Reviews

The Serpent and the Scorpion: An Ursula Marlow Mystery

by Clare Langley-Hawthorne

Adult Mystery

We were fortunate enough to host Clare for a reading last night, and it was fabulous! She's one of those authors who, even if you've already read the book, makes you want to read it again. This is the second book in her Ursula Marlow series, which are woman-detective novels set in Edwardian England. Ursula, a militant suffragette and member of high society, finds herself caught up in another murder investigation when her new friend is stabbed in an Egyptian marketplace. Ursula takes up the case, endangering her life and her reputation. These books are wonderful--carefully researched, cleverly written, and delightful.

An Abundance of Katherines

by John Green

Young Adult fiction

I can't believe I hadn't read this one. A new $3.99 paperback came out a while ago, so the price is definitely right. It's about Colin, a former child prodigy whose 19th girlfriend named Katherine--K-19, if you will--has just broken up with him. Colin and his friend Hassan decide to embark upon an epic road trip and wind up in Tennessee for the summer, where they have adventures and misadventures and have THE MOST HILARIOUS CONVERSATIONS EVAR. John Green is a master of dialogue, as well as teenage friendships. His prose is funny but insightful, serious but lighthearted, intelligent but accessible. He is one of my favorite authors.

Skin Hunger

by Kathleen Duey

Young Adult fantasy

This is the best fantasy/sci fi book I've read since The Hunger Games. It takes place in a world where magic-wielders have had a tumultuous relationship with the government, sometimes outlawed entirely and other times restricted to a closed-in academy. In Skin Hunger, the narrative shifts back and forth in time between Sadima, an orphaned girl who can hear animals' thoughts, to Hahp, who attends the academy set up and run by Sadima's contemporaries. This is a dark, suspenseful start to a series that is certain to be a huge hit. Watch for the second book, Sacred Scars.