Web of Dreams (Casteel, #5) by V.C. Andrews

 

Web of Dreams is the prequel in the Casteel series. It's the story of Leigh, who is Heaven's mother. Leigh is a very young girl who is living a seemingly perfect life until her parents divorce and her mother remarries an extremely wealthy man. 

Leigh is forced to moved into Farthinggale Manor and soon things make a turn for the worst. Leigh flees and meets Luke Casteel. They quickly fall in love and move to the Willies. Readers of this series know how this book ends. 

This prequel should be read last. It gives insight into what Leigh endured and how Luke spiraled and became the man we met in Heaven. This book will make you uncomfortable and make your skin crawl. it will make you angry and your dislike for characters will increase tenfold.

Outpost (Razorland, #2) by Ann Aguirre

 

Outpost is book 2 in the Razorland series. 

Deuce, Fade, Stalkerand Tegan  are living in Salvation. They are adjusting to a new way of living and new rules. Deuce is struggling in particular because in her previous life she was considered an adult but in Salvation she is a child. She is a fighter by trade and heart an doesn't fit in with the other girls. 

The freaks/muties are getting smarter. Deuce signs up to participate in summer patrols in which she witnesses the changes in the freaks. The townsfolk don't seem to be concerned about the changes or take it seriously.  Deuce finds this worrisome but she is just a "girl".

A big reveal and a cliffhanger will have you running to read the next installment. Expect intensity, character building and a love triangle. 

I LOVE this series and am questioning why I don't remember 80% because I am enthralled. 

Hidden Pictures | By Jason Rekulak

 Mallory Quinn is a recovering addict. She is trying to put her life together and fresh out of rehab. She is working for the Maxwell family. She is a live in babysitter for their young son Teddy. Teddy is only five years old. He is quite shy and is always drawing. His drawings soon go from cute childlike artwork to lifelike sketches of a sinister nature. 

Mallory discovers that she house she is staying in is part of an unsolved crime involving a young woman named Annie Barrett. This information along with the noises she hers in her home and Teddy's photos makes her think that Annie is trying to communicate with her via Teddy. 

Hidden Pictures includes the drawings young Teddy makes and some of them are down right spooky especially when you are reading this book late at night! The story is set in dark forest which adds to the tension and fright. Rekulak delivers a unique story and the unexpected plot twist delivers for those who enjoy a good thriller. 

Molka by Monika Kim

 

Spy camera's in Korea are a problem. They invade the privacy of others and cause issues for the victims when their photos/videos are released. Spy cameras can be found everywhere from public bathrooms to private hotel rooms. Women are the main target. Kim, dives into how technology to turn private moments into the worst type of violation. Her writing makes you question your own privacy in areas you don't have control over.

Our main character, Dahye is in a elicit romantic relationship with Hyukjoon. He is the heir to a fortune. She has fallen for him and he showers her with gifts. He makes her feel special unlike her family in which she remains in the shadow of her dead sister. Then one day Dahye and Hyukjoon fall victims to a hidden camera. He is outed publicly. She isn't but Hyukjoon pulls away leaving Dayhe confused and depressed. 

Unfortunately and unbeknownst to Dahye she is also a victim of a hidden camera are work and the perpetrator is obsessed with her. 

This was a difficult book to read it since it is rooted in real life events. I felt that my own privacy was being invaded. It made me angry and the paranormal aspects added a perfect amount of horror that I have come to expect from many Korean authors. 

It took a bit for me to get the characters names down but once I did my reading experience improved significantly. Don't let the unfamiliar sway you away from this good read. 

Enclave (Razorland, #1) by Ann Aguirre

 

I first read Enclave in 2011 and have been wanting to revisit it for some time now. When I came across an audio book version of it from my library I jumped at the chance to check it out. It felt like a entirely different book. It went from a good book to a great one! It's funny how I used to poo poo audiobooks but now I have found a love for them. 

Enclave follows fifteen year old Deuce who lives underground in an enclave. The enclave she lives in has set roles for its citizens and life expectancy is 20 years top. Life is hard and there is a constant threat of them being overtaken by freaks. Deuce's role is that of a huntress and she is paired with a hunter named Fade who did not grow up in the enclave. She is less than thrilled (and so is he) but as they clear the tunnels together they find respect for one another. They notice more concerning events taking place within the tunnels and when they report it their concerns are dismissed.  

An unexpected event takes place that results in Deuce and Fade being exiled. Deuce is forced to go upside in an effort to survive. Sunlight, buildings and life outside of the enclave is shocking and something she has to adapt to quickly. Fade has to use old memories to help them navigate and survive but dangerous gangs.

I forgot how engrossing and entertaining this book was. It pulls you in from the first sentence and that energy carries you though to the end. The characters are well developed and the way the world has fallen apart yet people fight to survive is heart warming.

 Deuce is quite possibly my favorite character this year. If you haven't read this book (series) yet pick it up and give it a go. 

We Burned So Bright | By T.J. Klune

 

Don and Rodney have been together for over 40 years. They have had a good life but now the world is ending. They have packed up and hit the road. They are traveling from Main to Washington State to take care of unfinished business. 

As they travel across the United States they come across others who have their own missions. As the end of the world looms closer and planets get sucked up by a blackhole Don and Rodney reflect on their lives and try to determine it it was a good one.

Gates of Paradise (Casteel, #4)| By V.C. Andrews

 

A tragic car accident has taken the lives of Heaven of Logan Stonewall. Their daughter Annie is not only an orphan but has been crippled. Tony Tatterton who had a fall out with Heaven many years ago has stepped in to use his wealth and power to whisk Annie off to Farthington Manor. Farthington Manor has always been mysterious to Annie and her half-brother Luke. They have spent years fantasizing about it but at first glance Annie learns that the manor is in disrepair. 

Initially, Annie is living in her fantasy world about Farthy but soon she sees the darkness that lays in the manor and within Tony. Dark secrets come to the surface and Annie finds that she will need her family more than ever but she hasn't head from them. What will become of her?

Gates of Paradise is told from Annie's point of view. Expect the usual family drama and creepy factor we'd come to expect from V.C. Andrews.

Gates of Paradise (Casteel, #4) by V.C. Andrews

 

Gates of Paradise is the 4th installment in the Casteel series. 

Annie Casteel has been orphaned after the untimely death of her parents. Tony Tatterton has stepped in and taken Annie to Farthinggale Manor to convalesce under his watchful eye. He uses his wealth and power to provide worldly comforts and  control her. 

Tony isolates her and as the isolation increases his creep factor steps up. Secrets that are held within the manor escape and Annie learns why her mother fled Tony. 

The Season of Light and Darkness by Jillian Cantor

Publication Date: August 4, 2026

Ellie has woken up early from being cryogenically frozen. What was supposed to be 10 years turned into 3. Upon waking up she learns that she is the only one from her family who survived the unexpected thaw. They were frozen in effort to avoid persecution and life under the newly elected president. 

President Lyon is a dictator and under his ruling certain people have been labeled terrorists and have been treated accordingly.  Others have been forced into a program called readmittance, in which they are programed to think, act and be different. A small group of others have become resistance fighters and live in hiding. 

Ellie is taken to a readmittance center and discovers just how much life has changed under President Lyon. Science, medicine and vaccines are no longer practiced. Women stop school at age 15 and are forced to not only dress the same but look the same. People have been brainwashed and Ellie fears that she will fall victim to this and forget her past but when she sees her old boyfriend, she has to decide if she can trust him or if he is under Lyon's spell. 

What, Ellie doesn't know if that her brother was never frozen and he is a resistance fighter. When he hears that she was thawed early, Scott makes it his mission to save her before she becomes another victim of the dystopian world they reside in. 

The Season of Light and Darkness is told in multiple point of views. The plot is chilling and frightening in this fast paced thriller. Expect to be captivated from start to finish. I will anxiously be awaiting the sequel. 

On a side note -- I almost skipped this book based on the cover. I don't feel that it does this book justice. If you judge a book by its cover like I often judge, set aside your judgment on this one.

** I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer

Obstetrix is a fast paced thriller and can easily be finished in a day. 

Doctor Liz has been kidnapped and taken to live amongst a fundamental cult. She will be required to use her knowledge as an OB/GYN to care for the women in the cult. If she refuses they won't hesitate to take her life. Dr. Liz is also the only doctor in the compound and will be expected to take on other doctor duties.

The compound is isolated and Liz has no idea where she is being held captive. She and the members of the cult are under constant surveillance and have little to no contact with the outside world. Dr Liz needs to find a way out - to escape and save the girls who are trapped.   

This book is a look at some of what we know that exists within fundamental world and can be taken as a cautionary tale. 

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

 

My Sister's Keeper is one of my favorite Jodi Picoult books. I decided to revisit it after rewatching the movie (which I don't like).  If you haven't read this book I recommend that you make it your next read.

My Sister's Keeper is about a young girl named Anna who sues her parents for medical emancipation. Anna was genetically engineered to be a donor for her sister Kate who has a rare form of leukemia. Since birth Anna has been a donor for Kate and now Kate needs a kidney. Anna doesn't want to give Kate a kidney so  she finds an attorney who is willing to fight for her. The lawsuit results in further family upheaval as the fight for Kate's life or death is on the line. 

 The story is told in alternating point of views via several different characters. The plot is well developed and full of memorable characters.