Booklist Reviews

By Deanna Raybourn

As always, Raybourn (A Perilous Undertaking, 2017) writes with verve and wit. This time, however, she brings a new level of depth to her characters as Veronica discovers her first real home in London and the enigmatic Stoker confronts his harrowing past. A Victorian Phryne Fisher, Veronica is an irresistible, modern, engaging woman who uses scientific observation and natural charm to guide her investigations.

By L. Penelope

Through Kyara and Darvyn, Penelope has once again created an irresistible power couple who use their wits, empathy, and mutual trust to fight impossible odds. Like Elsira, Lagrimar is a richly realized world, made the more vivid through Penelope’s beautiful descriptions and engrossing characters.

By Shannon Chakraborty

Chakraborty, best-selling author of the widely acclaimed Daevabad Trilogy, here begins a new series that follows the high-seas adventures of an unusually tall, middle-aged, Muslim pirate captain with a bad knee and a gold tooth . . . This pirate fantasy set in the medieval Middle East will appeal to a wide range of readers, just as Chakraborty’s books have in the past.

By Zeyn Joukhadar

Debut-novelist Joukhadar intersperses Nour’s struggles with her father’s favorite tale: in the twelfth century, Rawiya disguises herself as a man to apprentice to a cartographer, which allows her to travel the world on epic, fantasy-filled adventures . . . This imaginative yet very real look into war-torn Syria is a must.

By Soniah Kamal

[Pride & Prejudice’s] classic plot unfolds, but with rich descriptions of colorful, chiffon anarkalis instead of empire-waist gowns, chai and samosas instead of tea and scones . . . This love letter to Austen reexamines sisterhood, society, and marriage in Pakistani culture and includes a fleshed-out epilogue that will satisfy today’s readers.

By Sonali Dev

Thrilling action sequences and a complex, weighty romance propel this smart, sensitive story. A natural wordsmith, Dev dives into the psyches of disparate characters with voice-driven prose that includes both chilling insights and quirky humor.

By Deanna Raybourn

Imagine if the Golden Girls were trained as elite assassins and you’ll have some idea of the delights and thrills filling the pages of Raybourn’s latest . . . Her descriptions about aging are both funny (comparing saggy boobs to melted ice cream) and bitter, as the women recognize that some skills don’t come as readily as they once did. But, most of all, this is a fun, exciting romp that celebrates the everlasting bonds of sisterhood.

By Gail Carriger

Carriger’s characteristically droll, voice-driven writing alternates between Prim, who certainly lives up to her name, and her socially obtuse brother. High jinks and peril abound as the Custard navigates uncharted air currents, and the characters bicker over everything from Thomas Aquinas to tasseled hats.

By Colin Gigl

The inner workings of the institute are a whole lot of fun to learn about as Gigl subtly examines the multiple ways people view, fear, and approach death. A witty, heartwarming, modern-day fairy tale highly recommended for fans of “quirky” stories.

By Gabe Hudson

The whole novel reads like a mad scramble to find the right date for prom, complete with nerds and jocks—but mainly dragons. Recommend this one to fans of offbeat science fiction and fantasy, such as the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series.

By GennaRose Nethercott

In her first novel, Nethercott’s quiet, lyrical, yet potent prose likewise breathes life into this stirring, multigenerational fairy tale, which suggests that you will always carry your ancestors’ suffering within you, even when you know little of your own family history.

By K. Eason

This has been pitched as Princess Bride meets Princess Leia, which is a tall order to fill, but, by golly, does it succeed! Eason adds a feminist modern twist to fairy tale and sf tropes while presenting an intergalactic adventure that enthralls in its own right, striking that ideal balance between original and familiar.

By Tim Hanley

Betty and Veronica reflect our culture’s ever-changing perception of teen girls, and by quoting their most memorable stories, Hanley illustrates how they have become role models, showcasing full-color comic covers as examples.

By Mindy Johnson

Johnson details the creative process behind every Disney feature—how it deviated from its predecessors; how animation techniques advanced; and how it relied on the amazing, often-overlooked work done by women . . . This lavishly illustrated, large-format volume also includes an index and a gallery of artists, listing their names, working years, and job titles.

By Wendy Jones

In a fascinating mash-up of literary analysis and neuroscience, psychotherapist and former English professor Jones attributes Jane Austen’s everlasting appeal to her ability to empathize. With deep research and convincing arguments, Jones cites numerous examples of how Austen understood the brain even before science could explain its inner workings.

By Nathalia Holt

Using letters, interviews with family members, and archived documents, Holt captures the full scope of Disney history, from Snow White to Moana, through intimate portraits of the women who worked there. This groundbreaking work laments the discrimination these artists endured while celebrating the verve, creativity, and resiliency they drew on to bring beautiful art and three-dimensional characters to the big screen.

By Elisabete Erlandson and others

This fascinating collection compiles stories from some of the first women Imagineers, whose talent and tenacity allowed them to climb the company’s ranks in the late twentieth century. Occasional stories of workplace sexism crop up, but for the most part these anecdotes focus on the Imagineers’ accomplishments, their career trajectories, and behind-the-scenes tidbits about the making of the Disney parks, which fans will surely appreciate.

By Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh, illustrated by Sara Alfageeh

This alternative history of the Middle East and North Africa deftly tackles complex subjects such as war, loyalty, and imperialism, all made humane and relatable through a young, compelling protagonist.

Written and illustrated by Nie Jun

Nie Jun has centered his luscious, dreamy fairy tale around a perky, funny, yet morally conflicted boy and an adorable creature that looks like a hybrid of a baby and a giant carrot. Both the kaleidoscopic color palette and swirling brush strokes are as whimsical as the story, making it a joy to read even when Xinyue and the aweto are in danger.

By Jasmine Walls, illustrated by Teo DuVall

Though readers will enjoy the dramatic racing scenes, this is truly a story about queer folk and people of color who have created a space where they can joyously and freely be themselves.

Chip Zdarsky, illustrated by Derek Charm

As enchanting as Sabrina’s spells and as gratifying as Pop’s burgers, this installment about the turmoil of teenagerdom explores the best of Spindlesnoot, both his wry jokes and latent fears.

Written and illustrated by Rachel Smythe

Eisner-nominated Smythe casts both Olympus and its flashy inhabitants in an appropriately vibrant, candy-colored palette. Airy, whimsical brushstrokes make her digital illustrations seem watercolor-like, and readers will find themselves wishing they could visit these dreamy interpretations of Olympus and the Underworld. It’s a story that’s been told countless times, but few other adaptations have been quite as sensitive and elegant as what Smythe has rendered here.

By Clément Xavier, illustrated by Lisa Lugrin and Albertine Ralenti, translated by Edward Guavin

This engaging and informative graphic biography, which includes historical back matter, about an overlooked yet influential suffragist and martial artist deserves a spot in every graphic-novel collection.

Written and illustrated by Mari Ahokoivu, translated by Silja-Maaria Aronpuro

Writer-artist Ahokoivu impressively utilizes negative space in this tale from Finnish mythology, emphasizing Poorling’s solitude and Mother’s desolation through black backgrounds and white, tree-shaped gaps between panels . . . This painful yet unforgettable Finnish fairy tale sees the damage that gods, mothers, and daughters are willing to inflict upon one another, all under the guise of love.

By Amy Guglielmo, illustrated by Brigette Barrager

The whimsical illustrations will enamor young readers, while older kids will learn about a Disney legend as well as new words, such as russet or viridian. An independent, enthusiastic role model, Mary will teach young readers how to value what makes them special and advocate for their talents.

By Liz Rosenberg, illustrated by Julie Morstad

Rosenberg presents a condensed version of Maud’s (as she liked to be called) private journals, interweaving Maud’s own lyrical, emotive quotations with major life events . . . Rosenberg paints a deep, complex portrait of a vibrant, brilliant, yet troubled woman.

By Erik Forrest Jackson, illustrated by Owen Richardson

We all know the story: a masked figure, ostracized for his hideous disfigurement, haunts an opera house, falling in love with a karate-kicking soprano as he teaches her to sing “Mahna Mahna.” Inspector Fozzie waves his rubber chicken in the face of danger; Sam Eagle forgets he’s not in America anymore; and Janice, like, totally thinks a demon killed the janitor, man.

Written and illustrated by Adam Rex

Rex’s silly tone, goofy creatures, and spry children humorously offset Vader’s beautifully charcoaled figure silhouetted against a dark, dreary swamp . . . Kids will get a kick out of watching the ending dawn on Vader, while instilling fear in one of moviedom’s greatest villains.

By Shannon Hale

This sprightly tale spins so out of control that [the narrator] invites the reader to revamp the ending, resulting in a choose-your-own-adventure that celebrates the power of imagination. With creative twists and defrightful wordplay, this mashup will enchant fans of the franchise, who will adore watching characters from clashing realms interact for the first time.

By Amy Novesky, illustrated by Brittney Lee

Like Mary Blair, Lee’s cut-paper illustrations emphasize color and shape, especially on the gorgeous two-page spreads. A smiling, button-eyed Blair is pictured alongside Cinderella’s silver carriage, Alice’s upside-down mirror, and Wendy’s nursery room window—all projects Blair created concept art for.

By Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by John Pomeroy

This celebration of Walt’s ingenuity and imagination covers the scope of his many visions, while also making it to clear to young readers that he had to work hard and take risks to make his dreams come true.