The Association for Mormon Letter Conference dates have been announced, along with a call for papers. We mourn the passing of Charles Metten, an educator in theatre and film. The Church announced the end of support for most Church pageants. The film Jane and Emma, about Jane Manning James and Emma Smith, has opened to very strong reviews. Two new plays with Mormon themes, Janine Gilbert’s Leaving Eden and Matthew Greene’s Good Standing, had their premieres in October. Among the key books published recently are: Mette Ivie Harrison’s fourth Linda Walheim mystery, Laura Andersen’s gothic mystery, R. A. Christmas’ short story collection, middle grade novels by Julie Berry, Ally Condie, and Amanda Rawson Hill, and YA novels by Mackenzi Lee, Brandon Mull, and Brandon Sanderson. Finally, there were three works by post-Mormon authors on Mormon themes: D. A. Bartley’s murder mystery Blessed be the Wicked, Kristen Tracy’s award-winning poetry collection Half-Hazard, and Noah Van Scriver’s graphic novel/memoir One Dirty Tree. Monster Ivy Publishing is a new independent publisher, aiming to produce“edgy but clean YA”. Please send news and announcements to mormonlit AT gmail DOT com.
Conferences
The 2019 Association for Mormon Letters Conference will be held March 29-31, at Berkeley, California. AML has put out a call for papers, with proposals due Jan. 15.
The 2019 Mormon Scholars in the Humanities Conference will be held May 17-18, at Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah. The theme is “Ecologies”. The deadline for proposals has been extended to Nov. 16.
The Latter-day Saint Publishing and Media Association Annual Conference was held November 2–3, 2018 at the BYU Conference Center in Provo, UT. Featured speakers included Orson Scott Card, Virginia H. Pearce, David Archuleta, Heather Brown Moore, Carol Lynch Williams, and many others. Lifetime awards were given to Sheri Dew, Don Norton, and John Sorenson.
Sunstone Northwest will be held Nov. 17, at the Community of Christ, Seattle. Among the presentations will be Dayna Patterson, who will speak about Dove Song: Heavenly Mother in Mormon Poetry, and holding a poetry workshop.
In Memoriam
Charles Metten, an educator in theatre and film, passed away on September 27, at the age of 91. Metten was born September 7, 1927 in Fort Bragg, California. He married Patricia Elizabeth Horrigan on August 20, 1949 while they were students at UCLA Theater Arts Department.
He obtained a doctorate at the State University of Iowa in Speech and Dramatic Arts in 1960. He worked at Brigham Young University for 35 years (1961-1996) during which he served as the associate director of the Honors Program, chairman of the Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts, and chairman of the Department of Theatre and Cinematic Arts. He also founded the BYU Film Program. Chuck appeared on Touched by an Angel, Promised Land, and “Movies of the Week”television programs along with many LDS Church films. He also directed the Hill Cumorah Pageant and the New Zealand Temple Pageant for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Metten asked his student Eric Samuelsen to write a play based on Metten’s own outline about the events at Liberty Jail in Missouri, where Joseph Smith was incarcerated for five months and where it is believed he received important revelations. The play, Letter from a Prophet, was produced at BYU in 1979. He retired from BYU in 1996, and became an LDS Church service missionary, serving as the artistic director of the church’s Promised Valley Productions, and directed the play Faith in Every Footstep.Chuck served as the founding Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts at Southern Utah University from July 1998 until his retirement in 2004. In 2005, he became involved with the Utah Shakespeare Festival where he was named director of the Plays-in-Progress Program, working with up and coming playwrights. This, along with acting and directing, kept him happy and busy until he retired again in 2017, at the age of 90.The Mettens are the parents of five children; grandparents of 17, great-grandparents of 23.
News and blog posts
A Church official statement released October 27 says that while local celebrations of culture and history may be appropriate, the Church now discourages larger productions such as pageants. Existing pageants are being reviewed with local Church and community leaders.That same day, leaders of the mother of all Latter-day Saint pageants, the Hill Cumorah Pageant, said that it would end its 81-year run after the 2020 season.The Manti Pageant will go on in 2019, but its future is in doubt. There is talk that the community will take over the pageant. On the Salt Lake Tribune Mormonland podcast,Gerald Argetsinger, who served in the Hill Comorah Pageant presidency for 12 years and worked as its artistic director for most of the 1990s, laments the loss of this iconic piece of Latter-day Saint dramatic history, discusses the show’s storied past and highlights the impact it had through the decades on member testimonies, missionary efforts and the wider community. He talks about how the pageant was most effective in the 1990s, when it had a high degree of professionalism, including special effects, which appealed to a general audience. In recent years it has simplified, and moved away from a missionary focus and the attempt to appeal to a general audience. For more on the history of Church pageants, please see Megan Sanborn Jones’ recent book, Contemporary Mormon Pageantry: Seeking After the Dead (University of Michigan Press).
The Michigan Quarterly Review 2017 Literary Prizes includes BYU faculty member Michael Lavers for his poem “How to Die, and When.” Lavers also won the University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize: Michael Lavers for his poem “The Angel in Charge of Creating Earth Addresses His Cohort”.
Brooke Williams’ Open Midnight won the 15 Bytes Book Award for Non Fiction. It was a finalist for the 2018 AML Non-Fiction Award. Steven Peck also recently reviewed the book, in which he talks to the universe about making the perfect book for him, and the universe produces “Open Midnight: Where Ancestors and Wilderness Meet.” “Make it scientifically literate, make the writing beautiful, make the stories meaningful, and show the world why the Canyonlands and Great Basin matter, make every chapter a delight, let it wander far and wide in those lands. Make everyone want to keep and persevere these lands. Show them their worth, you know . . . The Universe did a great job in creating Brooke Williams to create this work (I’m somehow feeling this book wasn’t made just for me. In fact, it may have been made for everyone). It’s wonderful in every way.”
Weber State University English Department will offer a course called “Mormon Women, Feminist Writers” in Spring 2019.
Interview with “Master of Horror and poet Michael R. Collings”, at Horror.org.
Shannon Hale, “What are we teaching boys when we discourage them from reading books about girls?” Washington Post, Oct. 10.
Recent author profiles in the Deseret News: RaeAnne Thayne, Ally Condie, Shannon and Dan Hale.
Monster Ivy Publishing is a new independent publisher, founded in 2017. Mary Gray and Cammie Larsen, who are both LDS, are the co-founders. Their tagline is “Edgy but clean YA” which reflects Christian values. Since its launch, Monster Ivy has published eight novels with several more on the way in the coming months and year. The authors so far include Gray, Larsen, and Jo Cassidy. In a recent Deseret News feature story, it says, “Before launching their business, Gray had a hard time convincing mainstream and Christian publishers to take on her books. ‘I pitched a book to an LDS publisher, and they were wonderful,’ Gray recounted. ‘But they point-blank said, ‘We will not publish books with zombies.”’ Stories of possessions, ghosts and demons? Those were also off the table. And dark subject matter — such as abuse — was something else that didn’t fit neatly among the typically lighthearted books that conservative publishers were selling. On the flipside, New York agents and editors weren’t excited about the subtle Christian undertones of Gray’s writing.” In response to that challenge, Gray and Larsen founded the publishing house. “At the heart of Monster Ivy is the idea that difficult topics should be confronted through a faith-promoting mindset. It’s a far cry from stories that revel in darker elements just for the sake of being dark. Gray and Larsen hope their business will be an ‘emissary of light,’ highlighting hope amidst dark realities while nurturing faith. ‘There are problems out there that people are facing, so let’s deal with them in a healthy way,’ Larsen said. ‘The rest of the stories you’re getting from the rest of the world, they’re not facing them in a healthy way.’ Readers can expect to find monsters, demons and zombies in many of Monster Ivy’s books, but they can also be assured that the stories won’t venture past inappropriate lines. Gray and Larsen admit that there may be some violence in the books they publish, but it’s not gratuitous — don’t expect buckets of blood and gore from Monster Ivy (Larsen said even Stephen King is too much for her at times). They also try to be mindful of swearing. And there’s no overly sexual content either. Kissing? Yes. But graphically intimate scenes? Not so much.”
Podcasts
Mormon News Report features an interview with Mette Ivie Harrison, about her novelVampires in the Temple. The hosts also talk about the new pageant policy.
James Goldberg on Interpreter Radio Show, Oct. 28. James reads some of his recent poetry, and talks about his writing for the Church History Department, the usefulness of Mormon literature, trends in Mormon art.
All In, a new podcast by LDS Living, hosted by Morgan Jones. Episode 1: Historians Jenny Reader and Janice Johnson talk about “How Church history can help rather than hurt your faith.” They discuss the film Jane and Emma, and talk about Mormon history in film. Episode 4: Brandon Mull explains what worldbuilding has taught him about God, and his series Fablehaven and Dragonwatch.
Short stories and magazines
Alison Maeser Brimley. “Thin Walls“. Western Humanities Review. 72.1, Spring 2018.
Eric James Stone. “The 7 Most Massive Historical Mistakes in Gunmaster of the Carlords“. Analog: Science Fiction and Fact. November/December 2018 issue.
Reviewed in Tangent. “Told from the point of view of someone living in a technologically advanced future, this little joke story involves virtual reality. The narrator criticizes a work of VR fiction for its inaccuracies, such as depicting automobiles as animals. It quickly becomes clear that the narrator knows as little about the past as the creator of the VR does. The end allows the author to wink directly at the audience. This lighthearted bagatelle should raise a smile.”
Eric James Stone. “A Halloween Hymn”. Mysterion. Oct, 2018. A story about a vampire in Seattle who poses as a Catholic priest, and experiences a “Christmas Carol”-type night, with three visitors. It begins: “Maria was dead, and Father Nicholas had not tasted her.”
Brad Torgerson. “Hell Hath No Fury”. In Luck is Not A Factor. Seventh Seal Press, Nov. 1. Stories set in the “Four Horsemen” universe.
The Oct. 2018 issue of Segullah features:
Prose: A Living Sacrifice by Kathryn Lynard
Poetry: Off Balance by Lorraine Jeffery, and Gather, by Johanna Ferguson.
Interview with Jenn Lee Smith and Zandra Vranes of the film Jane and Emma by Sandra Clark Jergensen
Book Review: Sherilyn Olsen reviews On Fire in Baltimore: Black Mormon Women and Conversion in a Raging Cityby Laura Rutter Strickling
Featured Writer: Poet Rachel Hunt Steenblik
Featured Artist: Aimee Bonham
New books and their reviews
Traci Hunter Abramson. Proximity. Covenant, Oct. 1. Thriller. “Tia Parker always seems to fall for the wrong guy. But when she meets Evan Spence at a friend’s wedding, it seems like she’s finally found Mr. Right. Their spark is undeniable, but reality may extinguish any hope for a future: they are separated by thousands of miles. As the couple struggles with the pitfalls of pursuing romance long-distance, Tia is taken off guard by a new arrival in town. Colby Farren is handsome and charming and has made it clear he’s interested in Tia. Yet despite his obvious infatuation, Tia can’t seem to get Evan out of her mind. Caught between the attention of two very different men, her complicated love life is soon eclipsed by much more sobering concerns. A break-in at her apartment is just the first in a series of bizarre events, each bringing her one step closer to a dangerous liaison. And knowing who to trust could be a matter of life and death.”
Laura Andersen. The Darkling Bride. Ballantine Books, April 17. Gothic mystery/historical. Told in three different timelines, from 1880 to the present.
PW: “Atmosphere doesn’t come any more dark and dank than in this gothic novel from Andersen that takes place in an Irish castle riddled with secrets and haunted by ghosts. Hired to catalog the library at Deeprath Castle, Carragh Ryan, a Chinese-American academic, early on proclaims, “I’m here for the library. Not for men, and not for ghosts.” But her work will involve her with both, the former in the person of the handsome, brooding Viscount Aidan Gallagher, a London art cop who inherited his title and the castle 23 years ago after the mysterious deaths of his parents. The ghosts arrive via a haunted local folktale, that of the Darkling Bride. In a parallel narrative set in 1879, English novelist Evan Chase comes to Deeprath Castle pursuing the legend and falls in love with its young mistress, Jenny Gallagher, who meets an untimely death. In the present, Carragh and Aidan team up to get to the bottom of all three deaths and their ties to the legend of the Darkling Bride. Andersen has plenty of surprises up her sleeve to keep the reader entertained on the way to a suspenseful ending, including hypnosis, a changeling, and—of course—ghosts.”
Library Journal: “This series of events sets off an unexpected journey through the past, threaded with exceptional skill through historical and contemporary story lines and multiple points of view, including a determined and pragmatic female detective. Andersen is best known for her alternate Tudor history novels; this is her first foray into gothic suspense. VERDICT Eloquent, atmospheric, and suspenseful, this is the perfect read for fans of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley.”
D. A. (Donna Alison) Bartley. Blessed be the Wicked. Crooked Lane Books, Aug. 7. Post-Mormon mystery/thriller. Debut novel. Author is post-Mormon.
PW: “Abish Taylor, the heroine of Bartley’s surprising debut, left Pleasant View, Utah, and the Mormon faith early in her life, eventually becoming a police officer in New York City. After her husband’s death, she returned home to Pleasant View, where she assumed the detective position for the local police force. She thought it would be an easy way to pass the time between hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter, but the job turns serious when a man is found dead in the basement of a newly purchased McMansion in a swanky part of town. The victim is dressed for Temple in full ceremonial regalia, his throat cut from ear to ear. As she sets out to solve the murder, Abish must navigate the particular realities of Mormon culture, where protecting the reputation of the church often takes precedence over investigating a grisly murder or two. The book contains a goodly dollop of Mormon history, which adds unexpected layers to the mystery. Readers will look forward to this unusual woman’s next outing.”
Kirkus: “The reader is given many, many passages about Mormon history and practices, yet key facts of the plot, such as those about Abbie’s past career in law enforcement, are distributed sparingly. One wants to like Abbie, but Bartley’s sluggish, predictable prose makes it hard to engage. Although the book’s setting and subject material give it potential, the lackluster style keeps this off the must-read list.”
Library Journal: “The author’s background knowledge of the Church of Latter-Day Saints aids in the skillful plotting of this thought-provoking and intricate debut featuring a well-drawn protagonist. VERDICT Readers who enjoy Mette Ivie Harrison’s “Linda Wallheim” mysteries will appreciate another insider’s examination of Mormon rituals and traditions.”
Julie Berry. Wishes & Wellingtons. Audible, Sept. 25. Middle-grade fantasy/adventure, and an Audible Exclusive. Read by the inimitable Jayne Entwistle. When a London boarding school girl discovers a genie in a sardine can, villains come at a gallop, but feisty Maeve Merritt is more than a match for them. I’ve loved this book so desperately, and it’s a joy to see it finally meet the world.
Orson Scott Card. A Town Divided by Christmas. Blackstone, Nov. 6. Short Christmas novel. “It began with a quarrel over which newborn should be the baby Jesus in the town’s Christmas pageant. Decades later, two scientists arrive to study small-town genetic patterns, only to run up against the invisible walls that split the leading citizens into two congregations that can only be joined by love and forgiveness. And maybe a little deception, because there might be some things that people just don’t need to know.”
Jo Cassidy. Willow Marsh. Monster Ivy, Oct. 2. YA Horror. “Tessa yearns for closure with her mom and brother after they are killed in a tragic accident, so she tries to contact them on the other side. Tessa’s mother taught her how to do séances, but when Tessa tries it outside her new home in Willow Marsh, some otherworldly passengers slip through the gateway.”
R. A. Christmas. The Fiction. Self-published, Oct. 18. Second edition (first published in 1998). Six short stories, based on Christmas’ own life, since he joined the Church in the 1950s. Two of the stories are new in this version.
Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs. The Darkdeep. Middle grade paranormal horror. First in a series.
PW: Veteran writers Condie (Matched) and Reichs (Genesis) team up to deliver an action-packed Goonies-like adventure set in the Pacific Northwest. Trying to recover a drone lost to an act of bullying, Nico slips at the edge of a fog-covered cliff and tumbles into Washington State’s Still Cove. Nico’s friends, worried about the beast that allegedly lurks below the water, are relieved to find not only a boat to search for their friend, but also Nico himself, on an island within the cove—one they’ve never heard of. In the center of the island lies a dark pond, a houseboat floating in its center. In the bowels of the houseboat sits a well of thick liquid dubbed the Darkdeep, which beckons and submerges the friends one by one, then spits each into the pond and animates their minds’ contents. Initially, the frivolous figments disappear quickly, but as the creatures become more dreadful—and more solid—they begin to cause real damage and threaten more than just the strange island. A basic beginning moves into a satisfying narrative arc, perfect for reluctant readers who appreciate things that go bump in the night.
SLJ: VERDICT: Swiftly paced and peppered with wit, this darkly entertaining tale is sure to engage horror fans.
Kirkus: Too many storylines dilute any sense of intrigue. Characters are identified by salient features—Tyler’s dark skin, Opal’s long, black hair, Emma’s blue eyes—a device that does not disrupt the white default. A weak plot, underdeveloped characters, and the hint of a next book sum up this not-so-deep series opener.
Rebecca Connoly, Anthea Lawson, Jennifer Moore. The Queen’s Ball. Mirror Press, Oct. 9. Historical romance novellas. Timeless Victorian #4.
Meg Easton. Second Chance on the Corner of Main. Mountain Heights Publishing, Oct. 16. Contemporary romance. Easton is a pen name for Peggy Eddleman, who has previously published middle grade novels.
Mette Ivie Harrison. Not of This Fold. Soho Crime, Nov. 6. Linda Walheim mystery, #4. Linda’s friend Gwen is quickly losing faith in the church, and her issues with the Mormon power structure are only reinforced by her calling in Draper’s local “Spanish ward.” The ward’s members are both legal and undocumented immigrants who aren’t always getting the community support they should be from their church, and have been assigned a bishop who doesn’t speak their language.
PW (Starred review): “The plight of immigrants comes home to the Mormon community of Draper, Utah, in Harrison’s exceptional fourth Linda Wallheim mystery (after 2017’s For Time and All Eternities). Gwen Ferris, who has been active in the church’s Spanish ward, has befriended Gabriela Suarez, a young mother of three, whose husband has been deported to Mexico. One day, Gabriela leaves a phone message for Gwen that suggests she’s in some sort of trouble, and that night, her strangled body turns up at a gas station. Gwen prevails on her good friend Linda to help bring Gabriela’s killer to justice. Tension rises between Linda and her Mormon bishop husband, Kurt, who worries about her interfering in police matters. Meanwhile, Linda fears that their youngest son, Samuel, who’s on a mission in Boston, may be encountering prejudice from fellow Mormons because he’s openly gay. The culprit will surprise few, but Harrison maintains the suspense as the action builds to an altogether fitting resolution, in which an unexpected character plays a major role. Readers of all faiths will relate to kindhearted, thoughtful Linda, a devout Mormon who isn’t afraid to question the policies and leadership of the LDS church.”
Julie L. Rowse (Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought): “The book tackles how some members of the faith ostracize women who can’t have children, the impact of multi-level marketing businesses, how members co-opt pieces of the faith for financial gain, the tension between men wielding authority and the women who are subject to it . . . As a Linda Wallheim mystery, the plot is formulaic: someone has died, and though the police are involved, Linda embroils herself in the investigation to eventually lead police to the killer. I was fairly certain early on who the killer was, but maybe Harrison’s modus operandi isn’t to keep a reader guessing. Maybe she wants readers to peek behind the church curtain and face some harsh truths about family, racism, and spiritual manipulation . . . The most damning critique of this Wallheim tome is the connection between multi-level marketing companies and their apparent stranglehold on LDS culture. Harrison pulls no punches in crafting the world of the MLM “Celestial Security,” and hones in on how many MLM companies utilize LDS or Christian buzzwords, aesthetics, and tactics to rope in participants. Celestial Security is a textbook example of priestcraft, and even Linda Wallheim is uncomfortable with how the company uses the most sacred of spaces for business purposes. From using missionary-style language in trying to hook people to buy Celestial Security’s services, to the decor that resembled the interior of LDS temples, Harrison creates a fictional MLM business that I could see any average LDS member blindly trusting.At the end of the day, Not of This Fold is an engaging murder mystery that should satisfy any fan of the genre. But if a reader is willing to get a little uncomfortable, she will find a story rife with examples of how blind obedience can be life-threatening.”
Takako Hashimoto, based on a novel by Carla Kelly. The Admiral’s Penniless Bride. Harlequin, Oct. 14. Historical romance manga. This is an English translation of a Japanese manga, based on Carla Kelly’s novel. Got that? Kelly did not even know it was going to be published until it appeared on Amazon.
Stacie Henrie. Night at the Opera. Mirror Press, Oct. 16. Historical romance. American Heiress #1. An American heiress in London, and Germany spies.
Amanda Rawson Hill. The Three Rules of Everyday Magic. Highlights/Boyds Mills Press, Sept. 25. MG.
SLJ: Kate has been hit with a triple dose of bad luck. First, her father has been gone for close to five months, his whereabouts a mystery. Secondly, her Grammy has dementia and must come to live with Kate and her mom. She loves her grandmother but is disconcerted about one more disruption in her life. Finally, her best friend Sofia is drifting away, forming a new friendship that Kate can’t accept. When Kate and her Grammy see her disheveled, downtrodden dad at the market, they follow him to a run-down apartment. Kate tries desperately to salvage both her relationship with her dad and her friend, but both continue to unravel. While familiar unions are falling apart, other surprising connections are blossoming. Her Grammy’s lucid moments yield secrets about something she calls “everyday magic.” As Kate struggles to untangle the truth and find her power, she discovers new friendships and the enduring love of her family. The theme of loss is heartrending, the story line fast-paced and compelling. VERDICT A fine addition to middle grade collections in need of character-driven family stories.
Kirkus: Although depression is referred to as a sickness, it’s also oversimplified as mere sadness that may be susceptible to cookies and magic knitted hats. Certainly this could be an 11-year-old’s understanding of depression, but debut author Hill misses the chance to challenge this damaging belief. Whiteness is assumed for those characters whose skin color isn’t called out. Important supporting characters include Chinese-American and Spanish-speaking classmates. Reading cultivates empathy. This should do the trick.
Val D. Karren. The Deceit of Riches. Self, Sept. Suspense. Based loosely on his own experiences in Russia.“A senior Russian military engineer is murdered. Is it espionage or treason? In the modern Russian revolution, corruption and hidden agendas in both government and industry have replaced law and order. When Peter Turner, an American student uncovers a murderous shadow network of extortion, money laundering and espionage he must get out of Russia before the KGB and gangsters silence him for good. When morals become relative, and all choices are dangerous, self-preservation is no longer intuitive.” Debut novel. Deseret News feature story.
Mackenzi Lee. The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy. Katherine Tegan Books, Oct. 2. YA historical romance/adventure. Sequel.
Kirkus (Starred): “Felicity Montague fights to take up space in a world that demands she remain invisible. Barred from study at hospitals and universities because of her sex, Felicity chases her dreams of medical study from London all the way to Stuttgart, where her idol, Alexander Platt, an expert in preventative medicine, plans to marry before embarking on an expedition. Without any money of her own since she ran away from home, white English girl Felicity must rely on Sim, an Algerian Muslim woman with connections to piracy and secret motives. To make matters worse, Platt’s fiancee, Johanna Hoffman, also white, used to be Felicity’s best friend until falling out over their changing interests. As in The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue (2017), Stonewall Honor recipient Lee develops a world rich in historical detail, crafts a plot wild with unexpected turns, and explores complex topics like colonization and identity. Felicity’s brother, Monty, and his boyfriend, Percy, play smaller roles in this volume; the story focuses on the relationships between Felicity, Sim, and Johanna as the three women fight their own battles for respect and recognition within societal systems built to suppress them. Traveling alongside Sim and Johanna challenges Felicity to acknowledge the flaws of her not-like-other-girls self-image and realize that strength comes in more than one form. An empowering and energetic adventure that celebrates friendship between women.”
SLJ (Starred): “Felicity’s sarcastic wit is entertaining, and she grows as she comes to terms with the realization that there is more than one way to be taken seriously, and what it means to be a strong woman. Gender inequality during the 18th-century is thrown into sharper focus, and readers can feel Felicity’s many frustrations emanate from the page. Lee also touches on different definitions of femininity, and hints that Felicity may be asexual. These timely themes are set against another thrilling, swashbuckling romp across Europe and Africa. The author’s extensive notes serve to shed some light on the time period and her inspirations for the characters. VERDICT: An incredible, must-have follow-up full of old characters and new, blood and guts, and a delightful barrage of sarcasm.”
Chalon Linton, Heidi Kimball, Jen Geigle Johnson, Jennifer Moore. A Christmas Courting. Covenant, Oct. 1. Christmas romance novella anthology.
Bloggin’ ‘bout Books: B-. “As you can imagine, the four short stories in this volume are warm, upbeat tales that offer the kind of swoony, light hearted entertainment you crave during the chaotic holiday season. While I liked some of them better than others, all of the tales are clean, uplifting, and cheerful. Some deal with more serious issues, but in the end, all the tales guarantee happy, satisfying endings . . . While the first and last stories [by Jennifer Moore and Heidi Kimball] are my favorite, I enjoyed all four. They’re fun, playful tales set against magical, snowy backgrounds. A Christmas Courting will appeal to any Regency romance lover and would make for an especially heartwarming read when enjoyed in front of a crackling fire, a steaming cup of cocoa in hand. If you’re not a fan but you’ve got one on your Christmas list, this volume would make an appealing gift.”
Gerald N. Lund. Out of the Smoke. Deseret Book, Oct. 29. Fire and Steel #5. Historical. Mormons and others in Germany in the early 1930s are affected by the Nazi takeover.
H. B. Moore. Breaking Jess. Mirror Press, Oct. 2. Thriller. “What do a crooked detective, an upstanding psychiatrist, and a teenager who can’t remember killing her parents all have in common? Nine years of lies.”
Heather B. Moore. Finding Us. Mirror Press, Sept. 6. Pine Valley #5.
Chad Morris and Shelley Brown. Squint. Shadow Mountain, Oct. 2. Middle grade contemporary. Two middle school students, dealing with their own challenges, learn to trust each other.
SLJ: Sixth grader Flint (aka Squint) is feverishly trying to finish making his comic book in order to enter it in the “Find a Comic Star” contest. Due to a genetic eye disease, keratoconus, he wears thick glasses and has double, sometimes triple or quadruple, vision. Flint, who lives with his grandparents, spends most of his time alone working on his comic book. When McKell, a new girl at school and part of the popular group, sits with him at lunch, he’s wary at first, but she seems genuine. She invites him to take a hike after school and talks about her brother Danny’s YouTube videos where he posts challenges asking people to push themselves and try new things. After Flint tears his cornea and has surgery, he sees better than he has in years, a cause for celebration until he sees his comic more clearly and realizes that it isn’t as good as he thought. He quits drawing, but after Danny dies of heart disease, a consequence of having progeria, a disease where you prematurely age, he works with McKell to fulfill Danny’s last challenge, a chance for them both to achieve their dreams. Flint and McKell are sympathetic protagonists with relatable concerns and issues. The challenges of middle school are leavened with humor through the “Middle School Rules” sprinkled throughout the story. The use of the comic book as a metaphor for Flint’s experiences would have been more impactful if it had been shown as the actual comic rather than written as text. This small flaw aside, this is a moving story about friendship, loss, and seeing life from other people’s point of view. VERDICT: Recommended for any library serving middle grade readers
Foreward Reviews: “Pulls off the seemingly impossible; it is an empathy-building novel with a message that’s fun to read. Flint is a sharply observant narrator. He is self-deprecatingly humorous rather than self-pitying, and he easily embodies the secret freakishness that many teens feel. Despite the book’s dual medical issues, this is not a “sick kid” book…it sends a strong message about making the most of what you have. The writing is perfectly tuned, trusting its audience enough not to hammer at its main themes. With its sophisticated themes and thoroughly likable main character, Squint takes on a lot and delivers beyond expectations.”
Kirkus: “That Squint’s drawings are not included seems like a major missed opportunity to broaden this sometimes-maudlin tale of loss and redemption. In spite of its predictability, likely to find an appreciative audience among young teens.”
Brandon Mull. Wrath of the Dragon King. Shadow Mountain, Oct. 23. Middle grade fantasy. Dragonwatch #2. The second in the second Fablehaven series. “War has come to the dragon sanctuaries of the world, and nowhere is the danger more intense than at Wyrmroost. After a humiliating defeat at the hands of Kendra and Seth, Celebrant, King of Dragons, prepares to unleash his fury and take control of his native preserve. Armed with information from a new ally Ronodin, the dark unicorn Celebrant seeks a legendary talisman the dominion stone.However, the powerful stone is protected by a cursed castle. Upon entering the castle fortress, an unyielding power strips all magical beings of their power and forces Celebrant to take his human avatar form. Kendra and Seth must enter the cursed castle as well. The race is on. Will the two young caretakers rally enough support from the creatures of Wyrmroost against the greatest threat the magical community has faced in ages? Can they foil Celebrant’s plan and beat him to the mighty dominion stone? Or will all hope be shattered by the wrath of the Dragon King?” Deseret News feature story on Mull.
Tiffany Odekirk. Love Unscripted. Covenant, Sept. 1. Contemporary LDS romance. “Evie Jennings doesn’t believe in happily ever after—it’s been a year since moving home to Los Angeles to gather the pieces of her broken heart after her divorce, but she is only going through the motions. That is, until a chance encounter on her college campus brings about an unexpected turn of events: Evie finds herself face-to-face with the heartthrob whose poster decorated the wall of her teenage bedroom. And he’s desperate for her help.Hollywood sensation Ridge Dashly is facing a career crisis—a bad review threatens his A-list status. Desperate to win back the favor of the media and his fans, Ridge reluctantly agrees to enroll in college, never dreaming he’ll meet someone who can see past his fame to his true self.
Jennie Hansen (4 stars): “The characters in this story ring true and are well developed. The plot arc builds well and though elements of the ending are predictable that is true generally of most books classified as either Romance or Women’s Fiction. The setting is a combination California beach town and college town. Portions of the story take place in a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints single ward. The author combines these aspects of the story well. Unlike many novels using these settings along with the real life temptations, mistakes, and misunderstandings of young adults, the author avoids the cutesy angle and instead delves into the serious aspects of repentance, responsibility, God’s love, forgiveness, and individual agency.”
Clair Poulson. Short Investigations. Covenant, Aug. 1. Mystery. “In the sleepy town of Heber, a strange 911 call is made to report an unthinkable crime: someone has murdered a woman . . . and her body has been found in Rhett Ketchum’s barn. Rhett, a well-known rodeo cowboy, is placed firmly at the top of the suspect list—the only problem is, he’s innocent. As officers search tirelessly for the evidence needed to lock him up, Rhett takes matters into his own hands. Max and Patches Fisher are the father-daughter duo behind the unconventional PI firm Short Investigations, and they agree to undertake the task of proving Rhett’s innocence. Soon the list of suspects begins to grow, and Rhett feels a glimmer of hope—and an undeniable attraction to Patches. But when the officers on the case become targets themselves, it seems they may be the ones in need of protection. As events take a deadly turn, it’s up to Max and Patches to uncover the truth before time runs out.”
Jennie Hansen (5 stars): “There are five strong suspects in this case and readers will enjoy analyzing the pros and cons leading to the discovery of the murderer. The story has a fairly large cast of characters. The major characters are likable and would blend in well with real people in any small Utah town as far as their values and lifestyle are concerned. Yet each is distinctive. The bad guys, too, are distinctive from one another, but have similar negative traits such as temper, pride, and inflated egos. The suspense angle of the story is high tension and will keep the reader turning pages. The romance portion of the story is low key and consists almost entirely of inner thoughts until the last chapter. The plot is well developed, will keep the reader guessing, and builds to a satisfying conclusion.”
Kathryn Purdie.Frozen Reign. Katherine Tegan Books, Nov. 6. YA fantasy. Burning Glass #3. “Teen empath Sonya fights to regain her powers amidst a vengeful civil war. Civil war is on the horizon, and Sonya is helpless to stop it. With her empathic powers gone, she can no longer protect her beloved Anton from his vindictive brother Valko, who will stop at nothing to get his revenge and reclaim his throne. Even if that means using an Auraseer to hunt—and kill—both Sonya and Anton.”
Brandon Sanderson. Skyward. Random House Children’s, Nov. 6. YA science fiction. Not set in the “Cosmere”.
PW (Starred review): “In a mysterious world called Detritus where humans live below the surface, 16-year-old Spensa must overcome her deceased starfighter pilot father’s reputation as a coward following his alleged desertion. She has always hoped to follow in his footsteps and defend her home from the increasingly devastating attacks of the alien Krell. After earning a cadet spot in the Defiant Defense Force, Spensa pushes to prove herself amid relentless, unforgiving, possibly fatal training. Worse, there are those determined to keep Spensa from becoming a pilot at all, for fear that she’ll turn out like her father. But Spensa has a surprise of her own: she’s discovered a long-abandoned starfighter of unknown origin that could change her luck, and the war, once and for all. With this action-packed trilogy opener, Sanderson (Steelheart) offers up a resourceful, fearless heroine and a memorable cast—including a strangely humorous, mushroom-obsessed robot—set against the backdrop of a desperate conflict. As the pulse-pounding story intensifies and reveals its secrets, a cliffhanger ending sets things up for the next installment.”
Kirkus: “Eager to prove herself, the daughter of a flier disgraced for cowardice hurls herself into fighter pilot training to join a losing war against aliens. Plainly modeled as a cross between Katniss Everdeen and Conan the Barbarian (“I bathed in fires of destruction and reveled in the screams of the defeated. I didn’t get afraid”), Spensa “Spin” Nightshade leaves her previous occupation—spearing rats in the caverns of the colony planet Detritus for her widowed mother’s food stand—to wangle a coveted spot in the Defiant Defense Force’s flight school. Opportunities to exercise wild recklessness and growing skill begin at once, as the class is soon in the air, battling the mysterious Krell raiders who have driven people underground. Spensa, who is assumed white, interacts with reasonably diverse human classmates with varying ethnic markers. M-Bot, a damaged AI of unknown origin, develops into a comical sidekick: “Hello!…You have nearly died, and so I will say something to distract you from the serious, mind-numbing implications of your own mortality! I hate your shoes.” Meanwhile, hints that all is not as it seems, either with the official story about her father or the whole Krell war in general, lead to startling revelations and stakes-raising implications by the end. Stay tuned. Sanderson plainly had a ball with this nonstop, highflying opener, and readers will too.”
Deana Whitney, Tor.com. “Sanderson has loved the idea of a “boy and his dragon” story for years, yet felt he didn’t have anything new to say in the trope. Eventually, though, he was inspired to mash up the concept with a flight school saga like Top Gun and Ender’s Game. Finally the ideas clickedand he ran with it, making Skyward into a “girl and her starship” story . . . In U.S. markets, Skyward is being advertised as a Young Adult series, while the U.K. publisher is marketing it as adult fiction. Sanderson’s ability to appeal to a wide audience range has always been evident, and Skyward is no exception. His characters are fully developed, each with their own dreams, goals, and weaknesses, no matter what age they are.”
Noah Van Scriver. One Dirty Tree. Uncivilized Books, October 16. Graphic memoir. “Noah Van Sciver is haunted by the house at 133 Street, or as his brothers rechristened it “One Dirty Tree.” This sprawling dilapidated New Jersey house was his first home and the site of formative experiences. Growing up in a big, poor, Mormon family―surrounded by comic-books, eight siblings, bathtubs full of dirty dishes―Noah’s childhood exerts a powerful force on his present day relationship. Drawn in his inimitable style, written with wry wit and humor, One Dirty Tree is another reason why Noah Van Sciver is one of the best cartoonists of his generation.”
PW: “The title of this moving graphic memoir from the Ignatz-nominated Van Sciver (Fante Bukowski Three) comes from the nickname his siblings gave their overcrowded ramble of a childhood home, which still haunts him. Using the same wavy and sketchy but emotionally direct style throughout, Van Sciver alternates between revealing himself as an insecure and financially strapped 29-year-old and as a frightened kid navigating the random nature of life at One Dirty Tree. In the former story line, he works food-service, agonizes over getting anywhere as a cartoonist, and feels judged as a loser by his girlfriend. This is overshadowed by the latter, Alison Bechdel-esque narrative, in which his large Mormon family “was in decline” from a golden age he never experienced, except through photos of “smiling children in new clothes, with new toys.” Van Sciver’s childhood was loomed over by his sometimes violent bipolar father and frustrated writer mother, neither of whom did much parenting. The simple figure drawings are situated in text-heavy frames and, befitting the repressed emotions roiling under the surface, the colors are muted, bordering on drab. While affectionate in many memories, Van Sciver also powerfully illustrates the scars raked across an adult life by a chaotic upbringing.”
Denver Post: “Noah Van Sciver’s comics have always dripped with a near-stifling intimacy. From award-winning and acclaimed graphic novels “Hypo: The Melancholic Young Lincoln” to the heavily satirical “Fante Bukowski” series and his strips for Mad Magazine, the 34-year-old employs squiggle and scrawl to evince life’s uncertain moments . . . One Dirty Treeis part memoir, part failed-relationship postmortem. Van Sciver created some of his most important work in Denver before moving to Columbus, Ohio (and, in the last couple weeks, to Columbia, S.C.), so it’s not surprising to see he’s continued situating scenes carefully in time and space. But the details that tumble out of his skull — a raccoon footprint in the concrete, a spackled wall that looks like a human head on fire– tend to land on bittersweet notes, especially when coupled with his noodly visual style . . . Van Sciver’s imagery has an uncanny, if deceptively casual, ability to communicate the seems-like-forever stretches of his anxiety and hunger in early adolescence. His father, diagnosed bipolar, stopped working and eventually disappeared — having ripped up the family’s kitchen one night under the auspices of a renovation that never materialized. The man looms with alternate menace (the sound of a snapping belt quickly turned the house silent) and detachment, a dark yet mostly idle cloud . . . For readers used to reading comics as either Sunday funnies or sleek, monolithic superheroes, it can be a disorienting swivel. But for fans of Van Sciver — or all manner of thoughtful autobiographies and wry humor — it’s comforting in a way that’s better experienced than described. Slim though it may be, “One Dirty Tree” is a masterful reminder that past is present, at least as much as we want it to be.”
Breeana Shields. Poison’s Cage. Random House Books for Young Readers, Jan. 16. YA fantasy romance. Based on Indian folklore and Hindu beliefs. Poison’s Kiss #2.
Kirkus: A fantasy romance influenced by Hindu cosmology concludes its quest with exhaustive thoroughness. In Sundari, a fantasy land with the flavor of the Indian subcontinent, Marinda spies on her former masters. Marinda was raised as a visha kanya, an assassin so packed with snake venom that she murders with a kiss. She’s now working for the Raja to bring down the followers of the Snake King, who’d almost succeeded in sacrificing Marinda’s beloved baby brother to their god. The machinations of the Naga leave her exhausted. Marinda’s old friend Iyla is here as well, and she also claims to be working for the Naga. Is she double-crossing the Snake King or triple-crossing Marinda? In first-person chapters from both Marinda’s and Iyla’s points of view the two girls navigate their desire to do right, their love for one another, their history of betrayal, and their romances with two handsome young men outside the Naga. Marinda learns to speak with serpents, while Iyla discovers the gods made manifest in human form. Uneven worldbuilding diminishes the coherence of this mostly preindustrial, mostly desi society, and a tidy resolution sweeps away any magical messiness in favor of uncomplicated smooches. A strong thread of the importance of female friendship makes this adventure rise above Marinda’s bland romance.
Anita Stansfield. The Lady of Astoria Abby. Covenant, Oct. 1. Historical romance.
Kristen Tracy. Half-Hazard. Greywolf Press, Nov. 6. Poetry. The Poetry Foundation’s 2017 Emily Dickinson First Book Award winner.
“Half-Hazard is a book of near misses, would-be tragedies, and luck. As Kristen Tracy writes in the title poem, “Dangers here. Perils there. It’ll go how it goes.” The collection follows Tracy’s wide curiosity, from her growing up in a small Mormon farming community to her exodus out into the forbidden world, where she finds snakes, car accidents, adulterers, meteors, and death-marked mice. These wry, observant narratives are accompanied by a ringing lyricism and Tracy’s own knack for noticing what’s so funny about trouble and her natural impulse to want to put all the broken things back together. Full of wrong turns, false loves, quashed beliefs, and a menagerie of animals, Half-Hazard introduces a vibrant new voice in American poetry, one of resilience, faith, and joy.” Poems also about the early deaths of two of her siblings.
Kristen Tracy grew up in a small Mormon farming community in Idaho. BA at Loyola Marymount, MA in American Literature from BYU, an MFA from Vermont College, and a PhD in English from Western Michigan University. Her poems have appeared in over two dozen literary journals.Tracy won the 2017 Emily Dickinson First Book Award for her manuscript Half-Hazard, which was previously a finalist for the Yale Younger Poets Prize and a semi-finalist for the Walt Whitman Award. She is the author of 12 YA and MG novels. Tracy is married to the author Brian Evenson, and does not appear to be a practicing Mormon.
PW (Starred): “Tracy, a prolific author of tween and teen fiction, debuts in verse with an irresistible collection selected for the Poetry Foundation’s Emily Dickinson First Book Award. These energetic poems showcase a writer who knows how to draw readers in—with short sentences, quick turns, and a comic edge that courts disaster. Tracy opens with an escape from a religious upbringing: “I fell from a Bible. A half-blonde tease./ With a good good start, I struck out/ God-filled and thrilled.” She recounts spotting a former coworker having sex in the cooler, admitting that “Tight-assed and aging. Beholden// only to her own climb and joy. It took me years/ to admire exactly what she’d done.” Animals are ever-present across a variety of settings (zoo, circus, yard, canyon) and in visceral encounters that would rewrite the scripts of captivity and danger. For example, the tiger at the magic show “could lead a completely different life if it stopped/ being so good at performing.” The title poem, a wacky villanelle about the putting a girl on the moon, amusingly presumes she would be safer there than on Earth: “Does a girl who lacks parties turn blue in pitch black?/ Dangers here. Perils there. It’ll go how it goes.” Readers should feel refreshed by Tracy’s enjoyable turn to the lyric.”
Shelf-Awareness: “Veteran young adult novelist Kristen Tracy’s Half-Hazard is a stunning debut collection of poems both playful in language and thoughtful in observation.”
Mikel Vause. A Last Call for Young Men. Kelsay Books, Feb. Poetry.
Mikel Vause taught in the Weber State University English Department for 35 years. holds a Ph.D from Bowling Green University. He is author of numerous articles, poems and short stories and is author or editor of six books. In 2016 he was a Pushcart Prize nominee for his poem “What said the Thunder.” On Oct. 17, Vause spoke as part of the “Last Lecture” series at Weber State, on “Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Righter of Wrongs”. The lecture was about Doyle and his various public crusades. In particular, he visited Utah in 1923 on a lecture tour about spiritualism, and ended up apologizing for his negative portrayal of Mormons in his 1886 novel A Study in Scarlet.
Mechel Wall and R.H. Roberts. Forbidden Faith. Bonneville/Cedar Fort, July 10. Book of Mormon historical fiction. About King Noah, and his righteous mother and wife.
Elizabeth Reid, Deseret Book. “The plights of Mera, Noah’s mother, and Tamar, his wife, are not surprisingly sad, but wading through page after page of their unhappiness over Noah’s lifestyle gets old fast. Writers Mechel Wall and R.H. Roberts have great material to work with, but they get stuck putting a main character in a pottery shop while bemoaning her fate instead of taking literary advantage of what could be an exciting storyline. While the first half of the book lags, the coming of Abinadi adds some suspense and action to the second half. The danger associated with the covert meetings of believers, along with more direct action, rather than characters talking about things that happened, also helps add some zing to the book. Although “Forbidden Faith” is a religious historical book, it could do with less religious angst and more action. The novel has some strengths. Reading about King Noah’s life through the eyes of women is an interesting way to view him. Also, the identity of Abinadi adds mystery to the book. The back story of why a righteous king like Zeniff would have given control of his kingdom to his obviously sinful son is also well-thought-out.”
Heather Dixon Wallback. The Enchanted Sonata. Self, Oct. 14. YA (?) fantasy. Retelling of the Nutcracker, with a dash of the pied piper.
Camron Wright. Christmas by Accident. Shadow Mountain, Sept. 25. Christmas romance/humor. “Carter is an insurance adjuster whose longing for creative expression spills over sometimes into his accident reports. Abby works for her adoptive father, Uncle Mannie, in the family bookstore, the ReadMore Café. Carter barely tolerates Christmas; Abby loves it. She can’t wait past October to build her favorite display, the annual Christmas book tree stack, which Carter despises.When an automobile accident throws Carter and Abby together, Uncle Mannie, who is harboring secrets of his own, sees a chance for lasting happiness for his little girl. But there are so many hurdles, and not much time left. Will this Christmas deliver the miracle everyone is hoping for? Where love and Christmas are concerned, there are no accidents.”
Compass Book Rating: “Christmas by Accident is the perfect read to get in the holiday spirit! Fast-paced and often end in cliffhangers, which make the novel nearly impossible to put down. The romantic relationship between Abby and Carter is sweet and affectionate. Wright is a descriptive writer, including lots of vivid detail and figurative language. Many pop culture references are included, with sly humor used to lighten the heavier parts of the plot. A satisfying ending makes Christmas by Accident not only entertaining, but an inspiring and festive read. Pick up this holiday tale today!”
Julie Wright. Lies, Love, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Shadow Mountain, Nov. 6. Romance.
PW: “Wright follows Lies Jane Austen Told Me with a delightful winner that pits two friends against Hollywood’s “wretched hive of scum and villainy.” Portal Pictures’ newest assistant film editor, Sylvia Bradshaw, is under the gun working on the studio’s latest potentially Oscar-worthy movie. Her boss, Dean Thomas, is always absent even when he’s present. The night before the film’s final cuts are due, Sylvia is trying to drag a very drunken Dean back to the studio when former boss Ben Armstrong comes to the rescue. It turns out Ben’s been carrying a torch for Sylvia since forever, but his Galahad moment of helping her out eventually backfires, costing them both big time. It takes a little forgivable deus ex machina to get Sylvia and Ben to their happy ending. Thanks to dialogue that’s peppered with movie references and sweet scenes with Sylvia’s lovable grandma, contemporary romance fans will be charmed.”
Reviews of Older Books
James Goldberg. Phoenix Song(Scott Hales). “James Goldberg writes beautiful poems that open the mind and heart. This collection is a survivor’s love letter to humanity and community. It is a meditation on God and his word. Mostly I think these poems are an expression of gratitude for life, however painful and complex it can be.Phoenix Songis a quieter, less ambitious work than James’s previous collection of poems, Let Me Drown with Moses. But as such it is a more mature, more confident, and altogether more profound artistic accomplishment. It is a masterwork of Mormon poetry.”
K. C. Grant. The Neverland Inn(Jennie Hansen, Meridian Magazine) 4 stars. “The author has created likable characters and realistic dialog without delving too deeply into psychological reasons behind obsessive personalities. Sarah and Daniel have fun, but they remain adults without the childish behavior often seen in contemporary romance novels. The setting is well done and the plot, though predictable, moves forward in an enjoyable manner. References and a minor plot pertaining to a young handicapped man and a class of children with developmental problems is well done and adds depth to the main character. An interesting side light to the story is the addition of a recipe at the end of each chapter. Each recipe is for a dish served in the story.”
Heidi Naylor, Revolver. (Susan Rowe, Literary Mama). “What’s remarkable about Heidi Naylor’s debut collection of stories, Revolver, isn’t their lush language, nuanced plots, or even the vast array of settings she manages to include in one slim volume—from Victorian England to a Pennsylvania steel town to a railway trestle outside Great Salt Lake. Any one of these accomplishments is cause for celebration, but what makes Revolver such a delight to read are the complex and beautifully rendered characters that inhabit these stories. In the title story we meet Hal Klink, whose peaceful, small-town existence as a widower with a grown, American daughter would never suggest his true allegiance during the Second World War. His attendance at a Memorial Day event prompts the return of a horrifying memory that forces him to see the comforts of his present in the context of his past. Then there’s the recently divorced Ripley McCord, a self-absorbed businessman who agrees to meet his ex-wife for a drink on the eve of his 58th birthday in ‘A Season of Curing.’ Throughout the evening, McCord battles himself to overcome the petty annoyances and past hurts that have marred every relationship he’s ever had. McCord appears again later in the collection, this time in a chance encounter with the character Ginger in ‘The Mandelbrot Set.’ The teenage Ginger suffers an attack that changes her from a curious, idealistic young woman into a reclusive, relationship-avoiding adult whose only comfort is in the logic of math. Despite their varied circumstances, the characters in Revolver share a common struggle. They balance precariously between the past and a future that holds out hope that life has more to offer—more beauty, more mystery, more surprise—if only they will dare to believe it.”
Jennifer Nielson. Resistance (Jessica George). 4 stars. “Fascinating book about couriers- Jewish youth who looked “Aryan” enough to smuggle things into and out of the ghettos- and the Warsaw ghetto uprising. It took me a bit to get into this book, I really didn’t have a sense for who Chaya was until the book was well underway. But when it got going, it was very intense and heartbreaking.”
Brandon Sanderson. Legion (Saul Marquez, Deseret News). “Bound together, the three novellas feel like a television show, with each story the episode of a series. But the nature of their shorter length has its limits — and they’re noticeable. Such an interesting premise deserves deep exploration, but the stories never have enough breath to truly flesh out the themes and world as much as the reader may want. Stephen’s story feels more like an action adventure in the vein of “Mission Impossible” than a study of the mind like Christopher Nolan’s “Inception,” though there are moments where it seems to want to be the latter. The final novella, “Lies of the Beholder,” suffers from its length more than its predecessors. While mostly satisfying, answering questions posed back in the first novella, it feels rushed, reading more like the epilogue to a story rather than a fully fleshed out story on its own. That’s not to say “Legion” lacks depth. The intersection of psychology, philosophy and religion is prominently discussed in Sanderson’s novellas, not unlike many of his novels. And these discussions fit surprisingly well given the subject matter. “Legion” will leave readers pondering over the link between reality, heart and mind long after turning the final page. In fact, Sanderson said writing the novellas was an introspective and personal experience in the book’s preface. Ultimately, “Legion” might not stand as tall as some of Sanderson’s better-known works, but there’s a lot to love. Like Stephen Leeds himself, the novellas are flawed but captivating. Quirky characters, thoughtful ideas and action-packed stories make it the perfect binge read for anyone who wants a dash of excitement with a tinge of insanity and introspection in their life.”
Ryan Shoemaker. Beyond the Lights (Theric Jepson). “Ryan sent me his collection back in May and I’ve been reading it off and on. I have mixed feelings about his stuff. His funny stuff is hit/miss for me (the shorter the missier) and his serious stuff largely involves taking awful people and letting them be awful. I do prefer ones with a hint of redemption (“Great Heights“) or that are willing to be surreal without succumbing to the silly (“Lost in Furniture Land“—which [absurdism aside] is almost an identical tale to “Great Heights” and follows it immediately in the book, which is a strange editing choice…). I appreciate the craft of his awful people behaving awfully stories, but sometimes the push credulity (“Our Students“—although this story might just push my buttons because it takes place at a high school; Ryan has it out for high school, both students and teachers). One thing I find interesting about Ryan’s CV is how he … I don’t want to say recycles, although that’s not unfair, but how he revisits works, like Magritte painting rocks in the air over and over and over. I don’t just mean publishing the same story in two places—that’s great and more outlets should be willing to do that. Nor do I mean really liking the name Hector. The sort of recycling (I’m going for it) is “Brigham Kimball: Mormon Missionary Extraordinaire” also appearing as “Parley Young: One Mormon Life”—a longer (and, in my opinion, better) version of the same. (The two version appear to have been published just months apart.) Or taking “Bing,” originally published in Irreantum, and giving it a new title (“Beyond the Lights”), sending it successfully through Santa Monica Review‘s slushpile and republishing it. (Full disclosure: Ryan told SMR that it had been previously published.) Again, I don’t have problems with these reuses, but in neither case is the first-publisher-under-an-alternate-title cited in the Acknowledgments. Which seems a bit weird to me.”
Film
Jane and Emma. Chantelle Squires, director. Melissa Leilani Larson, writer. Jenn Lee Smith, Madeline Jorgenson, Tamu Smith and Zandra Vranes, producers. Deseret Book, Inspired by true events, it tells the story of two women (Jane Manning James and Emma Smith) who forged an unlikely friendship against the backdrop of race, religion and gender issues in 1844.
Released Oct. 12, 2018, to 21 theaters in Utah. In its first weekend it made $84,512 ($4024 average, 21 theaters). By Oct. 21 it has made $184,795. It appears to be on pace to do as well as the 2015 film Once I Was a Beehive, which made $732,655.
Reviews: Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune. 3 stars. “The drama “Jane and Emma”takes an intimate and intense approach to a historic event —the 1844 slaying of Joseph Smith, founder and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints —through the eyes of two women close to the scene . . . Squires, filming in Utah (most of the exteriors were shot at This Is the Place Historic Village), keeps the story on a human scale; Larson, who is also a playwright, could transfer this to the stage with little alteration. That puts all the pressure on the lead actors, Deadwyler and Goss, to shoulder the weight, and they do so with understated intensity.
Many among the behind-the-camera talent on “Jane and Emma” —Squires (who also edited the film), Larson and many of the film’s producers —are women, and the film carries a subtly woven commentary about the strength of women during adversity. That strength is embodied by the title characters, putting this major moment in Latter-day Saint history in a new light.”
Eric D. Snider, Crooked Marque: B. “Directed by first-timer Chantelle Squires from a screenplay by Latter-day Saint author Melissa Leilani Larson, this is the rare film that’s spiritually uplifting without glossing over the hard parts . . . I’d like to see a movie someday focused entirely on Emma Smith’s life, but this one has the narrower scope of exploring her friendship with Jane, who emerges as a pragmatic, not-to-be-messed-with source of comfort and wisdom. Danielle Deadwyler, whose most prominent role before this was on Tyler Perry’s Oprah Winfrey Network soap opera The Haves and the Have Nots, brings rich, soulful nuance to the character of Jane Manning as she fights to maintain the inner peace the gospel brings her. It’s unfortunate that Emily Goss’ performance as Emma, while fitfully convincing and sometimes even powerful, lacks the strength and energy of Deadwyler’s. Their many scenes together are often imbalanced for this reason. Larson’s tight screenplay (which assumes some familiarity with but not necessarily adherence to the LDS faith) has the two women asking tough questions about their faith, their religion, and their faith in their religion, but it never paints either of them as wholly one thing or another. Both women are flawed, and so is Joseph. Emma, who left the church after Joseph’s death and didn’t trek to Utah with Brigham Young and the pioneers, has been the subject of much character assassination by judgmental Latter-day Saints (then and now), but Jane and Emma doesn’t perpetuate that. It does, however, show how similar people can follow different paths when their faith is tested, reminding us to be grateful if our own tests haven’t been as agonizing.”
The Other Side of Heaven II: Fires of Faith. June 7, 2019. Mitch Davis, director. Steven Lee, producer. TC Christensen, cinematographer. Marshall Davis, editor. Molen and Disney not involved this time. Elder John Groberg, though this time he has returned to Tonga in the 1960s as a married man with five daughters. Drama revolves in large measure around Groberg’s son, who is born so ill that he is unable to even leave Tonga for the medical care he needs to survive.
The Promethean.Ryan Little, director. Ryan Kelley, actor/producer. Based on the Kohl Glass short film. Kickstarter.
Theatre and Dance
Janine Gilbert. Leaving Eden. Rexburg, BYU-Idaho Snow Black Box Theatre, Oct. 26-27. The play is based on stories by Jack Harrell. Gilbert and Harrell are both faculty members at BYU-Idaho English Department. Gilbert adapted the stories “The Lone and Dreary World,” “The Trestle,” and “Jerome and the Ends of the Universe”–from Jack Harrell’s 2010 AML-award winning collection “A Sense of Order and Other Stories”–added some flourishes of her own, and made a single play that moves in and out of each story, developing a central theme.
“When Adam and Eve leave Eden, they set in motion a sweeping human narrative, freeing God’s children to determine their own fate. The consequences of that choice play out in their own lives and in the lives of their modern offspring as Adam’s own story entwines with the stories of Lon, a forklift operator offered a second chance at happiness—for a price—and Jerome and Andie, two floundering souls seeking the rules that govern the universe and love. This thoughtful reimagination of the first creation weaves together the strands of their stories as they grapple with the weight and glory of God’s agency, discovering the hope and promise awaiting those who leave Eden.
Matthew Greene. Good Standing. Plan-B, Studio Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, SLC, Oct. 18-28. Also November 4 at the United Solo Theatre Festival, New York. A gay Mormon faces excommunication a week after marrying the man of his dreams. A solo play about faith, hope and catharsis. A single actor, Austin Archer, takes on 16 roles including the young man being excommunicated along with the members of the high council and stake presidency. “Like every Plan-B work with Mormonism and LGTBQ thematic elements incorporated, Greene sets a path that can surprise Mormons and non-Mormons. There are no polemics, apologetics, rueful proclamations or sweeping bitter declarations. But, there are plenty of moments where the complexities of ordinary men reveal themselves, as they struggle to comprehend, abide by and satisfy the demands for perfection as a member in ‘good standing’ of a church created by imperfect, complicated men.”
Salt Lake Tribune feature story. RadioWest interview with the playwright, director, and actor.
Sarah Claverie, UTBA. “Good Standing is an expertly written and performed one-man-show produced by Plan-B Theatre Company. Matthew Greene wrote this piece and put a very intimate and emotional work onstage . . . Archer did an amazing job playing each role. As Brother Stillman, he took on a more elderly persona and by the way he talked I felt like I could see his big gray comb mustache. When he became the more easygoing character, he had a bouncy note in his voice and more generous looking mannerisms, spreading his arms wider and more frequently. Not only were the different voices fun, but he delved deep into the emotions of each character so that I could see the real person behind each voice, and I felt like I could empathize with each one, no matter what they said they believed. That was an amazing feat by Archer because based on some of the speech he could have easily made a couple characters seem less human and more “bigots,” but he chose to make them as real as possible so that we the audience could choose based on our own experience, rather than be led by the actor’s preconceived opinions. The ending was tearful for many in the audience, including my sister, and I was touched by the message I got from Greene’s handiwork. I am grateful they shared this story, and all the experiences contained in it. This is appropriate for adult audiences and the content is specifically valuable to anyone with past experience in the Mormon church. I’m glad I got to see the 75-minute, one-man show, and I hope to see more of Greene’s shows in the future.”
Matthew Greene. Thousand Pines. Westcourt Country Playhouse, Westport, Connecticut. Oct. 30-Nov. 17. A story of common humanity struggling with grief, healing, and forgiveness in the wake of a shooting at Thousand Pines Junior High School. Through the interactions of three families on a Thanksgiving Day, this important and riveting new drama brings the national dialogue about gun violence to the Playhouse stage.”
James Omar Hansen. Hauntings. Oct. 19, 20, 27, 30. Wasatch Theatre Company, SLC. “Hauntings is a series of ghostly and scary stories for the whole family. It will put everyone in the spirit for Halloween!”
Gayanne Ramsden King and Robert Peterson.The Princess and the Goblin. Orem Library, Nov. 5. This is a musical adaption of George MacDonald’s classic tale with music by Robert Peterson. Book is written by BYU alumnus Gayanne Ramsden King with lyrics by Robert Peterson, Gayanne Ramsden King, and George G. King. This is a story for the whole family so don’t miss out on this event!
Glen Nelson (libretto), Stu Maxfield and Andrew Maxfield (music). The Bridge. SALT Contemporary Dance. Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, November 8-10. The 2016 rock opera is having a having a second life as ballet. The story is an adaptation of Ambrose Bierce’s short story “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,”with original music. It is choreographed by Brendan Duggan (2017 winner of the WMU National Choreography Competition).
BYU Microburst Theatre. BYU Nelke Theatre, Oct. 18-20. New short plays by BYU students, directed by George Nelson. Featured playwrights and their works included: “A Sentimental Journey” by Susanna Bezooyen which tells the semi-biographical narrative of her grandmother who was widowed at 23 with three children during World War I; “Drive Ins” by Mariah Eames chronicles the consequences of alcoholism on a father-daughter relationship; “Fleeting Like Butterflies” by Greta Gebhard features a lighthearted conversation between a bookworm and a klutz as they wait for their bus; “Will I” by Daniel Barton presents a work open to interpretation about a man struggling with the death of his wife; “Sepulchre” by Katelyn Anderson tells the story of two Hungarian officers treating a Soviet soldier during World War II; and, “The Abnegation” by Mandarin Wilcox which showcases the difficult decision a Mormon girl faces when deciding to serve a mission.
Bestsellers
Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11
Tara Westover. Educated
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Shannon Hale, et al. The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare
PW Children’s Fiction: x, #8 (1 week). No numbers.
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RaeAnne Thayne. Season of Wonder
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Christine Feehan. Covert Game
USA Today: x, x, #8, #194, #149 (2 weeks)
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Brandon Mull. Wrath of the Dragon King
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Mackenzi Lee. The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy
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Kiersten White. The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
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Brandon Sanderson. Legion: The Many Lives of Steven Leeds
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