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Jessamy's life is a balance between acting like an upper-class Patron and dreaming of the freedom of the Commoners. But away from her family she can be whoever she wants when she sneaks out to train for The Fives.
The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them.
Are some men born evil, no chance of redemption from the moment they draw breath? Perhaps, perhaps not. Grim doesn't seem to think so, and yet, he knows better than to believe that knowledge alone would curb a cruel man's intent... Even if that man is himself.
Jessamy's life is a balance between acting like an upper-class Patron and dreaming of the freedom of the Commoners. But away from her family she can be whoever she wants when she sneaks out to train for The Fives.
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Featured Book
(contains moderate violence, occasional swearing, and mild romantic tension with no explicit sexual content)
AUTHORS V. E. SCHWAB
THE DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC (BOOK 1)
A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
Why this book may be a good choice for you and/or your family...
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab can be a great choice for readers who love richly imagined worlds, high-stakes magical conflicts, and complex characters. Set in a universe with parallel Londons—each with varying degrees of magic—the story follows Kell, a powerful magician, and Lila, a fierce and unpredictable thief, as they navigate political intrigue, dark magic, and personal transformation. The book shines with its elegant prose, clever worldbuilding, and action-driven plot, all while exploring themes of identity, power, and freedom. For families, this series offers plenty of exciting adventure with minimal content concerns, making it an engaging read for mature teens and adults alike. In terms of potentially objectionable content, A Darker Shade of Magic contains moderate violence, including magical battles and some intense moments that might be a bit dark for younger readers. There’s also some swearing, but it’s used sparingly and in context. Romance exists in the background but remains mild and clean—there’s no explicit sexual content or graphic scenes. For families who prefer stories with depth and excitement but without overtly mature or explicit material, this book strikes a solid balance.
(mild language, intense battle scenes, and some dark themes)
AUTHOR JIM BUTCHER
THE CINDER SPIRES: THE AERONAUT'S WINDLASS
Jim Butcher, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dresden Files and the Codex Alera novels, conjures up a new series set in a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, and magic-wielding warriors…
Since time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace.
Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship, Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy’s shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels. But when the Predator is severely damaged in combat, leaving captain and crew grounded, Grimm is offered a proposition from the Spirearch of Albion—to join a team of agents on a vital mission in exchange for fully restoring Predator to its fighting glory.
And even as Grimm undertakes this dangerous task, he will learn that the conflict between the Spires is merely a premonition of things to come. Humanity’s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake…
AUTHOR RACHEL CAINE
INK AND BONE (BOOK 1)
Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.
Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.
When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…
(violence, death, mild language, and dark themes surrounding censorship and corruption)
(violence, dark magic, demons, romantic tension, and mild language)
AUTHOR CASSANDRA CLARE
CLOCKWORK ANGEL (INFERNAL DEVICES BOOK 1)
Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still. Discover the riveting first book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.
In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.
The year is 1878. Tessa Gray descends into London’s dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters—including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them....
(violence, dark magic, demons, romantic tension, and mild language)
AUTHOR EVANGELINE DENARK
CURIO
Grey Haward has always detested the Chemists, the magicians-come-scientists who rule her western town. But she has always followed the rules, taking the potion the Chemists ration out that helps the town's people survive. A potion that Grey suspects she--like her grandfather and father--may not actually need.
By working at her grandfather's repair shop, sorting the small gears and dusting the curio cabinet inside, Grey has tried to stay unnoticed--or as unnoticed as a tall, strong girl can in a town of diminutive, underdeveloped citizens. Then her best friend, Whit, is caught by the Chemists' enforcers after trying to protect Grey one night, and after seeing the extent of his punishment, suddenly taking risks seems the only decision she can make.
But with the risk comes the reality that the Chemists know her family's secret, and the Chemists soon decide to use her for their own purposes. Panicked, Grey retreats to the only safe place she knows--her grandfather's shop. There, however, a larger secret confronts her when her touch unlocks the old curio cabinet in the corner and reveals a world where porcelain and clockwork people are real. There, she could find the key that may save Whit's life and also end the Chemists' dark rule forever.
(contains romance, frequent violence, and some swearing)
AUTHORS JACQUELINE E. GARLICK
LUMIERE (BOOK 1)
Even in a land of eternal twilight, secrets can’t stay in the dark forever.
Seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth has only one hope left: finding her late father’s most prized invention, the Illuminator. It’s been missing since the day of the mysterious flash—a day that saw the sun wiped out forever over England.
But living in darkness is nothing new to Eyelet. She’s hidden her secret affliction all of her life—a life that would be in danger if superstitious townspeople ever guessed the truth. And after her mother is accused and executed for a crime that she didn’t commit, the now-orphaned Eyelet has no choice but to track down the machine that was created with the sole purpose of being her cure.
Alone and on the run, she finally discovers the Illuminator—only to see a young man hauling it off. Determined to follow the thief and recover the machine, she ventures into the deepest, darkest, most dangerous part of her twisted world.
AUTHOR COLLEEN GLEASON
THE CLOCKWORK SCARAB (BOOK 1)
Evaline Stoker and Mina Holmes never meant to get into the family business. But when you're the sister of Bram and the niece of Sherlock, vampire hunting and mystery solving are in your blood. And when two society girls go missing, there's no one more qualified to investigate. Now fierce Evaline and logical Mina must resolve their rivalry, navigate the advances of not just one but three mysterious gentlemen, and solve murder with only one clue: a strange Egyptian scarab. The stakes are high. If Stoker and Holmes don't unravel why the belles of London society are in such danger, they'll become the next victims.
(violence, murder, mild language, romantic tension, and dark supernatural elements)
AUTHORS TYLER JOLLEY AND SHERRY D. FICKLIN
EXTRACTED (BOOK 1)
Two opposing factions of time travelers vie for control of the future in this thrilling steampunk series opener dubbed "Interesting" and "Unexpected" by Kirkus Reviews.
Lex and Ember—two time travelers with no memories of their lives before being recruited into the time war—are torn between the factions. When Lex accepts a mission that lands him deep within the heart of the Telsa Institute, he meets Ember, and the past that was stolen from them comes flooding back. Now armed with the truth of who they were, Lex and Ember must work together to save the future before the battle for time destroys them once again.
*This special edition contains expanded content and bonus material not found in the first release.
(only mild swearing, some kissing , and violence)
(contains violence, some dark and disturbing themes, mild language, and a hint of romance)
AUTHOR CATHERINE FISHER
INCARCERON (BOOK 1)
Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells and corridors, but metal forests, dilapidated cities, and wilderness. It has been sealed for centuries, and only one man has ever escaped. Finn has always been a prisoner here. Although he has no memory of his childhood, he is sure he came from Outside. His link to the Outside, his chance to break free, is Claudia, the warden's daughter, herself determined to escape an arranged marriage. They are up against impossible odds, but one thing looms above all: Incarceron itself is alive . . .
Why this book may be a good choice for you and/or your family...
Catherine Fisher's Incarceron is a great choice for readers who enjoy dystopian settings with rich world-building and complex characters. The story takes place in a mysterious, sentient prison, and follows two main characters, Finn and Claudia, as they attempt to escape its confines. The novel delves into themes of freedom, power, and the consequences of control, making it an engaging read for those who enjoy thought-provoking narratives. The book offers an intricate plot with twists and turns that can keep readers hooked, and it’s a great way to introduce readers to the dystopian genre while exploring deeper societal issues. However, the content of Incarceron may not be suitable for younger readers due to its darker themes. The story involves violence and disturbing situations, as characters face physical and emotional challenges within the oppressive prison. Though the romance is subtle, it is present and may raise concerns for parents depending on their preferences. The book also features mild language and some darker, more mature themes, such as betrayal and moral ambiguity. These elements make Incarceron more appropriate for mature readers who can handle complex, sometimes unsettling content, and may not be the best fit for younger readers or those sensitive to darker material.
(violence, dark themes, mild language, and some morally ambiguous characters)
AUTHOR CELINE JEANJEAN
BLOODLESS ASSASSIN (BOOK 1)
An assassin with a fear of blood.
A mouthy street girl.
Are they really the city’s only hope?
Being Damsport’s most elegant assassin is hard work. There are devilish poisons to concoct, secret identities to maintain…and tailoring to consider. But most importantly Longinus must keep his fear of blood a secret or his reputation will be ruined.
When Rory discovers Longinus’s blood phobia, she makes him a deal. Train her, and she won’t ruin his reputation.
What she doesn’t expect is that her new master has more eccentricities than a stray dog has fleas.
And that in aligning herself with him, she now finds herself in the crosshairs of another, far more dangerous assassin.
Now, not only does Rory have to keep herself and Longinus alive, she has to stop a conspiracy that threatens to bring the city to its knees.
An impossible task?
It's even harder with Longinus under the delusion that he’s the hero of the story. That would be funny, if it didn't make Rory want to throttle him.
AUTHOR KERRI MANISCALCO
STALKING JACK THE RIPPER (BOOK 1)
This #1 New York Times bestseller and deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion.
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine.
When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world. The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.
(Violence and gruesome scenes and mild romantic elements.)
AUTHORS ELIZABETH MAY
THE FALCONER (BOOK 1)
Edinburgh, 1844. Beautiful Aileana Kameron only looks the part of an aristocratic young lady. In fact, she's spent the year since her mother died developing her ability to sense the presence of Sithichean, a faery race bent on slaughtering humans. She has a secret mission: to destroy the faery who murdered her mother. But when she learns she's a Falconer, the last in a line of female warriors and the sole hope of preventing a powerful faery population from massacring all of humanity, her quest for revenge gets a whole lot more complicated.
The first volume of a trilogy from an exciting new voice in young adult fantasy, this electrifying thriller blends romance and action with steampunk technology and Scottish lore in a deliciously addictive read.
(Violence and gruesome scenes and mild romantic elements.)
AUTHORS KATE McLAUGHLIN
THE FALCONER
In 1897 London, sixteen year-old Finley Jayne can depend on no one but the 'thing' inside her. But, when a freak accident puts her in the path of Griffin King, a powerful young lord with secrets of his own, Finley realizes she's not so alone after all. She joins Griffin's team of strange and gifted teens to fight a dark presence threatening the empire, but it will take all of her strength to stand against the force of darkness within herself.
(contains romance, mild sexual content, frequent violence, and some swearing)
AUTHOR PHILIP REEVE
MORTAL ENGINES
The epic city-eat-city adventure is now a major motion picture produced by Peter Jackson!
London is hunting again. Emerging from its hiding place in the hills, the great Traction City is chasing a terrified little town across the wastelands. Soon London will feed.
In the attack, Tom Natsworthy is flung from the speeding city with a murderous scar-faced girl. They must run for their lives through the wreckage -- and face a terrifying new weapon that threatens the future of the world.
(violence, death, dystopian themes, and some dark, intense scenes)
(contains moderate violence, occasional swearing, and mild romantic tension with no explicit sexual content)
AUTHORS V. E. SCHWAB
THE DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC (BOOK 1)
A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
Why this book may be a good choice for you and/or your family...
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab can be a great choice for readers who love richly imagined worlds, high-stakes magical conflicts, and complex characters. Set in a universe with parallel Londons—each with varying degrees of magic—the story follows Kell, a powerful magician, and Lila, a fierce and unpredictable thief, as they navigate political intrigue, dark magic, and personal transformation. The book shines with its elegant prose, clever worldbuilding, and action-driven plot, all while exploring themes of identity, power, and freedom. For families, this series offers plenty of exciting adventure with minimal content concerns, making it an engaging read for mature teens and adults alike. In terms of potentially objectionable content, A Darker Shade of Magic contains moderate violence, including magical battles and some intense moments that might be a bit dark for younger readers. There’s also some swearing, but it’s used sparingly and in context. Romance exists in the background but remains mild and clean—there’s no explicit sexual content or graphic scenes. For families who prefer stories with depth and excitement but without overtly mature or explicit material, this book strikes a solid balance.
AUTHORS SCOTT WESTERFELD
LEVIATHAN (BOOK 1)
It is the cusp of World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ genetically fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.
Aleksandar Ferdinand, a Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, are on opposite sides of the war. But their paths cross in the most unexpected way, taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure….One that will change both their lives forever.
(violence, war themes, mild language, and some intense battle scenes)
(It was a clean read, no explicit sexual content
AUTHOR GWYNN WHITE
REBEL'S HONOR (BOOK 1)
A marriage she didn’t want. A prophecy that could change the world.
Lynx of Norin is a proud warrior who always does what’s right for her people. When an ancient treaty and a thousand superhuman guards force her to leave her land for an arranged marriage, she knows it’s her duty. Lynx begrudgingly travels to wed her sworn enemy, the supernaturally powerful Lukan Avanov.
Lukan grows to love his bride-to-be, but he wasn’t prepared for a second mysterious visitor to ruin his plans. A curse that has been prophesied for ages may come true on Lukan’s watch, and it could bring down his entire family.
As Lynx seeks to destroy the Avanovs from the inside, Lukan fights to keep his empire from falling apart. Lives and civilization are on the line. Who will come out on top and who will fall to the deadly curse?
Rebel’s Honor is an epic steampunk fantasy set in a world where anything is possible. If you like page-turning action, captivating stories, and vivid steampunk imagery, then you’ll love the first installment in Gwynn White’s Crown of Blood series.