A Literary Escape

ARC Review: A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather

Published on October 19, 2023October 19, 2023 by Celeste6 Comments

Today’s review is about A SEASON OF MONSTROUS CONCEPTIONS by Lina Rather. Described as an eldritch historical fantasy, this novella features uncanny births and the potential end of the world. It’s also a story about what it’s like to live in between worlds or the rules of society.

Author: Lina Rather
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Tordotcom
Publish Date: October 31, 2023
Print Length: 160

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of A Season of Monstrous Conceptions on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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Book Review: Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer

Published on October 16, 2023October 10, 2023 by Celeste4 Comments

Today’s review is about KISSING KOSHER by Jean Meltzer. It’s a rivals-to-lovers romance that pits the members of two rival Jewish baker families against each other. What starts as Avital seeking help at work amidst a flare up of her chronic illness could make or break her family’s business.

Author: Jean Meltzer
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Mira Books
Publish Date: August 29, 2023
Print Length: 432

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Kissing Kosher on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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SFINCS Review: A Necromancer Called Gam Gam by Adam Holcombe

Published on October 13, 2023October 12, 2023 by Celeste2 Comments

Today’s review is about A NECROMANCER CALLED GAM GAM by Adam Holcombe. This somewhat cozy fantasy novella follows Mina and Gam Gam as they seek to put an end to the pursuit of Mina’s powers. Climb aboard for an undead adventure complete with knit wear.

This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

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Anticipated Fourth Quarter Book Releases

Published on October 11, 2023October 8, 2023 by Celeste15 Comments

October signals that it’s time to share my anticipated fourth quarter book releases. Given that list posts are not my favorite to do, I cram three months’ worth of new releases into one post four times per year. This is the last one of the year and October is stacked! Surprisingly, I didn’t find as many upcoming December releases that caught my interest. Or perhaps I didn’t stumble upon them or they haven’t been uploaded to NetGalley yet. If there’s something you’re really excited for in December (or even November), let me know!

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ARC Review: Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros

Published on October 9, 2023October 1, 2023 by Celeste4 Comments

Today’s review is about WRATH BECOMES HER by Aden Polydoros. It’s a Jewish historical horror novel set in 1943 Lithuania during Nazi occupation. The main character Vera is a golem, an artificial human made from clay and magic, created in the image of someone’s daughter. Her creator instilled in her a main purpose: kill his daughter’s murderers.

Author: Aden Polydoros
Series: None
Age Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Publish Date: October 10, 2023
Print Length: 336

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Wrath Becomes Her on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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