Format: Fiction

Night Owls

Night OwlsNight Owls by A.R. Vishny
Published by Harper on September 17, 2024
ISBN: 0063327309
Genres: Folklore, Romance, Supernatural
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Molly and Clara Sender are the co-managers of a Jewish theater in New York, The Grand Dame Cinema, which historically showed Yiddish theatrical productions. They love the theater, their jobs, and the cover it provides them as estries, the traditional Jewish vampiric female owls . As Molly gets closer to her girlfriend Anat, and Clara decides whether to pursue her crush on the Grand Dame’s employee Boaz (who can communicate with ghosts), the sisters struggle with letting their loved ones see who they really are, which could potentially put them all in danger.

Night Owls is a refreshingly unique YA romance. The Yiddish theater history,  Jewish demons, and vintage film reverence serves as a surprisingly comfortable backdrop to the romantic issues the Senders face. The book is ambitious, and can feel a little murky, but it works with the atmosphere and any inconsistencies pale in comparison to the vividness of the characters, setting, and overall mood of the story. Hand to fans of supernatural romance, mythical creatures, classic film, or folklore.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten free Library, Bath

five-stars

Such Charming Liars

Such Charming LiarsSuch Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus
Published by Delacorte Press on July 30, 2024
ISBN: 059348505X
Pages: 389
Genres: Psychological thriller
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Liam’s father is an unabashed grifter. Kat’s mother, Jamie, is a reluctant jewel thief, but is only in it to pay back a Gem, a jewelry-forging criminal who helped her years ago. When Jamie decides it’s time to take Kat and leave Gem for good, Gem agrees to help support her new life in exchange for one final job. Jamie and Kat take off for Maine to steal one last piece of jewelry from the fabulously rich Sutherland family, and then life will be guilt and crime free.  On their way, they run into Liam and his father Luke, an awkward reunion since the last time Kat and Liam saw one another they were small children and had wandered out of a Las Vegas hotel room to explore the casinos during the one weekend Jamie and Luke were married. When the theft plans go spectacularly awry and one of the Sutherlands is murdered, Liam and Kat team up again to figure out who the killer is, who is telling the truth, and how to get out of there alive.

Such Charming Liars is perfect for fans of Knives Out, Succession, or the One Final Job trope. It’s a quick, twisty read and Kat and Liam, along with their new friend Augustus Sutherland, are a trio easy to root for. Suggest to fans of Holly Jackson or E. Lockhart.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Old Wounds

Old WoundsOld Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner
on September 10, 2024
ISBN: 0593814746
Genres: Horror, Supernatural
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

Erin and Max are two complicated teens: they used to date, they’re both trans, and together they’ve fled their homes in Ohio for sunny California, where they imagine a better, more accepting life. However, an unexpected stop in rural Kentucky leaves them stranded and in danger. Not only do the two have to deal with the social horror of transphobes, but they also have to face the supernatural horror of a woman-devouring monster. Together, the two will need to find each other and fight to survive the night.

There are plenty of heavy, honest themes in this book. The two protagonists have differing levels of acceptance (and rejection) for their transness: Max has attempted suicide in the past, Erin’s mother is distant, and both are deeply concerned about being outed to strangers. Kisner includes content warnings at the beginning of the book to prepare readers. While these are serious topics, they are addressed with compassion and honesty.

Kisner has written several essays on queer representation in horror, and the book itself feels like a slasher movie with two teens fighting for survival and to be seen as who they really are. The book’s creativity and meta analysis on being trans are combined with the idea of a supernatural monster and how it sees trans and genderfluid people. Patrons looking for trans representation in genres other than realistic fiction may enjoy this supernatural horror novel. Due to the multiple on-page deaths by gunshot and supernatural entities, discussions of suicide and self-hate, and transphobia, this book is recommended for mature readers.

Reviewed by Raechel Moore, Maine State Library, Augusta

four-stars

Cursed Cruise

Cursed CruiseCursed Cruise (Horror Hotel, #2) by Faith McClaren, Victoria Fulton
Published by Underlined on March 19, 2024
ISBN: 0593649389
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

The Ghost Gang is back in this sequel to Horror Hotel. This time, the amateur paranormal hunting content creators are on a cruise ship, and Chrissy, their medium, can tell something is dreadfully wrong before the ship has even left the dock.

Despite a lot happening aboard the Queen Anne (like a haunting, a possession, a mummy’s curse, a bunch of sad ghosts, ghosts that probably shouldn’t be there like the Captain of the Titanic and a despicable rival film crew), the book is very slow paced. It is told in five character points of view, one of which is the ship, but all the voices (other than the ship) sound the same, so it doesn’t provide much insight into each character. There is plenty of gore, and the cover is a nice nod to 2002’s Ghost Ship, but overall the book starts out scattered and never quite pulls it together. Fans of Horror Hotel might be interested in a sequel but not a necessary addition to a collection.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

 

two-stars

Ariel Crashes a Train

Ariel Crashes a TrainAriel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Cole
on March 12, 2024
ISBN: 0593644662
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction, Young Adult
Goodreads
five-stars

With her best friend Leah taking off for the summer and her sister Mandy away at college, Ariel is left alone spending another summer working at Wildwood carnival feeling trapped in her own body and with her religious and emotionally detached parents.  Ariel is also trying to keep “the crocodile” at bay–the voice that compells her to push the old lady into traffic at the bus stop and to send the children’s train ride straight off its tracks. While she tries to hide her intrusive thoughts and odd behavior from her new friends and colleagues, Ariel reaches a tipping point and learns that the crocodile is really OCD and that it doesn’t have to control her life.

This novel in verse is a raw and gripping portrayl of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Being privy to Ariel’s inner turmoil is jarring at times but it is also honest which will speak to teen readers. In addition to mental illness, discussions of gender, religion, and race are interwoven into the story. It is ultimately about the journey to self-love, self-acceptance, and allowing yourself to find happiness. 

Grades 9-12

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

five-stars

Keep it Like a Secret

Published by Walden Pond Press on May 14, 2024
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
four-stars

Anderson’s latest middle grade offering is a look into the world of sibling relationships. 

Twelve-year-old Morgan and his older sister Claire have always been close, abiding by what they call “the Code,” knowing they’ll always be there for each other and never intentionally hurt one another. Over the past couple of years, Claire has begun finding it more difficult to relate to their mother and now on the verge of graduating high school, the number of intense fights between the two of them has only increased. This family dynamic takes its toll on Morgan who is always left picking up the pieces after each battle. After their latest fight, Claire goes radio silent until she shows up to spend the day with Morgan a week later. Morgan hopes to convince his sister to come home, not knowing that their day is not going to be anything like he planned.

The bond between Claire and Morgan is powerful and there is an emotional heft to this story but it is also full of humor and heart. Many readers will be able to relate to the love, resentment, forgiveness, and acceptance found in so many familial relationships. Hand to any John David Anderson fan and readers who are looking for tough-topic stories. 

Grades 4-7

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

four-stars

Zombie Apocalypse Running Club

Zombie Apocalypse Running ClubZombie Apocalypse Running Club by Carrie Mac
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on August 13, 2024
ISBN: 152477104X
Genres: Horror
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

For twins Eira and Soren, life at their survivalist compound is getting uncomfortable thanks to their science-shunning, bigoted, territorial father. The twins know that in order for them to be their true, queer selves, they must leave the homestead and find their own way. Though they have a plan for this, it gets complicated when a zombie epidemic caused by toxoplasmosis sweeps through the world. Their homestead seems safe from zombies, but not safe enough from their father, so they take off, finding new family and acceptance as they make their way to safety.

From the cover Zombie Apocalypse Running Club looks like it will be a goofy zombie romp, but it’s much more serious than it appears. Eira and Soren are truly torn about leaving their family and the idea of loving someone you don’t like is handled well. Eira is a well developed character, but minor characters would have benefited from more attention. Racer, in particular, deserved more detail as the Special Olympics champion turned running coach who trains the survivors to run for their lives. A rushed ending is a disappointment in what is otherwise a well-paced novel. Recommend to fans of LGBTQIA romance and fast-zombie action as there is plenty of both.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars

Hemlock House

Hemlock HouseHemlock House: A Liar's Beach Novel by Katie Cotugno
Published by Delacorte Press on August 13, 2024
ISBN: 0593433327
Genres: Mystery
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Michael Linden and Holiday Proctor, the mystery solving team from Cotugno’s Liar’s Beach, are back and this time there is an Ivy League murder to solve. Hemlock House finds Linden at Harvard where he has reconnected with his high school girlfriend, Greer. When Greer’s hard-partying roommate, Bri,  dies of a suspected overdose, Linden and his best friend Holiday think there might be more to the story. Linden tries to get to the bottom of Bri’s death while rekindling his romance with Greer and navigating some complex new feelings about Holiday.

This book is a a sequel to Liar’s Beach, but also works as a standalone. Both books are really just vehicles for the fabulous Hercule Poirot-based, chapter-stealing character that is Holiday Proctor; nobody else matters, especially not Linden, who remains an unappealing and unsympathetic character. The mystery is simple, the suspense takes a back seat to the romance, and there are things that don’t make a lick of sense. It’s all ok, though, because it’s a quick read and Holiday is an absolute delight. Not essential but will definitely appeal to mystery readers.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

three-stars

Blood at the Root

Blood at the RootBlood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams
Published by Labyrinth Road on May 7, 2024
ISBN: 0593711920
Genres: Cultural / African American, Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Seventeen-year-old Malik has been living with the tremendous burden of believing he was responsible for his mother’s death a decade ago. He remembers her dying the night he realized he had magical powers and he has since carried that pain while growing up in the foster system. After rescuing his beloved foster brother Taye, Malik sets out for a new life away from his memories. Along the way he discovers not only can he control his magic, but that he comes from a long line of magic practitioners, and that he has earned a place in an historically Black college dedicated to Black youth with magical abilities.

Written to fill the void of magical stories featuring young Black men, Blood at the Root is an exciting idea: an HBCU dedicated to students learning Hoodoo and Vodun magic that draws on their history and ancestry for its operational power. The book is long and slow, though, and the magic is outweighed by the constant trauma and betrayal Malik is subjected to. Older fantasy and magical realism fans might enjoy it, and there will undoubtedly be sequels.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library

three-stars

Bumps in the Night

Bumps in the NightBumps in the Night by Amalie Howard
Published by Delacorte Press on February 20, 2024
ISBN: 0593645871
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Folklore, Magical Realism
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

Middle schooler Darika Lovelace has been sent to Trinidad to stay with her grandmother for the summer. She’s had a little trouble at school, has some feelings to sort out about her stepmother and half-siblings, and is nursing the wound she suffered when her mother left, so a summer with Granny might be what just she needs. As Rika settles in she realizes things might not be exactly as they seem and her family history is much more complicated than she thought. Her iguana friend can talk? Her friends can practice elemental magic? She comes from a line of witches? Her mother is in Trinidad and in danger!?

Caribbean folklore is colorful and terrifying, as fans of Tracey Baptiste’s The Jumbies will attest to. Rika is a strong character, the monsters are legitimately creepy, and the descriptions of the local cuisine is mouthwatering. Hand to fans of magic, mischievous creatures, the movie Labyrinth, and Skittles.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath

four-stars