Like many of us, Mara is drifting through life, trying to figure out what she actually wants to “do”. Sick of sarcastic comments from her family members, she accepts a job from her cousin, working on his TV show, Haunt Sweet Home, where HGTV meets Ghost Hunters. Mara gets stuck with the night shift, creating … Continue reading Review: Haunt Sweet Home, by Sarah Pinsker (Tor Nightfire)
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: The Tainted Cup, by Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey)
The Tainted Cup is a highly entertaining combination of historical fantasy and murder mystery, with wonderful central characters. The book starts with a brutal, strange death of a high-ranking individual, seemingly speared by a tree in his own home. Enter the eccentric Ana Dolabra, a Sherlock-esque, reclusive investigator. Her newly employed assistant, Dinios Kol, is … Continue reading Review: The Tainted Cup, by Robert Jackson Bennett (Del Rey)
Review: The Butcher of the Forest, by Premee Mohamed (Tor)
I was incredibly impressed by Premee Mohamed’s short story collection, No One Will Come Back for Us, and The Butcher of the Forest has cemented my status as a Mohamed fan. It is a gripping novella, with a strong female protagonist, and some genuinely disturbing moments. Veris is summoned by the tyrannical ruler of the … Continue reading Review: The Butcher of the Forest, by Premee Mohamed (Tor)
Review: The Book of Love, by Kelly Link (Random House)
When I found out Kelly Link was writing a novel, I basically died. Those who have discovered the magic of Link’s short stories will understand my joy. Link hasn’t dipped her toes into novel-writing with a brief story; The Book of Love is over 600 pages long. Susannah, Mo, and Daniel have returned from the … Continue reading Review: The Book of Love, by Kelly Link (Random House)
Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
I fell in love with GennaRose Nethercott’s writing after reading her thrilling novel, Thistlefoot. As an avid reader of weird short stories, I grabbed Nethercott’s debut collection, Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, as soon as I could. Here are my favorites: Sundown at the Eternal Staircase - The opening story establishes the tone of … Continue reading Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
Review: The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years, by Shubnum Khan (Viking)
Another unexpected, unanticipated novel knocks me off my feet and crashes into my favorite novels list. The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years, the wonderfully-titled novel from South African writer Shubnum Khan, is perfect for fans of the gothic, with a hint of the supernatural. Jumping between 2014, and one hundred years earlier, we follow the … Continue reading Review: The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years, by Shubnum Khan (Viking)
Review: Thornhedge, by T. Kingfisher (Tor)
Whoops! I finished this audiobook in a day, completely by accident. Once I entered Toadling’s world, I couldn’t leave. And after such a short time with her, I am now bereft. T. Kingfisher nails it again with her latest novella, Thornhedge. Toadling guards a tower, the contents of which are not immediately apparent. She stands … Continue reading Review: Thornhedge, by T. Kingfisher (Tor)
Review: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill, by Rowenna Miller (Redhook)
I’ve read enough fantasy, and met enough sneaky fairies to know that one should never strike a bargain with the Fae. Something always goes wrong and you end up with a pink hare instead of pink hair, or something much worse. The residents of Prospect Hill don’t have any such qualms. After a rare successful … Continue reading Review: The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill, by Rowenna Miller (Redhook)
Review: Liar, Dreamer, Thief, by Maria Dong (Grand Central Publishing)
Maria Dong’s debut novel, Liar, Dreamer, Thief is a weird and thrilling modern mystery story, guaranteed to keep you guessing until the mind-bending conclusion. Our protagonist Katrina has a lot of issues. She has been disowned by her parents, is frequently late to a job she hates, displays OCD tendencies, and is stalking one of … Continue reading Review: Liar, Dreamer, Thief, by Maria Dong (Grand Central Publishing)
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