Can't-Wait Wednesday: We are the Beasts by Gigi Griffis & Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-Mo, transl. Chi-Young Kim

       

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

We are the Beasts by Gigi Griffis
Publication: December 24th, 2024
Kensington
Hardcover. 336 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Step into this chilling, historical horror inspired by the unsolved mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan.

When a series of brutal, mysterious deaths start plaguing the countryside and whispers of a beast in the mountains reach the quiet French hamlet of Mende, most people believe it’s a curse—God’s punishment for their sins.

But to sixteen-year-old Joséphine and her best friend, Clara, the beast isn’t a curse. It’s an opportunity.

For years, the girls of Mende have been living in a nightmare—fathers who drink, brothers who punch, homes that feel like prisons—and this is a chance to get them out.

Using the creature’s attacks as cover, Joséphine and Clara set out to fake their friends’ deaths and hide them away until it’s safe to run. But escape is harder than they thought. If they can’t brave a harsh winter with little food… If the villagers discover what they’re doing… If the beast finds them first...

Those fake deaths might just become real ones."

I love that this is based on a real legend and that the author seems to be taking it into a new direction. I'm always curious to see how things like this turn out!

Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo, transl. Chi-Young Kim
Publication: December 3rd, 2024
Hanover Square Press
Paperback. 224 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"From the New York Times Notable author of The Old Woman with the Knifecomes a bracingly original story of family, marriage and the cultural expectations of motherhood, about four women whose lives intersect in dramatic and unexpected ways at a government-run apartment complex outside Seoul

When Yojin moves with her husband and daughter into the Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments, she’s ready for a fresh start. Located on the outskirts of Seoul, the experimental community is a government initiative designed to boost the national birth rate. Like her neighbors, Yojin has agreed to have at least two more children over the next ten years.

Yet, from the day she arrives, Yojin feels uneasy about the community spirit thrust upon her. Her concerns grow as communal child care begins and the other parents show their true colors. Apartment Women traces the lives of four women in the apartments, all with different aspirations and beliefs. Will they find a way to live peacefully? Or are the cultural expectations around parenthood stacked against them from the start?

A trenchant social novel from an award-winning author, Apartment Women incisively illuminates the unspoken imbalance of women’s parenting labor, challenging the age-old assumption that “it takes a village” to raise a child."

This is such a compelling topic and I'm really looking forward to how the author tackles this entire premise--I'm curious to learn more about each of these characters.

Review: The Way by Cary Groner

 

The Way by Cary Groner

Spiegel & Grau

Publication Date: December 3rd, 2024

Hardcover. 304 pages.

About The Way:

"A postapocalyptic road trip and a quest for redemption.

The world has been ravaged by a lethal virus and, with few exceptions, only the young have survived. Cities and infrastructures have been destroyed, and the natural world has reclaimed the landscape in surprising ways, with herds of wild camels roaming the American West and crocodiles that glow neon green lurking in the rivers.

Against this perilous backdrop, Will Collins, the de facto caretaker of a Buddhist monastery in Colorado, receives an urgent and mysterious request: to deliver a potential cure to a scientist in what was once California. So Will sets out, haunted by dreams of the woman he once loved, in a rusted-out pickup pulled by two mules. A menacing thug is on his tail. Armed militias patrol the roads. And the only way he’ll make it is with the help of a clever raven, an opinionated cat, and a tough teenage girl who has learned to survive on her own.

A highly original contribution to the canon of dystopian literature, The Way is a thrilling and imaginative novel, full of warmth, wisdom, and surprises that reflect our world in unsettling, uncanny, and even hopeful ways."

The Way by Cary Groner is a thought-provoking and unexpectedly satisfying read that I didn’t anticipate liking it as much as I did—or in the way that I did. The Way is set in a world ravaged by a deadly virus that has wiped out 80% of the population, leaving our protagonist, and while this post-apocalyptic/post-pandemic novel might initially seem like a bleak tale of survival, its heart and tone seem to lean towards a more hopeful overall atmosphere.

The story centers on Will Collins who has been taking care of a Buddhist monastery when he is tasked with delivering a potential cure to a facility in California, which means a long journey west is in store for him. Will's journey is a perilous adventure full of risks and encounters with a fairly eclectic cast of people and animals. His Buddhist background and beliefs added a lot of depth to his observations of both the world around him, as well as his own inner thoughts and struggles, all of which provided some truly thought-provoking perspectives on humanity and survival.

Accompanying Will are Cassie, his cat; Peau, a raven whom Will has learned to successfully communicate with; a couple mules; and a variety of other people and creatures that pop in and out of this journey. I especially enjoyed how Groner explored the lives of various survivors of the virus and delved into the unique ways individuals and communities have adapted to the harsh realities of a post-virus world. I always enjoy getting to meet different people and see how they've all set up their lives and what their own opinions and perspective are on everything that's been going on. These glimpses into survival and rebuilding were some of my favorite aspects of the story as I felt they added so much more depth to the story and narrative.

I previously mentioned that The Way has an overall hopeful tone to it, but that's not to say that it does not also take a cold hard look at the realities of a post-virus world. There are many moments when Will and readers alike are confronted with the unflinching reality of loss, desperation, and many more hardships that would likely occur after such a traumatic event. There's a strong balance of realism and optimism that I thought worked perfectly for this story that prevented it from becoming too dark.

I particularly liked the ending and thought it was well-deserved and more satisfying than I anticipated. I can see it not working well for some people and I can certainly understand why, but it's one of those where I sort of secretly wanted a certain ending and this one really hit the mark for me with how earned and meaningful it felt.

Lastly, I listened to the audiobook version and thought the. narrator did an excellent job capturing the tone of Will throughout. I felt they captured Will’s voice and the tone of the story perfectly, which made it an even more immersive experience.

The Way is a fantastic post-apocalyptic novel that blends insight, adventure, and heart. I would readily recommend it to readers across genres—whether you’re here for the premise, the philosophy, or the character-driven storytelling, there’s a little something for everyone. 

*I received a copy of The Way in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Friday Face-Off: Current Read #33

                         

 Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme at Books by Proxy. Join us every Friday as we pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.  You can find a list of upcoming topics at Lynn's Books.

This week's topic is:

Current Read #33

I haven't done a Friday Face-Off in a while, so I thought it might be a great time to jump back in, and this week I've picked a book I've been very excited about: The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami! This book was finally released in English this week and I have been eagerly anticipating this book for years. I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of this one so I've been slowly working my way through it for a while and I'm having the best time being immersed back into Murakami's writing. Because this book was released in Japan in 2023 and has already been translated and released in other languages as well, there are already plenty of editions out there, so let's have a look at some of them!

2024 US | 2023 Japan | 2024 Dutch

2024 Chinese | 2024 UK | 2024 Persian

2023 Korean | 2024 Bengali | 2024 Spanish

2024 German | 2024 Finnish | 2024 Italian

My favorite(s):

These are all such cool covers! I am particularly drawn to the US, Japan, and Chinese editions this time around. The Chinese edition is actually really grabbing me, I'm really liking the style of it. The Korean edition is also really striking. Which cover(s) do you like the most!?

Can't-Wait Wednesday: North is the Night by Emily Rath & The Way by Cary Kroner

       

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

North is the Night by Emily Rath
Publication: December 17th, 2024
Erewhon
Hardcover. 592 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"In the Finnish wilderness, more than wolves roam the dark forests. For Siiri and Aina, summer’s fading light is a harbinger of unwelcome change. Land-hungry Swedes venture north, threatening the peace; a zealous Christian priest denounces the old ways; and young women have begun to disappear.

Siiri vows to protect Aina from danger. But even Siiri cannot stop a death goddess from dragging her friend to Tuonela, the mythical underworld. Determined to save Aina, Siiri braves a dangerous journey north to seek the greatest shaman of legend, the only person to venture to the realm of death and return alive.

In Tuonela, the cruel Witch Queen turns Aina’s every waking moment into a living nightmare. But armed with compassion and cleverness, Aina learns the truth of her capture: the king of the underworld himself has plans for her. To return home, Aina must bargain her heart—as Siiri plots a daring rescue of the woman she loves the most.

In this sweeping fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik, and H.M. Long, hope and love can conquer even death itself."

Comparisons to Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik are very bold, but I'm excited to check this one out!

The Way by Cary Croner
Publication: December 3rd, 2024
Spiegel & Grau
Hardcover. 304 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"A postapocalyptic road trip and a quest for redemption.

The world has been ravaged by a lethal virus and, with few exceptions, only the young have survived. Cities and infrastructures have been destroyed, and the natural world has reclaimed the landscape in surprising ways, with herds of wild camels roaming the American West and crocodiles that glow neon green lurking in the rivers.

Against this perilous backdrop, Will Collins, the de facto caretaker of a Buddhist monastery in Colorado, receives an urgent and mysterious request: to deliver a potential cure to a scientist in what was once California. So Will sets out, haunted by dreams of the woman he once loved, in a rusted-out pickup pulled by two mules. A menacing thug is on his tail. Armed militias patrol the roads. And the only way he’ll make it is with the help of a clever raven, an opinionated cat, and a tough teenage girl who has learned to survive on her own.

A highly original contribution to the canon of dystopian literature, The Way is a thrilling and imaginative novel, full of warmth, wisdom, and surprises that reflect our world in unsettling, uncanny, and even hopeful ways."

I am so intrigued by this premise and think it sounds so promising!

Review: Darkly by Marisha Pessl

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

Delacorte Press

Publication Date: November 26th, 2024

Hardcover. 416 pages.

About Darkly:

"Arcadia “Dia” Gannon has been obsessed with Louisiana Veda, the game designer whose obsessive creations and company, Darkly, have gained a cultlike following. Dia is shocked when she’s chosen for a highly-coveted internship, along with six other teenagers from around the world. Why her? Dia has never won anything in her life.

Darkly, once a game-making empire renowned for its ingenious and utterly terrifying toys and games, now lies dormant after Veda’s mysterious death. The remaining games are priced like rare works of art, with some fetching millions of dollars at auction.

As Dia and her fellow interns delve into the heart of Darkly, they discover hidden symbols, buried clues, and a web of intrigue. Who are these other teens, and what secrets do they keep? Why were any of them really chosen? The answers lie within the twisted labyrinth of Darkly—a chilling and addictive read by Marisha Pessl.

This summer will be the most twisted Darkly game of all."

I was so excited for a new book from Marisha Pessl! I loved Special Topics in Calamity Physics back when I read it what feels like ages ago, and I subsequently loved Night Film and its unique storytelling format. Darkly is just as layered and intricate as Pessl's previous work and I really loved diving back into her storytelling. 

In Darkly, we are immersed in the world of Darkly Games, a mysterious brand created by the enigmatic Louisiana Veda. Seven teenagers from around the globe are selected for an exclusive internship—an opportunity that delivers far more than any of them anticipated. I was completely hooked by this twisty, unpredictable story.

The protagonist, Dia Gannon, is a devoted fan of Louisiana’s games and knows far more than the average player, making this internship a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she can’t pass up. Raised in her family’s antique shop by her eccentric mother, Dia’s life has always been a bit unconventional. Her obsession with Louisiana’s games and disappearance drives her, and as the story unfolds, she comes face-to-face with answers to questions the world has long asked about Louisiana—answers she may not be ready for.

There are six other interns we get to know, and I enjoyed getting to know each character and where they fit into this particular Darkly puzzle. Admittedly, however, I did sometimes have difficulties remembering who was who among some of the other characters, as I felt their individual personalities were not developed past some more general characteristics. I felt like the author put a focus on a few characters, such as Poe, but then others just seemed there as plot devices and lacked anything overly memorable about them. 

Darkly's dark and mysterious atmosphere made it hard to put down and easy to become immersed in.  I loved never knowing where the story would go next, and the sheer number of secrets waiting to be unearthed was thrilling. The games themselves were utterly fascinating, leaving me wishing they existed in the real world—though I’m certain I’d be terrible at them, haha. Pessl’s hallmark complexity shines in how the games are seamlessly woven into the narrative, which blurred the line between game and reality in a way that was both unsettling and exciting at the same time. 

The ending also offered a satisfying conclusion to the many mysteries presented throughout the story. There were moments when the ending seemed the slightest bit rushed, as if Pessl wanted to wrap up as many threads as possible in a limited amount of time. However, I also feel like once certain things are discovered and everything comes to light things do tend to happen quickly anyway, so it didn't feel too abrupt. 

Overall, I highly recommend Darkly to anyone who enjoys a good twisty story that has layers and layers of secrets to unearth. If  you've enjoyed Marisha Pessl's books in the past, I think you'll also be pleased with this one. 

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

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould & Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archives #5) by Brandon Sanderson

       

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

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould
Publication: December 10th, 2024
Wednesday Books
Hardcover. 336 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Yellowjackets meets Girl, Interrupted when a group of troubled teens in a wilderness therapy program find themselves stranded in a forest full of monsters eager to take their place. 

Devin Green wakes in the middle of the night to find two men in her bedroom. No stranger to a fight, she calls to her foster parents for help, but it soon becomes clear this is a planned abduction—one everyone but Devin signed up for. She’s shoved in a van and driven deep into the Idaho woods, where she’s dropped off with a cohort of equally confused teens. Finally, two camp counselors inform them that they've all been enrolled in an experimental therapy program. If the campers can learn to change their self-destructive ways—and survive a fifty-days hike through the wilderness—they’ll come out the other side as better versions of themselves. Or so the counselors say.

Devin is immediately determined to escape. She’s also determined to ignore Sheridan, the cruel-mouthed, lavender-haired bully who mocks every group exercise. But there’s something strange about these woods—inhuman faces appearing between the trees, visions of people who shouldn't be there flashing in the leaves—and when the campers wake up to find both counselors missing, therapy becomes the least of their problems. Stranded and left to fend for themselves, the teens quickly realize they’ll have to trust each other if they want to survive. But what lies in the woods may not be as dangerous as what the campers are hiding from each other—and if the monsters have their way, no one will leave the woods alive.

Atmospheric and sharp, What the Woods Took is a poignant story of transformation that explores the price of becoming someone—or something—new."

I am very intrigued by this premise, as I always enjoy a good survival story that also relies heavily on human relationships and interactions. Hopefully it's a little bit spooky, also!

Wind and Truth (The Stormlight Archives #5) by Brandon Sanderson
Publication: December 6th, 2024
Tor Books
Hardcover. 1344 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"The long-awaited explosive climax to the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive―the iconic epic fantasy masterpiece that has sold more than 10 million copies, from acclaimed bestselling author Brandon Sanderson.

Dalinar Kholin challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions with the future of Roshar on the line. The Knights Radiant have only ten days to prepare―and the sudden ascension of the crafty and ruthless Taravangian to take Odium’s place has thrown everything into disarray.

Desperate fighting continues simultaneously worldwide―Adolin in Azimir, Sigzil and Venli at the Shattered Plains, and Jasnah at Thaylen City. The former assassin, Szeth, must cleanse his homeland of Shinovar from the dark influence of the Unmade. He is accompanied by Kaladin, who faces a new battle helping Szeth fight his own demons . . . and who must do the same for the insane Herald of the Almighty, Ishar.

At the same time, Shallan, Renarin, and Rlain work to unravel the mystery behind the Unmade Ba-Ado-Mishram and her involvement in the enslavement of the singer race and in the ancient Knights Radiants killing their spren. And Dalinar and Navani seek an edge against Odium’s champion that can be found only in the Spiritual Realm, where memory and possibility combine in chaos. The fate of the entire Cosmere hangs in the balance."

I'm sure many people are anxiously awaiting this release! I am honestly in quite a desperate need for a recap of the first four books, though, as a re-read is a bit out of the question given the size of these dang books and my memory is a bit hazy on some things, haha.

Month in Review: October 2024

Note: This was scheduled to be posted during the first week of November, but I have just now realized it never did because I've been out of town and didn't notice! So this is a very lately month in review, but better late than never... right? :)

 I love October and I'm honestly a bit disappointed that it's over, haha. It was a great month! How was everyone's Halloween? I always love having candy for the kids trick or treating, but I have to say we didn't have quite as many this year as we usually do, which was a little disappointing, but still very fun to see everyone who did come by. What do you do (if anything) to celebrate?

In personal news, I participated in a teacher training program for aerial silks which was exhausting but also so rewarding and I'm pleased to say that I am now officially certified as a level one aerial silks instructor (to be clear, there's no official governing board for aerial arts so no certifications are required, but there are some reputable companies that offer training certifications, which is where I did mine!)! I don't plan to start teaching right away, but hopefully next year I can start. I was a bit nervous to start the training and was worried I wasn't prepared for it, but it ended up being an amazing experience and I learned so much.

In reading news, I am very pleased to report that this was a great reading month! I managed to get through a pretty good array of horror books, which is exactly what I wanted to do. I somehow still didn't manage to get to half of the ones I wanted to, but I'm not going to complain, haha. That just means there's still more to read, right? I also didn't read nearly as many ARCs as I should have, but it's largely because I was prioritizing horror this month. A few standouts from my October reads were The Black Hunger and Coup de Grâce.  

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

   

# books read: 14

The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen ★★★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram ★★★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover

Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: Hardcover

The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan ★★★★

Source: NetGalley | Format: eARC

The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim ★★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Hardcover

The Haar by David Sodergren ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Pyramidia by Stephanie Sanders-Jacob ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Small Horrors: A Collection of Fifty Creepy Stories by Darcy Coates ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: 

The Vessel by Adam L.G. Nevill ★★★

Source: Library | Format: 

A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather ★★★.75

Source: Library | Format: 

Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud ★★★

Source: Owned | Format: Paperback

And What Can We Offer You Tonight by Premee Mohamed ★★★★

Source: Library | Format: 

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury ★★★★

Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

DNF/To-Be-Finished:

This Cursed House by Del Sandeen
I wanted to like this one so much, but it just severely lacked in atmosphere and feeling even remotely scary. This story had os much potential, but I was just started to feel so bored that I decided to set it down. I may revisit it someday, but no current plans to. 

 

A Rose by Any Other Name by Mary McMyne
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury
The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen
The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim
Pyramidia by Stephanie Sanders-Jacob
The Haar by David Sodergren
Small Horrors by Darcy Coates

 Posts:

October Anticipated Releases
Month in Review: September 2024
November Anticipated Releases

Blog Memes:

Can't-Wait Wednesday:
10/2: The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami & The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso
10/9: We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa Sees & Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine
10/16: Darkly by Marisha Pessl & The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, & Karen White
10/23: The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson & Eleanore of Avignon by Elizabeth DeLozier
10/30: Dead Girls Don't Dream by Nino Cipri & The Estate by Sarah Jost

The Friday Face-Off:
Current Read #32