Never Too Late

Never Too Late by RaeAnne Thayne, 2005 Silhouette

    Kate Spencer recently discovered that the life she lived was a direct result of being kidnapped from her family home at the age of three. Her newly discovered family includes two older brothers, a loving mother, and a generous father. When her brother and best friend have married the bride, Taylor's, older brother comes back into Kate's life. 

     Hunter was a former cop who was falsely convicted of his pregnant girlfriend and her terminally ill mother's murders. Three years in prison have made Hunter believe that he is no longer worthy of compassion or care. 

     Kate and Hunter decide to seek out the woman who kidnapped and raised her in a series of motel rooms across the state of Florida. When Kate was taken from the only mother she had known and placed in a series of foster homes at seven years old she bounced around until the Spencers form a strong bond and the only thing stopping her adoption was her "mother's" refusal. 

     Kate and Hunter drive from Utah to Florida to search for the woman. Along the way, the doctor-in-training and her former-cop escort help a young woman deliver her child, save a blind man from a couple of street thugs then deliver him to his granddaughter's dance recital, and stop a couple of drunk frat boys harassing young women. 

     The two fight their attraction until they decide to give a relationship a try. Their story follows the traditional romance trope for a quick and easy read. 

It Had to Be You

It Had to Be You by Janice Thompson, 2010 Fleming H Revell

    On the heels of her second themed wedding, Bella is overjoyed to be planning her aunt and uncle's wedding, quickly followed by her own ceremony. That is until her little sister decides to marry within weeks of Bella's big day. 

     Rosa and Lazarro's forties-themed bash is a joy to plan and the Rossi family reunites across the ocean. Even Lazarro's old mobster friend Sal shows up. The Rossi clan of Galveston Texas believes they can help the old man find salvation. Laz hopes Sal's parrot Guido can help lead him to faith. 

     Sal finds more than Guido and the Rossis helping him toward the Christian faith. The Splendora trio is always willing to lead a man to water. When Sal seems to find a little more than friendship with one of the ladies it seems he may be drawn fully into the light. 

     The family drama pulls Bella and her family from their roots. Old and new rivalries and jealousies challenge each member of the family but draw them back together and to their faith. 

     In planning her own nuptials, maintaining a happy front while her parents remodel as a surprise for Rosa and Laz, and spreading her time thin enough to help Sophia plan her own wedding Bella forgets to take time for herself. Bella is forced to learn to rely on others and her faith to make her dreams a reality. 

     The Rossi family is grounded in their faith and their connection to each other. Bella and DJ get their happily ever after among family and friends, just as they've helped arrange for many couples before them. 

The Noble Servant

The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson, 2017 Thomas Nelson Publishing

     Magdalen of Mallin travels with her maid her Agnes's father to meet her intended grom: Duke Steffan of Wolfberg. On the way to Wolfberg Castle, Magdalen is forced to exchange places with her servant. 

     Unbeknownst to Magdalen, Steffan is having his own issues. His scheming uncle and cousin have kicked the rightful Duke out of his home and taken Steffan's place. After being left for dead on his journey home the rightful duke finds a position as a shepherd on his own estate. 

     Magdalen and the shepherd boy, Steffan find a common purpose in figuring out how to expose their usurpers. The one saving grace is that no one has seen Steffan in two years to recognize him and his uncle and cousin don't know to seek him out. 

     When her maid is kidnapped, Magdalen questions whether or not she should enlist aid to save the girl. Her position in the household is humiliating for a lady of her stature, but Agnes's intended is not the duke Magdalen met at the ball and compassion wins out. The double deception spells trouble for Mallin and Wolfberg.  Alongside Steffan, the more-than-he-seems shepherd, Magdalen uncovers the plotters and finds her place in her new home. 

     Dickerson's retelling of the Little Goose Girlfleshes out the fairytale in historical medieval Germany. Readers will enjoy the clean romance between Magdalen and Steffan as they get to know each other without the expectations and limitations of their status and the just desserts of villainous Agnes and Steffan's uncle. The Noble Servant is aimed at teens and young adults. 

Princess of the Silver Woods

Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George, 2012 Bloomsbury

   The youngest princess of Westfalin, Petunia, has been kidnapped... sort of... on accident. Oliver and his band of Wolves of the Westfalin Wood decide to raid Petunia's carriage on her trip to visit a distance Grand Duchess and come up with more than just the gold and jewels they hope for. The young man didn't mean to kidnap a princess and he plans to confess to his accidental crime and escort Petunia to her destination.
     Petunia is not a wilting lady--when she was a small child she and her eleven sisters were taken to a kingdom under the earth to dance with the sons of the King Under Stone. After several princes and adventurers tried to rescue them, the girls were able to escape the curse and resume normal princess lives. Several princes were killed in the quest for an answer and the king decides his daughters should travel as emissaries to assuage the wounds.
     The youngest daughter spends significant time in a Russia-esque country to the north. Petunia's hostess visits Westfalin and requests a visit from her long-time ward. It is on the trip to visit the Grand Duchess that Petunia meets the Wolves and Oliver, their leader. Oliver is true to his word and transports Petunia to the new residence of the duchess - his familial home.
     With the Grand Duchess, Petunia is plagued by long-gone nightmares of a kingdom underground. She writes to her sisters hoping for a solution, but no news comes from the princesses or their husbands. Petunia enjoys her days with the Grand Duchess and her charming nephew, but the nights begin to wear and answers are still elusive.
     Petunia remembers Oliver and his promise to help. When her suspicions begin to get the best of her, the princess asks for help from the handsome young man. Oliver's assistance finally produces answers, but they aren't the answers Petunia hopes for. She is given the chance to finally end the family's curse permanently when a new King Under Stone takes control and accepts Oliver's help in saving herself.
     The third and final story of the Westfalin Twelve Dancing Princesses blends with Little Red Riding Hood for a story to end the princesses' nightmare. Princess of the Silver Woods concludes the tales of the Westfalin princesses for middle school readers.

Beheld

Beheld by Alex Flinn, 2015 Harper Teen

     Kendra is a witch - ever since her family died of the plague she wandered immortal from town to town and country to country. When general opinion becomes fear of other the witch trials spread from culture to culture.
     The young woman appears as a teen, even after her entire world has aged and become history. Kendra finds herself in Salem, Massachusetts in the late 1600s. There she works as a servant for a prosperous family and meets James. Kendra and James share a worldliness which comes from age greater than their appearances -- and Kendra finds herself falling for this warlock.
     Before they can follow where their friendship and attraction might go, the young daughter of the family Kendra works for accuses her of witchcraft. Thus the Salem Witch Trials begin. Kendra is arrested and only freed through James's efforts in a Red-Riding Hood retelling.
     Though her young man is to meet her in Boston their plans fall through. Kendra worries James was a victim of the trials until she runs across him again. The witch is in Europe when she hears of James's survival. A magic mirror allows Kendra to find her young man and check in on him through the ages.
     Kendra discovers the mirror while helping a young woman ina Rumplestiltskin-like series of events. The miller's daughter uses the magic mirror to seek Kendra's aid as she chases her happy ending in feudal Germany. But Kendra loses sight of James.
     During the great wars, Kendra finds her way to England and is caught in the Blitz of London. She meets a young woman who lives out the fairytale: East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Kendra's new friend and her husband lead a lonely Kendra back to James as she helps them recover from their encounter with trolls.
     In modern time, Kendra has returned to the new world. After a stint in New York City where she helps a boy discover there's more to life than appearances, she moves to Florida where Kendra continues to pose as a teen.
     Another new high school leads Kendra to meet two friends who have always been together and have been best friends for years. In high school, Amanda begins to blossom but Christopher remains less than impressive. Kendra watches their friendship and gives a magical nudge as the Ugly Duckling plays out between the longtime friends.
     Throughout her long journey Kendra pines for her missing love, but maintains her own path and allows the mortals she's helping to carry the spotlight. Beheld is about 'otherness' and finding inner strength rather than beauty. Later middle and high school readers will enjoy Flinn's modern retells.

Warrior Princess of Pennyroyal Academy

Warrior Princess of Pennyroyal Academy by M. A. Larson, 2017 G.P. Putnam

   Evie and her friends have undergone many trials and tribulations. Their number has dwindled as they face the challenges required to become Princesses capable of fighting witches,  though Maggie returns for this final adventure.

     Prophecy has dictated the great Warrior Princess will graduate from Evie's class--and many believe it will be Evie. The mystery of her mother's identity and why she was removed from the records drives the young girl even as she questions the assumption that she is the Warrior Princess. 

     Maggie and Evie are among the cadets trying to return home for their break when an army of witches attack the transport carriages. Trapped at the academy with dwindling supplies the princess cadets must find a way out--and to let help back in. 

     A magical harp once owned by Rumplestiltskin seems to be the solution: it will put the giants attacking the magical boundary to sleep. The quartet sneaks out and ventures across the lands overcoming the obstacles in their path only to go their separate ways at the peak of their adventures. Maggie, Basil, Demetra, and Evie meet back at the Academy just in time for the fight for their future. 

     The battle for Pennyroyal is the beginning of the great battle for their world. The aftermath finds the mystery surrounding the identity of the Warrior Princess resolved, but a more immediate question must be answered: how did the academy's security become compromised so easily? The answer solves questions Evie had carried since she came to Pennyroyal. 

     Larson creates a vivid story of young teens learning to believe in themselves and find purpose in the world beyond the familiar. The Warrior Princess of Pennyroyal Academy is intended for eleven- to thirteen-year-olds. Readers who enjoyed Princess Academy and Dragonslippers will find similar elements in this conclusion to the Pennyroyal trilogy. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Eclipse

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer, 2007 Little, Brown & Company

    In the third episode of Bella and Edward's story, they are applying to colleges together. They've reconciled and decided to maintain a relationship. The strain between Bella and Jacob Black reflects the strain between vampires and werewolves as the tribe worries that Bella's relationship with Edward.
     The werewolves worry the vampires will break their truce and turn Bella. Edward continues to refuse her requests to change her; Bella still cannot bear the idea of life without Edward and continues to ask Edward to bite her. When Edward proposes Bella takes the chance to extract a promise that he'll take the need to step while she's still human - Rosalie gives Bella a new perspective on humanity.
     Alice has a vision that a vampire army is moving toward the family in Forks. They are led by Victoria who, again, is after Bella, this time for James's death. Victoria creates an army of newborn vampires who cannot control the hunger and are murdering innocents in Seattle.
     The Cullens call on their longtime allies to assist as Victoria's army moves on Forks. When they declined the LaPush werewolves stand with the Cullens. Jacob, Edward, Bella and a young wolf are sent into the mountains to wait out the battle.
     In the mountains Jacob overhears Bella and Edward discussing their engagement. He threatens to join the battle leading to his death; Bella fears for her friendship - but when Victoria tracks them to their mountain hideout the question of who will fight for her becomes null.
     Bella and Edward continue to plan their future while her relationship with Jacob collapses. Victoria's attack draws the Volturi's attention yet again as their demands are renewed.
     Eclipse introduces the idea that not all the vampires wanted their conversion and sets monstrosity against humanity. As Bella makes her choice between the two love interests clear the fallout is similar to many teen romances. Teens who enjoyed the first two novels will understand the drama of Eclipse.

The Lucky Ones

The Lucky Ones by Anna Godbersen, 2012 HarperTeen

     As the heat rises in the city those who can escape to the cooler temperatures outside the city do. The Gray family estate experiences Gatsby-esque parties as bootlegger alcohol runs free.
    Letty Larkspur is getting a taste of fame as her hard work pays off. But when fame takes a  questionable relationship with a married Hollywood star Letty is opened up to a target for the hopefuls coming to the city. The starlet has dreams of Hollywood but her naivete leads to her Hollywood mentor betraying her trust and Letty discovered it by the man's wife.
     Astrid has returned from her honeymoon with the love of her life only to discover he hasn't been showing her his commitment to the business. When Charlie begins to keep Astrid under guard for fear a rival operation may use her as leverage, Astrid is stifled. One of her younger guards is sympathetic and listens to her, Victor becomes Astrid's escape. Victor is one of Charlie's most trusted men and the two keep their budding relationship secret for both their sakes. Charlie is possessive of his new wife,
     Astrid is trapped by the decisions she's made, but Cordelia and her famous boyfriend face complications. The daredevil is mulatto and to maintain his position his history cannot be made public and the normal stages of a relationship risk exposing Max's secret past. Cordelia loves her pilot but the risk of losing not only his good name and position, but also his main source of protecting his family. Can their love withstand his private life and her public persona?
     When Carlie's fears come to pass, but extend beyond simply impacting Astrid but also his sister and her best friend. Tensions run high at the end of the summer concluding the Jazz Age. The girls' paths have separated but in this violent conclusion to the Lucky Ones Trilogy the three meet again.

Cress

Cress by Marissa Meyer, 2014 Feiwel and Friends

     Cinder and Thorne have escaped the Eastern Commonwealth and speed back to the stars rescuing Scarlet and Wolf from Paris's chaos. Wolf makes it his mission to help Cinder control her Lunar gift. But the four, along with Iko piloting Thorne's Rampion, struggle to form a real plan to help save Emperor Kai from Queen Levana's clutches. Cinder suggests they contact the young woman who originally alerted her to the danger Levana poses.
     Cress has been locked in her satellite for nearly seven years. Queen Levana's head Thaumaturge, Sybil, has been her only method of socialization on those seven years and Cress has since given up trying to garner the lunars' positive regard. Cress is the reason Earthens have been unaware of hundreds of Lunar ships above and within Earth's airspace; she is the link between Levana and the information syphoned from Earth's leaders.
     When Cinder and their small crew contact Cress the girl is shocked and surprised. The small crush she'd developed on Thorne while researching became a fascination. The crew agrees to rescue the young woman and she joins their mission. But a wrench is thrown into the works when Sybil returns to the satellite early. Thorne and Cress are sent plummeting to Earth when Sybil returns to the Rampion. A small battle wages on the ship; Wolf is nearly killed, and Scarlet is kidnapped when the Thaumaturge flees. Sybil leaves her pilot and guard Jacin aboard the Rampion.
     Cinder, Wolf, Iko, and Jacin escape to Africa in search of Dr. Erland. The Cinder and Iko seek Thorne and Cress while Dr. Erland tries to rescue Wolf from the brink of death. Through a strange coincidence Thorne and Cress arrive in the small African town as the Eastern Commonwealth sends soldiers to pick up the band. But the locals, with their Lunar ancestry, help the Rampion and its crew again flee, this time back toward New Beijing and to stop the wedding.
     En route to the Commonwealth capital they plan to continue the fight against Levana on her own ground: Erland reminds Cinder that she'll need to convince the Lunars of her claim to the throne, not Earthens. Cinder and Iko, Cress and Wolf, Thorne and the Doctor head into the New Beijing Palace to kidnap Kai to gain his aid and delay the wedding to buy some time. They know any action which antagonizes Levana will result in war.
     Despite self-doubt and concern for their captured friend, the group plans and struggles to remain hopeful in face of the destruction around them and the damage certain to follow any success. Cinder and her newfound friends transition from merely refugees to rebels ready to survive the oncoming war. Readers who enjoyed the first two novels in the Lunar Chronicles will find this installment is more slowly paced and while the violence is more rampant and wide-spread the group is no longer in its midst.

Heir of Fire

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas, 2014 Bloomsbury

     Adarlan's king has ordered Celaena to assassinate the royal family of Wendlyn based on his Captain of the Guard Chaol's suggestion. Chaol trades his future independence to his father to allow Celaena to escape the pit she's fallen into since Nehemia's death. In Wendlyn the King's Assassin has no intention of killing the royal family, instead Celaena drinks and gambles and fights the nights away until she can spend the days in an exhausted stupor.
     When her aunt, Maeve Queen of Fairies, sends Celaena's distant cousin, Rowan Whitethorn, to summon her to a demi-Fae outpost Celaena meets her aunt for the first time and realizes why her mother delayed the meeting. Maeve wants to see the Fae magic Celaena has hidden, but Celaena wants answers about the Wyrdkeys. The two come to an agreement: Celaena will come to the Fae city Doranelle when Rowan believes she has mastered her power and Maeve will share what she knows about the Wyrdkeys.
     Rowan begins to train Celaena - her magic so deeply buried she has difficulty even shifting from her human to Fae form. But mangled bodies of demi-Fae begin appearing around the fortress and the creatures in the forest become restless. As the most able investigative force Rowan and Celaena seek answers to the impending danger, driving Celaena to find and use her power.
    Back in Adarlan Chaol and Dorian are trying to understand their new dynamic. Dorian's magic has somehow persisted in a world where magic has been frozen. The pair work to discover why magic has gone, but Chaol refuses to hear about Dorian's power for fear the king might somehow use it against them. Dorian seeks companionship with a comely healer who has been attending the Crown Prince, Captain of the Guard and King's Assassin through their adventures. Sorscha promises not to tell, but may have an ulterior motive in gaining Dorian's trust.
     Far in the North, the Ironteeth Witches are made an offer too good to refuse. When magic died Manon Blackbeak and her kin in the Blackbeak, Yellowlegs and Bluebloods lost the ability to fly. Manon is the Blackbeak heir, considered one the cruelest beings in Elirea; the witches enjoy killing and maiming simply for the joy of the act. The King on the Throne of Glass offers the witches a place in his army and wyverns in exchange for their freedom after he's conquered the world. The Ironteeth wish to return to the Western Wastes where their enemies the Cochran Witches have cursed the land.
     Manon and her Blackbeak kin work to become the tip of the Ironteeth spear. They become the best fighters both on and off their wyverns. Manon develops a resounding rapport with her dragon-like beast and her wing discovers something in the mountain is rotting the humans - this drives the witches further afield for sustenance.
     While the King rallies his forces, the rebellion and discontent build within Adarlan. Aedion, cousin to the missing Queen Aelin Ashryver Galathynius of Terrasen, is the King's General in the North and summoned to Rifthold to attend the King. Chaol discovers Aedion has been subtly undermining the king's agenda in Terrasen; the resemblance between Aedion and Celaena suggests why. Aedion joins the rebellion, bringing hope to the movement.
     Action comes to a point when the King of Adarlan sends a force into Wendlyn lead by three Vlag princes. Celaena, Rowan, and the demi-Fae face the oncoming army and Celaena nearly gives in to the Vlag power reliving her worst memories, some so deeply repressed even she is surprised by their brutality. The Ironteeth compete and Manon with her Blackbeak clan becomes wing leader, creates a somewhat-alliance with the Bluebloods heir and confirms an enmity with the Yellowlegs heir. Chaol and Dorian's activities are discovered by the king with brutal results, but news that Aelin Ashryver Galathynius is alive and well begins to spread across Elirea as Celaena accepts her crown and demands answers from her aunt, Queen Maeve.
     Like the preceding books, Heir of Fire is a young adult read. Political intrigue, romantic entanglements, and brutal violence have shaped Celaena/Aelin's life and as she makes the decision to return to the world she was able to abandon as a child she revisits the darker side of what it means to be a political force. That said, Celaena is a multi-faceted character and Maas's story is rich in its own mythos making for a compelling read.

Shades of Doon

Shades of Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon, 2015 Blink

     Veronica Welling has committed herself to enjoying life. With the help of her best friend McKenna Reid and her fiance Jamie MacCrae, Vee throws herself into enjoying every moment. When Kenna and Vee are yanked back into the modern world they find themselves back home - McKenna in Chicago and Veronica at her mom's house.
     Without money or clothes the girls are stranded, without their cell phones they are unaware the other is been dragged out of Doon. When Kenna manages to make contact the girls team up and work to find a way back home.
     In the meantime Vee must deal with her high school tormentor. Stephanie appears to enjoy trying to take Veronica down a peg: using a disliked nickname, belittling her, reminding her that Vee's boyfriend cheated with Stephanie. At a class function - something between prom and a class reunion - Veronica finally puts her tormentor in her place with Jamie's support.
     Friendship and teamwork, and the MacCrae brothers, lead the two young women back home to Doon. They hope to discover how the Witch of Doon ejected them from the country and prevent it from happening again. Teenaged readers will identify with the girls' struggle through modern high school politics, even after high school. Shades of Doon continues the story of two young women who have found where they belong through the relationships which support them both independently and together.

The Death Cure

The Death Cure by James Dashner, 2011 Delacorte Books

     Thomas has escaped the Maze, survived the Scorch, and after one last test he and his friends will be free and cured of the Flare. The survivors have been whisked away to WICKED's compound where the last tests will take place.
     The group is allowed to spend time together, but Thomas has been separated and placed in isolation. With no way to tell time the young man begins to lose touch with reality, it takes a force of will to maintain his grasp of reality. Finally the rat-faced man who met the boys before the journey through the Scorch comes to tell Thomas of the next steps.
     Thomas and the rest of the survivors from both Group A and Group B will regain their memories; WICKED tells them this will help them all understand why they joined the experiment. Thomas, Minho, and Newt refuse to go through with the procedure. The Rat Man explains some of the survivors are immune to the Flare, others are not, escape would be worthless as the immune are despised outside the compound. But the trio are adamant; they flee to Denver, Colorado where a large group who have yet to be infected lives.
     Thomas hopes the trio will be able to save the rest of the experiment survivors, but first they have to get WICKED, and its locator chip, out of their heads. While searching for the man who can remove the chips Thomas and Minho discover Newt is among the infected and as he helps them brainstorm a plan the disease takes his mind. The authorities take Newt to a city filled with people in varying stages of the Flare.
     Again, Thomas is gripped by the need to save his friends and when he and Minho risk going into the Flare-infested city to find Newt the extent of the infestation finally strikes them. Thomas hopes there is a place the survivors from the Maze to finally find peace, but any resolution will mean going back to WICKED's base and facing the demon in its lair.
     Teen and young adult readers will be interested in the conclusion of the story in the Maze and of the Flare; some romantic tension remains, with a focus on making the right choice.

The Benedict Bastard

The Benedict Bastard by Cate Campbell, 2014 Kensington Books

     Margot Benedict Parrish has fought for every privilege she now enjoys as a female doctor in 1923 Seattle. After the drama of her younger brother's betrayal and subsequent incarceration in Walla Walla Sanitarium Margot and her husband Frank take a short vacation to visit his parents in Montana. Preston is not finished with his family, especially his sister. He continues to implore his shell-shocked mother to bring him the sapphire he believes holds a magical sort of power. His parting shot at the family is news of a Benedict child out in the world without the protection of his family.
     The reader meets Bronwyn Morgan of the Port Townsend Morgans. Preston seduced the young woman and, though she had no idea of the mechanics, impregnated her. Bronwyn's child is taken from her and sent to a well-known Seattle children's home. When she searches for the son who was taken from her she encounters first Margot at the children's home, then the rest of the Benedicts when she saves little Louisa (Dick and Ramona's daughter) from drowning in a wading pool.
     The Parrishes are enjoying their vacation in Montana, living the simple life and meeting local people. Margot learns from Frank's mother the various folk remedies and problems women faced without a nearby doctor and Dr. Benedict has a chance to show her in-laws her skill.
     While Margot and Frank are on vacation Mrs. Edith Benedict kidnaps Bronwyn from Benedict Hall and takes her to visit Preston in Walla Walla. Until she stands in his presence Bronwyn still believes Preston had died in the fire which destroyed Margot's original clinic. When the two do meet Preston's fury drives Miss Morgan from the Sanitarium.
     Bronwyn's presence confirms the family's fears - Preston has fathered a Benedict child who is missing in the Greater Seattle area. When Mrs. Benedict suffers a hysterical fit Dickson calls his daughter home to care for her mother and assess Preston's situation. The Parrishes cut their vacation short and return to Washington to support the family.
     The Benedict family has faced challenge after challenge despite the money Dickson Benedict has accumulated. Dick, Ramona, Margot and Frank are faced with holding the family together while Edith and Dickson face what could be the loss of their first grandson. When hope blooms they feel Bronwyn should be consulted on the fate of her son; yet still worry she could take him away.
     Three years after their story began the Benedicts have been confronted by their youngest son's psychopathy, they have lost and discovered members of the clan. The family has grown stronger as it has grown larger, yet the question remains: will the Benedict Family simply endure or will they thrive? The final installment of their story is not meant for younger readers with issues of birth control and race laced throughout the tale.

Winds of Salem

Winds of Salem by Melissa de la Cruz, 2013 Hyperion

     Freya Beauchamp is sixteen, living in 16th century Salem Village and working in the home of a prominent family. She has a special gift which she keeps hidden from all but a close few: Freya can do magic.
     In the twentieth century Freya's family struggles to bring their missing daughter home. Ingrid searches the library for clues of her sister in history books, while trying to balance a relationship with the hunky police detective. Johanna and her husband Norman go searching for Norm's brother and his time-keeping abilities. Freyr, Freya's twin, has some troubles of his own to sort out. His new bride is still working toward her college degree, and caring for Ingrid's brownies has put a serious kink in their relationship.
     While Freya lives through the Salem witch trials, she is blissfully unaware that if she dies this time around it will be permanent. Someone wants the Beauchamps out of the picture badly enough to disrupt magic across time to succeed. The Beauchamp family battles to save one of their own in this third installment of the trilogy.
     Reincarnated into the modern world, the gods and goddesses of Norse mythology are subject to both mortal and immortal law. Older teens and young adult readers will find Winds of Salem a polarized culmination of the witches' journey with some mature content.

The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel

The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee, 2012 Candlewick Press

     After finishing her mission at the clocktower construction site, Mary Quinn has accepted her first role as a fully-fledged member of the Agency. Several months of trying to forget James Easton have been somewhat successful and Mary has taken the place of parlor maid at Buckingham Palace serving Queen Victoria.
     Her mission is simple in aim: find who has been stealing trinkets from the royal residence. But it becomes more than a simple search and find.
     Anne and Felicity, the managers of the Agency, have been tense. Their fraught relationship begins to affect Mary's work when valuable information fails to reach her; cracks in the facade between Anne and Felicity appear and begin to snake their way through the Agency as a whole. Mary finds herself depending only on the resources she can supply with her own two hands as the situation becomes more complicated and more dangerous.
     Prince Bertie, Her Majesty's heir apparent, witnesses the murder of his friend at the hands of a Lascar, and Mary worries it is her father recently reappeared. In his trauma the prince latches on to Mary as the only sympathetic ear without her own agenda--and pushes his attentions beyond acceptable boundaries.
     Balancing her work and her personal agenda against the consequences of interacting with the monarch and royal family tax Mary, but do not prevent her from seeking the truth. When the mysteries become more coherent and are explained to her satisfaction, Mary is still left with a desire for something more. Teen readers and young adult will enjoy the passionate banter back and forth between Mary and James and fans of historical fiction will enjoy the elaborate glimpse into historical England.