October 2023 Teen Activities

October 2023 Teen Activities

October 2023 Teen Activities

Hauntings – Library Teen Virtual Convention

Teens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year’s theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord and will run from Sept. 4 to Oct. 27. This year we’re pleased to have panels from guest experts on topics like AI Art and Ethics, game design, and careers in STEM, as well as a variety of games and challenges and daily art, writing, and conversation prompts. Teens ages 13-18 should join the Madison Library District Teen Server to be invited. View more details about the convention and Discord on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUCHIiIutMM

Teen Action Council

 Have a say in what goes on at the Library for teens! Ages 12-18 are welcome to join us Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 4 PM in the Community Room to voice their input.

Chess & Game Club

Learn the art of chess and other games with the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Tweens and teens ages 9-18 are welcome to join every Monday from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. Game supplies will be provided.

Teen Crafts

Make ‘n take crafts for teens! We will meet in the Community Room on Thursdays, Oct. 5 and 19 at 4:30 PM. Any extra kits will be available after the activity at the Circulation desk while supplies last. On Oct. 5, teens will paint and decorate wooden blocks to get ready for the Halloween season. On Oct. 19, we will make some preposterous pranks which, of course, are totally harmless! For ages 12-18.

Anime Club

Teen Anime Club is watching Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun this month! Ages 12-18 are invited to join and make friends with other anime and manga fans. Come on Thursdays, October 12 & 26 at 4:30 PM in the Community Room.

Young League of Writers

Pull your ghostly writing out of the shadows and into the light with editor/author, September C. Fawkes, creator of the award-winning writing tip blog. She will guide you through the dark forest that leads toward publication and how to become an editor. The event will be streamed on Discord with the “Haunting” Library Teen Virtual Convention, October 11 @ 4:00 PM MST. Ages 12-18 will meet in the Community Room at that time to watch the stream together. Registration for the convention is not required. To find out more about September Fawkes, visit her website here.

“TeenTober”

Help us celebrate TeenTober 2023 with cryptids, ghosts, and supernatural occurrences! We’ll have an “interactive” movie experience with Halloween favorites like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Wear your best costume for a contest and prizes at the end. Please, no weapons or masks. 

Ages 12-18 are invited on Friday, Oct. 13 from 7-9 PM in the Community Room.

Teen Anime Club logo

Cook With A Book

Have you ever wanted to make a treacle tart from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Or how about the scones from The Inheritance Games? Or maybe you would like to try the mallowmelt from Keeper of the Lost Cities. Then join us for our teen Cook with a Book! This month we will read “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley and make Frankenstein Crispy Rice Treats! You can check out a copy of the book at the front circulation desk. Ages 12-18 should meet us in the Community Room kitchen on Wednesday, October 25 at 4:30 PM.

Dungeons & Dragons

Calling all teen adventurers ages 12-18! Join our party and learn to play Dungeons & Dragons! We will meet in the Community Room Friday, Oct. 27 from 3:30-5:30 PM. Please join the Library Teen Discord; more information is posted there about how to prepare beforehand. You can also visit the Teen Zone on our website for details.

Family Films

Free Family Films for all ages! Fridays at 3:30 PM in the Community Room! Oct. 6 is Oliver & Company, Oct. 13 is The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, and Oct. 20 is 101 Dalmatians.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older. Parents, please prescreen films to determine if it is appropriate for your child.

LEGO Club

Do you love LEGOs? Join other kids who love the ever popular bricks at the Library’s LEGO Club! Meet us in the Community Room on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 4:00 PM.

For ages 6-18, under 12 should be accompanied by an adult.

Open Recital!

Join us Monday, October 16 at 6:30 PM for our Open Recital! All instruments, ages, and skill levels will share their artistic abilities with our community. We look forward to hearing you perform!

September Adult Events

Take a Break Book ClubTake a Break and join our adult book club on Sept. 21 at 6:30 PM! Ages 18+ will meet in the Community Room to discuss Jane Austen’s classic, Sense and Sensibility. Adult MakersFriday, September 15 is Adult Makers! We will be making noodles from...

September Kids & Tween Events

Story TimeJoin Miss Gina, Grace, and Marybeth for Preschool Story Time, Toddler Time, and Book Babies! For September, we will have fun with the letter F and farm animals! Preschool Story Time is for ages 2-5 and meets Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM or Wednesdays at...

September Teen Events

Hauntings - Library Teen Virtual ConventionTeens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year's theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord...

July Teen Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. For Ages 9-18TEEN ACTION COUNCIL Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans...

July Adult Activities

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. No items will be due but the book drop will remain open. Thank you! "ALL TOGETHER NOW" BLOCK PARTY This is the Block Party everyone will be talking about this...

July Kid & Tween Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Every Monday from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in the Community Room For ages 9-184TH OF JULY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday,...

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

June Adult Activities

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Share your writing with other storytelling enthusiasts or join to make friends! Join the Creative Writing Club for ages 18+. We will share your favorite piece of writing and talk about why writing is our passion. Wednesdays, June 14 & 28 at...

Library Closed for Labor Day

The library will be closed Saturday September 3rd and Monday September 5th for Labor Day. No items will be due and the book drop will remain open. Thank you!

August Library Activities

TEEN ACTION COUNCILWednesday, August 3rd. 4-5:30pm.  For ages 12-18. Come and have a say in what activities Teens do at the Library and meet new friends. NO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST To reset from Summer Reading and to accomodate our new infrastruture updates, there will be...

September Teen Events

September Teen Events

September Teen Events

Hauntings – Library Teen Virtual Convention

Teens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year’s theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord and will run from Sept. 4 to Oct. 27. This year we’re pleased to have panels from guest experts on topics like AI Art and Ethics, game design, and careers in STEM, as well as a variety of games and challenges and daily art, writing, and conversation prompts. Teens ages 13-18 should join the Madison Library District Teen Server to be invited. View more details about the convention and Discord on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUCHIiIutMM

Teen Action Council

 Have a say in what goes on at the Library for teens! Ages 12-18 are welcome to join us Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 4 PM in the Community Room to voice their input.

Teen Crafts

We’ve got crafts for teens (ages 12-18) at the Library! Join us Thursdays this month in the Community Room from 4:30-5:30 PM. Teens will be using perler beads to create cryptid creations on Sept. 7! For Sept. 21, teens will need to bring a pair of shoes that require laces so that they can learn new and unique ways that they can tie their shoes, changing their everyday shoes into their own unique pieces of art! The library will provide laces.

Dungeons & Dragons

Calling all teen adventurers ages 12-18! Join our party and learn to play Dungeons & Dragons! We will meet in the Community Room Fridays, Sept. 8 & 22 from 3:30-5:30 PM. Please join the Library Teen Discord. More information is posted there about how to prepare beforehand. You can also visit the Teen Zone on our website for details.

Chess & Game Club

Learn the art of chess and other games with the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Tweens and teens ages 9-18 are welcome to join Mondays, Sept. 11, 18, & 25 from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. Game supplies will be provided.

LEGO Club

Do you love LEGOs? Join other kids who love the ever popular bricks at Madison Library District’s LEGO Club! We will meet in the Community Room on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 4-5 PM. For kids ages 6-11 with an accompanying adult & teens ages 12-18.

Young League of Writers

Would you like to meet TWO best selling authors and learn how to set up a story’s beginning, middle, and end? Now entering the Young League of Writers’ stage… Sian Ann Bessey AND Traci Hunter Abramson! Both of these authors are experts at storytelling and creating incredible plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats! We will meet to share what we’ve all been working on and talk with both of them about what makes writing great. Ages 12-18 are welcome to join us 4-5:30 PM in the Community Room on Wednesday, Sept. 13.

Teen Anime Club logo

Anime Club

Teen Anime Club is for everyone ages 12-18! Thursday, Sept. 14 we will be watching Komi Can’t Communicate. No charge, no registration, just meet at 4:30 PM in the Community Room.

Cook With a Book

Have you ever wanted to make treacle tart from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? Or how about the scones from The Inheritance Games? Or maybe you would like to try the mallowmelt from Keeper of the Lost Cities. Then join us for our teen Cook with a Book fall kick-off event at the “Reading Rabbit Grill” (Community Room). We will pick the books to cook in the next year while snacking on yummy treats. Ages 12-18 are invited Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 4:30-5:30 PM.

Family Films

Free Family Films for all ages! Fridays at 3:30 PM in the Community Room! Sept. 1 is Fly Away Home (PG) and Sept. 15 is The Fox and the Hound (G). Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older. Parents, please prescreen films to determine if it is appropriate for your child.

CLOSED for Labor Day

 The Library will be closed Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 for Labor Day. No items are due but the book drop will remain open. Thank you!

CLOSED Sept. 28-30

The Library will be closed Thursday Sept. 28th through Saturday the 30th for Staff Development and Building Maintenance. No items are due. Thank you!

Open Recital!

Sign up now to take part in the Library’s October 16 Open Recital! All instruments, ages, and skill levels are invited to share their artistic abilities with our community. We look forward to hearing you perform!

September Adult Events

Take a Break Book ClubTake a Break and join our adult book club on Sept. 21 at 6:30 PM! Ages 18+ will meet in the Community Room to discuss Jane Austen’s classic, Sense and Sensibility. Adult MakersFriday, September 15 is Adult Makers! We will be making noodles from...

September Kids & Tween Events

Story TimeJoin Miss Gina, Grace, and Marybeth for Preschool Story Time, Toddler Time, and Book Babies! For September, we will have fun with the letter F and farm animals! Preschool Story Time is for ages 2-5 and meets Tuesdays at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM or Wednesdays at...

September Teen Events

Hauntings - Library Teen Virtual ConventionTeens are invited to join the annual Library Teen Virtual Convention! Inspired by all our favorite ghost stories, spooky folklore, and mysterious cryptids, this year's theme is HAUNTINGS! The Convention is hosted on Discord...

July Teen Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room. For Ages 9-18TEEN ACTION COUNCIL Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans...

July Adult Activities

INDEPENDENCE DAY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. No items will be due but the book drop will remain open. Thank you! "ALL TOGETHER NOW" BLOCK PARTY This is the Block Party everyone will be talking about this...

July Kid & Tween Activities

CHESS AND GAME CLUB Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided. Every Monday from 4:30-5:30 P.M. in the Community Room For ages 9-184TH OF JULY CLOSURE The Library will be closed Tuesday,...

June Kids and Tween Activities

SPECIAL STORY TIME Join us for a special story time with local author Ruth Nielson! She is the author and illustrator of I Am Remarkable: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Ruth will lead our little ones in a yoga session, so please bring a towel or mat for your child to...

June Adult Activities

CREATIVE WRITING CLUB Share your writing with other storytelling enthusiasts or join to make friends! Join the Creative Writing Club for ages 18+. We will share your favorite piece of writing and talk about why writing is our passion. Wednesdays, June 14 & 28 at...

Library Closed for Labor Day

The library will be closed Saturday September 3rd and Monday September 5th for Labor Day. No items will be due and the book drop will remain open. Thank you!

August Library Activities

TEEN ACTION COUNCILWednesday, August 3rd. 4-5:30pm.  For ages 12-18. Come and have a say in what activities Teens do at the Library and meet new friends. NO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST To reset from Summer Reading and to accomodate our new infrastruture updates, there will be...

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July Teen Activities

July Teen Activities

July Teen Activities

Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens

CHESS AND GAME CLUB

Learn the art of chess and other games from the master of fun and strategy, Nick Allison. Game supplies will be provided.

Mondays from 4:30-5:30 PM in the Community Room.

For Ages 9-18

Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens
Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens

TEEN ACTION COUNCIL

Teen Action Council gathers to discuss plans and come up with ways for the Library to help teens. Have a say in what happens at your Library!

Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 4 PM in the Community Room.

For ages 12-18.

“ALL TOGETHER NOW” BLOCK PARTY

This is the Block Party everyone will be talking about this summer! Inspired by our summer reading theme “All Together Now”, we’ll have lawn games from all over the world, food trucks to fill any craving, a climbing wall and bounce houses, plus international performers including Footworks Dance Studio, the Yellowstone Brass, Amelat Dance Company, and Proform Airborne Jump Rope. There’ll be something for everyone at all ages. Don’t miss out! The celebration begins July 8th 5:00-8:00 PM on the field next to the library. Stay for an after-party outdoor movie experience that starts at 9 PM! Concessions will be available for purchase.

Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens
Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens
Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens

TEEN CRAFTS

We’ve got crafts for teens at the Library! Join us Thursdays this month for clay figurines, magazine beads, dot painting, and macrame keychains!

Every Thursday in July at 4:30 PM
in the Community Room

BFF’S 2 WFF’S WRITING CONTEST

Do you and your friend love to write? Try writing a story together and perhaps you will become WFF’s… writing friends forever! Write a story about this year’s Summer Reading theme, “All Together Now,” and see how your collab writing stacks up against other teens your age. All participants will receive a prize!

Email an attached submission to gina.m@madisonlib.org by July 24, 2023. Winners will be announced July 28, 2023 at the Teen Summer Reading party. For more information, check out the contest rules.

Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens
Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens

YOUNG LEAGUE OF WRITERS

Would you like to share your writing with other teens your age or just make new friends? Join the Young League of Writers!

Are you working on your “All Together Now” collaborative short story? How do you know when it’s ready to submit? Join us to learn how to edit and polish your story so it’s ready for submission!

Wednesday, July 12 at 4 PM in the Community Room

For ages 12-18

TEEN DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Calling all teen adventurers! Join our party and learn to play Dungeons & Dragons! Please join the Library Teen Discord; more information is posted there about how to prepare beforehand. You can also find details in the Teen Zone.

Fridays, July 14 & 21 from 3:30-5:30 PM

in the Community Room

For Ages 12-18

Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens
Lego Club

SUMMER STEM LEGOS

Join kids, tweens, and other teens for Summer STEM! We will be building world landmarks out of LEGOS!

Tuesday, July 18 at 2 PM in the Community Room

For ages 6-18

ANIME CLUB

Teens gather together to watch anime favorites, chat about manga, and play games! We will be watching One Piece and competing in a food eating contest!

Wednesday, July 26 at 4:30 PM

in the Community Room

For ages 12-18

Photography Contest 2022
Lego Club

FAMILY FRIENDLY FILMS

Enjoy free movies for the whole family at the Library!

Thursdays at 1 PM in the Community Room

Parents, please prescreen films to ensure they are appropriate for your children. Children under 12 must be accompanied by someone 14 or older. 

SUMMER READING FINISHERS PARTY

Celebrate the end of summer reading with peace, love, friendship and… murder of course! Join us for a 60’s Murder in the Library Mystery Party where teens will discover who has attacked and murdered the Library’s books about love. Mysterious foods will also be served!

The party starts at 7 PM in the Community Room on Friday, July 28. For ages 12-18.

Photography Contest 2022
Teen action council have a say in what goes on at the library for teens

DISCORD SERVER

Join our Discord Server! Chat and get to know other teens in the area. The Server is monitored by Library Staff to ensure a fun and safe place for all.

July Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Check out our Summer Reading page for our prize schedule and more details.Story...

June Events for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Summer Reading is Here! You can sign up now for Summer Reading: Color Our World! With Beanstack you can sign up online, or you can visit us at the Library and track your reading on paper. Check out our Summer Reading page for our prize schedule and more details.Story...

May Kids ‘n’ Tween Programs

Books For Boys & Great Reads for GirlsMeet Princess Cimorene—a princess who refuses to be proper. She’s everything a princess shouldn’t be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart… And bored. So bored she runs away to live with Kazul, one of the most powerful dragons around!...

April Kids ‘n’ Tween Programs

Story TimeGet ready for April celebrations with our early literacy programs! Book Babies – Wednesdays at 9:30 AM* for babies not yet walking and their grown-ups. Enjoy songs, stories, baby sign language, movement, and sensory activities. Toddler Time – Mondays &...

March Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story TimeGet ready for March magic with our early literacy programs! Book Babies – Wednesdays at 9:30 AM for babies not yet walking and their grown-ups. Enjoy songs, stories, baby sign language, movement, and sensory activities. Toddler Time – Mondays & Tuesdays...

Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Old School PoetryThis February, let love take center stage! Stop by our special collections area to type out a heartfelt poem on our vintage typewriter—whether it’s for a dear friend or your favorite pizza. Drop your masterpiece into the submission box nearby if you'd...

January Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story TimeJanuary Story Time is serving up something soup-er! Book Babies (infants/babies not yet walking and their caregivers) meet Wednesdays at 9:30 AM with songs, stories, and sensory fun for our "Soup’s On!" theme. (Library Closed Jan. 1) Toddler Time (walking...

December 2024 Programs for All Ages

Winter Safe DrivingFirst time driving on snowy winter roads? Madison Library District is partnering with the Idaho Department of Transportation and the Idaho State Police to keep you safe this winter! Learn strategies to stay on the road, deal with slipping and...

November Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story TimeNovember Story Time is here, and our themes are “Duck, Duck, Goose!” for Book Babies and Toddler Time and the letter “G” for Story Time! Join us in the Community Room for songs, stories, and sensory activities perfect for each age group. Book Babies...

October Programs for Kids ‘n’ Tweens

Story TimeGallop into Story Time fun this October! Toddler Time (ages 10-23 months) on Mondays & Tuesdays at 9:30 AM and Book Babies (ages 0-9 months) on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM will both feature “Clippity-clop, on a horse and pony we’ll hop!” Note: there will be no...

Introducing the Lucky Day Collection

Introducing the Lucky Day Collection

We’re excited to introduce a new collection to our library: The Lucky Day Collection!

To better serve our patrons, we’ve purchased extra copies of our most popular titles.  Items in the Lucky Day Collection have different rules than the regular collection.

 

Books:

  • 7 Day Checkout
  • 20¢ per day late fee

DVDs:

  • 2 Day Checkout
  • $1 per day late fee

Items in the Lucky Day Collection cannot be requested (placed on hold) and they cannot be renewed. 

Don’t take your Lucky Day item on vacation!  If you get a Lucky Day item, please read or watch it quickly, and return it for the next patron to enjoy.

Also, if you’ve requested a book or movie, but were able to get it as a Lucky Day item, please cancel that request so others won’t have to wait as long.  You can do this yourself by logging into your account, or talk to a librarian at the Circulation or Reference desk.  We’re always glad to help!

Although you can’t request a Lucky Day item, you can see what is in the collection.  Click on the New Titles tab in the catalog, and choose the Lucky Day Collection link.

“The Beast is an Animal” by Peternelle van Arsdale

“The Beast is an Animal” by Peternelle van Arsdale

“The Beast is an Animal” by Peternelle van Arsdale

Atmospheric and eerie, The Beast is an Animal is a tale of power and suspense, prejudice and fear. When the village is faced with hardship, the blame is placed upon twin daughters, born to the farmer who lives at the edge of the forest. In order to save them from death, the farmer moves his wife and daughters into the forest, promising to bring them back when the village is more prosperous. Over the years, he comes to visit less and less, and soon the girls find themselves alone, living in the forest. And becoming part of the forest, something new, yet old. Something terrifying. And they are set to take revenge upon the village that cast them out.

In the village, Alys is the only one awake when the sisters come, and she alone is left to discover the carnage they leave behind. All children were spared, and a traveler sends word to a neighboring village of their plight. But all is not well, as the new village does not accept these children as their own, and they are left outside the Gate to defend the town. Can they fight off the evil lurking in the forest? Or will the sisters finally get their prey? Only Alys stands between life and total destruction.

This was a great read. The writing was very descriptive, pulling the reader into the setting and creating tension and suspense. I recommend it for fans of gothic tales as it had much the same feelings of oppression and impending doom.

“Illuminae” by Aimee Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

“Illuminae” by Aimee Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

“Illuminae” by Aimee Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay KristoffWritten through IM, email, and classified reports, this book tells the story of Kady and her fight to save her ship (and maybe her very recently ex-boyfriend, if she can swing it). When her mining outpost is attacked by a competitor, only a few thousand people make it to the three ships fleeing for safety. Those ships head for the nearest location with a transport portal, more than six months away. They are stalked by the enemy, a well armed attack vessel. Throw in a twist with a rogue AI and a killer virus, and this makes for one great story.

When you read a 600 pg book in 1 day, you know it was good! I loved These Broken Stars, and this has that same feel to it. The uniqueness comes in the style it was written in, including the wonderful pages with the ships flying through space. It also includes schematics of the ship and the distance the characters have to travel in order to make it out alive. All of this works together along with the text itself to create a great visual story. If you enjoy this one, book two, Gemina, is also available (and just as fantastic). Book three should be available late 2017.

Professional reviews:

 “Hints of romance and references to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey interweave with the text, itself an arresting visual experience that weds form with expression and content.”
–Booklist, starred review

 

“The Kiss of Deception” by Mary Pearson

“The Kiss of Deception” by Mary Pearson

“The Kiss of Deception” by Mary Pearson

Lia has always felt pressure from her parents to keep up good appearances and serve her country. Now she is being married off to the prince of the neighboring kingdom for political purposes, and she has finally had enough. When she should be traveling to her wedding, she is instead fleeing her country with only her closest confidante, her lady’s maid. Wanting only to seek personal freedom, she soon sets up a life in a small village, working in the boarding house to earn her keep. Unbeknownst to her, the prince who was to be her husband is now tracking her down, determined to make her pay for her actions that led to his embarrassment. She is also the target of an assassination attempt, and only time will tell if she will survive both of her hunters. It’s either that, or fall in love with one of them. The thing is, she doesn’t know who these men are, and for once, neither does the reader.

I loved this! I really liked not knowing who was who for the romance interests and trying to match up the different identities and figure out which was which. Pearson does a fantastic job keeping the identities separate from their actions, and for the first time ever I couldn’t decide who I would rather have Lia end up with. They were both wonderful options. It was great not knowing which one was the prince because if I had known, it may have tipped the scale in his direction. The characters were well defined and relatable, and the setting was vivid without being overly descriptive.

Professional reviews:

“*The first in a marvelous new fantasy series that is sure to find an audience with devotees of Suzanne Collins’s “The Hunger Games” . . . Romance, adventure, mysticism–this book has it all and it just may be the next YA blockbuster.” ―School Library Journal, Starred Review

 

“Frostblood” by Elly Blake

“Frostblood” by Elly Blake

“Frostblood” by Elly Blake

Ruby has spent her life hiding in the outskirts, trying to keep people from getting too close and discovering her secret – she is one of the few remaining Firebloods and one the king would pay to have hunted down. When soldiers come to her small village, she feels that all is lost, especially after her mother is murdered. After months kept captive in a cold, dark dungeon, where her guards keep her freezing and hungry, Ruby has resigned herself to her final fate. Then salvation appears. However, she’s not sure who these mysterious men are or why they would want to save her. All too soon Ruby is learning to use her powers and wants nothing more than to seek her revenge on the king.

Blake, Elly. (2017). Frostblood. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
The world building in this novel is perfect for fans of lighter fantasy. This has some excellent character development and a well-developed relationship between the two main characters. While it may not be for the faint-of-heart as there are plenty of gruesome descriptions of wounds and fighting tactics, it will make a great read for fans of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard or Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Readers will be impatiently waiting for book two.

 

Professional reviews:

“This enchanting and fast-paced debut lights up the page with magic, romance, and action, all of which is expertly interwoven throughout the text. Readers will be eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.”―Booklist

“This is an enjoyable, fast-paced debut that blends romance into a story of suspenseful battles, royal prisons, and rebel schemes…. perfect for fans of Red Queen and will delight those who love fantasy, adventure, and romance. A strong addition to any YA fantasy collection.”―School Library Journal“Ruby’s a spitfire who faces her challenges with grit…. A slow-burning, classic tale.”―Kirkus Reviews

“A strong debut for Blake…. succeeds in laying down intriguing framework for the books to come.”―Publishers Weekly

“With a fierce and vibrant world, richly-drawn characters, a steamy romance, and page-turning twists, Frostblood has all the elements of a great fantasy.”―Morgan Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author of the Fallen Kingdoms Series

“Fast-paced and brimming with magic and intrigue, Frostblood will keep you frozen in place until the last page and then leave you burning for more.”―Lori M. Lee, author of Gates of Thread and Stone

“Hunted” by Megan Spooner

“Hunted” by Megan Spooner

“Hunted” by Megan Spooner

Beauty is the youngest daughter of a wealthy hunter turned merchant. When their family luck changes they are forced to relocate to their old hunting cottage, where her father spends his days hunting to support his girls. After he disappears, Beauty, trained from a young age as a skilled huntress, goes after him. What she discovers there changes her life forever.

This is a great retelling of Beauty and the Beast, complete with magical creatures, a growing love, and a spirited girl who will stop at nothing to get her revenge – at least until she finds out that wasn’t what she wanted.

I really enjoyed the growing relationship with this one, though I do have to admit that Beauty and the Beast is my favorite tale, so almost any retelling will be a win for me. I also feel that extra bonus points should be awarded here for including a library in this version of the retelling, because Beauty is only a complete character when she has a love for reading. I would love for this to have a companion book, but so far this is slated as a stand-alone novel.

Great for fans of fairytale retellings, especially those who prefer this particular tale.

Professional reviews:

“Spooner creates a detailed world populated by complex characters… An elegant, classic, and vivid fairy tale.” (Kirkus Reviews –starred review)