Book Reviews

By M.L. Wang
10/29/24
Del Rey
$29.99

‘Blood Over Bright Haven’

Intent versus impact. Does it matter if the result causes harm? Somehow, both compulsively readable and deeply philosophical, I was completely consumed by this book to the point that I left ice cream melting on the counter while I read. 

Sciona is a member of the privileged class but unable to achieve her academic dreams due to being a woman. She fights to master the magic that keeps her city humming and makes a place for herself outside of traditional womanhood. Thomil is a survivor of horror, only to be virtually enslaved for his trouble. This shining beacon of an anachronistic city holds terrible secrets he’s all too familiar with, and Sciona will need his help to finally understand where her real power lies. Together, these two will start the kind of revolution that will change the world.

Corruption, lies and the balance of power all come together to make for a very different story than the one I thought I was reading. I absolutely loved the gut-punch twists and the incredible emotion and raw humanity on display throughout the story. My world is a better place having read this, and yours will be, too. — Review by Julie Goodrich

By Yumi Kitasei
6/11/24
Flatiron Books
$19.99

‘The Stardust Grail’

I love science fiction, but even I can admit there are times when the humanity is drained even from the most exciting spaceship story. Never fear, though, Yume Kitasei is here to help. Whether far future or near, she seems to make the most out-there settings seem more human than the corner bar.

Maya is a retired thief, alien enthusiast and burnt-out grad student. Trying to rejoin life on the legal side and keep herself from losing her mind, she is not at all sure when an old friend contacts her for one last heist, this time for all the marbles. With a poignant pessimism and exhausted sense of duty, Maya builds herself a found family and takes off back to the stars. It’s one last adventure that will change everything, whether she means to or not.

Perfectly paced, sharply written and full of an achingly human balance of optimism and angst, I loved every word of this book and can’t wait to see what tangled questions Yuma Kitasei asks me to face next. She’s become a must-read for me; don’t miss this. — Review by Julie Goodrich