Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt

Hold Me Like a Breath by Tiffany Schmidt

Hold Me Like a Breath

by Tiffany Schmidt

Penelope Landlow has grown up with the knowledge that almost anything can be bought or sold—including body parts. She’s the daughter of one of the three crime families that control the black market for organ transplants.

Penelope’s surrounded by all the suffocating privilege and protection her family can provide, but they can’t protect her from the autoimmune disorder that causes her to bruise so easily.

And in her family’s line of work no one can be safe forever.

All Penelope has ever wanted is freedom and independence. But when she’s caught in the crossfire as rival families scramble for prominence, she learns that her wishes come with casualties, that betrayal hurts worse than bruises, that love is a risk worth taking…and maybe she’s not as fragile as everyone thinks.

book 1 in the Once Upon a Crime Family series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “This was very different from other stuff I have read before, while still having a similar feel to it, if that makes sense at all. This is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea, though I didn’t know that until after I was finished with it. It makes a lot of sense now.  I was expecting a lot more mob-boss/intimidation, and while that was included, it was also much more. The MC’s illness brought a different level to the action than I would have otherwise thought of, and really made me think about the interactions we have with others on a daily basis and the random ways people touch each other and bump into things.”

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell

Mechanica

by Betsy Cornwell

Nicolette’s awful stepsisters call her “Mechanica” to demean her, but the nickname fits: she learned to be an inventor at her mother’s knee. Her mom is gone now, though, and the Steps have turned her into a servant in her own home.

But on her sixteenth birthday, Nicolette discovers a secret workshop in the cellar and begins to dare to imagine a new life for herself. Could the mysterious books and tools hidden there—and the mechanical menagerie, led by a tiny metal horse named Jules—be the key to escaping her dreary existence? With a technological exposition and royal ball on the horizon, the timing might just be perfect for Nicolette to earn her freedom at last.

Gorgeous prose and themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince…but realizes she doesn’t want a fairy tale happy ending after all.

Unhinged by A. G. Howard

Unhinged by A. G. Howard

Unhinged

by A. G. Howard

Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she’s always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she’ll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head.

book 2 in the Splintered series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Bekka rated it ★★★ and said, “Thanks to Netgalley.com and ABRAMS for early access to this title. 3 1/2 stars—I had more trouble getting into this one than I did the last one. It really took me until halfway through the book before I started to really enjoy the story. I think the editing could have been better—there was far too much teen-agnsty type stuff in that first half that felt a little forced. I did enjoy the love triangle, and enjoyed seeing these great characters again. The last half was quite good, and the plot is getting really dramatic! I like the events with Alyssa’s mother and father as well. And, of course, the cover is gorgeous! I’m looking forward to the next one!”

Miranda rated it ★★★★★ and said, “Thanks to Netgalley.com and ABRAMS for early access to this title. This is an awesome continuation of the series. A perfect balance of family trust issues and a great use of love triangle relationships, all blended together with the strange magic that is Wonderland. And the cover is amazing! A must-read for fans of book one. Can’t wait for book three!”

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

The Princess Spy

by Melanie Dickerson

A new suitor. A shocking discovery.

Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to the castle, claiming to be an English lord who was left for dead by Claybrook’s men. She convinces herself “Lord Colin” is just an addled stranger, until Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy—not only does she tend to talk too much, she’s sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. But she soon discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. She soon finds herself running for her life–and it may be up to her to save her father and her family from one man’s wicked plot.

book 5 in the Fairy Tales series

#9 in MLD Teen Choice Awards 2015

The Unfairest of Them All by Shannon Hale

The Unfairest of Them All by Shannon Hale

The Unfairest of Them All

by Shannon Hale

It’s the aftermath of Legacy Day, the day when the students at Ever After High are supposed to pledge to follow in their fairytale parents’ footsteps, and everyone is in a huff and a puff! Raven Queen, daughter of the Evil Queen, has refused to sign the Storybook of Legends, rejecting her story–and putting everyone else’s in jeopardy.

The Royal Apple White doesn’t want to think Raven is being a rebellious pain, but Raven’s choice means Apple might never get the poisoned apple, Prince Charming, and a kingdom to rule. Behind Apple stands the Royals, those who want to play by the book and embrace their stories. The Rebels, supporters of Raven, believe in breaking free from destiny and writing their own stories.

But when the chaos and rivalry land wonderlandiful Madeline Hatter in trouble, Raven and Apple must bring the Royals and the Rebels together to shut the book on their feud before it threatens to end all of their Happily Ever Afters once and for all.

book 2 in the Ever After High series

#8 in MLD Teen Choice Awards 2015

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “4.5 stars. I must have been in a different frame of mind with this one than the first because instead of being annoyed at the funny quirks and twists of fairy tales, I found them hilarious and clever. Favorite line: ‘It’s about to get all nonfiction in here.’ I love where this is going and can’t wait to deal with the Jabberwocky in the next book. He’s always been deliciously chilling for me ever since the made-for-TV Alice in the 80’s.”

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress

by Marissa Meyer

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

book 3 in the Lunar Chronicles series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Bekka rated it ★★★★ and said, “Great addition to the series! I am LOVING this series! I think these books are just getting better and better as they go along. The characters are rich and unique, and the plot has tons of adventure and suspense. I like how nothing is easy for the group, but you have the feeling they’ll win in the end, which I also really like. I can’t wait for the next one!”

Miranda rated it ★★★★★ and said, “It is always super exciting for a series to continue with its awesomeness after book one, but this one keeps doing it. I think this book is the best so far, and I can’t wait for book 4. I highly recommend this for everyone! Romance, action, sci-fi, government rebellion. It has a little of everything. And the best part is that you don’t just get one romance, you get (with the addition of book 4) 4 solid romances all tied together in a cohesive unit. Love it!”

Lorna rated it ★★★.

Rebekah rated it ★★★★★.

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