The Fall of Five, by Pittacus Lore (2013)

Tonight's escape fantasy stars six.  A horde of Mogadorians stands between her and my cell - which isn't technically realistic.

Narrated from several character's point of view, the fourth book in the Lorien Legacies begins with Sam.  Sam is imprisoned by the Mogadorians in a top-secret government base in New Mexico.  The person who finally comes and saves Sam is shocking.

"Sam, I know it might not count for much right now, but you have my word that we're going to do everything we can for the Garde.  Saving them, protecting Earth...it's my life's work."

The rest of the Garde are hiding in Nine's penthouse in Chicago.  Ella is plagued with nightmares about Setrakus Ra.

"He - he gets down on his knees."  Her voice drops to a chilled whisper.  "He holds one of my hands in both of his, and he asks me if I've read the letter." 

Can the Garde find Five?  Can they restore Lorien?  Can they stop Setrakus Ra?

Five seeking 5.  Are you out there?  

Need to meet...Find me.

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars
*language, sexual inferences

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To check this read out at NOLS, click HERE!
 

Dark Triumph: His Fair Assassin Book II, by Robin LaFevers

I did not arrive at the convent of Saint Mortain some green stripling.  

Book two of the His Fair Assassin series is narrated by Ismae's cloest friend, Sybella.  Sybella comes from a noble family, one of the most feared in all of Brittany.  She is also one of Death's handmaiden.

If only they had taught me how to watch innocents die as well as they taught me how to kill, I would be far better prepared for this nightmare into which I've been thrust.

The convent has sent her back to her family, with a dangerous, secret mission.

...I wonder - for the hundredth time - how on earth I let the convent talk me into returning to my family.

Follow Sybella's mission as she learns the truth about herself and her family.

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars
* sexual references, incest

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To check this book out at NOLS, click HERE!

Just One Day, by Gayle Forman (2013)

What if Shakespeare had it wrong?

Allyson Healy has just graduated from high school.  Her life is planned and organized so that she'll begin college in the fall and study pre-med.  Her parents gave her a three-week "adventure" in Europe as a high school graduation present.  Every minute of the trip was organized, planned, and prepped.  Until Allyson met Willem.

"They subbed Budapest in for Paris," I say.  "And I liked Budapest, but I can't believe I'm this close to Paris and not going."

Willem looks at me intently.  He twists the tie on his backpack around his finger.  "So go," he says.

Allyson is stunned.  Willem has given her a nickname, Lulu.

"So, Lulu?  What do you say?  You want to go to Paris?  For just one day?"

It's totally crazy.  I don't even know him.  And I could get caught.  And how much of Paris can you see in just one day?  And this could all go disastrously wrong in so many ways.  All of that is true.  I know it is.  But it doesn't change the fact that I want to go.

So this time, instead of saying no, I try something different.

I say yes.

Follow Allyson's one day in Paris.  

Rating:  8 out 10 stars
* language, sexual inferences, underage alcohol

To check out this read at NOLS, click HERE!

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The companion novel: