Callie knows who they are (not a girl) and who they’re supposed to be (a knight), but the kingdom of Helston operates on strict binaries: boys are knights, girls have magic. Callie and their friends choose to fight the system against great odds and learn that bravery is doing the right thing, even when it’s …
This dark academic fantasy will have you devouring page after page. Every ten years the Alexandrian Society, a secret society of elite magic users, offers a select few the chance to secure a spot within the society. Six talented and powerful individuals are chosen, but only five will have the honor of being inducted. Blake’s …
Like her mother many years before her, Ingrid suffered a serious head injury that left her with a temporary amnesia. The result for both women was to gain powers that had been within their lineage for generations – clairvoyancy, healing and the ability to communicate with spirits. At the center of the story is Ingrid’s …
On Wednesdays, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Bestseller list is published. Every week, we love to see what has been most popular in independent bookstores around our region. As we peruse the list, we ponder patterns. Then we present this weekly feature: Thursday Themes. This week’s bestseller spotlight shines on fantasy titles (along with some …
Oh, what fun! Mystery buffs know what it means when I say “locked room mystery.” It’s one of those murders that can’t happen – and yet, it does! So who did it… how was it accomplished… and why? With lots of interesting potential killers and amazingly tantalizing possible motives as well, you’ll likely not guess …
Battle of the Linguist Mages is a mad bastard of a book, and that is high praise. On the one hand, it’s a pretty familiar story (young woman learns that magic in a video game has real power) with familiar elements of course there are nefarious forces arrayed to exploit them AND her)… but they …
Every now and then, a book comes along that stirs the excitement of the entire bookshop. This is that book. In the debut novel from Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman, The Hunger Games meets magical realism. Every generation, seven families must send a tribute to fight to the death in a secret battle for …
From A Good Book in Sumner, WA: Before we claw back an hour or so of daylight the weekend after Ghouls & Goblins Night, here are a trio of mood-settings that are best read by candlelight. First up, there’s Witchcraft, the next volume in Taschen’s Library of Estoerica. It’s Taschen. It’s about spooky stuff at …
Katrina is on the run to find a better life when she is discovered by famed violin teacher Shizuka– who happens to be searching for one more soul to finish her deal with Hell. As she trains Katrina, Shizuka also meets Lan, former starship captain turned donut shop owner. I was entranced by this story …
At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England’s history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England–until the reclusive Mr. Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician …
