Wowzers! This book is aptly titled as it was both violent and delightful. This book is billed as a retelling of Romeo and Juliette, and there is that,Wowzers! This book is aptly titled as it was both violent and delightful. This book is billed as a retelling of Romeo and Juliette, and there is that, loosely. More accurately it's a fast-paced historical/mystery/thriller/romance that is complex and poetic and has a lot of adult reader crossover potential. If it sounds like a lot, that's because it is. There are a lot of juxtapositions here and it made for an interesting read that didn’t dwell too long on any one aspect of the story. Readers may also enjoy The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning (loosely Princess Bride), The Magnolia Sword by Sherry Thomas (Mulan loosely) or The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters (Hamlet in rural Oregon). Happy reading! ~Alexis S....more
This excellent graphic novel has received some well-deserved praise, both for its engaging story and memorable characters and chiefly for its theme ofThis excellent graphic novel has received some well-deserved praise, both for its engaging story and memorable characters and chiefly for its theme of acceptance of the differences among people.
Snap, as she prefers to be called, is a bit of an outsider at her school, with one true friend, Louis (who prefers to be called Lulu), until she meets a witch, Jack, who is a loner herself. Together, Snap and Jack form a friendship based on their respect for the animals around them and the ability to perform magic.
The book is a great blend of fantasy and realism, which many will enjoy reading....more
"Listen. Long after the end of everything is supposed to have occurred, long after apocalypses have been calculated by cults and calendared by compute"Listen. Long after the end of everything is supposed to have occurred, long after apocalypses have been calculated by cults and calendared by computers, long after the world has ceased believing in miracles, there's a baby born inside a mountain." So begins the first chapter of The Mere Wife, Maria Dahvana Headley's modern retelling of Beowulf. Willa Herot lives in the posh suburb, Herot Hall, with her husband, Roger, and their son Dylan. But, while the Herot family lives in luxury, in the mountain neighboring the suburb live Dana, a soldier suffering from PTSD, and her son Gren, who suffers from an unnamed deformity. When Gren hears Dylan playing "Chopsticks" on the piano and wants to investigate, the border between Herot Hall and the outside world begin to blur. Ben Woolf is the stand-in for Beowulf in the novel. Here he's a small town cop without much ambition. As the story progresses, we realize that Ben might not be the type of man worthy of having stories told about him. No, this story is about Willa and Dana, two mothers doing their best to keep their families safe, no matter what the cost. Headley's use of language is stunning. She takes a story that could have been a standard police procedural and makes it absolutely epic. The Mere Wife is a truly unique fantasy novel. I recommend it, especially for those who enjoy seeing an author bend the English language to their will. – Mike M. ...more
This book is like Prince of Persia the video game and Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas had a crazy fever dream of each other. It's a slow-burn fantasy wiThis book is like Prince of Persia the video game and Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas had a crazy fever dream of each other. It's a slow-burn fantasy with an enemies-to-friends romance, and some truly great lines. Interesting characters and a lot of world to build make this a slower paced read- but it is super imaginative, refreshingly different, and manages to surprise. I will say grab the second book We Free the Stars right away because it's a cliff hanger! Readers may also enjoy Throne of Glass series by Sarah Maas, Burn by Patrick Ness, Cruel Prince by Holly Black, or Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed. -Alexis S. ...more
Magic versus technology. The old versus the new. Wings versus machines. The intricate and detailed worlds in each of these tales is full of fresh twisMagic versus technology. The old versus the new. Wings versus machines. The intricate and detailed worlds in each of these tales is full of fresh twists and turns on science fiction and fantasy. The mystical and the practical, the ancient and the new, robots and fairies join together in an anthology that will leave you questioning your allegiance. Each world is constructed with such precision and attention, I wanted to linger long after the story was finished. Although I am Team Fairy Forever, the cleverness, ingenuity, and loyalty of some of the robots depicted had me enjoying their stories just as much as the sometimes devious, sometimes benevolent fairy folk. Each of these short stories led up to the grand finale: an actual, physical, WWW-style brawl between the fey and the cyborgs. The "Rumble in the Fungal" is completed by robot and fairy commentators, The Think and Manzanilla Monsoon. Can fairies and robots coexist peacefully? Who will prevail to rule over the earth and humankind alike? You may think you know what team you are on... but are you sure? – Tiffany J....more
France, 1714: In a desperate attempt to be free, a young woman prays to the old gods but the one who answers does so in the darkness of night. She makFrance, 1714: In a desperate attempt to be free, a young woman prays to the old gods but the one who answers does so in the darkness of night. She makes a bargain – her soul to live forever. This blessing of immortality becomes a curse when Addie LaRue realizes she will walk the Earth forever alone, forgotten by everyone she meets.
New York City, 2014: 300 years later, Addie is living in the city and has found various tricks to survive a forgotten existence. Everything changes when she walks into a bookstore and a young man, lost in life himself, says the 3 words Addie has been desperate to hear for centuries - “I remember you”.
Told through various flashbacks of Addie’s long life and the present-day unfolding love story, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a beatifically written masterpiece that leaves the reader questioning what it means to remember and whether history will remember us. ~Jenny L. ...more
Mermaids, magic, and murder! This new spell-binding cozy mystery series is a must read. Alex Daniels visits her estranged relatives in the quaint seasMermaids, magic, and murder! This new spell-binding cozy mystery series is a must read. Alex Daniels visits her estranged relatives in the quaint seaside town of Bellamy Bay and quickly becomes involved with their apothecary shop. Soon she discovers that the different teas, salves, and remedies may be more extraordinary than what meets the eye. When a local is murdered and her aunt is arrested, Alex is determined to prove her innocence. She begins an investigation that unearths dark secrets about the town with her family right in the center of it all. With quirky characters and a touch of romance, the Enchanted Bay mystery series is one to look out for. ~Jenny L. ...more
Danielle Cain recently lost her best friend, Clay, to suicide. She is headed to Freedom, Iowa, the last place he lived, to find out what happened. TurDanielle Cain recently lost her best friend, Clay, to suicide. She is headed to Freedom, Iowa, the last place he lived, to find out what happened. Turns out, all the residents of Freedom are punk anarchists and they're being protected by a red deer with three antlers (it's a demon, guys). Being a punk anarchist herself, Danielle likes the people in Freedom. But the demon has started targeting the residents... This novella is a quick punch to the gut. It packs suspense, magic, and anarchist politics into less than 150 pages. I look forward to reading more of Danielle Cain's adventures. – Mike M....more
Winner of the 2020 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel What’s left of humanity clings to life on the planet January. January is divided between Winner of the 2020 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel What’s left of humanity clings to life on the planet January. January is divided between baking under eternal sun on one side and freezing in endless dark and cold on the other.
Sophie, a young student, lives in the planet’s small temperate zone. But she’s been spending time with wannabe revolutionaries and ends up being exiled into the dark. She only survives because someone (or something) from the dark helps her.
To say much more would be spoiling things. But over the course of Sophie’s journey, this novel touches on life in an oppressive society, communicating when it seems impossible, and the unexpected consequences of our actions.
Sophie and the other characters in this novel are fully-realized, and each could carry their own book.
This one is highly recommended for science-fiction and fantasy fans who like character-driven stories. -Mike M.
The Scottsdale Public Library will be having a virtual discussion of The City in the Middle of the Night on Saturday, 1/30. From 10:30-11:30 A.M. Arizona time, we’ll meet online to talk about Anders’ novel. Register to attend: https://scottsdale.libnet.info/event/......more
An enchanting bit of whimsy and solid middle grade fiction. It was recommended to be as a Harry Potter read-alike, and I can see why... it's definitelAn enchanting bit of whimsy and solid middle grade fiction. It was recommended to be as a Harry Potter read-alike, and I can see why... it's definitely got magic, and a cursed chosen one, a bit of light and dark as far and humor and circumstances go. It's also got a bit of heft to it, which can make it feel a little longer in points even though it's a well-paced page-turner. Readers may also enjoy The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell, Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi, and The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann. - Alexis S. ...more
When the American people see D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation, his highly racist film about the Civil War, it brings about a resurgence of the KuWhen the American people see D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation, his highly racist film about the Civil War, it brings about a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan. But hiding among the human members of the Klan are demons disguised as people. Real-life, six-eyed demons. The kind Lovecraft might have written about. Luckily, Maryse can see the demons. And with the help of her friends, she's going to take them down.
On the surface, this novella is a rollicking supernatural action story. But Clark doesn't shy away from the looking at the terrors of racism in America. Highly recommended for urban fantasy and horror fans looking for a quick read. I'm really hoping this is just the first of many stories about Maryse and her crew of monster slayers. -Mike M....more
Ever like a character so much that when they're in trouble, you start to get really scared for them? The Twisted Ones is that kind of book.
This is thEver like a character so much that when they're in trouble, you start to get really scared for them? The Twisted Ones is that kind of book.
This is the first novel-length work of adult horror from T. Kingfisher. That said, she is no stranger to the printed word. T. Kingfisher is the pen name of children's book author Ursula Vernon, author of Hamster Princess and the Dragonbreath series. Mouse's estranged grandmother has passed, and her dad has asked her to clean out her house. Ever the dutiful daughter Mouse (not actually a mouse) heads to the house, which is bursting at the seams after years worth of hoarding. One of the items she finds is her step-grandfather's journal, and it's full of cryptic messages. A walk in the woods with her hound dog, Bongo, gives her clues to the messages' meaning. And it's super creepy. Kingfisher makes Mouse and Bongo so funny and relatable that you'll wish you could hang out with them. And that makes the dangers they face in the woods all the more terrifying.
I highly recommend this for horror fans or even people who want to dip a toe into the genre, but don't want to get too extreme. It has some really creepy moments, but the humor is never far behind. This may be the best horror-comedy book I've ever read. -Mike M....more
Dragons, steampunk, steampunk dragons!! My son devoured this book. The world and characters sucked him in from the first chapter and it was another siDragons, steampunk, steampunk dragons!! My son devoured this book. The world and characters sucked him in from the first chapter and it was another single day read for him. Any book that has your kid asking for the next in the series right away is a winner. AR book level 5.0. Readers may also enjoy The Lost Kingdom by Mathew Kirby, The League of Seven by Alan Grantz, Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland , or The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann. -Alexis S....more
In this dystopian novel, the main character, Luke, is a third child in a world where the population law forbids a family from having more than two chiIn this dystopian novel, the main character, Luke, is a third child in a world where the population law forbids a family from having more than two children. At first, he is able to easily hide from the Population Police, thanks to his house being near a deserted forest. Although he cannot go to school, shops, or any public place in general, he can still play outside with his two older brothers.
This all changes when the forest that hid him for years is cut down to make space for new, expensive mansions occupied mostly by Barons, the upper class of this world. His parents, fearful of the watchful eyes of the Population Police, have him go into house arrest. His new bedroom is the windowless attic, and he can't ever go outside of the house. However, one day, when he is home alone, he runs outside of his house and meets Jen Talbot, a third child who occupies one of the new mansions. She fills his head with ideas of rebellion against the oppressive government and stuns him with her loyalty to the cause, but Luke still isn't sure he could ever be as brave as her and go out of hiding to attend a public protest. What happens next changes everything.
In this first book of a bestselling dystopian series for young adults, Margaret Peterson Haddix once again makes an impactful story. Along with being tense and thrilling, the ideas discussed make for an eloquent novel about human rights and the power (and dangers) of speech. -Meenal, SPL Teen Volunteer...more
Cassia and Ky have been wrenched apart from each other, with Society abducting Ky in the dead and night. He's become a "decoy", shipped out to the borCassia and Ky have been wrenched apart from each other, with Society abducting Ky in the dead and night. He's become a "decoy", shipped out to the borders to be killed by the Enemy. Even now, with the harsh wilderness between them, Cassia knows that she could never forget about him and settle down with Xander instead. Blinded by love, she sets out across the vast frontiers, travelling further and further away from Society's iron rule.
While on her perilous journey, Cassia swells with joy when she hears whispers about a rebellion against Society. But Ky isn't on board. On the contrary, he hates the Rising for his own reasons, reasons that he slowly reveals as the story progresses.
In this second book in the Matched trilogy, Allie Condie writes in the voices of both Cassia and Ky, giving the readers insight into the worlds of two people bound by love but with very different life stories. She also fills the novel with meaningful interpretations of the powerful ideas and symbolism in Tennyson's famous words. Strife with emotions, raw human experiences, and double-crosses, Crossed will leave readers hungry for the final installment to the trilogy. -Janvi, Teen SPL volunteer...more
Transcendent, stunning, devastating. I've had a lump rising and resting in my throat since I began reading Fatima's journey. My heart is still tender aTranscendent, stunning, devastating. I've had a lump rising and resting in my throat since I began reading Fatima's journey. My heart is still tender and overwhelmed and so very full from this devastatingly beautiful allegory of self-destruction, awareness and compassion. The feels! I loved it. -Sara S....more
If Sam and Dean Winchester from Supernatural had a book baby with Harry Dresden from Jim Butcher's series, this would be the little bundle of joy.
AdaIf Sam and Dean Winchester from Supernatural had a book baby with Harry Dresden from Jim Butcher's series, this would be the little bundle of joy.
Adam Binder has a gift, though he would not necessarily consider his empathetic and magical abilities to always be a wanted power. A terrible, rotten, no good being has a hold of his sister-in-law and he must do what he can to save her, his relationship with his brother and the whole of Denver.
This is a light urban fantasy with heart, remarkably wondrous descriptions, and a quintessential old beat up ride. -Sara S....more
This well-written tale continues the story of Cyra Noavek, Akos Kereseth and other characters first introduced in the novel, Carve the Mark. Cyra and This well-written tale continues the story of Cyra Noavek, Akos Kereseth and other characters first introduced in the novel, Carve the Mark. Cyra and Akos' love is as ill-fated as Romeo and Juliet as they struggle against warring planets, intrigue, murderous plots and a desire to somehow avoid the destinies predicted at their births by the oracles. Add in the current gifts each character possesses, which can be helpful or harmful, a great, unexpected plot twist and an all-out battle against the tyrannical Lazmet Noavek, with the fate of entire planets in the balance, and readers will find that author Veronica Roth has supplied all the elements for an excellent adventure story. -Louisa A. ...more
Fans of offbeat fantasy, told in manga form, will really enjoy this series. Shiva, a little girl searching for her auntie in a deserted village, is unFans of offbeat fantasy, told in manga form, will really enjoy this series. Shiva, a little girl searching for her auntie in a deserted village, is under the protection of Teacher, a wise and caring creature whose antelope-like horns and dark appearance do nothing to frighten the young one. Dangers surround the pair, including other shadowy figures in the woods, soldiers from a walled town who seek to destroy anyone they suspect of being cursed as an Outsider, and an old woman who just might be the missing Auntie. Well written, with suitably spooky illustrations. -Louisa A....more
Sookie Stackhouse meets Fried Green Tomatoes! Another super fun horror- humor quick read from Grady Hendrix. I sank my teeth into this and didn't let Sookie Stackhouse meets Fried Green Tomatoes! Another super fun horror- humor quick read from Grady Hendrix. I sank my teeth into this and didn't let go until I finished. Hendrix has a real feel for creating southern character and culture. -Lisanne...more
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