Book Review: The Wicked by Rebecca Johnpee

  If you follow my reading escapades.... you know I dip from time to time into utterly dark romance.  I never want to limit my reading to just one genre, and I find that these romances are really enjoyable.    This one, was really something! 

This Mafia romance is set in Italy, which is wildly different from most of the ones I've read. There's also an overarching plot which involves a heist, and a quest for a missing piece of art. 

   Street  is a group of friends who are wildly talented at getting in, getting the goods (be it information, property or something else) and getting out without being seen. All of Street's members have nicknames that link them to terrifically traumatic pasts- Milk, Zahara, Dog, Devil and Upper. (to be frank, I didn't care for either the name "street" or the nicknames, but the book was so engaging I was able to overlook it) 

Elio is a man on a mission- shaped by a cruel background- he's the head of a mafia conglomerate and he refuses to have any weaknesses. This leaves him feeling empty, and alone. He's desperate for someone to care about him, but he's also not about to admit that. 

Worlds collide when Zahara and her team are found by Elio and essentially held hostage until they complete a difficult job. 

As the job unfolds, Elio has to face his growing attraction to Zahara. It's complicated and she's unlike any woman he's met before.  

Seems simple enough, but in fact, there's a complex heist plot that could at times overtake the slow burn romance.  Side characters have well developed pasts and complex issues of their own going on, which make the novel more interesting and engaging, as there's more than just a tortured romance. 

This is the first in a series and does end on a truly wicked cliff hanger. I do find I need book two asap! 

   The writing is good, there is a tendency to use plot devices for information dumping (the entire Street team spends one night telling each other the origin of their nick names- which one would have assumed they would have done earlier) and it is easy to spot the "twists" coming up- BUT- this somehow didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. 

The characters all have intense trauma in their past and I do recommend looking at trigger warnings before reading or gifting this one. 

I am very appreciative of Macmillan Audio which allowed me to listen and review for you! 

First Published :  11/25/25

Pages: 512

Available as an Audio Book :  yes ~11 hours

Trigger Warnings:   death, violence,  parental loss,  Suicide, references to past SA, Suicidal ideation, drug use, on page sexual encounters,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review Sublimation By Isabel Kim

   Ok so, I was NOT PREPARED for the utter delicious-ness of this debut novel. 

Where has Isabel Kim been? 

I feel like this is probably the most impactful book I've read all year.  I keep recommending it to all sorts of people, and I cannot wait for it to come out.  

In fact, my only regret is that when reading this, I wanted desperately to dissect little parts and discuss it with someone else. 

I wasn't  a huge fan of the cover, but it reflects the novel so perfectly, that I now see why it was chosen.  This book is a perfect mix of speculative fiction, science fiction, literary fiction and corporate espionage thriller, all rolled into one. Sometimes this doesn't work, but in this case, it worked so well for me. At the crux of this novel is the familiar question: 

Can a person really ever go home again?  It is an age old question, and one that you'll have to answer yourself at the conclusion of the novel. 

     In short, readers enter in to a near future world where persons can split in two at borders. It doesn't always happen, and in fact it's a bit unpredictable, and messy. These folks often live two separate lives, or later may choose to reintegrate into one individual. We follow two young persons who have "body doubles/" in the US while their "original copy" lives in Korea. As these people navigate desire, and choices regarding separation and integration or re-integration, we are also treated to an expansive family saga, detailed and completely fleshed out technology systems, a bit of an espionage thriller, and a reckoning or what's lost and gained when one leaves home. In addition, the novel gets a bit meta with all sorts of references to the books premise but applied creatively to age old stories from the Bible and Greek myths/poetry. It is quite an accomplishment that this work hung together so cohesively. At every chapter I was kind of turned around with the multiple references that really fit quite perfectly within the narrative!  

This is an excellent Book Club book as it brings up all sorts of topics of discussion: Immigration, Migration, Ethical issues with the use of technology, Family relationships and how they shape our world, Friendships, Personality, and so much more.  

   I was gifted an audiobook copy from Macmillan Audio and I really really recommend that you do choose to use the audio version.  Narrators Major Curda and Michelle H. Lee did a great job giving a clear narration, but what REALLY stands out is the production of the novel. Studio Sound engineeers did an amazing job at translating certain parts of the text in some very specific sound effects which really drew me into the reading and made me feel as if I was experiencing the very thing the narrator was communicating. There was nothing distracting about this, and all the production really served to pull me further into the novel. 

   Even if you aren't a Sci-Fi fan, this is one to put on your list.  Kudos to Isabel Kim, I've been looking up everything else she's got out there all week. 

Many Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC, this was a joy to read. 

First Published :  6/2/26

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book :  yes ~ 12 hrs 

Trigger Warnings:  mild violence, mild body horror, (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

 

Book Review: The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean

  I requested this one on Net Galley  mostly on the strength of the cover.  I mean... look... look at this cover! 

Lucky for me, the audiobook was available  and I sunk into  the world, with the narrator Natalie Nadus disappearing in my mind, replaced by the sounds and smells of Post War Kowloon!  I love her narration because it really is transportative. After a few minutes, I am entirely immersed in the world, and forget I'm just sitting with headphones in rush hour commuting. 

  It's advertised as 'Gothic"  but I'm not sure that Gothic really applies that well to this one. While there's a lot of ghostly happenings and some horrible occurrences, I didn't have that creeping feeling of building and growing fear with this novel that I have gotten with other recent "Gothic" reads- WolfWorm (T. Kingfisher) or Japanese Gothic (Kylie lee Baker). It's got something different, a more shimmering quality than creeping dread. 

I'm going to call this the most Book Club Book I've read all year.

What makes it PERFECT for book clubs?  Well, it has a little bit of all the things that will appeal to a broad base of readers. 

Without Spoilers, Dean takes readers through a time pre- and post WWII Hong Kong and some outlying islands. This part of the narrative is meticulously researched and feels very accurate. Over top this is generously layered a dose of the supernatural- where ghosts flit in and out and can only be managed by exorcists and ghost talkers. The ghosts aren't just made entirely out of Dean's imagination, however, they are created and steeped in cultural beliefs about ghosts, and how to treat and interact with them over time. 

So all rolled into one we have historical fiction, a bit of a war drama, some messy family relations, the supernatural, and fiction that highlights cultural ideas and beliefs over time.  If that isn't a perfect book for the Book club to dive into, I don't know what is.  It's only missing a strong romance, and honestly, for the majority of book clubs, strong romances aren't the best for discussion.  (Unless of course it's the Stabby and Smoochy book club because we are all about ROMANCE) 

 I had not read Sunyi Dean before, and I think I'm going to have to pick up the backlist! 

First Published :  5/5/2026

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Abuse, trauma, mental health, violence, ghosts, violent ghosts, War, drowning, brief mention of suicide, death, body horror (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Seek the Traitor's Son, by Veronica Roth

 OH My,  reader friends....

This IS a book for your TBR.  I'd put it on top of your TBR.  It comes out in May- and I'd reserve that week for just this one. 

I requested this audiobook on NetGalley  and I was pretty sure I wouldn't get it, but it popped into my email and I thought, let's see about this one.  I had not read anything by Roth, but I knew I had enjoyed the Divergent films, and it's set sort of in space, this clearly was a book written for me. 

Without any spoilers- The basic plot is that two women are given a prophecy- one of them is to lead their people to victory in a decades long conflict. One is a feared, legendary General, the other a respected soldier. They are on opposite sides of this conflict and at the start, unequally invested in success.  The prophecy is neither expected, or wanted, but it cannot be ignored. 

As they move forward, everything changes in an instant, lives are changed, unravelled, and remade in unpredictable ways. Having read so many "dystopian romances"  I thought I knew where this was headed, and then it literally took off in many different directions which surprised and delighted me as a reader! While there is a familiar feeling to this story of a "chosen one" this one heads in unique directions, with characters that are so unique and well developed that they become friends (or enemies!) to the reader as the novel unfolds. To say I was invested may be an understatement. As a reader I was entranced, obsessed, and entirely locked in for the duration. 

   Although this is set in space, I found that the space setting was fairly loose as far as Sci-Fi goes. There's very little in this novel about the mechanics of humans in space, but there are- occasional aliens, and some very cool spacecraft. In some ways, Roth took the best parts of Space Opera, and dismissed the rest, and I found I was there for the experience. I could not put the book down.  When I was not listening, I was thinking about what I thought might happen next. I loved it. Roth then combines this space setting with a sort of "magical science" and all the elements we love from other heroic novels.  Thus, readers are treated to sword fights in space, travelling to strongholds on horseback- in space, alien communication devices, and ways to explore time in the past and the future as well as the present. 

    It sounds a little messy, but, it works. It works PERFECTLY. 

The balloon Zénith at sunrise or sunset, with five passengers during a long distance flight from Paris to Arcachon in March. , None. [Between 1875 and 1880] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2002716356/.

Not only does it work, it works beautifully. The writing just draws the reader in. I suspect that this is a book that works, mostly because Roth knows how to execute a story. This is not a story that could have been told by another author, it would not have come together properly and I cannot emphasize how much of the success of this has to do with Roth's imagination, and skill.  I could vividly see all of the characters, and their strange environment. The audiobook is narrated by Imani Jade Powers, Max Meyers, Rebecca Soler and Steve West.  This full cast brought a cinematic feel to my listening experience.  Roth provides just enough detail to create an immersive scene, and the full cast used tone, inflection and pacing to further allow me to know these characters. Hella's snark popped off and had me grinning while Theren's genuine aching gentleness spread over my mind like a warm blanket, an actual chill snuck down my spine when Rava's cold tones hit the page (airwaves). 

   Interestingly, at the end of the novel, Roth notes that she never intended to publish this story.  It was mostly a novel for her own enjoyment! I'm glad she was convinced to share it with the world, because my world was made much richer from the experience.

STATS

First Published :  5/12/2026

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book :  YES ( ~ 19.5 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: violence, death, death of parent, death of child, death of spouse, references to disease transmission, (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: 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: 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: The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre by Philip Fracassi

 If you are just building your Spooky Season TBR,  this is a book that needs to be put on pre-order for spooky season reading! 

Many Thanks to Macmillan Audio  for the advanced Listener copy. 

Holy Heck what a Ride! 

This thriller surprised and delighted me all the way to the very final end where one amazing final girl is left standing. (there are so many candidates for this final girl, and you know I won't be spoiling this one. 

 This is a perfect novel for those who are a bit tired of all the 20 something protagonists! Set in a wrap around retirement facility in upstate NY, almost all the characters are well beyond 70, and most are sharp, witty and living the best life that they can within the confines of aging.  That is, until someone starts offing them one by one.  I mean, I don't think, given the title, that this is a spoiler.  For me, I will say I expected this book to have a bit of a gentler edge, but it quickly became one I could not really listen to at home alone. Every time I'd glance at a window in the middle of the night, I had a moment of dread. Seriously spooky. This thriller had me on the edge of my seat. I suspected almost every character at one point in time, and the need to know propelled my reading. Towards the end I did "guess" the killer- but I think it was at that point that the author was directing the reader to the solution  as I only had a brief satisfaction of realizing Ohhhhh, that's the one! 

  In short I loved the setting, loved the premise and the tension/mystery/suspense created by the author. Definitely a good one to curl up with as the leaves begin to fall, and everything turns pumpkin flavored. 

January Lavoie was the narrator and was - of course- extraordinary. As my eyes are still not doing as well as I'd like, I really appreciated the audiobook. Of course, with a cover like this- I might need a book trophy.  Maybe it comes out at the end of September! 

First Published : 09/2025

Pages: 416

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: medical situations, drugs, alcohol, murder, elder murder, fire, references to domestic abuse

                   Not a full TW list, please read responsibly.   

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 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: The Night Birds By Christopher Golden 4/5 stars

 If you are looking for a suspense/thriller novel that doesn't rely on some of the usual thriller tropes and themes, this might be a book for you! 

I was so happy to be approved for the audiobook via Macmillan and NetGalley!  It fits right in to my Water 2025 theme, and, I could not resist the cover at all. 

(Cover art by Peter Bergting and Cover Design by Errick Nunnally)

To be 100% honest, I might have skipped over the title if I hadn't seen the cover. I'm not at all familiar with Christopher Golden, and the firs time I read the description, it... maybe didn't pique my interest, but darn it all, that cover! 

   In short (No spoilers!) Charlie and Ruby used to be an item, but, alas, many good things come to an end. Charlie's working for the state on a research project involving a partially submerged freighter ship with a team of characters who you'll come to love. As often happens in Galveston, a storm is brewing. Charlie's team part ways for the night, with Charlie intending on spending the night on the ship. Arriving at the dock he's confronted with Ruby- a very personal "blast from the past". She needs his help. She's got an infant in tow and obviously, they're running from something. So far this sounds exactly like a lot of thrillers you've read, indeed. I was settling in for this, when the novel took a macabre turn involving some very creepy beings, birds and lots of ritualistic behavior that had me floored. This novel has the suspense and the thrills but also come dripping in gore, pure terror, and dark creatures not of this world. There were some moments when I really felt I needed to look behind me while I was listening to this narration! While there aren't exactly "jump scares" in this gem, there are many moments which had me sort of sucking in a breath. I was surely engaged for all of it. In fact, I finished this in record time because  I HAD TO KNOW! 

  Overall, I had a lot of fun with this wild ride which takes place in a span of maybe 18 hours. It's well written and has a sort of cinematic feel to it, leaving the reader with very little time to catch a breath as the adventure rolls on. 

   The narrators for this adventure are Patricia Santomasso and Sean Patrick Hopkins. I was never distracted by the narration, and felt that they did a great job with the super creepy, gory material! 

  This goes on sale May 6th.  I think it would make a great gift for Mother or Father's day - for the Right Mother and Father. (Mine will be getting some goat's milk soap- but others... might go for this wild ride of grim horror!)  

STATS

First Published  May 2025

Pages: 304

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings:  violence, murder, theme of abuse and loss, Supernatural killers, infant loss, natural disaster angry birds, 

(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)  

Book Review Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings 4.25/5

Let's chat about  Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings! 

 

    My entire reading experience with this novel can be described as "FUN"!  This was made a "read now" on Net Galley a while ago and my book bestie and I decided to read it together as a buddy read, and I can say that having a person to read and react with in real time made my reading experience so much better than normal. We do not typically get the same Advanced Copies, so this was a treat. Thank you Macmillan and Net Galley for the opportunity to have this reading experience. 

Obviously, from the cover this is a Romance novel. It falls into the Rom-Com genre and it has an ultra-contemporary setting, which was realistic and relatable. Both my reading buddy and I really loved the book. I am not sure what her expectations were, but I will be the first to admit mine were kind of low. The romance genre is very saturated, so sometimes there are duds. THIS IS NOT A DUD! It really was a fun novel filled with relatable characters and experiences.  If you'd like to see my Buddy and I react to this, here's a link

In short, Eva and Riley are graduates from the same college where they had a brief, unpleasant dating experience. Post graduation they are both living their best life as social media personalities. Eva hosts a ridiculous show where low level celebs attempt to resurrect their brands. Riley podcasts dating advice to men on how to not be awful.  Eva comes across one of his shorts and - being several glasses of wine in- responds to remind him of her experience with him in college.  As Social Media is known to do- this response blows up- and their brands smell an opportunity. If you consume social media, you know this is... golden content that viewers love- and you probably also know it can be quite damaging to the actual people involved.  This is the story of a second chance romance in our modern world or How Riley re-met Eva via the power of Social Media.  

     Eddings did a fantastic job of really getting right into the perils and the joys of modern life. The story is told with some nuance that is often missing from the contemporary romance genre. Riley is not a "alpha male", but he's also not a weak character and Eva is a hard hitting difficult character, but not one that you have trouble imagining being in your inner circle.  Both could be your co-worker. These characters are relatable, and struggling with/engaging with things that ALOT of young people are encountering in that very bizarre time right after college.  Texts between my friend and I as we read this included phrases like "I feel so seen!"  and "This may be TOO RELATABLE" (it did also include some discussion of how many hot dogs one could eat in a day, and if we wanted to do hot dogs for our video review...)  Eddings leans in a bit to modern day references, but is able to balance references to popular social media site, and tropes etc, with a plot that follows through with the witty banter we all enjoy and a solid plot while gives readers a truly satisfying ending. One of the biggest lessons learned is that it's so important to not make assumptions about others behaviors in relationship. We do not always have the whole story and when we take the time to get the whole story, we can respond in a way that is most appropriate. 

So, for me, this is a cut above many romance novels and one that will be enjoyed by many when it is released in August!  I do suggest that you pop it on your list.  It would again be perfect for a beach read, lake house read, or... a staycation read.  

STATS

First Published : August 2025

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: child death, divorce, mental health, 

As always - this is not a complete list, read responsibly!