Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Obsidio (The Illuminae Files #3) - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

Kady, Ezra, Hanna, and Nik narrowly escaped with their lives from the attacks on Heimdall station and now find themselves crammed with 2,000 refugees on the container ship, Mao. With the jump station destroyed and their resources scarce, the only option is to return to Kerenza—but who knows what they'll find seven months after the invasion?

Meanwhile, Kady's cousin, Asha, survived the initial BeiTech assault and has joined Kerenza's ragtag underground resistance. When Rhys—an old flame from Asha's past—reappears on Kerenza, the two find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict.

With time running out, a final battle will be waged on land and in space, heroes will fall, and hearts will be broken. 

Review

I am so sad that this brilliant and amazing story has come to the end. This was a unique and amazing series. Would highly recommend to all. I would also highly recommend the audiobooks for this series as they have a full dramatic cast.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Arithmancy OWL.

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Pride - 4 Stars

Synopsis

Pride and Prejudice gets remixed in this smart, funny, gorgeous retelling of the classic, starring all characters of color, from Ibi Zoboi, National Book Award finalist and author of American Street.
Zuri Benitez has pride. Brooklyn pride, family pride, and pride in her Afro-Latino roots. But pride might not be enough to save her rapidly gentrifying neighborhood from becoming unrecognizable.

When the wealthy Darcy family moves in across the street, Zuri wants nothing to do with their two teenage sons, even as her older sister, Janae, starts to fall for the charming Ainsley. She especially can’t stand the judgmental and arrogant Darius. Yet as Zuri and Darius are forced to find common ground, their initial dislike shifts into an unexpected understanding.

But with four wild sisters pulling her in different directions, cute boy Warren vying for her attention, and college applications hovering on the horizon, Zuri fights to find her place in Bushwick’s changing landscape, or lose it all.

In a timely update of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, critically acclaimed author Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic.

Review

What an interesting take on the Pride and Prejudice story. I loved how the author remixed the story from Pemberly to the streets of Brooklyn.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Ancient Runes OWL.

Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan (Jedi Academy #2) by Jeffrey Brown

Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan - 4 Stars

Synopsis

I thought my second year at Jedi Academy would be a breeze, and it was...at first. I built an awesome robot, took a field trip to an ice planet, and avoided Gammy's alien cooking. But then things got all mixed-up!

Star pilot training was way harder than I expected, my best friends started ignoring me, and the class bullies are trying to lead me to the dark side--which actually looks fun. Just when I thought I had middle school all figured out...

Review

Not as good as book one, but this was still so much fun. I adore these series. I love that the author has put in moral lessons within this enjoyable graphic novel series.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Astronomy OWL.

Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland #2) by Lewis Carroll

Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There - 3 Stars

Synopsis

In 1865, English author CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON (1832-1898), aka Lewis Carroll, wrote a fantastical adventure story for the young daughters of a friend. The adventures of Alice-named for one of the little girls to whom the book was dedicated-who journeys down a rabbit hole and into a whimsical underworld realm instantly struck a chord with the British public, and then with readers around the world. In 1872, in reaction to the universal acclaim *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* received, Dodgson published this sequel. Nothing is quite what it seems once Alice journeys through the looking-glass, and Dodgson's wit is infectious as he explores concepts of mirror imagery, time running backward, and strategies of chess-all wrapped up in the exploits of a spirited young girl who parries with the Red Queen, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and other unlikely characters. In many ways, this sequel has had an even greater impact on today's pop culture than the first book. 

Review

I was happy to back down the rabbit hole, but I did not love this as much as this 1st story. But story was still fun.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Potions OWL.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland #1) by Lewis Carroll

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

What's at the bottom of the rabbit hole? Wonder! Adventure! Confusion! Cake! Join Alice as she tumbles into a strange world where curious things are normal, and normal things are ...curiouser! Oxford Children's Classics present not only the original and unabridged stories of Alice in Wonderland in one beautiful new edition, but also help you to discover a whole world of new adventures with an amazing assortment of recommendations and activities. 

Review

This was an blast from the past. I forgot how strange and unique the tales of Alice really were. I have not read these stories in many years. But I am glad that I decided to go down the rabbit hole again. 

O.W.L.s Update - These completed my History of Magic OWL.

Spellslinger (Spellslinger #1) by Sebastien de Castell

Spellslinger (Spellslinger #1) - 3.25 Stars

Synopsis

here are three things that earn you a man’s name among the Jan’Tep. The first is to demonstrate the strength to defend your family. The second is to prove you can perform the high magic that defines our people. The third is simply to reach the age of sixteen. I was a few weeks shy of my birthday when I learned that I wouldn’t be doing any of those things.
Magic is a con game.

Kellen is moments away from facing his first mage's duel and the start of four trials that will make him a spellcaster. There's just one problem: his magic is gone. As his sixteenth birthday approaches, Kellen falls back on his cunning in a bid to avoid total disgrace. But when a daring stranger arrives in town, she challenges Kellen to take a different path. Ferius Parfax is one of the mysterious Argosi - a traveller who lives by her wits and the three decks of cards she carries. She's difficult and unpredictable, but she may be Kellen's only hope...

Review

This was a story with a unique magic system. Unfortunately this tale did not hold my attention until the end. I may or may not carry on with this series.

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Divination OWL.

I Heart New York (I Heart #1) by Lindsey Kelk

I Heart New York (I Heart #1) - 3.75 Stars

Synopsis

Get ready to meet Angela Clark as she flees the world’s worst wedding for a new life…

It's official. Angela Clarke is in love – with the most fabulous city in the world.

Fleeing her cheating boyfriend and clutching little more than a crumpled bridesmaid dress, a pair of Louboutins and her passport, Angela jumps on a plane, destination - NYC.

Holed up in a cute hotel room, Angela gets a New York makeover from her NBF Jenny and a whirlwind tour of the city that never sleeps. Before she knows it, Angela is dating two sexy guys. And, best of all, she gets to write about it in her new blog (Carrie Bradshaw eat your heart out). But it's one thing telling readers about your romantic dilemmas, it's another figuring them out for yourself …

Angela has fallen head over heels for the big apple, but does she heart New York more than home?

Review

This was a cute adorable romance. I loved that Angela's character grows throughout the story. 

O.W.L.s Update - This completed my Herbology OWL.

The Clockwork Scarab (Stoker & Holmes #1) by Colleen Gleason

The Clockwork Scarab - 2.75 Stars

Synopsis

Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you’re the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go missing, there’s no one more qualified to investigate.

Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don’t unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they’ll become the next victims.

Review

This was a miss for me. I struggled keeping interest in the story.

O.W.L.s Update - This completes my Care of Magical Creatures OWL.

Wrong to Need You (Forbidden Hearts #2) by Alisha Rai

Wrong to Need You (Forbidden Hearts #2) - 3.75 Stars

Synopsis

He wasn’t supposed to fall in love with his brother’s widow…

Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Jackson Kane fled his home, his name, and his family. Ten years later, he’s come back to town: older, wiser, richer, tougher—and still helpless to turn away the one woman he could never stop loving, even after she married his brother.

Sadia Ahmed can’t deal with the feelings her mysterious former brother-in-law stirs, but she also can’t turn down his offer of help with the cafe she’s inherited. While he heats up her kitchen, she slowly discovers that the boy she adored has grown into a man she’s simply unable to resist.

An affair is unthinkable, but their desire is undeniable. As secrets and lies are stripped away, Sadia and Jackson must decide if they’re strong enough to face the past...and step into a future together.

Review

This was a good continuation of the forbidden hearts trio. It was fun but not as enjoyable as book one. Jackson is defiantly a broody male. These are romantic and steamy and I recommend the series.

O.W.L.s Update - This completes my Charms O.W.L.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Creekwood #1)

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - 4.5 Stars

Synopsis

The beloved, award-winning novel will soon be a major motion picture starring 13 Reasons Why's Katherine Langford and Everything, Everything's Nick Robinson.

'Worthy of Fault in Our Stars-level obsession.' Entertainment Weekly

'I love you, SIMON. I LOVE YOU! And I love this fresh, funny, live-out-loud book." Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All the Bright Places

Straight people should have to come out too. And the more awkward it is, the better.
Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is - and what he's looking for.

But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated.

Because, for Simon, falling for Blue is a big deal . . .
It's a holy freaking huge awesome deal. 

Review

OMG this was so stinking cute. I loved Simon and his band of friends. I cannot wait to watch the movie no. Highly recommend everyone 

O.W.L.s Update - This completes my Transfiguration O.W.L.

A Horse Called Dora (Knight in Training #2) by Vivian French & David Melling

Horse Called Dora (Knight in Training #2) - 4 Stars

Synopsis

A funny, exciting series for younger readers, by the bestselling Vivian French and David Melling. Sam J. Butterbiggins' only ambition is to be a Very Noble Knight, but he has a problem - he's been packed off to the castle next door to stay with his aunt, uncle and annoying cousin Prune while his parents are away. But Sam's discovered an ancient scroll listing the six quests to be completed in order to become a knight, and he's already completed the first one! Now he's found his True Companion (Prune), next on the list is to track down a Snow White Steed. But when Aunt Egg orders Sam and Prune to journey to Weasel's Hill to deliver Horace the warthog back to his owner, it looks like the young knight-in-training looks will have to put his quest on hold. Or will he ...?

Review

This was so much fun. I love this series.