As always, my impartial reviews are based on advanced copies courtesy of NetGalley and the Publishers.
The Lantern's Ember
By Colleen Houst
Published by Random House Children's/Delacourte Press
This is a unique and imaginative retelling of the Jack O' Lantern story with what felt like a steampunk Otherworld vibe. Jack accepted the lesser of two evils when his town was cursed by a witch. Ironically enough Jack takes it upon himself to look after a witch many, many years later. It is Jack's job to guard the crossroads and to keep the two worlds, ours which is full of colonial humans and the Otherworld, which is full of steampunk urban sprawl and any imaginable creature from ghosts to trolls and everything in between. Jack is instructed to keep an eye out for any witches, you see they are very valuable for their witchlight, the spark inside of them that can power the Otherworld's most other worldly electrical devises and such. Jack takes it upon himself to look over Ember a young witch who is being raised by her elderly aunt who understands magic but doesn't perform any, leaving Ember to make it up as she goes along. Such an inquisitive girl who grows into a very gifted young woman who wants to see her "guardian" and learn about the Otherworld. Thus starts her adventure with a vampire, pirates, people who are more machine than human, and her childhood friend Finney. This was a delightful story that will appeal to young adults as well as adults with rich, descriptive words leading the imagination on an out of this world adventure. All of the main characters have something to offer in the way of quality of character even if they start out being the "shadier" sort of character.
Fire & Heist
by Sarah Beth Durst
published by Crown Books for Young Readers
Skye isn't your ordinary 16 year old rich girl, she's a mythical Wyvern who is also a 16 year old rich girl. Of course the rich part is due to being from a family/species of expert thieves. Unfortunately, her Mom attempted a job that cost them their social standing,a great deal of money and quite possibly her life. Skye reels not only from the loss of her Mom; who never came home; but also her best friend/boyfriend who literally turned his back on her at the behest of his family because of the botched heist. What was Skye's Mom after and what happened to her? Skye cannot let this go and decides that she will plan a heist of her own at the urging of her former boyfriend who still loves her. Skye gathers her crew and undertakes a heist that may just put her very life on the line as they navigate booby traps and the great unknown. This is a great story line full of girl power without being over the top. It's also about the baby girl coming into her own as she sets out to prove that she may be a girl but she isn't a little girl anymore and she refuses to sit around and look pretty when there is even the slimmest hope that her Mom is alive.
by Mary Webber
Published by Thomas Nelson
This was a quick read because I could not put it down. Our main character is courageous and strong willed, fragile and fierce. Rhen doesn't care that she is a Lower or that her cousin Seleni is an Upper. She only cares about finding a cure for the horrid disease that is killing her Mom and others as well. Rhen is not like other girls, she has dreams of mixing chemicals and evaluating microscope slides while your average female looks for a smart match and a good marriage partner to help and support. While Rhen is being pursued by Vincent, once friend now a politician in the making she decides that she will do some pursing of her own. The Holm's Scholarship somewhat deadly labyrinth competition. This test of will and wits is open to all boys wishing to attend the University, after all that is what the Upper boys do and the Lower boys aspire. Rhen has plans of her own, to win the contest and attend the University giving her access to state of the art equipment needed to advance her and her father's research and find a cure for the deadly disease that is ravaging her Mother's body. There is much that Rhen could lose in addition to a few inches of her hair but so much more that she could gain. With the help of her cousin who joins her in the maze if for no other reason than to keep her eye on Rhen and Seleni's easily appalled beau Beryll.. Rhen doesn't need a husband to propel through the ranks of parliament but rather a partner to navigate life. An excellent book and if at all possible I would love to see a sequel written as well.
by Olivia Wildenstein
published by Twig Publishing
Ness is a girl who has been hardened by difficult life experiences which cause a few trust issues. She is fiercely loyal with conviction and is a bit of an emotional hot head, sounds about right for a werewolf. She is forced to return to the all male Pack that kicked her out as a young girl. A girl who is now 6 years older and looking for retribution for having been denied an opportunity at revenge. In a dangerous competition for Alpha, she will see if her traitorous heart will be her undoing or her salvation. Ness isn’t the only one in this story who has some baggage. Each character was brought to life on those pages, full of rich details and strong emotions. I cheered, I cried, I cringed, and I smiled. It was amazing to read on as the story twisted and turned. Definitely more of an older Young Adult novel due to language and subject matter. I cannot wait for the next installment as I am sure it will be another great roller coaster of a read!
The Lantern's Ember
By: Colleen Houck
Published by: Random House Children's / Delacorte Press
This is a unique and imaginative retelling of the Jack O' Lantern story with what felt like a steampunk Otherworld vibe. Jack accepted the lesser of two evils when his town was cursed by a witch. Ironically enough Jack takes it upon himself to look after a witch many, many years later. It is Jack's job to guard the crossroads and to keep the two worlds, ours which is full of colonial humans and the Otherworld, which is full of steampunk urban sprawl and any imaginable creature from ghosts to trolls and everything in between. Jack is instructed to keep an eye out for any witches, you see they are very valuable for their witchlight, the spark inside of them that can power the Otherworld's most other worldly electrical devises and such. Jack takes it upon himself to look over Ember a young witch who is being raised by her elderly aunt who understands magic but doesn't perform any, leaving Ember to make it up as she goes along. Such an inquisitive girl who grows into a very gifted young woman who wants to see her "guardian" and learn about the Otherworld. Thus starts her adventure with a vampire, pirates, people who are more machine than human, and her childhood friend Finney. This was a delightful story that will appeal to young adults as well as adults with rich, descriptive words leading the imagination on an out of this world adventure. All of the main characters have something to offer in the way of quality of character even if they start out being the "shadier" sort of character.
