Kaveh Akbar's Martyr! is very much its own creation, but you might think of it as an Iranian American spin on John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces — wedded to Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch.
In writer Tanja Maljartschuk's novel, the narrator's malaise and weakening attachment to time serve as a metaphor for today's Ukraine, as well as for other struggling democracies, including our own.
In writer Tanja Maljartschuk's novel, the narrator's malaise and weakening attachment to time serve as a metaphor for today's Ukraine, as well as for other struggling democracies, including our own.
(Image credit: Liveright)
UnCovered Review by Nancy Wessler, ACLS Mays Landing Branch
A student at the prestigious Aldryn College for Lunar Magics, Emory has never felt very exceptional. But after intruding on a mysterious magical ritual, Emory awakens to discover that it has gone terribly wrong, and everyone involved, including her best friend, Romie, has died–everyone, that is, except for her. Exceptional.
Guilt ridden but determined to understand what happened, Emory returns to school and soon discovers that her magic has changed into something far more powerful and dangerous than the mediocre healing powers she has always possessed. Her search for answers soon leads her to the shadow-gilded world of secret societies, forbidden magic, and the dangerous hope that there may be a way to bring Romie back. Meanwhile, Romie’s older brother, Baz, long an outcast at school, is also trying to unravel the mystery that stole his sister’s life–and to keep Emory from befalling a similar fate.
CURIOUS TIDES by Pascale Lacelle is a pitch-perfect dark academia fantasy, featuring a unique, fully-realized magic system (based on lunar-tidal alignment) and a cast of delightfully damaged protagonists and antagonists alike. “The vibes,” as they say, are immaculate, and a strong sense of atmosphere grounds the story through its slower early chapters. The action quickly picks, however, once Emory and Baz dive deeper into the mystery, and the plot's various currents begin to collide. There’s romance and betrayal and dark secrets to uncover. There’s heartache and hope and rich mythology to explore. There’s also a second book planned, so while most of the questions raised in this book are answered, be prepared to anxiously await the sequel. Recommended for older teens and adults.
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