Have I mentioned there’s a new mascot for All Dragons Read in the house? I won’t say much more at the moment but hopefully he’ll be up for his debut photo shoot soon! Until then, here’s what I’ve been reading this past week…
The Week in Books
Faithless by Hunter Shea — 4.5/5 out of 5 stars
4.5 stars, rounding up for Goodreads and NetGalley. Father Raul Figeuroa loses his family in a horrific act of violence. His faith is shattered so he retreats to his aunt’s abandoned house, hoping to fade away in a sea of alcohol and drugs. Then strange things start to happen…
I can’t say much more about the plot without giving away some big spoilers so I’ll just say this: Faithless is one helluva ride! I was hooked from the beginning, constantly wondering what would be waiting around the next corner. With memorable characters and some truly spooky moments, this has quickly become my favorite Hunter Shea novel to date. Be sure to mark your calendars for its upcoming release date of October 19, 2021 (just in time for Halloween!). Thanks to Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for the early ecopy.
Bone Black by Carol Rose Golden Eagle — 4 out of 5 stars
Wren’s twin sister goes missing after the pair visit a local bar. After the local law enforcement dismisses the case, Wren begins a descent into a dark place within her and begins to seek revenge not only for her sister but for others who had justice fail them. While initially this story begins as a sort of cautionary tale exploring the plight of indigenous women (the large number who go missing each year and the lack of police involvement in trying to find them), it quickly turns dark and disturbing. While I felt the pacing seemed a bit off at times, I found myself totally absorbed in Wren’s story. Perhaps not for everyone, but one I would definitely recommend.
The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay — 3.5 out of 5 stars
My August TBR selection. A strange pandemic is sweeping through Australia. The main symptom? People can now hear the thoughts of all animals. Jean, an alcoholic grandmother who works as a guide at a local wildlife park, sets out across this strange new land in search of her granddaughter and son, taking with her a dingo named Sue. I found the overall story to be quite good and strangely prophetic (as in the human reactions, not the whole hearing animals speak thing). While I thought it started out pretty strong, I found my interest waning in the last quarter or so, and I didn’t find the ending very satisfying. But if you’re looking for something different in the dystopian future genre you still might want to give this a try.
Stay safe and Happy Reading!