Throne of Glass

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Eighteen year old Celaena is an assassin feared by all. She is imprisoned in the salt mines of Endovier. Celaena grabs the attention of the King who is a cruel and evil ruler. He has offered her freedom if she becomes his champion. Celaena must fight for 4 years a total of 23 battles. The king is not the only evil presence in the castle. There is something evil and forgotten in the walls of the castle and killing off the other competitors. 

I think you will either love or hate this book. I really liked it. Celaena is a strong female character but she is a girly girl. She is a smart aleck with a diva personality and she kicks butt.

                                                                            

Shadows on the Moon

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott
Suzume is no ordinary 16 year old. She is a "shadow weaver," someone who can recreate or weave a new identity from her surroundings. Her life is pretty much perfect until her father and cousin are murdered. Shortly after her father's death her mother marries her father's best friend, Lord Terayma. Lord Terayma is a cold and ruthless man. Suzume starts to suspect that her new step dad may have had something to do with the murders of her family. She is bent on revenging their deaths but it will come at a price.

I liked this book, although at times it did drag. Suzume is far from perfect. She rides a roller coaster of emotion even considers suicide.Her emotions are real and raw and that's why I like this book.

Graceling

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

In Katsa’s world being “graced” is not gift it’s a curse. Those who are “graced” have a special gift and are marked by having two different eye colors. Katsa’s grace is she can fight, not only can she fight she is virtually invincible. This is a skill her uncle, the king, uses to keep his people in line. Katsa is forced to torture people who go against him. She tires of her uncle’s injustice and secretly forms the Council. Together with Prince Po, another Graceling, they plan to end her uncle’s ruthless tyranny.

This is not your typical fantasy book. The action is nonstop and keeps you engaged. Katsa is torn between having her grace and using it. You see her character grow throughout the book.