Starred Review Round-Up (2/1/22)

We’re seeing stars! These titles all received multiple starred reviews:

THE KAIJU PRESERVATION SOCIETY by John Scalzi
ISBN 9780765389121 | on sale 3/15/22

“A more ethical Jurassic Park meets the camaraderie of Parks and Recreation in this wonderfully witty and refreshingly earnest adventure yarn from Hugo Award winner Scalzi (REDSHIRTS)…equally lighthearted and grounded—and sure to delight.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Scalzi’s latest is a wonderfully inventive take on the kaiju theme…this is Scalzi having a lot of fun.”–Booklist, starred review

ECHOLAND by Per Petterson
ISBN 9781644450765 | on sale 2/1/22

“Petterson’s portrayal of the inner life of a preteen boy is precise and moving, and the remarkable prose captures the landscape as well as the painful deterioration of Arvid’s parents’ marriage. This early work from a master leaves an indelible mark.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Petterson writes like a jazz musician, in percussive, lyrical, vivid prose.”–Library Journal, starred review

REAL EASY by Marie Rutkoski
ISBN 9781250788245 | on sale 1/18/22

“Veteran children’s author Rutkoski’s writing is a pleasure here; she weaves well-calibrated suspense with gritty portrayals of dancers and detectives that hold strikingly parallel themes of loneliness, painful pasts, and heavy doses of distrust.”–Booklist, starred review

“Rutkoski uses the familiar plot of a police search for a killer targeting women to paint moving portraits of desperate lives on both sides of the law.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

MANHUNT by Gretchen Felker-Martin
ISBN 9781250794642 | on sale 2/22/22

“A sensual, tender, honest, and inspirational story of imperfect but well-meaning people banding together in an attempt to not only survive but thrive…This novel confidently plants a flag declaring its place among the greatest band-of-survivor zombie tales.”–Library Journal, starred review

“Highly recommended for those looking for particularly upsetting or disturbing horror fiction.”–Booklist, starred review

COMEUPPANCE SERVED COLD by Marion Deeds
ISBN 9781250811073 | on sale 3/22/22

“This new novella by Deeds is a fun, fast-moving heist story that will immediately hook readers who love 1920s-era worlds and soft-fantasy world building.”–Booklist, starred review

“Deeds presents all this intrigue in reverse chronological order, spinning out mysteries that will keep readers guessing till the end. The result is a well-crafted puzzle; readers’ only complaint will be that they want more.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

LET’S NOT DO THAT AGAIN by Grant Ginder
ISBN 9781250243775 | 4/5/22

“A new book from Ginder beckons the reader like a hot bath and glass of something, a reliable and relaxing pleasure.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Ginder dexterously describes the machinations of his caffeine-fueled lead and lights up the pages with bubbly, rapid-fire dialogue…This smart and seamless comedy is nonstop fun.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

NETTLE & BONE by T. Kingfisher
ISBN 9781250244048 | on sale 4/26/22

“The plot snaps along as quickly as a good joke, and beneath the whimsy, there’s an underlying sympathy and sincerity that enables Kingfisher to handle tricky issues like domestic violence with great compassion and care. At its heart a story of good people doing their best to make the unjust world a fairer place, this marvelous romp will delight Kingfisher’s fans and fairy tale lovers alike.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Blending fairy-tale familiarity and common-sense characters, Kingfisher’s prose balances grim circumstances with humor and heart.”–Library Journal, starred review

THE TREELINE: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth by Ben Rawlence
ISBN 9781250270238 | on sale 2/15/22

“Highly recommended for readers interested in nature, conservation, and climate change.”–Library Journal, starred review

“Rawlence brings trees to the forefront of the climate-change war, conjuring images of zombie forests, grandmother trees, and the forestry management heroes dedicated to their cause. A title of the utmost importance at a time of tremendous peril, THE TREELINE is a game-changer.”–Booklist, starred review