New Release: Sightwitch

 Sightwitch  by Susan Dennard

Here’s everything your heart needs while waiting for Bloodwitch! I thought that I couldn’t possibly be more excited for Bloodwitch, but then I read Sightwitch and oh my!! The ending!!! Be sure to get your hands on a copy from Barnes and Noble so you can get a little piece of Aeduan!

Here’s what you get to find in SIGHTWITCH.... 

Before Safi and Iseult battled a Bloodwitch...
Before Merik returned from the dead…

Ryber Fortiza was a Sightwitch Sister at a secluded convent, waiting to be called by her goddess into the depths of the mountain. There she would receive the gift of foretelling. But when that call never comes, Ryber finds herself the only Sister without the Sight.

Years pass and Ryber’s misfit pain becomes a dull ache, until one day, Sisters who already possess the Sight are summoned into the mountain, never to return. Soon enough, Ryber is the only Sister left. Now, it is up to her to save her Sisters, though she does not have the Sight―and though she does not know what might await her inside the mountain. On her journey underground, she encounters a young captain named Kullen Ikray, who has no memory of who he is or how he got there. Together, the two journey ever deeper in search of answers, their road filled with horrors, and what they find at the end of that road will alter the fate of the Witchlands forever.

Author Bio

A little bit about Sooz...If she's ever doing an event near you, be sure to stop by and visit!!  If not, that's okay! Be sure to connect with her online.  Check out links below!

I’ve come a long way from small-town Georgia. Working in marine biology, I got to travel the world—six out of seven continents, to be exact (I’ll get to you yet, Asia!)—before I settled down as a full-time novelist and writing instructor.

I’m the author of the Something Strange and Deadly series as well as the New York Times bestselling Witchlands books, Truthwitch and Windwitch, and if I’m not writing, then I’m busy slaying darkspawn or earning bruises at the dojo.

I live in the Midwestern US with my French husband, two spoiled dogs, and two grouchy cats. Learn more about me and my cookie-addiction on the blog, newsletter, twitter, instagram, or pinterest.

Links:

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books A Million

Book Depository

ARC Review: More Than We Can Tell

More Than We Can Tell
by Brigid Kemmerer

More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer introduces readers to two of her main characters, Rev Fletcher and Emma Blue. Rev is overcoming his tragic, abusive past with the help of his adoptive parents. Everything is going well until he receives a letter from his abusive birth father. All of the recovery that he’s been working through goes down the drain all of because of the contents in this letter. Without telling his new parents, Rev struggles and battles through this life on his alone. At least for the most part.

Emma Blue is a young genius creating and designing video games that thousands of people begin playing. Because she’s a girl playing and making the video game, not all of the boys online are friendly to her. On top of all of the arguing she has to face daily online, she has to be there to see her mom and dad's marriage slowly dissolve into an arguing mess all of the time. They don’t realize it, but their fighting really hurts Emma. When Rev and Emma meet unexpectedly, the both instantly begin to spill their life troubles to each other. It makes the reader feel like they have known each other for years. Their friendship is really tested throughout the novel, seeing if their friendship can overcome the challenging obstacles life is throwing their way.

The 416 page novel by Brigid Kemmerer is an emotional, loveable story to read. Because I enjoyed the novel so much, I am giving it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Kemmerer did a good job of keeping me, the reader, engaged in this well-written story!

Title: More Than We Can Tell
Author: Brigid Kemmerer
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: March 6, 2018
Review by: Kiley R.

ARC Review: Don't Cosplay With My Heart

 Don't Cosplay With My Heart
by Cecil Castellucci

Don't Cosplay With My Heart is a story about a nerdy teenager named Edan Kupferman who decides to cosplay as Gargantua, her favorite character from the comic Team Tomorrow. When she is Gargantua she can be as loud and angry as she wants. Right now that costume is her sole comfort while her family is slowly falling apart, her best friend is away for the summer and her crush is being very confusing. Edan is trying to find her own Team Tomorrow in this crazy world. She is trying to figure out if she is strong enough to be her own hero or whether she can let others help her through her hardships.

My favorite character has to be Edan. I can identify with her in many ways and I feel a connection between me and what she is going through. Another reason I really like Edan is because of the way she handles situations that put her under stress, she keeps everything organized even if she is in a difficult situation. Edan is a very strong person despite the fact she is going through a lot and that is something that I deeply admire.

I enjoyed reading this book very much! My English teacher gave it to me knowing I am a big nerd for cosplaying and I was overjoyed. I enjoyed the lessons that Edan learned along the way and how she dealt with each situation. I also liked the wide range of emotions that were present during the story and how Edan described them to feel like. Overall I think that this is a great book for teens to read, especially if they are as nerdy as me!

Review by: Lilian B. 

Popular Books: The Hate U Give

The Hate You Give

by Angie Thomas
In the novel The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas, the author describes the story about a teenage girl who not only feels out of place, but also loses one of her closest friends. Starr, the main character, is from the impoverish and tough neighborhood, but attends a very elite, white school. Although this novel takes place in present time where those of all races have equal rights, Starr still has difficulties in both her neighborhood and her school. When she loses one her her closest friends her life is never the same.

Starr and her friend Khalil are at party until a fight broke out. To prevent getting hurt or into any trouble, they drive away from the party and Khalil proceeds to drive Starr home. While driving, a white police man pulls over the two teenagers. The policeman was not very nice to Khalil, therefore Khalil was not kind to the police man in return. Out of nowhere the policeman shoots Khalil, and, just like that,  he is dead. Starr not only cannot believe what had happened that night but also her life is changed forever. The case of Khalil's death seems to be even larger deal because it was a white policeman who shot an African-American person. The case was very difficult to try to solve and causes Starr much stress. Also, intertwined with Khalil’s case is the high school drama Starr has to deal with. Read the book to find out the end result of the case and how Starr spends her life.

My favorite character would have to be Starr, the main character. I can relate to her losing someone she loves and while reading a book it can be more enjoyed able when you relate to the characters. Also, when she is talking to someone I enjoyed how the author includes the rude and humorous remarks  Starr said in her head into the seriousness of the book. One of my favorite comments Starr made in her head was “I’m not telepathic.” This comment is made when a detective is asking Starr questions about Khalil’s case.  I recommend this book to middle school and high school students.  The story can be very serious at times and includes some parts benefiting teenagers. I recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

Author: Angie Thomas

Publisher: Harper Collins

Review by: Erin F.

New to Our Shelves: Turtles All the Way Down

Turtles All the Way Down

by John Green

When the millionaire Russell Pickett goes missing before a trial the town worries and tries to find him.  There is a huge reward for finding Pickett.  Two teenage girls, Aza Holmes and her friend, Daisy are caught in Pickett’s yard trying to take security footage from one of the cameras.  One of Aza’a old friends, Davis Pickett (Russell’s son) saves them from the consequences of breaking and entering.  Davis and Aza’s friendship grows.  They start to discuss things revolving around the topic of Russell’s disappearance.  Davis does not want Aza to cook for him.  As a girl living in poverty, Aza needs the money.  She also needs to keep Davis’s trust.  Should she continue looking for Russell Pickett or should she help Davis by forgetting about his father.

My favorite character is probably Davis because he is calm and he copes well with stress and loss.  I love Davis’s blog.  The quotes he posts are so amazing and helpful.  Davis is a great role model to his younger brother.  He realizes his brother is suffering from their father's disappearance and Davis helps him cope with it.  

Fun Fact: John Green (http://www.johngreenbooks.com/) wrote this book based on himself and his suffering from OCD.  OCD is a disorder that makes you obsess over something, such as folding your trash, or in this case obsessing about a cut on your thumb and infection and c-diff and other diseases.  It may not seem like a big issue, but this thought never leaves the mind of the affected individual.  No matter how hard the person tries to escape this thought, it's nearly impossible.

Turtles all the Way Down is probably the best book I read this entire marking period!  I love it.  I know many people like Aza Holmes who suffer from OCD.  It is interesting following Aza's journey as sh pushes through her hardships and overcomes her fears.  This book teaches the true meaning of friendship.  I recommend this book to everybody!

Title: Turtles All the Way Down

Author: John Green

Published: Dutton Books

Released: October 10, 2017

Reviewed: Abigayle H.

New Releases! Retribution Rails

Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman

Retribution Rails by Erin Bowman is absolutely fantastic. The novel takes the reader back to the days of Wild Wild West. The storyline follows The Rose Kid, Reece Murphy, who doesn't exactly enjoy having the title of being a violent hood. Captured years earlier by a vicious gang The Rose Riders, Reece was forced to become part of the gang and follow along with all of their illegal activities. Reece gets caught up with a ambitious young lady, Charlotte, whose evil uncle makes her long for a change in her life. Though they're nearly enemies, fate might bring an unlikely companionship between the two.

    Bowman does an amazing job with the setting and really grasping the concept of the West during the 1800s. Many a time I've actually felt like I myself was in Jesse and Kate’s kitchen, listening to their conversations. The plot to the story is a rich and well-thought out plot, with meaningful points to the events taking place. The connections between characters take a smooth transition and are overall grand. Bowman makes vivid descriptions of everything! From characters to settings, she's blew me away at the level of greatness that comes along with her writing. Throughout both books, Retribution Rails and Vengeance Road (the companion book) the overall greatness of the novels makes me appreciate the Wild West as a topic and Erin Bowman as an author making wonderful stories, expanding my horizons.

Title: Retribution Rails

Author: Erin Bowman

Published By: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Released On: November 7, 2017

Review by Allison P.