I picked up The Only Good Indians because I’d read The Buffalo Hunter Hunter earlier this year and was drawn in by Jones’ entirely unique storytelling. And while that continues to be the case here, I found this book oddly… slow?
This one has all the right ingredients, especially for this time of year! A dark, feminist Bluebeard retelling with witchy undertones and a setting and vibes straight out of Rebecca or Jane Eyre??? Yes, please!
While this book could use a bit more developmental editing and a good copy edit, I kind of… loved it? Ha. It was easy to read and get hooked on, I enjoyed Stark’s writing style and the world-building, and I especially liked the banter and relationship between the main characters.
Much like Good Stab had to tell his story to Pastor Beaucarne in a piecewise fashion, I felt like I had to read this book in a similar manner to fully absorb it.
Every so often I come across a WWII novel that offers a perspective I haven’t read before, and The Night Sparrow was one of those books. Told through the eyes of a female Soviet Jewish sniper, it dives into a part of history that is often overlooked, giving space to stories that deserve to be remembered.
Birth of a Dynasty by Chinaza Bado is a fantastic start to an epic fantasy series set in a remarkable African-inspired world. The prologue was excellent, and I was instantly hooked (in fact, I ended up reading the whole book in less than 24 hours).
I finished A Forbidden Alchemy weeks ago and I still think about it almost every single day. It’s not just the best book I’ve read this year—it might be one of my favorite books ever. Stacey McEwan owns me now, and I’m not even mad about it.
A Song in the Storm by Riley Knight is a bold, multi-POV epic with rich world-building, layered politics, a touch of romance, and a story that rewards patience. It kept me guessing the entire time—and I loved watching all the threads come together. If you’re into fantasy that doesn’t spoon-feed you but absolutely delivers, pick this one up.
Quiet, sad, and strange in its own way. The Haunting of Velkwood had a premise I couldn’t wait to dive into: a neighborhood warped by supernatural isolation, a surreal haunting, and a tragic friendship at the heart of it all.
Illusion of Stars wrecked me in the best way. I went in expecting a fantasy with some romance (which it totally delivers), but I didn’t expect it to hit so hard emotionally. The way Sarah Marie Page writes about self-worth, grief, and uncertainty? Just… wow. It’s raw and real in a way that sneaks up on you.
I never thought I’d rave about a book about snails (I’m only partially joking lol), but here we are…
Maria Reva’s Endling is a profound exploration of survival, identity, and the intricate dance between humanity and nature, set against the backdrop of contemporary Ukraine.
Flora Carr’s The Tower is an intriguing take on Mary, Queen of Scots, during her imprisonment at Lochleven Castle. Certainly, the writing draws you in—Carr has a way of crafting vivid scenes and emotionally charged moments that make you feel the weight of Mary’s isolation and the quiet strength of the women surrounding her.
