The Heir and The Spare (Untitled #1) by Emily Albright

Published by: Merit Press

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Rating: ****

American Evie Gray has finally achieved her dream. To be able to attend Oxford just like her mother did before she tragically died. But there is more to the story. Directed throughout her life by mysterious envelopes written by her mother, Evie finds herself in the same school, and friendship circle as the spare heir to the British throne, Edmund. The two dance around the city of London and surrounding cities as they try to figure out what exactly Evie's mother wants, and whether there is such a thing as fairytales.

My first impressions of this book were quite dismissive. It felt too cringeworthy, especially after the Kate and Wills story but now that I have read this, I can honestly say that it definitely isn't as bad as I thought.

Starting with Evie's brief moving into her student digs at Oxford, she is immediately befriended by fellow students and meets the mysterious Edmund (who looks familiar but not). The book quickly introduces the reader to all of what they need to know about everyone whilst setting up the romance pretty quickly (and rather solidly.)

The Heir and The Spare can be purchased from Amazon now.

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Romance

Rating: *****

I don't think there has actually been a time where I have ever given Cassandra Clare a negative review. 

It's true though. I absolutely love her world and where she takes the reader. Lady Midnight is no exception to this rule because Emma is so different to Clary or Tessa. She's the next generation shadowhunter and absolutely fantastic to read about. 

The reader sinks straight back into the world of demons and angels alike, as if it was only a month since the publication of the Mortal Instrument's final book. But like usual, Clare creates a difficult but understandable relationship for her protagonist and it does break your heart when there is no clue as to whether things will work out or not.

Of course we get brief appearances of Tessa/Jem, Clary/Jace which makes our hearts sing with joy as we all want to know what is happening with them. I guess I just wish she wrote a separate book for just them because I did flick forward a few pages.

Lady Midnight is out now. 

Unrivaled (Beautiful Idols #1) by Alyson Noel

Published by: Katherine Tegen

Genre: Young Adult Romance, Young Adult Contemporary

Tagline: Welcome to the party

Rating:****

The book follows a few characters on their endeavor to win a competition. Through this, the reader encounters the mean ad celebrity-filled streets of Los Angeles and there's a mystery/thriller as a famous actress goes missing.

So my main thoughts of this book were how much I wasn't sure if I didn't like it or not. Torn between wanting to stop reading it for fear of losing my sanity - it got to the point I was contemplating trying it later, or continuing it so I might just discover what the hell was going on.

However, things did pick up. Thank god for that! But the sad news was that it picked up too late. For me, I became interested in the novel ended because that was when the true thriller/mystery aspect kicked in.

Katherine Tegan provided an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unrivaled can be purchased from Amazon.

Truthwitch (The Witchlands #1) by Susan Dennard

Published by: Tor

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Rating: ****

Following the lives of Safiya, a Truthwitch [someone who can separate truth from lies] and Iseult, a Threadwitch [a witch who sees invisible ties binding/entangling those around her, bar herself], the novel explores the two young and independent women on their hunt for freedom. However, there is a war on the horizon and so with the help of a fellow Windwitch and a cunning enemy who can smell their blood, the two best friends must fight their way past royalty, hired men and their own families in order to remain free.

This book was amazing. As someone who had read Dennard's Something Strange and Deadly series, it made sense for me to read her next novel which had also been bumped to be the next big thing in Young Adult literature. And oh boy it was. 

I have to say a huge thank you to Tor UK for allowing me to have an advanced copy of this book despite the fact that I had preordered the book. But nonetheless, the story was fantastic so it wasn't a let down at all. 

Dennard strikes again, though. Her knack for writing kooky and strong female characters is something I wish I was capable of doing because Safiya and Iseult were two people I wished were my best friends and who I could be one day (not going to happen since I'm not a witch).

Their world was set up so beautifully that any reader who knew Dennard loves gaming, could see how she'd used her knowledge of those worlds to help add more layers to her fictional one in Truthwitch. 

It was an absolute honor to read this book, and now I have to chomp at the bit as I wait for the sequel.

Truthwitch can be purchased from Amazon now.