The Internment Chronicles by Lauren DeStefano

I read the first two books in this series back to back.  I really enjoyed the first book, Perfect Ruin.  It reminded me of the video game Bioshock: Infinite in its setting and a bit in it's plot.  I like a good Utopian novel where slowly but surely the cracks begin to reveal themselves.  The end, however, felt rushed and a little thrown together.  I was willing to give the second novel a chance since I wanted to find out what happens next?  Unfortunately, not a lot happens in the 2nd book.  The characters don't travel far or explore new territory.  Many of the characters I was looking to get to know more about were actually all together ignored in the second book.  Morgan and Pen's relationship is both exhausting and toxic and there are revaluations at the end of the novel that seem to come out of nowhere.  I think I will read the 3rd book but it will not be on the top of my TBR pile.

Final Recommendations: if you like Utopian novels, corrupt kings, unfulfilled destiny

The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey

I love serious fantasy.  I love fantastical beings in fantastical setting.  I even enjoy a god semi-fantasy where fantastical elements infiltrate our normal lives.  That being said, although I really enjoyed the premise of this novel and will probably continue the series, I did not fall in love with it.  The book starts of with a runaway living in a library (dreams do come true) who is adopted by a mysterious race of bird-people?  I, unfortunately couldn't get into the bird-people.  The suspension of my disbelief just could not wrap its little brain around people with feathers and how that could in anyway be cute?  Other than that, there are also dragon-people, I do like dragon people, and a pretty strong lead character.  But it struck too close to Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (for which I also only had luke-warm feelings).

Final Recommendations: if you liked Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor, mythological races, epic grudges, a little romance, destiny, strong female characters