The Book Jumper

The Book Jumper by Mechthild Gläser, 2017 Feiwel & Friends

     Amy Lennox and her mother, Alexis, leave their home in Germany after her mother's boyfriend dumps her, and Amy's so-called friends humiliate her. They escape to Stormsay--a small island off the Scottish coast. It is where Alexis grew up, and allows Amy to meet her grandmother. Amy is introduced to a special talent only the Lennox and MacAlister clans share. 

     Both families guard a massive library hidden under the island itself and act as protectors of the world of literature. Amy is a Reader who, along with Will and Betsey MacAlister, can jump into literature and affect the story as they move about the edges of the stories. 

     While exploring her chosen novel: The Jungle Book Amy notices something wrong in the book world. Someone is stealing key ideas from the great classics. Amy teams with Woeful Werner to explore and investigate the thefts. When Will's best friend, Sherlock Holmes, is found in the normal world murdered, Will refuses to jump back into books. He agrees to help Amy and Werner from outside literature, but they aren't making any progress. Amy convinces Will to return to the land of literature and their friendship grows stronger as they learn more and more. 

     Amy discovers some characters from a mysteriously missing, possibly destroyed, story have been closely entwined with both her family's and Will's family's history. When new characters are discovered and seem to be propelling the thefts of literary elements even close friends are suspect. 

     The Book Jumperhas elements fo the great classics and scenes of Alice in Wonderland, Metamorphosis, The Hounds of the Baskervilles, and various characters from across the literary spectrum. Amy discovers her past is much more complicated than she thought and her newfound ability to jump into stories is directly linked to those complications. 

     Gläser's novel is aimed at older teen readers, starring a seventeen-year-old dealing with typical teenaged anxiety and stresses in a novel manner. The Book Jumper is translated from German and followed by The Forgotten Book, also translated. 

Cybele's Secret

Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier, 2008 Knopf Books

     The beautiful daughters of a country scholar-merchant were trapped by circumstances in the Wildwood near their home. After breaking the spell-like circumstances forcing the girls to take solace with the Night People they return to the lives set before them. Paula is the fourth daughter and accompanies her father on a trip to Istanbul searching for an ancient pagan artifact.
     Her father believes it necessary for Paula to be accompanied by a bodyguard in the foreign city. Soyan is a young man of honor and feels that a trip he made while in the employ of her father's friend left him vulnerable and resulted in the man's death and Stoyan now feels he can repay the debt to her father by protecting Paula. Paula highers the overly-honest man to be her protector. She shares her mission in Istanbul with Stoyan who knows of the statue of Cybele through his work for her father's friend.
     Paula seeks the statue of an ancient goddess through new and influential friends in the city. The leading female scholar in Istanbul allows Paula to examine her library. Manuscripts lead the young woman to a secret society centered around Cybele (said Ke-beh-leh). The cult has already killed one member of the rare books community--Stoyan's previous employer, the friend Paula's father traveled to Istanbul to meet. The search for Cybele's statue becomes more and more dangerous as Paula discovers this mission isn't only a task from her father. Paula and the search for the Cybele statue are tied by a quest set by the Night People.
     When her new acquaintances prove to be more dangerous and untrustworthy than she expected Paula's father is threatened, and Paula and Stoyan try to stay a step ahead of Cybele's cult as they search for a statue to change the world.
     Young adult readers who enjoyed Wildwood Dancing and Anna of Byzantium will find similarities in Cybele's Secret. The Byzantine influence on European characters blends old-world with new-world mythology. The story of a goddess misunderstood and sought for multiple reasons will interest readers who enjoy strong female characters while the connection between Paula and Stoyan adds a romantic overtone for young adult and teen readers.

Lost Boy

Lost Boy by Chanda Hahn, 2017

   Peter returned Wendy to her adoptive family after she panned and forgot everything - their adventures, her family, even the nightmare of Neverland. After her third death, Wendy is terrified fo this world without memories.
     She relies on her brother John and their parents to remind her of the basics. But Wendy dreams of a green-eyed boy and flying. She meets the boy when things go seriously wrong at school and she ends up on a date with the playboy football player.
     Jeremy is insistent that Wendy go on a date with him and Wendy convinces John to double with them, along with his new friend Isabelle. At the movies, Peter shows up and things start to get freaky. First Jeremy won't respect Wendy's boundaries, then Peter and he get into it, finally when she's had enough and leaves the theater the shadows follow Wendy and kidnap Jeremy.
     Even though she doesn't like him, neither Wendy nor Peter is willing to just let Jeremy be taken to an unknown fate. Both try to rescue the football player and Wendy discovers an affinity for the shadows has its own offensive abilities.
     Neverland and Hook's Red Skulls put pressure on the Lost Boys and endanger Wendy's normal family. This pushes her back into the Lost Boys' hidey-hole where they're delighted in their rediscovered sister. When Neverland and its spies follow them home, Peter and the boys are lucky to escape with their lives.

     When Wendy is in danger of internal betrayal Peter risks his life to save her from capture. He is caught and only kept alive by the Red Skulls' technology. Peter catches a glimpse of what the lost boys will face before Hook allows one of his new recruits, Jeremy, revenge. 

     When Peter's shadow reappears Wendy knows Peter has panned again and hopes she can help the boys escape. In the second tale of Neverwood, the survivors flee and stakes grow even more dire. Readers who enjoy the traditional romance will follow the teen angst and drama of Wendy and Peter's story as they find and lose each other again. 

Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels

Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels by Helene Boudreau, 2013 Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

     Jade Baxter and her best friend have managed to save the tide pool where mers can transition into human form. Cori is officially dating Luke's brother, Trey, and Jade is officially dating Luke. The friends are enjoying typical high school exploits and looking forward to the Fall Formal.
     Except, Jade is terrified of the dance: she's got two left fins. The formal becomes the smaller of her problems when the Mer Council orders all Webbed Ones back into the ocean. Jade finally got her mom back and she certainly isn't willing to let her boyfriend go back into the ocean.
     The friends are busy with their school work: Cori has an internship, Luke and Trey have work and water polo, and Jade has joined the underwater hockey team. To top it all off, Selena has been enrolled as a foreign exchange student at her school - and Jade is not keen on playing tour guide to the mer-girl.
     Jade tries to prepare for Mer-mageddon all while trying to prevent the building underwater war and trying to find the perfect dress for the dance. When they can't keep the Webbed Ones out of the water Cori, Trey, Jade, and their human adult supervision take to the water. Following the "call" back to the Mer Council leads Jade to new secrets and challenges. If the fourteen-year-old can prevent civil war in the mer-world, finding a good dress and learning to dance should be a cake walk.
     The Real Mermaid series is aimed at middle grade and younger teen readers. The girls experience budding romantic relationships with all the emotional ups and downs in a clean romance. This is the third of four novels featuring Jade and her friends.

Cruel Beauty

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge, 2014 Balzer + Bray

     Nyx was raised to avenge her mother's death and end the demonic reign of the Gentle Lord. Legend has it that when Arcadia's ruling family displeased the Gentle Lord he came with the demons of Tartarus and ripped their island country from the world.
     As the daughter of the manor, Nyx has a privileged place in society. She has grown knowing in order for Arcadia to escape the demon lord's cruel rule she must destroy him. And Nyx is in a unique position to end the curs on her homeland.
     Nyx's father made a bargain with the Gentle Lord when his wife, the love of his life, cannot have children and falls into a depression which will cause her death if they cannot find a solution. The Gentle Lord gives Thisbe twin daughters, but in exchange one of the girls must marry him when she turns seventeen.
     The chosen daughter, Nyx has known since she was a  child that she would marry the Gentle Lord and her sister would remain to live out her life as she chose. She resents her younger sister and the family which has never appeared to love her. Nyx absorbed magic and love with the hope she will avenge her mother's death and her country's isolation at the hands of the demon lord.
     But when Nyx meets her new husband he and his magical prison are not what they seem. The demon lord lists several rules for their interactions, and Nyx learns while she has been taught much about the Gentle Lord the people of Arcadia don't know everything and don't have half of his history correct. As she searches for ways to end the hold over their island Nyx grows to appreciate the demon lord's honesty and appreciation of her, and even grows to love him.
     When the chance comes to save all of Acadia by betraying the cultivated relationship with the demon lord or to realize her dream of finding someone to love Nyx finds the choice on of the most difficult of her life.
     This is a tale of magic and deception, of appearances reflecting expectation rather than the reality, and of learning to look past expectations to find the truth. Nyx discovers that sometimes doing the wrong thing can be the right thing to do. Older teens and young adult readers will enjoy the moral shades of this tale. 

Princess of Glass

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George, 2010 Bloomsbury

      After their curse is broken the princesses of Westfalin are sent as diplomatic emissaries around the known world. The king hopes his daughters will learn from the nations surrounding their small country and possibly they will help provide political restitution for the loss of so many high-ranking young men.

     Princess Poppy is sent to her mother's homeland Breton. Life with the Seadown family, cousins of her late mother, is comfortable despite their attempts to find her a suitable husband. The daughter of the house, Marianne, introduces Poppy to several of her friends including Roger and Dickon Thwaite and the visiting Prince Christian. Marianne and Dickon seem to be all but engaged. Poppy finds Roger to be an agreeable companion if distracted by a childhood love, but it is Christian with whom she develops an affinity. 

     The friendships carry Poppy through missing her sisters, but when the men of her acquaintance become enamored of a mysterious "Lady Ella" Poppy smells a rat, or rather the magic of the dark. The women become unnaturally enraged at Ella's appearance--also uncharacteristic of both Marianne and her mother. Poppy finds her experience with dark and dangerous magic makes her the most qualified to discover what happened to all common sense in Breton.

     Roger Thwaite had experience with dark magic in the East and is a quick ally when Poppy requires a level head. He notices a familiar face among the Seadowns' servants. Poppy ties links between Eleanor's strange comings and goings and her fascination with Prince Christian. The friends dig deeper trying to discover the source of the problems. 

     Poppy and Roger discover Eleanor is Lady Ella and the mysterious benefactor who made it all possible is an ancient and dangerous supernatural being. The main cast strips up to challenge the witch when her magic tries to take Eleanor's life and Christian's freedom. Poppy fights to survive another monster's captivity. 

     Middle school and younger teen readers will find this sequel to The Midnight Ball an enjoyable blend of Cinderella with modern trappings. Princess of Glass is followed by Princess of the Silver Wood concluding the Princesses of Westfalin trilogy. 

The Great Pursuit

The Great Pursuit by Wendy Higgins, 2017 HarperTeen

     Mere days after the Hunt and the contest for princess Aerity's hand is won by the Northlander and Paxton has left Lochlanach a new monster appears. The King is without resources to manage this new threat as the previous hunt has depleted not only his army but his coffers and the people's faith in their monarchy. Aerity refuses to allow her sister to offer the reward she so recently offered her kingdom.
     Vixie is furious that her family will not let her sacrifice herself to the kingdom's needs, but when news comes the Lachlanach isn't the only kingdom facing the beast Vixie and Paxton's younger brother, Tiern Seabolt, band together to help find a solution.
     Aerity goes searching for Paxton Seabolt hoping to find closure with the young man before her wedding to the Northland's Lord Alvi. With Harrison's help, they find Paxton has joined Rosaria Rocato's army and is secretly planning to sabotage her plan - Rasaria is at the center of all the chaos plaguing Eurona.
     With Paxton's information, Aerity and Harrison return to Lochlanach to discover Tiern and Vixie following them after the King and Queen are kidnapped. Aerity returns home to find Leif has maintained stability in her absence, but her country is beginning to flounder. Those who Lochlanach believed were allies wage war openly on the side of Rozaria Rocato and Aerity must make the decisions which will save or doom her kingdom.
     Paxton returns and on his heels is active warfare across Lochlanach and even more beasts ravaging the continent. The heir apparent fights enemies on all sides and her own misgivings to become the leader her people need. In the conclusion to her story, Aerity finds her strength, her place in life, and her place in her kingdom.
     The Great Pursuit concludes Eurona's tale and Aerity's quest for purpose, following closely behind The Great Hunt. The series has its own mature content and significant violence as Rocato's rebellion breaks across the continent.

A Perfect Blood

A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison, 2012 HarperVoyager

     After Ku'Sox was banished into the Ever After, life slowly finds a new normal for Rachel Morgan. The magical community removes her Shunning and she manages to stay afloat Running for both private entities and the FIB. She has, however, been declared dead by the government because of her changed status as a demon. She has no legal status as a demon, which creates just as many problems as Ku'Sox's defeat solved.
     While Trent and his army of lawyers work to grant Rachel her rights the government holds her citizenship hostage in exchange for a list of demon curses. Rachel meets the living vampire Nina who channels Felix, an ancient undead vampire who tries to keep his identity under wraps. Felix-in-Nina brings Rachel to a crime scene: the terrorist organization Humans Against Paranormals Assoc. appears to be killing witches in grotesquely public ways.
     The murders appear done by demons and Inderland Security wants to contain the investigation. Rachel calls in the FIB, wrenching jurisdiction away from the IS and their ability to pin her down as scapegoat. Though she was forced into the investigation, Rachel, Ivy, Jenks, and their friends battle to find HAPA and stop them before someone else gets hurt.
     Rachel worries that HAPA is attempting to turn witches into demons and use their blood. When Ivy does some background work on the victims the team discovers all three witches killed were carriers of the Rosewood Syndrome--the disease which Rachel survived and making her a demon.
     The search for HAPA and their genetic manipulations heats up until Rachel is attacked and her survival is linked to that of HAPA's latest victim. With her maverick style and no-holds-barred persistence, Rachel is the best chance of catching a terrorist organization while under the scrutiny of two corrupt law enforcement agencies. With her signature passion and verve Rachel searches for a solution.

The Silent Songbird

The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson, 2016 Thomas Nelson Publishers

     As the king's ward and cousin, Evangeline has lived a privileged life of luxury. She sings for the king's pleasure yet dreams of a life beyond the castle walls. When Richard II betroths his cousin to his closest advisor, Lord Shively, Evangeline can no longer stand for the life laid out for her. 
     Eva and her maid run away and hide among servants returning from the king's castle. Evangeline pretends to be mute, but regrets her deception as she grows closer to Westley leWyse, who she learns isn't just the servants' leader, but the son and heir of their lord. 
    The fleeing women take positions in the le Wyse household, but it soon becomes clear that Eva has no experience with the labor expected of a servant. When Westley discovers the pretty girl can read he helps her find a place in the household. His obvious favor does not make Eva friends among the servants or the daughters of the freemen. And their growing friendship tests the boundaries of propriety. 
     Lady le Wyse is concerned her son has fallen for an unsuitable young lady despite Westley's firm insistence that the two are only friends and will never be more. Though fond of the clever young woman, the lady wants the best for her son and believes there's much more to Eva than meets the eye. 
     When news of the king's missing ward reaches the le Wyse household Eva knows she must tell the truth. Her relationship with Westley sours when he is blindsided by her identity and the nebulous anxiety about Lord Shively reveals itself as something more sinister. 

     Returning to England and the setting of her second Hagenheim story, Glynval, Dickerson weaves the expectations of medieval life with political intrigue to create this new installment of the Hagenheim series. 

Lost Girl

Lost Girl by Chanda Hahn, 2016

     At ten years old Wendy and her friends were held by the Neverland corporation. Neverland has plans for the children they've been testing on, but Wendy is terrified of the shadows she sees. The quasi-government company which runs Neverland decides to restart the program and terminates the subjects.
     Dr. Barrie manages to sneak several of the boys out, but Wendy is the only girl who escapes. As they flee the island the military unit which acts as security chases the fleeing yacht. Wendy and her best friend nearly make it out until the Red Skulls catch up. Her friend is shot and Wendy falls from the boat. The boy nearly dies but assumes the girl has died.
     Seven years later Wendy has been adopted by a good family who has tried to help with her nightmares and visions. Wendy enjoys her life until the shadows begin to invade and take people. The Red Skulls appear - but she has no memory why the group causes her terror and nightmares. The group who seems to be battling the Red Skulls and shadow monsters are let by a young man named Peter.
     Despite her inexplicable terror of mere shadows, Wendy is drawn to Peter. She discovers the young men who make up Peter's group have new and extraordinary abilities. Peter leads his Los Boys and helps them evade Neverland and the danger it still poses. The boys discover Neverland has some sinister plans and continues to search for the missing children. The shadows and Red Skulls' activity take a turn which Peter, his best friend Tink, and the rest of the Lost Boys cannot explain.
     Wendy escapes her family when they try to send her to an asylum for her escalating nightmares and visions. She meets up with the Lost Boys as they work to solve the mystery of why the shadows have changed their pattern and what the Red Skulls and Neverland have planned. In a twist, Peter discovers his new friend in Wendy is the friend he thought he lost so many years before.
     The story of Neverland and the children's escape leads to the question of how far is too far in genetic modification. Neverland experimented on the children and Dr. Barrie helped them to create identities and a haven farm from the company's manipulation of a quasi-government research facility.
     Lost Girl is the story of a young woman trying to find her place in the world, influenced but not informed by her past. Teens will enjoy this spin on the Peter Pan tale with action, adventure, magic, and a touch of romance.

The Mark of the Dragonfly

The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaliegh Johnson, 2014 Scholastic

     Nearly a year ago Piper's father died from factory smoke poisoning. Since then she has harbored deep-seated anger for the Dragonfly King and her own King of the Merrow Kingdom. The two countries battle over iron - Merrow to build weapons, the southern kingdom to build exploratory ships to spread over Solace. But Piper's life in the far north revolved around those things which fall to the ground from other worlds.
     Piper grew up in Scrap Town 16 and is the best machinist there. Her neighbors bring the thirteen-year-old their broken finds and she fixes them. When her friend Michah risks the storm to salvage some of the best scrap available Piper follows and witnesses a caravan being destroyed. In the caravan, she finds a lifeless girl with the mark of the Dragonfly King's protection.
     The girl could be Piper's last chance to escape the scrap town. She helps Anna escape the man following her by jumping the 401, a train which travels the reaches fo both the Merrow and Dragonfly Territories. On the train, Piper learns more about Anna and her strange tendency to remember everything. Grudgingly the girls become more like sisters than friends.
     When they discover the man chasing Anna is a powerful and dangerous enemy Piper must challenge her tendency toward secrecy to trust the crew of the 401. Jeyne Steel, her fireman, and Gee unite to help the girls discover the secrets behind Anna's amnesia.
     This steampunk adventure has touches of romance, danger, and fantasy as Piper learns to find her place and to find a home. Older elementary and middle school readers will enjoy the imaginative adventure across Solace.

Daughter of the Pirate King

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller, 2017 Feiwel and Friends

     Pirates battle with her crew and kidnap Captain Alosa from her ship. Alosa is the seventeen-year-old captain of a specialized ship with trawls the ocean plundering and pillaging for her father, the Pirate King. This ship is special though and the crew is not Alosa's own, nor is her capture accidental.
     The Pirate King has heard about a legendary treasure map part of it hidden somewhere about the enemy ship Nightfarer and he sends his daughter to retrieve it. The crew of the Nightfarer has no idea what they face in the king's daughter, but the first mate is far too observant for Alosa's liking. Riden is also distractingly attractive and tasked with getting any and all information he can from the pirate princess for his captain.
     Alosa and Riden are pitted against each other in a flirtatious battle of wills and skills. As her timeframe becomes more restricted and her cat-and-mouse dance with Riden becomes about more than secrets and politics Alosa is pitched into the struggler her father fights against rebel pirates.
     Riden isn't above using their mutual attraction against Alosa but the girl has secrets of her own to keep. Alosa is in turns snarky and sassy with the crew and Draxen, Riden's brother and captain, as her search for the map is continually thwarted. Draxen is domineering and expectant of favors Alosa refuses to allow.
     Riden discovers something magical about their captive when he impinges on her search for the missing map piece--something which signals danger to the seafarer. But Alosa's secret siren abilities save them when a third player interrupts Alosa's quest for the map and takes her hostage to learn more about the Pirate King's secret weapon.
     Life as the daughter of the Pirate King is not the typical life of a princess, but it makes Alosa a powerful young woman and a likable character. As she fights to succeed in her mission she finds romance with her captor as she discovers his humanity and clings to her own when her siren nature tries to pull her from herself.
     Daughter of the Pirate King is followed by Daughter of the Siren Queen as Alosa's adventures continue. Levenseller's debut novel introduces a truly human young woman dealing with normal issues in a magical and fantastical setting. Violence and danger pervade this adventure meant for young adult readers.

The Great Hunt

The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins, 2016 HarperCollins

     Princess Aerity and her water-bound kingdom are terrorized by a monster which seems to be undefeatable. The monster has killed dozens of good people, always men who would defend their people against the beast.
     The king has exhausted his resources and his last resort is to offer the eldest princess's hand in marriage. Aerity has always dreamed of marrying for love. Since her cousin and best friend's fiancee was killed by the beast Aerity wants to do anything she can to help her cousin and her people; she knows the promise of her hand will bring the ablest hunters in their world.
     Dozens of hunters appear to battle the beast. After several encounters, the ranks are decimated and only a few hunters remain - their comrades either killed or fled the creature's rampage. Aerity meets the hunters who remain: some from her own country, some from the Northlands of Eurona, and the legendary women-warriors from the southern deserts. Though the lord from the Northlands, Leif Alvi, appears to be a good political choice, Aerity is fascinated by the local boy Paxton Seabolt.
     Paxton and his younger brother joined the hunt hoping to survive and rid the kingdom of its menace. But the Seabolt boys find the two princesses fascinating and, despite Paxton's efforts, develop deeper relationships with both Aerity and Vixie.
     The hunters are narrowed to fewer and fewer contenders as traditional techniques fail to secure the nation's safety. Paxton and Lord Alvi take the lead in the hunt for the creature, though each is hiding their own secrets.
     At counterpoint to Aerity's dilemma is entertaining the men vying for her hand, a mysterious woman wanders the land stirring up dissent. Some of Eurona's citizens can practice magic -- but their ability and magic use are revealed by streaks of purple under their nails. They are the lashed - named for the dark lashings under their nails. Rozaria Rocato is the granddaughter of the great rebel Rocato who encouraged the lashed to rise against Eurona's monarchies to rule their world and the resulting fear drove the lashed to be persecuted.
     As the monster picks off the armies of Lochlanach, Rozaria's lashed turn the people against each other and bring the nation to the brink of civil war.
     Aerity knows her country demands more from her than she thought would be necessary, but the hope of a romantic marriage still beckons as long as Paxton is in the hunt. When disaster strikes Aerity's choice is made for her and the question becomes who will survive through the monster's defeat.
     Followed by The Great Pursuit, The Great Hunt takes on the traditional hunt's characteristics. The princess is sacrificed for the good fo the kingdom and the beast is not the only monster roaming Lochlanoch. Teens will enjoy this first installment of Higgin's romance.

Beware Princess Elizabeth

Beware Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer, 2001 Houghton Mifflin for Young Readers

     Young Elizabeth has been outcast from court since her mother's execution. When her father dies it takes three days for Elizabeth Tudor to learn of her brother's ascension. Along with her brother Edward, Elizabeth travels to London where she is met by her father's sixth wife, Catherine.
     After the funeral and coronation, Catherine invites the princess and her governess to stay at her house in London. Elizabeth is enamored of her stepmother and happy to have some status in the household. Joining Catherine's house is also Thomas Seymour - the new king's uncle. Elizabeth and her governess Kat notice something between the dowager queen and the king's advisor. The word around the court is that they are lovers.
     But Catherine indicates Thomas Seymour is interested in an alliance with the young princess when she becomes of marriageable age. Kat encourages the romance and Elizabeth is stunned when the arrangement is superseded by a secret marriage between Catherine and her stepson's guardian. Thomas Seymour is at the center of a plot against the throne and is punished accordingly.
    When young King Edward VII falls prey to childhood illness Elizabeth's older half-sister, Mary, becomes queen. Mary is vindictive and seeks to purge the nation of Protestantism, blaming it for the breakdown and destruction of her family. The nation finds hope in its young princess and Mary is threatened by Elizabeth's supporters, she takes steps to prevent outright revolt.
     Beware, Princess Elizabeth is a dramatic telling of real events in Queen Elizabeth I's childhood. Meyer paints a picture of one of England's beloved monarchs for young readers - a picture which fills history's gaps. This tale is intended for middle-grade readers and glosses some of the more sensitive realities of Elizabeth's young life.

I Capture the Castle

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, 1948 Wyatt Books

     At seventeen-years-old Miss Cassandra Mortmain lives in an old castle with her penniless family. Cassandra has dreams of becoming a writer like her famous father; in her journals, she attempts to develop her own voice. Throughout the six months chronicles, the Mortmain household in rural Suffolk weathers several significant changes.
     Cassandra’s family includes her father: a famous author, her stepmother Topaz who is an artist’s model and muse, Cassandra’s older sister Rose is a ‘true beauty’ at twenty-one, her younger brother is still in the schoolroom and unreasonably bright, and their adopted live-in servant Stephen Who is unbelievably in love with Cassandra and has lived with the family since his mother’s death.
     In a reflection of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice the manor house which owns the Mortmain castle finds new ownership and occupants. The charming Americans who take up residence are compelling and fascinate the two girls. Rose sets her cap at the elder brother and thus begins the great drama.
   When it appears the elder brother has fallen for the beautiful Rose, Cassandra spends more and more time with the charming young men. She is fascinated by the new music and stories he shares and begins to fall for the older brother. The man then proposes to Rose. Cassandra is enamored of her sister's fiance and takes every chance she can to spend time with him.
     The younger Mortmain sister doesn't begrudge her beautiful sister the man's attention, only wishes for a love of her own. Rose's life and future occupy much of Cassandra's journal as she reflects on the ever-changing dynamic of their family as Rose's prospects change.
     Cassandra grows from an impressionable young girl to a young woman as she navigates relationships new and old. She learns more about herself and the members of her family through the Mortmain family's changing circumstances. Teen readers and those who enjoy traditional British wit will find Cassandra's observations amusing and sometimes refreshingly pointed.

Shadow Cadets of the Pennyroyal Academy

Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy by M. A. Larson, 2016 Putnam's Sons

     Evie is on summer break after her first year at Pennyroyal Academy and has been advanced to cadet second-class. At home with her dragon family, Evie feels her difference and is missing her friends. After a particularly difficult day, Evie decides to leave for school early and treks across the continent to see Demetra.
     Along the way a kindly innkeeper and his wife take Evie in and shower her in praise for the work in defeating the countess Hardcastle. Evie is uncomfortable with her new fame but when the innkeeper's wife is murdered by Princesses Evie discovers there's still more of the human world she is ignorant of. She flees and hurries to Demetra's home.
     Demetra enlists the help of their friend Anissette and the local Princess, her older sister, to discover who the murderous princesses could be. The resounding response is that they must be witches, and something about it continues to bother Evie.
     She is distracted as they return to the Academy. The news of what happened the year before has spread and hundreds of girls flocked to the academy hoping to become famous like Evie. With so many third-class princess cadets the first and second-class cadets are expected to supplement the staff. Evie and her friends find themselves in the kitchens. In addition to helping cook and serve meals, the cadets are thrust into further training.
     Though she's handed off the mystery of the evil princess
es to authorities better suited to investigation, Evie cannot let the mystery go. When the witches and Shadow Cadets are both searching for Cinderella the fight comes to Pennyroyal Academy once again. The headmistress doesn't seem to believe the results of Evie and her friends' investigation.
     She goes outside the usual plan of action and their quest to save Cinderella ends with help from an unexpected source.
     Evie is still uncomfortable with the prophecy which claims she is the Warrior Princess destined to save them all from witches. She only wants to become the best she can be, enjoy her time with her friends, and learn a little more about being human. Events conspire to draw Evie constantly into the spotlight, no matter how hard she tries to escape.
     Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy continues the story of a girl raised by dragons and trained to defend the powerless against witches. Themes of friendship, honor, kindness, and following what you know is right about in this journey. Evie is still discovering who she is and where she is going - a journey young readers can understand posed against the fight between personal wants and external expectations.

Illusionarium

Illusionarium by Heather Dixon, 2015 Harper Collins

     In the far northern reaches of Arthurise - a London-based derivative world - sixteen-year-old Jonathan Gouden is faced with a mysterious plague killing the country's women. The country's top medical researcher, Lady Florel, appears to have gone mad through an overuse of a new drug called fantillium.
     The king directs Jonathan's father, and Jonathan as his apprentice, to use fantillium to research a cure for the plague and save the queen. Jonathan and his father discover the drug allows Illusionists to create real-world hallucinations which affect the reality of anyone who is under the drug's influence, while most drug users can only create projections visible to those high on the drug.
     Jonathan and his father work to find a cure, but the task seems impossible, even with the fantillium's ability to speed up time. When the plague attacks Jonathan's mother and sister he turns to Lady Florel and her research for help. But Lady Florel is only interested in the parallel universe where she rules supreme and bringing Illusionists from Arthursie to that alternate world.
     In Nod'ol Lady Florel resides over games in the Illusionarium. Jonathan is drawn into the parallel world and forced to compete--if he succeeds he will receive the cure for his family and kingdom, failure will mean repeated, painful, illusionary death. Jonathan must learn to control his talent to entertain the audience and receive the cure.
     Jonathan meets the other contestants and discovers there's more to the games and to the other competitors than Lady Florel let on. When the fate of both worlds hangs on the result of the contest Jonathan discovers there's more to his skill than he believed. To get home to his family and where he belongs, Jonathan is prepared to literally bend the world.
     The battle of the Illusionarium tears through Nod'ol. Jonathan's adventure leads him to appreciate how choices can change the course of one's life.
     Readers who enjoy fast-paced action-fantasy will enjoy this trip across dimensional boundaries into a steampunk-fueled quest. Through vivid description, Jonathan's adventure may contain mature content suited for older teen readers.

Lion Heart

Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen, 2014 Bloomsbury

     After the events of Lady Thief, Scarlet is aware of her elevated parentage and has been captured by her uncle, Prince John. She is Lady Marian and has been kept from the protection of her grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine. King Richard was captured by the Holy Roman Emperor and all of England scrambles to raise the ransom.
     Scarlet escapes her uncle's prison only to be trapped between the expectations of her grandmother the queen and the desires of her heart and her love for Rob. She begs her friends to keep her escape from the man she loves so he will stay safe at Nottingham and away from her. While Prince John searches for Richard's wayward bastard, Scarlet is busy trying to help Eleanor raise funds for her father's ransom.
     When Scarlet's past gives her the skills to be the queen's emissary, and her present gives her the knowledge to defend herself and companions against unknown enemies, she begins to suspect Prince John has more stake in keeping his brother imprisoned than he admits. And it appears John has a plan to keep the status quo.
     Scarlet's fears are founded when Robin does learn of her freedom: the man refuses to leave her side. Robin has achieved his life's dream by surrendering Scarlet to the punishment of taking the blame when Prince John ordered her unwanted husband, Guy of Gisborne, killed. As lord and Sherrif of Nottingham Rob could lose everything again if, and when, the prince discovers his part in Scarlet's continued evasion.
     The nation cannot survive much more dissent between Prince John and those loyal to King Richard, so Scarlet decides to speed the process along. When a plot involving French mercenaries and the king's ransom comes to light the young woman hatches a plot of her own to show the true colors of all involved and bring justice to the lawless and kingless England.
     Nestled into the story of crusading England this take on the legend of Robin Hood and his Merry Men is action-packed and gives Maid Marian a new spin. Though laced with graphic violence Gaughen manages to create a tale, over the course of the trilogy, which will entrance and entertain readers who enjoy historical fiction. Lion Heart is written for older teen and young adult readers.

Stolen Magic

Stolen Magic by Gail Carson Levine, 2015 HarperCollins

     Elodie continues her apprenticeship with the dragon Masteress Meenore. In an effort to expand Lodie's education Meenore and the Ogre, Duke Jonty Um, travel to the outer reaches of the kingdom and stop at Lodie's home in Lahnt.
     On Lahnt Lodie discovers that the magic Replica, which holds the island together, is missing from its magical base. Legend holds that if the Replica of Lahnt is removed from its base the island's seven peaks will explode for being torn apart. In the midst of a spring snowstorm Lodie, Meenore, and Count Jonty Um are trapped in the shrine which hosts the Replica.
     Lodie and Meenore investigate the missing Replica as the island begins to prove legend true. When the peaks begin to erupt the Count cannot stand idle and uses his ability to shift shapes to save citizens of Lahnt.
     Lodie stretches her investigative wings as Meenore releases the search for the Replica into her hands. Lodie enjoys her work but faces dissent from her family and the other people of Lahnt. The people worry Lodie is being taken advantage of by the dragon and are concerned the girl is spending too much time with the ogre.
     When the island is nearly torn apart and Lodie is given the chance to return with her Masteress or to rejoin her family. Her dreams of becoming a professional mansioner become a possibility, but at what cost?
     Middle-grade readers will enjoy the light-hearted mystery with a touch of adventure. Though a sequel Stolen Magic can be read stand-alone.

Thor's Serpents

Thor's Serpents by K.L. Armstrong & M.A. Marr, 2015 Little, Brown & Company

     After Owen and his berserkers join the Blackwell kids and their collected demigods the group has a harder time hiding from Mayor Thorsen and the forces trying to bring about Ragnarok. Fen is tricked into taking control fo the wulfenkind pack he's been avoiding joining for years and becomes Loki's representative leading the monsters of Ragnarok.
     Laurie is stunned by her cousin's betrayal and even angrier when Owen saw it coming but didn't tell her. With Matt, Baldwin, Owen, and the twins, Laurie doesn't have time to resolve her feelings before another bombshell drops: Astrid is the Midgard Serpent.
     Matt is already worried about battling the Great Serpent when he discovers he'll have to fight a girl. That the girl is the one who killed Baldwin doesn't help matters. But Astrid doesn't want to fight Matt either, and she has a plan.
     But rules are rules and - although no one knows the rules - when rules are broken the game is changed, along with all the plans the children have made. When the final battle comes Fen, Laurie, Matt and their new friends fight against the end of the world as they know it.
     Thor's Serpents is the final book in the Blackwell Pages Trilogy. The young teens have worries bigger than starting school in September. The fate of the world rests on their shoulders and the young teens learn the value of trust, friendship, and believing in themselves.

Pennyroyal Academy

Pennyroyal Academy by M. A. Larson, 2014 G.P. Putnam's Sons Publishing

   From the north, a young girl battles her way through enchanted forests and barren landscapes for a chance to become a legendary princess at Pennyroyal Academy. Pennyroyal has a reputation for building and training knights and princesses of note to fight the great dangers of the day: dragons and witches. But with fewer and fewer candidates of noble blood, they've opened the doors to common-born candidates for the first time. The girl without a name becomes "Eleven", though her new friends christen her Evie.
     Evie is running from something, but she doesn't want to reveal too much to the people around her. The child was raised by dragons and believed herself to be one until she couldn't master the art of flight. This is her chance to start anew.
     At the academy under the care of the steely Fairy Drill Seargent Evie, Demetra, Basil, Maggie and the rest of their candidate class undergo rigorous training to build the core traits of courage, Compassion, Kindness, and Discipline in their quest to become fully-fledged Pennyroyal Princesses. Along the way the usual conflicts between classmates, bullying, pre-teen crushes, and the knowledge that they are at war plague the cadets. Evie discovers that being human may be even more difficult than becoming and being a Princess.
     Pennyroyal Academy is set in the world of Grimm's fairytales and draws on the stories of classic princesses as history. It deals with some mature content - consent and the boundary of humanity in war, in a format more easily accessible to younger readers. With rampant violence (they are training to kill witches and dragons) parents may want to preview the story before offering it to younger readers.

Pale Demon

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison, 2011 Harper Voyager

     After the Coven agreed to grant her immunity for the black magic she'd used, Rachel Morgan, independent runner, spunky smart-ass, and day-walking demon, leaves Cincinnati to attend her formal pardon at the annual witches' meeting in San Francisco. She ends up ferrying Trent Kalamack, and her roommates Ivy and Jenks across the country in her mother's Buick.
     In St. Louis Trent releases the genetically engineered demon Ku'Sox from his prison. Like Rachel, Ku'Sox is a day-walking demon, but unlike Rachel he has no soul. Ku'Sox creates trouble along the way and very nearly kills Rachel. He was intended to be the bridge between witches and demons, but went crazy and was trapped magically and physically under the St. Louis Arch. Ku'Sox follows Rachel and her carload West to the Witches' Convention creating havoc.
     Rachel insists on believing the Coven will keep their promise, despite Ivy, Jenks, and Trent telling her otherwise. When she picks up the Coven's spy and the menagerie makes it to San Francisco Ku'Sox continues to cause problems for Rachel. Trent disappears on some Elven quest and all hell breaks loose.
     Despite everything the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards has done to show Rachel they have no intention of upholding their deal when they can kill her, Rachel believes they will. When the Coven requires her aid to survive they have no choice but to agree to her terms. Rachel continues to battle internally with what it means to be a demon and whether she can remain a good person while still protecting her friends, family, and society as she knows it.
     Readers will enjoy the fast-paced action of Pale Demon along with its dose of inappropriate humor, uneasy friendships, and unexpected romance, all shoved into a Buick traveling from Cincinnati to San Francisco.

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer, 2008 Little, Brown & Company

     After their wedding, Bella and Edward Cullen spend their honeymoon on the Brazillian island Carlisle bought Esme. Two weeks in Bella realizes she's carrying her husband's half-vampire child, and the pregnancy is definitely not normal.
     The pregnancy is progressing unnaturally quickly, Bella's life. Jacob Black returns thinking Bella was turned vampire. He begs Bella to save herself and abort the fetus. Bella refuses and when the wolves come calling to prevent the child's birth Jacob breaks from the pack and becomes alpha of his own splinter.
     The half-vampire baby demands that Bella drink blood and she slowly gets better while Jacob's small pack guards the Cullens. The family has no idea when the baby is due, and Carlisle is out when Bella falls inducing labor. Bella nearly dies in labor and Edward changes her into a vampire.
     Jacob fears Bella has died and, blaming the baby, tries to kill Renesmee. Jacob discovers the quickly growing infant is his soulmate when he imprints on her. The Volturi return when Renesmee is thought to be an Immortal Child. The bond between Jacob and Renesmee creates a truce much stronger than the original pact and the werewolves stand by the Cullens against the Volturi.
     In a dramatic conclusion to the series, Bella and Edward have concluded their dancing around each other. The family grows and is challenged as their influence grows. The story is easily accessible to readers of all ages, though New Moon has content inappropriate for younger readers.

Fate Is Remarkable

Fate is Remarkable by Betty Neels, 1970 Harlequin

     Sara Dunn is Sister in a London hospital. She works well with consulting Doctor Hugo van Elven in Outpatients. The doctor is a handsome man, rumored to be mourning an old flame and Sara is focused on her career and the young surgical registrar she's been seeing. When one of their respiratory patients and her cat need caring for after surgery and in her few remaining weeks the doctor uses the opportunity to orchestrate time with the pretty young nurse.
     Sarah is seeing the surgical registrar, Steven, who has a big announcement, however, it isn't what Sarah expects. When Steven announces his engagement to the daughter of a surgical consultant, Doctor van Elven attempts to distract Sarah from the breakup. She is more than happy to help their patient redecorate for her remaining time.
     The doctor continues to woo Sister Sarah as he continues to fall in love with her. When he proposes he cites mutual liking but Sarah challenges a marriage without love. She agrees to the pairing but questions whether the doctor is still caught on his former flame crowd in on her happiness.
     Hugo and Sarah develop a life together without the traditional romance. The more she learns about her new husband the more Sarah years for the spark. When his former girlfriend shows up, Sarah realizes just her deep her feelings run, and how far she is willing to go to make him happy.
     Sarah and Hugo get their happy ending in true Betty Neels form. Some bumps along the way make the journey worth the wait. Though Sarah and Hugo deal with loss and some tense situations, Fate is Remarkable is a good read for younger readers and an enjoyable romance for any age.

The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre

The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, 2017 Harper

     The Lakti people fled their homeland in Old Lakti when monsters like dragons, gryphons, spectres, and ogres invaded and began to destroy the kingdom. They fled North into Bamarre where the people accepted them and sheltered them. The fairies prevented the monsters from following the fleeing Lakti people and they were safe. In New Lakti the warrior people took advantage of the kindness provided by their Bamarre hosts and conquered the land, making the Bamarre people into second-class citizens and servants.
    Peregrine is taken from her Bamarre family as a small infant and raised among the Lakti as a lady. She learns their war-like ways and how to withstand discomfort. She grows her entire life believing she is Lakti, but on the eve of joining her adopted father in battle, Perry learns from the fairy Halina that she isn't who she thought. She is Bamarre.
   Halina gives Perry a mission as she is uniquely situated: free the Bamarre. Perry is afraid for her future if she reveals to anyone the secret of her past. Her fears are well-founded when her adoptive father locks away his child upon uncovering her heritage. Perry's maid Anette and her only friend Willem accept this new facet of her story, and Anette reveals Perry has a Bamarre family who she never dreamed existed; Anette's family. Even her Lady Mother is more accepting of Perry's past.
     When she escapes from Lord Tove's prison, Perry flees in magic seven league boots. Unsure where to go, the fleeing lady searches for her Bamarre family. When she finds them Perry is pleased to find Anette has returned to the family and she meets her young brother, Drualt. Halina returns and the family agrees to protect Perry, in the guise of an old aunt. As Aunt Nadira Perry learns what it is to be Bamarre.
     As the Lakti rule becomes more strict and new laws are implemented against the Bamarre people tension grows. Bamarre youth are taken from their homes to serve the Lakti war efforts and Drualt is taken to Lord Tove at the front. It is their last straw and the Bamarre revolt in small ways, gradually growing as Perry and Anette spread news of the effort.
     When Perry discovers how the Bamarre youth are being used as fodder for the Lakti war machine she sets in motion a challenge which will change the future of New Lakti and the Bamarre people.
     As a prequel set in the distant history of Levine's The Two Princesses of Bamarre Perry's story is of epic proportions. Readers who enjoyed Addie's quest will likewise enjoy Perry's challenges. The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre is aimed at middle grades.

The Friday Society

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress, 2012 Dial Books

     In London, 1900 three young women are assistants to three powerful men.
     Cora is lab assistant to Lord White who invents in secret. Not only does she help him with his work and explore inventing on her own, but she manages the social and political life of her mentor. Lord White is in government and may one day be Prime Minister and Cora Bell was a clever urchin he rescued off the street and gave purpose.
     Nellie is a magician's assistant to the Great Raheem. She was discovered in a burlesque house where the modest young woman was known as a tease. When the Great Raheem offered her a position she took the chance and Nellie Harrison has become a star in her own right.
     Michiko is assistant to a fighting instructor. Michiko Takeda became a samurai's assistant in her homeland, Japan, and when she realized she would never be granted her sword left Japan with Sir Callum Feilding-Shaw and became his assistant showing off her combat skill.
     The three young women meet when a prominent scientist is murdered and they individually stumble across his beheaded body in the middle of the street. The scientist isn't the only body piling up and the young women are concerned: the murders of flower-selling girls and high-ranking men appear to be linked, but what is the connection?
     The three young women explore and investigate the strange goings-on and discover not everything is as it seems in the elevated halls of government and science. The girls become friends, using their talents to stand up for themselves and solve the mystery they've uncovered. They face unwanted male attention, opposition from potential love interests, and the loss of people close to them.
     Readers who enjoyed Y.S. Lee's Agency novels will find a new, more mature take on turn-of-the-century London. Kress's debut novel brings sass and steampunk to teen readers.

Longbow Girl

Longbow Girl by Linda Davies, 2016 Chicken House Publishing

     Hidden in the Welsh countryside raising welsh ponies is the Owen family. Beginning in the 13th century when one Longbowman Owen saved the Black Prince's life with his skill at the battle of Crecy a member of the Owen family has upheld the pledge to the king to defend the monarch's life and report for military duty with their bow. Merry Owen is the current heir to the long tradition.
     Merry is fifteen years old and has been training to follow her father's footsteps since she was five years old. Two years ago the bow she carried and practiced with snapped, taking one of Merry's eyes with it. But she doesn't let the loss of her eye slow her down or dampen her skill. With the help of her best friend James, Merry fights to continue improving her longbow skill.
     Lord James de Courcy is the son of the local Earl de Courcy and heir to his legacy. The Owens and de Courcys have been at loggerheads since Longbowman Owen was granted a parcel from the earl's properties as a reward for saving the Black Prince, and James's parents continue to seek a way to bring the Owen farm back under their control. But James and Merry have been friends as long as they can remember and continue in spite of the opposition.
     When Merry discovers a beautifully illuminated manuscript in a burial mound under the roots of an overturned tree she cannot wait to show James. Her friend is fighting his parents for the chance to try out for the Manchester United training program to become a professional football (soccer) player. When the earl sees the ancient book he, with Merry's grudging permission, shows a historian who names the book as part of a lost collection, and a priceless artifact.
     Merry discovers the family is at risk of losing their home of seven centuries and she suggests to her family that they allow the earl's historians to complete an archaeological dig at the burial mount. They also consider selling the manuscript.
     When a translation leads Merry to a mysterious pool in the mountains above her family farm she discovers a treasure she never could have imagined. The pool leads to Tudor England and the time of Henry VIII. Merry learns history is much more dangerous than she could have thought.
     She returns home, but when James brings a new translation from the book Merry learns she must return to the past to uphold her family's obligation to king and country. This time, Merry Owen isn't the only one to go through the portal. She learns there's more to her than just being the Longbow Girl.
     Merry and James truly are friends and their friendship endures in this story aimed at teen readers. Longbow Girl is written in an easy-to-follow style which younger readers of Young Adult Fiction will enjoy. While Merry faces danger, she proves she's more than a match for anything that challenges her.

Patience Princess Catherine

Patience, Princess Catherine by Carolyn Meyer, 2004 HMH for Young Readers

     Catherine of Aragon was imprisoned by her husband Henry VIII. When she can't produce a male heir Henry's mistress, Anne Boleyn, replaces her at his side. She begins the tale from imprisonment. 

     Catherine relates the story of the trip from Spain as betrothed to the prince Arthur. England is excited to meet the future queen, but Arthur dies shortly after their wedding the Spanish princess's future is in question. 

     The teenage widow is enamored of her royal brother-in-law: Henry is handsome and charming and flirts with the sheltered girl. While she awaits what her parents will arrange with the English king Catherine makes plans to seize her destiny as the English queen. 

     In a diary-like recitation, Catherine's story is peppered with the point of view of her future husband. Following the time between leaving her home in Spain until Catherine fails to produce a son for her second husband her life is uncertain. Patience, Princess Catherine is a middle-grade dramatization of the true story of Henry Tudor VIII's first wife. Meyer writes from extensive research and this is the second novel of the Young Royals series. 

Witch's Pyre

Witch's Pyre by Josephine Angelini, 2016 Feiwel & Friends

     Immediately after she and her coven have been taken by the Hive's Warrior Sisters, Lily and the crew find themselves welcomed to a strange city in what would be California's wine country. Lily is reeling from the loss of so many of her claimed, especially Tristan from her homeworld and Rowan's disappearance then betrayal.
     Touring the city on their way to the governor's palace the coven is assaulted by how perfect everything seems. Weary and worried at the seeming peacefulness of the city the group begins to recuperate. Rowan is thrust back into the group at a welcoming dinner - triggering an outburst from Lily and a demonstration of the Hive's response to any violence. They discover the small, normal-looking workers monitor the populace and when a citizen becomes aggressive the Warrior Sisters respond and the person is whisked away never seen again.
     The enforced perfection of their new surroundings doesn't allow the coven to mourn their lost, nor to repair the bonds with those they've been reunited with. Lily becomes a threat as she struggles to maintain her composure and the Hive will not forgive her outbursts. Rowan is returned to the group and questions the absolute control of the city. Lily befriends one of the governor's advisors and is shown the seedier part of town where the technological advancements are kept from non-citizens.
     The more she learns, the more Lily questions whether what they're doing--staying with the Hive--is right. After a confrontation with Grace, the governor, Lily and her coven decide they prefer to take their chances outside the city. Their escape is dangerous and enlightens the people to the truth of their governing body.
     Lily and her coven flee as Lillian and her army advance, but they don't only flee the city but the world. Lily, Rowan, and their coven make a plan to get answers and road-trip from the Hive's stronghold back to Salem where they must decide in which world their futures lie. Lily discovers a strength within herself she didn't believe possible while trying to survive childhood illness. She becomes a leader and achieves her dream to change the world in a monumental way.
     Witch's Pyre ends the Worldwalker Trilogy in an earth-shattering conflict. Teen and young adult readers will enjoy the spunk Lily brings to her story, understand her insecurities, and follow along in her romance.

Doomed Queen Anne

Doomed Queen Anne by Carolyn Meyer, 2002 HMH for Young Readers

     Anne Boleyn changed the course of history when Henry Tudor VIII broke with the Catholic church to be able to divorce his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Based on true events Anne joins her sister Mary at the court of Queen Catherine when Mary is rumored to be the mistress of the king. 

     Henry has tired of his wife and when he tires of his mistress her sister engages a campaign to become the king's second wife. Anne has always been antagonized by her older sister and largely ignored by her parents--she is not a beauty and even has two signs of a witch: a sixth finger and mole on her neck. Still, the king is infatuated. 

     Anne convinces Henry to request an annulment from the Pope, but he is denied. Henry then breaks with the church and declares his first marriage invalid clearing the way for a second wife: Anne Boleyn. The court hates her for her ambition and calls her a witch, Henry defends his wife until the child she bears him turns out to be a girl. 

    Three years of marriage and no son try Henry's patience and he begins to lose interest in his queen. When the Seymours place Jane in the king's sights Anne senses her position becoming more precarious. Her earlier ambitions come back to knock Anne from her throne: Jane Seymour refuses to be simply the king's paramour and even Anne's sister accuses her of adultery. 

     Anne lives out her days awaiting execution for treason in the Tower of London. History remembers her as the second of Henry VIII's six wives and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. Written for young adult readers, some material in Doomed Queen Anne may be inappropriate for middle-grade readers. The story does have several inaccuracies but is an entertaining story. 

One for the Money

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich, 1994 Charles Scribner's Sons

     Living in Trenton, New Jersey, isn't all flowers and sunshine for Stephanie Plum. She's lost her job as a buyer of a lingerie house and has been searching for work nearly six months when she hits a dead end. Admitting to her over-involved family that she's unemployed drives Stephanie to blackmail her cousin into a job as fugitive retrieval specialist: Stephanie becomes a bounty hunter - and her first assignment is Joe Morelli.
    Joe was every girl's dream back in high school, and after he took advantage of seventeen-year-old Stephanie Plum he hasn't been one of her favorite people. In fact, Stephanie is looking forward to catching the cop-turned-fugitive. Despite the consensus she won't catch him, Stephanie is confident she'll find the charmer, especially for the $10,000 that'll keep her off the streets, and more importantly, out of her mother's house.
    As she searches for Morelli, Stephanie discovers just how green she is. With help from Ranger, another bounty hunter and Vinnie's best, Stephanie makes a couple collars to keep her going. Some luck and downright brazen bravado lead to several encounters with her new target, and Joe is not happy. But something doesn't add up in what happens and the mob seems to be after Morelli too.
     The two team up to find out who is trying to frame Morelli and Stephanie picks up a stalker in local boxer Benito Ramirez. At first, it looks like the abusive and misogynistic boxer's antics are unrelated to Morelli's problems, but the beating of Lula, a prostitute who gave Stephanie information on Morelli's case, points to an unknown connection.
     Stephanie's naivete and bumbling belie her tenacity and grit as she is nearly killed more than once and faces a man who refuses to acknowledge her agency in the face of his wants. Though she may not appear to be the sharpest knife in the drawer, Stephanie Plum gets to the bone and learns she's got the moxie to make it in this new career. The first in the series One for the Money is an adult novel with violence, mature humor, and intense situations.

Here to Stay

Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg, 2014 Bethany House Publishers

     After meeting how-to darling Miranda "Randi" Woodruff and posing as her husband Blake Hunziker, known as Blaze, as decided to return home. He left shortly after his brother's death and rather than looking back has traveled the globe. 

     Blaze's decision to help Randi has become something of a scandal in his hometown. Returning, though, is the only way he can think to find closure. Blaze's family runs the premier hotel in Whisper Shore, Michigan. After his brother's death Blaze is expected to take over his family business, but he's been running from the expectation. 

     The Hunziker family doesn't have much competition but a young lady living at the edge of town has inherited a struggling bed and breakfast. Autumn Kingsley is swamped by the major overhaul the family inn needs. She finally has an investor who will allow Autumn to leave town if she can get the repairs done in two weeks. 

     Blaze and Autumn must work together as Blaze tries to prove his responsibility by hosting and planning the local Christmas festival. Autumn uses her experience with the festival to help Blaze. He returns the favor with the newfound skills Randi Woodruff taught him -- even calling in a favor from Autumn's favorite television personality. 

     The Kingsleys and Hunzikers have rarely gotten along over the years. The more time they spend together the better Autumn and Blake bet along. When push comes to shove will the dream of travel pull Autumn from her hometown or will her newfound connection with the prodigal son make the small town her forever home? 

     Blaze rediscovers Blake and the expected cold shoulder is instead a warm welcome. He aims to prove himself to his family and town. Blake and Autumn manage to work together toward their separate goals and build something more than friendship. Readers who enjoyed Made to Last will enjoy this deeper look at Blake and his past as he puts the lessons learned from Randi into action. 

Password to Larkspur Lane

Password to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene, 1966 Grosset & Dunlap

     Nancy Drew is outside tending the garden when a carrier pigeon arrives in the yard. Hannah Gruen, the Drews' housekeeper, falls and her doctor suggests to Nancy and her lawyer father of a woman who he treats under mysterious circumstances. The doctor believes the woman is being held prisoner and Nancy begins to investigate.
     A clue from the doctor leads to the prestigious Eldridge family. Nancy follows the clues and, with the added intrigue of the pigeon's registry, finds there truly is something criminal afoot.
     Mrs. Eldridge is missing, according to a young relative, and--when Nancy, Bess, George, and their friend Helen speak with her--Mrs. Eldridge has not chosen to be treated at the estate holding her prisoner. She is not the only elderly patient at the estate, and Mrs. Eldrige explains the people running the place have some shady practices.
     Some quick thinking and subterfuge from the girls bring justice to the plotters. Nancy and her friends face danger, but they come out better able to fight for what they believe right.
     Nancy Drew is an independent young woman who uses her quick mind to investigate and solve problems. She faces danger and uses her resources in a story meant for middle-grade readers, but enjoyable at any age. Password to Larkspur Lane was revised from its original 1933 novel to be more feminist, to consolidate the plot, and to bring the familiar characters back to the main screen.

Crazy House

Crazy House by James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet, 2017 Hachette Book Group

     Twin sisters Cassie and Becca Greenfield could not be more different: Cassie is a perfect student and careful to keep everything working as expected. By contrast, Becca is constantly in trouble, barely gets by in school and regularly flouts the rules. When Becca suddenly disappears Careful Cassie goes searching all across their cell for her wayward sister.
     Becca wakes in a strange place dressed in a hideous yellow jumpsuit and locked in a cement cell with four other teens. She is dragged from the room to take a series of tests and to endure a knock-out fight with one of the other kids. After the fight, Becca is thrown into a cell with the boy who brutally beat her, where he tries to befriend her. This place is a death row and, Becca learns, full of such contradictions.
     In their cell, Cassie breaks the rules and meets new people who aren't like Careful Cassie. The prefect's son Nate seems to be leading the outsiders and Cassie enlists his help. When they head out past the edges of the cell, Cassie is taken by the same people who took Becca.
     Within a couple days Nate followed trying to find his friend and discovers the two girls, and several other missing teens, have been taken to some sort of compound. Outside the cell, Nate meets a young boy from the cell next door who helps him infiltrate the crazy house.
     Cassie and Becca meet in their prison, the two battle and appear to take leadership over different parts of the prison. The administrators worry the girls will either fail or break this experiment. When Nate and the politics of their cell arrive in the prison Cassie changes the timeline of the girls' plan: Nate was injured and she cannot bear to have him die in this mess.
     The Greenfield twins present an interesting challenge for the administrators of the crazy house and their experiment. When the mystery of why everyone has been gathered is revealed to Cassie and Becca they must confront the misrepresentation of their life.
     With violence and mature content, Crazy House is better suited to older teen readers. Those who enjoy their mystery with a bit of adventure and a dash of romance will find a fascinating new world in this tale.