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You are browsing the archive for April2022

GOLIATH by Tochi Onyebuchi

April 30, 2022

AFTER THE RICH DISCARD EARTH, the people left behind—disenfranchised, mostly members of minority groups, living off scraps on a toxic planet—keep on looking for connection, safety, and home. Complex, rewarding narrative of a too-believable future. B PLUS

GOLIATH
Tordotcom
2022

Grade: B PLUS

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TAKE MY HAND by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

April 28, 2022

THE FIGHT AGAINST REPRODUCTIVE INJUSTICE and racism in 1970s Alabama and beyond, stunningly recreated in a troubling yet beautiful novel inspired by true events. Powerful narrative educates without being didactic, thanks to nuanced characterization. B PLUS

TAKE MY HAND
Berkley
2022

Grade: B PLUS

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THE DOUBLE by Joanne Ryan

April 25, 2022

AN AMBIVALENT THIEF HAS second, and third, thoughts about stealing from a wealthy lookalike. Sharp psychological thriller, well plotted. SOLID B

THE DOUBLE: A TWISTED AND UNPUTDOWNABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
Tamarillas Press
2022

Grade: SOLID B

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CITY OF INCURABLE WOMEN by Maud Casey

April 23, 2022

THE FASCINATION WITH WOMEN’S MADNESS that gave rise to the 19th century “hysteria” industry, evoked in a touching, poetic novel told from the points of view of patients at Paris’s famous Salpêtrière hospital. Lovely and disturbing. B PLUS

CITY OF INCURABLE WOMEN
Bellevue Literary Press
2022

Grade: B PLUS

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TASHA by Brian Morton

April 21, 2022

THE LAST YEARS OF A COMPLICATED WOMAN’S life, evoked with affection and exasperation by her novelist son. Both a nuanced portrait of a fierce, brilliant, difficult person and an indictment of how society can fail the vulnerable elderly. SOLID B

TASHA
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
2022

Grade: SOLID B

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NEON GOLDFISH by S.C. Jensen

April 18, 2022

A HARD-BOILED CYBORG DETECTIVE on the trail of a kingpin’s stolen lucky charm finds even more danger than she expected. Clever mix of grim future science fiction with classic noir tropes. B PLUS

NEON GOLDFISH: HOLOCITY CASE FILES #3
Northern Edge Publishing
2022

Grade: B PLUS

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THE BOOK OF THE MOST PRECIOUS SUBSTANCE by Sara Gran

April 16, 2022

AN EROTIC EXISTENTIAL THRILLER about the hunt for a magical book of tremendous power, but also about loss and disappointment and passion and creativity and sumptuous meals. Sara Gran dazzles, as always. A MINUS

THE BOOK OF THE MOST PRECIOUS SUBSTANCE
Dreamland Books
2022

Grade: A MINUS

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SWEEP OF STARS (ASTRA BLACK #1) by Maurice Broaddus

April 14, 2022

A POWERFUL INTERPLANETARY CIVILIZATION, shaped by traditions of Africa and the African diaspora, faces devastating attacks from within and without. High-energy space opera with lots of action, fascinating world-building, and a strong Black voice. B PLUS

SWEEP OF STARS (ASTRA BLACK #1)
Tor Books
2022

Grade: B PLUS

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THE VANISHING VOLUME by Marissa Doyle

April 11, 2022

LIGHTHEARTED PARANORMAL REGENCY features book-world intrigue, a determined protagonist, and a wealth of period detail. Lots of fun! B PLUS

THE VANISHING VOLUME
BookView Cafe
2022

Grade: B PLUS

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BOOTH by Karen Joy Fowler

April 9, 2022

THE ASSASSIN’S TRAGIC FAMILY brought to life in this vivid re-imagination of the famous—and infamous—Booths. Karen Joy Fowler’s chiseled prose shines brightest in her deft, haunting portrayal of the Booth women. B PLUS

BOOTH
G.P. Putnam's Sons
2022

Grade: B PLUS

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