The Last Train Home by Megan Nugen Isbell

Let me start by saying that I liked the book. But, yes – there is a but. The main character drove me nuts at first. Riley Regas is originally from Boston, and on a whim, her mother decides to move back home to Carver, Kansas. The reason behind the move is unknown, and let's just say that it's not well received by Riley. She feels like her mother has done her wrong, and basically starts being bratty.  

She absolutely loathes the town of Carver, and believes that everyone that lives in it is some backward hick. Her first day of school isn't a good one. She has a run in with a Queen Bee, but is able to stand her ground.  

She quickly makes friends. One of those is Alex Bettencourt – the hot popular guy. He's pretty persistent in trying to get Riley's attention, and is relentless in his conquest. I was kind of on the fence with Alex, but wasn't really sure why. I guess because before Alex had been introduced, Riley had met Jesse Baylor. And although he wasn't described as something smoking hot, or even a possible love interest, there was still something there.  

Let's just say that although Riley can't stand to be in that town, she later changes her mind. She's able to develop real friendships and relationships.  

Unfortunately, something does happen. And it's enough to make Riley run and hide from everyone and everything. When I say run and hide, I mean that she decides to move back home to Boston with her dad and his girlfriend. It's trials like the ones that she has experienced that make you the person that you are. Some say that they either break you or make you. I believe that they make you stronger. Because although they may take a mental toll on you, it still helps you grow. 

And that is exactly what Riley did. She grew. Emotionally and physically – she grew. She moved past the bratty phase where she would constantly throw attitude towards her mother, and she learned to ask for forgiveness and move forward.  

I was impressed with Megan's writing skills, and character developments. Because even though I didn't care for the character at the beginning, I felt that the author was able to draw some kind of emotion from me.  

I was able to finish this book in one evening, and although at first I was annoyed and pissed off at the main character, I felt like she redeemed herself. I would consider this a 4 Star book. And I would definitely be interested in reading the next installment in this series. 

Child of the Night Guild by Andy Peloquin

Child of the Night Guild by Andy Peloquin was by far an interesting and surprising read.  

I love reading about strong willed female characters. Strong determined girls that turn into even stronger determined women.  

We meet Viola under dark and interesting circumstances. She's roughly 8 years old and her life has dramatically changed- for the worst. She finds herself in the clutches of the Night Guild – an organization that prides itself in having the best thieves, poisoners and so forth. While there, she realizes that she's the only girl. There, she meets Master Velvet, who is to be their trainer. He's cruel and cunning and demands too much of his trainees or tyros as he likes to call them. 

Viola, being the youngest, and the only girl, happens to also be the weakest. The tasks and chores that they are told to do are grueling, not only to their bodies, but mind. But, being who she is, she manages to survive. She make allies of the other children, by either helping them when they need it, or just being a friendly face.   

While under Master Velvet's care, the children are told and demanded to forget who they were before, their names, lives and memories. And although, it might seem hard, remember –these are children with impressionable minds. Viola soon forgets even her name. The title that has been assigned to her is number Seven. And to that she responds for the remainder of her time with Master Velvet.  

She starts training harder than anyone, and soon learns that with her strong determination – she's able to become better than most. As she develops her skills, she's able to gain her confidence and strength.  

The journey that her particular character took, although not an easy one, made her the strong person that she needed to be. She was always seen as less because she was a girl. But that didn't matter to her. She trained harder and fought harder than anyone else. She didn't want it to become a crutch.  

After being under Master's Velvet care for some time, she was "adopted" or apprenticed under House of Hawks. That is where she really and truly flourished. She was able to show her worth. Once in that new home, she was given a new name – Illana. She didn't know the meaning of it, but like with anything thrown her way – she accepted it and made it her own. While under House of Hawks, she made friends – who then became her family. Those boys – although older than her, took care of her. Watched out for her, and trained her as best as they could. They were told not to coddle her, because even though she was a girl, she had to work twice as hard to prove her worth.  

Although, at times I felt like it was taking too long for the story to develop, I still enjoyed it. I believe that Andy put a lot of effort into building the characters and their relationships. I like that we got their immediate surroundings, and it felt as if I were there – standing with her, or climbing – hanging on to the ropes for my dear life. I enjoyed that I was able to experience her different emotions and feelings. I felt her rage, loathe, compassion and even love.  

Although I wouldn't consider the way that the book ended a cliffhanger, it was unexpected. I was shocked to say the least! I don’t want to give too much away, because then that would take away from the reader. But please know that I enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading the next installment – which is Thief of the Night Guild.   

I definitely considered this book a 4 stars!! 

Deliverance by Kristy Centeno

Deliverance by Kristy Centeno was a surprising and pleasant read.  

I enjoyed reading this book so much that I was able to finish it in one day. I felt that it was full of action, with an interesting paranormal twist.  

We meet Tiger – a subject that has been in a sort of captivity / jail for 25 years. He describes himself as a monster, but doesn't know what type of beast he is. All he knows is that he's used as someone's weapon. 

An incident occurs in the facility where he's being held, and manages to escape - but barely. He crosses paths with Kristina, who happens to be driving down an isolated road while it's raining. She feels responsible for nearly running Tiger over, so decides to drive him to her farmhouse instead of the hospital. He refuses to be taken to the hospital or police station. 

The journey that both Tiger and Kristina go on is nothing short of amazing. I say amazing, because at first, Kristina doesn't trust him and hates knowing that he's put her life and her grandmother's life in danger. She understands that he came from a very dangerous place, and that a group of bad people are after him and will stop at nothing from trying to get him back.  

They manage to get to know each other better, and understand where each came from. It’s a learning experience for both of them. I think more than anything, they become friends and learn to respect each other. They learn to care for each other.  

I have to say, Deliverance is definitely full of action, suspense and has a really great plot. I found myself not wanting to put this book down. I couldn't wait to find out who, or what Tiger was! I was impressed with the authors ability to create this world, and develop characters that kept me intrigued.  

I have to say that this was definitely a 5 Star Review for me!