Archive for January, 2026

Climate of Chaos by Cassandra Newbould

Genre: Futuristic Fiction

In a post-apocalyptic Seattle, Fox and her sister, Rabbit, are trying to survive on the outskirts of the domed city. Everyone in the domed city has access to food and healthcare, in addition to protection from the volatile weather and deadly disease that is spreading from across the country. It’s hard to get inside, however, and Fox has tried to join a group working to get health supplies for those outside the dome. When her and Rabbit are sent on a mission to feign a medical issue in order to gain access to medicine they are required to provide a blood sample to get into the facility. Shortly afterward, Rabbit is whisked away by a select group of doctors and Fox is left to complete the mission. She gets back to the rally point before the storm hits, but Rabbit is nowhere to be found. After many hours, Fox realizes that something has happened and Rabbit is likely in trouble. Then, she sees Rabbit’s face on the tv as the new face of the upcoming vaccine that will supposedly save them all from a deadly spreading disease, but something feels off to Fox and she vows to get inside the dome to rescue her sister. The only way she can do that is by joining the trials to become a soldier. It is very grueling work, but she is determined to succeed and when she arrives at the trials she sees two of her friends have joined her as well. Can they all make it through the trials to become soldiers? Will they be able to find and (possibly) rescue Rabbit? Who is controlling all of the stringent government rules that leave many people without necessities? Do they know who is all on their side? What are they doing with Rabbit?

Fans of futuristic stories such as The Testing and Divergent will enjoy this title. The setting is unique, but described well so it’s easy to understand. The trials are exciting and dangerous and the longer they are there, the more they begin learning about what is going on inside the domes. There is still a lot they don’t know, however, and each time they try to find out more they are putting themselves in danger. There are several big twists in the story, but the last part is especially dramatic in more than one way. Fans will be clamoring for more in this exciting setting.

The Thorn Season by Kiera Azar

Genre: Fantasy

Alissa Paine lives in a world where it is illegal to be a wielder of magic and wholeborns (nonmagic people) actually hunt wielders. Alissa herself is secretly a wielder and has been protected by her noble father’s title and connections all these years. The Prince has taken an interest in Alissa, but she knows if he ever found out her power it would end badly for her so she is reluctant to join in the social season where the Prince is meant to find his Princess. However, when Alissa is kidnapped by wielders she finds herself thrust into the politics of her country and realizes she cannot hide forever. She finds herself at court torn between two different men, one the Prince and leader of the wholeborn cause and a foreign dignitary who is also a wielder. Can she find a way to help the wielders of her country without condeming herself? Can she find the man she can truly be herself with? Will she ever know who at court she can actually trust and who is just waiting to betray her?

This fantasy version of The Selection will delight fantasy readers until the end. Alissa is a strong, sympathetic character who is often put into terrible situations that seem impossible to get out of yet somehow she usually finds a way. She is not afraid to challenge the status quo, but sometimes her actions can have dire consequences. The supporting characters are all mysterious and intriguing in a way that helps the story develop and build to the exciting reveal of the climax. The reveal in the end will surprise even the most avid fantasy reader. There are still many adventures ahead for Alissa and readers will be waiting for the next installment. Recommended for fantasy and romance readers.


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