The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon wants to be a love story, but it doesn’t feel like one. By the end of the book, very little romantic progress has been made and the character development is alarmingly static. No one seemed to gain any ground for so long that the story felt like a storm…
After writing countless short stories and showcasing his skill in anthologies such as Africa Risen, Wole Talabi treats us to his newest novel and fantasy debut, Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon. The story centers on a heist, but it is so much more than a high-stakes story and goes deeper to explore the…
Continue reading ➞ Shigidi And The Brass Head Of Obalufon – Labor Of Love
It’s time for you to switch it up, slow down, and read something unique. C.J. Merwild’s The Nichan Smile tells a haunting yet hopeful story of two young boys and the friendship they develop over many years and against the odds. It is beautiful and terrible and will definitely stand out among your TBR, though…
Though we don’t really do our Dark Horse initiative in the way we used to, we are always striving to find worthwhile debuts. When I came across Marisa Crane’s debut novel, I Keep My Exoskeletons To Myself, I was instantly grabbed by the title. After reading the synopsis, I just knew I needed to read…
Continue reading ➞ I Keep My Exoskeletons To Myself – A Metamorphic Debut
I don't have a lot of experience with Indian mythology, but Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel has shown me that this is a gross oversight. Kaikeyi is a poetic retelling of a popular Indian myth. Patel uses stunning prose to tell a story that investigates ideas around feminism, parenting, culture, and societal change. Because I am…
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah is a fascinating tale Inspired by stories from One Thousand and One Nights. It feels like a melding of traditional oral storytelling and modern epic fantasy to create a very unique product. The first part of The Sandsea Trilogy, The Stardust Thief tells a tale resembling a Matryoshka doll,…
I love discovering hidden gems on Goodreads. It has got to be a top-five all-time emotional rush. This is how I stumbled upon The Boy with Fire by Aparna Verma, one of the best books I’ve found organically in a long time. Complete with an original story, compelling characters, and a devastatingly gorgeous setting, The…
The past weekend, I went to a beautiful spa in the woods for a much-needed day of rest and relaxation. The spa had all sorts of wonderful saunas and a pool, but it also had a reading room with little couches to relax on. Given my love of reading, a desire to relax, and a…
I selected Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan as one of my most anticipated reads for 2022, and the bar has officially been set high. Tan’s debut novel can be described as nothing short of beautiful as it honors and expands upon the legend of Chang’e. Xingyin lives a quiet, solitary life…
Continue reading ➞ Daughter Of The Moon Goddess – A Luminous Debut
I am late to the game on Nghi Vo’s The Chosen and the Beautiful. I knew I wanted to read this story, it was just a matter of when. It was also my first time reading Vo’s work and I must say I am a fan. Her debut full-length novel is dripping in the outrageous…
Continue reading ➞ The Chosen And The Beautiful – Decadent Debauchery
