Genre: British Literature

Magical everyday objects scattered across the world, a secret society that meets in the basement of a bookstore, and dangerous individuals more than willing to kill for them, the Society of Unknowable Objects is an urban fantasy story full of great elements and ideas. Similar to Gareth Brown’s debut novel the Book of Doors, this novel has a premise that feels like a throwback to classic children’s fantasy books appropriately aged up for adult readers looking for a fun and straightforward magic adventure. Brown’s second book, from the get-go the Society of Unknowable Objects has a familiar feel that recaptures the fun of many popular YA fantasy books of the early 2000s. Revolving around a group of four adults who collectively make up the Society of Unknowable Objects, these individuals possess knowledge of special everyday items that grant their holder a variety of magical powers. But with strong magical powers comes the unwanted attention of those looking to use them for their own benefit, hence why the Society was formed to keep these objects out of less desirable hands. An interesting mix of cross-country hidden treasure hunting, mysterious intrigue, and fantasy action, the novel has strong mass appeal thanks to…

Round 2 in Richard Osman’s charming Thursday Murder Club series, the Man Who Died Twice is a sequel novel that should satisfy most fans of the first book. Delivering the same cozy mystery vibes and light-hearted comedic shenanigans, this novel instantly feels familiar and is incredibly easy to pick right up. In many ways this novel is a refinement of the first book’s beloved formula, the most notable highlights being an increased focus on the Thursday Murder Club members, a tidier and better executed mystery investigation, and a more consistent tone and pacing. While I personally found this second novel to be less narratively ambitious and compelling compared to the Thursday Murder Club, the Man Who Died Twice is still a solid read for those looking for a cozy mystery or snarky British humor. Taking place right after the events of the first book, the Man Who Died Twice sees the Thursday Murder Club investigating a new mystery that ironically doesn’t start with murder, at least initially. A handsome and charismatic man from Elizabeth’s past named Douglas sends her a letter requesting help involving stolen diamonds worth twenty million pounds and hiding from a mafia mobster and his shady financer.…

Part urban paranormal fantasy, part futuristic dystopia, Samantha Shannon’s The Bone Season is a wildly ambitious novel and a unique series starter that’s full of conflicting elements that on paper should not work. Additionally, it throws the reader into the thick of it with a list of undefined terminology, chaotic world-building, and a whiplash shift in setting three chapters in. Yet despite a rough beginning, those that give the novel a chance will be rewarded with a thrilling and complex dark fantasy story that gets progressively better and better over the course of its nearly 500-page run. Despite being over a decade late to The Bone Season hype train, I was fully invested in its wild ride through Shannon’s futuristically bleak version of London and Oxford. Note, an important disclaimer is that this review is based on a first edition copy of The Bone Season as originally written and published in 2013. Fully aware of the novel’s rougher patches, Samantha Shannon and Bloomsbury released revised editions of the first four books in the series in 2023 for The Bone Season’s 10yr anniversary which bring them more in line with her current matured and more lyrical writing style and refining the…

In the Kingdom of Elben, there is a legend of a god bestowing magical power to a king along with a surrounding barrier that protects the land from invading forces. In order to maintain the barrier, the king is told he must marry and court six queens who each reside over a castle and land. Boleyn, his newest queen of Brynd is enamored by King Henry and is determined to become his favorite Queen and to leave a lasting impression across the kingdom. However, as she settles into her new role and investigates new ways to increase the King and Elben’s magical powers, she uncovers clues that suggest the historic arrangement may not be as it seems. Meanwhile, originally planted as a spy by another Queen under the guise of a lady-in-waiting to Boleyn, Seymour finds herself torn between the familial and royal obligations she’s been tasked with vs her fascination and interest with her new mistress. As Boleyn and Seymour find themselves swept up in the power struggle between the Queens, the trusted associates, and the king himself who’s obsessed with producing a male heir, the two women find themselves in an unexpected alliance as they navigate the political…

Book no.3 in Isabel Murray’s Not That series, Not That Ridiculous delivers more or less the same light-heart and fun blend of comedic romance, spicy scenes, and a nice dose of character development and drama. I don’t know why, but I was not expecting a 3rd entry in the series considering it had been almost two years since Not That Impossible was published which felt like a perfect ending and companion novel to Not That Complicated. Yet Murray is able to somehow work a 3rd romantic couple out of the past books’ already limited side characters and base this novel around one of the most prominent Cotswolds locations previously featured. While I read and reviewed both Not That Complicated and Not That Impossible, each having their own specific strengths and weaknesses, Not That Ridiculous is definitely the most balanced of the three and will certainly satisfy fans of the previous novels (especially those that preferred the first over the second). Featuring an entertaining story and narration courtesy of Chipping Fairford’s resident caffeinated “grouch” Charlie Galloway paired off with Kevin Wallis, the famed general handyman that discovered the original dead bodies in Ray’s house, Not That Ridiculous is funny, silly, spicy…