Saturday, February 8, 2025

Blog Tour + Review: Symbiote by Michael Nayak

Welcome to my stop on Angry Robot Books' blog tour for Symbiote by Michael Nayak! I'm excited to join my fellow book lovers in sharing some information about Symbiote, as well as my own review for this claustrophobic thriller set at the South Pole. Thank you to Angry Robot Books for inviting me to join this tour and providing me with a review copy of Symbiote. Above you can find the full blog tour schedule and where to find other creators who are participating, and below you'll find some info about the book and author, as well as my review. Happy reading!

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: SYMBIOTE
Author:  Michael Nayak
Pub. Date: February 11th, 2025
Publisher: Angry Robot Books
Pages: 
400
Find it: Bookshop.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Angry Robot BooksTarget | Goodreads


SYNOPSIS:
"'As World War III rages, the scientists in Antarctica are thankful for the isolation – until a group of Chinese scientists arrive at the American research base in search of help. In their truck is a horrifying sight, the first ever murder victim in Antarctica. The potential for a geopolitical firestorm is great, and, with no clear jurisdiction, the Americans don’t know what to do. But they soon realize the Chinese scientists have brought far more with them than the body…

Within seventy-two hours, thirteen more lie dead in the snow, murdered in acts of madness and superhuman strength.

An extremophile parasite from the truck, triggered by severe cold, is spreading by touch. It is learning from them. Evolving. It triggers violent tendencies in the winter crew, and, more insidiously, the beginnings of a strange symbiotic telepathy.

A small group of survivors try to resist the siren call of the growing hive mind and stay alive long enough to solve the mystery of the symbiotic microbe’s origins. But the symbiote is more than a disease – it could be the key to shifting the balance of power in a time of war.

The survivors cannot let anyone infected make it to the summer season, when planes will arrive to take them – and potentially the symbiote – back to civilization."



Review:

I've been fascinated by all things relating to Antarctica and the South Pole for a number of years, so I'm always excited to read a new book centered around that setting, whether it's fiction or nonfiction. Symbiote is a fictional thriller set in Antarctica, and I was most excited about it because the author himself, Michael Nayak, was actually stationed at the Amundsen-Scott Research Station and has therefore been able to draw from him own experiences (well, sans the horrifying contagion aspect, of course!) which adds so much credibility and intrigue to the story for me.

Symbiote has a pretty terrifying premise: World War III is underway and Americans working at an isolated Antarctic station are suddenly under threat of an unknown contagion that has begun sweeping through the station--and there's nowhere to hide.

I love an isolated, locked-room type of story, and Symbiote absolutely delivers on that front. Our story kicks off when a group of Chinese scientists show up unannounced at the American station with a dead body in tow and are unable to adequately explain what has happened. The South Pole's jurisdiction on these matters is unclear during this world war, which leaves everyone in a precarious situation--especially when not even days later more people begin dying at the hands of those who appear to have gone mad with no explanation. Symbiote novel excels in building a sense of isolation and anxiety with its slow, creeping dread that constantly increases the tension. This is a story that I would have expected to be (and maybe preferred) a quieter, slow build sort of story, but it's actually surprisingly action-packed and there are rarely any dull moments. This relentless feeling of action certainly mirrored what I'm sure many of the characters were feeling while these terrifying events were occurring.

Despite the fact that I enjoyed myself for a majority of this novel, it wasn't without a few areas that didn't work for me. Some of my biggest frustrations, however, were with the characters themselves. As the story progressed, some characters made some truly absurd decisions, and while I understand that people panic in emergencies and aren't always able to think clearly, the sheer number of reckless choices felt excessive. There was also a surprisingly large cast of characters that we follow throughout and that made it difficult to become fully invested in anyone's survival, which for me did lessen some of the tension and emotional impact of what each one's fate would be. Some of their reactions to events of this book also felt a bit overdramatized at times, but I'll admit that it's hard to really know how anyone would behave in such an extreme situation, so this was more understandable.

Additionally, the way female characters were handled didn’t really work for me. There was a strong sexual overtone surrounding almost every woman in this book and it ended up feeling a bit overdone and left me a little disappointed. I'm not sure if this was done with the intention of critiquing the way women are often objectified under patriarchal setups and male-dominated areas, but if so I think could have been executed in a much  more effective way that felt a bit less awkward and out of place. It felt like so much of the focus of this book was on the relationships and who was sleeping with whom, and while I can see where relationships play into a tense situation like this, it just focused too much on that and not as much on other relationship dynamics that could have been more interesting.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, action-packed, and terrifying thriller that is sure to get you wondering about what might happen if a contagion such as the one in this book actually occurred in real life. It didn't end being as serious in tone as I'd expected, but I think it worked incredibly well as a page-turning thriller that will surely keep readers engaged .

If you’re looking for a high-energy thriller with a claustrophobic setting and plenty of action, then Symbiote should be next on your TBR!

*I received a copy of Symbiote from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*


ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from the publisher):
Mikey was born in Los Angeles and now lives in Washington D.C.; he has worked as a planetary scientist, pilot and skydiving instructor, and most recently as a Program Manager with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He has logged 1,000+ hours of flight time in 30+ aircraft including the F-16, T-38 and BE-76, is a US Air Force Test Pilot School graduate, and former NASA Space Shuttle engineer. (Author photo from Goodreads)

Find Michael Nayak online: Author Website | X | Goodreads








Friday, February 7, 2025

Mini-Review: The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore
Flatiron Books
Publication Date: February 11th, 2024
Hardcover. 320 pages.

About The Dollhouse Academy :

"Ivy Gordon is living a borrowed life on borrowed time. For the past eighteen years, she has been the most famous star at the Dollhouse Academy, the ultra-secretive, elite boarding school and talent incubator that every aspiring performer dreams of attending. But now, at age thirty-four, she is tired of pretending everything is fine. In secret diary entries, Ivy begins to reveal the sordid truth of her life at the strange medical exams, mysterious supplements, and something unspeakable that’s left Ivy terrified and feeling like a prisoner. As she forces herself to confront the most painful parts of her past, she begins to realize that something truly sinister might be powering the Dollhouse’s success.

Ramona Halloway and her best friend, Grace Ludlow, grew up idolizing Ivy. Now both twenty-two, neither has made much headway in showbiz, until a lucky break grants them entry to the Dollhouse. They’re enchanted by the picturesque campus and the chance to perform alongside their idols—though nothing prepares them for the fiercely competitive training bootcamp. When Ramona begins to receive anonymous, threatening messages, it’s easy to dismiss them as a prank from a rival. Her bigger concern is Grace’s skyrocketing success, while Ramona falls ever further behind. But the messages grow more unsettling, as does life at the Dollhouse. Can Ramona overcome her jealousy and resentment to figure out what’s really going on? And can Ivy finally find her voice, before another young performer follows her catastrophic path to stardom?

With dark academia twists and enormous heart, The Dollhouse Academy is a novel about the complexities of friendship, our desire to be seen and understood, and the true cost of making our dreams a reality."

The Dollhouse Academy is a twisty, emotional, and at times dark look into a world that focuses heavily on appearance and success--to the detriment of almost everything else. In The Dollhouse Academy, we follow Romance, Grace, and Ivy as each one tells their story and experiences the realities of being invited to and surviving in the Dollhouse Academy.

What I liked:  I really enjoyed getting to know Ramona and Ivy and exploring the glamorous, secretive, and dark world of the Dollhouse Academy alongside them. This was a book that skillfully balanced so many different elements, from Romana's inner struggles with her identity and figuring out who she is to her conflicts with a toxic environment and toxic people, all while slowly unfolding the mystery of what's really happening behind the scenes at the Dollhouse Academy. I thought the author did a really great job telling this twisty story, particular with how it interwove the present day experiences of Romana and Grace with some of Ivy's epistolary-style chapters about her own experiences in the Dollhouse Academy. I'd also like to note that I listened to the audiobook version and thought the narrators did an excellent job of capturing the voice and emotions of the characters within. 

What I didn't like: It hard to describe what exactly didn't work for me without giving spoilers, but I'll do my best to describe it. As the story progresses, there are some rather... disturbing ideas that being to come to light, which I thought added a lot of intrigue and certainly grabbed my attention. However, as the story dove deeper into some of these ideas, there was an element of it that didn't feel like it quite made sense and veered ever so slightly into some slightly absurd aspects that took away some of the believability for me. That being said, I think the story still managed to convey some deep meaning in regards to the pressure placed on young stars in the entertainment industry and how much they are forced through in order to always appear perfect and at their best, and the elements I've vaguely referred to do that really well. I think that as much as this book did, it still felt like certain elements were a little lackluster in the end, as well. 

Overall, The Dollhouse Academy is a compelling read and perfect fans of complex relationship dynamics, mysteries or thrillers, or anyone who is interested in the entertainment industry. 

*I received a copy of The Dollhouse Academy in exchange for an honest review. This has no affect on my opinions.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, Guatemalan Rhpasody by Jared Lemus, & Let Only Red Flowers Bloom by Emily Feng

 

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released. 

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Publication: March 18th, 2025

Saga Press
Hardcover. 448 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"A chilling historical horror novel set in the American west in 1912 following a Lutheran priest who transcribes the life of a vampire who haunts the fields of the Blackfeet reservation looking for justice.

A diary, written in 1912 by a Lutheran pastor is discovered within a wall. What it unveils is a slow massacre, a chain of events that go back to 217 Blackfeet dead in the snow. Told in transcribed interviews by a Blackfeet named Good Stab, who shares the narrative of his peculiar life over a series of confessional visits. This is an American Indian revenge story written by one of the new masters of horror, Stephen Graham Jones.
"

Stephen Graham Jones is one of my favorite authors for a number of reasons (and The Only Good Indians is the top reason because it's one of my favorites, haha), but especially because of how he incorporates the indigenous experience into his horror. This has a premise that sounds absolutely riveting and I cannot wait to have a chance to check it out. I also think that cover is fantastic.

Guatemalan Rhapsody: Stories by Jared Lemus
Publication: March 4th, 2025

Ecco
Hardcover. 240 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"A vibrant debut story collection—poignant, unflinching, and immersive—masterfully moving between sharp wit and profound tenderness, Guatemalan Rhapsody offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of an ever-changing country, the people who claim it as home, and those who no longer do

Ranging from a custodian at an underfunded college to a medicine man living in a temple dedicated to San Simon, the patron saint of alcohol and cigarettes, the characters in these stories find themselves at defining moments in their lives, where sacrifices may be required of them, by them, or for them.

In “Saint Dismas,” four orphaned brothers pose as part of a construction crew, stopping cars along the highway and robbing anyone foolish enough to hit the brakes. In “Heart Sleeves,” two wannabe tattoo artists take part in a contest, where one of them hopes to win not only first place but also the heart of his best friend’s girlfriend. And, in “Fight Sounds,” a character who fancies himself a Don Juan is swept up in the commotion of an American film crew shooting a movie in his tiny town, until the economic and sexual politics of the place are turned on their head.

Across this collection, Lemus’s characters test their loyalty to family, community, and country, illuminating the ties that both connect us and constrain us. Guatemalan Rhapsody explores how we journey from the circumstances that we are forged by, and whether the ability to change our fortunes lies in our own hands or in those of another. Revealing the places where beauty, desperation, love, violence, and hope exist simultaneously, Jared Lemus’s debut establishes him as a major new voice in the form.
"

I'm always up for a new collection of stories from an emerging author, and I'm honestly not sure I've ever read much about/from a Guatemalan voice, so I'm excited about that as well. 

Let Only Red Flowers Bloom: Identity and Belonging in Xi Jinpeng's China by Emily Feng
Publication: March 18th, 2025

Crown
Hardcover. 304 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"A deeply reported investigation into the battle over identity in China, chronicling the state oppression of those who fail to conform to Xi Jinping's definition of who is "Chinese," from an award-winning NPR correspondent.

In the hot summer months of 2021, China celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party. Authorities held propaganda and education campaigns across the country defining the ideal Chinese ethnically Han Chinese, Mandarin speaking, solidly atheist, and devoted to the socialist project of strengthening China against western powers.

No one can understand modern China—including its response to the pandemic—without understanding who actually lives there, and the ways that the Chinese State tries to control its people. Let Only Red Flowers Bloom collects the stories of more than two dozen people who together represent a more holistic picture of Chinese identity. The Uyghurs who have seen millions of their fellow citizens detained in camps; mainland human rights lawyer Ren Quanniu, who lost his law license in a bureaucratic dispute after representing a Hong Kong activist; a teacher from Inner Mongolia, forced to escape persecution because of his support of his mother tongue. These are just a few narratives that journalist Emily Feng reports on, revealing human stories about resistance against a hegemonic state and introducing readers to the people who know about Chinese identity the best.

Illuminating a country that has for too long been secretive of the real lives its citizens are living, Feng reveals what it’s really like to be anything other than party-supporting Han Chinese in China, and the myriad ways they’re trying to survive in the face of an oppressive regime.
"

This sounds really fascinating and is a topic that I'd really love to learn more about. I know bits and pieces of information from different sources, but this sounds like a great overarching informative work about modern day China.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Review: Grave Empire (The Great Silence, #1) by Richard Swan


Grave Empire (The Great Silence, #1) by Richard Swan
Orbit
Publication Date: February 4th, 2024
Paperback. 529 pages.

About Grave Empire (from the publisher):

"Blood once turned the wheels of empire. Now it is money.

A new age of exploration and innovation has dawned, and the Empire of the Wolf stands to take its place as the foremost power in the known world. Glory and riches await. But dark days are coming. A mysterious plague has broken out in the pagan kingdoms to the north, while in the south, the Empire's proxy war in the lands of the wolfmen is weeks away from total collapse.

Worse still is the message brought to the Empress by two heretic monks, who claim to have lost contact with the spirits of the afterlife. The monks believe this is the start of an ancient prophecy heralding the end of days-the Great Silence.

It falls to Renata Rainer, a low-ranking ambassador to an enigmatic and vicious race of mermen, to seek answers from those who still practice the arcane arts. But with the road south beset by war and the Empire on the brink of supernatural catastrophe, soon there may not be a world left to save . . .

Grave Empire is the first novel in an unmissable new epic fantasy series from Sunday Times bestseling author Rich Swan, packed full of action, intrigue and adventure
"

Grave Empire is probably one of the fantasy genre's most anticipated winter 2025 releases and I'm here to tell you that it has absolutely lived up to its hype. Grave Empire marks the beginning of a brand new series from Richard Swan that takes place in the same world as his previous trilogy, Empire of the Wolf, but taking place about 200 years after the events of that trilogy–and I'd say things start off quite a bit darker than the previous trilogy! I don't think you need to have read the Empire of the Wolf trilogy to follow Grave Empire, but I think it could definitely be a benefit to have some familiarity with the world and its history and particulars, and of course you'll find little easter eggs here and there. 

In Grave Empire, we follow Renata Rainer, a Sovan ambassador to the Stygion, a race of mermen who are still largely mysterious to those on land and with whom the Sovan have many long-standing tensions and clashes with. After following and loving Helena as the protagonist in the previous trilogy, I was delighted to follow another intelligent, resourceful woman and I quickly found myself captivated by her sharp mind and motivations. Renata is confident in her abilities, but also refreshingly self-aware of her limits and level of experience in various matters, especially with regard to her ambassadorial duties. Renata's story in Grave Empire kicks off when two heretical monks arrive in Sova claiming that they believe the "Great Silence"- an ancient prophecy that marks when contact with the plane of the afterlife is lost, which essentially heralds the end of days--has begun. The mermen may play a vital role in accessing a way to stop this catastrophe, and thus Renata is drawn into this developing crisis.

In addition to Renata, we follow two other POV characters: Peter Kleist, a lieutenant in the Sovan army dispatched to a dangerous, far-off region of the empire; and Count Lamprecht von Oldenburg, a senator who spends much of his time dabbling in arcane magic. The best part of having these additional perspectives is how distinct they are from one another, from their personalities to their experiences in the story.  Peter's chapters were exceptionally nail-biting at times and felt the most classically chilling, with some rather creepy occurrences that made me consistently eager to return to his chapters. His time at Fort Ingomar is filled with eerie, unsettling occurrences—unknown screams piercing the night, gruesome events leaving soldiers on edge—and his struggle to balance his responsibilities as a new leader in this place with his own fears made him a particularly compelling character.

In contrast, von Oldenburg begins as an intriguing figure who I thought might be more of grey counter to our other characters, but he quickly morphed into something much more sinister and became a more reprehensible figure. He struck me as an example of the phrase "they were so preoccupied with whether they could, they never stopped to think if they should." He very much seems to masquerade his desire for power and wealth with a pursuit of scientific inquiry, which made both interesting and deeply unsettling.

In most multi-perspective novels, the characters either already interact or at some point their storylines eventually intersect, and the ways in which Swan lay the groundwork for this eventual happening felt masterful. Our three POV characters start out in such vastly different situations that it really made me wonder how and at what point they would come together, and by the end of the book I was in awe of how seamlessly the pieces of the puzzle were coming together.

If you've read the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, then you'll already be familiar with the intricate world-building of this world, but if you haven't then you're likely to be dazzled by how deftly it has been crafted and how much imagination is a part of it, from the basics of the world to the more mystical aspects of the world. I especially loved exploring new corners of this world, particularly through Renata’s POV, which gives us a glimpse into the mesmerizing underwater world of the Stygion, and I only hope we get to see even more of it in future books. Swan's strength continues to be his ability to not only craft incredible world-building in the regular mortal world, but also in somehow crafting layers upon layers of more world-building with other dimensions as well, such as the afterlife and through dreams. I really can't wait to hopefully learn more about the Stygion in future books.

I've always felt that Swan really manages to straddle that line of fantasy the merges into horror more and more with each book releases, and Grave Empire was really no exception. A lot of what happens in this book is quite dark and easily veers into the horrific, but this still remains wholly fantasy in overall execution. This is one that demands concentration of the reader, but it ultimately pays off as events progress and we begin to learn more and more about current events that are unfolding. 

Overall, I've given Grave Empire five stars! I cannot wait to continue this new series. 


*I received a copy of Grave Empire in exchange for an honest review. This has no affect on my opinions.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Monday, February 3, 2025

Month in Review: January 2025

 

Well, we finally made it through the entire year that was January. Honestly, I think we can all agree January was a lot for so many different reasons and most of them were not good. Here in LA we had some truly horrific fires that left so much tragedy it's still difficult to fully process. Fortunately, my husband and I remained a couple miles out from any evacuation zones, but there were some scary moments in there and it's been heartbreaking to see what those affected are going through. Maybe this is a good time for all of us to take a minute and appreciate that we've made it through January and that we are ready to take on the rest of the year, no matter what has happened (or at least keep repeating that like a mantra and pretend it's true?). 

But rather than dwelling on what's going with the state of the world, let's talk about books! I actually ended up reading more than I expected to in January (somehow, despite having next to no concentration multiple times in January?) and I read some really fantastic books as well. One highlight was Richard Swan's latest upcoming release Grave Empire, which was every bit as dark and wonderful as I'd hoped. I also couldn't wait so I went ahead and read my eARC of A Drop of Corruption, the much-anticipated sequel to The Tainted Cup, and had a great time with that as well. I also re-read one of my favorite story collections, How High We Go in the Dark, and felt just as sad and melancholy as I did the first time I read it–and also just as in love with it. All in all, it was a very solid reading month and I'm excited to get into February's reading!

I also posted my best books of 2024 in January, so be sure to have a look at part I and part II of those lists if you haven't and let me know what your favorite books were from 2024. :)

How was your January and what books have you been reading?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!
   

# books read: 


Grave Empire by Richard Swan ★★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: Grave Empire is the start of Richard Swan's new companion-esque trilogy following his Empire of the Wolf trilogy and it kicked off with a bang! I loved this one and cannot wait for more. My review will be up this week!

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett ★★★★.25
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: For some reason, it took me a long time to get through this one and I'm not entirely sure why. I loved the first book--it was one of my favorite reads last year--and I still really liked this one, but it just moved much more slowly until the end. My review will be up closer to its publication in April.

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu ★★★★★ (re-read)
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was a reread because apparently I felt like being really sad, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. I previously wrote a review for it here with more of my thoughts. 

The Witchstone by Henry H. Neff ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was really fun! I sort of picked this up on a whim after seeing it pop up while browsing on  Libby and it ended being a really fun read. I actually read a middle grade novel from Neff years and years ago that I enjoyed, so now I'm thinking I may need to check out some more of Neff's work. 


Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods ★★★★
Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I though Kell Woods' After the Forest was a compelling take on a Hansel and Gretel retelling so I was eager to check out her latest release, which mashes up some elements from Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. There was a bit more romance than I expected (which was perhaps my own fault for not realizing, haha), but I had a great time with this one. My review will be up closer to its publication laster this month. 

Daughter of Chaos (The Dark Pantheon #1) by A.S. Webb ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I'm always up for a Greek myth-inspired book, and this was a really interesting one. I loved having Herakles be a character, as I don't actually see him a lot in Greek myth inspired fiction, which is surprising. 

Lightfall (The Everlands Trilogy #1) by Ed Crocker ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a really interesting new take on vampires and I thought it had a lot of promise! I will definitely be curious to see where the author takes this one. My review is already up here. 

Symbiote by Michael Nayak ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: This ended up being even more intense than I expected and it was jam-packed with action. This was definitely a wild ride.


I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee, Transl. Anton Her ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: I thought this had some great insight and discussion around a multitude of mental health topics and what's it like to struggle with depression and other mental health issues. I didn't necessarily agree with everything in here and some stuff didn't work for me, but I liked the conversational format and think it's still a read that will inspire some thinking and discussion.

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I just posted my review for this one last week. This is Shusterman's  latest release and it was a really fascinating one!

Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon by Matt Dinniman ★★★.75
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: Since I've been enjoying Dinniman Dungeon Crawler Carl series so much, I though I'd give one of his previous works a read. This is very much a similar litRPG-style book so if you like that aspect, you'll love it in this as well. It didn't grab me as much as the DCC series, but it's still a really interesting concept. It's dark and quite violent, so be warned!

Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby ★★★.5
Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover
Thoughts: I sort of stumbled into this book and read it without knowing anything about except that the protagonist and her mother were aerialists in a circus and that was pretty much all I needed. This ended up being a really good exploration of grief, connection, and there were some interesting fantasy elements I didn't expect.

DNF/To-Be-Finished:
None!
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Friday Face-Off:
Current Read #34

Friday, January 31, 2025

Anticipated February 2025 Releases!

 

February around the corner means a whole new month of new releases! And February is truly packed with a wide array of upcoming titles, so be sure to have a look and let me know which books you're most looking forward to--and be sure to let me know if I've left any out of this list that you're really looking forward to. I've had the opportunity to read a number of these already and it is shaping up to be a great month of books (Grave Empire is a particularly fantastic one!). Happy reading!


Grave Empire by Richard Swan || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett || February 11th -- AmazonBookshop.org

Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods || February 18th -- AmazonBookshop.org

The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton || February 25th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Future's Edge by Gareth L. Powell || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn || February 18th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Black Orb by Ewhan Kim || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce || February 25th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Poorly Made and Other Things by Sam Rebelein || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Symbiote by Michael Nayak || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Gliff by Ali Smith || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor || February 25th -- AmazonBookshop.org

The Garden by Nick Newman || February 18th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall by J. Ann Thomas || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill || February 25th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Whiteout by R.S. Burnett || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Waiting for the Long Night Moon by Amanda Peters || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

After the North Pole by Erling Kagge || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Daughter of Daring by Mallory O'Meara || February 18th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Boy by Nicole Galland || February 25th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarite Montimore || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Beartooth by Callan Wink || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Why On Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology edited by Rosiee Thor & Vania Stoyanova || February 4th -- AmazonBookshop.org

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad || February 25th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

These Vengeful Wishes by Vanessa Montalban || February 4th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker || February 25th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Forest King's Daughter by Elly Blake || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict || February 11th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

I Am the Cage by Allison Sweet Grant || February 18th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

What are your anticipated February releases?