Character Madness and Musings

Raven Woman's Tavern by Laura Koerber Genre: Dystopian, Magical Realism May contain adult content A backwoods bar run by a shapeshifter.‬ ‪ A road that changes length, direction, and destination.‬ ‪ A young man, lost in the forest and dying, hears the cry of a raven.‬ ‪ Set in a dystopic near future, Raven Woman’s Tavern is the story of a collection of survivalists who are squatting in the remains of a dead timber town in the Northwest. The residents—most of them old, sick, and in need—help each other by means legal and extralegal under the watchful eye of Rachel, the tavern keeper. When the peace of the community is disturbed by the sudden visit of four members of the local militia, the survivalists are frightened; not all of them are law-abiding and some are not citizens. ‬ ‪ But, as Crazy Mary said to Charlie the Poet, “You don't piss Rachel off. She's got her ways.”‬ Goodreads * Amazon Laura started off life as an artist. Even in early elementary school she could draw

The Other Side of Magic by Ester Manzini (Parliament House) Publication date: April 6th 2021 Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult For fans of Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst In a world inspired by 16th century Italy, magic is a common occurrence. Everyone in the realms of Epidalio and Zafiria is gifted with it at birth, but with every spell cast, their power wanes. Gaiane Asares is the result of an accurate selection by her mother, the queen of Zafiria. She’s infinitely powerful; a weapon of mass destruction kept segregated in a tower and used against her will to conquer Epidalio. Meanwhile, in Epidalio, Leo was born with no magic at all, a rarity. She lost her home and family when Zafiria attacked, and her resentment toward the invaders still burns. Gaiane manages to escape her gilded cage, and the two girls cross paths. But when war threatens the land again, their loyalty will be put to the test. Will they manage to overcome their differences in the name of freedom? Goodreads / Ama

ISAN by Mary Ting (International Sensory Assassin Network, #1) Publication date: May 1st 2018 Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult THE WORLD HAS CHANGED. SCIENTISTS WARNED IT WOULD HAPPEN. Meteors devastated the Earth. World Governments developed plans to help surviving citizens. The United States disbanded and salvageable land was divided into four quadrants—North, South, East, and West—governed by The Remnant Council. Struggling to survive, seventeen-year-old Ava ends up in juvenile detention, until she is selected for a new life—with a catch. She must be injected with an experimental serum. The results will be life changing. The serum will make her better . To receive the serum, Ava agrees to join a program controlled by ISAN, the International Sensory Assassin Network. While on a mission, she is abducted by a rebel group led by Rhett and told that not only does she have a history with him, but her entire past is a lie perpetuated by ISAN to ensure her compliance. U

Tell Me You Love Me by Kathleen Stone Genre: Contemporary Fiction What would you sacrifice to protect someone you love? In 1965 April Toulane’s life is turned upside down on her fifth birthday when her mother marries a man she’s known for only two weeks. The life she’d known is forever changed with the addition of a stepfather and a five-year-old stepbrother who terrorizes her on a daily basis. After a family tragedy the young siblings are thrust into the Hollywood spotlight, surrounded by people whose very foundation is based on secrets and lies. Struggling to grow up and find their way in a world where child stars are forever manipulated and exploited, the siblings form an unbreakable bond vowing to always protect each other when the adults entrusted to take care of them fail at every turn. “Tell Me You Love Me” is the story of April and Auggie Fairbanks, the most sought after faces in show business throughout the sixties and seventies, maneuvering their way through the lies and corr

Scorn of Secrets by B. Truly Publication date: April 27th 2021 Genres: Coming of Age, Romance, Young Adult I must keep it locked away—the memory of my darkest secret…. When the rising tides of my life peak, I’m left struggling with the currents of the storm. The first dilemma is my dad’s gambling debt. Mama bounces back quickly from the ramifications it causes. She proves this by getting a new man. Her Rico Suave is just the tip of the iceberg—she moves us across state to live with him and his two sons. My outgoing, older sister fits right in—she’s the total opposite of me. I am Madison Guillory, the shy, quiet type. Taught to make the best of even the worst situations, I contemplate giving my new family a chance. Living with my future stepbrothers is interesting, to say the least. They’re like night and day. I have more in common with the laid-back brother, and we become instant friends. I’m adjusting to Taylor High, and the arrogant brother is even starting to grow on me. Maybe

Shadow's Dissident Children of Chaos Series by Ariel Paiement Genre: YA Fantasy Adventure A powerful cabal rounding up those with extraordinary abilities. A girl with an ability only the elite should possess. They want to shape her into the ultimate weapon, but she just wants her life back. Gwenabhir is a simple farm girl with an ability she doesn’t understand. She’s been told to hide it her whole life so the nobility won’t execute her for having the ability. But she never imagined someone more dangerous than the nobility might come after her because of it. When Oblivion, a secret organization bent on plunging the universe into chaos, kidnaps her, she is thrown into a world rife with secrets, lies, and darkness. Her only goal is to escape before they can break her and force her into the role they have planned for her. When her refusal to cooperate lands her with a new trainer, she sets out to turn him to her side. Can she survive and escape? Who will she tell when she does, and whe