Shadow and Bone (****)

Shadow and Bone is a compelling first person utopia about a girl named Alina who is the only one who has the power to destroy the Shadow Fold.  The Shadow Fold is a dark creation created by the Darkling, a powerful being, who when he finds Alina, seduces her with evil intentions to harness her powers to make the Shadow Fold larger and more powerful then ever.  Alina has to face many challenges, including her own feelings, and has to choose what is right, even if it is hard.  The book is beautifully written and creates wonderful imagery and blew me away.  I've never read anything like it!

Shadow And Bone
By, Leigh Bardugo

This book is 368 pages.
Like most utopias, this is not by any means a light or happy read.  Probably from grades 8 to adult.
I'll give it four out of five stars (****)

Seraphina (*** 1/2)

A very interesting and compelling book about the life of a half dragon named Seraphina.  Her life is made up of secrets and of dodging questions about her strangely conservative clothing habits.  Her uncle Orma, also her teacher is her dragon.  A problem arises, a member or the royal family is murdered  while on a hunting trip, his head torn off, and a rouge dragon is said to be sighted in the countryside, in his natural form.  Orma has an idea of  just what dragon it is.  The Prince in the royal family and Seraphina strike up an unexpected friendship that will be tested and tryed.  Orma suspects that someone, closer then they think, is hiding in the court.  Maybe impersonating somebody close to the royal family..  Can Seraphina solve a murder,  uncover an undercover dragon, and keep her friendship with the prince without revealing what she is.

This book is 251 pages.  I'll give it three and a half stars (*** 1/2).

SERAPHINA

By, Rachel Hartman

Gone (***)

Gone is a about Perido Beach, California.  It focuses on one boy, Sam, a girl, Astrid the genius, and another girl, Lana during a odd phenominon, where everyone fifteen and older disappear.  Soon after everyone disappears, the bullies take over the town.  They call it the FAYZ and they get what they want.  People begin to find that they have talents.. But not ordinary talents, very dangerous talents.  Sam finds that he can shoot fire out of his hands, Lana finds that she can heal wounds, and Astrid's power.. Well no one really knows... Some stuck-up kids from Coates, a school for very smart, but troublesome kids, show up in the FAYZ, and take over.  Their leader is Caine, a handsome and dangerous fourteen year old.  He and the bullies join, and his sidekicks cause uprisings every other day.  His most dangerous is Drake, a merciless fourteen year old with a liking for watching people in pain.  Caine figures out some information about Sam that gets him on the bad side of the FAYZ's leaders.  Astrid, Quinn, Edilo, Sam, and Little Pete, Astrid's brother,  are wanted dead by the FAYZ.  They find that Perido Beach has a barrier, and that animals are changing-rapidly-coyotes are huge and can speak, rattle snakes can fly, cats can disappear, seagulls have tallens, and there is a force called the Darkness that the coyotes take orders from.  Can the band of outcasts save the town from being mercilessly led by Caine and his followers?  Or are they doomed by a certain death from Drake or Caine himself?
This book is 576 pages long.  I'll give it a three out of four stars (***).
GONE
by, Michael Grant

Tigers Desinty (*** 1/2)

The fourth book in the series. After the tragic capture of Kelsey, made by Lokesh, the two brothers, Ren and Kishan, centuries old princes kept alive by a curse, motorcycled around the country trying to find where the evil sorcerer had hidden Kelsey. They travel to a remote Island in search of a fabled fire world where trees feed on fire and strange creatures dwell.  They face unimaginable circumstances, a Phoenix, and travel back in time to battle Lokesh, who has taken on the form of a huge demon.  They face many challenges and many opponents, lose friends, and gain friends. But above all of those their love, loyalty, and friendship will be tested, bended and will take on new shapes. But most importantly they will find their destinies.

This book is 464 pages long. I'll give it three and a half stars (***1/2).

TIGERS DESTINY
COLLEEN HOUCKS

A Discovery Of Witches (**** 1/2)

This book is about Diana, a witch who refuses to use her powers ever since her mother died.  Matthew is a powerful vampire who seems to turn up everywhere Diana is.  Falling in love with a vampire is strictly forbidden.  It raises attention in humans, even though they have no idea.  Diana doesn't want to at first give in to her feelings for him, but she slowly succumbs to them.  They unknowingly start a war.

This book is 592 pages long. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 Stars.
A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES
By, Deborah Harkness

The Help (****)

In Jackson, Missisippi, segregation is very strong.  Unfair wages.  Extreme civil rights differences for the African Americans and Whites.  Skeeter has been different most of her life.  She had a very close friendship with Constentene, her nanny, and African American.  She didn't agree with the unfair treatment.  So with the help of 12 negro women they write a book of the best and the worst times with their employers.

This book is 531 pages long.  I'll give it a four out of five. (****)
THE HELP
by, Kathryn Stokkett

Masque of Red Death (***)

This book takes place in a futuristic society in a city where a sickness epidemic ruined everything. Araby, the main character's father developed a mask that could filter the infected air. Her friend, April goes missing, so her brother, Elliott goes to meet Araby. Elliott falls in love with Araby, but tells her never to trust him. Araby thinks she's falling for Will, a worker at Elliott's uncle's club. She doesn't know who to trust, and both men are fighting for her. I'll give this book three out of five stars. This book is 320 pages long.

MASQUE OF RED DEATH
By Bethany Griffin