Magical realism
Orion Publishing Co The Prestige SF MASTERWORKS
Book SynopsisTwo 19th century stage illusionists, the aristocratic Rupert Angier and the working-class Alfred Borden, engage in a bitter and deadly feud; the effects are still being felt by their respective families a hundred years later.Working in the gaslight-and-velvet world of Victorian music halls, they prowl edgily in the background of each other''s shadowy life, driven to the extremes by a deadly combination of obsessive secrecy and insatiable curiosity.At the heart of the row is an amazing illusion they both perform during their stage acts. The secret of the magic is simple, and the reader is in on it almost from the start, but to the antagonists the real mystery lies deeper. Both have something more to hide than the mere workings of a trick.******''I can''t believe how far the two of them went to prolong their feud of pranks. It was great seeing two professionals unwilling to harm their craft still work around all the little niceties to get at one anotherTrade ReviewStylish, enigmatic and enthralling ... Highly recommended. * SFFworld.com *
£9.49
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC The Watchmaker of Filigree Street
Book SynopsisWINNER OF A BETTY TRASK AWARD 2016SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS'' CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD Thaniel Steepleton returns from his job at the Home Office to his tiny flat only to find a gold pocketwatch lying on his pillow. When the watch then saves Thaniel's life in a blast that destroys Scotland Yard, he goes in search of its maker, Keita Mori a kind, lonely Japanese immigrant. Meanwhile, Grace Carrow is sneaking into an Oxford library, desperate to prove the existence of the luminiferous ether before her mother can force her to marry.As the lives of these three characters become entwined, events spiral out of control until Thaniel is torn between loyalties, futures and opposing geniuses.Trade ReviewAn assured and absorbing debut … Immensely pleasurable reading. Ms Pulley’s prose is strong and energetic, with a wry edge … The Watchmaker of Filigree Street might be compared to one of Mori’s clockwork birds: intricate, charming and altogether surprising -- Helene Wecker * New York Times, Editors Choice *Ten out of ten * Spectator *Impressively competent: steam-punk meets Zuleika Dobson * Michèle Roberts, author of Daughters of the House *Forget steampunk. Welcome to tickpunk … Part Susanna Clarke, part Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street is a delightful read that benefits from wonderfully colourful characters and a lyrical prose style full of esoteric detail … A compelling read * SFX Magazine *A charming, quirky, clever tale, filled with intricate detail, and a plot that feels as deftly crafted as a precision timepiece * Joanne Harris *Rare and precious … Humour, wit, mystery and danger are threaded through the book in musical measure. It dances between genres and makes partners of several … Pulley’s capacity for making antagonists out of fully realized and sympathetic characters is impressive, as is her ability to keep one guessing as the plot ticks along. There’s nothing quite like putting down a delightful, relentlessly charming and deeply moving book and then finding out it’s the authors first … A remarkable debut * Los Angeles Times Book Review *Historical fiction, magic realism and elements of gothic fiction combine in this ambitious debut ... This is accomplished writing from Natasha Pulley, whose imagination shines through * Irish Times *Enchanting … Amid this thriller-like plot, Pulley raises thought-provoking questions about free will, fate and identity — making for a rich brew of historical fantasy, philosophy and emotion * Washington Post *Elegantly composed, atmospheric and wholly compelling … Pulley’s style is reminiscent of filigree: a decorative work of fine strands woven together into a delicate tracery, which underpins the overarching plot. With music and time at the heart of this intriguing novel, the skilfully rendered interplay speaks volumes about the talent and imagination at work behind such an intricately beautiful piece of writing. A stunning debut by a promising new voice * The Lady, Book of the Month *The Watchmaker of Filigree Street breaks the mould … Genre-busting book of extraordinary imagination … The book is as elaborate as its title suggests, but the multiple plots tick along like clockwork … Exceptionally inventive and uniquely clear-headed, this is speculative fiction as it should be * Country Life *This delightful first novel is as impressive as a work of historical fiction … As it is a delicate fantasy with enough gadgetry to pull in the steampunk fans, and a mystery to boot … Readers will immediately want to read it again * Library Journal *Pulley’s electrifying debut is a triumph of speculative fiction. It captures the frenetic energy of a world undergoing extraordinary changes: London in the time of new electrical devices, Gilbert and Sullivan’s theater, and the terror of Irish nationalist bombings … Pulley expertly employs the tools of mystery and fantasy to examine the social pressures faced by the marginalized … The heart of the story is the universal human quest for acceptance, understanding, and love * Publishers Weekly *Meticulously researched, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street is a compelling mixture of fact and fantasy … The end of the book leaves the reader yearning for a sequel – and for a pet clockwork octopus (Keep reading it, you’ll see) * The Skinny *Everything you could ask for from the steampunk genre. It is full of enticing period detail yet is not boringly over-researched. Its language is charmingly old-fashioned and richly cadenced, without being fusty or archaic … She convincingly presents the telegraph system as a kind of proto-Internet. She conjures up such fanciful items as bottled weather. She muses philosophically on matters of free will and predestination. She illuminates the plight of unemancipated women … And all of this in the most graceful and vivid language one could desire … A poignant, funny, and heartfelt debut * Barnes & Noble Review *Set mostly in 1880s London, Pulley's debut novel twists typical steampunk elements — telegraphs, gaslight, clockwork automata — into a fresh and surprising philosophical adventure … Clever and engaging, this impressive first novel will reward both casual readers looking for a fun period adventure and those fascinated by the tension between free will and fate * Kirkus *Pulley’s imaginative first novel transports readers to a Victorian London teeming with danger and magic … Wholly original * Booklist *A masterful steampunk/mystery/historical fiction debut … A thrilling tale that sweeps readers into a dark and magical past. While The Watchmaker of Filigree Street is reminiscent of such steampunk classics as William Gibson and Bruce Sterling’s The Difference Engine, Pulley’s novel grounds itself in historical accuracy and exquisite prose, and even genre-adverse readers will be hooked * Bustle *A captivating and entertaining work of speculative fiction * BookBrowse *A unique blend of historical fiction and magical realism about the inextricable relationships between three people, a watch with magical powers and a clockwork octopus … Ideal escapist holiday reading, your imagination will run riot * Irish Tatler *A clever detective story, a thrilling steampunk adventure and a poignant examination of the consequences of class warfare and English, Irish and Japanese nationalism in the 19th century * BookPage *Gorgeous … I had high hopes for the Victorian-era novel. And I was not disappointed * Woman’s Way *Blends historical events with clever flights of fancy … An inventive debut; clever, intriguing, and astonishingly assured * Irish Examiner *A brilliant novel in which fantasy punctuates history * Times Higher Education Supplement *
£9.49
Simon & Schuster Ltd The Book of Magic
Book Synopsis‘Full of Hoffman’s bewitching and lucid prose and vivid characters, The Book of Magic is ultimately about the very human magic of family and love and actions that echo through generations… it casts a spell’ —Matt HaigTHE STUNNING, UNFORGETTABLE CONCLUSION TO THE BELOVED PRACTICAL MAGIC SERIES For centuries, the Owens family has been cursed in matters of love. When beloved aunt Jet Owens hears the sound of the deathwatch beetle, she knows that it is a signal. She has finally discovered the secret to breaking the curse, but time is running out. She has only seven days to live. Unaware of the family’s witchcraft lineage and all it entails, one of the young sisters of the new Owens generation has fallen in love. As the curse strikes once again, her love’s fate hangs in the balance, spurring three generations of Owens to venture back to where it all began and use their Trade ReviewPraise for the Practical Magic series ‘Her books are a real pleasure – practical magic’ Kate Atkinson ‘[A] delicious fantasy of witchcraft and love in a world where gardens smell of lemon verbena and happy endings are possible’ Cosmopolitan ‘Dripping with pathos and otherworldly possibility’ Vogue ‘Dark comedy and a light touch carry the story along to a truly Gothic climax, complete with heaving skies and witchery on the lawn’ New York Times ‘A master of magical realism, draws us back into the spellbinding universe of the Owens family with gorgeous prose set against a backdrop of vivid imagery’ Marie Claire ‘A delightful confection – witty, imaginative, unexpectedly touching’ The Times ‘Reading an Alice Hoffman book is like falling into a deep dream where senses are heightened and love reigns supreme… I never wanted to awaken’ Jodi Picoult ‘Hoffman’s classy prose imbues this modern fairy tale with bite as well as beauty’ Mail on Sunday ‘Storytelling is in Hoffman’s bones’ New York Times Book Review ‘Vivid and enchanting… another sublime entry in an arresting series’ Esquire ‘I got so swept up in this enchanting story’ Reese Witherspoon ‘A vivid and evocative tale – prepare to be spellbound’ Woman ‘Full of Hoffman’s bewitching and lucid prose and vivid characters, The Book of Magic is ultimately about the very human magic of family and love and actions that echo through generations… it casts a spell’ Matt Haig
£15.29
Duckworth Books Wish You Weren’t Here
Book SynopsisThe Rook family run a little business: ghost hunting. And things have picked up recently. Something’s wrong. It’s been getting noticeably worse since, ooh, 2016? Bad spirits are abroad, and right now they're particularly around Coldbay Island, which isn’t even abroad, it’s only 20 miles from Skegness. The Rooks’ ‘quick call out’ to the island picks loose a thread that begins to unravel the whole place, and the world beyond. Is this the apocalypse? This might be the apocalypse. Who knew it would kick off in an off-season seaside resort off the Lincolnshire coast? I’ll tell you who knew – Brenda. She’s been feeling increasingly uneasy about the whole of the East Midlands since the 90s.Trade Review'Gabby is one of the funniest writers I know' Sarah Millican
£8.54
Other Press LLC Astonishing the Gods: A Novel
Book SynopsisOne of the BBC’s “100 Novels That Shaped Our World,” a much-needed fable that could change how we see ourselves and our reality, from the renowned Booker Prize–winning author.A young man finds himself among invisible beings who have built a world based on one principle: that we must repeat every experience until we live it fully for the first time. “Only then can we find what we didn’t seek and go where we don’t intend to go.” Ben Okri navigates the world at once as a writer, an artist, a musician, and a philosopher—in the process, he challenges our craving for the visual and the concrete. We read him not only with our eyes but also with our senses, our intuition. As his story unfolds we begin to inhabit the ineffable land that he creates, our imagination led to a place where what we once thought were fundamental truths are turned magically on their heads. In the difficult times we live in, in an age decimated by injustice and inequality, Okri brings unexpected insights as meaningful as they are transformative. “Maybe what seeks us is better than what we seek.”
£13.59
Pan Macmillan Black Water Sister
Book SynopsisThis mischievous Malaysian-set novel is an adventure featuring family, ghosts and local gods - from Hugo Award winning novelist Zen Cho.'A sharp and bittersweet story of past and future, ghosts and gods and family, that kept me turning pages into the dark hours of the night' – Naomi Novik, author of UprootedHer grandmother may be dead, but she's not done with life . . . yet.As Jessamyn packs for Malaysia, it’s not a good time to start hearing a bossy voice in her head. Broke, jobless and just graduated, she’s abandoning America to return ‘home’. But she last saw Malaysia as a toddler – and is completely unprepared for its ghosts, gods and her eccentric family’s shenanigans.Jess soon learns her ‘voice’ belongs to Ah Ma, her late grandmother. She worshipped the Black Water Sister, a local deity. And when a business magnate dared to offend her goddess, Ah Ma swore revenge. Now she’s decided Jess will help, whether she wants to or not.As Ah Ma blackmails Jess into compliance, Jess fights to retain control. But her irrepressible relative isn’t going to let a little thing like death stop her, when she can simply borrow Jess’s body to make mischief. As Jess is drawn ever deeper into a world of peril and family secrets, getting a job becomes the least of her worries.‘This may be Zen Cho's best work yet’ – Karen Lord, author of The Best of All Possible Worlds‘A compelling and deftly written ghost story' – Kate Elliott, author of Cold MagicTrade ReviewZen Cho's brilliant and distinct voice brings worlds to life on the page. A sharp and bittersweet story of past and future, ghosts and gods and family, that kept me turning pages into the dark hours of the night -- Naomi Novik, author of UprootedTold with love and humour, Black Water Sister is both ode and accusation to all the ties that bind - to family, duty and home. Thrilling and terrifying, honest and hopeful, this may be Zen Cho's best work yet -- Karen Lord, author of The Best of All Possible WorldsA creepily atmospheric and surprisingly heartwarming tale of gangsters, family, and spirits -- Aliette de Bodard, author of The House of Shattered WingsZen Cho’s Black Water Sister is a perfect blend of ghosts, gods, and the eternal bonds of family ties. Set in the gorgeous backdrop of Penang, Jess reunites with her extended family and navigate the world of spirits and gangsters. This novel is perfect for readers craving an otherworldly, atmospheric fantasy -- Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and FortuneZen Cho’s Black Water Sister is the diaspora fantasy of my dreams – funny, creepy, and heartfelt. Jessamyn Teoh never wanted to be haunted by her sassy, score-settling grandmother, but when she moves from America to her parents’ hometown in Malaysia, she must navigate family, gods, ghosts and old grudges in this compelling and heartwarming ghost story -- Vanessa Len, author of Only a MonsterA thrilling modern fantasy tale packed to the brim with deliciously petty spirits, intriguing family secrets, and an achingly tender personal journey for our thoroughly relatable heroine. I absolutely loved it -- Sarah Kuhn, author of the Heroine Complex seriesA compelling and deftly written ghost story of a young woman's passage through the grudges and tragedies of her family's past to find a path into a future she chooses for herself -- Kate Elliott, author of Cold MagicGhosts, gods, and supernatural vengeance collide in vividly-depicted modern day Malaysia to create a contemporary fantasy story that’s full of voice and heart. At turns suspenseful, poignant and hilarious, Black Water Sister is an addictive tale of personal identity, family secrets, and culture clash -- Fonda Lee, author of Jade CityCho’s multifaceted characters, like her masterful plot, are never quite what they first appear. Unpredictable twists keep the pages turning while the comic but endearing relationship between Jess and her sassy grandmother provides the story’s heart. This is must-read fantasy -- Publishers WeeklyClever, funny and compulsively readable – I loved it! -- Lavie Tidhar on The True QueenAn enchanting cross between Georgette Heyer and Susannah Clarke, full of delights and surprises. Zen Cho unpins the edges of the canvas and throws them wide -- Naomi Novik on Sorcerer to the CrownA captivating debut . . . tells an entertaining story with wit and consummate skill -- Guardian on Sorcerer to the Crown
£9.49
Quercus Publishing The Beautiful Ones
Book Synopsis'One of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time' M. J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of the Reincarnationalist seriesThey are the Beautiful Ones, Loisail's most notable socialites, and this spring is Nina's chance to join their ranks, courtesy of her well-connected cousin and his calculating wife. But the Grand Season has just begun and already Nina's debut has gone disastrously awry. She has always struggled to control her telekinesis: the haphazard manifestations of her powers have long made her the subject of gossip - malicious neighbours even call her the Witch of Oldhouse.But Nina's life is about to change, for there is a new arrival in town: Hector Auvray, the renowned entertainer, who has used his own telekinetic talent to perform for admiring audiences around the world. Nina is dazzled by Hector, for he sees her not as a witch, but ripe with magical potential. Under his tutelage, Nina's talent blossoms - as does her love for the great man.But great romances are for fairy-tales, and Hector is hiding a secret bitter truth from Nina - and himself - that threatens their courtship.The Beautiful Ones is a charming tale of love and betrayal and the struggle between conformity and passion, set in a world where scandal is a razor-sharp weapon.Trade ReviewOne of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time * MJ Rose, new York Times bestselling author of the Reincarnationalist series *Moreno-Garcia fills her fantastic novel of manners with sumptuous language . . . Readers who enjoyed Mary Robinette Kowal's magical Regency series Glamourist Histories will be particularly enthralled by the genuine emotions evoked in the course of the unsustainable love triangle * Publishers Weekly *Overflowing with delicious melodrama . . . a great fit for fans of the 18th-century French classic Les Liaisons Dangereuses * Library Journal *This novel of manners presents carefully crafted characters with nuanced motivations to rival any Thomas Hardy classic. Moreno-Garcia adeptly captures the ecstatic highs of first love and the bitter disappointments of first heartbreak. Hints of the paranormal and dashes of adventure and feminism are subtly interwoven, making for an unforgettable work * School Library Journal *This is the third novel I read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and I loved all of them in different ways: each in a different genre by a chameleon writer with incredible writing skills * Kirkus *I seriously loved everything about this from the gorgeous, lush prose to the tiny intimate moments of heartbreak * Mary Robinette Kowal, Hugo Award-winning author of the Glamourist Histories *'Straddling several genres with elegant intelligence . . . it's a slow-burn, stately novel about the magic of what it means to love, and love truly * Tor.com *[An] elegant tale of hidden desires and misplaced amour * Booklist *The Beautiful Ones is a hauntingly lovely book, romantic and crushing by turns, touched with magic on every level * Vancouver Sun *'The whole book is a magnificent tangle of unspoken words and feelings. Nothing is tepid; everything, even the absence of feelings, is charged with danger and heartache * Strange Horizons *The Beautiful Ones demonstrates Moreno-Garcia's smart and colourful writing, with descriptions both sensory and sumptuous, and characters you will root for, even in their worst moments * B&N Blog *An engaging fantasy-romance with a hint of magic . . . A very enjoyable read, with characters who felt real to me and about whom I found myself caring a great deal, and gripping to the very end * Blue Book Balloon *The characters are wonderfully drawn, their desires and decisions believable. The setting is lightly sketched, but the places and the society are beautifully evoked * Noble Bright *Moreno-Garcia writes such compelling characters that you are drawn in. This does not take chapters to grip, but mere paragraphs. This is a fantastic skill to have and one that I have witnessed in all her books to far * SFBook Reviews *A delicate, character-drive romance with a modern twist * Choice *An evocative tale with a considerable emotional heft * Track of Words *[Silvia's] writing is elegant, rich in description and filled with characters that come vividly to life * Muse’s Book Journal *Silvia has written a number of stunning novels and each is unique but this tops them all * Scorpio Book Dream *The Beautiful Ones is a perfect fantasy-historical-romance novel. Just what is needed for a reader looking to escape into a world of fantasy, decadence, and romance * REWRITE LONDON *This is a clever novel, well written, with all the nuances of 19th century high society on full display. The writing throughout this novel is divine. Poetic at times and infused with the atmosphere of the era . . . a classic storyline with a fresh and unique twist * THERESA SMITH WRITES *She writes splendidly and she creates remarkable characters. The Beautiful Ones is more than a romance, it's a cold study of wealthy societies and their impact on the people who belong to them * THE MIDDLE SHELF *A beautifully unique novel * LIBRARY LOOTER *This book was spectacular. I didn't want to finish reading this book too fast because I wanted to savour it as long as I could * CAFEYRE *The characters and the character development were fantastic. If you're in the mood for a Fantasy of Manners, or a romance novel with a dash of the speculative, then this is the novel you should pick up * JESSTICULATES *Full of sweeping drama, unrequited love, passionate devotion, and more than a few objects lifted into the air by the power of the mind, The Beautiful Ones is an entertaining and romantic read * THE NERD DAILY *Fast paced and instantly engaging, Not only do I highly recommend reading The Beautiful Ones, but also all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work. She is a master of genre and emotion * READER VORACIOUS *Lush, vividly described setting and well-rounded characters . . . masterful writing * YOUR TITA KATE *I love how Moreno-Garcia uses descriptive language to build tension and set moods * HEDWIG’S WORLD OF BOOKS *A smart, witty read with classic themes and a beautiful narrative flow * MANDY McHUGH *If you've ever thought that what Dangerous Liaisons really needed was more Force Adepts, this may very well be the book you've been waiting for * JAMES NICOLL REVIEWS *Whatever genre you call it, the story is compelling. I read it with the same rabid avidity with which I eat a bag of chips * SMART BITCHES, TRASHY BOOKS *Moreno-Garcia writes such compelling characters that you are drawn in. Have you ever wanted to read something like Bridgerton, but with characters who can move objects with their minds? * SF BOOK REVIEWS *
£9.49
St Martin's Press Parakeet
Book SynopsisEDITORS'' CHOICE AT THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 CARNEGIE MEDAL and the Joyce Carol Oates PrizeMiraculous: spry and mordant, with sentences that lull you with their rhythms, then twist suddenly and sting. Lauren Groff, author of FloridaA twisting, strange delight, Parakeet shimmers a soft and generous light on the darkest of a woman''s innermost thoughts. Kristen Iversen, Refinery29Acclaimed author of 2 A.M. at the Cat''s Pajamas Marie-Helene Bertino''s Parakeet is a darkly funny and warm-hearted novel about a young woman whose dead grandmother (in the form of a parakeet) warns her not to marry and sends her out to find an estranged loved one.The week of her wedding, The Bride is visited by a bird she recognizes as her dead grandmother because of the cornflower blue line beneath her eyes, her dubious expression, and the way she asks: Wh
£14.45
Atlantic Books The Rain Heron: SHORTLISTED FOR THE MILES
Book Synopsis**SHORTLISTED FOR THE MILES FRANKLIN LITERARY AWARD 2021**'Astonishing... With the intensity of a perfect balance between the mythic and the real, The Rain Heron keeps turning and twisting, taking you to unexpected places. A deeply emotional and satisfying read. Beautifully written.' Jeff VanderMeer, author of BorneRen lives alone on the remote frontier of a country devastated by a coup. High on the forested slopes, she survives by hunting and trading - and forgetting. But when a young soldier comes to the mountains in search of a legendary creature, Ren is inexorably drawn into an impossible mission. As their lives entwine, unravel and erupt - as myth merges with reality - both Ren and the soldier are forced to confront what they regret, what they love, and what they fear.A vibrant homage to the natural world, bursting with beautiful landscapes and memorable characters, The Rain Heron is a beautifully told eco-fable about our fragile and dysfunctional relationships with the planet and with each other, the havoc we wreak and the price we pay.'I was transfixed' Catherine Lacey, author of Pew'Fantastic' Kawai Strong Washburn, author of Sharks in the Time of SavioursTrade ReviewArnott's eco-fable, set in a politically broken near future, explores the constant push-pull that exists between our capacity for enchantment and our need to exploit what we find. It's sad and satisfying. * The Times *Written with economy and grace, The Rain Heron is a timeless and poignant meditation on our fragile relationship with the natural environment. * Guardian *A quietly unsettling fable... Arnott writes vibrantly about the harsh wonder of nature, his vivid characters becoming almost animal themselves. * Observer *Each narrative thread could stand as a shocking, beautiful and moral short story in its own right, but Robbie Arnott weaves them seamlessly together into a satisfying whole. * Scotsman *Astonishing... With the intensity of a perfect balance between the mythic and the real, The Rain Heron keeps turning and twisting, taking you to unexpected places. A deeply emotional and satisfying read. Beautifully written. * Jeff VanderMeer, author of Borne *The Rain Heron is a patient and rooted fable told as naturally as a tree grows. With timeless and captivating prose, Robbie Arnott has a talent for making it look easy. I was transfixed. * Catherine Lacey, author of Pew *The Rain Heron is fantastic. The ripping pace of a thriller combined with the emotional complexity of a Shakespearian tragedy, delivered in diamond-sharp prose. It pulls you into a world of myths come to life, where environmental destruction collides with socio-political decay, and you can't help but feel for all the characters as they navigate through the wreckage. Highly recommended. * Kawai Strong Washburn, author of Sharks in the Time of Saviours *A searing exploration of the entanglement of internal and external nature, and the human mind's unconscious pull towards dominating [nature]...Arnott is brilliant at writing the natural world. * Kill Your Darlings *Arnott's vision coalesces into an affecting narrative, charged with symbolism and characters who hold trauma, pain and cruelty in the same space... His is a lyrical, natural style that combines the expansiveness of a fable with fully realised detail. * Saturday Paper *Arnott weaves a narrative that feels both timely and timelessly engaging. A powerful meditation on human greed and frailty, The Rain Heron also leaves room for redemption. This bracing follow-up to Flames will reinforce Arnott's reputation for unusual, risk-taking literary fiction. * Laura Elizabeth Woollett, Australian Book Review *Unlike anything I have ever read. As luminescent as it is devastating, Arnott's tightly-wrought storytelling reveals the myriad harms we wreak both on our planet and on each other. It is mesmerising. * Ruth Gilligan *The Rain Heron is genuinely and completely magnificent - a magical thing. * Robert Lukins *The Rain Heron is literary art. Robbie Arnott has deftly crafted an audacious idea into an original, compelling work. Nothing is overdone or superfluous. * Australian *The Rain Heron is exquisite. Reading it feels like hearing a legend from our past, from our near future; like remembering something you had always known but somehow forgotten. It is both fantastical and deeply true. * Jane Rawson *Robbie Arnott imagines a thoroughly strange, inky-dark land of the near future. Sharp and original, The Rain Heron is a beautiful novel about love, violence and redemption. * Laura Elvery *A book full of heart - it's so richly imagined, inventive and beautifully written, with a strong message, but is never didactic. It's like nothing I've read. * J. P. Pomare *The Rain Heron is an intoxicating fable from an extraordinary imagination. Robbie Arnott writes like the words want to be his. * Anna Spargo-Ryan *Robbie Arnott is singlehandedly reinventing Australian literature. The Rain Heron is a soaring feat of the imagination. * Bram Presser *With its emotional power and rich symbolism, The Rain Heron is an immersion in landscape, climate and an animal world that lives despite us, not for us. * Jock Serong *The Rain Heron is a beautifully told story in four parts, in which the line between reality and myth is impossible to draw... Arnott expertly navigates the fraught relationships between humans and the natural world, and paints shades of grey into moments that for a lesser writer would be purely black and white... A compelling, original read. * Elizabeth Flux, Books+Publishing *A strange and curious book...The craft is extraordinary. * The Bookshelf, Radio National *A story of survival, an ecological thriller weighted with a mythological perspective, and a dystopian adventure...This is a novel that beautifully captures people at war with themselves, with each other, with nature-and it's a taut, tense thriller at the same time...It is the perfect book to read now. It brings us closer and it steadies the world just a little. * Readings *Full of enchanted realism...[Arnott] writes on behalf of the fierce dedication necessary for anyone to be her best self. This is a lofty ambition but it is what great stories demand from us: figurative blood, figurative tears, and a commitment to witness the world in all its wonder. * Age *The Rain Heron confirms [Robbie Arnott's] place as one of Australia's leading young novelists...As myths collide with reality, Arnott's imaginative dark novel ends with a sobering uplift, reaffirming that ultimately relationships and kindness matter * Canberra Times *Arnott's writing is clear and compelling * New Yorker *
£8.54
Little, Brown Book Group The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Book SynopsisThis breathtakingly beautiful debut is a love letter to the written word and the power of stories to open doors to other worldsTrade ReviewA gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers and the doors they lead us through . . . absolutely enchanting -- Christina Henry, bestselling author of ALICEMany worlds, vanishing doors, mind-cracking magic: I clung to each page, searching for answers. This is one of the most unique works of fiction I've ever read - I hope there's more ahead -- Tamora Pierce, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authorA gorgeously written story of love and longing, of what it means to lose your place in the world, and then have the courage to find it again. This book is a door I'm glad to have opened -- Kat Howard, author of AN UNKINDNESS OF MAGICIANSA love letter to imagination, adventure, the written word and the power of many kinds of love -- KIRKUSThe Ten Thousand Doors of January healed hurts I didn't even know I had. An unbearably beautiful story about growing up, and everything we fight to keep along the way -- Amal El-Mohtar, Hugo Award-winning authorThe Ten Thousand Doors of January is devastatingly good, a sharp, delicate nested tale of worlds within worlds, stories within stories, and the realm-cracking power of words -- Melissa Albert, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE HAZEL WOODThe Ten Thousand Doors of January begins as a simple adventure, but like its mysteriously transportive doors, leads deeper and deeper the further you read. Each page dazzles with things to be discovered: a mansion of priceless artifacts, a secret journal, a tantalizing quest through strange and beautiful places, and a love story that spans time, worlds and magic. I couldn't put it down -- Peng Shepherd, author of THE BOOK OF MAll the magic you once knew but have almost forgotten waits in these pages for you to discover again. With a masterful voice and a spellbinding story, reading The Ten Thousand Doors of January feels like coming back to a beloved childhood classic to find it unexpectedly grew up with you. It's a deeply satisfying pleasure to read, and lingers in your heart afterwards. I loved it! -- Melissa Caruso, author of THE TETHERED MAGETo open this book is to open a door to a brand new world that you'll never want to leave. With the masterful prose of a true Wordworker, Harrow has created a richly imagined, multi-layered narrative full of wonder, sorrow, and strength -- Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of THE WOLF IN THE WHALEBeautifully written and absorbing . . . an ambitious, expansive story that never loses its sense of intimacy . . . a wonderful, insightful and imaginative book. I highly recommend it -- Josiah Bancroft, author of SENLIN ASCENDSThe Ten Thousand Doors of January is quite possibly the most achingly beautiful novel I've ever read, and I find it mind-boggling that anything this lovely could possibly be a debut novel . . . Harrow is more than an author; she is a Wordsmith, a sorceress wielding a pen in place of a wand . . . I can already tell that January is going to be one of my dearest friends, and that I'll be revisiting her often -- NOVEL NOTIONSHarrow has created a gorgeous world of magic and portal universes that is at once familiar and startlingly new. With lush writing and a sense of wonder, The Ten Thousand Doors of January examines power, progress and identity. It is an adventure in the best and grandest sense -- Erika Swyler, author of THE BOOK OF SPECULATIONEvery page of this smart, heartfelt expedition celebrates an abiding love of stories and slips between genres in wonderful ways. Readers are going to relish every sentence and surprise in this book - I know I did! -- Matthew Sullivan, author of MIDNIGHT AT THE BRIGHT IDEAS BOOKSTOREThis book was amazing . . . a phenomenally written tale, that felt a little like falling into a door to a different world -- SUPER STARDRIFTERGorgeous and magical . . . One of the most beautifully-written debuts I've ever read -- NOVEL NOTIONSHas real depth . . . Engrossing -- IMAGE MAGAZINEA stunning debut novel with inventive worlds, sumptuous language and impeccably crafted details -- BOOKPAGEThe buzz is warranted. The writing is beautiful and lush. The story is sad and sweet in equal measure. The world is captivating and I truly felt transported -- SPECULATIVE SHELFOne giant love letter to the written word . . . The storytelling is a joyful kind of magic. Alix E. Harrow has a beautifully dreamy style that is irresistible, even at the book's darkest moments, and her imagination feels limitless . . . this book is an infectious celebration of courage and wonder that feels like a massive, life affirming hug -- SCIFINOWThe Ten Thousand Doors of January is a celebration of books; it is a reflection of the power of stories, of words, and it is, honestly, a remarkable read to escape into -- FANTASY HIVEImaginative, gripping, and beautifully written * SFX *Beautiful, achingly gorgeous ode to storytelling, magic and family * S. A. Chakraborty, author of THE CITY OF BRASS *
£9.49
Legend Press Ltd The Metamorphosis (Legend Classics)
Book SynopsisAs Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.The Metamorphosis - the masterpiece of Franz Kafka -was first published in 1915 and is one of the seminal works of fiction of the twentiethcentury. The novel iscited as a key influence for many of today's leading authors; as Auden wrote:"Kafka is important to us because his predicament is the predicament of modern man".Traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, wakes to find himself transformed into a large, monstrous insect-like creature. The cause of Gregor''s transformation is never revealed, and as he attempts to adjust to his new condition he becomes a burden to his parents and sister, who are repelled by the horrible, verminous creature Gregor has become.A harrowing, yet strangely comic, meditation on human feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and isolation,The Metamorphosishas taken its place as one of the most widely read and influential works of twentieth-century fiction.The Legend Classics series:Around the World in Eighty DaysThe Adventures of Huckleberry FinnThe Importance of Being EarnestAlice''s Adventures in WonderlandThe MetamorphosisThe Railway ChildrenThe Hound of the BaskervillesFrankensteinWuthering HeightsThree Men in a BoatThe Time MachineLittle WomenAnne of Green GablesThe Jungle BookThe Yellow Wallpaper and Other StoriesDraculaA Study in ScarletLeaves of GrassThe Secret GardenThe War of the WorldsA Christmas CarolStrange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeHeart of DarknessThe Scarlet LetterThis Side of ParadiseOliver TwistThe Picture of Dorian GrayTreasure IslandThe Turn of the ScrewThe Adventures of Tom SawyerEmmaThe TrialA Selection of Short Stories by Edgar Allan PoeGrimm Fairy TalesThe AwakeningMrs DallowayGulliver's TravelsThe Castle of OtrantoSilas MarnerHard Times
£8.54
Quercus Publishing Gods of Jade and Shadow
Book Synopsis'This is historical fantasy at its best' S.A. Chakraborty, author of The City of BrassInspired by Mexican folklore, Gods of Jade and Shadow is a magical, wildly imaginative coming-of-age tale for fans of Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik and Helene Wecker.The Jazz Age is in full swing, but it's passing Casiopea Tun by. She's too busy scrubbing floors in her wealthy grandfather's house to do anything more than dream of a life far from her dusty, small town in southern Mexico. A life she could call her own. This dream is impossible, distant as the stars - until the day Casiopea opens a curious chest in her grandfather's room and accidentally frees an ancient Mayan god of death. He offers her a deal: if Casiopea helps him recover his throne from his treacherous brother, he will grant her whatever she desires. Success will make her every dream come true, but failure will see her lost, for ever. In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed only with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey, from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City and deep into the darkness of Xibalba, the Mayan underworld.------------------------------------------------------'Wondrous and magical' Kevin Hearne, author of The Iron Druid Chronicles'Evocative and moving' Rebecca Roanhorse, author of Trial of Lightning'An adventure for the mind and the heart' Christina Henry, author of Alice'A joy to read' Genevieve Cogman, author of The Invisible Library seriesThe Daughter of Doctor Moreau, the new book from Silvia Moreno-Garcia, is available to pre-order now.Trade ReviewSimultaneously heartbreaking and heart-mending, Gods of Jade and Shadow is a wondrous and magical tale about choosing our own path. I felt weepy and happy and hopeful when I finished - everything you want to feel at the end of a great story * Kevin Hearne, New York Times-bestselling author of the Iron Druid Chronicles and Kill the Farm Boy *An evocative and moving fairy-tale about a downtrodden girl and the Mayan God of Death and how they both find each other and their humanity together . . . Loved it. Highly recommend * Rebecca Roanhorse, author of Trail of Lightning *I lost myself in the world, the magic, and the brilliance that is Gods of Jade and Shadow, a story that will linger with me for a very long time. Casiopea Tun will take readers on a journey they will not soon forget. She is the kind of heroine I rooted for from the very first page! * Jennifer A. Nielsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Traitor's Game *A moving description of a young girl's coming of age and a seamless fusion of the real and the magical * Guardian *Set in a lushly rendered and gorgeous world, this is historical fantasy at its best: a fresh, feminist coming-of-age tale that lets the ancient and the new meld and clash in a tale you can't put down * S.A. Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass and The Kingdom of Copper *A lush, bittersweet tale of courage, love and carving your own place in the world . . . Silvia Moreno-Garcia's evocative prose will take you on an adventure for the mind and the heart * Christina Henry, author of Alice *A beautiful work that will draw you in and keep you transfixed and reading far too late. It blends the 'real' and the mythic seamlessly, and the clear-sighted heroine is a joy to read about. It's the sort of book that will leave you with beautiful after-images for weeks to follow, and going back to re-read favourite sections * Genevieve Cogman, author of the Invisible Library series *Silvia Moreno-Garcia's prose is like the best kind of fairytale - dark, enchanting, and makes you wish that you could live within its pages. Casiopea's journey belongs on every bookshelf * Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of Labyrinth Lost *A vibrant story of grit, giddiness, and glory with a protagonist whose personality burns bright as a star. Casiopea Tun will capture your heart and draw you into a jewel-toned world of myth-making and jazz music * Lara Elena Donnelly, author of The Amberlough Dossier series *A magical novel of duality, tradition, and change . . . Moreno-Garcia's seamless blend of mythology and history provides a ripe setting for Casiopea's stellar journey of self-discovery, which culminates in a dramatic denouement. Readers will gladly immerse themselves in Moreno-Garcia's rich and complex tale of desperate hopes and complicated relationships * Publishers Weekly Starred Review *Silvia Moreno-Garcia beautifully weaves the glamour and possibility of the Jazz Age with Mexican folklore, crafting a lush, enthralling coming of age fairytale . . . A hopeful and bittersweet tale, with a whip-smart, practical protagonist, and will appeal to fans of S.A. Chakraborty, Naomi Novik, and Katherine Arden * The Skinny *Snappy dialog, stellar worldbuilding, lyrical prose, and a slow-burn romance make this a standout * Library Journal Starred Review *An exotic adventure * Woman's Way *An elegant and immersive tale, Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow opened my eyes to the Mayan Underworld and took me on an adventure with a strong-willed, practical heroine and a prickly fallen god that I never wanted to end. It feels like a modern classic, and is absolutely unforgettable * Kendare Blake, New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series *Gods of Jade and Shadow was an easy, fun read that enchanted every step of the way, with the mood of a classic fairytale drifting beneath a whirl of Mayan myth and 1920s Mexico * While Reading and Walking *Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes with verve and the Mayan mythology she draws on is fascinating * The Times *A magical fairy tale about identity, freedom, and love, and it's like nothing you've read before * Bustle *A richly imagined historical fantasy and one of the best I've read in a while * Reader's Retreat *If you are a fan of magical realism, fairytales, Mayan civilisation and history in general then you will enjoy the Gods of Jade and Shadow, so make sure that you read it * Cultural Life Connection *An astonishingly beautiful book. This is up there amongst one of my favourite books of all time and I strongly encourage everyone to read it * Esoteric Elixir *A fantastic own voices story of Mayan Mythology, with a dark edge that brings you a brilliant and nuanced female character and is definitely a book you have to read * I Just Kinda Like Books *A vibrant, visceral look at the duality of Mexican folklore . . . A twisting, constantly exciting story with an unmistakably sharp-edge looming in even its most innocuous scenes * Reminders of the Changing Time *Part Jane Eyre and part Cinderella story, Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow is a beautiful fantasy tale based on Mayan mythology. In a time with so much negative emphasis on Mexico, it's easy to forget that Mexico is a country with a very rich heritage, mythology and folklore. Moreno-Garcia successfully retells this myth with a beautiful prose and description of a Mexico of the 1920s * A Wondrous Bookshelf *I loved reading about mythological characters that were new to me, in a setting that was so energetic and exciting * Alphabet Hannah *Full of energy, vibrancy and Mayan culture * Umut Reviews *An extremely impressive tale . . . Beautifully brilliant * Run Along the Shelves *A great reading experience, I look forward to reading other books by this author. Highly recommended! * Annarellix *I recommend Gods of Jade and Shadow to fantasy/mythology fans looking for something a little different * Nicki J Markus *A page-turner that immerses you in a forgotten culture and it is a coming-of-age story about finding what you really want in the most unlikely of circumstances * The Nerd Daily *A coming-of-age fairy tale of haunting shadows commingled with vibrant life * The i *Well worth checking out * SFX *An enchanting cocktail * Strange Horizons *The fundamentals of storytelling have been, and will always be, a distinctive setting and well-drawn, memorable characters. Gods of Jade and Shadow has both these elements in droves . . . One of the more appealing and defiant heroines in recent fantasy * Locus *Casiopea is not a damsel in distress, but rather a young woman coming of age in a time where music, myth, art and exploration thrum colorfully around her. . . . Readers will be floored by Moreno-Garcia's painstaking attention to detail. Her descriptions of the emotionally charged interactions between realistic human characters and otherworldly gods, witches and demonic forces are unforgettable, as are the fairy-tale and folktale aspects of the plot * BookPage Starred Review *It was exciting and adventurous and full of wants and longing and the pull between life and death, darkness and light. If you're looking for a book to sink into and really savor, look no further * The Bookish Beagle *
£9.49
Canongate Books Things in Jars
Book SynopsisA BOOK OF THE YEAR IN DAILY EXPRESS, I AND IRISH INDEPENDENT'Thrilling, mysterious, twisted' Graham Norton'Utterly mesmerising . . . A triumph' New York Times Book Review'Delivers chills galore' GuardianThe case of the extraordinary child . . .London, 1863. A strange puzzle has reached Bridie Devine, the finest female detective of her age. To recover a stolen child, Bridie must enter the dark world of medical curiosities. The public love a spectacle and this child may well prove the most remarkable spectacle London has ever seen.Things in Jars is a Victorian novel unlike any other, one that explores what it is to be human in inhumane times.Trade ReviewI loved Himself and The Hoarder but this book takes things to another level - thrilling, mysterious, twisted but more than anything, beautifully written and filled to bursting point with heart -- GRAHAM NORTONUtterly mesmerising . . . A triumph. Kidd's imagination - her ability to imagine a world more magical, darker, richer than our own - is a thing of wonder. She rummages through the layers of Victorian society as if through an old steamer trunk, pulling up all variety of treasures, like pythons and heads in hatboxes * * New York Times Book Review * *This unusual Victorian detective tale is hugely satisfying and beautifully written . . . Kidd gives the world what is instantly one of fiction's great spectral double acts * * The Times * *Jess Kidd's stories are so magical, she should be a genre all to herself . . . Things in Jars is exquisite. Perfect storytelling -- JOANNA CANNON, author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEPThis pacy piece of Victorian crime fiction delivers chills galore . . . done with panache . . . Her imagination runs wild, in tightly controlled prose. Her concision makes the book feel like a high-pressure jar * * Guardian * *A twisting, precis-defying plot . . . Arresting, funny and well-written * * Sunday Times * *An extraordinary tale full of dark magic, wicked humour and hugely entertaining characters. An absolute treat! -- RUTH HOGAN, author of THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGSKidd writes prose that is full to the brim with life, and overflowing. Victorian London is rendered lavishly in all its stench and glory . . . Features the most endearing of heroines . . . Kidd excels at atmospheric description . . . Kidd's sentences contain so much delight in the language, whether conveying brutality or rescue and repair, that there are frequent jolts of pleasure for the reader . . . Revel in the rich, wild text * * Financial Times * *A masterclass in storytelling. One of those books that truly does make you laugh out loud, that shakes and remakes what you think a story can be. It's rare to find a book so satisfying -- KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVEIf there was an Oscar ceremony for books, then Kidd's Victorian mystery Things in Jars would surely sweep the board . . . Timeless . . . Knife-sharp * * Irish Times * *
£9.49
Alma Books Ltd The Double
Book SynopsisConstantly rebuffed from the social circles he aspires to frequent, the timid clerk Golyadkin is confronted by the sudden appearance of his double, a more brazen, confident and socially successful version of himself, who abuses and victimizes the original. As he is increasingly persecuted, Golyadkin finds his social, romantic and professional life unravelling, in a spiral that leads to a catastrophic denouement. The Double, Dostoevsky's second published work of fiction, which foreshadows in its themes many of his mature novels, is the surreal and hallucinatory tale of an unfortunate anti-hero, at once chilling in its depiction of the dark sides of human nature and exuberantly comical.Trade ReviewThe real nineteenth-century prophet was Dostoevsky, not Karl Marx. -- Albert Camus The most impressive thing about The Double is how pertinent it feels today... like all the best fiction, The Double reinvents and rewrites itself for the current age -- Jeremy Dyson
£6.99
Rebellion Publishing Ltd. Signal To Noise
Book SynopsisMexico City, 1988. Long before iTunes or MP3s, you said "I love you" with a mixtape. Meche, awkward and fifteen, discovers how to cast spells using music, and with her friends Sebastian and Daniela will piece together their broken families, and even find love... Two decades after abandoning the metropolis, Meche returns for her estranged father's funeral, reviving memories from her childhood she thought she buried a long time ago. What really happened back then? Is there any magic left?Trade Review"Haunting and beautifully nuanced, Signal to Noise is a magical first novel." -- The Guardian * The Guardian *“Plenty of books use magic to talk about coming-of-age stories and the secrets that people bury… but few of them are as sad, or as evocative, as Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s new novel Signal to Noise.” -- io9 * io9 *“Vibrantly new… one of the most important fantasy debuts of the year.” -- Locus * Locus Magazine *“Numerous ’80s musical references make this unusual story a welcome blast from the past.” -- Publisher’s Weekly * Publishers Weekly *“In many ways, Signal to Noise is a coming-of-age tale, but it’s also the tale of what comes after – and what happens when forces beyond our control, magical or otherwise, are better left that way.” -- NPR * NPR *“The book is this rich, elaborate symphony of awesome that defies simple definitions.” -- Kirkus * Kirkus Reviews *“Signal to Noise is a perfect young adult crossover novel, full of appeal, diverse characters & setting, wonderful writing–and magic.” -- School Library Journal * School Library Journal *“This charming literary fantasy will resonate for readers of all ages.” -- Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog * The Barnes & Noble SF&F Blog *“If you like well drawn characters, cool tunes and lashings and lashings of nostalgia, then you should check this out.” -- Starburst Magazine * Starburst Magazine *“Refreshing, lively and unique, Moreno-Garcia’s debut novel is a triumph.” -- RT Book Reviews * RT Book Reviews *
£9.49
And Other Stories Split Tooth
Book SynopsisLonglisted for the 2023-2024 Gordon Burn Prize Longlisted for the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize Winner of the 2019 Indigenous Voices Award for Published Prose in English Fact can be as strange as fiction. It can also be as dark, as violent, as rapturous. In the end, there may be no difference between them. An Inuk girl grows up in Nunavut, Canada, in the 1970s. She knows joy, and friendship, and parents' love. She knows boredom, and listlessness, and bullying. She knows the tedium of the everyday world, and the raw, amoral power of the ice and sky, the seductive energy of the animal world. She knows the ravages of alcohol, and violence at the hands of those she should be able to trust. She sees the spirits that surround her, and the immense power that dwarfs all of us. When she becomes pregnant, she must navigate all this. In this acclaimed debut novel - haunting, brooding, exhilarating, and tender all at once - Tanya Tagaq explores the grittiest features of a small Arctic town and the electrifying proximity of the worlds of animals and of myth.Trade Review'Tagaq's surreal meld of poetry and prose transmutes the Arctic's boundless beauty, intensity, and desolation into a wrenching contemporary mythology.' The New Yorker ---- 'Though the protagonist's coming-of-age story, generously and lovingly documented by Tagaq, is the anchor, Split Tooth is not a book that can be fully absorbed in one sitting. It's possible to sink deeper and deeper into the narrative with each successive reading. Like a smirking teenager, Split Tooth blithely gives typical literary expectations the finger, daring us to see and experience narrative as chaotic, emotional, and deeply instinctive. And it succeeds.' Quill and Quire ---- 'A raw, powerful voice breathes fresh air into traditional Inuit folklore to create a modern tale of mythological proportions.' Kirkus ---- '[Split Tooth] straddles the line between memoir and fiction, prose and poetry, magic and harsh reality. . . [and] is infused with Tagaq's intimate knowledge of life in the Arctic.' Oprah Magazine ---- '[A] forceful coming-of-age tale.' Toronto Life magazine ---- 'In [Tanya Tagaq]'s forthcoming novel, Split Tooth, there's a chapter called "Ritual" that is such a distillation of childhood magic and refuge that it made me feel like I was reading Tove Jansson or Roald Dahl for the first time.' Sean Michaels ---- 'Tanya Tagaq has written a book that should re-arrange the reader's mind and very being in her astounding Split Tooth. She uses the narrative arc of a coming of age story to tell of coming of age in a northern, indigenous community that includes close experience of abuse, village violence, colonial exploitation, and also close kin ties, birth, death, a knowing of how we are really fed, an awareness of how small life can be, and how large ... I look forward to putting this book in people's hands.' Rick Simonson, owner of Elliott Bay Book Company ---- 'In simplest terms, Split Tooth is a punch to the throat...a stellar first novel; an incredible work of Canadian, indigenous, and world literatures.' PopMatters ---- 'Tagaq has broken a new trail for all future Inuit writers to tread upon, describing the lived world of an Inuk child with writing that is breathtaking and singular...With this work Tagaq has reshaped what Inuit literature is... it is impossible to stop reading. It is delicious. And offers a new way forward for Inuit authors.' Inuit Art Quarterly
£13.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Burnings
Book Synopsis‘I was mesmerised’ LAURA SHEPPERSON, Sunday Times bestselling author of The HeroinesTrade Review‘I was mesmerised by The Burnings and its heroines. I highly recommend this brilliant and compelling novel to all lovers of historical fiction.’ Laura Shepperson, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Heroines ‘A gothic gem. Tense, delicate writing. Lace woven with steel threads.’ Judges of the HWA Dorothy Dunnett Competition ‘The best new talent from the North of England . . . This year’s winners show that the next generation of creative talent has the potential to help us re-frame a post-pandemic world and better understand ourselves and our society.’ Katy Shaw, Partner in the Northern Writers’ Awards 2020 ‘The Burnings is a beautifully written re-imagining of the North Berwick witch trials with clever and tantalising glimpses into the cross-over between witchcraft and lived experience in 16th-century Scotland.’ S.G. MacLean, author of The Bookseller of Inverness 'This gripping, vividly evoked novel takes the reader to the dark heart of the sixteenth century witch hunts. Witchcraft, espionage and the deadly world of the royal court fuse into a compelling, unforgettable narrative. A stunning debut.'Tracy Borman, author of The King’s Witch
£14.99
Simon & Schuster Treacle Walker
Book Synopsis
£16.50
Monkfish Book Publishing Company The Wild Mother: A Novel
Book SynopsisEnter the world of The Wild Mother—modern fairytale, bold biblical midrash, filled with the psychological depth and imaginative originality for which the author of The Maeve Chronicles is known. Elizabeth Cunningham''s classic feminist novel is as fresh and timeless today as when it was first released in 1993 to critical acclaim.Adam Underwood and Eva Brooke appear to be made for each other. Both are single parents. Both are academics, he a dazzling, enigmatic professor of Alchemy, she a humble but dedicated professor of Fairytales. Adam''s children, Ionia and Fred, share a latchkey after school with Eva''s precocious son, Jason. So why don''t Adam and Eva marry and live happily ever after?Eva can''t help wondering. Pathologically polite, she cannot bring herself to ask personal questions. She struggles not to find it strange that Adam has never so much as mentioned his children''s absent mother. Nor has Adam''s own mother-cum-housekeeper, the feisty, outspoken Ursula, ever uttered her name. Yet Eva glimpses the missing woman in ten-year-old Ionia''s haunted and haunting purple eyes and in Ionia''s drawings of a woman dancing on the crest of a hill, wild black hair spread out against the sky....Then one night, she returns: Lilith, the wild mother. The precarious status quo that Eva, Adam, and their families have achieved is shattered and their world is turned inside out or, more precisely, outside in.As wild breaks into their lives, Adam, obsessed with control, attempts to seal them all in a deadly trap. Now a crucial challenge confronts each one of them. Will these very human beings embrace their own wildness, risking all they value and understand? Or will they deny the freedom essential to Lilith''s nature--and their own.
£17.09
Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press Pedro Páramo
Book Synopsis
£14.45
Quercus Publishing The Fox Wife: an enchanting historical mystery
Book Synopsis'Vivid, enigmatic, enchanting' M. L. Rio'Irresistible' Sunday TimesSome people think foxes go around collecting qi, or life force, but nothing could be further than the truth. We are living creatures, just like you, only usually better looking . . .Manchuria, 1908: A young woman is found frozen in the snow. Her death is clouded by rumours of foxes, believed to lure people into peril by transforming into beautiful women and men. Bao, a detective with a reputation for sniffing out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman's identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the fox gods, yet they've remained tantalizingly out of reach. Until, perhaps, now.Snow is a creature of many secrets, but most of all, she's a mother seeking vengeance. Hunting a murderer, the trail will take her from northern China to Japan, with Bao following doggedly behind. And as their paths draw ever closer together, both Snow and Bao will encounter old friends and new foes, even as more deaths occur. The Fox Wife is a stunning novel about old loves and second chances, the depth of maternal bonds, and ancient folktales that may very well be true.PRAISE FOR THE FOX WIFE'Magical, wondrous, transporting and illuminating' Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai'Rich and beguiling' Daily Mail 'Filled with wonder, mystery and folklore' Sue Lynn Tan'Enchanting' the i'A rich tangle of myth, mystery, and history' Alix E. HarrowTrade ReviewThe reader is taken on a journey from the underbelly of a Chinese town to the mountains of Japan. Among the more memorable characters along the way is a male fox spirit called Shiro. He is seductive, deadly and, like the book itself, quite irresistible to mere humans * Sunday Times *Like the foxes who populate its pages, The Fox Wife is vivid, enigmatic, and enchanting. Choo's fresh new fable conjures a world where danger and intrigue are forever entwined with sublime and sensory delights * M.L. Rio, author of IF WE WERE VILLAINS *Rich and beguiling * Daily Mail *A stunning story filled with wonder, mystery and folklore. I was utterly captivated by Yangsze Choo's exquisite prose and fascinating characters from the first page till the last. A remarkable tale, one that will stay with me * Sue Lynn Tan, author of Heart of the Sun Warrior *Witty and suspenseful * New York Times Book Review *Enchanting * The i *Magical, wonderous, transporting and illuminating, The Fox Wife reminds me that reading can be pure joy . . . I was captivated from the very first word of this novel until its very last. Yangsze Choo is a writer of immense talent * Nguyen Phan Que Mai, internationally best-selling author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child *Masterfully plotted and superbly surprising, The Fox Wife will entice you into a world of magic and heartbreak, a beautiful tapestry woven from love and revenge and forgiveness. But beware: once you start, you may not be able to put it down! -- Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, author of INDEPENDENCE and THE LAST QUEENThe Fox Wife is a rich tangle of myth, mystery, and history, delivered with Choo's inimitable grace and precision. It's not a book so much as a beguilement; it enchanted me entirely -- Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of STARLING HOUSEChoo's writing is lush and the slow revelations of complicated relationships and reunions hum with tension. This is a treat * Publishers Weekly *Snow's difficulties as both a fox and a young woman in a man's world are clearly drawn, as is the pathos of Bao's situation as a gentle soul who's always been in search of something or someone. An intriguing vulpine mystery worth the suspension of disbelief * Kirkus *A beguiling tale of a bygone era * Straits Times *
£13.49
Charco Press The Delivery
Book SynopsisFrom the acclaimed author ofFish Soup, a wickedly self-aware novel of family, memory, and possibility just this side of the uncanny.A tolerable, ordinary life: an adequate, if boring, freelance job; reliably irritating video calls with your sister; half-hearted plans for the future (a writing residency, a child); and, in the middle of your half-furnished apartment, an enormous crate. Unopened, delivered days ago, and getting in the way.InThe Delivery , what’s inside is your estranged mother, and her arrival brings to a head the tentative motions you’ve made to examine the past and the subtle fissures in the life you’ve built. Semi-ordinary happenings take on an otherworldly cast when you look at them sideways, but nothing is stranger, in this place far from home, than the tenuous bonds of family that hold us together, or don’t.Trade Review"This multi-centred novel contains everything: death, life and all the stuff in between." —The Guardian"A sharp and perceptive novel." —Irish Times"The microscopic precision with which García Robayo delves into the human soul is striking." —El País"An unsettling novel about uncertainty, memories and fears, solitude, family relationships and hopes for the future." —Diario Popular"Robayo masterfully constructs a story of family ghosts and memories that put into question what it means to leave behind a country, family and friends for a new place." —Morning Star"Once again, a Colombian literary star has blended absurdism, realism and great linguistic skill to create a novel that may be neatly packaged but proves to contain multitudes." —Lunate"Completely engrossing. García Robayo’s best yet. " —Sounds & Colours"Inside the music of Robayo’s prose, one encounters an argument about the vigor of personal history, its relentless capacity to emboss the present." —The Believer"By throwing her characters off their typical paths, García Robayo continues to show readers that she is one of the brightest voices in Latin American literature." —On the Seawall"The Delivery reveals the fissures, gaps, and spaces of incomprehension that can exist between speakers of the same language." —Full Stop"This chamber piece, which chronicles the narrator’s various procrastinations, succeeds thanks to its voice, its pacing, and its glaring omissions." —Necessary Fiction"Questions about motherhood, belonging, and exile hang over this quietly unsettling work." —Southwest Review"García Robayo has written a novel that, avoiding any complacency, situates us in the interstices of identity." —El Mundo"If for this narrator having a child is like ‘resisting extinction’ (…), novels like The Delivery fulfil a similar injunction to permanence: not to pass through the world without leaving anything behind." —El País"An intimate, mature work that confirms Margarita García Robayo as one of the most promising Latin American writers today." —La Razón"The Colombian writer makes the daily routine of her protagonist seem like a disturbing sequence of events." —Expansión"A brilliant and exhaustive relationship with language that draws on a search for origins." —El Tiempo"Thoughts that achieve a sparking lucidity that contrasts with the bewilderment experienced by the main character." —La Nación"You can’t put it down until you find out what happens at the end." —Pagina/12"The Delivery is one of those novels that mark a before and an after, just as happens to its main character when she manages to open the crate sent by her sister." —Pagina/12"A book of contained intensity, full of glimpses more than certainties, which confirms the author as one of the leading voices of Latin American fiction." —El Siglo de Torreón**********Praise for Margarita García RobayoBiblioteca de Narrativa Colombiana Prize (Finalist)"García Robayo writes with caustic insight, brittle humour and a fair whack of cynicism (...) Holiday Heart is brilliant." —The Guardian"Understated, lyrical, and delivers its insights by means of acute observation. (5 stars)" —The Arts Desk"Cunningly well achieved." —Irish Times"Holiday Heart is a poignant and searing story of love ending." —Gutter Magazine"Coombe’s translation brilliantly captures the bite in García Robayo’s humour." —iNews"One of Colombia’s greatest living writers." —The Monthly Booking"Brilliantly dramatises the disjunction between an idealized picture of life like sitting on a sunny beach and the reality of that life like getting sand caught in your teeth." —Lonesome ReaderBest Fiction Books of 2017 —New York Times (Español)"Darkly funny throughout, this examination of two lives will stay with you long after you read the final words and lay the book down." —Lunate"Every sentence in the book seems to be written with a scalpel infused with acid. " —Morning Star"Acute, provocative, concise and raw." —Translating Women"An incredibly insightful portrayal of a disintegrating marriage...provides a sharp-eyed view of estrangement and personal identity." —Book Riot"Frightening, alluring, and inescapable." —Books and Bao**********Casa de las Américas Prize (Winner)Society of Authors Valle-Inclán Prize (Shortlist)"García Robayo’s prose bristles with restrained energy and a wry humour which captures the disaffection of her characters." —The Times Literary Supplement"[Fish Soup] is a gorgeous, blackly humorous look into the lives of Colombians struggling to find their place in society, both at home and abroad." —Publishers Weekly, starred review"A remarkable genre-bending effort." —The Guardian"The tackiness of the Caribbean coast and its discontents are marvellously rendered." —The Times Literary Supplement"If you’re a fan of Ottessa Moshfegh or Melissa Broder, then this is for you." —The Guardian"An evocative collection that conveys the potency of desire in even the most ordinary lives." —Kirkus"García Robayo is building one of the most solid and interesting oeuvres in Latin American literature."" —Juan Cárdenas , author of ORNAMENTAL"Her stories combine the atmosphere of Desperate Housewives, Hemingway’s iceberg theory and a memorable, bittersweet ending."" —Jorge Carrión , author of BOOKSHOPS"Margarita shows sharp insight into contemporary life. Her voice speaks with surreptitious irony and sophisticated psychological perception. She is the creator of an exceptional poetics of displacement."" —Juan Villoro , author of THE WITNESS"There are very few writers who can challenge expectations the way Margarita García Robayo does. Margarita is simply one of the best of the new generation that respects, yet no longer identifies with, the Latin American Boom."" —Mariana Enríquez , author of THINGS WE LOST IN THE FIRE"This is a text written from within the belly of the beast. (…) One of the most essential books of the year." —Asymptote"García Robayo’s prose is concise and startling, her voice versatile and capable of packing a serious punch." —LA Review of Books"One of the most potent figures of contemporary Latin American literature." —ABC Cultural"Full of everyday details that reveal the most vulnerable aspects of feminine subjectivity." —La Nación**********
£10.79
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Venco
Book Synopsis
£24.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Eartheater
Book SynopsisNAMED A FALL 2020 MUST-READ AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF FALL 2020 BY TIME, VULTURE, THE BOSTON GLOBE, COSMOPOLITAN, WIRED, TOR AND MOREElectrifying and provocative, visceral and profound, a powerful literary debut novel about a young woman whose compulsion to eat earth gives her visions of murdered and missing people?an imaginative synthesis of mystery and magical realism that explores the dark tragedies of ordinary lives.Set in an unnamed slum in contemporary Argentina, Eartheater is the story of a young woman who finds herself drawn to eating the earth?a compulsion that gives her visions of broken and lost lives. With her first taste of dirt, she learns the horrifying truth of her mother?s death. Disturbed by what she witnesses, the woman keeps her visions to herself. But when Eartheater begins an unlikely relationship with a withdrawn police officer, word of her ability begins to spread, and soon desperate members of her community beg for her help, anxious to uncover the truth about their own loved ones.Surreal and haunting, spare yet complex, Eartheater is a dark, emotionally resonant tale told from a feminist perspective that brilliantly explores the stories of those left behind?the women enduring the pain of uncertainty, whose lives have been shaped by violence and loss.Translated from the Spanish by Julia SanchesTrade Review“One of the most outstanding Latin American short novels of the year.” — New York Times “A powerful story whose narrator wields brutally honest observations on the intersections of class, poverty, and gender. Reyes’ debut is a strong addition to the growing body of Latin American crime fiction in the U.S. market. A stirring genre blend of fantasy and crime fiction that combines graceful prose and magic realism.” — Booklist (starred review) “Reyes succeeds in making the feisty Eartheater and her visions both persuasive and affecting.” — Library Journal (starred review) “In a voice that is terse, blunt, and biting, the narrator reckons with the impact of her visions on her health and relationships, as she witnesses more and more the ways fear and violence shape the experiences of the women in her community. Compelling and visceral, Reyes’ debut combines mystery and coming-of-age to evoke the stories of the victims of femicide.” — Kirkus Reviews “A raw and vital literary debut, Eartheater takes an unwavering and visceral look at systems of power through the perspective of a young woman caught in the crosshairs.” — Shelf Awareness "In Reyes' hands, this coming-of-age novel flowers into a meditation on death, and the earth all children will eat in the end." — New York Observer “Dolores Reyes’s writing is visceral and urgent. It’s also connected to a powerful tradition of fantasy and crime, and it reflects on violence against women with enormous lucidity.” — Mariana Enriquez, author of Things We Lost in the Fire "With its own shining light and singular voice, Eartheater follows in the footsteps of such essential authors as Juan Rulfo and Sara Gallardo.” — Selva Almada, author of The Wind That Lays Waste “Dolores Reyes’s harsh and sensitive lyricism explodes in your hands.” — Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, author of The Adventures of China Iron
£10.44
Little, Brown Book Group Chasm A Weekend
Book SynopsisChasm is the only novel by Dorothea Tanning, the famed surrealist artist, and was published when she was 93 years old.Trade ReviewTanning's fictional debut unquestionably deserves to be recognised as a complete artistic success . . . Told in confident, fluid prose highlighted by passages of hallucinatory beauty. -- Nicholas Royle * Guardian *It seems hardly fair that Dorothea Tanning, in a long, passionately inventive career as a painter, should have acquired as well the other harmony of prose, and that her passionate inventions as a writer should be so lovingly, so wisely resolved -- Richard Howard
£9.49
Pan Macmillan Lovecraft Country: TV Tie-In
Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling book behind the HBO Series from J.J. Abrams, Misha Green and Jordan Peele (Director of Get Out)A chimerical blend of magic, power, hope, and freedom that stretches across time, touching diverse members of two black families, Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff is a devastating kaleidoscopic portrait of racism – the terrifying specter that continues to haunt us today.Chicago, 1954. When his father Montrose goes missing, twenty-two year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner embarks on a road trip to New England to find him, accompanied by his Uncle George – publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide – and his childhood friend Letitia. On their journey to the manor of Mr. Braithwhite – heir to the estate that owned one of Atticus’s ancestors – they encounter both mundane terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the weird tales George devours.At the manor, Atticus discovers his father in chains, held prisoner by a secret cabal named the Order of the Ancient Dawn – led by Samuel Braithwhite and his son Caleb – which has gathered to orchestrate a ritual that shockingly centers on Atticus. And his one hope of salvation may be the seed of his – and the whole Turner clan’s – destruction.Trade ReviewAnother "only Matt Ruff could do it" production. Lovecraft Country takes the unlikeliest of premises and spins it into a funny, fast, exciting, and affecting read -- Neal Stephenson, author of Snow Crash and CryptonomiconAt every turn, Ruff has great fun pitting mid-twentieth-century horror and sci-fi clichés against the banal and ever present bigotry of the era. * New York Times Book Review *A brilliantly conceived story brilliantly executed -- Christopher Moore, author of Lamb and A Dirty JobLovecraft Country doesn't just race along, it tears, demanding that you keep turning its pages without interruption -- Cory Doctorow, author of Little BrotherTable of ContentsChapter - 1: LOVECRAFT COUNTRY Chapter - 2: DREAMS OF THE WHICH HOUSE Chapter - 3: ABDULLAH’S BOOK Chapter - 4: HIPPOLYTA DISTURBS THE UNIVERSE Chapter - 5: JEKYLL IN HYDE PARK Chapter - 6: THE NARROW HOUSE Chapter - 7: HORACE AND THE DEVIL DOLL Chapter - 8: THE MARK OF CAIN Section - i: EPILOGUE Acknowledgements - ii: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
£8.54
Transworld Publishers Ltd Not The End Of The World
Book SynopsisI can think of few writers who can make the ordinary collide with the extraordinary to such beguiling effect...left me so fizzing with admiration'' ObserverA stunning collection of short stories by the three-times Costa prizewinner Not the End of the World is Kate Atkinson''s first collection of short stories. Playful and profound, they explore the world we think we know whilst offering a vision of another world which lurks just beneath the surface of our consciousness, a world where the myths we have banished from our lives are startlingly present and where imagination has the power to transform reality.From Charlene and Trudi, obsessively making lists while bombs explode softly in the streets outside, to gormless Eddie, maniacal cataloguer of fish, and Meredith Zane who may just have discovered the secret to eternal life, each of these stories shows that when the worlds of material existence and imagination collide, anything is Trade ReviewExceptional...Sharp, witty and completely compelling * Daily Mail *I can think of few writers who can make the ordinary collide with the extraordinary to such beguiling effect...left me so fizzing with admiration * Observer *An exceptionally funny, quirky and bold writer * Independent on Sunday *Moving and funny, and crammed with incidental wisdom * Sunday Times *Inventive and moving, these are truly tales for the new millennium * Good Book Guide *
£9.49
New Directions Publishing Corporation The Famous Magician
Book SynopsisA writer is offered a devil’s bargain: will he give up reading books in exchange for total world domination?Trade Review"Aira's works are like slim cabinets of wonder, full of unlikely juxtapositions. His unpredictability is masterful." -- Rivka Galchen - Harpers"Aira’s cubist eye sees from every angle." -- Patti Smith - New York Times Book Review"César Aira is writing a gigantic, headlong, acrobatic fresco of modern life entirely made up of novelettes, novellas, novelitas. In other words, he is a great literary trickster, and also one of the most charming." -- Adam Thirlwell"A writer’s future hangs in the balance when he is tempted by an “unexpected Mephistopheles” in Aira’s playful, self-reflexive latest...the story’s driving question of choosing a meaningful course for one’s life is timeless." -- Publishers Weekly"Aira’s short books are the literary equivalent of a Périgord black truffle — small, rich delicacies worth savoring and contemplating." -- Polygon"Aira, the Argentine master of a certain strain of unabashedly self-reflexive novella that frequently marries the ingratiating confidence of fabulism with postmodern panache, has offered his audience a wicked little piece of literary wish-fulfillment gone happily awry." -- Roberto Ontiveros - Texas Observer"The Famous Magician by Cesar Aira, translated by Chris Andrews, is my favourite of the new books. Aira is the ludicrously prolific Argentinian author of over a hundred short books that invariably come apart while somehow keeping their shape. Rules are established before being merrily violated, ho-hum personal accounts become far-fetched zombie stories, serious literary rumination gives way to comic book pastiche. The method appears to have been working: the results have been books that don’t read like the ones you encounter in life but the kind you might pick up in dreams." -- J.W. McCormack - The New Left Review
£12.34
Random House USA Inc The Water Dancer
Book Synopsis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • From the National Book Award–winning author of Between the World and Me, a boldly conjured debut novel about a magical gift, a devastating loss, and an underground war for freedom.“This potent book about America’s most disgraceful sin establishes [Ta-Nehisi Coates] as a first-rate novelist.”—San Francisco ChronicleIN DEVELOPMENT AS A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • Adapted by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Kamilah Forbes, directed by Nia DaCosta, and produced by MGM, Plan B, and Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo FilmsNOMINATED FOR THE NAACP IMAGE AWARD • NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST NOVELS OF THE DECADE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time • NPR • The Washington Post • Chicago Tribune • Vanity Fair • Esquire • Good Housekeeping • Paste • Town & Country • The New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • Library Journal Young Hiram Walker was born into bondage. When his mother was sold away, Hiram was robbed of all memory of her—but was gifted with a mysterious power. Years later, when Hiram almost drowns in a river, that same power saves his life. This brush with death births an urgency in Hiram and a daring scheme: to escape from the only home he’s ever known. So begins an unexpected journey that takes Hiram from the corrupt grandeur of Virginia’s proud plantations to desperate guerrilla cells in the wilderness, from the coffin of the Deep South to dangerously idealistic movements in the North. Even as he’s enlisted in the underground war between slavers and the enslaved, Hiram’s resolve to rescue the family he left behind endures. This is the dramatic story of an atrocity inflicted on generations of women, men, and children—the violent and capricious separation of families—and the war they waged to simply make lives with the people they loved. Written by one of today’s most exciting thinkers and writers, The Water Dancer is a propulsive, transcendent work that restores the humanity of those from whom everything was stolen.Praise for The Water Dancer“Ta-Nehisi Coates is the most important essayist in a generation and a writer who changed the national political conversation about race with his 2015 memoir, Between the World and Me. So naturally his debut novel comes with slightly unrealistic expectations—and then proceeds to exceed them. The Water Dancer . . . is a work of both staggering imagination and rich historical significance. . . . What’s most powerful is the way Coates enlists his notions of the fantastic, as well as his fluid prose, to probe a wound that never seems to heal. . . . Timeless and instantly canon-worthy.”—Rolling Stone
£13.50
Pan Macmillan Tales from the Cafe
Book SynopsisThe million-copy bestselling series.Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s heartwarming Tales from the Cafe, translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot, explores the age-old question: what would you do if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a cafe which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time . . .From the author of Before the Coffee Gets Cold comes a story of four new customers each of whom is hoping to take advantage of Cafe Funiculi Funicula's time-travelling offer. Among some faces that will be familiar to readers, we will be introduced to:The man who goes back to see his best friend who died 22 years agoThe son who was unable to attend his own mother’s funeralThe man who travelled to see the girl who he could not marryThe old detective who never gave his wife that gift . . .This beautiful tale tells the story of people who must face up to their past, in order to move on with their lives.Continue the heartwarming storytelling with Before Your Memory Fades and Before We Say Goodbye.
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Coming Home to Mistletoe Cottage 2022s new cosy
Book SynopsisA sparkling Christmas read. Cosy, comforting and liberally sprinkled with magic, it's absolutely delicious!' RUTH HOGANA wonderfully written story of family, friends and food. Christmas has come early with this cosy, heartwarming read a real treat!' SAMANTHA TONGE'Light the fire, pour yourself a glass of mulled wine and settle down with this gorgeous festive treat. A delightful Christmas read about family, loss and the magic of old recipe books. It's as comforting and delicious as a batch of freshly baked mince pies' ANNIE LYONSA charming, heartwarming story'The People's FriendCould a sprinkling of magic save Christmas this year?Amid the salt marshes and rolling fields of Periwinkle Bay, Magda Conway is enjoying her retirement in ivy-clad Mistletoe Cottage.Yet with three weeks to go until Christmas, as the fairy lights twinkle and the trees go up around the village, her peace is disrupted when she's left in sole charge of her two mischievous grandchildren.Before long, she's at her witTrade Review‘A sparkling Christmas read. Cosy, comforting and liberally sprinkled with magic, it’s absolutely delicious!’ Ruth Hogan ‘A wonderfully written story of family, friends and food. Christmas has come early with this cosy, heartwarming read – a real treat!’ Samantha Tonge ‘Such a warm hug of a book! Perfect for snuggling down with in the festive season – preferably with a mince pie’ Georgina Clarke
£10.44
HarperCollins Publishers The Promise Tree
Book SynopsisWhen does a story begin?For Edwin Hope, it begins with a childhood dare and a forbidden tree. It begins with him falling in more ways than one.Called home from his studies by the grandfather who has always hated him, eighteen-year-old Edwin is once again trapped in a house that is colder than the winds whipping across the fields. Seeking sanctuary, he escapes into the untamed beauty of the Peaks and meets a woman who sparks an old memory. A memory of the sycamore that broke him, and the little girl who saved him.Drusilla has had many acolytes over the centuries but none like Edwin. With the Great War looming and Edwin's future uncertain, she knows the right thing to do is to set him free from her spell, but can she do so if it means breaking her own heart?Trade ReviewReaders are loving Daughter of the Sea: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I am lost for words…from beginning to end this book took my breath away’ Jeannie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This has to be one of the best reads of the year if not the best … Captivating, beautiful, spellbinding’ Angela ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Where do I start? I adored this book on so many levels. Part love story, part grown up fairytale …A truly special book’ Mandy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a fabulous read! Had me hooked from the first page’ Bev ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I was completely transported by this beautiful story…the writing was both evocative and provocative’ Sandra ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘So well written … interesting and emotive’ Aria ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Truly one of the most outstanding, captivating stories I have read…such a page turner’ Sandra
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers One Christmas Morning
Book SynopsisWonderfully heart-warming, it made me cry, filled my heart with hope, and cast a magical spell on me' M.A. Kuzniar, Midnight in EverwoodWonderfully heart-warming, it made me cry, filled my heart with hope, and cast a magical spell on me until I'd turned the very last page' M.A. Kuzniar, Midnight in EverwoodHaunting, magical and sparkling with Christmas spirit, One Christmas Morning is a festive love story with a difference . . . A warm and powerful debut' Holly Miller, The Sight of You -They say you know when you meet the one.The moment Eva locked eyes with James over a library bookshelf, she knew she'd found her soulmate. Over ten years, they fell in love, got married and made plans to start a family. Until everything changed one Christmas three years ago, and they've been drifting apart ever since.Eva hopes a friend's Christmas party at an old manor house in Cornwall will give them the chance to reconnect but the last thing she expects is to wake up on Christmas morning in the body oTrade Review Praise for Rachel Greenlaw and One Christmas Morning ‘Haunting, magical and sparkling with Christmas spirit, One Christmas Morning is a festive love story with a difference. A clever and cathartic novel about healing, grief, facing up to ourselves and letting go, it tugged on my heartstrings and took me through every emotion possible. A warm and powerful debut’ Holly Miller, The Sight of You 'Perfectly heartwarming' The Debut Digest 'The book I didn't know I needed to read – gorgeous, Christmassy and compelling’ Ella Allbright, The Last Charm ‘Wonderfully heart-warming, One Christmas Morning is a beautifully festive second-chance romance that made me cry, filled my heart with hope, and cast a magical spell on me until I’d turned the very last page’ M.A. Kuzniar, Midnight in Everwood ‘One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw is a festive treat. An intelligent, romantic story of star-crossed lovers, I was completely absorbed by the millennial Scrooge Eva’s predicament. Greenlaw’s debut is a shimmering success’ Laura Shepperson, The Heroines 'Relatable and captivating' The Sunday Post
£8.54
HarperCollins Publishers The Lament of Abalone
Book SynopsisThree years on, the fate of Torra Alta and Belbidida hangs in the balance once more.Caspar has become entranced by the evil of the Druid''s Egg, and so is sent, with Brid, to find orphan wolflings which the dying Morrigwen declares are vital. Hal is sent to the neighbouring country of Ceolothis, as part of an escort for the Princess Cymbeline who is to marry Belbidia''s king.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JANE WELCH “A blockbuster fantasy”SFX “As intriguing as anything Tolkien dreamed up.”Starburst “Wonderful author, in the Robert Jordan mould”The Bookseller
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Bard of Castaguard
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPRAISE FOR JANE WELCH “A blockbuster fantasy”SFX “As intriguing as anything Tolkien dreamed up.”Starburst “Wonderful author, in the Robert Jordan mould”The Bookseller
£16.26
HarperCollins Publishers The Lord of Necrönd
Book SynopsisLast volume of the Book of Ond. After the events of The Bard of Castaguard, the young lords of Torra Alta must fight the evil in themselves as well as those who through deadly steel, treachery or magic seek to destroy them and the entire kingdom. The trinity of priestesses must be reformed.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JANE WELCH “A blockbuster fantasy”SFX “As intriguing as anything Tolkien dreamed up.”Starburst “Wonderful author, in the Robert Jordan mould”The Bookseller
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Lost Runes
Book SynopsisBOOK 2 OF THE RUNES OF WAR SAGAThe adventure beginsCaspar travels South into Belbidida with his companions Hal and Brid, straight into the heart of the New Faith, the enemy of Brid's Goddess. The trio trail Vaalakan spies, seeking out the Druids Eye the Egg- in all its glory. The Eggs power alone can keep the fortress of Torra Alta safe.But in the land of the Inquisition, all trace of ancient lore has been stamped out, including a sect of mute priestesses known as the Keepers. As the fate of Torra Alta hangs in the balance, Caspar must race to find the Lost Runes the Keepers guarded, or the Eye may never be found Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JANE WELCH “A blockbuster fantasy”SFX “As intriguing as anything Tolkien dreamed up.”Starburst “Wonderful author, in the Robert Jordan mould”The Bookseller
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers The Runes of Sorcery
Book SynopsisBOOK 3 OF THE RUNES OF WAR SAGAThe adventure beginsWhoever holds the Egg controls the ancient animals of power: kraken, wyvern, and dragon. Whoever cracks the Egg unleashes these monsters on the world, unrestrained and beyond the control of anyone aliveThree young Torra Altans, Caspar, Brid, and Hal, are closing in on the immemorial hiding place of the Egg. Strange wild beasts that sense their purpose follow close behind. From Yew Wood to Lake of Tears, spices and enemies pursue them. The Mother Goddess has promised that once the Egg is brought to their ancient home in the North, the starving hordes of Vaalakans besieging the castle will be driven back.But creatures of legend desire to be real, and time is running out.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JANE WELCH “A blockbuster fantasy”SFX “As intriguing as anything Tolkien dreamed up.”Starburst “Wonderful author, in the Robert Jordan mould”The Bookseller
£9.49
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Ahabs Return or The Last Voyage
Book SynopsisTrade Review“Unusual and gripping. . . .Fans of successful reimaginings of literary classics. . .will be entertained.” — Publishers Weekly “It takes chutzpah to revive one of the most vivid yet most unknowable characters in all literature, let alone to place him in a story that celebrates its own essential pulpiness. . . . Jeffrey Ford has that chutzpah . . .[M]arvelous.” — SciFi Magazine (”A” rating) “[A]n imaginary sequel to an imaginative work, a virtual or alternate vision. … Primed for adventure, Harrow guides [Ahab] through New York’s seething underworld on his quest and perchance to find fresh material. Of that, readers are dealt a-plenty.” — Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star “Ford knows how to tell a story, whatever the genre, and how to get out of its way and when to stop, and here that makes for a great few hours between the covers. … Sign on for this one; it’s well worth the trip.” — Washington Independent Review of Books “This is an adventure worthy of the captain. … This fast-paced, occasionally acerbic, often bloody, but always entertaining story is an homage to Moby-Dick and a fitting continuation/conclusion of Ahab’s story.” — New York Journal of Books Praise for The Shadow Year: “Jeffrey Ford is one of the few writers who uses wonder instead of ink in his pen.” — Jonathan Carroll, author of The Wooden Sea “Properly creepy, but from time to time deliciously funny and heartbreakingly poignant, too. For those of you—and you know who you are—who think the indispensable element for good genre fiction is good writing, this is not to be missed.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Superb, heartbreaking, and masterfully written. . . . It’s proof of Jeffrey Ford’s narrative power that, ultimately, the distinction [between real and invented] doesn’t much matter. His made-up world trumps ours.” — Magazine of Science Fiction and Fantasy “A work of episodic beauty and mercurial significance.” — Locus “Think Ray Bradbury’s “Green Town” stories, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Stephen King’s The Body (made into the film Stand by Me) and you get an idea of the tone of Ford’s latest fine work. Grade: A” — Denver Rocky Mountain News
£19.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Binding
Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLERA NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS'' CHOICEProclaimed as “truly spellbinding,” a “great fable” that “functions as transporting romance” by the Guardian, the runaway #1 international bestseller A rich, gothic entertainment that explores what books have trapped inside them and reminds us of the power of storytelling. Spellbinding.” — TRACY CHEVALIERImagine you could erase grief.Imagine you could remove pain.Imagine you could hide the darkest, most horrifying secret.Forever.Young Emmett Farmer is working in the fields when a strange letter arrives summoning him away from his family. He is to begin an apprenticeship as a Bookbinder—a vocation that arouses fear, superstition, and prejudice amongst their small community, but one neither he nor his parents can aff
£16.19
HarperCollins Publishers Inc The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock
Book Synopsis
£14.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Caul Baby A Novel
Book SynopsisWhy does her cousin Helena get to go to school and roam the streets of New York freely while she’s confined to the family’s decrepit brownstone?As the Melancons’ thirst to maintain their status grows, Amara, now a successful lawyer running for district attorney, looks for a way to avenge her longstanding grudge against the family.Trade Review"Caul Baby is a deeply inventive meditation on survival and inheritance. Morgan writes about the intricacies of Black motherhood in a way that is tender and at times, magic." — Raven Leilani, New York Times bestselling author of Luster “A debut novel that blends family drama with magic.” — Time Magazine “This magical novel brings together the weight of tradition and the power of family.” — NBC News “Caul Baby gave me chills almost every time I turned the page. . . . The book traces a legacy of Black, female pain through the somewhat softening lens of magical realism. It’s an unsparing take on the ramifications of trauma on Black American women, and Jerkins manages it as a spellbinding story, the farthest possible thing from a lecture.” — Glamour “A fascinating, of-the-moment story about the intersection of motherhood, power, and community.” — Real Simple “The astounding talent behind nonfiction must-reads This Will Be My Undoing and Wandering in Strange Lands turns to fiction with Caul Baby. . . . An exhilarating tale of family, belonging, and bodies, this promises to be one of the most exciting releases of the year.” — Elle “Jerkins, a bestselling nonfiction writer, applies her scrupulous prose and storytelling prowess to the realm of fiction in her beguiling debut novel.” — Oprah Daily “This engrossing story is rich with mystery, page-turning tension and the powerful ways family can hold us even in toxic circumstances.” — Good Housekeeping Morgan Jerkins' fantastic, expansive novel of mothers and daughters and Harlem, Caul Baby, is a meditation on the limits of inheritance and legacy. It's also a love letter to a rapidly changing neighborhood. — Kaitlyn Greenidge, author of Libertie and We Love You, Charlie Freeman “Excellent. . . . an audacious debut novel, telling a powerful family tale that does not shy away from the dark reaches of capitalism, greed, gentrification, tradition, and ownership. It is a moving piece of fiction that showcases the very best of what the author has learned from her previous work in nonfiction and expounds on that foundation in a way that only someone as skilled and multifaceted as Jerkins could pull off.” — Shondaland “Jerkins’s incisive social commentary shines through in her fiction debut Caul Baby. . . . Laced with generational pain and sprinkled with magic, Caul Baby is a sweeping family drama with no shortage of action. During a pandemic that has laid bare a nation’s inequities, Jerkins’s work feels more relevant than ever. . . a blazingly original debut.” — Chicago Review of Books “A multilayered reflection of contemporary dilemmas with a touch of magic realism. . . . Readers are taken through a spectrum of emotions with a satisfying payoff. On the heels of her excellent memoir Wandering in Strange Lands, Jerkins solidifies herself as one of our guiding literary lights.” — Booklist (starred review) “Ambitious and unique. . . . Caul Baby is like nothing I’ve read before. It has historical references but is overwhelmingly a book of our time. It delivers a story that weaves the nuance of Black womanhood with intergenerational struggles and triumphs and the heartache of contemporary racial injustice.” — New York Journal of Books “An expansive, folklorish tale of two families—both headed by Black matriarchs—that intertwine for over 20 years. . . . Caul Baby hones in on the power of a healing legend in a community systematically ignored and harmed by the medical establishment. . . . Jerkins’ debut novel asks what it means to be a mother and emphasizes that a community’s care for its own can be the most radical form of love.” — Bust “A decades-long exploration of the gentrification of Harlem, the ethics of non-traditional family-making, the enduring power of tradition and more.” — PureWow "A captivating story on the bonds between mothers and daughters and a powerful meditation on secrets, gentrification, family legacy, and more. A must-read.?" — Hey Alma "Rich. . . . Jerkins effectively blends folk legend with contemporary details. . . It's vividly conceived, and the strong plot will carry readers to the end." — Publishers Weekly Wandering in Strange Lands: "Wandering in Strange Lands intertwines segments of past and present travel, as a reminder that the past is present in the U.S." — O, the Oprah Magazine This Will Be My Undoing: “Without turning linguistic or lyrical cartwheels, Jerkins lucidly articulates social dynamics that have dictated the realities of American black women for centuries…. Indeed, [This Will Be My Undoing] is a book I wish everyone in this country would read.” — New York Times Book Review This Will Be My Undoing: “In Morgan Jerkins’s remarkable debut essay collection, This Will Be My Undoing, she is a deft cartographer of black girlhood and womanhood. From one essay to the next, Jerkins weaves the personal with the public and political in compelling, challenging ways. Her prodigious intellect and curiosity are on full display throughout this outstanding collection. The last line of the book reads, ‘You should’ve known I was coming,’ and indeed, in this, too, Jerkins is prescient. With this collection, she shows us that she is unforgettably here, a writer to be reckoned with.” — Roxane Gay
£19.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Caul Baby
Book SynopsisWhy does her cousin Helena get to go to school and roam the streets of New York freely while she’s confined to the family’s decrepit brownstone?As the Melancons’ thirst to maintain their status grows, Amara, now a successful lawyer running for district attorney, looks for a way to avenge her longstanding grudge against the family.Trade Review"Caul Baby is a deeply inventive meditation on survival and inheritance. Morgan writes about the intricacies of Black motherhood in a way that is tender and at times, magic." — Raven Leilani, New York Times bestselling author of Luster “A debut novel that blends family drama with magic.” — Time Magazine “This magical novel brings together the weight of tradition and the power of family.” — NBC News “Caul Baby gave me chills almost every time I turned the page. . . . The book traces a legacy of Black, female pain through the somewhat softening lens of magical realism. It’s an unsparing take on the ramifications of trauma on Black American women, and Jerkins manages it as a spellbinding story, the farthest possible thing from a lecture.” — Glamour “A fascinating, of-the-moment story about the intersection of motherhood, power, and community.” — Real Simple “The astounding talent behind nonfiction must-reads This Will Be My Undoing and Wandering in Strange Lands turns to fiction with Caul Baby. . . . An exhilarating tale of family, belonging, and bodies, this promises to be one of the most exciting releases of the year.” — Elle “Jerkins, a bestselling nonfiction writer, applies her scrupulous prose and storytelling prowess to the realm of fiction in her beguiling debut novel.” — Oprah Daily “This engrossing story is rich with mystery, page-turning tension and the powerful ways family can hold us even in toxic circumstances.” — Good Housekeeping Morgan Jerkins' fantastic, expansive novel of mothers and daughters and Harlem, Caul Baby, is a meditation on the limits of inheritance and legacy. It's also a love letter to a rapidly changing neighborhood. — Kaitlyn Greenidge, author of Libertie and We Love You, Charlie Freeman “Excellent. . . . an audacious debut novel, telling a powerful family tale that does not shy away from the dark reaches of capitalism, greed, gentrification, tradition, and ownership. It is a moving piece of fiction that showcases the very best of what the author has learned from her previous work in nonfiction and expounds on that foundation in a way that only someone as skilled and multifaceted as Jerkins could pull off.” — Shondaland “Jerkins’s incisive social commentary shines through in her fiction debut Caul Baby. . . . Laced with generational pain and sprinkled with magic, Caul Baby is a sweeping family drama with no shortage of action. During a pandemic that has laid bare a nation’s inequities, Jerkins’s work feels more relevant than ever. . . a blazingly original debut.” — Chicago Review of Books “A multilayered reflection of contemporary dilemmas with a touch of magic realism. . . . Readers are taken through a spectrum of emotions with a satisfying payoff. On the heels of her excellent memoir Wandering in Strange Lands, Jerkins solidifies herself as one of our guiding literary lights.” — Booklist (starred review) “Ambitious and unique. . . . Caul Baby is like nothing I’ve read before. It has historical references but is overwhelmingly a book of our time. It delivers a story that weaves the nuance of Black womanhood with intergenerational struggles and triumphs and the heartache of contemporary racial injustice.” — New York Journal of Books “An expansive, folklorish tale of two families—both headed by Black matriarchs—that intertwine for over 20 years. . . . Caul Baby hones in on the power of a healing legend in a community systematically ignored and harmed by the medical establishment. . . . Jerkins’ debut novel asks what it means to be a mother and emphasizes that a community’s care for its own can be the most radical form of love.” — Bust “A decades-long exploration of the gentrification of Harlem, the ethics of non-traditional family-making, the enduring power of tradition and more.” — PureWow "A captivating story on the bonds between mothers and daughters and a powerful meditation on secrets, gentrification, family legacy, and more. A must-read.?" — Hey Alma "Rich. . . . Jerkins effectively blends folk legend with contemporary details. . . It's vividly conceived, and the strong plot will carry readers to the end." — Publishers Weekly Wandering in Strange Lands: "Wandering in Strange Lands intertwines segments of past and present travel, as a reminder that the past is present in the U.S." — O, the Oprah Magazine This Will Be My Undoing: “Without turning linguistic or lyrical cartwheels, Jerkins lucidly articulates social dynamics that have dictated the realities of American black women for centuries…. Indeed, [This Will Be My Undoing] is a book I wish everyone in this country would read.” — New York Times Book Review This Will Be My Undoing: “In Morgan Jerkins’s remarkable debut essay collection, This Will Be My Undoing, she is a deft cartographer of black girlhood and womanhood. From one essay to the next, Jerkins weaves the personal with the public and political in compelling, challenging ways. Her prodigious intellect and curiosity are on full display throughout this outstanding collection. The last line of the book reads, ‘You should’ve known I was coming,’ and indeed, in this, too, Jerkins is prescient. With this collection, she shows us that she is unforgettably here, a writer to be reckoned with.” — Roxane Gay
£11.39
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Emerald Blaze
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
£8.13
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Daughter from the Dark A Novel
Book Synopsis
£19.00
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Daughter from the Dark
Book Synopsis
£14.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Sudden Traveler
Book Synopsis
£14.44
HarperCollins Publishers Inc Eartheater A Novel
Book SynopsisTrade Review“One of the most outstanding Latin American short novels of the year.” — New York Times “A powerful story whose narrator wields brutally honest observations on the intersections of class, poverty, and gender. Reyes’ debut is a strong addition to the growing body of Latin American crime fiction in the U.S. market. A stirring genre blend of fantasy and crime fiction that combines graceful prose and magic realism.” — Booklist (starred review) “Reyes succeeds in making the feisty Eartheater and her visions both persuasive and affecting.” — Library Journal (starred review) “In a voice that is terse, blunt, and biting, the narrator reckons with the impact of her visions on her health and relationships, as she witnesses more and more the ways fear and violence shape the experiences of the women in her community. Compelling and visceral, Reyes’ debut combines mystery and coming-of-age to evoke the stories of the victims of femicide.” — Kirkus Reviews “A raw and vital literary debut, Eartheater takes an unwavering and visceral look at systems of power through the perspective of a young woman caught in the crosshairs.” — Shelf Awareness "In Reyes' hands, this coming-of-age novel flowers into a meditation on death, and the earth all children will eat in the end." — New York Observer “Dolores Reyes’s writing is visceral and urgent. It’s also connected to a powerful tradition of fantasy and crime, and it reflects on violence against women with enormous lucidity.” — Mariana Enriquez, author of Things We Lost in the Fire "With its own shining light and singular voice, Eartheater follows in the footsteps of such essential authors as Juan Rulfo and Sara Gallardo.” — Selva Almada, author of The Wind That Lays Waste “Dolores Reyes’s harsh and sensitive lyricism explodes in your hands.” — Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, author of The Adventures of China Iron
£18.00
