Morgan L. Busse's "Cry of the Raven" -- Ravenwood Saga, book 3

Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire's attacks. The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband's power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

At last! The epic conclusion to the Ravenwood Saga! I really enjoyed this series. Besides unique world-building, it has a fascinating story instilled with redemption and hope.

I loved that we got to see the powers of most of the other houses in action--whether the way Friere uses its connection with fire and earth, or Marek instilling courage in others, or the light-manifested weaponry of Luceras. And they got to ride the wyverns! (I've been hoping for this since book one--what's the point of one of the houses having super cool mounts if the main characters don't get to ride them at some point?)

I would have loved more of just about everything--more of the gifts of the other houses, more of the political complexity and tension between houses (for instance, just who was it in each house that employed the Ravenwoods' assassin skills? And on whom?), more of the Dominia Empire's motives, more Opheliana, more moments between Selene and Damien . . . but that said, it was certainly a swift-moving, engaging plot--hard to put the book down! And the ending with Lady Ragna was spot on, in my opinion.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Ravenwood Saga
1. Mark of the Raven
2. Flight of the Raven
3. Cry of the Raven

Jocelyn Green's "Veiled in Smoke" -- Windy City Saga, book 1

Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, who still suffers the aftereffects of being a POW in the Civil War. When fire sweeps through the city, separating them, they reunite, only to discover their father is being accused of murdering a family friend and has been imprisoned in an insane asylum.

As always, the author's historical detail is impeccable, from devastation of the Great Chicago Fire to the inhumane practices of the Cook County Insane Asylum to the atrocities of the prison camps on both sides of the Civil War. And they all tie together perfectly in Stephen Townsend, still suffering from a soldier's heart (PTSD), that is exacerbated by the fire.

I was glad that Meg was still able to make art after the fire, even if she couldn't manage the style that she had perfected previously. And her subject matter--juxtaposing the rich and poor, the broken and the rebuilding, and capturing the spirit of hope in the aftermath--that was beautiful to imagine.  But for all the hope in her artwork, the story still felt very melancholy to me, even (maybe especially) in the end. I was particularly sad to see a number of my suspicions prove true, and what it meant for characters I had wanted better for. As a vaguely spoiler-ish warning, it's not precisely a sad ending, but I wouldn't really call it a happy ending either, not for everyone.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

"On Wings of Devotion" by Roseanna M White - The Codebreakers, book 2

All of England thinks Phillip Camden a monster--a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But as nurse Arabelle Denler watches the so-dubbed "Black Heart" every day, she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. When their paths twist together and he declares himself her new protector, she realizes she has her own role to play in his healing. Phillip Camden would have preferred to die that day with his squadron rather than be recruited to the Admiralty's codebreaking division. When an old acquaintance shows up and seems set on using him in a plot that has the codebreakers of Room 40 in a frenzy, he may just get his wish--now when he has finally found something worth living for.

I really liked both main characters. Ara surprised me in that she is willing to be so real with her emotions (that was a glorious punch to the nose!), yet the moment she reins in her hurt and temper, she has such grace and forgiveness for those who don't deserve it, and she's forever stepping out in faith with. And through every grouchy, bad-tempered action, Camden is just begging someone to believe in him, even when he doesn't believe in himself. A classic bad boy in need of saving, though he thinks there's no hope of it. And my favorite supporting character goes to Ara's father--he may have his faults, but he's a delightful eccentric that would fit in with any number of Disney single dads.

Then, of course, there's the thrilling setting--WWI London, when Germans were still sneaking across the Channel to bomb the city; spies abounding, cryptographers madly working in secret to spur on the allies and foil the Central Powers. I enjoyed the Mata Hari-esque spy, though with her own special talents and weakness.

Cameos from previous books abound, both from the Ladies of the Manor series and Shadows Over England series; nothing that would require one to have read them first, though--it stands well on its own (though they are all worth reading.).  Highly recommended!

The Codebreakers (third chronologically)
1. The Number of Love
2. On Wings of Devotion
3. A Portrait of Loyalty

Relates series:

Ladies of the Manor (first chronologically)
1. The Lost Heiress
2. The Reluctant Duchess
3. A Lady Unrivaled

Shadows Over England (second chronologically)
1. A Name Unknown
2. A Song Unheard
3. An Hour Unspent

Codebreakers comes third chronologically

"The Land Beneath Us" by Sarah Sundin -- Sunrise Over Normandy, book 3

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the U.S. Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for—fulfilling the recurring dream of his death. Leah Jones, a sweet girl who becomes a friend, works as a librarian at Camp Forrest. After Clay saves her life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-Day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

It was great to finally see how the three Paxton brothers finally meet over D-Day and reconcile after years of hurt and unforgiveness. It was every bit as hard and rewarding as I anticipated! (Though I'd highly recommend reading books 1 and 2 before this one to get the most out of this story).

I really like how the characters related to biblical counterparts. Though Leah Jones doesn't have a Rachel in her life, she still feels like the unloved Leah: her adoptive parents dropped her off at the nearest orphanage once they ran out of use for her; she has only ever received out of charity, not love; and even her marriage exists not because she is loved, but rather because it's something good Clay can do before he goes off to die in war. And Clay sees himself as Joseph, despised by his brothers and thrown into a pit. Yet he comes to realize that though he is the youngest of the family, he holds a bit too much in common with the older brother of the prodigal son. Both analogies are surprisingly applicable.

As always, the author is unparalleled in conveying the details of WWII, even down to which Army Ranger Battalion and Airforce Fighter Group sailed together from the US to England. And if you want a story about the rough road to forgiveness, this is the one for you!

Thank you Revell for the complimentary book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Sunrise at Normandy
1. The Sea Before Us
2. The Sky Above Us
3. The Land Beneath Us