Forever Doon

Forever Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon, 2016 Blink

     After fighting their way back to Doon after Addie sent them home Veronica and McKenna are again separated by the Portal. Vee is helping her people survive through Doon's bleak winter - brought on by the weak position Emily-cum-Addie's betrayal has put her in and Jamie's apparent execution.
     Kenna and Duncan have taken nearly a third of Doon's population into the modern world where they've camped in Alloway. The Witch of Doon destroyed the Bridge between worlds and Duncan has made it his mission to restore the Brig o' Doon to return home. The pair is struggling as Duncan fights the feeling of leaving his brother to an unknown fate and Kenna feels like she's his second choice, even after she's given up her whole world.
     In Doon, Veronica leads the remainder of her people as they hide from the witch and search for a way to bring those who have escaped home. The witch eats away at Doon and her people to create an undead army to hold the small kingdom against Vee and the rightful citizens.
     With a third of her people to trapped in the modern world, her best friend and oldest confidant separated from her by the veil protecting Doon, and Jamie, the love of her life, presumably dead Veronica battles her own misgivings. When they discover Jamie is alive Vee and her advisors plan his rescue. Jamie has his own concerns with his release and the abuse he suffered at the hands of Abigail, the witch of Doon.
     The pair work to create a team and guide their people despite the loss of over half of their supporters. When it appears all has been lost Veronica discovers the friendship she shares with McKenna is a calling - just as the relationships the girls have with the McCrae brothers - and she and McKenna can speak across the veil.
     Veronica's faith in her people, in herself, and the Protector grow as she goes through the challenges Addie throws at her and her followers. When it appears Doon may be lost forever Vee calls on her friend and those called to Doon to solve their problems.
     Developing her leadership skills and learning to trust the people around her, Veronica has changed form the insecure young woman into a queen worthy of her kingdom. Readers who enjoyed the first installments of the Doon Series will like this completion of Veronica and McKenna's story. With adventure, conflict and a touch of romance Forever Doon is aimed at teen readers.

Odin's Ravens

Odin's Ravens by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr, 2014 Little, Brown & Company

     Laurie, Matt, and Fen are traumatized by the loss of Baldwin - much like Baldur he was friendly and loved by all the young teens replacing long-dead gods, and seemingly everyone. The three friends travel into Hel's realm to rescue Baldwin.
     Their quest is hampered by Viking zombies, Hel the Goddess of the Dead, and various other monsters and creatures. The friends manage to escape Hel and continue on their quest to prevent Ragnarok.
     Laurie finds their quest begins to take a turn as she is gifted and her cousin Fen ignored. Again, Laurie meets Odin's representative, Owen. Owen has Odin's ability to see the future he isn't involved in and has avoided the main quest so he can help Matt, Laurie, Fen, and the rest of the descendants to stop Ragnarok.
     But Owen has been captured by the wulfenkind - Loki's wolf-descendants who are battling to cause the end of the world. Owen sends his tow ravens: Thought & Memory to be his eyes and ears in the world. To unite the descendants Laurie insists Matt and Fen help locate and rescue Owen.
     As Laurie's role appears to grow, despite his friendship with Matt, Fen begins to feel more and more left out. The young man distances himself from his closest friends.
     Saving Baldwin could change the scope of the battle, but it doesn't appear to have stopped the end of the world. As they stumble onward, the trio faces more difficulties and challenges building toward betrayal.
     Sequel to Loki's Wolves, Odin's Ravens picks up just after Baldwin's death. The story is swamped in Norse mythology and follows the thirteen-year-olds as they fight battles greater than they ever could have imagined. Readers who enjoyed Rick Riordan's Magnus Chase series will enjoy another take on the myths of Scandinavia; The Blackwell Pages trio is aimed at a similar reader-base.