Review: The Universe Box

The Universe Box by Michael Swanwick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Universe Box by Michael Swanwick from Tachyon Publications via NetGalley.  This book has already been published.

The Universe Box is a collection of short stories by Michael Swanwick.  The stories are a mix of fantasy, speculative, and science fiction.  In addition to some very interesting stories, I found the introduction to the stories fascinating.  When someone comes up with such wild ideas, you do wonder where they come from.  Some of the stories read like myths if you like mythology.  There is some humor.  I appreciate that animals are generously represented.  If you want something different and super well-written, get a copy of The Universe Box.  

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Review: Toto

Toto by A.J. Hackwith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Toto by A.J. Hackwith might be my favorite version of the Wizard of Oz stories.  Don't come at me.  It is updated to a more modern time and told from the perspective of Toto.  It was so fun!  I still would have loved it even without the pop culture references.  Toto has always been my favorite character in the Wizard of Oz.  It is about time they got their own book!  And like any good little dog, Toto has big aspirations.  Toto is very funny too!  Whether you like the Wizard of Oz or animals, I think you will like this book.

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Review: The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel

The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel by Camilla Sten
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel by Camilla Sten from Minotaur Books via NetGalley.  It will be published in June 2026.

I really enjoyed reading Camilla Sten's debut novel, so I was super excited when I had a chance to read an advanced copy of The Break-Up Retreat: A Novel.  More than 20 years ago, when I was going through a terrible break-up, I thought it would be genius to start a retreat for women getting over a broken heart.  Apparently, I am not the only one who has thought about this concept.  Admittedly, I was thinking of a more positive environment than the retreat in this book.  

Sten's break-up retreat is borderline culty.  No surprise that in this high control environment things start to go very wrong.  An investigative journalist goes undercover at the retreat to look into the mysterious disappearance of a former participant.  To do that, she has to confront some of her own relationship demons.  While I found the mystery/thriller aspect great, I really got into the treatment methods and the social media postings about the retreat philosophy.  I could have read a whole other book just about that because the psychology bits are intriguing. If you like a somewhat locked room mystery, cults, or psychological thrillers, check this out!

Bonus points for the way the advertising was weaved into the posts just like you see in real life.  It was perfect.

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Review: The Kaiju Preservation Society

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi is the right book at the right time.  It is the pop song of books that we all need right now.  Or at least, I needed it right now.  I had it with a side of Taylor Swift.  I came to John Scalzi backwards (and in heels) by reading Starter Villain.  Anyone who could write that book is my kind of writer.  The Kaiju Preservation Society is also my kind of book.  I'm all about animal preservation.  I was excited to learn about what it would take to save Kaiju.  I have held a top secret clearance but do not do food delivery, so I'm not sure how I get into this gig, but if KPS is hiring, please give them my name.  I like that there are smart people in the book, but you don't have to be that smart to understand anything going on.  I also like that it reinforces my belief that all billionaire tech bros are douchebags.  

If you need to escape from our current reality for a couple of hours or days, check this out.  It was delightful from start to finish.  

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Review: To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right

To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right by Christopher Mathias
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right by Christopher Mathias from Atria Books via NetGalley.  This book has already been published. For what it is worth, I planned to read this with or without the ARC.

To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right by Christopher Mathias is not a completely objective case of reporting.  Christopher Mathias is clear from the beginning that he doesn't like fascists.  There was a time in the United States when that might have been a given, or at least, something most people would publicly agree upon.  Who would think that being anti-fascist would actually be a slur now?  That is the world we live in.  The people who self-identify as fascists might (or might not) surprise you.  Not every white, conservative Christian is a fascist and not every fascist is a white, conservative Christian.  Having read this book, I know what markers to actually look for because I am also not a fan of fascists either. I am much more aware of certain groups and words and what they really stand for.  

I did learn a lot about anti-fascists and antifa.  While some of them might be punching Nazis in the face, that's not what most of them are doing with their time.  It is a stance suited to data nerds.  They used to focus on naming and shaming fascists to try to get them to give up their hateful ways.  It remains to be seen how they will evolve now that being a fascist is acceptable.  

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling upset, frustrated, and/or angry about the state of the world and wants to make change.  

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Review: The Codex Arcanum 1888: The Alchemical Chronicles, Book 1

The Codex Arcanum 1888: The Alchemical Chronicles, Book 1 by Tasmin Turner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Codex Arcanum 1888 by Tasmin Turner from Wish Books via NetGalley.  This book was published in December 2025.

The Codex Arcanum 1888 is the first book in the Alchemical Chronicles by Tasmin Turner.  You will definitely want to start here for two reasons.  The first reason is the second book isn't out as of this posting (a very important detail) and the second reason is this book is a bit cliffhangery.  You could certainly read it as a standalone, but you will definitely want to read it before the next book.  

This book has a lot of elements that I really like in my reading.  There are secret societies, paranormal events, a mysterious book that needs to be deciphered, a lost language, and esoteric history.  I give it bonus points for setting partly in the neighborhood I lived in when I studied in London.  I found myself imagining walking down the streets again even though I was there in much more modern times.  It was so fun.  It will be interesting to see what comes next!

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Review: The Bewitching

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is told by three different narrators across three different time periods.  The chapters alternate among them to move the story forward.  There are threads that tie them all together, mostly witches but not just witches.

I love a book about a book.  This is one of them.  The Vanishing is a haunting fictional tale of a "real" event where one of the characters' friends goes missing.  Jump forward to Minerva who is doing research on the book and its author.  This takes her to dark places her grandmother warned her about.  There once were witches.  There still might be witches.  

I really enjoyed all the references to music and horror writers.  It is always fun when writers drop some Easter eggs and you catch them!  Minerva and I share a similar taste in music.  I love the playlist.

I did have a hard time with some descriptions of animal death.  If you triggered by incest and/or rape, this book might also be difficult for you.  I tried to remember that there was a time, especially in remote areas, where marrying someone who was not an immediate family member was acceptable.  

Bonus points for Karnstein!  Good kitty!

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