12 Science Fiction, Dystopian, & Fantasy Books for July 2021

What's your favorite type of escape reading for hot summer days? I go for either speculative fiction or crime fiction. In today's roundup, I'm sharing some of the science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian books that caught my eye this month. I've already read some of them (reviews to come) and haven't been disappointed yet. All of the following books will be available in July.

The short descriptions are based on the publishers' summaries or from my own impressions, and I've included audiobook information. Thanks to the publishers for the review copies (either print, digital or audio).

Science Fiction Meets Mystery/Thriller

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry (Putnam): Set in an alternate New York City. A space/time-traveling serial killer is perused by the journalist who was assigned to report on the murder of Madison May. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Helen Laser.

Midnight Water City by Chris McKinney (Soho Crime): First in a science fiction noir trilogy. A kind of police procedural set in the not-so-distant future involving the murder of a space scientist and the detective who will stop at nothing to solve the case. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Richard Ferrone.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (Daw). Set on a space ship. A behavioral psychologist attempts to save her fellow crew members from a mysterious mental breakdown that begins to manifest after the ship was hit by a radiation storm. The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Catherine Ho.

It's a Dystopian World

Appleseed by Matt Bell (Custom House). Set in an alternative North America with sci-fi, historical fiction, and fantasy elements. In the past, two brothers plant apple trees in the territories slated for colonists; in the near future, a group of people are devoted to the rewilding of the continent; in the far future an AI being makes a startling discovery. The themes include climate change, survival, and humankind's relationship to the environment. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Mark Bramhall.

Council of Animals by Nick McDonell, illustrated by by Steven Tabbutt (Henry Holt): Set in the future when humans are almost extinct thanks to pandemics, climate change, and more. The fate of the remaining people are in the "hands" of the animals. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by the author.

East Asian Roots

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Tordotcom): This hopepunk novel is set on a moon. A tea monk travels the wilderness offering solace to those they talk to; when they cross paths with a sentient robot, the two begin a series of discussions about the nature of humankind and what people need. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Emmett Grosland.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (Tor Books): Set in an alternative ancient China. This is a reimagining of the founding of the Ming Dynasty with a young woman, who must pass as male, at the center. The audiobook (Macmillan Audio) is read by Natalie Naudus.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim (Knopf BYR): Based on Asian folklore and Western fairy tales. This is the story of a banished and silenced princess who must find a way to save both her cursed brothers and her repressed kingdom. The audiobook (Listening Library) is read by Emily Woo Zeller.

A Return to Camelot

Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian (Ace): A retelling of the Arthurian legend from the point of view of Elaine, the Lady of Shalott. The audiobook (Penguin Audio) is read by Ell Potter.

Sword Stone Table edited by Swapna Krishan and Jenn Northington (Vintage): A collection of reimaginings of Arthurian tales from a variety of perspectives, times, and places, emphasizing diversity in its many forms. The audiobook (Random House Audio) is read by a stellar cast of narrators.

Strong Young Women

Red Wolf by Rachel Vincent (HarperTeen): A fairy tale retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" in which the wolves have a surprisingly different role to play and a young woman must decide her fate and that of her community. The audiobook (Harper Audio) is read by Taylor Meskimen.

What We Devour by Linsey Miller (Sourcebooks Fire): A young woman is caught between believing what she’s always been taught--that the rulers of her land are evil--and an alternative view presented by the crown prince himself. Down which path will she find the salvation of her land? The audiobook (Recorded Books) is read by Amy Scanlon.

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Late Winter Reading: Part II

Here's the promised second part of what I read in February and March. (For Part I, see my earlier post.) As before, I present the books in the order I read or listened to them and have taken the text from thoughts I posted on GoodReads. "AFM" means I reviewed the audiobook for AudioFile Magazine, and you'll find my review of the audiobook production there.

I have no idea why I was suddenly attracted to books about women during World War II; I read three nonfiction and two fictionalized accounts.

All but one of the books were provided by the publisher in one or more forms (digital, auido, print). Thanks too to Libro.fm.

Dark Horses by Susan Mihalic (Gallery, Peb. 2021): Kind of a domestic thriller and coming-of-age mashup. Roan is an Olympic-class equestrian athlete who is coached by her father, who is also a world-famous equestrian. Her fans and friends think her life is blessed, but what they don't know is that her father is controlling and physically and sexually abusive. This is the story of how Roan negotiates the mine field of her life, trying to find a clear path to the other side.

The book is a little difficult to read because of the tough subject matter, but the information about equestrian riding and training is interesting and provides welcome breaks, and the complexities of Roan's feelings are well done. (AFM)

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis (Katherine Tegen, Feb. 2021): I'm a fan of McGinnis's, and this creepy, twisty book didn't disappoint. In this retelling of Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado," teenage Tress seeks revenge and information from her ex-best friend, Felicity, who was the last person to see Tress's parents before they disappeared. McGinnis also provides a look at what might happen when contemporary teenagers party unsupervised, except by social media. I can't wait for the second book in the duology.

The audiobook is nicely read by Lisa Flanagan, Brittany Pressley, and Tim Campbell. Flanagan and Pressley read the sections told from Tress's and Felicity's viewpoints, each perfectly capturing her character's personality. Campbell reads the sections told from the point of view of a panther (I won't say more, so as to avoid spoilers), and does a great job with the free verse.

The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck (Berkley, Feb. 2021): Robuck's latest historical fiction introduces us to Virginia Hall, who overcame a number of hurdles to become a key player in the French resistance during World War II. Despite being a woman, being American, and needing a wooden leg (the result of an accident), she was sent to Occupied France by the British government to gather information, transmit messages, arrange supply drops, and aid the resistance.

I had never heard of Virginia Hall, who earlier served in the diplomatic core and later in the CIA. Even if you think you're over WWII stories, this one is very much worth your while. (AFM)

The Power Couple by Alex Berenson (Simon & Schuster, Feb. 2021): A very twisty thriller with some political and domestic aspects. Rebecca, a CIA operative, is married to Brian, a tech expert who recently sold a gambling app for buckets of money. To celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary and their new wealth, they decide to take a family trip to Europe. While in Barcelona, their college-aged daughter, Kira, sneaks out to have a drink with a guy she met the day before. She never comes home. A day or so later, her parents receive a ransom note.

The story, told alternately from Rebecca's, Brian's, and Kira's perspectives, is believable and scary. I loved the surprises. If you're into thrillers, give this a try. The audiobook is brilliantly performed by Steven Weber and Marin Ireland, who nailed the pacing and the characters' personalities.

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson (William Morrow, March 2021): I like a good domestic thriller, but the premise of this one was hard for me to buy. On her destination bachelorette party (paid for and arranged by her fabulously wealthy groom), Abigail gets drunk and has a one-night stand. She decides she shouldn't tell her groom. Everything is back on track until Abigail begins to feel uneasy just hours into their honeymoon on an isolated, tech-free island off the coast of Maine.

Yes, there were tense moments, and yes, I ended up rooting for Abigail. However, I found much of the book a little out of my ability to suspend disbelief. Also, it wasn't hard to predict the ending. The unabridged audiobook was read by Karissa Vacker, who did a good job with the material she had to work with.

The Forever Sea by Joshua Phillip Johnson (DAW, Jan. 2021): I wanted to love this eco-fantasy, but instead it was just okay for me. In this world, boats sail on the surface of a vast, deep "ocean" made of prairie grasses. Boats are powered by magical fires tended by hearthkeepers. The story focuses on a young hearthkeeper and her first crew, both on the sea and in port. Themes include loyalty and betrayal, friends and family, loss and love (LGBTQ+), and politics.

This first in a new series ends not so much on a cliffhanger but certainly without resolution. The world building is well done, but the characters lack depth and the plot is meandering. (AFM)

You'll Thank Me for This by Nina Siegal (Mulholland Books, March 2021): Set in a national park in Netherlands, this thriller finds its foundation in a local tradition in which a small group of teens are blindfolded and then dropped off in the woods with a map and compass. Though adult guardians are nearby, the kids are meant to work together to find their way to a camp, a few miles away. Quickly after young Karin and her group are left on their own, everything starts to go wrong, and as night falls, she is alone and lost.

Though the general plot was predictable, there were some surprises and the suspense and creep factors were well done. I really liked Karin's ability to draw on her knowledge and experience, even when she was really scared. Maybe not the best thriller, but I liked it. The unabridged audiobook was read by Tavia Gilbert, who did an excellent job with the characterizations, pronunciations, emotions, and tension.

Three Ordinary Girls by Tim Brady (Citadel, Feb. 2021): This is mostly a "just the facts, ma'am" kind of book. It introduces us to three teenagers who got caught up in the resistance movement in the Netherlands during World War II. The author learned about sisters Truss and Freddie Oversteegen and their colleague Jo Schaft from his agent, who saw one of the Oversteegens' obituaries. This journalistic account covers the girls' success and failures as they learned to steal, lie, kill, plant home-made bombs, deliver underground newspapers, hide Jews, and help Jewish children find safe homes. The girls were all under the age of 20 when they started.

Their story and their heroism teaches us all that even ordinary people with few skills can become heroes and make a true difference to help others. It's a lesson that is particularly important today. (AFM)

The Light of the Midnight Stars by Rena Rossner (Redhook, April 2021): Part magical realism, part historical fiction, part midrash, part kabbalah, part folk tale retelling, this is a powerful book that's deep in Jewish tradition. Told from the perspectives of three sisters, this is the story of ethnic violent prejudice, love, faith, family, and--sadly--reality, even with the more mystical elements. There is an LBGTQ+ element and a strong theme of not being able to escape one's fate, of being tied to one's ancestral history and faith no matter how hard you try to outrun it.

This book is much, much stronger than Rossner's first, and I can't wait to read whatever else she has to write. The audiobook was read by Ana Clements, who did an excellent job conveying the different personalities of the sisters and infusing her delivery with power and emotion.

A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell (Viking, 2019) After reading Erica Robuck's fictionalized account of Virginia Hall (see above), I had to read this biography of the woman who overcame many barriers to help the French resistance and feed information to the British government. This book goes into more detail about Hall's life before and after the events told in the novel.

Hers is an amazing story. Don't miss learning about Virginia Hall, whether you choose to read this biography or Robuck's novel. (library book)

Northern Spy by Flynn Berry (Viking, April 2021): Emotional, strong look at how two sisters became involved in the contemporary IRA movement. Count me as one of the people who thought the Troubles were over in Ireland. In fact the IRA is still active and both sides--the activists and British government--attempt to recruit followers/informants in subtle, incremental ways. This book explores several sides of the ongoing conflict and the way it affects a single family. A powerful story, highly recommended, despite some problems with the plot details.

The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Katharine Lee McEwan, who infused her delivery with the complex feelings of the characters without crossing the line into the melodramatic. Gripping performance that will make you want to listen all in one go.

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21 Books: Catching Up with Reviews

Here's what I've read since my last check-in. All books were received for review or for a freelance assignment unless otherwise indicated. Where you see "AFM," please check out my full audiobook review on the AudioFile Magazine website. Also note that I've given fuller treatment to some of these titles over on Goodreads.

• Age of Empyre by Michael J. Sullivan (Grim Oak Press, June 2020): This is the final installment of the Legends of the First Empire series. If you like great characters, terrific world building, and good action in your epic fantasies, then you need to read everything Sullivan has written. Better yet, listen to the audiobooks brilliantly read by Tim Gerard Reynolds. (personal collection)
• Pile of Bones by Michael J. Sullivan (Audible Studios, Jan. 2020): This short story takes place in the same universe as the Legends of the First Empire series. If you're a fan, you need to listen to this, read by Tim Gerard Reynolds. (personal collection)
• The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, May 2020): This is a prequel to the Hunger Games series. I enjoyed seeing something of the background to the games and to Snow. AFM

• The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner (St. Martin's Press, May 2020): Set in post-World War II England, a group of very different and differently broken people come together to help preserve Jane Austen's cottage and legacy in Chawton. Deserves the buzz; you don't have to be familiar with Austen to like this book.
• Red Sky over Hawaii by Sara Ackerman (Mira, June 9): This book starts just a day before the attack on Pearl Harbor and is set on the Big Island of Hawaii. It's both a story of young woman trying to understand her late father as well as a tale of doing the right thing and protecting those in your care. It also has some romance.
• Unreconciled by W. Michael Gear (Daw, May 2020): This is the fourth in the Donovan series set on a remote planet in the distant future. I love so much about these books, including the characters and the world building. Even more, though, I like the way Gear explores several issues connected to colonization of a "new" world and the connections between the colonizers and their motherland. As always for this series, I part read and part listen. Alyssa Bresnahan does a great job with the narration.

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Riverhead, June 2): An excellent novel that tells the story of teenage very light-skinned Black twins who run away from their small Louisiana town to NOLA. From there they lose track of each other as one disappears again, this time to marry a white man and pass into a new world of the rich and comfortable; the other marries an abusive man, whom she leaves to return to her childhood home. The story follows them and their daughters and focuses on the consequences of each woman's decisions. #OwnVoices AFM
• The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon (Forever, June 9): A fun rom-com featuring three Black women who meet when they realize they've all been two-timed by the same guy. Humor and romance mixed with feminist issues. #OwnVoices AFM
• What I'm Looking For by Karen Grey (Home Cooked Books, June 2020): Another fun rom-com, this one set in Boston in the 1980s. A female financial analyst who is trying to make it in a man's world meets a Shakespeare actor who is unsure about his ambitions. Good period details. Well-done audiobook (see Goodreads for more).

• The Book of Eels by Patrik Svensson (Ecco, May 2020): A beautiful book that is partly about the natural life of the eel and partly a moving tribute to the author's father. I was surprised and fascinated by what I learned about the eel and loved hearing the stories of Svensson's father. Give this book in translation a try. AFM
• Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev (William Morrow, May 2020): An enjoyable take on Austen's classic novel featuring a chef, a soccer star, and a reality cooking show. #OwnVoices AFM
• Mirgations by Charlotte McConaghy (Flatiron, Aug. 2020): I wrote about this on Instagram and Goodreads. Set in the not too distant future, this book explores relationships, climate change, and the Arctic tern. One of my favorites of the year. Narrator Barrie Kreinik tapped into the emotional core of the story.

• Death of a Chimney Sweep by M.C. Beaton (Grand Central, 2012): The 26th in a fun, light mystery series featuring a village copper who solves all the cases in a small Highland town. Love the characters, the Scottish setting, and the mysteries. Narrator Graeme Malcolm is a pleasure to listen to. (personal collection)
• The Bothers York by Thomas Penn (Simon & Schuster, June 2020): My favorite way to learn history is to combine listening with reading, which is what I did here. Penn makes the complexities of the War of the Roses accessible, and I'm beginning to get a handle on this period of British history. Roy McMillan held my attention with his expression and sense of pacing, though he could have more clearly distinguished direct quotations from the narrative.
• The Wedding Thief by Mary Simses (Back Bay Books, July 2020): A rom-com on the surface with some deeper themes of family, sisters, forgiveness, and understanding. Some of the characters went a little too far in their antics for my tastes, but all in all fine summer read.

• Killer Chardonnay by Kate Lansing (Berkley, May 2020): Good start to a new cozy mystery series. I liked the details of the Boulder, Colorado, setting as well as the introduction to the characters and premise of the series. The mystery was well presented with good red herrings. AFM
• The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni (William Morrow, April 2020): I read this earlier in the year and forgot to write about it. A Gothic story of a young woman who inherits land and a castle in the Italian Alps from a relative she never knew she had. A dream come true? Not necessarily. Can't say more without spoiling it, but this is one of my favorites of the year.
• When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald (Gallery, Jan. 2020): This is by far my favorite book of the the year right now.  A super coming-of-age story about a young woman who has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Narrator Phoebe Strole's performance is amazing. (See Instagram and Goodreads for details.)

• Death of a Kingfisher by M.C. Beaton (Grand Central, 2012): The 27th Hamish Macbeth mystery gave me all I expect from this series. Graeme Malcolm narrated. (personal collection)
• The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton (Berkley, June 2020): Three women who need change cross paths during the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, which caused much damage and many deaths in the Florida Keys. Loved the period details and was fooled by a couple of twists. AFM
• The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls by Ursula Hegi (Flatiron, Aug. 2020): I had mixed feelings about this book about three women and their children, set in the late nineteenth century in Germany along the shores of the North Sea. Maybe a little too unreal for me? AFM

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4 Books in 4 Days; Or My Holiday Reading List

Happy Friday! If you're in the USA or UK, are you ready for the long holiday weekend? I am, even though we'll be celebrating by ourselves this year. No matter, because I have plans. Reading plans, that is.

I hope to read one book every day of the weekend, starting today. I'll also be queuing up a new audiobook, but I'll talk about that next week. Here's what's on my 4-day reading stack (in no particular order).


Unreconciled by W. Michael Gear (DAW, May 12): I really liked the first three books in Gear's sci-fi Donovan series, which takes place on an outpost planet. A hostile environment, strange creatures, tough women, politics, and sleazy bad guys all play a part. Gear's anthropology background colors the story about colonizing a planet that, of course, already has an indigenous population, even if those beings don't look very much like Earthlings. Lots of action, and not everyone is destined to survive. The audiobooks in the series have been wonderfully performed by Alyssa Bresnahan, who brings the characters alive and amps up the danger and action. I've both read and listened to the first three books and will probably listen to this one as a reread later in the summer.

Answer Creek by Ashley E. Sweeney (She Writes Press, May 19): I have a thing for stories about the Donner Party and about American pioneers who made the trek west for a better life. This book is about 19-year-old Ada Weeks, who is traveling to California on her own, though she is not without useful skills. The group, of course, becomes snowed in before they can cross the Sierra Nevadas and must find a way to survive the winter with no food and little resources. Sweeney doesn't sugar-coat or romanticize the journey or what it took to survive that snowy winter in the mountain pass. We've heard the stories of cannibalism, starvation, and dwindling hope and faith. Does Ada survive the winter and, if so, at what personal cost?

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner (St. Martin's Press, May 26): This novel takes place in post-World War II England in the village of Chawton, where Austen spent her last years. When Austen's cottage is threatened by the current heirs to the estate, seven men and women form an unlikely alliance to preserve the home as a museum, honoring the author's work and life. Each member of the society harbors his or her own scars, sorrows, and burdens, but there is hope in their joint work. I'm a big Austen fan and am curious about this dual-level debut: first is Jenner's take on the author's life and books and second is following the stories of the characters who form the society. The audiobook is read by veteran narrator Richard Armitage, and I bet it's fabulous.

Beginning with Cannonballs by Jill McCroskey Coupe (She Writes Press, May 26): This novel focuses on race issues and civil rights during the last half of the twentieth century as experienced by two friends who drift apart as they become adults. Hanna's mother is the housekeeper for Gail's family, and thus the two girls grew up together in Knoxville, becoming--despite segregation--the best of friends. However, their interracial friendship doesn't survive after the girls are separated when Gail moves east. Through the years, as the two marry and raise children, Gail strives to maintain contact with Hanna and to reignite their childhood closeness, but the divide between them may be too wide to bridge. The themes of race, friendship, and possible reconciliation are what call to me here.

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11 Picks for Speculative Fiction Fans

Here at Beth Fish Reads I try my best to provide book news for a range of reading tastes. Last week I was all about true stories, so this week I’ve taken a 180. The books featured today are not only fiction but have some fantastical elements. Most are set in fully imaginary worlds, but one takes places in the bleak future and a couple are based in contemporary times.

Here are 11 November books that caught my eye. The summaries are from the publisher, and I’ve included the first line and audiobook information as well. Speculative fiction lovers have a lot to be grateful for this month.

Note: All books were provided (digital, print, or audio) by the publisher; some first lines are from advance reader copies.

Life and Limb by Jennifer Roberson (DAW, Nov. 5) The first installment in a new urban fantasy with a western slant on Armageddon.

Gabe Harlan, ex-con biker, and Remi McCue, Texas cowboy, are informed—no, commanded—by a higher power that they must form a partnership, bound by blood and bone, to help save the world. Complete strangers one moment, they have now been thrust together, conscripted into heaven’s army-on-earth. While Remi is willing to believe in such things, to Gabe, newly released from prison, it makes no sense that heaven would count on humans when it has angels in its armory.

First line: “His voice was rich, a much loved, clear baritone, as he handed his seven-year-old grandson a gun.” Audiobook: Read by Kevin Stillwell (Audible Studios; 10 hr, 57 min).

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White (Delacorte Press, Nov. 5) This first in a trilogy offers a fresh look at Guinevere and her role at Camelot.

Princess Guinevere has come to Camelot to wed a stranger: the charismatic King Arthur. With magic clawing at the kingdom’s borders, the great wizard Merlin conjured a solution—send in Guinevere to be Arthur’s wife . . . and his protector from those who want to see the young king’s idyllic city fail. . . . To keep Arthur safe, Guinevere must navigate a court in which the old—including Arthur’s own family—demand things continue as they have been, and the new—those drawn by the dream of Camelot—fight for a better way to live.

First line: “There was nothing in the world as magical and terrifying as a girl on the cusp of womanhood.” Audiobook: Read by Elizabeth Knowelden (Listening Library; 10 hr, 51 min)

Sisters of Shadow and Light by Sara B. Larson (Tor Teen, Nov. 5) The story of two sisters living in a fairy-tale world.

Zuhra and Inara have grown up in the Citadel of the Paladins, an abandoned fortress where legendary, magical warriors once lived before disappearing from the world—including their Paladin father the night Inara was born. On that same night, a massive, magical hedge grew and imprisoned them within the citadel. . . . For fifteen years they have lived, trapped in the citadel, with little contact from the outside world . . . until the day a stranger passes through the hedge, and everything changes.

First line: “The night my sister was born, the stars died and were reborn in her eyes.” Audiobook: Read by Caitlin Kelly (Macmillan Audio, 14 hr, 42 min)

Winterwood by Shea Ernshaw (Simon Pulse, Nov. 5) A dark fantasy set near a haunted woods lightened by elements of romance.

Rumored to be a witch, only Nora Walker knows the truth. She and the Walker women before her have always shared a special connection with the woods. And it’s this special connection that leads Nora to Oliver Huntsman—the same boy who disappeared from the Camp for Wayward Boys weeks ago—and in the middle of the worst snowstorm in years. He should be dead, but here he is alive, and left in the woods with no memory of the time he’d been missing.

First line: “Never waste a full moon, Nora, even in winter, my grandmother used to say.” Audiobook: Read by Emma Lysy and Mark Turesky (Audible Studios; 10 hr, 16 min)

Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade (Tor, Nov. 5) An epic fantasy full of adventure and friendship.

Everyone loves Mathias. Naturally, when he discovers it’s his destiny to save the world, he dives in headfirst, pulling his best friend, Aaslo, along for the ride. However, saving the world isn’t as easy, or exciting, as it sounds in the stories. The going gets rough, and folks start to believe their best chance for survival is to surrender to the forces of evil, which isn’t how the prophecy goes. At all. As the list of allies grows thin . . . they must decide how to become the heroes they were destined to be or, failing that, how to survive.

First line: “ ‘Why?’ Mathias said as he stared down at the back of his best friend’s head.” Audiobook: Read by Nick Podehl (Macmillan Audio; 12 hr, 33 min)

Day Zero by Kelly deVos (Inkyard Press, Nov. 12) Set in the near future, a story of survival after organized violence ends life as we know it.

Seventeen-year-old coder Jinx Marshall grew up spending weekends drilling with her paranoid dad for a doomsday she’s sure will never come. . . . Now that her parents are divorced, she’s ready to relax. But all that disaster training comes in handy when . . . a pattern of violence erupt[s] all over the country. . . . In a desperate attempt to evade paramilitary forces and vigilantes, Jinx and her siblings . . . make a break for Mexico. . . . But if they can survive, will there be anything left worth surviving for?

First line: “I will save the world.” Audiobook: no information

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern (Doubleday, Nov. 5) Stories come alive in an underground world where time is fluid and people are not what they seem.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, . . . he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues—a bee, a key, and a sword—that lead him . . . through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians—it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead.

First line: “There is a pirate in the basement.” Audiobook: Read by Dominic Hoffman and others (Random House Audio, 18 hr, 37 min)

Eight Will Fall by Sarah Harian (Henry Holt BYR, Nov. 26) A dark adventure fantasy with battles, monsters, and forbidden magic

In a world where magic is illegal, eight criminals led by rebellious Larkin are sent on a mission to rid their kingdom of monsters. Descending into an underground world full of unspeakable horrors, Larkin and her crew must use their forbidden magic to survive. As they fight in the shadows, Larkin finds a light in Amias, a fellow outlaw with a notorious past. . . . But as the beasts grow in number and her band is picked off one by one, Larkin is forced to confront a terrible truth: They were never meant to return.

First line: “Beneath Larkin’s glowing lantern, luminite shimmered like fish scales in the darkness of Ethera Mine.” Audiobook: Read by Lauren Fortgang (Macmillan; 10 hr, 15 min)

Unnatural Magic by C. M. Waggoner (Ace, Nov. 5) A standalone historical fantasy with strong female characters who hope to forge peace in their land

Onna Gebowa is determined to become a great wizard. She can write the parameters of a spell faster than any of the young men in her village school. But despite her incredible abilities, she’s denied a place at the nation’s premier arcane academy. . . . Tsira is a troll who never quite fit into her clan, despite being the leader’s daughter. She decides to strike out on her own and look for work in a human city. . . . Trolls have lived alongside—and been revered by—humans for generations, but now it appears they’re being targeted by a sinister sorcery. And Onna and Tsira both begin to devote their considerable abilities into figuring out how to stop the deaths before their homeland is torn apart.

First line: “Onna Gebowa always liked numbers.” Audiobook: Read by Shiromi Arserio (Blackstone; ~14 hr)

Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao (Delacorte Press, Nov. 19) The start of an epic fantasy series with elements of mystery, political intrigue, and corruption

In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are unnatural—dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls. When Ana’s father, the emperor, is murdered, her world is shattered. Framed as his killer, Ana must flee the palace to save her life. And to clear her name, she must find her father’s murderer on her own. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is far different from the one she thought she knew.

First line: “The prison bore a sharp resemblance to the dungeons of Anastacya’s childhood: dark, wet, and made of unyielding stone that leaked grime and misery.” Audiobook: Read by Emily Woo Zeller (Listening Library; 13 hr, 57 min)

Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean (HMH BYR, Nov. 6) Set in a world where women battle for power and shape-shifters are despised

Each generation, a competition is held to find the next empress of Honoku. The rules are simple. Survive the palace’s enchanted seasonal rooms. Conquer Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Marry the prince. All are eligible to compete—all except yokai, supernatural monsters and spirits whom the human emperor is determined to enslave and destroy. Mari has spent a lifetime training to become empress. Winning should be easy. And it would be, if she weren't hiding a dangerous secret. Mari is a yokai with the ability to transform into a terrifying monster. If discovered, her life will be forfeit.

First line: “Breathing in the dark, and not her own.” Audiobook: Read by Hanako Footman (HMH, 9 hr, 52 min)

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Today's Read: Unravelling by Karen Lord

Could you keep your wits about you if you suddenly found yourself swirled out of time with a killer on the loose and your own life on the line? Fortunately, forensic psychologist Miranda Ecouvo is not without friends, but can the trio solve the mystery before their nemesis finds the key to immortality? Here's how the book opens:

A chorus of tree frogs trilled in the damp, velvet darkness, wide awake and relentless as they spoke their authority over the nocturnal world. The village of Makendha slowly marked the hours to midnight with a quieting of laughter and argument, a dimming and darkening, a staccato punctuation of ending sound—the shutting of doors, the dropping of shoes, and the weighty hush of a house empty of talk but filled with dreaming.

—Unravelling by Karen Lord (Penguin Books, June 18, p. 1)

Quick Facts

• Setting: An unreal world
• Circumstances: This is a hard one to summarize, but I'm going to give it a go. Miranda thinks she's put a serial killer behind bars, but one night, after a close call with what could have been a fatal accident, she's transported to another realm. There she discovers that the murders she's helped solved are more complex than she realized. She also meets two brothers, who help her navigate a world infused in Caribbean and African myth and folklore. There are puzzles to solve, gods to appease, prophecies to decipher, and a labyrinth to conquer if the allies hope to stop the killer and save their own lives. 
• Genre & themes: part mystery, part fantasy, part folk lore retelling; there appears be a strong thread involving the nature of memory
• Why I want to read it: I said yes when pitched this novel because I was focusing on the murder mystery, time travel, and myth/folklore aspects. Some reviews seem to imply that there may be a horror element; if so, I'll likely stop reading when I get to that point. The premise of the book reminds me of an adult version of the Rick Riordan books based on a variety of traditional myths (including Norse, Greek, Roman, South Asian).
• Extra things to know: This is a standalone novel, but it is set in a world that Lord has already created. Reviewers have mixed opinions about whether it's better to have read the other books or not. Based on Goodreads and some other sources, the book is hovering between 3 and 4 stars.
• Acknowledgments: Thanks to Daw Books for a finished copy of Unravelling by Karen Lord.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 2 Novels for Armchair Travels

Hello from rainy central Pennsylvania. We've had so much rain, I'm wondering if I'll ever get my gardens in shape for the summer. I mean it's already June 17!! Yikes.

In happier news, I've been kind of absent lately because we were in Colorado last week to attend the wedding of the daughter of our close friends and found family. The weather there was beautiful, the wildflowers were out, and we could see the snowy the Rockies (we were slightly east of them). The wedding itself was perfect and we were so happy and grateful to have been there.

The downside, of course, is coming home and taking care of all.the.things. We had a family issue (all is fine now) and I was not quite where I wanted to be work-wise. By skipping some of my reading and listening time and working through the weekend, I can now (as of Sunday night) say I'm busy but in good shape. Phew!

I never get enough reading time when I'm out of town because I'm more interested in exploring and enjoying the outdoors. I did however finish one print book and one audiobook. Yep. That's about it. Oh well; every week (or two weeks!) can't be a stellar reading week.

Pariah by W. Michael Gear (DAW, May 14). As you know, I'm a fairly recent convert to science-fiction, and the Donovan trilogy is an example what I'm loving about this genre. Oh, but wait! Did I say trilogy? Ummm, apparently there are going to be more than three books, at least that's my impression after finishing Pariah. Anyway, the short take on the main plot is that there is a small colony of Earthlings trying to colonize a new planet. They been cut off from the rest of the human worlds for a while, so they've had to adapt their cultural norms to new circumstances. But when first one and now two ships suddenly appear, life as we know it on Donovan begins to change. So what we have are culture clashes and differing opinions of how to inhabit or live in a new world. Many of the issues faced by our heroes are those faced by Western colonizers on Earth as they "discovered" the Americas, Australia, and other places. Because, of course, Donovan is not without inhabitants. And how the humans treat the native life--both plants and animals--shows that some of us haven't learned much over the centuries. Anyway, we have bad guys, good guys, people in between; we have native creatures; we have social / cultural questions; and we have lots of action, seeing as Donovan is not a paradise, even if it can support human life. Gear is great at world building, character development, and believable social interactions. Recommended series. (Thanks to the publisher for a finished copy)

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips (Knopf, May 14): I don't think I've ever read a book set on the Kamchatka peninsula before, but I hope this won't be my last virtual visit. This book is a little hard to explain because it's kind of a genre bender. It starts off with the disappearance of two sisters, aged 8 and 11, who do the one thing we're always told not to do: accept a ride from a stranger. From there, the mystery/thriller aspects are always in the background but don't always take center stage. Instead, the chapters that follow read almost like linked stories, each one focusing on different woman or girl whose life is somehow affected by the kidnappings. A teen loses her best friend because of family differences over how to stay safe. A woman is haunted by the fact that she's pretty sure she was a witness but can't remember enough details. A family begins to wonder if the daughter/sister they thought ran away a few years earlier might have actually also been a victim. The mother of the girls can't move forward. And we meet other women suffering from other losses and troubled relationships. Along the way we learn of life on the northern peninsula and the differences between city life, village life, and native (first peoples) life and the gap between the rich and poor and between those who grew up in the USSR and those who remember only modern-day Russia. Phillips doesn't forget about the sisters and doesn't let us forget either, and so the snapshots of life in another place do come around again to remind us that the story is driven by the fate of the girls. A book I'm going to think about for a while. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Random House Audio; 11 hr, 15 min) wonderful read by Ilyana Kadushin. My audiobook review will be available from AudioFile magazine, but I can tell you that I was totally taken in by Kadushin's portrayals of the various women and girls. The only problem with the audiobook edition is that you won't have a copy of the map or cast of characters. (review copy provided for a freelance assignment)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Sound Recommendations

Happy Monday! I hope your part of the world had the same turn in the weather as mine did. My heat is finally completely turned off, I planted some seeds, I cleaned up part of the yard, and I started to set up the deck. Yeah, I'm pretty much wiped out!

Oh and we're now officially eating outside again! Lunch and dinner on the deck or porch from now until it gets too cold in the fall. Well, maybe not tonight (Sunday), because it's raining and blowing like crazy, and even the porch is wet. Sigh.

As for television, at this moment we're all about The Game of Thrones finale, which will have already aired by the time you read this.

What I'm Reading Now

Because I traveled last Monday and then did all those chores getting ready for summer, I didn't have a lot of print reading time. I am, however, currently in the middle of two really good books.

• The first is The Book of Jeremiah by Julie Zuckerman (Press 53, May 3). I'm enjoying this novel, told in stories, which explores the life of a Jewish man over the course of 80 years, starting in the early 1930s. Thus the book, in turn, focuses on what it meant to be Jewish in the twentieth century. Each story is a snapshot in Jeremiah's life, but there are connecting threads. I'll have more on this book next Monday, if all goes well and I have time to finish it. (copy provided by the publicist)
• The second is W. Michael Gear's Pariah (Daw, May 14). This is the third entry in the science-fiction Donovan series, which is about a group of people from Earth who are trying to establish an outpost on a distant planet. The story has themes of colonization, new beginnings, changing cultural and social rules, and interplanetary contact. In this installment, new characters have been introduced and familiar characters have grown and changed. I'm still enjoying the action and the premise. Again, hope to have a review next Monday. (copy provided by the publisher)

What I Listened to Last Week

Last week was so full of chores and catch-up that, as I said, I didn't really have much time to sit down and read. Once again, I'm so grateful for audiobooks. I finished three audiobooks last week, one of which kept us company on our long car trip to see my mom for Mother's Day Weekend. More on first two auidobooks will be available through AudioFile magazine.

• Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson (Harper Audio; May 5, 10 hr, 15 min) is narrated almost entirely by Sophie Amoss, but Graham Halstead performs three chapters. I enjoyed this thriller, which involves a bipolar artist who thinks she's solved a cold case murder, but because of her illness, she is not taken very seriously. Is she mentally stable or is undergoing a manic episode? This was a twisty thriller, which fooled me almost to the very end. Amoss's characterizations and pacing held my interest, and Halstead provided an added creepy dimension. (audio copy for a freelance assignment; print copy from the publisher)
• Inheritance Tracks by Catherine Aird (Blackstone Audio; April 16; 6 hr, 48 min) is narrated by Derek Perkins. This is the 25th installment in the Sloan and Crosby series, and though I'm sure I would have picked up on more inside jokes if I had listened to this series from the beginning, I truly didn't feel lost or that I was missing out. A surprise inheritance for a group of strangers, a missing person, several murders, and too many fingers in the pie made for a fun mystery that is mostly cozy, though stars a British police detective and his not-too-bright sidekick. Perkins nailed the characters' personalities, kept the dialogue flowing, and made the humor shine. (copy for a freelance assignment)

The Thicket by Joe R. Landsdale (Hachette Audio; 10 hr, 20 min; Sept. 2013) is narrated by Will Collyer. If you can believe it, I've been staring at an ARC of this book since 2013 (provided by Mulholland). I knew from the cover (yes, I'm shallow) and from the premise that this would be my kind of book. When I heard the novel was being made into a movie starring Peter Dinklage, I decided I'd better read it quick. As it turned out, Mr. BFR had the same thought and snagged my print copy. But, thanks to Hachette Audio, I was able to download the audiobook, and our marriage was saved (ha, ha).

Set in turn-of-the-twentieth-century rural east Texas, this engrossing coming-of-age story shines a light on the dying days of the Old West: men can still be shot down at high noon, but the sheriff now has a telephone on his desk, the whore house has electricity, and the bad guys can steal a car as easily as they can steal a horse. When their preacher grandfather decides to take 17-year-old Jack and his younger sister, Lula, to Kansas to live with their aunt, the trip goes wrong almost from the beginning. Jack, a farmer at heart, finds himself on a desperate mission to rescue Lula, who's been kidnapped by bank robbers. With no one else to turn to, he relies on a black gravedigger, a well-read bounty-hunter dwarf, and an ex-prostitute. As the group tracks the outlaws, Jack sees the way of the world and the dark hearts of humankind, but he also discovers his own character.

This was my first experience with Will Collyer (I think), and I was completely drawn in by his performance. His solid characterizations, his respect for the author's style and word choice, and his good sense of timing added to my connection to this novel. Highly recommended in print or audio.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Reading across the Genres

I'm fully aware that we could still have snow here in central Pennsylvania, and I know my heat will be on for another few weeks, but--dare I say it--I think the weather has finally broken. The forsythia is budded, the bulbs are pushing up greenery, and I've switched to spring coats.

With a little bit of luck from the weather gods, I'll be able to start getting the deck reading for summer this week. A woman can dream, can't she?

We started a new (for us) show on Netflix over the weekend called Hell on Wheels. You probably won't guess what it's about from the title, at least I didn't. It's a period piece about building the transcontinental railroad after the Civil War. We're three or four episodes in and fairly addicted.

Here are some very short takes on what I read last week. (All three were provided by the publisher.)

• Abandoned by W. Michael Gear (DAW, Nov. 2018). This second entry in Gear's Donovan trilogy was every bit as action-packed and interesting as the first book (see my thoughts on Outpost). New characters are introduced and some familiar characters die. Life on the planet is bringing out both the worst and best in the people who are trying to colonize it. The native creatures of the planet may not be as clueless and easy to conquer as the Earthlings first imagine. The third book comes out in May, but I'm hoping for an early copy.
• The Field Guild to Dumb Birds by Matt Kracht (Chronicle, April 2). I wrote about this book last Friday and read it over the weekend. Be warned: you will truly laugh out loud. Although the book contains real and useful information about birding, birds, and maintaining bird feeders, all information is given with an attitude. For example, the section on birds of prey is titled "Murder Birds," and each species is given a new common name, such as the Great Blue Moron, which is "usually standing shin-deep in the water like an idiot." The ink drawings (see the cover) are nicely done. Recommended for bird lovers with a sense of humor.
• My Lovely Wife by Samanth Downing (Berkley, March 26). Truth: I was going skip this thriller because I thought I had it all figured out from the publisher's summary. I decided to give it a go when I had a chance to review the audio version for AudioFile magazine. Another truth: boy was this twisty and I totally did not guess how this book was going to play out. This is a domestic thriller about a happily married couple whose hobby just happens to be killing innocent women. Will they get caught? Will their children ever find out? This is well worth your while. Thoughts on the audio edition will appear in the magazine, but the short take is that narrator David Pittu does a really nice job building the tension and avoiding tipping off the twists.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 6 Books to Read Right Now

Gawk! How can it be April already??? And it's an April without the signs of spring. Here in Pennsylvania, we're just getting crocus and haven't yet seen daffodils or forsythia. Soon, soon--I know.

If you're wondering where I've been the last couple weeks, here's my sad (not really) story. March is a really busy editing month, which means I'm less inclined to read for pleasure. What's more, I read a long book and listened to a long book, which cuts down on the number of titles finished (though both were well worth the time investment).

One casualty has been my short story a week project. I had to let something slip, and that was it. Oh well, April gives me a fresh start, right? Or am I just fooling myself (ha, couldn't resist).

The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds by Caroline Van Hemert (Little, Brown Spark, March 19). In this memoir, Van Hemert, a field biologist who studies birds, tells us about the incredible human-powered trek she and her husband made from Washington State to the far north of Alaska. Although they occasionally slept indoors and accepted hospitality, each inch of their journey was taken under their own power, sometimes rowing or kayaking, sometimes skiing, and quite often walking. Neither were new to Alaska or to living in the wilds. They planned their trip carefully, arranging food drops and delivery (and pickup) of various kinds of transport (boats and skis). They carried no guns or rifles but had a satellite phone, just in case. This isn't a dramatic survival story (though they had a couple scary moments); instead it gives us a glimpse of wilderness most of us will never experience: massive migrations, the changing tundra, biting flies, and close encounters with sea mammals. Van Hemert's keen eye and clear writing made me feel as if I were right there with her on this once in a lifetime trip. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 9 hr, 2 min) wonderfully read by Xe Sands. Sands infused her performance with just the right amount of emotion, awe, and drama, matching Van Hemert's intent, without crossing the line into movie-of-the-week theatrical. If you like the outdoors or are curious about Alaska or wild places, try this in print or audio. For photos of this trip and others, visit Van Hemert's website. (audiobook copy provided by the publisher)

Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves by Frans de Waal (Norton, March 12). In a previous life, I was a physical anthropologist, and my undergraduate thesis was all about nonhuman primate behavior. Thus when I had the chance to review this book for AudioFile Magazine, I said yes without hesitation. De Waal is well known and well respected in the field of primate behavior, and in this book, he talks the monkeys and apes he's known and observed and what (as the subtitle says) his (and others') research can tell us about ourselves and about the other mammals around us. Are we humans the only ones who feel shame? How about empathy? Why is it that people are the only animals who blush? Are we altruistic or competitive? This is a fascinating book and I could barely stop listening. De Waal writes in a casual style that is easy to follow and understand. He makes his points by telling stories and giving us much to ponder. Besides apes and monkeys, we also learn a little bit about other animals, including rats, elephants, dogs, and cats. If you're an animal lover, you might want to give this a try. The unabridged audiobook (Recorded Books; 10 hr, 38 min) was read by L. J. Ganser, whose expressive delivery seemed to capture de Waal's intentions perfectly. De Waal himself reads the afterword. For more, see my review on AudioFile magazine.

Bookshop of the Broken Hearted by Robert Hillman (Putnam, April 9). Sometimes you just need to escape, and Hillman's novel hit the spot. Set in two time periods--eastern Europe during World War II and rural Australia during the Vietnam War era--this is a story of three very different people trying to find stability and love in a wold that seems out to get them. Hannah is a Hungarian Jew who survived the war, a concentration camp, the Russian army, and two husbands. The hows and whys of how she ended up in Hometown, Australia, teaching music and dead-set on opening a bookstore in a community that isn't known for reading are told through flashbacks. Tom owns a spread and does okay for himself, despite his loneliness. His wife abandoned him, returning pregnant by another man. After her son was born she left again, returning only briefly four years later to reclaim the boy. Peter hates living with his mother, who is a member of a Jesus cult, and once he's old enough to figure how to pull it off, he runs away in hopes of being reunited with Tom. Can these three broken people find in each other the hope of healing and trust? The book contains some tough scenes and difficult issues, but I was totally taken in by the three main characters and their personal struggles. I especially rooted for Tom, who is a good man and deserves a good life. I liked the way Hillman ended the book, which seemed realistic and believable. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 9 hr, 26 min), was read by Daniel Lapaine, who did a good job with the accents and characterizations. I bet you'll zip through this in either print or audio. (digital and audiobook copies provided by the publisher)

Outpost by W. Michael Gear (Daw; Feb. 5--paperback). This is the first in the Donovan trilogy by anthropologist / novelist Gear, and the good news is that all three books are available now. Watch this space because I can't wait to start book two. If you aren't a science fiction fan, I hope you take the time to read the following paragraph, because you might be swayed to give this a try.

In the future, a colony of Earthlings are attempting to establish an outpost on the planet Donovan, which is rich in minerals and elements that people back home covet and need. Human life is ruled by the Corporation, which is supposed to free people from all worries about health, education, and housing. Donovan, however, seems to have been forgotten, and it's been years since a resupply ship has arrived. As a consequence, the colonists have developed their own rules for keeping order and for staying alive on a very, very dangerous planet. When a Corporate ship finally does arrive, the settlement is disrupted on a number of fronts, and the three people who keep the peace--especially security officer Talina Perez--are faced with dealing with newbies, colonists who hope to return home, and a ship's captain who clearly doesn't understand what she's up against. Although absolutely science fiction in the sense that we are dealing with extraterrestrial life, this novel really finds its foundation in Gear's professional background. The story focuses on how humans behave in a new environment. The feel is a little bit Wild West mixed with early European colonization of "new" worlds on earth. People have different motivations for immigration and different dreams for how they'll be in their new home. The book gives you things to think about and is very anthropological. The characters are well drawn and there's a ton of action. The planet Donovan is filled with unique creatures and poses a number of environmental problems. I don't really consider myself to be much of a sci-fi reader but I loved this book. (finished copy provided by the publisher).

Short Takes and a DNF

• Figuring by Maria Popova (Pantheon, Feb. 5). If you like science, art, music, writing, or women's history you'll love this book as much as I did. Popova finds the sometimes surprising connections among music, science, writing, and art--across time and space--via the lives of women who faced the limits of cultural (men's) expectations. Among women she introduces us to are Maria Mitchell, Margret Fuller, Emily Dickinson, and Rachel Carson. Besides issues with pursuing careers, many of these women also struggled with unconventional sexual lives (including LGBTQ+ identities). This is perfect for fans of Ali Smith. I reviewed this book for AudioFile magazine, where you can find more of my thoughts. The audiobook was brilliantly read by Natascha McElhone (Random House Audio; 21 hr, 27 min)
• All That Remains: A Renowned Forensic Scientist on Death, Mortality, and Solving Crimes by Sue Black (Arcade, March 5). This is another book that I reached for because I was once a physical anthropologist. Black is a forensic anthropologist, and in her book she talks about all kinds of fascinating things, such as our relationship with death (through time and across cultures) and her own journey to her profession. We also learn about the process of identifying human remains for research, solving crimes, during war, and after disasters. She also writes about her thoughts about what she hopes her own death will be like. Black is informative, respectful, easily accessible, and funny. This is perfect for anatomy nerds and CSI fans. (digital copy provided by the publisher).
• Dark Blossom by Neel Mullick (Rupa, Dec. 10, 2018). This was a DNF for me. First let me say that the book has an average rating of 4.05 on GoodReads. Totally my fault for not checking out the publication details before accepting the book. I DNF'd because my copyeditor's brain couldn't handle the style decisions, but clearly I was in the minority, since almost 100 people at GoodReads really liked this thriller.

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