“When you are too close to the center of a mystery there is no way to pull back and see the shape of it entire.”-Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer The Southern Reach Trilogy has been on my list of books to read for quite some time. When the tenth anniversary editions came out, with these gorgeous... Continue Reading →
The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. Maclean
“Alia would never forget her first visit to the San Tamculo Zoo, eyes so wide on those vivid colors, those mesmerizing feathers. She forgot how much she hated school field trips. She forgot about holding back tears when none of her classmates wanted to sit with the nervous, quiet girl who kept to herself at... Continue Reading →
A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch
“As unfortunately as her own visit had begun, Clara was obviously having a grand time pretending to be an earl’s daughter. Meg only wished she could witness more of her performance. In fact, Clara’s flamboyance had almost begun to make her think that she, an actual earl’s daughter, might have made better use of the... Continue Reading →
Terms of Endearment by Larry McMurtry
“As usual, after one of her mother’s visits, Emma found herself feeling antagonistic, not merely toward her mother but also toward her husband and herself. Flap should have been there to defend himself, or her, or them. Her mother hadn’t really been on the attack; she had just been exercising her peculiar subtle genius for... Continue Reading →
The Scarlet Throne by Amy Leow
“‘As for you, Medha Yankaran”- I turn towards the girl, her burnished skin and sharply cut profile making her look like an apsara come alive- “from this day forth you are mine.” Harun hurries forward with a tray of paints in his hands. I sketch the Star of Rashmatun on her forehead, as I have... Continue Reading →
Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski
“’You say something is ending,’ Eithne slowly went on. ‘Not true. There are things that never end. You talk of survival? I am fighting to survive. Brokilon endures thanks to my fight, for trees live longer than men, as long as they are protected from your axes. You talk to me of kings and princes.... Continue Reading →