A poignant modern classic of enduring love, processing loss, and the power of memory. Dreamlike and epic, The Buried Giant is an odyssey through ArthuA poignant modern classic of enduring love, processing loss, and the power of memory. Dreamlike and epic, The Buried Giant is an odyssey through Arthurian legend on the surface, retelling the intrigue of war, mythical encounters and magic; however, it is a tender look at a love surviving grief and illness at its core. It is an examination of the devastating blow of the loss of a child, the strength of denial of said loss, and the ways that we try to make sense of the absence, to try and rebuild a life forever changed. It is a powerful tribute to the partners we choose in life, with whom we see the best and the worst of the human experience, the journey we take together; it is a sobering look at when the path diverges, when reality sets in, when it is time to say goodbye. Clever, deeply moving, and multifaceted, this is a fantasy that hits to the real love and hurt that we feel. ...more
A genre-bending modern classic that vividly explores a reimagined history in which vampires and humans war for supremacy. Moody, atmospheric, and withA genre-bending modern classic that vividly explores a reimagined history in which vampires and humans war for supremacy. Moody, atmospheric, and with the stylistic writing of a vintage thriller, Anno Dracula is a sweeping character study in corruption, desire, and navigating the line between morality and justification. It begs the question: what does it mean to be alive? Is life worth living when it goes on forever? Who decides what is evil, and who has the right to be the enforcer of good? Clever and filled with nods to historical horror and crime figures, this novel is a puzzle of so many fascinating pieces. An essential reads for any fan of vampire lore. ...more
A fever dream retelling of The Little Mermaid filled with terrors and unexpected new beginnings. This novella has lavish prose, fitting for its homage to fairy tales. Teeming with brutality and the cruel nature of man, The Salt Grows Heavy is surprisingly romantic, using themes of eternal love and devotion as a counterpoint to the bleakness of life. Bizarre and beguiling, this dark retelling is a compelling read for any fan of classic fairy tales....more
A riveting compilation of first-hand accounts that expose the truth behind one Greek mythology’s most iconic figures. From family, friends, lovers, anA riveting compilation of first-hand accounts that expose the truth behind one Greek mythology’s most iconic figures. From family, friends, lovers, and adversaries, we see Hercules, part god, part man, part hero, and, truthfully, part monster. We see the many contradictory and complicated aspects of Hercules’ life, the ways in which his conquests were painted with the best of brushes, his flaws and the terrors he inflicted settled safely under the mantle of demigod, hero. Herc gives fascinating and candid depth into how personas are made, asking: who decides the villain of the story? Who gets to have their names emblazoned in time, and whose names do we erase for it to happen? What acts are we forgiving for the sake of a good story? A daring and personality filled novel that expertly examines how, especially in classical myths, the ways in which we choose to use our strength is what determines whether we are weak. ...more
A retelling of the Odyssey that focuses on Penelope and the women around her as they are shaped by overseeing goddesses, and in turn shape the course A retelling of the Odyssey that focuses on Penelope and the women around her as they are shaped by overseeing goddesses, and in turn shape the course of Ithaca. From the perspective of Hera, this novel is a wide reaching twist on the classic myth, giving spotlight to the women of Ithaca as they defy the expectations of men and gods alike, showcasing flaws, ambition, and solidarity. Complex and musing, this is a retelling that praises the wit and rage of women who are ready to leave the background, and lead with a force long repressed. An interesting take on Penelope which sets the stage for its coming sequel. ...more
A dark, sensual imagining of the creation of one of horror’s most universal masterpieces. Filled with atmospheric gothic imagery and the growing sense of displacement, grief, this novel is a compelling interpretation of the life and desires of Mary Shelley, the constraints against which she fought to express herself through her work, to explain the horrors within and around her. Winding through a path of ambition, longing, otherness, envy, the parallels to Frankenstein are a welcome examination of the ways in which we are pushed to the brink for the pursuit of creation, and the ways in which our own creations reveal our inner selves. Beautifully written and illuminating a new depth to the mother of monsters....more
A poetic, haunting retelling of the Crane Wife that examines the devastating results of abuse, codependency, and grief. Told in mesmerizing prose, TheA poetic, haunting retelling of the Crane Wife that examines the devastating results of abuse, codependency, and grief. Told in mesmerizing prose, The Crane Husband is an elegantly crafted cautionary tale of generational misfortune and artistic magic. It is an ode to our protagonists resilience and ability to protect what she holds dear, even after loosing so much. It is a novella that deals with grief and resentment in such a raw and authentic way; it’s pages are a feathery loom of emotion and sorrow. This is one of the best retellings that I have read. ...more
A mystical, heartfelt journey of courage, forgiveness, and love. With a delightful cast of characters and a plot fhttps://instagram.com/p/Csq0SLRreBi/
A mystical, heartfelt journey of courage, forgiveness, and love. With a delightful cast of characters and a plot filled with twists and turns, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a rich retelling of Korean myth, bright and pulsing with emotion. It is an ode not only to romance and fated love, but also to the unbreakable bond between siblings, the respect and reverence for ancestors, and the love fostered between friends. The prose is dreamy and fluid, a mirror to the realm beneath the waves, and a call to follow your heart, no matter where it takes you....more
A gorgeous interpretation of one of literature's finest classics. This beguiling debut is dark, poetic, and filledhttps://instagram.com/p/Ctbzfy9L0Wp/
A gorgeous interpretation of one of literature's finest classics. This beguiling debut is dark, poetic, and filled with ambition, grief, and innovation. It highlights the struggle for women to gain rightful credit in a society that favors the voices of men, especially in the fields of scientific discovery. Our Hideous Progeny simmers with the passion for hidden knowledge, and the blazing desire to harness the unknown, to challenge the finality of death, no matter the cost. This novel was so enjoyable from beginning to end, its pages filled with rebellion, love, and yearning for those secret histories, mind-bending futures, those dark ripples beneath the surface....more
Dazzling and hypnotic as a spell, this devastatingly lush farewell letter accounts the cost of obsession, jealousy, and manipulation. Poetic and seducDazzling and hypnotic as a spell, this devastatingly lush farewell letter accounts the cost of obsession, jealousy, and manipulation. Poetic and seductive, we see that the lines between love and infatuation, freedom and control, resentment and hurt, are almost never clearly defined. We see the whirlpool of abuse and power, the cycles of misunderstandings and malcontents, and the explosive conclusions that they result in. As the novel expertly details, not everyone is cut out to love. Love is so often seen through a self serving glass, as a means to an end, leaving destruction and harm in its wake. Love is the beautiful word used to disguise an ulterior motive, a hidden ambition, and is the scapegoat for desolation and deception. Gorgeously rendered, nuanced, and reflective, A Dowry of Blood is a dark and wonderfully thought out reimagining of one of the most seductive, bleak legends that there is. ...more
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