Author: Caroline Carlson
Goodreads Rating: 4.80
Pages: 378
Format: ARC from BEA13
Rating: 8.5/10
Pirates! Magic! Treasure! A gargoyle? Caroline Carlson's hilarious tween novel The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates #1: Magic Marks the Spot is perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events and Trenton Lee Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society.
Hilary Westfield has always dreamed of being a pirate. She can tread water for thirty-seven minutes. She can tie a knot faster than a fleet of sailors, and she already owns a rather pointy sword.
There's only one problem: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates refuses to let any girl join their ranks of scourges and scallywags.
But Hilary is not the kind of girl to take no for answer. To escape a life of petticoats and politeness at her stuffy finishing school, Hilary sets out in search of her own seaworthy adventure, where she gets swept up in a madcap quest involving a map without an X, a magical treasure that likely doesn't exist, a talking gargoyle, a crew of misfit scallywags, and the most treacherous—and unexpected—villain on the High Seas.
Written with uproarious wit and an inviting storyteller tone, the first book in Caroline Carlson's quirky seafaring series is a piratical tale like no other.
Author: Julianne MacLean
Goodreads Rating: 4.08
Pages: 319
Reviewed By: Amy
From bestselling
storyteller Julianne MacLean comes the passionate saga of three Highland
warriors sworn to fight for freedom, honor—and the women they love...
Night of Conquest
With
his tawny mane, battle-hewn brawn, and ferocious roar, Angus "The Lion"
MacDonald is the most fearsome warrior Lady Gwendolen has ever seen—and
she is his most glorious conquest. Captured in a surprise attack on her
father's castle, Gwendolen is now forced to share her bed with the man
who defeated her clan. But, in spite of Angus's overpowering charms, she
refuses to surrender her innocence without a fight.
Prisoner of Passion
With
her stunning beauty, bold defiance, and brazen smile, Gwendolen is the
most infuriating woman Angus has ever known—and the most intoxicating.
Forcing her to become his bride will unite their two clans. But
conquering Gwendolen's heart will take all his skills as a lover. Night
after night, his touch sets her on fire. Kiss after kiss, his hunger
fuels her passion. But, as Gwendolen's body betrays her growing love for
Angus, a secret enemy plots to betray them both.
Author: Elana Johnson
Goodreads Rating: 3.60
Pages: 405
Format: Finished Copy from ARCycle
DNF: Page 150
Vi knows the Rule: Girls don't walk with boys, and they never even thinkabout kissing them. But no one makes Vi want to break the Rules more than Zenn...and since the Thinkers have chosen him as Vi's future match, how much trouble can one kiss cause? The Thinkers may have brainwashed the rest of the population, but Vi is determined to think for herself.
But the Thinkers are unusually persuasive, and they're set on convincing Vi to become one of them...starting by brainwashing Zenn. Vi can't leave Zenn in the Thinkers' hands, but she's wary of joining the rebellion, especially since that means teaming up with Jag. Jag is egotistical, charismatic, and dangerous--everything Zenn's not. Vi can't quite trust Jag and can't quite resist him, but she also can't give up on Zenn.
This is a game of control or be controlled. And Vi has no choice but to play.
Author: Mira Grant
Goodreads Rating: 4.10
Pages: 512
Format: ARC from BEA
A decade in the future, humanity thrives in the absence of sickness and disease.
We
owe our good health to a humble parasite - a genetically engineered
tapeworm developed by the pioneering SymboGen Corporation. When
implanted, the tapeworm protects us from illness, boosts our immune
system - even secretes designer drugs. It's been successful beyond the
scientists' wildest dreams. Now, years on, almost every human being has a
SymboGen tapeworm living within them.
But these parasites are getting restless. They want their own lives...and will do anything to get them.
Author: Jeff Hirsch
Goodreads Rating: 3.25
Pages: 336
Format: ARC from BEA13
USA TODAY bestselling author Jeff Hirsch once again creates a futuristic world with stunning, dramatic realism.
A civil war rages between the Glorious Path--a militant religion based on the teachings of a former US soldier--and what's left of the US government. Fifteen-year-old Callum Roe and his younger brother, James, were captured and forced to convert six years ago. Cal has been working in the Path's dog kennels, and is very close to becoming one of the Path's deadliest secret agents. Then Cal befriends a stray dog named Bear and kills a commander who wants to train him to be a vicious attack dog. This sends Cal and Bear on the run, and sets in motion a series of incredible events that will test Cal's loyalties and end in a fierce battle that the fate of the entire country rests on.
