An unexpected, soul-searching tale of a doctor who discovers his moral compass, but inadvertently creates a monster. Title: Moster, Vol 1 (The Perfect Edition) Written by Naoki Urasawa Genre: Horror, Thriller, Contemporary Historical Publisher: VIZ Media, LLC Publication Date:…
Oh, dear readers, how I loved Serafina and the Black Cloak. Title: Serafina and the Black Cloak Author: Robert Beatty Genre: Dark Fantasy/Horror, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Speculative Fiction Publisher: Disney Hyperion Publication Date: July 2015 Hardcover: 293 Pages…
Deceivers and Reclaimers clash in The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman–a tantalizing opening to a brand new trilogy. Title: The Dark Days Club Author: Alison Goodman Genre: Speculative Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult Publisher: Viking Books…
In this episode of Decoding the Newberry, Catherine Faris King reads Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! by Laura Amy Schlitz Decoding the Newbery is a monthly column in which Newbery Medal winners are examined and deconstructed by regular contributor and…
The Bridegroom by Amelia Mangan Published 10/27/2015 | 7,079 Words The Bridegroom is an atmospheric story of first contact and identity, and it is the first annual Halloween Tale published by Book Smugglers Publishing. When Valentine was born, no…
In a word: HARROWING. Title: The Traitor Baru Cormorant Author: Seth Dickinson Genre: Fantasy, Speculative Fiction Publisher: Tor Publication Date: September 2015 Hardcover: 400 pages THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT is an epic geopolitical fantasy about one woman’s mission to…
The Vishakanya’s Choice by Roshani Chokshi Published 8/25/2015 | 4,162 Words “Did we have a choice? An honest one. A real Choice.” Who would you be if you had a choice? What would you do? Early in her life,…
Decoding the Newbery is a monthly column in which Newbery Medal winners are examined and deconstructed by regular contributor and author Catherine Faris King. This month, Catherine examines the 1959 medalist The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George…
It’s Friday Saturday, which means we are over at Kirkus for our regular weekly column! Thea is talking about book one in a new series, A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin today! Stranje House takes a familiar…
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…
Will Frances Hardinge ever write a book I won’t like? Title: The Lie Tree Author: Frances Hardinge Genre: Fantasy, Historical Murder Mystery Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books Publication Date: May 7 2015 Paperback: 400 pages The leaves were cold and…
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)…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus for our regular weekly column! Today, Thea reviews the third book in the ongoing historical fantasy series the Memoirs of Lady Trent: Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan. This…
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:…
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…
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)…
Welcome to Smugglivus 2014! Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2014, looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2015, and more. Who: Michal…
Welcome to Smugglivus 2014! Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2014, looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2015, and more. Who: Y.S.…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today Thea is back at her list-making again with a primer to historical romantic fantasy… Inspired by Juliet Marillier’s newest novel Dreamer’s Pool – the first in a brand new…
Title: Foulsham Author: Edward Carey Genre: Gothic, Fantasy, Young Adult Publisher: Hot Key Books (UK) / Overlook Juvenile (US) Publication Date: September 2014 Hardcover: 400 pages Foulsham, London’s great filth repository, is bursting at the seams. The walls that…
Title: The Cure For Dreaming Author: Cat Winters Genre: Speculative Fiction, Historical, Young Adult Publisher: Amulet Books Publication Date: October 14 2014 Hardcover: 368 Pages Olivia Mead is a headstrong, independent girl—a suffragist—in an age that prefers its girls…
Today we are delighted to unveil the beautiful cover for Rivals in the City by Y.S. Lee – the final book in her Agency series, out next year. Thea is a HUGE fan of the series, so we couldn’t…
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)…
Title: The Girls at the Kingfisher Club Author: Genevieve Valentine Genre: Historical Fiction, Fairytale Retelling Publisher: Atria Books Publication Date: June 2014 Hardcover: 277 Pages From award-winning author Genevieve Valentine, a “gorgeous and bewitching” (Scott Westerfeld) reimagining of the…
Title: Bad Luck Girl Author: Sarah Zettel Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Young Adult Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers Publication Date: May 2014 Hardcover: 368 Pages Fans of Libba Bray’s The Diviners will love the blend of fantasy and…