Hexed

Hexed is by Kevin Hearne. The second book in the fantasy Iron Druid series. Atticus is trying to get his life back in order after his big battle in the Superstitions. He is trying to make things right with his lawyers, his new apprentice, and whats left of the Polish witch coven - not to mention the gods he has offended in some way. Little does he know that an evil witch coven is moving into the East Valley, a band of Bacchants are coming to Scottsdale, and a fallen angel is eating students in Apache Junction; and he will be hard pressed to find a spare moment. An action-packed addition to a fun series. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (some mature content). 

Sourdough

Sourdough is by Robin Sloan. A charming fantasy novel that is almost more magical realism than anything else. Lois works for a robotics company writing code so robot arms can perform more like human limbs. She is stressed by her job and doesn't eat or sleep as well as she should. Then she discovers two brothers who run a delivery service, serving the best spicy soup and bread she has ever eaten. She orders from them daily; until the day they show up on her doorstep. Their visas have been revoked and they are leaving the country. They gift Lois with their "special" sourdough starter, and Lois learns the joy of baking - and the joy of finding other pleasures in life. A strange, but charming tale of seeking and finding your life's purpose. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd

Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd is by Alan Bradley. The eighth novel in the historical fiction Flavia de Luce mystery series. Flavia has returned from her failed boarding school experience in Canada to find her father seriously ill in the hospital. Trying to kill time until she is allowed to visit, she agrees to deliver a letter from the vicar's wife to an old woodworker, only to find him hanging upside down from his bedroom door - dead. Flavia decides to solve the mystery, if only to keep her mind off her father's illness. Another excellent installment in this charming series. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

A Man Called Ove

A Man Called Ove is by Fredrik Backman. A wonderfully written realistic fiction novel. Ove is an elderly man who just wants to kill himself so he can join his beloved wife, who has already passed on. He has planned things out and is about to hang himself when he is interrupted by his new neighbors, "the Lanky One," "the Pregnant One," and their children; who announce their arrival by running their U-Haul into Ove's mailbox. The new arrivals upset Ove's well-ordered world and force him to interact with people again. The grumpy old man next door discovers his life has more meaning then he believed and his neighbors discover first impressions can be very deceiving. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

Storm of Locusts

Storm of Locusts is by Rebecca Roanhorse. The second in the dystopian fantasy Sixth World series. Kai Arviso and Caleb Goodacre have been kidnapped by a strange doomsday cult led by a figure called the White Locust. When the Goodacre twins show up at Maggie's door and elicit her aid in tracking down their brother and Kai, Maggie does not realize she will have to leave Dine and venture beyond the Wall to find her friends. Filled with Native American mythology in a dystopian setting, this series is a fun and unique adventure. The violence makes it problematic for younger fantasy lovers, but it is a fast-paced, action-packed series. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (some mature thematic content). 

Blameless

Blameless is by Gail Carriger. The third novel in the fantasy Parasol Protectorate series. Alexia has been cast out by her husband Lord Maccon, as well as by her own family. Queen Victoria has also removed her from the Shadow Council. She decides to travel to Italy to discover proof that she can wave in her husband's face that it is possible for her to carry his child. The Vampires want her dead, the Templars want her studied and used as a weapon, and she is being attacked by mechanical ladybugs. A fun romp of a series, and this installment is no exception. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

A Visit from the Good Squad

A Visit from the Goon Squad is by Jennifer Egan. A strange realistic fiction offering centering around a variety of personalities and their lives. Bennie Salazar is a once famous record executive and Sasha is his assistant. The entire novel circles around these two individuals and others who move in and out of their orbit. The book does not really have a "plot" and is not written in a linear fashion. It is interesting in its ability to link various people and their impact on the lives of others. 

Ratings: 6 out of 10 - Adult - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity).