Young Adult

the bridge, or make it to the Deadlands on the other side. Either option is death, and magic is to blame. When the blight comes, all of mankind will face it. When Elika comes to realize she has magic inside of her, she must decide whether she will risk her life on the bridge, or die trying to purge the magic from her soul.

“The Bridge to Magic” is a wonderful example of great world-building. The foundation of the world is laid out right from the beginning, while each chapter starts with a page from “History of Men, Gods, and Magic”, written by their Priest, Oderrin. These excerpts open a window into the world that was once alive and well before the Sundering War, and it gives insight into why every man, woman, and child, hates magic. However, when Elika begins to learn the true stories, she is exceedingly reluctant to accept them. It is frustrating to see that throughout the entire novel, even when the truth is right in front of her, she remains blinded and stubborn. It would be more satisfying to see extra growth in Elika and her beliefs by the end; however, there is still plenty of time for that given this is only the Oirst of the series. There is a battle of good and evil that stretches across these pages, and a gripping adventure waiting to discover what Elika Oinally decides.

Sadie Wilson

Cursed (Morningstar Academy, Book One)

L. R. W. Lee

make the different locations distinct and believable. There are a few points in the story where it drags from exposition, and the book ends on a clifOhanger. It is a gripping set up for the next installment of the series, and the overall plot will keep readers hooked from start to Oinish! There are enough differences in the genre to keep it refreshing and fun without straying too far from the usual tropes that readers have come to love.

This is a great book for lovers of young adult fantasy romances!

Chelsea Andersen

FANTASY: Gladriel used to be the top warrior angel. Her task: protect the humans and save them from harm. When she kills a demon, something she shouldn’t have been able to do, she brings on the wrath of the other demons. Rather than letting the Almighty handle the situation, Gladriel takes things into her own hands and gets expelled from Heaven. She is sent to Morningstar Academy, a school for newly fallen angels, and her world is Olipped upside down. Now she is like the demons, forced to ruin the lives of the humans she once had to protect. She is determined to not comply with her new orders. Her only hope for a way out is her longtime friend, Kessien, who is trying everything in his power to reverse her sentence—and to do so before it costs her, her soul. Ms. Lee builds a rich world of angels and demons that readers will become absorbed in instantly! Gladriel is sassy and stubborn which might grate on some readers’ nerves while others will love her! She is a unique character that is refreshing in the YA genre, breaking the mold of the typical heroine. The world building is solid, and a lot of time is taken to

A Maiden of Snakes

Jane McGarry

Marchioness Lamberico wants nothing more than to conceive a child, but after three years of trying, she still Oinds herself without child. In desperation, she follows rumors to seek the help of Imelda, a powerful witch who agrees to help – with a caution that there will be consequences. When the baby girl is born with a snake wrapped around her neck, the Marchioness is very frightened. But all is forgotten as the snake disappears and the baby, Biancabella, leads a blessed life. Biancabella and the snake, her twin sister Samaritana, are