November 2020 TBR

Full disclosure, I am terrible at sticking to a TBR and likely by the time this month is over I will only have successfully read about half of these … but here are the reads catching my attention for November. (Of course I will likely stuff in a few holiday romances here and there, because they are necessary to life.)

Ninth House

Written by Leigh Bardugo

Published by Flatiron Books

It is unforgivable that I, who have read every single thing Queen Leigh has written, have still not read this. I know there are mixed opinions on Ninth House, mainly it is quite slow to start, but I know this is Bardugo’s style and she always delivers a dynamic ending. What I know: We follow Alex, a high school drop out who has lived a disturbingly dark, dangerous life, is the sole survivor of a multiple homicide, and is the most recent, unexpected student at Yale University. Mysterious benefactors have charged Alex with the task of spying on Yale’s secret societies – dark groups of the rich, famous and high ranking politicos practicing in the occult and dangerous.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

The Forgotten Kingdom

Written by Signe Pike

Published by Atria Books

This is the second instalment in the amazing The Lost Queen series you all are sleeping on. Signe Pike reimagines the story of Merlin (the real historical figure, not the Disney creation) but from the perspective of his lost-to-history sister, Queen Languoreth. This series has completely immersible world building, fantastically sharp characters, and a wholly enjoyable central tough-as-nails heroine. Signe Pike brings her immense scholarly knowledge to this series without simply “info dumping” on the reader. It’s a romantic, sweeping, historical fiction fantasy that is one of my ultimate favourite reads. Naturally, I have very high expectations of this sequel.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

The City We Became

Written by N.K. Jemisin

Published by Orbit Books

Considered one of the greatest fantasy writers of our time, I am super intrigued by this reimagined “Sentient-style” New York City in which each major borough of NYC is represented by a different human avatar. Manhattan is a multiracial grad student; Brooklyn is an African American rap star/lawyer; Queens is an Indian math whiz; the Bronx is a tough Lenape woman; and Staten Island is an Irish American woman who wants nothing to do with the other four. Together they must band together to save the primary avatar – New York – from a dark, ancient evil set on destroying it.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

The Marrow Thieves

Written by Cherie Dimaline

Published by Dancing Cat Books

This highly acclaimed, own-voices Canadian author has created a super intriguing dystopian young adult fantasy world in which Indigenous people’s bone marrow is hunted and harvested in order to allow white people the ability to dream … but the harvesting of their marrow means death for the donor. The story follows a fifteen year old boy and his companions as they struggle to stay one step ahead of their captures.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

Black Sun

Written by Rebecca Roanhorse

Published by Gallery/Saga Press

A new fantasy series inspired by civilizations of Pre-Columbian Americas, I am very interested by this story that claims to be a “woven tale of celestial prophecies, political intrigue, and forbidden magic.” From Goodreads: In the holy city of Tova, the winter solstice is usually a time for celebration and renewal, but this year it coincides with a solar eclipse, a rare celestial event proscribed by the Sun Priest as an unbalancing of the world. Meanwhile, a ship launches from a distant city bound for Tova and set to arrive on the solstice. The captain of the ship, Xiala, is a disgraced Teek whose song can calm the waters around her as easily as it can warp a man’s mind. Her ship carries one passenger. Described as harmless, the passenger, Serapio, is a young man, blind, scarred, and cloaked in destiny. As Xiala well knows, when a man is described as harmless, he usually ends up being a villain.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

Maybe in Another Life

Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Published by Washington Square Press

To break up the fantasy this month I’m turning to one of my favourite authors who is the queen master of character development, creating characters so dynamically real you feel you know them personally. This story follows twenty-nine year old Hannah who still doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life – don’t we all? – but one night, at a Gala with her friend Gabby, she has a decision: go home with Gabby or her old high school boyfriend Ethan? The story then splits into parallel timelines where we follow Hannah and what would happen if she made each choice.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

A Rogue of One’s Own

Written by Evie Dunmore

Published by Berkley Books

Book two in the incredibly charming, funny, steamy, historical fiction romance series – The League of Extraordinary Women – this is another lighthearted romance I’m turning to between fantasy reads.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

Rebel Spy

Written by Veronica Rossi

Published by Delacorte Press

This young adult historical fiction is a lightly based retelling of Agent 355 – a New York society girl and spy for George Washington during the revolutionary war. After a shipwreck near her home in Grand Bahama Island, Frannie is presented with an opportunity – steal the identity of the drowned Lady Emmaline Coates and escape her cruel stepfather aboard a British merchant ship. Three years later we follow Frannie in NYC as she is working as Agent 355.

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

Star Daughter

Written by Shveta Thakrar

Published by HarperTeen

I’ll be honest – I’m quite drawn to this YA Fantasy largely because it deals with stars and all things celestial! A Stardust inspired fantasy that combines Hindu Mythology, star born powers, and a quest into ancestral history to save a beloved father. Sounds like the celestial fantasy of my dreams!

You can find a copy here: Bookshop.org

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