Fawkes

 By: Nadine Brande

Location: FIC BRA

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction

THE COVER: It is so good!!!!

‘’You’ve given me your truth. I have to find it for myself for it to become mine. And curiosity is the first step’’.

A magical retelling of the Gunpowder Plot that will sweep you back in time to a divided England where plagues turn victims to stone.

In seventeenth-century London two forces rule the people: the color powers and the Stone Plague. Brown masks can manipulate wood. Black masks control the night. And red masks . . . Well, red is the color of blood.

Young Thomas Fawkes’s Color Test has finally arrived, and he’s sure his father, the infamous Guy Fawkes, will present him with a mask and Thomas will finally bond with a color. He desperately hopes for a gray mask so he can remove the stone that has invaded his body and will ultimately take his life.

But when Guy refuses to give Thomas his mask or even his presence, Thomas has no place in school or society. His only hope is to track down his father and demand a mask. His father has bigger plans: to kill the king.

Thomas must join forces with Guy if he wants to save his own life. When his errands for the cause bring him time and again to Emma Areben, a former classmate, Thomas is exposed to a whole new brand of magic. And Emma doesn’t control just one color—she controls them all.

Emma wants to show Thomas the full power of color magic, but it goes against everything his father is fighting for. If Thomas sides with his father, he could save his own life—which would destroy Emma and her family. To save one, he must sacrifice the other. No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.

"I loved it. This is a brilliant book that fulfills every expectation. Brandes turns 17th century London into a magical place. I was captivated by the allegory of her magic system and how she blended that fantasy with history. I highly recommend this gripping and beautifully crafted book to all as it will leave you both entertained and pondering matters raised in the storyline long after you’ve finished reading." -Jill

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath

 By: Garth Nix

Location: FIC NIX

Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Historical Fiction

Series: The Left handed Booksellers of London #2

If you're a fan of Neil Gaiman, you will probably love this book, which offers generations of gods, wizards, and half-humans, all with a variety of powers.

When Merlin vanishes, Susan will battle animated statues of heraldic beasts and use magical maps to rescue him on a hunt that leads to a serial killer who must be stopped before she kills again.

There is often trouble of a mythical sort in Bath. The booksellers who police the Old World keep a careful watch there, particularly on the entity who inhabits the ancient hot spring. Yet this time it is not from Sulis Minerva that trouble starts. It comes from the discovery of a sorcerous map, leading left-handed bookseller Merlin into great danger. A desperate rescue is attempted by his sister the right-handed bookseller Vivien and their friend, art student Susan Arkshaw, who is still struggling to deal with her own recently discovered magical heritage.

The map takes the trio to a place separated from this world, maintained by deadly sorcery performed by an ancient sovereign and guarded by monstrous living statues of Portland Stone. But this is only the beginning, as the booksellers investigate centuries of disappearances and deaths and try to unravel the secrets of the murderous Lady of Stone, a serial killer of awesome powers.

If they do not stop her, she will soon kill again. And this time, her target is not an ordinary mortal.

Tales of a Vet Nurse

 By: Jade Pengelly

Location: FIC PEN

Genre: Real life vet Nurse stories -Furry riends!

You never know who or what is going to walk, crawl or slither through the doors of veterinary hospital... Clumsy Luna the Greyhound and her fragile front legs; the tortoise in need of a prosthetic leg; Jock the Saint Bernard and his problematic eyelashes; Edward the Burmese cat and his extravagant diet; the burly farmer and the world's tiniest Chihuahua, Lulu-bell... there is never a dull day in the life of a vet nurse. As the people who care for them around the clock, vet nurses are uniquely placed to speak for their patients and help us understand what our pets are going through. From emergency shifts at a posh London practice to a busy country hospital treating all manner of wildlife - snakes, foxes, hedgehogs - to working with equine-surgeons and teaching the art of care to new generations of vet nurses in New Zealand, Tales of a Vet Nurse is about a life devoted to saving our beloved and unconditional friends. Along the way, Jade enlightens readers to the forbidden feasts of Labradors, the dangers of x-raying prize-winning showjumpers, and the most common pets she sees as hospital inpatients.

Review by Sharon

Tales of a Vet Nurse is exactly as it sounds. Stories and behind the scenes of what happens within the Veterinary world. I love animals, and always felt that the veterinary path is for me... but after reading this book and how difficult it was for me to read through some of the more hard and upsetting cases, I know I do not have the amount of emotional control required for this job.

There are so many unexpected situations, and the vet nurses get up close and personal with their animal patients from missing limb tortoises, blind foxes, diabetic cats, hedgehogs and obviously lots of dogs! As I mentioned, it was a tough read for me though. I had to spread this out over a month as I just got too emotional especially for the stories where they couldn't save the animals. Despite that It was absolutely fascinating to read. I loved the clear language and the insights of what vet nurses go through.

Happy Head

 By: Josh Silver

Location: FIC SIL

Genre: LGBGT, Young Adult, Dystopia

We are in an epidemic. An epidemic of unhappiness. 
…

Friends, here is the good news: HappyHead has the answer.

 When Seb is offered a place on a radical retreat designed to solve the national crisis of teenage unhappiness, he is determined to change how people see him and make his parents proud. But as he finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Finn, Seb starts to question the true nature of the challenges they must undergo. The deeper into the programme the boys get, the more disturbing the assessments become, until it’s clear there may be no escape...

Review by Kelly

 was very grateful to be gifted a copy of Josh Silver’s Happy Head in the lead up to Rock The Boat’s 2022 showcase with the Tandem Collective. Immediately my attention was piqued by its premise so I had to pick it up straight away. My only issue, I’ve got to wait over a year for part 2!

HappyHead is an incredible dystopia. It’s been likened to Squid Games meets They Both Die at the End, but Silver also threw in meets Love Island during the showcase. If you enjoy YA dystopias you must put this one on your radar for next year - it’s out in March.

HappyHead is the story of Seb, who has been offered a place on a radical retreat designed to solve the national crisis of teenage unhappiness. A chronic people pleasure, Seb is determined to finally make his parents proud. But as he finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Finn, Seb starts to question the true nature of the challenges that he and the cohort are being pushed to undertake. The deeper into the program the boys get, the more disturbing things become and the more they fear there is no escape…

HappyHead is a desperately hard book to put down. It’s the kind of book where the further into it you get the more impossible it is to stop reading. Written in the first person, we are immediately drawn into Seb’s world and are able to really feel his sense of growing unease the further into the program he finds himself. Along with his conflicting emotions relating to his place and everything that is going on, we are also witness to the conflicts he feels around Finn. Whilst Seb feels he needs to prove himself at HappyHead he can’t help but be drawn to Finn, the same person who continues to act out and rebel. I want to avoid any spoilers here but I loved some of the private moments between these two. Though following the cliffhanger I’m desperate to know what comes next!

This is a story rooted in its exploration of the prescribed notions of what it is to be happy, well and successful, and what happens when those who are telling you they’ll make you ‘better’ have much more sinister plans. That Silver is writing this story as a mental health nurse himself is fascinating and I urge the reader to read his Q&A at the end. I also greatly appreciate that in Seb, he’s given the reader a gay hero, along with an LQBTQ love story, that though secondary to the actual story is still significant.

Holding the Horse

 By: J L Williams

Location: FIC WIL

Genre: Historical Fiction and Horses

A wonderful story about growing up and following your dreams, filled with suspense that keeps you hooked right until the end! The setting also gave a fascinating glimpse into a part of New Zealand's history. I can't wait for the sequel.- Becca

What's a boy to do, if his dad won't let him ride? Sid's father is back from the war, but it's not the kind of homecoming the family had hoped for. Dad's return brings fear, not comfort, and for some reason he thwarts Sid's every attempt to become a jockey.Time is running out for a boy who is almost old enough to leave school and start work. Can Sid prove himself to be a winner? Or will he sink into the mire of post-war rural hardship, doing any old job just to survive?With an older sister who has already sacrificed her own dream, Sid can't resist the temptation to go all out.Deceiving his parents, Sid risks all - jeopardizing the very dream he longs for. Riding into danger, galloping to disaster, Sid's exhilaration turns to terror. Set in post-WWII rural New Zealand, Holding The Horse is a story of dreams, determination, and ultimately sacrifice. J L Williams evokes the 1940s with accuracy and sensitivity. When Sid embarks on a life-changing struggle he changes more lives than just his own. A fast-paced story of courage, conflict and reconciliation. More than a coming-of-age story, Holding The Horse is a heart-warming tale of healing and hope which will long remain in the heart and mind. Sid's affection and care for horses is beautifully drawn, and there are some lovely descriptions of riding, especially at night along the beach. The final beachside riding scene will have you dreading the catastrophe that looms ahead in the darkness. What happens next threatens to destroy Sid's dream forever, let alone any chance he has with the girl he loves. And yet that's not the end - another potential disaster for the whole town still lies ahead. A racing good book for anyone who loves horses, history or characters with grit and determination

This Rebel heart

 By: Katherine Locke

Location: FIC LOC

Genre: Historical Fiction

Review by Kate

 This was just STUNNING. Even as someone interested in history, I'd never come across much about twentieth century Hungary before and this was a fascinating look at the 1956 Revolution and how memories of WWII affected people's feelings during the Cold War in ways I hadn't necessarily thought about before. It's fully of great, complicated characters - Csilla is definitely a new favorite YA heroine for me - and gorgeous, lyrical writing. I loved the way Csilla's magic was rooted in her Judaism and her complicated feelings about the city and country she was trying to save. Also great LGBTQ+ rep of various kinds across the characters and I adored the central relationship. Highly highly recommended!

In the middle of Budapest, there is a river. Csilla knows the river is magic. During WWII, the river kept her family safe when they needed it most―safe from the Holocaust. But that was before the Communists seized power. Before her parents were murdered by the Soviet police. Before Csilla knew things about her father’s legacy that she wishes she could forget. Now Csilla keeps her head down, planning her escape from this country that has never loved her the way she loves it. But her carefully laid plans fall to pieces when her parents are unexpectedly, publicly exonerated. As the protests in other countries spur talk of a larger revolution in Hungary, Csilla must decide if she believes in the promise and magic of her deeply flawed country enough to risk her life to help save it, or if she should let it burn to the ground. With queer representation, fabulist elements, and a pivotal but little-known historical moment, This Rebel Heart is Katherine Locke’s tour de force.

No Place of Refuge

 By: Ausma Khan

Location: FIC KHA

Genre:  Mystery, Crime, Refugees

The author Khan has a PhD in international law and her background provides the experience and knowledge of the context she writes about in this novel.

From the full review below...

This is not an easy read, but it is an important one, a much needed informative novel that explores and depicts one of the most problematic and intractable issues of our age, the plight of refugees. It is heartbreaking in its simultaneous picture of the inhumanity of people juxtaposed with the humanity of those trying to do good

Amid a global crisis, one woman searches for justice…

The Syrian refugee crisis just became personal for Inspector Esa Khattak and Sergeant Rachel Getty.

NGO worker Audrey Clare, sister of Khattak’s childhood friend, is missing. In her wake, a French Interpol Agent and a young Syrian man are found dead at the Greek refugee camp where she worked. Khattak and Getty travel to Greece to trace Audrey’s last movements in a desperate attempt to find her. In doing so, they learn that her work in Greece had strayed well beyond the remit of her NGO…

Had Audrey been on the edge of exposing a dangerous secret at the heart of the refugee crisis – one that ultimately put a target on her own back?

No Place of Refuge is a highly topical, moving mystery in which Khan sensitively exposes the very worst and best of humanity. Fans of the series will love this latest instalment.

Review by Parojit

This is my first read of this series featuring Inspector Esa Khattak and Sergeant Rachel Getty, RMCP community policing partners in Toronto. This is a intelligent, considered and such a moving addition, so impressively researched from an author with expertise in Human Rights Law, which she uses remarkably effectively in this emotionally harrowing book on the complexities and horrors of the Global Refugee Crisis, the terrors of the Syrian War, and the flood of fleeing refugees it created. Nathan Clare, a friend of Esa's, has a sister, Audrey, a NGO at a migrant refugee camp on the Greek Island of Lesvos who has gone missing, and a French Interpol Agent and a young Syrian man have been discovered dead. Nathan is a powerful man with the ability to influence the Canadian PM, that results in Esa and Rachel travelling to the Mediterranean for Lesvos, to find out what happened to Audrey.

What they find is an unimaginable nightmare, a squalid and abysmal camp, a harrowing and disturbing picture of homeless, destitute, and vulnerable refugees facing starvation, despair, violence, and criminals who prey on and exploit them in a climate of implacable opposition to migrants, racism and religious intolerance. It is barely surprising that the refugees are distrustful as Esa and Rachel try to find out where Audrey might be, does she have dangerous knowledge that caused her to flee? Esa is a middle aged moderate Muslim with a modern outlook, and the Jewish Rachel has a traumatic past, and the pair have a close working relationship in this dark, intense and tense mystery as the many threads slowly begin to connect.

This is not an easy read, but it is an important one, a much needed informative novel that explores and depicts one of the most problematic and intractable issues of our age, the plight of refugees. It is heartbreaking in its simultaneous picture of the inhumanity of people juxtaposed with the humanity of those trying to do good. Khan writes with compassion, in a narrative that is infused with hope amidst the gut wrenching horrors and tragedies visited on refugees, the desperate state of Syria under Assad, the rise of Fortress Europe, whilst the humanitarian agencies struggle to cope with the ever growing crisis. This is not a read without flaws, for instance, I was irritated with the romantic elements that felt they had little place in the story, but the pertinent social and political commentary it provides makes it a must read, a novel which gives the reader an invaluable opportunity to learn about the grim realities of our world today. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Oldcastle Books for an ARC.

Queen Bee

 By: Amalie Howard

Location: FIC HOW

Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction

"This book is scandalous, stimulating, smart, revengeful, tempting, shocking! Even better than Bridgerton series!" Nilifur

A teen girl seeking retribution against her backstabbing former best friend finds her plans slightly derailed once she catches the eye of a familiar, handsome marquess. Bestselling author Amalie Howard delivers a delightful, anti-historical Regency-era romp that’s Bridgerton meets The Count of Monte Cristo!


Lady Ela Dalvi knows the exact moment her life was forever changed—when her best friend, Poppy, betrayed her without qualm over a boy, the son of a duke. She was sent away in disgrace, her reputation ruined.

Nearly three years later, eighteen-year-old Ela is consumed with bitterness and a desire for . . . revenge. Her enemy is quickly joining the crème de la crème of high society while she withers away in the English countryside.

With an audacious plan to get even, Ela disguises herself as a mysterious heiress and infiltrates London’s elite. But when Ela reunites with the only boy she’s ever loved, she begins to question whether vengeance is still her greatest desire.

In this complicated game of real-life chess, Ela must choose her next move: Finally bring down the queen or capture the king’s heart?

Jess

I love a good revenge story and the fact that this takes place during the Regency era just made me so happy!

Lyra has a difficult past. She had a friend that she thought was trustworthy when she was young. But, when a new and rich (and handsome) boy moves into town, Ela doesn't realize the overwhelming power of jealousy, particularly in her best friend, Poppy. Poppy not only starts a rumor but "finds evidence" making Ela look like she was with a boy, therefore Ela loses all respect from her peers and even her family and is sent to a small, country, boarding school for problematic girls.

However, like I said, this is about revenge. When Lyra (Ela) returns for the season years later, she immediately grabs everyone's attention. But is dragging down Poppy and lying to the boy from her past worth it? Some would say yes and some would say no. I suggest read and find out!

This was a great read! A really delicious, often humorous look at what makes real friends so important. I loved this story!

They Threw Us Away

 By: Daniel Kraus

Location: FIC KRA

Genre: Horror, Fantasy

Equal parts Toy Story and Lord of the Flies , They Threw Us Away is the unforgettable start of a captivating series.

"Truly captivating." ― The New York Times

"A deliciously macabre fairy tale, full of snuggles.” ―Holly Black, award-winning author of Doll Bones and co-creator of The Spiderwick Chronicles

Welcome to The Teddies Saga, a gripping new middle grade trilogy from New York Times -bestselling author Daniel Kraus and illustrator Rovina Cai.

Buddy wakes up in the middle of a garbage dump, filled with a certain he’s a teddy bear; he spent time at a Store waiting for his future to begin; and he is meant for the loving arms of a child. Now he knows one more Something has gone terribly wrong.

Soon he finds other discarded teddies―Horace, Sugar, Sunny, and Reginald. Though they aren’t sure how their luck soured, they all agree that they need to get back to the Store if they’re ever to fulfill their destinies. So, they embark on a perilous trek across the dump and into the outer world. With ravenous rats, screeching gulls, and a menacing world in front of them, the teddies will need to overcome insurmountable challenges to find their way home.

The Davenports

 By: Krystal Marquis

Location: FIC MAR

Genre: Historical Fiction

"I devoured this YA historical romance in a few hours. There is plenty of romance, but I loved the journeys of each of the main characters. I was rooting for all of them to succeed. Can't wait for the sequel!" Miranda

In 1910, the Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they're not supposed to.

There is Olivia, the beautiful elder Davenport daughter, ready to do her duty by getting married. . . until she meets the charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly. The younger daughter, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love—unless it's with her sister's suitor. Amy-Rose, the childhood friend turned maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business—and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen's brother, John. But Olivia's best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can't seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.

The first book in a breathless new series, The Davenports offers a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked, while delivering a totally escapist, swoon-worthy read. Inspired by the real-life story of C.R. Patterson and his family, it's the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life—and love.

The Wager

 By: David Grann

Location: FIC 920 GRA 

Genre: Exploration, shipwreck, survival, and savagery

"This book is storytelling at its best! Highly recommend!"

"Riveting. David Grann is one of the very best historians and storytellers around, and this tale of an eighteenth-century cataclysm at sea (and on land) is alive with heroes and villains, unbelievable competence and spectacular stupidity."- Chris

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Killers of the Flower Moon, a page-turning story of shipwreck, survival, and savagery, culminating in a court martial that reveals a shocking truth. The powerful narrative reveals the deeper meaning of the events on The Wager, showing that it was not only the captain and crew who ended up on trial, but the very idea of empire.

On January 28, 1742, a ramshackle vessel of patched-together wood and cloth washed up on the coast of Brazil. Inside were thirty emaciated men, barely alive, and they had an extraordinary tale to tell. They were survivors of His Majesty's Ship the Wager, a British vessel that had left England in 1740 on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain. While the Wager had been chasing a Spanish treasure-filled galleon known as "the prize of all the oceans," it had wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. The men, after being marooned for months and facing starvation, built the flimsy craft and sailed for more than a hundred days, traversing nearly 3,000 miles of storm-wracked seas. They were greeted as heroes.

But then ... six months later, another, even more decrepit craft landed on the coast of Chile. This boat contained just three castaways, and they told a very different story. The thirty sailors who landed in Brazil were not heroes - they were mutineers. The first group responded with countercharges of their own, of a tyrannical and murderous senior officer and his henchmen. It became clear that while stranded on the island the crew had fallen into anarchy, with warring factions fighting for dominion over the barren wilderness. As accusations of treachery and murder flew, the Admiralty convened a court martial to determine who was telling the truth. The stakes were life-and-death--for whomever the court found guilty could hang.

The Wager is a grand tale of human behavior at the extremes told by one of our greatest nonfiction writers. Grann's recreation of the hidden world on a British warship rivals the work of Patrick O'Brian, his portrayal of the castaways' desperate straits stands up to the classics of survival writing such as The Endurance, and his account of the court martial has the savvy of a Scott Turow thriller. As always with Grann's work, the incredible twists of the narrative hold the reader spellbound.

Just Like Her Mother

 By:  Anne Heltzel 

location: FIC HEL

Genre: Horror, Thriller,Mystery, Cults

"I tore through this urgent, timely, and deeply disturbing tale.” ―Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here

Spine-chilling and sharp, Anne Heltzel's Just Like Mother is a modern gothic from a fresh new voice in horror, and “will disturb readers to their core.” ( Library Journal ) A GoodReads Choice Award Finalist for Best Horror, and named one of the Best Books of 2022 by LitReactor!

The last time Maeve saw her cousin was the night she escaped the cult they were raised in. For the past two decades, Maeve has worked hard to build a normal life in New York City, where she keeps everything―and everyone―at a safe distance.

When Andrea suddenly reappears, Maeve regains the only true friend she’s ever had. Soon she’s spending more time at Andrea’s remote Catskills estate than in her own cramped apartment. Maeve doesn’t even mind that her cousin’s wealthy work friends clearly disapprove of her single lifestyle. After all, Andrea has made her fortune in the fertility industry―baby fever comes with the territory.

The more Maeve immerses herself in Andrea’s world, the more disconnected she feels from her life back in the city; and the cousins’ increasing attachment triggers memories Maeve has fought hard to bury. But confronting the terrors of her childhood may be the only way for Maeve to transcend the nightmare still to come…

"A fierce, frightening novel." ―Rachel Harrison, author of Cackle

The Ghost Bride

 By: Yangsze Choo

Location: FIC CHO

Genre: Fantasy

NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

Yangsze Choo’s stunning debut, The Ghost Bride, is a startlingly original novel infused with Chinese folklore, romantic intrigue, and unexpected supernatural twists, reminiscent of Lisa See’s Peony in Love and Amy Tan’s The Bonesetter’s Daughter.

Li Lan, the daughter of a respectable Chinese family in colonial Malaysia, hopes for a favorable marriage, but her father has lost his fortune, and she has few suitors. Instead, the wealthy Lim family urges her to become a “ghost bride” for their son, who has recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, a traditional ghost marriage is used to placate a restless spirit. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at what price?
 
Night after night, Li Lan is drawn into the shadowy parallel world of the Chinese afterlife, where she must uncover the Lim family’s darkest secrets—and the truth about her own family.

The Ghost Bride is a wondrous coming-of-age story and from a remarkable new voice in fiction.

Greenbone Saga

 By: Fonda Lee

Genre:  Urban Fantasy Saga

Location: FIC LEE

'An epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you'll forget you're reading a book' KEN LIU

We have all three!!!

"A beautifully realized setting, a great cast of characters, and dramatic action scenes. What a fun, gripping read!" --Ann Leckie, Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

JADE CITY is a gripping Godfather-esque saga of intergenerational blood feuds, vicious politics, magic, and kungfu.

The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It's the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.

The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion--but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection.

When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself.

To Shape a Dragons Breath

 By: Moniquill Blackgoose

Location: FIC BLA

Genre: Fantasy, Dragons, LGBGT

A young Indigenous woman enters a colonizer-run dragon academy—and quickly finds herself at odds with the “approved” way of doing things—in the first book of this brilliant new fantasy series.

The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. Her people are delighted, for all remember the tales of the days when dragons lived among them and danced away the storms of autumn, enabling the people to thrive. To them, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique relationship with a dragon.

Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. They have a very specific idea of how a dragon should be raised, and who should be doing the raising—and Anequs does not meet any of their requirements. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. If she cannot succeed there, her dragon will be killed.

For a girl with no formal schooling, a non-Anglish upbringing, and a very different understanding of the history of her land, challenges abound—both socially and academically. But Anequs is smart, determined, and resolved to learn what she needs to help her dragon, even if it means teaching herself. The one thing she refuses to do, however, is become the meek Anglish miss that everyone expects.

Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.

A brilliantly stunning debut! This book follows an indigenous girl named Anequs who lives a peaceful life on her island until she is chosen by a dragon and must attend a prestigious Anglish dragon academy to learn how to become a proper dragoneer.

The world-building in this story is incredible! Dragoneers study to shape the breath of a dragon to aid in areas like mechanical engineering and chemistry.

I also adore Anequs's character. She is so fierce and passionate in her love for her dragon and her family.

Saint Death

 By: Mark Dawson

Location: FIC DAW

Genre: Thriller Fiction

*Pulse Racing*

‼️Triggers - Gruesome Murders‼️

I found it hard to put down, definitely not a bedtime read- Jennifer

John Milton has been off the grid for six months. He surfaces in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and immediately finds himself drawn into a vicious battle with the narco-gangs that control the borderlands.

He saves the life of an idealistic young journalist who has been targeted for execution. The only way to keep her safe is to smuggle her into Texas. Working with the only untouchable cops in the city, and a bounty hunter whose motives are unclear, Milton must keep her safe until the crossing can be made.

But when the man looking for her is the legendary assassin Santa Muerta - Saint Death - that's a lot easier said than done.

Yellowface

 By: Rebecca F Kuang

Location: FIC KUA

Genre: Fiction -contemporary. Thriller

This is a compelling, cynical, and thought-provoking satire that delves into themes of plagiarism, racism, and internet trolling. It offers a realistic portrayal of the publishing industry within the framework of a heart-pounding thriller. Nalifur Ozemikii

Athena Liu is a literary darling. Juniper Hayward is literally nobody.

White lies
When Athena dies in a freak accident, Juniper steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name June Song.

Dark humour
But as evidence threatens Juniper’s stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

Deadly consequences…
What happens next is entirely everyone else’s fault.

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athena's a cross-genre literary darling, and June didn't even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.

So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers to the British and French war efforts during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song--complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn't this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That's what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can't get away from Athena's shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June's (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface takes on questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation not only in the publishing industry but the persistent erasure of Asian-American voices and history by Western white society. R. F. Kuang's novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.