The nitty-gritty: A dark homage to Peter Pan, Nowhere Burning explores the terrors of childhood and the uncertainty of growing up. “Change means fear and loss,” Noon says. “But it is the only way.” She leans in and embraces Riley. “Children are sacred,” she murmurs. Every hair on the back of Riley’s neck thrills. “Growing […]
The nitty-gritty: Nature and the strange world of cryptids are the backdrop for this inventive and smartly written fantasy tale. “The intruder was already inside. And it was, without any doubt, too late.” Strange Animals surprised me in just about every possible way, and I’m so glad I had the chance to read Jarod K. […]
The nitty-gritty: Weird, grotesque, absurd and emotional, Krackle’s Last Movie is a quirky mystery with plenty of heart. “When I’m conducting these interviews, I am never in one place. I shift from their childhood until their death, dropping into the days before their change, then into the moment they knew, for sure, that their body, […]
The nitty-gritty: A grand and harrowing adventure sets the stage for this intimate portrayal of an unlikely romance. Molly O’Neill has become a go-to author for me, especially since she’s proven that she can write a satisfying follow-up to the amazing Greenteeth. Once again, her story is rooted in history and mythology and gives readers […]
The nitty-gritty: Magic, mayhem and a bunch of shelter cats make up Heather Fawcett’s latest, an enchanting tale, perfect for fans of Emily Wilde. After loving Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series, I could not wait to read her next book! And I’m happy to say that Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter was just as delightful, […]
The nitty-gritty: A beautifully written story of survival and redemption, Yah Yah Scholfield’s weird, devastating and brutal Southern Gothic debut is a rollercoaster of emotions, both monstrous and beautiful. “It happened in the kitchen. Very germane—butchery in the cooking place, the cleaver and carving knife bearing witness. The tile, slick, grouted, was receptive to the […]
The nitty-gritty: A loyal general meets a scheming fae queen in this lively romance, perfect for readers who love political intrigue and well developed characters. “I’m afraid,” said her mother, “it is time for you to learn that, as queens, we do what we must, not what we would prefer.” I am enjoying this series […]
The nitty-gritty: Cottagecore meets The Lord of the Rings in this entertaining but slightly uneven debut. I couldn’t resist this adorable cover, which I’ll admit is one reason I wanted to read How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days. And it was cute! There are also some rather weighty themes hovering over all the […]
The nitty-gritty: Unique ideas and a strong first half weren’t enough to save this ultimately confusing murder mystery set aboard a UFO. 30Seven should have worked for me—on paper it’s everything I love in a science fiction horror story. But despite a strong start, it devolved into a messy, over-stuffed tale with a bunch of […]
The nitty-gritty: Dark and romantic, Tea & Alchemy excels with its Gothic setting and intriguing mystery. I call Sharon Lynn Fisher the Queen of Vibes, and in her latest book, the vibes are off the charts! Tea & Alchemy is full of both cozy and Gothic elements, a combination that works perfectly for Sharon’s style. […]