Amanda
Humans have created an eco-friendly utopia for themselves; all they need to sustain it is an underclass of genetically engineered animals to do all the work. Skotch, a raccoon and PI, has been hired to find a mouse who may be able to upend the entire system.
Whoever decided to market this as "Philip Marlowe meets Redwall" is only half right: the world of Green City Wars has more in common with the horrors of The Island of Doctor Moreau than with Redwall Abbey.
Tchaikovsky has, once again, created an incredibly complex world that looks at real world issues: treatment of vulnerable groups, class distinctions, exploitation of animals, ethics of scientific advancements, etc. Unfortunately the amount of exposition needed to establish the world of Green City Wars means the detective part of this scifi/noir mashup gets lost in the shuffle; the secret with the potential to radically alter society becomes little more than a MacGuffin.
The highlight of the book for me was Skotch, who is a great example of the put-upon gumshoe. I wouldn't mind if Tchaikovsky wrote a few more stories featuring him.
Received via NetGalley.
Humans have created an eco-friendly utopia for themselves; all they need to sustain it is an underclass of genetically engineered animals to do all the work. Skotch, a raccoon and PI, has been hired to find a mouse who may be able to upend the entire system.
Whoever decided to market this as "Philip Marlowe meets Redwall" is only half right: the world of Green City Wars has more in common with the horrors of The Island of Doctor Moreau than with Redwall Abbey.
Tchaikovsky has, once again, created an incredibly complex world that looks at real world issues: treatment of vulnerable groups, class distinctions, exploitation of animals, ethics of scientific advancements, etc. Unfortunately the amount of exposition needed to establish the world of Green City Wars means the detective part of this scifi/noir mashup gets lost in the shuffle; the secret with the potential to radically alter society becomes little more than a MacGuffin.
The highlight of the book for me was Skotch, who is a great example of the put-upon gumshoe. I wouldn't mind if Tchaikovsky wrote a few more stories featuring him.
Received via NetGalley.
Humans have created an eco-friendly utopia for themselves; all they need to sustain it is an underclass of genetically engineered animals to do all the work. Skotch, a raccoon and PI, has been hired to find a mouse who may be able to upend the entire system.
Whoever decided to market this as "Philip Marlowe meets Redwall" is only half right: the world of Green City Wars has more in common with the horrors of The Island of Doctor Moreau than with Redwall Abbey.
Tchaikovsky has, once again, created an incredibly complex world that looks at real world issues: treatment of vulnerable groups, class distinctions, exploitation of animals, ethics of scientific advancements, etc. Unfortunately the amount of exposition needed to establish the world of Green City Wars means the detective past of this scifi/noir mashup gets lost in the shuffle; the secret with the potential to radically alter society becomes little more than a MacGuffin.
The highlight of the book for me was Skotch, who is a great example of the put-upon gumshoe. I wouldn't mind if Tchaikovsky wrote a few more stories featuring him.
Received via NetGalley.
Humans have created an eco-friendly utopia for themselves; all they need to sustain it is an underclass of genetically engineered animals to do all the work. Skotch, a raccoon and PI, has been hired to find a mouse who may be able to upend the entire system.
Whoever decided to market this as "Philip Marlowe meets Redwall" is only half right: the world of Green City Wars has more in common with the horrors of The Island of Doctor Moreau than with Redwall Abbey.
Tchaikovsky has, once again, created an incredibly complex world that looks at real world issues: treatment of vulnerable groups, class distinctions, exploitation of animals, ethics of scientific advancements, etc. Unfortunately the amount of exposition needed to establish the world of Green City Wars means the detective past of this scifi/noir mashup gets lost in the shuffle; the secret with the potential to radically alter society becomes little more than a MacGuffin.
The highlight of the book for me was Skotch, who is a great example of the put-upon gumshoe. I wouldn't mind if Tchaikovsky wrote a few more stories featuring him.
Received via NetGalley.
A woman's dreams are shattered when the man she loves is killed in a car accident; she takes the broken pieces of her life and rebuilds her self a new, and unexpected, one.
I can't remember the last time I read a realistic novel with characters who are so...realistic. De Waal has created people who are so beautifully, messily human that I couldn't help but cry for their pains and cheer for their triumphs.
This is the first book I've read by Kit de Waal, but it definitely won't be the last.
Oh, and I think the original title, The Best of Everything, fits the book better than its American title.
Received via NetGalley.
A woman's dreams are shattered when the man she loves is killed in a car accident; she takes the broken pieces of her life and rebuilds her self a new, and unexpected, one.
I can't remember the last time I read a realistic novel with characters who are so...realistic. De Waal has created people who are so beautifully, messily human that I couldn't help but cry for their pains and cheer for their triumphs.
This is the first book I've read by Kit de Waal, but it definitely won't be the last.
Oh, and I think the original title, The Best of Everything, fits the book better than its American title.
Received via NetGalley.
Vampires have returned to Barrow, Alaska.
This comic reminds me of a direct-to-video sequel in a long-running horror franchise: there are one or two novel elements, but it's basically a rehash of previous entries. While reading I kept thinking that if the citizens of Barrow have been living in fear of vampires for decades, why didn't they have a battle plan or at least stockpile some weapons and supplies?
The art is very good, and is worthy of a much better story.
Received via NetGalley.
Vampires have returned to Barrow, Alaska.
This comic reminds me of a direct-to-video sequel in a long-running horror franchise: there are one or two novel elements, but it's basically a rehash of previous entries. While reading I kept thinking that if the citizens of Barrow have been living in fear of vampires for decades, why didn't they have a battle plan or at least stockpile some weapons and supplies?
The art is very good, and is worthy of a much better story.
Received via NetGalley.
The Reaper and the Waiting
A spirit attaches himself to a Reaper in hope of getting the Reaper to remember their shared past.
This one was okay, but the story felt pretty shallow. The interactions and backstory all felt very surface level.
I also felt the art wasn't particularly strong. There are some pretty panels, but it all looked pretty basic with not enough detail.
Received via NetGalley.
A spirit attaches himself to a Reaper in hope of getting the Reaper to remember their shared past.
This one was okay, but the story felt pretty shallow. The interactions and backstory all felt very surface level.
I also felt the art wasn't particularly strong. There are some pretty panels, but it all looked pretty basic with not enough detail.
Received via NetGalley.
A young man has a passionate affair and then abandons his lover for another woman; decades later, their daughter confronts their legacy.
This is one of those books where there's nothing wrong with the writing, but where something just feels off. I think everything just felt a little too tidy for me: the characters had perfectly reasonable motives for their actions and conflict was met with rational reactions when emotional ones would have been more natural.
Received via NetGalley.
A young man has a passionate affair and then abandons his lover for another woman; decades later, their daughter confronts their legacy.
This is one of those books where there's nothing wrong with the writing, but where something just feels off. I think everything just felt a little too tidy for me: the characters had perfectly reasonable motives for their actions and conflict was met with rational reactions when emotional ones would have been more natural.
Received via NetGalley.
A young woman must contend with her toxic extended family and demons both metaphorical and literal at the reading of her grandfather's will.
I wish someone had told Tirado horror works better when characters have redeeming qualities. You cannot fear for a character's safety when they are such a complete asshole that you really want them to die in agony.
The story is okay—kind of Knives Out with demons and without the inventiveness. It would have worked better if it had been filled with characters rather than caricatures.
Received via NetGalley.
A young woman must contend with her toxic extended family and demons both metaphorical and literal at the reading of her grandfather's will.
I wish someone had told Tirado horror works better when characters have redeeming qualities. You cannot fear for a character's safety when they are such a complete asshole that you really want them to die in agony.
The story is okay—kind of Knives Out with demons and without the inventiveness. It would have worked better if it had been filled with characters rather than caricatures.
Received via NetGalley.
This sequel to Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon is, like its predecessor, a gentle and thoughtful look at death, duty, family, grief, and love. It doesn't really cover any new ground, but it is a meditative novel that invites reflection.
Received via NetGalley.
This sequel to Lost Souls Meet Under a Full Moon is, like its predecessor, a gentle and thoughtful look at death, duty, family, grief, and love. It doesn't really cover any new ground, but it is a meditative novel that invites reflection.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is for Joan Tate's translation.
A man with terminal cancer agrees to an experimental freezing procedure in hope of being revived when he can be cured. He is defrosted into a very different world.
I wasn't surprised to learn that Anders Bodelsen is not really known as a science fiction writer. He tackled themes that were, and still are common in the genre—life, death, aging, technology and societal changes, etc.—but did it in a way that seems dated even by the standards of the time it was written.
The style feels awkward and very stiff, but I'm not sure if that's due to Bodelsen's writing or Joan Tate's translation.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is for Joan Tate's translation.
A man with terminal cancer agrees to an experimental freezing procedure in hope of being revived when he can be cured. He is defrosted into a very different world.
I wasn't surprised to learn that Anders Bodelsen is not really known as a science fiction writer. He tackled themes that were, and still are common in the genre—life, death, aging, technology and societal changes, etc.—but did it in a way that seems dated even by the standards of the time it was written.
The style feels awkward and very stiff, but I'm not sure if that's due to Bodelsen's writing or Joan Tate's translation.
Received via NetGalley.
In this supernatural gothic tale, Hazel Russon, a young woman living in 19th century Utah, is coerced into a polygamous marriage with a man who has more red flags than a Soviet military parade.
Author Linda Hamilton knows her Gothic tropes—pious heroine, sinister man, dark secrets, creepy house, uncanny phenomena—and executes them well. Hazel is both sympathetic and intelligent, and it was easy to get swept up in her story.
My only real complaint about the book is that I didn't feel the supernatural element was particularly strong. It's present and important to the story, but I felt it got lost behind the more mundane horrors Hazel and her sister wives had to endure.
I don't see The Fourth Wife ever becoming a classic of its genre, but it is a marvelous way to while away an afternoon.
Received via NetGalley.
In this supernatural gothic tale, Hazel Russon, a young woman living in 19th century Utah, is coerced into a polygamous marriage with a man who has more red flags than a Soviet military parade.
Author Linda Hamilton knows her Gothic tropes—pious heroine, sinister man, dark secrets, creepy house, uncanny phenomena—and executes them well. Hazel is both sympathetic and intelligent, and it was easy to get swept up in her story.
My only real complaint about the book is that I didn't feel the supernatural element was particularly strong. It's present and important to the story, but I felt it got lost behind the more mundane horrors Hazel and her sister wives had to endure.
I don't see The Fourth Wife ever becoming a classic of its genre, but it is a marvelous way to while away an afternoon.
Received via NetGalley.
A man grieving the death of his husband gets involved with some weird and shady people.
In his further reading suggestions, the author describes the world of Wretch as "surreal, erotically charged." Well, bless your heart for thinking that, sir. I would describe it as a turgid mess of poorly connected, half-formed ideas and crowned with an ending that is almost as much of a cop-out as "it was all a dream."
Received via NetGalley.
A man grieving the death of his husband gets involved with some weird and shady people.
In his further reading suggestions, the author describes the world of Wretch as "surreal, erotically charged." Well, bless your heart for thinking that, sir. I would describe it as a turgid mess of poorly connected, half-formed ideas and crowned with an ending that is almost as much of a cop-out as "it was all a dream."
Received via NetGalley.
The human crew of an exploratory space vessel crash on an ocean planet are saved by giant squid-like creatures and brought to an island inhabited by docile humans living without technology.
You know, I don't need or want all stories about space exploration to have a utopian <i>Star Trek</i> ideal to them, but I do ask that the stories not be full of people who are really just too stupid to live. The stranded crew make snap judgments based on no evidence, and just show zero common sense.
Received via NetGalley.
The human crew of an exploratory space vessel crash on an ocean planet are saved by giant squid-like creatures and brought to an island inhabited by docile humans living without technology.
You know, I don't need or want all stories about space exploration to have a utopian <i>Star Trek</i> ideal to them, but I do ask that the stories not be full of people who are really just too stupid to live. The stranded crew make snap judgments based on no evidence, and just show zero common sense.
Received via NetGalley.
The publisher's description says this book "tells a story forgotten by history." Um, no: it's fanfiction shipping an aged-up minor character from The Odyssey and Penelope.
I have my doubts that the author did much research into Bronze Age Mediterranean civilizations because everything reads like a 21st century author phoning in the setting and imposing their mindset on the past.
Skip this and read one of the many translations of The Odyssey instead.
Received via NetGalley.
The publisher's description says this book "tells a story forgotten by history." Um, no: it's fanfiction shipping an aged-up minor character from The Odyssey and Penelope.
I have my doubts that the author did much research into Bronze Age Mediterranean civilizations because everything reads like a 21st century author phoning in the setting and imposing their mindset on the past.
Skip this and read one of the many translations of The Odyssey instead.
Received via NetGalley.
The veil that protects the kingdom of Ardenia is failing and evil is slowly seeping into the land. King Richard must find a way to protect his kingdom while navigating complex political and personal relationships.
First, I love how Briar Niran balances all of the different parts of the story. There are action sequences, court politics, personal relationships, research trips, inter-kingdom politics, and horror scenes, but I never felt lost by all the goings on or that any aspect of the story was being sacrificed in favor of another.
The force that is corrupting the land is not just written as a vague menace, but a genuinely terrifying force that is mutating things into creatures that could have stepped out of a David Cronenberg film. The antagonist is a true threat, and has actual motivations for his actions rather than just being evil for the sake of it.
What I like best about this book is the relationships between Richard and his siblings. It's a delight to read about a healthy family with members who may disagree and fight, but who also love and respect one another.
Richard and Kaelen's romantic relationship is progressing slowly, but it feels realistic to me. They have known each other all their lives, but changing the nature of the relationship is a huge step and I like that Niran is treating it with care.
I know it's only March, but I'm pretty sure The Sun King and His Knight series is going to be at the top of my favorite finds of 2026 list.
Received via the author.
The veil that protects the kingdom of Ardenia is failing and evil is slowly seeping into the land. King Richard must find a way to protect his kingdom while navigating complex political and personal relationships.
First, I love how Briar Niran balances all of the different parts of the story. There are action sequences, court politics, personal relationships, research trips, inter-kingdom politics, and horror scenes, but I never felt lost by all the goings on or that any aspect of the story was being sacrificed in favor of another.
The force that is corrupting the land is not just written as a vague menace, but a genuinely terrifying force that is mutating things into creatures that could have stepped out of a David Cronenberg film. The antagonist is a true threat, and has actual motivations for his actions rather than just being evil for the sake of it.
What I like best about this book is the relationships between Richard and his siblings. It's a delight to read about a healthy family with members who may disagree and fight, but who also love and respect one another.
Richard and Kaelen's romantic relationship is progressing slowly, but it feels realistic to me. They have known each other all their lives, but changing the nature of the relationship is a huge step and I like that Niran is treating it with care.
I know it's only March, but I'm pretty sure The Sun King and His Knight series is going to be at the top of my favorite finds of 2026 list.
Received via the author.
This review is of the audiobook read by Katharine Chin.
Calling The Subtle Art of Folding Space science fiction is overselling its scifi elements. It's a toxic family drama with a thick layer of technobabble over it. I felt the world building was actually very weak, despite how much the world was talked about: all the words seemed to be handwaving instead of developing the world.
The Narrator
I was not a fan of the narration. Katharine Chin sounded so flat most of the time that I honestly thought I might have been listening to an AI. (I wasn't; she's a real person.)
Check the book out from the library if you're interested, but I recommend getting it in print.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is of the audiobook read by Katharine Chin.
Calling The Subtle Art of Folding Space science fiction is overselling its scifi elements. It's a toxic family drama with a thick layer of technobabble over it. I felt the world building was actually very weak, despite how much the world was talked about: all the words seemed to be handwaving instead of developing the world.
The Narrator
I was not a fan of the narration. Katharine Chin sounded so flat most of the time that I honestly thought I might have been listening to an AI. (I wasn't; she's a real person.)
Check the book out from the library if you're interested, but I recommend getting it in print.
Received via NetGalley.
A whistle-stop tour of Wes Anderson's life and works.
I'm left wondering what the point of this book is: there is no analysis or critique of Anderson's work, and the biographical information is bare-bones. There's little here that I couldn't get from reading IMDb.
The art is good, and references the visual style of Anderson's films.
Received via NetGalley.
A whistle-stop tour of Wes Anderson's life and works.
I'm left wondering what the point of this book is: there is no analysis or critique of Anderson's work, and the biographical information is bare-bones. There's little here that I couldn't get from reading IMDb.
The art is good, and references the visual style of Anderson's films.
Received via NetGalley.
Vampires have returned to Barrow, Alaska.
This comic reminds me of a direct-to-video sequel in a long-running horror franchise: there are one or two novels elements, but it's basically a rehash of previous entries. While reading I kept thinking that if the citizens of Barrow have been living in fear of vampires for decades, why didn't they have a battle plan or at least stockpile some weapons and supplies?
The art is very good, and is worthy of a much better story.
Received via NetGalley.
Vampires have returned to Barrow, Alaska.
This comic reminds me of a direct-to-video sequel in a long-running horror franchise: there are one or two novels elements, but it's basically a rehash of previous entries. While reading I kept thinking that if the citizens of Barrow have been living in fear of vampires for decades, why didn't they have a battle plan or at least stockpile some weapons and supplies?
The art is very good, and is worthy of a much better story.
Received via NetGalley.
An epic fantasy inspired by feudal Japan.
Whoever decided to market this one as Shogun meets Game of Thrones was spot-on: The Book of Fallen Leaves shares the epic scope, political intrigue, and bloodiness of the other works. Unfortunately, its page count greatly exceeds the amount of plot it has; I felt like about thirty percent of the book could have been cut without sacrificing anything of value.
Received via NetGalley.
An epic fantasy inspired by feudal Japan.
Whoever decided to market this one as Shogun meets Game of Thrones was spot-on: The Book of Fallen Leaves shares the epic scope, political intrigue, and bloodiness of the other works. Unfortunately, its page count greatly exceeds the amount of plot it has; I felt like about thirty percent of the book could have been cut without sacrificing anything of value.
Received via NetGalley.
The plot threads of the Bobiverse are tied up.
The problem I had with the first two books in the series is still present in the third: despite raising myriad questions about planetary colonization, alien contact, ethics, existence, etc., the questions are not explored in any meaningful way. Heck, even practical matters are often hand-waved off-screen.
I did enjoy reading these books and they inspired much pondering, but I wish the author himself had spent more time pondering and less trying to think up ways to show how clever the Bobs are.
I am interested in reading the next two books in the series; I just hope that they will have a little more depth now that the world is well established and the major plot threads of the first three books are finished.
Received via NetGalley.
The plot threads of the Bobiverse are tied up.
The problem I had with the first two books in the series is still present in the third: despite raising myriad questions about planetary colonization, alien contact, ethics, existence, etc., the questions are not explored in any meaningful way. Heck, even practical matters are often hand-waved off-screen.
I did enjoy reading these books and they inspired much pondering, but I wish the author himself had spent more time pondering and less trying to think up ways to show how clever the Bobs are.
I am interested in reading the next two books in the series; I just hope that they will have a little more depth now that the world is well established and the major plot threads of the first three books are finished.
Received via NetGalley.
Primeval forests have suddenly returned to Europe in the aftermath of World War One. A veteran with a dark past makes his living by rescuing children stolen by the creatures who inhabit the Forest.
This isn't quite the book I was expecting. I thought there would be exploration of why the Forest had appeared and the purpose of the child thieving; instead, it's more action focused, with a lot of human scheming going on in the background. I did enjoy the book, but it took me a little while to adjust my expectations.
I'm knocking the book half a star for the ending, which feels too tidy.
There are clearly more stories that could be told in this world, and I hope Morgan writes them someday.
Received via NetGalley.
Primeval forests have suddenly returned to Europe in the aftermath of World War One. A veteran with a dark past makes his living by rescuing children stolen by the creatures who inhabit the Forest.
This isn't quite the book I was expecting. I thought there would be exploration of why the Forest had appeared and the purpose of the child thieving; instead, it's more action focused, with a lot of human scheming going on in the background. I did enjoy the book, but it took me a little while to adjust my expectations.
I'm knocking the book half a star for the ending, which feels too tidy.
There are clearly more stories that could be told in this world, and I hope Morgan writes them someday.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is of the audiobook read by Rachel Elizabeth Smith.
A collection of previously published short fantasy stories inspired by fairy tales.
I read and enjoyed El-Mohtar's The River Has Roots last year, so I was very excited to get my hands on her upcoming story collection. My excitement did not last long.
El-Mohtar can write a pretty sentence, but these stories are, to put it politely, uninspired. The author is covering ground that is very well-trod and is adding nothing new here.
The Narrator
Rachel Elizabeth Smith's reading did nothing to help this book. Her voice isn't unpleasant, but her delivery is monotonous; not only did I have trouble telling when different characters were speaking, I had trouble telling when a new story had begun.
The writing of this book isn't terrible and may appeal to others, but I do not recommend the audiobook.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is of the audiobook read by Rachel Elizabeth Smith.
A collection of previously published short fantasy stories inspired by fairy tales.
I read and enjoyed El-Mohtar's The River Has Roots last year, so I was very excited to get my hands on her upcoming story collection. My excitement did not last long.
El-Mohtar can write a pretty sentence, but these stories are, to put it politely, uninspired. The author is covering ground that is very well-trod and is adding nothing new here.
The Narrator
Rachel Elizabeth Smith's reading did nothing to help this book. Her voice isn't unpleasant, but her delivery is monotonous; not only did I have trouble telling when different characters were speaking, I had trouble telling when a new story had begun.
The writing of this book isn't terrible and may appeal to others, but I do not recommend the audiobook.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is for the audiobook narrated by Maggie Bain.
Halfling Pansy inherits a cottage from her grandmother and discovers goblin Ren already calls it home. Instantly taking a dislike to each other, Pansy and Ren decide to live together with the understanding that whoever can drive the other out first wins the cottage.
This is an incredibly cutesy enemies to lovers romantasy, with a plot that will be familiar from an untold number of rom-coms. Does any of that make it a bad book? Not in the slightest; it's charming and will appeal greatly to fans of its tropes.
Narrator
Maggie Bain does a great job reading the book. She speaks clearly and gives each character enough of a different voice that I was never confused about who was speaking.
Received via NetGalley.
This review is for the audiobook narrated by Maggie Bain.
Halfling Pansy inherits a cottage from her grandmother and discovers goblin Ren already calls it home. Instantly taking a dislike to each other, Pansy and Ren decide to live together with the understanding that whoever can drive the other out first wins the cottage.
This is an incredibly cutesy enemies to lovers romantasy, with a plot that will be familiar from an untold number of rom-coms. Does any of that make it a bad book? Not in the slightest; it's charming and will appeal greatly to fans of its tropes.
Narrator
Maggie Bain does a great job reading the book. She speaks clearly and gives each character enough of a different voice that I was never confused about who was speaking.
Received via NetGalley.