Month in Review: April 2026

Wow, April was a blur! May is starting to blur as well (especially considering I meant to have this post up on May 2nd and somehow it's now going up on May 11th...), but I still want to make sure to have time reflect on April's reading, so here we are! 

In personal news... I've just been super busy so I don't really have that much to share, haha. Between the classes I'm taking and the new job, I just haven't had a lot of time to do much of anything, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm just holding out for June, now. Maybe I'll have something more fun to share then!

In reading news, I managed to read much more than I anticipated, which I'm really happy about. This included a couple books that I loved, such as The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances and The Caretaker, and I'm hoping that May brings some more great books with it. I'm very pleased that I was actually able to keep up with reviews in April and actually posted more than a small handful, so hooray for that! And as usual, I'm woefully behind on catching up with everyone else's blogs, but I'm planning to set aside some time this week to catch up, so I'm looking forward to that as well. :)

How was your April and what books have you been reading? How's the new year been? Any reading-related goals?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

   

# books read: 13

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I had such high hopes and so much excitement for this book... and it didn't disappoint at all! This is the best psychological horror and I can't wait for whatever Kliewer does next.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC
Thoughts: I really liked Bat Eater by Kylie Lee Baker so I was pretty excited for this release, but sadly it didn't quite work for me. The writing is still beautiful and it's not at all a bad book, it just wasn't really for me. 

The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was so lovely and made the Brave Little Toaster fan in me so happy. 

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a really strong new sci-fi release from Lee. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I liked the Green Bone Saga series, but I think it's a solid new story nonetheless.

Steel Gods (The Great Silence #2) by Richard Swan

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: Maybe it was something about me or the timing of when I read this book, but I just really struggled with it. I might try to re-read it sometime, but for right now I found this to be a bit of a disappointment compared to how much I enjoyed the first book. But I'm really hoping it was just me and a re-read sometime will do it justice!

The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb by Garrett M. Graff

Source: Library  | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: This was such a fascinating experience. I listened to the audiobook and was really impressed with all the narrative voices used to relay the different oral histories and quotes from different people, and I'd absolutely recommend this one!

We Had a Little Real Estate Problem by Kliph Nesteroff

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: I learned so much from this book and think it's a very unexpectedly fascinating topic. If you don't know, this book is about the history of Native America comedy/comedians/Native Americans in comedy, and it's well worth the read. 

Siúil, a Rún: The Girl From the Other Side, Vol. 1 (The Girl from the Other Side #1) by Nagabe

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: I'd had my eye on this ever since I saw the cover in passing at a bookstore and I finally had a chance to check out a copy from my library. The illustrations are lovely and the story seems intriguing--I'm not sure exactly what to expect still, but I'm planning to continue the series to find out. 

The Magician King (The Magicians #2) by Lev Grossman

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: I continued with my re-read of this trilogy and I'm still so mixed. There are things that don't totally work, yet somehow it feels so strangely addictive. 

The Magician's Land (The Magicians #3) by Lev Grossman

Source: Library | Format: Ebook
Thoughts: And now I've finished my re-read of the trilogy! I still have so many mixed thoughts, but I'm really glad I decided to re-read these ones. 

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold (Wayward Children #11) by Seanan McGuire

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook
Thoughts: And with this one, I believe I am finally caught up with the Wayward Children series! I'll admit that this series just really isn't hitting for me the way it used, but I'm still curious enough to keep reading them, I guess, haha.

The Baker's Boy (Book of Words #1) by J.V. Jones

Source: Owned | Format: Paperback
Thoughts: It took me way too long to finish this, but I'm glad I did. I'm a huge fan of J.V. Jones' Sword of Shadows series and I wanted to give her other work a read. I didn't like this one anywhere close to as much as I love the Sword of Shadows series, but it was fun to see some of her earlier and to see how much her writing has evolved. 

West of Wicked by Nikki St. Crowe

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC
Thoughts: This was a fun and unexpected read! I enjoyed what the author did with the Wizard of Oz inspiration and I am pretty curious to see where she takes this story next.

To-Be-Finished:

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego

Honestly, this might be a full DNF, but I'm still in the process of deciding. There were a few lines I read that just completely took me out of the book, and although I'm not normally someone who's overly bothered by things like that, for some reason it just really didn't work for me. The writing in general just wasn't working for me, so I may end up fully passing on this one.

 

No Man's Land by Richard K. Morgan

The Tricky Business of Faerie Bargains by Reena McCarty

The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon

West of Wicked by Nikki St. Crowe

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

An Arcane Study of Stars by Sydney J. Shields

 Posts:

 Month in Review: March 2026

Anticipated May 2026 Releases

Blog Memes:

Can't-Wait Wednesday:
4/1: The Franchise by Thomas Elrod, Treat Them as Buffalo by Blair Palmer Yoxall, & One Leg On Earth by 'Pemi Aguda

4/8: Accumulation by Aimee Pokwatka, Homebound by Portia Elan, That Which Feeds Us by Keala Kendall

4/15: The Dorians by Nick Cutter, Under a Carnivore Sky by Brianna Jett, & The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego

4/22: Abyss by Nicholas Binge, The Pillagers' Guide to Arctic Pianos, Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey

4/29: The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean & Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu

Review: The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

Orbit

Publication date: May 5th, 2026

Hardcover. 528 pages.

About The Last Contract of Isako:

"A battle-worn corporate samurai undertakes one last mission on a merciless planet where death is always a mere breath away, in this standalone dystopian epic from the author of the modern fantasy classic Jade City.

LIVE BY THE CODE. DIE BY THE KNIFE.

Isako is a legendary swordswoman, but every legend must come to an end. When her long-time client unexpectedly retires, she plans to follow—to walk out into the frozen wasteland of their planet with her head held high and her family enriched by her death. But when she's offered a final mission, she can't refuse, especially when she realizes who lies at the center of it all: Martim, her last—and worst—apprentice, who's somehow made his way to the top. As she's thrust into a world of corporate espionage and shadowy secrets, what she uncovers could forever change humanity's existence among the stars.

The Last Contract of Isako is epic science fiction like only Fonda Lee can write it—set in a world where money trumps loyalty, the elite have the power to extend life or end it, and one woman in the twilight of her calling must decide what's ultimately worth living—or dying—for."

 

If the phrase “corporate samurai” does anything to pique your interest--as it did mine--then this is definitely a book you’ll want to take a look at. In The Last Contract of Isako, we follow an atier who suddenly finds herself looking at the possibility of retirement until she’s suddenly roped into a mission that she couldn’t have predicted being a part of. This is a futuristic space opera-style story from an author whose previous series, The Green Bone Saga, I really enjoyed, so this was easily one of my most anticipated releases and I was eager to see what she could with some sci-fi. Fonda Lee absolutely delivers on crafting an intricate, carefully plotted, and intriguing new story, and although I can’t say it stole my interest more than The Green Bone Saga, it’s still an entirely solid new work from Fonda Lee.

Isako herself was a strong character to follow. She’s clearly incredibly capable and competent, and she has what I’d consider a very well-earned sense of confidence--no exaggeration needed around her abilities. What worked really well was how she also felt really grounded as a person and like someone you could actually know and talk to.

I also appreciated seeing some glimpses into her personal life, such as her interactions with her daughter, which I felt made her feel even more like a real person rather than some larger-then-life figure who’s just a beast at her job (even though she is!). I’m not sure I 100% connected with her, but I don’t think that’s necessary to enjoy a character, and I genuinely enjoyed her perspective and following her journey. Lee really does a great job crafting her characters in ways that make them feel both intriguing and accessible. I also really enjoyed Kob as a supporting character, and I felt that his presence added a really interesting layer to the story. I really enjoyed learning about the world and lifestyle of ronins through him and what it’s like for those who are operating outside of the more traditional and standard structures, even if not always entirely legal.  He brought what I think is some really great balance and foiling to Isako’s character, and also seems like he does a great job in keeping her a bit more sane and grounded in some interesting ways. 



What didn’t work quite as well for me was the middle section of the book where the POV switches to a character called Martim. While hist strolling is critical to the plot and adds some really meaningful context to the overall narrative, I didn’t find it quite as compelling as Isako’s. It just felt a bit denser and more emotionally distance, which made it much harder for me to stay as invested overall. I really appreciate what it contributed to the story, but it just didn’t grab me as much as Isako’s POV did. 



The world-building was both fascinating and slightly hit-or-miss for me. On the one hand, it’s very clearly incredibly detailed (and I’d expect nothing less from Fonda Lee) and thoughtfully constructed, but on the other hand, it lacked something that would have made it feel more immersive to me. It’s almost like seeing a really gorgeous, detailed painting in the distance, but it’s too far away to really feel like you can fully experience and appreciate it’s beauty and what it can offer, if that makes sense. I could sense the incredible world, but didn’t quite feel like I was there and could visualized it fully. I think liked what this book was doing a bit more than the actual execution of it, but it’s still a very solid read.



That said, I found the overall structure of the world, such as the ways in which the corporate and political system were crafted--and, naturally, how they intertwined--really compelling. This, to me, is where Fonda Lee really shines, as she really excels with the care and precision she puts into building the different systems within her worlds. Everything felt deliberate, complex, and well thought out, even if it didn’t fully work for me on every level. I just can’t fault it. 



The pacing felt even and steady throughout. There were moment that moved more quickly, such as some of the action scenes, but overall it was fairly consistent. The middle section is probably what I would say came the closest to slowing things down a bit, but I wouldn’t really consider it too have dragged in any way, just maybe slowed some of the initial momentum, though as it progressed it built it all back up.



Much like in the The Green Bone Saga, I find Lee’s writing to lean more on the technical side than the emotional side or with heavy purple prose, and this worked really well for the story. There’s a lot of clarity in the tone and writing, which fit the structure well. I also found that everything in this book worked really well in building up towards the ending, which I think worked really well for this story and made me really curious to read more. I’m not 100% sure if there will be a sequel (someone let me know if there is something planned that has been announced already!), but I think there should be because I’d definitely check it out!



Overall, The Last Contract of Isako is a great new sci-fi exploration from Fonda Lee. If you liked The Green Bone Saga or find any part of this premise intriguing, then you should absolutely give this one a read. It’s not necessarily a new favorite for me and doesn’t outshine the Green Bone Saga, but it’s definitely worth the read.

*I received a copy of The Last Contract of Isako courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating or enjoyment.*

Buy the book: Bookshop.org | Amazon

Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean & Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu

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 Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean

Publication: May 5th, 2026

Tor Books

Hardcover. 320 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"From the USA Today bestselling author of The Book Eaters comes The Girl with a Thousand Faces, a stunning Gothic tale set in a historical Hong Kong that meshes ancient myths and local legends into a haunting story of ghosts, grief, and women who will not forgive.

When Mercy Chan washes up on the shores of Hong Kong with no family, no money, and no memories, the only refuge she finds is the infamous, ghost-infested slum of Kowloon Walled City. Since then, she has rebuilt her life, working for the local triad as a ghost talker and dealing with the angry and bitter spirits who haunt the district. The filthy gutters and cramped alleyways of Kowloon have become her home.

But the past Mercy can’t remember isn't done with her. An unusually powerful ghost has infested Kowloon’s waterways, drowning innocents and threatening the district. It claims to know Mercy―and secrets from her past that are best left forgotten.

As Mercy is drawn into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with this malignant spirit, she begins to realize that the monster she fights within these walls may well be one of her own making.

'The Girl With a Thousand Faces confirms Sunyi Dean as one of the most interesting voices in genre fiction.'―Gareth Brown, USA Today bestselling author of The Book of Doors"

Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu

Publication: May 5th, 2026

Scribner

Hardcover. 304 pages.

Pre-order: Bookshop.org | Amazon

From Goodreads:

"A BREATHTAKING DEBUT novel about survival, hope, and second chances in an Asian American community in Massachusetts, when a false missile throws the residents' lives into chaos.

"Propulsive and poetic...A MASTERFUL debut." ―Jenny Tinghui Zhang
“A PROFOUND work about connection.” ―Brian Castleberry
"Compelling and CINEMATIC." ―Abraham Chang

On an otherwise unremarkable morning, the residents of a small town in Massachusetts all receive the same alert: BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Confronted with the options of fight or flight, planning or panicking, the people of Beckitt are stripped to their basest instincts and revealed as their truest selves. Russ squeezes his family into the bathtub, leaving his own survival in question; Nina sends an unforgivable text to her daughter; Milly confesses her unrequited love; and David hits the gas, speeding away from his wife and child.

Then the second message comes in: FALSE ALARM. PLEASE DISREGARD. ALL CLEAR. First comes relief, then comes the reckoning, as each person is forced to face the unforeseen aftermath of decisions they thought might be their last.

Vincent Yu’s searing debut follows this eclectic cast of characters over a period of many years, suggesting that the conflicts the missile exacerbated were simmering under the surface long before, and proving the ripple effects of the false alarm will be felt for years to come.

An urgent, fiercely heartfelt exploration of relationships in all forms, Seek Immediate Shelter explores the balance between love and loyalty, betrayal and forgiveness. What choices would you make if you thought your life were on the line? And if you survive, can you ever redeem yourself?"

Anticipated May 2026 Releases

   

May is just around the corner, which means a whole new month of new books! As always, I've gathered some of the month's most anticipated releases for you to peruse, so be sure to let me know which May releases you're most looking forward to (even if it's not on this list!)! I've got a few May ARCs I'm working through already and things are looking good, so I can't wait to hopefully dive into some more. Happy reading, everyone!

Treat Them as Buffalo by Blair Palmer Yoxall || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Accumulation by Aimee Pokwatka || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Franchise by Thomas Elrod || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Mortedant's Peril by RJ Barker || May 21st -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Bone Door by Frances White || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Homebound by Portia Elan || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

John of John by Douglas Stuart || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Coyoteland by Vanessa Hua || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Cove by Claire Rose || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Abyss by Nicholas Binge || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Seek Immediate Shelter by Vincent Yu || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Canon by Paige Lewis || May 19th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Hunger by Choi Jin-Young || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Pillagers' Guide to Arctic Pianos by Kendra Langford || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

I Hear a New World by Alan Moore || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

One Leg on Earth by 'Pemi Aguda || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Under a Carnivore Sky by Brianna Jett || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Dorians by Nick Cutter || May 19th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Song of the Saltings by Rachael King || May 19th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Babylon, South Dakota by Tom Lin || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Rainshadow Orphans by Naomi Ishiguro || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

All Hail Chaos by Sarah Rees Brennan || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

House of Margins by Tlooto Tsamaase || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Artifacts by Natalie Lemle || May 19th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Teddy Bears Never Die by Cho Yeeun || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Dead Weight by Hildur Knutsdottir || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Summer Boy by Philippe Besson || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

That Which Feeds Us by Keala Kendall || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Good Eye by Jess Gibson || May 12th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

Mercy Hill by Hannah Thurman || May 5th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

A Kiss of Crimson Ash by Anuja Varghese || May 26th -- Amazon | Bookshop.org

What are your anticipated May releases?