Book Review Esperance by Adam Oyebanji

  Many thanks to Astra Publishing House/Daw books for the gift copy of Esperance to read and review.

  As seems to always be the case for this reader, a great cover sucked me right in! 

Small attempt at a synopsis: Detective Ethan Krol is called to an apartment in Chicago where a father and son are deceased with their lungs oddly full of sea water. Ethan knows this is strange, but he begins his investigation rather normally. Soon, he is swept wholly into the investigation leading him to Providence RI, and Edinburgh Scotland. 

A second story line introduces us to Abidemi Eniola who arrives in England from parts unknown. She hooks up with a modern gal, Hollie Rogers to help her along her way. Abidemi is super smart and has a lot of cool technology that Hollie's never seen, but sometimes seems like she doesn't quite understand how basic things like, airplanes, or pawn shops work. Abidemi states she has inheritances for several people she has to find and Hollie - who's at a loose end- decides to go along for the ride. 

What Hollie doesn't know is that the inheritances are for Descendants of a Rhode Island Merchant and Ship owner from back during slave trading days. 

Chaos ensues. 

Honestly, I did not know it was possible to write a cohesive novel that brought together classic noir detective fiction, supernatural sci-fi elements, Nigerian spirits/spirituality - the concept of debt to be paid (gbese) and historical events, I would have said that this might be a step to far, but somehow Oyebanji has put it all together into a bit of a Cyperpunk, Sci-fi, Detective Noir and Historic fiction novel that reads nicely and makes sense. 

Is this a book for everyone? No, it really is not.  I think it falls into the weird genre for me and will appeal to Sci fi readers, those who like weird stuff and those interested in cybertech.     I expect readers who enjoy Blake Crouch, or Rob Hart would find this appealing! Could it have a wider readership? It could because it's well written and easy to follow! 

STATS

First Published : May 2025

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Violence, police action, murder, references to slave trade, medical situations, blood, and injury. distant parent, parent death, child death.  As always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review: Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards 5 stars

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STATS

First Published : December 2, 2025 (Scheduled) 

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book : YES! 

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

Book Review: A Misguided Thought By Jaelyn D Jordan

   I picked up an audio copy of this volume of poetry as I was driving to a high pressured job interview and I wanted something... a little different.  (Spoiler alert- I decided 2 hours into the all day process that I did not really want that job- but I had to continue to met people for the last 6 hours.) 

Another Spoiler alert- I did not really LOVE this book, but I had to say perhaps my interview clouded my judgement of the entire reading experience. 

As it turns out July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, So this was a good read for that. 

   This is a collection of poetry showing the life experiences of a young  person living a sheltered life while struggling with mental disorders.  Jordan is a black author, and while I didn't entirely love this book - I do see it's value as part of a collection.

  As I listened to the poetry- I was struck by memories of how it felt to be a young person experiencing rejection, attraction, frustration and successes as they navigate that liminal point between childhood and adulthood. It's a time which a lot of adults tend to forget about, or actively disrespect the often very strong emotions felt at that time. So, for that, I felt like this was a really open exploration of this time, mental health, and life experiences in general!

 

  For me overall, however, this felt a little bit unfinished or unpolished.  It wasn't unpolished in a gritty sort of natural way, but more in a way that I felt with a little more work on the language a lot of the work would have carried more power and weight.  Instead, I mostly felt I was reading the secret diary of a teen going through some things. 

So 5 stars for the Message!

2.5 stars for the execution.

I would definitely , however, read more from this author! 

STATS

First Published : December 2023

Pages: 88

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Depression, suicide, mental health issues, - as always this is likely not a complete list, so 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: The Undercutting of Rosie and Adam by Megan Bannen

  This is the final book (supposedly) in Megan Bannen's Tanria Trilogy!

 Honestly this was one of my most highly anticipated releases for 2025- and in fact, when saddened by the world, I did remind myself that Rosie and Adam would be coming out as something to look forward to as things seem to be going up in flames all around us. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! 

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of the audiobook! Narrators Kacie Rogers and Jim Frangione really brought to life Rosie's "act first think later" personality and Adam's reserved demeanor- as well as the magic of Tanria and all of the beloved characters we adore! 

   Because this book is billed as romance, I do not think it gets enough credit as a novel that is also fantasy and has some fairly extensive world building which doesn't have a lot of plot holes.  One of the biggest themes that all of Bannen's novels deal with in this series is the idea of immortality and death. In some ways, I really found all three of the novel's exploration of death and or lack of death to be fascinating and frankly very comforting. People fear death, and a popular fantasy trope is immortality- granting a character time to make lots of mistakes, woo lots of lovers and generally feel they haven't missed out on anything.  As a person with extremely elderly parents, the idea of death is constantly on my mind and I am sometimes filled with some anxiety regarding the changes it will inevitably create. Bannen addresses this with her immortal and mortal characters, and in the end, shows that possibly mortality is a better bet for most. It certainly was comforting to see characters who had lived for decades and decades feeling that it wasn't all it's cut out to be as an experience. This is all set in a fun, campy very 1950's cowboy country kind of atmospheric world, with of course some very active Gods (both old and new ones indeed!) and it's just fun to read about the clothing and wonderful Auto-ducks (cars that are water and land rovers) while contemplating just exactly what will happen between our lovely Rosie and lonely Adam! 

  As far as a romance, this also has a lot to offer- a tall demi-god and a short king, an age gap (Adam is a few thousand years old  while Rosie is only 150! Oh - La-La!), forced proximity trope (work project gone wrong), DRAGONS!, possibly he Falls First - though it seems that they really fell years ago, but didn't have an opportunity to pursue things properly. The Happy Ever After ending was perfectly satisfying as both Rosie and Adam had started off in such a lonely state. Readers who has read the entire series will be glad to know that Bannen doesn't leave up hanging with Zeddy and Duckers- we do indeed find out how they are coming along as well.  

Highly recommend this book if you're looking for a quirky, fresh romance with some LGBTQIA  representation (not the major focus), dragons, and an entirely tear jerking romance. 

STATS

First Published : July 2025

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: Death, parental neglect (minor),family drama, toxic relationships. 

   

Book Review: They Bloom At Night By Trang Thanh Tran 5/5 Stars

   This novel was a wild ride!  I enjoyed it thoroughly and I think- although it's labeled as YA, it's one that can be enjoyed by adults as well.  2025 is the year for books about plant aliens and plant invasions, and so after reading Overgrowth, and Eat the Ones you Love, I suppose it's not all that odd to be jumping into this novel which heavily features algae. 

There really is just SO MUCH going on in the novel that it's hard to do a spoiler free synopsis  - but I'm going to give it a try! 

Mercy, Louisiana is a typical small coastal town -- but since a hurricane swept through there's been a red algae bloom. Noon - our protagonist and her mom continue to trawl for shrimp and cling to their former lives (sort of) - they stay on the good side of the creepy harbor master by bringing back oddities that are bycatch in their nets. Noon's interested in leaving but her Mom is attached to the area where her father and son(Noon's brother) perished.  

Noon discovers that there's some sort of "monster" on the loose- dragging folks away - and she's drafted into a search and destroy mission with Covey (the daughter of the corrupt harbormaster). As Noon and Covey work to understand what's happing in this post climate disaster time, they also work to come to terms with their identities, experiences and futures. 

This is truly a creepy southern gothic type of novel, with a lot of relatable moments, mixed in with some chilling horror. Addressing themes of identity, ecology, and coming of age, the prose is easy to read and the plot moves forward with very good pacing to a satisfying, but kind of vague ending, which for once, didn't really bother me.   Usually I like a solid conclusion, but in this case, Noon's conclusion is that she's continuing to grow into something unknown, and that she's going to have family and found family by her side, which is a conclusion which worked for me. 

  

STATS

First Published : March 2025 

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, death, grief, medical situations, SA, plant concerns  (not a complete list- be responsible!) 

Book Club Saga continues

  I am still attending book club, and honestly, it's grown on me! 

Dwight, M. (1939) Silence / Mabel Dwight. , 1939. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/89710983/.

 I didn't like the look of the novel that was chosen this month (again)  so I just didn't bother to read it, but I still enjoyed attending the discussion. I think I'm wearing down the leader. I've seen her a few times around town and I've noticed her own personal reading is not always the same style as the club's choices, so I feel like MAYBE, I might have misjudged her.   I know she really is passionate about the club- and lately she seems to be a little less prescriptive towards members, so I'm kinda appreciating that. She mentioned to me- very proudly that she had read about 30 books this year. I wisely did not let her know that my books read this year is over 100. My reading is excessive, and I don't think of it as a flex at all!  (Especially considering at least a few belong to a ridiculous "Montana Brides" series... )

Next month we are YET AGAIN hitting historical fiction with one of the thousands of novels about one of the World Wars.  I might give it a go, I might not.  I used to love especially WW2 novels, but these days, I feel like I really really know the outcome and reading yet another story of courage and heroic acts isn't going to get me thinking differently or help me to act in the future. One of the members mentioned last month that they were quite tired of reading about War and I really agree. We've read a lot of books about both wars, and even some more recent wars, so I'm really ready for something different. 

We are only allowed to nominate one book for next year's club, so I'm really debating it.   I think it's going to be something by Elif Shafack.  She's so good, and her stories are pretty compelling. Anyone else have a book club appropriate suggestion?