Middle-aged math professor Boe thinks the adventurous days of her youth are long gone. But when her best student goes missing, she must venture out across a terrifying dreamscape, pursued by malicious gods, to retrieve her. A beautifully written, economical little masterpiece about resiliency, second chances, and the power of women's stories.
Dr. Greta Helsing just wants to help her patients, whether they be mummy, ghoul, or vampire. It's the family business, after all. But someone in London feels very differently, attacking the creatures that live amongst humanity, and quite a few humans as well. As fear builds in the London populace, Greta and her friends must band together to save themselves and discover the real face behind the evil stalking London's streets. A smart, refreshing, deeply kind, and delightfully droll debut.
Rather than spin, I find Novik brilliantly weaves this tale, crossing contrasting threads to create a gorgeous tapestry. A wintry world, malevolent fairy creatures, a starving family, a cursed king, and in the middle of it all Miryem, a young Jewish woman forced to take over her father’s money-lending livelihood when his sentimentality leaves her family destitute. This is more than a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, it is a tale worthy of praise all on its own.
Do you ever find yourself wanting more Lovecraft in your diet, but without the misogyny and antisemitism? Johnson turns Lovecraft on his head with this fast-paced and dreamlike quest story, featuring a mature woman as the hero, and lots of strange creatures and places.
Strange, accessible, and delightful!
This beautiful novel transported me to another time and place in such a wonderful way. It felt like I was immersed in an amazing Russian Fairy tale with vivid and fascinating characters. This book is full of the coolest kind of magic, but I hesitate to reveal too much of the story. It was such a joy to watch the narrative unfold. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.
The best fantasy I have read in ages. Achingly masterful and brimming with complexly rendered main and secondary characters, Adeyemi's Orisha world will sweep you up in its embrace with one arm and brandish a knife at you with the other. Paced perfectly at un-put-downable, this is your 2018 must-read.
A smoothie of Into the Wild and On the Road, blended with Grade A feminism and fantasy. Though the plot moves at a walking pace, Tess's character drives this book forward. As she follows the eponymous road on her indelible journey, she moves away from a past that shackles her and towards a future that welcomes her audacious spirit. And as Tess learns, sometimes you just have to walk it off to progress.
To inherit her father's massively successful culinary empire, Brianna must compete against her 15 brothers to run the best, most profitable restaurant. She sets up shop in the affordable and idiosyncratic Monster City, and, despite their strict dietary guidelines and Brianna's bouts of self-doubt and anxiety, her business booms. A competitor dislikes this newcomer, however, and Brianna must find a way to earn the respect of her community and her family without boiling over. Recipes included!!!
This is, through and through, an adventure tale. Mild-mannered headmaster loses his wife and belongings to the treacherous thieving throng at the base of the Tower of Babel. He must climb the tower to find her. Shenanigans obviously ensue. I was quickly charmed by not only the ever-changing scenery of the Tower, but by the wonderful cast of characters (including a few truly kick-ass women). This airship may take a while to heat up, but there are plenty of diversions along the way - and once it does, you'll be hooked.
Sherlock meets Doctor Who but from the point of view of an awesome female lead. Add in some cool mythology, sharp wit, and a lot of adventure and follow up with a dose of the macabre. A great start to a wonderfulf series! (I've bought several copies to hand out as gifts)
