Magical realism

Book SynopsisA hauntingly beautiful debut for fans of Isabel Allende and Kazuo IshiguroTrade Review'Once inside this decaying mansion, [Anaïs] and we are transfixed by a series of spectres from the Echeverrías' history. Lickorish Quinn's best sentences… flow through present participles that conjure sights and sounds… strange, and spectacular.' Sunday Telegraph'A heady blend of Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez, in which stories and visions proliferate dizzyingly in all directions, this is an impressive first outing.' Daily Mail'An absolute must-read. I was glued to its pages from the first to the last and am still struggling to believe that such an accomplished creation is Quinn's debut… A wonderfully immersive experience.' Literary Flits'Lickorish Quinn's magnificent debut enchants from first page to last... A breath-taking writer of singular voice.' Patrick Flanery, author of Absolution'A mesmerising feat of imagination and a masterful debut.' Paul Lynch, Booker Prize-winning author of Prophet Song'An innovative and precisely imagined exploration of identity, family, ghosts, and the intersection between personal and national history. It swept me away.' Clare Fisher, author of All the Good Things'The Dust Never Settles is ambitious, fascinating and endlessly inventive – a time-bending, kaleidoscopic fever dream in which the living coexist with the dead, and the past with present.' Luiza Sauma, author of Everything You Ever Wanted'Always colourful, its magical realism beautifully realised, this novel brims with Peruvian folklore and history as Anaïs negotiates ghosts from the past and comes to terms with long-buried secrets.' Daily Mail'A marvelous, vertiginous work that mercilessly conveys the post-colonial state.' Caoilinn Hughes, author of The Wild Laughter'Karina Lickorish Quinn is the new face of magic realism... Like its title, The Dust Never Settles will stay floating inside the reader, impossible to forget or unsee.' Laia Jufresa, author of Umami

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Book Synopsis“Shh, my Nuala. I am with you. Today I shall teach you the newness of you.” As the Engine breathes life into Nuala, her gaze falls on Teacher-Servant, the chosen one. He alone will be able to hear her thoughts and interpret her emotions. But soon Teacher-Servant starts to worry that Nuala will be able to give away her thoughts freely. Set in an atypical dystopian world, Nuala is startlingly original and inventive, echoing the work of Margaret Atwood, José Saramago, and Kazuo Ishiguro. Beach’s dark, fearless imagination has created a time and space that are at once remote and strange, but absorbing and deeply credible. Nuala leaves the reader with much to consider about the nature of love, possessiveness, jealousy, envy, and autonomy.Trade ReviewWhile it is a highly original tale, many of its themes -- alienation, the search for understanding and companionship, and struggle for independence -- are universal…" -- Lana Michelin * Red Deer Advocate *"From the start, the book has the power to take a reader on a journey that is wonderfully image-laden.... [You] get the feeling that every single word has been meticulously chosen... It's always polished but crackles with authenticity." -- Mark Weber * Red Deer Express *# 1 on Edmonton Fiction Bestsellers list, March 19, 2017# 2 on Saskatoon Fiction Bestsellers list, April 8, 2017# 7 on Edmonton Fiction Bestsellers list, April 23, 2017"... Beach's spare, poetic prose swept me away from the present world of mad dictators into a magical timeless realm like the sweet books of my childhood. I was transported and found myself rationing each page near the end, because I did not want to leave Beach's fictional world. Highly recommended, even if you don't like puppets, poetry or fables. It's all about the craft and the way Beach spins a sharp sensuous story..." -- Bruce Hunter * Goodreads *# 7 on Edmonton Fiction Bestsellers list, September 24, 2017“Nuala: A Fable, by Alberta writer and editor Kimmy Beach, describes a dystopian world where Nuala, a giant puppet, and her Teacher-Servant explore their city and their relationship while Nuala gradually becomes aware of her own complex inner terrain…. Nuala is a departure for Beach, who is well known as a poet… Beach admits to some trepidation about how the book may be received. ‘But it’s too late now. She’s out there, stomping around and demanding attention. Come what may.’” -- Margaret Anne Fehr * Prairie Books Now *

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Book SynopsisDon’t trust the Liar.Do not cross the King.Never, ever go in the River.In Red Valley, California, you follow the rules if you want to stay alive. But they won’t be enough to protect Sadie now that she’s become the Liar, the keeper of the town’s many secrets. Friendships are hard-won here, and it isn’t safe to make enemies.And though the Liar has power — power to remake the world, with just a little blood—what Sadie really needs is answers: Why is the town’s sheriff after her? What does the King want from her? And what is the real purpose of the Liar of Red Valley?Trade Review "Chilling monsters, excellent interiority, and shocking twists" -- Publishers Weekly * Publishers Weekly *"If you like stories of ordinary (and, okay, a little bit extraordinary) people up against supernatural forces, then The Liar of Red Valley comes heartily recommended." * Starburst Magazine *"Thoroughly engrossing and with relentless pace, The Liar of Red Valley takes the reader through unexpected plot twists and false turns towards a surprising and dramatic endgame." -- Apple Books * Apple Books *"A ferocious page-turner that elicits genuine chills" -- SFX Magazine * SFX *"Goodwater is one of [the genre's] finest modern exponents" -- Simon Ings, The Times -- Simon Ings * The Times *"The Liar of Red Valley has everything — a little town hiding secrets, an exciting story and creepy creatures galore." -- Lavie Tidhar, The Washington Post * The Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisAn anomalous kiss. A white turtle ferrying the dreams of the dead. A working siesta in a five-star hotel. A woman’s twelve-metre hair trawling corpses from a river. Or a queue of longings in Darlinghurst. These enigmatic tales are stories of chance and hope. Alternately mythic, wistful or quirky, Merlinda Bobis’ tales resonate with an original and confident storytelling voice. Published as The Kissing in the United States.Trade Review"Merlinda Bobis writes like an angel. Her characters whisper to you long after they've told their bittersweet tales." --Arlene J. Chai, author, "Eating"Fire and Drinking Water"

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Book Synopsis An enchancting, lyrical novel from the acclaimed author of A Light Between Worlds! 'Weymouth's prose is lush and evocative, filled with palpable descriptions and compelling mystery' KIRKUS 'With lush prose and an eye for atmospheric detail, Weymouth adeptly spins a tale in which thge heroine is torn between passion and purpose, destruction and duty.' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY When her father is convicted of high treason, Violet Sterling is exiled. Seven years later she has a chance to return to her beloved Burleigh House and to Wyn, the boy she left behind. But Burleigh – one of the six great magical houses of England – has gone wild with grief after the death of Violet’s father and now the capricious King of England has threatened to raze it to the ground. Vi must decide whether her destiny is set in stone, before Burleigh destroys everything she loves. The second novel by acclaimed YA talent and author of The Light Between World, Laura Weymouth. A curious and original alternate history of living great houses, set in a vividly imagined, enchanting world.

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Book SynopsisThe legendary Encyclopedia of Medicine is a dizzying collection of maladies: an amnesia that causes everyone youve ever met to forget you exist, while you remain perfectly, painfully aware of your history. A wound that grows with each dark thought or evil deed you commit but shrinks with every act of kindness. A disease that causes your body to imitate death, stopping your heart, cooling your blood. Will the fit pass before they bury youor after? The Afflictions is a magical compendium of pseudo-diseases, an encyclopedia of archaic medicine written by a contemporary physician and scientist. Little by little, these bizarre and mystical afflictions frame an eternal struggle: between human desire and the limits of bodily existence. First published in English in the United States, The Afflictions has since been published in Argentina, Italy, and India. This second U.S. edition features the original illustrations created by Pia Valentinis for the Italian language edition.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Andrew’s whirlwind fifth Hidden Legacy romance opens with a bang and maintains a breakneck pace, dealing in magic that rouses and entertains... Andrew’s worldbuilding is world-class, and the banter between Catalina and Alessandro sings. New readers will have no trouble jumping in with this installment and series fans will not be disappointed." — Publishers Weekly "The phenomenal Andrews follows up Sapphire Flame with another satisfying entry in this popular series. Action, romance, intrigue, and tons of danger leave readers wanting more of the Baylors, more of the Primes. A required purchase for all romance collections." — Library Journal (starred review) “Andrews’s endlessly inventive action scenes are chock full of strange magic, and Catalina and Alessandro’s sexy sparring is a delight. Fans and new readers alike will enjoy the wit and worldbuilding and be thrilled to have this exciting new heroine to root for.” — Publishers Weekly for Sapphire Flames. “Imaginative and high-octane…Another creative, thrilling paranormal romance from the masterful Andrews.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) for Sapphire Flames. “Emerald Blaze sizzles with imagination, making this paranormal a true gem of the subgenre.” — BookPage

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Book SynopsisA novel about the truthssome wonderful, some terriblethat children know and adults do not. Time magazineA beautiful, immersive, fully illustrated edition of Neil Gaiman's beloved #1 bestselling novel, featuring illustrations by Elise Hurst.They say you cannot go home again, and that is as true as a knife . . .A man returns to the site of his childhood home where, years before, he knew a girl named Lettie Hempstock who showed him the most marvelous, dangerous, and outrageous things, but when he gets there he learns that nothing is as he remembered.Wondrous, imaginative, impossible, and at times deeply scary, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is classic Neil Gaiman and has captured the hearts of readers everywhere. This beautiful illustrated edition features haunting, emotive artwork by renowned fine artist Elise Hurst, whose illustrations seamlessly interweave the childhood wonder and harrowing danger that infuse Gaiman's beloved tale.Fantasy of the very best.Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisIn these irreverent pages, a shapeshifter gets a crash course in gender and sexuality by inhabiting both sides of the binary and arriving precisely somewhere in the middle. —O, The Oprah Magazine“HOT” (Maggie Nelson) • “TIGHT” (Eileen Myles) • “DEEP” (Michelle Tea)A Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction Book of the CenturyIt's 1993 and Paul Polydoris tends bar at the only gay club in a university town thrumming with politics and partying. He studies queer theory, has a dyke best friend, makes zines, and is a flaneur with a rich dating life. But Paul's also got a secret: he's a shapeshifter. Oscillating wildly from Riot Grrrl to leather cub, Paul transforms his body and his gender at will as he crossed the country––a journey and adventure through the deep queer archives of struggle and pleasure. Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl is a riotous, razor-sharp bildungsroman whose hero/ine wends his/her way through a world gutted by loss, pulsing with music, and opening into an array of intimacy and connections.

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Book Synopsis“He intentado, no sé con qué fortuna, la redacción de cuentos directos. No me atrevo a afirmar que son sencillos; no hay en la tierra una sola página, una sola palabra, que lo sea, ya que todas postulan el universo, cuyo más notorio atributo es la complejidad”.   Este volumen reúne todos los cuentos de Borges, uno de los legados más influyentes y deslumbrantes de la literatura occidental. El universo borgiano, con sus espejos, laberintos, tigres, bibliotecas, gauchos o máscaras, es ya uno de los paisajes fundamentales del siglo XX. En este libro, el verdadero libro de libros, se encuentran obras maestras como “El jardín de los senderos que se bifurcan”, “Pierre Menard, autor del Quijote”, “Funes el memorioso”, “El Sur”, “El Aleph” o “Ulrica”. Leer estos cuentos supone releer la historia de la humanidad y emprender

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe international phenomenon that has sold more than two million copies, If Cats Disappeared from the World--now a Japanese film--is a heartwarming, funny, and profound meditation on the meaning of life.This timeless tale from Genki Kawamura (producer of the Japanese blockbuster animated movie Your Name) is a moving story of loss and reconciliation, and of one man's journey to discover what really matters most in life. The young postman's days are numbered. Estranged from his family and living alone with only his cat, Cabbage, to keep him company, he was unprepared for the doctor's diagnosis that he has only months to live. But before he can tackle his bucket list, the devil shows up to make him an offer: In exchange for making one thing in the world disappear, the postman will be granted one extra day of life. And so begins a very strange week that brings the young postman and his beloved cat to the brink of existence.With each object t

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Book SynopsisIn this gorgeous and haunting fantasy set in 1930s Chicago, a talented ballerina finds herself torn between her dreams and her desires when she's pursued by a secretive patron who may be more than he seems."A mix of dreamlike fairytale and enchanting historical fantasy, Nocturne has a real flavour of Phantom of the Opera. Add in a touch of Beauty and the Beast and this is the perfect escape from reality." CultureflyGrace has always wanted to be a ballerina, ever since she first peered through the windows of the Near North Ballet company. The elegance of the dance seemed transcendent to an immigrant child of the working poor, and so, when she is orphaned, it is to the ballet that she flees.Years later, Grace is on the verge of becoming the company's new prima ballerina - though she is beginning to realise that achieving her long-held dream may not be the triumph she once envisioned. Then Grace attracts the attention of the enigmatic Master La Rosa, and realises that the world may not be as small or constricted as she had come to fear.But who is her mysterious patron, and what does he want from her? As Grace begins to unlock the Master's secrets, she discovers that there may be another way entirely to achieve the transcendence she has always sought.Trade ReviewIn Nocturne, Wees robes the classic story of Beauty and the Beast in lush prose and infinite splendor. A fever dream of a novel, surreal and intricate, and enchanting in every way. * Ava Reid, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Wolf and the Woodsman *Absolutely captivating, Nocturne is a delicious and radiant treat of a novel. Prepare to be spellbound! * Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Queens of Renthia series *An enchanting and lyrical fever dream bursting with dazzling prose and dark romance. Nocturne enthralled me. * Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows *Nocturne reads like a fable, a mythical tale full of magical power, but imbued with the very real and wonderfully graceful power of ballet . . . You will be enchanted! * Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches *Richly imagined and heartbreakingly told, Nocturne is a lush gothic romance that will dance you dizzy. * Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf *

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Book SynopsisJohn Frederick is a man of considerable substance, in every sense of the word. Rich, intelligent, reclusive, and very large, John Frederick lives to eat. His everyday needs are tended to by Mrs. Floyd, his house manager, and by a never-ending parade of personal chefs. Enter Lexie Alexander, the latest applicant for that once-again vacant position. A young woman of magical sensibilities, fresh out of culinary school and still recovering from a recent personal tragedy, Lexie lives to cook. As time passes, a love of food, musical comedy, and tea begins to weave a connection between John Frederick and his new chef—but then a major medical crisis completely turns life at Frederick House upside down, threatening the bond John Frederick and Lexie have forged. Size Matters is the story of how people interact with each other and with the world, and what happens when the structure of a person’s life, their self-image, and all their familiar coping mechanisms are shattered.Trade Review"It’s a jolly, lighthearted narrative, JoJo Moyes’ Me Before You (2012) for foodies. Like a slice of a favorite dessert, thoroughly enjoyable, but gone too soon.” —Kirkus Reviews "This thought-provoking, intellectual novel examines how individuals react when their familiar coping mechanisms are completely shattered.” —Bookstr "Novak packs a lot into this short and sweet foodie novel, and it’s obvious she had a great deal of fun writing it.” —Booklist "Size Matters offers the perfect blend of romance and friendship with a dash of culinary wit." —Redbook

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Book SynopsisLike a monarch surveying her domain, the house has stood for over a hundred years in the fishing village of Apalachicola on Florida’s northwest coast. She has known life. She has known passionate love. She has known brutal death. But she has guarded her secrets well . . . Then eighteen-year-old Elise Foster and her parents arrive from Atlanta in their silver Jaguar, bringing with them their own secrets and desires. Seeking friendship in their new community, they find instead that the townspeople resent their intrusion. But this intrusion on the house’s privacy also provides a pathway for the past and the present to merge—and for the truth behind an unsolved murder to finally be brought to light. As you strive to solve the mystery, you and the Fosters are forced to address two critical questions: What is real? What is delusion?Trade ReviewRoyal Palm Literary Awards Finalist in Published Book-Length Mainstream Genre “I couldn’t put this book down. What a read! If I’m ever in the market for an old house in the South, I’ll be sure to check out its past first.” —Adair Lara, author of Naked, Drunk and Writing “In House, Ruth Coe Chambers explores love in all its guises, including the possibility that it is eternal and exists beyond the grave. This psychological mystery is a must read for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking look at people caught in a web of deception beyond their understanding.” —Carol Costello, author of Chasing Grace: A Novel of Odd Redemption “We southerners embrace history and romance, especially if they’re set in a mysterious old house. Chambers’ novel provides these ingredients, which left me in awe—of the well-crafted mystery and of the setting, a house filled with history and passion.” —Belinda Hulin, author of Roux Memories: A Cajun-Creole Love Story with Recipes “The story is interesting from the start and keeps your attention through to the end with many twists and turns and a lot of mystery and secrets.” —I'd Rather Be At the Beach “I enjoyed the small town, cozy feeling of this book.” —Book Nerd Native “I will definitely be reading it a second time since this is the type of book you will discover new details each time it’s read.” —Readaholic Zone “...pulled me in with the intense atmosphere and air of mystery.” —Stephanie's Book Reviews “There are many threads in this tale all weaving together to form a very enthralling tale.” —Broken Teepee “This book was fantastic! I love ghost stories anyway but this was one of the best I have read.” —Wall-to-Wall Books “You feel connected to this story. ... give yourself to this novel, don't hold back.” —Jorie Loves a Story

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Book SynopsisVeronica thinks she’s happy. But with fight after fight, night after night, she knows that something isn’t right anymore. Then her husband busts her researching witchcraft—and her picturesque suburban life is turned upside down. As her marriage falls apart, she knows that for her own sake and for the sake of her small daughter, something has to change. The Trouble With Becoming A Witch is about what happens when a woman decides to stop living the life everyone has told her she is supposed to lead and starts living a life true to her desires. But seizing your own magic isn’t easy—and as Veronica’s marriage spirals downward, she’s forced to look deeply into who she wants to be-come. Is risking the security of life as she knows it worth becoming the witch—and woman—she knows she truly is?Trade Review“The Trouble with Becoming a Witch is funny, honest, sometimes shocking, and all about what happens when a woman decides to stop living the life everyone expects of her and seizes the magic of becoming true to herself.” —Suzanne Lang, host of KRCB-FM’s A Novel Idea “. . . an emotional journey that will resonate with you through a realistic voice that follows the journey of a woman that strives to find herself.” —Readers’ Favorite “Chic lit and women’s fiction fans will find The Trouble With Becoming a Witch a gripping story that lends not only to a beach take-along or leisure choice, but to thought-provoking insights about the sources of growth and achievement.” —The Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisOne day, a baby girl, Tara, is found, abandoned and covered in flies. She is raised by two mothers in a community rife with rituals and superstition. As she grows, Tara pursues acceptance at all costs. Saffiya, her adoptive mother, and Bhaggan, Saffiya’s maidservant, are victims of the men in their community, and the two women, in turn, struggle and live short but complicated lives. The only way for the villagers to find solace is through the rituals of ancient belief systems.Tara lives in a village that could be any village in South Asia, and she dies, like many young women in the area, during childbirth. Her short life is dedicated to her efforts to find happiness, despite the fact that she has no hope of going to school or making any life choices in the feudal, patriarchal world in which she finds herself. Poignant and compelling, Wild Boar in the Cane Field depicts the tragedy that often characterizes the lives of those who live in South Asia—and demonstrates the heroism we are all capable of even in the face of traumatic realities.

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Book SynopsisIn present-day Los Angeles, Caroline Martin has everything but the thing her soul craves most: a daughter. When she undergoes what is supposed to be a routine hysterectomy, she unwittingly aborts the little girl she’s always longed for, leaving the unborn baby’s soul in limbo. Sharing a hospital room with Caroline is a pregnant woman who’s just been shot by her boyfriend. Her unborn child is barely hanging on—and the soul of Caroline’s hovering baby cannot resist the overwhelming urge to rebirth via this unclaimed fetus. In the aftermath of these events, two engaging heavenly guides, working together through sensitive humans, struggle to find an alternate way to help Caroline and her would-be daughter forge the link that was always meant to be between them—before the child’s brutal father makes good on his vow to steal the girl and disappear with her forever. By turns comic and tragic, Rachael’s Return explores the concept of soulmates, the afterlife, reincarnation, and relationships that never die, even as it offers readers a glimpse of the mysteries that exist within the ordinary and challenges assumptions about the true nature of reality.Trade Review2020 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards: Honorable Mention in Fiction – Visionary 2020 International Book Awards, Winner in Fiction: Visionary “Rebhan skillfully braids several plotlines into a coherent fabric. An artful emotional drama . . .”. —Kirkus Reviews “Reads like a cross between The Alchemist and the parables of Jesus . . . guaranteed to be a different book from what you have read lately.” —Readers' Favorite, five stars “Combining elements of reality with the supernatural, Rachael's Return takes the reader on an intricately plotted and heart-stopping journey of suspense even as it explores the larger themes of immortality and the inscrutable nature of both death and rebirth.”. —Barbara Taylor Sissel, best-selling author of What Lies Below & Tell No One “In this fascinating ethereal stunner, Rebhan explores unique concepts: Are soulmates real? Is there an afterlife? Do we reincarnate? On this wild emotional ride, readers will question the bonds that define us. A book with heart.” —Rea Frey, author of Until I Find You “Stunning and seamless, Rachel’s Return guarantees a riveting read. Eyeing the universe with provocative guides, Janet Rebhan develops characters powerful beyond the last page. This suspenseful and beautifully written novel hits the mark at every twist and turn.” —Julie Maloney, award-winning author of A Matter of Chance

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Book SynopsisA dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth from the author of the bestselling The Psychology of Time Travel. The Kendricks have been making world-famous dolls for over 200 years. But their dolls aren't coveted for the craftmanship alone. Each has an emotion laid on it; a magic that can provoke bucolic bliss or consuming paranoia at a single touch. Persephone Kendrick longs to learn her ancestors' craft, but only men may know the secrets of the workshop. So when a handsome stranger arrives claiming doll-making talent and blood ties to the family she sees a chance to grasp all she desires. But then, one night, the firm's most valuable doll is stolen. Only someone with knowledge of magic could have taken her. Only a Kendrick could have committed this crime... 'Captivating, inventive and tender' ADELE PARKS 'An atmospheric examination of gender inequality' GUARDIAN 'A magical tale that blends very human people with a hidden world of enchantment' WOMAN & HOME 'An addictive fantasy with a smart feminist twist' iNEWSTrade ReviewBringing magic realism to a contemporary Oxford setting in an atmospheric examination of gender inequality * Guardian *Mascarenhas's lushly inventive second novel is an addictive fantasy with a smart feminist twist * iNews *Captivating, inventive and tender... A dazzling mix of crime, romance, magic and myth' -- Adele ParksThis magical tale blends very human people with a hidden world of enchantment * Woman *[A] vividly imagined second novel * The i *I adored this beautifully crafted and thought-provoking magic realist novel... Multi-faceted, challenging, and entirely captivating... A truly lovely read' * LoveReading *There's a wonderful sense of magic and tradition, but the story as a whole has a very contemporary feel * Waterstones *[A] dazzling mixture of crime, romance, magic and myth... Captivating, inventive and tender' * Platinum *Kate Mascarenhas' striking visual images and characters will have you casting the movie whilst reading... This is simply a great and original tale that put me in mind of such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman. The magic lingers along with the family issues. The ending is surprising and clever and I look forward to more by Kate Mascarenhas' * SF Crowsnest *

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