The Poppy War follows war orphan Fang Runin, who is known as Rin by her friends, as she studies for the most difficult exam in the Nikara Empire: The Keju, which qualifies students for the top academies in the nation. When she is accepted, there is widespread shock and disbelief as a person of her situation has never qualified before. As Rin prepares for Sinegard, the most elite military academy, the euphoria wears off quickly.
Defy the Nightby Brigid Kemmerer is a YA fantasy novel that has a lot of political intrigue with a side of romance. Tessa is a young woman who is appalled by the sickness spreading throughout her kingdom and works with her friend Wes to help distribute a healing elixir. Wes, however, has a secret identity that would make it so Tessa would never want to see him again.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is a modern fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It follows Harper, who lives in Washington D.C., and how she gets sucked into the fantastical world of Emberfall, where Prince Rhen resides. Prince Rhen turns into a beast every night, and unconsciously and unwillingly hurts his own people. If he can get a girl to fall in love with him, then the curse will be broken.
Two Twisted Crowns, by Rachel Gillig, is the sequel to One Dark Window, in which Elspeth and Ravyn’s journey to unite the deck of Providence Cards continues. However, in addition to these two perspectives, Gillig introduces Elm’s point of view, allowing the reader a glimpse at both sides of the story.
One Dark Window, by Rachel Gillig, is a young adult gothic fantasy set in Blunder, an ancient world cursed by magic. Elspeth Spindle has her own magic, in the form of a spirit trapped in her head whom she calls the Nightmare. However, all magic comes with a cost, and Elsepth must find the twelve Providence Cards to cure Blunder and banish the Nightmare from her mind before it is too late. Luckily, she stumbles upon the Captain of the King’s guard, who just might be able to offer her the help she needs.
It has been eight years since the Battle of the Serpent and now Suren, the once-queen of the Court Of The Teeth is much older. Suren has not visited the Court or seen Lady Nore since, instead she has been in the mortal world living in the woods and freeing mortals from cruel bargains. Only after her run-in with Prince Oak, heir to the throne of Elfhame, has she come to awareness of Lady Nore’s revenge plans. After being defeated during the Battle of the Serpent, Lady Nore has plans to build up her army of sticks through ancient magic.
After her trust is shattered, Evangeline Fox swears to herself that she will never trust Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, again. However, fate has other plans. When a new curse threatens Evangeline, she has no choice but to work with the Prince of Heart risking her heart and soul. Together they will battle new challenges and magic that seem to make this an impossible mission.
“I suppose it does not feel the same without her . . . Some people leave too much space behind when they are gone.”
The wait is over, and Katharine wears the crown. But does she really? More queens seem to be popping out of the woodworks, and she has the sneaking suspicion that her other two sisters continue living, and that they will return to take the throne.
