Nowhere Else But Here by Rachel Cotton

 

A Young Adult novel with twenty eight chapters in first person. It follows the main character Rose. Other characters include her friends Grace and Naya, and Tristan Meyers who like Rose and keeps staring at her. It is about how Theo Lockhart becomes a missing person at school – which no one really knows. Theo comes to her door stating he needs her help and instructs her not to call the police, and that he will only be a few nights. He wants her to hide him. She reluctantly agrees and states he must stay in her room no matter what. They are able to make it through a few days before her parents find out and sent back home and goes back to school. Overtime while staying with her and in the aftermath of the stay the two do find their way into a relationship.

So it is more of that classic YA novel where two different characters end up starting or developing a relationship through the course of the book.

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die by Christine Hurley Deriso

This is a young adult fiction, that goes back and forth between the two main characters Jade and Ethan. For this type of narrative, I am comparing it to Jodi Picoult because it is stated whose point of view it is coming from and the point of view continues on the story. It does not reply to the same scene over to get the other person point of view. It follows Jade a high school student, who works at a gym, last year of school but is delaying going to post-secondary because of family issues. Ethan goes to the same school as her, going to church every Sunday, has a girlfriend name Brianne. Ethan and Jade are not friends or in the same social groups. It is one night at the gym as it is closing that Ethan does not realize it is closing but the manager has okayed for him to a quick workout, Jade is not happy about this – she wants to home. The story could end here, but it would not be a great story – the story kicks off when a guy comes into the gym thinking Jade is the only one there, takes out a gun and demands money. Unable to provide any from the gym, Jade and Ethan are pushed into a room, personal effects handed to thief and is left there for about eight hours. It is after they get out that their interactions and attitudes start to change and people are starting to notice this as well. As the story progress and situations happen with other characters the reader see a Young adult romance start – eventually.

Shadows of Wychering - Michael wigington

Young Adult Fiction

the story follows Lady Ameline Harsent in this fantasy novella set in the Corvarix Age. Ameline, Jaime and Morgan journey together to Wychering.  The night took Adien's daughter – red-eyed demons. Believing that there is magick at Wychering – why Ameline and Morgan are there to help with the dark magic. Ameline has Morgan help her to sense the magic. As troubles com their way in the forest, Ameline meets Frigga who helps her. She comes out surviving and a sort of happy ending that is for the story.

            It is okay, a decent read. If you like fantasy in the more young adult way – this could be a read for you. This is not a blow my mind kind of book or top of the list but is a read if in between books.

Slave, Warrior, Queen Morgan Rice

The first of a series by Morgan Rice. I got this from Kobo for free – at the time of reading and for a few months after. It starts with Ceres the main character for the book and series. She is settled in Delos, book starting with the Festival of the Killings. We meet her brothers and friend/somewhat love interest. The conflict/first conflict point starts when the Emperor's soldiers take her, in which she defends herself. At the same time we learn that her father is bladesmith and has taught her, he has left for a better job elsewhere and that her mom and she are not on good terms – her mom not fully loving towards her. She has found a few ways to keep herself alive/surviving in terms that she wants. When she accepts to be a weapon keeper, a whole new set of problems arise for her and another woman feeling threatened by her. While all this is going on and what has gotten her in this mess is the Revolution against the Empire. After lives lost and heartbreak Ceres becomes a fighter in the Killings which would lead into the second book.

“Robin Hood's Dawn Book 1,” by Olivia Longeville

This is a YA/teen read. At the beginning, there are a few pages that cover family lines and shields to cover any mentions in the story. This book takes place over a few years but any jumps are dealt with in a nice way. It may be jumpy for some readers. There is a glossary at the end of the book, which I find interesting for works of fiction. I am used to seeing maps and flow charts in books.It looks at the relationship between Robert (Robin's real name) and Guy, the book goes between them and at times other characters introduced. It does have a good connection between Robin and Marian. Within the book of meeting the Merry Men – Robin meets Little John first and shows the relationship Robin has with the kings of his time – John and Richard.

There is a telling that Robin does have a slight fall from his position, as well as Marian but ends up that they are still in their positions at the end of the book. Considering that this is book one of a series. It does have a look Marian as her own person and not just the love interest of Robin – which is nice to see.

If you like Robin Hood or any aspect of telling his story this is an interesting take on the story of him. Due to some first telling of his story is told by Disney. It has the familiar characters we are used to. It shows the rise of Robin Hood and just the Robin many of us know.

“Liornabella,” A.E. Outerbridge

We first meet Elle, the main character, in the town of Seraphina in the land of Liornabella. The main city is Casleton where she is determined to go to Eidden University. The book is the first book in this young adult fantasy series. This book is sixty-six chapters long. But they are not fully long. There is a steady pace of the book. And not a huge climax and resolution, but there is that within this book, do not worry. There is a good flow of the writing.

She is accepted into the university and is on the horse riding team – Eowyn her horse. She leaves her friend Martine to go, but as the story unfolds he is brought into the mix. As well her new roommate Naomi. Things take a turn for Elle and her friends when discovering documents of the princess (Sinead) who disappeared a few hundred years ago (documents, memory, dreams in italics or bold). It is within these documents she finds something darker. When she is delving into the history beyond her history report she feels she is being watched especially after getting from the abbot. She is doing this with her friends all while keeping up with school and riding.