Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: 2008
Publisher: Razorbill
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Boarding School, Romance, Friendship, Mystery, magic, Vampires

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BLURB:

It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

The Thief and the Sword (Cleopatra in Space #2)

The Thief and the Sword by Mike Maihack

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Comics
First Published: 2015
Publisher: Graphix
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Super fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Action, Science Fiction, Humor

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BLURB:

When a mysterious thief steals the ancient sword Cleo recovered in Cleopatra In Space, Book One: Target Practice, Cleo is determined to get it back, but her teachers at Yasiro Academy forbid her from risking her life. Stuck at school, Cleo is having a hard time adjusting to her newfound popularity and responsibility. And when she learns more about the prophecy that names her the savior of the galaxy and the time tablets that could decide her fate, she must go on a dangerous journey to find them before they can fall into the wrong hands.

Target Practice (Cleopatra in Space #1)

Target Practice by Mike Maihack

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Diamond Comics
First Published: 2014
Publisher: Graphix
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Super fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Action, Science Fiction, Humor

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BLURB:

When a young Cleopatra (yes, THAT Cleopatra) finds a mysterious tablet that zaps her to the far, REALLY far future, she learns of an ancient prophecy that says she is destined to save the galaxy from the tyrannical rule of the evil Xaius Octavian. She enrolls in Yasiro Academy, a high-tech school with classes like algebra, biology, and alien languages (which Cleo could do without), and combat training (which is more Cleo’s style). With help from her teacher Khensu, Cleo learns what it takes to be a great leader, all while trying to figure out how she’s going to get her homework done, make friends, and avoid detention!

The Girl in the Tower – Katherine Arden

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: December 5th, 2017
Publisher: Del Rey
Recommended Age: 14+
Pacing: Slow
Genres & Themes: Adult, Fantasy, Russian Folklore, Adventure, Family, Romance

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BLURB:

The magical adventure begun in The Bear and the Nightingale continues as brave Vasya, now a young woman, is forced to choose between marriage or life in a convent and instead flees her home—but soon finds herself called upon to help defend the city of Moscow when it comes under siege.

Whiskerella (Hamster Princess #5)

Whiskerella by Ursula Vernon

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: January 23rd, 2018
Publisher: Dial Books
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Action, Cinderella, Magic

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BLURB:

Princess Harriet Hamsterbone is not the kind of princess who enjoys fancy dresses or extravagant parties. Cliff-diving, fractions, and whacking people with swords are more her thing. So when she’s forced to attend a boring ball in honor of a visiting ambassador, Harriet is less than thrilled–until a bewitchingly beautiful stranger arrives. Who is she? And where did she come from? The mystery leads to a not-so-wicked stepsister, an incontinent lizard, and a fairy’s spell that’s really more of a curse. Luckily, Harriet knows a thing or two about curses…

Giant Trouble (Hamster Princess #4)

Giant Trouble by Ursula Vernon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: May 9th, 2017
Publisher: Dial Books
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Action, Adventure

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BLURB:

Princess Harriet Hamsterbone doesn’t go looking for trouble. She prefers to think of it as looking for adventure. But when she climbs to the top of an enormous beanstalk and sneaks into the castle at the top, Harriet finds plenty of both. The castle is home to one very poetically challenged giant rabbit with two unusual prisoners a girl who is half harp, half hamster, and an extremely large goose. This calls for a heroic rescue, and Harriet is just the hamster for the job.

Bras & Broomsticks (Magic in Manhattan, #1)

Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: 2005
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Witches, Magic, High School, Family

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BLURB:

What if all your wishes could come true? Blink your eyes, drink a fizzing pink potion, and poof! Life is perfect. That’s Rachel’s situation. Except she’s not the one who suddenly has magical powers. Her younger sister is. And as Rachel would tell you, spellbooks are wasted on the young. Yes, yes, of course world peace and cures for horrible diseases are important. But so is dancing without looking like she’s being electrocuted, winning back her best friend, stopping her dad’s wedding, and finding a date for Spring Fling. Rachel’s not bewitched. Yet. . . .

Ratpunzel (Hamster Princess #3)

Ratpunzel by Ursula Vernon

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: October 18th, 2016
Publisher: Dial Books
Recommended Age: 8+
Pacing: Super fast
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Action, Adventure

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BLURB:

Princess Harriet Hamsterbone does not like sitting around at home. How’s a princess supposed to have any fun when her parents are constantly reminding her to be careful and act princessly? So when her pal Prince Wilbur needs help finding a stolen hydra egg, Harriet happily takes up the quest.  The thief’s trail leads them to a wicked witch and a tall tower, occupied by a rat whose tail has more than meets the eye!

Vampire Academy (#1)

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: 2007
Publisher: Razorbill
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Boarding School, Romance, Friendship, Mystery, magic, Vampires

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BLURB:

Lissa Dragomir is a Moroi princess: a mortal vampire with a rare gift for harnessing the earth’s magic. She must be protected at all times from Strigoi; the fiercest vampires – the ones who never die. The powerful blend of human and vampire blood that flows through Rose Hathaway, Lissa’s best friend, makes her a dhampir. Rose is dedicated to a dangerous life of protecting Lissa from the Strigoi, who are hell-bent on making Lissa one of them. After two years of freedom, Rose and Lissa are caught and dragged back to St. Vladimir’s Academy, a school for vampire royalty and their guardians-to-be, hidden in the deep forests of Montana. But inside the iron gates, life is even more fraught with danger . . . and the Strigoi are always close by.

Batman: Nightwalker – Marie Lu

Batman: Nightwalker by Marie Lu

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: January 4th, 2018
Publisher: Penguin BFYR
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Action, Mystery, Coming of Age

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BLURB:

Returning home from his lavish eighteenth birthday party, Bruce Wayne stops a criminal’s getaway – disobeying the police and crashing his car during the chase. Sentenced to community service in Gotham City’s Arkham Asylum, he encounters some of the city’s most dangerous and mentally disturbed criminals. Among these, Bruce meets the intriguing Madeleine who has ties to the Nightwalker gang that is terrorizing Gotham City. She’s a mystery Bruce has to unravel but can he trust her? The Nightwalkers target the rich, and Bruce’s name is next on their list.