** Lucky number 7, with 3 books to go for #READ1040 (read 10 books in 40 days).**

Book 7: TheWitch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill

So, I really adored this book. Like, I wanted to give it a hug several times throughout the story because I just loved it so much. I read a lot of children’s (middle grade) fiction, especially fantasy. It’s my love. I also write children’s (fantasy) fiction, and every once in a while, I come across a book I enjoy so much, I wish I’d written it myself. I’m not sure there’s a higher compliment an author can pay, and THIS was one of those books.

There are many pieces that need to fit together, in order for a story to work. The story concept (is it unique?), the writing (Is it enjoyable?), and the characters (Do I care enough about them to root for them?). World-building and setting is woven in there too. Artistic world-building is a wonderful bonus. As a reader, I want them all (and as a writer, I hope to have them all), and THE WITCH’S BOY delivered.

The concept was fun… “The wrong boy would save her, and she him.” Sort of an anti-Chosen one. That caught my attention (as did the title—I love it).

The writing is lovely, and sometimes haunting. It’s cozy and charming, and I was enamored. The story opens with two twin boys, one who drowns in the river, as their father only had time to save one. Everyone felt he’d saved the wrong boy. I really liked the cast of characters. Ned, the main character—the wrong boy—was great. Adorable. Determined. Good. Aine and the wolf were great. The Queen was probably my favorite. Instantly loveable. Ooh, and the nine talking stones. They were fascinating.

The plot moved quickly enough, with plenty of adventure and conflict. I thought the different points of view wove together perfectly. My favorite thing was the magic. How it talked, and formed word’s across Ned’s skin. I liked that it was its own entity, powerful, and crafty—yet still in submission to Ned, who ultimately decided whether or not the magic was good.

I think the best word to sum up this book was satisfying. I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone--including YOU! Go read it! :)

I hope there is a sequel, or that Ms. Barnhill will introduce us to her next novel soon! 

 I’m up over the halfway mark. Boo-yah! 6 books read. 4 to go for #READ1040 (read 10 books in 40 days).

Book 6: Matched by Ally Condie

Guys, I was totally surprised by this book. I bought it on Audible on a whim, and I ended up really enjoying it. I liked the premise—a girl who’s accidently shown two love matches, instead of one. I expected it to be a much tamer version of DIVERGENT, as far as the world-building went. In some ways, there were similarities. As with most dystopian novels, in Cassia Reyes' world, there is an oppressive government, masked as peacekeepers. Everything seems a euphoric utopia, but of course there are mysteries and intrigue. It actually reminded me a lot of THE GIVER.

Despite the somewhat predictability of the governmental structure, I was very taken with the narrative. And there were some things unique to Cassia’s world that I really enjoyed. Overall, the world-building was intriguing enough, but the eyes in which Cassia saw her world was often breathtaking. I thought Ms. Condie did a wonderful job of pacing her world-building-- dropping in one piece of puzzle at a time.

The first few chapters were my favorite. The Match ceremony, the grandpa’s last banquet (all citizens die on their 80^th birthday). But once there was a shift to the romantic plot threads, I wasn’t quite as interested. I just wasn’t a fan of the romance between Cassia and Ky. It didn’t seem plausible. I might’ve believed it, had it happened over a longer period of time. But a few weeks, and she’s in love? Really? How could she be so quick to look away from Xander, her supposed lifelong best friend? He was hardly in the middle of the story at all, and for a 17 year old, I thought Cassia should have considered Xander far more than she did. I found this frustrating. Ky was handsome and mysterious, which apparently was enough reason for Cassia to risk everything to be with him. Ugh. I liked Ky fine, but I feel like this love-triangle is soooo overdone, and I was hoping for something different.

Still, I enjoyed the book overall. And even though I grew frustrated with Cassia at times, I really did like her as a main character. She's clever, and creative, and she loves her family. Though I wasn't exactly rooting for Ky, his and Cassia's was a sweet (and totes PG!) relationship. Their focus on art and poetry was cute. 

There were some surprises at the end of the story that were enough to get me to read the next book in the series—plus the writing is just so lovely! So, at some point, I'll be giving CROSSED a chance. 

Halfway mark! Woot, woot! 5 books down. 5 to go for #READ1040 (read 10 books in 40 days).

Book 5: The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen

I just sooo love this trilogy (erm... now that I know it's a trilogy. **cough cough**) , and the first book quickly made it to my “favorite books” shelf.

I've adored this book’s MC from the very first book.  Jaron is a great mix of cocky, compassionate, and clever (ugh. Alliteration—sorry!). To top it all off, he’s mysterious —even to the reader, which isn’t so easy with a first person narrative! He’s full of surprises. With a thief’s cunning trickery and a heart of the king, you’ll be rooting for him from the very first page.

I actually hadn’t realized this was the final book, and was SO SAD to learn it was over. This is embarrassing, because obviously, had I paid attention to “The Ascendance TRILOGY” part of the Amazon page, that should’ve been made clear. Sheesh. But somehow I managed to read the first two books without noticing the whole “trilogy” part. **face palms**

With plenty sword fights, prank-ery, and a touch of romance, it’s a great read for both boys and girls—kids and grown-ups alike. I’d recommend this book to any fan of middle grade adventure. If you haven’t read the first book, THE FALSE PRINCE, you’ll want to check it out! No, really. Please check it out. You won't be sorry.

4 books down. 6 to go for #READ1040 (read 10 books in 40 days).

Book 4:

Breaking the Ice by Gail Nall

I’ve been excited to read this book for months, ever since I “met” Gail via twitter, during PitchWars. First of all, she has an incredible story that she’s shared on Brenda Drake’s blog. You really should read it.

I absolutely adored this book. It was charming, sweet, wholesome, with just a touch of pre-teen sass. Kaitlin’s journey took me back to my middle school years, with all the adorable and awkward that comes with it. Before I read BREAKING THE ICE, I knew next to nothing about figure skating, but it didn’t take long for me to become wrapped up in Kaitlin’s world of zambonis, skate guards, and double axels.

The story begins with Kaitlin’s less-than-graceful reaction when she learns she’s received embarrassingly low scores after her skating routine. Acting completely out of character, she yells at the judges in front of all the other competitors and their families. Mortified, she’s expelled from her training club, and shipped off to the laughable Fallton club, where she attempts to turn over a new leaf. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy this book, though it might be a bonus, as Kaitlin’s entire life—as well as her parents’ lives—completely revolve around Kaitlin’s skating. 

Ultimately, this is a story of second chances, redemption, and forgiveness as Kaitlin navigates her world of friendship, first crushes, and what it means to find your own voice and follow your dreams. 

Alright, peeps, I’ve finished my first 2 books for #READ1040 (read 10 books in 40 days) with 8 books and 34 days to go...

First up, Book 1:

Ruin and Rising (The Grisha Trilogy #3) by Leigh Bardugo

I was excited to read this one, as I really enjoyed the first two books in the series. I wanted to dub this books as a beautiful blend of fantasy, adventure, and romance… until I saw Rick Riordan already did. On the back cover. O.O

I loved this book. It’s dark and haunting, particularly the Darkling. I could practically feel his hold on Alina. And yet there was much humor and beauty too. Plus cool The world was rich, the characters were vivid. Everything from compassionate to snarky, and everything in between. Nikolai was my favorite—though he’s surely everyone’s favorite, I’d imagined. :-) The love triangle here is extremely complicated, definitely not your typical lovers’ dilemma.

I don’t want to give anything away about the plot, but I will say, I was satisfied with how Bardugo wrapped things up, though I’m definitely sad it’s over.

This book is absolutely worth a read, though I’d recommend starting with book one, Shadow and Bone.

Alina’s story will seep into you like water into soil, completely taking hold of your imagination. It will stay with you, long after the last page is read.

Seriously. Go get your copy of Ruin and Rising now (or Shadow and Bone, if you’re new to the series) if you haven’t already. You won’t be disappointed.

Book 2:

The DUFF: (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) by Kody Keplinger

Okay. To be fair, this is not my typical read. Constant angsty teen drama just isn’t my thing. But I’d seen this book a lot on twitter recently, and I know the movie is coming out, so I wanted to give it a try. And I thought the whole premise of girls who are DUFFs was kind of funny.

I will say: I can see how some people would connect to this book—I just wasn’t one of them. With its focus on Bianca (the MC)’s use of sex as an emotional escape and Bianca’s super cynical look at the world, I had a hard time connecting to her. There was a lot of family drama circling around Bianca, as well as Wesley, her “friend with benefits.” And I think the drama helped to round out the characters nicely. With everything going on, it was mostly believable that Bianca would throw everything out the window—grades, friends, family—and fall into an incredibly unhealthy physical relationship with Wesley.

Also, the ending seemed a bit rushed.

Again, I can totally see how there’s an audience for this book—primarily teen girls—but I’m too far out of the indented market audience. :) I would be hesitant to recommend this book to certain people, with its sex scenes and profanity (f**k is one of Bianca’s go-to words).  But if you’re looking for some steamy high school romance, sprinkled with snark and sorrow… then this might be your book.