(4) 4-6 Riders of the Realm series. In this Guardian Herd spinoff series, pegasus groom Rahkki's human clan captures wild pegasus Echofrost, who does not like the boy who keeps trying to "train" her. But when an outside force threatens, the two must learn to work together. Though this first book starts slowly and contains cardboard villains, horse fans should enjoy this new action-packed fantasy trilogy.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Molly Stout Adventures series. Since the events of Dominion, Molly and her family have been freeing enslaved spirits. With danger mounting and people and spirits getting hurt, Molly starts to wonder if she's making good choices or recklessly endangering those around her. The action and adventure continues in this steampunk sequel, but it's Molly's struggle to learn to live with consequences that drives this story.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) YA Illustrated by Maria Lu. With Jump Station Heimdall destroyed, two spaceships have to return to planet Kerenza to escape. Meanwhile, the resistance on Kerenza is getting desperate. As with the first two books, this sci-fi trilogy-ender is told via documents and transcripts. The gripping, emotional narrative balances breathless action sequences with descriptions of war's horrors and individuals grappling with moral choices.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Things didn't end well (in Blood and Salt) between Ash and her blood-bonded love, Dane. But when he returns with an ambitious plan that involves finding her missing twin brother, Ash agrees to help. In spite of some flat secondary characters, this atmospheric tale's exploration of alchemy, fate, and the Gothic mystery at its center should enthrall fans of tortured romances.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 The town of Sitting Duck again needs rescuing by friends Sam, Arty, and Emmie. The latest threats are massive man-eating spiders and a pirate curse that turns people to stone. New character profiles and sidebars are once again incongruously inserted within the text, occasionally disrupting the narrative. However, readers may enjoy the absurd humor, action, and cartoonish illustrations that run throughout both books. Review covers these titles: Disaster Diaries: Robots! and Disaster Diaries: Spiders!

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA With Earth inhospitable, twenty-four teens vie for six spots on a mission to colonize Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. As they train, Italian championship-swimmer Leo and Iranian American science-whiz Naomi begin to doubt what they've been told about Europa and the risks they're taking. Their romance is rushed, but the mystery behind Europa is the real draw; Monir leaves plenty questions to answer in future installments.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Lost Books series. Using his dead master's credentials, apprentice librarian Alex becomes the royal librarian. After a book tries to kill him, Alex realizes books are alive and have magical powers. Assisted by the young queen, Alex races to uncover why the books have turned deadly. Though the villain is a caricature, those looking for a mystery with plenty of fantasy adventure will be entertained.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Thrown into prison by an imposter, Prince Javan can reclaim his throne by winning the prison's gladiatorial tournament, but he'll need the help of a slave girl, Sajda, who has her own secrets. Darker than previous Ravenspire installments, the plot is action driven, leaving the romance angle feeling rushed. Nevertheless, fans of intense fantasy action will be pleased.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) YA Falling Kingdoms series. Cleo (unwilling host to the Kindred), sorceress Lucia, and their allies mistakenly believe Prince Magnus is dead. They grieve while searching for a way to stop the threatening elemental Kindred and save the world. Part political-thriller, part fantasy-adventure, this sixth book's large cast helps weave together the tangled, tense plot that culminates in an explosive series conclusion.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) YA Em (Ruined; Avenged) knows she must stop her sister, Olivia, from conquering the kingdom of Lera and killing all its humans. But with other countries threatening war, Em first must convince her people, the magic-wielding Ruined, to work with her love, Cas, ruler of Lera. Series fans will be satisfied with the action-packed conclusion as alliances are forged and old enemies learn to trust.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) YA Alien "feeders" hunt the citizens of Santa Dymphna, and it's up to sixteen-year-old Lori and interdimensional creature Handler to stop them. When Lori finds a group of captive super-powered teens, she quickly learns that there are bigger dangers. The action proceeds at breakneck speed; a cast of racially and physically diverse characters and an emphasis on self-acceptance raise the novel above standard sci-fi adventure.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Molly Stout Adventures series. Teenage engineer Molly knows elemental spirits are dangerous but useful; they power machines like her alcoholic father's airship, which she works on with her older twin brothers. But when she catches a spirit that can speak, she realizes everything she knows about them--and her family's past--is wrong. The steampunk adventure has surprising depth as Molly realizes that even doing the right thing can have deadly consequences.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) 4-6 Tales from the Haunted Mansion series. Illustrated by Kelley Jones. In this second series entry, mysterious librarian Amicus Arcane (The Fearsome Foursome) is back to share more paranormal tales. This time, a young man named William listens in return for a chance to see the medium, Madame Leota, who can help him speak to his deceased sister. The four loosely connected stories-within-the-story are ominous but not too scary, while eerie line drawings reinforce the pseudo-creepy vibe.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Following the events of Glass Sword, book three opens with Maven holding Mare prisoner. Political upheaval and one-upmanship force everyone to choose sides and decide how far they'll go to win the war between Reds and Silvers. Though the book is slow to start, the political plotting is as fascinating as it is disturbing. Mare's emotional growth is believable, but secondary characters are flat in comparison.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(4) YA Dove Chronicles series. The trilogy concludes as Phaet searches for allies to help overthrow the Moon's Lunar Standing Committee before it costs her her humanity and everyone she loves. Action sequences are frequently interrupted by internal dialogue that slows the pace and dulls any sense of danger, but Phaet's struggle not to lose herself will draw readers in.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Young Honorine has been the Vidalia family's maid for as long as she can remember. When she comes across a book that brings constellations to life and attracts sky pirates, she embarks on a swashbuckling adventure on a flying ship and learns there's more to her past than she thought. An original and spirited steampunk-meets-mythology adventure featuring an inventive, clever heroine.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) YA After her father's disappearance, Winter becomes guardian of a forest containing time-traveling portals; she must see that all travelers return to their original times. But the forest is dying, and the latest traveler may hold the key to her father's fate. The strong world-building of this horror-tinged fantasy will hook readers from the beginning and keep hold as the adventure slowly gains steam.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) YA Kingdom on Fire series. Sorcerer Henrietta was named the chosen one to save Victorian London from the demonic Ancients (A Shadow Bright and Burning). Though the prophecy was wrong, Henrietta grows increasingly desperate for a way to kill the Ancients--and stop the boy she loves from becoming a monster. Plenty of dramatic twists, romantic entanglements, betrayals, and secrets will hook readers in this entertaining second volume.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli. Hadley wants her life back--before her mom married Ed, Hadley gained a stepbrother, and they moved into a decrepit old house. After Hadley finds a dollhouse replica of the house in the attic, she discovers her wishes change reality. Switching between present and past, the story's darkness slowly unfolds as Hadley learns that wishes can be dangerous and not all endings are happy.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers

(3) 4-6 Enchanted Files series. Illustrated by Paul Kidby. For a sixth-grade biography assignment, Cody interviews his father's employee, Ned, night watchman at Grand Central. But when he learns that Ned is a troll from the Enchanted Realm, Cody also uncovers his own family's magical roots. This light standalone installment, a collection of documents, diary entries, letters, etc., focuses on Cody's and Ned's growing confidence, while gags like rose-scented troll farts keep the laughs coming.

Reviewer: Lauren Chambers