Imogen is such a good ally to her pansexual bestie Lili she doesn’t blink when asked to pretend they used to date. (Lili was feeling insecure among alImogen is such a good ally to her pansexual bestie Lili she doesn’t blink when asked to pretend they used to date. (Lili was feeling insecure among all her new, experienced college friends.) Imogen’s sister and most of her high school friends are queer, so she’s very much plugged into the culture despite being straight. But then she meets Lili’s friend Tessa and starts to feel . . . feelings. Her week-long journey of self-discovery is heartwarming, with a side of chastisement for gatekeeping, shame-wielding bullies. Imogen is a brave, funny, adorkable protagonist....more
Prickly conspiracy theorist Celine and sweet, sporty Bradley were best friends growing up, but that ended in tears and years of acrimony. They pause tPrickly conspiracy theorist Celine and sweet, sporty Bradley were best friends growing up, but that ended in tears and years of acrimony. They pause their sniping when they both become contestants for an amazing scholarship that requires them to trek through the Scottish wilderness. Inevitably, the charged emotions between them turn from simmering resentment to smoldering desire once they actually talk to each other like human beings. Much more interesting is how they help each other come to terms with their family baggage and grow as individuals. It's all very charming....more
As an eight-year-old, Mona accidentally killed her big brother and gained the patronage of the god of love. Now, she's an eighteen-year-old agoraphobiAs an eight-year-old, Mona accidentally killed her big brother and gained the patronage of the god of love. Now, she's an eighteen-year-old agoraphobic drunk with the unique ability to discern soulmates. Since the dying king needs an heir, Mona is dragged to the castle to hasten the process. Unfortunately, she divines that she his soulmate, which is wrong on so many levels. She must worm her way out of her destiny, unravel palace intrigue, and figure out who's sending her murderous threats. Mona is an acerbic and forthright, an unwilling heroine forced to cope with her emotional damage and save the kingdom when she just wants to run and hide. Thanks, Netgalley....more
The incorrigible Shenanigan Swift is astonished to learn her family tree has a French branch. The Martinets are equally odd, and they loathe their EngThe incorrigible Shenanigan Swift is astonished to learn her family tree has a French branch. The Martinets are equally odd, and they loathe their English counterparts. The relatives will have to overcome their antipathy if they want to thwart Ouvolpo, a gang of thieves who specialize in returning stolen art to its rightful owners with great flair. However, Shenanigan and her sisters soon find their cousins have as many secrets as their crumbling hotel has safety hazards. A gleeful romp through Paris featuring effortless wordplay, casual diversity, and the odd murder....more
It's been three years since Scythe Goddard sank Endura, killing the Grandslayers and leaving a massive power vacuum he has taken full advantage of. F It's been three years since Scythe Goddard sank Endura, killing the Grandslayers and leaving a massive power vacuum he has taken full advantage of. Further destabilizing matters is the fact that Thunderhead, the benevolent AI, has ceased all communications with every human except Greyson Tolliver. As violence spikes, cults turn rabid, and corruption festers, the unexpected return of rebellious Scythes Anastasia and Lucifer from beyond the grave offers a glimmer of hope. The sprawling narrative careens across the globe and through time toward a suitably epic finale. All the new characters do reduce the prominence of old favorites....more
The inauguration of Nova Albright as the first Black homecoming queen was supposed to be the capstone of Lovett High's halting integration. Instead, hThe inauguration of Nova Albright as the first Black homecoming queen was supposed to be the capstone of Lovett High's halting integration. Instead, her murder tears the community apart. The prime suspect is Tinsley, a ruthless queen bee who went viral for a racist rant after losing the crown to Nova. Duchess, as Nova's best friend and the daughter of a cop, is determined to see justice done, even if she has to handle it herself. Full of twists and drama, but the gratingly unsympathetic Tinsley is way too centered. Duchess is just a better protagonist....more
On the cusp of restoring justice to their land, Zelie and her allies were kidnapped by a hitherto unknown enemy and thrown into slave ships. After a mOn the cusp of restoring justice to their land, Zelie and her allies were kidnapped by a hitherto unknown enemy and thrown into slave ships. After a month of captivity, torture, and attrition, they break free. However, Zelie has already been implanted with an artifact that is slowly altering her and her magic. While some of the party returns to their homeland to prepare to battle their new foes, the rest sail on to a distant land, hoping to recruit allies. The finale of the trilogy is certainly action-packed, but it's so busy cramming in new characters, realms, and plots it fails to resolve much from the first two books. ...more
Even though most of them have superpowers, a cadre of teens was unable to keep an ancient prophet from controlling the power of a deity. The malevolenEven though most of them have superpowers, a cadre of teens was unable to keep an ancient prophet from controlling the power of a deity. The malevolent god, resurrected in Beru's body, is forced into subservience with a combination of magic and the judicious torture of Beru's sister, Ephyra. Their friends Hassan, Hector, and Jude are trying to stage a rescue, while Anton the last prophet hones his abilities and plans a desperate last stand. Pool really puts the characters through the wringer in this final installment. Balances action and character growth well....more
As a worthless girl and an orphan from a dishonored family, Xue ought to be dead in a ditch. Instead, her loving uncle and her talent on the qin got hAs a worthless girl and an orphan from a dishonored family, Xue ought to be dead in a ditch. Instead, her loving uncle and her talent on the qin got her a place at a prestigious entertainment house. Shortly after her uncle's sudden death, a charmingly awkward nobleman sweeps in to buy out her contract and hire her as a personal musician at his manor. Jinglang is not being honest with her, though: he is a bona fide deity and he needs her help solving the great upheaval shaking the Celestial Realm. The setting is lovely but the pace is glacial and the love interest is the least interesting character....more
Growing up, Isabeau was part of a sextet of girls who shared a birthday with their town's founder, the witch Sorrow. Three years ago they drifted aparGrowing up, Isabeau was part of a sextet of girls who shared a birthday with their town's founder, the witch Sorrow. Three years ago they drifted apart, driving Iz closer to her one remaining companion, Reuel. The pair of them spend their sixteenth birthday in the cemetery, getting buzzed and performing some light witchcraft. The next morning, Reuel is gone. The shock is enough to reunite the former friends. Reuel reappears, haggard and amnesiac, but it's clear that something is still wrong and the girls can't trust anyone but each other to solve it. Highly creepy, lightly sapphic, with a lot of tension leading to a rather rushed finale. Thanks, Netgalley....more
The world is hurtling towards darkness and five teens are caught up in the prophecy that will either save or doom them all. Anton the Last Prophet andThe world is hurtling towards darkness and five teens are caught up in the prophecy that will either save or doom them all. Anton the Last Prophet and Jude his paladin struggle to balance their epic responsibilities with the tender feelings growing between them. Hassan the deposed prince will need some new allies to free his city from a religious zealot. Ephyra is off on a treasure hunt for a powerful artifact to save her sister Beru, who just wants to die quietly. Pool balances the multitude of POVs, storylines, and relationships well in this sprawling epic fantasy....more
Zach is a thirteen-year-old gay horror nerd, which gets him just as much bullying as you'd expect. Disappointingly, having a flaming sword, the abilitZach is a thirteen-year-old gay horror nerd, which gets him just as much bullying as you'd expect. Disappointingly, having a flaming sword, the ability to talk to animals, and Ashmedai the King of Demons on speed dial doesn't help. All of that falls to the wayside when Zach's little sister Naomi is kidnapped by the archangel Uriel. Ash takes Zach and his friend Sandra to Eden to get her back, but the garden isn't the paradise it used to be. The novel races between action sequences starring Old Testament horrors and oddities without stopping to let emotions breathe, or any natural consequences to play out....more
Lily is the heiress apparent to Rosewood Inc., a coat company that's been run by the women of her family for generations. However, when her beloved GrLily is the heiress apparent to Rosewood Inc., a coat company that's been run by the women of her family for generations. However, when her beloved Gram dies of a heart attack after a ruinous birthday party, no one inherits anything but trinkets. Instead, Lily and three other teens (nerdy Caleb, fiery Quinn, and jock Leo) receive mysterious letters that force them to team up, solve a series of riddles, confront their personal demons, and hopefully find a quarter of a billion dollars. A quick and easy Inheritance Games knockoff....more
Paola's parents keep urging her to act like a normal thirteen-year-old. That's really not an option since, as the granddaughter of the terrifying La LPaola's parents keep urging her to act like a normal thirteen-year-old. That's really not an option since, as the granddaughter of the terrifying La Llorona, Pao has great power, great responsibility, and a hefty dose of PTSD. Furthermore, her friend Dante has been trapped in the void for eight months while the grownups twiddle their thumbs and ice her out. She ends up hijacking her best friend Emma's road trip, turning it into a rescue mission. All the action is driven by poor decision making on the part of Pao or her father, Beto. At least Pao finally gets a decent love interest....more
Fi the scholarly treasure hunter enlists the quick-tempered mercenary Shane to accompany her on a quest. They both get more than they bargained for whFi the scholarly treasure hunter enlists the quick-tempered mercenary Shane to accompany her on a quest. They both get more than they bargained for when Fi pricks her finger on the spindle that doomed the prince Briar Rose to endless sleep a hundred years ago. Now two teenage girls and one charming spirit must fight their way to and through the cursed kingdom of Andar to break the spell. The perils of the wilderness, an awful ex, and the minions of the Spindle Witch make for plenty of danger and emotional turmoil, but there’s also plentiful banter....more
There is something rotten in the Bronx. People keep vanishing, Raquel's mami is in the ICU with a mysterious illness, and Raquel's crush Charlize has There is something rotten in the Bronx. People keep vanishing, Raquel's mami is in the ICU with a mysterious illness, and Raquel's crush Charlize has lost her cousin. Oh, Cisco isn't dead, but he is riddled with mold and madness. It all seems to go back to a viral challenge called the Echo Game that has left a trail of damage around the world. Desperate to save their loved ones, Raquel and Charlize plunge into the game, totally unprepared for the horror they will find. Works as a love story between the girls and also the neighborhood that has borne so much and come out so strong....more
Picking up directly from the previous novel, Gem's enraged decision to murder another member of their pantheon and assume his powers has had dire consPicking up directly from the previous novel, Gem's enraged decision to murder another member of their pantheon and assume his powers has had dire consequences. Now everyone's abilities are corrupted by this perversion of the balance. The only thing holding Gem together is the fierce love of Rory, god of the land, and Enzo, god of the forbidden. The rest of the gods are either vengeful or deranged. Whatever they do to fix the chaos they've wrought on two worlds, it's going to hurt like hell. More recapping and less POV switching would have made the plot a lot easier to follow. Those trigger warnings aren't kidding around. Thanks, Netgalley....more
Political turmoil and virulent anti-magic prejudice have Princess Dennaleia faking her death and fleeing to Zumorda with her girlfriend, Princess AmarPolitical turmoil and virulent anti-magic prejudice have Princess Dennaleia faking her death and fleeing to Zumorda with her girlfriend, Princess Amaranthine. There, Denna can get training for her dangerous fire Affinity while Mare forges an alliance against the invaders from the south. Unfortunately, Mare is as diplomatic as a sledgehammer. Things only get worse when the far more politically savvy Denna goes to the opposite end of Zumorda for her training. The lovebirds spend most of the novel apart, failing to convince professionals to be reasonable and competent. That, and the numerous world-building details Coulthurst refuses to tidy up makes for a frustrating experience....more
Blackthorn's resident coven of teens just vanquished a powerful hag, but they have no time to rest on their laurels. Leo's beloved little sister HazelBlackthorn's resident coven of teens just vanquished a powerful hag, but they have no time to rest on their laurels. Leo's beloved little sister Hazel has been revealed to be a changeling, and the powerful fairies of the Summer Court want her back. In desperation, Leo agrees to undertake a dangerous quest to keep her. Along with Aziza the hedgewitch and Tristan the necromancer (and also the true love Leo has been cursed to forget), he dives into the treacherous realm of the fae, where anything can be fatal: flora, politics, parties. A fast-paced adventure with three brave, flawed, lovable heroes....more
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