Good Reads & Views

Fairy Tale: A Novel by Stephen King
Fiction 

What it’s about: 17-yr. old Charlie befriends an elderly recluse and his dog. When the recluse dies, Charlie inherits the dog, Radar, and the house, including a shed that is the portal to another world. It is into this world Charlie needs to travel to turn back the clock on the life of the dying Radar. And what a magical - but dangerous - world it turns out to be...

Reviewers say: “Narnia on the Penobscot: a grand, and naturally strange, entertainment from the ever prolific King…A tale that's at once familiar and full of odd and unexpected twists--vintage King, in other words” (Kirkus Reviews).

Good to know: Excellent on audio. Seth Numrich won the 2023 Audie award for Best Male Narrator for Fairy Tale.

Visit Astrid’s My Librarian Page

From Blood and Ash  by Jennifer Armentrout
YA Fiction

What it’s about: The Maiden is revered and hidden from society before her Ascension, the most important day of her life. Her every move is controlled by the Duke and Duchess, even her own powers. Aching for freedom and excitement she sneaks away and comes face to face with a handsome young guard, little does she know he will eventually change her entire course and everything she was taught to believe. Meanwhile, rumblings of unrest in the Kingdom and the constant threat of The Dark One loom and threaten the lives of everyone.  

Tell me more: The first book in this on-going fantasy series provides subtle tension and suspense to propel the storyline with a wonderful slow burn romance that creates a delectable mix. It provides a unique twist on the usual vampire and werewolf paranormal, making this a layered and unexpected fantasy.  

For fans of: Sarah J Maas and Laura Thalassa. 

Visit Carly’s My Librarian Page

The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher
Fiction

What it’s about: In a fantasy world where humans have retreated to Spires far above the deadly surface, Merchant Captain Grimm flies his merchant ship Predator for Spire Albion until he is tapped to lead a team of agents on a secret mission.

Why you might like it: The cast of characters is large yet  nonetheless fully realized. Humor is mixed equally with suspense. The main characters are fundamentally good people caught up in an epic battle. It is the first in a series, and a lot of the world is yet to be explored by the characters.

You might also like: The Guns Above by Robyn Bennis another steampunk world with airships.

Visit Kristin’s My Librarian Page

The Falcons of Fire and Ice by Karen Maitland
Fiction

The locations are Portugal and Iceland in the 16^th century, and the Inquisition is in full swing. Isabela’s father, the Royal Falconer, is imprisoned on false charges and only the procurement of two rare white falcons from Iceland will free him. Isabela has one year to make the trip to Iceland and return with the two falcons, but there are forces at play that don’t want her to succeed and many obstacles are put in her way. Maitland does a beautiful job describing the harsh life and barren landscape of Iceland in this dark and brooding tale which contains a strong touch of the supernatural. Gloomy, but less so than the author's other books.