Whichwood – Tahereh Mafi

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: November 14th, 2017
Publisher: Dutton BFYR
Recommended Age: 10+
Pacing: Normal
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Friendship, Ghosts

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Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It’s become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair, and her own ever-increasing loneliness and fear. But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee’s world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship.

Reign of the Fallen – Sarah Glenn Marsh

Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Received: Publisher
First Published: January 23rd, 2018
Publisher: Razorbill
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Addiction, Action, Zombies

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BLURB:

Odessa is one of Karthia’s master necromancers, catering to the kingdom’s ruling Dead. Whenever a noble dies, it’s Odessa’s job to raise them by retrieving their souls from a dreamy and dangerous shadow world called the Deadlands. But there is a cost to being raised – the Dead must remain shrouded, or risk transforming into zombie-like monsters known as Shades. If even a hint of flesh is exposed, the grotesque transformation will begin. A dramatic uptick in Shade attacks raises suspicions and fears among Odessa’s necromancer community. Soon a crushing loss of one of their own reveals a disturbing conspiracy: someone is intentionally creating Shades by tearing shrouds from the Dead–and training them to attack. Odessa is faced with a terrifying question: What if her necromancer’s magic is the weapon that brings Karthia to its knees?