The five remarkable children MI6 recruited from around the world to serve as spies are now a family in name and deed since their leader Mother adoptedThe five remarkable children MI6 recruited from around the world to serve as spies are now a family in name and deed since their leader Mother adopted them and became their dad. Right now, it's big brother Paris' turn to shine on a mission to extract a North Korean nuclear scientist as he accompanies his son on an international chess tournament. Simultaneously, Sydney cozies up to the daughter of a nefarious British billionaire, Kat crunches numbers, Rio provides distractions, and Brooklyn gets stuck at home. Another fun, fast-paced romp around the globe....more
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
Dee’s best friend Juniper is in a different class now that they’ve started sixth grade, and Dee isn’t handling it well. Also, her mom is completely moDee’s best friend Juniper is in a different class now that they’ve started sixth grade, and Dee isn’t handling it well. Also, her mom is completely mortifying, she has no idea what’s going on with fractions, and she keeps botching her attempts to befriend Harry, a boy in her class. As she hides in the restroom each day, she overhears other kids having rough times of their own and starts giving them advice. Dee’s struggles with bullies, Big Feelings, and growing up are very relatable. The plot is slow-moving and low-stakes, which might not suit all readers. Thanks, Netgalley....more
In order to attend New Rome University with his girlfriend Annabeth, Percy Jackson needs to get his GPA up and collect two more letters of recommendatIn order to attend New Rome University with his girlfriend Annabeth, Percy Jackson needs to get his GPA up and collect two more letters of recommendation from gods. Hecate, goddess of magic, decides to use this fact to make him pet sit for her over Halloween. Her pets? A hellhound, a polecat, and a vat full of eels. Nothing Percy can't manage with the help of Annabeth and his best bud, Grover. Naturally, everything immediately goes off the rails. Full of action, quips, and heart. Percy remains a funny, valiant, and empathetic protagonist....more
Kerry is a homebody with severe anxiety. Her best friend Annie, on the other hand, is desperate to become popular this year, so she flings them both iKerry is a homebody with severe anxiety. Her best friend Annie, on the other hand, is desperate to become popular this year, so she flings them both into a madcap scheme to earn social acclaim by finding out who's cyberbullying queen bee Heather. They find the culprit, or rather her corpse, with a menstrual cup shoved in her mouth. The police are comically useless, writing it off as an accident because their village is too quaint for murder. Annie drags Kerry into the investigation, which seriously impedes her budding relationship with a cute boy. Relentlessly feminist, but also incredibly frivolous....more
Valentina's family used to crisscross the country in their tricked-out RV, tracking monsters and sending them safely to Finisterra before anyone got hValentina's family used to crisscross the country in their tricked-out RV, tracking monsters and sending them safely to Finisterra before anyone got hurt. Eight months ago, her dad was killed by one of those monsters, leaving the heartbroken remnants of the Salazars to settle down to a normal life with homework and bullies. Val can't accept that. When a cryptid egg pops up online, she convinces her siblings to join her on one last quest. Action, humor, and heart abound as the trio gather the intel, supplies, and allies they need to complete a mission that grows to be bigger than any of them expected....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
Amari's life just imploded. She lost her magic powers and her friend Lara, and both the League of Magicians and the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs areAmari's life just imploded. She lost her magic powers and her friend Lara, and both the League of Magicians and the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs are being run by megalomaniacs who want to destroy Amari and each other. Even finally getting her big brother Quenton back is disappointing because he keeps sidelining her. So, Amari and her friends Elsie and Jayden spend the whole book ignoring direct orders and flinging themselves into danger. If they don't track down the ancient magical doomsday devices known as Wonders before Dylan, it's game over. An action-packed fantasy with a dark edge....more
King Yeonsan is a monster. He tortures and murders his own people and has kidnapped a thousand women for his harem of horror. Spoiled Iseul always squKing Yeonsan is a monster. He tortures and murders his own people and has kidnapped a thousand women for his harem of horror. Spoiled Iseul always squabbled with her big sister, but when Suyeon is snatched by the king, Iseul will risk everything to get her back. Prince Daehyun is Yeonsan’s half-brother, struggling to avoid a summary execution and keep his soul intact in the tyrant’s court. Iseul and Daehyun can’t stand each other, but between hunting a serial killer and planning a coup, they can’t stay apart. The murder investigation and political scheming are both more interesting and convincing than the romance. ...more
For centuries, the Descendants of legendary warriors protected China with their zodiac-themed powers, until marauding Englishmen stole the fountainheaFor centuries, the Descendants of legendary warriors protected China with their zodiac-themed powers, until marauding Englishmen stole the fountainheads that gave them their abilities. Now they are cursed to live in NYC as sexy vampires, werewolves, and fox spirits. Inexplicably, the leaders of their secret society are all angsty immortal high school students. When their Chancellor is murdered, his little sister Evangeline ropes her ex, her bestie, and a terrified human girl into a heist to retrieve their fountainheads from the fae. The cardboard characters breeze through every danger, mainly hindered by their own hang-ups. The amalgamation of world mythologies ought to be more interesting than it is. 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
In a world where those with superpowers are viewed with suspicion and prevented from living normal lives, it's no wonder that some would turn to crimeIn a world where those with superpowers are viewed with suspicion and prevented from living normal lives, it's no wonder that some would turn to crime and use their abilities to commit impossible heists. This is not their story. Rather, it's about five of their children, who grew up in isolation after their parents retired. When circumstances push them to join the wider world, they waffle and resist for half the book. Their powers are cool, but all their interactions are painfully awkward and it takes way too long for the action to start....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
Animals have always been drawn to Christopher. He finally learns why when he meets his maternal grandfather and discovers his family is charged with gAnimals have always been drawn to Christopher. He finally learns why when he meets his maternal grandfather and discovers his family is charged with guarding a magical archipelago where dragons, unicorns, and stranger beasts run free. The first human he meets from that realm, Mal, has two major problems she needs his help with: a murderer is hunting her and no one seems to care that magic is leeching away. The stakes are high and the danger is all too real as the pair, aided by a pirate and a scientist, race to complete their quest. Rundell faces the deeper, darker facets of the fantasy world head-on. Thanks, Netgalley....more
Their apprenticeship is over. Now Citra is Scythe Anastasia, gleaning with such flair and morality she has become something of an icon. Meanwhile, RowTheir apprenticeship is over. Now Citra is Scythe Anastasia, gleaning with such flair and morality she has become something of an icon. Meanwhile, Rowan has transformed himself into Scythe Lucifer, taking down corrupt scythes. When Citra's life is threatened, Thunderhead the benevolent AI recruits an honorable young man named Greyson to rescue her, throwing his life onto a wildly different path. All the while, power-hungry scythes plot something unspeakable. No second novel slump here. There is emotional growth (even on the part of Thunderhead), political scheming, and action galore, particularly in that gobsmacking finale....more
Morgan has been in foster care most of her life. She has a lot of anger built up and no links to her cultural heritage. Even a caring new family can'tMorgan has been in foster care most of her life. She has a lot of anger built up and no links to her cultural heritage. Even a caring new family can't stop her outbursts. Her foster brother Eli, who is Cree like Morgan, is starting to smooth her rough edges when they discover that his pencil sketches can open portals from the hidden attic room. They find themselves in a realm inhabited by anthropomorphic animals slowly succumbing to an unnatural, years-long winter. Their quest to restore the seasons gives Morgan a chance to reconnect with her roots and center herself. A straightforward narrative, but the Indigenous aspect adds interest....more
It's been six months since averting an apocalypse left Abigail with the Sight. While she's been honing her new abilities, her mentor Jackaby has been It's been six months since averting an apocalypse left Abigail with the Sight. While she's been honing her new abilities, her mentor Jackaby has been shielding her from the chaos that has enveloped New Fiddleham in its time without a psychic detective. The police try to start her off with an innocuous theft, but corpses and missing persons take precedence. Even if she were more experienced and confident, the unwelcome presence of two overbearing federal agents and her parents would've pushed her to the edge. The old characters are back for more quirky peril, albeit a little more damaged than before. Not really a standalone....more
One awful Christmas party deprived Ramya of her beloved grandfather for the rest of her life. It's only years later, after his funeral, that she reconOne awful Christmas party deprived Ramya of her beloved grandfather for the rest of her life. It's only years later, after his funeral, that she reconnects with her family and its magical inheritance. Her aunts are both witches and Ramya herself has an even rarer gift: she can see through the Glamour that hides magic from mundane humans. Her grandfather wanted her to use her gift to discover all the secrets of the magical realm, but not all supernatural folk are kind or safe, any more than humans are. McNicoll spends almost as much time fleshing out Ramya's dyspraxia and the angst unsympathetic adults cause her because of it....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
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