The Night Guest is a short, sparse story set in Reykjavík, Iceland. Iðunn, our central character, wakes up each morning exhausted and covered in mysterious injuries. It is only when she starts tracking her steps that she realizes she is not only sleepwalking, but covering miles every night. Iðunn also begins an ill-advised relationship with … Continue reading Review: The Night Guest, by Hildur Knútsdóttir, translated by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor Nightfire)
Review: Flowers from the Void, by Gianni Washington (Clash Books)
I am not exaggerating when I say about five stories into this collection, I reached out to the writer, Gianni Washington, and told her the stories in Flowers from the Void were “Stephen King-level great”. This is one collection worth getting excited about, my fellow short story lovers. One of the many things I loved … Continue reading Review: Flowers from the Void, by Gianni Washington (Clash Books)
Review: Vague Prophecies and Predictions, by Daisuke Shen (Clash Books)
Yay for weird short story collections! Daisuke Shen’s debut collection is full of uncanny oddities. Here are some of my favorites: The Pasture - This opening story truly kicks the door down. A group of awful young boys commit mild terror. They encounter a strange pasture of women, and it does not end well. Such … Continue reading Review: Vague Prophecies and Predictions, by Daisuke Shen (Clash Books)
Review: Mothballs, by Sole Otero (Fantagraphics)
Mothballs is a powerful graphic novel about secret family histories, conflicts between generations, and forming one’s own identity despite societal expectations. Nineteen-year-old Rocio’s grandmother Vilma dies, and Rocio inherits her house. Rocio’s relationship with her grandmother was strained; Rocio’s interest in photography, as well as other things, angered Vilma. As Rocio considers her own future, … Continue reading Review: Mothballs, by Sole Otero (Fantagraphics)
Review: A Sorceress Comes to Call, by T. Kingfisher (Tor)
I think I’ve probably said this before, but I am a T. Kingfisher loyalist, and she never disappoints. I especially love her fairy tale novels (Nettle and Bone, Thornhedge), so I was very excited for A Sorceress Comes to Call, a retelling of Grimm story, The Goose Girl. Once again, Kingfisher has created a world … Continue reading Review: A Sorceress Comes to Call, by T. Kingfisher (Tor)
Review: Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant, by Stephanie Kiser (Sourcebooks)
Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant is an insightful, heartfelt account of writer Kiser’s years spent as a nanny for some rich New York families. Kiser moved to New York with her friend after graduating college, and is enamored by the generous paycheck nannying can provide. But she soon discovers the real cost to her health, friendships, … Continue reading Review: Wanted: Toddler’s Personal Assistant, by Stephanie Kiser (Sourcebooks)
Review: Pearl, by Siân Hughes (Knopf)
Initially released in 2023, and long-listed for the prestigious Booker prize, Sian Hughes’ gorgeous novel, Pearl, is being re-released by Knopf. Marianne narrates the novel as an adult, returning to the Cheshire village in which she grew up for a yearly ritual/celebration called The Wakes. Hers has been a troubled life, her mother went missing … Continue reading Review: Pearl, by Siân Hughes (Knopf)
Review: Ghost Station, by S.A. Barnes (Tor Nightfire)
S.A Barnes made a huge impact with her debut space horror novel, Dead Silence, and now we’re returning to the terrifying void for more terrors with Ghost Station. Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray is assigned to work with a small space exploration crew, to study a condition called ERS, which is kind of like whatever Jack … Continue reading Review: Ghost Station, by S.A. Barnes (Tor Nightfire)
Review: Smothermoss, by Alisa Alering (Tin House)
Siblings Sheila and Angie live with their aging great-aunt and mother in a rural Appalachian community. Older sister Sheila endures relentless bullying at school, and is essentially in charge of the house while her mother works long shifts at a nearby asylum. Sheila is also haunted by a strange rope around her neck, which no … Continue reading Review: Smothermoss, by Alisa Alering (Tin House)
Review: Incidents Around the House, by Josh Malerman (Del Rey)
First off, Incidents Around the House is an incredible title. I think I’d probably read a book with that title regardless of who wrote it. But the fact that it’s the latest Josh Malerman novel just adds to the excitement. Our narrator is Bela, an eight-year-old girl who lives with her Mommy and Daddo. AND … Continue reading Review: Incidents Around the House, by Josh Malerman (Del Rey)
California Reading 