Foiled by Carey Fessler

Foiled is a middle grade historical fiction book with a touch of fantasy, based on the conspiracy theories surrounding the 1947 Roswell, New Mexico UFO sighting. This book was sent to me by the author. In a U.S. Army base in Roswell, New Mexico, eleven-year-old Billy's father brings home "magic memory foil" from the alien crash site, and Billy shows it to his friend Kate. The CIA arrives, determined to collect the artifact at all costs. The two kids run away with the foil, discovering it gives Kate the ability to read minds.

I liked the concept of the memory foil and its mystery. I enjoyed the controversy of who to trust, and the foil gave them quite an advantage. While I am left with quite a lot of unanswered questions, it is how it is in real life. I appreciate that rather than the author making up answers to the questions, he left it up to the reader to decide, just like how it was basically left at the time.

It was suspenseful and very exciting. It felt like an action movie with all the adrenaline and fear at times. I loved watching them run away and all the issues they faced. I liked how this book depicted running away realistically, full of anxiety and hardship. I loved the ending, as it was peaceful and wrapped it up quite nicely.

I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to read it again!

Title: Foiled

Author: Carey Fessler

Publisher: Foeg

Pages: 252

Series: No

Rating: 5 Stars

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Backlash by Sarah Darer Littman

Backlash is a YA realistic fiction book showing the consequences of cyberbullying. Lara was friends with a boy named Christian on Facebook who went to a school nearby. They've talked online for weeks, becoming more than friends. But when he tells her that she's a loser and the world's better off without her, Lara attempts to end her life. It is soon discovered that Christian wasn't even real- it was a fake profile made by her former best friend, Bree. This book follows the events before and after the cyberbullying occurred, and its devastating effects on everyone involved.

I love how this book also shows the bully's prospective. Many assume that the bully is bad and deserves to be hated, or even bullied in response, like how everyone treated Bree afterwards. Bree wasn't an awful person, she just didn't think before she acted. A "fun" joke turned deadly, and not even Bree wanted that to happen. Readers got to see how it deeply affected her and her family.

I also enjoyed how the book gave a timeline of events, switching back and forth between the present and the past, as well as multiple POV's. While I originally thought it would be confusing, it definitely was not. I enjoyed Syd and Liam's voices (the siblings) as they were in a tricky spot being caught in the middle. I loved how the book teaches the consequences of cyberbullying and reminds readers that whatever you post or type can never be taken back.

I am glad that I bought this very eye-opening book and I highly recommend it!

Title: Backlash
Author: Sarah Darer Littman
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 336
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
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Kingdom Cold by Brittni Chenelle

Kingdom Cold is a YA fantasy novel about a Princess' transition from spoiled and pampered to a brave warrior queen. This book was sent to me by the author and is released today!

An arranged marriage to Prince Young is the last thing that Princess Charlotte wanted. But when her kingdom is under attack and her mother renegotiates the marriage to save the kingdom, Charlotte is stuck with a murderer for a husband. She'll just have to learn to fight and use her smarts to take back her kingdom and marry Young instead.

Ultimately the characters will suffer grief and loss as they fight to survive. Simultaneously, the characters also unravel what it means to love someone- not for their political power, but their personality and who they are as a person, and how to find the sliver of hope in every situation. I adored watching Charlotte evolve from being spoiled, moody, and whinny to blossoming into a courageous leader and protector. I love how she never gave up on what she wanted

The romance felt real and gradual without any cliche's. It was an extremely diverse set of characters, and I enjoyed the multiple POV's. I was fully engrossed in the setting of their world and I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read! I hope that Chenelle will eventually write a sequel to the story because the epilogue, in my opinion, was quite a leap and did not suffice to put to bed the surprising ending. But I love that there is not always a happily-ever-after, which made this book feel more realistic.

I highly recommend this book!

Title: Kingdom Cold
Author: Brittni Chenelle
Publisher: Not Avail
Pages: 278
Series: No
Rating: 5 Stars
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Eternal Soul by Karimah Colden

Eternal Soul is the first book in the YA fantasy trilogy, Eternal. This book was sent to me by the author. Reign Elise La' Roche has always had her talents. Not simply just her flawless artistic skills, but her sixth sense. Her family beholds an ancient bloodline of magick that she's previously rejected. But when her life is in danger, Reign must accept her other superhuman skills to protect herself, her family, and her friends.

While the main characters are adults, this book is more than appropriate for a teenage audience. I learned a lot about African culture and I was fascinated to discover the history and powers of hoodoo magic, as well as the many religious syncretisms in New Orleans. Eternal Soul is not only a fantastical novel but an educational one, too.

The writing and language was simply beautiful and elegantly descriptive. I loved observing Reign's transformations and embracement of her bloodline. The imagery was superior and I thoroughly enjoyed not only watching Reign suffer, but seeing her triumph and pull through. The characters were a complete mystery, and I had fun trying to guess which man was there to steal her heart or her life, or simply just interested in her beautiful paintings.

I highly recommend this book! I look forward to reading the next installation, Eternal Love.

Title: Eternal Soul

Author: Karimah Colden
Publisher: Karimah Colden (self-published)
Pages: 207

Series: Yes, Book 1
Rating: 5 Stars
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Obsidian Fragrance (Bronze Rebellion #4) by L.C. Perry

Obsidian Fragrance is the fourth and final book in the YA dystopian series Bronze Rebellion that was sent to me by the author. Princess Irene heads back to the rebels with grand news; Ebony is her sister, an illegal child of the King. As the two princesses return to the palace to kill the King and Queen and take Irene's rightful place on the throne inside, the ultimate war looms outside. As the Rebellion of the Free pulls out all the stops, many will make the ultimate sacrifices for freedom.

Obsidian Fragrance is a show stopping final battle! It was very emotional and filled with lots of loss. This book clearly illustrates the cost of war. However, I loved that whenever they lost someone, they put their anger into revenge and strength for battle. Yes, there was gory and heartbreak, but the underlying tone of hope was so powerful and inspiring. I have real respect for these people. While Obsidian Fragrance contained devastating losses, the characters' determination and love for each other was enormous.

This book, in accordance with all of the others, were extremely well-written and a totally amazing quality. I loved watching all the characters grow into the warriors and rulers they came to be. I felt like they were human beings, and I know that out there in some countries there are people sharing their struggles. The overall theme of family was beautiful, and I cherished the breaths of romance. I personally love when there's an epilogue, because I get to see the future. It concluded the series happily and wonderfully.

I highly recommend this book and this series!

Title: Obsidian Fragrance
Author: L.C. Perry
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Pages: 350
Series: Yes, Book 4 of 4
Rating: 5 Stars
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