The Lost Plot (The Invisible Library #4) by Genevieve Cogman

A covert mission
A royal demand
And a race against time

The fourth title in Genevieve Cogman's witty and wonderful The Invisible Library series, The Lost Plot is an action-packed literary adventure. 

In a 1930s-esqu Chicago, Prohibition is in force, fedoras, flapper dresses and tommy guns are in fashion, and intrigue is afoot. Intrepid Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in the middle of a dragon vs dragon context. It seems a young Librarian has become tangled in this conflict, and if they can't extricate him there could be serious political repercussions for the mysterious Library. And, as the balance of  power across mighty factions hangs in the balance, this could even trigger war.

Irene and Kai find themselved trapped in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They'll face gangsters, blackmail and fiendish security systems. And if this doesn't end well, it could have dire consequences for Irene's job. And incidentally, for her life...

Review

I absolutely loved the first three books in The Invisible Library series! So, when I saw this book on NetGalley, I was super-excited! 

If you haven't read the other books, check out my review of them HERE. 

It took me a little longer to get into this book than it did with the first three in the series. This may have just been because it didn't follow the same main plot lines that had been for the most part, resolved at the end of the third book. 

A few chapters in, I got sucked into the new plot, and by about half-way through the book, I couldn't put it down! I read the second half of the book in a few hours. 

As always, I ♥ ♥ ♥ Irene and Kai!!! I ♥ both of them, and they make a great team!

This book was a tad different than the first three, but if you like the other Invisible Library books I guarantee you will like this one!

Oh, and the ending was awesome! There wasn't a huge cliffhanger, but it was definitely enough to make me anxious to see what happens next. It just sucks that I have to wait until who knows when to read the next book! (There is no title or cover for it yet, and there is no intended release date listed on GoodReads.)

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

               

Shadow Rise (Shadow Fall #2) by Audrey Grey

Terrorist. Rebel. Traitor. 

One rash decision during the Shadow Trials led to unspeakable horrors that left innocents dead, friends injured and hunted by the Empire, and Maia Graystone imprisoned in the Toward at the Archduchess's mercy. 

Unsure if Riser Thornbrook survived, Maia must find a way to battle the Empire from within its own walls and escape so she can fulfill the promise to her father and stop the asteroid. But when she breaks free and joins Nicolai's Rebel army, she discovers she's been branded a traitor. With war between the Rebels and the Empire looming, old alliances shifting, and suspicion hanging over her head, she must fight in the Rebel Blood Courts - and win command - to regain their trust. 

Only problem is, first she has to defeat the reigning champion, someone she knows all too well. Will Maia's emotions lead to her defeat, or will she rise up and claim her victory?

Review

This book picks up where Shadow Fall left off. Maia had been captured after the botched attempt to murder the Emperor. 

There were little things that irked me about this book (mostly plot holes), but it still had me sucked in and I couldn't put it down.

I thought the surprise ending was a little odd, or maybe a bit rushed? I definitely wasn't expecting it, though!

This book was great! I think I liked this book better than the first, but there are certain things from the first book that I liked better.

As with the first book, Maia still bothered me at times, but I still ♥ ♥ ♥ Riser! (I know this is a small spoiler from the first book. Sorry!)

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

       

       

Shadow Fall (Shadow Fall #1) by Audrey Grey

The asteroid hurtling toward the earth will kill billions. 

The Emperor and his Gold Court will be safe in their space station, watching from the stars. The Silvers will be protected underground. But the Bronzes must fight it out at the Shadow Trials for the few remaining spots left on the space station. 

When an enigmatic benefactor hands Maia Graystone a spot in the Trials, she won't just get a chance at salvation for her and her baby brother, Max: She gets to confront the mother who abandoned her in prison, the mad Emperor who murdered her father, and the Gold prince who once loved her. But it's the dark bastard prince she's partnered with that will make her question everything, including her own heart. With the asteroid racing closer every day, Maia must trust someone to survive.

The question is who?

Review

I found Shadow Rise on NetGalley, and it looked so good that I decided to actually buy this book when I couldn't find it at the library or anywhere else online for free.

If you have read some of my previous posts, you may know how cheap I am. This is only the second book I've actually bought in years... like a lot of years.

Just to emphasize how significant it is for me to BUY a book, here an excerpt from my post about the one other book I've bought in the past at least 7 to 10 years:

I have not actually purchased a book in years. Anything that I can't get from the library or request to read and review, I usually just wait until I can. To emphasize my point, let me give you an example, a few of the best series I've read in the past couple of years, I was literally DYING to read the next book in the series. Even after being super upset at having to wait 6 months to a year for the next book to be released, I waited until I could download a copy through the library, even though there were a ton of people that had it on hold in front of me, and it ended up taking at least another couple of months. 

Now that I have given you a little insight into just how cheap I am when it comes to reading, let me reiterate it for you: I BOUGHT this book!!

When I started this book, I still had a little bit of a book hangover after reading the Graceling series, and I was looking for another book that would help cure it. This was a good choice!

As some of the other reviews on GoodReads pointed out, this book does have some similarities to The Hunger Games. However, it is definitely not a complete replica.

This book has a very unique concept: there is an asteroid that is weeks away from destroying the world, which has turned into a dystopia in anticipation of Pandora (the asteroid), with an evil Emperor leading them all to their doom in "Uploaders" that look like caskets. In there, people will upload to the consciousness of the Chosen 100.

The Chosen and the Goles, the elite, or at least the ones that aren't suspected of sympathizing with the rebels or using banned technology, all get to ride out the end of the world on a space station.

I really liked this book, but I also felt like the author could have added more explanation into some places. It was still great, though!

I ♥ ♥ ♥ Riser! He was my favorite.

I'm glad I have the next book on hand (thanks again, NetGalley!) and don't have to wait to see what happens next!

I will post my review of the sequel to this book, Shadow Rise, in a few days. 

       

Ludlow Lost (Osgoode Odyssey #1) by Kate Robinson Dunne

From GoodReads:

If you're reading this, you've probably never had the bad fortune to be kidnapped and held captive by creatures human beings don't believe in. 

Ludlow Osgoode has not been as lucky as you.

A Kirkus Indie Book of the Month (August 2017)

From Amazon:

This first book in Kate Robinson Dunne's Osgoode Odyssey introduces readers to Ludlow Osgoode and an assortment of creatures human beings don't believe in.

A few interesting facts about these creatures...

1. Banshees are not known for their ability to nurse children back ot health and are definitely not qualified to prescribe medication.
2. Goblins have terrible memories and are known to hold grudges, although they usually can't remember why.
3. Fairies are not known for kidnapping human children, nor for having their hearts broken by them, but both of these things have happened - this is the story of it.

Review

Although this book wasn't at all what I expected, I really enjoyed it!

I'm curious to see what the author does with the sequel. She didn't leave this book with a big cliffhanger, and there are so many different ways she could go with the story. I have a few ideas from the way the last few pages, but there are so many different possibilities. 

I am quite disappointed that the sequel (according to a note in the back of the book) will not be released until Spring 2019! Why so long?

I loved the humor in this book! There are some very silly parts. ☺

The goblins were definitely my favorite! They were hilarious!

This book reminded me a little bit of Coraline (the book, not the movie. I haven't seen the movie, but I would like to.). It was a little dar

I really don't know what else to say about this book without giving away spoilers...

Overall, this was a great book! I definitely recommend it for all ages! 

My only problem is how long I'm going to have to wait to read the sequel! 

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. 

Shadow Weaver by MarcyKate Connolly

The shadows that surround us aren't always as they seem...

Emmeline has grown up with a gift. Since the time she was a baby, she has been able to control shadows. And her only friend and companion is her own shadow, Dar.

Disaster strikes when a noble family visits their home and offers to take Emmeline away and cure her of magic. Desperate not to lose her shadows, she turns to Dar, who proposes a deal: Dar will change the noble's mind, if Emmeline will help her become flesh as she once was. Emmeline agrees, but the next morning, the man in charge is in a coma and all that the witness saw was a long shadow with no one nearby to cast it. Scared to face punishment, Emmeline and Dar run away.

With the noble's guard on her trail, Emmeline's only hope of clearing her name is to escape capture and perform the ritual that will set Dar free. But Emmeline's not sure she can trust Dar anymore, and it's hard to keep secrets from someone who can never leave your side.

The first in a dark middle-grade fantasy duology, MarcyKate Connolly weaves a tale filled with shadows, danger, and magic that has the feel of a new classic. 

Review

I loved this book! It was awesome!

I started reading Middle Grade books last year. I have read several now, and I have been pleasantly surprised by them. So far, I think The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding was my favorite, then this book and Ludlow Lost probably tie for second place with the MG books I've read so far. From the description and reviews, I was expecting something kind of along the same lines of Coraline. There were definitely some similarities in the feel of the story, and think it was just as good as Coraline (the book, not the movie. Well, I haven't seen the movie, so maybe the movie...)!

This book has an interesting concept. Emmeline can manipulate shadows, and her only friend is her shadow. When a man comes to offer a parents a chance to cure her of her magic, she runs away with her best friend, her shadow named Dar.

That is the main plot, but there are lots of twists and turns. Like Coraline, it is a little dark for a children's book (definitely not a bad thing). It almost reminded me of Miss Peregrine a little, too.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone, especially if you like YA books that are a little dark.

I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series! My only complaint is that I have to wait so long to see what happens next!

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.