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Books to Crow About: Probable Caws and A Tangled Magic

4 Aug
Cover of A Tangled Magic by Andrea Eames, Author of a Harvest of Hearts Features a women with stylized tangles of blond and red hair with black ravens perched inside

Looking for some great new fiction? Check out these two just hatched novels!

Probable Caws
by Donna Andrews
Donna Andrew’s Meg Langslow Mysteries are my favorite cozy mysteries. In Probable Caws, Meg is helping care for formerly neglected and abused horses from an equine rescue group that have been temporarily moved to her friend, Ragnar’s property. Several other reoccurring characters including her twin sons, her animal expert grandfather, and the empathic Rose Noire also help out. I find Andrews quirky cast of characters are always a highlight of her story for me. Each of the novels features a focus on a different bird species, in this case a flock of clever crows (often fittingly for a mystery called a murder). Of course an actual murder also occurs that Meg tries to help the local police officers solve. The conclusion was not as plausible as some of her other entries in the series, but the story was overall a fun and heartwarming one which both animal lovers and cozy fans will highly enjoy.

A Tangled Magic
by Andrea Eames
Andrea Eames, author of A Harvest of Hearts, which I previously blogged about has created another unique and compelling fantasy. A Tangled Magic takes the traditional Rapunzel story and transforms it into a dramatic quest for its heroine to find her missing family, lost memories, and her own inner strength and powers. I loved Baldbeak, her raven sidekick, and that the novel is populated with many intriguing characters. This reminded me of works I have enjoyed by Tanith Lee and T Kingfisher, who are masters of dark fairytale reinvisionings. The story is filled with many twists that will keep you turning the pages. This novel is especially recommended for fans of high fantasy, fairytale reimaginings, found families, and works with complex and sometimes morally grey characters.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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New Speculative Fiction: Sea of Charms and The Felicity Complex

28 Jul

Sea of Charms
by Sarah Beth Durst
Reading of Sea of Charms made me regret waiting so long to check out Sarah Beth Durst work. The book is thoroughly charming. Marine is a supply runner who journeys to bring supplies between islands. After a stunning romantic betrayal, she prefers to travel alone trying to pay back the debt her parent’s incurred purchasing her boat. But a handsome musician, a talking plant with a passion for the sea, and a playful sea serpent may be just the crew and found family that she needs. Cozy fiction can sometimes feel derivative, but this story keeps its cozy vibe while still having imaginative details like a harvest celebration involving flying cats and good character development. I liked that we repeatedly see the main character struggle with what is morally right in relatable way despite the fantasy setting. If you love this one as much as me, you will also want to check out her two previous novels: The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse.

The Felicity Complex
by August Clarke
The Felicity Complex by August Clarke is a quick and fast paced read that will appeal to those looking for a quirky post apocalyptic tale. The story follows a group of lab created women who are being trained to provide the staffing for a luxury shelter in times of nuclear threat. The story is part post apocalyptic science fiction and part satirical critique on society. Those who are sensitive to violence against women should be aware that there are a few scenes of brutality that are integral to events in the story. Hallelujah, the main character is complex with emotional resonance though Clarke does a good job of giving her an alien otherness in the way she responds to the world around her.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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