5⭐️ books

House of Salt and Sorrows

Erin A. Craig · 2019

Fourth Wing

Rebecca Yarros · 2023

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros<br/><br/>Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.<br/><br/>But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.<br/><br/>With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.<br/><br/>She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.<br/><br/>Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.<br/><br/>Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die

The Heart of Betrayal: The Remnant Chronicles

Mary E. Pearson · 2015

<p>Held captive in the barbarian kingdom of Venda, Lia and Rafe have little chance of escape . . . and even less of being together.<br><br>Desperate to save her life, Lia's erstwhile assassin, Kaden, has told the Vendan Komisar that she has a magical gift, and the Komisar's interest in Lia is greater than either Kaden or Lia foresaw.<br><br>Meanwhile, the foundations of Lia's deeply-held beliefs are crumbling beneath her. Nothing is straightforward: there's Rafe, who lied to her, but has sacrificed his freedom to protect her; Kaden, who meant to assassinate her but has now saved her life; and the Vendans, whom she always believed to be barbarians but whom she now realizes are people who have been terribly brutalized by the kingdoms of Dalbreck and Morrighan. Wrestling with her upbringing, her gift, and her very sense of self, Lia will have to make powerful choices that affect her country, her people . . . and her own destiny.</p>

Six of Crows

Leigh Bardugo · 2015

<p><b>See the Grishaverse come to life on screen with the Netflix series,<i> Shadow and Bone</i> -- Season 2 streaming now!</b><br><br><b>Meet Kaz Brekker and his crew: Jesper, Inej, Wylan, and the star-crossed Nina and Matthias, on the heist of a lifetime in <i>Six of Crows </i>from #1 bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo. </b><br><br> Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . .<br><br> <i>A convict with a thirst for revenge.<br><br> A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.<br><br> A runaway with a privileged past.<br><br> A spy known as the Wraith.<br><br> A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. <br><br> A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. </i><br><br> Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.<br><br> <i>Six of Crows</i> by Leigh Bardugo returns to the breathtaking world of the Grishaverse in this unforgettable tale about the opportunity—and the adventure—of a lifetime.<br><br> Read all the books in the Grishaverse!<br><br> <b><u>The Shadow and Bone Trilogy </u></b><br> (previously published as The Grisha Trilogy)<br> <i>Shadow and Bone</i><br> <i>Siege and Storm</i><br> <i>Ruin and Rising</i><br><br> <b><u>The Six of Crows Duology</u></b><br> <i>Six of Crows</i><br> <i>Crooked Kingdom</i><br><br> <b><u>The King of Scars Duology</u></b><br> <i>King of Scars<br> Rule of Wolves</i><br><br> <i>The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic</i><br> <i>The Severed Moon: A Year-Long Journal of Magic<br> The Lives of Saints</i></p>

Gallant

V. E. Schwab · 2022

AN INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A KIRKUS BEST BOOK A USA TODAY BESTSELLER A NATIONAL INDIE BESTSELLER “A bone-chilling standalone . . . which fuses Shirley Jackson’s gothic horror sensibilities with the warmth and dark whimsy of Neil Gaiman.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Gripping worldbuilding, well-rounded characters, and fantastic horror.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Unsettling and intriguing.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review) Everything casts a shadow. Even the world we live in. And as with every shadow, there is a place where it must touch. A seam, where the shadow meets its source. #1 New York Times–bestselling author V. E. Schwab weaves a dark and original tale about the place where the world meets its shadow, and the young woman beckoned by both sides. The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak in this stand-alone novel perfect for readers of Holly Black and Neil Gaiman. Olivia Prior has grown up in Merilance School for Girls, and all she has of her past is her mother’s journal—which seems to unravel into madness. Then, a letter invites Olivia to come home to Gallant. Yet when Olivia arrives, no one is expecting her. But Olivia is not about to leave the first place that feels like home; it doesn’t matter if her cousin Matthew is hostile, or if she sees half-formed ghouls haunting the hallways. Olivia knows that Gallant is hiding secrets, and she is determined to uncover them. When she crosses a ruined wall at just the right moment, Olivia finds herself in a place that is Gallant—but not. The manor is crumbling, the ghouls are solid, and a mysterious figure rules over all. Now Olivia sees what has unraveled generations of her family, and where her father may have come from. Olivia has always wanted to belong somewhere, but will she take her place as a Prior, protecting our world against the Master of the House? Or will she take her place beside him? New York Times–bestselling author V. E. Schwab crafts a vivid and lush novel that grapples with the demons that are often locked behind closed doors. An eerie, stand-alone saga about life, death, and the young woman beckoned by both. Readers of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, Melissa Albert, and Garth Nix will quickly lose themselves in this novel with crossover appeal for all ages.

Caraval (all 3)

Stephanie Garber · 2018

<p><b>Welcome, welcome to <i>CARAVAL</i>, Stephanie Garber’s enchanting, <i>NEW YORK TIMES</i> bestselling fantasy debut about two sisters swept up in a mysterious competition filled with magic, heartbreak, and danger</b><br><br>Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful and cruel father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.<br><br> But this year, Scarlett's long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to attend. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season's Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. <br><br>Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, and her sister disappears forever.<br><br>Continue the adventure in <i>Legendary </i>and <i>Finale—</i>out now!</p>

The Shadows Between Us

Tricia Levenseller · 2020

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 3)

Sarah J. Maas · 2020

The epic third novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas.<br/><br/>Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's actions and learn what she can about the invading king threatening to bring her land to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit. One slip could bring doom not only for Feyre, but for everything-and everyone-she holds dear.<br/><br/>As war bears down upon them all, Feyre endeavors to take her place amongst the High Fae of the land, balancing her struggle to master her powers-both magical and political-and her love for her court and family. Amidst these struggles, Feyre and Rhysand must decide whom to trust amongst the cunning and lethal High Lords, and hunt for allies in unexpected places.<br/><br/>In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the fate of Feyre's world is at stake as armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy it.

Heartless

Marissa Meyer · 2018

From Marissa Meyer, the #1 New York Times–bestselling story of Wonderland's most notorious villain: the Queen of Hearts.<br/><br/>Long before she was the terror of Wonderland―the infamous Queen of Hearts―she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.<br/><br/>Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.<br/><br/>Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.<br/><br/>In Heartless, her first stand-alone teen novel, the New York Times-bestselling author of the Lunar Chronicles dazzles us with a prequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.<br/><br/>Praise for Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles series:<br/><br/>#1 New York Times Bestselling Series, USA Today Bestseller, Publishers Weekly Bestseller, National Indie Bestseller<br/><br/>“Marissa Meyer rocks the fractured fairy tale genre.” ―The Seattle Times<br/><br/>“Prince Charming among the cyborgs.” ―The Wall Street Journal<br/><br/>Don't miss more from Marissa Meyer:<br/><br/>The Lunar Chronicles:<br/>Cinder<br/>Scarlet<br/>Cress<br/>Winter<br/>Stars Above<br/>Fairest<br/><br/>The Wires and Nerve series:<br/>Wires and Nerve: Volume 1<br/>Wires and Nerve: Volume 2<br/><br/>Renegades

The Cruel Prince

Holly Black · 2020

By #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, the first book in a stunning new series about a mortal girl who finds herself caught in a web of royal faerie intrigue.<br/>Of course I want to be like them. They're beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.<br/>And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.<br/>Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.<br/>To win a place at the Court, she must defy him--and face the consequences.<br/>In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Belladonna

Adalyn Grace · 2022

The New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.<br/><br/>Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each one more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation, and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.<br/><br/>However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.