Something is amiss with the world’s magic. Spells don’t work the way they used to—when they work at all. Only the powers of the Crystal Mages remain as they were, powers founded on the use of the mystical element adamis, the harvesting of which has enslaved the peoples of the ... more >
Yesterday we held a conversation about redemption and reparation in the genre. Today we talk about the book redemptions that worked or didn’t work for us. Janine: What are some examples of books where redemption or reparation felt sincere, meaningful and satisfying? What are examples of books where you ... more >
A couple of weeks before Yom Kippur, Judaism’s Day of Atonement, I started this conversation about redemption and reparation in the genre. I’ve scrapped my original intro because the Yom Kippur is well past, so I’ll just say that Rose (once a DA reviewer) joined us for this one and ... more >
Midwife Mabel Antonoff is used to catching babies at short notice—just not in a busy hardware store, and definitely not alongside her high school ex. She could’ve happily gone another decade without seeing Sam Strauss, but she needs a pair of hands, and his are steady. As the ambulance leaves ... more >
Lemony Snicket meets Roald Dahl in this riotously funny, deliciously macabre, and highly illustrated sequel to The Beast and the Bethany in which Bethany and Ebenezer try to turn over a new leaf, only to have someone—or something—thwart them at every turn. Once upon a very badly behaved time, 511-year-old ... more >
Janine: Layla and I reviewed Joanna Lowell’s last two historicals and when I saw that this one was coming out, I asked her if she would like to review it together as well. She agreed. The Runaway Duchess is the story of Lavinia Yardley, who was engaged to Anthony, Duke ... more >