Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Orphan Alina Starkov rather enjoys being an ordinary soldier in her country's war against the dark magic that created a rift in the land. The Shadow Fold is a swath of blackness patrolled by brutal flying volcras - Alina and her best friend Mal are sent on a mission to cross it with an army convoy. When they are attacked, in trying to protect Mal, Alina unleashes a power she had no idea she possessed. From that moment on, her life is changed - she is summoned to begin training as a Grisha under the tutelage of the Darkling himself. This unique and suspenseful story of a young woman with newly-discovered frightening powers is a must-read for fantasy romance fans - hold onto your kefta for this one!

 

Dodger by Terry Pratchett

This book was great! Starring the inimitable Dodger, presumably of Oliver Twist fame, this historical action/adventure/mystery/romance is set in Victorian London, and has everything to recommend it as an entertaining, informative, and exciting read. Dodger is a tosher - someone who makes a living roaming the sewers of London looking for money, jewelry, and anything else of value. He pops out of a manhole one stormy night just in time to rescue a young woman who is being brutally beaten by a pair of thugs. His acquaintance with the badly injured and mysterious Simplicity leads him on a great adventure during which he meets the likes of Charlie Dickens, Ben Disraeli, and Sweeney Todd, among other celebrities of the day. Sir Terry Pratchett works his distinctive literary magic to create a tale that keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat, picking up a bit of interesting British history along the way.