Book Review: Japanese Gothic By Kylie Lee Baker

 This novel Blew me away!

  I enjoyed Baker's novel Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng. I thought it was well written commentary on the Pandemic (and it's effects on people/populations) at a time when other "Pandemic" books were not yet published or were sort of vague.  But, I am unsure if I REALLY  LOVED it... 

In fact, in part because it was so tied to the Pandemic, I kind of had a visceral reaction to it, which really had nothing to do with the novel, and everything to do with the Pandemic. 

Despite my reaction, I knew Kylie Lee Baker was an author to watch.  So, when Harper Collins/Hanover Square reached out with an e-arc of the book, I jumped at it. Although my eye condition remains - sort of- BAD, I can still read, so I wanted to give it a shot. I just have to kind of go slow.  

  I went into this book entirely blind. (not a pun about my eyes!!)  I had read not one word about the book at all, and I think, honestly that's the way to go with this one!

I LOVED IT with my whole body and soul. 

At this point, I am going to give a bit of synopsis, so, if you are taking my advice to go in blind, you probably should skip the next paragraph and maybe enjoy this image which may or may not be related... If you do read the book you'll come to find this photo from 1877 to be verrrrrrry interesting. 

 

Stillfried & Andersen, Publisher. Samurai or Retainer Kneeling Before Government Official or Daimyo. Japan, ca. 1877. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2009632874/.

   As  a synopsis, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.  Sounds simple enough.  We have all read a few of these time hopping type novels.  But, wait, there's more! 

        Lee is a college student  in 2026. He's sure he's done something horrendous, and illegal, so he flees to his father's new home in Japan. Sen is a Samurai who is in exile with her family in 1877. Sen's father is a Samurai who returned from conflict - but Sen is convinced that it isn't really her father, but some grotesque version of her father. 

        Both Lee and Sen know something is wrong, but neither can exactly pinpoint the problem.  The story alternates between timelines, with Lee and Sen.  Someone is a ghost, and one of the stories is a lie.  Over time, readers will realize that both Lee and Sen are unreliable narrators. Typically I do not like an unreliable narrator, as it usually makes me feel sort of duped or something...  BUT, a lot of the fun and excitement I had while reading the book was the generation of theory after theory about what was really going on, how there was a bridge between two worlds, and why it was occurring so regularly. I came close to drawing a few diagrams. 

Baker weaves a tale around the 1877 in Japan, Modern day current times and the myth of Urashima Taro- a fisherman who saves a turtle and dallies at the bottom of the ocean in the magnificent Ryugo-jo. As he enjoys his under the sea experience, time passes in unusual ways- and for Sen and Lee, time is also passing in unnatural ways. The intersection of these three story lines is crafted seamlessly, and kept me on the edge of my seat- formulating theories right up until the last chapter. 

Ok, OK- If you were skipping the synopsis - you can go back to reading now! 

When I was about 50% through reading the book, I was also approved for the audiobook version! (Thank you Harlequin Audio!)  It is narrated by Natalie Naudus!  Naudus is a real voice professional.  She does not rely on sound effects or large voice changes, but produces tension and emotion just by subtle changes in tone and timbre.  The result is a smooth narration, which made me forget I was even listening- her voice seems to fade away and the story continued to play out in my mind cinematically.  I loved the experience of the audio book, and I recommend it, if you enjoy audiobooks.  It was such a good rendering of the story that I felt I could go between the print book and the audio book with no issues and pick right up where I left off in one or the other! I even did some "immersive" reading with this one.  As the book has a lot of subtle plot points, and I had a lot of theories, it was definitely a great way to experience the novel. 

  This is the kind of horror I love.  There's no specific jump scare moment, but rather, a series of encroaching creepy moments that create that unsettling tension, punctuated with truly horrific moments that made me sit up and take notice! 

STATS

First Published :  4/14/2026

Pages: 352

Available as an Audio Book :  YES ( ~ 10.2 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: Child death, parental death, mental illness, main character death, body horror, blood, violence, references to racism, stereotyping, and more.

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: You Sexy Thing By Cat Rambo

 This Space Opera book has been floating around in the back of my TBR for quite some time. 

The TITLE- just draws one in.  It is so audacious, and I certainly found myself wanting to tell everyone about what I was reading...all the time, just for the reaction. 

Billed as a Disco Space Opera, and published in 2021, I honestly can say this lives up to the billing and I wish I'd read it in 2021. 

This is the book that I wished was Becky Chambers very popular Long Way to a Small Angry Planet was. Nothing particularly wrong with Chamber's novel,  but it was far too cozy for me. 

You Sexy Thing however...has just enough bite mixed in with the cozy.  It has the action I was craving, along with the found family, unusual aliens, interesting food, and an all around good time with a quite satisfying ending. 

Without any Spoilers- Niko, a retired Space warrior has been establishing a cozy little eatery with her former soldiers in a station at the edge of the known universe.  She's fairly settled, but has a plan to rescue someone important to her, it's just taken a lot longer than she expected. 

Readers join up with this rag tag crew on the eve of a fancy critic review evening where the main dish is going to center upon the rare and precious vegetable- the eggplant. 

  DO things go as planned?  Well- if they did it wouldn't be very interesting! Instead of dining at an out of the way station, Niko and the crew embark on a trip across the galaxy on a VERY FAST SHIP (that's maybe a bit sexy) that seems to have some opinions. There is skullduggery, magic, some treachery and trickery, as well as heart break, and new beginnings. 

LOVED THIS ONE. 

MAYBE my Favorite Space Opera of the year, which is saying something as I've been dabbling in the Space Opera quite a bit. 

  I did listen tot he audiobook. Narrated by Vivianne Leheny it was fantastic.  Given the amount of alien beings on board, Leheny certainly had the opportunity to really go all out with various voices and dramatic effects.  The narration did use some special voices, and effects, but really just enough sprinkled in there to remind me, the listener that some of our characters really had tentacles, or were oracles, rather than being cheesy or too over the top. 

  I am now a SOLID FAN of Cat Rambo.  Already pulled book two from the library. 

May Rambo provide us with more Disco Operas in the future!

First Published :  2021

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (10 hr 22 min) 

Trigger Warnings: Death, violence, war, torture, Captivity, trauma, mental health,  body horror (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

 

   

Book Review NK Jemison's The Fifth Season

  So,  I don't really need to do a book review on this do I? 

Published in 2015, this is a Hugo award winner, and is very well known. 

 I have kind of been skirting around it. In part because it has a HUGE wait list at the library and in part, I think because I was afraid I might not love it. 

 I LOVED IT. 

Image from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freeprintablesdesigns/posts/1637550117243782/

  I did initially text my book buddy saying "I do not think I am smart enough for this book." So it was a love that grew on me as I continued to read.  I had it on audio and fortunately for me and it, I was on a piece of exercise equipment and didn't have a hand available to stop it so I listened to a good part of it and it began to reveal itself so I was indeed able to find my footing. 

   This novel did demand a lot more of me than other books I've read, and as such, I pretty much stopped reading anything else, and concentrated all of my book time on this until I finished it. There were details upon details of world building, character building and plot points to ponder.  I was grateful for the audiobook given some unfamiliar names and place names- I did not have to make up any pronunciation. 

  

 As a "no spoiler summary"  We follow several persons who are born as "Orogene's"- people who can manipulate earth energy who are both feared and at the same time, valued by society. Society is arranged with a goal of surviving frequent environmental disasters, and people are sorted into Use groups which seem to become their identity.  As the plot develops these persons move toward a new environmental disaster, each with their own memories, abilities and motivations. Readers are definitely left with a cliffhanger leading into the next book, so I can say this one definitely leaves a reader feeling a bit "unresolved"

  I really loved that the plot really had some gentle surprises and some other "oh wow" moments all through the novel. I was never bored and the pacing was really spot on.  Coming off reading Clay Cane's Burn Down Master's House, I was quite attuned to the references to slavery in the Americas and was able to appreciate that I was able to see those and connect with them through the novel.  Combined with an awareness of climate changes over time, this one packed a significant reading punch. 

 I can say after avoiding this for several years, I wish I'd read it earlier, so if you are on the fence, go ahead and pick this one up. 

First Published :  2015

Pages: 512

Available as an Audio Book : Yes   ~ 15 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  racism, classism, domestic violence/abuse, medical issues, body horror, slavery, climate issues, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher

 T. Kingfisher is such a curious author to me. The way that she does horror is unique.  It's not at ALL Splatter-punk, or Slasher style, but instead it sort of creeps up on a reader as they are sinking into a gorgeously described setting. Once you hit the shock factor, you're so far in you don't quite know how you got there!  

When I saw  A new book on audio on Netgalley, I hit that request now button very very quickly. Thanks to Macmillan audio/TOR Nightfire  for this advanced copy. I ATE THIS BOOK UP.   

I was not at all disappointed. 

Wolf Worm is the story of  Sonia Wilson.  She's 30 years of age, orphaned by her father in 1899 and unmarried.  With very few prospects, and being entirely fed up with a lucky posting teaching spoiled girls watercolor painting, Sonia bravely answers an ad for a scientific illustrator in North Carolina. With Sonia as the primary narrator, the entire lush North Carolina woods come alive through her artistic eyes. After settling in with some mild foreshadowing of creepy things to come, Sonia enjoys the company of the other house residents and community. Of course, there wouldn't be a story if unusual things didn't start to happen.  As a naturalist, she immediately clocks odd animal behavior, and as time unfolds her curiosity leads her to a rather grim discovery. Despite wanting to simply avoid the facts she's discovered, Sonia finds a way to press on. Although the novel has disturbing moments, an underlying message at the conclusion is that it's possible to overcome dark and sinister plotting even without all the proper tools and training. 

Although I did feel the reveal and action came a little late in this novel, I very much enjoyed Wolf Worm. It had a good balance of the quaint and delightful with the weird and gruesome. Kingfish just knows how to create an atmosphere, hold the attention and bring things to boil impeccably. I love the writing style and it's consistency across her novels despite telling wildly different tales. 

  I am a little bit sad that this novel isn't out until March 2026.  Although it doesn't really touch directly on our current times, the underlying discussion of Sonia initially ignoring what was obviously odd and unusual, and eventual addressing the horrific situation head on was quite thought provoking for me.  I could see that no matter what Sonia had done from day to day she could still make a strong impact when she made a choice to do so. 

This book was narrator by Mary Robinette Kowal.  This was my first time with her as a narrator. Overall, her usual narration voice is ultra-clear making the novel flow seamlessly.  She did do some voice alteration for various voices that I did not enjoy much, but that said, even the alternative voice pitching for other characters- the reading remained clear. I suspect others will find the alternative voices very appealing! 

Highly recommend placing this one on the TBR! 

STATS

First Published :  Coming March 2026

Pages: 288

Available as an Audio Book : Yes  9 hrs 14 min 

Trigger Warnings:  poverty, racism, classism, bugs, medical issues, body horror, supernatural creatures

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

 

Book Review: Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather

  This is a bit of a Beat the Backlist kind of novella.  I found it oddly, on good reads as part of a challenge for novellas and I immediately was thinking SIGN me UP!  Nuns in space? I felt this was going to be bonkers and I really was not incorrect.  

The cover is not bad, but it really really doesn't do the novel any favors.  (the novel is much more interesting than the cover.) 

Lina Rather is a talent to continue watching. Her writing is tight, and concise while still being descriptive and immersive. While she's not writing in the same genre, I feel her style compares to Georges Simenon. Both have short works that are completely immersive with well developed characters and environments despite sparse word counts. 

   No Spoiler summary here: Readers are given the story of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Rita. These sisters serve aboard a spacecraft "Our Lady of Impossible Constellations"  a consecrated ship that happens to be a living, semi-sentient slug like creature. Like many missionaries of old, the sisters have joined the order for various reasons- some of which were related to religious calling, many not so much. The focus of charitable and practical aid looms larger than proselytizing.  I was initially struck by the similarities between these space nuns and early earth missionaries. I thought I was going to be getting a cautionary tale of colonialism but set in space. Instead, I got much more.  The novella opens with discussion of what to do about the living ship's imprinting on another ship, and as the sister's debate and discuss, a distress call arrives from a new colony. The sister's respond and find themselves embroiled in a conflict with Central Governance, the Church and themselves. 

   For me this was such a treat, in 160 short pages, we explore a living space ship made of muscle, viscera and more, the public and private lives of nuns, the ethics of power dynamics in religion, government, and relationships, all while being treated to space adventure that is propulsive and interesting. 

  I couldn't put it down,  but it was also very short, so there was no need to put it down. 

I did not like the sort of abrupt, cliff hanger-y type ending but the good part of reading back list books- is that the second book, which continues the story of our Nuns and their unlikely allies, is already available. I do want more space faring nuns. 

I did do this on audio.  The audiobook was well done and did not detract from the story. 

I really do recommend this one, and I can't wait to read more from this author. 

STATS

First Published: 10/29/2019

Pages: 160 pages

Available as an Audio Book : YES  (~ 4 hours) 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, colonialism, religion, plague, infectious disease

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: Artifact Space By Miles Cameron

   Friends.  I am obsessed with this novel. 

 I received an E-Arc from Saga press, as they are re-releasing this novel with a new cover in January 2026. This was originally published in 2021 through Gollancz. I had not heard of this one, which really isn't all that surprising as there are so many books published each  year! Click HERE for a map of books published each year. 

     I finished this novel about 2 weeks ago and I continue to think about the characters, and wonder what's coming in the next installment. 

 As always, you can count on me for a spoiler free discussion!  This is a adventurous space opera romp through the stars!  Our main character is Marca Nbaro. Her story begins- as so many stories do- at an orphanage. Nbaro is determined to overcome her start in life, and also some self imposed hiccups along the way. With gumption and wit (and a slew of forged credentials) she joins the crew of a greatship and becomes a bit of a hotshot pilot. Along the way she forges relationships that sometimes get a little messy, has some hair-raising adventures, and finds her people. And it's good that she does, because peril awaits. 

    What I found so interesting about this novel is that, for me, it sits right in-between super hard Sci-fi and a softer Sci-fi.   

Hard Sci-fi focused on scientific accuracy and often spends quite a bit of time discussing the details of space travel, light years and concepts rooted in physics, chemistry and astronomy- and basic calculus.  Soft Sci- fi of course focuses  more on ideas, and concepts. Then there is squishy soft sci-fi  which really just uses outer space as a setting. I honestly like it all.

Artifact Space has a compelling character focused narrative, but also employs details about different gravities, problems with the Space Time continuum and ideas about how Space Warfare occurs given different modes/speeds of space travel.  Cameron gives just enough detail about protective suiting, time differences and various gravities, while focusing on a character driven narrative.

 This novel will appeal to those who love Star Trek and Deep Space Nine, and likely also those who are fans of S. A Corey and John Scalzi. 

 For me Marca Nbaro as a character was maybe a bit too relatable at the start, which made me QUITE attached, and I actually had a few moments where I found myself reading and holding my breath- which wasn't a great combo! There are elements of romance, but they are, maybe not the best parts of the book.... 

I'm loving the new cover design which reflects the character driven aspect of the novel, and I cannot wait to pick up the Deep Black! 

5 Stars! 

STATS

First Published: 2021  Re-Release January 2026!

Pages: 576

Available as an Audio Book : I have not found an audio version YET. 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, grief, murder, war violence, death, near death,body injury, food insecurity, classism. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: They Bloom At Night By Trang Thanh Tran 5/5 Stars

   This novel was a wild ride!  I enjoyed it thoroughly and I think- although it's labeled as YA, it's one that can be enjoyed by adults as well.  2025 is the year for books about plant aliens and plant invasions, and so after reading Overgrowth, and Eat the Ones you Love, I suppose it's not all that odd to be jumping into this novel which heavily features algae. 

There really is just SO MUCH going on in the novel that it's hard to do a spoiler free synopsis  - but I'm going to give it a try! 

Mercy, Louisiana is a typical small coastal town -- but since a hurricane swept through there's been a red algae bloom. Noon - our protagonist and her mom continue to trawl for shrimp and cling to their former lives (sort of) - they stay on the good side of the creepy harbor master by bringing back oddities that are bycatch in their nets. Noon's interested in leaving but her Mom is attached to the area where her father and son(Noon's brother) perished.  

Noon discovers that there's some sort of "monster" on the loose- dragging folks away - and she's drafted into a search and destroy mission with Covey (the daughter of the corrupt harbormaster). As Noon and Covey work to understand what's happing in this post climate disaster time, they also work to come to terms with their identities, experiences and futures. 

This is truly a creepy southern gothic type of novel, with a lot of relatable moments, mixed in with some chilling horror. Addressing themes of identity, ecology, and coming of age, the prose is easy to read and the plot moves forward with very good pacing to a satisfying, but kind of vague ending, which for once, didn't really bother me.   Usually I like a solid conclusion, but in this case, Noon's conclusion is that she's continuing to grow into something unknown, and that she's going to have family and found family by her side, which is a conclusion which worked for me. 

  

STATS

First Published : March 2025 

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, death, grief, medical situations, SA, plant concerns  (not a complete list- be responsible!) 

Book Review Overgrowth by Mira Grant 5/5 stars

   I requested the audiobook advanced listener copy for Mira Grant's Overgrowth and I could not believe when I was approved! 

I am STILL OVER THE MOON!  Also - I was not disappointed at all. 

  This is likely going to be one of my top reads for the year! I feel like it was a mash up of Beautyland and HG Wells War of the Worlds!

   If you'd like a Spoiler free video review Go Here:  no Spoilers below because Spoilers just SUCK! 

  Imagine you disappeared for 3 days as a child and returned to your family telling them that you'd been replaced by an alien.  You look like you, and act pretty much like you, so of course, people assume the trauma of the event caused this small delusion. Unfortunately for you, you can't help but tell everyone, despite the difficulties it may cause. You think there's no one else like you in the world, but that's ok, because you are the vanguard of an alien race. 

Eventually, your alien people will be coming back for you- but, of course, you don't know when.  This is what happened to Anastasia Miller in Overgrowth.  Anastasia grows up- gets a job and a boyfriend, and is essentially living her best life when the alien bat signal starts to come a calling and making things - a wee bit messy for her and the global community in general. 

This is a first contact narrative with teeth!  There is a touch of body horror, Sci Fi, humor, suspense and a dash of romance in this rapid moving story which had me on tenterhooks wondering what was going to happen next! While the first contact idea, and the nature of the alien were not wholly new - the way that Grant's world is constructed is broadly and wildly imaginative and distinctly unique from other Sci-Fi I've read. I found the building of the alien experience to be entirely creative, engaging and fairly easy to follow despite it going from plants to quasi-Vampires, to dinosaurs at 100 MPH. 

I was particularly enamored with the main character's earthly relationships and the way the FMC explored her evolving emotions and feelings regarding her human people. I especially liked Grant's portrayal of Graham, a trans man, in this book.  While not the main character, and not the main story line, I really liked the diversity shown throughout the novel, without it being an actual novel about someone being a trans person. I have to admit also, the deep love that the characters had for each other, was also masterfully illustrated through the writing. 

 I am hopeful that this will be nominated for a Hugo next year, as it certainly is standing out as an immensely readable and thought provoking novel. 

   

   I did enjoy the audiobook- the narrator was not distracting from the novel and read in a very natural way. 

So... If you're into space aliens, the Little Shop of Horrors, or a good story, this is a book you're going to want to consume in large, meaty chunks. 

Have you  read Overgrowth yet?  It's only a story and as Grant will tell you- as a story, it can't hurt you anymore! 

STATS

First Published  May 2025

Pages: 480

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings:  violence, murder, people, people consumption, bullying, body horror, questionable dietary choices, gun violence, fire, mental health, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar 5/5 stars!

   For a short novel... this one packed a punch!   I obviously was delighted to see that a highly regarded author had a book coming out that centered a bit around a river during my Water 2025 extravaganza.  I would have wanted to read this regardless - the water theme was a happy happy occurrence.  I finally got it on audio from the library.  I was then kind of intimidated by it. It sat on my Libby shelf, innocuously looming. I was a bit paralyzed by the concern that I might not enjoy this novel as others have.  I had the opportunity to request it as an Advance Reader Copy and I was so concerned that I wouldn't like it, that I did not even request it. Well. I'm putting those concerns away.   5/5 Stars. I want to read more from El-Mohtar. Today. 

  

 Quick Synopsis of the novel with no real spoilers, because SPOILERS are JUST TERRIBLE! 

  Two sisters grow up in a world of both magic and the mundane. As they go out into the world- they face life decisions, and make lots of promises and one in particular creates a lot at risk for at least one sister. For me, the novella embraces the world of the unreal and often unseen, sisterhood, family and language -- particularly the language of love, all highlighted by the specific and special language of music. 

     I might have avoided this book, as I have avoided This is how you lose the Time War.  (I don't really like time travel novels, and my knowledge of El-Mohtar is really tied to that award winning novel.) 

I am SO GLAD I remembered that authors indeed do often write several different books- on many different themes and ideas. The River has Roots is soul and brain food all in one little novella.   It is gentle, but with a strong backbone, expressive without straying into the maudlin, and provokes some deep thought without feeling pedantic or academic. It feels like something wholly new- even though it clearly draws on some canonical elements of faeries, Arcadia and such. 

   This book is a great one for book clubs, as it's got many different themes and moments to generate discussion. It's also good if you're "getting back into reading"  or trying out a new genre (Fantasy/Speculative) as it's not a long tome and a reader could finish up in a day. If one is trying to read more diversely El-Mohtar has a unique and diverse background and the book does have representation of diverse characters.  I think it is also one that would be good for aspiring writers.  El-Mohtar is able to create her atmosphere without using a bunch of unneeded overly fluffy descriptions, and that's something I'd like everyone (myself included) to learn. Typically I do not like short stories or novellas as they rarely seem that complete to me, but this really did what the author seemed intent on doing. There weren't any clunky transitions or issues that I tend to notice and the ending was an actual ending, not some vague decide-for -yourself number. 

The audiobook is unique.  Environmental sounds are added to the narration.  We get the story and a rushing river, singing and other environmental sounds.  I never really decided how I personally felt about it.  Part of me really liked it, as it felt immersive and kind of different and unique.  Another part of me felt like it sort of took away from the words. But I can say I didn't particularly dislike it; I'm undecided.  Coming from a "read aloud" family, some books are lyrical enough without embellishment, and I personally felt the writing itself was fantastic and could carry the story without intermittent harps and singing voices.  That said, I was rather unbothered by the choices, and I felt that other readers might find this just ideal and really scene setting, so...who knows.  Maybe with more reflection I will decide how I really feel. 

  SO - make room on your TBR,  this is one you'll want to enjoy. 

STATS

First Published  March 2025

Pages: 144

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  Death, near death, violent themes, threats, and jealousy.  

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)