Sensational Speculative Fiction: Heaven’s Graveyard and Wildflower

16 Jun

Heaven’s Graveyard
by Grace Curtis
Heaven’s Graveyard is an intriguing historic fantasy mystery. In the story Coda or Cod as she prefers to go by is an archeologist working far from the place of her birth, which she left behind along with her childhood love, Lark, after a family scandal. When she receives a message from an old friend promising revelations about a mythic heroine, that she always believed may have been a real person, Cod rushes home despite war brewing in the surrounding lands, only to discover that he has passed away under what she believes are mysterious circumstances. Now she must discover what happened to him as well as the truth of what he unearthed. I loved Heaven’s Graveyard even more than Curtis’s novel The Floating Hotel, which I had previously enjoyed. Like that her previous work, this one is filled with quirky characters and unique worlds. Curtis is becoming an author to follow for me.

Wildflower
by Becky Jenkinson
Wildflower is the new debut fantasy novel by Becky Jenkinson set in a world plagued by a dark magical blight. The main character in the story, Felicity has been cursed since birth that she can only speak the truth. Her best friend Card is about to marry Prince Bastion, the son of the Queen who often requires Felicity to help ferret out the veracity of gossip in her kingdom. Felicity knows that the last person she should be drawn to is Will, Prince Bastions ex-best friend and possible source of the blight plaguing the land, but when he helps her find some rare flowers, she can’t help but feel something blossoming. This story will appeal to those who enjoy romantasies filled with diverse characters including strong LGBTQ representation and political intrigue. Fans of this story might also want to check out Violet Thistlewaite is Not a Villain Anymore and A Witch’s Guide to Fake Dating a Demon for more floral magic filled romantasies.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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Celebrate Pride with LGBTQ Reads: The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones and Father Material

9 Jun

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones
by Lex Croucher
The Unmagical Life Life of Briar Jones is the latest by Lex Croucher. Briar and Seb were inseparable as children, but when wealthy, privileged Seb gets picked to attend an elite private school rumored to teach magic, Briar is heartbroken and their friendship crumbles. They don’t reunite till Briar gets a summer job at the school, cleaning out an old attic that has been used as a dumping ground for unwanted items. Briar discovers that the rumors are true about the magic, but the school is filled with brutal hazing and cruel students including Seb, now called Bastian, who is feared by his classmates. Briar befriends a group of students who are struggling against the Status Quo. Briar must come to terms with not only their feelings for Bastian, but also their own past in this riveting tale. Croucher themselves is non-binary and though Briar’s gender is not a main focal point of the story, their journey and perspective are an integral part of their identity. This was a page turner that I did not want to put down. If you love Dark Academia stories then this is one you will want to check out.

Father Material
by Alexis Hall
Father Material is the third in Alexis Hall’s terrific London Calling series. Luc and Oliver’s friends have all begun settling down and starting family’s of their own. At the novel’s opening, they themselves take the next big step of becoming dog dads to a frisky puppy named Spud. There is a lot of humor in their adapting to their new adorable pet, but there is also a lot of heart in Luc taking on a new responsible role and further exploring his feelings about his own absentee father. Oliver also must come to terms with his own experience with his childhood and his understanding of what defines good parenting. Their exploration of options for being parents, brings more serious themes into the work. The book is filled with complex characters and quippy banter that has made Hall one of my favorite authors. Hall’s books will appeal to those looking for well crafted and nuanced LGBTQ characters. Fans of British Rom-Coms will especially be charmed by the London Calling series.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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