#NetGalley Book Review: Fledgling by Molly Harper

This is another fun adventure filled with magic and mystery.
Fledgling
by Molly Harper

File Size: 3440 KB
Print Length: 267 pages
Publisher: NYLA (July 23, 2019)
ASIN: B07SPGBSRW
Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

“Molly Harper’s Changeling is masterful fantasy—a spunky Cinderella story with a heroine who’s equal parts compassion, determination, and pure magical delight.” —Rachel Vincent, author of the Soul Screamers series and The Stars Never Rise, on Changeling
Days away from completing her first year at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies, Changeling-born Sarah Smith might just get away with posing as an upper-class Guardian girl named Cassandra Reed.
But strange visions of a Lightbourne destroyed by Miss Morton’s revenant army keep Sarah from enjoying her achievement. Plus, the Mother Book, Sarah’s one secret advantage and the ultimate entrée in Guardian society, suddenly stops revealing itself to her…putting her in a precarious position with the Guild. On top of all that, her former lady’s maid left Miss Castwell’s, and the new hire is, well, taking some getting used to.
If it weren’t for her two best friends, Alicia McCray and Ivy Cowel, who will do anything to protect her secret, Sarah doesn’t know if she’ll make it another year. When the three girls take summer holiday with Alicia’s family (chaperoned by an exacting and very disapproving Mrs. McCray), a relaxing vacation in Scotland is the last thing they’ll find.
Mrs. Winter is thrilled that Sarah is spending time with the influential McCray family, but Sarah can’t help but feel that her real purpose is to find other Changeling children like her, and free them to realize their own magic. Can she find genuine satisfaction in her accomplishments when she knows there are others like her out there who need her help? Will the three girls uncover the deeply-held secrets they’re looking for in the mysterious mountains of Scotland? Will the Mother Book finally start talking to her again? And will Sarah come to understand the importance of her connection with Ivy and Alicia, and the true nature of her own power…before it’s too late?

Review:
Sarah was born a Snipe expected to remain in the serving class like her parents. But she possesses magical skills that only the Guardian class are supposed to have. Her parents’ employer, society influencer, Mrs. McCray, took Sarah on and transferred her into a Guardian girl, presenting her to society as a niece, Cassandra Reed. (Book One Changling.)

Sarah/Cassandra has almost completed her first year at the elite Guardian school, Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies. This term she has strengthen her friendship with Ivy and Alicia. She has also made other friendships with a ‘room’ study group while she waits for the Mother Book to talk to her again.

Sarah discovers someone else who may have a surprising connection to the Mother Book. That reminds her that she needs to intensify her efforts to locate other Changling Children who have powers like her. Sarah discovers a location for a training school of Changling Children and she, Ivy and Alicia make plans to visit the place during summer holidays.

They will have to be creative to escape Alicia’s strict mother and to stay away from other threats. Their adventures are filled with magic and tension.

This is a good sequel to the first book. I enjoyed Sarah’s quick thinking in times of danger. She tries to protect her friends, not realizing how much she needs their help. The strong loving friendship of the young women is engaging. I am interested to see what will happen in the next book. I recommend reading the books in order and enjoying the adventures.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Audible Book Review: Changeling: A Novel of Sorcery and Society by Molly Harper

This was a fun, easy listen.

Changeling: A Novel of Sorcery and Society
by Molly Harper
Narrated by Amanda Ronconi

Series: Sorcery and Society, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-22-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Action & Adventure, Children, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
If 14-year-old Cassandra Reed makes it through her first day at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies without anyone discovering her secret, maybe, just maybe, she’ll let herself believe that she really does belong at Miss Castwell’s. Except Cassandra Reed’s real name is Sarah Smith and up until now, she lived her whole life in the Warren, serving a magical family, the Winters, as all non-magical “Snipes” are bound by magical Guardian law to do. That is, until one day, Sarah accidentally levitates Mrs. Winter’s favorite vase in the parlor....
But Snipes aren’t supposed to have magical powers...and the existence of a magical Snipe threatens the world order dictated during the Guardians’ Restoration years ago. If she wants to keep her family safe and protect her own skin, Sarah must figure out how to fit into posh Guardian society, master her newfound magical powers, and discover the truth about how an ordinary girl can become magical.
©2018 Molly Harper White (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Cassandra is part of a non-magical “Snipe” family. The Snipes have few freedoms and few choices as they are assigned to work for the Guardian families. One day Cassandra surprises her employer by using strong magic. Rather than being angry, Mrs. Winter embraces Cassandra and creates an alias for her as a family cousin so she can be sent for training to Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies.

Cassandra, now known as Sarah, arrives at the school with stigma as an unknown. Even the headmistress, a friend of Mrs. Winter, is reluctant to accept Sarah. However, when Sarah is sent for a basic tour of the library a startling event occurs. The premiere magic book responded to Sarah, breaking through its glass cover to brand her as the first translator in over a hundred years. There are other loner students who might befriend Sarah but she is scooped up by the elite, ‘popular’ student who intimidates the ‘lesser’ girls. Sarah is struggling to balance her non-magical upbringing with the expectations of her substitute family and the upper society of the Guardian class she has been pushed into. She faces the danger of being exposed but there is an even greater danger stalking her on the campus grounds.

I liked that this is a gaslight, Victorian story with a touch of young romance rather than a sexually on-the-edge romance. I really liked the friends that Sarah rallied with. I enjoyed the conflict, the mystery and the suspense. It has the wonderful Molly Harper humor but there are editing issues and plot gaps that need fixing. I recommend this to readers who enjoy light, fun paranormal.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi brings her excellent narration skills to this fun story. I liked the voices she provided to help the story come alive. I am glad I listened to the audio version.

Source: 2/20/19 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

If you are looking for a quick, fun listen, this fits the bill.
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs
Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1
By: Molly Harper
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 02-19-10
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed $25 in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead. And thanks to the mysterious stranger she met while chugging neon-colored cocktails, she wakes up with a decidedly unladylike thirst for blood.
Jane is now the latest recipient of a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, and her life-after-lifestyle is taking some getting used to. Her recently deceased favorite aunt is now her ghostly roommate. She has to fake breathing and endure daytime hours to avoid coming out of the coffin to her family. She's forced to forgo her favorite down-home Southern cooking for bags of O negative. Her relationship with her sexy, mercurial vampire sire keeps running hot and cold. And if all that wasn't enough, it looks like someone in Half Moon Hollow is trying to frame her for a series of vampire murders. What's a nice undead girl to do?
Love in vein: bite into more of Jane Jameson's paranormal exploits.
©2009 Molly Harper White (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Nice girl, librarian Jane is having a drinking pity party over losing her job. When she leaves the bar, her car breaks down and she falls into a ditch. A good ole’ boy drives by and shoots her thinking she is a deer. She is left for dead in the ditch but wakes up in a nice bed. She is surprised to be alive but even more surprised to discover she is now part of the undead!

Jane met a tall dark and handsome man, Gabriel, at the bar. Now he has become her sire and he finds her sense of innocence fascinating. Jane’s fresh new looks are attracting other men and apparently raising some jealousy.

Jane is stumbling through the etiquette of the undead as she has a lot to learn very quickly. She is called in front of the Vampire Council within just a day or two for a murder of a man she fought with. It appears someone is setting her up to take a fall.

Attacks and accusations keep mounting as Jane tries to figure out what is going on. Meanwhile she is dodging her parents so she doesn’t have to disclose her new secret. Jane may not get to enjoy her extended life if she doesn’t find the person giving her trouble. But she may be more unhappy than expected when she finally learns the truth.

The story, told in Jane’s self-deprecating voice, is full of humor and sly fun. Jane is an amusing character and the dialog is full of dry wit. Although there is some romance, it is not openly sexual. Molly Harper has a wonderful ability to share this type of light entertainment in her stories. This was a quick listen with the usual fun Molly Harper snark. I recommend this author and this story to readers who like a fun, light read that will make them laugh.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi does a wonderful job with the narration. You can just envision the eye rolls and hear the snark that fits the main character. The narration added to my enjoyment of a fun story.

This was on my Audible shelf since 2012. It qualified for my 2017 TBR and Audiobook challenges.

Audible Book Review: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas by Molly Harper

This is a quick, fun and sassy listen that is a lovely free audio!

Free: I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas

Written by: Molly Harper

Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi

Length: 3 hrs and 43 mins 

Series: Half-Moon Hollow, Book 2.5

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:12-05-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
It's Christmas in Half-Moon Hollow and newly turned vampire Iris Scanlon-Calix wants to make Gigi's first visit home from college as normal and special as possible. It's taken months for Iris to work up the nerve to spend time around her baby sister after her vampire transition, so she enlists help from Jane Jameson and Company to keep her blood-thirst under control and assure Gigi's safety. Gigi, on the other hand, has problems of her own, including the demise of her relationship with high school sweetheart, Ben, and a looming job interview with Ophelia Lambert, the scariest potential employer in the Hollow. And then there's the small matter of the handsome, frustrating vampire who keeps appearing in Gigi's peripheral vision, then disappearing before she can talk to him. Can the Scanlon sisters negotiate romantic problems, vampire politics, and Christmas cookie disasters and enjoy a relatively normal holiday?
©2013 Molly Harper (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Gigi comes home from college to spend Christmas Holidays with her sister, Iris, a newly turned vampire. Iris has been afraid to be around Gigi so she gathers many family friends to help out. Most of the friends at home are supernatural, either vampire or werewolf. They all - well mostly all - care for both Iris and Gigi and are glad to support the reunion. The one awkward situation might be with Ophilia, the icy, leader of the vampires and possibly Gigi’s soon to be boss. Gigi’s computer skills would be a great asset to the vampires but Iris will be furious if Gigi takes the job that will not only require a ‘till death’ type of commitment but will also expose Gigi to danger...even more than she is now.

While home Gigi hopes to figure out how break up with her long time boyfriend, Ben, whom she cares for but “not in that way.” Between cooking accidents, juggling new and old family traditions and coping with the emotional issues of her relationships, Gigi keeps getting glimpses of a vampire with golden, flashing eyes. She thinks he may be a phantom even after an up close and personal kissing encounter.

I have not read this Half-Moon Hollow series but I find that Molly Harper stories have a wonderful underlying humor with pleasing, and sometimes wacky, characters. This short audio fits the formula and makes for a really fun Christmas visit with these characters. Although short, the story has a little bit of intrigue, a hint of danger and plenty of warm camaraderie. I will keep the series in mind when I am looking for some light, fun action and warm romance. This is a quick, fun listen that is a lovely free gift.

Audio Notes: Amanda Ronconi does a great job narrating. She picks up different accents and conveys the proper sense of the situations, including the snark and affection. It seems to me that certain narrators fit well with certain stories or authors and Ronconi seems to be an excellent fit with Harper. Her narration makes the reading/listening more fun for me.

I had selected this at NetGalley but then, to my delight, found it as a free audio at Audible.

Audible Book Review: How to Flirt With a Naked Werewolf

This is a fun listen with quirky characters, some mystery and a sexy romance.

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf

• UNABRIDGED
• by Molly Harper
• Narrated by Amanda Ronconi

Gerne:  Paranormal Romance, Comedy
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Even in Grundy, Alaska, its unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham,who has been openly critical of Mo's ability to adapt to life in Alaska, has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, its love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, hes worried that he might be the violent canine in question.

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if hes not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated.

Review:
Mo is a girl after my own heart. She is strong and determined. She has moved to Alaska to make a break from a broken engagement and her very hippy and controlling parents. She didn’t plan to work right away but somehow steps right into working as a short order cook at the local gathering diner.

Mo is attracted to the sulky, quite guy in the place, Cooper, even though he makes it clear he doesn’t think she’ll make it past the first winter. Since Cooper wants to remain sullen and stand-offish, Mo goes out with  Park Ranger, Alan, who is a really nice guy but doesn’t give her shivers like Cooper. As Mo puts it ‘Cooper was caramel triple chocolate cheesecake deep fired on a stick. Alan was angel food cake, sweet and wholesome and nothing you’d regret.’

Mo suspects there is something really different about Cooper and then she learns it for sure when he shows up on her porch naked with a bear trap around his ankle.  Cooper takes Mo home to meet his pack when he is summoned because his grandfather is so ill.  The pack is at odds because Cooper is the Alpha but he is running from the responsibility. His sister is furious with him and attacks him whenever they are near to each other.

There is trouble in town because several people have been injured or killed by a wolf. Mo is sure that Cooper is not the wolf who is attacking people but he isn’t sure of himself so again he backs away from her rather than risk hurting her.

I really enjoyed the push, pull of the romance between Cooper and Mo with the added tension of conflict from Alan’s interest in Mo. The author gives good development of the characters and interesting wolf-pack dynamic as a family struggling under traditional rules. There is plenty of fun dialog and phrasing that had me chuckling out loud. This isn’t fast paced action but it moves along well with a good mix of romance and mystery.

The narrator did a really nice job of catching the quirkiness of the characters and I would enjoy more from both the author and the narrator.  I recommend this if you want a light fun read or  listen.

 I selected this on Audible because it looked like fun and also because it was on the Recommended Reading Challenge list.  I will link it to Alaska for Where are you Reading Map, and on the Recommended Reading and New Author Challenges.