Believe Me, I Do

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous six books in the Shatter Me series, or don't mind knowing MAJOR spoilers for them.
SPOILER ALERT

~Believe Me~
Shatter Me
Book 6.5
By Tahereh Mafi
Amazon ~ Powell's

Juliette and Warner fought hard to take down the Reestablishment once and for all. Life in the aftermath isn’t easy, as they and their friends at the Sanctuary work with their limited resources to stabilize the world.

Warner has his sights set on more than just politics. Since he proposed to Juliette two weeks ago, he’s been eager to finally marry her, the person he loves more than anything and has endured so much to be with. But with so much chaos around them, it’s been nearly impossible for them to have a wedding. And even Juliette has been distracted by everything they need to do.

At long last, Warner and Juliette’s future together is within reach, but the world continues to try to pull them apart. Will they finally be able to be happily, officially, together?


We've finally, FINALLY come to this. The definitely-gonna-be-the-last-one FINAL book in the Shatter Me series (after 2 fake-outs already). And it's a novella (though, is 200+ pages still considered a novella?) in Warner's POV. Will we finally get the answers we crave? Will we get a satisfying ending? Or will we just get all the kissing we could ever hope for?

Unrestrained Emotion Unlocked Something Deep Inside

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous eight books in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, or don't mind knowing spoilers for them.
SPOILER ALERT

~Unlocked~
Keeper of the Lost Cities
Book 8.5
By Shannon Messenger
Amazon ~ Powell's

In this extra special installment of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, the story picks up right from Legacy’s particularly devastating cliffhanger. But chapters alternate between Sophie and Keefe’s perspectives to give readers deeper insights into both beloved characters. New powers will be discovered. Hard truths from the past will come to light. And all of your favorite characters will find themselves tested in ways they never imagined.


My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I saw the page-count of this book. I was fully intending to have a double-review-week, featuring the latest novellas of two series, but then this one showed up with a 750+ page-count! Luckily there's lots of extra non-story-based extras helping to fill out this "novella," so it shouldn't take nearly as long to finish as I feared. So with the premise clearly established by the devastating cliffhanger from the last book, I jumped in.

Life Doesn’t Need Magic to be Magical (but a little bit sure doesn’t hurt)

~Night of Cake & Puppets~
Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Book 1.5
Written by Laini Taylor
Illustrated by Jim Di Bartolo
Amazon ~ Powell's

Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her "rabid fairy," her "voodoo eyes" are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or "Violin Boy," her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to make the first move, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It's a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter's night before leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy is not going to know what hit him.

I had no idea the author & artist of the book are married. That just makes me feel even warmer and fuzzier <3<3

Featuring one of my favorite characters of Laini Taylor's books, I was completely entranced by this adorable first date. Taking place during the last quarter/third of the previous book, Daughter of Smoke & Bone, while Karou is off hunting down stronger wishes, I think this should be considered 1.5 instead of 2.5. Then again, I think there's enough backstory that this could be read on its own...though there are a couple spoilers for the 1st book...

Still, if you're in the mood for the cutest YA/NA first date, set in the wintry wonderland of Prague, with puppets, music, and a little magic thrown in for good measure, then you MUST pick up this story. The artwork is new to me (having only read the text version before the print came out), but adds even more whimsy to the tale (though reading on my phone made the art a bit bulky). I absolutely love all of Laini Taylor's books (so far), and cannot recommend this one enough. Whether you've read Daughter of Smoke & Bone, or are just looking for a quick nibble of sweetness, I can't think of any reason not to read this wonderful novella.

I Think My Feelings Are Warranted

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous books in the Shatter Me series, or don't mind knowing major spoilers for them.
SPOILER ALERT

~Reveal Me~
Shatter Me
Book 5.5
By Tahereh Mafi
Amazon ~ Powell's

This fourth companion novella to Tahereh Mafi’s New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series is narrated by fan favorite character Kenji Kishimoto!

The explosive revelations in Defy Me have left readers reeling and desperate for answers. This fourth and final novella in the series will bring readers back to the world of the Shatter Me before the final novel installment hits shelves in winter 2020.

Another fun(?) romp with Kenji. While the events of these novellas could easily encompass a chapter or two in the main stories, I've loved getting to know Kenji more intimately. Picking up exactly where we left off, Kenji is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. We knew he did that to some extent, but it's different when we're directly in his head. I legitimately felt bad for him during his anxiety attacks.

His super weird romance with Nazeera was also super sweet. Even if they're going through kind of a rough patch in this story. You don't really think about how someone's upbringing could shape them until it's thrown in your face, and then it's all you can think about. I really do love how the author shows kids being kids, drama and all, even in the middle of a war. It's one of the reasons I vastly prefer Shatter Me to The Hunger Games.

I'll definitely be reading this again in my lead-up to the final(?) book of the series coming next year. I just hope we finally stop with the heart-wrenching, mind-bending cliffhangers!

Stained Everywhere With Love

SPOILER ALERT
These reviews are for those who have read or are familiar with the previous books, Delirium and Pandemonium, or don't mind knowing major spoilers for them.
SPOILER ALERT

~Annabel~
Delirium
Book 0.5
By Lauren Oliver
Amazon ~ Powell's

Lena Halloway's mother, Annabel, supposedly committed suicide when Lena was only six years old. That's the lie that Lena grew up believing, but the truth is very different. As a rebellious teenager, Annabel ran away from home and straight into the man she knew she was destined to marry. The world was different then—the regulations not as stringent, the cure only a decade old. Fast forward to the present, and Annabel is consigned to a dirty prison cell, where she nurtures her hope of escape and scratches one word over and over into the walls: Love.

But Annabel, like Lena, is a fighter. Through chapters that alternate between her past and present, Annabel reveals the story behind her failed cures, her marriage, the births of her children, her imprisonment, and, ultimately, her daring escape.


An interesting look into Lena's mother's past and time in the Crypts.

Flickering In and Out of Invisibility

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous books, Shatter Me, Destroy Me, Unravel Me, Fracture Me, Ignite Me, and especially Restore Me or don't mind knowing major spoilers for them.
SPOILER ALERT

~Shadow Me~
Shatter Me
Book 4.5
By Tahereh Mafi
Amazon ~ Powell's

Juliette is still reeling from Warner's betrayal, and Kenji is trying to balance his friendship with her with his responsibilities as a leader of the resistance against the Reestablishment. Things get even more interesting when an unexpected person from Omega Point’s past surfaces.

The ending of Restore Me left readers gasping, and this novella full of Kenji’s signature sass and big heart is the perfect story to tide fans over until Defy Me.

That was NOT okay.

The Bones Inside of Me Fracture

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous books, Shatter Me, Destroy Me, and Unravel Me, or don't mind knowing major spoilers for them.
SPOILER ALERT

~Fracture Me~
Shatter Me
Book 2.5
By Tahereh Mafi
Amazon ~ Powell's

As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam's focus couldn't be further from the upcoming battle. He's reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend's life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James's safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It's time for war.

On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam's newly discovered half brother, won't be that easy. The Reestablishment can't tolerate a rebellion, and they'll do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.


While I absolutely love the Shatter Me series as a whole, this is probably my least favorite part of it. Not that it's not good, but...well...

To Kiss A Beautiful Boy

~Lips Touch: Three Times~
By Laini Taylor
Amazon ~ Powell's

Three tales of supernatural love, each pivoting on a kiss that is no mere kiss, but an action with profound consequences for the kissers' souls:

Goblin Fruit
In Victorian times, goblin men had only to offer young girls sumptuous fruits to tempt them to sell their souls. But what does it take to tempt today's savvy girls?

Spicy Little Curses
A demon and the ambassador to Hell tussle over the soul of a beautiful English girl in India. Matters become complicated when she falls in love and decides to test her curse.

Hatchling
Six days before Esme's fourteenth birthday, her left eye turns from brown to blue. She little suspects what the change heralds, but her small safe life begins to unravel at once. What does the beautiful, fanged man want with her, and how is her fate connected to a mysterious race of demons?


Three short stories, some shorter than others, all centering around kisses. With so little time spent with the characters, I was a bit surprised that I came to care about them so much. But then, that's my typical reaction to Laini's writing.

This Girl Is Destroying Me

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous book, Shatter Me, or don't mind knowing major spoilers for it. Destroy Me, however, will remain spoiler-free.
SPOILER ALERT

~Destroy Me~
Shatter Me
Book 1.5
By Tahereh Mafi
Amazon ~ Powell's

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.


Okay, Mafi, I'll say it. You've got balls.

I believe I said in my review of Shatter Me that Warner was a character I hated to love. He was that kind of stalker boyfriend who thought he owned you and you should be grateful for his affections, but even when you made it abundantly clear you were fine without him, thank you very much, he just shrugs off your complaints as playing hard to get, being childish, or not knowing what's best for yourself. He made a great villain, someone easy to root against.

And then this novella happened.

Almost Every Cell Held A Wolf

~The Werewolf Asylum~
By Gareth Barsby
Amazon

A novelette of lycanthropy and insanity.

In Victorian England, there is a special institution where two men intend to help lycanthropes suppress their nocturnal transformations, while searching for a more permanent cure. One evening, they discover a rare type of werewolf - one trapped eternally in a half-human, half-wolf form - that they believe could be beneficial to their research.

'Martha', however, believing her shape is due to her being a Messiah to her brethren, wishes to see the other werewolves embrace their curse. Can she be treated and cured? Or will her 'Lord' have his way?


First and foremost, this is a novella. At 104 pages (including the title and acknowledgement pages), there isn't a lot of room to go off and explore the entire world, nor to grasp much of the complexity in the main characters. And yet Barsby managed to pack in a lot into a small package.

The story is told in the perspective of journal entries of a nameless doctor. Actually, it's unclear if he is a doctor since his work involves a strange mix of psychology and studying lycanthropy. At the very least, he and his associate, Harlston, run an asylum for werewolves. It is our narrator's hope to cure this affliction and allow his wards to return to their normal human lives.

He Pulls Me Into The Storm Before I Can Say A Word

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author, Karen Metcalf, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

~In The Storm~
By Karen Metcalf
Amazon

Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

No one escapes fate without sacrifice, but is the price more than Carly is willing to pay?


I won't lie, this was a bit hard to get into at first. You have a girl and her brother being tortured by their stepfather in a town where apparently no one cares. Definitely not puppies and sunshine, but surely things can only get better from here. Right? Well, yes and no...but I will say that I grew to enjoy the story much more as I went on.