For September 7 and 14 book releases, we’ve focus on the fantastical from urban fantasy to magical realism to near future science fiction.
No Gods, No Monsters by Cadwell Turnbull
5/5
This was an incredible story. It took me a few chapters to get into the story, since Turnbull did some really interesting things with intersecting and intertwined storylines for a lot of different characters, but I really loved how all the stories connected into something much bigger going on. I also loved that the narrator had their own voice and character. It made the story super interesting to be invested in both the story happening, but also how the narrator was part of it.
Since I believe this is the first book in a new series, I’m very excited to see where the sequels will take the story next.
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
5/5
This novel is incredible. It alternates between telling the story of Orquidea’s past: how she got her magical gifts and made it to her home if Four Rivers, and the story of her three descendants who inherit her magic. It’s sometimes hard to keep up with changing timelines in a novel, but I couldn’t put this down. I was always excited to see where the story was going and what Orquidea’s secrets were.
Walking in Two Worlds by Wab Kinew
3/5
A near-future science fiction novel where a girl named Bugz recreates aspects of her Anishinaabe culture in a virtual reality world, fighting to maintain her presence against a band of alt-right gamer boys bent on destroying her avatar and her grip on game. When one of those gamer boys moves to her hometown and meets her in real life, he begins to realize their crusade against her is wrong, especially as he begins to realize how much this VR Spirit World means to her. But IRL bullying alongside VR gatekeeping and personal tragedies begin to consume her life. And can she trust this new kid with his allegiances to her biggest enemies?
Other book releases we’re looking forward to reading from September 7 are The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun, In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lola Akinmade Åkerström, and A Play for the End of the World by Jai Chakrabarti. From September 14, we’re looking forward to reading A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria and It All Comes Back to You by Farah Rishi.