The Sweetest Kind of Fate by Crystal Kind

Because Amber Sands is only a matchmaker, she's an outcast in the magical society and viewed as 'lesser' than the witches, mermaids, vampires, and other paranormal species. When Amber's rival, Ivy, comes wanting to utilize her skills regarding love, Amber's justifiably skeptical. To top it off, 

Ivy's convinced her sister should not marry the mermaid she's fallen in love with, and she needs Amber to prove the two are not a match. But when Amber sees Ivy's sister has chosen well, she also discovers there's more at stake. Now the two must begrudgingly work together to keep Ivy's sister safe, all while Amber struggles with her own love life. 

The magic system and premise in this book are really cute and following Amber through her life to see how everyone's fate turns out will keep you turning the pages. This is the second book in a trilogy. 

Read and reviewed by A. Nelson 

 The Seventh Sun by Lani Forbes

With a mixture of ancient mythologies, Lani Forbes weaved a tale of romance, mystery, and foreboding.  Told in third person from Prince Ahkin and Mayana's points of view, this adventure combines elements of the Bachelor combined with old-world histories that will keep you turning the pages. 

If you're a fan of mythology and romance, this is the book for you!

Read and reviewed by A. Nelson 

 Tandem By Anna Jarzab

Read by A. Nelson

 Lux by Brandon Sanderson 

They thought Calamity was just a new red star in the sky, but when it changed humans into epics - men and women with superhuman abilities - the future of the world rested in their hands. But the true test of a person's character is to give them power - and the epics are failing. 

Lux is a great prequel to the Steelheart series. Brandon Sanderson's knowledge of science and how he works it into the plot of this series is ingenious! I highly recommend the entire series. 

Read and reviewed by A. Nelson

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

At seven, Jude's world turned upside down when she witnesses her parents' murder. The killer is the father of her half-sister and a guard in the High Court of Faerie. Jude, along with her younger sister, are the only two humans at court. And while she and her sister want nothing more than to blend in, her oldest sister wants nothing more than the escape back to the human world. 

Many fae dislike humans, especially the son of the High King, Prince Cardan, and Jude reciprocates the Prince's feelings despite her heart's desires. But unfortunately, Cardan is the key to earning her place at court and uncovering deceptions within the inner circle. Now she must form an unlikely alliance with the Prince to save herself and her family. 

The Cruel Prince is a delightful read, especially if you're a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope. There are two more books in the series which are just as great as the first. I highly recommend this series. 

Read and reviewed by A. Nelson

Schooled in Magic by Christopher G Nuttall

Kidnapped and flipped to an alternate universe, Emily, is held at the mercy of an evil necromancer, intent on sacrificing her to the dark gods.

That is, until she is rescued by a kind sorcerer, who realizes that Emily is a Child of Destiny that has yet to discover her powers.

The sorcerer has her flown to Whitehall School on the back of a dragon, causing a stir among the students, who all know that dragons don't give rides to just anyone.

Enrolled in advanced classes, Emily starts out feeling like some kind of pawn, but as she grows to know her environment and it's culture, she uses skills from her own world to assist her advancement.

But what she doesn't know is that the necromancer isn't finished with her yet.

Schooled in Magic is a wonderful mash-up of Harry Potter meets King Arthurs court. 

Read and Reviewed by L.M. Potter

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Have you every finished a book and regretted reading it so fast? Well, Legendborn is that book for me. I just couldn't put it down. 

This is Tracy Deonn's debut young adult fantasy, and she knocked it straight out of the park. As soon as I finished Legendborn, I was scouring the internet and basically stalking the writer, in order to find out when book two will be released.

The main character, Bree Matthews, struggles with the loss of her mother. And, wanting to escape all the sympathetic stares from those who know her, decides to attend UNC-Chapel Hill.

Bree's life is forever changed from the moment she enters the college, discovering the reality of Arthurian Legends and African American Hudoo, as she soon comes to realize, that she too, has magical powers of her own. Bree must navigate her way through racism and sexist attitudes as she battles magical and  demonic attacks, and infiltrates the order of the Round Table. 

Read & Reviewed by L.M. Potter

The Fallen Arises by Ryan O'Hara

In a world where magic and mages exist, a fragile peace is about to crack. For decades there has been a division between the white Moerasian Order and the infected by Black Torvarians. As an old prophecy comes to fruition, raising the tension between the mage orders, witch hunters seek to open Pandora's Gate. But before all hell breaks loose, a young orphan named Dorothy discovers the world of magic. 

Taken in by the Moerasians, Dorothy's true parentage raises more questions than there are answeres, and little does she know she may hold the key to the future for every mage on earth.

Filled with action and magic, The Fallen Arises is a great read for anyone who loves fantasy fiction. 

Read by A. Nelson