Idriel's Children (Odriel's Heirs Book 2) and Burning Shadows (Odriel's Heirs Book 1.5) by Hayley Reese Chow

Idriel's Children is the second book in the YA fantasy series Odriel's Heirs series. This book, as well as book 1.5, Burning Shadows, was sent to me by the author. Over 20 years after Kaia and Klaus, the Dragon and Shadow Heirs, defeat Idriel, they have children together. Aza inherits Klaus' gift for the shadows and invisibility, while her brother inherits their mother's fire. Aza has been warned repeatedly by her father to not cross into the Shadow Plane, the world between life and death, but she cannot resist the whispers calling for her aid. In following them, she faces shocking revelations about not only herself, but the world she thought she has known.

Aza faces some heavy internal conflict and learns some tough lessons. The shadow heir is also known as an assassin, having the strength of mind to kill without the devastating moral toll. As such, it comes with a burden of a curse of being destined to be alone. Despite having those who deeply care about her by her side, Aza believes that and the incapacity for her to have friends. In the end, she truly learns that being alone is a fate perhaps worse than death. Seeing her open up to emotion and the resulting heartbreak was tear-jerking. 

I read Idriel's Children out of order. I should have read Burning Shadows first! As a result, I did not realize that Kaia was Ava's mother and was slightly confused. Looking back now, many small moments in Idriel's Children are clearer. I am normally a bit weary of short stories, as some I've read don't have a significant amount of detail or plot development. This was not the case, and I was pleasantly surprised. Burning Shadows focuses on the emergence of the Rastgol and one particularly brutal fight that challenges and strengthens Kaia and Klaus' relationship. It's a touching story of partnership and loyalty. It does contain some disturbing images and torture tactics, and Kaia struggled with her morals on how to fight with mercy despite them not deserving it.

I highly recommend these books! Chow has promised for there to be another full book in the Ordriel's Heirs series, Time's Orphan, and a book 2.5 that she is hoping to publish late 2022. I can't wait to read them!

Read my review of the first book, Odriel's Heirs, here.  Also see my review of the author's middle grade fantasy book The Gatekeeper of Pericael here.

Title: Idriel's Children and Burning Shadows 
Author: Hayley Reese Chow
Publisher: Hayley Reese Chow
Pages: 203 and 68
Series: Yes, Book 2 and 1.5
Rating: Both 5 Stars
Book 2 Goodreads

Book 1.5 Goodreads

Jonathan: Prince of Dreams (The Jonathan Trilogy Book 1) by A. Corrin

Jonathan: Prince of Dreams is the first book in a YA fantasy trilogy. This book was sent to me by the author. Teenager Jonathan He'klarr's life is not ideal. His mother was murdered before he was born, and his father is an abusive alcoholic. Not to mention Griffin, the notoriously evil bully, seems to be escalating his attacks. Paired with one disaster after another and callings in his dreams of a heroic destiny, Jonathan senses that everything he knew about the world is about to change.

Corrin is a very talented writer, and I am surprised that this is her first book! The writing quality is stronger than many other books that I have read. This book is wild- both literally and figuratively! This was such an insane story, and I admire the author’s vast creativity to come up with such a tale! Jonathan: Prince of Dreams reminded me in first impressions to Lisa McMann's Unwanteds series.

I really hope that in the next book he can find a way to reconnect with Niki and Tyson and make amends with his father. I have no idea how I would be able to cope with everything he's been through. I appreciate that the author wrote Jonathan with a short temper, but made sure that his anger was always justified. I hope those in the real world keep searching for him and never give up hope that he will return. Apparently the previous king could go into other's dreams and warn leaders about future catastrophes. It would be amazing if Jonathan could work together with his friends and family, embracing both sides of him.

I highly recommend this book and am excited to read the next!

Title: Jonathan: Prince of Dreams
Author: A. Corrin
Publisher: A. Corrin
Pages: 340
Series: Yes, Book 1 of 3
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads

Tale of the Pack: Elizabeth Forty and the Treasure of Odin's Island by B. P. Williams

Tale of the Pack is a middle grade fantasy book that was sent to me by the author. After 10-year-old orphan Elizabeth Forty escapes from her abusive orphanage, she  saves Kona, a 3-legged kitten from bullies. However, she was also struck on the head with a rock. When she comes to, Elizabeth gains the ability to talk to animals. Now homeless, the animals welcome her into their home. Her troubles are not over, however, when she learns of a threat at the nearby animal rescue. 

I wish that being hit on the head lead to superpowers! It would be awesome if I could talk to animals, particularly squirrels! That is why this book is a fantasy despite including many realistic themes. It is quite ironic that the nightmare of a children's home and school that Elizabeth ran off from is called "Happydale." Take this quote for example: "Singing, playing, smiling and laughing were strictly forbidden. They were corrosive to the development of character" (Williams 22). I would probably take my chances on the street as well! However, Tale of the Pack quickly took another direction very far from the school and my predictions, with the central antagonist and problem centering on how Isadora Moorson, a dark and greedy woman who abuses animals, is gaining control of an animal rescue center.

As Elizabeth is just 10 years old, her decisions and realizations are not always rational. She still seems a bit more mature than that age, but Elizabeth's intellect and character were written well for a child, missing the bigger picture and consequences of her actions in the "real world." I am not very knowledgeable in property law, but let's just say there were a few moments of laughter in reaction to those ideas. Elizabeth is very bright, however, and has a curious personality. I think that young readers would relate really well to her.

For the ending, I do wish there was an epilogue of what happens after, as there are dozens of possibilities and consequences that could result from the climatic ending. Lessons on the value of friendship and greed were established, but I did feel that there were too many unknowns and plot angles not resolved. I also think that there would be a lot of educational value in explaining the real-world outcomes. 

I recommend this book!

Title: Tale of the Pack: Elizabeth Forty and the Treasure of Odin's Island
Author: B. P. Williams
Publisher: B. P. Williams
Pages: 183
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads

The Scientist's Daughter (Silvertree Book 2) by Marian Dribus

The Scientist's Daughter is the sequel to The Patient From Silvertree, a YA realistic fiction book. This romantic thriller was sent to me by the author.

Lisa returns from college on break 4 years after The Patient from Silvertree took place, still attempting to cope with the ramifications of her traumatic experience from Graham and Sophie. Unfortunately for her and Josh's family, the past isn't behind them. Graham, Sophie, and their psychopathic boss reappear in Silvertree with a new agenda and new kidnapping and murder victims. More complicated is that Lisa's boyfriend has close family connections with them. When Lisa and everyone she loves is put in deadly danger again, she must find a way to overcome her fear and speak her truth in order to save them.

Dribus's depiction of Lisa's PTSD was extremely realistic, as was her reluctance to come forward. Victims of prior abuse or trauma are more susceptible to ending up in abusive relationships in the future, and the writing of David was also accurate. While Lisa's mental health and relationships were not the prime focus of The Scientist's Daughter, it is likely the most impactful on the reader and leaves a lasting impression and education on the impacts of trauma and PTSD. 

Veronica behaved exactly as a sister should; she loved Lisa unconditionally and was incredibly patient. Veronica stood up for Lisa and took tremendous risks to keep her safe. She defined the hope and love in the tragic story. She was definitely my favorite character. In my review of the first book, I talked about Graham's moral compass. The book, as was the first, is divided in to alternating third-person perspectives of all the main characters. Graham's background story and motivation for his criminal actions are fascinating on a psychological level. Contrary to Sophie and the boss (who's name I won't reveal as that is part of the mystery), he is capable of emotion and love. His love for the boss is partially what drives his actions. While he is just as guilty as the others, in life or death final moments, his capacity for a bit of empathy makes the most game-changing impact.

I am not sure that tragic is the right word to describe The Scientist's Daughter, but describing this book is somewhat difficult due to all the unique aspects. Dribus combined inspirational realistic fiction with a thriller, a mystery, a romance, and even aspects of science fiction into just an action-packed 288 pages! It felt so much longer that that! I might have read some parts in the middle too quickly in anticipation to find out what happens in the end and who survived! (I did go back and read those parts again.)

I highly recommend this book and am very excited for the prequel, Help Me (https://www.mariandribus.com/), which takes place in 1972 and tells the origin story of fourteen-year-old Agnes' cancer and the relationship between Peterson and Richard. My review of the first book can be seen here.

Title: The Scientist's Daughter
Author: Marian Dribus
Publisher: Marian Dribus
Pages: 288
Series: Yes, Book 2 of 2
Rating: 5 Stars
Goodreads