histories. Jasmine is a teenage girl who doesn't understand her powers or herself. She's a bit lost while feelings of unfairness and uncertainty swirl within her. She's also a cranky angsty teenager who loves to say 'fan-fricking-tastic,' which is an infixing I could do without. But she is brave, courageous, and loyal when she isn't being snappy and sarcastic. Readers will understand her reluctance at being a hero to the world. Fighting demons is scary business and Fear doesn't shy away from gruesome details. Readers will also connect with Jasmine emotionally after she loses her father, her mother, and both of her grandparents. Though there's more to lose in the 100 days of bloodshed. 

Amon is a fallen angel who spent quite a long time in Hell. Now that he's escaped with the rest of the demons, he's ready to make them pay with help from his friends. Amon is a little behind the times and that adds a side of humor to the book. It also garners the vote of confidence from readers. His admiration for Jasmine is genuine and I think readers will root for their relationship, if she can ever realize that he's truly helpful, strong, and caring. 

Bael is the bad guy, second in charge of Hell, kneeling only to Lucifer. Readers will hate him with a passion. He's horrid and fighting on the wrong side of readers. Bael is sort of intelligent yet malicious, jealous, and emotionless. Fear writes him as the perfect villain, but we haven't gotten to see what Lucifer has planned, so maybe he'll come in second on that list as well. 

The plot beings with Jasmine's father dying during a demon encounter then flashes forward two years. Hell has beaten Heaven and it's time to scorch the Earth. Amon and his fallen angels make contact with Jasmine and two other Angel Blessed (humans blessed with Angelic powers). They decide to join together to defeat the demons. Meanwhile, Bael tries to kidnap all of the Angel Blessed in order to convert them to his side. Bloodshed is bountiful as angel faces demon in this supernatural showdown. And it's only the beginning as this is the first in a trilogy. The storyline keeps the interest of readers while Fear sets up the war, but I hope in the future books Jasmine grows into a more level-headed character who isn't so quick to anger. I fear it may be her Achilles' heel. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Midnight Burning

Solina Mundy lives a quiet life, running the family bakery in her small North Carolina hometown. But one night, she suffers a vivid nightmare in which a wolfish beast is devouring her twin brother, who lives in Alaska. The next morning, police notify her that Mani is dead. Driven to learn the truth, Solina heads for the Land of the Midnight Sun. Once there, she begins to suspect Mani’s friends know more about his death than they’ve let on. Skyla, an ex-Marine, is the only one willing to help her.

As Solina and Skyla delve into the mystery surrounding Mani’s death, Solina is stunned to learn that her own life is tied to Mani’s friends, his death, and the fate of the entire world. If she can’t learn to control her newfound gifts and keep her friends safe, a long-lost dominion over mortals will rise again, and everything she knows will fall into darkness.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

I'm officially fan-girling over the characters in Karissa Laurel's Midnight Burning. Norse mythology has laid a familial foundation for Laurel's characters and it looks like someone wants history to repeat itself. Specifically... the Ragnarök. Solina Mundy may seem like an innocent bystander, but she refuses to actually be one.

 

Solina Mundy's twin brother was murdered in an Alaskan city and the police investigation has gone cold. She goes against everything she believes herself to be in order to discover what really happened by flying to Alaska. Solina is a simple girl with a knack for witty comebacks. She enjoys baking and living vicariously through her brother, Mani. But she also has horrible nightmares and the one she had about Mani came true. Readers will enjoy Solina's go-get-'em attitude and her dedication to her twin.

 

The supporting cast of characters will also excite readers as the rowdy bunch tries to protect Solina while finding out what's exactly going on. Thorin, Val, and Skyla all worked with Mani before he died at Thorin Adventures, which specialized in outdoor guided trips. Skyla is a total badass. She's a former Marine who doesn't shy away from anything. Thorin is the boss who doesn't warm up quickly but has something going on under that tough exterior. And Val... he's the charmer who has his sights set on Solina. Mix all these different personalities up with deadly werewolves and an evil goddess of the underworld and well, there will be fireworks.

 

The death of Mani is the beginning of this story but not the beginning of the story. Norse mythology and exactly what happened at the first apocalypse has that honor. Solina and her brother are special descendants/reincarnations of Norse figures and had no idea. But someone knew and wanted to repeat history by killing them. To stop that, Thorin, Val, and Skyla (with the help of others) must keep Solina safe. The writing style of this book modernizes the Norse mythology and makes it (pretty) easy to understand. Readers will like the action and adventure mixed with secrets and danger. And after a semi-unexpected ending, I cannot wait for the next book.

 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

The House of Velvet and Glass

Still reeling from the deaths of her mother and sister on the Titanic, Sibyl Allston is living a life of quiet desperation with her taciturn father and scandal-plagued brother in an elegant town house in Boston’s Back Bay. Trapped in a world over which she has no control, Sibyl flees for solace to the parlor of a table-turning medium.

But when her brother is suddenly kicked out of Harvard under mysterious circumstances and falls under the sway of a strange young woman, Sibyl turns for help to psychology professor Benton Derby, despite the unspoken tensions of their shared past. As Benton and Sibyl work together to solve a harrowing mystery, their long-simmering spark flares to life, and they realize that there may be something even more magical between them than a medium’s scrying glass.

From the opium dens of Boston’s Chinatown to the opulent salons of high society, from the back alleys of colonial Shanghai to the decks of the Titanic, The House of Velvet and Glass weaves together meticulous period detail, intoxicating romance, and a final shocking twist that will leave readers breathless.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

The House of Velvet and Glass, by Katherine Howe, is an enchanting tale of a family secret, or perhaps a curse. Heavy in beautiful, articulate prose, readers will be swept away in the waves of this novel. Set in three different times, this book shows readers a haunted glimpse into the scrying glass.

 

Sybil Allston is the main character of this novel, as everything revolves around and leads back to her. She's twenty-seven years old, considered a spinster in the eyes of 1915 Boston, and lives at home with her father who is well into his years. Sybil is a bit nervous and naïve, but has a wonderful streak of stubbornness. She's a curious creature who believes in the ability to reach the beyond though she's weighed down with guilt. When her mother and sister were killed on the Titanic, Sybil was heartbroken but also glad that she hadn't been with them. She was glad that she survived. Now she has many qualms about her life. Are her loved ones angry with her from the beyond? Are they still with her? Can they be reached? Readers will enjoy Sybil's journey to discovering her gift, and what that means for her. They will connect with Sybil through her loss and understand her desire to reach them. She will gain the respect of readers even though an eyebrow may be raised in surprise at her tactics.

 

Readers will also make connections with Helen, Sybil's mother, and Eulah, her sister, as they bear witness of their last night on the doomed Titanic. Helen is a hopeful mother who loves her husband dearly. Eulah is a flippant girl who's obsessed with parties, excitement, fashion, and being at center of it all. Though she will win the hearts of readers with her hopeful demeanor. Harlan, Sybil's brother, will gain readers sympathies as he fights against the rules of society by falling in love with an actress. And Lan, Sybil's father, will gain limitless understanding and sympathy when readers learn of his secret.

 

The plot of this novel begins with Sybil and her séance circle, where Sybil receives a scrying glass. Then, when her brother is kicked out of school for unknown reasons, she reconnects with an old love, Benton Derby. With a little push, Professor Friend and Derby convince her to take them to her séance leader to settle an argument. This ultimately leads to Sybil using the scrying glass and discovering that she has the power, within the right circumstances, to see the future, which throws her whole world into an uproar. While readers read of Helen and Eulah aboard the Titanic, Sybil in present tense reaching the beyond, and Lan Allston discovering his power in 1886, they will be suspended in swirls of dread and hope. The ending is ambiguously clear, leaving me with two questions. Did Eulah know that she would die on the Titanic? And did Lan Allston write Le Sang de Morphee, the only book on scrying? Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction laced with love and supernatural happenings.

 

Rating: 4/5 Cups