Starred Review Roundup (2/26/2026)

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

THE FEATHER WARS: AND THE GREAT CRUSADE TO SAVE AMERICA’S BIRDS by James H. McCommons
9781250286895 | 3/17/26

“His prose shines . . . A definitive history of bird conservation in America.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“McCommons adorns his narrative with colorful characters that bring fascinating depth to the historical period, such as boys whose childhoods were spent subsistence hunting. The result is an immersive saga of a shift in both public conscience and everyday practice.”—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

TRAVERSAL by Maria Popova
9780374616410 | 2/17/26

“Sorrows and marvels inspirit this exquisite and revelatory historical and biographical constellation incandescent with Popova’s sustaining belief that ‘our love of truth will always triumph over our love of power.'”—Booklist, starred review

“In Popova’s hands, their struggles and successes combine in a lyrical symphony of truth, made richer by reflections on the nature of the color blue, NASA’s Kepler mission, the 1815 eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Tambora, the invention of the bicycle, and more . . . This is multifaceted and marvelous.”—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

THE SUBTLE ART OF FOLDING SPACE by John Chu
9781250425409 | 4/7/26

“Stylistically complex, daunting, and at times humorous, this tightly written novel will appeal to readers who enjoy hard sf with an emotional tinge.”—Booklist, starred review

“Chu finds a delightful and poignant intersection between the multiverse, family dysfunction, and dim sum in his debut novel.”—Library Journal, starred review

HOW TO FAKE IT IN SOCIETY by KJ Charles
9781250395917 | 4/28/26

“This delightful story is sure to attract new Charles devotees. It is another fun and exciting historical romp from a genre star.”—Library Journal, starred review

“A suspenseful and colorful gay Regency romance.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

THIS KINGDOM WILL NOT KILL ME by Ilona Andrews
9781250377265 | 3/31/26

“Fantasy fans will relate to Maggie, and the strong characters, convincing world building, and simmering slow-burn chemistry between Reynald and Maggie will draw in many readers. A suspenseful, convincing book one of a new series.”—Booklist, starred review

“Andrews (RUBY FEVER) launches a series that is a love letter to fantasy, exploring both the world of Rellas and characters’ backstories in a fully immersive story.”—Library Journal, starred review

THE LOST BOOK OF ELIZABETH BARTON by Jennifer N. Brown
9781250383594 | 4/14/26

“Brown expertly weaves the past and present into a cracking good tale and offers the promise of more to come from Alison Sage regarding just what she finds in that bejeweled small gold chest bearing etchings of female saints. Recommend to fans of WOLF HALL and all readers consumed with the treacherous Tudor times.”—Booklist, starred review

“Brown excels at depicting the manipulation of women across the centuries while exhibiting both shrewd mystery-writing skills and a knack for folding deep historical research into a propulsive narrative. Fans of historical suspense will be wowed.”—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review