Author: Jody Hedlund.

Series: Waters of Time, Book 2.

Book Premise: Ellen Creighton has come to terms with the fact that she's dying from her terminal genetic disease, and has chosen to live out her remaining days at her friend Harrison's estate. Harrison, who is in a wheelchair after a childhood accident, has never allowed himself to get into a serious relationship, but has secretly loved Ellen for years and doesn't want to lose her. So he goes searching for the mysterious holy water that supposedly cures every illness and injury. Ellen believes that the water is poison after losing her father and sister to it. However, when she witnesses the miraculous effect it has on Harrison, she feels hope again. In addition to healing, could the holy water send her back in time? Could she see Marian, if she's still alive in the Middle Ages? And maybe, just maybe, find love?

Reading Level/Genre: Fantasy/sci-fi, romance, historical, Christian. Ages 15+ for romance and themes of terminal illness.

Profanity: None.

Violence: Ellen feels pain from a tumor in her back. Abductions, threats of violence, a gun, mild description of a tapestry with a war scene. Ellen sees a man who has been hung, minimal description. A few mentions of murder. A woman gives birth, semi descriptive. Mentions of wounds and some blood. Seizures, falls, memory loss, and other ailments related to terminal illness also come up. An earthquake happens. Guards are stabbed with minimal description. Mentions of treatments, surgery, hospice care, and terminal illness.

Spice Level: Some physical touch (i.e. hugging, hand holding, being close). Harrison and Ellen are teased about their relationship by an older couple on a cruise. A few kisses, up to semi-descriptive. Ellen is ogled by a man in medieval times, and she worries he will violate her. Mentions of revealing clothes. Appearances are admired. Talk of consummating a marriage. Harrison and Ellen are married in medieval times and sleep in the same bed a few times.

Faith Elements: Ellen says the Serenity Prayer, which comes up several times throughout the book. Mentions of saints, priests, and churches. Ellen recalls feeling abandoned by God while she was dying of VHL.

Additional Content: Wine is consumed at a fancy dinner. Characters are accused of witchcraft.

My Take: Never Leave Me is now my favorite in this series! Ellen's character experienced quite a bit of growth, gradually but definitely noticeable. It left me reflecting on the past 368 pages of her story. Harrison was the perfect guy for her. He was so respectful and kind, which I preferred over William's callousness and desperation for a wife in the previous book. Great Christian read for medieval fans!

Author: Jody Hedlund.

Series: Waters of Time, Book 1.

Book Premise: Scientist Marian Creighton has never understood her father's theories about mysterious holy water that can cure any ailment, even terminal genetic diseases like the one her sister, Ellen, suffers from. Then he falls into a mysterious coma after drinking a substance that might be derived from the Tree of Life mentioned in the Bible. Everything he left behind suggests that he might have traveled back in time. She doesn't believe it for a minute. Until she tries it herself, fueled by the hope of finding a cure for Ellen, and finds herself in the Middle Ages. To protect from the dangerous members of The Peasants' Revolt, a knight named William protects her, by marrying him. Marian isn't about to let anything distract her from finding her father and the holy water, but will she want to return to the present when that time comes?

Reading Level/Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, historical, Christian, romance. Ages 15+ for romance and themes of terminal illness.

Profanity: None.

Violence: Marian is the victim of attempted robbery, and isn't hurt. A side character is shot at, but the bullet only grazes him. Marian is beaten for a crime she didn't commit, with minor descriptions of pain. She has to be escorted from a city because of dangerous men, which leads her to wonder if women have been sexually assualted or killed leaving the city. William has a flashback of seeing his brother's dead body, barely detailed. He also gets stabbed later on, and there's a mention of blood and torn muscles, but it isn't gory.

Spice Level: Marian admires William's muscles a few times, and he likewise admires her figure once or twice. Kissing (more frequently towards the end of the book) up to semi-descriptive. William desires to consummate his marriage to Marian, but she doesn't want to because she is on a mission and likely won't stay in the Middle Ages. A few peasants make jokes about the "marriage bed" before William and Marian get married. Marian pushes William away a few times when his hugging and kissing make her uncomfortable, not very descriptive.

Faith Elements: The Tree of Life is from the Bible, and Marian's father studied Scripture to learn more about it. She prays for safety, noting that she hasn't prayed in a while. There are many visits to cathedrals and mentions of historical saints.

Additional Content: Ellen suffers from VHL, an uncurable genetic disease that causes tumors to grow throughout the body, which her mom died from. Marian wonders how she'll handle her period in the Middle Ages if it starts, since there aren't modern supplies. A character has had many miscarriages.

My Take: This series has been on my TBR for a long time, and I was so pleased with Book 1! The fantasy/sci-fi arc coupled with an enemies-to-lovers romantic plot was perfection. I appreciated that Marian's mission remained the central point of the story, and didn't get thrown on the back burner when she met William, which can occur with some books like this. Jody Hedlund did an awesome job with the characters' emotions and their development, it invested me and felt like I was a part of the story! Easily a 5-star read.

Author: Alissa J. Zavalianos.

Series: The Chronicles of Chaera, Book 1.

Book Premise: After being abandoned by her first love, a young sea maiden named Merri trades her voice for a pair of legs. Just as she's becoming accustomed to human life, all young women in the kingdom are sent away in order to protect the prince from a terrible prophecy. Meanwhile, Prince Olivander is about to claim the throne, but never gets the chance. All of a sudden, he is cursed to forget everything he ever knew, while everyone else in turn forgets about him. And in a small town in Wales, a lighthouse keeper named Jac keeps having strange dreams about a world he doesn't know, a sea maiden, and a prince. Something sinister is afoot, and Merri, Jac, and Olivander must fight the darkness that threatens to destroy them. In this YA fantasy novel that gives off Little Mermaid and Chronicles of Narnia vibes, you'll be transported to the magical world of Chaera, and cheer for the characters until the very end.

Reading Level/Genre: Fantasy, fairy tale retelling, romance, young adult, Christian. Great for ages 14+ due to a little romance and some fantasy violence.

Profanity: A few uses of "heck" and "dang," but no swearing.

Violence: Not very graphic. Some blood and bruises, and a hideous sea monster (which appears at the end), and a battle, which doesn't get super gory. Merri wakes up after being given her legs to find that her tongue is gone, and there is a little blood.

Spice Level: A romantic plot which doesn't extend beyond some brief kissing. Some romantic dialogue appears in letters at the end of the book.

Faith Elements: This book is full of Christian themes. Prayer and discussions of faith are prevalent, and God's protection is mentioned dozens of times. In Chaera, He is known as "Esias," so both names are used.

Additional Content: A character steals a book, but returns it and apologizes.

My Take: Best book I've read this year so far! Can't say enough good things about it. It reminds me of the many great fantasy literature works, all while staying original and unique. And by the way, girl readers, you might just finish this with a crush on Jac *wink.*

Author: Serena Valentino.

Series: Villains, Book 1.

Book Premise: After watching a classic Disney movie like, say, Snow White, have you ever wondered about the other side of the story? As in, the villain's side? Fairest of All explores the origin story of the Wicked Queen, and how she might just have a little good in her after all.

Reading Level/Genre: Fantasy/fairy tale, young adult, mystery. Ages 14 and older.

Profanity: Avoids strong language.

Violence: Some mild violence, which can be slightly descriptive.

Spice Level: Not spicy at all, one kissing scene.

Faith Elements: Aside from fairy-tale magic, there are none.

Additional Content: None.

My Take: I loved this book! It was suspenseful and kept me turning the page for more. Definitely a book for fairy tale nerds!

Author: Kiera Cass.

Book Premise: Princess Annika lives the seemingly ordinary life of a second-born royal. However, she is doomed to a marriage of convenience by her father-one she doesn't want, with a duke she doesn't love. When she is taken captive by a band of rebels, Annika meets one of their handsome leaders, Lennox, and can't erase him from her mind when she is freed. But pursuing forbidden love has its consequences. What happens next will change the world Annika knows forever.

Reading Level/Genre: Fantasy, romance, young adult, action/adventure. Suitable for ages 15+ due to some violence and romantic themes.

Profanity: One use of the h-word. Other than that the language is clean.

Violence: Many battle scenes with occasional mentions of blood, but isn't graphic otherwise.

Spice Level: Some kissing and romantic dialogue, but it never goes beyond that.

Faith Elements: Several mentions of prayer and "having faith," but is isn't clear what religion the characters follow.

Additional Content: Annika doesn't have the best relationship with her father, the king, who can be very controlling.

My Take: My favorite Kiera Cass book that I've read so far! The perfect blend of romance and adventure. A tad slow at first, but as the book went along, I was on the edge of my seat at the end of each chapter! And I loved the happy, fairy tale ending!

Author: Kiera Cass.

Series: The Betrothed, Book 2.

Book Premise: Fleeing Coroa under the cover of darkness, Lady Hollis Eastoffe leaves everything she's ever known, including the memory of her first love, Silas. Little does she know that she's walking into a proverbial uprising. King Quentin of Isolte is becoming more tyrannical by the minute, and the country's people are in danger. Hollis knows that she's painting a target on her back by even being there, but she won't settle down until she can find the justice her family deserves.

Reading Level/Genre: Fantasy, romance, young adult, action/adventure. Suitable for ages 13+ due to some romantic themes.

Profanity: No swearing.

Violence: A few battle scenes that aren't very graphic or gory.

Spice Level: A small romantic plot with some (not descriptive) kissing.

Faith Elements: Though the specific religion isn't defined, there are multiple mentions of prayer, holy men, and a temple.

Additional Content: None.

My Take: Fantastic sequel to The Betrothed. This book was much more action-packed and exciting than the first, though I still love both. Definitely read this!

Author: Chris Colfer.

Series: The Land of Stories, Book 1.

Book Premise: Alex and Conner Bailey have lost their dad in a tragic car accident, and their mom is trying hard to keep them afloat. The one thing that makes their sadness and fear go away is their grandmother. One day, when she comes to visit, she gives Alex the nostalgic fairy tale book the children grew up with. But when Alex finds out that the book is also a portal to a fairy tale world, things get messy. Conner follows his sister, and they soon find themselves in a house with a giant frog, Cinderella's castle, and fighting an Evil Queen.

Reading Level/Genre: Fantasy and fairy tales. Written for ages 10-14.

Profanity: The dialogue is very clean.

Violence: In a fairy tale, not gory or graphic, fashion.

Spice Level: With infrequent flirty dialogue and kisses.

Faith Elements: The book is full of innocent, fairy tale magic, with a battle of good versus evil. Nothing too dark or demonic.

Additional Content: None.

My take: An exciting, awesome start to a series that will leave you wanting more!

Author: Kiera Cass.

Series: The Betrothed, Book 1.

Book Premise: Lady Hollis Brite is shocked and excited when King Jameson of Coroa asks for her hand in marriage. It's a one in a million chance, one that dozens of other young women she grew up with also hoped for. With her parents and maid, Delia Grace, Hollis moves to the palace to prepare for the wedding. But the life of a Coroan royal isn't all it's cracked up to be. Hollis meets a handsome foreigner, and soon finds herself pulled between marrying the king or the nobleman from Isolte.

Reading Level/Genre: Young adult (13+) fantasy and romance.

Profanity: None.

Violence: There is one, not very graphic fighting scene towards the end of the book.

Spice Level: A few brief kisses and flirty dialogue sprinkled throughout the book.

Faith Elements: Not defined what religion the Coroans follow. There are multiple references to monasteries and holy men. God is also mentioned when two characters exchange wedding vows.

Additional Content: There are a few references to a miscarriage.

My Take: I've heard mixed things about Kiera Cass's books, but this one was great! By far one of the cleanest fantasy books I've read. There was plenty of action without feeling chaotic, and a satisfying romantic plot. The author set it up for a sequel, which I will totally be looking into!