Witchstruck (The Tudor Trilogy #1) by Victoria Lamb

Publication: September 24, 2013

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Source:  Publisher

If she sink, she be no witch and shall be drowned If she float, she be a witch and must be hanged. Meg Lytton has always known she is different—that she bears a dark and powerful gift. But in 1554 England, in service at Woodstock Palace to the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, it has never been more dangerous to practise witchcraft. Meg knows she must guard her secret carefully from the many suspicious eyes watching over the princess and her companions. One wrong move could mean her life, and the life of Elizabeth, rightful heir to the English throne. With witchfinder Marcus Dent determined to have Meg's hand in marriage, and Meg's own family conspiring against the English queen, there isn't a single person Meg can trust. Certainly not the enigmatic young Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, despite her undeniable feelings. But when all the world turns against her, Meg must open her heart to a dangerous choice. The Secret Circle meets The Other Boleyn Girl in Witchstruck, the first book of the magical Tudor Witch trilogy.

Meg is 16 who is just coming into her powers, with the help of her aunt. And she is also a maid to a banished Princess Elizabeth. But unfortunately, this is a time where witches are being hunted down and killed. So it’s not exactly the best time for Meg and her aunt to use their skills in magic.

And they do use it. They use it to see if Elizabeth will ever take the Throne and for their own personal purposes as well. I wished that Meg had been more careful and a little less reckless when using her magic. Her judgment was not the best.

I really wanted to love this book, but in the end, I just didn’t grab me the way I was hoping it would.  Nothing seemed to drag. It felt like there was almost always something going on.  It was entertaining. I just didn’t really connect with Meg that much.

Witchstruck, is the first book in the Tudor Witch Trilogy. The second book Witchfall is already out, and the third book Witchrise releases September 30th. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a dash of magic and fantasy thrown in, then this one might be worth pique your interest.

RATING: 3 out of 5.

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Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel

Publication: November 5, 2013

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

A warning to all young ladies of delicate breeding who wish to embark upon lives of adventure: Don't.  Sixteen-year-old Peggy is a well-bred orphan who is coerced into posing as a lady in waiting at the palace of King George I. Life is grand, until Peggy starts to suspect that the girl she's impersonating might have been murdered. Unless Peggy can discover the truth, she might be doomed to the same terrible fate. But in a court of shadows and intrigue, anyone could be a spy—perhaps even the handsome young artist with whom Peggy is falling in love... History and mystery spark in this effervescent series debut.

After being thrown out of her home by her uncle for refusing to agree to the arranged marriage he has put together, Peggy is left with nowhere to go. That is until she agrees to take a job as a spy at King George’s court. Now she must impersonate Lady Francesca (the real Lady Francesca having died). Life at court is never dull and there is always something mysterious going on. It isn’t long before Peggy suspects foul play, and being the curious girl that she is, she decides to find out what really happened to her.

Peggy is smart...though sometimes a bit naïve, determined, inquisitive, and not afraid to say what she thinks and do what she believes to be right

Palace of Spies was a fun book to read. Once I got through the first chapter, it was pretty easy to keep going. I had fun venturing into her world and getting caught up in her life at court. There is a good amount of background and history, but not so much that I got bored or felt bogged down by it. I enjoyed discovering more about how life was for women during that time; their social lives, parties, and clothes.  

There is some romance, mystery, and a few sticky situations…enough to keep me well entertained. As a fan of historical fiction I enjoyed almost everything, but towards the ending things felt a little too rushed for me.

RATING: 3½ out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of the Publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion. Thank you**

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A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

Publication: Entangled Teen

Publisher: August 6, 2013

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea. One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility. With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

 

I loved My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century. And when I sat down to read A Tale of Two Centuries, I was super excited to find out what was on the agenda for Less and Cat.

Sometimes I find when reading a series; the second book is not always as good as the first book. At least for me it’s that way. But it’s not the case with this one.  I really don’t know what to say except that I loved it. And the story is just as good if not better than the first. Though I think I am more partial to the first book still.

ATOTC takes place two years after Cat’s 16^th century trip. Cat has more a story in this book as she is the main voice. Alessandra (Less) is beginning to feel like she wants more from life and she misses her cousin Cat a lot.  After having her heart broken by a boy, Less encounters the Gypsy and makes her an offer. Perfect timing. Just like magic, Less is transported to Cat’s home.

Cat tries to help Less acclimate to her new 21^st century surroundings as best as she can. But it isn’t until Less meets Austin, the typical high school bad boy, that things really become fun. Of course things aren’t always smooth sailing. Austin is intrigued by Less and he also pushes her buttons on numerous occasions. But in the end, I think they are perfect for each other.

“I have never-never-held myself with anything other than complete decorum, public or otherwise, yet spending less than five minutes in Austin Michaels’s presence has led to complete and utter depravity.”

-Rachel Harris (Arc copy of ATOTC)

Rachel Harris did an awesome job of writing the story and further developing the characters. I got to see different sides of Cat and Less this time around. It was nice to see Less be more open to taking adventures and exploring the possibility of love. I was also happy to see Cat get more opportunities to pursue her dreams and have her spend more time with Lucas.

A Tale of Two Centuries was a fun, light and entertaining story to read. It was just what I needed to put me in a great mood. And even though time traveling really isn’t my thing, I don’t mind it one bit in this story. Even though this book might lean more on the younger side of the young adult spectrum, anyone who enjoys young adult fiction reads with time travel, romance, and a little fantasy will like this.

Rating 4½ out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of the Author/Publisher in exchange for nothing but my own opinion.**

 

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The Rose Throne by Mette Ivie Harrison

Synopsis: Richly-imagined fantasy romance from the author of Princess and the Hound, a tale of two princesses--one with magic, one with none--who dare seek love in a world where real choice can never be theirs. For fans of Megan Whalen Turner, Catherine Fisher, and Cassandra Clare. Ailsbet loves nothing more than music; tall and red-haired, she's impatient with the artifice and ceremony of her father's court. Marissa adores the world of her island home and feels she has much to offer when she finally inherits the throne from her wise, good-tempered father. The trouble is that neither princess has the power--or the magic--to rule alone, and if the kingdoms can be united, which princess will end up ruling the joint land? For both, the only goal would seem to be a strategic marriage to a man who can bring his own brand of power to the throne. But will either girl be able to marry for love? And can either of these two princesses, rivals though they have never met, afford to let the other live?

Historical fiction with princesses, magic, and a very pretty cover were all the ingredients I needed to be sold on this book.

Unfortunately even though I liked the certain aspects of the story, I didn’t like it as much as I hoped I would.

The story is told from both princesses point of view. The world building was really good and the two princesses Ailsbet and Marissa were both interesting in their own right. Marissa of Weirland and Ailsbet of Rurik are sixteen years old.

They are both strong young women that come from completely opposite worlds, but even though they may be different, they share a common goal. To rule the new kingdom.  Well one wants nothing to do with ruling a kingdom, but as a princess, it is pretty much expected of her.

 There was quite a bit of anticipation in regards to what would happen to the two kingdoms. But by the end of the book there is still much to resolve.

I would have liked to know the history of the magic and how it came to be. Maybe the author will get more into that in the second book of this series..

The story was interesting, but I was not hooked on it like I was hoping. I wish it had more depth and details, but again maybe it will in the second book of the series.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

**I received this book on behalf of Egmont USA in exchange for nothing, but my honest opinion. Thank you.**

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Spotlight & Sneak Peek: Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

From Goodreads:

One house, two worlds...

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton.

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I was able to get a sneak peak of Cinders & Sapphires thanks to Disney-Hyperion. It was a thirteen chapter preview, so my shot review is based on that and not the complete book.

It was a little hard to remember and keep track of the different characters introduced in the story at beginning. But once I got over that minor bit of confusion, the story was pretty easy to get into.

With the wedding between Lord Westlake and Fiona Templeton suddenly approaching soon after the Averley’s arrive home from India, things become very hectic in the household.  Changes are occurring for everyone including sister Georgiana and Ada, who now have step-siblings to contend with.

The lives of the servants like Annie, Rose, and Rose’s mother are shown as they help prepare Somerton for the Averley’s arrival and the wedding.

So far the characters seem pretty likable and the story was a fun quick paced read.

  

It’s like a cross between Gossip Girl and Downtown Abbey or Upstairs/Downstairs. If you are a fan of historical fiction filled with secrets, scandal, lies, drama, and of course romance then check out Cinder & Sapphires when it releases Tuesday, January 22, 2013!

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The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.

Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.

This is Manhattan, 1899. Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone--from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud--threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.

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The Luxe takes place in Manhattan, New York during the year 1899. If Gossip Girl were to take place in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s then this is what it would look like.

Elizabeth and Diana Holland are sisters who spend their time in Manhattan’s elite social circles, attending glamorous parties dressed to the nines, and crushing on handsome guys.

Elizabeth is considered the mature and responsible one. She usually does what she is told.

Diana is more adventures. She longs to be a free spirit and not trapped by society’s rules and restrictions for women.

 This rich and exciting life they lead is all they have ever known and when they find out that their life isn't as secure as they once thought, a sacrifice has to be made.  A sacrifice by way of an engagement between Elizabeth and Henry Schoonmaker; son of one of the richest families in New York. This further complicates things because Elizabeth is already in love with someone else.

Enter Penelope Hayes, who is supposed to be Elizabeth’s friend, but is more like a friend you would never want to trust with anything. Penelope is in love with Henry. So while Elizabeth opens up to her friend, Penelope is trying to plot against Elizabeth in order to get what she wants and what she thinks she deserves.

“Don't go looking for boys in the dark.
They will say pretty things then
leave you with scars.
Do go looking for boys in the park.
For that is where the true gentlemen are.”

-Anna Godbersen, The Luxe (Luxe, #1)

Secrets, deception, jealousy, and romance all mix together in this teen/young adult historical fiction novel. The Luxe is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction read and is a fan of the Gossip Girl series. There were some parts in the book that were obvious and I felt anyone could guess, but other than that I enjoyed reading it.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

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