Starred Review Round-Up (7/7/23)

Stars all around! These titles all received multiple starred reviews:

ALL THE SINNERS BLEED BY S.A. COSBY
9781250831910 | available now

“Again Cosby’s literary skills are exceptional. His characters feel so real, his dialogue is pitch-perfect, and the story…is of such moral complexity it wholly commands the reader’s close attention. This is a crime novel to savor and ponder.”–Booklist, starred review

“The hard-edged storytelling is supplemented by richly developed characters…and Cosby elegantly layers his narrative over Virginia’s racial history, giving the proceedings uncommon emotional depth. This is easily the author’s strongest work to date.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Cosby…has a unique, powerful voice for social justice and racism. His compelling writing will have readers rooting for his latest unforgettable, flawed hero.”–Library Journal, starred review

OUR MIGRANT SOULS: A MEDITATION ON RACE AND THE MEANINGS AND MYTHS OF “LATINO” BY HÉCTOR TOBAR
9780374609900 | available now

“Each chapter extends the notion of Latinidad by centering around a different theme…Timely, intelligent, and generous, this is a must-read from Pulitzer Prize–winner Tobar.”–Booklist, starred review

“Pulitzer winner Tobar…explores in this probing, heartfelt essay collection the promises and contradictions inherent within Latino identity…Lyrical and uncompromising, this is a powerful call for all Americans to ‘dedicat[e] our energy and our intellects to creating new ways of being in the world.’”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

PLAYING IT SAFE: AN ELECTRA MCDONNELL NOVEL BY ASHLEY WEAVER
9781250885876 | available now

“Weaver populates this bright, fast-paced thriller with engagingly flawed characters and breathless action. Readers will delight at the dynamic between the leads and look forward to future adventures.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“As usual, lots of twists and turns, and heart-stopping descriptions of break-ins, along with the comic romantic tension between Major Ramsey and Electra.”–Booklist, starred review

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL BY ROSE WILDING
9781250886934 | available now

“With sure-footed prose, Wilding nimbly constructs a captivating treatise on revenge and exploitation that rumbles with deep, bracing anger. She’s a writer to watch.”-Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This captivating debut literary thriller entwines the searing stories of several women who suffered at the hands of the same man. This cautionary tale satisfies in its culmination of long-overdue justice for spurned women.”–Library Journal, starred review

THORNHEDGE BY T. KINGFISHER
9781250244093 | 8/15/23

“This marvelously fractured fairy tale takes a well-known and well-loved story and turns it completely around, into a story about love not being enough, duty not being sufficient, and love and joy being found in the unlikeliest of people and places.”–Library Journal, starred review

“The slow reveal of Toadling’s connection to the princess, and what the princess actually is, fashions a subtle and satisfying horror story, while Kingfisher’s trademark wit and compassion transforms ‘Sleeping Beauty’ into a moving meditation on guilt, grief, and duty…There are no false notes here.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

EMERGENT PROPERTIES BY AIMEE OGDEN
9781250866813 | 7/25/23

“Scorn is fascinating as ze experiences the advantages and disadvantages of zir nature while also still dealing with being an adult child of domineering parents who can’t let go….Highly recommended for fans of…SF mysteries.”–Library Journal, starred review

“[This] is a twisty mystery that doubles as a potent, surprising, and necessary exploration of the many issues that arise from AI’s ever-increasing presence in the world.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE GOLDEN GATE BY AMY CHUA
9781250903600 | 9/19/23

“This is a riveting mystery featuring a gifted detective and accidental charmer whose inner conflict about his family’s blended heritage offers a timeless perspective on prejudice… Chua skillfully creates tension around Sullivan’s complex investigation, tempting red herrings, and thoughtful examination of war-time social divisions.”–Booklist, starred review

“The historical mystery debut by Yale Law School professor Chua…is a successful, compelling mash-up of California history, ghost story, family tale, and social commentary.”–Library Journal, starred review

HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD: A RADIANT EMPEROR NOVEL BY SHELLEY PARKER-CHAN
9781250621825 | 8/22/23

“Parker-Chan has written a heart-racing, emotional story that is also heartrending and shocking precisely because readers will, by the end, know the characters and their aims and loves so well. [This is] a new must-read of the fantasy canon.”–Booklist, starred review

“Paying equal attention to fierce battle scenes and deep conversations and filled with desperate decisions and brutal actions, this book is immersive and intimate.”–Library Journal, starred review

THE WATER OUTLAWS BY S.L. HUANG
9781250180421 | 8/22/23

“Huang’s new epic fantasy moves at a breakneck, adrenaline-filled pace that makes it difficult to put down, and the convincing, broad cast of characters powers the plot forward amidst cunning turns of strategy and shocking, dark twists.”–Booklist, starred review

“By cycling through perspectives, Huang brings a large and varied ensemble cast to vibrant life, skillfully including queer identities in a way that feels historically and mythically resonant…This wuxia eat-the-rich tale is a knockout.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

CAMP DAMASCUS BY CHUCK TINGLE
9781250874627 | 7/18/23

“Tingle meticulously unfolds a plot that introduces distrust and confusion, building a pervasive discomfort and laying more and more pressure on Rose…This book is highly entertaining, cinematic, and filled with monsters…but what holds it all together is the immense love at the heart of the novel.”–Library Journal, starred review

“Violence, gore, and body horror abound, yet Rose’s journey, in which she learns to be her authentic self, including differentiating her faith in God from her faith in this specific religious community, is entirely sincere and hopeful.”–Booklist, starred review

FLEE NORTH: A FORGOTTEN HERO AND THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM IN SLAVERY’S BORDERLAND BY SCOTT SHANE
9781250843210 | 9/19/23

“Written in an engaging, dynamic style, FLEE NORTH will captivate readers who want to know how people like Smallwood succeeded in duping countless enslavers. The fascinating tale of a swashbuckling abolitionist and his white activist companion will make readers wish for a film adaptation. This book is a tale of triumph in the face of unspeakable adversity.”–Booklist, starred review

“This astonishing and propulsive narrative rights a historical wrong by returning Smallwood to prominence. It’s an absolute must-read.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review