Review: A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

A new emperor sits on the throne of the Martial Empire, bringing with him treachery and pain. Elias and Laia are on the run, desperate to complete their mission of freeing Darin from the hellish prison of Kauf. Helene is left to deal with the backlash of the their escape, while pursuing a mission that might just put out her light for good. Meanwhile, mysterious beings are in play—forcing everyone to dance to their tune.

A Torch Against the Night is a wicked book—written with the elegance of Sarah J. Maas and the brutality of George R.R. Martin. It will pull you to the point of tears and leave you there, screaming. In other words, it’s exactly the kind of book that we've been waiting for. The character development is matched point for point with the world building and plot twists. This sequel to An Ember in the Ashes is perfection, and you will be sorry if you don’t read it as soon as it comes out.

A Torch Against the Night. Saba Tahir. Razorbill. August 31, 2016. 464 pages. ISBN: 9781101998878. $19.95. Order Here!

To begin the epic tale of Elias, Laia, and Helene, order An Ember in the Ashes here for $11.99! And join Bookworks new bookclub, In the Name of Magic (name may change!), on July 12, 2016 at 6pm to discuss it! Members get a discount!

Review: Empire of Dust by Eleanor Herman

In this epic sequel to Legacy of Kings, the story continues at the same speed and intensity. Alex and his companions begin to test the limits of their new roles in the world, discovering who they want to be in the process of defending themselves from all sides. The backdrop of Ancient Greece has never been more apparent or intriguing than it is throughout this story.

The writing style of Herman is still just as jarring as it was in the first installment, however the plot gets more absorbing and mysterious with each page, making it easy to ignore the odd use of the present-tense. The characters come to life more with each chapter, making the reader long to know what happens next in each storyline. In my opinion, Empire of Dust is a fantastic addition to a series that started off on shaky feet; it left me dying to know more!

Empire of Dust. Eleanor Herman. Harlequin Teen. June 28, 2016

384 pages. ISBN: 9780373211290. $19.99. Order Here!

Review: The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

There is a side to the world that we do not see. Seventeen-year-old Echo doesn’t just see it—she lives and breathes in it. The problem? The ancient beings of this underworld have been at war for centuries, and Echo is thrown into the middle of the fighting when she is sent to find the mysterious firebird, which will end the conflict for good.

While some books have hooks on the first page, The Girl at Midnight has a hook that begins with the prologue and doesn’t let go until the last word. The characters are complex, the plot well developed, and the twists placed perfectly to pull readers deeper into the world of Avicens and Drakharins. The emotions that Grey was able to portray in this book are so real and profound that readers themselves will feel them alongside the characters. The best part is that the sequel Shadow Hour will be released later this summer!

The Girl at Midnight. Melissa Grey. Delacorte Press. April 2015.

368 pages. 14 and up. Order Here!

And once you finish, go back and pre-order Shadow Hour, which will be released July 12, 2016. Pre-Order Here! 

Review: Hunter by Mercedes Lackey

When I was a little girl, my mother had a rule about books: you had to read thirty pages before deciding you didn’t like it, because a bad beginning didn't necessarily mean a bad book. Hunter by Mercedes Lackey is the reason I still follow her rule. While the first two chapters are slow and overwhelming with information, the rest of the book makes up for it by being jam-packed with mystery, magic, romance, and scheming. 

Set in a dystopian America that is under attack by mythical beings, Hunters are magic wielders that protect the innocents from the monsters outside—or that’s what Joy Charmand thought.  Written in a first person story-teller narrative, Joy explains everything she does and every thought that passes through her head as she learns her way around her new city, but things only getting more complicate. By the end of the book, readers will be completely involved in the story, and will want to know what will happen next. The only bad news? No sequel has been announced yet…. but there is still time!

Hunter. Mercedes Lackey. Hyperion. September 2015. 384 pages. $17.99 Order Here!

Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Having survived all the terrors that the Fae world has thrown at her, Fayre finally gets to settle into eternity with the man she loves—or that’s what she expected. Delving into complex feelings of guilt, posttraumatic stress, and self-discovery A Court of Mist and Fury will bring readers to their knees as Fayre learns to stand by herself. Highlords Tamlin and Rhysand take centerstage, not only pushing the plot forward but in helping Fayre discover who she wants to be. 

Fans of Maas, and of high fantasy in general, will love this series and beg for more. On a personal level, I read this book twice within two days—I finished it, and just had to have more. The writing is so beautiful that readers will forget where they are, and begin to believe that the characters are real. The ending was the perfect balance of shock, humor, and what can only be described as excitement. Next year can’t come quick enough!

A Court of Mist and Fury. Sarah J Maas. Bloomsbury. May 2016.

640 pages. $18.99. Order Here!

To get in on the action from page one, buy A Court of Thorns and Roses here for only $10.99 (it is worth every penny, trust me!) 

Review: Dark Shimmer by Donna Jo Napoli

Dark Shimmer by Donna Jo Napoli follows the path of her previous works: a beloved tale placed in a new setting, with logic and reasoning that has ever been added to classic stories in such an effective way. Dolce is a young woman with a troubled childhood and large heart: this combination leads to love and family, heartache and madness. As Napoli spins the tale, the reader will be on the brink of their seats, understanding what is going to happen next but wishing that they could change it. Overall, this was an enjoyable, light read that any fan fairytales would fall head first into.

Dark Shimmer. Donna Jo Napoli. Wendy Lamb Books. September 2015. 368 Pages. $16.99 Order Here!

Review: The Legacy of Kings, by Eleanor Herman

Travel back in time to Ancient Greece, where Prince Alexander of Macedonia is just beginning to take on the role of leader. In an age where the Gods have become myths, Alex and the various people in his life begin to explore the past and what it means to possess magic in a world where magic has begun to disappear. With enemies closing in in all directions, Legacy of Kings weaves a story so intricate that readers will have a hard time putting it down.

Above all else, this story is not finished; the multitude of characters makes it hard for readers to connect, and the first-person writing can seem awkward at first. Never fear though—it is the first book in a series! By the end, readers will be so engrossed in the plot and mystery that they will immediately beginning searching for the sequel. Fans of magic, mystery, and history will rejoice in this epic tale of Alexander the Great’s beginning.

Legacy of Kings. Eleanor Herman. Harlequin Teen. August 2015.

432 pages. $19.99

Order Here!

Review: Banished by Kimberly Griffithes Little

Picking up just after the end of Forbidden, Banished is the sequel that fans have longed for. In the deserts of ancient Mesopotamia, star-crossed teens Jayden and Kadesh make their fight to be together into an epic adventure that spans across the Arabian Peninsula. Along the way, secrets are revealed and betrayal is around every corner.

History buffs will be delighted in the factual description of the ancient world, while fantasy lovers will enjoy the subtleties of magic woven into the world. Readers will definitely want to explore Forbidden first, but every page is used masterfully to completely submerge readers. At the end, the only question will be: where is book three?

Banished. Kimberly Griffithes Little. HarperCollins. February 2016. 416 pages. $17.99.

Order Here!

And for the first part of the adventure, order Forbidden here.

Review: Mirrored, by Alex Flinn

Mirrored by Alex Flinn is a unique and twisted take on the classic tale of Snow White. From the very beginning Flinn takes readers into unknown territory, carefully laying a path of intrigue and mystery for them to follow. Told from three unexpected and distinctive perspectives, Mirrored pulls readers in and refuses to let them go until the very last word, when they will be released only to demand more. Touching on subjects such as self-worth, courage, and inner-beauty, Mirrored is a wonderful story that will show readers of all ages the value of being true to your self.

Violet was a lonely girl, desperate for love and positive attention. Celine is a beautiful girl with a jealous stepmother. Goose is the center of attention, hiding insecurities and pain behind the mask of class clown. When they crash into each other, the resulting story is magical enough pull readers deep into the action. With traits from the original tale spun uniquely into the story, readers will enjoy familiar landmarks like magic mirrors, apples, and seven dwarves.

Mirrored. Alex Flinn. HarperTeen. September, 2015. 389 pages. $17.99
Order Here

Review: The Mirror King, by Jodi Meadows

Clear your schedule when you begin this book—you won’t be able to concentrate on anything but magic taking place within its pages. The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows begins just moments after the tragic ending of The Orphan Queen, and brings the same level of action, suspense, and romance through out the entire story. Betrayal and love mingle while the mysterious wraith continues to creep closer to the Indigo Kingdom, threatening everything Wil has worked for. With heart-stopping twists and perfectly placed plot reveals, this novel will keep you at the edge of your seat until the last page. Meadows conclusion to this epic adventure will leave readers feeling torn between satisfaction and demanding more.

The Mirror King. Jodi Meadows. Katherine Tegen Books. April 2016. 544 pages. $17.99.

Order Here!

          

Review: The Orphan Queen, by Jodi Meadows

To accurately describe The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows, one would need to use the same type of magic the author used when molding it being. In a world where the use of magic is destroying and polluting everything it touches, exiled, orphaned Princess Wilhelmina struggles to take back her thrown. She comes face to face with her enemies, and explores what kind of person, and queen, she wants to become. In the process, she learns more about her past, her allies, and herself than she ever imagined. Meadows has a spun a tale so engrossing and well written that readers will forget where they are, and at some points, to breath. The only negative comment for this book is that it had to end.

The Orphan Queen. Jodi Meadows. Katherine Tegen Books. March, 2015. 400 pages. Hardcover: $17.99. Paperback: $9.99.

Order Here

The Beginning

Hello Fellow Bibliophiles!

My name is Leah Lam, and I spend most of my time reading. I read anything that I can get my hands on, but I prefer stories that take me away--speculative fiction, to be exact. My personal library consists mostly of fantasy novels written for young adults, as well as historical fiction, children fiction, and everything in between. Over the years, as my taste has evolved and refined, my love for books has only grown.

This blog will focus on books: reviews, ideas, rants, wishes. I have recently been granted the amazing privilege of being an Advance Reader for BookWorks, a local independent bookstore here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This means that I can share my opinions of books before they come out; and as any true bibliophile will know, conversations about books are the best conversations.

If you have suggestions, or questions, or comments, please let me know! I am always open to new books, and would love to talk about any book at all. Because thats the thing about books: whether its good, bad, or loony, it will always lead to good conversations.

Leah Lam :)