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Admittedly, within the first five pages I was drawn into Mouse's world of craziness. The author, T. Kingfisher, does an extraordinary job with her character development to which even Mouse's dog Bongo becomes tangible and relatable. The story itself leads Mouse to South Carolina to clean out her dead grandmother's "cabin in the woods". (I know, YIKES!) Unbeknown to Mouse, the grandmother was a hoarder. However, undeterred Mouse tackles the task of clearing out the house when she stumbles upon her step-grandfather's journal. At this pivotal point, the terrors that surround the area start to reveal themselves at a steady pace. If you are afraid of the dark and even more afraid of looking out your window in the middle of the night - this book will amplify those fears!! I couldn't put this book down!

Gown is a heartbreaking mystery that follows a 17 year old, aspiring singer named Enchanted Jones. Enchanted catches the eye of a famous 28 year old singer named Korey Fields. However, Korey's infatuation with Enchanted crosses into sexual abuse and kidnapping as he exerts an untouchable power that comes with his level of fame. The author, Tiffany D. Jackson, did a remarkable job at bringing to light the #MeToo movement that is affecting so many women in today's society. As the reader, you are pulled into Enchanted's world to which you just want to yell, "Run"! "Don't believe him"!

*Disclaimer: this novel does have mentions of sexual abuse, rape, assault, child abuse, kidnapping, and addiction to opioids

Roam is a fantastic, eye-opening novel about the raw and truthfully plight of a homeless teen. This novel pulled at my heartstrings and ignited my passion to help those in need. The novel's messages of hardship, empathy, forgiveness, and kindness are wonderful reminders to not judge your peers and to take a stand against bullying.

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I absolutely loved this stand-alone novel! The bone houses, or zombies, are the undead that have rises from the graves that are located in the woods. However, these risen corpses are not your typical horror film zombies; the bone houses have a majestic like presence from an ancient curse. It is the Grave Digger, Aderyn, that discovers that the bone houses are acting out of character by venturing outside the woods into the nearby village to attack the citizens. The Grave Digger and a visiting mapmaker, Ellis, must under go a quest to stop the curse and find out about their past.

Elana K. Arnold's novel is as raw and real as it gets. This novel is a coming of age story which focus's on Nina Faye, a fourteen year old who is trying to discover what unconditional love is. Her journey does include* sexuality, abortion, depression, and grief to which many of today's teens can relate to.

*Disclaimer: this novel does contain a lot of sexual content and language.

Nineth House by Leigh BardugoLeigh Bardugo has an excellent resume of novels to include Six of Crows, Shadow and Bone, and King of Scars. Her latest book, Ninth House, is definitely an adult book containing sexual content, violence, and adult language. With that said, WOW! This book took me on an incredible and dark journey through the world of magic, mystery, and deception at the prestigious university of Yale. For me, the beginning does start off a little slow, but by the middle, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! It left me hungry for more with the ending lending itself to a second novel!

Warning: the reviewer does curse

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven by Bella ForrestI had a chance to read the first book in the series and was pleasantly surprised. It is a about a teenager who discovers that she can do more than she realizes as she is thrown into a word of wizardly. It is reminds me of a modern day Harry Potter with a female heroine. If you want a fun and easy read this is the book for you. Beware: there are 18 books in the series - you might get hooked!

Perfect Chemistry by Simone ElkelesEven though Perfect Chemistry is part of a series, this novel can be read as a stand alone book. Set in a high school atmosphere, two teens from opposite backgrounds, are forced to work together in chemistry class. As the semester progresses so does their relationship, but both discover the world can be cruel and unforgiving. Can they break the barriers and stereotypes that threaten their chances of romance?

Bone Witch (Series) by Rin Chupeco#1 Bone Witch
#2 Heart Forger
#3 Shadowglass

This story involves Geishas, bone witches, elementals, demonic beasts, and romance. The first book in the series lays some serious groundwork for the 2nd and 3rd installments. Although, the first several chapters leaves the reader a little lost, it all makes sense as the series continues- just push through. The second and third books will leave you breathless with lots of action and emotional struggles. This series is definitely for reader who can keep track of multiple characters and tons of information.

No Safety in Numbers by Dayna LorentzWhat would you do if you were quarantined in a mall due to a bio-hazard bomb with no cell service? Advance forward, within a week, food is running low, people are forming gangs, and the virus has begun making people sick. Finally, with bodies pilling up, all the medical personnel have left, boarded up the windows, and turned off all the lights-leaving everyone in complete darkness and fear. Could you survive?

#1 No Safety in Numbers
#2 No Easy Way Out
#3 No Dawn Without Darkness

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Acevedo Interview

Alice in Zombieland by Gena ShowalterWhite Rabbit Chronicles (4 books)
#1 Alice in Zombieland
#2 Through the Zombie Glass
#3 The Queen of Zombie Hearts
#4 A Mad Zombie Party

Do Zombies exist? After Alice lost her family in a devastating car accident, she discovers the truth that monsters are real. The only way for her to avenge her family's death is to fight, survive, and learn to trust others again. This is on the top of my favorites' list!!!! The story is compelling and extremely action-packed. Make sure you have the entire series before you start reading because you will want to binge read in one continuous setting.

Luna Chronicles by Marissa Meyer Luna Chronicles by Marissa MeyerAgain, this series is one of my personal favorites! All of the characters are well rounded and play important roles throughout the entire series with each book entwining brilliantly into the next. Tons of excitement, adventure, and of course romance. Once again, it is a binge reading endeavor!
#2 Scarlet
#3 Cress
#4 Winter

Story enhancements:
Fairest
Stars Above

Splinter (Series) by A.G. Howard Splinter (Series) by A.G. HowardThis is a dark and twisted "Alice and Wonderland" series to which you will fall in love with both the Protagonist and Antagonist. With it's root entwined in both fantasy and reality, the plot keeps you on a roller coaster ride that you will not want to disembark from.
#1 Splinter
#2 Unhinged
#3 Ensnared

Villains (Series) by Serena ValentinoSerena Valentino takes readers behind the scenes of their favorite Disney Villains and enhances our favorite stories through the lenses of its evil characters. Each book gently weaves its tale through the entire series, magically connecting the villains' lives. I absolutely loved this entire series and the way the author pulls the reader into the characters' tragic worlds! I started feeling compassion and found myself occasionally rooting for the bad guy - even though I knew how the story ends!

#1 Fairest of All
#2 The Beast Within
#3 Poor Unfortunate Soul
#4 Mistress of All Evil
#5 Mother Knows Best
#6 The Odd Sisters
#7 Evil Thing

Nine.jpg Nane by Zach Hines

In this book, everyone has nine lives and can burn them anyway they wish. With each life spent, a person receives an improvement in their physical and mental status. The more lives spent, the higher on the social and economic ladder you go. However, things aren't always what they seem, there are flaws within the system which leads to an intriguing mystery. This is an easy to read, stand alone novel that will leave you thinking about how you would spend your nine lives.

Everless by Sara Holland

#1 Everless

#2 Evermore

Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte

Yellow Brick War (Series) by Daniele Paige#1 Dorothy Must Die

#2 The Wicked Will Rise

#3 Yellow Brick War

#4 The End of Oz

Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy#1 A River of Royal Blood

#2 A Queen of Gilded Horns

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh#1 The Beautiful

#2 The Damned

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Seafire by Natalie C. Parker#1 Seafire

#2 Steel Tide

#3 Stormbreak

Warcross by Marie Lu#1 Warcross

#2 Wildcard

Merciless by Danielle Vega#1 Merciless

#2 The Merciless II: The Exorcism of Sofia Flores

#3 The Merciless III: Origins of Evil

#4 The Merciless IV: Last Rites

The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

Sea Witch by Sara Henning#1 Sea Witch

#2 Sea Witch Rising

One of Us is Next by Karen M. McManus#1 One of Us is Lying

#2 One of Us is Next

Infinity Son by Adam Silvera#1 Infinity Son

#2 Infinity Reaper

#3 ????

Shatter Me by Mafi Tahereh#1 Shatter Me

#2 Unravel Me

#3 Ignite Me

#4 Restore Me

#5 Defy Me

#6 Imagine Me

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi#1 Children of Blood and Bone

#2 Children of Virtue and Vengeance

#3 ??

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

Set in a dystopian society, the Earth has been turned into a wasteland by decades of wars. A select few are chosen to rebuild the society. These candidates are chosen and must pass an exam in order to join the elite, obtain a college education, and work in a rewarding career. Like every dystopian society, not everything is as it appears, the government is keeping secrets and nobody can be trusted. If you like the Hunger Games and Divergent, you will enjoy reading this trilogy.

#1 The Testing

#2 The independent Study

#3 Graduation Day

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard#1 Red Queen

#2 Glass Sword

#3 King's Cage

#4 War Storm

Scythe by Neal ShustermanThe World of Scythe Interview with Neal Shusterman

#1 Scythe

#2 Thunderhead

#3 The Toll

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth#1 Carve the Mark

#2 The Fates Divide

Caraval by Stephanie Garber#1 Caraval

#2 Legendary

#3 Finale

The Bells by Dhonielle Clayton- Behind the Scenes Cover ShootFrom GoodReads.com:

"Camellia Beauregard is a Belle. In the opulent world of Orléans, Belles are revered, for they control Beauty, and Beauty is a commodity coveted above all else. In Orléans, the people are born gray, they are born damned, and only with the help of a Belle and her talents can they transform and be made beautiful."

#1 The Belles

#2 The Everlasting Rose

#3 ??