The Unwanteds Quests #7: Dragon Fury by Lisa McMann

My name is Florence, and Thisbe has finally finished explaining her support of the Revinir. We were all convinced she had sided with the Revinir, but Fifer confirms it was all part of her plan. I still think Thisbe is hiding something, since I can't understand how her Obliterate spell missed the Revinir. She never misses a spell she's perfected, so I'm not sure that I fully trust her. We're sure the Revinir is planning an all-out attack on our crumbling castle, but we'll hopefully be able to spring a surprise attack. However, the fact remains that none of our spells or weapons have been able to kill her, so how can we end her reign of terror? The answer might be found in the message saying "water" that Thisbe received from her sister.

You should read the whole series to understand the dynamics of all the characters, and there are a lot of characters. This book brings the whole series to a satisfying conclusion, as it even touches on the characters' lives many years after the final battle. The very last chapter addresses characters you might have forgotten. The story builds the suspense for a climactic confrontation with the Revinir's dragon army. In a way, it was anticlimactic, as the twins and Florence had created a detailed plan of attack. They seemed to have considered everything and didn't encounter any significant hiccups. I was expecting a more back-and-forth battle. The characters highlight the book's appeal. The twins are becoming effective leaders, but everything depends on teamwork. If you've read the previous books, you know the team consists of humans, dragons, statues, animals and other creatures. They all have their own personalities, but it's nice to see them uniting for a common cause. The author addresses an often-ignored issue with evil characters in that they're not always entirely evil. Thisbe struggles with knowing the Revinir was once a fragile young girl, so how much punishment is warranted? Overall, you'll definitely enjoy this book if you've liked the others, so give it a shot.

Thieves of Weirdwood: A William Shivering Tale by Christian McKay Heidicker and William Shivering

My name is Graham, and I think I've prepared my brother Wally for his difficult days ahead in the Mirror world. He may not believe what I told him, since I'm currently living in a mental hospital, but he's managed to find his way to Weirdwood Manor. The Manor's staff is committed to keeping Fae creatures from invading the real world and closing any Rifts between the two worlds. I met Wally's friend named Arthur, and I gave him a Golden Scarab to deliver to the Manor. It might have been nice to tell him what it would do, but I didn't want to. Wally has a very important role to play in the battle between Kingsport and Mirror Kingsport, and there's not much he can do about it. His fate has been determined. 

This book presents an innovative world of speculative fiction. Weirdwood Manor hides within the walls of abandoned buildings, and the staff is tasked with rounding up escaped, imaginary creatures. The plot contains mystery, adventure, and humor. Someone has found a way to travel between worlds without Rifts, which shouldn't be possible. The actual antagonists are unclear, and the author finds a way to constantly change our focus. Who's pulling the strings? The story is full of battles with monsters and other creepy things that originate from the imaginations of the Kingsport citizens. This book literally has ideas and stories come to life and gives authors immense power. Wally is the main character, while Arthur tries to become his favorite book character, a Gentleman Thief. Arthur has all kinds of wacky plans and has a talent to persuade others. I didn't originally see Graham as a significant character, but rest assured he plays an important role in the story. The plot offers many surprises with a full range of emotions. The cast of strangers go back and forth with trust, and there is one significant death. Actually, two deaths, but one of them occurred before the book begins. Overall, I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, and I recommend you give it a shot. 

Pages & Co. #2: The Lost Fairy Tales by Anna James

My name is Tilly, and horrifying changes are happening at the British Underlibrary. Melville Underwood is now in charge, and he wants books to be bound and bookwanderers stamped. He even wants to stop kids like Oskar and me from any bookwandering. He got elected Librarian by saying he knows where to find Enoch Chalk, but his story is sketchy. Chalk trapped my mother in a book for years, and I'd love to see him captured. Traveling to see Oskar's dad in Paris is a nice distraction, and we didn't plan to do any bookwandering. We especially didn't plan to enter an unpredictable fairy tale. However, Prince Charming has taken Oskar somewhere, and I'm getting help from Jack and Rapunzel to find him. All I really know is something terrible is going on and books are leaking magic. 

You can probably enjoy this book without reading the first one, but you'll miss the backstory of Tilly and Enoch Chalk. You'll enjoy this book if you like mashed up fairy tales. It's clear Underwood is the main antagonist this time, but his evilness goes far beyond the Underlibrary. You'll do well to remember that evil characters can't be trusted, so question everything they say. The plot follows Tilly, as she investigates her first fairy tales. You'll find characters from different stories interacting and tales that have been twisted. Gaps and emptiness pop up all over the place. These things create elements of danger and uncertainty, and the book reads like a mysterious adventure. Who is causing these changes, and why? Tilly's mother is human and her father is a fictional character, so Tilly has some unique abilities. The extent of them is unclear, and the author is only starting to shed light on them. Oskar is a loyal friend and supports Tilly, even when she makes bad choices. His family brings new characters to the story, and that may not be a totally good thing. The whole conflict within the Underlibrary boils down to freedom of choice, which might be comparable to the real-world debates within the United States. Overall, I'm enjoying the series, and it looks like the sequel will take the conflict in a new direction. Give it a shot. 

The Unwanteds Quests #6: Dragon Slayers by Lisa McMann

I am the Revinir, and my plans to rule the Seven Islands and get my revenge against the Stowes is almost complete. The only thing left is for Thisbe Stowe to join me in ruling the lands. I can't get all of the dragons and citizens to willfully obey me without her help. Of course, she's making demands before she'll agree to my terms, but that's just what I'd expect from a girl who's mostly evil. I suppose I'll eventually agree to her demands, since I'll just throw her in the dungeons after our partnership is announced. However, I don't fully trust her. I can't understand what she's thinking like I can with everyone else in Grimere, and she's tricked me before. I've been watching her carefully, and I've tried to detect any lies she might be telling. I feel confident I can trust her this time, and I'll soon have all the power I've ever wanted.

You need to read the series from the beginning, and you might even want to go back and read the previous series, The Unwanteds, too. This book was the easiest to follow, since it focused solely on the battle with the Revinir. It included a select group of characters, whereas most of the earlier books included casts of dozens. Thisbe took the greatest risk and evoked the greatest emotions. Trying to fool the Revinir was almost an impossible task, and there was no magic or weapon that could hurt her. Thisbe had a devastating secret weapon, and it seemed clear she'd eventually use it at the climax of the plot. However, would the weapon even work on the Revinir? Would the Revinir figure out Thisbe's deceit before Thisbe had a chance to do something? Would Thisbe's feelings of empathy create a change in plans? These questions created increasing suspense as D-Day grew nearer and kept the story engaging. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend you give the series a shot. I'm assuming this book's sequel will bring the series to an end, as all of the pieces seem to be falling into place.

Valkyrie #1 by Kate O'Hearn

My name is Freya, and the first warrior I reaped to Valhalla has me questioning what it means to be a Valkyrie. I haven't seen many humans worth celebrating, but I still made a promise to check on the man's family. Odin forbids any of us from traveling to Midgard without his permission, but keeping promises is important to me. The man could not have known his wife would also die, leaving Tamika and her baby sister without a parent, or that developers would use violent measures to acquire his house. The biggest thing I didn't expect was meeting Archie. He has become a brave warrior since being bullied by JP, and I'm starting to care about this human. However, I'm now realizing how much things are getting out of control. It's only a matter of time before I feel Odin's wrath.

This book presented a different point of view about how deceased warriors were celebrated in Valhalla. Freya's first warrior didn't like fighting and only cared about his family. This attitude differed from her feelings that humans were violent and only cared about themselves. I always enjoy stories where non-human characters make observations about our humanity. They make you think. The most enjoyable part of the plot was Freya's relationship with Archie, although JP was crazy and way out of control for a middle grade bully. Archie had an absentee, alcoholic mother and lived alone in their apartment. He showed how some people are still able to have good attitudes and be successful despite their troubling situations. Readers should be able to empathize with his character. Concerns for Tamika and Archie were the main focus of the plot, but the threat of Odin and his anger were always a danger. Freya knew she'd lose her wings, but her actions also put her sister and others in danger. It was clear the countdown to the climax was centered on the moment Odin learned the truth. I've read a number of books based on Norse mythology, but I don't recall any that featured the Valkyries. I enjoyed this book very much and recommend you give it a shot. 

The Unwanteds Quests #5: Dragon Fire by Lisa McMann

My name is Simber, and I'm torn inside. As a giant winged cheetah, I've pledged to support the head mage of Artime. However, Aaron gave the position to Frieda Stubbs, and she's a despicable person. She's doing all she can to tear the citizens apart, and she's determined to kill all of the Stowes. I hate that Aaron's put me in this position. However, I told Frieda that I will not harm Aaron, Thisbe, or Fifer, so I know she doesn't trust me anymore. Most of the remaining citizens support her, while most of her opponents have left the city. Due to my pledge, I can't help anyone fighting against Frieda, so can she ever be stopped? I wish I could talk to my best friend Florence, but she rightfully doesn't trust me either. And with the Revinir ready to start a war with Artime, will peace ever return to the island?

You should read the series from the beginning. It's been difficult reading the series as it's being written, since I must wait a year or two before getting my hands on the sequels. This makes it more confusing, as the books have so many characters to remember. The cast is a mixture of humans, dragons, and other creatures with various backstories. The nice thing in this book is that most of the plot takes place in Artime. The main characters display great determination, ingenuity, and teamwork to overcome overwhelming odds. The biggest conflicts involve Frieda Stubbs's divisive leadership in Aritme, and the Revinir's mysterious movements from afar. As I've said in other posts, Frieda's behavior reminds me of political leaders using lies, fear, and "patriotism" to justify their violent strategies and rhetoric. Her supporters greatly outnumber the protagonists, but the negativity of her style creates a fragile position. The twins, Thisbe and Fifer, continue their personal conflict, but it seems out of character that they've gone so long without any feelings talk. It eventually comes to an end. Overall, I enjoyed this book more than some others in the series, since the plot seemed more focused. I assume the sequel will target the Revinir and her brain-washed dragons.

Addison Cooke #2 and the Tomb of the Khan by Jonathan W. Stokes

My name is Eddie, and I don't know why I ever listen to Addison. He promised me an eating tour of authentic Chinese food, but there's not much to eat while stumbling through the Gobi Desert. Last year, we were running for our lives in South America, and now we're being chased again by Russian and Chinese gangs. Addison's aunt and uncle have been kidnapped, again, because the bad guys want to find Genghis Khan's treasure. It looks like the only way out of this mess is for Addison, Molly, Raj, and me to find it first. This may prove to be impossible, since everyone who ever knew where Khan was buried were killed. Then, there's supposedly a curse saying a bunch of ghost warriors will kill anyone who might actually find the treasure's location. Why did I listen to Addison?

This book told an entertaining adventure to find an ancient treasure and revolved around Addison Cooke. Addison's smart, but not super smart, and he doesn't have any superpowers. His most powerful talent is an ability to talk his way out of any situation. While this is amusing, it also challenges my tolerance for the unbelievable. Surprisingly, I find it easier to accept characters in other books fighting off monsters and supernatural beings than it is to believe Addison can talk and/or fight his way past gang members and assassins. It gets old and tries my tolerance after happening for the first time. The cast of characters are enjoyable with their individual personalities. Addison takes risks and won't accept anything being impossible. His sister Molly trusts him and is willing to use her skills learned from eight weeks of karate training. Raj is a daredevil and constantly jumps in when others are in danger. Finally, Eddie manages to whine and find the worst in any situation. The group is joined by a haggard pilot and his Great Dane dog. Overall, the book is entertaining, and I recommend you give it a shot. You can still enjoy it without having read the first book in the series.