Book Review: Shadow of Dragons by Jacob Peppers

 I'm usually a bit hesitant to pick up completely unknown authors on Net Galley, but for some reason, I decided I have not had enough dragons in my life. And thus, Shadow of Dragons made it onto my TBR. 

I am extremely grateful to Bookouture Audio and Second Sky Books for this audio version.  My eyes have been having a huge amount of trouble with the air conditioning required in summer these days, and I am reading but very very slowly, so having this on audio meant that I did indeed go on this dragon adventure in my car, while washing dishes and walking the dog. 

 Overall, I enjoyed this story which flows really well.  Our main character is Nolan, an orphan with a chip on his shoulder.  He also had a strange birthmark that occasionally warms his chest when he's upset. He knows that people say it's the mark of the cursed, and he isn't one to argue as his life indeed seems cursed. 

Nolan wants revenge against a man who killed a relative, but frankly speaking, I think Nolan is just angry and can;t find a place for that anger, so- revenge it is. He's living in an empire where dragons had vanished when a group of creatures who use ice and stone invaded and conquered. Life for Nolan is miserable, and one day when he attempts to change it in dramatic fashion he becomes one of the empire's most wanted. 

Luckily for Nolan, he is rescued by a talented Swordsman with a sharp tongued daughter, and together they travel to an area of secrecy- and Nolan learns that "he's got the magic in him" Shenanigans ensue. 

   I did overall enjoy this novel.  After listening to about 3 hours of the book, I really did want to know what happened to Nolan and Sarah, and the Empire.  The dialogue is a bit bumpy- and the honor and valor message is very heavy at times, but in general this is an interesting, engaging fantasy. 

STATS

First Published  August 4, 2026 

Pages: 392

Available as an Audio Book : Yes 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, murder, death, fire injury, parental death, child death, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu

 I was really prepared to not love this book.  To begin with, the cover was too appealing. I loved it and even though I knew that Bao was not the topic of the book, the cover called to me. Secondly, as I read the description, it seemed to involve some sort of time manipulation. I may have mentioned it before, but I am not generally a fan of time travel, as it makes things...strange and often convenient. So, what did I do? I hit the Request button at and hoped that I might get a copy from Macmillan Audio. 

Even after I downloaded the copy, I was hesitant. WELL, I LOVED IT.  So much so that I actually went looking for more stuff written by the author. (As if I do not have a stack of books waiting in the wings!)

Chu is a Hugo and nebula award winner for former works, and this full length novel really pulled so many things together. 

With no plot spoilers, Ellie- our main character is a grad student who is juggling school, caring for her ill mother in another state, and her place in the universe as a Builder and Maintainer of space as we know it. It's a lot to handle.  Luckily she has some support in her cousin Daniel, a gentle mountain of a man. Unfortunately, she also has to contend with Chris, her elder sister who is a bit... toxic. All of them are involved in one way or another in the delicate balance of the Universe, and it seems that some are more committed to this balance than others. 

   When Ellie's Mother passes, she must return for the funeral, and finds herself facing a series of tests and challenges as she unravels some truths about the world she inhabits, her relationships and the way of the universe at large. 

   Chu handles many large topics with ease, while also building an entire world and fleshing out his characters to make them very VERY real for readers. I was really transported to a world where room size could shift, secret trails could be left, and the workings of the universe could be adjusted with the flick of a wrist all the while the world continues on with people living, loving and loathing and finding time to indulge in some delicious pan fried fish.  The construction of the novel allowed me to absorb all of these elements and enjoy them for what they were rather than feeling confused by the concepts or relationships. 

Narration was done by Katherine Chin.  She did a really great job, and when I write this, I mean... OUTSTANDING.  It was so outstanding that I went to look up the Narrators- plural because I believed that a man had narrated Cousin Daniel.  Nope. just Katherine Chin. Her ability to modulate her voice and use certain accents really made it feel like a multi-narrator book, so I'm now going to see what other books she's narrated! 

While Science Fiction isn't always for everyone, I feel like Chu has created a novel that could be an excellent entry point for people wanting to get into Sci-Fi.  The setting is real world and real world adjacent, and the struggles faced by Ellie, Daniel and the crew are intensely relatable to anyone who has had a family at some point in life. 

I don't really give star ratings that often, but.. 5/5 stars.  in fact. 8/5 stars. 

I'm so excited to read more from John Chu!  Thank you to Macmillan Audio/Tor for the Advanced Listener Copy.  It was a joy to read. 

STATS

First Published :  4/7/2026

Pages: 240

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (~ 7.5 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: Death, illness, toxic family, brief mention of unsuccessful suicide, attempted murder (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

  

Book Review: The Iron Garden Sutra By A.D Sui

 Many Thanks to Recorded Books (RB media) for the Advanced Listener Copy of The Iron Garden Sutra. 

This book is definitely one that hits with perfect timing, addressing many issues that are top of mind these days.  And even though it has a lot of similarities with other already published novels, Sui was able to use these commonalities between other novels in unique and interesting ways, giving readers an entirely different story.   For me I was a bit stunned at the surface similarities between it and Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather.    As I started to read, I did start to wonder why we seem fascinated and interested to imagine and create religious orders in space.  I have no good answer to that one.  If there is one thing I'd like to leave behind- it would be societies that dictate 99% of a person's day and night - but here we are.  

This novel despite the surface similarities, is entirely different and unique when compared to other sentient ship/religious orders in space books that I have read.  I think it is one worth reading! 

The Iron Garden Sutra is a very different novel, and one that will appeal to many different kinds of readers. It is definitely Science Fiction, but it also contains a bit of a closed room mystery for readers who like to untangle and uncover who/what dun it, and a little bit of a budding romance of sorts  as well as a literary fiction vibe that takes the entire book up a notch if you will. 

   Without any spoilers, we follow Iris, a monk  who's order mostly performs death rites for the dead in space. Much of the novel is told from his perspective - as a report from his private journals. As we meet Iris he is suffering from ennui  and he's very excited to attend to a Generation Ship - which is essentially an ancient space craft.  He's hoping to get a lot of time on the ship to search for artifacts, and also- if he's being honest- spend time away from the "monastery" When he arrives he finds the ship is occupied by scientists who also want to search the ship. It's also full of bones, and the bones tell a definite story. As the crew tentatively get to know each other, strange things start to happen and the AI used by Iris, starts to note indications that they aren't exactly alone on the ship. The narrative for this unlikely band of researchers and monk changes from curiosity to terror and from dreams of academic accolades to survival nightmares.   One by one, members of their party start to die at the hands/vines of the Generation Ship. Iris teams up with Jan, a gruff engineer, to make a desperate attempt to leave the ship.  

    For me the book is filled with ethical dilemmas, thought provoking ideas regarding AI, and how it's developed, a heart wrenching romance, and an actual space adventure.  It starts of a bit slow, with a lot of detailed background building, and some light world building.  As one continues to read, the intensity of the situation continues to build until it bursts in a crescendo of action and coming down to a surprisingly gentle conclusion.  

    One thing I've noted in a few reviews that were poor was that they were all from people who did not, in fact finish the novel, so I can say that the latter chapters definitely made the novel for me. 

   I had an advanced copy of the audio book from Recorded Books. The narrator was T Ryder Smith- who is a new narrator for me.  I felt like he did a pretty good job drawing me in, using some different vocal tones to indicate the AI voice as well as the voice of Iris.  I never felt that the narration took me out of the story, so for me this is an excellent narration. 

First Published :  February 24, 2026

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Abuse, trauma, mental health, violence, eating disorders, death, body horror (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

         

Book Review: Starry and Restless by Julia Cooke

 

Firstly Many Thanks to macmillan audio for the advanced listener copy of Starry and Restless. 

This is a non-fiction book for those who want to start reading more non-fiction!   Julia Cooke has brought to life the amazing lives of three woman reporters who were most certainly the talk of the town. It reads a bit like a memoir but has more commentary and information giving historic context to the women's lives.

In my very progressive school, I was taught that the women's rights movement really came along in the 1960's and 1970's. I was led to believe that women were pillars of domesticity up until that time. Obviously there's truth in this, but exploring the lives of these women who decided it to shed those expectations showed me that there were indeed many degrees of this domesticity. 

    Martha Gellhorn, Emily (Mickey) Hahn and Rebecca West were three women who defied custom and made their way in the world as writers. These women traveled the world, married who they pleased, reported on the events of the day, and all left their mark on American journalism.  Although their names are not well known in this day and time, their influence is unmistakable. 

    In very readable (listenable) language, Cooke introduces us to these women and illustrates how they themselves interacted, influencing each other. I was fascinated by the lives they carved out for themselves, defying many social norms and expectations. 

   Andi Arndt is the narrator for this gem and her clear reading voice made this a fantastic read for my morning commute. Arndt always has perfect pacing, and this narration is no exception!

   This book was fascinating and while reading, I was reminded of Isabel Allende's My Name is Emilia Del Valle, which is a fictionalized story of a female reporter in about the same time frame. While I enjoyed Allende's work quite a bit, I was most intrigued by Cooke's new book because these ladies were real living beings- one who owned a pet Gibbon! One who chose to be a single mother in a time when this was not at all the norm, several who traveled to exotic places and married "exotic" men. The truth always does seem stranger than fiction. 

One to add to the shelves if you like historical fiction, or non-fiction. Definitely one to share with young aspiring writers as they figure out how to make a mark in the industry. 

First Published :  February 2026

Pages: 448

Available as an Audio Book : Yes  

Trigger Warnings: drug use, war violence, (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: Psycho Fae by Jasmine Mas

 So after reading a bit of a science-y book, I was pretty excited to find that I had been approved for an Advanced Listener Copy for Psycho Fae by Jasmine Mas. 

I buddy listened to it with a friend who also had the advanced copy. 

WE LOVED IT. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED IT. 

This novel is not great literature, at all. It's awesome, fun, current and a wild ride of entertainment. 

In this installment - our main character Sophie, who's just learned she can shift into an enormous Saber Tooth Tiger, is swept into the Fae Realm with her Alpha entourage. There,. they must compete in some deadly fae games in order to survive. 

I will say that I had guessed at Sophie's discoveries about herself and her origins, well before they were revealed and that I did feel like maybe this could have been a few chapters shorter, but overall, I just really enjoyed this one. While I guessed at Sophie's discoveries, I was not prepared for where the band of found family ended up, and I am highly amused that this somehow ended up being both a paranormal romance and now kinda mafia romance... I mean... who would have thought? 

The book has been out for some time, but this narration is special as it brought together several of the big names in Romance narration, like Jeremy York, Teddy Hamilton, Mollie Stark and Jaime L. Smith. Not to forget Tyler Donne and Stella Ripley.  As there are so many male characters in the novel, and many of them behave very similarly throughout the novel, having the different distinct voices did help me to distinguish them. I definitely recommend the audio version, as the inflections just really just capture each bit of snark, and suggestion throughout the read. 

Am I excited for Psycho Beasts?  Well, YES.  yes I am .   I hope I can wait until March! 

STATS

First Published : 1/13/2026

Pages: 374

Available as an Audio Book : YES  (~ 11 HRS) 

Trigger Warnings: violence,  references to childhood trauma/abuse, blood, death, grief, medical situations,  (not a complete list- be responsible!)

Book Review : SALTCROP by Yume Kitasei 4.25/5 Stars

 

 Saltcrop is going to possibly be my surprise book of 2025. 

I was not a fan of The Stardust Grail . So when I saw an opportunity for the Advanced Audio copy of a new book by Yume Kitasei, I sat on that. After realizing it was centered on sailing and the ocean, I found myself hitting the request button, and was surprised to find the audiobook downloaded soon after. 

(A HUGE THANK YOU TO MACMILLAN AUDIO - they have been very generous this year!) While I do love a physical book trophy, with my recent vision issues, having an audiobook available is a delight. 

    

Of course, the cover is stunning, understated, and just made me want to pick it up. In fact, I like the cover so much, I feared for the story. 

As a Summary: Three sisters grow up in challenging circumstances in a future earth that is more ocean than dirt. Each sister makes her own way, but when one sister goes missing, the other two embark on a quest to find her. In finding her, they reaffirm their bond, and also, it seems, find themselves. 

     Overall, the novel starts off a bit on the slower side. I was not immediately hooked. Eunice Wong is the narrator and her smooth narration really did help me move through the chapters. At a quarter of the way in, I was thinking this was pretty good. I liked the way Kitasei uses minute details to flash out a character. Her style was easy to read/listen to, but I also noted that I wasn't that intrigued. As a person with a sister, some of the relationship points were maybe even a little too on the nose for me. 

then... BAM at the halfway point, I found myself choosing this novel over all the others I have on deck. I had to know what happened next, and then next and then next. I was astounded at my abrupt change from a casual listener to one on the edge of my seat.  I finished this off in record time. 

Do I recommend?  Yes! I really do. With themes of family, climate/environment change, justice and self fulfillment, this is one that could capture a lot of imaginations! 

Publishing in September 2025, this is one for your TBR!

STATS

First Published : 9/30/2025

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: death, drug use (minor), blood, medical situations, violence, murder, climate change, parental death

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Salvagia by Tim Chawaga

  I was very hesitant to pick this up when I saw it on NetGalley.  The cover was so cool and the premise was good, but would my own expectations get in the way? 

I am so glad I finally hit the request button and even more glad that Simon and Schuster sent me the Advanced Listener Copy.  Another Banger for 2025!

  I did a little digging about and it seems that Tim Chawaga is a debut novelist that works in tech, and does not live in Florida. Despite all that, he captured a lot of what is great about Florida and some of the less great as well. I sunk into this novel, and honestly, I slowed the narration down to the very regular 1.0 speed  because I didn't really want it to end. 

So- interlude to talk about the cover.  The design is credited to Jim Tierney. I peeped at his website and saw a ton of books I'd picked up because of the cover. Seriously!  I guess... if you want to sell me a book, get Tierney to make the cover? 

SPOILER FREE SUMMARY  because spoilers are for losers, and I'm a total winner. 

Triss is living in a future Florida that is mostly underwater. Triss is a diver and brings up thing slike air conditioners for money, but... also Salvagia - which is essentially nostalgic salvage. Just like nostalgic items are valued today for the story attached to them, salvagia increases in value similarly. 

We join Triss and the crew as they salvage a specific shoe, but after some issues with the crew, Triss discovers one of the most powerful family heads chained underwater, dead. This is a problem! The after math of this discovery leads our main character on a adventure all over Florida, with risky diving, even riskier space races with "atmo-breakers", interaction with semi-sentient machines, real estate schemes and more. Triss is caught between the Feds, the powerful Florida "families" and her obligations to her friend who's seeking a third way (you'll have to read to find out about the ways). Can Triss and company carve out a different way of living that is sustainable and free?  Well, obviously you'll need to read to find out. I do hope you'll read! 

   Things I loved about this book and want to highlight? 

- Really solid world building that is easily understood.  Chawaga starts with a foundation that many know well- Florida. On top of Florida an entirely different world is created with just enough of the old mixed in with the new that the reader can easily immerse themselves in this new Florida setting which is a comfortable combination of the old and the new.  

-I never could figure out the gender of many of the characters. This simultaneously bothered me and intrigued me.  I really wanted to know, and then I was left sitting in my thoughts about why was it so important that I know.  I liked that this novel wasn't "about gender"  but without being about gender, still gave me a lot to think about regarding gender in society. 

-Realistic while being futuristic.  I read a lot of romance, and I appreciate the genre because it is predictable to a T. (We get a happy ending, the heroine never dies in the villains clutches etc). In Salvagia I had a few moments when I realized that some places/characters were not going to be revived/reintroduced and as disappointing as it was to my heart, I liked it a lot because indeed, the world doesn't save everyone.

-Mechanical alligator.  Need I say more?  I think not. 

As a person who accidently came to live in Florida and love it for many of it's quirks and weirdness (It could be a little less weird these days!)  I really loved the imagined sunken cities, the salvagia and the typical freedom seeking folx depicted.  It seemed to capture the essence of Florida now and into the future. 

Highly recommend! 

STATS

First Published : August 2025

Pages: 272

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, climate issues, blood, medical situations, violence.

Not a fully TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review The Island of Last Things by Emma Sloley 5 Stars!

 It's been a hot minute since I posted a book review!  I've had a lot of things taking up my time!  Sometime in July, I injured my eye and have been trying to get the eye back to full functioning, which has obviously slowed down my visual reading quite a bit.  My Audiobook reading has also suffered a bit just because while I've been listening a lot, I don't seem to be finishing that many reads. 

BUT  The Island of Lost Things by Emma Sloley was actually impossible for me to forget about or put off.  I loved this novel - in part because it was so unique. 

I was attracted by the vibrant cover, but the blurb indicating that this is the story of two zookeepers working at a zoo filled with the last animals on earth had me wondering exactly what type of adventure this novel was going to provide for readers!

Thankfully, because of my eye issue, I was provided with the audiobook from Macmillan audio, so I was able to dive right in!

Without any spoilers, our two main characters Camille and Sailor meet while working for a zoo that houses some of the last animals on earth. They had polar opposite personalities with Sailor being one to quickly shake things up and Camille being a more reserved personality who likes to play it safe.  Their friendship is built on a mutual love and respect for the animals in their care. It's clearly not "just a job" for these unlikely friends. Sailor has some secrets that she slyly keeps from even the readers until nearing the end of the novel, and she concocts a plan to possibly help the animals, and save herself. Camille, always in her orbit is drafted, reluctantly to assist. Sloley touches on themes of friendship, ethics, risk, environmental adaptation/change, and the future.  Readers are left with a hopeful conclusion about our changing world and a future for all. 

Suzy Jackson narrates this story with smooth transitions between the two female characters. I had no problem following the story and never felt that the narration got in the way of the storyline.  I highly recommend this one. It is a fantastic option for book clubs as it has so many discussion points, an easy to follow narrative, and themes that will appeal to a variety of readers! 

STATS

First Published : August 2025

Pages: 272

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, Animal death, violence, animal confinement/ethics - as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi

 Harmattan Season by Tochi Onyebuchi came out in April, and I was lucky to get an advanced listener copy to review. 

This is such a unique novel, I'm not even sure what to think of it! I enjoyed it, 5/5 stars!  Onyebuchi is a master, so I knew I'd be getting a well constructed story-line. I did not anticipate the story AT ALL! 

For me Noir has been a genre that I kind of like, but also kind of don't.  I'm a huge fan of the gritty, no frills characters, but I am not always a fan of the utter desperation that pervades the genre. Onyebuchi  strays from the usual noir narrative by adding in a pinch of magical realism, which adds just enough of the supernatural to sort of lighten the general noir darkness. Add in a unique setting  (post colonial West Africa), and I was sat in my seat listening to this one! 

No Spoiler summary (because spoilers are the baddest thing ever!) Boubacar is a former soldier, former police man, turned private eye for hire in a post-colonial West African country (possibly Mali, possibly not).  Work is not going well, and he's ready to hang it up- deal with his expenses and wait as the Harmattan comes in. The world, however, has other plans for Boubacar. A seriously injured woman stumbles into his home/office and disappears, only to be seen again in a most peculiar circumstance and Boubacar is drawn in to a intense investigation.  He, and the reader, are taken on a grand adventure across the city where he encounters terrifying enemies and unexpected allies. It's quite the mash - up of genres, and for it worked very well. 

   I was attracted to the novel because of the author, but also the title...as my first trip to West Africa was during a Harmattan, which was memorable. It's hard to describe, but that year the dust was so thick, our plane had to land in a different country- which was exciting- except for the lack of Visa for that country. It is easy to imagine the events of the story unfolding in that heavy dust which does sometimes just swirl around a person. 

Dion Graham narrated and his rich clear voice brought the character of Boubacar to life for me! 

STATS

First Published : May 2025

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, death, grief, racism, (not a complete list- be responsible!)

Book Review: Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen

 Blood on her Tongue was my book club read for May.  I dutifully borrowed it from the library on my kindle and read 1-2 chapters. Then I promptly put it down.  I admit, if you want me to read something, I do much better with an actual physical copy or an audio book. 

So, when I saw the audiobook on Net Galley, I hit "request".  My Book buddy had the same idea, and we ended up both with Advanced listener copies.  Many Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ALC. 

I am very glad I had her to read with because we flew through this lush gothic historical vampire horror novel.  Our reaction when we finished was "WHAT DID I JUST READ" 

    This is definitely a book for a specific audience.  I'm not saying I'm not that audience, but... I'm also not saying that I definitively AM that audience. It left me feeling a little bit unsettled overall. 

    No spoiler synopsis-  Sarah and Lucy are twins and very close. Sarah marries and Lucy remains single due to no dowry situation after their parents pass on. A bog body is found on the property where Sarah resides. It's buried in a curious way, and while it is being unearthed, curious Sarah is essentially bitten by this body and thus begins a terrifying and horrific illness. Lucy travels to her side, but Sarah indeed worsens. As Sarah's body sickens, secrets are revealed and Lucy must contend with these secrets and also with the two overbearing men involved in the novel, Sarah's husband, and the friend of the family - the doctor.  As Lucy navigates a quite tricky situation- she becomes protector and investigator rolled into one- roles she's not feeling particularly prepared for nor skilled at. 

   The writing is fantastic.  Tight and well put together. I did note a few very modern kind of terms popped in here and there.  A phrase "it is what it is" was used and seemed quite out of place for the setting and time frame, but in general- the scene was set and I could feel the dreary- eerie quality of the Zwartwater Estate where much of the novel is set. In face, both my buddy and I decided that the book was making us feel quite distressed and unsettled - which is a little odd as it stuck with me even after I set it down. 

Emily Tucker narrates the book and I appreciated the clear narration that did not detract from the story.   She doesn't do any special voices in the story, but given the nature of this novel, I think the clean clear narration was plenty! 

   This would be a great book for summerween, spooky season, and for fans of Gothic Horror (with a capital G!)   There is even a deluxe edition with sprayed edges.  For me, it might actually be that one step too far into creepy and I'll stick with the audio version. 

STATS

First Published : March 2025

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, chronic illness, violence,  alcohol, medical content, body horror, eyeball horror, mental health, child death, accidental burial, cannibalism, domestic violence, classism (not a full list- read responsibly!!!!)

 

Book Review Oromay By Baalu Girma 5/5 Stars

 First Published in Amharic in 1983, (and then banned rapidly after publication) Oromay has now been translated into English in it's entirety.  And as a BONUS - it is now out in a very listenable audio-book as well! 

  I would like to thank both Penguin Random House and Highbridge Audio and of course Net Galley for the Advanced Listener copy.It was an honor to read/listen to this important novel. 

 I  loved this cover, and was so excited to dive into this one.  I had very few expectations, though I admit I did have some, given my personal experiences with Eritrea. 

No Spoiler Summary (because spoilers are just the WORST) - Oromay ( an Eritrean word adapted from the Italian oromai  meaning pointless or finished) tells the story of a fictional journalist's experiences embarking on the Red Star campaign in Eritrea. Set in Asmara, the reader is embedded into all the wild nights, political intrigue and exploits and front line action in what was a long, bitter conflict occurring over decades. Girma was a journalist and it seems this very personal novel is a fictionalized account of the actual Red Star Campaign and true events.  (For those unaware, the Red Star Campaign was a large effort on the part of the Ethiopian Government to eliminate the Eritrean insurgency.) To call this a "historical fiction" novel somehow, seems incorrect, however. It has a much different feel to it, and- overall, I'm not sure what to call it.  It's being sold as a Spy/Thiller, but that somehow doesn't quite capture the essence of this novel.  This is more like autobiographical fiction, rather than historical fiction- and it's autobiographical fiction that the author may have paid for with his life.   It's hard to tell though, what is fact, and what's fiction so, likely best to enjoy as fiction. Oromay surprised me with a compelling narrative of revolution, love and betrayal.  This book was banned (In Ethiopia) very soon after it was published, and Girma himself, vanished soon after, which solidified interest in both the author and the novel itself.  

 I consumed the novel like a sweet delicious coffee. There's treachery, intrigue, gruesome battles, romance, and a dramatic ending that leaves the reader thinking about the nature of life and death for a long time to come. 

The narration was performed by Beru Tessema and it was perfection.  For many English readers- the amount of unfamiliar names with unusual spellings will be daunting. With Beru Tessema,  these all rolled off the tongue naturally and kept the story moving forward.  Some readers may find the way the story unfolds to feel a little slow- but I'm going to encourage readers to stick with it. The sort of slow measured feel seems to reflect how the campaign itself rolled out over Asmara. The novel pulls the reader in deeper and deeper, just as the Red Star officials were pulled into Asmara and Eritrea, not all at once, but slowly over a period of weeks. One warm evening at a time. 

Did I find myself rooting for one character in particular?  Not really- this isn't that sort of novel where a hero emerges out of rubble.  instead, as a reader I found that my understanding of life and death and the choices made in difficult times broadened with each unfurling chapter - making this a rather remarkable piece of fiction.  It is a book in translation - David DeGusta and Mesfin Felleke Yirgu are the translators, and I did have to check a few times to be sure it was a translation. I can't speak to the accuracy, but I can say that it was very readable. 

  For me this novel is as much of a love song to Eritrea, as it is a an anti-war statement.   Oddly, Eritrea was the first place I worked in Africa - kicking off multiple trips across the continent to provide medical education and care over decades. My experiences in Asmara were full of adventure, drama and joy. I was very young and had an incomplete understanding of the politics of the region. (which may be part of the reason I enjoyed my time there so much.) Girma's descriptions of Asmara took me back to the city. His descriptions of night life within Asmara brought back a lot of memories of a city that has strongly held on to some Italian influence. Indeed, I experienced some chills and surprise as I realized the hospital he described was the very same hospital I have worked at- decades later. As is noted in the novel, Asmara is a small place, and to know I'd been in literally the same places gave the novel a bit more meaning as I devoured it.  

  This novel is perfect for book clubs, students, readers of John Lecarre, and Phillip Kerr.  I wish I'd had the opportunity to read it prior to jetting off to Asmara myself, as the conflict there is nuanced and a bit difficult for outsiders to fully grasp. If you're looking for a book in translation, or a book to diversify your shelf- I recommend this as an option!

  

STATS

First Published  February 2025

Pages: 416

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings: war, violence, grief, infidelity, body horror, body injury

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: The Incandescent by Emily Tesh 10/5 stars

 Yes,  10 out of 5 stars. 

One thing that I think really shows the mark of a good writer is when they are able to tell multiple different kinds of stories and they are all stories that keep me riveted to the page. (or in this case- the headphones!) Emily Tesh is that author.  Their books fall into the Fantasy genre, but each series/book seems to be entirely different.

 In 2024, I read Some Desperate Glory  - Tesh's Hugo Award wining Space Opera.  And honestly, I had a pretty rough go to begin with, and came very close to DNFing the book, but after talking to another reader - I dove in and by the end I was entirely invested.  This Space opera/thriller took on issues of identity, gender, and belonging (and so many other things) within a redemption arc that gave me hope that even very dislikable, rigid people can change. In the end, I loved it. 

When I saw an Advanced listener copy up on Net Galley, I ran for it. 

As a small time Blogger, I was surprised and so excited when the "you're approved" email arrived! 

     I jumped into The Incandescent  with no fore-knowledge of the plot, the story , the general anything.  I actually assumed it might be another set in space novel. 

The cover kind of gave off Sci-Fi Vibes in my brain and I was there for it! 

Nope, Tesh switches things up, taking us on a fantastic journey in a British magical boarding school, where Demon incursions can be unpredictable, and students are as charming and fascinating as a certain other wizarding novel that's fallen out of favor among many for many reasons.  I did indeed feel as reading this, that this novel was perfection for kids who grew up on that certain Wizarding series, and now feel a bit lost as the author has gone off the rails. This novel gives us a grown up magical academia story with all the heart and soul that one could hope for in a novel. (I think it's much better actually, and is in no way an imitation.) Given the widespread reach of the HP novels and the setting of Tesh's novel, I think comparisons are inevitable. It's clear that while the setting is a setting is similar, this is not a "fan fiction" .   After about the first 4 chapters, I realized we weren't all going to be transported to a Space Station and settled in for a read that gave me a distinctly cozy feeling despite not really being a cozy kind of novel exactly. 

     Tesh's tale is told from the perspective of an Adminstrator/Teacher who's in her late 30's.   Frankly, I found this point of view to be completely engaging and entertaining.  As a boarding school student myself, the descriptions and situations that Saffy (our protagonist) and her students and colleagues find themselves in was maybe a bit too on the nose at times!   While my boarding school was most assuredly Non- Magical, I had many moments deep in my own childhood memories. The adult POV felt right as I was easily able to relate to the protagonist without having to remind myself that I was once 12!  

The plot centers around Saffy, her final year students, and Saffy's relationships as well as some truly impressive demonic incursions. Saffy is proud and wears that pride, essentially on her sleeve. She's determined to protect her school- especially because there was a time long ago when she failed to do that.  While there were a few predictable moments, they didn't dissuade me, as I got the wonderful feeling of "I was so right!" when the reveal truly occurred. It offers magical battles, A wily phoenix like creature,  a subtle romance sub-plot, charming and whimsical details (imps occupying copiers and clocks) and a deliciously satisfying ending in which Saffy learns that one can't really go it alone, and indeed, sometimes it's possible to become a danger to what you propose to protect. She's the master at getting out of her own way there at the end! 

The narrator was Zara Ramm. It was well read and her reading of the novel did not distract from the story. I'd gladly listen to her narrate again, She doesn't "do the voices"  and I didn't feel like the narration lacked from that at all. 

   Is this a novel for everyone?  Probably not.   I've already had one negative comment on my video review from a die hard wizarding world fan, ah well... Is it a novel for a lot of people? YES - I think so. I mean, I'm already planning on sending my sister a copy! (She too had the boarding school experience).  

Let me know if you pick this up!   Happy reading! 

STATS

First Published  May 2025

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings:  violence, child death (not on page references to) , grief, infidelity, body horror, body injury

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

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 White King By Juan Gomez-Jurado 5/5 Stars

   What a WILD RIDE!  I have just finished  White King  by Juan Gomez Jurado.  This is the conclusion in a trio of thriller/police procedurals that I found to be...really just perfection.  My only regret if you will is that at the end of White King, there's no commentary assuring readers that our dynamic duo John and Antonia will be coming back. Thank you to macmillan and NetGalley  for the opportunity to listen and review in advance. I LOVED this book! 

  It's probably best to talk about the last book , while mentioning the first two as they are indeed, a series and while they could be read along, I feel they are best devoured all at once in a row. 

   The audio books are all narrated by the very talented Scott Brick, and he has done such a good job- he doesn't go in for fancy accents, or high pitched voices to bring the story to life, instead, he manages the spaces between words to create suspense, intrigue and humor at all the right places.  I highly recommend the audio if you are inclined to listen to audio books. 

Antonia and John, two somewhat ill fitting puzzle pieces of people come together at the start of the series  

to form a somewhat unlikely, but also somewhat predictable partnership.  She's socially repellent, but brilliant - so useful
to a secret project. He's socially cued in and affable enough to put up with and protect Antonia. Both find each other infuriating, but neither has a lot of other options. Both highly relatable, and yet, not so relatable that the reader feels they could actually "be" the characters. 

What makes these books just a cut above all the other thrillers and police novels is the way the author interjects with spot on observations about human nature, how language shapes our understanding of our world, and human interactions, the price we pay for them and what we gain.  Add in these small leitmotifs that make a reader feel like they are in on a secret joke, and this entire series is a winner, 

White King is a fantastic addition. Gomez-Jurado takes us - without delay- but with lots of suspense and anxiety- to a satisfying and surprisingly gentle conclusion that left me on the edge of my seat until about the last 4 minutes. I actually was found standing in the kitchen with a fresh cup of coffee shouting out NOOOOOOOOO.   I never do this. I'm not prone to too much excitement within the pages of a book (and I'm completely lying here of course)  but let me just say the ending was unexpected, perfect and far kinder than I had hoped for. 

 While there is a series on Prime  which I intend to watch, I think it likely misses some of the inner monologues of the book, some of the small details that draw a reader into a fast paced adventure. So I'd recommend reading the full series even if you've "seen the show" 

 This book will appeal to readers who loved The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,  as well as those who enjoy a twisted mystery to unravel.

   I, for one, can't wait to see what's next for Juan Gomez-Jurado.  

STATS

First Published 2020 (Spanish) 

Scheduled for English release March 2025

Pages: 352

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  death, violence, cursing, suicide, police action, homophobia,

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)