One Night in Boukos

Hard to categorize but intriguing historical fantasy. Not quite a mystery (although someone disappears and the two main characters are allegedly trying to find what happened to him), not quite a romance (the love interests don't show up until halfway through the book although once they appear they play major roles), not quite social commentary (although there are quite a few pointed observations about the culture clash when representatives from a rigid formal country visit a city where statues with giant penises paraded through town are part of an annual holiday). One Night in Boukos takes a while to get going but once everything starts to come together you appreciate the groundwork that has been laid. Contains several priceless scenes (trying to get something accomplished in a bureaucratic department where you're always waiting in the wrong line is apparently timeless) and a rousing conclusion. I've read both of A.J. Demas' books ([b:Something Human 41100024 Something Human A.J. Demas https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533932464l/41100024.SY75.jpg 64212074] was also very good), and she is definitely on my “authors to watch” list. She has a unique, wry but warm voice and seems capable of both laughing at and caring for her characters.