50 Maps of the World

50 Maps of the World is an atlas of countries of the world presented with lots of trivia and timelines and highlights for each country represented. Due out 1st Sept 2020 from Quarto on their Wide Eyed Editions imprint, it's 112 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a fun, information dense, graphically appealing (but very busy) atlas. Each of the maps shows an outline map of the country (or countries - Scandinavia is taken together, for example) in question, noteworthy cities, landmarks, cultural tidbits, and a timeline in a highlighted text box. There's another highlighted text box for each entry with key facts such as Capitals, languages, currency, two letter country codes, national birds and flowers, and populations. There are small cameo insets with notable figures from each country's history. The countries themselves are arranged geographically by continent, starting with Europe and ending with the Antipodes.

The authors have included a hunt & find activity search at the end of the book as well as a comprehensive index and an abbreviated glossary.

There's a lot to like here. I would recommend it for classroom/library use and it would also make a nice selection for home library or homeschool use. I'm not sure how long it'll remain current (as the author's state in their introduction, countries change continually), but it's a nice kid's atlas with appealing art. I was impressed that the authors managed to cover the 1994 Rwandan genocide in an age-appropriate manner.

Four stars.

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

Nova Scotia's Historic Harbours: The Seaports that Shaped the Province

Nova Scotia's Historic Harbours is a guide to the history and scenery of Nova Scotia's harbours. Due out 31st July 2020 from Nimbus, it's 232 pages and will be available in paperback format. Author Joan Dawson is a capable writer with a prodigious knowledge of the area. She writes well and accessibly, and her enthusiasm for the subject shines through in the prose.

The introductory chapters cover history, physical features of the harbours and the seaside, maritime activities such as fishing and shipbuilding, and some of the settlement history for both European settlers (chiefly French and English) and the First Nations inhabitants (Mi'kmaq). The bulk of the book is arranged by geographical area: Halifax's harbours, Southshore, Acadian Shore, Bay of Fundy, Northumberland Shore, Cape Breton, and the Eastern Shore. Each of the chapters contains subentries for more specific locations and attractions. I found the entries accessible and fascinating. There is a lot of information provided in a manner that manages to be educational without being dull or dry.

The book also includes a solid bibliography and links for further reading, but not (in the eARC provided for review purposes), an index. The information is arranged well enough that I didn't have trouble navigating the book.

Five stars. This is well written and comprehensive. It would be a nice planning resource for preparation to visit the area as well as a good choice for readers interested in the area. I really liked the author's respectful and truthful manner when writing about the First Nations people.

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

Story of the Wright Brothers: A Biography Book for New Readers

Story of the Wright Brothers is part of a new biography series for young readers. Released 28th July 2020 from Callisto on their Rockridge Press imprint, it's 66 pages (for the print copy) and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

This is a well illustrated, colorful, and engaging biography. The material is presented chronologically and includes lots of quotes from the brothers and people who knew them. The art supports and illustrates the story very well. There are included time lines with bullet entries which provide a concise look at when important events in the brothers' lives happened and how they were affected.

This would make a superlative choice for classroom or home library (or public library, when we can use them again). There are text box guided questions throughout called "Jump in the think tank" which ask the readers salient points to expand on during their reading. They invite the reader to think about how things which impacted the Wrights are also relevant to kids today.

There is also an included glossary and comprehensive bibliography/resource list for further reading. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to educators.

Five stars.

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

Dots & Spots: A Drawing Book: Explore the depths of your imagination to sketch, doodle, and design some hilarious and quirky drawings!

Dots & Spots is a fun drawing guide full of prompts for younger readers. Due out 1st Sept 2020 from Quarto on their Walter Foster Jr. imprint, it's 80 colorful pages.and will be available in paperback format.

A short how-to-use-this-book tutorial (2 pages) is followed by pages and pages of colorful dots and a prompt for what the dots could be (a spaceship, a monster, a robot). This little book will provide hours and hours of entertainment.

This is a very simple concept, but very well done. This would make a super rainy-day or quarantine activity book.

Four stars.

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

ABC For Me What Can I Be?

ABC What Can I Be? is a new book from the ABC for me series.  It's a boardbook aimed at very young children and their caregivers.  Due out 1 Sept 2020 from Quarto on their Walter Foster Jr. imprint, it's 32 colorful pages.  Illustrated by Jessie Ford of Sugar Snap Studio, it's an alphabet book full of dreams for girls.

I liked that the book included careers with long and demanding educational paths (surgeon and quantitative analyst) side by side with vocational careers (excavator and floral designer). The kids pictured are ethnically diverse and differently-abled.

I am an optimist and believe that someday (soon) we won't need books telling our kids that they can choose whatever career paths they wish to pursue, but we're not there yet. This is a sweet and non-judgemental book.

The text is written in non-rhyming free verse with a one sentence explanation of what each job entails.

Thoroughly charming.  I really liked it and think it would make a nice reading group selection in a classroom setting for younger kids as well as a read-to-me or bedtime read.

Five stars

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

The Wood Burn Book: An Essential Guide to the Art of Pyrography

The Wood Burn Book is a tutorial and project guide to pyrography by Rachel Strauss. Due out 18th Aug 2020 from Quarto on their Rockport imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The book has a logical and easy to follow layout. The instructions presuppose no previous experience on the reader's part.  The book begins with an introductory section which covers tools and supplies, safety and selection and leads into lots of mini tutorials which show how to transfer designs and achieve different effects with the pyrography pen, add color, finish designs and more.
 

Roughly the next half of the book contains the projects. They're attractive and look very professional. Each of the tutorials includes a finished project picture, tools and supplies, and step-by-step instructions. Tips and advice are highlighted in text bars in the tutorials to help readers avoid pitfalls and achieve the best results. Process photos are included in most of the tutorials and are clear and easy to follow. There are a number of different contributing artists whose projects provide a wide variety of aesthetics for the reader to choose from. There are no templates included in the book, but the projects show a number of creative methods of adapting stock pictures and designs to use.

Really lovely job. I think that an aspiring crafter could make most of these designs armed with this book and the necessary supplies and tools listed.  

Five stars.

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

Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More

Modern Cast Iron is an encyclopedic reference to selecting, using, and maintaining cast iron utensils. Due out 18th Aug 2020 from Red Lightning Books, it's 232 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

This is a very well written and lavishly illustrated guide. The information it contains covers not just the ubiquitous 12 inch frying pan but a host of other forms and uses (more than I even knew existed). The tutorials are accessible and understandable and very very well photographed. Most of the book is filled with a plethora of traditional southern cooking and the recipes are varied and tasty.

The recipes are written with English (American) measurements. There is no conversion table included in the book. The ingredients are listed in sidebar format followed by step by step cooking instructions. Most of the ingredients are easily sourced at any moderately well stocked grocery store. The recipes are generally simple (and some use premade mixes or canned ingredients).  The book also includes a cross-referenced index.

We're definitely going to try more of these recipes.  Well written book, tasty recipes. The photography is gorgeous and plentiful. For cooks who -need- photographs for serving ideas, this will be a great resource.

Five stars.

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

Vintage Crime

Vintage Crime is a new anthology of  vintage crime fiction from the Crime Writers Association edited by Martin Edwards. Due out 27th Aug 2020 from Flame Tree Press, it's 256 pages and will be 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

The CWA has produced numerous collections of members' works in the past, and this one is no exception. The difference here is that the works are chosen from the association's founding in 1953 to more or less the present day. The earliest story is copyright 1940 (John Dickson Carr's Footprints in the Sky), the newest 2008 (All She Wrote by Nick Harron). The authors represented are a mixed lot, many are instantly recognizable to everyone, some less familiar (and a few with whom I was previously completely unfamiliar).

One reason I prefer 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. I also love anthologies because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away. Attributions and publication info are included at the end of the book along with short contributor bios.

For me, one of the biggest draws of these anthologies is the erudite and always interesting introductions by editor Martin Edwards. Mr. Edwards has a prodigious knowledge of the genre and writes engagingly and well.

Well written, this entry and the CWA anthologies as a whole are well worth seeking out. This would make a superlative selection for readers of the genre as well as an introduction to classic crime fiction from mid-20th century onward. I love that these collections have some very well known names from the genre alongside lesser known but worthy authors.

This would make a superlative choice for commute reading or short interludes.

Four stars.

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

The Everything College Cookbook, 2nd Edition: 300 Easy and Budget-Friendly Recipes for Beginner Cooks

The Everything College Cookbook, 2nd Edition is a reformat and update of the first edition by Emma Lumsford. Originally published in 2005, the 2nd Ed. is due out 4th Aug 2020 from Simon & Schuster on their Adams Media imprint as part of the Everything series. It's 304 pages (print edition) and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

The recipes are arranged thematically, an introduction with general directions for prep-work and the challenges of working in a small space with limited tools is followed by chapters for breakfast, lunch, snacks, recipes utilizing special equipment (Instant Pot, microwave, air fryer, slow cooker), bowls, party food, vegan, date food, parent visits, and desserts. There's also a chapter with tips for leftovers. Each of the recipes includes an introductory description, ingredients listed in a bullet point sidebar (US measurements only, no metric equivalents), and step by step instructions. Nutritional info is included in a text box.  Variations and alternatives are provided in sidebars at the end of the recipes.  There is a metric conversion table at the back of the book.

Most of the ingredients should be available at any well stocked grocery store although some might need to be sourced at specialist (vegan/gourmet) grocers.

My main quibble with the book is that the recipes are mostly not photographed. There are some photos, and they're clear and attractive, but they only represent about 5% of the recipes included in the book. It is, however, a very well written book full of budget friendly (mostly) healthy foods in a wide variety of styles. 

Four and a half stars. I've rounded up for the quality of the writing and the distinctly high quality of the recipes themselves (tasty!) and the mission of the book: high quality food with a budget friendly price tag. Good food shouldn't be ruinously expensive or difficult.

Although aimed at college students, this would also make a superlative choice for a young person living alone for the first time to provide a real and healthy alternative to takeaway and fast food.

Four stars. Well done (if simple) and appealing.

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

The Geometry of Holding Hands (Isabel Dalhousie #13)

The Geometry of Holding Hands is the 13th Isabel Dalhousie novel by Alexander McCall Smith. Due out 28th July 2020 from Knopf Doubleday on their Pantheon imprint, it's 240 pages and will be 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a gently written, slow, introspective series. The main character is a philosopher and the books more or less revolve around her life and experiences and the lives of the people in her orbit: her husband Jamie, her sons Magnus & Charlie, her niece Cat, her housekeeper/factotum/nanny Grace and others who live in the village and/or academic colleagues. The narrative moves along quite slowly and the overall effect is of a long and unhurried chat with an old friend.

It's not necessary to have read the books in order, however, the large changes which occur (marriage, children, etc) will be obvious if they're read out of order.

Especially with the desperate struggles, illnesses, upheavals, and sadness which seem universal in the world right now, this series and these characters are a balm to the soul. It's full of music, food, and Scottish sensibility. Wonderful.

Five stars.

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

Masked Prey (Lucas Davenport #30)

Masked Prey is the 30th (!!!) Lucas Davenport novel by John Sandford. Released 14th April 2020 by Penguin on their G.P. Putnam's Sons imprint, it's 406 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

This book is compellingly written and grabbed me from the first page. The format is honestly much the same: Davenport lives his life, interacts with the folks around him, solves a weird series of crimes which are currently baffling the mainstream investigation (this time inciting alt-right-lunatic-fringe wingnuts in the USA to violence against the children of high profile politicians). Sandford is such a gifted author technically and stylistically that it works very well.

I've seen other reviewers suggest that Sandford is failing to maintain his objectivity, or that he's pandering to the "social justice warriors" and I can see how they've come to that conclusion. The alt-right wingnuts are painted in the book as dangerously unstable and are shown in an unflattering light. I submit in rebuttal that those thankfully small portions of the American population *are* significantly shifting the bar of accepted social interaction and destabilizing the ground rules of congenial interaction by insisting on their "free-dumbs" at the cost of life and safety. Virtue signalling? Maybe, but also shining a light into an increasingly distressing and dangerous problem. The current pandemic has shown quite clearly the difference in world societies' reactions to control the outfall of this crisis and the results are crystal clear comparing the USA to the rest of the world. I'm not sure what Mr. Sandford's lead time for plotting and writing a novel is, I can't imagine it's less than 6 months (he's averaged 3 books per annum for the last 30 years, but much of the total is short fiction). I don't find the timing of this book, or its themes, suspect. The people who are giving this book 1 star reviews are, I suspect, reacting to the unpleasant feeling of looking into a mirror and not liking what they see reflected there.

In a current climate of -so- much uncertainty, doubt, fear, and unpleasantness, knowing that Davenport is going to figure it out and (mostly) fix it in the next 390 pages is unquestionably escapist, but it's so therapeutic. Long live Davenport & co. Although it's the 30th book in the series, the quality of the writing, plotting, story arc, tension, and denouement are up to the series' general quality. It works fine as a standalone, new readers needn't be intimidated by the thought of needing to read the previous books.

Four stars. Enjoyable thriller from a master at the top of his game. (I'm not a professional literary critic, but I didn't notice anything to suggest that this was ghost written in any manner - and I have read all his other extant work - he seems to be perfectly willing to acknowledge when he's collaborating (c.f. Virgil Flowers series)).

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

Houseplants for All: A Guide to Becoming a Perfect Plant Parent

Houseplants for All is a tutorial and culture guide to indoor houseplants by Danae Horst. Due out 11th Aug 2020 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The first thing that struck me about this book is how positive and upbeat and encouraging the author's voice is. It's a really happy book full of healthy vibrant plants. There's a 'you can do it' vibe. The second thing I noticed is how much information is packed into the pages. It's a really information dense book but so well arranged that it doesn't feel like a huge info-dump; the info is accessible and understandable.

The layout is easy to read and follow as well as graphically appealing.  The book's well illustrated with lots of relevant color photos. The author covers choosing and siting plants to fit decor needs as well as the culture needs of the plants themselves. There are good illustrations of each of the concepts she introduces (what _is_ indirect light, how can plants be situated to make the most of light without getting burned by having too much of it, what's humidity, how much is enough, what's too much, etc). There are some simple worksheets to help readers figure out in practical terms what they have to work with.  The provided room profiles provide some more definite criteria to consider when choosing and siting plants. There is a plant primer with specific species including their botanical and common names, color photos of each plant, culture requirements and habits.

The author has included a good overview of tools and supplies also: choosing pots, drainage, materials, soils (one of the best treatments I've seen in a home/hobby book), potting tutorials, watering, pruning, fertilizing, cleaning, propagation, and troubleshooting problems.

Well written and factual. Five stars.

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

Crochet: Over 130 Techniques and Stitches

Crochet is a technique and tutorial reference with included projects. This is a reformatted and updated 2nd edition (original pub. date 2014) due out 15th Sept 2020 from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint. It's 320 pages and will be available in hardcover format. As almost always with DK's offerings, I was blown away by the detailed, clear, and solidly expert photography. Every photo is well rendered and easy to follow. The supportive text is also clear, spare, and easy to understand.

The project tutorials are attractive and cover a broad range of difficulties, styles, and materials. Each of the tutorials contains a finished color photo, techniques used, project size and tools and supplies needed followed by step-by-step instructions. Most of the tutorials also contain multiple process photos which make construction and details easy to follow. Measurements are given in American standard and metric (SI) units. Projects are listed thematically: blankets & cushions, home & gifts, hats & scarves, gloves socks & slippers, clothing, toys, and bags. 

At least in the eARC I was provided for review purposes, the revisions and additions in the second edition are highlighted in red text in the index and represent about 30% new content. It's probably worthwhile to have a look even for readers who have access to the first edition.

This would make a superlative selection for home hobbyists, learners, makers spaces, library use, or in a classroom/workshop setting. Five stars. Very well done.

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

Ceramics Masterclass: Creative Techniques of 100 Great Artists

Ceramics Masterclass is a style guide for ceramic artists written and curated by Louisa Taylor. Due out 11th Aug 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it's 288 pages and will be available in flexibound softcover format.

The book is well laid out and beautifully illustrated. The introduction includes a number of informative subchapters on clay composition, testing materials, experimentation and discovery, techniques, and firing. Each of the following chapters contains a thematically cohesive collection of artist highlights (beautifully photographed): vessel, decorative, function, figurative, conceptual, and installation. There are so many of the entries which are completely mesmerizing. Literally pushing the envelope of what is even *possible* with the medium. The pieces are accompanied by artist's statements and background info which I found fascinating.

This is a lavishly illustrated reference for potters which will make a valuable addition to the well stocked studio library. It would be a superlative selection for a makers space or collective as well. The author has included numerous recipes and formulations for glazes, clay information, references, glossary, and an exhaustive cross referenced index. This would also make a wonderful text for formal classroom use.

Five stars.

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

Bite the Dust (A Low Country Dog Walker Mystery #1)

Bite the Dust is the first book in a new cozy series by Jackie Layton. Released 28th Feb 2020 by Belle Bridge Books, it's 250 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a very light murder cozy with a female protagonist who finds one of her dogwalking clients (and personal mentor) dead in his home when she comes to walk his dog. It's full of southern slang and clean language with a slow romance subplot. The plot and tension arc are well paced and the characterizations are well done, especially for a debut author. The book could have benefited from a merciless editing; a fair bit of the dialogue was still rough and somewhat clunky. The descriptive prose was somewhat overwrought, but really overall, it was good and readable.

There is quite a bit of religious supplication in the book. Main character Andi Grace seems quite determined in her religious beliefs and refers to God a number of times in the book (in a positive way). For readers who prefer their cozies more secular in narration, it could be a bit much. I didn't find it over the top, but it was noticeable.

It also struck me as a bit awkward that she refers to her siblings for whom she put her life on hold after the unexpected death of their parents as "the kids" numerous times throughout the book. Contextual information would suggest that her brother is only a couple of years younger than she is, so referring to them as the kids is contrived.

The book does have potential and I'll be interested to see how the author moves the series forward. The second book in the series was published in June, 2020.

Three stars for the unpolished dialogue and convoluted denouement.

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

Creative Woodburning: Projects, Patterns and Instruction to Get Crafty with Pyrography

Creative Woodburning is a tutorial and technique crafts guide to pyrography by Bea Locke. Due out 11th Aug 2020 from Penguin/Random House on their DK imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. As almost always with DK's offerings, I was blown away by the detailed, clear, and solidly expert photography. Every photo is well rendered and easy to follow. The supportive text is also clear and spare.

The book follows a logical layout. The instructions presuppose no previous experience on the reader's part.  The book begins with an introductory section which covers tools and supplies. It includes recipes and definitions for everything from materials selection, to sourcing and preparing, linework, shading, stippling and more. 

Roughly the next third of the book contains the projects. They're attractive and look very professional. Each of the tutorials includes a finished project picture, difficulty rating, tools and supplies, and step-by-step instructions. Tips and advice are highlighted in text bars in the tutorials to help readers avoid pitfalls and achieve the best results. Process photos are included in most of the tutorials and are clear and easy to follow. 

The final section includes all the necessary design templates. They are well drawn and easy to print out and follow. 

Really lovely job. I think that an aspiring crafter could make most of these designs armed with this book and the necessary supplies and tools listed.  

Five stars.

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

The Magic of Terry Pratchett

The Magic of Terry Pratchett is a well written and engaging biography of the inimitable and sadly missed master fantasist, written by Marc Burrows. Tentatively due out 30th July 2020 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.

I was unfamiliar with the author's other work (as a comedian, writer, entertainer) (sorry!) and admit to some trepidation going in. I'm a massive fan of Pratchett's work, both the canonical Discworld series, as well as his other series and standalones and was worried that nobody could really do his biography justice. I worried needlessly, as it turned out, because this is a genuinely funny and sensitively written biography. There was quite a lot of information included with which I was previously unfamiliar, especially about Pratchett's early life and writing and career choices.

I liked and appreciated the gently humorous voice of the book, peppered with asides and footnotes of which Sir Terry would likely have approved.  Burrows also points out often in the book those places where strictly factual anecdotes and retellings might be in doubt (Pratchett was renowned for self-mythologizing during his lifetime - and the stories have only grown since his passing).  There are numerous photographs included and it's apparent just how much he was loved and lauded during his too-short lifetime.

I really enjoyed this biography and recommend it unreservedly to fans of Pratchett, Discworld, and his other works. It's written humorously and well in an entertaining (if not rigorously academic) style.

Five stars. Well worth a read.

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

Ruthless Gods (Something Dark and Holy #2)

Ruthless Gods is the second book in the Something Dark and Holy trilogy by Emily A. Duncan. Released 7th April 2020 by Macmillan on their Wednesday Books imprint, it's 544 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. It's especially convenient with huge doorstop fantasy tomes like this one. 

This is a very dark, graphic, atmospheric, and creepily compelling YA/NA fantasy. It starts, chillingly enough, with a young  girl chained to a rock who is to be sacrificed to an eldritch horror/god. There is an overarching war, invasions, lots of skullduggery, frenemies, and machiavellian machination behind the scenes.  The alternating point of view narrative is easy to distinguish by the chapter headings as well as the author's alternating stylistic voice.

As the second book in the series, I found myself struggling a fair bit to keep the dramatis personae straight in my head and make sense of what had gone on in the first book. I don't recommend it as a standalone unless the reader is willing to put in the effort - there's definitely no spoon feeding on the part of the author. (The first book in the series is 385 pages, it's worth reading them in order).

On a very positive note, the writing is exceptionally good. The descriptions are crystal clear and evocative, the dialogue "fantasy-standard" but never clunky or awkwardly written. It's a very good, very creepy book written by a gifted storyteller.  My middle aged self is trying not to say that it's too creepy for teens/YA, but it was quite creepy for *me*. (Then again, I'm not really the target audience).

Four stars for me, four and a half for fans of creepy epic campaign fantasy.

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

Bitter Paradise (A Dr. Zol Szabo Medical Mystery #5)

Bitter Paradise is the 5th book in the medical thriller series by Ross Pennie. Released 26th May 2020 by ECW Press, it's 320 pages and 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. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a very well written ongoing series with a returning ensemble cast of characters. It has several loosely related intertwined plot arcs which thread together ever more tightly as Dr. Zol tries to locate the source of a very worrying polio epidemic with his fiance' Natasha and help his foster son work through the trauma of previous injuries in Syria before moving to Canada as a refugee. 

I found the books quite graphically violent (the first scene in the book includes the throat slashing murder of a young Syrian barber in front of witnesses). Much of the book is relentlessly grim. However, it's a quite remarkably well written, precisely plotted, controlled, and tension filled read with science based realistic medical puzzles to figure out.

I had not read the previous books in the series, so I struggled a bit with the characters' interrelationships and had some short term issues keeping the plot straight in my mind. It does work well enough as a standalone, but I believe having some background would provide for a smoother, more enjoyable read.

I would strongly recommend this book (and series) to fans of Jefferson Bass, Kathy Reichs, or similar. Readers should know that there is strong language and violence. 

Four stars.

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

The Scholar's Heart (Chronicles of Tournai #3)

The Scholar's Heart is the third book in a series by Antonia Aquilante. Originally released in 2016, this reformat and re-released 13th July 2020 is ~357 pages and available in ebook format. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is an M/M romance with light racy consensual content. There is kissing and touching involved but nothing completely explicit (soaring heights, panting, etc - purple prose, but nothing else). There is a lot of misunderstanding between the characters and so incredibly much unnecessary drama along with a weird infant kidnapping subplot. The denouement seemed forced and the pacing was odd. I also spent quite a lot of the book wanting to whack Tristan with a clue-by-four and lock his revolting mother in the broom closet).

Although it's the third book in the series, I didn't have any trouble following the storyline. The plotting is capable and the writing is quite good. The characterizations are well done and the dialogue is generally good and not clunky. It's just the unnecessary drama and the plot filler which dragged it down for me personally.

I didn't feel much chemistry between the two main characters and the resolution is sweet, but lacked verisimilitude for me. I also felt the fantasy setting was lacking. Yes, the royal family are shapeshifters, and there's a minor (unresolved in this book, presumably the plot of book 4) subplot element about the kingdom's border protection spells weakening, but it just felt like incidental scene-dressing.  I would recommend this one to current fans of the series or fans of drama filled M/M romance.

Three stars, probably 4 for current fans of the series.

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