Patricia_S1

The Insomniacs by Allison Winn Scott is a fun, charming, quick read—exactly the kind of novel you can finish in a couple sittings and feel happy you picked it up. The premise is intriguing: four strangers, all awake when the rest of the world is asleep, slowly become friends and build a small but meaningful chosen family. Along the way, the book taps into themes of loneliness and connection without getting intensely dramatic.

The characters are engaging and distinct (occasionally irritating in a very human way), though the development is not particularly deep. The mystery and suspense unfold at a gentle pace and can be a bit predictable—this is more cozy curiosity than edge-of-your-seat intensity.

Overall, I'd give it four stars for being warm, readable, and consistently enjoyable. If you're looking for a light story with a touch of mystery, it's a great pick; if you want intense drama or nail-biting suspense, this one may feel too low-key.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley.

Canwen Xu's debut novel, Boring Asian Female, is a sharp, unsettling, and often compelling read. While not without its flaws, it left a strong impression and marks Xu as an author worth watching. The story follows Elizabeth Zhang, an ambitious and deeply unlikeable protagonist who nevertheless remains fascinating. A former high school valedictorian and current Columbia student, Elizabeth is determined to reject the stereotype of the "meek, submissive Asian woman." Instead, she evolves into a coldly calculating anti hero whose obsessive drive for success spirals after her rejection from Harvard Law School. What follows is a descent into resentment, entitlement, and serious mental health struggles, set against the competitive backdrop of academia.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its total immersion into Elizabeth's internal world. The narrative immerses the reader completely into Elizabeth's thoughts, including her habit of ranking everyone she encounters into percentiles of attractiveness and intelligence. This fixation serves as a scathing critique of a culture that equates self worth with numbers, prestige, and relentless productivity.

At times, this psychological immersion can feel exhausting, and a few plot points strain believability. However, these moments are easy to forgive within the context of fiction, especially given how effectively they convey Elizabeth's deteriorating mental state. The intensity ultimately feels purposeful rather than gratuitous.

Overall, Boring Asian Female is a bold debut that tackles ambition, racism, and self destruction. While it may not resonate with every reader, those drawn to character driven literary fiction and morally complex protagonists will find much to admire. I look forward to reading future works by Canwen Xu.

The premise of The House of Hidden Letters intrigued me when I read the description. Skye, the main character, wins a lottery to purchase a neglected home on a Greek island for one euro. During the renovation, a bundle World War II-era letters written by the previous resident are discovered. The story then proceeds with two timelines, that of Skye in the present and of Katerina during World War II. It is an interesting story, and the characters are likeable but I did not find them to be well-developed. While the author provides a wonderful vision of the island's beauty and the warmth of its community. I found the first half slow and struggled to maintain interest. I found the second half of the book to more engaging, overall delivering a pleasant story of friendship, fresh starts, and romance. Please note that the novel does touch on themes of mental abuse and the tragedy of war.

My thanks to BookBrowse, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing this ARC in return for an honest review.

When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee is a novel that weaves together threads of Singaporean history, fantasy, queer romance, and action. set in a world of gangsters who serve as conduits for their gods/goddesses. Set against the backdrop of a world where gangsters act as vessels for their gods and goddesses, the novel invites readers into a realm of magic and myth.

The story centers on Adeline Siow, a loner schoolgirl gifted with the power to summon flames. Her journey to uncover the truth behind her mother's death draws her into the mysterious Red Butterfly gang—a group of girls who, like Adeline, possess the gift of fire. This premise is both intriguing and original, promising a blend of danger, discovery, and heartfelt connection. For me, however, that promise was not fully met.

Lee's prose is often hauntingly lyrical, evoking grief, tenderness, love, and longing, as well as intense violence with sensitivity. The world-building is intricate, and the cast of characters is interesting although I felt that many lacked significant character development. Despite the book's strengths, the characters and plot did not fully draw me in. It was a slow read for me.

Nevertheless, the novel sparked a genuine curiosity about Singaporean history and the real Red Butterfly female gang, underscoring Lee's ability to root fantasy in cultural reality.

Ultimately, When They Burned the Butterfly is a bold and imaginative debut—a tapestry of history, magic, and empowered women. Though it did not resonate with me on every level, I appreciate its ambition and the complex world Wen-yi Lee has crafted. This is a novel for readers eager to explore new landscapes, both literal and emotional, and for those seeking stories where the boundaries between reality and myth are blurred.

My thanks to Tor Publishing Group and Wen-yi Li for this Advanced Reader Copy.

I really wanted to like "Next Time Will Be Our Turn" by Jesse Q. Sutanto, a novel that centers on the relationship between Magnolia, a 73-year-old grandmother, and her grand daughter Izzy. Magnolia shares her life story with Izzy in an effort to help her accept and become comfortable with her gay identity. The book touches on important themes such as identity, queerness, sisterhood, and resistance against patriarchy across cultures.

However, despite the promise of its subject matter, I struggled to connect with the characters. Magnolia's voice, intended to convey wisdom and lived experience, often felt more like that of a teenager than a septuagenarian. The character of Izzy, who at first seems poised to play a central role, is disappointingly underdeveloped. Her presence is felt only sporadically, and when Magnolia does address her, it feels abrupt, as if she suddenly recalls her granddaughter's presence.

From a personal perspective, certain conversations where Magnolia discusses her sexual feelings and sexual activities then wonders how Izzy turned out to be such a "prude" felt condescending and detracted from the authenticity of their relationship from my perspective.

While the novel's exploration of important themes is commendable, I found the storytelling and character development lacking. The narrative's potential is clear, but for me, the execution fell short.

My thanks to Berkley and Jesse Q. Sutanto for the Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of late 17th- and early 18th-century Virginia, This Here is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry is a searing historical novel that explores the entangled destinies of four families. With a particular focus on two enslaved individuals, Bless and David, and the enslaver Jack Dane/Crewe, Perry crafts a narrative where childhood traumas cast long shadows over the lives and choices of her characters.

The emotional landscape of this novel is both vast and intimate. Perry excels at rendering her characters with remarkable depth. Each is portrayed in a nuanced and authentic manner. Perry's characters are flawed, sometimes unlikeable, and always profoundly human. The reader is drawn into their joys, sorrows, moments of tenderness, and eruptions of fury in world engulfed in the horrors of slavery.

As the lives of Bless, David, and Jack progress and become intertwined, Perry's storytelling shines. The convergence of their fates is handled with a deftness that keeps the reader engaged and invested. The prose is evocative and immersive, drawing the reader into the physical and psychological realities of the era.

"This Here is Love" is an unflinching examination of slavery's brutality, depicting violence and its lasting physical and emotional scars. The novel explores identity, love, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. It is not for those seeking a light, escapist read—rather, it is a powerful, thought-provoking work that demands reflection.

"This Here is Love" is a testament to the complexities of history and the indomitable nature of hope. My thanks to W.W. Norton & Company and the author for providing an Advanced Reader Copy.

The Funeral Cryer is a well-written book. The author presents the story in a somewhat detached manner using the tool of anonymity. The reader never learns the name of the funeral cryer and other characters are simply referenced as the husband, the brother, the daughter, the barber, etc. However, I believe this emphasizes the poignant, intimate thoughts and emotions the funeral cryer shares about her interactions with others. She yearns for a strong emotional connection with another person, something that has escaped her even during marriage and motherhood. Rather than living life, the funeral cryer has just allowed life to happen to and around her through the years and now she is searching for something more. The action of plot is primarily the emotional journey of the funeral cryer. This was not a "can't put it down" type of book for me. It was more of a leisurely read with pauses throughout. However, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. I am interested to see the development of future works by this author.

This was a fun, lighthearted read, which I quite enjoyed. The characters were likable and the juxtaposition of a free-spirited older character and a rather conservative, "younger character don't break the rules" was a nice twist. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a nice escape from the world through reading.

Susanne Pari successfully captures the dynamics of relationships in an immigrant family facing generational cultural clashes, traumatic experiences, long-held secrets, and differing personalities. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, although not always likable - but that is to be expected in a realistic portrayal of family interactions. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will definitely recommend it to others when it is released.

I am not typically a big fan of books about psychics/mediums, but must say I enjoyed Nan Fischer's tale. It was a quick read. I found the characters to be believable. Sylvie struggles with trying to decide whether she herself believes in her psychic-medium "gift". Thomas struggles with overcoming biases based upon personal experience as he looks for evidence that Sylvie is a fraud. They both exhibit both human strengths and weaknesses. The pets are a nice addition to the book, adding a different way to observe the characters personalities. Overall, while the book is not a masterpiece, it is a thoroughly enjoyable story with a satisfying conclusion.