Full stars, highly recommended, but make sure you have tissues nearby.
Having previously read another book by Kathleen Glasgow, which struck a deep, poignant chord with its realistic portrayal of drug abuse, I couldn't resist picking up How to Make Friends with the Dark, a story centered around loss and grief.
Books dealing with difficult topics like addiction, self-harm, grief, and anxiety have always been a source of comfort for me. As an autistic kid and teen with social anxiety (without knowing about either until I hit 30), I found solace in these narratives, and even now, as I approach 40, they still resonate with me.
How to Make Friends with the Dark is yet another emotional masterpiece, and Glasgow nails the portrayal of teenagers. Many books in this genre often feel like an adult attempting to write like a teen, but Glasgow captures the nuances of teenage life perfectly. Having worked as a bookseller in the teen section for over 21 years, her work truly stands out.
What makes this book especially impactful is not just the portrayal of one girl’s pain, but the exploration of the struggles faced by many others. Learning about the hardships some of the other characters are going through adds depth to the narrative and highlights an important truth: no one is truly alone in their struggles. While it doesn’t lessen the pain, simply knowing that countless others are experiencing similar challenges can make the weight of it all feel a bit more bearable.
I’m so grateful to have discovered Kathleen Glasgow, and I will continue to recommend her books again and again.
Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater is darker than I expected.
“Everything matters, Wil,” Evie told me. “But I don’t think penance is about fixing things. I think… it’s about…” There was a strange conviction in his dark eyes now, though he struggled to find the words to convey what he was thinking. “It’s about becoming the sort of person who would never make that mistake again. It’s about caring so much that you have to fix all of the little cruelties that you can. Until it’s the most natural thing in the world to you.”
After loving the prequel novella, I was anticipating more of a fun, cozy adventure. While Echoes does feature a found family dynamic (the crew has truly become a family, and no one is left behind), plenty of banter, and humor, it also includes some surprisingly grim moments. If you prefer to know what you’re getting into, be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.
For me, the blend of swashbuckling action, sharp dialogue, and the harsh realities of war and conflict created a nice balance. It never tipped into grimdark territory with a relentlessly melancholy tone, but it also didn’t feel like a lighthearted romp with no consequences.
To give you a sense of the tone: at the start of the book, soldiers who’ve just lost a battle commit mass suicide, and the "souls" of those killed long ago are still wailing every night. This isn’t the cheerful adventure I expected from the novella.
That said, the book still manages to make you laugh out loud (I caught myself snorting and laughing out loud, weirding out my husband, who was sitting next to me). The banter, paired with the crew’s audacity in the face of authority and "big bad villains," was an absolute joy.
“I smiled. “— and so, after careful consideration,” I said, “I regret to inform you that you are still a snivelling, opportunistic parasite—and the most contemptuous scum I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.”
Nicholas Atwater’s narration is fantastic, with the characters' personalities coming through strongly in the performance. I felt like I was right at home with this motley crew of lovable weirdos. Each character has a distinct backstory and depth, making them feel real and engaging.
The crew is wonderfully diverse: a goblin captain, a teen girl with nimble fingers, a deaf sailor, a crew of gunnery ladies, a fairy, a priest of sorts, a tea-obsessed genius, and more. If you’re against the Imperium, you’re welcome.
“I’ll see you dance the gallows jig, Blair!” Barsby hissed raggedly. “Mark my words, I’ll wring your damned neck!” I jumped back, evading another blow by the skin of my teeth. “Which is it?” I gasped. “What?” Barsby snarled. “Which… is it?” I repeated breathlessly. “Are you going to hang me, or are you going to strangle me? It can’t be both, Barsby. Don’t be ridiculous.”
Another highlight is the unexpected twists and turns. You might think you know where things are headed, only to be surprised along the way. The story strikes a great balance, often satisfying your expectations, while still managing to surprise you when you least expect it.
If you’re looking for something a bit different, something that isn’t too fluffy but still a lot of fun, with a crew you’ll grow to love, Echoes of the Imperium is a fantastic choice!
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. I must confess, I haven't read the original (yet), but I had no trouble at all diving into this version.
It’s not as "cosy" around the darkness as some of Kingfisher’s other works, but rather sits in the horror genre. That said, it’s not overly gory or terrifying. It is more about the unsettling, creeping feeling that sends shivers down your skin. It’s the kind of story that makes you look at the fungi you encounter in life with a bit more skepticism. They are truly fascinating, and the book uses them brilliantly.
As always, Kingfisher’s characters are one of the book’s greatest strengths. I especially appreciated how the narrative incorporates a queer-normalized world with language that includes a variety of new pronouns.
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of horror books (to say the least), as I usually find them dull. So, the fact that I enjoyed this book enough to rate it 4 stars is a solid recommendation in itself!
T. Kingfisher’s A Sorceress Comes Calling is different from the cozy-dark atmosphere of her books I read previously. Where her other stories have a lighthearted touch, this one dives deep into heavier themes such as coercion, body autonomy, controlling parents, murder, and more. The tone of the book is quite dark, but brief moments of levity do a great job counterbalance the heavier material.
That said, the book still carries Kingfisher’s signature strength of well-crafted, relatable characters. The female-led cast is a delight, with each character bringing their own quirks and depth to the table. I found myself drawn to their personalities, and their loyalty, camaraderie, and the occasional dark humor, felt incredibly natural. The friendships between these characters felt authentic, and I couldn't help but wish to have tea with them.
One of the things I particularly appreciated was the subversion of expectations when it comes to romance. Unlike many stories where the teen protagonist gets swept into a romance arc, here, it's the 50-year-old spinster with a bad knee who gets her romantic subplot. It's a refreshing, beautiful choice that speaks to Kingfisher’s ability to turn conventions on their head and present a more inclusive perspective on love and relationships.
Overall, A Sorceress Comes Calling is a darker but still immensely enjoyable read, perfect for fans of Kingfisher who are looking for something a bit more serious, with the same delightful character work and unexpected twists that she’s known for. Just be aware of the heavier subject matter, as it might not be for everyone.
Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djélí Clark is a quick yet captivating read that packs a punch with its world-building and immersive descriptions.
Despite its shorter length, the author does an excellent job of crafting a world that feels rich and three-dimensional, thanks to haptic descriptions that go beyond mere visuals. These small details really brought the setting to life, making it feel tactile and lived-in.
It took me about halfway through to really connect with the main characters, but once I did, I was invested.
One of the standout elements of this book for me was the side characters. The other assassins added a lot of color to the story, and I found myself enjoying their presence just as much, if not more, than the two main characters. Their personalities and snark really helped keep things lively.
Speaking of banter, the dialogue is playful, sharp, at times dark and sarcastic and made for some genuinely fun moments.
In terms of action, the pacing is quick, and the action sequences are easy to follow, keeping you on your toes without bogging you down in unnecessary complexity.
The writing itself is superb—polished and well-crafted—making for an enjoyable reading experience throughout.
Overall, Dead Cat Tail Assassins is an engaging read with a unique world, entertaining characters, and enough action to keep you hooked. It may take a little time to truly connect with the characters, but the journey is well worth it.
To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose is a wonderful historical fantasy that will appeal to both older teens and adults alike.
While it has dragons and an academy, it really is mostly a story about colonisation, racism and the way western society tends to destroy cultures wherever it goes, while actually believing they are doing those “savages” a favour.
If you're looking for fight scenes and adventures, this is not the book for you. However I was hooked from beginning to end. The story kept me enthralled and its pace and my interest never flagged.
I would really love to read a book where the indigenous people don't have to scrape by to survive living close to those who have intruded on their land, and instead actually manage to fight back. However, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, is sadly much more in line with our real world history.
It can be painfully true to life to read the condescending and arrogant way some characters talk about - and to - people that they consider to be not just other than them, but less than them. Blackgoose effectively captures the oppressors’ conviction that their superiority is somehow an entitlement and that a society where the rich don't dominate the poor can't be worthwhile. From all out hateful racism, to the small belittlements by those who mean well, the narrative at times just feels way too close to home.
However, the book is quite nuanced in the attitudes it portrays. Some of the characters want everything to stay exactly the same, while others do see the benefits in some of the technological innovations and aspire to become innovators who tinker to make even better machines.
Our main character is a young woman who has a very strong moral compass, and while she might be a bit too perfect at times, I absolutely loved spending time with her. Seeing her just standing her ground was a welcome sign of resistance in this well drawn but prejudiced society. While she does realize how dangerous it all could be, and tries to protect her people, she mostly says what she thinks and won't bow to rules she often just finds stupid.
For example with the approach to romance and relationships. In her community it is absolutely fine to be non binary, trans, or just not fitting any “mold”. It doesn't matter if you love men, women, or both. You can also marry more than one person, as long as all are consenting adults. Her people are way more open about it all as well, with children being asked to play away from home the day after their fathers come home from months spent whaling, so they have time to catch up with their wives.
The difference in cultures was very well depicted, and also the way those cultural differences shape people, as we get to see many different perspectives. Black, neurodivergent, indigenous, LGBTQIA2S - all those people exist in this world, even if they shouldn't do so, according to the colonizers. That inclusive cast was a main draw for me, and I really enjoyed seeing how normal it is in the indigenous community, while the Anglish gasp and shush those topics, or make them go away by killing off whoever they deem unfit for their society.
This is not always an easy read, leaning so heavily on hard topics, and featuring quite a few deaths. While the book itself is not graphic in how it disposes of characters, this doesn't make the punches feel any lighter. There is a certain detachment in how we discover the details of people’s pasts - for example why someone is an orphan, or other relevant information delivered in the newspaper reports. However, that also makes it feel more real, a bit like how we are reading all the horrible things going on right now in our own newspapers and media reports.
This is balanced out by a very cute dragon and a good bond between her and her human, as well as a good, almost slice of life look into village life.
I also really enjoyed the deep dive into the magic system, which is strongly bound to chemistry, and I enjoyed learning how it all works. Some might find these bits a bit boring or tedious, but I've always enjoyed the learning aspect, if done well.
To Shape a Dragon is an engrossing read that robustly and convincingly tackles some real world issues in a fantastic setting. In so doing, like the best of literature, it holds up a mirror for us to view ourselves in - and to take heed of.
Swordheart by T. Kingfisher is yet anothe rbrilliant cosy-dark story that caught me off guard.
We have an older feamle main character, who is intelligent, but never had any read education. she also learned to play dumb to be save in a world were women aren't really taken seriously, and can ask the most impossible questions at the most inconvenient times. May that's a mark of genius though, not being unable to read a situation.
Her good heart and trust in people are perfectly balanced by a scowling warrior who lives in a sword she finds in her uncles house. I loved the back and forth between these two very different characters, and while I could have done with a bit less romance (as usual) it was funny and realistic for older characters at least.
The book also balances being cute and fun with seriously dark bits and the occasional bloody murder or horrific backstory, which works so very well for me. This specific blend is just exactly what I need lately. Not too fluffy, but also still cosy and comfy in a way, with good freindships and loyalties.
I loved the non binary rat priest they pick up along the way, and just adored the whole banter and tone of the story.
Stars and Bones by Garteh L. Powell is a scifi novel I found quite gripping, despite a few eyebrow rising moments.
To me it felt mostly like a space opera, with a few hard science pieces added, and a lot of glossed over other science bits. I am by no way a fan of hard science, as in I will read, but not undrstand it, but even I noticed wuite some "it works, because it works" kind of moments.
The same goes for some of the characters, who are supposedly intelligent, but don't notice the biggest clues, unless pinted out. This helps explaining it to the reader, but come on! If I spotted it from 3 miles away, I expect a professional to think of it before me.
Aside from these, I really enjoyed both the setting and the whole idea behind were humanity has ended up. It was intriguing and fresh and easily hooked me.
The tone and voice of both the book itself and the POV characters also worked very well for me, so even though I had some sighs along the way, i really enjoed this book a lot overall.
Can't Spell Treason without Tea by Rebecca Thorne is a cosy fantasy with a few dark moments thrown in. If you're looking for pure comofrt, like Becky Chambers, this might not be to your liking, as there are some high stakes moments, but if you're just looking for something more easy going and comfy, not epic or dark, and yet still have some action and adventure, plus evil queens - then this is a great choice.
The (sapphic) romance was cute enough to bother me, and I did enjoy the banter and puns.
An easy and quick read that was perfect for me when work was really stressful and my brain not on full capacity.