#AmReading YA

Killing November
Adriana Mather
Series: Killing November, #1
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Mystery
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch comes a thriller set at a secretive boarding school where students are trained to carry on family legacies that have built—and toppled—empires.

November is trapped. At the mysterious Academy Absconditi, a school that’s completely off the grid, there’s no electricity, no internet, and a brutal eye-for-an-eye punishment system. Classes include everything from knife-throwing and poisons to the art of deception. And the other students? All children of the world’s most elite strategists, in training to become assassins, spies, and master manipulators. November Adley doesn’t know why she’s been sent to this place, or the secrets that make up its legacy, but she’ll quickly discover that allies are few in a school where competition is everything. When another student is murdered, all eyes turn to November, who must figure out exactly how she fits in before she is found guilty of the crime…or becomes the killer’s next victim.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Adriana Mather comes a captivating thriller that will leave you breathless.

For centuries, a handful of families have been orchestrating some of the biggest historical events. Welcome to the Academy Absconditi, where the children of these elite families come to train and perfect their skills in things, such as: strategy, mind games, subterfuge, knife throwing, climbing, and sword fighting.

When a "family emergency" arose, November was whisked off to this top secret boarding school in an undisclosed location. Little did she know, this was not your average school. Not only did November hone her skills and learn the secrets of her family while at the Academy, she was also forced to fight for her life.

Well, THAT was an unexpected and fantastic surprise! I had loved both of Mather's previous books, and though this one was quite different, it was equally as fabulous and entertaining as the others.

I was quickly wrapped up in the world of the Academy and the Strategia, who are the ruling families. Their connection to prominent world events and how they manufactured them was the stuff conspiracy theorists' dreams are made of. As always, Mather wove lots of interesting historical tidbits into the story, and I was utterly fascinated by the events she chose, as well as how she blended them seamlessly into this tale.

I also loved going to class with November. What they learned and how they learned it was so interesting, but at the same time, terrifying. The Academy dated back to the 1030s, and still subscribed to many archaic rules of justice. Students were punished by being thrown in the dungeon or having to suffer "an eye for an eye" consequence. There was one scene, which was especially savage. I just couldn't believe the culture of this school.

Yes, the Academy was quite an intriguing place, but it was also a place, where you had to constantly watch your back, as November quickly learned. One of the biggest mysteries, which was solved by the end of the book, was who was trying to kill November and why. I was definitely keeping my eyes wide open as November and the twins, Ash and Layla, attempted to solve the mystery themselves. Lots of action, lots of lying, lots of precarious situations -- Mather really kept me on my toes.

The characters, the action, the alliances, the history, the mystery -- I was onboard for it all. I did not realize this was a series, when I selected this book, however, I am now pretty excited about it, because I am itching to learn all I can about the world of the Strategia.

Tin Heart
Shivaun Plozza
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

Jennifer Niven calls emerging talent Shivaun Plozza’s charming second novel, recipient of multiple starred reviews, “swoon-worthy, moving, deep, and funny”! When Marlowe gets a heart transplant and a second chance at life, all she wants to do is to thank her donor’s family. Maybe then she can move on. Maybe then she’ll discover who she is if she’s no longer The Dying Girl.

But with a little brother who dresses like every day is Halloween, a vegan warrior for a mother, and an all-out war with the hot butcher’s apprentice next door, Marlowe’s life is already pretty complicated. And her second chance is about to take an unexpected turn...

Marlowe was born with a congenital heart condition, and after being very ill for many years, she had accepted her imminent death. All that changed one rainy night, when a car accident resulted in the death of another teen, and a new lease on life for Marlowe.

After receiving her new heart, Marlowe wasn't sure, who she was anymore. She had gotten used to being the dying girl without a future, but now she had a second chance. Marlowe spent a good part of the story trying to figure out who she was, but she did so, while dealing with the fact, that she had a future, because her donor didn't. She wanted, no needed, to know more about the donor, and another portion of the story was dedicated to her working through that.

I really felt all the emotional weight of this transplant. Plozzo did a wonderful job conveying the feelings and the inner conflicts Marlowe was battling with. She had to re-integrate into the world around her. She had to make new friends. She had to deal with her feelings of emptiness. She even had to deal with ridiculous twits, who teased her about her transplant (really?). But, everything she faced was a growing experience for her, and grow she did.

Plozzo won me over with this story, but her characters stole my heart. Marlowe was super complicated and dealing with a lot, so I empathized endlessly with her. But, her world was filled with such quirky and wonderful people for me to adore as well. Her mother was so over the top sometimes, but I admired her conviction and her unfailing love for her children. Her brother, Pip, was so, so precious. His love of Project Runway and crazy, inventive costumes was something I started to look forward to. He also loved so fiercely, and saw it as his duty to bring joy to the world. How could I NOT adore this kid.

And then, there was the butcher's son, Leo. You have to understand, Marlowe's mother owned a vegan store and they were staunch vegans - no gluten, no sugar, no meat, NOTHING! There is even a point where the mother says, "Honey, if you had brought home a conservative I'd be less disappointed." So, the fact that Marlowe and Leo develop a friendship and a romance was quite humorous, but you know what? I loved him. There was nothing cute about their meet-cute, but you could see the sparks, the banter was terribly fun, and seeing them realize they had more in common then they thought was very sweet.

Overall: A heartwarming, and often hilarious, look at one young woman's journey from dying-girl to her true self, which tugged at my heartstrings and left me with a smile on my face.

**ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

Which class would your prefer and why:
knife throwing or ropes

Let us know in the comments!