Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe

 

Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe is an immersive and beautifully rendered alternate universe YA fantasy by C.B. Lee. Released 1st July 2025 by Macmillan on their Feiwel & Friends imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

Alternate universe speculative fiction is rightfully very popular, and this is a good one. The characters are three dimensional and believable, the background settings are immersive and complete, and the author uses the chosen one trope to good effect. 

Two Earths, one with magic, one without, connected by unstable portals. One nexus is located in a coffee shop and the two MCs meet without realizing that they're (literally) from two different worlds. The author uses the confusion to good effect (one's a gamer and the other one is absolutely gobsmacked that she faced down a dragon and lived to tell about it). It's nice to see female nerds/gamers get some positive representation. Both the MCs are female, and from SE Asian families, and the author does a good/sensitive/respectful job with all that as well. The romance plotline is sweet and gently written too.

There's a mystery involved and seeing them team up to save the world is satisfying and fun. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, or for a nice sapphic buddy read.

 Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Secret Market of the Dead

 

The Secret Market of the Dead is a beautifully atmospheric gothic fantasy (and debut) by Giovanni De Feo. Released 8th July 2025 by Simon & Schuster on their Saga Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This is a richly woven tapestry set in a town in Italy. In 1747, the Catholic church reigns supreme, but there's a strong undercurrent of pagan superstition and belief. Twins Oriana and Oriano are pitched against one another over the apprenticeship and inheritance of their father's blacksmithy and their future. Oriana dares to reach out for the power to change her own destiny.

It's an immersive and beautifully told story, with a deeply intricate magical world building and three dimensional characters. It's ostensibly a YA story, however, sensitive readers should be aware of potentially distressing content (animal abuse/harm, rampant sexism, failure of care). 

There's a distinctly folkloric feel which reminds a bit of Diana Wynne Jones (Howl's Moving Castle), or Neverwhere/Sandman sort of thing (and yes, he's out of favor, but NG was a huge part of everyone's life - just giving reference points).  

The translation work is seamless and the prose flows perfectly well in English and doesn't feel like a book in translation.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for library acquisition, home library, or buddy read.  If there's a follow up, it would be neat with more stories from the actual market (and less about how loathesome Oriana's townsfolk and family are). 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves

 

The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves is a well written late historical novel told in dual timeline format by Christine Nolfi. Released 24th June 2025 by Amazon on their LakeUnion imprint, it's 287 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

The author writes engagingly and the characters are well rendered and (mostly) believable. MC Claire, who has a complex traumatic back story, comes across as less mature (and whiny) than appealing/plucky.  The broader story arc is interesting and slowly developed. Although set in the 1970s, it reads much more modern, except for small cultural references to bell bottomed jeans, hippies, and Elton John. 

Three and a half stars. It's a low stress/low risk plotline and a moderately enjoyable and relaxing read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Naturalist Society - The Naturalist Society #1

 

The Naturalist Society is the first book in a historical fantasy by Carrie Vaughn. Released 1st Nov by Amazon on their 47 North imprint, it's 395 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. The upcoming book in the series, will also be available on KU at release (4th quarter 2025, from the same publisher). 

This is emphatically mostly a natural history novel set in the mid-Victorian era with a female protagonist constrained by her gender and the rigidity of scientific study and all the sexism and snobbery that implied. Secondarily, it's a fantasy novel, and readers who are -primarily- interested in the fantasy aspects might well be less engaged than readers who just love drily (pseudo)academic narratives (c.f. Fawcett's Emily Wilde series). 

The author is adept at narrative prose; the descriptions are beautifully rendered and the characters are well developed, believable (for the genre), and three dimensional.  The ornithology references are intricate and either jaw-droppingly deeply researched or a personal interest to the author. 

Four stars. Engaging and satisfying. The second book is due out in 4th quarter 2025. It would make a good buddy read. It's not at all derivative, but fans of Emily Wilde should definitely pick this one up.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This Will Be Fun

This Will Be Fun is a cute YA quest romantasy by collaborative author-trio E.B. Asher. Released 29th Oct 2024 by HarperCollins on their Avon Voyager imprint, it's 416 pages and it available in hardcover library binding, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The authors have fully embraced their inner whimsy: there are texting carpets (reddit, with the chaos implicit in *that*), elevators, holograms, shows, cheek-by-jowel with cursed forests, knights in armor, and the 10-years-after reunion from the "chosen ones" who saved the world, and then tried to pick up the pieces and live a normal life afterwards. 

The romantasy tropes (missed chances, enemies to lovers, second chances) are on full display, in a quest/reunion/save the world again plotline with 3 parallel MCs. There are some issues with the pacing, the action moves along fitfully, and the background world building is nonexistent. 

On the whole, however, it's a satisfying romp, with a good denouement and resolution. 

Three and a half stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, for romantasy fans, or possibly as a buddy read. There's a second book due out from the same author/publisher in first quarter 2026, so that's something to keep an eye out for as well.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

A Most Puzzling Murder

 

A Most Puzzling Murder is a well written and engaging standalone meta-puzzle mystery by Bianca Marais. Released 10th June 2025 by HarperCollins on their MIRA imprint, it's 480 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a multi-layered puzzle mystery with a clever, well constructed core, and numerous meta-puzzles for readers to work out themselves. It straddles genres, ostensibly marketed as a cozy, it's nevertheless a fantasy/gothic/mystery with a -large- (often confusing) cast of characters and a dollop of magical realism. Stylistically, the prose is more YA than adult (MC is called Destiny Whip, her foils are the Scruffmore family), but it's not really a YA selection either. 

The plot positively meanders along with lots of side trips and dead ends. Overall, it gives a confusing, discontinuous read. Nevertheless, it's full of puzzles, and curses, and creepy murderous vibes. The meta-puzzles are solved in the back of the book for readers who get stuck.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 15 hours, 9 minutes and is capably read by Dylan Moore. The setup and nature of the puzzles do *not* lend themselves to audio format, and readers who choose the audiobook should also have access to a print version or ebook. 

Three and a half stars. Odd, disjointed, and brooding. It would be worthwhile for public library acquisition, or possibly a buddy read or home library selection.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Nothing Special, Vol. Three: Pride and Pompousness

 

Nothing Special, Vol. Three is the third collection of webcomics (season 2) by Katie Cook. Originally published online as a webtoon, this collection, released 25th June 2025 by Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint is 384 (!!) pages and is available in hardcover and paperback formats.

The art is beautifully complex, absolutely FULL of small hidden details, easter eggs, and inside jokes. The single page comics are in one-panel format, with a huge cast of recurring characters. The humor is ever so slightly off-kilter and is surreal with elements of magical realism, nerd culture, absurdism, and irony.

This would be a good selection for current fans of the authors' work online, or for fans of webcomic style art in general. For readers unfamiliar with the series and characters going into the read completely blind, expect to be lost for a while (or do a quick brush up online before diving in).

Four stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library, or for gift giving purposes. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Spent: A Comic Novel

 

Spent: A Comic Novel is a heavily fictionalized slice-of-life graphic novel by Alison Bechdel. Released 20th May 2025 by HarperCollins on their Mariner imprint, it's 275 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. Audiobook due out 15th July 2025 from the same publisher.

To the folks who already know the author's work, this is much the same: intricate, intimately drawn, wryly self-deprecating, sardonic. To folks who aren't familiar, this is probably not the best introduction as it lies outside her oeuvre's development up to this point. This book is a lot calmer, less outraged/angsty, and more gently introspective (and almost not-at-all scathing). 

The audiobook (what an odd concept, an audiobook of a graphic novel), isn't entirely successful as a standalone. It's narrated by the author herself, along with a large cast of supplementary voices and is enhanced by music and sound effects. It's certainly possible to mostly get the gist of what's going on, but really should be listened to in conjunction with the graphic novel at the very least. Unabridged recording run time: 4 hours, 39 minutes.

Four stars (three for the audiobook). It would be an excellent choice for public or post-secondary library collections, home use, gifting, as well as making some support literature lists for selected classroom analysis (gender studies, writing, etc). It's enjoyable and funny/poignant in places.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.    

Sweet Babe!: A Jewish Grandma Kvells

 

Sweet Babe! is an adorable ode to all the grandmas and their grandkids by Robin Rosenthal. Released 18th Feb 2025 by Penguin Random House on their Tundra Books imprint, it's 32 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is *such* a sweet and exuberant little book. It's a celebration of the special alliance that exists between grandmothers and their grandkids. Fully illustrated with simple humorous drawings throughout (see cover); the drawings are full of movement and fun. Every grownup ever has played "where's the baby?!?", and this one brings the smiles.

The particular grandma in the story is Jewish, and the book is full of Yiddish words and sentence construction humorous and warm. The author has included a small glossary at the back, but the words won't give any troubles at all in context.  

Five stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for home library, or for story-time/caregivers/babysitters/grandparents, etc. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

 

Story Skeleton: The Classics

 

Story Skeleton: The Classics is a worthwhile compilation of story analysis and outlines for 21 classic works curated and edited by David Griffin Brown & Michelle Barker. Released 1st Feb 2025, it's 291 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free. 

Although ostensibly mostly aimed at writers (or would-be creatives), this book is *packed* with salient, interesting, and relevant information for students, readers, and literally anyone interested in understanding what they're reading and how/why the authors of the work wrote what they did, the way they did. It's supposed to be the first volume in a series, presumably for different genres.

This volume includes analysis of 21 classic works from Jane Eyre to The Godfather. The authors write lucidly about the different structures (allegory, genre, conflict, entwining storylines, lots more), and more importantly, make them easy to understand. Most of them were originally published in English (one exception is Flaubert's Madame Bovary, translated from French). 

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library reference, or book clubs. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert

 

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert is a standalone speculative fiction novel by Bob The Drag Queen. Released 25th March 2025 by Simon & Schuster on their Gallery Books imprint, it's 240 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in 2nd quarter 2026 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

This is a splendidly written gut-punch of a story. Inexplicably, historical personages are coming back to life, and Harriet Tubman, in all her badass unapologetic glory, would like a word. She figures Hamilton (the musical) was an effective storytelling device, so she connects with a songwriter/producer to tell her own story. 

There are so many layers of nuance: from generational trauma, real and intentionally hidden history, growth (it sounds so cliched but the author does a masterful job, truly), acceptance, respect, and it's done with humor and finesse. 

Content warnings for homophobia, kidnapping, slavery (well, duh), civil war, violence, cancer, racism (again, obviously), and smoking. 

Excellent (exceptional) storytelling, important messages, and a satisfying story arc. 

Four stars, it would be a great choice for public library acquisition, book club study, or buddy read. Excellent book, well done.  

 Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Nebula Awards Showcase 60

 

Nebula Awards Showcase 60 is a well curated anthology of shortlisters and winners of the 60th Nebula awards as voted on by the members of the SFWA. Released 10th June 2025, it's 260 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This is a nice collection of award worthy stories by new and established authors at the top of their form. The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 4 star range(ish) with a smattering of really standout stories. This is a well curated solid anthology of stories in the 3-5 star range. 

One reason readers love collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging.  It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting.  Well written short fiction is a delight.

The editor has also included lists and a blurb for all the nominated works. The format is a bit different this year.   

Four stars on average. It's a diverting read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

 

Oracle of Helinthia - Epic of Helinthia #2

 

Oracle of Helinthia is the second book in this Greek mythology fantasy by MJ Pankey. Released 7th May 2025, it's 440 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

Well written and engaging, this mythology adventure flows directly from the first book. Readers who are unfamiliar with the back story might struggle a bit to find a footing. This is an extremely intricate and complex cast of characters (and for this reason, the ebook format is recommended for ease of search ability). The author has included the necessary/required map and hierarchy flowchart. 

Content warnings for graphic violence, murder, slavery, suicide ideation, PTSD, abuse, and psychological torture, as well as animal abuse which might be a deal-breaker for some readers. The violence isn't gratuitous, but it is difficult to read in places. 

Four stars. Tough and gritty. One for the adult classic mythology fans. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

The Silversmith's Puzzle - Captain Jim and Lady Diana Mysteries #4

 

 

 

The Silversmith's Puzzle is the fourth outing for Captain Jim & his lady wife Diana in a mystery series by Nev March. Released 13th May 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

This is such a richly imagined and well written historical mystery series from the late Victorian era and has developed from strength to strength. This is probably the best of the lot thus far. The titular protagonist, Captain Jim Agnihotri, is a half English, half Indian officer and investigator who has married for love and he and his wife suffer socially because of their partnership. He deals with racism because of his upbringing and skin color as well as being an Englishman, and they're shunned by both his world and her own (high caste Raj era India). 

The relationship between Jim and his wife Diana is refreshingly honest (and modern). She's intelligent and headstrong, if naive. Both of them have a distinct honesty that's refreshing to read, and they're genuinely fond of one another. The mystery is well constructed and the prose is nuanced and enjoyable. The action moves the plot along quickly and the denouement and resolution are satisfying and fair play. The language is squeaky clean and the violence is at "cozy historical novel" level. There is a lot of direct racism, but probably less than would honestly be historically accurate (which is good).

Four and a half stars. An amazingly well written follow-up. There are currently 4 books extant in the series. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home readers, or for a binge/buddy read.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Ruby Finkelman Finds the Real Magic

 

Ruby Finkelman Finds the Real Magic is a cute, gently written illustrated story for young readers (Lexile AD600L, ~4-8 years), by Dr. Mike King. Released 6th May 2025 by indie pub house The Collective Book Studio, it's 32 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats. 

This is such a fun story with a great message for kids (and their grownups) about doing what's right and being the best person we can be. There are a lot of messages here, presented wisely and subtly, with a lot of humor. The illustrations, by Shahar Kober, really enhance the story and are full of small details which invite readers to take a closer look. 

The text is simple and honest, and full of Yiddish words which are explained in context as well as in a short glossary in the back of the book. It manages to make its point without being strident or preachy once. Every parent who's struggled to get their kids to do something (all of us) will empathize with the adults in Kvellville.  

Five stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, for doctor/dentist waiting rooms, and for the home library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Amazing Gardens

 

Amazing Gardens is a beautifully photographed and inspirational gardening reference book by Vivienne Hambly. Originally published in 2022, this reformat and re-release 14th June 2025 by Amber Books is 224 pages and is available in hardcover format. 

This is a well illustrated guide full of color photography and commentary on a variety of well known and maintained gardens worldwide, from Europe to the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, and Pacific. The book has an attractive and logical layout with easy to understand and accessible language. 

This is an inspiring and educational book, full of ideas for garden lovers no matter what the scale of their own green spaces. Very few gardeners will have the space or budget to recreate even a tiny bit of the famous gardens pictured, however, there are so many good takeaways which can be adapted to readers' own gardens. Since the book is absolutely full of color photographs and the text is relatively small and densely packed, the hardcover format is a must. 

Five stars. It would be an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reference, or allotment/community garden reference shelf. Lots of inspiration contained here. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Beneath the Estate

 

Beneath the Estate is an engaging dual timeline fantasy by Nick Allen Brown. Released 3rd Dec 2024 by Turner Publishing, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

Engaging dual time-line mystery/speculative fiction mashup set at the renowned Biltmore Estate. It's centered around a mysterious machine and the engineer commissioned to build it, down to the present day when it's rediscovered in a hidden room in the bowels of the estate. 

It's not derivative, but there's definitely a Dan Brown vibe with a bit of National Treasure mixed in. Fans of adventure/caper stories will likely enjoy this one as well. The author is quite adept at settings and descriptions, and seems to have some familiarity with the Biltmore and environs. 

Four stars. Engaging and entertaining. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.    

 

Murder by Cheesecake - Golden Girls #1

 

Murder by Cheesecake is the first cozy mystery by Rachel Ekstrom Courage featuring the Golden Girls (from the TV series). Released 15th April 2025 by Disney Int'l (they own the license) on their Hyperion Ave. publishing imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

The book, the characters, the settings, the ancillary characters, in short everything is quite often almost caricature campy and overdone, nearly (but not quite) breaking the fourth wall. There are a number of super precious details which only seemed placed to tie the characters to their TV personas. The secondary characters are largely over-the-top stereotypes, but again, fair play for the genre (and with the full understanding that it's not meant to be anything other than an escape and homage). 

The language is very clean and the violence level is "cozy" (no egregious on page descriptions).

Three and a half stars, with the understanding that it's primarily aimed at readers who are huge golden girls fans already and just want to read an escapist book "episode" 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

The Stoics Illustrated

 

The Art of War is a nicely written monograph on the classical school of philosophy by Dr. Paul Scade. Released 14th June 2025 by Amber Books, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover with a traditional sewn binding and uncut papers as well as ebook formats.. 

There are short entries throughout describing some of the history behind the rise of the stoic school, some of the main characters and lots of photos of artifacts and facsimile documents, statuary, and references throughout the book. It's a good -introduction- and overview, there's not a lot of deeper analysis or academic thoroughness. 

Four stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home reference, and gift purposes. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

 

The Art of War: A New Translation

 

 

The Art of War is a beautifully curated translation of the philosophical classic attributed to Sun Tzu (ca. 5th century BCE), translated by James Trapp and published as part of a series of specially bound works. Due out 14th Aug 2025 from Amber Books, it's 96 pages and will be available in hardcover with a traditional sewn binding and uncut papers as well as ebook formats.. 

Each two page spread has the original Chinese characters with translation on the facing page. The English translation work is seamless and subtly/pleasingly wrought; understandable and accessible, but also nuanced.

Five stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home reference, and gift purposes. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.