Review: The Waterborn by Greg Keyes

The Waterborn by Greg KeyesThe Waterborn
Greg Keyes
Open Road Media

Twelve year-old Hezhi longs to know the secret ways of her father’s kingdom. Something happens to her family members as they reach maturity, but no one can tell her what. She will brave dark tunnels through abandoned ruins and the savage dislike of the palace librarian to uncover the truth about her cousin’s disappearance. What she finds places her own life and the lives of the only people she loves in grave danger. Through a dream, she sends a call to a faraway hero.

Perkar’s only desire is to free the beautiful stream goddess from the terrible devourer. She advises him to forget her, but he will not be dissuaded. He sets out with companions … Continue reading

Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Snow Like Ashes by Sara RaaschSnow Like Ashes
Sara Raasch
Balzer + Bray

Meira has spent her entire life under the shadow of the Spring kingdom’s oppression. Her own kingdom, Winter, has been decimated by Spring armies and most of her people enslaved. Only a handful of refugees live free, protecting the future king, waiting to execute the plan that will restore Winter’s magic. Only then can the other Winterians be set free and the kingdom restored.

All Meira wants is to fight for her people. Yet every time she tries, it seems someone stands in her way. When she finally finds her own way to fight, she learns a truth that shatters everything she thought she knew about her life, her people, and how to free them.

Readers … Continue reading

Review: The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard
HarperTeen
Available February 10, 2015

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In a world where class means everything, seventeen year-old Mare and her family are Reds, lower class citizens forced to scratch out a living in the Stilts. They are ruled by Silvers, those with powerful gifts (think X-men but without costumes.) Tragedy forces Mare to venture into the world of Silvers to support her family as a servant in the castle. The last thing she expects to do is to masquerade as one of them. With threat of rebellion on the rise, Mare could be exactly what the kingdom needs to overthrow the Silver oppression and bring freedom and equality to her people. If … Continue reading

Review: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

goblin-emperorThe Goblin Emperor
Katherine Addison
Macmillan
Available April 1, 2014

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The goblin emperor and three of his sons die unexpectedly in an airship accident. Maia, the emperor’s youngest son and a recluse shut away from court, suddenly finds that he is the new emperor. Thrust into the murky depths of politics, the new emperor struggles to grow into his new role and to take leadership of an empire reeling from loss and caught in oppressive traditions.

This novel reads like a coming-of-age goblin history, if such a thing could exist. The story pacing is steady and intricate. Maia’s journey from frightened boy to confident leader happens so believably that his triumphs are easy to celebrate. Addison even weaves in some … Continue reading

Review: The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

The Girl at Midnight by Melissa GreyThe Girl at Midnight
Melissa Grey
Delacorte Press

Amazon | Goodreads

For most of her childhood, Echo, a homeless human girl, has lived with the Avicen, a human-like people with feathers instead of hair. When she learns of an ancient prophecy that could stop the war between her adopted people and the dragon-like Drakharin, she sees an opportunity not only to help those she loves but to cement her place among them as a hero.

Caius, the Drakharin Dragon Prince, also knows of the prophecy and seeks its fruition. When his search entangles him with the strange human girl, there’s really only one choice: work together to solve the puzzle and find the … Continue reading

Review: Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee

zeroboxerZeroboxer
Fonda Lee
Flux

Seventeen year-old Carr Luka is rocketing his way to the top of a hot new sport. Zeroboxing takes place in an enclosed arena, the Cube. Opponents face off in hand-to-hand combat in zero gravity. Winning fights is the only thing that will save Carr from being sent back to earth to work clubs as a low-rent fighter, scraping through the muck of poverty. When an opportunity to become an elite Zeroboxer, a poster child for the sport complete with endorsements and his own marketing team, Carr seizes the opportunity with both fists. His exotic Martian marketing manager steals his breath and then his heart. Just as his dreams of stardom and a glorious future seem to be within his grasp, a stranger corners Carr … Continue reading