Bellosio: An Age of Miracles
by John Shekleton
A World Built Wide but Not Deep (5/29/2026)
Bellosio: An Age of Miracles by John Skeleton is an expansive dive into a fictional world populated by numerous species and complex political landscapes. As someone who prefers character driven stories, I found this a difficult read. The perspective shifts constantly between multiple characters with no clear timeline, made the story hard to follow. The world Shekleton builds has some noticeable similarities to the Star Wars universe — the 'cog' bears a strong resemblance to the Force, and the 'cog devotees' fill a role similar to the Jedi. The various species are introduced with little backstory, which added to my confusion. Border's character arc was perhaps the most frustrating element. He undergoes the most significant transformation in the book, yet there is little convincing motivation behind his change. The book also ends without resolution, clearly setting up a series rather than telling a complete story. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy expansive epic sci-fi world-building and aren't concerned with emotional character development.
A Pair of Aces
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Ladies Who Beat the Mob (5/24/2026)
A Pair of Aces by Victoria Christopher Murray is an interesting twist on the typical mob story. I enjoyed the dual points of view of both Polly and Eunice — both characters are well developed and easy to engage with. Their eventual friendship is one of the book's most appealing elements, though it felt underdeveloped and was ultimately overshadowed by the central conflict with the mob. What Eunice achieves without any meaningful male support is one of the book's most compelling threads. Her husband is an unlikeable and selfish figure throughout, which makes his last minute revelation that he was proud of her feel unearned and contrived. I also wished for more backstory on the Lion and the women who worked for Polly, as those characters hinted at richer stories that deserved more page time. Overall this is a strong example of historical fiction centered on complex female characters. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a fresh take on mob stories, New York in the 1930s, or historical fiction featuring strong female leads.
The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant
by Liza Tully
Strong Start, Room to Grow (5/2/2026)
The World's Greatest Detective and Her Just Okay Assistant by Liza Tully is an enjoyable read with some interesting characters. I appreciated the premise and the juxtaposition between Merritt and Blunt — their dynamic has a distinct Devil Wears Prada quality. That said, most of the book's energy is devoted to developing that central relationship and introducing the world for a future series, which means the mystery and supporting characters don't receive the attention they deserve. The supporting cast in particular feels one-dimensional and run-of-the-mill. The ending also overstays its welcome, with Merritt walking through every clue in a way that could have been handled much more efficiently. Overall though, this is a promising start to a series with compelling main characters. With the world-building now established, I hope future installments are better able to focus on the mystery and the characters surrounding Merritt and Blunt. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries, quick reads, and strong female characters.
Henry Tudor Must Die
by Jillian Laine
Don't Judge This One by Its Title (4/20/2026)
Henry Tudor Must Die by Jillian Laine is a book with an original plot, wonderfully developed characters, and a satisfying ending. I particularly enjoyed the character arcs of Anne and Lina, both remained wonderfully relatable and satisfyingly flawed throughout. It was refreshing to find a story centered on older female characters who feel fully realized rather than decorative. Though the plot is fictional, the historical settings are impressively rendered and feel well-researched. The one caveat I'd offer is that the title does the book a disservice because the focus on killing Henry Tudor occupies only the final portion of the story, while the real heart of the book lies in the relationships between its female characters. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys original historical fiction, female-driven storylines, and strong character development.
Aphrodite in Pieces
by Lauren J. A. Bear
A Goddess Misunderstood (4/3/2026)
Aphrodite in Pieces by Lauren J.A. Bear is a thought-provoking blend of ancient myth and modern social commentary that I couldn't put down. Even coming in with little knowledge of Greek mythology, I found the story completely accessible and engaging. What sets this book apart is how the author examines the way Aphrodite was misunderstood and diminished by the misogyny surrounding her, from both men and women, reducing a powerful goddess of love and beauty to something lesser. It's a theme that feels remarkably relevant today. The characters are equally compelling, flawed and realistic in a way that makes them feel genuinely human. Their complexity keeps the story grounded even as it weaves between myth and the modern world.Whether you're a fan of historical fiction, Greek mythology, or just a really good story, I'd highly recommend Aphrodite in Pieces.
The Young Will Remember
by Eve J. Chung
A Powerful Look at an Overlooked War (3/1/2026)
The Young Will Remember is a complex story with strong character development, an engaging setting, and an honest historical context. The characters are nuanced and presented through multiple points of view. I especially appreciated the emotional journey Ellie experiences throughout the novel. I haven't read much historical fiction set during the Korean War, particularly one that includes perspectives from North Koreans, Chinese, Chinese Americans, and Americans.
My main critique concerns the inclusion of telegrams from U.S. politicians and letters from Emma and Ella. While I understand the intent to include the perspective of U.S. military leadership, these sections didn't add much to the story or move it forward and could have been handled differently or omitted.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to readers interested in historical fiction about an underrepresented time period with complex characters.
I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home
by Fergus Craig
Murder, Mayhem, and a Memorable Anti-Hero (2/7/2026)
I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig was a fun, quick read with memorable characters. The mystery remains central to the story, while the character development enhances rather than distracts from the main plot. The book balances humor well and features an engaging anti-hero in Carol. If you enjoy a fast-paced mystery with quirky characters and a darkly comic tone, I highly recommend this novel.
The Midnight Taxi
by Yosha Gunasekera
A Strong Voice, a Soft Mystery (11/28/2025)
Overall, I liked the book. It was interesting to read a story from a point of view you don't often encounter, and I appreciated the uniqueness of the narrator's voice. However, the mystery felt more like a side element and didn't pick up steam until about halfway through. It was also fairly easy to guess the culprit, and some of the circumstances surrounding the crime felt implausible. The main character's inner monologue and frequent flashbacks became distracting at times, and there was a lot of world-building that didn't always feel necessary.
On a positive note, the story wraps up quickly and doesn't rely on cliffhangers. If you enjoy a character-driven story (especially one with a rare perspective) and don't mind the mystery taking a backseat, I would recommend this as a quick, easy read. The writing is approachable, with occasional touches of humor.
