Editorial Reviews

A rapturous, mystical dive into a clan of sacred protectors of an Irish legacy, Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist by Valerie Biel expands the sprawling lore of the Tuatha de Danann. Across the Emerald Isle, a disturbing pattern of disappearances around Mabon – the autumnal equinox – becomes a critical clue in the latest supernatural threat to the Quinn family and its magical mothers. The sinister echo of Brigit’s grandfather, Malachi, continues to haunt them, forcing them to seek out the fickle and dangerous deities in the Otherworld, which could be their salvation or cement their ultimate doom. Epic in scale and meticulous in detail, this series continues to be a spellbinding journey like no other. Skillfully combining real-world drama, inventive fantasy, Celtic history, and dreamlike mystery, Biel has crafted a truly innovative work of urban fantasy.

A hilarious, incisive, and socially critical work of speculative fantasy, The Fool (The Austellus Saga Book 1) by Laura J. Fitzwilson is a masterwork of allegorical wit and whimsy. Begrudgingly taking the throne of a fictional kingdom that mirrors Australia in both demographics and oppressive history, Leo is ill-prepared for the burden of leadership, especially since his enemies are multiplying, his family members are dwindling, and the court jester is driving him crazy. Combining elements of fantasy, romance, satire, and LGBT fiction, this is a spectacularly sarcastic adventure from an irrefutably savage writer. Magical hierarchy, double-edged riddles, and royal machinations collide in an inventive and insightful novel that begs a timeless question: in a world gone crazy, is embracing madness the only way to survive?

A supercharged origin story for an innovative new hero, Swanblade: Year Zero by D.K. Kristof is a dark but brilliant addition to the pantheon of superhero graphic novels. Following a merciless attack in the wake of a villainous prison break, Kayla McAllister steps out from the shadow of her legendary father, reborn and re-armed as a living weapon. As supervillains and mobsters wreak havoc across New Radion Bay, the city’s latest protector overcomes her grief to unleash a brutal brand of justice and honor her family legacy. Written in long-form prose, rather than short bursts of dialogue, the story is able to get much deeper into each character’s motives, transcending the familiar core storyline. Accented with vibrant illustrations and a hard-boiled voice that captures the heroic urgency and sacrifice of civic service, this first installment of Kristof’s ambitious series stands apart in a perennially crowded genre with its strict attention to narrative detail.

Haunting and raw in its exploration of grief, The End by Adam Cosco is an enigmatic spiral of heartbreak, memory, and one man’s desperate search for closure. Following the devastating loss of his brilliant girlfriend, Eli seeks answers from a secretive group of philosophers and thanatologists bizarrely linked to Selene’s death. The deeper he digs, the more mysteries emerge, including a family legacy of occult belief that blurs the line between sacred, prophetic and profane. Laced with potent language, ontological themes, and the looming weight of Big Tech’s bleeding edge, this utterly unique novel is a chilling portrait of mortality and the illusions of our material world.

A female-focused guide to building a resilient, profitable business, and an uncensored critique of inequality, UnF*ck Your Business Finances: Unlearn the Shame, Reclaim the Power and Change the Game by Laura Linden is a bluntly expressed but critical guide, which effectively straddles the line between business manual and self-help. Beginning by defining the broad pathways for self-made success in a tough environment, as well as the financial essentials that many entrepreneurs miss, Linden goes on to reveal myriad strategies for expanding capital, engaging investors, and ultimately securing one’s financial autonomy. From streamlining business operations and mastering a balance sheet to thinking like a CFO and transcending the glass ceiling, this is an accessible manual that uses less tough love than one might expect from the title, empathetically examining the current and enduring challenges for women in business, and clearly laying out the plans and mindset for financial security and independence.