Starred Reviews for Gina María Balibrera, Rachel Harrison, Asha Thanki, Georgia Cloepfil, and more!

“Daré delivers
a gut-wrenching reminder that every woman has a lion inside her waiting to break free.” —Booklist, starred review

“In each
arresting, surprising, gorgeously realized tale, Shattuck considers how art and stories are passed down, misconstrued, and lost; how love can be tragic and insufficient; how chance meetings and buried secrets  resonate. Shattuck’s numinous stories shimmer with longing and loss, fate and beauty.” —Booklist, starred review

“Fans of Crazy Rich Asians will be delighted by another romantic, melodramatic treat from Kwan… A delicious novel that takes readers on a wild journey.” —Library Journal, starred review

“This unique take on the romantic road trip trope is sure to delight historical romance readers, especially those looking for charming queer stories.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Take the deadly mystery and vicious academic politics of The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older, stir in the magic and the romance of the “Emily Wilde” series by Heather Fawcett (but make it sapphic), add several drops of the political shenanigans of epic fantasy, and stir with a sharp, prickly thorn of a main character to get this fraught enemies-to-lovers fantasy. YA author Saft’s (A Fragile Enchantment) adult debut is highly recommended.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Soria’s newest book will wrap readers into a cozy world that they won’t want to leave. This fantasy romance is sure to enrapture readers looking for an atmospheric and lovable read, much like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Vibrant, raw, and deeply emotional, this novel is a manifesto about justice as much as it is a thrilling work of fiction.” —Library Journal, starred review

“This must-have anthology is a treasure trove not to be missed.” —Library Journal, starred review

“A devastating story of sisterhood, community, and memory, quietly magical and utterly unforgettable.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Ogawa (The Memory Police), an award-winning novelist both in her native Japan and in the United States, writes with exquisite artistry about the complications of a close-knit household whose members are quietly protective of its wounding secrets, as seen through the eyes of a young girl; the novel is beautifully translated by Snyder.” —Library Journal, starred review

“With a realistic protagonist who faces choices that are sometimes scarier than monsters, this book will have readers sinking their teeth in.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Drawing on historical events, Shafak vividly narrates the theft of artifacts, war, colonialism, environmental crises, and genocide. From her extensive research, she raises critical questions about one’s connection to and responsibility for the past in this highly readable and engrossing novel.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Readers who enjoy the work of Nadia Hashimi and E.M Tran are likely to embrace this deeply engaging and satisfying tale. Thanki is a new voice to definitely keep an eye on.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Originally self-published and now receiving a special edition with additional content from a big publisher, this debut novel and Book Tok sensation is highly recommended for romantasy lovers, especially fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Brodesser-Akner is a steady, imaginative, insightful writer, and there are riotous passages, haunting dybbuks, and unseen twists that make it thoroughly discussable. Readers will get lost and found in its universe of wealth, family, faith, and other fallible securities.” —Booklist, starred review

“Zoologist Kershenbaum, author of the delightful The Zoologist’s Guide to the Galaxy (2021), turns his eye to all of the sounds that animals make… This informal look at the science behind what animals are saying to each other lets the reader experience other species’ minds and dig into the science and study of communication.” —Booklist, starred review

“This engaging offering follows
four women from childhood to the current day as they navigate city life and establish careers,
documenting their struggles with school admissions and quotas, educational scams, unsafe working conditions, forays into social activism, and family and corporate intrigues.” —Booklist, starred review

“Cloepfil’s debut book is a marvelous love letter to soccer and a testament to the drive and determination of professional female athletes.” —Booklist, starred review

“At turns engaging, sad, and philosophical, this highly recommended title demonstrates that anyone can be a bird watcher by simply venturing into their own backyard and it encourages readers to be aware of the natural world around them. Fans of Tan’s fiction will love this, but so will most other general readers.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Lewis is masterful at subtly distinguishing the voices of Liberty, using cadence, intonation, and vocal amplification to heighten the tension of this absorbing psychological suspense. —AudioFile Earphones Award Winner

“Award-winning Whelan breathes life into Daphne and Miles’s story. She skillfully captures secondary characters, adding depth to each; one standout is her portrayal of the deceptively brusque Ashleigh, Daphne’s coworker and new friend… An essential purchase and a must-listen for all contemporary rom-com fans.”  —Library Journal Starred Review

“Whoopi Goldberg proves to be the perfect voice for John Grisham’s fascinating mystery about a haunted island off the coast of Florida settled by escaped enslaved people in the 1700s and now marked for development into a casino resort. She captures the courage and determination of the characters as, each in their own way, they try to save the uninhabited and inhospitable Dark Isle.”  —AudioFile Earphones Award Winner