The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks (Montague Siblings #3) by Mackenzi Lee

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Adrian Montague has a bright future. The sole heir to his father's estate, he is an up and coming political writer and engaged to an activist who challenges and inspires him. But most young Lords aren't battling the debilitating anxiety Adrian secretly lives with, or the growing fear that it might consume him and all he hopes to accomplish. In the wake of his mother's unexpected death, Adrian is also concerned people will find out that he has the mental illness she struggled with for years.

When a newly found keepsake of hers-a piece of a broken spyglass-comes into Adrian's possession, he's thrust into the past and finds himself face to face with an older brother he never knew he had. Henry "Monty" Montague has been living quietly in London for years, and his sudden appearance sends Adrian on a quest to unravel family secrets that only the spyglass can answer.

In pursuit of answers about the relic, the brothers chart a course to locate their sister Felicity. But as they travel between the pirate courts of Rabat, Portuguese islands, the canals of Amsterdam, and into unknown Artic waters, the Montague siblings are thrown into one final adventure as they face a ghostly legend that threatens their whole family.

Return to the enchanting world of the Montague siblings in the finale to the New York Times bestselling and Stonewall Honor-winning series, featuring a teenage Adrian Montague as he desperately seeks the now adult Monty and Felicity-the older siblings he never knew he had. 

Source: NetGalley; ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

There was no shortage of excitement when I found out I was approved for the arc of this book. The Henry "Monty" Montague and Felicity Montague are probably my favorite fictional siblings because their humor and dry wit speak to my soul. I'm so glad Lee takes us back to introduce us to the youngest Montague, Adrian whom the siblings left behind when they left to seek adventure and carve their own paths.

The instant we meet Adrian we learn he's unlike his older siblings. He suffers from anxiety and OCD and has a difficult time with things that most of us would assume are mundane. His spitfire of a fiance, Louisa not only loves Adrian to pieces but also knows how to help him through his challenging moments. He's an aspiring social justice warrior, writing articles anonymously to draw attention to the plight of workers, much to his father's chagrin. After his father gives him a box of his deceased mother's belongings, Adrian becomes curious about one item in particular - a broken spyglass. For some reason, he feels that this spyglass is the key to finding out why she was "sad" and why she died. His curiosity leads him to finding Monty. He didn't even know he had an older sibling, much less two. Explaining his thought process and suspicions about their mother to Monty, Monty agrees to accompany him to Portugal to learn more about the shipwreck that his mother had been involved in. Obviously, this means a detour to find Felicity is in order. Adrian, who's never ventured far and who isn't exactly made of X Games material is thrust into a whole new world of pirates, espionage and family secrets. 

I enjoyed this high flying adventure! Monty is always a blast and I was so happy to experience his special brand of Monty-ness again! He is all melodrama and jokes whereas Felicity is quietly effective and biting. Poor Adrian, his entire world thrown upside down and these two non-conforming people to lead him through it. Aside from the thrill and danger of their epic travels, Adrian's story is about his own self-discovery. His concerns that he might suffer from the same ailment that plagued his mother is constantly weighing on him. Monty and Felicity recognize that Adrian is different and do tend to tread lightly around him when the moment calls for it. I so appreciated that they never sought to tell him to get over it. They simply tried to gently lead him to clarity or ride through the wave with him. 

Lee says in her notes that NGSS centers heavily around mental health issues and that she pulled from her own her own experiences to tell Adrian's story, and that while they might resonate with some, they do not speak for all. She goes on to explain from a historical context how anxiety and depression were labelled, diagnosed and treated within the constraints of the medical knowledge of the time. As always, the historical details are what bring me to Lee's novels and this time the Montague siblings are embroiled in the myth of The Flying Dutchman - the legendary ghost ship. I had heard of The Flying Dutchman but was not familiar with much else about it. Adrian's desperation to find it spurs the adventure into dangerous waters and life-threatening situations, all so he can understand the mystery that is his mother and what changed her years ago. In understanding what happened to her, he hopes it will help explain why he is the way he is, and possibly avoid the same fate as her.

I love this series for its adventuresome fun, intrigue and let's face it, whenever Monty is involved, shenanigans. Never a dull moment is had when he's around, though with this family reunion, Monty does revisit his unhappy childhood and tries to come to peace with where he's at in his life. He's happy with his love, Percy but still feels unworthy thanks to many years of toxic treatment at his father's hand. So while the overall tone of The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks is that of breathtaking exploits, there is some gravitas to it, as well. I think Lee handles it very well and I'm sad that the series is now over, but I am oh so grateful for the ride along!

~ Bel

Content Warning/Trigger Warning:

- anxiety, OCD, (on page; Adrian throughout the story), depression (memory; the siblings' mother), suicide (inferred; the siblings' mother), physical abuse (memory; Monty's memory of what his father did to him)

Uncharted (Survival Instincts #2) by Adriana Anders

* * * *

Hotshot pilot Leo Eddowes is afraid of nothing and no one. So when she's asked to evacuate a man from the wilds of Alaska, she doesn't hesitate. But with enemies in close pursuit and the weather turning sour, what should have been a simple mission quickly shifts to disaster.

And there's only one way out.

When Elias Thorne disappeared, he was America's most wanted. Now he's spent more than a decade in one of the most remote places on earth, guarding a dangerous secret. Leo's arrival, quickly followed by a team of expert hunters, leaves him no choice but to join forces with her—and run. Neither is prepared for their reluctant partnership to flare into something as wild and untamed as the frozen world around them...but as desperately cold days melt into scorchingly hot nights, Leo and Elias must learn to dig deep, trust in each other, and forge a bond as strong as the forces of nature.

Stranded together in a frozen wilderness,

There's nowhere left to run...

*Source: ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

When you pick up Uncharted you need to sit down, buckle up and settle in because once the action starts it keeps going. There's barely enough time to take in an entire breath when the next thing happens and so on.

Uncharted continues the fight or flight tension of the first book. Once again people are after the deadly virus that was first discovered in Antarctica and there are many actors in this game. So many one's not sure who's on which side. Leo doesn't begin this adventure in the best way. The little Alaskan town she and her team have been hiding out in while searching for an elusive scientist is suddenly taken hostage by an armed group working for a nefarious organization. Not good when she's trying to get over a stomach bug. She manages to get out aided by a local who insists that she help her find her nephew and save him from the danger that's coming. Leo, who's a skilled pilot is still shot down and Elias, the guy she was sent by the local to look for, comes to her rescue. It's touch and go for a bit because she's badly injured, in and out of consciousness and that only slows down their escape. In her lucid moments she tries to figure out if Elias can be trusted and/or of he's the guy she and her team have been looking for. When the hunters get close, the chase is pretty much nonstop from there. And it only gets more harrowing in the rough Alaskan wilderness. 

This was a blast to read! I needed a change of pace and this was definitely it. It's suspenseful and thrilling, and when Leo and Elias decide they can trust each other, it only becomes more intense. A lot of their attraction and chemistry comes from the situation they find themselves in, but they also make sense. They compliment each other beautifully in terms of attitude and grit. Elias has been hiding out in the wilderness for so long that he needs for someone to be able to handle that, too. Leo has just as much grit as he does. The big surprise for me was how much I ended up liking a certain hunter - Ash. His role in everything is not exactly clear but boy, oh boy, does he have the stealthy bad boy vibe down. Combined with an English accent and he is freaking sexy to me. I must know more about this mysterious operative. 

Uncharted is ceaseless high-octane fun with tender and steamy interludes thrown in. There's also a a dog (Bo), and who doesn't love a human's best friend that's in on the adventure and looking out for them? I had an awesome time reading this and I'm excited for more to come!

~ Bel

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy (Montague Siblings #2) by Mackenzi Lee

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Felicity Montague is through with pretending she prefers society parties to books about bone setting—or that she’s not smarter than most people she knows, or that she cares about anything more than her dream of becoming a doctor.

A year after an accidentally whirlwind tour of Europe, which she spent evading highwaymen and pirates with her brother Monty, Felicity has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of Callum Doyle, a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh; and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.

But then a small window of hope opens. Doctor Alexander Platt, an eccentric physician that Felicity idolizes, is looking for research assistants, and Felicity is sure that someone as forward thinking as her hero would be willing to take her on. However, Platt is in Germany, preparing to wed Felicity’s estranged childhood friend Johanna. Not only is Felicity reluctant to opening old wounds, she also has no money to make the trip.

Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid. In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that will lead her from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic.

Source: advance e-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

All right. The boys had more than their fair share of adventure in The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue, so now it's the girls' turn. Sorry, Monty and Percy can't have all the fun. We already knew Felicity (Monty's younger sister) was a firecracker. She's smart, fearless and unafraid to share her opinions. Thank goodness for her because she held things together for the boys when things looked bleak. Lady's Guide starts out as far away as possible from excitement. Felicity is working in a bakery in Scotland feeling slightly defeated because she hasn't been able to pursue her dream of studying medicine yet. She has the brains but it's the misfortune in being born a girl that thwarts her at every turn. When the bakery owner proposes to her, offering her a comfortable, stable life with the understanding that she gives up her ambition, she hightails it out of there so fast for one last ditch effort to get into med school.

So much happens that sadly resonates with what's been happening in our world lately. The struggles Felicity goes through to be taken seriously and prove her worth and abilities are so freaking frustrating. (I couldn't help wondering how she would react to our current social and political backsliding.) Anyway, with Monty and Percy hopelessly and sickeningly in love (yes, they're back as well), Felicity has to rely on herself for all the pep talks and becomes resourceful when obstacles pop up. I love how that brain of hers works. Thanks to her previous dalliance with pirates, she has connections to take her to Germany to meet up with an old friend. And that's using the term very loosely. Joanna, is marrying a scientist Felicity would love to have mentor her. She just has to be discreet especially since she's travelling with the pirate, Sim. Sim who has her own secret agenda is masquerading as Felicity's servant girl. Things go amuck at the wedding and soon all three ladies are on the run, desperately racing against time when they realize what's at stake.

If ever I have the urge to run away and form a pirate gang of badass women I'd want Felicity, Joanna and Sim to be there. Each of them represents a different face of feminism. Felicity is studious, firm and intelligent. A natural leader who keeps a calm head during a crisis. Joanna embraces her femininity, and unlike Felicity who openly rails against expectations, Joanna subvertly fights that by working her femininity to her advantage. She's diligent, curious, observant and cunning when the need arises. Sim, having grown up amongst pirates has a more rough and tumble streak, is disciplined, strong and unconstrained by etiquette or society's standards. Their bond only strengthens as their journey becomes perilous. 

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is another action-packed fare set to a fascinating historical background that highlights friendship and sisterhood. I hope reading this encourages all the Felicitys, Joannas and Sims of the world to rise up because if anything, we see that women are more than capable and get things done when they band together.

~ Bel
 

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

* * * * *

An unforgettable tale of two friends on their Grand Tour of 18th-century Europe who stumble upon a magical artifact that leads them from Paris to Venice in a dangerous manhunt, fighting pirates, highwaymen, and their feelings for each other along the way.

Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.

But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, romantic, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is a sumptuous romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review


I'd seen several people commenting about The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. There was something infectious about their enthusiasm for it that made me want to be in on it, too. 

Folks, I started laughing right away. Monty, who's a rake through and through has two things I love in any hero: dry humour and quick wit. He's been kicked out of school because he was caught messing around with another boy in an unbecoming way. Since he's always getting into trouble you deduce rather quickly that he's kind of a hot mess. But a hot mess that you can't help but love and he knows it. All he has to do is employ his looks, charm and those freaking dimples to worm his way out of (or into) a situation. Unfortunately, that charm doesn't work on his stern father who has found him to be so utterly exasperating and embarrassing. He arranges for him to go on a tour of Europe hoping that it will instill some culture and responsibility in him before he fully immerses himself in the family business upon his return home. Joining him on this journey is his best friend and as it turns out, unrequited love, Percy. They've known each other since they were kids and are thick as thieves, except that Percy's the level-headed one while Monty constantly needs to be reigned in. It's a friendship that has provided both of them the stability they need. Going on tour together is their bittersweet last hurrah before becoming serious adults. It's also important to Monty to have these final few months with Percy before they go their separate ways. 

I was a chapter in when I declared my undying love for this book. Monty won my heart immediately and Percy is so sweet and patient that he deserves a medal. The action takes place almost instantly because Monty can't help but get himself in hot water. This latest debacle though brings tension between him and Percy. Lee effectively shows us Monty's anguish over his love for Percy and him not wanting to ruin what he has with his best friend. I also like how she gradually has Monty opening up about the ugly bits in his life, particularly his hostile relationship with his father which deepens your perspective of him. His character arc and development from one of self-indulgence to maturity is my favourite aspect of this story. Close to that are the various "almost" moments between him and Percy which are written so well, giving you the sense of deep longing, lust and affection. Little things like him touching his ring finger to Percy's lips are so tender and secretive - I felt myself blush at that brief moment of contact. There's also a spectacular scene that takes place at the opera. I mean it, it's a beautiful, hold-your-breath scene! A lovely surprise that comes to light is his sister, Felicity who is forced to accompany them on their tour. Always underestimated or ignored by her family, she's the one who keeps things real. 

Sometimes the characters behaved so convincingly that I forgot that they're just teenagers.Yet they prove their mettle. Lee throws them into various situations from scandalous to perilous, and also introduces other themes relevant to this time period like prejudice, slavery, higher education and sexism, all of which play significant roles in their exploits. It's history come alive as she takes us on a jaunt through 18th century Europe, through the eyes of three different individuals whose personal stories colour their world views. 

I think I've made it clear that I can gush about GGVV all day. There's so much more I want to discuss but that would mean spoilery and I don't want to do that. Just know that an adventure awaits and you don't want to miss it! And you guys, Lee is working on a companion spin-off, The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy. I'm ridiculously over the moon about this news!

~ Bel

Avenged (Altered #2) by Marnee Blake

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Source: e-galley provided by publisher

Three terrifying months.

That’s how long Kitty Laughton has been at the mercy of the scientist who experimented on her town, killing over a dozen people and giving the rest of them unique powers. But Kitty doesn’t feel powerful, especially when she learns the crazy man plans to test his research on more unsuspecting people. She refuses to let anyone else die, but trapped with no one to help her she’s out of options…that is until sexy and exasperating Nick Degrassi arrives.

Special-ops soldier Nick blames himself for Kitty’s capture, and he’ll do whatever he can to free the quiet beauty, but close quarters and a shared secret bring an attraction that neither of them expected. With the organization that started it all making mercenaries for hire, Nick and Kitty must save themselves and stop a madman…before it’s too late. 


Ever since I finished Altered, I've had this series in the back of my mind wanting to see everyone's fate once they were all scattered by the end of the first book. Avenged picks up three months later with Kitty being held captive by the people who wrought the heinous atrocity upon her hometown. As one of the few survivors, they have a special interest in her and her abilities that resulted from the drug they unleashed upon the civilians. She believes that she's on her own as no one has come to her rescue yet. She's proven wrong when Nick finally shows up unexpectedly and not entirely prepared. They hatch an escape plan and it's pure adrenaline from there.

One of the things I liked about Avenged is that the once the action starts there's almost no respite from it. Kitty and Nick are the main players in this sequel and are constantly on the go once they escape the clutches of their captors. They're in a rush against time to reunite with the others (Blue, Seth and trusted military personnel) to prevent the mad scientist from selling his research and drug on the black market.

I wanted an action-packed read and that's what I got. Things are by no means settled once you get to the end of Avenged - yep, another cliffhanger! Everyone is left in a quandary and with the stakes at an ultra high level, I am on edge to see how this ragtag group of unlikely friends manage to save themselves and the unsuspecting innocent lives out there.

~ Bel

Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach

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A young man overcomes a crippling loss and finds the courage to live after meeting an enigmatic girl.

“Was this story written about me?”

I shrugged.

“Yes or no?”

I shrugged again, finally earning a little scowl, which somehow made the girl even more pretty.

“It’s very rude not to answer simple questions,” she said.

I gestured for my journal, but she still wouldn’t give it to me. So I took out my pen and wrote on my palm.

I can’t, I wrote. Then, in tiny letters below it: Now don’t you feel like a jerk?

Parker Santé hasn’t spoken a word in five years. While his classmates plan for bright futures, he skips school to hang out in hotels, killing time by watching the guests. But when he meets a silver-haired girl named Zelda Toth, a girl who claims to be quite a bit older than she looks, he’ll discover there just might be a few things left worth living for.

Wallach’s debut We All Looked Up was so stunning that I jumped at the chance to read this. Since WALU was about an impending disaster, I wondered what kind of tone Thanks for the Trouble would have. This fanciful tale featuring two strangers meeting and discovering a camaraderie who go on to create their own adventures, is both hopeful and serious.

Parker seems like a normal kid except that he refuses to speak. All the therapy he’s been through can’t unlock what’s disturbing him the most since the death of his father a few years before. He's simply not ready. He depends on his journal to communicate with people and also to write the many stories that bound through his imagination. Being the odd kid, he resorts to stealing as a hobby. One of his favourite things to do is to hang out at hotel lobbies, which is where he notices Zelda who seems to be lost in her own world. When she leaves the hotel, he sees that she’s left her bag behind and he decides to steal it. Only he can’t bring himself to do it. In the meantime she returns and confronts him about his pitiful attempt at theft. Instead of being upset about it though, she’s intrigued. She announces that they should spend time together. That is until she receives a life-changing phone call that she’s been expecting and at which point they'll part ways.

I was so tuned into this story. Zelda is a larger than life character who’s own personal story is quite unfathomable. Parker doesn’t believe her at all but gets wrapped up in her persona none the less. She’s determined that Parker needs to come out of his shell and also look to his future. She strikes up a deal with him that to him seems one-sided. Parker can’t help but worry about her welfare despite her assurances that she doesn’t require any help. He is such a sweetheart and a good-natured guy. Meeting Zelda has lifted his spirits and given him the push he needs at this crucial time in his life. The best is when it dawns on him that even though he’s retreated into himself, he isn’t alone and that he can still be a part of a social circle that embraces him wholeheartedly. 

Once again, Wallach’s writing is solid and alluring, weaving together Parker's contemporary world with Zelda's fairytale of a life. What I admire about his books so far is that he writes his characters as smart and insightful. He's great at capturing significant moments that are set within a limited timeframe. And the location being in San Francisco, one of my favourite places ever, made me enjoy the story that much more. 

Thanks for the Trouble is charming, witty and heart-warming and I have nothing but fondness for this little treasure!

~ Bel

Valentine (Brotherhood of Fallen Angels #1) by Heather Grothaus

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Introducing the Brotherhood of Fallen Angels—an epic new series set in the medieval Holy Land, where four heroic Crusaders find themselves caught in the crosshairs of revenge, devotion—and love…

He’s a man of passion and principle. But would he kill for his convictions? That’s the question that has Valentine Alesander fighting for his innocence. He’s been accused, along with three other Brothers, of orchestrating the horrific siege at the Christian fortification of Chastellet. Could this fatefully-named Crusader be a lover, a fighter, and a traitor? One woman from his past is about to find out.

Gorgeous, free-spirited Lady Mary Beckham has escaped her guardians in England to travel across the world—and find the notorious Valentine. Years ago, she was promised to him…and now she wants out of their marriage contract. Mary wants to wed another and requires Valentine’s blessing—until she discovers they share a tempestuous attraction. But with a vengeful band of sworn enemies at Valentine’s heels, is desire worth the risk of losing…everything?

I have a deep fondness for history but unfortunately, I don’t get to read too much of it because for me, it requires concentration and taking notes and research. Yes, folks, I am THAT particular when I read a history book. Coming across TheBrotherhood of Fallen Angels series allows me to dip my toes into a time period and region that I have always been fascinated about but without my usual seriousness.

Lady Mary Beckham is all that's left of her parents' legacy and they died during her infancy. She has been lovingly raised by her governess. She passes her days at her estate by dreaming up lives for the passerby outside her window. Now that she has come of age, she is to marry. Months before her nuptials she comes to learn that she has already been betrothed and will need to have that contract voided in order to marry her love. However, the man she was promised to is currently a criminal, evading his family and other parties who have much to gain from his demise. Mary has to go find him, bring him back to England so they can null their marriage contract. This is a risky undertaking on its own being that Mary has never traveled much beyond her village, let alone England.

With a price on his head, Valentine has had little choice but to go into hiding these past years as many believe him responsible for the siege and downfall of Chasellet where many lives were lost. Valentine wants to prove his innocence and bring the real traitors to justice but he has to be cautious. There’s more at stake that just his name. While in hiding, he has befriended a small circle of friends who know his story. Their tight bond is one of the few things in the world, besides his own instincts that he can trust.

I delighted in Mary and Valentine’s chemistry. When they first meet, Valentine is very much the charming, flirty rogue who enjoys a beautiful woman. He’s taken in by Mary's beauty and innocence. After spending time with her, he’s impressed by her courage and sass. Mary is not so easily dazzled by this Crusader’s rugged looks and womanizing ways, though she catches glimpses of the real him. The Valentine that cares about his family and friends, the one who would lay down his life for those he loves. Their high-stakes escapades unite them, forging a deep connection between them. I enjoyed how Grothaus described their sexual tension; how much of it was left to my imagination. Sometimes that’s all that’s needed.

Grothaus gave me all my loves in one: adventure, romance and intrigue, against one of the most fascinating historical backdrops. Valentine as the hero is educated, resourceful, shrewd, passionate and strong. He’s a man’s man. Mary is no dainty, helpless thing though. She’s equally smart and resourceful, developing a flare for adventure. I got exactly what I wanted and that was to be whisked away to some other time and place. Now I cannot wait to read, Adrian next. I mean, have you seen these covers?

~ Bel

The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

**** 1/2

From Random House:

Nicolas Fox is a charming con man and master thief on the run. Kate O’Hare is the FBI agent who is hot on his trail. At least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality, Fox and O’Hare are secretly working together to bring down super-criminals the law can’t touch. Criminals like brutal casino magnate Evan Trace.

Evan Trace is running a money-laundering operation through his casino in Macau. Some of his best customers are mobsters, dictators, and global terrorists. Nick and Kate will have to go deep undercover as high-stakes gamblers, wagering millions of dollars—and their lives—in an attempt to topple Trace’s empire.

It’s a scam that will take Fox and O’Hare from the Las Vegas strip, to the sun-soaked beaches of Oahu’s North Shore, and into the dark back alleys of Macau. Their only backup—a self-absorbed actor, a Somali pirate, and Kate’s father, an ex-soldier who believes a rocket launcher is the best way to solve every problem. What could possibly go wrong?

No one can replace Ranger Manoso as my number one book boyfriend, but if anyone could give him a run for his money, it might be Nick Fox.  Hot in a completely different way and roguishly charming, Nick's scoundrel ways with his heart of gold, make him swoon-worthy.  And don't forget the completely badass Kate, who shows, once again in The Scam, that she can kick ass and look great doing it.  

When Kate's dad runs afoul of the Japanese mafia, Kate & Nick reunite their hilarious cast of characters, including a geriatric pirate, in an elaborate plan to take down the mafia and a psychopath casino owner who launders money for all sorts of terrible people.  Unfortunately, old enemies surface to endanger the scam and the players.  A perfect mystery for a fall weekend.

The Scam is crazy adventure, hilarious hijinx and a little bit of romance, with a cliff-hanger that will have you yelling for more (seriously, I yelled)!  

~Shel

After the End by Amy Plum

* *  1/2

She’s searching for answers to her past. They’re hunting her to save their future.

World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They've survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there.

At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life.

When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie.

Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she's trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. Someone who knows the extraordinary truth about the secrets of her past.


Review: 

While Juneau is off hunting to feed her clan she hears the roar of “renegades.”  Or in modern terms, helicopters.  It isn’t the first time the clan has heard them.  They realize that smaller armies have formed after WWIII and it’s not surprising that some have managed to get things up and running enough to search out safer areas country.  But this time the renegades don’t fly over.  The roar continues and Juneau is worried about the safety of her clan.  She abandons her prey and races back to their village to find everyone gone.  Her father has left a message on the dirt floor of their yurt telling her to run.

So she does.  After collecting some things from the clan’s storage space, she heads for the coast.  And finds the most amazing thing.  A modern functioning society with no signs of the war she was lead to believe happened 30 years earlier.   Using her connection to the Yara (basically a transcendent ability to connect to the earth and its power) she is given direction on how to find her clan and their leader, who appears to be taken separately.  That direction leads her to Seattle.

Miles is rich boy from L.A. that is determined to destroy all the opportunities handed to him.  When he is expelled from his private school for cheating, his father, the CEO of a large pharmaceutical company, decides that he will learn responsibility by working in the mail room.  If after a year, he has proven that he can be responsible then maybe his father will see if he can still pull strings to get him into Yale.  But Miles is impatient and wants to get into his father’s good graces now.  When he finds out that his dad is looking for a girl in Seattle, he decides to run off himself and try to find her.  If he can deliver what his dad is looking for then everything will change.

After searching for a few days, Miles and Juneau find each other.  Before long they are headed on a frantic and adventurous trip to save Juneau’s family.  A trip that is full of discovery for both of them.  A trip that will hopefully lead to the safe return of her clan.

This story had its ups and downs.  I really enjoyed how much Juneau and Miles clashed.  They are both nice people but they come from such completely different worlds that their dislike of each other rather perfect.   What I didn’t like was their attraction that appeared about mid-way through the book.  It just didn’t build enough to make it believable.

I find the idea of a community living so secluded from the rest of the world fascinating.   No surprise considering how much I enjoyed M. Night. Shyamalan’s The Village.   The reason that Juneau’s clan was secluded holds a lot of potential and it will be interesting to see how the story continues.  Unfortunately this leads to my biggest complaint.  This is a first book in a series and the abrupt ending made it feel as if someone turned off the TV in the middle of an episode.  I was left confused and frustrated.  Not necessarily in a good anticipatory way. I would like to see how this ends but I will likely wait until they all the books in the series are out before reading more.

Here’s the thing.  If you are looking for a fun quick read with a bit of adventure and “magic” then I I do recommend After the End.  And hey, once the entire series is out, I will likely go back and read them all.  But until then I’ll stick to my stand alone novels and the few series I’ve been emotionally invested in so long that I can no longer give up.

~Nat

Alex Van Helsing: The Triumph of Death by Jason Henderson

****

 

 

 

From HarperTeen:

Within months of discovering he's next in a long line of vampire hunters, Alex Van Helsing has already defeated two powerful vampire leaders. Not bad for a fourteen-year-old.

But when a newly risen vampire queen threatens the fate of the world, Alex faces his deadliest challenge yet. Teaming up with a motorcycle-riding witch, Alex jets between Switzerland, the UK, and Spain in a frantic race to prevent the queen from unleashing a curse that will plunge the world into darkness.

With the clock ticking, Alex barely has time to breathe, let alone see his friends, and he's beginning to wonder if being a vampire hunter is worth all its sacrifices. In this thrilling finale to the action-packed series described as "James Bond meets Dracula," everything—Alex's future and, ultimately, that of the world—hangs in the balance.

This third installment of AVH has Alex and a mysterious new friend, Astrid, trying to stop the “Triumph of Death” a spell which would create darkness and allow vampires to essentially take over the world.  While Alex discovers his magic half, races to save the world, and defies his superiors in the Polidorium, he struggles with how to be a friend and yet protect his friends at the same time.  And is it even possible to have friends or a personal life when you are fighting to save the world?

If I had to come up with one complaint about The Triumph of Death, it would be that we did not get enough time with Paul, Minhi and Sid.  They are such great characters and were such a huge part of the first two books, I missed them while reading Triumph. 

As with the rest of the series, The Triumph of Death was fast-paced action-adventure and completely irresistible.  Alex is such a lovable character and the world created by Henderson is so much fun.  Probably the most mature 14 year old I can think of Alex's adventures are great for all ages.  I've recommended this series to people from age 6 to adults in their 50s and 60s.  Whenever I recommend the AVH series to someone, I tell them to think of modern day Hardy Boys with high tech gadgets and vampires. 

I know the book description says that this is the final installment in the series, but I really hope that isn’t so.  I would hate to say goodbye to Alex and friends!   I have been thinking all day that I cannot be the only person who thinks AVH would make a great movie or tv series...

~Shel