Lucifer Vol. 1: The Infernal Comedy (The Sandman Universe)

Lucifer Vol. 1: The Infernal Comedy is a graphic novel collection of  The Sandman Universe Special #1 and the first 6 issues of Lucifer. Published 25th June 2019 from Vertigo, it's 200 pages and available in paperback and ebook (comiXology) formats. All four of the graphic novel collections in this 30th anniversary story montage in the Sandman universe include the Sandman Universe Special issue #1 (so there's approximately 20% page overlap in the graphic novels- I was confused at first).

The pencils by Max and Sebastian Fiumara are dark, gritty, and bleak, and fit the story very well.  It's always a little bit nerve-wracking when other people are writing storylines in worlds which are dear to me, but in this case, Dan Watters shows once again that he is a masterful storyteller. These issues felt seamless and I loved the tie-in cameos. I don't know how much direct input Neil Gaiman had on the story arc (apart from curating the 4 books which make up these tie-ins), but they fit so well in the Sandman universe.  I continue to be very impressed.

As most (all?) of the Vertigo titles are for more mature readers, there is a large amount of violence, supernatural themes, gore, etc etc.

The graphic novel includes extra content such as alternate cover art and tantalizing sketchbook glimpses. I really loved the perspective character pencil sketches at the back of the book. Lightly colored. Beautiful work.

I literally grew up in a comic/fandom family and Sandman was the comic 'soundtrack' of my early adulthood. I've loved it deeply for decades and this series is a worthy bearer of the franchise name.

Four and a half stars.

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

Home: Interstellar

Home: Interstellar (Hope Awakens) is a re-release of an SF thriller by Ray Strong. Originally released in 2015, this reformat/re-release from the author is 354 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats. Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. This title is available in the KU subscription to borrow and download for free.

This is epic space adventure. The world building and setup are compelling and the beginning of the book introduces the reader to protagonist 12 year old Meriel Hope who is sympathetic and believable. 10 years later Meriel's still trying to heal her childhood trauma and solve her family's mystery.

In a lot of ways, this is a standard SF quest narrative. The main character is searching for Home (literally) and her struggles make for a compelling story. This is a debut novel (as far as I can tell from publishing info), but it's a good one. There are some rough spots, but in general it's well polished and finished and a good read.

It did seem as though there was maybe some overreach with the scale of the novel. This is a -huge- plot with fights and philosophy and personal growth and possibly some of that could have been foreshadowed and saved for a sequel. On the other hand, -everything- about publishing these days turns on having a franchise with dozens of 'products/units' plotted out and ready for marketing. It's exceedingly refreshing to see an author write a solid standalone book without planning for the next book in the series.

I enjoyed this book very much. Four stars. Hoping for more from this author.

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

Duckett & Dyer: Dicks For Hire

Duckett & Dyer: Dicks For Hire is a humor/SF/mystery/multiverse novel which explores and explodes a lot of the standard tropes without being ridiculing or mean. Released 1st April 2019, it's 300 pages and available in hardback, paperback, and ebook formats.

This is a debut novel which honestly doesn't feel like the author's first published work. It could be that he's found a perfect editor and a gang of proofreaders, but the book is well written and polished, but not too slick.  It's exceedingly challenging to write humor. Pacing is everything, and this book (and this author), manage it very well. The voice is sure and the humor is deftly handled. The dialogue is sometimes silly, but also poignant, strong, and never clunky. The narrative literally starts at a heart-stopping climax and moves at breakneck speed onward. It took me a while to figure out what was happening after the grand opening, but once I found a footing, it was a really enjoyable read. This is SF/fantasy by someone who seems to be a fan of the genre.

While I think direct comparisons with Pratchett's Dirk Gently (and Douglas Adams, et.al.) are maybe a trifle premature, there are real glimmers of something seriously nice here and I sincerely hope and pray that the author continues. I am eagerly awaiting more and can't wait to find out "What Comes Next"?!

Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. This title is available in the KU subscription to borrow and download for free.

Four and a half stars. (Rounded up on my part because I grew up on a diet of Indiana Jones, Gor, Barsoom, Conan, etc etc). Good humor full on.

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

Draw 62 Magical Creatures and Make Them Cute

Draw 62 Magical Creatures and Make Them Cute is a step by step drawing tutorial guide for fantasy creatures by Heegyum Kim.

Due out 25th June 2019 by Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This appealing book is full of simple tutorials for drawing magical creatures such as dragons, harpies, sirens, sphinxes, trolls, and some Asian inspired creatures such as dokkaebi, tengu, and kumiho. 
The tutorials and techniques are suited to beginning artists. There are step by step tutorials for 62 creatures with different variations and poses for each one. There is a 'you try it' balloon on each page for reader drawings.

This would make a great gift for would-be artists of all ages. The included tutorials are varied and eclectic with origins from many different mythologies. There is no introductory technique or materials instruction; the book just includes the 62 tutorials. There is a complete table of contents, so locating individual ones shouldn't be problematic. They're slanted toward line drawings, though colored pens, crayons, and watercolors could certainly be used to enhance the drawings.

Cute book, accessible for everyone.

Five stars.

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

Whiskers in the Dark

Whiskers in the Dark is the 28th (!!!) book in the Mrs. Murphy mystery series by Rita Mae Brown (& Sneaky Pie). Released 4th June 2019 by Random House on the Bantam imprint, it's 288 pages and available in hardcover, ebook, and audio formats.

This is another one of those anthropomorphic animal cozy mystery series which is like a visit with an old friend for me. I'm always glad to see a new installment being released and happily the series quality has always been good in my opinion. This one sees the animal and human crew preparing for a hounds competition at a historical hunting lodge.

The narrative story arc is broken into two parallel timelines in the same location, one in 1787, one in present day Virginia. The bridge that ties the two together is the discovery of an unrecorded death (a murdered woman) from 1787 discovered in the churchyard wearing a fortune in jewels. The chapter timeline jumps are well demarcated with timestamps on the chapter headings, so they're not confusing. The plotting is variable. For me it moved along at a good clip and then got somewhat bogged down in relating a lot of historical information. I found the historical minutiae interesting, it might be less so for other readers.

The language is clean, the murders are (relatively) bloodless. There is a plot element and description of sexual assault in the 1787 plotline which might bother some readers, but there's nothing extremely graphic. There's a lot of social commentary, including views on gender roles in early American history along with slavery. The modern day plot denouement was a surprise for me, even though I had guessed 'whodunit'.  There's also a paranormal (ghost) subplot which was quite melancholy to me.

The monochrome illustrations by Michael Gellatly give a sweetly nostalgic feel to the book. This is the same artist who illustrated earlier books in the series.

Four stars, I love Ms. Brown's work, and I am always in awe of her ability to combine deep social commentary with humor and wit.

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

Plotting for Murder

Plotting for Murder is the first book in a new cozy bookshop mystery series by Tamra Baumann. Released 14th March 2019 it's 228 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.

I'm a huge sucker for bookshop cozies. Bonus points for pets (cats or dogs, or in one notable example, a pet armadillo), baked goods, knitting, book clubs, and I don't mind the occasional obligatory hunky sheriff/detective love interest. This book ticked a lot of boxes for me. Underdog heroine lead character fighting against an unfair trust, (her uncle's a piece of poo), complicated history with the local hunky sheriff, an unexpected puppy (awww), and a few other appealing plot features which might be a little standard, but that's why we devour cozy mysteries.

This one is pretty well written, with good characterizations and pacing. The book's written in first person point of view which can be a little distracting, but it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. There are a scant few places where the dialogue was a bit rough, but again, nothing that killed my suspension of disbelief or lessened my enjoyment.

The language is clean, the crimes are bloodless, and there's a romance subplot but nothing sexually graphic. There are some minor plot elements leading to the next book, but no major cliffhangers.  It's a safe and fun read.

Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. This title is available in the KU subscription to borrow and download for free.
 

Three and a half stars.

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

Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook

Little Helpers Toddler Cookbook is a tutorial how-to cookbook specifically aimed at getting kids from toddler age up to help prepare food and gain skills with cooking.  Due out 25th June 2019 from Rockridge press, it's 156 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available now).

When my own kids were small, I was often so busy and tired that they didn't get very many chances to help me cook. Though they're young adults now, happily one of them has discovered that she enjoys cooking, the other two definitely don't. I have lingering regrets over us not having much time together in the kitchen when they were small. It might not have made any difference to their enjoyment, but now that they're moving on to the adult phases of their lives, I wish we'd had more time together making memories and good food. That's what this book aims to facilitate.

It's arranged in chapters  with a good solid introduction and discussions about kitchen safety and food prep techniques. The author has a lot of experience teaching kids to cook and it shows. I liked the helpful tips on knife safety and use, as well as the food safety tips (hygiene, egg safety, food storage, etc).

The following chapters are arranged around mealtimes with breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts each getting their own chapter with recipes.

I really liked that all of the recipes have a space for making notes at the end. There's room for adding a date when the dish was made,  what the readers enjoyed, a star rating, and personal notes about the recipe. I also love the author's encouraging and upbeat philosophy about messes. She provides good tips for minimizing safety risks, but has a very down-to-earth attitude about messes in the kitchen.

The electronic version of the book has a handy interactive table of contents including hyperlinks in the text.
Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. This title is available in the KU subscription to borrow and download for free.

There aren't a lot of books aimed at getting the youngest kids (2-4 years) actively involved in cooking, and this is a really good one. 

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

Breaking the Lore (Inspector Paris Mystery Book 1)

Breaking the Lore is the first book in a new urban fantasy cozy mystery series by Andy Redsmith. Released 15th April 2019 from Canelo, it's 321 pages and available in ebook format.

This is an urban fantasy police procedural by a new-to-me author and it's a good one. The book literally grabbed me by the hair from the first line and didn't let go. Check out the first two lines:

Discovering fairies at the bottom of the garden is supposed to be good luck. Except when the fairy has been crucified. 

The book opens with Paris standing over the corpse of the aforementioned fairy. He's surprised as anyone to find out that fairies and other supernatural beings (dwarves, trolls, demons, etc) are real, and potentially much more genetically similar to humans than anyone thought.

The plotting is taut but not too fast and the dramatic tension is perfectly tuned throughout. There is little actual gore and the language is mild (a few bloody hells, and that's about it). I have to say a bit about the author's command of dialogue driven plot. The dialogue is bloody brilliant. The characters live and breathe and I was not yanked out of the story one single time by any of the characters delivering a clunky bit of dialogue.  There were several encounters which actually really made me laugh.

I can certainly understand the comparisons to Aaronovitch's Rivers of London though to me they're very different books. I would say Kadrey's Sandman Slim series would be a nearer comparison, though I think if this series lives up to its potential, it'll edge Sandman Slim out of my top 5 urban fantasy favourite series. (and Kadrey's books have a lot more gore). It's probably worth noting for readers from North America, the slang and spelling and idiom are British English. It shouldn't be a problem, just remember fag = cigarette, torch = flashlight and you're good to go.

I am ashamed to admit that I missed the publication date on this book (I try very very hard not to do that) and it languished in my TBR/review pile for a lot longer than it should have. The only upside is that now I hopefully have a shorter wait to queue up for the next books in the series.

Five stars. Really well done.

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

Fatechanger

Fatechanger is a new timeslip novel for teens/YA/adults by L. M. Poplin. Released 30th May 2019 by Black Rose, it's 225 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a very well written and engaging book. I was previously unfamiliar with the author, but will definitely be on the lookout for future books. The narrative is clear and the voice is strong. The protagonist, Penn, is a likeable character with a strong sense of loyalty making the best of a difficult situation.  I loved the reveal halfway through the book about the world and her place in it.

Quite looking forward to continuing the story later.

Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. This title is available in the KU subscription to borrow and download for free.

Five stars. Very enjoyable.

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

Rat Race

Rat Race is a mystery/thriller written around the horse racing community in Britain. Originally published in 1970, this reformat and re-release out 2nd May 2019 from Canelo is 170 pages and  available in ebook format (earlier editions available in other formats).

This is an enjoyable and fairly typical Dick Francis thriller. Former commercial pilot Matt Shore has been demoted to flying 'puddle jumper' commuter flights for racing personnel to the race days. On the return flight from the trip up, he makes an emergency landing just minutes before the plane explodes. The protagonist is a flawed good guy dealing with some tough breaks in his life (through no fault of his own). There's a light potential romantic subplot and the bad guys get their comeuppance in the end. Pure Francis. Still enjoyable for all that.

I love the author's oeuvre (even the ones supposedly ghost written by his wife and the ones his son helped finish). This was a very enjoyable short read for me. For non-fans or new fans, this is a standalone and if it's maybe not at the apex of his large body of work, it's certainly not near the nadir.

Four stars. It's really nice to see classic works by popular authors being released in ebook format for new generations of readers.

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

Animal Habitats

Animal Habitats is a search and find activity book aimed at young people (and their caregivers).  Due out 27th Aug 2019 from Princeton Architectural Press, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardback format.

Each of the habitat sections (coral reef, desert, mountain, polar, rain forest, savannah, woodland) has an introductory basic info page with a short fact sidebar, silhouette papercut of different flora and fauna, color coded food chains for each biome, and other facts.

The information in the book is factually correct (as far as I could check) and the interrelationships of the plants and animals in each system are graphically interconnected. The paper-cutout monochromatic illustrations were an interesting choice, but provide a clear and easy to follow link between the species who produce food and which are predated in turn by higher level organisms.

The graphics in the early eARC I received for review purposes were pixelated, but this will clearly not be a problem in the physical copy of the book.

This would make a good support book for a classroom unit on different biomes, a homeschooling resource book, a fine library book, or a gift for a youngster.

Four stars (the graphics issues will not be a factor in the finished book).

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

The Art of Love

The Art of Love is an interesting look at how artistic endeavor and relations affect and define creative work. Author Kate Bryan uses short biographic backgrounds to give a glimpse into how (or if) the artists' art and lives intersected one another.

Due out 2nd July 2019 from Quarto on their White Lion imprint, it's 184 pages and will be available in ebook and hardcover formats.  It's unclear from the publishing info, but the eARC I received for review includes an interactive table of contents with direct links to each of the 34 couples included as well as a hyperlinked index. (Very handy).

There's an erudite well written introduction by the author which represents about 6% of the page content. She includes some of the philosophy behind her treatment of the subject, along with some very interesting observations about the interactions and dynamics of personal and professional interactions in artistic partnerships. How did they relate to one another, how they traversed the different levels of fame in their art, etc. Reading the foreword enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the biographies. Each of the section headings is nicely illustrated by Asli Yazan. There are no interior photos with any of the included artists' works, but Yazan's line drawings represent some of the artists' works. I'm not sure how I feel about that, it might be almost imitative, on the other hand, there were several places I thought to myself  "Ah, that's who originally did this piece of artwork".

I was not familiar with all of the included artists, and there were some couples with whose work I was only familiar with one and not the other.  The couples in the book are all drawn from the last 140 years; starting with Camille Claudel&Auguste Rodin to the present day. The couples are a mixed bunch, from married heterosexual couples, gay men, gay women, and one passionate but unconsummated platonic relationship. There are artists represented from many different cultures and ethnicities.

This would make a good selection for art interested readers, fans of the included artists, and a good library book or gift.

Four stars.

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

The New Magic

The New Magic is the second book in the Outworlders crossrealm fantasy series by Joseph Malik. Released 30th Sept 2018 by the SFWA,it's 377 pages and available in  hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio formats.

This is a juggernaut of a series. I honestly turned around immediately after reading the first book and re-read it. I almost never do that. Preparatory to reading The New Magic, I read the first book a third time. I have been so impressed by the author's technical expertise and the flawless, effortless command of both swordplay/armor jargon and more general writing.  The characters live and breathe. The writing is spare, never grandiose. The dialogue is flawless.  I was not yanked out of my suspension of disbelief one single time in either book, that's over 750 pages.

This is beefy campaign fantasy, and all the requisite features are there. Military campaign, strategic planning, bad guys with evil intentions, magic, swordplay (my word, the swordplay) and honestly everything that goes along with it. What I have been surprised is missing (and I have -looked-) is that this author, maybe uniquely, writes huge sprawling fantasy without misogyny. I've been a fan/nerd/whatever you want to call it since the 60s (seriously). I grew up in a family of nerds, I was the third generation of my family to read and love comics, and as a girl, I spent decades wondering -why- there were so few good role models for me. The few times there were really relatable female characters (not kneeling at the feet of their Gorean masters yes, John Norman, I'm side eying you!) they invariably died horribly being taught a lesson for their badassery.  I'm exaggerating, but not a lot. Anyhow, this book. It's very refreshing that the whole he-man chest thumping isn't a thing. Competent people are competent and it's not a big deal whether they're male or female. THANK YOU!

I won't write a precis of the plotline, they're posted all over. The writing is much much better than good. The plotting and pacing are good if a trifle slow in the beginning. The denouement is absolutely gut-wrenching.  It took me a lot time to review this book because it made such a deep impression.

In 20 years, this author will have a shelf full of SF/Fantasy awards; I'm calling it here in print. I've read several other reviewers making comparisons between Mr. Malik and GRR Martin and Joe Abercrombie. That comparison isn't really fair. Malik's better than both.

Five stars.

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

Murder by the Minster

Murder by the Minster is the first book in a new cosy mystery series by Helen Cox. Due out 1st July from Quercus, it's 374 pages and will be available in ebook format.

I generally love cosies with bonus points for librarians, England, university/academia. This book checked all the boxes, really.  I wasn't familiar with the author previously, but the cover and the premise caught my eye. I'm glad I gave it a try because it is engagingly written and the author is adept with the technical aspects of story arc and tension as well as 'showing, not telling' (no info dumping).

There's a lot to like about this book. It flows at a pretty good pace, the author has a fair ear for dialogue, and there are several disparate plot threads well interwoven (even a foreshadowed potential romance). What didn't gel for me is the utter incompetence of the local constabulary and their seeming willingness to go along with a (to them) random amateur interviewing witnesses and precipitating dangerous situations. The cops also detain people seemingly willy-nilly. Some of the dialogue was, to me, a bit clunky and impacted my suspension of disbelief.

I never warmed to main character Kitt, and thought her rather brusque and off-putting.  I did like oddball clairvoyant Ruby, perhaps she'll be a continuing character.

All in all it's a well written cosy and a diverting read. It often takes a few books before a series really finds its feet, and I'm certainly willing to let this one do so. (I just hope Kitt lightens up a little bit in future).

Three and a half stars.

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

The Essential Vegan Air Fryer Cookbook 75 Whole Food Recipes to Fry, Bake, and Roast

The Essential Vegan Air Fryer Cookbook is a tutorial cookbook with included recipes for plant based dishes using an air fryer. Author Tess Challis is a life coach and blogger. Due out 18th June 2019 from Rockridge, it's 168 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats (ebook available now).  Possibly worth noting: the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents including hyperlinks in the text.

The foreword, introduction, and introductory tutorials take up ~17% of the page content and cover different types of fryers, the purpose and scope of the book's recipes (75, though I didn't count specifically). The author also includes a handy comparison chart for currently available makes and models. This should be helpful for readers wanting to purchase a unit who need some guidance on which one to choose.

The recipes themselves are arranged by category: Breakfasts & Breads, Sides & Snacks, Main Dishes, Desserts, and Staples. There are also a number of resources and charts at the end of the book including further reading, measurement conversion charts, serving sizes and others.  If I had any quibbles with this book, I would have suggested more serving suggestions and/or photography. There are -very- few photographs in the eARC I was given for review purposes.

I love the air fryer concept and these recipes are tasty. We tried (and liked): Panang Curry Bowl, Apple Crisp, and Pasta with Creamy Cauliflower Sauce.  Most of the recipes are pretty easy to make with easily sourced ingredients.

At the end of the day, they -taste- good and satisfy my family (and we aren't veg*n at all, just trying to live a little bit healthier and more sustainably).

Four stars.

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

100 Things to Recycle and Make

100 Things to Recycle and Make is a tutorial book aimed at kids and their caregivers. Anyone who has ever been around kids at any gift-giving holiday knows that kids generally spend much less time playing with and enjoying their presents than time spent playing with the packaging/boxes/wrappers.  This book uses everyday repurposed and found objects in creative play to make fun playthings.

Due out 18th June 2019 from Quarto on their QEB imprint, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardback format. It's unclear from the publishing info if this book will be available in ebook format, but I will add that the eARC which was provided for review purposes had a very handy interactive table of contents and hyperlinks.

There are (by my count) 100 step by step illustrated tutorials arranged in 5 sections of 20 tutorials each. The base structures used in each of the tutorial sections are arranged around: cardboard boxes, paper plates, cardboard tubes, nature crafts, egg cartons.

The introduction is a half page sidebar with a list of general items (glue, tape, ruler, scissors etc) which are used in the tutorials. It should be noted that the book doesn't contain very many actual photographs, but it does have colorful line drawn illustrations of the step-by-step tutorials (and a photograph of each completed project).

This would make a wonderful library book, homeschooling art unit book, make-it-take-it workshop, summer vacation book etc.  Really fun and colorful vibrant homemade toys. I can see this book being a go-to favorite for babysitters and beleaguered parents during summer vacation. Start saving empty cereal boxes, egg cartons, and gift wrap tubes now.

Five stars. There are a lot of good ideas here.

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

Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants: Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing

 Draw Like an Artist: 100 Flowers and Plants is a step by step tutorial guide to drawing botanical subjects. Due out 25th June 2019 by Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback format. Author Melissa Washburn is a professional artist and illustrator and her tutorials are clear and pretty easy to follow.


This guide provides a short introduction followed by 100 specific line drawing tutorials (see cover) arranged by different species and type of plant. The tutorial pages are similar to the drawings on the cover and have 3-6 steps each.

There is no index in the eARC I received for review, however the table of contents is quite detailed and specific. This is a very bare bones streamlined collection. There is no detailed written instruction here, just the line drawings with refinements.

Three and a half stars. This is for artists who know how to draw and need some help with perspective, composition, and positioning.

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

A Knife for Harry Dodd

A Knife for Harry Dodd is the 21st (!!!) Inspector Littlejohn mystery by George Bellairs. Originally published in 1953, this reformat and re-release from Agora, out 13th June 2019 is 312 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.

George Bellairs was a prolific and very readable author. His books are enjoyable with solid characterizations, often droll dialogue and twisty plots. This one is maybe not my absolute favorite of the ones I've read by him, but it's an above average engaging murder mystery.

Harry Dodd is a friendly engaging man with set habits, egalitarian taste in friends, and a complex history. He is stabbed on the way home from the pub and the body count continues from there. Part of the appeal of the Littlejohn mysteries for me are the unerring 'English village' bucolic settings with tension and enmities rife just under the surface. Bellairs was an adept commentator on the human condition and I think the comparison with Simenon's French novels is an apt one.

Worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and others in the series) are included in the KU subscription.

Five stars, a diverting read, cleverly put together.

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

The Secret Life of Algernon Pendleton

The Secret Life of Algernon Pendleton is a remarkably odd (but very well written) novel by Russell H. Greenan. Originally published in 1973, this reformat and re-release from Dover on 12th June 2019 is 224 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats. Other formats available in earlier editions.

For readers who are fans of very black humor, this is a cleverly written novel with a truly trippy protagonist. Algernon ("everyone calls him Al") Pendleton. His best interactive relationship is with a vase (yes, really) called Eulalia. He also has a lively relationship with a Turkish dealer in antiques to whom he sells bits and pieces of his great grandfather's collection of Egyptian artifacts.

Admittedly the book is a product of its time. There are some uncomfortable racial and sexist stereotypes which felt somewhat dated. They weren't gratuitous, though, and they fit with the narrative (still somewhat disheartening).

Technically this book is amazing. It's not easy to bring dialogue between a living person and an inanimate object to life and to do so with enough finesse that it's not pathetic or ridiculous. Some of the scenes raised the hair on my arms at the same time I was chuckling. Well plotted and paced, the dramatic tension arc is satisfying and unpredictable.

I love Dover in all their glorious weirdness. This book really deserves to be presented to a new generation of readers.  If the Dexter novels appeal, this one will be right on target.

Five stars. 

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

The Chicken Whisperer's Guide to Zero-Waste Chicken Keeping

The Chicken Whisperer's Guide to Zero-Waste Chicken Keeping is a tutorial guide to chicken husbandry with the added benefit of regenerative and sustainable practices. Released 11 June 2019 by Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 120 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

The book is beautifully photographed and the well written tutorial instructions support and expand the photography. It's laid out logically and accessibly in rough chronological order, from buying or hatching chicks, raising them to adulthood, and harvesting eggs/meat (no meat harvesting tutorial or photos included). There's a discussion of meat vs. egg laying breeds and how to source chickens for different purposes.

The book continues with reducing waste for feeding, housing, and keeping a flock. This includes composting, feeding alternatives, repurposing/reusing/recycling and more. There's a good trouble-shooting guide with concrete examples of what to do when chickens stop laying, how to make soup stock, acquiring and raising new flocks and more.

This isn't a one-size-fits-all guide to chicken keeping. The poultrist will want to source other info and have other books available for more general husbandry questions or problems; they're beyond the scope of this book. For what it is, though, this book has a lot of good tips for reducing waste.

Reducing our carbon footprints and conserving our dwindling resources is vital if we're to have any chance of survival. Every bit helps. This book is a good source of tips for doing just that.

Four stars.

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

The Road to Grantchester

The Road to Grantchester is the newest Grantchester novel by James Runcie. Released 7th May 2019 from Bloomsbury, it's 336 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio formats.

Although this is the seventh book in the series, it's a prequel and develops Sidney Chambers' life during and after WW2. The book deals with his loss of innocence in war and maturation as well as the often fraught road along the way to his religious calling. The book is divided into four sections (War, Peace, Faith, Love) delineating his own pilgrim's progress from the hellishness of war and personal loss through to his personal enlightenment and re-purposing his life in service to others.

This could have been a very very heavy and potentially pompous book. However, Runcie's deftness and expertise with everything technical in his writing as well as an unerring ear for dialogue and dramatic tension turn this into a sublime read. I really enjoyed every single page.

All of the books have had a somewhat melancholy feeling for me. They're all so exquisitely well written that the misty melancholy jazzy feeling is part and parcel of the books' appeal in some way and I wouldn't change anything about them. I don't think I'd recommend binge reading them though, that might be a bit much.

Five stars. This one is my favourite of the series to date.

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

The Assassination of Billy Jeeling

The Assassination of Billy Jeeling is a near-future SF novel by Brian Herbert. Released 1st Nov 2018 by ReAnimus press it's 269 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I picked this book up because I was familiar with Brian Herbert's work continuing his father's legacy with the modern Dune novels. I was surprised that this standalone novel's writing style was so different than his other work. This book is altogether choppier and seemed less finished than his other novels.

The premise is very timely. A scientist, really a messiah figure, is working within the confines of a huge ship to clean and repair the catastrophic damage to the earth and its atmosphere. Political wrangling and greed for power on the part of established politics threatens to upset the balance at the cost of the Earth's potential destruction.  The world building and the idea of the ship is very creative and well done. It's just the hastily written, unedited/unpolished narrative which were very hard going.

Unfortunately it just didn't feel like a cohesive whole to me and would almost certainly benefit immensely from a thorough editing and rewrite.

Three stars. Super premise, difficult to read, alas.

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

Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot® Cookbook

Healthy Meal Prep Instant Pot® Cookbook is a new cookbook and technique guide by Carrie Forrest for use in conjunction with the Instant Pot pressure cooker. Due out 18th June 2019 from Rockridge Press, it's 206 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats (ebook format available now).

This is an interesting and useful addition to the instant pot cookbook library. My family have been trying to incorporate more healthy choices as well as more plant based and meatless dishes. This book features the first ('clean eating') and contains a number of meatless recipes as well.

The introductory and how-to sections of the book (~13% of the content) cover ingredients, ingredient prep, cooking, and use of the instant pot. The recipes in the following chapters are arranged in chapters: Basics & Staples, Breakfasts & Brunch, Grains Beans & Veggies, Soups Stews & Chilis, Seafood & Poultry Mains, Beef & Pork Mains.

All of the recipes include ingredients lists, preparation instructions, cooking instructions, and yields.
The instructions are clear and easy to follow and the dishes are made with easily sourced ingredients. The prep instructions are clear and easy to follow.

The ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Possibly worth noting for Kindle Unlimited subscribers. This title is available in the KU subscription to download for free.

One small quibble with the book. There aren't very many pictures of the prepared dishes. The photographs which are included however, are really clear and well done.

Four stars, well written and full of tasty healthy recipes.

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

Instant Pot® Vegetarian Cookbook: Fast and Healthy Recipes for Your Favorite Electric Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot® Vegetarian Cookbook is a plant based cookbook and resource guide by Srividhya Gopalakrishnan. It's approved by the Instant Pot manufacturer. Due out 18th June from Rockridge Press, it's 148 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats (ebook available now).

I purchased an instant pot late last year (the ultra 6qt), and it's become one of the most versatile tools in my kitchen. My family is also currently trying to eat more plant based dishes, so this book came at a very opportune time. This cookbook is full of appealing and hearty well seasoned foods which aren't 'skimpy, wimpy, or limpy' as my kids are wont to say. The portions are reasonable and will feed hungry humans until they're full (also a stipulation in my family).

The introduction (17% of the page content) covers a brief introduction of how to use the instant pot, why to (or not to) prepare certain foods under pressure, tips and advice for ingredients, scaling recipes, cooking times, and more.

The recipes which are the bulk of the book are arranged sensibly and are listed in an easy to navigate table of contents. The chapters are: Vegetables and side dishes, Beans and Legumes,  Soups and Stews, Rice and Pasta, Other Grains, and Dessert. The book also includes some useful conversion charts along with cooking tables for various food items.

All of the recipes include ingredients lists, preparation instructions, cooking instructions, and yields.

The ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

We tried vegetable biryani which was very flavorful and colorful. I was a little surprised that the actual recipe called for mixed pre-frozen vegetables, but honestly, it's a huge time saver and I loved the author's honesty - we ALL use convenience ingredients (at least I do).

We also enjoyed the cilantro and lime rice with some salmon (clearly not a vegetarian ingredient and off-recipe fiddling on my part). Not all of my family are crazy about cilantro (love/hate relationship), and this dish really does have both lime and cilantro as feature flavors, so for readers whose families dislike cilantro, go easy on it.

My only quibble with the book is that there are very few dishes pictured or serving suggestions. That detracted somewhat for me. The recipes are, however, well written, with clear and concise instructions and made with easily sourced ingredients. Some of the spices might have to be sourced from a larger Asian or international foods store (or online), but they're not so exotic as to be difficult.

Four stars, a worthwhile addition to the instant pot cooking library.

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

The Golden Tresses of the Dead

The Golden Tresses of the Dead is the tenth (!!) book in the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. Released 22nd Jan 2019 by Penguin on their Delacorte imprint, it's 352 delightful pages and available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio formats.

Flavia is a force of nature. For readers who are unfamiliar with the series, she's a precocious, sometimes ghoulish, chemistry obsessed 12 year old (at this point in the series), who uses her prodigious intellect (and her brawny family retainer Dogger) to solve crimes.

The premise could so easily tip over into maudlin or saccharine cutesy. It balances on the knife edge throughout and Flavia (and Dogger) are -so- readable and engaging that any new addition to the series is a cause for jubilation. By the 10th book, a lot of series' quality control seems to go out the window, sadly. This series has maintained a high standard throughout and in my opinion, The Golden Tresses of the Dead turned out to be one of my favorites.

Since it's the latest book in a fairly large series, I would recommend some familiarity before reading this book. There's a lot of background info and character development which have gone before which won't be understood without picking up at least some of the previous installments. It's not an absolute requirement of course, the author's skillful enough to make each of these books a self contained read,  but the experience will undoubtedly be enhanced.

Five stars. This is probably my current favorite mystery series, bar none.

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

The Black Cat Steps on a Crack

The Black Cat Steps on a Crack is the fourth mystery in the Bad Luck Cat series by Kay Finch. Due out 11th June 2019 from Beyond The Page publishing, it's 346 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.

This is an appealing and well written cozy mystery (and series). For some reason, my reading list has been too heavily slanted toward very serious 'deep' and angry books lately. This was the perfect antidote to too much current events, philosophy, and politics.

The story finds Sabrina and Hitchcock again involved in some amateur sleuthing, this time concerning the demise of the difficult new librarian who disappears the day she meets Sabrina.

There was a lot to like here. The book is well written technically, the plotting and characterizations are fine and the dialogue is well done and not clunky or awkward. The story arc moves along at a good clip and the clues follow all the rules of engagement. Like many other 'cozy mysteries with food and cats (and sometimes libraries), this one does actually include some recipes at the end of the book. I cannot vouch for any of the recipes, but they look good, and I actually intend to try the peanut butter crunch cake, which uses a cake mix as its base and seems manageable. I also really like that the author included a mention of library therapy animals for reading practice for patrons who are struggling with literacy. The animals provide a non-judgemental listening ear and the reader gets practice and literacy confidence building! Well done!!

The language is clean (a couple of 'damn's, nothing worse) and there's no racy content, nothing to make anyone blush. This was my daily bus commute read and it was a good one.

Four stars. I'll be sticking with Hitchcock and Sabrina for the next books in the series.

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

The Grand Dark

The Grand Dark is a new standalone novel from Richard Kadrey. Due out 11th June 2019 from Harper Voyager, it's 432 pages and will be available in hardback, ebook, and audio formats.

I requested this eARC because of my familiarity with the author from his other work (especially the Sandman Slim series). This book quite impressively different. It's always interesting to see authors whose work one admires releasing different styles of work. It's a credit to Kadrey that this book is -so- different from his established characters and series. The entire style is different, it's a serious, philosophical, brooding book, with lightning flashes of real horror. The pacing is much slower and the dramatic tension simply builds and builds instead of building and releasing. In a lot of ways, technically, this is a much different exercise (and more challenging). There's no easy banter, very little snark. Other reviewers have said it has a Kafkaesque feel, and I would say that's apposite. I saw flashes of Lang's Metropolis in there as well, certainly intentional.

In a lot of ways, this was an uncomfortable read for me. The pacing was very slow, almost ponderous, and the story arc felt as though it were grinding inevitably along (dragging me with it to a destination I wasn't at all sure I wanted to visit). There was no sarcastic banter. There was a lot of brooding atmosphere and sporadic violence. The world building and atmosphere were masterfully done; I really liked the inclusion of background information and setting through news items, diary entries, and notes/letters.

Four stars. Beautifully written, divisive, uncomfortable, difficult, important.

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

A Life Made by Hand

A Life Made by Hand is an illustrated biography of Ruth Asawa aimed at younger readers (K-3). Written and illustrated by Andrea D'Aquino, it's due out 3rd Sept 2019 from Princeton Architectural Press, it's 40 pages and will be available in hardback format.

This is an interesting book about the childhood and early adult life of Ruth Asawa. The art is as shown on the cover, and I think that it does a good job of representing -without- being simply photographic or derivative. The artist was more than her sculptural production and I believe the author managed to convey much of her (Asawa's) life experiences without being depressing or providing too much info for younger readers. The book doesn't deal with the family's forcible detention in camps during WW2, first in California, then in Arkansas. The omission was apparently at the request of her daughters, and it is discussed in the afterword.

The book includes a good selection of links to sources for further reading and exploration.  This would make a superlative summer enrichment read for youngsters (perhaps with a coordinated visit to an exhibit of her work), or a classroom read, library book, or gift for an art interested youngster.

There's a cute tutorial for a kirigami insect at the end of the book which would make a nice classroom enrichment tie-in for a unit on Asawa.

Four stars.

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

The Tea Dragon Festival

The Tea Dragon Festival is the second Tea Dragon graphic novel from Katie O'Neill. Due out 17th Sept. 2019 from Oni, it's 136 pages and will be available in hardback format.

I reviewed the first book in 2017 and am happy to report that this book is just as sweetly charming and beautifully crafted as the first book. The artist author is so adept with art that supports and enhances the narrative. The illustrations are very colorful and vibrant.

Although this book is ostensibly aimed at middle readers (age 8-12), I found it a charming and very enjoyable read. This would make a superlative read-to-me book for young children or a read-along. The book's message of kindness, gentleness, inclusivity, and working cooperatively for mutual benefit are -so- necessary and timely.  The author manages to convey the messages without ever being strident or preachy. I also liked that one of the characters uses sign language and at least to some degree, the other characters have picked up different signs (which are drawn in the book).

The characters look and act differently from one another and appear to be different ethnicities and it's no big deal.

I loved this book. The author is gifted and generous to share her stories with us. Looking forward to more. (Please).

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

Gingermelon's Embroidered Animals: Heirloom Dolls to Sew, Embellish and Treasure

Gingermelon's Embroidered Animals is a tutorial crafting book by Shelly Down. Due out 2nd July 2019 from Sewandso, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This book is full of whimsical, attractive, high quality heirloom soft sculpture dolls and accessories which can be used and loved (not just looked at in a cabinet). The introduction (17% of the page content) covers materials and techniques, along with basic construction techniques and diagrams.  The following tutorial chapters refine the basic doll with different animal features and accessories. Each of the dolls has face embroidery features as well as coordinating clothing. The dolls are made to the same measurements, so the coordinating outfits are mix-and-match, allowing for a huge number of alternatives.

The instructions are clear and concise with good construction diagrams and supplies lists, making the content accessible even for beginning crafters. I was impressed to see that the designer is generous enough to allow her designs to be created and gifted or sold as finished dolls (with creator credit of course) which makes me want to create several of these dolls and clothes to donate to a local crisis shelter. The dolls' faces are all integral, no loose pieces to give choking hazards.  They're just beautifully designed and well made.

The book also includes tutorials for accessories for the dolls (see baby lion doll on the center cover). It will give hours of crafting fun and a lovely finished doll for enjoying or gifting.  All of the tutorials include full size patterns. I did not finish any of the dolls, but did several pieces of clothing and found no errors in the patterns; everything went together well.

Five stars. Beautiful book.

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

Welcome to Weaving 2: Techniques and Projects to Take You Further

Welcome to Weaving 2 is a tutorial guide by Lindsey Campbell for frame/table loom weaving aimed at the beginning to intermediate weaver. Due out 28th July 2019 from Schiffer Publishing, it's 160 pages and will be available in hardcover format. This is the companion book to Welcome to Weaving (same pub., released 28th Jan 2019).

Although this is a companion book with slightly more advanced techniques, it is perfectly accessible for a keen beginner, and the author covers everything from creating a tapestry loom, through warping, materials selections, different weaving techniques, finishing, etc.  The introductory and technique chapters are roughly 50% of the page content. The tutorial chapters which follow include tapestries (textural, freeform, off-loom) and other projects (pouch, vest, decorative items, rug, etc). The projects are appealing and classic without being too trendy (and thus out of date). Many of the smaller projects and tapestries also use very small amounts of specialty fibres and would be great for using up scraps from the weaver's stash.

The entire book is very well photographed with clear and concise instructions which are easy to understand. There is nothing intimidating about this book and it felt to me like the best parts of a teacher led class without any of the performance anxiety.

This would make a superlative library book, gift for a fibre-arts enthusiast, or addition to the weaver's home library.

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