A Fistful of Charms

A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison, 2008 Harper Voyager

     Rachel Morgan has just finished dealing with one supernatural problem in the Hollows when another slinks its way into her life. David is a werewolf who agrees to form a pack with Rachel--for insurance purposes only. He also happens to be an insurance adjuster. Rachel is challenged for her place as Alpha female, and she must learn to fight as the weres do to maintain her place.
     But something is happening with the Weres. They've been creating larger and larger packs and the infighting which keeps packs to a manageable level is quelled. When Rachel steps in to investigate, her ex--Nick--rises to the front of the queue.
     Nick is on an island which appears to be the center of the normal pack dynamics breakdown. When Rachel sneaks her way past the militant guards she discovers Nick has, not surprisingly, gotten himself involved with demon artifacts which cause these weres to form a single pack.
     With David's help, and some iffy magick of her own, Rachel wrests the magic away from the weres who hired Nick to retrieve it. Then Rachel must discover a way to protect the artifact and keep its uncertain power from tipping the balance of power in the Hollows.
     Away from Ivy's influence and with a human-sized Jenks, Rachel is a loose cannon. Her already unconventional way of surviving the feuds of the Hollows has begun to chafe by this, her fourth adventure. While she still maintains that her magic practice is morally good vampires, weres, and even demons are knocking on Rachel's door with more and more forceful offers of employment. Rachel Morgan continues to fight back and mature readers who enjoy a strong yet imperfect female lead will enjoy Rachel's sassiness. 

Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, 1998 Simon & Schuster

     Luke has never had a friend, he's never had the chance. Luke is a third child, one of the illegal Shadow Children born against the Population Police's edicts. When a housing development goes up replacing the woods behind Luke's family farm even Luke's ability to go outside is taken from him.
     Trapped inside Luke spends his time watching the world which has been taken from him. In looking out the window Luke discovers a face in one of the new homes across the way - another third child.
     While the world in their sleepy suburb is away at work Jen and Luke meet and become friends. Jen will do anything to escape the shadows, but is Luke willing to go with her? When the Population Police appear in the neighborhood Jen and Luke are both at risk, as are their families.
     Sheltered by his very existence as a third child in a world which only allows two children in each family Luke is easily excited by someone and something new. Like a small child Luke latches onto his new friend and attempts to adapt to the world her presence creates.
     Among the Hidden is the beginning for Luke; his entire life has been surrounded by family and the open air, with the addition of hundreds of eyes the idea of living in hiding becomes a reality. Luke must grow and learn to become a fugitive in truth and in doing so undertakes a dangerous journey. Readers who enjoy suspense will find Luke's adventure thrilling while still mild enough for younger readers.

Sir Thursday

Sir Thursday by Garth Nix, 2006 Scholastic Books

     Returning from the Border Sea with Leaf, Arthur doesn't make it through the door. It appears something has been slowly taking over his life on Earth. While Leaf attempts to banish the Nithling creature and allow Arthur back home, he is drafted for his required 100 years into Sir Thursday's Glorious Army of the Architect.
     Dame Primus reveals Mister Monday and Grim Tuesday have been assassinated then Arthur is spirited away to a chessboard-like portion of the House where the Army battles the Piper to possession of the Fourth Key. Mistaken for one of the Piper's children, Arthur has his memory wiped and only begins to recall portions of his life months later.
     On Earth Leaf tries to find the Nithling impersonating Arthur. She discovers the hospital they were taken from to the Border Sea has been infected with a fungoid which allows the creature to read and control the minds and bodies of those infected. The hospital believes the fungus to be a biological weapon and sets up a quarantine.
     When Leaf is infected she manages to call Arthur's friend Suzy Q Turquoise for help, just before she is overtaken. Suzy escapes the House to aid Leaf, and returns to find Arthur. Arthur, with his memory slowly returning, is glad to see Suzy and it is with her aid he manages his final battle for the Will.
     Memory and identity play a significant role in Sir Thursday. Thursday is governed by the sin of wrath and finds wiping the Piper's Children's memories hinders their allegiance to the Piper. Arthur is less and less hesitant to become the Heir as he loses and regains his identity, and fights for justice. Adventure pervades Arthur's fourth foray into the House and he again finds his friends are his greatest asset. Readers of all ages can access the language and content of Sir Thursday.

Magnolia

Magnolia by Kristi Cook, 2014 Simon & Schuster

     In small-town Magnolia Branch Mississippi the Marsden and Cafferty families have been friends and neighbors since the American Civil War. They've been talking about uniting their families for generations. So when one family has a son and the other a daughter at the proper ages to marry, the families spend their entire lives throwing them together.
     Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden cannot stand each other. Jemma has spunk and Ryder always seems too good to be true. It doesn't help that at every turn their parents try to convince Jemma and Ryder into a relationship.
     When Jemma's older sister has an incident at school and both sets of parents go to her, Jemma and Ryder are left alone to deal with an approaching hurricane. When the road washes out the two teens huddle in Jemma's home fighting the elements, wild snakes, and their sudden attraction to each other.
     In a new take on the Romeo and Juliet story these not-so-star-crossed lovers go from hate to something much different. Magnolia is an example of contemporary young adult romance and appeals to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction.

StarCrossed

StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce, 2010 Arthur A. Levine

     In Llyvaraneth's capital city, Gerse, Digger is a young woman who's been working as a thief. After escaping the Convent of Celys she finds work as a thief. Her greatest enemies are the Greenmen -- guards at Celys's temple who have banned magic and scour the city to eliminate any trace. When a routine job goes horribly wrong, Digger loses everything she has: her partner and lover Tegen and any sense of safety.
     With only the scraps from that last job and a cursed tingling of magic Digger finds herself taking on the guise of Celyn Contrare aboard a boat of nobles (nobs). One of the young men introduces Celyn to his family and Digger becomes maid to Lady Merista Nemair.
     As Digger attempts her escape from any taint of the King's hunt for magic her luck does not last long--a family friend joins the Nemair in the winter home and discovers the young woman in the midst of stealing from him. Remy Daul blackmails the thief, hoping she will spy on her benefactors for his gain.
     Daul's treachery solidifies Digger's resolve to leave behind the life which has cost her so much, but can she escape. The sixteen-year-old finds herself at the heart of another rebellion when it appears so much of the world around her and of her life with the Nemair is artifice.
     Digger-as-Celyn is a talented thief with a sense of honor which compels her to find truth. Whether it is at her own behest or the convoluted direction of those attempting to use her skills for their benefit, Digger gets to the root of her search and uses her discoveries to advance her own beliefs. Readers who enjoy action and adventure will find Digger's journey interesting. Her story is more appropriate for mature readers in style and content.