Book Review: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

  I soft DNF this back in May.  I was overly stressed out and I thought after reading the first chapter or so that I was going to like it but I didn't have time for it. 

Interestingly, I thought from that first chapter or so that I knew where this story was going.  It actually seemed like a fairly predictable romantasy  where the exiled girl  and the guard assigned to make sure she stayed exiled would fall in love an escape.  I was ready for that.

But no. 

The exiled girl stays exiled.  And our first plot twist emerges just pages into this tome. I should have realized at that point that this was not your average "Romantasy" where the Main Male character burns the world down for his love. I didn't.  

Instead, our main character is the woman who penned the exile order. Not the woman who decided she should be exiled. Simply the woman who created the documents for the task. In this day an age where a lot of people bark out that they were "just doing their job" the repercussions of this one act of "doing her job" are interesting to examine as they unfold over time. 

But, I digress a bit. This is really a bit of an EPIC fantasy novel.  It is over 600 pages, and because I had a 2 week audiobook loan, I listened to this one pretty much non-stop to be sure I could return it on time.  In the end, I put all other projects aside to finish because I wanted to know what happened and returned the book 9 days early.  It really was that good. 

Readers are taken to a land where dragon magic is real, wild and dangerous. We arrive as seven exceptional warriors, philosophers, strategists are joining a traditional series of trials to replace the current ruler. Each competitor represents the best of their "house".  Houses are tied to various animals and it's said that the people reflect the values/skills/attributes of their animals.  If that all sounds a bit strange, well- it is, but it works, and the best thing to do is just jump in and enjoy the journey. Ultimately each contender- and the people aligned with the contenders are all seeking power. 

Who will win?  What will winning look like? What will be the cost of the win?  Will it be worth it? 

5/5 stars  I wish I had read this one sooner. 

STATS

First Published  4/15/2025

Pages: 672

Available as an Audio Book : ~ 24 hrs 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, blood, body injury, death, Genocide,  Xenophobia, drug use, mild sexual innuendo, death of child, death of parent, supernatural animals.

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: The Disco at the End of the World by Nathan Tavares

 WHAT A WILD FEVER DREAM OF A NOVEL! 

I did receive an advanced Listener Copy from RB Media (THANK YOU!!!!)  and of course all opinions are my own. 

I do honestly believe this book is best read via audio for most readers. Ruffin Prentiss did the narration and his voice takes on a rhythm and timbre that is propulsive. I loved it. I was able to finish this book within a week - which is probably a speed record for me. 

   This is a story of many things. Firstly it is set in 1977.  But not a 1977 that you or I recall, and not one that is chronicled in the history books. We're in a 1977 that has a Space program involving military bases on the moon.  YEP,  ON THE MOON! 

   Mitch  (AKA Last Ditch Mitch) is stuck out on the moon, with one pal Gloria, and he's hoping his long lost love Flynn will someday come find him.  Thing is... he only knows Flynn joined the Spacemen, he had NO IDEA where Flynn might be.    

    Mitch and Gloria find themselves dishonorably discharged from the Service and must return to earth. This is not the plan, and  it's hard to know what to do. So, these two team up with the LGBTQIA community to create mutual aid, a space for people to be themselves, and a space for organization when actual aliens return to earth - some in the form of disco loving beautiful men. 

  I feel like this book is best understood if one has some knowledge of the history of various critical points in LGBTQIA history like the stonewall riots, the "gay panic defense"  and Don't ask/Don't tell act. Although none of this is really explicitly referred to in the book, I felt that there were reverberations of these time lines and events in the book. 

I did do a video review of this, and if you are so inclined please feel free to click here and help a creator out.  (TT is not a fan of these videos and I find my content to be somewhat less viewed after posting anything related to Pride month- which could be coincidence or... it could be something else. I am not a professional content creator and so I have created some very cringe videos.  I am also do not identify as LBGTQIA  so I may have not done this justice at all.) 

Overall I did enjoy this novel. It does not quite seem to come together very tightly, but based on vibes alone, I will give it a resounding 3.75 stars. 

First Published : 06/16/2026  Audio out on 6/30

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book :  ~ 9 hrs

Trigger Warnings: War references, weapons, aliens, Disco dancing, references to sexual behavior,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: The Dragon Has Some Complaints by John Wiswell

 

Many Thanks to Astra House Publishing/DAW  for an advanced E-galley of this novel. All opinions are my own, of course. 

This novel comes out July 14 in the US and July 16 in the UK. We do have a cover battle situation. I really was a fan of the US cover... and then out of an abundance of curiosity - I looked up the UK cover and now... I'm torn.  Of course, because I had an E-galley, I don't really have any cover at this point in time.  ALAS, AlACK, ALAY. I will eventually remedy that but will I find that UK cover?  I want that UK Cover, and I want that US cover. And I do not have that kind of book money. 

John Wiswell is an author that can really- really tell a tale. I was sure that "Someone you can Build a Nest In"  was going to win the Hugo last year. It did not but it was definitely in contention. 

I then picked up Wearing the Lion- and proceeded to just groan with laughter and love for our main characters. 

So- when I saw this choice from DAW, I was primed to wonder - what the heck is John Wiswell up to with a straight up dragon story. 

Reader friends, this is a dragon story with so much. So So Much, Heart, humor, drama, tragedy and joy that I had a hard time containing my heart.  BUT... it didn't start out that way for me. 

    It starts off with this very cantankerous 3 headed dragon that used to be a 4 headed dragon. As a dragon, our Main dragon character is beastly.  They smell bad, act cowardly and sullen, and are grumpy. Their body is broken and messy. They have terrible breath, and--- no one likes them.  I didn't even like them. They are it seems in some sort of war time situation with some dragons being tamed and pampered battle steeds for a human settlement, and many more resisting working with the humans.  Humans, of course, seem to eff everything up. 

   To be honest, I may have put this one down at this point, but Wiswell, that smart feller- he then hooked me in as our main Dragon character - MDC... finds himself wholly rejected by the Dragon community and in desperation, finds himself rescued by the humans after a battle. Once rescued, he is assigned a DISASTER HUMAN, Raina. 

    Wiswell had the nerve, readers- to write a character that was SO fully relatable that I thus was fully sucked right in and had to know what was going to happen to Raina, even though... she was so relatable-that I had a hard time really LIKING her. I recognized all of the parts of me that I am not particularly proud of- on display, in a book- that was not about me... but yet, was it? I had a couple of uncomfortable chapters there.  

 SO we start off with me feeling like our MDC is so despicable that no dragon will host him, and our MFC Raina is such a disaster that her kind also sort of shun her. 

NORMALLY- as readers, we generally....feel the pangs of sorrow and understanding for those underdogs of the pages.  Wiswell created such wretched creatures that I felt like I'd likely flinch away from both the dragon and the human.  AND THEN... HE MADE ME FALL IN LOVE WITH BOTH OF THEM. 

What the what.  What did he put in this one. 

 Chapter after chapter, I started to love the fantastic disaster that Raina honestly is, and the transformation of our MDC (Garrodigh) from a miserable broken creature into a focused, magnificent fearsome dragon. These two magnificent and imperfect creatures take on invaders who seek to destroy them, and uncover a secret that is even more fantastical. 

I had so many reactions and hot takes that I do wish I'd done a series of "video reactions" as I was reading, but alas, I do work a full time job - not in publishing or media- so you get this word vomit here. 

I was locked in until the very end. I will freely admit, there's something... in this novel.  I laughed, and cringed, and cried enormous tears. I shared one passage with a friend- one passage- and she was suddenly sobbing too. (ONE PASSAGE, not the whole book- she didn't know anything but that one passage).  I'd love to share that with you, but but but the book isn't out yet. 

PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR TBR. 

Firstly because the story - as it unfolds is marvelous.  There is some quirky, amazing worldbuilding and dragon lore which I am sure Wiswell got from somehow real time dragon interaction- no way he just made that all up in his head- (Dragon sleeping habits have to be observed)  An inventive floating city, aloft on dragon magic (I mean, yes please!) and more. 

Secondly because so many of us have said we want to read stories that represent all kinds of people.  And this dragon fantasy- has organic inclusion of disability, trans persons, elderly persons, mental health struggles and more. So many novels attempt to be "representative" and it reads as inaccurate, forced or performative inclusion. Not this one. All of this just flowed in a way that made me say- of course, yes, this is the way of things. 

Will I be lining up on release day?  It will depend on my book money situation, but I will definitely definitely be cheering this one on no matter what. 

First Published :  7/14/26

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  yes 

Trigger Warnings: death, xenophobia, fire, fire injury, bullying, war, war injury,  Alcohol use, injury, miscommunication "trope", (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: Black Hole Guns for Hire By Friday Strout

 Book pals, you may have noticed that I do not do a lot of Indie author reviews here.  I don't really read a lot of Indie published books. There are two reasons for this:  Firstly I do a lot of my reading via Audio-book, and secondly, I've been sent a lot of Indie works that weren't quite ready for readers- with an expectation that I will provide a 5 star review. That said- Indie's are so important. They often move us beyond what one of the Big Five publishers would consider "marketable" or "profitable" and provide readers with unique views and perspectives. 

   I felt that Black Hole Guns for Hire really did give me a different perspective, and I'm happy to recommend it - for certain readers. 

I was immediately smitten with the cover. It just screamed adventure, with a smidge of irreverence! If you are curious about the cover art (I was)  it was "made with Reedsy, a Designer based in New Zealand." 

   In short this story encompasses all sorts of current issues within an exciting space adventure. Lina Bho is captain of a Space Transport Junker. After retiring herself from the United Earth Marines, she's completing her transition with a rough and ready crew at the edges of the universe.  Things start out rough for Lina and crew, and only get rougher as the story evolves. They are stalked by pirates and aliens as they realize that the United Earth has stranded billions of people to control a rebel stronghold. Lina and her tight knit crew have only one chance, and a slim chance at that- to survive this. If you, like me, have to know what happens in this fast moving, lit-rpg type novel, you'll have to read to find out! 

    

      For me this novel did read a bit rough and ragged around the edges. I loved the diverse representation within the novel that was natural and not didactic or weird. I also enjoyed all the space battles, movements and machinations of the ships, and crew. I was less fond of the very stridently masculine tone of the novel, but that was possibly a "me" thing that may not affect other readers. Definitely a book to recommend for the Trans-rights readathon which occurs every March. I wouldn't wait til March to pick it up though, it comes out May 28th and I know it's one that will surprise and broaden reader's horizons! 

First Published :  5/28/26

Pages: 177

Available as an Audio Book :  possibly? 

Trigger Warnings: Violence, death, on page sexual content, alcohol use/abuse, war, gratituitous references to women's body parts (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow

 The Everlasting is one of the 6 books nominated for a Hugo Award this year, so it was high up on my list to complete before the awards are given out. 

I think it's a possible winner. 

That said, it is not going to be my choice for winner, although I have only read 4 of the 6, I am sure that I've read at least two that I enjoyed more.

That said, this was inventive, deeply romantic and tragic in a way that readers of One Dark Window and Wolf Worm are bound to LOVE. 

It's difficult to give a synopsis without spoiling at least one of the gentle surprises. But, I'm game to try. 

    We start our story by meeting Owen Mallory, a misfit and an outcast who's received a medal for bravery that even he feels he didn't deserve, and a discharge from the military with a post at a college teaching and researching literature.  Mallory struggles with family and social relations, but he's on point with his scholarship and is working on a project to provide a definitive translation of the story of a National Hero- Una the Everlasting. One day, he receives a mysterious book in the post. Generally not one to take risks, he risks transporting this book away and to a mysterious address. This action sends him on a journey for the ages. 

  In this novel we get  a tender love that transcends the ages, knightly battles, some dragons, and a villain who is also a victim. There are political machinations, and manipulation as well as a stubborn time loop. It really is a time bending, gender bending love story for the ages. On top of that, it's well imagined and stunningly well written. 

  For me, I did find it somewhat repetitive which of course can't really be helped in a time looping novel, I suppose.  In addition, it seemed to go ON and ON.  I was shocked to find out after bearing through the audiobook that the print is only 320 pages. The audiobook is 13 hours and 21 min.  An average length of audio book for 320 pages is between 9 and 12 hours.... and thus, after about 9 hours, I was a bit tired of Owen, his father and the woman who would be called Una. It was an honest relief when the story concluded in a masterful and gentle way. 

   I think it's highly possible this is a winner, despite it dragging on quite a bit for me. I think, quite honestly I'd recommend reading this one with the eyes rather than the ears. 

First Published :  10/28/2025

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Violence, death, on page sexual content, alcohol use/abuse, war (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Milk, Blood Heat By Dontiel Moniz

 I picked this back list book up for a reading prompt from my local bookstore. I felt like I hadn't really been reading enough diverse books and the cover was beautiful. 

I would like any reader to recall that I am not a literary critic, and that all opinions are just my own when I admit that I really... really did not enjoy this collection of short stories. In part because I am not often a short story fan, and in part because I just...didn't. The writing is good, the stories are well constructed, and they really were self contained nuggets of Florida life.  I still...just kind of got the ick. I missed the electrifying, enchanting and thrilling aspects of a story about a teen suicide, a woman dying of cancer, and depression after a miscarriage. 

         This could be a book for a Book Club, but it would need to be a club with a skilled leader as the topics involve miscarriage, suicide, cheating, death and disease, all of which are extremely relatable in one form or fashion.  It is an excellent read for anyone studying literature or a writer wanting to improve their craft, as Moniz does handle the short story form with ease. 

I'm glad I delved into it, and I was also glad to return it to the library. One more notch on my book challenge done! 

First Published :  2/2/21

Pages: 208

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: Disease, violence, killing/death, SA, Miscarriage, child loss, religious trauma (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

  

Book Review: Call Me Traitor by Everina Maxwell

 Call Me Traitor by Everina Maxwell is a new release for December from Macmillan/Tor. 

I was so excited about this book coming out that I requested a digital ARC from netgally and Tor.  I did not wait to see if an audiobook was coming, I just could not wait. It did take me... a hot minute to read it with my eyeballs, but I really really enjoyed the pleasure of sinking down into my couch, and opening this one up- instead of consuming this while traversing the highways and by ways. 

      Maxwell did not disappoint!  This book, for me is the whole package. It's Romantasy, but it's romantasy that really is a true fantasy. In other words, this is not a romance with a few castles and dragons added in. It really is a solid fantasy, and a solid romance, either could stand without the other. This book will reward fantasy readers with delicious, detailed unique world building, a plot with a bit of a mystery that slowly unravels and reveals itself, and complex characters that are really easy to fall in love with!  For romance readers, the world building may seem overly detailed, but the yearning between our two love interests in this slow burn will more than make up for any confusion over the world building. And, it's sapphic. 

  Now, with out any spoilers- because of course, spoilers are the worst - here's a synopsis. 

   En is a super soldier imbued with magic and programmed to obey orders no matter the cost. She's sent to support a team that is extracting traitors from a wild, rough area known as the upper peninsula.  Things, of course, do not go as planned! She encounters Tamol, who is also a soldier - who's got magic more of less in her soul. Tamol, in direct opposition to En is not programmed for anything, and seems to be the human embodiment of chaos. As events continue to push this unlikely pair together, they discover that together they have greater power. Can En and Tamol stand against all odds?  You'll want to read to find out. 

   Some readers may note that many of Maxwell's books do contain a steady solemn partner and one who's a bit flighty. Despite this similar set up- the story is wholly original and the characters are wildly different than her previous two books- Ocean's Echo and Winter's Orbit. The strength lies in the deep character development that Maxwell creates.  She doesn't info dump a tragic story over her character, instead her characters show through actions, and little moments how their life has created each flaw or strength possessed.  I felt like I'd recognize not just En and Tamol but a few of the supporting characters as well- if I saw them in line at my local coffee shop.  

On top of being a grand adventure, and romantic story, I did take some inspiration that even when one feels weak or damaged, it's still possible to make good choices and uphold what feels right. I think we need more of this in our world. So Cheers to Call Me Traitor being out in the world soon! 

STATS

First Published: 12/1/26

Pages: 480

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes 

Trigger Warnings:  Violence, magical coercion, mind control, Deception, physical injury and pain 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

 

Book Review: The Salvage By Anbara Salam

 The Salvage is a hold over from last year's water theme.  

I bought the actual physical book because the blurb was amazing and I LOVE the cover. 

 I mean, look at that cover. 

  The blurb was also amazing. It's 1962.  Marta, a female marine archeologist travels to Cairnroch, a small island off Scotland. She's there to dive a Victorian shipwreck. The ship and it's crew had personal significance to the small community on the island, especially the one family with wealth. Marta is struggling with the wreckage that is her personal life, which is also tied to her employment and thinks that her service in the community can bring her some sort of redemption. 

    Things start off well, but quickly turn a bit sour as odd things start happening, and Marta is not sure if she's seeing things, or if things are really just a bit creepy. Things get even stranger as a record setting cold and snowstorm settle in, at the same time as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ferries and trains aren't running. Fuel is frozen, and Marta has some things she must do to right her personal ship. 

    Salam tells the tale of the winter of 1962-63, but also tells, vaguely, the tale of the Victorian fleet in interspersed chapters. She then deftly ties the situation created up into a bow that still left a reader with some thought provoking questions. 

   The writing is tight and paints a grim, eerie picture of Cairnroch, Marta and the sea. I admit the writing itself paints such a picture, that I did start to feel a bit melancholy while reading the novel. I honestly did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped, but after waiting over 6 months for it on hold on audio at the library, I knew I was going to finish it. I loathed Marta.  She was a sad little hard character who created more drama than needed, but as the book unfolds, I realized that she wasn't the only pot stirrer, and I was glad that things seemed to come to a solid resolution there at the end. 

Do I recommend this novel?  YES - for those who enjoy literary fiction, and historical fiction, as it fits both genres pretty well. If you are primary horror reader, this horror might be too mild for you, are it might tickle your brain as something suspenseful but quite different. Did I enjoy this novel?  Kindof...but also not really. I recognize that it's well constructed, interesting and unique, but I can't say I Had a good time while reading it. I do wish I knew more folks who had read the novel so we could talk about it! 

STATS

First Published :  10/7/25

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book :  YES ( ~ 12 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: violence, death, prejudice, racism, LBGTQIA themes, alcohol use, nudity, references to attempted religious conversion, religious trauma. Historical event references. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: Child of the Dream by Sharon Robinson

 I picked up this short memoir from my library.  I was attracted to the cover and I was curious about a memoir by Sharon Robinson, child of Jackie Robinson. 

A joke was definitely had at my expense because I read about half of the book, when I started to think... this is "sort of YA".  I felt like things were VERY concrete, and that the entire nuance involving the Civil Rights Movement wasn't being addressed.  I looked around a bit and discovered, LO AND BEHOLD.  It is a book intended for young adult audiences. 

  I think this is a book that a lot of school libraries would like to have on their shelves. Sharon tells the story of her year, going to her first dances, figuring out how she can raise awareness of the Civil Rights movement in her school and beyond, attending her first sleep away camp, and getting her first kiss. She tells the story in a matter of fact way, that was very approachable and relatable.  

As an adult, I did feel that it lacked a certain nuance.  For a young reader, however, it presented facts and events in a natural way, as they interspersed with Sharon's day to day life during that year.  As Sharon was the child of a celebrity, her life was not the norm, and I enjoyed learning about her father's efforts and interactions with Civil Rights Giants. 

Do I recommend this book?  I DO, for the 11-14 yr old crowd. Not for an adult. It would be a good one for a tween book club. 

STATS

First Published :  2020

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (~5 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: violence, references to historical past, racism (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First Published :  February 24, 2026

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

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

         

Book Review: The Disordered Cosmos: By Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

 I picked up this book as part of my Outer Space reads for my 2026 theme of Outer Space. 

It is billed by the publisher as " . Chanda Prescod-Weinstein shares her love for physics, from the Standard Model of Particle Physics and what lies beyond it, to the physics of melanin in skin, to the latest theories of dark matter—all with a new spin informed by history, politics, and the wisdom of Star Trek."

 Having thought about this for a few days now, I don't know that I really felt the love of physics or the universe cut through.  I do feel that I've gained an understanding of how very difficult it is for people who aren't white to be heard and seen in the world of physics. It was not at all surprising to me to read that frankly, the world of science is also very content to enforce the status-quo, rather than to seek to really engage in what would surely be the messy and challenging work or re-imagining how science could indeed become more inclusive overall. 

Prescod-Weinstein skillfully blends her own experiences in with experiences of other persons working in the same or similar fields, and in that blending comes a new way of thinking about how others can best support those interested in and currently working in science fields.  I was particularly struck by her ideas of freedom- which resonated so heavily with me. She should not, indeed, have to be contemplating the secrets of the universe while also attempting to help housekeeping services at her institution get paid a living wage.  All children should indeed be able to study the cosmos with appropriate resources regardless of their talent. 

     This was a book I did have to engage with heavily, as it was dense and went in directions that the blurb and cover didn't exactly advertise. I think it was well put together, and had many interesting ideas. It is a perfect book for professors and teachers who work with students who are interested in STEM fields. In fact, it is so perfect for this, that Hachette does offer Desk/Exam copies for those wanting to use this in their classrooms.  ( Look HERE  for the form to request Desk copies).

So... I don't think I do recommend this as a book to bump up your physics knowledge. I do recommend it as one for readers who are curious about how science shapes their every day life, and how it could be done better. 

First Published :  March 2021 

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book :  YES

Trigger Warnings: racism, sexism, rape, mental health, medical trauma, misogyny, systemic oppression.  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Son of the morning by Akwaeke Emezi

 Son of the Morning was a total surprise. 

  I blame it on the cover that accompanied by audiobook from the Library. 

Frankly, I had very little idea about what to expect, even after I read the blurb. Emezi has been hit or miss with me.  I have always felt that their writing was tight and sparkling, but I didn't always enjoy their novels.  So frankly they write exceedingly well, my brain may not always be equipped to accept what they lay down! So despite that, I thought why not try this one out, it seemed different from the others. 

And YES, this is different. 

Firstly - after I started to dig around a bit I found THIS cover...

This cover indeed reflects the novel much better. 

  In some ways (hear me out people), this novel reminded me of the first book in the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L Armentrout.  Our main character Galilee has been raised to know she's special, but not to quite understand how special. Her family is dismayed that she decides to move off sanctified land to pursue a life that seems less protected.  Gali thrives in the city, making new friends, and she's honestly loving her space from her family, when she meets Lucifer Helel.  Is he really *THE* Lucifer?  Well, you'll want to read this steamy spicy paranormal tale to find out.  While Gali thinks she's just a "regular girl" Lucifer knows immediately that she isn't quite human. Does he tell her this? Err well, much like The Blood and Ash series- and Poppy and Cas- things remain pretty muddled for a while. 

   

I am taking a pause here to note that while I love The Blood and Ash series and JLA,  the two books are very distinct, no one would ever- reading both- believe that they were really related.  I just did note that one theme- (ordinary girl discovers super powers- which have been apparent to others prior to her discovery)  which is fairly common in romance/supernatural literature. The two novels are...otherwise incomparable.  One of the biggest things that I adore is that Son of the Morning is a complete story in itself.  No cliff hanger, no onward battle. There is some room for a second or third novel featuring the same characters/world, but there is no desperate need created by the conclusion. 

 

  The novel takes place almost entirely over one day where Galilee's true self is revealed, alliances are shattered and remade, as a literal unseen war for souls is occurring. Characters are well developed and there is a lot of diverse representation. 

    It was amazing to read as Galilee stepped into her whole self, owing it with confidence. Along the way there are deep friendships, true familial love, and some steamy love triads and more. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and spent a bit of time texting my romance girls to let them know not to sleep on this one. I feel that this will have a bit of a broader appeal than some of her other novels might have, but it still is distinctly Emezi.  The writing is sparkling, the plot moves at a good pace with enjoyable ebbs and flows- highs and lows as one travels through a whirlwind of time/emotion - with some room to contemplate moral situations and obligations. 

In short, this is a fantastic novel.  I recommend it for someone looking for well written romance with a fantasy element. The audiobook was well narrated and I do recommend it, I had no issues with the narrator. 

First Published :  November 2025

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book : Yes  

Trigger Warnings: paranormal beings,  war violence, child birth, murder, supernatural beings, (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review NK Jemison's The Fifth Season

  So,  I don't really need to do a book review on this do I? 

Published in 2015, this is a Hugo award winner, and is very well known. 

 I have kind of been skirting around it. In part because it has a HUGE wait list at the library and in part, I think because I was afraid I might not love it. 

 I LOVED IT. 

Image from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freeprintablesdesigns/posts/1637550117243782/

  I did initially text my book buddy saying "I do not think I am smart enough for this book." So it was a love that grew on me as I continued to read.  I had it on audio and fortunately for me and it, I was on a piece of exercise equipment and didn't have a hand available to stop it so I listened to a good part of it and it began to reveal itself so I was indeed able to find my footing. 

   This novel did demand a lot more of me than other books I've read, and as such, I pretty much stopped reading anything else, and concentrated all of my book time on this until I finished it. There were details upon details of world building, character building and plot points to ponder.  I was grateful for the audiobook given some unfamiliar names and place names- I did not have to make up any pronunciation. 

  

 As a "no spoiler summary"  We follow several persons who are born as "Orogene's"- people who can manipulate earth energy who are both feared and at the same time, valued by society. Society is arranged with a goal of surviving frequent environmental disasters, and people are sorted into Use groups which seem to become their identity.  As the plot develops these persons move toward a new environmental disaster, each with their own memories, abilities and motivations. Readers are definitely left with a cliffhanger leading into the next book, so I can say this one definitely leaves a reader feeling a bit "unresolved"

  I really loved that the plot really had some gentle surprises and some other "oh wow" moments all through the novel. I was never bored and the pacing was really spot on.  Coming off reading Clay Cane's Burn Down Master's House, I was quite attuned to the references to slavery in the Americas and was able to appreciate that I was able to see those and connect with them through the novel.  Combined with an awareness of climate changes over time, this one packed a significant reading punch. 

 I can say after avoiding this for several years, I wish I'd read it earlier, so if you are on the fence, go ahead and pick this one up. 

First Published :  2015

Pages: 512

Available as an Audio Book : Yes   ~ 15 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  racism, classism, domestic violence/abuse, medical issues, body horror, slavery, climate issues, 

(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: Burn Down Master's House by Clay Cane

 Wow!  Just WOW!!!

I had this book tagged on Libby and thus I was able to borrow it almost immediately with it came out. 

It's kind of unique that it is the first book I have finished in February, Black History Month in the United States. 

This is a really unique piece of writing.   I was initially attracted to the cover, because it is a piece of art that really grabs the attention. 

Ray Jean-Giles is the cover artist.   And I really am awe of the cover. 

I honestly did not know what I was getting into, which tells you the power of a cover.  I put that book on "Notify me"  and borrowed it asap. 

It could have been anything. 

The author starts off by explaining that indeed this is going to be an uncomfortable book for some. I wasn't sure exactly where I'd fall in the comfort zone, but I decided to give it a go. What I got is a deeply engaging and at times very satisfying piece of quasi-historical fiction. It was not a comfortable read, and in this era where readers are looking for cozy fiction, this one is not that. 

Readers follow 4 loosely interconnected enslaved persons as they face absolute horror in every day life. 

If anyone ever trots out the narrative that slavery had some kind masters and that it couldn't have been all bad, etc- this is the book to point them to. Because I felt that this laid bare the brutality- both intended and thoughtless-that characterized American slavery. 

The stories contained in this novel are based on detailed research of actual persons. The characters, like enslaved persons who lived years ago had varying reactions- some defied their masters outright, others in smaller ways, and others slipped away to freedom while exacting a precise revenge.  The story that held my attention the most was of Charity and Larkin where one feels a relief as Charity becomes free, only to have that relief torn away in one short moment.  While these interconnected stories are based on real events, it's also true that no one can really know all the exact thoughts and feelings of another. It is plausible that a bit of a modern feel pops in here and there, but to be honest, I felt like this only added to the depth of the novel. Cane isn't trying to recreate a history, as an author, I felt that he was almost partnered with these figures to bring this period to life in real, agonizing detail so that readers might really take a pause to examine all that we've been taught about slavery in the US. 

The results are a combustible novel that sizzles with revenge, tender love, and defiance. 

In short, I loved it, could not stop reading it, and also hated it.  it took me about 5 days to read it, which is really... a record for me for speed. 

Should you read this book?  Yes. It likely isn't a great one for Book club, but it SHOULD BE.  It's one to put on the TBR. 

   I did the audio book, and it is narrated by Clay Cane himself.  I admit, I didn't really like the hesitating way that he read his work, but I'm assuming that, like everything else, this was a deliberate choice. It did make me sit up and listen carefully. 

First Published :  January 2026

Pages: 288

Available as an Audio Book : Yes   ~ 11 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  poverty, racism, classism, bugs, medical issues, body horror, slavery, SA, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)