The Winner's Curse

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Kestrel is the only daughter of a demanding General in the Valorian military, which allows her many privileges and luxuries.  But it does not release her from the requirement that all Valorian women have and that is to either marry or join the military. The General would like her to join the military, but Kestrel is not sure that is what she wants for her future.

Kestrel has never purchased a slave before, but when she sees Arin on the auction block, she finds herself bidding, an action she cannot explain. Her father is in need of a smith and so there seems to be some justification for bringing the new slave home. As Arin takes on the task of making horseshoes and swords in his new home, he and Kestrel develop a friendship of sorts. But all is not as it seems and soon they find themselves fighting for their lives.

Rutkoski creates a world that is believable with characters that draw you in and have you rooting for them right from the beginning. This was a fun read that has me looking forward to the next book in the series.

Prophet's Prey

Review by library patron:  Krystal Mulder

Prophet's Prey by Sam Brower

This is the story of the investigation into the FLDS community. It is a tough read but at the same time very interesting and eye opening.

I liked all of the history and the eye-openers that were shared throughout this book but I did not like the details that they gave about some of the events that happened during this investigation.

This book is a very eye opening book. It can be very hard to read and you will want to open a uplifting book as soon as you are all done reading it, I felt like the book showed some different aspects into the FLDS community that the news stations do not share. If you want to learn more about the FLDS community and their ways, this is a must read! Just be prepared.

The Diamond Thief

The Diamond Thief by Sharon Gosling

The "Little Bird" flies through the air as if on invisible wings and is the star of the circus. Once the show is over she is forced, by the circus owner, Gustave, to you use her nimble skills to steal jewels from the wealthy citizens of the towns they visit.

When Gustave sends Remy on a quest for one of the world's most famous diamonds, she finds herself thrown into the mysterious underworld of London where she is not sure who she can trust or if she will even live long enough to fly on the trapeze again.

This author creates characters that you want to root for despite their flaws and keeps you wondering how they are going to overcome their latest obstacle.   Towards the end it gets a little over the top, but then on the other hand it is a steampunk novel, so it goes with the territory.

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The Name of the Star

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Rory's parents have decided to take a year sabbatical to teach law in England. It happens to be Rory's senior year and she is willing to go if she can attend a private boarding school in London. Things are a little different in London than her small town of Benouville, Louisiana and just as Rory is settling in and figuring things out, tragedy strikes in the form of a copycat "Jack the Ripper".

Rory turns out to be a lone witness in one of the murders and suddenly becomes involved in the investigation that seems to be going nowhere.

This is a fun read that keeps you on edge with some interesting twists and turns that will keep you wondering what will happen next.

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Cold Betrayal

Cold Betrayal by J.A. Jance

Ali Reynolds is back in COLD BETRAYAL, the 10th installment in J. A. Jance’s popular thriller series. Ali is married to a very wealthy man who owns and runs High Noon Enterprises, a security company that is equipped to do much more then install alarms or do surveillance for clients. Money is plentiful for the couple, and the corporation is how Ali can immerse herself in two separate cases.

The first case involves Betsy Peterson, a widow who is estranged from her son and daughter-in-law. After being awakened by her dog in the middle of the night to find that her house smells of gas, she runs outside into the snow and calls 911. A very young officer responds but doesn't take her complaint seriously. She claims someone came into the house and tried to kill her. Everybody in law enforcement believes she is nothing but a lonely, dotty old lady who should be living in an assisted care facility. Betsy is outraged. Despite her age (she's in her 80s), she has all of her faculties and is totally lucid.

Ali steps in to give the woman advice and support, even enlisting her husband, B., who provides a high-tech security system around and in her home. Sure enough, though, it doesn't take long for the thief to move again.

The other case is about a polygamous cult that lives outside an Arizona city and named itself The Family, which is run by a misogynist tyrant who the law ignores. A pregnant girl manages to escape, but as soon as the cult's bounty hunter is about to grab her, she runs into oncoming traffic. She is hit and thrown by a truck, and her injuries are critical. Ali’s friend, Sister Anselm, and the young man who was driving the truck keep a constant vigil in the hospital. She’s in danger not only from the accident, but also from the cult.

J. A. Jance weaves a rich tale covering problems with the elderly and with charismatic men who start cults and turn them into prisons. Her characters are neatly drawn, and fans of the series will be delighted with this latest installment. In an interview, Jance was asked if Ali has changed as the series unfolds. Her answer: "Yes, she learned to trust again. And she has found a worthy partner [to marry in B.] I think both those things make her more capable and more interesting." I couldn’t agree more!

Review from Amazon

Letters in the Jade Dragon Box

 

 

Jade Dragon Box by Gale Sears

Chen Wen-shan has been living with her great-uncle in Hong Kong for as long as she can remember. Her uncle, a former general in the Nationalist Chinese Army, does not like to talk about the past or his conversion to the LDS church, which leaves many questions for Chen Wen-shan about her mother and the abandonment she feels.

Chairman Mao Tse-rung is the Chinese leader that brought communism to China, along with suffering, poverty and the demoralization of a culture. Shortly after his death in 1976, fifteen year old Wen-shan receives a mysterious jade dragon box that will forever change her world and answer questions she has never had the courage to ask.

Jade Dragon Box is an interesting story that sheds light on a dark time in Chinese history and of the communist rule of Chairman Mao and the devastating affect it had on this country.