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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Review: 6:40 to Montreal

6:40 to Montreal by Eva Jurczyk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

6:40 to Montreal by Eva Jurczyk is a locked room mystery.  I'm going to say the narrator is also unreliable.  She definitely has secrets that she is trying to keep covered up.  The ending is also not at all what you would be expecting!

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Review: Red Star Falling

Red Star Falling by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Red Star Falling is the second book in the Luke Daniels series by Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood.  You can read this as a standalone.  

It is really funny because I feel like Steve Berry and James Rollins are often on the same wavelength.  This time about Russia and the Arctic Circle.  Similar settings, different stories.  The scary thing about Red Star Falling is how much it echoes the real world.  The political figures will feel very familiar.  I can only hope we have someone like Luke Daniels out there trying to stop them from destroying the planet.

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Review: The Cat Who Saved Books

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Cat Who Saved Books is the first book in The Cat Who...book series by Sosuke Natsukawa.  I haven't read the second book yet, but it is also about cats and books.  This is a sweet, cozy read for anyone who loves books.  Liking cats is a bonus but not a requirement.  While the cat gets title recognition, he does not save the books on his own.  He enlists the aid of a young booklover who happens to have inherited a bookstore.  They go on adventures to save books from misguided bookish people.  It is all very wholesome.  


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Review: The Ministry of Time

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley was billed as a time travel romance which put me off from reading it.  I don't read much romance.  However, a trusted, bookish friend told me I had to give it a try.  In fact, she didn't believe me that it was being a called a romance.  I took her word and started reading.  Honestly, I also wondered why romance was a selling point for it.  There is romance, but it is really about a lot more than that.  It's historical fiction, mystery, and thriller.  It reminded me of the TV show, Beforeigners, and the book, The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.  That is high praise from me because I loved them both.  I really appreciate that this is inspired by real people and real events.  I like an Arctic exploration story.  Graham Gore was a bit of a hottie with a good reputation, so I could see why he is a leading man type. As a former bureaucrat, I am also a sucker for government agencies.    It had so much more going on that I even enjoyed the romantic parts.  

If you like time travel, check this book out even if romance is not your thing. 

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Review: We'll Prescribe You Another Cat

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat by Syou Ishida
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat is the second book in the We'll Prescribe You a Cat series by Syou Ishida.  You will want to read them in order because they build upon each other.  

I didn't love We'll Prescribe You Another Cat as much as I loved the first one.  That said, I still cried my eyes out on the Nikke chapter.  Be careful when you get there.  I think the problem I had this time is I didn't always understand how the prescribed cat related to the issue.  It was sometimes as if someone prescribed antibiotics for a broken arm.  The cats are still cute and fun and well worth reading about.

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Review: Marble Hall Murders

Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Marble Hall Murders is the third book in the Susan Ryeland series by Anthony Horowitz.  You can read this by itself, but I recommend reading them in order because they reference events in previous books.  This book really brings to a close what happened in those books.  I'm not sure if there will be another one, so while they are long, it is worth the investment.  I didn't know they made TV series of the first two books until I read the acknowledgments.  I will definitely look for them now.  

The thing I enjoy about this book and the other Susan Ryeland books is that they are a mystery in a mystery.  You basically get two books in one.  You are reading the "real life" story that has a mystery book embedded in it.  Solving the mystery in the book will often help you solve the "real" mystery too.   All the clues are there for you if you can put them together.  You never would have expected book publishing to be so deadly! 

Bonus points for Hugo.  Susan was a winner in the universal cat distribution system. She doesn't think she is a cat person.  Ha!  Every cat person knows that cats and books pair well together.  I don't know if I need work or a relationship, but I definitely need a cat.  

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Review: Arkangel

Arkangel by James Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Arkangel is the 18th book in the Sigma Force series by James Rollins.  You could read this as a standalone book although it does reference events and characters in previous books.  There is enough explanation that you don't need to have read any other books in the series, but I highly recommend you do!  

I really enjoy many of the characters in this book, but I am so glad to see Tucker, Kane, and Marco again.  They are by far my favorites.  I could also only wish that my dogs were as disciplined as Kane.  Reading through this time I realized that Sigma Force always reminds me of Thundercats.  For some reason, I always picture Monk as Panthro.  It's weird.  I know.  That's my guilty Sigma Force secret.  

It felt appropriate to be reading Arkangel in the midst of winter in Wisconsin.  Not quite Arctic temperatures, but I could feel the chill as they searched for a lost city through ice and snow.  The topic couldn't be timelier as people wonder why places like Greenland are important.  In another odd coincidence someone mentioned to me that being eaten by a plant wouldn't be so bad.  I suggested they read this book.  If that doesn't make you want to read this, I'm unsure of what will.  

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