Review: The Language of the Birds: A Novel

The Language of the Birds: A Novel by K.A. Merson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Language of the Birds: A Novel by K.A. Merson from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.

The Language of the Birds: A Novel by K.A. Merson appealed to me just based on the title.  I didn't really know much about it when I started to read and was delighted I did!  This is a thriller about an incredibly intelligent young person who gets pulled into a dangerous venture to try to save her mom.  To do so, she has to solve puzzles and essentially go on a scavenger hunt to get the next pieces.  I loved that the puzzles were included so you could also try to solve them with her.  I love a good puzzle!  If you do too, you will want to check this book out.

Bonus points for Mojo!  What a good dog!

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Review: The Family Experiment

The Family Experiment by John Marrs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Family Experiment is the third book in the Dark Future series by John Marrs.  I didn't know that when I started reading, but it turns out you can read this as a standalone without issue.  It makes reference to the topics of the first two books, but it won't hinder your reading.  I do plan to check out the other books now!

I was drawn to this book because it is about a reality TV show where parents raise a virtual child to compete to either keep that child or win enough money to have a "real" child.  The chapters focus on the different competitors and tell the story through their experiences.  Now and again there is a chapter of online chat comments about the show, think going to Reddit to read about your favorite TV show.  

The world this book is set in is not that different from our own.  It could be our near future.  In it, it is a little more difficult for the average person to afford a child which is why people are willing to consider virtual options to the point of competing.  It is really well done and very plausible.  It is dark, so keep that in mind if you decide to read it.

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Review: The Full Moon Coffee Shop

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is the perfect cozy read for someone who enjoys coffee and/or tea beverages and/or cats.  Basically, me.  Each section of the book is about a different character, although they are all intertwined in a way.  They are all lead to the Full Moon Coffee Shop which is exactly that, a pop-up coffee shop that shows up during the full moon.  There are cats involved, special drinks and treats, and some fun astrology.  It made me want to get my chart done even though I don't place much faith in it.  It was really interesting.  I also want to know what special drink or food I would get!  The book isn't very long, so you should just read it already.  

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Review: Tides of Fire

Tides of Fire by James Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tides of Fire is the 17th book in the Sigma Force series by James Rollins.  If you have never read the books, you could pick up here.  It might not be the best entry point because there is some character backstory you would miss.  It wouldn't take away from the main action though.  

If you are claustrophobic, afraid of the ocean, or not a fan of boats, you may want to steer clear of this book.  If you are not any of those things, charge on, my friend!  This was very intense and really you do get the sense of how similar deep sea exploration is to space exploration.  You also realize just how little we do know about what lurks down deep as we continue to discover new things all the time.  At the same time, I don't think I am in any rush to go down there.  It sounds incredible but really if things go bad, you don't have many options.  

Rollins bases his story on real science, so there is always a hint of "this could actually happen" when you are reading.  This time, I really hope he is wrong because uff.  It was stressful.  Incorporating the rainbow serpent concept was very cool.  I knew a little already and ended up doing a deeper dive (pun intended) to learn more.  

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Review: The Reinvented Heart

The Reinvented Heart by Cat Rambo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of The Reinvented Heart edited by Cat Rambo.  It is an anthology of short science fiction/romance stories by female and nonbinary authors.  I learned about it when Naomi Kritzer read a section of her story at WisCon a few years ago.  I really wanted to hear the rest of the story, so I sought out the book.  The anthology also includes a bunch of my other favorite authors, so I knew I would enjoy a good portion of it.  I don't normally read romance, but when it is presented in an interesting fashion, I am open to exploring it.  And while this can be considered romance, it is not traditional, formulaic romance.  The topics covered make you really think about love and what it means. We call it romance, but the anthology is really more about love in all its many facets.  If you like science fiction, give this a read even if romance isn't your thing.  The writing is excellent.

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Review: The Road to Tender Hearts: A Novel

The Road to Tender Hearts: A Novel by Annie Hartnett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Road to Tender Hearts: A Novel by Annie Hartnett from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.  This book is expected to be published on April 29, 2025.

Annie Hartnett has a way of writing books that I just love to read.  I think some of it is her dark sense of humor, but I mostly think it is the way she incorporates animals into her stories.  They aren't just set dressing.  The Road to Tender Hearts delivered on that again.  I've done my share of road trips, but I don't think any of them have been quite this eventful.  It reminded me a bit of National Lampoon's Vacation in that way.  This is a little bit of spoilers, but the part about the soap opera convention was really spot-on.  It makes me think Annie may have been to one...for research?  If you want to read something that will lightly tug at your heartstrings but will mostly make you laugh, you will want to get a copy of this as soon as you can.  

Bonus points for Pancakes who should have his own series. 

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Review: Starter Villain

Starter Villain by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I will admit that this cover picture and title was enough to make me want to read Starter Villain by John Scalzi.  My beloved Izzy was the perfect villain's cat.  She generally had disdain for any human other than me.  She would approve of this book.  In fact, I think she may have been the basis for one of the characters.  This book was so much fun I would want to read a sequel or a whole series.  If you like Despicable Me, Minions, Bond villains, cats, or dolphins, you will enjoy this book.  If you don't like even one of those things or this book, I am adding you to my list of people to go after once I get my villain business off the ground.  I was inspired!

Bonus points:  Have I mentioned the cats?

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Review: New Adventures in Space Opera

New Adventures in Space Opera by Jonathan Strahan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

New Adventures in Space Opera is an anthology of short stories written by a variety of great authors and edited by Jonathan Strahan.  I knew I wanted to read this when I saw it included Charlie Jane Anders, but there are other writers I really enjoy reading as well.  You can read the stories in any order you like.  If you aren't sure about space opera, this is a good entry point because each story could be read in a sitting.  You aren't buying into hundreds of pages of epic storytelling.  And yet, you still get a taste of the genre.  

Bonus points: The Becky Chambers story is an origin story of a character in of one of her books but won't spoil anything for you.  I found it so sweet and was so happy it was included.  

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Review: (Don't) Call Mum

(Don't) Call Mum by Matt Wesolowski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of (Don't) Call Mum by Matt Wesolowski from Wild Hunt Books. The book is expected to be released May 8, 2025.

I have loved every book Matt Wesolowki has written. When I saw that Matt would be participating in the Wild Hunt Books' The Northern Weird Project, I was very excited. "Northern Weird" sounds like a typical day for me. I needed to read this. I am going to do my best not to give anything away. It mostly takes place on a train. It is definitely creepy. It reminds us that folklore often has a basis in some truth. There is a reason a story catches on and sticks with a group of people, even if it gets embellished over time. It is a very fast read because you really want to know what's going to happen next. Hope you have a chance to read it!

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