Announcing the February 2024 LibraryReads List

“We’re all used to the Viking stories that center around men. This story features Freya, who has to marry a fanatical chieftain to protect her family and her land. She’s been blessed with magical powers, and it’s been foretold that she’ll be the one to unite the kingdoms. This is a great start to a new series that will appeal to everyone who enjoys nonstop action with a strong female warrior and a steamy love story to boot.”—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX

NoveList read-alike: The Serpent & the Wings of Night by Clarissa Broadbent

“In a world where leviathan blood allows people to acquire amazing abilities, a brilliant investigator, Ana, and her sidekick in training, an “engraver” named Din capable of recalling details with amazing accuracy, work together to uncover the culprit behind the grisly death of a wealthy official. This hugely enjoyable fantasy and mystery blend will leave readers eager for another installment.”—Mara Bandy Fass, Champaign Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison

“Three teens are newly back from the dead. Endowed with mysterious magical powers, they have to figure out how they died and what to do to keep from returning to the world of the dead. A huge cast of characters from the underworld and from their cute New England seaside town help (and hinder) them. This romantic, sexy, funny, and queer novel is recommended for readers who enjoy mythology and magical hijinks.”—Emily Heath, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

NoveList read-alike: Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey

“Orange’s second novel is a stunning achievement, depicting over a century’s worth of atrocities against the indigenous people of America, while also being a multigenerational family story full of the richly drawn, fascinating characters first introduced in There, There.”—Rachel Rooney, Mid-Continent Public Library, MO

NoveList read-alike: Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah

“The aftermath of grief following the unexpected death of Annie is told through the eyes of husband Bill, 13-year-old daughter, Ali, and best friend, Annemarie. Written with tenderness and raw emotion, the novel lets readers see into the hearts of these characters as they deal with the day-to-day realities of surviving life minus the person they most loved.”—Sarah Siegel, Long Beach Public Library, NY

NoveList read-alike: In Every Moment, We Are Still Alive by Tom Malmquist