Book Reviews

By Elizabeth Wein 3/14/23 400 pages $18.99 Little Brown Books

‘Stateless’

I don’t read much historical fiction, especially when it’s set in the last hundred years or so. I like my fiction ancient. Yet, I make an exception for Elizabeth Wein books. There’s just something about her carefully plotted, always thrilling stories that leaves me smiling.

Her newest book is no different. Set in 1937, just as World War II is beginning, a youth air race is garnering attention all over the world. Stella is a brilliant, young pilot and the only woman in the race. Together with her friends, she will face murder plots, mysteries, political intrigues and more in her bid to win the race and understand the explosive events unfolding around her. 

This is a fast-paced, fascinating and well-researched book with heart-stopping action and a brilliant, totally satisfying ending. The writing is superb, and I fall a little in love with every character Wein writes. This is perfect for fans of strong protagonists, interesting quirks of history and truly spectacular mysteries. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich

By Kelly Barnhill
2/28/23
178 pages
$19.99
Tordotcom

‘The Crane Husband’

Sometimes the shortest books leave an impact far larger than they should. Kelly Barnhill has ripped me to shreds before, so I thought I knew what I was in for when I picked up this gorgeous little book. I was deliciously, heart-rendingly wrong.

Our protagonist is a practical, too-grown-up 15-year-old girl who has taken it upon herself to raise her younger brother, keep up with the bills, and wrangle her dreamy, fickle, artist mother. While the family farm falls to ruin, this unnamed girl tries her best to keep everything together. One day, her mother comes home with her newest love interest — a human-sized crane with a sinister air. 

Knowing she has to do whatever it takes, our heroine subverts the fairytale tradition to save her family the only way she can. This is a brilliant, creepy rendition of a classic tale filled with real-life horror along with subversive magical realism. All of my favorite things in a tiny package. I can’t wait to see what Barnhill does next. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich