Book Review: Preaching to the Choir by Adrian Tchaikovsky

    Those who have followed my reading escapades know that I am a little lukewarm on Adrian Tchaikovsky.  As a writer, he's a master.  It's just that sometimes even though his Sci-Fi is masterful, and very well put together, I just, kind of don't love it. 

So, I can  not really explain why I decided I needed to read Preaching to Choir, but... if you take a gander at the stunning cover, you might understand. 

This Cover was done by the amazing Gemma Sheldrake (also known as petitecreme), Without this cover, I likely would have avoided it. 

So glad I spent the time to delve into this novella.  It was so very different when compared to Shroud, or Alien Clay. I LOVED it. and psst- there are some amazing illustrations/photos in the novella as well. 

Coming in at a cool 176 pages this is a perfect read for "Summerween" It gives off the most delicious creepy gothic vibes, and I had a great time reading this. 

Without any Spoilers- Readers meet an international couple, Elena And Ross. Ross is British and well heeled, Elena's had to work hard to get where she is- which is attending a prestigious American med school.  Elena and Ross are headed to his old family estate for some sort of once in a lifetime family gathering.  As they approach the house, things get creepy- but Elena's sure she's just imagining things.  She breathes a sigh of relief when the doors swing open- only to get the most unwelcoming welcome ever. Elena, being tough, decides to stick around, until it becomes apparent she's Hotel California'd herself and well... can she leave?  Should she leave? Reader's will want to pick up this slim volume to find out. 

  Readers can expect signature Tchaikovsky Macabre moments, as well as incisive commentary on power, influence and money as well as the lengths people will go to obtain said things. 

This reader wants more of this from Adrian Tchaikovsky.   Thanks to Solaris, a division of Simon and Schuster for the advanced reading copy. 

STATS

First Published  August 11, 2026 

Pages: 176

Available as an Audio Book : Unsure  

Trigger Warnings:  violence, murder, death, monsters, racism, classism, creepy house vibes. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: The Winter Folk by Jen Julian

 Appalachian Folk Horror is really seeming to have it's moment in the sun!  I hope that moment never ends, because as a Born and Raised in Appalachia  card carrying member, I love this stuff. 

 And this book, in particular is just really- something else! It pulls on my memories, and introduces new ideas, mixing in with familiar myths involving wishes granted (with additional unseen consequences). 

Jen Julian, a new author to me, really knocks this one out of the part.  I love that she got a degree at a college where I also got a degree.  We're just one degree apart (HA HA HA) 

This cover just screams Appalachia - and without being gruesome, kinda gives me the creeps in a most delicious way. It was designed by

Lisa Marie Pompilio.  Jo Wyckoff did Hand Lettering for the cover. 

    I like that this book allows one to just settle into it while reading.  

No spoilers- just some teasers:  Our main character- Vera Stoker grows up with stories of the Deer King. Her mother warns her off the Deer King, which likely makes him all the more attractive, and Vera- Moth is fascinated by the folks that come and go from Deer Lodge.  Eventually, she lands a contract at Deer Haven- a season of work for a wish granted...  (Could that be a BARGAIN? We all know that when bargains are made things may not go well for humans... at that point I was hooked!  Bringing the modern to the mythical is something that's often tried - with varying success. Julian seems to have melded the two together as we move from former times at Deerlodge to the current day. 

Readers move seamlessly between the reality of Moth's current life and her former situation- throughout the novel the uneasy sensation builds leaving readers with much to think about.  What's real?  Was it always real? Was it never real?  If it wasn't as remembered, what really happened? Moth must come to terms with the past to free her for her future. 

   While reading this, images like this just kept popping up in my head, not as Deer lodge but of the residents of folks like Vera- Moth who live in proximity to , but without access to the lodge. 

United States Resettlement Administration, Mydans, Carl, photographer. Interior of mountain farmhouse, Appalachian Mountains near Marshall, North Carolina. North Carolina United States, 1936. Mar. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017715156/.

 Now, all the pre-reviews and blurbs note that readers of T. Kingfisher and Alix E. Harrow will enjoy this book and I'd agree, but I also feel that if you're a fan of Seanen McGuire, - Jen Julian is an author you'll want to pick up- especially The Winter Folk. I definitely felt the "Every Heart a Doorway" vibes through this novel. 

This novel doesn't come out until July- but with a wintery kind of theme, it's going to be perfect to bring a chill to that July air. 

 

                                             STATS

First Published: 7/21/26

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book :  YES unclear on time at present

 

Trigger Warnings: Body Horror, insects and other wild animals, death

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)