Lost Girls Adventures

By Elizabeth Haydon
I have read the works of Tolkien, Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, Terry Goodkind and many others. I am no stranger to an epic fantasy. Rhapsody is the first book in the Symphony of Ages series, the series which will always hold a special place in my heart and on my book shelf, at the top, right beside the Lord of the Rings and the Wheel of Time series.

They are my personal favorites, which no one is allowed to touch let alone borrow. I will buy you your own copies before I let my beautiful hardcovers leave my sight, that is how much I adore these books.

I have read Rhapsody multiple times through the years to the point that my copy is falling apart and will have to be replaced soon. I truly wish more people would read and fall in love with this series the way that I have.

By Jaymin Eve
Abby and company have journeyed to the planet of Crais in search of the next half-Walker on their list. Crais is a scorching planet with two suns. The natives live in caves and most can’t leave the caves while the suns are out due to the heat and low oxygen level. We get to meet dragons (tame and murderous), zombies, fairies and even a giant wolf. There were chick fights, hilarious Lucy and Talina intoxicated table dancing, and the most fiery tempered half-Walker, who is aptly named, Fury.

Fury is the complete opposite of Talina and her sweet nature and water powers. Fury is red skinned, white haired, seething with anger and sarcasm, and ready to burst into flame at the slightest provocation. Add to her list of um lovable quirks, she can’t stand “super Abby.”

By Ally Condie

Rio and her twin sister, Bay, live in the underwater city of Atlantia. When the children of Atlantia come of age they are able to choose whether they want to stay Below or go Above. Rio has dreamed of going Above and is devastated when Bay chooses to go Above instead, leaving Rio alone in the Below. Rio is a siren but has to keep this a secret from everyone. Sirens are very rare and her society deems the sirens too dangerous and keeps them locked away. Rio is determined to get to the Above and with the help of her love interest, True, she saves up money by racing in the Deepmarket after hours. Rio does eventually make it to the Above and the story wraps up very neatly, leaving no questions unanswered.

By Jaymin Eve
Abby and her friends have journeyed to Spurn, a planet that is 95% water. The moment they land on the only landmass on Spurn they are captured by creatures that resemble hybrid fish. Abby is searching for the only half walker on this planet. She is gathering all the half walkers so they can help save the worlds by stopping the release of the Seventine before they run out of time.

This book is even more action packed than the first book in the series. I barely had time to catch my breath between fights, challenges, betrayals and battles. Abby is discovering more of her powers but unfortunately, she is having a hard time learning to control them. They tend to have a mind of their own. Add to her frustration the handsome distraction that is Brace, giant angry water creatures, abductions and the fact that time is quickly running out and the Seventine are already being released.

By Jaymin Eve
This book was so much fun! No part of this book dragged for me at all. Abby our heroine is a tough, street smart orphan who grew up in New York learning to fight at Compound 23. It’s the year 2035 and things are looking bleak. Despite the hardships they have endured, Abby and her best friend Lucy keep their spirits up with their humor, sarcasm and witty personalities. I love their characters! I am adding to my fiction bucket list. I want to spend the day exploring First World and having a blast with Abby and Luce.

By Ally Condie
Don’t expect action packed, fight for your life, save the world kind of dystopian novel here. This is a sit in your PJ’s with a hot cup of tea in your favorite reading spot kind of book. Drift away into the story of Cassia (pronounced Cash-a), a girl who lives in a calm society where her life is laid out before her. Who she will marry, what job she will do, where she will live as well as when she will die are all neatly chosen by the society.

In this world you don’t have to worry about disease, hunger or never finding your perfect match. Heart break is a thing of the past. After your 17th birthday you will attend a Match Banquet where your match is announced and you are presented with a microcard containing all the information about your perfect match chosen by the government’s special system. You learn about and see each other before you even set out on your first date. Everyone seems to live a peaceful life. It actually sounds kind of nice.

By Rosanna Chiofalo
Stella Mia is a beautifully written bitter sweet story that takes you on a journey from Astoria, New York to the streets of Sicily and Taormina, dancing with gypsies on the beaches of Italy, and breath taking views exploring various islands. Reading this book was almost like taking a trip to Italy.

Julia has lived without a mother since she was 3 years old. Her mother left and never returned. Her father refused to talk about her mother or why she left. Julia is in her 40s and married when she stumbles on a box of her mother’s things. Inside is a diary documenting her mother’s life. We learn about Sarina’s difficult life, childhood, abusive father and how she escapes her terrible circumstances. She makes friends with the gypsies who take her in and teach her to read tarot cards to earn a living.