Ana says goodbye to Sarah McCarry’s girls. Title: About a Girl Written by Sarah McCarry Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary, Young Adult Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin Publication Date: July 14, 2015 Hardcover: 256 pages Eighteen-year-old Tally is absolutely sure of everything:…
It’s Friday Wednesday, which means we are over at Kirkus for our regular weekly column! It’s Thea’s turn today as she reviews thought-provoking science fiction novel Edge of Dark by Brenda Cooper. Oh, guys. Edge of Dark is a…
OK, I am SO in love with Archivist Wasp. It’s a top 10 from me. 2015, you are WONDERFUL so far. Title: Archivist Wasp Written by Nicole Kornher-Stace Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA, Adventure, Post-Apocalypse/Dystopia Publisher: Small Beer Press…
A fiery spirit dances from the pages of the Great Book. She brings the aroma of scorched sand and ozone. She has a story to tell…. Title: The Book of Phoenix Written by Nnedi Okorafor Genre: Science Fiction Publisher:…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Ana reviews the excellent first volume of The Wicked + The Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie. Go HERE to read more about it.…
The hype is strong with this one. At one point, An Ember in the Ashes was everywhere we looked. From newsletters from big websites and emails from the publisher to (positive) reviews everywhere including on big media places like…
Ana’s adventures in Reading Comics continue with Nimona by Noelle Stevenson Title: Nimona Author: Noelle Stevenson Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comics Publisher: Harper Collins Publication Date: May 2015 Hardcover: 275 pages The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle…
History, self-awareness, negotiated boundaries and family secrets are at the heart of Gone Crazy in Alabama, the third – and final – book in Rita Williams Garcia’s excellent Gaither Sisters series. Title: Gone Crazy in Alabama Author: Rita Williams-Garcia…
Only four issues into this new comics and my love for it knows no bounds. Bitch Planet is a pulpy dystopian series written by Kelly Sue DeConnick (Of the excellent Pretty Deadly and Captain Marvel) and artist Valentine De…
Originally a self-published novel and soon to be published as hardcover by Hodder in the UK, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers has earned acolytes, enthusiastic reviews and a Kitschies nomination. We had to…
Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped)…
My experience reading The Girl in the Road by Monica Byrne can be boiled down to: this was an amazing novel until it wasn’t anymore. I am deeply conflicted about it. Title: The Girl in the Road Author: Monica…
The Grace of Kings is excellent in many ways and highly disappointing in one major aspect. There is a lot that that can be said about it but my review will concentrate on structure, narrative, ideas and… women. Title:…
Beginning in February 2014, the Ms Marvel series written by G. Willow Wilson, launched a storyline that sees the first Muslim superhero to headline a comic series. Beginning in February 2014, the Ms Marvel series written by G. Willow…
“I’m not afraid of dying. But I am afraid of dying here.” She swept her hand over the room, the tavern, the city. “I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.” Title: A Darker Shade of Magic…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Ana talks about Mira Grant’s new novella, Rolling in the Deep. It’s a novella of horror about terrifying mermaids and a ship lost at sea. It’s pretty great fun.…
Echo is a novel of great ambition, with four historical settings, different characters and stories in a planned symphony that doesn’t quite sound perfect when it all comes together in the end. Title: Echo Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan Genre:…
What is this? Another fantastic novel from Genevieve Valentine? Quelle surprise. Not. Title: Persona Author: Genevieve Valentine Genre: Political Thriller Publisher: Saga Press Publication Date: March 10 2015 Hardcover: 307 Pages An acerbic thriller from a Nebula award finalist,…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Ana reviews a short novel that has been receiving a lot of good buzz in the UK. Despite Ana’s reservations about one aspect of the story, Elysium by Jennifer…
This novel offers an incredible portrayal of this world and its precarious balance between feminism and misogyny, offering a skilful take on female empowerment and agency with a great pair of main female characters. Title: Razorhurst Author: Justine Larbalestier…
Listen! For The Story of Owen has a second – and final – act. Title: Prairie Fire Author: E. K. Johnston Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult Publisher: Carolrhoda Books Publication Date: March 1 2015 Hardcover: 304 pages Every dragon slayer…
The Middle Grade Review Bonanza is a feature with 2-3 mini-reviews for short MG books we really wanted to read. It’s a new Regular Thing (and we’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations for future entries). The city…
It’s Friday which means we are over at Kirkus! Today Ana reviews The Anderson Project, a collection of three novelettes inspired by a piece of art. You can read all three stories over at Tor.com and check out Ana’s…
“The framing of The Very Best of Kate Elliott is clear: feminist stories featuring a diverse group of female characters presented in a variety of roles and journeys. The most obvious extrapolation here for me given my personal interests…
It’s Friday, which means we Book Smugglers are over at Kirkus! Today, Ana, having started the frantic reading for awards season, is talking about a novella by Genevieve Valentine (author of one of Ana’s top of 2014: The Girls…