From Bad to Cursed

 From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper, 368 pages.

Isidora Avramov is the child of a family of powerful necromancers, one of the four founding families of the the witchy town of Thistle Grove as a matter of fact. She has a passion for demon summoning, fashion design, and rescuing small animals. When a witch from the rival Thorn family is attacked by a mysterious curse during a Beltane event she is suddenly forced into the role of detective as well, to clear her family's name for the necromantic hex. The Thorn representative assigned to help for the investigation is of course no other than Rowan Thorn, hated nemesis and general good-two-shoes. But as they spend time together the loathing quickly starts to bleed away, leaving room for something new. 

This was a surprisingly good mystery for a romance novel. The plot was interesting, the romance wasn't bad, and the setting was neat. I don't know if this is a book that's worth writing home about, but I enjoyed it. 

Sorcery and Small Magics

Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy

Leo Loveage is entering his final year at the Fount on probation — he's skipped class, gotten in trouble, and avoided doing any difficult magic for four years already, and if he doesn't buckle down and study now, he'll get kicked out and he'll lose the inheritance his father has promised him. Sebastian Grimm has long been Leo's rival and different from him in every way — serious, studious, and determined to use his education to make a difference in the magical world. However, when they're paired up in class, Grimm accidentally casts an illegal control spell on Leo that leaves Leo quite literally unable to resist doing what Grimm tells him to do. As discovery of this spell would mean doom for both of them, Leo and Grimm embark on a quest to track down a counterspell, a project that takes them far from the Fount and into the dangerous Unquiet Woods.

This was a lovely lighthearted story of reluctant friendship that somehow manages to also include solid backstories for both of the main characters, and wonderful worldbuilding. There's definitely a vibe of romance throughout, which I thought might be problematic given the control spell, though thankfully it's handled very well. This is as series starter, and I can say that I'll be delighted to read more books about Leo and Grimm in the future.

The Witchstone

The Witchstone by Harry H. Neff, 462 pages

For four centuries, the Drakefords have been caught under a horrific curse that slowly turns them into monsters. They've given up hope of ever breaking the curse when lazy demon Laszlo, their curse's official Keeper, pops up at their remote home with a plan to break the curse in six short days. Of course he has ulterior motives (he's a demon after all), but Maggie Drakeford — a teenager who is just starting to show signs of the curse-caused transformation — is willing to do whatever she can to save her already-monstrous father, herself, and her younger brother, Lump (actually George, but hey, it's what he calls himself). A whirlwind trip around the world in search of magical items guarded by horrid creatures ensues, as does an unlikely friendship between Laszlo and Maggie.

I loved this book, which somehow has both Percy Jackson and The Guncle vibes (but also with demons). The characters are fantastic, particularly Laszlo's shark-headed buddy Clarence and the aforementioned Lump, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end. (Also, a shoutout to that fantastic cover!) Highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy, lazy antiheros, and bumpkins with gumption. 

The Familiar

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo, 385 pages

Luzia is a servant in the home of a spiteful (but not particularly wealthy) mistress in 16th Century Madrid. While most of the world sees Luzia as the lowest of the low (she does sleep on the floor of the pantry, after all), Luzia has a secret up her sleeve: she can perform little miracles like mending tears in fabric and un-burning the bread. When her mistress finds out, she puts Luzia's abilities on display in the hopes of climbing the social ladder. But soon, Luzia's miracles have grabbed the attention of Antonio Perez, the disgraced former secretary of King Philip. Perez puts Luzia in a perilous competition against three other so-called miracle workers, pitting them against each other under the watchful eye of the Inquistion. Complicating things further is the titular familiar, Santangel, a mysterious man who has been tasked with helping hone Luzia's talents.

I loved the character of Luzia, a woman who is intelligent, talented, and ambitious well beyond the bounds of her station. The way this book unravels keeps the reader guessing at what will happen next, and it's never clear who Luzia can trust, if anyone, as her skills and power grow. An excellent, if somewhat dark, fantasy, set against an unexpected (but somehow perfect) backdrop. Highly recommended.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams, 342 pages

Ricki Wilde is the youngest of four sisters, the daughters of a business tycoon. Her sisters are all successful with wealthy husbands and designer clothes, while Ricki has a love for vintage clothing and floral arranging. When she announces her decision to open up her own floral shop, Ricki's parents all but disown her and it's only by the grace of a kind 96-year-old woman that Ricki is able to establish a business in Harlem. However, once she moves to Harlem, Ricki begins repeatedly encountering a mysterious stranger with whom she has immediate chemistry, despite his old-fashioned ways.

I'll admit that's an odd way to describe a romance novel, but this is definitely romance, as it's spicy and focused on the developing relationship between Ricki and Breeze. I don't want to spoil anything, but I'll note that there's a pretty critical fantasy element to this book too, so if you want you romance novels to be believable (or as believable as romance novels ever get), this might not be the right book for you. However, I thought this was fantastic, and I'll definitely be reading more of Tia Williams in the future (her Seven Days in June was also exquisite). Recommended for fans of Casey McQuiston's One Last Stop, and anyone with a love for vintage clothes and the Harlem Renaissance.

Thornhedge

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, 116 pages

In this retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Toadling is a homely person who has lived hundreds of years at a tower surrounded by thorns and brambles, wishing and hoping that no knights will come close to break the curse upon it. But when a young knight arrives searching for the source of an ancient story, Toadling is forced to reckon with the past, and more importantly, the present, specifically how to deal with this surprisingly bookish and gentle man.

T. Kingfisher has a wonderful way of looking at fairy tale tropes and forcing her readers to reexamine our own biases (in the gentlest and most humorous way possible) when it comes to the tales we all grew up with. Thornhedge is an excellent example of how to do that, and other fairy tale-twisters should use this as a guide going forward. A great short read.

The Ghost Tree

The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry, 415 pages

It's the summer of 1985, and freshman-to-be Lauren is slowly separating from her lifelong best friend, Miranda. Miranda's boy crazy and determined to spend her summer finding an upperclassman with a nice car to take her to school in the fall. Meanwhile, Lauren's dealing with her antagonistic relationship with her mom, which has only gotten worse since Lauren's dad was brutally murdered last November. When the brutal murder of two girls comes to their small town, Lauren's determined to find the connection to her dad, though just about everyone else in town is having trouble remembering... well, anything to do with either crime.

This is an excellent mix of supernatural and all-too-human horror, wonderfully told. The small-town life, the trials of teenagehood... it all rings true and marries perfectly with the cursed story of the town. Highly recommended.

The Bone Houses

 

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones 352 pp.

Aderyn (Ryn) is the town gravedigger after she took over the job when her father went missing. But the dead have a tendency to come back to life (of sorts) as Bone Houses, not exactly zombies but similar. The Bone Houses are part of an old curse originating from the nearby creepy and sometimes deadly forest. Ryn has taken it upon herself to destroy Bone Houses that threaten the town. In the mean time she is trying to keep the landlord from taking their home and turning her and her siblings in to the workhouse and orphanage. The arrival of Ellis the mapmaker coincides with an increase in the activity of the Bone Houses. Ryn decides to head into the forest to find the old mine and possibly what happened to her father. Ellis goes with her on his own mission to find the parents who abandoned him. They both must face their private demons while on the quest. It's a nice fantasy, not stellar, but good enough. 

Ship of Fates

Ship of Fates by Caitlin Chung, 127 pages

A couple of millennia ago, a young woman fled from an arranged marriage with the gold that was to be her dowry. She sailed across the Pacific Ocean and landed in California, spreading the gold throughout the land. But she later found she was cursed to live forever in a lighthouse until she regathered all of the gold to return to her family. Ship of Fates is that young woman's story, and the story of how she tried to reverse her curse, despite the complications presented by the California gold rush. It's an intriguing novella, presented as the young woman's story punctuated by second person bits about "you" listening to her tell it. I'm not sure what I thought of that bit, though I did enjoy the lessons of the young woman's tale.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, 480 pages

In early 1800s France, 23-year-old Adeline LaRue is an old maid by community standards, though she's happy to be unmarried. Unlike her peers, Addie just wants to see the world, not be married off to a man that she's unlikely to love. In fact she's so against the idea of being married that on the eve of her wedding, she runs into the forest and makes a deal that frees her from ever being accountable to anyone...but also curses her to an immortal life in which nobody remembers her once she's out of their sight. She can see the world, but she can't leave her mark on it in any way.

This is a fascinating book about what it means to be free, as well as what it means to love and be loved. I'm a fan of Schwab's previous books about magicians in various parallel worlds, but this is absolutely nothing like those. That said, it's still a wonderful, thoughtful novel, somewhat reminiscent of Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. Well worth reading.

*This book will be published Oct. 6, 2020.

Subversive Cross Stitch

Subversive Cross Stitch: 33 Designs For Your Surly Side by Julie Jackson (2006)  96 pages

For those who are interested in counted cross stitch, Jackson's book gives photos of 33 designs, along with charts and thread colors used in the designs. Jackson also gives hints on how to get started for those who are new to counted cross stitch.

The designs aren't really subversive, but the phrases used do show some spunky attitude. There are several that use the "f bomb." Here are some of the phrases that don't: "Irony is not dead," "Whatever," "You Can't Make Me." I made these two: "Bite Me" (requested by a brother-in-law) and "Life Sucks, Then You Die."  If you desire to use a phrase with stronger language, chances are that you will find it in this book. If not, create your own, using the lettering guide at the back. The borders and design elements around the sayings are delightfully sweet, making for an interesting contrast.

Bless Me, Ultima

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo A. Anaya  262 pp.

This has been on my "to read" list for quite awhile. I'm sorry I waited so long because I really like this book. It takes place in New Mexico in the 1940s and is the story of Antonio/Tony, the youngest son of the Maraz y Luna family. He is six when Ultima, a curandera (one who heals with herbs & magic), comes to live with his family. Ultima becomes a sort of mentor to Tony as he grows up and faces many changes that occur among his family and friends. She teaches him about the herbs she uses and he is present to witness the removal of a curse that has caused illness in his uncle. His mother hopes he will become a priest to serve God and the farming half of his family. This is in conflict with his father's wishes that he become a vaquero (cowboy) like his father side of the family. Tony is torn between them both while he suffers a personal spiritual crisis and coming to grips with the magical side of Ultima's work. The audiobook version was read by Robert Ramirez.

The brief wondrous life of Oscar Wao

The brief wonderous life of Oscar Wao / Junot Diaz, read by Lin-Manuel Miranda & Karen Olivo, 339 pgs.

A family story that tells of Oscar, his mother, his grandparents.  Is there a curse on the family?  Everyone has issues but no one more than Oscar.  After a childhood of being cute, he turns into an overweight nerd who has no chance with the ladies.  He is miserable and suicidal.  Is there hope for Oscar?  The narrator is Oscar's former college roommate and his sister's on again, off again lover.  He knows Oscar as well as anyone, has read his writings, has seen him strike out over and over.  I first read this book when it was newly published and was not impressed.  This audio version has made me change my tune.  Loved every aspect of the dysfunctional family and Oscar's travails.

The Curse of the Pogo Stick

The Curse of the Pogo Stick by Colin Cotterill  256 pp.

Dr. Siri Paiboun, the 73 year old national coroner of Laos once again finds himself dealing with odd situations and people. While on his way back from a national conference with his boss, Judge Haeng, they are ambushed and Siri is taken prisoner by seven Hmong women. Siri, who is the "vessel" for the spirit of the dead shaman Yeh Ming is captured because the Hmong villagers want him to perform an exorcism. The chief's daughter is possessed by a demon and pregnant with the demon's child all because of the curse of the pogo stick kept on a sacred altar. Judge Haeng, who ran away from the ambush spends days wandering in the woods before being found by the villagers, bruised, dehydrated, and confused. Meanwhile, back at the morgue, Siri's assistant, Nurse Dtui and her husband, Police Officer Phosy, along with Siri's fiancee Madam Daeng, owner of the best noodle shop in town, are investigating a booby trapped body. The "Lizard," an elderly Royalist assassin, has targeted Dtui and Phosy for foiling plot to overthrow the communists detailed in the previous book Anarchy and Old Dogs. In the process, government auditors become the unintended victim when poisoned cashew cakes are delivered to the morgue. Morgue assistant Geung gives the cakes to the auditor because "Cashew cakes make me fart!" Of course, all ends well and Dr. Siri and Madam Daeng become husband and wife. While the plots in this series aren't anything special, Cotterill's characters make these stories fun and engaging.

Of Mice and Magic

Hamster Princess 2. Of mice and magic / Ursula Vernon, 277 p.

As Karen said a few reviews back, these books are tremendous fun. My favorite part about this one is that Harriet, who defeated her curse in the first book, is very concerned that the twelve dancing princesses want their curse to be lifted. Harriet really liked her curse! Not everyone wants their "curses" to be removed, you know! It's great. I love Ursula Vernon's ways of looking at situations sideways from the norm.

The Book of Speculation

The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler, 339 pages

The son of a carnival mermaid and brother of a tarot reader, Simon Watson is a reference librarian who's about to get laid off (damn budget cuts) when he receives an old, mysterious book in the mail. It's the log book and diary from a traveling circus dating back to the 1770s, and a rare books dealer has sent it to Simon because Simon's grandmother is mentioned. As he starts digging into the book, Simon realizes that the women of his family have all died in the same unlikely manner... and on the same day of the year. Alternating with the chapters about Simon and his dive into history, Swyler presents the story of Amos, a mute wild boy-turned-tarot reader whose story is told in Simon's mysterious book.

The story took a while to get going, but once it did, I really enjoyed it, particularly the historical chapters (I had trouble suspending disbelief when it came to Simon's assertion that a reference librarian has no need to be a "people person."), though once Simon's sister Enola and her electrically charged boyfriend Doyle show up, the modern chapters get a bit more interesting. Well worth the read though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else Swyler has up her sleeve.

The Wrath and the Dawn

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh, 388 pages

Every night, Khalid takes a new bride, and every morning, he buries one more. That is, until Shahrzad shocks everyone and volunteers to be next. Determined to be the one that finally ends all the hurt and heartbreak permeating Khorasan (and to get revenge for her dearest and best friend, Shiva), Shahrzad starts telling Khalid a story and buys herself some time. She begins looking for a weakness in the stony façade of the king, gathering intel from everyone she can while not letting on her plans, but what she doesn't plan on is falling in love. Meanwhile, her father is determined to save her by any means necessary, even if it means turning to deeply unstable black magic, and her childhood-friend-turned-first-love Tariq is ready to stage a coup d'etat to break her free. By the end, Shahrzad must decide if her love is more important than her life, her family, and her friends…

When I read the review of this in School Library Journal, I knew I had to read it. We've had endless retellings of classic fairytales like Cinderella and Snow White, so to see an author go with a story and characters not as well known is fantastic (though there's a touch of Beauty and the Beast in there, to be honest). I love Ahdieh's writing style. It's lyrical but spare, with each word perfectly picked to evoke the right emotion. Khalid and Shahrzad's romance grows slowly and steadily, but when it happens, oh boy, does it happen. In some ways it reminded me of Marie Rutkoski's exquisite The Winner's Curse, so fans of that book will probably find plenty to love about this one. Can't wait for part two!