Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

12-year-old Eon is living with a dangerous secret- he is actually sixteen-year-old Eona. Eona must masquerade as a boy in order to study Dragon Magic and be a candidate to become the Rat Dragoneye Apprentice as girls are not allowed to practice Dragon Magic. During the ceremony, the long absent Mirror Dragon returns and selects Eona. As the newest Dragoneye Lord, Eona finds herself caught in a power struggle that threatens to overthrow the Emperor.

With it’s quick pace and many surprising twists, Eon: Dragoneye Reborn is a treat from start to its cliff-ending finish. Goodman has crafted a detailed universe, engaging characters, and a multi-layered plot that will leave readers wanting more.

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

The war between humans and faeries has devastated both sides and nothing has been seen or heard from Faerie since. The impact of the war on the world can be seen everywhere. Trees are sinister and attack at will. Magic is forbidden in the town where Liza lives. and when Liza discovers she has faerie powers she is forced to flee. Her journey takes her into Faerie where she is determined to rescue her mother and bring her home

There are several lulls in this slow moving narrative but the characters are strong. The postapocalyptic environment is haunting and scary- nature attacking is an interesting idea but the world itself is difficult to grasp. There is little new about this plot- dystopian world, a strong protagonist with extra-special abilities, and a lost mother have all been done before. Despite its flaws, the story will appeal to fans of dark fey stories, such as Holly Black.

The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb

Calder is a Fetch- a spirit who escorts souls through the Death Door, down the Aisle, to the Great River where the Captain transports them on to Heaven. For the last three hundred years, Calder has gone about his duties as a Fetch while remaining indifferent to the outcomes of the Death Scenes until he arrives at the death scene of a young boy and is completely taken by the beautiful young woman attending him. Calder mistakenly assumes that the woman is a governess and believes that she has been ordained as his Star Fetch. To reach his Star Fetch, Calder does the unthinkable- he takes possession of a deceased soul’s body instead of guiding the soul to Heaven. It is only after Calder enters Rasputin’s body does he discovers that the woman whom he believes is a governess is actually Empress Alexandra, the boy Prince Alexei.

Whitcomb’s combines fantasy and historical fiction with a hint of romance and strong overtones of Christian themes to create a novel that has an intriguing concept coupled with a stunning cover and is sure to pique the interest of readers. Sadly, the story gets bogged down in the religious aspects and moves at such a slow pace that only select readers will stick with it to the conclusion. Billing the story as a supernatural romance does the novel a disservice as there is very little romance- certainly not enough to appeal to fans of that genre, while those who may appreciate the intricacies of the story might not pick up something labeled a supernatural romance. Whitcomb does a beautiful job setting the scenes and has clearly done her research on the Russian Revolution. The ending sets up a sequel, but only those truly invested in Calder’s journey will clamor for it.

Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle

Identical twins Persephone and Penelope Leland are the only direct female decendants of the Leland lien in three hundred years. It has been such a long time that many people have forgotten Leland women are known for their magical abilities. Luckily for Pen and Persy, their governess, Miss Allardyce, also possesses magical abilities and is able to teach the girls much more than their traditional studies. As the girls prepare to make their debut into London society, their beloved governess goes missing. Their search for her uncovers a more sinister plot than they could have ever imagined.

Doyle’s first book has it all- historical setting, mystery and supernatural elements, and romance all combine to make this an enticing read for teen girls. Readers will be drawn into the girls’ story from the beginning and stay hooked to the very end. Though the story focuses on Persephone’s point of view, both girls are well developed, likeable, and interesting. Readers will be left wanting more- especially more of Penelope’s search for true love and happily ever after.

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan

Teenage demi-God, Percy Jackson is back in the fourth installment of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Percy continues to battle the evil forces who want to resurrect the Titans and overthrow the Olympian Gods. This time, Percy must navigate an underground labyrinth and find the workshops of its creator, Daedalus, and convince him not to help Luke use the maze to invade Camp Half-Blood. Percy and his friends are going to need all the help that they can get, and find unlikely help in the form of a mortal girl who can see through mist. The non-stop action and wit are sure to appeal to a variety of teen readers, especially middle school boys, and will no disappoint series fans. Percy is a likeable character whose loyalty and determination will speak to many readers, as will his struggles with the fairer sex. A great blend of mythology and fantasy makes this series an interesting (and educational) read. The cliff-hanger ending will have them anxiously awaiting the next installment.