Category: New books

Bone of my Bone

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Johanna van Veen

Johanna Van Veen has quickly become one of my favourite authors, so when the opportunity to review her newest novel, Bone of My Bone, landed in my lap, I absolutely jumped out of my skin. An image that is more appropriate than you might think.

Bone of My Bone follows two women thrown together by the chaos of war. Sister Ursula is a young nun who has fled her convent to escape an invading horde of soldiers, carrying with her a tremendous weight of guilt for having abandoned her fellow sisters. Elsebeth is a brave, scrappy peasant girl who is running from the very same army. Their paths cross at a pivotal moment: just as Sister Ursula is about to be violated, Elsebeth steps in and saves her. From there, the two decide to travel together, and it isn’t long before their journey takes a fateful turn.

Along the way, they encounter a dying man in possession of something extraordinary: a holy relic, the skull of a saint. Legend holds that if the skull is reunited with the rest of the saint’s remains, the one who does so will be granted a wish. Naturally, Ursula and Elsebeth take the skull and set off to do exactly that, though each woman is driven by her own deeply personal reasons. Standing in their way is a necromancer who is stalking them across the countryside, desperate to claim the relic for himself.

This novel is such an entertaining read. It weaves together elements of German folklore, atmospheric dread, body horror, and a genuinely lovely love story. Van Veen’s writing is both gruesome and vivid, in description and in theme. She doesn’t shy away from the inhumanity of war, the selfishness of those who wage it, and the particular brutality that women are subjected to in the midst of it. And yet, through all of that darkness, something tender takes root. The romance between Ursula and Elsebeth is soft and authentic, and it earns every moment.

Set in Bavaria during the Thirty Years’ War, this one is an absolute must read if you love sapphic romances, folk horror, and stories that don’t flinch from the ugliness of history while still finding beauty within it.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the copy.

The Midnight Train

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By Matt Haig

The second book in the Midnight World series

If you liked The Midnight Library, you will like The Midnight Train.

Eighty-one-year-old Wilber Budd has just finished his piano lesson when he receives a phone call from his past. Maggie, the love of his life, his ex-wife, whom he hasn’t spoken to in years, a lifetime really. She called because she had dreamed of him, after all these years, and just wanted to hear his voice. Wilber is filled with joy, though his joy is tinged with guilt. After the call, Wilber finds the last letter his wife wrote him, which ends with: “I love you, Wilber, but I am also leaving you. I don’t know where the past hides, but I will meet you there.” He feels responsible for the dissolution of their marriage, and he has missed Maggie tremendously. Wilber then has what we believe to be a heart attack.

When he “dies,” he finds himself on a train with a lady from his past. Mrs Agnes Deborah Amaryllis Bagdale of Bagdale’s Bookshop, where Wilber used to visit as a child. Agnes is Wilber’s spirit guide of sorts, there to guide him through his life. The train will stop at various points in Wilber’s life, where he must get off and relive pivotal moments that shaped him into the man he was when he died. But there are rules Wilber must follow on this journey: he must get off the train, he must not be seen or interact with his younger self, and he must not be there when his “past” self falls asleep.

As Wilber journeys through his memories, the urge to break the rules grows stronger. Each forgotten moment tugs at his heart, wishful for a chance to rewrite the past, especially his story with Maggie. Readers are swept into Wilber’s struggle, feeling the raw ache of longing and the bittersweet weight of choices. We, too, are compelled to reflect on our own regrets and treasured moments.

This novel is an inviting, heartfelt read, gentle yet stirring. Matt Haig’s writing wraps the reader in warmth, exploring the quiet beauty and pain of love, regret, and the persistence of hope amid personal loss.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the copy.

John of John

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by Douglas Stuart

John of John is the third book of Stuart’s I’ve read, and it’s just as poignant, just as beautifully written as the first two.

Our protagonist, John Callum (Cal), is a young gay man struggling in life, moving from couch to couch, sneaking food, and having one-night stands. During their weekly phone calls, Cal’s father, John, says that Grandma Ella has taken ill and urges him to return home. Cal hesitates, feeling like a failure and dreading his return to the small Scottish Hebrides town where being a young gay man is far from ideal.

Cal returns home with his long, brightly dyed hair and androgynous appearance, exposing himself to his father’s verbal and physical abuse. We wonder if John’s violence stems from his wife’s departure and remarriage, Grandma Ella’s ownership of the property, or his own struggles as a Presbyterian minister, burdened by church rules and secrets his son’s presence brings to light.

Douglas Stuart’s stories overflow with theme and emotion. He crafts characters whose heartache, confusion, and love resonate universally, and captures the honest, heartbreaking bond of father and son. The novel explores identity, lineage, and the tension between pleasing parents and seeking one’s own path.

A beautiful novel, just as I expected. I will always be a Douglas Stuart fan.

Thank you to Grove Press and Netgalley for the copy.

Marion

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written by Leah Rowan.

Narrated by Natalie Noudas and Tawny Platis

I both read and listened to this novel, and I quite liked both experiences.

Remember the black and white movie, Psycho? Noman Bates being the quintessential creepy mass murderer with huge mommy issues? Remember the shower scene? The visuals, along with the music sound effects, have become infamous in movie culture. Now, imagine if, as soon as that shower curtain is open, Marion incapacitates Norman by strategically kneeing him in a sensitive place, taking control of the situation and stabbing him in self-defence. In this twist, it’s Norman who dies! Marion, on the other hand, now faces a myriad of problems: what to do with the body, what to do with the $100,000 she just conveniently has in her possession, and how to help her sister, who is sporting a black eye from her husband’s abuse and has gone silent. 

With all this chaos, can Marion (not her real name) clean up the catastrophic mess she’s in without getting caught—or killing anyone else?

Meanwhile, there’s Hannah, a young private investigator striving to succeed despite her parents’ lack of support. They insist she attend law school and refuse to fund her PI career. Before quitting, Hannah takes on one last case: a missing woman last seen near the Billings Hotel, run by Norman.

I really liked the dual viewpoints. We experience Marion and the aftermath of her choices, while also following Hannah, who serves as a character foil for Marion. 

Thematically, it’s about women’s fury and the consequences of fighting back in a manipulative society. The writing is easy to read. Some plot twists are predictable, but overall, it’s entertaining.

The audiobook was wonderfully narrated. Noudas and Platis possess the perfect voices for Marion and Hannah, respectively. The intonation, emotion and phrasing added a wonderfully suspenseful atmosphere to the novel.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the copies.

Sibylline

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by Melissa De La Cruz

Sibylline is an “Ivy League” school of magic, yes, think Hogwarts, except instead of getting a letter in the mail granting admission, potential students must apply, and if they aren’t children of alumni, their chances of admittance are minuscule.

Raven, Atticus, and Dorian are close friends who all share the dream of studying at Sibylinne, where they’d access ancient grimoires, renowned professors, and abundant spell-making resources. Yet, they’re denied admission, which is confusing, given their magical talents.

Although profoundly disappointed, the trio will not be deterred and decide to gain access to the college the only way they can: by applying for employment as research assistants, associate librarians, and archivists… jobs that would take time away from study if they were students. 

Soon, the friends discover that there is more to the school than they anticipated; some dark force is working to destroy the literal foundation of the school. And to compound this danger, students are mysteriously disappearing and dying.

Raven, Atticus, and Dorian work together to learn as much as they can about magic in general to strengthen their gifts and ultimately discover the dark force threatening the institution’s existence.

Now take this premise and add the complication of romance. Raven is in love with Atticus, Atticus is in love with Dorian, and Dorian is in love with Raven…. Talk about the Bermuda of all love triangles. There are glimmers of “spice” and one VERY “spicy” scene.

This novel was enjoyable during my drive to the mountains. The plot is straightforward, and the characters are uncomplicated. While the premise shows promise, it isn’t fully realized. However, the story and characters kept my interest until the end, making it time well spent. I am interested in reading the next Sibylline book when it is published.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers and Netgalley for the copy

Angel Down

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by Daniel Kraus

I read Daniel Kraus’s Whale Fall years ago and absolutely loved the story, writing style, and themes, so when I learned of Angel Fall, I immediately bought it. Well, I had to order it because no bookstore near me carried it. But it sat on my bookshelf for months, and when I heard it had just won this year’s Pulitzer Prize, I decided it was now the time to read it. And you know what? My copy has a plethora of sticky tabs and annotations throughout. It’s not a quick read, or at least it wasn’t for me. There were so many profound themes, beautiful phrases, and places in the text that I want to revisit in the future.

The novel is set in France during World War I and follows Cyril Bagger, the son of a bishop whose personality is such that he is somewhat of  a con artist, let’s just say he’s not fighting in the war for the sake of freedom. Despite his ideology, or lack thereof, Cyril serves as a Private First Class in the army, with the official duty of a grave digger. Early in the story, Cyril and four other soldiers are sent to investigate mysterious shrieks coming from the trenches because, as they are told, “the army does not leave a man behind” (pg. 41).

When Cyril and Arno, a fourteen-year-old soldier who lied about his age to enlist, attempt to cross No Man’s Land, they discover an angel trapped in barbed wire. They free her and carry her to safety. The angel has a mysterious quality—her radiant appearance is veiled under a cloak, and anyone who sees her perceives their deepest desire: for some, she appears as a missing loved one to others,  a path to fortune. The soldiers who accompanied Cyril want to possess the angel for their own gain, but Cyril does not. The angel tells him, “You are the only one to ask nothing of me” (pg. 189).

The novel is a heavy read. Not that it’s sloggy or difficult, but it is very visceral in its depiction of war and prompts the reader to search their own heart for a personal understanding of humanity, especially during a time of conflict. It is also written as a continuous sentence (although I did find punctuation a very few times). In fact, Kraus writes, “like the carnage won’t ever end, it’s a sentence in a book careening without periods, gasping with too many commas, a sentence that, once begun, can’t ever be stopped, a sentence doomed to loop back in on itself to form a terrible black wheel that, sooner or later. Will drag each and every person to their grave” (pg 6). And the writing style does, indeed, create a tone of unending dread with the feeling of horrific monotony. The novel is also rich in symbols: the angel, the novel The Count of Monte Cristo, and the Bible, just to name a few. It is a novel worthy of the Pulitzer as it is a sobering story of not only the physical and psychological horrors of war, but also the potential moral ambiguity that comes with killing for an ideal. It is a discussion of theology, philosophy, morality, politics, and history. It is also, in a way, an examination of conscience…so yes, as I said, it is heavy. 

Because of Kraus’s beautiful writing and the thought-provoking themes, Angel Down lingered in my mind for weeks after I finished reading, making it one of my most memorable books of the year thus far.

The Tumbling Girl a Variety Palace Mystery #1

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I love a good Victorian mystery. Minnie Ward and Albert Easterbrook are the protagonists. Minnie is a writer at the Palace, a circus-like playhouse featuring magic, acrobats, songs, and animal acts. One day, Rose, a “tumbling girl” and headline performer, disappears. Soon, it becomes clear she was brutally murdered, yet the police insist it is suicide, dismissing her as a woman of “questionable” reputation. Certain Rose would never kill herself; Minnie and Rose’s mother, Ada, hire former policeman-turned-private investigator Albert Easterbrook to prove it was not suicide.

As the plot progresses, we get drawn into the world of private men’s clubs, corrupt politicians, and a string of “Stanhopes” (I had to look it up) that possess clues to the crime. We also learn that  young women are anxious about walking alone because of the notorious “hairpin” killer who has yet to be apprehended. 

I really enjoyed Minnie, a modern woman during suppression. Her bravery, intelligence, and humour make her an engaging protagonist. I also love her interactions with Mr. Easterhouse—could there be a spark?

The novel introduces several suspects. Even though Rose’s killer becomes somewhat obvious midway, there is a twist I didn’t anticipate.

Absolutely a cozy mystery to add to your TBR list. To my delight, it’s designed as a series, so I can revisit Minnie and Albert in future installments.

Thank you, Pushkin Press and Netgalley, for the copy.

Sunburn

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by Chole Michelle Howarth

I love any novel set in Ireland. I often thought of myself as part Irish, but according to Ancestry, I’m only 2% Irish…give or take 10%. Nevertheless, I have a love for the people, the country and the culture. That said, I naturally gravitated to Sunburn when a copy became available.

The novel starts “ Now is the time between birth and slaughter. Another Summer has arrived. I spend my days waiting for something to happen. Something glorious, even something tragic. Nothing ever happens.” (pg 1). Now, if it doesn’t exactly capture every teenager’s mindset at the beginning of summer, I don’t know what does. 

Sunburn takes place approximately 30 years ago in the small Irish town of Crossmore. Lucy is our main protagonist, a young girl struggling with her identity, and she comments, “Recently I have really wanted to figure out who I am” (Howarth). This novel is about Lucy figuring out who she is.  what her heart wants, what her family and friends expect from her, and what society expects from her. She has a best friend, Martin, a neighbour with whom she grew up, and the unspoken expectation that their friendship will turn into something romantic. In fact, Lucy is beginning to notice that Martin’s interest in her is shifting from mere camaraderie to something more romantic. In the meantime, Lucy finds herself drawn to her classmate Susanna, an attraction that confuses her and complicates her life, as she is at a time when she must make life-altering decisions. Will she stay and live a life with what is familiar, her town, her friends and family, making a life for herself similar to her mother? Or will she follow her heart, which means leaving the life she has lived thus far?

Howarth is masterful at capturing the mindset of a teenager experiencing not merely teenage angst, but the struggle to acknowledge the truth behind her identity. 

Howarth’s prose is absolutely beautiful and thought-provoking. Some examples: “ I can’t stand being on the outside of what everyone else is feeling.”Sometimes knowing someone for a long time is the only reason you’d be friends with them. It isn’t much of a bond, and still it is unbreakable” “ Even at my small age, I understood that there were limits to love, and I felt sure that one day people would run out of love for me,” Lucy loves Martin in her own way he “makes her feel grounded” and this line absolutely broke me “ when he leaves, I watch from the back door as he disappears down the garden, out into the dark road, taking the last of today’s goodness with him.” 

A beautiful novel with a discussion-generating plot and themes, all wrapped in beautiful prose.

A perfect novel to use in High School classrooms, either as a mentor text showing the effectiveness of character voice and the impact of first-person narrative, or as an independent novel study.

Thank you to Melville House and Netgalley for the copy.

Blood Over Bright Haven

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by M.L. Wang

I really liked this novel, so much so that I had to bust out my mini sticky notes. The novel begins with the character Thomil and his people, the Kwen, attempting to escape a violent culling by “Blight” (a magical energy that strikes any and every living thing it senses ), an introduction that sucks us right into the plot. The second chapter, however, is significantly different. We meet Sciona just about to perform an entrance exam into the prestigious High Magistry at the University of High Magics and Industry, a feat that is almost impossible, as no other female has ever been admitted. 

Soon, Thomil and Sciona’s lives collide, and both must overcome their prejudices to reveal the truth behind the political machinations of their world and bring justice to those who have been sacrificed for the upper class’s benefit.

This novel is rife with themes that are incredibly applicable to our world today. It is a perfect example of how science fiction and fantasy can serve to show us injustices, and an entitled, wealthy, and politically powerful class of society can manipulate philosophy, religion and history to serve their own ends to the extent of abusing and obliterating the lives of other classes and cultures in order to do so. 

Well written, fast-paced, and perfectly concluded, with engaging characters and fascinating world-building, Blood over Bright Haven is a very good addition to your reading list and would make a wonderful addition to independent novel study in secondary school classrooms.

The Magical Wonderful Bul Bul Bird

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by Jonathan Kruk Illustrated by Rob Bridges

This book is, itself, magical for several reasons. First, it is a charming story based on a Latvian folktale. King Kraukis is feeling lonely. He’s got his children with him, Prince Koku, Prince Balt, and Princess Sofija, but he is still feeling lonely. You see, his castle seems to be too far away for anyone to visit, so he is lonely. But then Princess Sofija has the best of ideas; she tells her father about the Magical Wonderful Bul Bul Bird, and if they had this bird, people would come from far and wide to see its beauty. The eldest prince is determined to find the bird and bring it back, but when he doesn’t return, the second prince vows to find his brother and bring the bird back himself. But when the second brother doesn’t return, the “prudent” princess Sofija goes (something she had wanted to do all along, but was dismayed to find she is a girl). Does she find her brothers? Is the Bul Bul bird dangerous? Will the princess return to her father alive?

The second reason this book is magical, at least for me, is its absolutely charming vocabulary. In particular, it uses complex words that children will enjoy pronouncing and learning, such as “prudent, azure, sovereign, boombosity, pompous, imperious.” This delight in language is why I love it when children’s books include challenging yet fun vocabulary.

And the third is the illustrations. The artist Rob Bridges’ illustrations remind me of the old pictures you’d find in fairytale books, intricate, odd, fantastical and sometimes a little creepy! 

This book is a special addition to any children’s library.

Thank you to Netgalley and 4U2B Books and MediaFor the copy

Wolf Worm

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by T. Kingfisher

Since the death of her father, Sonia Wilson has had to put aside her beloved profession of being a scientific illustrator and become an art teacher. With only a few friends and an oppressive headmistress, she seeks employment elsewhere…but there aren’t a lot of positions available, because she is, after all, a woman in the late 1800s.  So when the reclusive scientist Dr. Hadler hires her to illustrate his work of bugs, worms and squiggly, squirming critters, she willingly obliges. 

After trekking through the woods with creepy Mr. Phelps, who offered to chaperone her and narrate the nightmarish folktales of devils and blood thieves you would meet in the woods, she arrives at Dr. Hadler’s North Carolina mansion….wonderfully creepy, atmospheric.

Sonia soon realizes that the doctor’s work is rather odd and that the artist before her disappeared under mysterious circumstances, compounded by the fact that the animals in the area are behaving rather creepily, she begins to regret her decision to work. Also, what is with the creepy shed on the property, a place that the doctor brings live chickens and keeps under lock and key? 

The story is narrated by Sonia, whose voice is so personable and funny (which is wonderfully juxtaposed against the creepy atmosphere). I really wanted to be her friend and, over a bottle of wine, hear all about her experience. Just a heads up, if you don’t like bugs and blood, this novel may not be for you. Kingfisher is quite graphic in her descriptions. 

Except for a few parts that seemed somewhat redundant (especially when Sonia is questioning the reality of a horror she saw), the novel is humorous, suspenseful, and everything I expected from the author.

…oh, and I absolutely loved the Kents. 

This is an great Southern Gothic to add to you audio book list.

I listened to the audio of this novel. Mary Robinette Kowal is the narrator, and she is absolutely wonderful. She is very effective with voices, accents, and intonation of emotion. I would definitely listen to other audiobooks she narrates. 

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the copies. 

You’ll be able to buy Wolf Worm at the end of May.