Reader Girls Blog

False Covenant (Widdershins Adventures #2)  by Ari Marmell YA fantasy, Hardcover/eBook, 281 pages Published June 26th 2012 by Pyr (first published June 5th 2012) The Church is finally lifting its interdictions and the city has begun to recover, but much of the populace-angry at the clergy-has turned away from the Church hierarchy, choosing private worship or small, independent shrines. And the new bishop, concerned for his new position and angry at the people of Davillon, plans to do something about it. Through a combination of trickery and real magic, the bishop fakes the appearance of a supernatural threat, stalking the nighttime streets-something just frightening and just unnatural enough that it should drive the people to turn back to the Church for protection. It's a hoax that might have worked, had it not provided cover for a true creature of the other world to infiltrate the seedier streets of Davillon, to intertwine its tendrils through the lower echelons of so...

Thief's Covenant (Widdershins Adventures #1)  by Ari Marmell YA high fantasy*Hardcover/eBook, 273 pages Published February 21st 2012 by Pyr (first published February 14th 2012) Once she was Adrienne Satti. An orphan of Davillon, she had somehow escaped destitution and climbed to the ranks of the city's aristocracy in a rags-to-riches story straight from an ancient fairy tale. Until one horrid night, when a conspiracy of forces-human and other-stole it all away in a flurry of blood and murder. Today she is Widdershins, a thief making her way through Davillon's underbelly with a sharp blade, a sharper wit, and the mystical aid of Olgun, a foreign god with no other worshippers but Widdershins herself. It's not a great life, certainly nothing compared to the one she once had, but it's hers. But now, in the midst of Davillon's political turmoil, an array of hands are once again rising up against her, prepared to tear down all that she's built. The Ci...

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo YA fantasy*Hardcover/eBook, 448 pages Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by Henry Holt and Co. Darkness never dies. Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long. The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming sto...

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1)  by Leigh Bardugo YA fantasy*Hardcover/eBook, 356 pages Published June 5th 2012 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (first published May 17th 2012) The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka. Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free? The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him. But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him? Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance. Woot! Squee! Swoon...

Spellbinding by Maya Gold YA paranormal*Paperback/eBook, 272 pages Published April 1st 2013 by Scholastic Point There's more than one way to be powerful . . . It is during a routine school project that Abby Silva--sixteen and nearly friendless--makes a startling discovery: She is descended from women who were accused of witchcraft back in 1600s Salem. And when Abby visits nearby Salem, strange, inexplicable events start to unfold. Objects move when she wills them to. Candles burst into sudden flame. And an ancient spellbook somehow winds up in her possession. Trying to harness her newfound power, Abby concocts a love potion to win over her longtime crush--and exact revenge upon his cruel, bullying girlfriend. But old magic is not to be trifled with. Soon, Abby is thrust headlong into a world of hexes, secrets, and danger. And then there's Rem Anders, the beautiful, mysterious Salem boy who seems to know more about Abby than he first lets on. A reckoning...

On the surface, Lynsey Reznor seems to have it all. She is beautiful, brilliant, and a successful true-crime writer who has been living the past decade in Miami. But what Lynsey lacks is what she needs the most—a family. After the death of her mother, and yet another failed relationship, Lynsey makes an impulsive decision to return to her hometown of Unity. But Unity will present its own bittersweet memories, most notably, her first love, Nick Lincoln. Twenty years ago, Nick broke teenager Lynsey’s heart when he decided to marry another. He had his own private reasons—reasons he never explained to Lynsey. Now she is back, along with a chance to reclaim her love. But Lynsey wants answers from him that he may never be able to give out of duty and guilt. Available at Amazon: Single Title | Collection (Additional Bonus Stories: Remember the Stars and Antique Charming ) About the Author: Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author. Her passions in l...