Book Review: Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

By Larissa Page

Ring Shout is a small book that packs a big punch. Coming in at under 200 pages, this novel/novella centers around Maryse and her gang of resistance fighters who are not only pushing back against the Klu Klux Klan as strong Black women, but also against actual Demons called Klu Kluxes (and more otherworldly beings) who thrive and feed on the hate living inside the racist members of the Klan and use it to grow and bring Hell to earth—unless the resistance fighters can stop them.

Before jumping into this one I knew it involved demons but I did not know it fit itself comfortably into the horror genre. Horror is not a typical genre for me but when it’s done well, I do enjoy it. I felt P. Djèlí Clark did it well. The scenes would be considered graphic, with the demons and disguised demons described like the stuff of nightmares, but this all lent itself well to the story and wasn’t over the top or overly gross (that I found).

I really loved the characters, these strong women fighting alongside each other. Even though the book was short in pages, it still gave us little tidbits of each of the women that made me love them. Maryse with her history of pain and loss, Sadie with her badass gun skills, and the former Harlem Hellfighter (WW1 soldier) Chef, together made a team that you could feel the connections in. Even the matriarch of the group leading them in ring shouts and full of knowledge, Nana Jean, was integral to the group.

Due to its short nature, I sped through this book in just two days and found myself plopped into a fictionalized horror story that related very much to a real time in our collective history. The Birth of a Nation was a silent film released in 1915 that really was highly racist and really did fuel the rebirth of the Klu Klux Klan, all facts I didn’t know before reading Ring Shout. 

Ring Shout is a novella that appealed to both me and my husband, who have very different reading preferences, and once I was finished, I was excited to pass it along to him to read so we could discuss it. I believe it has something for everyone (who can handle a bit of horror and demons from time to time) and has the potential to lead to some great conversations.

Book Review: Dream States by John Lorinc

By Carly Smith

In Dream States, John Lorinc chips away at the opportunities and obstacles that future urban settings will bear, whether deliberately or inadvertently. With an abundance of useful examples and sound quotes from expert sources, the book exposes readers to the benefits and detriments of the use of smart technology in current and future cities. Dream States starts with an introduction to a “smart community” that was, at one time, a possibility in a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario. Lorinc then moves into a brief history of technology’s role in urban development around the globe, and finally settles into the bulk of the book, which examines how technology’s evolution affects the evolution of urban areas. The book covers topics like data collection, data usage, surveillance, technological advancements related to automated systems, and the politics surrounding smart technology in urban planning. Finally, Lorinc comes full circle to connect much of the information presented in the book to the initial example of Toronto’s once-possible smart community.

It is obvious that, from start to finish, Lorinc worked meticulously to gather applicable, credible information to support the content. Dream States includes a table of contents, index, and bibliography, all of which are helpful, considering the breadth of information presented to the readers. Lorinc’s writing is detailed and academic; if readers are unfamiliar with certain topics, it would be valuable to jot notes and flag specific pages to revisit. I appreciate that Lorinc offers both the pros and cons to the potential outcomes that may arise as a result of incorporating more and more smart tech into urban development. There were parts, however, that felt convoluted, and at times, over-described yet lacking connection to the topic at hand. This may not be the case for all readers, though, especially those with a stronger grasp of technology and its place in urbanism.

Dream States delivers a takeaway for all readers, whether they absorb the book in its entirety or pick and choose different segments. Whatever readers desire to learn from this book, it is important to know that it is not a light read and can almost be treated as a textbook. In fact, I found myself thinking repeatedly while reading, “This would be the most interesting textbook a teacher could add to a syllabus”. It will help skeptics of smart technology understand why it is beneficial while offering a perspective of caution to those who feel like new age technology should be automatically included in all new urban developments. Finishing the book does not mean you will finish thinking about a future utopia in the age of smart technology.

Thank you to Coach House Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: I Have the Right to Save My Planet by Alain Serres and Aurélia Fronty

By Christine McFaul

I Have the Right to Save My Planet is a picture book written by Alain Serres, illustrated by Aurélia Fronty, and translated by Shelley Tanaka. This book is part of a series that also includes the award winning I Have the Right to Be a Child and I Have the Right to Culture.

I Have the Right to Save My Planet begins by introducing the world as a gift. Given to each of us when we are born, the air, the grass, the sun, the shade, and even cow dung (a gift especially appreciated by the flies in the skies!), is for all of us, and best of all, it is free. Because of that, nature connects us. The great chain of life goes all the way around the planet linking the world together as we work to share and preserve this intricate and essential resource. But what happens when we don’t take care of our precious gift? Like when we dump plastic water bottles (that never go away) into the oceans, destroy rainforests to plant palm trees (for a cheap resource used in some cookies, margarines, and shower gels) or when we do not share or care equally about who has access to our increasingly limited natural resources (like fresh drinking water)? It is by answering this question that the book delivers its most powerful message: When the planet is threatened by human activity then we all have the right to take action. We can plant a bee-friendly garden, preserve habitats for bugs and birds, use our voice to demonstrate, or even write to world leaders. We can dare to dream of a future where the world is protected and shared, treated like the gift it is meant to be.

Originally written by Serres in French and beautifully translated by Shelley Tanaka (an award-winning Canadian author, translator, and editor) the narrative unfolds using simple, child-focused language. Complex concepts are made accessible for the picture book age range using well-chosen analogies, fun and engaging facts, and even some well-timed humour. Fronty’s illustrations are integral to this process and create gorgeous visual explanations and interpretations of the text. Each page is extremely child-friendly, boasting eye-catching combinations of whimsy, emotion, and information all drenched in vibrant colours.

I Have the Right to Save My Planet manages to balance urgency and hope. It is a child-focused, informative, and stunning picture book for anyone looking to introduce the concept of environmental activism to young readers. A fantastic choice for personal reading or for classroom use.

Note: This is a book I would consider flipping through yourself before reading with a child. This will allow some time to anticipate questions and emotions that are likely to come up during reading.

Thank you to Groundwood Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik

By Kaylie Seed

Content warning: suicide, alcoholism, drug use

I have always been fascinated by languages and the origin of words—where do certain words come from and how have they become what we know today? I also really enjoy reading about all things Nordic. When I read the synopsis for Erica Ferencik’s Girl in Ice and found out that the main character was a linguist who focused on dead Nordic languages, I knew this would be a book I would love—and boy, was I right.

Val Chesterfield has devoted a large part of her life to deciphering lost languages and studying the etymology of words. Even though she is an accomplished linguist, Val struggles with extreme anxiety and self-medicates using alcohol and pills, never travelling far from home or work. When her late brother Wyatt’s research partner reaches out to Val about a young girl who was frozen in ice and thaws out alive—a scientific impossibility—on a remote island in Greenland, Val feels compelled to help. But Val also has an ulterior motive: to find out if her brother really did willingly walk into 50-degree below zero weather to die or if something more sinister happened in this place where a girl thawed from ice.

Ferencik has clearly done her research about Greenland's landscape and history. Girl in Ice is incredibly atmospheric, and Ferencik’s vivid descriptions truly transported me to this beautifully desolate land. Readers will also appreciate the history notes sprinkled throughout the plot as they enhance the reading experience. Everything about the setting was wonderfully done. Even though most readers would think of Greenland as a bare island covered in snow, readers will get to experience the rugged terrain, ice floes, glaciers, and various wildlife that make Greenland home.

Val is such a complex character, and the secondary characters throughout Girl in Ice all have interesting backstories. Readers will feel that Val’s characterization is done well, and in the end, will be satisfied with where she ends up as no loose ends are left. I really enjoyed how much Ferencik focused on Val’s linguistics throughout the novel; it truly was a focal point of this story and it showed. Other themes present include family, unconditional love, climate change, and mental illness.

I didn’t want this story to end. While it was tied up neatly in the end, I was craving the story to continue because of my appreciation for Val—she was a fantastic protagonist. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy mysteries, Nordic backgrounds, history, and language. This was my first read by Ferencik but it definitely won’t be the last.

Thank you, Simon and Schuster Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: We Should Not Be Afraid of the Sky by Emma Hooper

By Larissa Page

In the age of the Roman Empire, in a small Portuguese village, nine identical sisters are born to the Commander’s wife. Nine births, nine sisters. In a possible misunderstanding, or a possible rebellion, the housemaid takes the girls and manages to find the ones who survived homes within the village, all taken in by the working families who harvest the lemons that grow on the lands. The sisters, identical, know they are kin even though they grow up with different adoptive families, and when the secret is revealed and a solider comes to take them back to the big house, their lives are forever changed.

We Should Not Be Afraid of the Sky takes place in approximately 180 AD, a time when the Romans were ruling a large empire and fighting against the “barbarians” and the “Christians” who had started to follow the word of Jesus, believing in a new religion and being persecuted. It is told from the perspective of five of the sisters, each with their own personality, beliefs, and experiences of the time and the events. In many cases we experience the same events, actions, and results but through different eyes, each sister having experienced things a different way.

I really enjoyed how each sister we heard from had their own distinct voice. We get almost a whole life story from each of the five, though always in different ways. For identical sisters, each one is very much their own person—some are leaders, others followers; some are loud, others quiet; some change their beliefs, others do not. The character growth as they move from young girls to pre-teens to young adults was interesting to watch, as was the way they move through periods of independence from each other and dependence on each other.

I was not expecting this book to be about the early days of Christianity, and, considering our current world where religion and the church are responsible for so much oppression and heartache, I found this part of the novel fascinating. Hearing the characters talk in secret about the new God, about Jesus, knowing they would face prosecution if they were found out, is not a narrative we often see about Christianity nowadays. For this same reason as well as a few others, I found the choice of timeframe and setting compelling, in addition to enjoying the different characters and their unique voices.

While this story is not what I was expecting when I picked it up, it had voices, characters, setting, and a writing style I found very interesting. It was historically set but in a time that is less common in the literary world; therefore, the concepts and history may be different for readers who are used to picking up historical fiction set in similar times over and over again.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura

By Kaylie Seed

The Woman in the Purple Skirt is a short thriller that follows a woman who calls herself The Woman in the Yellow Cardigan (Cardigan) as she observes The Woman in the Purple Skirt (Skirt) on a daily basis. What begins as innocent observations quickly escalates into stalking as Cardigan becomes obsessed with Skirt over the entirety of the book. The reader will experience Cardigan stalking Skirt from noting activities that Skirt does to dreaming about the day that they may finally speak.

Natsuko Imamura has created a character that is unlike others I have encountered in books. The Woman in the Yellow Cardigan is an unreliable narrator because of this obsession with The Woman in the Purple Skirt; however, because of the obsession, it is hard to not believe everything the narrator says and does. The Woman in the Yellow Cardigan is truly a juxtaposition. Imamura’s prose is deadpan, and because of that, readers may find the writing to be dry even though it is detailed.

While this is a short read, it is incredibly obscure and difficult to recommend to readers unless they are looking for a specific type of book. Think literary fiction meets slow-burn thriller meets deadpan conversations. While it’s labeled as a thriller, it tends to read more like a literary fiction novel that peers into this particular moment in time between these two women. While this novel may seem short and to the point, there is a lot of detail throughout these pages, so readers will need to pay close attention so that they don’t miss anything. But don’t expect all of your questions to be answered—this one truly focuses on a brief moment in time between Cardigan and Skirt.

Thank you, Penguin Random House Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Youngblood by Sasha Laurens

By Meghan Mazzaferro

Content warning: blood/gore, violence, murder, homophobia, racism, lesbophobia, death of a parent

In a world where feeding from humans can be deadly, vampires have had to come together in order to survive. For Kat, a young vampire on the outskirts of Vampirdom, there is nothing she wants more in her immortal life than to attend Harcote, a prestigious, all-vampire boarding school. The connections she could cultivate with the vampire elite would be life changing. Taylor, on the other hand, is fed up with Harcote and everything it represents. As Harcote’s only out lesbian student, Taylor is constantly ostracized by her ultra-conservative teachers and classmates. But the two girls quickly realize that more than just their high school experiences are at stake; the entire future of Vampirdom hangs in the balance of what happens at Harcote.

I have very mixed feelings about this book, and it was incredibly difficult to review. While reading, I felt like Youngblood was a breath of fresh air, harkening back to the supernatural vampire trend of the early 2010s, but modernized. Kat and Taylor are definitely the stars of this story, each of them distinct, unique, and fleshed out. Even when I didn’t agree with the things they were doing, their actions made sense, and the romance between them felt really organic. I found the world of Vampirdom created in this novel to be interesting, and while the ultra-conservative vampires of Harcote made me uncomfortable, I felt like that was the intention. Laurens definitely succeeded at creating a toxic and conservative culture for Vampirdom and Harcote, and while I definitely didn’t enjoy the vampire culture, I feel like it was developed well.

That being said, there were some things about this book that didn’t work for me, and upon further reflection I started to notice things that didn’t sit well. The pacing was off, and the mystery component didn’t get enough page time. The book spent much more time on the high school drama side of things, and while I enjoyed that, a lot of larger scale issues were brought up but never fully addressed or explored in the level of detail I feel those topics deserved.

On that note, my biggest criticism of this book is the ways in which racism and homophobia were used and handled. While I understand what Laurens was going for—that the new generation can unlearn negative and harmful behaviours and make room for a healthier, more progressive society—I feel like this message fell flat on execution.

I appreciate the attempts to bring these discussions to light, but there were instances in this book where Laurens, a white author, used racist and homophobic opinions and observations only to show the reader how progressive Kat is in comparison to the rest of vampire society. Likewise, real world issues of colonization, slavery, and assault were brought up and used within the story casually and were explained away in ways that felt harmful and unnecessary. While I cannot speak to all the ways in which this book used harmful stereotypes and tropes, I do encourage you to read reviews written by people within the communities affected by them to see the ways in which this story failed to achieve its aims when it comes to addressing the dangers of a conservative culture.

While I had fun on my initial read of this book, there were things that made me uncomfortable while reading, and upon further reflection I find there are too many things in this book that could be harmful. I understand what Laurens was attempting, and I can only speak to my experience as a reader, but overall, I don’t think the story managed the nuance and sensitivity it needed to tackle all the topics it tried to address.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Rave by Jessica Campbell

By Kaylie Seed

Content warning: homophobia/internalized homophobia

Jessica Campbell’s Rave is a graphic novel that follows soft-spoken Lauren in the early 2000s as she struggles to find her identity when her sexuality and faith are no longer on the same page. Lauren’s family are devoutly religious, to the point where they do not allow Lauren to bring home her textbook on evolution. When Lauren has to complete an assignment using that very textbook, she ends up at Mariah's house, a Wiccan who is unapologetically herself. Lauren and Mariah begin to have a secretive queer relationship that leaves Lauren swirling in Christian guilt and an internalized homophobia that leaves Lauren with an identity crisis.

Readers may find that this short graphic novel wasn’t fleshed out in the way they may have been hoping. The characters are quite one-dimensional with quite a few stereotypes and cliches present throughout. They lacked personality and uniqueness, and I felt like I had already read about these characters before. Campbell allows the illustrations to tell the story more than her writing, so readers will find that this is a quick read if they are not taking their time to analyze each illustration.

The ending is quite abrupt and ends with little questions being answered, leaving readers wondering if that truly was the end of the novel. The narrative felt rushed and underdeveloped, and maybe that was due to the illustrations telling the story more than the words. Rave would be a great read for those interested in coming-of-age stories and would appreciate a quick, to-the-point graphic novel.

Thank you, Drawn & Quarterly, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu

By Larissa Page

Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century is a unique collection of short stories. These stories are not linked to each other, but as I read through this collection I felt there was a common theme among them all. The synopsis on the back of the book cites this theme as “the strange made familiar and the familiar strange,” which I find vague but also perfectly fitting.

There have been many times that I’ve lost interest in a collection of short stories or have felt the need to push myself to continue reading, but I found Kim Fu’s writing to be engaging, propelling, and descriptive. At the end of each story, I was excited to start a new story with a new world and reality laid out. I found these stories interesting, thought-provoking, and each so different than the last.

Something I noticed was common among several of these stories is one of my favourite, though sometimes frustrating, literary tools: the unfinished ending. Several of the stories in this collection ended without full closure, enough that you are left wondering what happens beyond what is written on the page. I found myself thinking about these stories after the fact, wondering what the outcome actually was, wondering how the characters continued on with their lives. Additionally, a lot of the stories brought up concepts that were interesting and new and really made me think about what life would be like if this happened or that was invented. For short stories to have that sort of impact on someone’s thinking, I believe, is an incredible feat.

This collection was similar to another collection of short stories I read last year, Glorious Frazzled Beings. However, I struggled a lot with my feelings for Glorious Frazzled Beings, finding that I didn’t connect to or understand the element of weird that was woven through the stories. I find myself feeling the complete opposite about this collection. While it certainly has the element of weird, I really enjoyed my experience reading Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century. It didn’t feel “over my head” and I felt like I could connect to most of the stories.

As a comment on the publishing, this book (or my copy at least) is printed on the most luxurious paper! Quoted in the back as being Zephyr Antique Laid paper from second growth forests, the feeling and weight of this book in your hand and the sensation of the thick and textured pages between your fingers is an experience in and of itself. I’ve never commented on the printing quality in a review before, but this warrants a mention.

Thank you to Coach House Books for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Iceberg by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft

By Kaylie Seed

Claire Saxby’s Iceberg: A Life in Seasons is an adorable children’s book that takes young readers on an adventure following an iceberg through its life cycle. The iceberg makes its way through the Antarctic seasons, experiencing all of the beautiful things that this mystical land has to offer. Young readers will have the chance to see different wildlife that call the Antarctic home during the different seasons.

Saxby’s prose is poetic and easy to follow. Though recommended for readers 3-6, older readers will also appreciate this non-fiction book as it sheds light on part of the planet that may not be thought of as somewhere to explore. Saxby’s writing is the perfect length for younger readers while also detailed enough to explore what is happening in each scene. Older readers will be able to ask younger readers questions while also discussing what they see.

Illustrator Jess Racklyeft has brought such vibrancy to a land that we often associate with being desolate. Teaming with wildlife, both Saxby and Racklyeft bring so much wonder to the Antarctic, which is bound to keep young readers wanting to learn more about this cold land. There is a flap that opens up near the middle of the book where readers will be able to see a beautifully designed underwater scene. This was one of my favourite things about Iceberg—it was so delightful and easy to pick out the different animals.

On the last page, Saxby has included more information about the polar regions on Earth and what global warming is doing to these ecosystems. Additionally, a glossary is available for some uncommon words so that older readers can talk to younger readers about what these words mean. Overall, I would highly recommend this to any parent who has a young reader interested in animals or ecosystems, or to those who are wanting to expand their knowledge on what the Earth has to offer.

Thank you, Groundwood Books, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: How to Hold a Pebble by Jaspreet Singh

By Fayth Simmons

In this collection of poems, Jaspreet Singh provides a narrative stage for an examination of the human in relation to the greater world. Using exploratory form, each of his pieces takes on a differing function to illustrate the place of humans in the continual development of the Anthropocene. The poems touch on the glaring fragility of existence and speak to the visceral understanding of what it means to be a writer in the current age, with the constant grasp of two separate worlds—the visible one, from which inspiration is drawn, and the created one, in which ideas are processed and tossed around before entering into the bounds of the former one.

Singh’s collection is potent, truthful, and emotional. Sorrow and pain infuse narrations on colonization and climate change, and frustration accompanies musings on capitalism, but despite these heavy touchstones, the poems are not hopeless. Singh is able to expertly weave sorrow through lines of quiet joy, and feelings of unrest are considered only in equal measure with feelings of peace and contentment. In this way, the collection is balanced, with clear questions and intentions.

There is a sincere wisdom and beauty to each poem in this collection, which is doubled by the symbolic image of the pebble: ancient, clear, and untameable. The reference to such an object cannot simply be stylistic—instead, Singh asks the reader how they may relearn how to hold the pebble, insinuating a need for a greater degree of thoughtfulness in regard to the human role of stewardship over all things that we have so carefully tied to ourselves and our linear continuum. There is a sharp intellect present here, and an undeniable lyrical sensibility, which transcends from the page and begs to be considered.

Thank you to NeWest Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Lunar Tides by Shannon Webb-Campbell

By Kaylie Seed

Poetry is a genre that I enjoy reviewing because it poses a challenge. It is not an easy task to take the author's inner thoughts and feelings and review them, and poetry is subjective because everyone who reads it will have a different experience. Shannon Webb-Campbell’s Lunar Tides is a collection of poetry that discusses love and grief while structured to follow the phases of the moon. Webb-Campbell’s poetry also explores colonialism, kinship, and Indigenous resurgence through the eyes of a mixed Mi’kmaq-settler woman.

While the focus throughout this poetry collection is on defining what grief and grieving really is, the reader will also note that Webb-Campbell attempts to lay the groundwork for seeking healing. This is important because while the grieving process is something we all have a basic knowledge in, healing is something we don’t put enough effort into understanding. Webb-Campbell also encourages readers to notice their connection to both their mothers (or mother figures) here on Earth as well as Mother Earth and the connection that they pose to each other.

Lunar Tides is a poetry collection that I would recommend to readers looking to explore the meaning of grief and grieving or to those who want a better understanding of how the moon cycles influence us in our daily lives. The poems were not as deep as one may expect since the topics found throughout are heavy, but the prose is lovely to read and those wanting a quick book will likely appreciate these poems.

Thank you, BookHug Press, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Beasts of Ruin by Ayana Gray

By Meghan Mazzaferro

Content warning: violence, gore, racial discrimination, prejudice

For a review of Beasts of Prey, click here.

Beasts of Ruin is Ayana Gray’s second novel, and it kicks off right where Beasts of Prey left off. Secrets have been revealed, the world has been turned upside down, and Koffi and Ekon are separated. Each isolated and dealing with their own dangers, the two must do what they can to stay alive, make it back to each other, and protect the world from a dark god’s evil plans.

Beasts of Prey was one of my favourite books of last year, and a large part of that is the world of Lkossa and the Greater Jungle, and the relationship between Koffi and Ekon. This book took both of those away, setting our two main characters in new settings and with new people, and I’ll admit I was nervous that it might not work. But I really enjoyed the new characters that were introduced and the way both Koffi and Ekon’s stories broadened the world of Eshōza. While the first book had a set goal, its resolution really opened up the story and this book did a great job of setting the tone for the rest of the trilogy.

I do feel like the pacing of the book wasn’t perfect, and Koffi’s story didn’t keep me quite as engaged as I might have liked, but I am very intrigued by where the story is going. Koffi’s story in this book did an excellent job of exploring the magic system in this world, and what she went through in this book will play a major part in what is to come. Ekon’s story, on the other hand, I found very interesting; I loved the characters that he met along the way, and I found this book really deepened his story and forced him to grow and change in a way that was really compelling. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Ekon is one of my favourite male main characters in a YA fantasy book. He’s complicated and flawed and incredibly compelling to read about. I also really enjoyed the third perspective we got in this book. While I can’t say much about it, I feel like it did a really good job of developing the politics of Lkossa and the struggles of Daraja leading up to the events of book one. This perspective really helped explain the choices of some of the characters in the previous book and laid the groundwork for a lot of character motivations in this series that weren’t explored in book one.

Beasts of Ruin does in some ways suffer from the second book slump, in the sense that there’s lots of travelling and things being explained, but the book does an excellent job of setting up what I believe will be an explosive conclusion to the series. As I said previously, the first book in this series had a particular plot that was concluded at the end of that book, and Beasts of Ruin had the unique struggle of massively broadening the world and magic system of this series. With that particular struggle in mind, the book did a very good job of giving the reader all the information we’ll need for the rest of the series while still being engaging and fun. The groundwork has been laid, and I trust Ayana Gray to bring it all home in book three.

While it didn’t grip me quite as much as the first book, I still really enjoyed Beasts of Ruin. Ayana Gray has created a compelling world and magic system, and it’s impossible not to care about our main characters and the things they are fighting to protect. If you’re a YA fantasy fan, this series cannot be missed!

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: In The Clouds by Elly MacKay

By Kaylie Seed

When a bored little girl begins using her imagination, she has a bird fly her up into the clouds where she asks questions that young readers may be wondering themselves. In the Clouds by Elly MacKay is a delightful title for ages 5–7 that is intended to get children thinking about the world around them and use their imaginations.

The pages throughout In the Clouds are glossy with soft, muted colours that give a warm feeling to the reader. Each page only has one or two sentences, and most are questions intended to spark a young reader's imagination. While the pages are short, adult readers have the opportunity to ask younger readers the same questions to help build that imagination muscle.

At the end of this adorable book MacKay has added answers to some of the questions that were asked by the young girl throughout In the Clouds. This is such a great way to continue to pique a child’s interest, especially if they have been asking these questions as well. On the last page readers can find an illustration of different clouds so that young readers can learn to identify them on their own.

Thank you to Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Strange Scent of Saffron by Miléna Babin Translated by Oana Avasilichioaei

By Lauren Bell

The Strange Scent of Saffron is a novel by Miléna Babin, originally written in French, and translated by Oana Avasilichioaei. The novel itself is a quick read (160 pages) and follows the story of Nil, a woman travelling alone in a stolen pickup across the lower St. Lawrence.

Nil is a character written as if encased in a hard shell. She’s tough and a little rough on the edges—but is also the type of person who has suffered and understands the suffering of others; in Nil’s case, her trauma comes from her abusive twin brother. When first introduced to Nil and her sketchy circumstances, it is obvious she is running from moments in her past that have left physical and emotional scars. Wanting to know more about her is what grabs the reader in the first chapter.

While Nil’s story is written in third person, the plot also includes the first person perspective of the other primary main character, Jacob, an exhausted restaurant owner who takes Nil in after she “dines and dashes” from his business. Like Nil, Jacob is an elusive character with his own inner demons: loneliness, a reliance on pills, and an incestuous history with his deceased foster sister. The year in which Nil and Jacob’s story is set is 1988, whose philosophies of having a stiff upper lip and “don’t ask, don’t tell” dictate many of the interactions between the characters. The little we know about the two builds the sense similarity and comradery, as well as the sexual tension between them. When Nil discovers that Jacob is involved in saffron trafficking, he has no choice but to include her in his scheme.

Halfway through the novel Babin also introduces Amar’s perspective, a young child participating in his first saffron harvest on his family farm in India. However, I feel like this inclusion happened too late in the book and didn’t add to the main plots at hand.

My feelings towards The Strange Scent of Saffron are mixed. While there were parts of the book I enjoyed—for instance, I thought Babin handled the AIDS crisis very well in the way the stigma and the reality of the illness is addressed in the novel—but was disappointed she chose not to elaborate on other poignant themes such as racism and trauma when she introduced the opportunity to. Moreover, I felt like the majority of the characters in the book had the same storyline of being bored with life and sexually frustrated and it would have been nice if they had more than just this one dimension. I also didn’t like the ending. While I can respect an author’s wish to keep plots unresolved and leave the story open to interpretation, the ending felt like it happened in the middle of the plot, too close to the climax, and thus I have my own difficulties coming to the conclusion of Nil’s fate.

Thank you to Guernica Editions for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: All Cats Welcome by Susin Nielsen Illustrated by Vivian Mineker

By Kaylie Seed

Susin Nielsen’s All Cats Welcome is a children’s story that will make readers young and old feel warm and fuzzy. Leonard the cat gets bored when his human has to leave during the day. One day, Leonard notices that there is a cat across the street who looks lonely too. When Leonard meets Mariposa they realize that even though they speak different languages they can still be good friends and go on exciting adventures together.

All Cats Welcome is meant to show young readers that we can meet others who are different from us and still become friends and have fun. This is a great book that teaches empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Nielsen has managed to bring forth these topics through simple sentences for young readers and the story is bound to touch the hearts of older readers as well.

Vivian Mineker’s illustrations are beautiful. Each page is full of colour, filled with Leonard’s adventures and different facial expressions. Older readers can have younger readers point out different emotions that they see throughout All Cats Welcome as well as describe what Leonard and Mariposa are doing. Children’s books don’t pull at my heartstrings often, but this one certainly did. All Cats Welcome is a reminder to accept those around us, be empathetic, and have fun!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Ghosts That Haunt Me by Steve Ryan

By Carly Smith

Content warning: sexual assault, murder, suicide, domestic abuse, child abuse, blood

In The Ghosts that Haunt Me, Steve Ryan, a former homicide detective in Toronto, Ontario, recounts the cases he worked on that have had the most profound effect on both his career and personal life. Ryan takes readers through a series of investigations that happened as a result of brutal, merciless murders. His stories include sordid details surrounding spousal abuse, child neglect, relationship troubles, and remarkable loneliness. Neither the murderers nor the victims fit one particular demographic or description, but although the accounts of these crimes differ greatly, there is nonetheless a sense of connection between each story.

The book begins with a forward by Joe Warmington, a reporter and columnist for the Toronto Sun. After this, and before Ryan delves into his homicide stories, he briefly explains his youth and family life, the reasons he entered the police force, and the beginning of his career. His writing is very readable; it is not overflowing with jargon and is personal yet professional. He offers his perspective on each case as a father, partner, community member, and also as a detective. This creates an element of back-and-forth that will have readers analyzing the stories both subjectively and objectively. Readers need not be seasoned true crime enthusiasts or detectives to follow along. The stories are just the right length, capturing the circumstances of each murder from beginning to end concisely and with great suspense.

This book is a great read for new and experienced true crime readers alike. I caution that the stories can be very gruesome and heart-wrenching, and suggest that the trigger warnings not be considered flippantly. I particularly enjoyed this book as an Ontarian living only several hours from the crime scenes; it was exciting to recall these events as news stories back when they happened, check out the crime scene locations on a map to learn that I had once been so close by, and converse with others who remember these stories as I read on. The Ghosts that Haunt Me can be a story-a-day type of read, a binge book, or for picking up whenever you have a few moments. However you choose to read this book, the ghosts that haunt Steve Ryan will quickly become ghosts that haunt you, too.

Thank you to Dundurn Press for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Good Mom On Paper edited by Stacey May Fowles and Jen Sookfong Lee

By Christa Sampson

It is said time and again that writers should “write the book they want (or need) to read.” That is precisely what editors Stacey May Fowles and Jen Sookfong Lee set out to do with Good Mom on Paper. Both writers and mothers themselves, Fowles and Lee became frustrated with the publishing and creative landscape with respect to the lack of support and understanding of mothers, and the experience of trying to make art in the midst of motherhood. They put together an anthology of essays by a diverse group of Canadian writers, highlighting the push and pull of writing while mothering. Each writer’s life experience and writing style is different, but the common theme throughout all of their stories is the struggle to find, maintain, and nurture a creative life, while at the same time nurture and raise a family. 

As a writer and mother myself I was eager to read this book, and my expectations were exceeded. Some of the essays broke my heart. Some of them made me smile. Some of them gave me hope that there is a way to forge a path in this space. Some of the writing I’ve done I wouldn’t have been able to do without being a mother; other times I feel that the pressure of family life stifles my creativity. This is a book I could have used at the beginning of motherhood, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is at that point right now. Even mothers who aren’t writers or creators would benefit from reading this book, because we all lose a sense of ourselves when we become mothers. Sometimes the possibility of getting that pre-mom self back isn’t possible, and maybe it shouldn’t be, but you can still find yourself within the role of motherhood. They don’t have to be separate and can even complement each other.    

All of the essays in this anthology captivated me. The stories that really stood out to me, or rather the ones I could most relate to are:

“Dog Rescue Romance Novels and Other Survival Tools” by Jennifer Whiteford, in which she discovers the joy of reading romance novels while trying to get pregnant. After becoming a mother and not finding the ability to write in the manner she was used to, Whiteford continues reading romance novel after romance novel, until she writes one herself. This piece highlights the fact that mothers and society often brush off the emotional labour of mothering as “no big deal,” similar to how novels in this genre are often dubbed “just a romance novel.”

“What Have You Done Today?” By Kellee Ngan, about finding the small moments to write and recognizing that all of the small moments eventually add up to something bigger.

“Tantrum Series” by Teresa Wong, about letting go of the perpetual mom guilt and realizing that in the midst of motherhood, what you create may not be “good” but the act of creating, whatever the result, is progress and feeds your desire to create.

Thank you to Book*hug Press for the complimentary copy of Good Mom on Paper in exchange for an honest review!

Book Review: Sometimes All I Need Is Me by Juliana Perdomo

By Kaylie Seed

Juliana Perdomo’s Sometimes, All I Need Is Me is an adorable children’s book for ages 3–5 that is meant to gently teach mindfulness, resiliency, coping, and self-care. All of these skills are learned from a young age and parents and other adults can use titles like this one to show their young children that while looking to others for help is wonderful, sometimes it’s okay to do things on your own. While these lessons are meant for a younger audience, they are certainly good reminders to adults as well.

Readers will follow a young girl as she navigates the world around her. From finding home within herself when not physically at home, to learning how to enjoy one's own company when friends are not available to play, Sometimes, All I Need Is Me gives a number of examples of how to enjoy a variety of things both with others and alone.

Each page has a sentence or two describing what is going on in the picture, leaving the adult reading the book the opportunity to have the child point out different objects on the page, facial reactions, and emotions. Pages are colourful and will likely keep the child’s attention while reading this short book. Sometimes, All I Need Is Me is a lovely book that will teach young readers some important life skills.

Thank you to Candlewick Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

By Meghan Mazzaferro

Content warning: xenophobia, abandonment, child neglect and abuse, homophobia, death, death of a parent, racism

In The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, it is the curse of every witch to be orphaned young and to live in isolation for most of her life. Mika Moon knows the Rules, and though she lives by them, she craves a community and posts videos online “pretending” to be a real witch. These videos attract the attention of an eclectic group seeking a magic teacher, leading Mika to discover a tight-knit family harbouring three young witches. With an impending deadline putting their little family at risk, the group of caretakers at Nowhere House beg Mika to teach the girls to control their magic, and though Mika knows it breaks all the Rules, she agrees to stay. For a girl whose life has been spent isolated and on the move, Nowhere House may be just what Mika needs—if she’s willing to open herself up to it.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a romance, but it is also a deeply moving story about family, choosing your community, and letting go of the traumas of your past to build a better future for yourself and your loved ones. This book feels like a warm hug, and from the moment you open the book to when you read the last line, there is a feeling of comfort and peace.

I absolutely loved the writing style of this book. While it has a more modern voice, the humour and narration style reminded me of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton, which is excellent because that style of writing really brings me into the story and makes me immediately invested. Each of our main cast of characters was vibrant and unique and wonderful to read about, and their little quirks and habits had me smiling and seeing them in my head as I read. I, for one, would love to join the wonderful family at Nowhere House.

I found the plot of this book really interesting, and the pacing well executed. The book did a great job of explaining the magic system organically while still leaving a feeling of whimsy and, dare I say, magic to the whole thing. Mika’s journey as both a teacher, and as a member of Nowhere House, felt organic and smooth. Likewise, her relationship with Jamie, the grumpy librarian, was very well done. I know we all love the grumpy/sunshine trope, but it can be hard to execute well, and I feel like Sangu Mandanna nailed it.

The stakes of this book felt appropriately high, and I enjoyed the way the book balanced the heartwarming found-family moments with the fears the characters faced at the thought of the girls’ witchcraft being discovered, and at the threat of their family falling apart. This book balanced a very valid justification of why witches must remain isolated with the proof that they may not always have to, and that was excellent to read. Mika’s exploration of what a witch should be, and what type of community she is allowed to find for herself, was really compelling and powerful, and the plot of this book helps that discovery progress in a really natural and impactful way.

This book is absolute perfection. I don’t mean to oversell it, but literally my only criticism is that this book was published in August when it has perfect winter vibes—but also, I could not have waited another second to read it, and neither should you.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.