Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

October 26, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson
Publisher: 37 Ink
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Ginger

Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American Officer, is living in Occupied Germany in the 1950s. After discovering a local orphanage filled with the abandoned mixed-race children of German women and Black American GI’s, Ethel feels compelled to help find these children homes.

Philadelphia born Ozzie Phillips volunteers for the recently desegregated army in 1948, eager to make his mark in the world. While serving in Manheim, Germany, he meets a local woman, Jelka, and the two embark on a relationship that will impact their lives forever.

In 1965 Maryland, Sophia Clark is given an opportunity to attend a prestigious all white boarding school and escape her heartless parents. While at the school, she discovers a secret that upends her world and sends her on a quest to unravel her own identity.

Toggling between the lives of these three individuals, Keeper of Lost Children explores how one woman’s vision will change the course of countless lives, and demonstrates that love in its myriad of forms—familial, parental, and forbidden, even love of self—can be transcendent.

If I had to summarize Keeper of Lost Children, I would describe it as a stunning and phenomenal novel that uncovers a hidden chapter of history.

Keeper of Lost Children is a deeply moving and beautifully written historical fiction novel that gives voice to a neglected part of post-WWII history: the abandoned, mixed-race “brown babies” born in Occupied Germany to local women and Black American GIs. This story not only educates but also lingers in your mind long after you turn the final page.

Sadeqa Johnson expertly weaves together the lives of three distinct individuals across different decades:

Ethel Gathers (1950s, Germany): As the proud wife of a Black American officer, Ethel is compelled to help find homes for the mixed-race orphans she discovers, a mission known as the “Brown Baby Project.” I found this historical detail fascinating.

Osbourne (Ozzie) Phillips (1948, Germany): A volunteer in the newly desegregated army, Ozzie’s forbidden relationship with a local German woman, Jelka, creates a ripple effect across generations. I particularly admire Johnson’s choice to include a male character’s perspective, which added depth to the story. Ozzie’s voice was essential, and it enriched the narrative significantly.

Sophia Clark (1965, Maryland): Sophia is a young woman navigating the challenges of integrating into an all-white boarding school, her journey of self-discovery is triggered by an explosive secret. My two favorite characters were Sophia and Ozzie, as I deeply empathized with them and wanted the best for their futures.

The novel is a hard-to-put-down read, unfolding in a way that grips you. It features smooth writing and strong, relatable character development. Johnson masterfully employs these three perspectives, ensuring that by the end, the reader cares about each character. The book’s greatest strength lies in how the three timelines converge with emotional impact and purpose. The connections between Ethel, Ozzie, and Sophia feel both surprising and incredibly inevitable, demonstrating the historical forces of racism and discrimination, as well as the way others’ decisions can shape or shatter entire families. The ending, which nearly brought me to tears, perfectly ties together the realities of love, loss, and belonging. While the book acknowledges sadness and lost time, its overall tone remains uplifting and hopeful. Keeper of Lost Children is a transcendent story about love in its many forms, familial, parental, and self-love.

This eloquently written novel brings much-needed historical context to light. My only complaint is that I wanted more details about the lives of Walter and Max! Could there be a sequel that covers their story? Keeper of Lost Children is a stunningly phenomenal work of historical fiction that I highly recommend.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams

October 23, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

It’s 1995, and fourteen-year-old Tati is determined to uncover the identity of her father. But her mother, Nadia, refuses to tell her, and her grandmother Gladys is just as determined to keep the past buried—including the truth about why she fled Land’s End, Alabama, in 1953.

Unbeknownst to Tati, the family has been cursed with a mysterious malediction: the Dupree women will only ever give birth to daughters. With each daughter’s arrival, the course of her mother’s life is irrevocably changed. In 1917, Jubi’s attempt to pass for white ends abruptly when she gives birth to Ruby. In 1934, Ruby’s fierce desire to be loved changes the course of the family once again. And in 1980, a single night alters Nadia’s future forever.

The Seven Daughters of Dupree reveals how trauma, love, and hard-won resilience reverberate from one generation to the next. As Tati pieces together the truth about her family—and herself—she discovers that the Dupree women’s ultimate inheritance may not be the curse that has followed them for generations, but the strength that has carried them through.

The Seven Daughters of Dupree is an ambitious, beautifully written novel that traces a century of history, pain, and resilience across seven generations of Black women. Author Nikesha Elise Williams masterfully handles the structure, creating a fluid narrative that moves seamlessly from 1917 to the mid-1990s.

The novel starts with a strong hook: fourteen-year-old Tati’s quest to uncover her father’s identity. This initial suspense effectively drives the plot. Williams excels at defining a large cast and interweaving their stories, making the complex timeline easy to follow. Each Dupree woman’s history marked by difficult choices and survival, is genuinely interesting, illustrating how generational trauma and familial bonds tie their lives together. The Dupree women, bound by a mysterious legacy that ensures only daughters are born. The characters’ raw, heartbreaking lives are depicted with unflinching clarity.

The novel starts strong and has a good structure, but it does not reach its full potential. My main frustration, which affects the rating, is the secret at the heart of the story. The book builds a lot of suspense, but the ending feels disappointing. The uncovering of a long-hidden family truth does not have the impact that the first 300 pages promised. It is sad that the Dupree women lived such hard lives. Each woman has flaws, and there were times when I did not agree with their choices. I felt sorry for Tati because I understand wanting to protect your child. However, I think there was a better way for Nadia to tell Tati about her father. Nadia clearly has not dealt with her own pain and still feels hurt. I also did not understand why Evangeline treated Ruby poorly and refused to tell her about her mother.

While the book does a great job showing the relationships between the women, it doesn’t explore important themes like secrets and intergenerational trauma deeply. These themes are often stated but not fully examined, which left me wanting a stronger conclusion.

The Seven Daughters of Dupree has strong structure and well-developed characters, making it a good read for its focus on women’s strength across generations. However, the less than satisfying central mystery stops it from reaching the potential that its strong premise and beautiful writing promised.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Snow – Finding Paradise Below Zero by Hap Wilson

October 19, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Snow – Finding Paradise Below Zero by Hap Wilson
Publisher: Latitude 46
Genre: Non-Fiction, Action/Adventure, Historical
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Astilbe

Henry David Thoreau famously explains that “he went to the woods because he wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life,” a principle Wilson adopted when he spent a lifetime searching for answers while exploring Canada’s wilderness in all seasons. SNOW – Finding Paradise Below Zero, follows Wilson on his many escapades in the dead of winter, suffering frostbite, isolation, near-death experiences, surviving six months enduring a remote winter with two infants in diapers, and as a park warden in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. This is a deeper look into the evolution of camping gear and techniques, but more importantly, how to overcome adversity to live comfortably in the wilds of winter, to find paradise below zero.

Few things are more beautiful or potentially more deadly than long winter trips in the wilderness.

I loved how honest Mr. Wilson was about the mistakes he’s made on various winter trips. There were multiple occasions when his assumptions about the weather or his own breadth of knowledge or ability to survive under such harsh conditions could have ended in tragedy, and he wasn’t hesitant to admit that these were bad decisions in retrospect. One of the most memorable examples of this happened when he and his wife decided to spend six months living in an isolated cabin over the winter with their infant and toddler. This was a baffling choice to me at first, especially given how many hours a day the parents needed to spend washing cloth diapers and how fragile children these ages can be, but I admired how deeply the author dug into what happened to him and his family over those long, cold months and why he thought this was a good decision.

Understanding the appeal of hiking, camping, canoeing, or living in remote cabins over the winter was key to enjoying this book, and the author gave plenty of examples of why the risks were well worth it to him. I particularly enjoyed his descriptions of the peaceful days he and his companions knew when all was going well and the many different types of wild animals they had safe interactions with along the way. His warm feelings about nature permeated almost every single scene, and they helped to explain why he was so eager to return to it no matter what else was happening in his life at the time.

This was an illuminating look at the recent history of a subculture I knew very little about which is one of the biggest benefits of being a reader in my opinion. One never knows what they’ll discover in the next chapter! I’ll admit to being shocked by some of the trips Mr. Wilson took due to how many risks were involved with them, especially in the 1970s and 1980s when hikers did not have cell phones or other types of technology to assist them during an emergency, yet I always remained interested in his motivations for doing so and learned a lot about him and people who crave time in remote corners of nature and winter adventures in the process. ,

Snow: Finding Paradise Below Zero couldn’t have been a more exciting or thought-provoking read.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Elvis – Diary of a King by Steven Donahue

October 16, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Elvis – Diary of a King by Steven Donahue
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Historical
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Elvis is back!

The King of Rock and Roll returns in this speculative novel about the life of Elvis Presley after faking his death in 1977.

Told in a diary form, Elvis recalls the events in his “new” life after relocating to a small Pennsylvania town as part of a Witness Protection Program. Taking the name Jessie Palmer, the music legend settles into a quiet life and befriends 10-year-old Luke Rickter and his family, who live across the street from him. However, that tranquility is tested when Luke’s teenage sister goes missing, and Jessie is pulled into the investigation.

Jessie and the local police department try to solve the mystery of the missing girl and bring those responsible to justice. Along the way, Jessie tries to fit in with his new community, while adjusting to life outside of the spotlight. Jessie copes with the loss of his family and friends, and the challenges of being an outsider in a small town. He also struggles to keep his true identity a secret. If the wrong people found out he was still alive, it would jeopardize the safety of those he loves.

It’s never too late to have a second chance in life.

This genuinely felt like something set in the 1970s, from the prejudice that certain characters unfortunately had to deal with to the social mores of the time that Elvis had a wide variety of opinions about. Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that showed how this character’s early life experiences shaped the man he had become in both positive and negative ways. He was not a perfect person by any means, but he was a genuinely good individual who was doing his best to atone for past mistakes and treat others with the kindness and respect his mother always expected from him.

I would have loved to see more character development, particularly when it came to the main characters. It would be difficult for me to describe who they were as people because the narrator didn’t really go into detail on that subject. As interested as I was in the premise itself, there simply wasn’t as much attention paid to exploring the personalities and growth of the characters as I needed in order to feel comfortable giving this a higher rating.

The speculative and mystery genres were blended beautifully together here. While the latter definitely played a much larger role in the plot, they were both important in order to understand how Elvis Presley survived his final days as a famous musician before the first chapter of this book began. I can’t go into detail about that without sharing spoilers, but I will say that it was satisfying to slowly learn more and more about why Elvis made the transition from being a famous musician to living a quiet life in obscurity and what he did with his time after that.

Elvis – Diary of a King was creative.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,

With Her Baby on Her Back by Suzette D. Harrison

October 13, 2026 By Leave a Comment


With Her Baby on Her Back by Suzette D. Harrison
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Contemporary, Historical
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Will she ever see freedom for her babies?

Mississippi, 1848. Enslaved midwife Zinnie is forced to walk two thousand miles behind the slavers’ wagons, her newborn strapped to her back and her two little girls clinging to her hands. Through pain, cruelty and unimaginable hardship, she holds on to one hope: keeping her children safe. And when they cross state lines, Zinnie sees a chance to fight for her family’s freedom…

Texas, present day. Like generations of women before her, Lynette is trying to build a better future for her child. Then she discovers a sapphire brooch hidden in her grandmother’s attic… As she uncovers the extraordinary story of an ancestor she never knew about, can Lynette unlock the strength she needs now more than ever?

Inspired by the remarkable true story of Biddy Mason, an African American woman and midwife, this sweeping, emotional novel celebrates the courage of a woman who fought for her family’s freedom and saved countless lives.

With Her Baby on Her Back offers a powerful dual‑timeline story rooted in the real life courage of Biddy Mason. The historical storyline following Zinnie is compelling, emotional, and often heavy, filled with hardship, pain, and moments that are uncomfortable but important to know. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to her children make her journey unforgettable, and the ending, centered on legal freedom and strength, is truly inspiring. The blend of historical fact with fiction is one of the book’s strongest elements.

However, the modern-day storyline with Lynette didn’t work as well for me. While her search for the truth about her family was interesting, her personal struggles pulled me away from the historical narrative I was most invested in. I wasn’t as drawn to keep reading during her chapters, even though I appreciated the connection between past and present.

I’m not sure whether the book ever clarified the level of education available to the enslaved characters, but some of the dialogue didn’t fully align with what felt authentic for the time period. Lines such as “A dead snake’s the only good snake. But you walloped those eggs like they were proxy for something,” or descriptions like “My youngest raced toward me, indignant,” occasionally pulled me out of the historical setting and made certain moments feel slightly inconsistent with the character as portrayed.

Still, the novel highlights strong women, motherhood, and generational resilience. I enjoy historical fiction, and although this one wasn’t quite for me, I’m glad I read about their strength and the adversities they overcame. For someone else, this style may be perfect. Just because I didn’t love it doesn’t mean you won’t.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Bad Seeds by Mary Monroe

October 8, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Bad Seeds by Mary Monroe
Book 6 of A Lexington, Alabama Novel
Publisher: Dafina
Genre: Historical, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

The daughter of a hardworking restaurant owner, Louise Brooks always sees the best in people—and in helping them no matter how difficult her own life gets. She’s lived through tragic loss and working in the family business, even after enduring a failed marriage and raising a child. So she’s delighted when she finds a best friend in Della Thornton, a woman struggling with bad breaks and unlucky romances. Many years later, when Louise’s father and her prosperous second husband pass away, Louise takes Della in and gives her a role in the restaurant as it grows more successful than ever . . .

Louise is now convinced lasting love is not in the cards for her—until she runs into handsome Malcolm Purdy. He’s everything she could want—outgoing, charming, and attentive. Soon they become engaged. And although Louise is dismayed that Della and Malcolm hate each other from the start, she does her best to keep the peace between the two people she cares about and trusts the most . . .

But a chance encounter from the past shows Louise that neither Della nor Malcolm is quite who they say they are—and their deceit runs deeper and deadlier than she imagined. With her illusions in ruins, how far will she go to see justice served? And will her final shocking move cost her more than she’s willing to lose?

Mary Monroe returns to the scandal-filled streets of Lexington, Alabama, with Bad Seeds, a gripping tale of envy and betrayal. The story follows Louise Brooks, a generous businesswoman who has weathered personal tragedy only to find herself ensnared in a web of deceit.
Monroe remains a master of character development. Louise is kind and giving but when those around her aren’t who they appear to be, she knows how to adapt. I appreciated how Monroe transformed Louise from a warm-hearted daughter and friend to a woman driven by her circumstances. I was definitely cheering her on. The historical backdrop of Lexington is always, rich with drama, and suspense that fans have come to crave. Monroe’s creativity shines, providing a shocking conclusion that I didn’t see coming.

If you are familiar with Mary’s writing, you know she takes her time to lay down essential details, giving her readers a full picture. While I sometimes find this frustrating with other authors, I am a fan of Mary’s writing style. While the storytelling is top-tier, there are moments where the pacing drags. However, I enjoyed following the breadcrumbs, engaging in the character development, and getting acquainted with the era and townsfolk. I always look forward to Mary’s endings, as her storytelling keeps you guessing and never disappoints. With her talent for storytelling, you may not know how it’ll end, I just know it’ll be a strong ending where her creativity consistently impresses.

This was a very good read and a fantastic addition to the Lexington series. To be honest, I enjoyed her previous book slightly more, but Bad Seeds still stands as a testament to Monroe’s talent for creating depth and dimension in her characters. Even though it’s a standalone, it carries that familiar energy that makes this world so addictive. If you’re a fan of historical suspense and strong female leads, this is a journey worth taking.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Blood Rising by Markus Redmond

October 2, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Blood Rising by Markus Redmond
Blood Slaves Series, Book 2
Publisher: Dafina
Genre: Historical, Horror, Paranormal, Action/Adventure
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Kwadzo Okoro never believed the bloody legend of Ramanga was real. Now, he stands as the leader of a new Ramanga Tribe, one that sieged the Barrow plantation in a storm of righteous carnage, liberating its formerly enslaved Africans. Reclaimed as the Crimson Plantation, it is now also home to the wronged Natives who fearlessly aligned with the Ramangans.

But Kwadzo knows that freedom is not secure. Bartholomew and Constance Crabtree, the most influential slaveholders in the region since the demise of Big Jim Barrow, are galvanizing the Lakeside community to strike back—violently. The threat they pose, however, pales in comparison to the insidious menace of Penelope Knudsen. Her white-hot hatred, now fueled by Ramangan blood, and an ability to survive the sunlight—a power Kwadzo doesn’t have—threatens to upend Kwadzo’s advancement of Ramangan might throughout the colonies to free his people.

But the gravest threat comes from within: Rafazi. His blood fathered the rebellion, but he will not take orders from his own creation. And when Rafazi makes a deadly deal with the Crabtrees, Kwadzo is forced into a battle with his maker that he may not survive, while the everlasting freedom of every enslaved person in the colonies hangs in the balance.

In Carolina and beyond, a reckoning is coming that will change the colonies forever.

Blood Rising is a brilliantly terrifying blend of supernatural horror and alternate history. In this second installment, a vengeful Ramanga vampire tribe, formed of formerly enslaved Africans, wages war across the Southern colonies in an ultimate battle for land, freedom, and rights. This book focuses on the liberated Ramangans and local Native tribes as they try to establish a new society while facing violent, relentless backlash from surrounding white plantation owners.

While it wasn’t quite as action-packed or exciting as the first book, I did struggle with some parts. However, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the aftermath of the rebellion and observing how life progressed after the initial emancipation of the enslaved. Following Kwadzo Okoro as he leads the new Ramanga Tribe, now established at the reclaimed Crimson Plantation alongside allied Native tribes, provides a compelling continuation of the story.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was seeing Gertie’s maturity since book one and her support for Kwadzo. The introduction of new, highly influential slaveholders Bartholomew and Constance Crabtree added a layer of anxiety to the plot. They were incredibly easy to dislike and constantly made me wonder if Kwadzo and his people would be able to continue their fight against such evil opposition. Another new character introduced is Jenue, whose relevance I’m unsure of. They seem to follow a similar path as Rafazi, showing less concern for the freedom of the people or the fight for it, focusing instead on their own happiness and pleasures.

What I appreciate most about Redmond’s writing is his commitment to historical accuracy. He addresses the brutal mistreatment of enslaved people and Native tribes with honesty, which adds significant weight to the story. This alternate history is driven by passion and justified anger, transforming a dark chapter of pre-colonial America into an empowering narrative. I particularly admire that it serves as a fascinating study of power, achieved through a brilliant reimagining of both history and vampire lore.

The suspense surrounding Penelope Knudsen was another highlight. Driven by hatred and fueled by Ramangan blood, her ability to survive sunlight creates a massive threat to Kwadzo. Watching her character unfold leaves me guessing whether she will choose to maintain her malevolent spirit or ultimately work for the greater good. With the dire threat of the blood-father Rafazi making deadly deals with the Crabtrees, the stakes are incredibly high. I’m anxiously waiting for the next installment in the book series to see how this reckoning in the colonies concludes!

Filed Under: Horror, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Kin by Tayari Jones

October 1, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Kin by Tayari Jones
Publisher: Knopf
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Vernice and Annie, two motherless daughters raised in Honeysuckle, Louisiana, have been best friends and neighbors since earliest childhood but are fated to live starkly different lives. Raised by a fierce aunt determined to give her a stable home in the wake of her mother’s death, Vernice leaves Honeysuckle at eighteen for Spelman College, where she joins a sisterhood of powerfully connected Black women and discovers a world of affluence, manners, aspiration, and inequality. Annie, abandoned by her mother as a child and fixated on the idea of finding her and filling the bottomless hole left by her absence, sets off on a journey that will take her into a world of peril and adversity, as well as love and adventure, culminating in a battle for her life.

“Kin” is a heart-wrenching exploration of what it means to find “kin” when growing up without a mother. Tayari Jones’s writing is both descriptive and soulful, particularly in how she handles the different ways Annie and Niecy deal with their shared grief. The characters, Annie and Niecy, are unforgettable. Their desperation for connection is very evident. I fell in love with these two young women as they navigated different paths toward adulthood, searching for belonging. Their bond, maintained through letters, felt incredibly authentic, and Jones’s well-crafted, lyrical writing made them come alive as real people.

The themes in the book, focusing on motherhood, surrogate mothers, and the unique experiences of being a black woman in the South, are handled with immense care. Jones’s writing style is simply gorgeous, enriching the narrative with depth and emotion. However, I found some aspects that held it back. The pacing felt uneven, and it took me a long time to finish the book. Despite the quality of the writing, my engagement wasn’t consistent, and I struggled to stay invested.

The ending felt rushed and somewhat choppy. I understood the message about how different choices lead to varied outcomes, but the conclusion needed more room to breathe to truly resonate. Overall, “Kin” is a beautiful rendering of friendship and hardship that left me with heavy thoughts to ponder. It’s a very good read, and I’m grateful for the experience.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

The Price of Borrowed Coffee by Richard Price

September 22, 2026 By Leave a Comment


The Price of Borrowed Coffee by Richard Price
Publisher: Indigo River Publishing
Genre: Historical, Non-fiction
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

In the summer of 1945, the law in Cooktown, Georgia, didn’t seek the truth-it sought a scapegoat.

When “Mae” Cook was found murdered, the town’s rage fell onto Charlie Lee Price, a young Black man whose speech disorder left him defenseless against a mob. He was accused, hunted, and killed without trial after already enduring a lifetime of abuse.

This is his story, decades later. His family refuses to let his name be forgotten.

Inside The Price of Borrowed Coffee, join his family in shattering the silence with a blend of oral history, archival research, and personal testimony. The true events of the murder behind “Mae” Cook unravel within the pages in more than just a true crime story.

Uncover and confront the legacy of Jim Crow, explore the effects of generational and racial trauma, and give honor to the man who was unable to speak for himself.

The Price of Borrowed Coffee wasn’t quite what I expected, though I understand and appreciate the author’s commitment to making sure the horrific events surrounding Charlie Lee Price are known and not forgotten. The book brings long‑overdue attention to the injustice he suffered and honors a life taken far too soon. It also acknowledges the tragedy experienced by both the Price family and the still‑unsolved murder of Mae Cook, showing how deeply unfair the situation was for everyone involved.

Hearing directly from the family and those who lived through that time added real value and emotional weight. Their voices help illuminate the generational trauma and racism that shaped the Jim Crow South.

However, the book felt repetitive at times, which made the reading experience less engaging than I hoped. Even so, it shines a necessary light on the legacy of racism and preserves the memory of a man who never had the chance to speak for himself.

A meaningful story, important in purpose, but uneven in execution.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Tales of New Stenchford by Ben Rubin

September 10, 2026 By Leave a Comment


Tales of New Stenchford by Ben Rubin
New Stenchford, Book 1
Publisher: Nat 1
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical, Action/Adventure
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

If you visit the town of New Stenchford, you might consider leaving your good shoes at home. No sparkling castle, or square-jawed heroes here. Mostly it’s just mud, beer, and trouble.

Queen Strongbottom, brave of heart, strong of bottom, runs the place, but has no idea that Wanda Stickybuns, the secret mistress of Queen Strongbottom’s father Gluteus, is plotting to overthrow the King and install her illegitimate two-headed son on the throne.

If you choose to come and see for yourself you’ll want to keep a close eye on your belongings and wash your hands thoroughly when you get home, if you get home.

It’s not beautiful, but it is home.

The world building was complex and attention grabbing. I especially enjoyed the many references to the unique food and drinks that characters have access to in New Stenchford as this isn’t something that contemporary authors always think to include when describing a setting to their audience. Small things like that can go a long way to creating a three-dimensional understanding of a world, though, and they made me curious to see what might happen to these characters in the future if or when a sequel is ever released.

It would have been helpful to have more plot development. Rizzle and his pals met many memorable characters along the way, but there wasn’t as much emphasis on their quest or the secret plot to overthrow the King as I would have liked to see. Sometimes this read more like a series of anecdotes than a novel that was slowly building up to an important confrontation in the end, and despite how much I liked so many other aspects of the characters and storyline I needed more conflict than I was given in order to justify a higher rating.

I enjoyed the many humorous references to a wide variety of historical and pop culture events that were included here. They were an excellent addition to a universe that was already designed to avoid taking itsel too seriously. Sometimes there were also dreamlike qualities to these scenes due to how gently they blended into each other and how wonderfully absurd some of them were.

Tales of New Stenchford was lighthearted and creative.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , , , ,
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