It is nearly two months since my last “Month in Review”, and there is a huge backlog of material, so I am splitting this review into two parts. This post will cover newly published books, book reviews, and bestseller lists. Part two will cover literary news, short stories, movies, and plays.
New Books and their reviews
Scott Abbott. Immortal for Quite Some Time. University of Utah Press, Oct. 15. Autobiography/Memoir. Early excerpts have appeared in Irreantum 7:1, 2005 and Dialogue 44:1, 2011.
“This is not a memoir. Rather, this is a fraternal meditation on the question ‘Are we friends, my brother?’ The story is uncertain, the characters are in flux, the voices are plural, the photographs are as troubled as the prose. This is not a memoir.” Thus Scott Abbott introduces the reader to his exploration of the life of his brother John, a man who died of AIDS in 1991 at the age of forty. Writing about his brother, he finds he is writing about himself and about the warm-hearted, educated, and homophobic LDS family that forged the core of his identity. Images and quotations are interwoven with the reflections, as is a critical female voice that questions his assertions and ridicules his rhetoric. The book moves from the starkness of a morgue’s autopsy through familial disintegration and adult defiance to a culminating fraternal conversation. This exquisitely written work will challenge notions of resolution and wholeness. Winner of the book manuscript prize in creative nonfiction in the Utah Arts Council’s Original Writing Competition.”
Blurb: “Searching and unsentimental, this memoir and memorial (re)creates a brotherhood, making sense of a life that is past and meaning for a life still to be lived. In re-membering his brother’s life—literally putting it back together from scraps of paper and photographs and fragments of memory and story—Abbott reorders his own life, too, making new connections between past and present, living and dead. The result is a luminous testament to both the power and the pain of brotherly love.” —Kristine Haglund.
Tory C. Anderson. Bus Driver Diaries. Oryander Publishing, Sept. 4. After fifteen years traveling the world in the high tech industry, Tory Anderson found himself driving his first busload of kids. What started as an act of desperation turned into a life changing experience that led to courage he was lacking, and love he didn’t know he had. Bus Driver Diaries puts you in the driver’s seat with Tory to experience the world that unfolds on a bus in-between school and home. Amid the noise and frustration you will find a world of beauty, wonder, and humor. After reading this book, every sighting of a school bus will bring a smile to your face.
Brodi Ashton. Diplomatic Immunity. Balzer + Bray, Sept. 6. YA thriller/romance.“Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story’s main subject.”
PW: “Ashton delivers a thoroughly enjoyable romance between Piper Baird, an aspiring reporter who will do anything to get a scoop, and Raf Amador, a well-meaning but somewhat misguided playboy and son of the Spanish ambassador to the United States. The two romantic leads meet cute almost as soon as Piper arrives at prestigious Chiswick Academy, with Piper immediately infuriated by Raf, though also intrigued by and attracted to him. Piper is a new scholarship student at Chiswick, and Ashton plays up the school’s social divisions throughout the novel. Piper sees Raf as her ticket to winning the prestigious Bennington Scholarship, which may be the only way she will be able to afford college, and befriends him in hopes of writing a scandalous tell-all about the above-the-rules lives of the privileged children of diplomats. The romance between Pip and Raf and its inevitable speed bumps hit familiar marks, but Ashton’s talent for sharp banter and Piper’s journalistic drive fuel this fun and fulfilling read.”
SLJ: “This fish-out-of-water love story between gorgeous Raf and gruff, opinionated Piper will appeal to many readers. Piper is initially an off-putting, cranky protagonist, but she is greatly softened as she deals with the smooth, too-good-to-be-true Rafael. The book’s portrayal of the younger siblings with autism is handled with appropriate grace and thoughtfulness. The narrative does take a while to get to the core of its mystery, but it’s hardly noticeable once Piper and Rafael start to grow close. VERDICT This novel will satisfy teens looking for a good romance with a dash of thriller.”
Kirkus: “Readers will have no difficulty guessing much of the subsequent plot, but only die-hard romance fans will believe the final resolution. Piper’s family’s economic woes, her work at the Yogurt Shop, and her on-the-spectrum little brother help to keep things real amid the romantic fluff. A smoothly written, standard-issue romance.”
Elizabeth Reid, Deseret News. “Ashton’s latest novel is a winner and can delight longtime fans of her writing and new readers alike. The romance between Piper and Rafael is palpable and makes for a wonderful romantic read. It can be easy to forget this is a work of fiction because the characters and plot are so well-written. With an autistic brother, a father with mafia ties, bodyguards continually popping up and living on food stamps intertwined, “Diplomatic Immunity” combines two very different worlds and makes both come to life.
Amie and Stephanie Borst. Snow Fright. Jolly Fish Press, Oct. 4. Middle Grade speculative. Scarily Ever After #3. A girl becomes a zombie, goes to the underworld.
Heather Chapman. The Second Season. Sweetwater/Cedar Fort, Sept. 1. Regency romance. Debut. Deseret News review.
Larry Correia and Mike Kupari. Alliance of Shadows. Baen, Oct. 4. Dead 6 #3. Military adventure. “Europe has spiraled into chaos. A conspiracy years in the making combined with general unrest lead to upheaval and revolution. In the midst of the murderous disorder, mercenary Michael Valentine is in Europe with a small team of his Exodus personnel trying to track down the evil and highly dangerous Katarina Montalban. She has initiated a mysterious plot to do away with those who stand between her and ultimate power. The team is on their own, with few friends, few resources—and racing against the clock.”
James Dashner. The Fever Code. Maze Runner #5. Delacorte, Sept. 27. The second prequel to The Maze Runner. The novel is written from various points of view, including Thomas and Newt. It focuses on the training that Thomas and the others undergo before being sent into the Maze, and the relationships between the gladers before they underwent the mental ‘swipe’ brainwashing.
Brandon Dorman. The Alien that Ate my Socks. Shadow Mountain, Sept. 6. Early reader illustrated book, by the illustrator of the Fablehaven books. Go-cart racing kids and aliens.
PW: “This madcap series opener from Dorman (the Fablehaven series) begins with third-grader Henry Hooligan and his two older brothers racing go-carts with their archenemy, Rock Rubinstein, down Deadman’s Hill. When a huge purple creature appears in the road, it sends the brothers’ cart careening into a neighbor’s home, and when the boys sneak back up the hill to investigate, the creature hugs middle brother Hector, leaving him as smelly as the creature itself and temporarily unable to speak. Eventually, the brothers learn that the creature is a friendly alien named Hoolie with a voracious appetite for clothing. Their parents and neighbors are unsure about how to handle the situation, but when Hoolie proves his heroism during a house fire, they decide to protect him from a mysterious group trying to capture him. The near-constant wisecracking and trash-talking among the Hooligan brothers starts to wear thin pretty quickly, and while a steady stream of action and jokes push the story forward briskly, it’s best for those with a high tolerance for goofy inanity and gross-out gags.”
Kirkus: “Corny jokes, constant banter, and high jinks abound. While the humor is squeaky-clean and the Hooligan brothers have good hearts, the repetitive jokes, flat story, and too-familiar premise quickly grow stale. Other than the giant purple alien, the entire main cast appears to be white. Line drawings adorn most pages. Proof that there is such a thing as too silly.”
Chelsea Dyreng. The Last Messenger of Zitol. Sweetwater/Cedar Fort, Sept. 13. YA historical romance. Set in ancient Mayan Central America. Taken captive to the magnificent kingdom of Zitol, an ancient American city with a passion for food, gold, and human sacrifice, Rishi is forced to decide between betraying her virtue or being sacrificed to the city’s pagan gods.
Bookworm Lisa. 4.5 stars. “Dyreng has once again surprised me with her writing and story. This book is an adventure of an ancient past. I love the fictional setting that explore issues that the people of ancient America lived . . . Dyreng has a way with words and description. I could imagine her setting and the people.”
Sarah M. Eden. The Sheriffs of Savage Wells. Shadow Mountain, Sept. 27. Western historical romance. A Proper Romance. Savage Wells is a funny tip of the hat to two of Eden’s author friends.
PW: “Eden unites a spirited markswoman and a tough-as-nails lawman, each vying to be sheriff of the town of Savage Wells, in this chaste and tender historical set in the rugged Wyoming Territory of 1875 . . . Sparks fly amid witty banter between Paisley and Cade, enhancing a slow-paced, character-centric Old West tale that emphasizes personal journeys. Readers who favor a gentler historical with verbal sparring and modest flirting will find this novel appealing.”
Kirkus: “Eden offers a fun, heartwarming Wild West tale that rises above its shaky romantic conflict through great writing, an unexpected plot, a quirky heroine, and the larger-than-life man who loves her. A clever, entertaining romance, especially recommended for readers who prefer a chaste storyline without an overtly religious message.”
Mindy, LDSWBR. 5 stars. “I have a new favorite Sarah Eden book. There are so many things I loved about this book. First off, the cover is eye-catching, as well as the title . . . I also loved how the whole “choosing of the sheriffs went”, it was a great way to keep the pace and throughout the book there were so many enjoyable plot twists and surprises that kept the pages turning fast. I loved the supporting characters, too. My favorite was Andrew and Cade and Paisley’s relationship with him. Paisley taught Cade the ways of the Savage Wells and people in it and I appreciate her kindness and patience. I loved how the plot switched to something else that I wasn’t expecting. The ending was perfect and it was what the characters deserved.”
Rachael Eliker. The Midnight Slaves. Self, Aug. 15. Dystopian thriller. The robots in a future society turn out to be human slaves.
Rameumpton, Millennial Star. “Well written with descriptions of people, animals and places flowing easily through its pages. The dialogue is natural and convincing. The characters are believable and have a good depth of character developed. It is written with the modern reader in mind, lots of action and interaction. It definitely kept me engaged through the book with strong dialogue and action . . . There were just a few small issues that I had with the writing . . . we see some questions answered by a person-in-the-know, rather than allowing important facts and past events unravel naturally. Some of these things are told, rather than discovered by the characters and readers together.”
Richard Paul Evans. Fall of Hades. Michael Vey #6. Sept. 13. YA speculative.
Eric Freeze. Invisible Men. Outpost19, Sept. 1. Short story collection. “In his latest collection of short fiction, Eric Freeze puts his breathtaking talent in service of witty and heartbreaking storytelling. This is a dazzling mix that feels remarkably effortless, from “The Virgins” (an homage to Rick Moody) to the formally innovative (“Mr. America”). A wild fabulist strain runs throughout, from “The Ice Woman” to “The Invisible Invisible Man,” in which a pair of overalls keeps a husband out of sight. Following his award-winning Hemingway on A Bike, Freeze continues to hit his stride.”
“Ovid’s got nothing on these brand new metamorphic fictions found in Eric Freeze’s transformative Invisible Men. Osmotic in content and flexible in form, these stories turn themselves inside out, unhinge and pivot, a collection of epiphianic epiphanies. Reading these, we wake, newly genetically engineered Gregor Samsas, to these transcendent dreams evolving into these monstrously sublime visions.”– Michael Martone, author of Four A Quarter
“From the chilling thought experiment called “Duplex,” which opens this powerful collection, to the strange and beautiful elegy to a lost life called “Ice Woman” that closes it, Eric Freeze investigates with not a little humor and plenty of sorrow, the chasms and chaos several men (and a few women) leave behind when they disappear.”– Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted
“A smart, funny, and moving collection. Freeze creates characters and voices that ring true―you know these people―while at the same time constantly surprising with what they think and do. If other readers are anything like me, they’ll be reflecting on these stories for a good long while after finishing them. There’s some magic in these pages.”– Ian Stansel, the author of Everbody’s Irish
Jared Nathan Garrett. The Seer. Self, Oct. 3. Fantasy. Part of the multi-author “Thirty Six” series. “On a dig in an Egyptian tomb, graduate intern Nathan Eckhoff finds the ancient cloak of Joseph, the dream interpreter who became the Grand Vizier of all Egypt. Yes, that Joseph, the one sold by his brothers to slavers, who rose from grim servitude to the most trusted position in the Pharaoh’s kingdom. Upon donning the ancient, extraordinary cloak, visions and perceptions assault Nathan- insights into the hearts of the people around him. At the same time, a mysterious being of strange power enters Nathan’s life with words and warnings that terrify Nathan.”
Shelley Bingham Husk. Grandma’s Christmas Wish. Leicester Bay, Aug. 23. Family/holiday.
Melanie Jacobson. Southern Charmed. Covenant, Sept. 1. Contemporary romance. A Louisiana Mormon girl is proud of being a southerner. When she was younger a mission president’s son infuriated her by mocking the south. Now they find themselves together as adults.
Bloggin’ ‘bout Books: A. “Although Southern Charmed is a light, breezy romance like this author’s previous novels, it has more depth than the others. Take Lila, for instance—she’s a typical Jacobson heroine, but the fact that she cares so much about both her underprivileged students and her mother’s grief makes her infinitely more likable than her successors. Her story is fuller than theirs as well, giving it more substance. Add in the vibrant, Technicolor setting and I think it’s safe to say that Jacobson has upped her game in a most satisfying way. Like its predecessors, Southern Charmed sparkles with warmth, romance, and the witty banter that Mel does so well. The ending is predictable, even cheesy, and yet I found myself sniffling and applauding at the same time. All the feels, I’m telling you, all the feels. I’ve always liked Melanie Jacobson, but Southern Charmed is her best yet. I adored it, y’all.”
Jacob Proffitt (4 stars): “I tend to enjoy Melanie Jacobson’s stories and I’m glad to see that hasn’t changed. Lila Mae and Max are charming from the start and I was engaged even though Lila’s motivations are entirely negative (which usually gripes me and slows down stories). I really liked how they worked together and reworked their past to build an interesting present. It doesn’t hurt, of course, that I have a soft spot for a Southern romance and Jacobson infuses this story with Southern charm. The last quarter lagged a bit, because of those negative motivations. You could see them running headlong into their intractably-opposed life goals . . . This and some awkward flashbacks and other minor pacing issue kept this at a solid four stars without edging higher. So yeah, a solid story with likeable characters and an awesome setting. I wish it was better geared for general audiences (see LDS below) as Jacobson’s talent deserves wider distribution. A note about LDS: This book is deeply LDS. It’s not even that the jargon or background will be jarring as it is that the motivations and approach to problem-solving is deeply informed by Mormon belief and practice. I appreciated that, actually, because it absolutely fit this story. But it will be hard for non-believers to approach as a result.”
Bookworm Lisa (4 stars). “This is a cute romance that is set in the Southern United States. Both of the characters are wonderful with a bright future ahead of them. They obstacle is whether or not that future includes the other. It is full of Southern culture, love, and some kissing. One part of the book brought tears to my eyes. It has nothing to do with the romance, but the worth of individuals. Lila teaches high school history. She makes an impact on one student. Her example and love show this young woman that she is of infinite worth and value. I loved the romance, but I loved the positive relationship between student and teacher more.”
Jennifer Jenkins. Clanless. Month9Books, Oct. 4. YA Fantasy. Nameless #2. Four groups vie for resources in a primitive land, and romance.
J. R. Johansson. The Row. Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, Oct. 11. YA mystery.
SLJ: “When Riley was six, her father was sentenced to death for the murders of three women. Eleven years of appeals later, Riley has never doubted he was wrongly convicted—until he admits his guilt to her during a prison visit. Is he telling a white lie to help her move forward, or is he finally coming clean? With weeks left until his execution, Riley embarks on a mission to finally confront the truth of these murders and hopefully exonerate her father. Assisted by Jordan, a boy whose family is also connected to the atrocities, she unearths family secrets and as many hints to her dad’s guilt as to his innocence. Amid the high-stakes plot twists, the author keeps Riley and Jordan grounded in the dark reality of their lives, showing Riley’s despair and fear as well as her admirable tenacity. Johansson has established herself as a go-to writer of emotionally resonant teen thrillers. VERDICT This timely story, evocative of the Serial podcast and Netflix’s Making a Murderer, will also appeal to reluctant readers and fans of April Henry and Barry Lyga.”
Kirkus: “The resulting mystery is a tad convoluted and ultimately a bit of a letdown, as readers will have little trouble connecting the dots. A distracting relationship with hot Latino teen Jordan Vega feels set up largely to provide drama via Jordan’s police-chief father. The couple follows the clues and goes through the mystery motions, but the kicker is they don’t end up solving the case—it’s largely done for them. The murderer’s motives for doing the deed and coming clean make sense, but that’s no substitute for a well-earned “mystery solved.” This decision hamstrings the novel, reframing Riley’s quest for truth as aimless flailing by an understandably distraught teenage girl. Riley’s race and ethnicity go unmentioned; absent markers to the contrary, readers will likely assume she is white. A great hook with deeply unsatisfying follow-through.”
Jason King and Jon Grundvig. Thomas Destiny. Immortal Works, Sept. 27. YA speculative. A 12-year old gets hurled into an alternative reality. “To achieve victory, Thomas and his party of would-be heroes will have to survive a forest infested with wraiths and zombies, scale a lava spewing mountain of fire, traverse a cursed desert, and face the greatest challenge of all: their own woeful incompetence, pointless in-fighting, and an A.D.D.-like tendency to stumble into unnecessary peril. It’ll take more than magic, bravery, and sacrifice for this band of misfits to save the Cosmos—it’ll take a miracle.” The first book from Immortal Works, a new publisher. The novel was previously self-published in 2012.
Matthew J. Kirby. Last Descendants: An Assassin’s Creed Novel. Scholastic, Aug. 30. YA speculative adventure/historical fiction. First in a series of tie-in novels to the Assassin’s Creed video games. A contemporary boy trying to clear his father’s name of a crime is introduced to a technology that allows people to explore genetic memories buried within their own DNA. He uses it to go into a genetic memory of the 1863 Draft Riots in New York City.
Kirkus: “The fascinating, free-wheeling blend of science, history, and action-adventure will make this a sure hit, even for those who haven’t played the video games. The consciously diverse cast includes, in addition to Owen, a Latino, an African-American brother and sister, a Central Asian girl, and a white boy in a wheelchair. Readers will be anxious for the second installment, soon to follow.”
Deseret News: “There are a few plot holes and a contrivance here and there, but the narrative is complex enough to serve as a driver for an exceptional character story. Even though the modern-era conclusion is less an ending and more a buildup to the sequel, “Last Descendants” is an immersive read, engrossing from beginning to end.”
Matthew J. Kirby. A Taste for Monsters. Scholastic, Sept. 27. YA supernatural historical mystery. Features Joseph Merrick (the Elephant Man) and Jack the Ripper.
PW (Starred): “In this grisly fantasy from Kirby (the Dark Gravity Sequence), the year is 1888 and London’s slums are soon to be terrorized by Leather Apron (later known as Jack the Ripper), who murders prostitutes in the most gruesome manner possible. In a nearby East End hospital resides a monster of a gentler sort: Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, who has a new maid, 17-year-old Evelyn Fallows. Some would label Evelyn a monster as well, her jaw destroyed by phosphorus necrosis from working in a match factory. Evelyn is initially repulsed by Merrick’s deformity, but she soon recognizes him as a gentle soul. After the murders commence, the ghosts of Leather Apron’s victims begin to appear in Merrick’s room. Concerned about the effect of these monstrous apparitions on Merrick’s health, Evelyn ventures into the slums in an attempt to put the suffering ghosts to rest. Evelyn—all grit, anger, and distrust—is a complex and engaging character, the slums and slang of Victorian-era London are carefully delineated, and the eventual revelation of Leather Apron’s identity and fate will leave readers gasping.”
Kirkus: “Luscious period-appropriate prose adds flavor: “Somehow, the serenity of his syncope rendered his features less monstrous.” Unfortunately, the trope in which a profoundly disabled character for whom death might be “a kind of mercy” acts as a lesson for a character, in this case Evelyn, with presumably more to live for is a stale one. A lovely, suspenseful, lyrical, imperfect paranormal mystery.”
SLJ: “This historical fiction blends horror with mystery and results in wonderfully crafted storytelling with strong, well-drawn characters. Kirby carefully balances the gruesome with a well-written, sensitive treatment of what could easily be lurid. VERDICT: A great read for fans of history, true crime, or ghost stories.”
Bibliobrit: “I am a big fan of MJK’s standalone books, and though they are all very different, they share an excitement and specificity about a historical setting, as well as creatively introducing different speculative elements, all wrapped up in an intensely human story. And he keeps getting better! A Taste for Monsters is a story of redemption set in a wonderfully drawn late 19th Century London, with a Gothic mood, and supernatural elements drawing from the spiritualist ideas of that era . . . The novel’s plotting and pacing, along with the character development, are so impeccable, I was just a little disappointed that Evelyn’s climactic epiphany seemed a tad too slick and easy. Nonetheless, the ending itself is satisfying and feels complete. Teens who enjoy a mix of history and fantasy will surely love this, but it’s also worth trying with fans of straight historical fiction like Mary Hooper’s Fallen Grace.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books. “The sweet, developing friendship between Evelyn and Merrick, in which both find acceptance and comfort, is surrounded by an atmosphere of menace and terror. Though the murders occur offstage, their gory results are described as Evelyn hunts for clues, emphasizing the evil at work. Even more chilling, though, is the appearance of the ghosts, not so much for their presence but more for the personal histories they tell as women already beaten down by the world well before the Ripper got to them. Kirby paints a picture in which the Ripper’s crimes are really just the extreme of the accepted abuse of women, abuse that Evelyn too encounters. Readers will find themselves falling down deep internet holes about both the Ripper and the Elephant Man, but if they catch a few current headlines, they may also wonder if the world has changed much in our treatment of the oppressed and helpless.”
Sheldon Lawrence. Hearts of the Fathers: A story of Heaven, Hell, and the hope of new life after life. Stillwaters Press, July 22. Speculative afterlife. “Fleeing from a deadly head on collision, a man descends into a hellish realm to hide from Heaven’s beckoning light. God can rescue him from the darkness, but escaping Hell is only the beginning. The greatest test will come as he confronts his broken relationships and sees himself and others in truth. In a journey through spirit worlds where beliefs, pain, and addictions continue to limit the progress of departed souls, Hearts of the Fathers takes on the critical question: How can we overcome the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual blocks that prevent us from reaching our God-given potential?”
Sarah Dunster review at A Motley Vision.
Gregg Luke. Infected. Covenant, Sept. 1. Disease thriller. Luke is a pharmacist, and often writes medical dramas. Mycologists in the rainforest of Venezuela on a research trip to study native fungi discover a deadly organism which could wipe out all life on the planet.
Jennie Hansen, Meridian. 5 stars. “In a country where extreme poverty exists and superstition maintains a strangle hold on the native communities, it’s difficult to tell the good guys from the bad as desperate people do what they think they must to obtain food for their families, feed addictions, or satisfy those in power. Extremist environmentalists place saving the rain forests above all else including human life . . . In addition to believable characters, Luke creates a story that is all too plausible in this modern age of causes and indifference. Detailed research has gone into the rain forests of Venezuela, that country’s antagonistic government, and the greed that compels some people to exploit other people, the environment, and to put their own desires and prejudices above the needs of others. Above all he displays a keen understanding of the biological and medical science involved in the properties of fungus and the factors that can create an epidemic. This is a novel that captures the reader with the first sentence, keeps the tension high throughout, and delivers a resounding conclusion.”
Katie W. 4.5 stars. “I’ve read most of Gregg Luke’s other books and I have to say, this one is one of his best! The characters are extremely well done–they come to life and their personalities rise up off the pages in the most intriguing way. There are some who are so despicable and others who are very likable. There were moments when my skin was crawling–this isn’t a book for the weak of stomach. Could something like this be real?? I don’t know, but it sure is believable. This book is perfect for those who enjoy a good, unique thriller.”
Jennifer Moore. A Place For Miss Snow. Covenant, Sept. 1. Regency romance. A lower class woman takes a job as a lady’s chaperone, travels to Greece, is captured by Greek pirates fighting the Turks, and discovers an unexpected world.
Bloggin’ ‘bout Books. B-. “Although Diana Snow is an orphan of little consequence, her position as a chaperone to a wealthy young lady ensures she’s exposed regularly to the finest of London society. And there’s nothing she abhors more than exposure. She keeps her real emotions, her true self, concealed behind a polite mask at all times. No matter how much the fashionable women sneer at her, Diana refuses to let their mockery penetrate her hard shell. Her only desire is to do her job and do it well . . . Like Moore‘s other Regency romances, her newest stars a brave heroine finding adventure and love in a foreign land. Neither Diana nor Alexandros are terribly complex characters, but their journey toward Happily Ever After is entertaining nonetheless. Both are sympathetic, likable, and brave—it’s impossible not to root for their success. Although the action sags a bit in the middle of A Place for Miss Snow, there’s enough going on to keep the reader interested. The novel is hardly a page turner, but it’s a sweet, charming story that’s clean and compelling enough. I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read by Jennifer Moore; this one is no exception. If you like romantic Regency love stories infused with interesting historical tidbits, you’ll find plenty to love about A Place for Miss Snow.”
Jennie Hansen, Meridian. 3 stars. “This book begins like most Regencies, then takes off more like an action novel. It is loaded with well-researched tidbits of historical interest. Diana is prim, proper, straitlaced, and very Regency at first, but loosens up and comes to terms with her loneliness and fears as the story unfolds . . . Readers who don’t generally read Regencies will discover this novel has more of the action and historical background they like and is well worth giving a try.”
Mindy, LDSWBR. 5 stars. “A sweet story with great characters, and a beautiful setting. Jennifer did a great job in capturing the time period and events. Diana was fascinating, at times too stubborn, but after finding out why, it was understandable. Alex also had a tragic back story, but I loved his “cause” and what a great character he was. Determined, yet playful. The supporting characters were wonderfully written too. I loved Elena, Sophia, and the pirates. I especially loved Alex’s haircut and Diana’s preparations for a town wedding, it was nice having her see herself (and things) in a positive way. I loved how Diana found a happy life in the small simple town and how it changed her for the better. Jennifer’s author note at the end was great too. I love to see an author invested in their books and research.”
Brandon Mull. Fablehaven Book of Imagination. Shadow Mountain, Oct. 4. Activity book based on the Fablehaven series.
Kelly Nelson. The Woman with No Name. Walnut Springs, Aug. 26. Romantic suspense. “Sworn bachelor Colton Murdock gets more than he bargained for on a hunt when he finds an injured woman in Utah’s high country rather than the muy grande elk he is after. She must have a history, but she wakes up to towering pines and the clap of a thunderstorm with no recollection of her name or how she came to be there.”
Dave Nielsen. Unfinished Figures. Lynx House Press, Sept. 30. Poetry.
Blurb: “Dave Nielsen’s award winning first volume radiates empathy and good will while, at the same time, offering startling, image-based examinations of the physical world that dive lightning-like into the spiritual and back again. Not only are the poems made of everyday language spoken on the farm, the basketball court, in the barber shop, anywhere really, they also follow the American tradition of mining wonder and beauty out of ordinary moments and things. Their unadorned images and deceptively straight forward construction suggest kinship with the work of James Wright, Mark Strand, W. S. Merwin, and Elizabeth Bishop. The book is a marvelous first flight.”
Kathleen Flenniken blurb: “Nielsen creates mystery and wonder using the ordinary stuff of Middle America. It’s all familiar and then it’s not: a father carrying his first-grader’s backpack feels the literal weight of the world inside; a series of cattle dogs with the same name become one infinite, perpetual, continuous dog. Books on the shelf, the street at night, dinner, basketball, the farm—all are recast in the heat of Nielsen’s ebullient imagination. The more I read and reread these disarming and addictive poems, the more I laugh, the more serious they become.”
Jake Parker. Little Bot and Sparrow. Roaring Brook Press, 
Sept. 27. Picture book. “When Little Bot is thrown out with the garbage, he finds himself in a strange new world. Fortunately, Sparrow is there to take him under her wing. Together, they explore the forest, share adventures, and learn what it means to be forever friends.”
PW (Starred): “One day Little Bot wasn’t needed anymore. He was thrown out with the garbage.” That’s all Parker (The Little Snowplow) has to say about his droid’s backstory as he shows Little Bot tumbling through the air and landing unceremoniously on Earth, suggesting extraterrestrial origins. A bird named Sparrow spots the robot, whose face is an oversize monitor with doll-like features, and decides he “needed to be taken under her wing”; she schools him in the joys and pitfalls of life on Earth (Little Bot learns the hard way that “robots shouldn’t fly”). Parker chronicles the relationship between quirky master and student with velvety textures and idyllic settings that make the incongruous robot even more adorable. Then winter comes and Sparrow must leave. Little Bot doesn’t try to stop her or extract any promises of returning or lasting friendship; their time together has been enough. It’s a moment of profundity and emotional ambiguity that may surprise and even sadden readers, but the discussions this story will spark should prove as rewarding as the happiest of endings.”
Kirkus (Starred): “A mechanical-avian friendship is an endearing one. When a robot is tossed into the garbage, he finds himself in a strange new environment in the outside world. Birds perch on him, and Little Bot greets them. Never having been greeted by a robot before, the birds fly off, except for one named Sparrow. She is observant and sees that Little Bot needs help figuring out nature, plants, and animals. And a good guide she is, warning him to avoid bees that sting and bears that are big. Little Bot is also a good observer and learner. When he asks his bird friend about sleeping and dreaming, Little Bot decides that dreams are “best left for the birds.” Unfortunately for their friendship, the seasons are changing and winter is coming; Sparrow will fly away and leave Little Bot alone. He is pensive, but he has learned how to do something new to him that is wonderful and that will delight readers. Parker tells his story with humor and tenderness, while his digital illustrations warmly portray a small mechanical object and even smaller bird in the forest. The contrast in size between Little Bot and his new world is never scary but rather dreamy and poetic. Softly hued colors follow seasonal changes beautifully. Dreaming keeps memories alive for a very special robot in this sweet, quiet tale.”
Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee. Ella’s Will. Sweetwater/Cedar Fort, Sept. 13. YA romance. Sequel to Ella (2015), retelling the same Cinderella-type story from the viewpoint of the stable boy.
Katie W, 4 stars. “I loved that I knew how this story was going to go and how it was going to end, but it was fun to see things from another view point. There were a few details that I understood better coming from Will, but I missed Ella. Yes, I saw her, but the story just wasn’t the same without her front and center, as it truly is her story to tell. There are other characters that are more prominent with Will as the lead, as he is closer to them or has a better relationship with them, yet I really did miss Ella. But I can’t discount Will. What’s not to love about him? This story really brought my admiration and love for him to life on a new level.”
Reading for Sanity. 3 stars. “I loved, loved Peaslee’s retelling of the classic Cinderella story. I loved the depth and the humanity she brought to her characters, the sweet moral of her story (which, refreshingly, wasn’t a pretty dress and cute shoes will get you all your heart desires), and the best possible ending I could have hoped for. We’re revisiting the story in this novel, but this time watching it unfold from the eyes of Will, the stableboy and Ella’s best friend. (Think Stephenie Meyer’s Midnight Sun, but not hacked and leaked online.) As a standalone novel, this is cute. It’s sweet, it introduces a new dynamic into the story, delving into the lives of the servants charged with pulling off a kingdom-wide ball in a week, the havoc such a ball wreaks on the lives of betrothed couples in the kingdom, and the hopes, dreams, and fears of a relatively minor character in the first novel. I loved that side of it. Again, Peaslee has a real talent for fleshing out a character quite quickly and efficiently. But. I don’t know if it’s because I enjoyed the first novel so much, but this one disappointed a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love Will. I love his humor, his perceptive nature, his personal goals to be a gentleman, even if he’s not born into the breed. But he simpers. He is so desperately, hopelessly, idiotically in love with Ella that she got on my nerves a bit in this book. Will, frankly, has a coke-bottle-thick set of Love Goggles on, in super extra thick strength. Unfortunately, it cheapened the story for me having a main character who could see the worst in everyone but his ONE TRUE LOVE, who is perfect and has the tiniest feet ever in the whole wide universe of feet. Because they’re tiny. Did I mention how tiny they are? (Will, it seems, is a little fixated on little feet.) I’ve recommended Ella to every mom I know with a tween or up girl in the house. I don’t know if I could recommend this book as heartily, but if they asked what I thought, I could honestly say it’s cute. I don’t regret reading it, but I wish it had toned down the mushy-gushy and dialed up the secondary characters’ storylines.”
Anne Perry. Revenge in a Cold River. Ballantine Books, Sept 6. Victorian mystery. William Monk #22. When Commander Monk of the Thames River Police is called to investigate the drowning of an escaped prisoner, he’s forced to contend with customs officer McNab, who clearly bears a bitter grudge against him. But the reason is a mystery in itself. Monk’s memory loss—a secret he guards closely—leaves him vulnerable to repercussions from his missing past, especially his exploits overseas in the tumultuous Gold Rush days of San Francisco. A cat and mouse game follows.
PW: “Workmanlike. . . The social commentary that informs the best of Perry’s work is largely missing, an absence that is palpable given the unremarkable plot line.”
Sheralyn Pratt. King of the Friend Zone. Wicked Sassy, Sept. 1. Contemporary romance. Power of the Matchmaker series #9. Stand-alone novel in a multi-author series.
Brandon Sanderson. The Dark Talent: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. Tor/Starscape, Sept. 6. Alcatraz #5. Middle Grade speculative. The series finale, and the first book in the series since 2010. The first four books were published by Scholastic from 2007-2010, but the publisher chose not to publish a fifth book and Sanderson purchased the rights back. “Alcatraz Smedry has successfully defeated the army of Evil Librarians and saved the kingdom of Mokia. Too bad he managed to break the Smedry Talents in the process. Even worse, his father is trying to enact a scheme that could ruin the world, and his friend, Bastille, is in a coma. To revive her, Alcatraz must infiltrate the Highbrary, the seat of Evil Librarian power.”
Deseret News: “This final installment takes the reader on a wild ride, not only through the characters sneaking around and their interesting discoveries, but through Alcatraz’s character growth. The first book in the series sees him starting out in a foster home, and this book will show him accepting his family and learning who he wants to be. Sanderson’s ever-present humor is better than ever, with a footnotes addition that will keep readers on their toes. Alcatraz’s snarky voice leads readers through the amazing world that Sanderson expertly built for a truly immersive read. The ending may be quite the shocker for some, with a very abrupt resolution, but readers who have read all of the books will understand it better.”
Biblio Sanctum. 4 stars. “On the whole, this book was fantastic, following in the same footsteps as the previous volumes when it comes to the off-the-wall humor and wackiness. Sanderson falls effortlessly back into the tone of this series, and the snark is stronger than ever! Another development is that Alcatraz has discovered footnotes, and has been using (abusing?) them like it’s going out of style, the little scamp. The action is also alive and well as our heroes venture into the great labyrinthine Highbrary to retrieve Alcatraz’s father, and the many twists and turns—both figurative and literal—will keep you on the edge of your seat. However, I also feel this is the darkest book of the series. The last few chapters or so really drove it home for me, though I suppose looking back, the darkness might have been building up for a while already, as Alcatraz gradually matured and grew as a character. He’s still the boy we first met, but in many ways he’s also…not. I’ve written in my reviews for the previous books that beneath all the humor and quirkiness, there’s a deeper level to this series. I guess in The Dark Talent, some of that is finally coming to the surface. Which brings me to the ending. I didn’t really like it, as painful as it is for me to admit. But I had known something like it might be coming, and if you’ve also read all the books, you might be expecting it as well. It was all very sudden, brutally candid and to-the-point, and even a little unpleasant, almost like Sanderson wasn’t sure how to end the book so he just wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. That’s the best way I can describe it. I still love this series to bits, but ugh, that ending still makes me feel like someone hit me over the head with a frying pan.”
J. Scott Savage. Gears of the Revolution. Shadow Mountain, Sept. 20. Middle grade fantasy/steampunk. Mysteries of Cove #2. Two mystery-solving, mechanically gifted kids come to the earth’s surface for the first time, and fly a steam-powered dragon they built in a previous book over a landscape ruled by flesh-and-blood dragons.
Mindy, LDSWBR. 5 stars. “Jeff is a master. The way he writes his characters and plants the perfect plot seeds along the way is genius. He also does a great job with pacing. There were situations in the book where the characters needed to do something that didn’t need extra details, and it was left out to keep the pace. I appreciated that immensely. By not adding “unimportant” details, I wanted to keep reading and reading. Well done, Jeff. There are so many enjoyable twists and turns, with every turn of the page there was a challenge or a revelation that was mind-blowingly awesome. Things were different this time for Trenton and Kallista in terms of their working relationship and I enjoyed that.”
Sheila. 5 stars. “Over all, this book is so exciting: filled with action (Fighting dragons mid-air), intrigue (Who are the good guys and who are the bad? It changes throughout the story), mysteries (figuring out secret plans left by Kallista’s father), and a rip-roaring ending that will leave you breathless.”
Adam Sidwell. Evertaster: The Delicious City. Future House, Sept. 1. Middle Grade fantasy. Sequel.
Books Before Bandaids: 5 stars. “The world building for The Delicious City is unique, set in our world, but with a city hidden in the Himalayas that no one has ever seen before. The characters are fun, although the names of some of them are way out there. The family theme is still strong which is wonderful. The descriptions are very detailed, which leaves the reader hungry, craving dessert in the ice cream city because who doesn’t want some ice cream. The plot is action packed, with the adventure of Percy Jackson, but the craziness of a Roald Dahl book. A fun and intriguing read.”
Regina Sirois. To Move the World. Self, Oct. 1. Historical romance. Power of the Matchmaker #10. Romance in Yorkshire in 1939, a woman is torn between her soldier fiancée and another man. One in a multi-author series of stand-alone romances.
Obert Skye. Batneezer. Henry Holt, Sept. 13. Creature from my Closet #6. Finale of the series. A mash-up of Ebenezer Scrooge and Lego Batman, this new visitor’s unusual antics are only one of Rob’s problems. All of the creatures from the earlier books also appear.
Chris Stewart. Winter Sky. Shadow Mountain, Sept. 27. Polish Resistance Movement towards the end of World War II. Soldier suffers amnesia, is guided by his angel sister to his starving siblings. Fights a SS officer trying to find him. Short novel, Christmas/war themes.
Jennie Hanson, Meridian Magazine: 5 stars. “The setting and background of Poland in the waning years of the war is realistic to the point of inviting tears for the plight of the Polish people of that time. The story starts with a dramatic battle scene and is a little confusing for the first few chapters as each chapter introduces a different segment and characters, before those factions meld together into one story. The ending is both exhilarating and emotionally satisfying with a spiritual twist. Above all it is a story of hope and compassion. Though the story is short for a novel, it packs a powerful punch and is the kind of book a reader wants to devour in one sitting and keep to read again.”
Various authors. A Timeless Romance: Blind Date Collection. Mirror Press, Sept. 13. Romance anthology. #18. Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, Rachel Branton, Sarah M. Eden, Sariah Wilson, Victorine E. Lieske.
Camron Wright. The Orphan Keeper. Shadow Mountain, Sept. 6. Based on a true story. Seven-year-old Chellamuthu’s life is forever changed when he is kidnapped from his village in India, sold to a Christian orphanage, and then adopted by an unsuspecting couple in the United States. It takes months before the boy can speak enough English to tell his parents that he already has a family back in India. Horrified, they try their best to track down his Indian family, but all avenues lead to dead ends. More than a decade later, Taj meets Priya, a girl from southern India with surprising ties to his past. Is she the key to unveil the secrets of his childhood or is it too late? A documentary about Taj’s journey titled “Lost in India — A Boy’s Journey Home” aired on KSL in October.
Jennie Hansen: 5 stars. “Often novels that follow closely the life of a real person are awkward and feel unrealistic. Not so with this one. The Orphan Keeper is a powerful story, well told. The characters’ strengths and weaknesses have been captured in a way that flows smoothly and brings them to life. The author is adept at relaying strong messages through dialog and actions rather than through explanatory words. He also leaves much for the reader to mull over and form his/her own conclusions. It’s up to the reader to decide whether the man who ran the orphanage did the children a favor or committed a heinous crime . . . Class distinctions and the protocols surrounding them, marriage and social customs, parenting, family relationships, and a number of moral dilemmas brought about by poverty, self-preservation and differing cultures enrich the story and add a fascinating level of awareness to the book.”
Washington Independent Review of Books: “Fascinating novel paints a detailed picture of India far from the glamour of Bollywood, and takes the reader deep into what it means to lose a family and be transplanted into a new culture. It also details the drive of an adult to rediscover what was lost. Despite some extraneous details and unbelievable twists, Taj’s story entertains and touches the heart.”
Reviews of older books
Charlie Holmberg. Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet (MySF Reviews) 4.5 stars. “Once again, Holmberg has done a wonderful job crafting a unique world filled with unique characters. The magic is well designed and is unlike anything I have read before. As the true extent of the magic is revealed little by little, I found myself reading more and more eagerly. I had to temper my excitement so I could truly enjoy the world as the story progressed . . .The overall plot flowed fairly smoothly, though there were a few spots where too much was happening too quickly. In other spots, it moved very slowly, giving time to stop and smell the gingerbread (you’ll see). Holmberg made good use of the slower times, however, so this did not impact my overall enjoyment of the book. Some of the secondary characters were flat, but only a little. A couple of the mini-arcs within the book seemed to have only a small impact on the overall story, so seemed almost unnecessary. Still, it was a very solid book.”
Elana Johnson. Until Summer Ends (Bloggin’ ‘bout Books) B-. “Perhaps best known for her YA books, Elana Johnson also pens romance novels for an older crowd. Until Summer Ends, an easy, breezy story of sun and surf and unexpected love, is her newest. It’s a fun read with a warm, enchanting setting populated by characters who are engaging, though not terribly complex. The plot’s as predictable as the sunrise, but it’s still fun to see Sophie and Mont fight for their Happily Ever After. Yeah, they’re both kind of shallow, yeah Mont’s “passion” for being an actor doesn’t feel very authentic, and yeah, the whole book’s pretty cliché. Still. Bottom line? I enjoyed this one, even if I wasn’t blown away by it. If you’re looking for a light, sexy summer sizzler, definitely give it a go.”
Jennifer Nielsen. The Scourage (Bibliobrit). “My favorite JAN by far is The False Prince, and I’m excited to say that The Scourge is almost as good in some ways and even better in that it’s a one-off! . . . Ani is our narrator and is a typically feisty Nielsen protagonist – one who just can’t keep her mouth closed or her head down. Though not quite a female version of my beloved False Prince Sage/Jarod with his delicious snark and unreliability, it’s good to have a female action hero and one who can lead, as well as just get herself in and out of scrapes. Weevil (terrible name – sounds like a Disney sidekick) is the cooler headed of the two, and is also a love interest. The plot rips along, and though I could see the big twist coming, it was a good one and well-executed. There is a balanced mix of tension and action, and the backdrop of the tension between the two Keldan cultures gives an interesting overlay of social injustice. And did I say it all wraps up in one book? Hooray. The downside is that the support characters don’t really have room to develop, and it would be nice to have seen more of Della, the initially snooty townie sent to the colony with Ani. This is JAN at her peak and I would happily press this into the hands of any middle school reader.”
Brandon Sanderson. White Sands (Steven, GoodReads) 1 star. “[R]epackaged as a comic book. I haven’t read a comic book in over a decade and I thought, being a Sanderson fan, it would be a lot of fun to read this one. It turns out reading this was a much more lackluster experience than I anticipated . . . 1. I can’t recognize characters from frame to frame. 2. I found it very difficult to tell what is going on during the action scenes. Where are the characters located relative to each other and what are they actually doing? 3. Most of the story, characterization, and plot are conveyed by narrating text, not by the dialogue, plot, or the images. 4. This novel is part 1 of 3. I left the book feeling like most of what I observed is really unimportant to me and to the characters within the story. Why should I read the next one? I did enjoy seeing some really classic Sanderson topes, including: 1. The underdog male lead character who first succeeds by guile and wit and then is mysteriously gifted with stupendous powers. Sanderson’s early male leads always have the same personality. 2. The privileged female lead who is doggedly pursuing some sort of quest. Sanderson’s early female leads always have the same personality. 3. Witty banter between side characters. 4. A carefully constructed magic system. I recommend this only to those devoted to Sanderson completeness.”
Emily Wing Smith. All Better Now (Bloggin’ ‘bout Books) B+. “In the fickle world of YA lit, memoirs are a rare breed. Cruise the teen shelves at the library or bookstore and you’ll find only a few. That’s one of the reasons All Better Now, a new memoir by YA novelist Emily Wing Smith is so refreshing. It’s unique, yes, but it’s also honest, funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful. A tale like this could so easily veer into a sappy, platitude-filled story; it doesn’t. It’s uplifting while remaining both raw and real. Teens, especially, will appreciate Smith’s forthrightness. No matter their age or experience, readers’ hearts will go out to young Emily, an entirely empathetic heroine with a wholly compelling story. All Better Now is not the kind of book I usually describe as compulsively readable, but in this case, it’s true. I devoured it in one sitting. Hand this one to teens—or anyone, really—who enjoys a quick, enlightening read that will make them look at the people around them with new eyes and a more compassionate heart. ”
G. G. Vandagriff. Her Fateful Debut: A Regency Romance (Bonnie Harris) 3 stars. “I had a harder time with this book than I expected. At first, I didn’t feel the tension that was supposed to be there. I didn’t feel threatened or alarmed for Penelope. All the words indicated it but the emotion wasn’t there. Then, the method the author said was used to snap someone’s neck was incorrect. I happen to train in that particular method of martial arts and we are definitely not taught how to break necks (even at the higher belts). With those two things happening fairly early in the book, I had a hard time getting through the rest of the book. The characters seemed easy enough to enjoy but it wasn’t enough to for me to get over my initial reaction to the book. That being said, not every book is for everyone so someone else may absolutely love this book.”
Bestsellers
Sept. 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9, 16
Richard Paul Evans. Michael Vey #6: Fall of Hades
USA Today: x, x, x, #15, #117, x (2 weeks)
PW Children’s: x, x, x, #3, #6, #7 (3 weeks). 23,562, 9082, 5511 units. 38,155 total.
NYT Children’s Series: x, x, x, x, #3, #5, #9 (9 weeks)
James Dashner. The Fever Code
USA Today: x, x, x, x, x, x, #9 (1 week)
PW Children’s: x, x, x, x, x, x, #2 (1 week). 25,779 units.
NYT Children’s Series: x, x, x, x, x, x, #3 (178 weeks)
RaeAnne Thayne. Snowfall on Haven Point
USA Today: x, x, x, x, x, #11 (1 week)
PW Mass Market: x, x, x, x, x, x, #3 (1 week). 14,719 units.
NYT Mass Market: x, x, x, x, x, x, #5
Christine Feehan. Dark Ghost (a 2015 book)
USA Today: x, x, x, x, x, x, #92 (3 weeks)
PW Mass Market: x, x, x, x, x, x, #17 (1 week). 7890 units.
Kiersten White. And I Darken
NY Times Young Adult Hardcover: #10, #9, x, x, x, x, x (9 weeks)
Anne Perry. Revenge in a Cold River
USA Today: x, x, #63, x, x, x, x (1 week)
RaeAnne Thayne. Evergreen Springs
USA Today: x, x, #88, x, x, x, x (1 week)
Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnson. The Swarm.
USA Today: x, x, x, #115, x, x, x
B&N Bestsellers in Science Fiction & Fantasy, Hardback. August: #1
Brenda Novak. Her Darkest Nightmare.
USA Today: x, #115, x, x, x, x, x (1 week)
Brandon Sanderson. Dark Talent: Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
PW Children’s: x, x, #24, x, x, x, x (1 week). 2436 units.
David Ebershoff. The 19th Wife
USA Today: x, x, x, x, x, x, #52 (1 week)
I have no idea why this 2008 novel about polygamy (two stories, one about modern FLDS, and the other about a wife of Brigham Young) suddenly appeared on the list this week.
Larry Correia and John Ringo. Monster Hunters Memoir: Grunge
B&N Bestsellers in Science Fiction & Fantasy, Hardback. August: #3