A fantasy retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby from the point of view of Jordan Baker, an adopted Vietnamese woman.

Minimal magic pervades the story, an undercurrent with dark tones reflective of the carelessness of wealthy people.

I think it is interesting for the character revelations, and for a view of Gatsby’s world that isn’t centered on Gatsby.

A cozy fantasy romance.

Kianthe and Reyna want to open a tea and bookshop. But Kianthe must still answer the call as the Mage of Ages, and Reyna must quit her job as a queensguard. Both must navigate a new relationship and their insecurities.

I enjoyed the growth and healthy relationship that Kianthe and Reyna develop.

Highly recommended.

hooks captures love, honest, and love’s importance in our lives.

I though that hooks’ assessments; that we need to love ourselves by being honest with ourselves, and that we can’t truly love someone else if we can’t be honest with them; ran true.

A good and thoughtful book.

The Eastwood sisters were long separated, due in part to misunderstandings, and in part due to their father’s abuse.

Harrow writes a redemption arc between the sisters, while capturing feminine, working people’s, and minority rage. Timely in light of current events, it delivers hope and ideas for resistance during dark times.

It’s by no means a fluffy novel — it carries the real heavy gravity of people fighting for recognition and survival.

Recommended.

Clark describes an alternate universe where Cairo is imbued with crackling magic, Paris rivals for modern wonders, and the agents for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities are either facing uncertain magics or mountains of paperwork.

Agents Hamed and Onsi are investigating a haunted tram car. They meet underground people and are transported around Cairo.

A fun story, give it a go!

An epistolary novel that occurs during Hitler’s rise to power in Germany between two friends, a gallery owner in San Francisco and an art dealer in Munich.

The letters start out light, but take a decidedly dark turn as time goes on.

A timely book.

Set in a future where climate tragedy struck and civilization is reduced to small scatterings scratching out a living as best as they can, Reid received an invitation to Howse, something like a university. Reid is excited for the opportunity, but is concerned for her mom’s survival after Reid leaves. Not to mention the fungal infection that affect them both, altering behavior and thoughts. This book explores family, friendship, and freedom.

I found Reid’s relationship with her mother troubling, but it isn’t clear to what degree their fungal infections affect their interactions.

I think the book is enjoyable. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Xinquin wants to secure her mother’s freedom, Xinquin flees her home. Disguised as a peasant, she befriends Liwei, who invites her to try for a spot as his personal assistant. They develop a friendship that’s tested over the arc of the story.

Recommended.

Winter Texts republished Le Guin’s churten stories from A fisherman of the inland sea, which explore the effects to people and their perception when they travel between two points instantaneously. For example, how do human minds deal with instantaneous travel? What happens if societies think you are a god due to your technology? What happens if a wrinkle in time occurs?

All very interesting and fun stuff!

Aoyama provides a collection of five stories connected by their local community library. All are heartwarming, hopeful, and full of the promise of change and new beginnings.

Great if you need something inspirational!