Blood Kiss / J.R. Ward / 412 pgs.

This is the first book in a planned series which is a spin-off from J.R. Ward's bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series.  The original "brothers" are in the series, but the main focus will be on the new recruits who are entering the Brotherhood training program.

Blood Kiss, follows the story of Paradise, a female from a very high ranking family in vampire society, who wants to join the Black Dagger Brotherhood's training program to learn to fight and protect their race.  Of course, as this is a romance novel, as Paradise is being tested and going through the grueling initiation into the training program, she falls in love with a fellow trainee whom her family would deem as beneath her.  

A Head Full of Ghosts / Paul Tremblay / 286 pgs.

A creepy and engrossing novel about a preteen named Marjorie Barrett, who begins to show signs of schizophrenia.  As her outbursts become more bizarre and frequent, Marjorie's father turns to a Catholic priest who suggests performing an exorcism.  At the same time a reality television show gets wind of this story and approaches the family in order to document it all.

Is Marjorie really crazy? possessed? or just looking for attention?  It's hard to parse out what really happened with this girl and her family.

The Alienist / Caleb Carr / 496 pgs

A serial killer is on the loose in 1800s New York City. Dr. Laszlo Kreizler is hired by the NYPD to create a psychological profile of the killer in hopes to find the suspect.  Since it's the 1800s, detectives have little physical evidence to go on.  Which makes the psychological profile all the more intriguing, examining the minds of psychopaths and what would cause them to commit such heinous acts of crime.

The descriptions of the murders can be a bit on the brutal side as the bodies are mutilated and dismembered.  This book is good for fans of the Hannibal Lecter Series by Thomas Harris or the movie Seven (with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman).

Mockingbird, Vol. 1: I Can Explain / Chelsea Cain / 136 pgs

I'm not really into superhero comics, but was excited to see a new female superhero.  Also, it was written by Chelsea Cain, who writes the bestselling Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell series.  If you have not read this series you I'll let you know it's about a psychopathic female serial killer.    So basically "Mockingbird" is about S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and former Avenger, Bobbi Morse, as she goes on a few missions, from deep sea diving to uncover a secret nuclear facility, to saving her current boyfriend from an underground gang.  Bobbi has super powers because she is part of a government experiment which is also causing her mind to hallucinate.

The story-line was fair, but again I'm not really into superheros fighting bad guys page after page.  I do like that she is a strong female heroine with personal and mental issues like everyone else.
The writer Chelsea Cain cancelled her twitter account after receiving a lot of harassing tweets from male comic book "fans" commenting on her pro-feminist stance, which really only makes me want to recommend this book even more!    (http://www.comicsbeat.com/bestselling-author-chelsea-cain-driven-off-twitter-by-harassment-from-comics-fans/).

Orange : The Complete Collection (vols. 1&2) / Takano, Ichigo / 384 pgs.

On the first day of 11th grade, Naho, receives a letter from her future twenty-seven-year-old self.  At first she believes it to be a joke, but as events describe in the letter start happening in front of her, she starts to take the letter more seriously.  One major detail in the letter is asking the younger Naho, to look after the new transfer student, a boy named Kakeru, and help keep him from a terrible future. 

If you could go back in time to fix a regret in your life, would you?  Do you think it could change things?  A very interesting concept to explore and to remind younger teen readers some truths about human nature.  For example, everyone has things going on in their life that you may not know about, but it affects their behavior. 

When a Scot Ties the Knot / Tessa Dare / 376 pgs

In order to avoid going through an uncomfortable and awkward London season, painfully shy, intelligent, and independent Miss Madeline (Maddie) Gracechurch invented a sweetheart.  She imagined a Scottish Captain, named Logan MacKenzie, who was kind and devoted to her, but also, conveniently, away on the battlefield.   Maddie even wrote actual letters to her pretend sweetheart and sent them to keep up her rouse.  Maddie thought that she would be able to ride out the London Seasons until she is "past her prime" and will then be able to stay independent in her spinsterhood.  It was all working out until, one day, the REAL Captain Logan MacKenzie shows up on her doorstep, with her letters in hand, and demanding that Maddie make good on all the things that she had promised over the years. 

Both characters are very nice and honorable and will have romance readers routing for them. 

You will know me / Megan Abbott / 345 pgs

In the competitive world of girls Gymnastics, once athletes reach the "elite" level stakes are raised
and tensions run high.  Young gymnast, Devon Knox, is gifted and has the discipline to make it to the upcoming Olympic team.  Her path is clear-cut, until one of her trainers is involved in a hit-and-run accident.  The death of the trainer causes grief and distractions, as the gymnast's families accuse and shame each other in order to get ahead or just make sense of the tragedy. 

This book reads like the TV "Dance Moms" on crack!  If you like snippy, helicoptering parents involved in their child's competitive sport, as well as a healthy dose of dysfunction, this is a good read. 

Recommended for Adults and older Teens. 

Fight Club 2 / Chuck Palahniuk / 256 pgs

Ten years after the events in the first novel, the protagonist (aka Jack/Travis/Tyler), is now married to Marla and has a regular job and a kid.  He lives a mundane life and keeps his alter-ego/split personality (Tyler Durden) at bay through heavy medication.  However, Tyler is starting to resurface, and Project Mayhem is ramping up again.  This is a revisit to Tyler's crazy fight club world, which is a sarcastic, satirical look at our materialistic world.  Being a graphic novel only visually highlights the bizarre images and situations that Palahniuk describes in his books.       Fans of the first book (and/or movie) will enjoy this continuation; the rest will probably feel out of the loop and lost reading this strange, winding story. 

Halfway to the Grave / Jeaniene Frost / 358 pgs

      Catherine Crawford (aka Cat), is a half vampire / half human, or in other words, a human with supernatural strength and fast healing abilities, that spends her evenings hunting and killing vampires. Cat is in search of her "father", the man that attacked her mother and resulted in her creation; in order to confront and remove him from the face of the earth.
      Her "hunting vampires" methods though are a little on the impractical side, as she pretty much has to dress and act like a prostitute in order to lure vampires out of seedy clubs in order get them alone where she can quickly kill and dispose of them.   While on one of her hunts, Cat meets master vampire Bones, who is cocky, sexy, and British.  Bones is also hunting Vampires who have committed major crimes against humans, so they team up.  (and of course sparks start to fly).

This spicy paranormal romance are for fans of the genre that know what they are in for.  It is fast- paced, with a lot of banter between Cat and Bones and gory battles with criminal vampires.  I would say this book is like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer - for Adults".  (ie strong female lead, vampire hunting, love dynamic between vampire and vampire hunter.)

A Wallflower Christmas / Lisa Kleypas / 213 pgs

This short novella is a nice add-on for fans that have read Lisa Kleypas' Wallflower Series as she revisits her main characters; but works just as nicely as a standalone.  In "A Wallflower Christmas", Rafe Bowman, brother of two of the "Wallflowers" is introduced and it is his turn to spend the Christmas season cavorting with the ladies of London society culminating with him choosing a fiance by Christmas Eve or else he will loose his inheritance.

Rafe thinks he has found a good match with beautiful (and wealthy!) Lady Natalie; but there is something that piques his interest in her companion, the intriguing, but penniless Hannah.

A quick holiday read, the romance felt a bit rushed and out of character for they serious and shy Hannah.  Still, a solid recommendation for fans of Victorian Romances.    

Superman, Wonderwoman (vol. 1) : Power Couple / Charles Soule / 192 pgs

Volume 1 of a new series that explores the question, "what if Superman and Wonder woman were in a relationship?".

I'm not sure how I feel about this comic; as it just throws the whole Clark Kent/Lois Lane relationship right out the window, pretending that it never happened.  I mean that's a pretty classic pairing, and to mess with it kind of makes this not a "superman" story.

But, I digress; IF Lois Land and Superman were never in a relationship and Superman hooks up with Wonder Woman, then this is actually a pretty interesting story line.  I like that in volume one, Wonder Woman deals with the same relationship problems as any other normal human goes through.  She doubts Superman's feelings, she wonders if he wants her to change her lifestyle for him, she hopes they can have a "normal" relationship even though they are famous superheroes.

There are a few superhero fighting sequences, but I was reading this for the relationship story-line.

Ghosts / Raina Telgemeier / 239 pgs

Very cute, kid-friendly graphic novel about two sisters who move to California, due to the younger sister's health issues.  The older sister Cat is bitter over the move and resentful of her sister; and is even less impressed with her new town when she learns from the locals that the town is rumored to be haunted.

The issues of family, moving, and friendship are nicely played out, as well as touching on deeper topics of illness, death, dying, and the afterlife.  Not treating nor scary makes this a good read for any elementary school age child and up.

Hush Hush / Laura Lippman / 303 pgs.

Private Detectives, Tess Monagham and Sandy Sanchez, have been hired to set up security detail for a new glamorous and wealthy client, who has a dark past.  The client, Melisandre Harris Dawes left Baltimore a decade ago after killing her two-month-old daughter and being acquitted by reason of criminal insanity.  Now she is back in town creating a documentary about the tragic event with the goal of clearing her name and reuniting with her two surviving teenage daughters.  However the plans for the Documentary and the return to Baltimore is jeopardized when a stalker starts leaving cryptic notes.

This mystery/suspense is not really a "did she do it" story, more like "why did she do it".  Using transcripts of the interviews that were filmed for the documentary makes a fun way for the reader to get pieces of the story one at a time.  The book is intriguing, fast-paced, and keeps you guessing.  It also explores the topics of infanticide and the use of criminal insanity pleas in high profile court cases.

What to do with a Duke / Sally MacKenzie / 343 pgs

Miss Isabelle Catherine Hutting (goes by the nickname Cat) would rather live her life in solitude and become a published author instead of marrying and having a dozen children.  Or at least this is what she thinks she wants when the village's Spinster House opens up and she jumps at the chance to be its resident.  When handsome Marcus, the Duke of Hart arrives to pick the new resident as part of his titled duty, he stirs up feelings in Cat that she didn't know she could experience.  Cat also draws amorous feelings out of Marcus, but unfortunately he is not looking to marry as he believes he is under a 200 year old family curse where he will die before his male heir is born.  Both Cat and Marcus resolutely stick to their beliefs that they are confirmed bachelors despite their feelings as they work together to fix up the Spinster House and investigate the family curse in hopes to discover the cure.

The book is light and funny, and the curse mystery will lead the reader on through the pages.  Its also nice to read how the feelings the characters have for each other develop throughout the story.  The only problem is that both characters whine and pine for each other for soooooooooo long that when you finally get to the climax of the story, the reader will either feel relief and satisfaction with their declarations of love or (like me) they will be repeatedly pounding their head on the table in frustration begging the characters to just "get on with it" so the constant whining and introspection would just stop.

How to Bewitch an Earl / Ally Broadfield / 207 pgs.

Another "Fake Fiance" story! - I guess there are only so many plot-lines in Romance novels.  In this one, Edward Adair, is being pressured into finding a bride.  He's parents are throwing a week-long house party with many eligible women invited, and Edward must choose a bride by the end or else he will be disinherited and his freeloading days will be over.

However, Edward has no intention of getting married anytime soon and has more interest in finding a lost heirloom that is hidden somewhere on his family's estate.  During Edward's research in the library he runs into visiting guest Miss Isabella Winthrop who has a knack for deciphering cryptic clues.  Isabella is posing as a lady's companion, so she is not considered as one of the marriageable women at the party.  So Edward and Isabella strike up a deal for her to pretend to be his fiance so he can avoid the hopeful ladies at the party and spend more time searching for the heirloom.  Together Isabella and Edward spend a lot of time together sleuthing for the lost heirloom, and of course, uncovering more about each other.

50 Ways to Ruin a Rake / Jade Lee / 370 pgs

"When Melinda Smithson, beautiful, rich, and logical, is proposed to for the umpteenth time by her

obsessively poetic but brutish cousin Ronnie, she bemoans her inexplicable lack of other prospects. Trevor, future Duke of Timby and a former student of Melinda's father, pays a visit and complains that his grandfather has cut off all funds until Trevor becomes engaged. Quickly he realizes that a fake betrothal will let him introduce Melinda to men who might court her and will also unlock his bank accounts." -- description from Catalog

Another "fake fiance" story, and you know how well those arrangements go.  Still this was a fun story, with a strong female character who wants to control her own life, fiances, future, and sexuality.  As Melinda is attaching new suitors, Trevor is falling more and more under her spell.  The story starts to get a bit silly near the climax, but if readers don't take it to seriously they will find this a light and humorous read.

Note: Jade Lee lives in Naperville and I have heard her speak at our Library.  She is very funny and fun to listen to in person.

Ms. Marvel : Crushed / G. Willow Wilson / 104 pgs

Ms. Marvel is a new superhero that is a breath of fresh air.   This strong, powerful, protector of the universe is packed into a short, clumsy/nerdy, teenage, Pakistani American girl named Kamala Khan. As Kamala is trying to navigate her everyday high school life, she constantly has to take time out to save  her friends, family, and city from the evil super-villains; using her extraordinary strength and stretching ability.

In "Crushed" Kamala receives a special valentine from a secret admirer who asks her out to the school dance.  Unfortunately, because of her parent's strict rules she is not allowed to date nor attend dances.  Kamala still goes to watch over the student body, which lucky for them she ends up saving them from evil villain Loki who tries to spike the punch to turn the students into mindless slaves.

Also a new villain shows up and he has set up an elaborate plan to trap Ms. Marvel. Will she fall right into his hands or figure it out just in time?  Kamala may be a bit distracted this time as a handsome young man whose parents are a friend of the family arrives.  Of course this guy is approved of by her parents, much to the chagrin of Kamala's best friend Bruno.

It's fun to see this young girl show her sweet and powerful sides.  And it also give a little peak at what a very muslim household would run like.  I would recommend this comic to any teenager (boy or girl).

Wytches (vol. 1) / Scott Synder / 200 pgs.

This graphic novel is everything you are looking for in a Horror comic.  It's bloody, cryptic, creepily atmospheric, and leaving the read with a sense that something really bad is going to occur at any

moment.

The story is about a family that had some untold past tragedy and are moving to a remote, little town in order to start over.  Of course, this pleasantville-esque town holds secrets and a sordid past.  There is something in the woods, and it needs to be fed....

Eleanor & Park / Rainbow Rowell / 328 pgs

Eleanor comes from the "wrong side of the tracks", with an alcoholic & abusive step-father, a submissive/passive mother, and three younger siblings who she has to protect and look out for.  Park on the other hand, comes from a stable & loving middle class family who emphasize maintaining good grades and appearances.   The two form an unlikely, but ultimately a strong friendship through the course of the school year.

What I loved about the book is that even though Eleanor's situation was desperate and sad to read about; it seemed realistic (not over the top) and gives readers a chance to experience what a rough childhood could look like.  I also just loved Park, he is just a nice guy in this story.  He is able to put up with Eleanor's crazy life and emotional swings, and he tries to understand her.  A great lesson for Teens on what real love and friendship looks like.

YA Gateway Award Nominee 2015-2016

Millennium Snow (vol.1) / Bisco Hatori / 204 pgs

Chiyuki Matsuoka is a seventeen year old girl who has a fatal heart condition and can die any moment.  She has spent her life going in and out of hospitals and her doctors fear she is near the end.

 However, on one fateful day Chiyuki meets a mysterious teenage Vampire named Toya, who claims to hate humans, yet keeps showing up to spend time with Chiyuki.  Even though Toya is at times rude and pushes Chiyuki away so as not to get to close; Chiyuki is persistent (read: Stalkerish) in sticking around and being friends.  This gets to the crazy-sauce point when Toya yells at Chiyuki to "Leave me Alone", and Chiyuki with a very large smile responds, "I won't, I'll never leave you alone."

Oh yeah, and by the end of the book another handsome Teenage boy, who happens to be a werewolf, takes an interest in Chiyuki just to stir things up.  Typical Shojo fare, we'll see if this series can dig itself out of the usual paranormal romance genre stereotypes.  But I am not holding my breath.