Martha Wells' Ile-Rien novels are like heist caper + court politics, and they're lovely! Martha Wells' Ile-Rien novels are like heist caper + court politics, and they're lovely!...more
Smart and thoughtful and emotionally powerful! And I especially appreciated the backmatter on the author's process and discussing trans issues.Smart and thoughtful and emotionally powerful! And I especially appreciated the backmatter on the author's process and discussing trans issues....more
I like the idea of magical mystery solving Irish druids (or druid-era people)! This book did a great job filling that niche -- and telling an interestI like the idea of magical mystery solving Irish druids (or druid-era people)! This book did a great job filling that niche -- and telling an interesting, multi-faceted story....more
It appears that as well as there being a lock-picking group in Calista's neighborhood, there's one in Brooklyn, too! More exploration is needed here.
TIt appears that as well as there being a lock-picking group in Calista's neighborhood, there's one in Brooklyn, too! More exploration is needed here.
This was a fascinating book about architecture and how people think about space and buildings and construction and burglary! Highly recommended....more
I love Tanith Lee, but sometimes I read her books and start thinking things like: parents, building stars that abduct people (whether or not they're gI love Tanith Lee, but sometimes I read her books and start thinking things like: parents, building stars that abduct people (whether or not they're grown-up versions of your kids and their fiancees) is maybe a sufficiently problematic idea that don't do it in the first place?
Of course, the book being by Tanith Lee and being filled with wild and wonderful ideas is how you know it's awesome!...more
Since I'm a vegetarian, I'm always a little anxious about Korean food, because there's the potential for secret!fish sauce. This book is super-adaptabSince I'm a vegetarian, I'm always a little anxious about Korean food, because there's the potential for secret!fish sauce. This book is super-adaptable both for vegetarians and for people who don't have as much time to spend cooking as they'd like.
I'd initially read the title essay of this collection online, and reading it in book form was great, too -- Rebecca Solnit's writing is strong, powerfI'd initially read the title essay of this collection online, and reading it in book form was great, too -- Rebecca Solnit's writing is strong, powerful, and really draws you in....more
This graphic novel series about growing up in the Middle East continues to showcase a window into a very different way of life than we're used to in AThis graphic novel series about growing up in the Middle East continues to showcase a window into a very different way of life than we're used to in America -- with some thoughtful moments and commentary from the author, and engaging artwork....more
Matt Kindt and Brian Hurtt's POPPY AND THE LOST LAGOON is great. It's a magical girl adventure story -- reminiscent of the classic Aiken WOLVES OF WILMatt Kindt and Brian Hurtt's POPPY AND THE LOST LAGOON is great. It's a magical girl adventure story -- reminiscent of the classic Aiken WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE -- with lots of cleverness and tool-using and thoughtful problem-solving.
I love that the main character is a brat, too! Because of course a spoiled eight-year-old magical-adventurer would have a giant ego.
And it doesn't hurt that the art looks like Joann Sfar! It's wonderful pen-and-watercolor stuff (and features a very Sfar-ian long-eared cat)....more
What would you do if you died . . . and then were brought back to life five years later with your head on someone else's body?
This YA contemporary novWhat would you do if you died . . . and then were brought back to life five years later with your head on someone else's body?
This YA contemporary novel is funny and smart -- closely examining the innate, intense immaturity that teenagers can get stuck in with a fun science fiction premise.
This is a really thoughtful, thought-provoking essay collection that made me really think about what it means to be f(The llama metaphor is the best!)
This is a really thoughtful, thought-provoking essay collection that made me really think about what it means to be female and geeky and online today. ...more
(This book is in no way a story about food. It's a story about being orphaned and magic accidentally taking ovI loved how much food was in this story!
(This book is in no way a story about food. It's a story about being orphaned and magic accidentally taking over the world and attempted murder and all sorts of other exciting terribleness.)
And yet -- it's a story about soup and hot chocolate and potatoes and everyones' lives are all surrounded by deliciousness. ...more
In an alternate reality that's full of dragons (think Naomi Novik's Temeraire, but all the dragons are wild and it's the current day), almost no one tIn an alternate reality that's full of dragons (think Naomi Novik's Temeraire, but all the dragons are wild and it's the current day), almost no one thinks it's time for a teen girl bard to swoop in and save the day. But -- they'd all be wrong, and this YA novel is amazing because of it....more
This is an anthology that showcases how having an editor coordinate an anthology makes it 200% better! Spike and her team on this book really did a loThis is an anthology that showcases how having an editor coordinate an anthology makes it 200% better! Spike and her team on this book really did a lot of work on this book, both in the realm of the stories (all strong!) and the formatting (everything had a title and author information; stories were easy to differentiate from each other). This is one of the best-formatted anthologies from an indie press that we've seen in some time. ...more
This is a book about a golem and a jinni in New York City -- and clearly your first question is going to be, is this author inspired by that excellentThis is a book about a golem and a jinni in New York City -- and clearly your first question is going to be, is this author inspired by that excellent scene in Neil Gaiman's AMERICAN GODS?
The answer is yes, as Helene Wecker kindly explains in the afterwards. Jinni connections ESTABLISHED!...more
This science fiction adventure filled with girl power was a lot of fun -- and the art by Leila del Duca is marvelous! I love how she depicts all the sThis science fiction adventure filled with girl power was a lot of fun -- and the art by Leila del Duca is marvelous! I love how she depicts all the surprise crazy fantasy beings throughout this world.