Review: Flight (The Collective Underground #3) by Kristen Young

About the Book

The fight for what is right is also a fight to survive

On the cusp of graduation, Cadence is finally feeling in control. She’s about to become one of the prestigious Elites working in the Hall of Love. Plus, she can take her place as a full member of the underground Sirens who meet secretly in Love City. She’ll finally be able to use her memory skills for good, instead of reporting people as a Watcher.

But a dangerous trap is set, throwing Cadence into unwelcome and unfamiliar territory. Someone in the Collective remembers things that could very well get her killed. The Muse is by her side, after all, but will she be protected when someone powerful wants her dead?

Cadence just wants to be normal, free from politics or squad intimidation. Will she be able to achieve her Elite dreams, or will sinister forces leave her running for her life?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a great conclusion to this thought-provoking dystopian series. I probably should've reread the previous books because it took me longer than I would've liked to get settled back into this world and remember how things left off. But once I did, oh man, I couldn't read fast enough! There were so many things that surprised me. It took some turns that I never saw coming. A lot happened, and while I usually struggle with a book that's so jam-packed, I didn't here. It never felt like too much. In fact, it felt just right.

I don't want to say too much, but wow! What a powerful read. I absolutely loved the faith element. It was so strong and impactful. And that ending? Perfection! I might've even shed a tear or two. If you're a fan of the dystopian genre, don't hesitate. Run and grab yourself a copy of this series. You'll love it!

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Seams like Murder (Grace Designs Mysteries Book 1) by Tilly Wallace

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Seams like Murder (Grace Designs Mysteries Book 1) by Tilly Wallace releasing June 7. This sounds like a fun start to a new cozy mystery series. I've read a few of this author's books and am looking forward to checking this out.

About the Book

There are two things that can’t talk—moving pictures and dead showgirls…

1920, Wellington, New Zealand. Grace Devine is poised to build her thriving dress design business as the twenties begin to soar. But when a fashionable client is murdered, suspicion falls on Grace as the last person to see Agatha alive.

As wary clients cancel and business begins to fail, Grace decides there’s only one way to prove her innocence and save her career…this seamstress will turn sleuth to find who really murdered the showgirl.

The more she learns, the more she uncovers of the darker side of the dead woman’s personality. Agatha liked to collect secrets and use them against people. But what target snapped that fatal night? Can Grace stitch together the clues before her life is torn apart…

These heart-warming historical mysteries will send you on a unique New Zealand adventure.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Necklace Without A Trace (Sierra Finley Adventures #1) by Lucy Penrose

About the Book
I've struggled, using all of my savings to get here to Deva city, with its floating airships and steam-propelled motorcars. I'm basically penniless, and soon to be homeless, never again able to feast my eyes on the city's brass luster.

I’ve come all this way to work for The Guild. An antique magical necklace has been stolen, and I’m assigned the case. If I don't screw this up, I'll achieve my dream of being a private investigator.

Unfortunately, the crime scene has no prints, no suspects, and no evidence. No pressure, right?

With supernatural creatures roaming the city, and monstrous mechanical creations in every corner, my job seems to get more difficult by the minute. A handsome shapeshifter dogs my every step, just waiting for me to mess up. Sneaky gnomes aren't exactly helping either. I’m threatened by lords, and sipping tea with the upper-crust. I'm way out of my depth.

How will I get out of this mess?

Necklace Without a Trace is the first novel in the Sierra Finley Adventure series: a cozy fantasy adventure set in a Victorian steampunk world full of mythical beasts and monsters, dirigibles and crazy inventions. Join Sierra in a story of adventure, crazy hijinks, and self-discovery.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was fun! I'm always on the lookout for a good steampunk book and this didn't disappoint. The worldbuilding was great, and I liked the fact that there were a plethora of different paranormal creatures. Pixies, shapeshifters, vampires, satyrs, fae, trolls, gorgons, ghosts... the list could go on.

Sierra was a likable heroine with spunk and determination. She wants nothing more than to be a private investigator with the Guild, but it's gonna be an uphill battle. She has to prove herself on a probationary case first. She's tasked with finding a valuable necklace that was stolen from a museum. This high-profile case really tests her. There were plenty of suspects, and while I had my suspicions about who the guilty party was, I wasn't sure until right before the reveal.

I really enjoyed this book and hope there are many more stories to come!

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Flight (The Collective Underground #3) by Kristen Young

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Flight (The Collective Underground #3) by Kristen Young.

About the Book

The fight for what is right is also a fight to survive

On the cusp of graduation, Cadence is finally feeling in control. She’s about to become one of the prestigious Elites working in the Hall of Love. Plus, she can take her place as a full member of the underground Sirens who meet secretly in Love City. She’ll finally be able to use her memory skills for good, instead of reporting people as a Watcher.

But a dangerous trap is set, throwing Cadence into unwelcome and unfamiliar territory. Someone in the Collective remembers things that could very well get her killed. The Muse is by her side, after all, but will she be protected when someone powerful wants her dead?

Cadence just wants to be normal, free from politics or squad intimidation. Will she be able to achieve her Elite dreams, or will sinister forces leave her running for her life?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Once the Sirens underground meeting is finished, we work the usual anti-surveillance measures to get back to Elite Academy.

Friday 56

"Hi, everyone, sorry I'm late. I had a bit to do back at the soup kitchen." He smiles broadly at Aria in a way that makes me want to kick him.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Recovered Secrets by Jessica R. Patch

About the Book

When a woman with amnesia is targeted by assassins, a Mississippi detective is out to piece together her past in this inspirational romantic thriller.

Two years ago, Grace Thackery washed up on a small-town Mississippi riverbank with no memory of who she was or how she got there. But now she has just discovered the first clue about her past: someone wants her dead. And while search-and-rescue director Hollis Montgomery is determined to protect her, the secrets of her mysterious life are darker than they expected. Can the bond between Grace and Hollis survive her true identity . . . and an assassin?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a thrill ride! This book was fast-paced and impossible to put down. The story took so many surprising turns, and I never knew what would happen next.

The amnesia trope is always hit or miss for me, so I went into this story with a slight bit of trepidation. No need to worry though, this was very well executed. I was immediately invested in Grace's life and intrigued about her past. With every new memory that surfaced, more questions were raised, and I couldn't read fast enough. I had to know the truth about who she really was.

If you're a fan of romantic suspense, you're sure to enjoy this story. I'm looking forward to reading more from Jessica R. Patch. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite authors in this genre.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Man of Shadow and Mist (Of Monsters and Men #2) by Michelle Griep

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Man of Shadow and Mist (Of Monsters and Men #2) by Michelle Griep releasing June 1. I loved the first book, Lost in Darkness, which was inspired by Frankenstein. When I heard there was gonna be a sequel inspired by Dracula, one of my all-time favorites, I was so excited! I can't wait!

About the Book

“The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.”
–Bram Stoker, Dracula

England, 1890

Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.

James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.

When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.

Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating? 

Review: The Study of Poisons by Maria V. Snyder

About the Book

Fierce, determined, dangerous. No wonder her soul called to his.

As Chief of Security of Ixia, Valek has spent the last fifteen years keeping Commander Ambrose and his citizens safe. With his complex network of spies, informers, and soldiers, it’s his job to hunt down and capture criminals, including the intriguing Yelena.

Sensing there is more to the story of why she killed a general’s son, Valek arranges for Yelena to become the Commander’s new food taster, training her in the delicate art of detecting poisons. As mysteries and a devious plot to harm the Commander unravel, Yelena’s presence becomes crucial. Will her intelligence, stubbornness, and survivor instincts be a help to Valek’s investigation, or a hinderance?

A companion novel to Poison Study, The Study of Poisons reveals Valek’s side of the story. Return to the world of Ixia and discover just how the lovely Yelena got Valek’s cold heart pumping!

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Oh my goodness, y’all! I can’t even tell you how happy this book made me. Poison Study is one of my all-time favorites. I’ve read it countless times, so to get the story from Valek’s POV was something special. I never expected it, but I couldn’t have loved it more.

It was so great seeing some iconic moments from Valek’s perspective. To see what he was thinking in the moment and to learn his motivation behind certain things. And I loved seeing what other things he had going on at the castle.

When I reached the end, I immediately wanted to go back to the beginning and read it all over again. I loved it so much! I really hope we get the other two books in the series from Valek’s perspective. This was just too much fun!

FIVE STARS