Heather Fawcett just posted on her Instagram that a 4th Emily Wilde book is set to release in January of 2027! I love this series and I’m so excited for more stories in this world. According to the post it’ll be darker in tone than her previous installments.
{Emily Wilde by Heather Fawcett}
Photo courtesy of Heather Fawcett’s instagram
Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim is one of the most compelling and nuanced explorations of identity that I’ve ever come across. I was hooked from the first chapter and my fascination only increased as the story progressed. Sublimation is based on a world almost exactly like our own, with one vast difference in the form of instances. Instancing occurs when a person crosses a border into another territory or land, creating two distinct genetically identical copies of themselves referred to as instances. One instance departs while the other is forced to stay behind, effectively turning them into separate individuals.
The concept of instances in this fictionalized version of our world is a phenomenon that has existed for as long as people remember. Bits of lore and history are interspersed throughout the narrative, giving context and exposition. The inclusion of The Odyssey is particularly effective, acting as poignant symbolism for the desire to venture far from home while also wanting desperately to cling to the safety of familiarity.
Soyoung and Rose have been instances since childhood, after immigrating from Korea to America. While adult Soyoung’s life in Korea might seem idyllic from the outside, she harbors a fierce curiosity about her American counterpart, Rose, that borders on obsession. When their grandfather dies and Rose returns to Korea for the funeral, she and Soyoung interact for the first time since they became instances. Desperately coveting Rose’s memories and experiences, Soyoung makes a drastic choice that changes everything.
Yujin, Soyoung’s childhood best friend, has also experienced instancing. Him and his American instance YJ are actually friends who talk regularly about their plans to reintegrate. The Yujin/YJ POV chapters contain some of the book’s best material and his dynamic with Soyoung/Rose propels the plot forward. It’s no small feat to encapsulate the essence of four distinct personalities but Isabel J. Kim absolutely pulls it off. There is so much to parse through in the small, seemingly inconsequential moments that become much more impactful once the trajectory of the story becomes clear.
These characters are realistically flawed and believably imperfect. This book excels as a character study and pushes the reader to examine their own thoughts and internal struggles as a result. I found these insights to be painfully relatable in their depiction of the complicated, often chaotic experience of existence itself. This is a book that makes you think, makes you question, and makes you wonder.
There is a romance subplot that is secondary to the larger story being told and yet is substantial enough to warrant mention. It is inherently complicated given the nature of instances and the way the main characters lives and pasts are interwoven. At times I questioned what outcome I was even hoping for. It adds more texture and layers to the book overall and the ending especially.
I listened to the audiobook and both narrators deftly brought the characters to life and enhanced my experience with the story in their delivery. They conveyed the multitude of feelings and emotions so well and kept my attention throughout the whole book. Sublimation is available on June 2nd and I encourage every sci-fi fan to dive headfirst into what will most certainly become a standout in the genre.
5⭐️
{Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim}
Storm Breaker is the first book in a new trilogy by Nisha J. Tuli. Dystopian settings are definitely having their moment in the genre and I found this one to be particularly enjoyable, with solid POC representation. Poet Graves, the FMC, is the 19 year old daughter of a powerful scion in a futuristic Manhattan that exists in an era post catastrophic global warming. Earth is now plagued by electromagnetic storms and people with the rare ability to absorb the energy released from those storms have to hide their existence or risk being eliminated from the population. Poet must conceal this rare magical ability from everyone she knows, which becomes increasingly more difficult once she enters Amery Academy.
Amery Academy is divided into factions that mirror the social structure of New Manhattan. First year students must pledge a house to maintain their status as society members who are afforded a myriad of privileges only open to the select few who can make it through their schooling successfully. Rook, a mysterious new student who grew up outside the city walls, draws Poet’s eye despite her reluctant engagement to a fellow society member named Knox, someone hand picked by her father to increase his own power and social standing.
While there are deadly trials as part of the school’s training, the focus of the book is centered much more on Poet’s internal struggle for agency and autonomy given her father’s controlling nature and her mother’s deference towards him. The trials serve to demonstrate to both the readers and to Poet herself what she’s capable of and what choices she can and should make for her own life. The cutthroat nature of the school also makes sense in the context of a dystopian world where resources are scarce and the population desperately fears repeating the mistakes of the past.
This is a YA book, and my only major gripe with it was the slightly repetitive nature of Poet’s internal monologue, which I attribute to it being written for a YA audience. The stakes are laid out a few too many times, especially in the middle section when Poet’s motivations and dilemmas are already well established. This only slightly hindered my enjoyment of the book and I didn’t find the romance or the characters immature. I would consider this more upper YA/NA given the fact that the characters are college aged (and act like it).
The last stretch of the book really picks up speed with a bunch of revelations I didn’t see coming and an adrenaline fueled final few chapters. It does end on a pretty big cliffhanger but thankfully book 2 in the trilogy is set to release in September of 2026 (no official title yet).
4.25⭐️
{Storm Breaker by Nisha J. Tuli}
All Hail Chaos, the sequel to Long Live Evil and book 2 in the Time of Iron series, is just as zany, fun, entertaining, and heartwarming as I hoped it would be. Often it’s difficult to remember details from the previous installment once the next book in a series is released but thankfully the beginning chapters of All Hail Chaos efficiently summarize the pertinent information and events from Long Live Evil, allowing readers to jump in without worry.
Rae is immediately confronted with the way her actions have interfered with and altered the narrative of the fictional story she’s trapped in. Her task is to set things right and ensure her favorite characters turned real friends come out relatively unscathed. Rae’s resilience and determination to power through despite her myriad challenges is truly inspiring. Her experience with cancer and all that comes with it becomes a kind of superpower. She has already learned how to accept disappointment and move forward, and seeing how well that serves her now is so rewarding. What she does struggle with however is the ability to view herself as worthy and someone capable of heroism instead of merely a villainous side character.
Key is as unhinged and subtly charming as ever. I absolutely adore him and his romance with Rae. His devotion to her is not without its issues given his personality and inclinations but there are some wonderfully earnest and sweet moments between the two of them to savor. Emer’s storyline is another highlight and her character becomes even more integral to the plot as the mysteries surrounding her backstory and heritage are revealed. The reasons behind her abandonment at birth and inclination towards violence start to make a lot more sense given the context.
The meta aspect of the book injects the story with a style of wit and humor perfectly tailored to fans of the genre. It’s one of reasons why I love this series so much and find it so special. Equally as entertaining is the way real world references are deployed for comedic value and Eric (The Golden Cobra) is a source of endless enjoyment in this respect, especially when paired with Marius’s hilarious reactions.
I listened to the audiobook and once again Moria Quirk knocked it out of the park with her narration. She’s a phenomenal narrator and her delivery fits the humor of the story perfectly. I highly recommend this book, especially the audiobook version, and I can’t wait for the next installment in the series. I’m so eager to spend more time with a group of characters that have become so close to my heart and witness the shenanigans that will inevitably ensue. All Hail Chaos is out on May 12th.
4.75⭐️
{All Hail Chaos by Sarah Rees Brennan}
The Girl with a Thousand Faces is part historical fiction and part mythology inspired fantasy, blending these elements into a poignantly moving tale about trauma and survival. The story is set in Hong Kong and the non linear narrative structure consists of several timelines, one of which takes place in 1975 and another in the early 1940’s during WWII and the Japanese occupation. Mercy Chan is a 53 year old woman in the 1975 timeline, and works as a ghost talker, urging unsettled spirits to seek their revenge and tie up the loose ends that are tethering them to the mortal plane of existence.
The story is set primarily in Kowloon Walled City, a real place that existed in Hong Kong up until it was demolished in the 1990’s. Kowloon is a character in its own right and is vividly rendered. It’s a city that pulses with vitality and yet is imperfect and scarred, marked by history and just as affected by a tumultuous past as its citizens. Kowloon is overrun with ghosts and vengeful spirits, demonstrating the full scale of trial and tragedy its people have endured.
It’s hard to talk about the 1940’s timeline and events without spoiling anything but the twists and reveals are both shocking and heart wrenching. The shift into the past was swift, but I quickly acclimated and became more and more invested as the truth came to light. The portrayal of a mother/daughter dynamic rife with conflict was so raw and authentic in its depiction and I felt the grief and sorrow intensely along with the characters.
At the heart of this book is an examination of loss, rage, and the unjust brutality that has existed in our world throughout eras. It is utterly human despite being based in the supernatural, and the complex interplay of generational trauma with larger societal shifts is handled with deft and insight. This is the type of writing that I seek out and treasure. The prose is masterful in its descriptions and creative use of language and metaphor. Small phrases stuck with me, gripping me with their introspection and depth. The section detailing the events surrounding WWII and the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong was especially moving and expertly written to convey the devastation and its impact on the everyday lives of ordinary people.
I listened to the audiobook and Natalie Naudus delivers a perfect performance, something I’ve come to expect from her. She is such a talented narrator with perfect pacing, tone, emotional range, and consistent accents. I am always more inclined to purchase an audiobook when she is credited and I’m so glad I was able to experience this book with her voice to guide me through it.
The Girl with a Thousand Faces is out on May 5th