Starred Review Roundup (9/28/2023)

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

GRAND TOUR by Elisa Gonzalez
9780374611378 | 9/19/2023

“Gonzalez’s thrilling debut embarks with palpable urgency on a journey across the landscapes of friendship, family, and place. Erudite but never overbearing, this is a remarkable achievement.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“In this burning debut, Gonzalez devises bright lyrical narratives that touch on the speaker’s
deceased brother, abusive father, and her own bisexual identity.”–Booklist, starred review

ABSOLUTION by Alice McDermott
9780374610487 | 10/31/2023

“The opening cocktail party in McDermott’s sublime ninth novel, following THE NINTH HOUR (2017), is a marvel of emotional, sensual, and social acuity. McDermott is a resplendent writer of lacerating insights, gorgeous lyricism, and subtle yet exacting moral reckoning, here illuminating shades of good and evil within a bubble of Western privilege and prejudice in a country on the brink of war, concentrating the inane and cruel misogyny women faced in Barbie, that freshly energized icon of female paradox and power.”–Booklist, starred review

“This transporting, piercing, profound novel is McDermott’s masterpiece.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A POWER UNBOUND by Freya Marske
9781250788955 | 11/7/2023

“Marske’s debut is a delightful blend of Edwardian fantasy and romance, with enough twists and questions to have readers clamoring for the next in the planned series.”–Library Journal, starred review

“Marske’s showstopping final Last Binding historical fantasy doubles down on all the romance and magic that made the previous books in the trilogy so delightful . . . Marske again demonstrates her talent for balancing romance and fantasy action. This does the series proud.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

BOOKSHOPS & BONEDUST by Travis Baldree
9781250886101 | 11/7/2023

“Baldree’s prequel to LEGENDS & LATTES cements his talent for cozy fantasy, engaging characters, and anachronistic references that would be at home in a DISCWORLD novel . . . Folks who enjoyed the camaraderie and settings of this year’s Dungeons & Dragons movie—as well as anyone who likes the idea of an orc warrior becoming a devotee of the power of reading and its ability to broaden your horizons—should check out Viv’s adventures.”–Booklist, starred review

“This prequel is the perfect place for readers to start Baldree’s cozy fantasy series where folks band together for good, and evil is conquered through cleverness and friendship.”–Library Journal, starred review

A MEMOIR OF MY FORMER SELF: LIFE IN WRITING by Hilary Mantel
9781250342225 | 10/24/2023

“Mantel’s idiosyncratic and magisterial voice comes through on every page, carrying readers across an astonishing array of subject matter with ease. This is a treasure”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Warm, human, unfailingly engaging, this lovely collection should appeal widely. As usual, she writes like a dream.”–Library Journal, starred review

WORM: A CUBAN AMERICAN ODYSSEY by Edel Rodriguez
9781250753977 | 11/7/2023

“A sharply observed document of totalitarianism and its discontents—this gifted artist in particular.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“In depicting both Cuba and the United States at their best and worst, Time cover artist Rodriguez’s debut graphic memoir is a stunningly rendered elegy for the dreams of revolutionaries, immigrants, and parents. It’s a bracing warning bell for any reader concerned about the future of American democracy.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE GOLDEN GATE by Amy Chua
9781250903600 | 9/19/2023

“Satisfyingly twisty, highly educational, and lots of fun.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“In her first novel, 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 (BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER) is a successful, compelling mash-up of California history, ghost story, family tale, and social commentary.”–Library Journal, starred review

CALAMITY by Constance Fay
9781250330413 | 11/14/2023

“Fay’s unputdownable debut [ . . . ] is packed to the brim with heat, heart, and humor . . . Fay enriches the enemies-to-lovers romance with meticulous worldbuilding and lovable, larger-than-life characters. The space hijinks and tantalizing mystery make this a gift for any romance lover who’s also a Firefly fan.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Fay’s debut is highly recommended for fans of pulse-pounding combos of sci-fi with sympathetic characters and melting hearts, like that from Valerie Valdes, K.B. Wagers, Rachel Bach, and Cat Rambo.”–Library Journal, starred review