Book Reviews

By Lauren J.A. Bear 8/8/23 368 pages $28 Ace

‘Medusa’s Sisters’

There are a lot of successful books out there that take classic stories and spin them around, showing the villain’s side of a fairy tale, for example, or reframing the hero into something completely different. The recent wave of mythological fiction has drudged up a twist on this trope by exploring the truth behind not just Medusa’s story but all three of the gorgons. 

Legends, tragedies and familiar myth flow in beautiful prose as we learn of the deep bonds between Stheno, Euryale and, of course, Medusa. They are sisters held together and pushed apart by family bonds, power struggles, and the urge for individuality. The familiar and the new wax and wane throughout the story, exploring the lives of these three misunderstood monsters who are anything but monstrous. This is a powerful, enthralling read that was over way too soon.

Medusa tattoos are a powerful symbol for a lot of women. Her story resonates in a way that is both profound and deeply sad. This exploration of sisterhood and hidden power only adds to the tale, making it both timeless and startlingly current. Fans of “Circe” should not miss this gorgeous, transformative story.  ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich

By Yume Kitasei 7/18/23 416 pages $29.99 Flatiron Books

‘The Deep Sky’

Earth is about to collapse, and the last hope of humanity has boarded a ship bound for a distant, hopefully livable planet. The last person chosen for the journey is a Japanese-American woman named Asuka who isn’t at all sure she should be here. Imposter syndrome and survivor’s guilt hang heavy on Asuka until a fatal bomb goes off, and suddenly she’s forced to defend herself as the chief suspect in the attack. All the problems of a desperate crew, espionage and the fear of the unknown clash on the ship, leaving Asuka as the only one who can hope to save the mission from both bombers and mutiny.

I love genre-blending books — a space opera, post-apocalyptic adventure, and a thriller mystery all rolled into one? Sign me up. Yume Kitasei is a debut author to boot, but I could barely tell. The pacing was near perfect, and the characters jumped off the page. I was enthralled from the first page. This is the perfect mix of timely climate warning, science fiction and deeply engaging mystery. I couldn’t put it down. Grab this if you’re looking to expand your horizons. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich