This book club kit comes with a letter from the author, discussion questions, a playlist from the author, a short history of gothic romances, and a NoThis book club kit comes with a letter from the author, discussion questions, a playlist from the author, a short history of gothic romances, and a Noemi paperdoll cutout.
The extras are great, but a book club kit is primarily about the discussion questions, and unfortunately, the person who wrote these clearly hadn't read the book. They're as generic as you can get ("who was your favorite character and why?" "would you read a sequel?", "what questions would you ask the author?").
As a book club kit, unfortunately, this totally fails. As a bonus for readers, it'd be great....more
Ooh, this was lovely: short and sweet and impactful. I was worried I didn't love Novik's writing outside of Scholomance (after being thoroughly underwOoh, this was lovely: short and sweet and impactful. I was worried I didn't love Novik's writing outside of Scholomance (after being thoroughly underwhelmed by Buried Deep and Other Stories), but this was wonderful.
It's amazing how much world-building and heart Novik fit into just over 100 pages, and we see character growth from pretty much everyone. It's honestly shocking how much is crammed into this novella without it feeling rushed at all.
I’ll eat up any mythological retelling, and I was super excited to read Wiswell’s take of the story of the labors of Hercules, told from Hera’s and HeI’ll eat up any mythological retelling, and I was super excited to read Wiswell’s take of the story of the labors of Hercules, told from Hera’s and Heracles’s perspectives. I really like Wiswell’s writing style: it’s irreverent and wry and you really feel the characters.
There’s tragedy and found family and self-discovery for both parties—all great ingredients.
Four rather than five stars because the last 20% dragged on a bit for me, and there were a few things I would’ve loved to have delved further into.
I loved The Traveling Cat Chronicles, so I was so excited to read this one. Sadly, it didn’t work for me. I don’t know if it was the translation or thI loved The Traveling Cat Chronicles, so I was so excited to read this one. Sadly, it didn’t work for me. I don’t know if it was the translation or the writing itself, but I never got into the characters even though I usually love vignettes that intertwine. I think I just flat out disliked most of the people and their casual, subtle misogyny.
I like the idea a lot, and there were some bright spots.
Wow! This was incredible: the story of a boy from a small village (so small it didn't have roads!) who grew up to be a world-renowned climate scientisWow! This was incredible: the story of a boy from a small village (so small it didn't have roads!) who grew up to be a world-renowned climate scientist, driven by his desire to predict monsoons to make life in his village better.
Dr. Shukla has an inspiring story, and I learned a lot about his life, the history of weather prediction, and what it was like being in the midst of climate change controversy. He owns the mistakes he made and regrets he has, which I appreciated. This book is well-paced too, and I was engaged the whole way through.
This is an enthusiastic five stars from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio!...more
There’s some really great historical elements here with the Japanese occupation of China, the ideological battle between the Nationalists and CommunisThere’s some really great historical elements here with the Japanese occupation of China, the ideological battle between the Nationalists and Communists, and how these things spilled over into both Taiwan and the United States. There are interesting themes of acceptance and forgiveness, and it’s all wrapped around the questions of what storytelling is and who our stories are for.
There are two stories here: Monica’s happening in present day and her grandmother’s from when she was a girl. They’re both compelling.
I provably would’ve given this five stars if it hadn’t been an epistolary novel. Having perfect recall of conversations that happened earlier in the day let alone decades ago just isn’t a thing that happens and isn’t how people generally write journal entries. It kept taking me out of the story.
Wow. Okay. I’ve read a few of Okorafor’s books before, and while I enjoyed them, Death of the Author is in its own category. It’s more complex, more lWow. Okay. I’ve read a few of Okorafor’s books before, and while I enjoyed them, Death of the Author is in its own category. It’s more complex, more layered—both in terms of storytelling and writing.
It took me a little while to settle in. The dialogue in the first couple of chapters felt a bit stilted, but once I got into the rhythm, I was in. Okorafor seamlessly weaves together two narratives, and when they finally clicked into place, I literally gasped.
This book tackles big themes—belonging, autonomy, the tension between personal identity and public perception—while delivering a story that’s thought-provoking and immersive. It has a lot to say about who gets to tell their own story and what happens when that control is taken away.
It’s also a book that can appeal to a wide range of readers. Sci-fi fans will love the book-within-a-book concept, but it’s just as compelling for those newer to the genre.
Death of the Author is sharp, compelling, and totally unlike anything I’ve read before.
Cat’s People is a charming book for cat lovers and fans of slice-of-life stories. It reminded me of She and Her Cat and The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Cat’s People is a charming book for cat lovers and fans of slice-of-life stories. It reminded me of She and Her Cat and The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Despite being written by a Filipino-Spanish author and set in Brooklyn, it has a style that feels distinctly Japanese—gentle, introspective, and full of small, poignant moments.
The story centers on a stray black cat named Cat, who brings together five strangers—each character’s perspective unfolds in alternating chapters, including the occasional chapter from Cat’s point of view.
This is a cozy, feel-good story, perfect as a palate cleanser or when you’re in the mood for something warm and hopeful. If you’re a fan of stories that revolve around quiet relationships, found family, or, of course, cats, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press!...more
This one is heartbreaking and horrifying, and it was so well done. It reminded me of Station Eleven, but it also has shades of Parable of the Sower inThis one is heartbreaking and horrifying, and it was so well done. It reminded me of Station Eleven, but it also has shades of Parable of the Sower in how it tackles survival and resilience.
Nonie is such a sympathetic main character, and her voice really carried the story for me. The flashbacks were seamless and added depth—they never felt like interruptions but instead enriched what was happening in the present.
I also appreciated how the book didn’t sugarcoat anything. The dangers of a flooded world and the breakdown of authority are portrayed in a way that feels terrifyingly plausible. At the same time, the group’s dedication to preserving knowledge and finding a purpose beyond survival kept the story from being too bleak.
This is one of the best cli-fi books I’ve read in a while. It’s not just about the big, apocalyptic changes but also the small, human moments of connection and perseverance. It’s definitely a heavy read, but there’s just enough hope to make it feel worth it. A solid five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press!...more
For lovers of Alix E. Harrow, Seanan McGuire and Simon Jimenez
I love portal fiction, books where our heroes go through a door or a wardrobe or a pond For lovers of Alix E. Harrow, Seanan McGuire and Simon Jimenez
I love portal fiction, books where our heroes go through a door or a wardrobe or a pond and find themselves in another world.
This was fantastic. I picked it up because I’d read and liked The Wishing Game. This one is 10x better: the prose itself is much stronger, and the story just feels like one that Shaffer was dying to tell. It comes together really well, and the characters felt like real people.
Years ago, two boys disappeared in the woods and were found again months later. In present day, one has a preternatural ability to find people who are lost while the other is a reclusive artists who doesn’t know where the inspiration for his art comes from. They haven’t spoke in 15 years.
They are brought back together to help a young woman find her sister, who disappeared into the same woods they had.
The story moves along quickly—I finished this in two settings—and the love and support between the characters was beautiful. I definitely recommend this one for anyone who likes portals, fairy tales, cozy romance stories and the motto “scared is a feeling, not an excuse.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books!...more
I absolutely loved The Ancients. It’s the story of a world ravaged by climate change, where civilization has been set back thousands of years. The intI absolutely loved The Ancients. It’s the story of a world ravaged by climate change, where civilization has been set back thousands of years. The interwoven stories of survival and hope kept me hooked from start to finish.
None of the characters were purely likable, but they were all compelling in their own ways, forcing me to stay invested in their struggles.
I loved the messages about sustainability and hope in such a bleak future. My only minor gripe was how neatly everything wrapped up in the end, which felt a little too tidy given the harshness of the story. That said, it didn’t take away from how incredible this book was overall—highly recommend!
I was super into this in the beginning: it was like reading Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for the first time, but a little more modern and less BriI was super into this in the beginning: it was like reading Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for the first time, but a little more modern and less British.
But then nothing happened. And nothing kept happening. And then I was 30% of the way through and still nothing had happened.
This one starts with a great premise but quickly loses its way. The setup—driving a mysterious woman and her black box across the country with a ton oThis one starts with a great premise but quickly loses its way. The setup—driving a mysterious woman and her black box across the country with a ton of odd rules—was really intriguing at first. There’s also some smart commentary on internet culture and conspiracy theories, which could’ve been interesting. But the characters just fell flat for me. I couldn’t connect with them, and honestly, I didn’t really care what happened to them.
The pacing was also all over the place. What starts as a potential page-turner turns into a long, drawn-out adventure. The initial tension fizzles out, and the story ends up feeling more absurd than thrilling. I found myself struggling to keep going. For a book with such a wild premise, I was surprised by how uneven and slow it felt overall. I really wanted to like it more, but it just didn’t click for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press!...more
If Cebo Campbell set out to write an uncomfortable read, one that pushes boundaries: mission accomplished. This book is such an interesting thought exIf Cebo Campbell set out to write an uncomfortable read, one that pushes boundaries: mission accomplished. This book is such an interesting thought experiment, and the writing is so good I was hooked the whole way through.
The premise is wild: one day, all the white people in America walk into the nearest body of water and disappear. A year later, Charlie Brunton, a Black professor and ex-convict, gets a call from his daughter Sidney, who’s been isolating herself in Wisconsin ever since the event. The two of them—estranged and carrying plenty of baggage—set off on a road trip through a world that’s completely changed. Along the way, they face what it means to be Black in this "post-racial" America while trying to figure out their own complicated relationship. It’s equal parts heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and totally unique.
I know some reviews have slammed the ending, but I liked it. I’m all for open-ended stories that make you think, and this one felt like it ended exactly where it should. That said, my one gripe is Sidney. She felt a little flat at the beginning, more like a caricature than a real person, and that made some of the more emotional parts of the book miss a beat for me. But it’s a small thing in an otherwise great book.
And a note: some of the reviews I’ve seen are just baffling. Did we read the same book? People saying the author is spewing hate or calling for genocide: no. That’s not what this is. This book is about race, identity, and what happens when power structures are flipped on their heads. It’s supposed to make you uncomfortable. That’s the point.
In the end, Sky Full of Elephants is a book that sticks with you. It’s sharp, original, and packed with heart. I’m looking forward to whatever Cebo Campbell writes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster!...more
Space opera is one of my favorite genres, but it’s also known for long, sometimes meandering works that can feel like a slog to get through. I loved tSpace opera is one of my favorite genres, but it’s also known for long, sometimes meandering works that can feel like a slog to get through. I loved these quick hits, and I’m impressed by the caliber of author.
Like any anthology, there were some highs and lows here, but what was particularly impressive is that even the lows were good; they just weren’t really for me. But the writing was great across the board, some stories just resonated with me more than others.
A handful of these stories were not new to me, but it was fun to reencounter them anyway.
Thank you to Netgalley and Tachyon Publications!...more
This is like if Blake Crouch wrote Annihilation and maybe had a background in zoology.
You can always count on Tchaikovsky to bring an interesting biolThis is like if Blake Crouch wrote Annihilation and maybe had a background in zoology.
You can always count on Tchaikovsky to bring an interesting biology angle, and Alien Clay did not disappoint. Four rather than five stars from me because this didn't have the same philosophical/introspective vibe as my favorite Tchaikovsky books, and for a book with some thrilling parts, the pacing felt a little slow at times.
I love the way Rivers Solomon writes. I’ll read pretty much anything they publish. Their writing is visceral and unsettling.
This one took me ages to fI love the way Rivers Solomon writes. I’ll read pretty much anything they publish. Their writing is visceral and unsettling.
This one took me ages to finish, not because I wasn’t interested, but because it was so heavy. The last 40% went really quickly, but I kept putting the book down in the first 60% just because of how depressing it was. To be clear, the last 40% is still depressing, but you also need to know what’s happening, so it’s easier to push through.
The story follows the Maxwell siblings, who are forced to return to their childhood home after their parents’ mysterious deaths. The house, and the white suburb it’s in, holds dark, unexplainable secrets tied to their family’s trauma. Solomon turns the haunted-house trope on its head, weaving in themes of racism, segregation, and unresolved trauma.
There’s a lot to unpack—racism, mental illness, sexual assault. It’s not an easy read, but it’s worth it.