Fans of Sarah Maas will rave about Laurie Forest's Black Witch

A new Black Witch will rise…her powers vast beyond imagining.

Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last prophesied Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner, who drove back the enemy forces and saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. But while she is the absolute spitting image of her famous grandmother, Elloren is utterly devoid of power in a society that prizes magical ability above all else.

When she is granted the opportunity to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an apothecary, Elloren joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University to embrace a destiny of her own, free from the shadow of her grandmother's legacy. But she soon realizes that the university, which admits all manner of people—including the fire-wielding, winged Icarals, the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians—is a treacherous place for the granddaughter of the Black Witch.

As evil looms on the horizon and the pressure to live up to her heritage builds, everything Elloren thought she knew will be challenged and torn away. Her best hope of survival may be among the most unlikely band of misfits…if only she can find the courage to trust those she's been taught to hate and fear.

Honestly, nothing I can say will do this book justice. I read some amazing reviews about it recently and just thought to myself.. NO WAY can I speak as eloquently as they do about this book. I would honestly say, if you are a fan of, say, Sarah Maas, then this book is a must read. I enjoyed reading about each of the characters and their back stories as well as the "band of misfits" that Elloren ends up surrounding herself in. It was awesome. I thought I would kill her aunt though, seriously. What a meanie! 

So, my review sucks, but y'all just seriously need to read this book!

Julie Kawaga returns us to the world of Talon and St George in an all new novel out April 2017.

The legions will be unleashed, and no human, rogue dragon or former dragonslayer can stand against the coming horde. 

Dragon hatchling Ember Hill was never prepared to find love at all—dragons do not suffer human emotions—let alone with a human, and a former dragonslayer at that. With ex-soldier of St. George Garret dying at her feet after sacrificing his freedom and his life to expose the deepest of betrayals, Ember knows only that nothing she was taught by dragon organization Talon is true. About humans, about rogue dragons, about herself and what she's capable of doing and feeling. 

In the face of great loss, Ember vows to stand with rogue dragon Riley against St. George and her own twin brother, Dante—the heir apparent to all of Talon, and the boy who will soon unleash the greatest threat and terror dragonkind has ever known. Talon is poised to conquer the world, and the abominations they have created will soon take to the skies, darkening the world with the promise of blood and death to those who will not yield.

Ember and Riley rescued Garrett after he killed the leader of St George for his betrayal of working with Talon. They have to find a way to rescue all of Riley's hatchlings and expose Talon to the other dragon shifters for what they are. Ember is stunned to learn of her brother's experiments with the clones. She still thinks she can change his mind about Talon, but Talon is too ingrained in her. She, Riley, and Garrett are taken captive but manage to escape with the help of an unlikely Talon operative.  They found plans that Talon was going to take out every single St George compound as well as all of Riley's safehouses. 

Time is of the essence for Ember and her team to save as many people as possible from Talon, even if they do not want to be saved. 

As always, loved it!!! I mean, really, DRAGONS! YES!  I have enjoyed this series from the beginning, although the love triangle drives me batty at times. I was glad to see Ember finally step up and say what she feels so that one or the other can move on. I really enjoyed this book and dread the year long wait for the next book...... 

The Raven Riders are back! Ride Rough is out April 2017

Brotherhood. Club. Family.
They live and ride by their own rules.
These are the Raven Riders...

Maverick Rylan won’t apologize for who he is—the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club Vice-President, a sought-after custom bike builder, and a man dedicated to protecting those he loves. So when he learns that the only woman who has ever held his heart is in trouble, he’ll move heaven and earth to save her.

Alexa Harmon thought she had it all—the security of a good job, a beautiful home, and a powerful, charming fiancé who offered the life she never had growing up. But when her dream quickly turns into a nightmare, Alexa realizes she’s fallen for a façade she can’t escape—until sexy, dangerous Maverick offers her a way out.

Forced together to keep Alexa safe, their powerful attraction reignites and Maverick determines to do whatever it takes to earn a second chance—one Alexa is tempted to give. But her ex-fiancé isn’t going to let her go without a fight, one that will threaten everything they both hold dear

Maverick and Alexa have known each other most of their lives, and after her brother's death, Alexa was with Maverick. Alexa decided that a motorcycle gang was not the place that would give her stability. After growing up with a missing father and a hoarder mother, stability is what she craves. Alexa meets Grant Slater and spends five years with him. Their wedding is approaching when Grant's actions drive Alexa to get help from Maverick and the Raven Riders. But Grant won't stop until Alexa is his and no motorcycle gang is going to stop him. So he thinks.

I adore the Raven Riders series as much as I did the Hard Ink series. The characters are strong. I can't say the stories are completely believable, as people tend to fall in love and decide this is their ever after within a very, very short period of time. However, the stories are sweet and it's lovely to see these hardened bikers brought down by damaged women. 

Return to the the Seven Realms with Shadowcaster

***Thanks to Edelweiss for an Advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review***

Alyssa ana’Raisa, the reluctant princess heir to the Gray Wolf throne of the Fells, feels more comfortable striking with a sword than maneuvering at court. After a brush with death, Lyss goes on the offensive, meaning to end the war that has raged her whole life. If her gamble doesn’t pay off, she could lose her queendom before she even ascends to the throne. Across enemy lines in Arden, young rising star Captain Halston Matelon is being sent on ever more dangerous assignments. Between the terrifying rumors of witches and wolfish warriors to the north and his cruel king at home, Hal is caught in an impossible game of life and death. 

Lyss and Hal’s intricately linked fates become inseparable when they fall under the shadow of a new enemy—a force that threatens to extinguish the last rays of hope in the Shattered Realms.

I have been enthralled with this series from the very beginning, when The Demon Prince came out years ago. I enjoyed the original four and am enjoying the new series set 25 years later. 

This book follows Lyss, the new heir to the Grey Wolf throne. She's a fierce warrior, not hesitant to be on the front lines. But she feels that the war needs to go a different direction if it is ever to stop. The council does not agree.  She manages to capture the General's son but there is more to him than meets the eye. 

An unseen enemy is coming, and with very little warning. Lyss and Hal have to work together or see their whole world destroyed.

I'm really terrible at writing descriptions, but this series is one of my all time favorite YA fantasy series. It is well written, with great character development, a fantastic world of magic. A great read for teens and adults!