Book Review: Morsel By Carter Keane

  WOW!  Just WoW!

What if there was a monster in the woods, but the only way to conquer this monster was to embrace it wholly, and completely?   This is where we find ourselves with Morsel. 

  Carter Keane is a new author to me, and Morsel  is their debut novella. 

This does not read like a debut.  It was one part polished writing, and one part gritty reality, all rolled into one delicious novella.  it's an excellent way for readers who are interested in horror to dip a toe in without committing to something more involved.  Readers will get a story that feels relatable on various levels, the grisly gore of horror, as well as a surprisingly satisfying ending. 

So honestly, Carter Keane, I was prepare to not like this.  Appalachian/mountain horror is considered "hot" right now - especially on Tik Tok where videos of deserted towns and haunted hollows are hugely popular. I enjoy those videos also, but with a bit of reservation, as I grew up in the world of "hollers" and valleys and some deep dark woods. And the place is a wild, weird and wonderful as it is touted to be... but it's also a difficult place to live, and as my own mother said, kinda boring day to day. The videos sort of use the people and places as props to support whatever it is they are selling, and that never quite feels genuine for me. To be 100% honest, things like internet, medical care and even phone service coverage all create unique challenges. Not to mention, your creepy neighbor who is an entertaining character in a book- is an actual real live creepy neighbor!  So I was a bit skeptical as I requested the book. I was wrong! I really enjoyed this fast paced ride through Southern Ohio. 

  This novella was the real deal. I felt the strong feeling of nostalgia hit me square in the face as the cicadas began singing in the first few page and I was hooked.  

I'm gonna try to give a spoiler free summary here: 

Lou is our main character. Lou grew up in poverty but she's done everything "right" found a way to go to college, and got an office job that pays better than what her Mother makes. She isn't a fan of the job, but she's taking care of her mother, and like it or not, there is a corporate ladder to climb. Lou doesn't fit in well, and when she is offered an opportunity to work independently - taking some appraisal photos in a rural part of the state, she's all for it.  Her friend Emma isn't so sure, but Lou wants to support her Mom, and to please her boss. 

    Once she and her trusted dog Ripley,  start on this project, she quickly realizes that something isn't right out here.   She uses all of her skills to try to right this situation, but it becomes more dire and bizarre as time passes.  I had several moments wondering  who was going to be our final girl as the situation devolves from just creepy to downright dangerous. Monstrous creatures are a foot, and not all of them are human. Lou, who has spent a lot of the novel seeking guidance/reassurance that she's doing what's expected of her from every person in her life, finally makes a choice that seems right, and owns her situation,  and reclaims herself in the process. 

For me it was delicious. From start to finish. Is this for everyone? Probably not.  Readers who have enjoyed Steven Graham Jones, and CJ Leede will likely find this as satisfying as I did.  It is also perfect for those readers who want to explore the horror genre, but are a bit concerned about their reaction. This does contain some slasher type horror, as well as body horror, but it is also a novella, so if it becomes a problem, it's a short problem! 

Many Thanks  To Macmillan Audio for the advanced Listening copy.  Narrated by Lindsey Dorcus, a smooth reading was provided, with excellent timing and cadence - she was able to switch between snark and serious situations flawlessly.   I fully enjoyed the audio and felt that it was not distracting from the narrative.  

STATS

First Published  4/14/26

Pages: 264

Available as an Audio Book : ~ 7 hrs 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, blood, body injury, body horror, sexism, animal harm, motor vehicle harm, wild animals, angry leadership cult leaders, poverty, death of parent. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

    

Book review : To The Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage

  Oh My Gosh, so I assumed this was going to be a book for me, in fact, I was fully prepared to LOVE love this book to the ends of the earth.  To the Moon and Back, indeed. 

    Obviously I'm telling you this because, spoiler.  I did not love this book that much, maybe to Tallahassee and back.  

This is a complicated story of a a young woman who has worked her entire life to become an astronaut. As readers follow her journey, they move through her life and grapple with her character as she decides what it means to be a Cherokee, a scientist, a lesbian and a sister, aunt and daughter, and indeed, there is more. It is a very ambitious novel addressing identity, family, obligations and ambitious and belonging. 

   In the end I struggled with this one. On one hand I was very invested in the main character getting to space. On the other, I was somehow not invested in chapters and chapters and chapters of relationship drama.  Be it from her Mother, her sister or her girlfriend, it eventually felt overplayed.  I know that some people's lives are indeed like that, but at one point if I wasn't 3 hrs to the end, I would have just DNF the whole thing. 

   Despite me not really enjoying the novel, I think it is well written and for many this is one they might want to read. In general picks from Reese's book club tend to be very readable  I am a bit embarrassed to admit, I just had to look up exactly who Reese is and after looking over her picks, this one seems like one of the more adventurous picks. The rest that I viewed, seemed to be sort of safe book club picks.  This one was more on the wild side, and, with her cinematic background, I can entirely entirely see this book being made into a mini-series - the amount of family drama would draw in quite the audience. I did enjoy that it was written as a contemporary novel and that made it feel quite real.  Characters were well fleshed out though none were particularly likeable to me. 

So... would I recommend this novel?  Possibly. I would not recommend it to just anyone, but for the right person, this will be a 5 star read. 

For me it was about a 3.25  but that's all based on vibes alone. 

First Published :  9/2/25

Pages: 448

Available as an Audio Book : Yes   ~ 14 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  poverty, racism, classism, domestic violence, medical issues, body horror, slavery, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Behold The Dreamers, by Imbolo Mbue

 This is a blast from the Backlist, as it was first published in 2016.  At that time it won lots of awards, and somehow, I never ever saw it.  I was reading less back then, I suppose. 

This debut novel for Mbue  has a lot to love and it remains relevant today! 

      

  In short, readers are given the story of a Cameroonian couple who are determined to make in the America.   Jende did not have it easy in Cameroon, so when he arrives in the US and gains employment as a chauffer for one of Lehman Brother's top men, he's thrilled.  He's well paid, and he and his wife are able to start planning a future. Neither have the correct visas nor a green card, but they are encouraged to not worry too much about the future as no one can predict the future. Through his job, Jende has a view of the ultra-wealthy in the US- and gives readers the same view. 

    All goes along as one might expect until the 2008 financial crisis.

Jende's employer is in crisis, which eventually trickles down to Jende. Cash Flow is at stake, but also relationships which everyone believed were based on more than cold hard cash.  Each character is forced to face some unpleasant realities and each makes choices that they could not have dreamed of making in the past. 

Mbue's novel pulled me in and I could not put it down. It pulsed with a rhythm that drew me in and kept my attention. I was particularly impressed at how even some minor characters were fully fleshed out, and had complete side stories that were as engaging as the main narrative. 

  This novel won the PEN/Faulkner aware in 2017 and I can see why. Well written and edited, compelling unique story which resonates well beyond the 2008 setting. 

     5 stars from me. Worth the read! 

STATS

First Published :March 2016

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book : Yes!

Trigger Warnings: parental death, infant death, prejudice, domestic violence, drug use, alcohol use. Not a full list - please read responsibly.

Book review: The Poet Empress By Shen Tao

 

   I am so appreciative of Macmillan audio for the Advanced listener copy of The Poet Empress! 

I give this one 5 stars! 

         This is an original dark fantasy that draws on ancient Chinese history - particularly court politics and poetic traditions - while telling a fictional story of Wei- a daughter of rice farmers, and a particularly cruel prince- Terran.  Wei enters the court almost by accident and is chosen by Terran to be his wife. Power plays, intrigue and desperation abound in the Azalea court, and Wei- raised far outside of this arena must rely on her wits, to position herself to succeed and stay alive. Magic abounds in the Azalea court, with poetic blessings that can change the world.  What is to become of Wei, Prince Terran, the court and the nation as a whole?  Set in a time of change, you'll want to read - or listen - to find out!  I enjoyed the personal relations, the action, court politics, and overall arc of the story. It is a rare instance where the characters are so well developed that I found myself rooting for  BOTH the Hero/heroine and the villain in the story as each layer of development was peeled back through the novel.  The novel allows a reader to explore what makes a person "morally good" or not and the effects of the sum of our experiences on their future actions and choices.  A great book for certain book clubs, because there is a lot to unpack and discuss.

The story takes quite a few dark and unpredictable turns (Check those trigger warnings), which were heartbreaking and brought up all the emotions.  I especially enjoyed the conclusion which was, again, unexpected, but perfection for this reader. I loved that it did not conclude with the ending I expected! 

 This book is not suitable for all audiences due to some of the very heavy content.  It will be important to review for potential triggers prior to cracking that spine or putting on your headphones. 

In short, this was an excellent combination of historical elements, ghostly influences, and magic. It is an excellent book for those who enjoy Dark Romantasy but want something that doesn't follow the usual storyline.  I'm not going to lie, this is a book that literally made me cry in rush hour traffic. I found it was hard to put down and finished it off in record time.  Eric Yang and Katharine Chin were the narrators and voiced the novel perfectly.  I felt entirely immersed in the story through the audiobook and was never distracted by the narration.  

STATS

First Published: Coming January 2026

Pages: 400 pages

Available as an Audio Book : YES  (~ 15 hours) 

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

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards 5 stars

  I picked this book up as part of Net Galley's Summer Camp reads!  I was immediately attracted to the cover, but I was not sure how I would feel about the book. It is historical fiction, and I'm very hit or miss on historical fiction.  But, I am a sucker for a good cover, and this is a really really nice cover! Though the more I gaze at it, the more the hand looks... kind of odd.  A little too large and doesn't quite match the person it's attached to.  I have not been able to unearth who did the cover, but... maybe I'll have a bit more time to seek it out soon.  I am hoping it isn't an AI piece. 

It's a debut novel for Janet Rich Edwards, and if you're a historical fiction type of reader, this is worth putting on your TBR. 

Spoiler free review- because Spoilers are just.. NOT IT. 

    Readers dive into the 13th century Bruges  where wealth is measured in wool and social station is highly prized and protected. We meet Aleys- a young girl who's prone to visions and deep passionate feelings, specifically related to the church. I'm unclear if she would have been prone to religiosity in a different time or if that was simply because that was what she had exposure to in her sheltered life.  Her only exposure to books is her Mother's richly illustrated psalter which Aleys covets. 

I imagine the psalter may have looked a bit like this:

Printer Of Teghen Die Strael Der Minnen, Printer, Prosper Louis Arenberg, and Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection. Alle die Epistelen end Euangelien metten sermonen vanden gheheelen iare. [Gouda Printer of Tegen die strael der minnen 23 June, 1484] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/65058916/.

Aleys is smart, passionate, and also stubborn and proud. On the eve of her wedding (which would secure her and her families social standing) she runs to join a religious order. There she is tasked with an almost impossible seeming task and to make progress she must reexamine many of her notions about others, God, and her place in society. Change is afoot in the religious community (and the world as a whole).  Forces greater than Aleys and her local religious organizations are at play. Aleys must confront her place within this complex situation and, like all young people, make the choices that will determine her life.

   As a novel, this book does move at a leisurely pace, with a lot of room for Aleys, and the reader to reflect on religion, prayer, and community. (It is not a religious book, but a book about persons who were highly involved in the religious life at the time- so readers be assured, this is not a religious propaganda type of novel at all.) I found I enjoyed it best by absorbing a few chapters at a time. 

   Strengths of this novel are the richly detailed descriptions of life in that time period, and the insight into the Catholic church in that time period. I often felt as if I could step right into the Beguine's dormitory, or touch the wool prepared for the market. As a non-Catholic, the explanations regarding different orders and roles flowed easily and did not feel didactic.  Aleys herself is a compelling character, though I can't say she is particularly loveable, she was peculiar and interesting and I did want to read on to see how things would play out for her and the community.   This is an excellent read for book clubs as historical fiction is very book club popular, and this is a unique time period that isn't well represented in the historical fiction landscape. 

This book is scheduled to come out in December, just in time for holiday gifting!  While I have an electronic copy (Thank you to Spiegel and Grau and Net Galley for the advance reader copy)  I suspect this one may make it on to my wish list. (I'm on an economical book buying ban, but I know I can use all the holidays and birthdays for book hauls!!!  Hint hint!) 

Editing now to add that the audio book has come out, narrated by Lucy Rayner and she gives the book a great read without becoming distracting from the narrative! 

STATS

First Published : December 2, 2025 (Scheduled) 

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book : YES! 

Trigger Warnings: Medical content, fire, confinement, death Sexual assault, violence, sexism, mental illness,sexism, animal death - as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Aqueous by Jade Shyback 4/5 Stars

 Have I been straying from my water theme?  Kinda Sorta. 

When I saw this on Net Galley, I knew it was one for my Water 2025 extravaganza.  I wasn't sure what to expect from this debut novel, as I've had some hit and miss this year indeed.  To be honest, I kind of went into this thinking it might not be that good. We are at the halfway point in my water year, and indeed...some of it hasn't been great. This however, hit me at just the right time! 

For me, this was a hit!  Firstly let's take a moment to appreciate the cover:  It took me a hot minute to discover the cover artist and designer:  Camryn Jette Anderson (Art) and Ashley Sherrif (Design) 

Small synopsis without spoilers: This is a Young Adult Debut novel.  Readers follow Marisol through the final weeks of her last year in school when she will be assigned to a permanent assignment in her undersea settlement. Marisol's been underwater on the Aqueous campus for 10 years, she's happy and well adjusted, and dreams of becoming an elite diver, a dangerous position. Prior to this she was adopted in the chaos of a dying earth above the ocean. She's always felt her mother gave her up so she would be sure to have a better life. As she adjusts into her new adult role, Marisol learns some information about the above world that changes everything. She's unsure of what's to come, but she won't keep silent. We are left with a big CLIFFHANGER and I'm left wanting book two now.

The biggest strength of the novel is the fantastic, detailed worldbuilding. I was fascinated and really enjoyed all of the descriptions of the sea steading pods created to survive climate disaster.  This is not the first underwater city that I've traversed this year (in reading) , but this is the first one I enjoyed. I could entertain a life under the sea if it's like this one! (OK so please, just let's go now!) 

 If there is a weakness, it's in the dialogue. Overall, it is oddly stiff/formal and made me feel like I wasn't really reading/listening to teens talk among themselves, but I was able to suspend my ideas and I told myself that theses were all kiddos who learned to interact "under the sea" and of course their language might be different. In addition, the author clearly enjoys alliteration, and for some this might be annoying. For me, I decided it was a quirk of Marisol, and thankfully it wasn't always present. 

This is a novel that's a bit unique in the YA genre right now. It is a true story for Young Adults. It isn't an adult story that's dumbed down, it's clear it really was meant for the YA audience specifically. I would have LOVED this at age 12 -14.  Marisol and her cohort go through things that kids her age go through, they deal with parents, relationships, confusing romantic (not sexually intimate) situations, and the angst of disappointment as the reality of the unfairness of life creeps into their under the sea community. I really liked that this wasn't a romance disguised as YA, and that the author didn't depend on supernatural powers for her characters development. Because of this, even though the underwater environment was different, I felt that Marisol and her community were very relatable. 

The audiobook is read by the author herself and does included 2 musical numbers which were pretty enjoyable (I usually skip right over any added lyrics /poetry so if I say I enjoyed it, that's a real endorsement).

  

This might not be appreciated by adults, but I think a certain subset of the population will enjoy it and I think it's definitely a very thoughtful book for the YA audience.  It would be great for a reading group as there are lots of themes to talk about: climate, community, gender norms, coming of age, discovering one's purpose, family, the future. I do want to read book 2, and I think this author/story line will only improve with each new installment. 

STATS

First Published : May 2023 

Pages: 204

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: ocean creatures, adoption/abduction, Climate crisis, Death of child, death of parent, blood, medical situation,  (not a complete list- be responsible!)

Book Review The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley 5/5 stars

  Readers!  I'm ashamed to admit that I essentially slept on Bradley's The ministry of Time because 

I frankly did not like the cover. 

I mean... 

It honestly did nothing for me.  I heard a lot about this novel, but I kind of think that most of the nice people trying to sell it on Tik Tok either hadn't read it, or didn't have the ability to really speak about it. (I've seen many negative reviews from people complaining that they "Had to look up words from the book")  They all made it sound sort of...well, lets just say not one of those hundreds of Tik Toks influenced me in a good way. 

But it has been nominated for a 2025 Hugo award, so I decided I'd give it a go. So... this was a lesson for me.  Firstly Tik Tok reviewers are not always very good at their reviewing, and I guess the old adage about judging a book by it's cover would also be true.  I would hope maybe - given it's smashing success- they might consider a different cover, one without the fake GMA sticker that no one wants on their cover, and something other than just circa disco era lettering? 

So, I LOVED THIS NOVEL WITH MY WHOLE HEART and possibly some of my soul as well. I'm not sure how it holds up against the others, but it's definitely one of my favorites of the six. 

  In short (with no spoilers because spoilers are just the worst...) This is a story that one could tackle on many levels.  The basic premise is that in a near future UK, the Government has found a way to time travel. The agency then decides to displace 5 figures from history that "would have otherwise perished"  and bring them into the current time. Each is assigned an agent to assist them in adjustment to time and monitor their health and behavior. All of these displaced persons are fascinating and well fleshed out- not one is a cardboard cutout for things to "happen to"  (Kudos to Bradley for this feat!) As this year winds along, our narrator discovers that there is far more going on than just an experiment with temporal space. Suddenly she is embroiled in a high stakes cat and mouse kind of game between the displaced persons, people in her era and those in the future. Throughout the novel, our narrator - who is the child of a Cambodian refugee, opens up space for her characters and readers to reflect on how we perceive race, gender, religion, mental health, sexuality and power. We end with a definite change in circumstances for all involved, but one that was entirely gentle and somewhat hopeful. 

  My only disappointment is that I wasn't able to read it with a group of people because I just know that would have enhanced my enjoyment tenfold. 

I am very interested in what Bradley is going to produce next! 

STATS

First Published : May 2024 

Pages: 352

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  racism, confinement, institutionalized racism,  emotional abuse, alcohol, gun violence, mental health, sexism, death,