Buehlman's first foray into fantasy proves a thoroughly amusing adventure, full of verve and humor. The protagonist, Kinch Na Shannack, a scrappy and clever thief, provides an exceedingly entertaining narrative voice that really buoys the story, as he's flung from rock to hard place and back again.
A modern spy novel in which all the spies are screw-ups. The Slow Horse's, as they are collectively known, have all done something to shunt them out of M15 proper. Slow Horses has a classic twisty story line with plenty of backstabbing, conspiracies, and double crossing and introduces readers to a cast of witty, mismatched characters. I read it in one day and immediately started the next book.
"Hit me with those 800 pages of high fantasy cause that's the only acceptable way to murder me fyi." -Susannah
I read this book in one night. It is beautiful; flawless and intelligent. Despite knowing the fate of Circe, Miller brings the goddess impossibly to life. Showing her to be at once divine and yet also heart-breakingly human. This book surpassed all my expectations and I can not wait to see what Miller writes next.
This was so much more than I thought it would be and one of the best thrillers I've read in a while. Even with its heart-thumping pace, the characters don't get regulated to dimensionless entities. Very well-executed. I absolutely did not set it down. Even more impressive? It's Finlay's debut novel.
As per usual, and because I couldn't put it down, I sped through King's latest novel within a couple hours. This is a horror, but it is also a coming of age story, mysterious and even funny in some places. King once again showcases his ability to immerse readers into his worlds. I'm reluctant to give any clues as to the plot, but I just have to say: don't let the grand pulp style cover art put you off.
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For a nearly 500 pags novel, Long Bright River is extremely fast paced with a gritty uneasy narrative and characters so visceral, that I constantly felt breathless- as if a great weight pressed on my lungs. MNothing about this book is easy and in no way is this a straight forward grime novel It's a gut-wrenching, powerful story about addiction and the bond of sisters.
A breath of fresh horror. If you ever had a childhood dream of stumbling upon a portal to another world, this book will firmly destroy it. Weird, Lovecraft inspired psychological and physical horror that was superbly entertaining.
Our Protagonist wakes with no memory and two envelopes detailing two paths she can take. She must navigate her job (a paranormal M15) without giving away how clueless she is. A witty, complex and downright hilarious urban fantasy.
Absolutely splendidly original. An imaginative piece of alternative historical fiction wherein our main character listens to death bed confessions and then eats to take on their sins. You heard that right. And each sin requires a different food to be prepared. Dark and strange, with a bit of mystery to pull you along. Read it.
No other author writes as eloquently or as sincerely about the southwest - and in this tribute to wilderness Abbey is the Thoreau of the desert. A mesmerizing and often times painfully accurate portrayal of our relationship to the land we all rely upon. Let nature be wild.
Exquisite, witty, reverent renderings of cats in all their many moods. A miniature treasury of feline art, essential for every person blessed with the good taste and fortune to enjoy the company of cats.
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This debut novel is among the mos creative, exciting, amd brilliantly-told epic fantasy novels I've read. It is an immersive experience that grabbed my attentino right at the start, then grew at a staggering rate until I found myself being launched through fantastic worlds, meeting wonderful characters, and caught in. amagnetic prose that left me spellbound.
How much do you know about what's under your feet? The stories and adventures awaiting? Macfarlane unearths. aworld that is as exciting as it is dangerous. A lyrically written journey through time, inspiring everyone to dig a little deeper.
An enchanting historical fiction novel set in 1889 Mexico. following the life of Teresita Urrea, a modern day "saint" who awakens the power to heal others. But with war on the horizon, it'll take all she has to pull through. A hugely satisfying read.
Not for the faint of heart. This dark mystery, set in the back drop of historical 1896 New York, is gritty, painful and utterly unforgiving but utterly worth a read. The writing is a perfect fit for the era, and follows a cast of characters thta steal the show.
The funny thing about Greek mythology is its absolute brutal weirdness. And Stephen Fry totally gets it; he plays on it and as he re-tells it he injects it with a plethora of witty comments. Far from feeling like another dry recounting of our favorite Greek myths, Fry's down-to-earth humor and modern storytelling have turned these gods into something relatable.
In the Dream House is a most umemoir-like memoir. A poignant account of Machado's struggle with an abusive relationship. Her writing plays with form blending elements of literary criticism, pop culture essays, folk tales and the shadowy worlds of her fiction. "...We can't stop living... we are alive... we are humans and we are human..." -Machado
Once a famous band of death-defying mercs, Saga's members have gone their separate ways and are now well past their glory days. They must reunite to save one of their own, but it's more likely they'll bite the dust before they get halfway. An intense saitrical romp through a dense fantasy world on the brink of ruin.
The unholy - and ludicrously fun- union of Scooby-doo meets Lovecraft's monsters. A gang of amateur sleuths are getting back together after the mysterious death of one of their own 13 years previously. Will they be able to make it out of this newest mystery alive?
You know the saying "down to earth"? I never encountered that idiom more than in this book. It invokes sitting on an old porch, drinking tea, while Ursula LeGuin chats with you about wondrously mundane yet unavoidably (painfully) important wisdom. Wisdon that is not out of reach or hard to see, but very present. That is, if you have some time to spare for it.
Inexplicably yanked back in time to Maryland in 1815 from her comfortable home in 1976 Cali, Dana must save a young slave master from himself... at great risk to herself. It's amazing to me that this story, written in the 70's still feels fresh and relevant today. I immediately went on to read all Butler's other works.
A perfectly entertaining read, just right for those craving a late night read. A mystery balancing a cast of characters and an assortment of clues so intriguing that I had to get to the end. A worthwhile debut who-done-it crime novel.
Need a book about vampires that doesn't absolutely suck? That doesn't romanticize the undead? Look no further than the King of terror himself! Salem's Lot presents them as they should be; creatures of horror- inhuman, chilling, and utterly heartless.
Ever wonder what you would write if you transformed yourself into a vessel for a long-dead Roman Emperor's spirit? If you're Marguerite Yourcenar then you create a book that is, what she describes as "half history, half magic." A contemplation of what history we leave behind. Even emperors dream of being someone else.
There are undoubtedly more than 100 poems that matter -- but for someone like me, who struggles to choose a single poet to closely follow, this book is a great starting point for discovery. An inspiring volume; both for the newbies and the aficionado.
Exquisite, witty, reverent renderings of cats in all their many moods. A miniature treasury of feline art, essential for every person blessed with the good taste and fortune to enjoy the company of cats.
If you're looking for pure fantasy, then check out her book series The Poppy Wars (which is amazing). If you're looking for a love of language and history intertwined with strange magic this is the one. There is a lot to unpack in this standalone novel, so read it with a warm cuppa and give yourself time to enjoy.
Witty and energized prose that is full of life; Barker stole my complete concentration to follow a surreal and humorous journey to its dark end.
A celebration and anthology of corvids (mostly Ravens)! Take a section at a time to dip into and enjoy a collection of beautiful artwork, alongside interesting text spanning ages and cultures aplenty. It feels a bit like flipping through someone's dedicated scrapbook on their favorite animal.
