The Inheritance Games / The Hawthorne Legacy / The Final Gambit / The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Inheritance Games #1-4) (2020 - 2023)

 

Although classified as Young Adult, this four-book series will appeal to all ages. Avery Grambs is a 17-year-old high school student dreaming of a better life for herself and her older sister. Everything changes when she discovers the eccentric billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, a man she has never met, has left his entire fortune to her rather than his daughters and grandsons. There is a catch however. She must live in Hawthorne House with the entire Hawthorne clan for one full year.

Avery soon learns Tobias was a master of games and manipulation. Riddle upon riddle, secret upon secret, nothing is as it appears to be at Hawthorne House. To understand her role in the billionaire’s final game and why she’s the recipient of his bequest, Avery must piece together clues left throughout the massive estate full of hidden passages, secret compartments, and underground tunnels. In order to do so, Avery must turn to the four Hawthorne grandsons who have been solving their grandfather’s puzzles all their lives. Even though one of them may be trying to kill her.

The romance in the books is definitely geared to the young adult reader but is easy to overlook because the rest of the story is so good. The first three volumes cover Avery’s adventures while she waits for her inheritance.  The fourth book is considered part of the series but Avery's year is up by the end of the third. If you are not ready to leave Avery and the Hawthorne grandsons just yet, The Brothers Hawthorne continues the story with the focus on Grayson and Jameson. The storyline didn’t hold me like the first three books.

4.54 stars on Goodreads, 5 on Amazon

Starter Villain by John Scalzi (2023)

 

Villain (n)  A professional disrupter, not necessarily evil. Services are available by subscription.

I am frequently drawn to a book by its cover and more often than not, the inside cover confirms I want to read it. Villian Starter was one such book. Who wouldn’t want to read about super intelligent cat spies who can talk and dolphins threatening to go on strike? 

Charlie Fitzer's life is going nowhere fast. The former business reporter turned substitute teacher is divorced and living in his deceased father’s house which his siblings want to sell out from under him. All Charlie wants to do is buy the downtown pub and live a quiet life with his cat. Everything changes when his billionaire uncle Jake, last seen when Charlie was five years old, dies and leaves his supervillain business (complete with island volcano lair) to Charlie. Unfortunately, Charlie also inherits uncle Jake's enemies who now want to kill him.

After his house is blown up, Charlie moves to the volcano lair and is guided in his new life by Mathilda Morrison, his uncle’s right-hand woman, now his. It's up to Charlie to win the war his uncle started against the other supervillains. But first he must attend the mysterious Lombardy Convocation, a consortium of all supervillains. And there are also labor negotiations with the Cetacean Association of the Americas, Chapter One.

The book is very well written and hard to put down. The whole thing is absurd but it’s a vastly entertaining read. I highly recommend it.

4.3 stars on Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer (2023)

 

Debut author Meg Shaffer has written a truly entertaining book about the power of reading and hope. Lucy Hart, a teacher’s aide, knows what it is like to grow up with parents who don’t love her. She sought and found solace in the Clock Island books authored by Jack Masterson, excerpts of which appear throughout her story. Adult Lucy wishes more than anything to have the finances necessary to foster and adopt seven-year-old orphan Christopher Lamb, a student she has taken under her wing and shared the gift of reading. Together they’ve read all of the Clock Tower books and one of their favorite things to do is play the wishing game introduced in the Clock Island books.

Jack Masterson lives on the actual Clock Island in Maine, along with his grumpy but handsome illustrator Hugo Reese. When Jack writes his first book in five years, he decides to hold a contest on Clock Island with the prize being the one and only copy of the manuscript. Lucy is thrilled to be one of the four chosen contestants; if she could win the manuscript, life for her and Christopher would change dramatically.

The book, reminiscent of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Harry Porter, will make you laugh, cry, and jump for joy. The characters are complex, yet loveable. The description of the island, the riddles and games in the story show off the powerful imagination of the author. This is one of the best books I have read in a good while.

 4.28 stars on Goodreads, 4.5 on Amazon

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox (2023)

 

Ivy Radcliffe is a young woman living hand to mouth in post Would War I London when she is summoned to Yorkshire where she learns she is the new Lady Hayworth, the last living heir to the Blackwood Library and a large estate, which began life as an abbey. Ivy knows nothing about this line of Radcliffe’s or the house. At Blackwood Abbey, Ivy is met by an uninviting staff who obviously know something they are not sharing, but is determined to make the best of things in her new home.

A book lover at heart, Ivy is delighted to find the house contains a library that has been neglected for years.  She sets out to catalog the vast library’s collection but the more times Ivy spends in the room, the worse her headaches become and she fears she is losing her memory when staff members tell her she is asking the same questions over and over.

In the local village, Ivy meets Sir Arthur Mabry, to whom Ivy is immediately drawn to Arthur because of his interest in books and the library. She learns he is the member of a mysterious club whose members are very interested in restoring the library to its former glory and opening it up to the public. Misunderstanding Arthur’s meaning and his true intentions, Ivy begins lending some of the library’s books to the local villagers, only to learn that the title of the books lent out seem to be a prophesy of events to follow.

What is the relationship of the library to the nun mentioned in the first chapter who was walled up inside the abbey centuries ago?  Why is the chauffer continuously begging Ivy to leave the estate?  Why is Arthur so interested in the library? You’ll have to read The Last Heir to Blackwood Library to learn the answers. This book hits all the elements of the gothic novel.

This is only Hester Fox Book owned by Eastpointe.  If you are interesting in reading other titles by her, a reference librarian can get them for you from an area library.

3.45 stars on Goodreads, 3.9 on Amazon

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais (2022)

 

Moonshyne Manor is home to a sisterhood of five octogenarian witches, one of them being a ghost and another returning from somewhere, who spend their days running a distillery out of the manor that has been their home for most of their lives. The story begins with an angry mob of townspeople who want the manor foreclosed on due to a defaulted mortgage and demolished to make room for an amusement park named Man’s World.

In addition to being behind on the mortgage payments, the witches face another threat in the form of a relative of the former owner who is determined to get revenge for the theft of the manor he claims was rightfully his. Although each sister has her own unique magical skill and was once a very powerful witch, their powers are diminishing with each passing year. In an attempt to set things right, Queenie, the unofficial head of the sisterhood, makes a bargain with an evil far more powerful than anything they’ve ever faced.

The witches’ are aided by a young girl named who is eager to smash the patriarchy that exists in the town. Though the witches don’t want to interact with her at first, Persephone becomes very important to the story. As the foreclosure deadline approaches, fractures among the sisterhood are revealed, and secrets are exposed, all leading up to a fiery confrontation with their enemies.

Each of the characters has a complete backstory and the reader will want to root for them. Marais often makes mention of events that have yet to happen or have happened in the past but doesn’t fill the reader in until much later in the book. That if nothing else will keep you reading.

Includes recipes for all the potions mentioned.

3.83 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (2022)

 

Mika Moon is a 31 year-old witch in England. Orphaned at a young age, she was raised by fellow witch Primrose Everly. As a child, all Mika’s basic needs were provided for her but her time with Primrose was limited and none of the household was allowed to stay if they got a hint of Mika’s magical powers. Between Primrose’s absence and that fact the governesses never stayed long, Mika is convinced she is unlovable.

Mika has been taught to hide her magical abilities and stay away from other witches for fear of drawing attention to their powers. Being a bit of a rebel, Mika uploads a series of videos to the Internet of herself pretending to be a witch making potions. Elderly actor Ian Kubo-Hawthorn is convinced Mika is the real deal and asks her to interview for a job at Nowhere House. Nowhere House is the home of three young witches whom Ian wants Mika to teach to control their magical powers. Mika learns that the youngsters have been adopted by a witch who, much like Primrose is absent the majority of the year.

Taking the job breaks all the rules but Mika accepts the position. She arrives in her yellow hatchback named The Broomstick out of which she retrieves her potions, greenhouse, coy pond, and a golden retriever.

As Mika settles in at Nowhere House, she begins to think she might have found a place where she belongs after all but that is threatened when she discovers the real reason she was invited to Nowhere House and the secret all the adults have been hiding. With that knowledge comes danger and Mika must decide what she is willing to risk to protect Nowhere House and the inhabitants who have become like family.

Mika has a great personality and sense of humor and her sense of loneliness and lack of connection to others really comes through. The book’s other characters, the children, Ian, two long-suffering caretakers, and Jamie, the handsome and prickly librarian are all full of life as well and they all add to the story. Each has a distinct personality and readers are clued into their feelings as well as their unspoken thoughts.

Ultimately this is a story about recognizing what you need and then going after it. It's about finding people you love who love you back and making a home and a life with them even if it’s not the one you expected or how you were told it should be.

4.27 stars Goodreads, 4.5 on Amazon

The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

A hero set out on a journey to save the world; instead of a being a savior, we see what happens if the hero becomes a tyrant (Lord Ruler). The world in which the Mistborn series takes place in used to be filled with greenery, but is now a bleak ash covered land of despair. These events were set into motion 1000 years prior to the main events of this tale, and much has been lost of the world of the past. After reaching a state of immortality, the Lord Ruler has ensnared the world and has removed any from power who display opposition. However, a group of individuals has gathered to challenge the Lord Rulers claim on the world. They are far from the first group to attempt to overthrow him, but can they succeed and reclaim the world to its former state?

I found this be to an entertaining read, with a likeable cast of characters. The world also has a unique magic system, which is controlled by the select individuals capable of consuming elemental metals. These powers vary, from increasing ones strength, or controlling others emotions. If I were to find a criticism in this first book it’s that, we only find out bits and pieces about how the Lord Ruler came to be, there is still much which is left unknown.  Hopefully this will be fleshed out in the subsequent novels.  This book was originally presented as a trilogy with additional books taking place in the same world but many years after the original story. 

Goodreads 4.44 out of 5, Amazon 4.7 out of 5

This series is not available at EPL. Ask any of the reference librarians to get it for you from an area library.

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

 

 

Piranesi exists in a world of never ending rooms, hallways and ancient statues filling it with classical period ambiance. The only individual besides Piranesi, in this world, he simply refers to as the other. However, this may not be the case. Something else exists in the world Piranesi resides in, and it’s about to change his whole perception of existence. At the onset of this book, it may seem like a dream world where little makes since, and nothing is clear. However, as the reader dives into this book the mystery surrounding the world is revealed. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a short fantasy book incorporating another world, with a sense of mythology.

Goodreads 4.31 out of 5, Amazon 4.5 out of 5

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth by Daniel Warren Johnson (2019)

 

Throughout the years, Wonder Woman has had many dramatic storylines, but maybe none as dire as this. After hundreds of years in a deep sleep, Diana   awakens to find herself in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Her friends, the Justice League, gone…or dead. The reason why, wiped from her memory.

Wonder Woman must find others in the wasteland; she needs to know what catastrophe took place, and why. Most importantly, she needs to find her way home to Themyscira, to her mother. The mythical island must have survived this desolation, right?

Daniel Johnson, writer and illustrator, creates a strikingly visual tale of fallen gods and monsters. His tale of destruction and death still holds tight to forgiveness and hope, making for one of the more captivating short runs in DC comics.

While, we know that this is just one version of Wonder Woman, one of the many in an infinite pool of dimensions, it is still a heartbreaking ode to one of DC’s most powerful heroes.

4.04 stars on Goodreads, 4.8 on Amazon

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by VE Schwab

 

A young woman in France, during the 1700s, fears how short a lifetime can be and how little can be accomplished. Addie is unwilling to settle down and accept small-town life in the 1700s. Instead she discovers what happens when you pray to the gods at night, and why you never make deals with them. In exchange for never ending life, Addie will have to live a life where no one can remember her. Everyone who knew Addie up until this point in her life has now completely forgotten her existence. Also, anyone new Addie  meets will forget her after she leaves their presence. Until 300 years later, when Addie encounters a boy in a bookstore who doesn’t forget.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. While this novel can easily be labeled as Fantasy, I would say it is light on those elements, and can easily be enjoyed by those who don’t want to be bogged down in fantasy worlds. The book also has elements of historical fiction and recounts moments of Addie’s life over the 300 year span. If you enjoy this book, and want something with more fantasy elements I’d suggest checking out VE Schwab’s Shades of Magic Trilogy.

4.39 stars on Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

 

Noemí receives an alarming letter from her newlywed cousin looking for desperately help. This leads Noemí to investigate her cousins, new family, at their secluded home known as High Place. Her cousins’ new husband is a charming British man, but something doesn't sit well with Noemí, and it seems as though the husband has secrets to hide. However, Noemí is a strong-willed individual, and isn't buying his charming act.  This leads her to uncovering secrets about the house and the family that could lead to the end of her and her cousin. If you are looking for something with a dark allure during October, I highly recommend this book. 

3.77 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon 

Magic Before Liars by Sarah Gailey

 

Ivy Gamble never wanted anything to do with the world of magic. That world belonged to her sister. Instead Ivy is attempting to get by as a private investigator, with little money and a bit of a drinking problem. However, when a murder occurs at the private school for mages her sister works for, she is hired to solve the case. The book is an interesting take on meshing a magic school with a murder mystery. 

3.65 stars on Goodreads, 4 on Amazon  

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (Book 1 of 3)

Nevernight, book one of the Nevernight Chronicles, follows the main character Mia and her path of vengeance. At a young age, Mia witnessed the death of her father Darius Corvere and the destruction of her family by the government he attempted to overthrow. At her family's’ demise, Mia also obtains powers over the shadows that surround her. This leads her to doorstep of a retired assassin that takes in her in and trains her like his own.  Though his training can only go so far, so he sends Mia to the school that he was trained by. Though this school is filled by cut throats, and only a select few can make it through the program. Will Mia be able to rise up through her classes and seek out her vengeance, or will she be left to the waste?

 4.24 stars on Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon