The United States of Cryptids by JW Ocker takes readers on a journey through the lore of myriad mystery monsters in America. Broken down into four broad categories- the Northeast (Jersey Devil, Puckwudgie), the South (Wampus Cat, Rougarou), the Midwest (Piasa Bird, Wendigo), and the West (Fresno Nightcrawler, Shunka Warak’in). Ocker’s playful, and at times […]
Maggie Stiefvater’s The Scorpio Races is a unique YA take on the Gaelic mythology of the water horse, about a dangerous race that takes place on the island of Thisby every November. The story is narrated by two protagonists, Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly, both of whom are determined to win the race for different […]
Coyote Road, an anthology meticulously curated by Ellen Datlow, collects stories of urban myth and contemporary folklore. The contributing authors each display their unique storytelling charm, infusing their characters with depth and relatability. The stories sway between playfully mischievous and pensively dark, shadowing the multilayered archetype of Trickster, personified in the title as Coyote, a […]
Genevieve Gornichec’s debut novel The Witch’s Heart is the enthralling story of the witch Angrboda, mother of Jormungandr, Fenrir, and Hel. The story is an excellent blend of Norse mythology, magical realism, and fantasy elements. Gornichec’s writing style is descriptive and evocative, bringing to life the story of a woman oft only seen as the […]
Dissolution by Richard Lee Byers kicks off RA Salvatore’s War of the Spider Queen series. Set in the Forgotten Realms universe, this series focuses entirely on the infamous drow, giving greater insight into these enigmatic people. Byers successfully brings to life a world full of political strife, religious conflict, and magical warfare. The story […]
Brent Weeks’ The Black Prism is a thrilling fantasy novel that brings readers on a journey through a world filled with political intrigue, magic, and complex characters. The story is centered around Gavin Guile, a powerful Prism who is able to harness all of the colours of light to cast magic spells, unlike regular drafters […]
Elvenbane, by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey, is a thrilling fantasy novel that explores themes of identity, freedom, and the power of friendship. The novel follows the story of Shana, a half-human, half-elf girl adopted by dragons. Shana was orphaned after her mother was killed in the wilderness. Most dragons tolerate the girl, but […]
***Trigger Warning- racism, sexism, and homophobia The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo is a fascinating and thought-provoking story, told entirely through snapshot poems, focusing on Xiomara Batista, a young girl from Harlem with an extraordinary talent for writing poetry. The novel explores themes of family, religion, love, and self-discovery. The author uses vivid descriptions and […]
Gloria Steinem by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara explores the life of the plucky eponymous feminist and journalist. Steinem noticed at a young age that females and males were treated differently and held to different standards. She went on to become a journalist, and traveled the world, finding her true passions in grassroots activism, and feminism. […]
Vegara’s Michelle Obama explores the life of one of the most gracious of First Ladies. As a child and young adult, Michelle excelled in school and went on to go to law school. It was there that she met Barack Obama. Michelle’s story is one of a person still living, and always such an inspiration! […]
