Book Review: The Blossoming of the Big Tree by Dilman Dila

 

 I had seen this on Net Galley and kind of shied away from the arachnid on the cover.  I'm not opposed to spiders, but I'm also not that into them. At some point Mr. Dila reached out and asked if I might be interested in this Solar Punk novel, and after looking at the description, YES, I was. I really enjoyed this novel, and I think I will want to read at least one more novella from this author. 

I so see a different background cover offered as well.   Do you have a preference? 

  This is really interesting science fiction/climate fiction with a snappy main female character who is about 70 years old, and a bit set in her ways.  She knows she isn't like everyone else, but she also, at age 70 has learned how to cope and get along in the world, despite her aversion to socialization, and depending on others.  She understands how interconnected the world is, and how people may be depending on her and she may be depending on them.  She doesn't love it, but she knows how her world works. She's elected/voluntold to the chairmanship of National Defense, and as she understands how her world works, she accepts without a fuss.  After all- she is living in a decentralized cooperative society- and she doesn't figure any other nation/area is going to pick a fight. 

Our intrepid main character did not expect a neighboring power to invader her peaceful country. They want their inventive eco-friendly tech and food. She's got to come up with something, and fast. Her decentralized society knows it can't fight back with military power, so they are throwing all hope at the Chairperson of National Defense. What's a girl to do? Adita - who just wanted to stay home- is about to have an adventure.  

Here's how I picture our main character: 

Parks, Gordon, photographer. Daytona Beach, Florida. Woman who says she is 104 years old. Volusia County Daytona Beach Florida United States, 1943. Feb. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017845190/.

 

Overall, I enjoyed this novella.  It has a delightful and satisfying ending, a main character that I wholly enjoyed meeting, and a lot of different points for discussion if read as a group. 

If one is going for the HRCYED (hardest Reading Challenge you'll Ever Do)  this will fall squarely in the Regions challenge, and can cover Regions in Africa. 

I hope more people will discover Dilman, for both Films and Literature! 

First Published :  7/1/2026

Pages: 110

Available as an Audio Book :  Not at this time. 

Trigger Warnings: Ecological disaster, War, Shunning (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review The Plagued Sea By Kim Bo-Young

 Many Many Thanks to Honford Star Ltd for the advanced E-copy of Kim Bo-Young's A Plagued Sea.

Amazingly, After I finished this one, I was offered the Advanced Listener's Copy from MacMillan Audio!  I jumped at the opportunity because with this creepy novel, I wanted to see how the narrator would handle the monsters and general atmospheric vibe! 

I am not sure if there has been a new flood of translated Korean works into the English Market - or if I just somehow became aware of them and started to seek them out but I am definitely here for it either way. 

Let's start with the Cover:

This cover really gives off a bit of creepy vibes just with the muted tones and the sightless fish eyes, It was designed by Jana Heidersdorf who is well know as the creator of covers for Hazelthorn and Don't let the forest in.

    This is a novella and it is a perfect read for those embarking on HRCYED (Hardest Reading Challenge you'll ever do) in July. One of the prompts is Weather Events and another is Regions, and yet another involves the elements, so this compact novella could work for several prompts. 

For readers who aren't into challenges, this also stands out as a book in translation, and a horror novel that pulls in the most delightful Lovecraft elements, while maintaining originality. 

   Without any SPOILERS - (there's enough spoilt fish in this one), readers start in a train station where our main character and her delightful niece are set to take a trip to a seaside escape. As they near boarding, warnings abound noting a strong weather event at their destination. For an unknown reason Mu-young decides to board the train anyway - a decision she may come to regret. Three years later, She finds herself trapped in a village that is quarantined due to East Sea Fever. There's no vaccine or cure, and it seems only this village is affected. My-young fills her time working to maintain quarantine for the infected. It's a thankless job, and she isn't a gentle kind character that makes a reader want to support her. One day she's warned to stay inside, but of course, like all good horror, she does not do what she was told, and all hell, chaos and misery breaks loose in a way that opens her understanding and compassion. This crescendo of a moment really made the entire book for me! 

   Overall this read has top tier suspense that built steadily until an explosive conclusion. I enjoyed the references back to Lovecraft and felt that this novella does deserve to be called "lovecraftian" It was someone Covid-19 coded- and I did feel a bit triggered by many references that brought the Covid back to the forefront of my mind. I imagine in a few more years "the young folk" will find those references fascinating rather than triggering! 

Getting back to the Narrator... Joy Osmanski was the narrator and I appreciated the subtle way she used her voice tones and pauses to create this nightmare sensation of a novel.  It would have been easy to fall into sound effects, but instead I felt as if I was listening to Joy tell us a story naturally using just inflection, timbre and tone- as well as space between the words to set the scene. Amazing. 

I'm so glad I got the opportunity to dip into this one early and review it for all.  It's one to pop on the TBR to savor on a rainy summer afternoon! 

First Published :  8/11/2026

Pages: 156

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes

Trigger Warnings: Death, Ecological disaster, Disfigurement, violence, smoking and mild alcohol use, noxious odor references.  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Braised Pork By An Yu

 An Yu has been on my radar since I boldly resisted a copy of Ghost Music a while back on Net Galley.

I would gaze at the titles which are tempting indeed and then for whatever reason, sail on by. 

But this time, in a bold effort to meet my reading goal of "books completed" I decided to jump into Braised Pork- a novella that, on audio, lasts about 5.5 hours. 

This was such an interesting read.  I cannot say I had exactly a "good time" with it, but I can say it held my attention, and that days later, I'm still mulling it over.

I admit, I am NOT a fan of the minimalist- abstract-ish cover, but, I also don't hate it. It just didn't do much for me as a reader overall. 

    Weird Girl fiction is ALL THE RAGE  - at least over on the Book Tok.  It seems either one is a romantasy gal, or a weird girl reader- very rarely do the two mix it up.  I kind of like both, and I am going to make the case that Braised Pork is essentially kind of a weird girl novella. 

Set in Beijing and Tibet, we follow Jia Jia, a young woman who married for security it seems.  She was a painter, but hasn't been painting much. He businessman husband is found dead in a bathtub in their apartment. She's surprised but seems to move on from that with a disaffected style- starting an affair with the local bartender, and navigating some complex financial situations. All the while, she occasionally- not too often- starts to think about a drawing and a dream her now deceased husband shared with her. A dream of a man that was half fish with a man's head. 

As she glides through her life, picking up a few art jobs, and seeing the bartender intermittently, she becomes obsessed with the image of a "fish-man" that her husband described and drew for her after a business trip to Tibet. She begins to paint it, but cannot complete it. At this point, she decides the best action is to take a trip-- the same trip-- that her husband did. 

  Readers are taken on a wild ride through Tibet, discovering supernatural moments and a place where time seems to slightly- ever so slightly bend. Jia Jia returns with a better understanding of her world and her place in it. 

I'm still unsure if this is meant to be a piece of literary mood fiction with some magical realism, or a deeply symbolic meditation/depiction of mental illness.  I feel like I could make the argument either way and be ok with it, so I suspect - for readers- it's a "take the interpretation that works best for you at this point in time" kind of conclusion. 

 I loved that so much was packed into this novella that still manages to feel as if one is reading along on a slow moving stream. I was often confused, and left to ponder pieces here and there. This is a good one to savor on a weekend morning at a coffee house. Definitely recommend- especially if you've gone through all the "usual" weird girl recommendations and are hankering for more. 

First Published :  5/14/2020

Pages: 240

Available as an Audio Book :  yes ~ 5 hrs

Trigger Warnings:   alcohol use, death, on page sex (non graphic) , smoking, divorce, (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Behind on your reading goals?

 It's June!!!  We are half way through this year! 

It's been a VERY long 6 months and I myself am behind on my reading goals. 

So... Of course reading is not a competition.  There's a content creator who always shows how she has read about 8 books a week, and I'm always a bit annoyed by that, but... I let it go,  let it go... let it go. I do not know how she does it, but, I also...know that she does a great job at promoting all sorts of diverse and interesting books, so... who am I to judge.  

I do wonder though, at a rate of 8 books a week- where is that time to sit with something and absorb and digest it?  But I digress. 

 I could... adjust my reading goal to have fewer books on it, but I decided instead to look for some shorter books, while continuing to read all the others I want to read. I MAY have gone overboard requesting some advanced copies- but there were SO MANY good ones coming out... 

If you are like me and find that life catches up to your reading, I have some recommendations for shorter fiction, that I believe is still meaningful and interesting. Many of them are books in translation, so you can beef up your reading of diverse reads with these!   Most are available at your library, so you can check them out without purchase!

Federal Art Project, S. Curb service 10,000 current books - convenient, free, time saving: Chicago Public Library, Randolph St. corridor. Chicago Illinois, None. [Chicago: illinois wpa art project, between 1936 and 1941] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/98508385/.

Without Further ado: 

Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite 

This is a complete novella told in 2 hours. A closed room who-dun-it set on a generation ship in space.  For would be writers, this is a lesson in how to quickly build a world, establish a full story with well developed characters and bring that story to a close.  The pacing was Perfection.  She apparently has a few in this series if you start to like them! 

But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo

Coming in at just 115 pages, This is a sapphic gothic novella, with an eldritch like spider-monster-woman. It is a unique translated novella, with the translation crafted by the author. 

Cowboy Graves by Roberto Bolano

This is actually a volume with 3 novellas in one.  3 wildly divergent stories, all in translation as well. I honestly feel like, any description would just be wrong. 

Spring Garden  by Tomoka Shibasaki

You may be sensing a theme here with books in translation! This novella focuses on life in modern day Tokyo. Two lonely people come together over a tale of a spring garden. 

The River Swimmer by Jim Harrison

This comes in at 204 pages.  This novella is set in Michigan and follows two men of different ages who are both confronting life challenges in love, and environment. This felt very relatable, and also had some excellent descriptions of the Michigan landscape. 

The Language of Liars  by S. L. Huang is  a new novella. 

I have a Full Review of this one HERE   or if you feel a wild need to hear me chat about it:  Check it out here: 
 I really fully feel like this novella should be in the contention for a Hugo in 2027. Space Opera, with no human characters, just astounding and creative and fun! 

If you are looking for Romance to sweep you away in under 200 pages... Bad Blood by M. Malone may be the one for you. A RITA winner, 

This follows a typical romance format with familiar tropes- an off limits little sister, a broody main male character that's successful, and yet still single and just awaiting that one moment to throw all his morals aside for said off limits little sister.  At 234 pages, it is maybe longer than a typical Novella, but given it won a RITA for Novellas, I'm letting it be in the list!

I admit, I'm not a huge fan of contemporary romance, but.. romance in space?  For some reason, this... always makes me smile. 

Emily Michel creates an action packed novella with an alien on earth! Meretta - the Female lead is a quiet reserved librarian, who notices that this man's photo is most surely part of a 100 yr old collection.  What's going on? In 108 pages, you'll be taken on a wild ride. Emily has a second book coming out.  which is also novella length- so if you are itching to enjoy some alien novellas- these are really quite fun, easy to read and not extremely serious- so perfect for summer! 

  Which novellas have you enjoyed? Let me know your recommendations in the comments!  I am about 10-12 books behind on my reading goals, so... these may show up as full reviews soon! 

Book Review: The Language of Liars by S.L. Huang

 This is another book I highly recommend for your TBR.  

I really enjoy S.L Huang.  I liked her retelling of the Chinese tale The Water Margin very much and I was looking forward to a new book from them. 

I have to admit when I saw the cover and the title, I was a little bit... skeptical.  (this is one cover that didn't pass the test for me.) 

For me this cover was maybe a bit too understated. It did not scream out to me - this book may re-arrange your entire thought processes about the way we relate to other humans and animals. 

BUT... hear me out- it might. 

There is a lot to unpack in this novella, and if readers take the time to do so, they will find themselves with a different perspective on colonialism, language and identity. 

Now, this may have some spoilers, but I'm going to try not to spoil it. 

Readers meet Ro, our main character, who's been nicknamed "cheerful disaster" by their elders. Ro seems to be just like me, until I realize Ro has 2 beautiful kind hearts, several stomachs, fur and claws and a hive life that's highly communal. Ro lives in outer space and is training to be a linguist and astral traveler. Ro is mostly wanting to do the right thing, and succeed within society, and one day- poof- Ro does it. 

Ro infiltrates another outer space society- the Star Eaters, and begins to send reports back. Soon, however, our adorable astral traveler starts to see things aren't as they should be. Like the cheerful disaster that Ro is- Ro burns it all down. There might not be a great conflagration, but...it's still.. something to behold in print or spoken word. 

Harris & Ewing, photographer. TORNADO. , None. [Between 1913 and 1917] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2016853119/.

What follows is an aftermath that cannot be imagined. You'll really have to read this one. 

   What's unique is that there are no actual human characters that I could identify in the novella. None. 

  Readers have a fantastic, imaginative space adventure that removes the human element, and in doing so- gives us mere human readers a space to really examine what happens when we "study" another society, when we colonize, infiltrate and explore- even with the best, most cheerful intentions. Can a society, or an individual ever really- go back home? (and really- what is "home"?)

Narration of the audiobook (Thank you Dreamscape Media!!!!!) was done impeccably by Emily Woo Zeller.  As always I could sink right into the foreign world built by Huang- and Zeller's voice disappeared. At times I felt like I could smell the ozone smell of space! 

100% Recommend. 

STATS

First Published: 4/21/26

Pages: 176

Available as an Audio Book :  YES  ~ 4.5 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  violence, cultural death, outer space torture, bullying 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

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: A Whisper of Secrets and Ashes by Jada McCrary

 

 Jada McCrary is an Indie author who writes mainly fantasy/romantasy. When I saw this very short novella in audiobook format on Net Galley I rushed to request it! I love a short read, or listen! It gave me an opportunity to get to know McCrary as an author without diving in to a full length novel.  

 

  

     I very much enjoyed A whisper of Secrets and Ashes!  While it clocks in at 52 pages and about 58 minutes of audio, McCrary shows her ability as an author as I didn't feel like there was much missing from this novella. With the details sprinkled into the novella, I was able to visualize the world with ease, and while I didn't have ALL the tea on the two main characters, I felt like they fit the mold of many romantasy characters, so I kind of felt like I understood the motivations of both female and male leads.  In some ways, this was much more enjoyable than having to read through a character having a flashback or dream (to show readers why they have come to be who they are at the time). Instead, we jump right into an adventure.

No Spoilers here:  Our FMC is a healer facing down a plague that seems to have no cure, while our Main man has lost something that is may be quite related to the current plague. Faelynn (FMC) is in service to the Fae God who directs her to Dreythis (MMC) as she works for a cure. Neither is really interested in love, but in a world of magic and mayhem, sparks will fly. 

  The novella is done in dual narration and it was very well done. Narrated by Jacci Prior and Anthony Palmini, the quality is high, and I felt like both narrators really hit it out of the park, imbuing the story with lots of emotion, and propelling it forward without going into the maudlin- which is pretty easy to do with romantasy content! The dual narration was extra special, and I always enjoy a dual narration! 

I enjoyed this novella, and I will be looking for more from this author! I'm invested, and I found this to be a lot of fun interspersed in between some of the heavier reading!  If you are interested to learn more about the author, HERE is a link to her actual webpage.  Her novels are some of the most beautiful ones I've seen in a while. 

                                                                               STATS

First Published : 2025 in an anthology, now as a standalone. 

Pages: 52

Available as an Audio Book : Yes (58 min) 

Trigger Warnings: strained family ties, magic, references to God (a Fae god) - please read responsibly.

Book Review: Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STATS

First Published: 10/29/2019

Pages: 160 pages

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

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

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: The Crane Husband, By Kelly Barnhill

   This is a short novel that really surprised me.  OK, so... it would not have if I had read a blurb or anything about the novel. I seriously grabbed this one due to the gorgeous cover. 

That cover... is stunning and I love it so much that I think I may rate the book a tiny bit higher due to the cover choice. 

This is a folk horror novella that is a contemporary retelling of of "The Crane Wife".  It has some horror elements, but it is also quite a gentle read, perhaps in the way the the young narrator gives us the very brutal story in a pragmatic, practical tone that is not devoid of emotion, but is also not overwhelmed by dramatic, over the top florid prose. 

  Our Narrator is a teen living in the American Midwest - after her father's death, she assumes the role of the parent for her mother and her younger brother. She's resourceful and savvy, but when her mother invites a stranger into their lives, she finds she can't entirely "fix" this issue. She's offered help, but she can't quite bring herself to accept it or trust that it will actually be the needed help. As she navigates some very adult situations with only teen ager tools, we come to a conclusion that is satisfying but not entirely joyful. 

I enjoyed this novella very much. It was well written, with a solid propulsive plot, unique imagery and very reflective. 

  I did read this via audio book.  and the narrator was clear and excellent, - not taking anything away from the story. 

STATS

First Published  February 2023

Pages: 118

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings:  violence, grief, Animal death, body horror, body injury, child neglect, food insecurity. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed

 I'm tempted to review this set of novellas together, but,  I thought why not do them as I go.

  I initially attempted to read this novella several months ago and I set it aside, likely due to ARC reading distractions. I did request the ARC for her latest novel- which turned out to be... the third in this series!  So, back to The Annual Migration of Clouds it was! 

     I liked this novella a lot, and I think once I finish the other two books that go along with it, I may come to love it. My usual complaint is that the novella just kind of stops.  Some things are wrapped up- but overall, as a reader, I want more. 

A  No Spoiler summary - because I really loathe Spoilers! 

Set in the future where we have finally fully destroyed the climate, Reid , a 19 year old girl is our protagonist. She's just received word that she's been accepted to a university that has taken on mythic qualities within her small survival oriented community. She's thrilled and in shock, and she definitely wants to go, but- not everyone in her community thinks it's a good idea.  Reid is infected with a fungal symbiote and this symbiote seems to have a mind of it's own! This push-pull between family/community obligations and a desire to grow and explore beyond the daily routine is something that many readers will instantly find relatable. While it's focused on the first time leaving home, I felt this as a much older adult who still struggles with family and society obligations. The back drop of climate destruction and survival gave the work a serious tone that several coming of age stories miss. The decisions that Reid makes have serious consequences for her and her community.  We end this short novella with a final decision made, and a sort of new order established, but readers are left wondering if this was the right decision!  Luckily, We Speak Through Mountains is readily available! 

     Mohamed has a beautiful writing style. It is precise but also conveys emotion and personality.  Her characters seem fully developed in just a few sentences. I felt immersed in the post-apocalyptic community and invested in the decisions that Reid had to make. Definitely one I'm going to recommend in the future! 

STATS

First Published : September 2021

Pages: 168

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, absent parent, chronic illness, violence, animal death, alcohol, medical content, body horror (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: Last Chance to Save the World, by Beth Revis 5/5

 I was OVER THE MOON to get an advanced listener copy of the audiobook for Beth Revis' novella Last Chance to Save the World. Many thanks to Net-Galley and Astra publishing house and Dreamscape Media for the Advanced listener copy. It was Chef's kiss perfection! 

Me- flying in a balloon to get "over the moon"...

Navigation aérienne. Ballon & appareil de direction construit par M. Pompéien-Piraud, inventeur / / B. Arnaud. , 1883. [Lyon ; Paris: B. Arnaud, ?] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2002735905/.

  I have read all of the Chaotic Orbits series and this one is supposed to be the last. It promised a satisfying ending and I'm going to have a bit of a hot take, this was NOT at all satisfying, unless there is a fourth book or spin off on the way. 

If you are looking for a fun, slow-burn tension filled series that is both futuristic and realistic-with some devastating plot twists, this is a series for you! 

   While I suppose this could be read as a stand-alone, I think it really is better to start at the beginning  with  Full Speed to a Crash landing.  and read through to get the full impact of this funny and snappy rom-com set in space. 

   Last Chance to Save the World did not disappoint (despite my misgivings about the ending). Ada and Rian - our main characters continue to play their parts well. Rian's still the somewhat stiff G-man determined to impart rules and order to situations- convinced that by following them to the T- he can indeed save the world.  Ada, well- she's Ada. She is a bundle of chaos, impropriety, snark and surprise. She's also determined to save the world- but her methods are more...flexible shall we say.  Of Course... Rian is essentially obsessed with Ada, probably in part because she is so wildly unpredictable and "off limits" Ada's also  IN LOVE  but she's true to her own character, even a bit prickly to herself- not allowing herself nice things. Despite this not progressing to the on-page "spice" that readers today seem to be clamoring for, I think I appreciated it more because it takes something special to hold a readers attention with out that. 

These two spend some time in forced proximity, concoct a plan to literally save the original Earth, and yet still can't quite manage to figure each other or their situation out. If that isn't a very realistic romantic situation, I am not sure what is.  All of this, of course is set in space, with ships, space stations, interesting space foods and clothing.  

As readers we are taken along for the wild ride,  and left a bit short of breath as Ada takes things right down to the wire. Can Ada and Rian save the Earth? Can they save themselves? 

You 'll want to read to find out. My only warning to the reader is that while the ending is somewhat satisfying, it really doesn't feel like the end. So if you're listening DAW Books, readers want more! 

Shout out to the Audiobook narrators: Dara Rosenberg and David Bendena. They narrate the entire series, and for me they enhanced it entirely. If there were mispronunciations, I missed them, and the flow and pace was so natural and enjoyable. Highly recommend the audio for those who enjoy ear-reading. 

My only sadness with the Ear reading is that there isn't a beautiful trophy book for my shelf. The art for these covers is on-point, it reflects the fun, campy, snappy nature of the series and I hope at some point to get a full set. (Deep down I am hoping for maybe an omnibus, but I'd settle for a book 4...) 

STATS

First Published : April 8, 2025

Pages: 176

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: parental death, illness, climate

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