A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Rhen’s kingdom is under a curse. He relives the same season, each time trying to make a girl fall in love with him until he turns into a beast obsessed with destruction. With each failure, the process begins again. Harper lives in present day Washington, DC with a troubled life of her own. When an accident pulls her into Rhen’s magical kingdom, Harper comes at all problems in her usual way--swinging and fighting to make sure justice is done. Will this strange new combination be the key to breaking the curse?

A Curse so Dark and Lovely is one of my favorite takes on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale yet. I love a flawed Beast, but also a flawed Beauty. I also love how the curse can’t be broken by just emotion--it takes hard work and selfless sacrifice. I recommend this book to all fairy tale lovers. Read it with one caution only--be prepared for a cliffhanger ending. Grrrr. It’s really my only complaint and the sequel isn’t expected until sometime in 2020.

Recommended ages--12 and up

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

One of the newest in the Rick Riordon Presents series, The Storm Runner introduces a Percy Jackson-like story focusing on Mayan gods. Zane Obisbo is an ordinary boy with an ordinary life, until one day he isn't. As strange things start to happen near the dormant volcano behind his home, Zane's life begins to change. Soon he finds himself dragged into a struggle between Mayan gods and mythical creatures. Not only that, Zane learns he is possibly the son of one of the gods.

Filled with fast-paced adventure, this is a perfect read for tweens. Zane is a relatable character in an interesting circumstance. I love the immersion into the Mayan culture and think this new series is a great addition to fantasy and more diverse books.

What Happens Now by Jennifer Castle

Ari Logan is struggling to overcome the awful night when she tried to hurt herself. As she climbs out of depression, she spends time at the local lake watching her little sister. Ari also finds herself caught in a one-sided crush on a new boy at the lake. Filled with confidence and charm, Camden Armstrong seems like everything Ari would like to be. But she only watches.

The next summer, a more confident Ari starts up a conversation. That conversation leads to friendship, time with Camden’s friends, and eventually a relationship. Ari is happy and in love, but quickly finds real relationships are more difficult than crushes from afar. Can she love the complicated and even troubled Camden as much as her daydream Camden? Ari’s journey is a serious look at depression, insecurity, and the ability to heal. A light summer romance, with hidden depth and self-discovery. I like the approach to depression and descriptions of the feelings. I think it is very realistic--as is the fear of depression coming back. The romance stays mostly appropriate, but there is one unnecessary ‘nearly had sex’ scene.

Recommended ages--13 and up.