The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain

The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain

The Shadow Prince

by Bree Despain

Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds.

book 1 of the Into the Dark series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “Thanks to Edelweiss and EgmontUSA for allowing me access to this title. I had read most of the Dark Divine series previous to this, and I was pretty sure I would enjoy this title as well. And I did. This was a fun story using Greek mythology and an interesting look at family relationships and how getting what we think we want isn’t always what we really want or need. I would recommend this for those who like mythology or a fantasy romance.”

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

#3 in YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten 2015

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Rebekah rated it ★★★★.

Miranda rated it ★★★ and said, “A fun contemporary read full of mishaps and blunders, but nothing super new and amazing. I did enjoy the positive relationship of the sisters, and found the lack of drugs and other harsher elements to be refreshing.”

The Rule of Thoughts by James Dashner

The Rule of Thoughts by James Dashner

The Rule of Thoughts

by James Dashner

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Maze Runner series comes The Rule of Thoughts, the exciting sequel to The Eye of Minds. Fans of the Divergent series by Veronica Roth and The Hunger Games will love the new Mortality Doctrine series.

Michael completed the Path. What he found at the end turned everything he’d ever known about his life—and the world—completely upside down.

He barely survived. But it was the only way VirtNet Security knew to find the cyber-terrorist Kaine—and to make the Sleep safe for gamers once again. And, the truth Michael discovered about Kaine is more complex than they anticipated, and more terrifying than even the worst of their fears.

Kaine is a tangent, a computer program that has become sentient. And Michael’s completing the Path was the first stage in turning Kaine’s master plan, the Mortality Doctrine, into a reality.

The Mortality Doctrine will populate Earth entirely with human bodies harboring tangent minds. Any gamer who sinks into the VirtNet risks coming out with a tangent intelligence in control of their body.

And the takeover has already begun.

book 2 of the Mortality Doctrine series

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★ and said, “I feel like I have to think too hard with these. They are great for fans of things like The Matrix, but I don’t really enjoy having my mind pulled around like this repeatedly. Well written and put together, but not my favorite.”

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 Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites

by Marie Lu

“I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.”

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

“It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.”

book 1 in the Young Elites series

#7 in YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten 2015

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for access to this title. I loved Marie Lu’s Legend series, and I was excited to see her move to something new. For the most part I enjoyed everything about this one. It was a great dystopian read, and I know there is still a big following for this. It was a little darker and harsher than most though as the MC struggles with her self-worth and value as a person. She has a lot of self-loathing and is dealing with it, along with dealing with her hatred for others and how they treat her. This would have been more of a solid 3 star rating for me, but the epilogue was a great addition and has me wanting the next book NOW.”

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire

by Sarah J. Maas

She was the heir of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one. Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth…a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed. The king’s assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight.

book 3 of the Throne of Glass series

#5 in YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten 2015

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “This book had a bit of a different feel to it than the others. I know there have been multiple story lines before, but this one felt like it could almost be 3 separate books as the story lines were so independent of each other. I especially enjoyed the story of Manon and the witches, and I could have read an entire book about her without having to go back to the other threads. Her parts were just too short for me. I found myself becoming just a little bored with Chaol and his story, although it picked up towards the end and brought it back together with the other piece.  A great continuation to the story, but there better be more as they still haven’t defeated the King and tied up all the loose ends. How many love interests can one girl have? And where are the witches coming into play here? I need to have that all wrapped up to be perfectly happy with this.”

Bekka rated it ★★★ and said, “3 1/2 stars—Again, I really enjoyed the plot and the characters, but this book was about twice as long as it needed to be! Each book is getting longer and longer, and more and more drawn out, and there needs to be some serious editing. This story could have been told in 300 pages at the most! Anyway, a great read if you’ve been reading the others, but gird up your loins for a long haul.

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Since You've Been Gone

by Morgan Matson

It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list.

On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back?

Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger? Um…

Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane’s list. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go skinny-dipping? Wait…what?

#9 in YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten 2015

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

My Life with the Walter Boys by Ali Novak

My Life with the Walter Boys

by Ali Novak

My Life with the Walter Boys centers on the prim, proper, and always perfect Jackie Howard. When her world is turned upside down by tragedy, Jackie must learn to cut loose and be part of a family again.

Jackie does not like surprises. Chaos is the enemy! The best way to get her successful, busy parents to notice her is to be perfect. The perfect look, the perfect grades-the perfect daughter. And then…

Surprise #1: Jackie’s family dies in a freak car accident.

Surprise #2: Jackie has to move cross-country to live with the Walters—her new guardians.

Surprise #3: The Walters have twelve sons. (Well, eleven, but Parker acts like a boy anyway)

Now Jackie must trade in her Type A personality and New York City apartment for a Colorado ranch and all the wild Walter boys who come with it. Jackie is surrounded by the enemy-loud, dirty, annoying boys who have no concept of personal space. Okay, several of the oldest guys are flat-out gorgeous. But still annoying. She’s not stuck-up or boring-no matter what they say. But proving it is another matter. How can she fit in and move on when she needs to keep her parents’ memory alive by living up to the promise of perfect?

#4 in YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten 2015

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Rebekah rated it ★★★★★ and said, “This wasn’t the most impressive book I’ve ever read. At times, it felt downright mediocre. But there was just something about it, and 15 minutes after I finished I felt the overwhelming desire to immediately read it again.”

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Curse

by Marie Rutkoski

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love…

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

book 1 in the Winner’s Trilogy

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