News - Book Reviews

News - Book Reviews

Author of TELL ME LIES Carola Lovering’s next suspenseful thriller, TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, has received a starred review from Kirkus. The magazine affirms that Lovering’s sophomore novel “more than lives up to the promise of her debut,” and calls the book “[a] nifty cat-and-mouse thriller that doesn’t stint when it comes to twists, turns, and ‘gotcha!’ surprises…Lovering, a master of manipulation to rival her own characters does a skillful job of gradually unspooling her intricate tapestry of psychological intrigue while deftly juggling her multiple narratives. And neatly nested in this tale of just who is deceiving whom is a none-too-gentle critique of our system’s rigid social and economic inequities.” St. Martin’s Press will publish the book on March 2, 2021.

Joss Lake’s debut novel FUTURE FEELING is featured on The Millions’ “Most Anticipated: The Great First Half of 2021 Book Preview.” They write: “Like every ambitious literary visionary, Lake uses his delirious imagination and potent narrative gifts to sharpen the mirror on how we live and feel now.” Additionally, Publishers Weekly praises the book: “Pen’s fairy tale ending hits the spot… [T]his coming-of-age journey through the surreality of gender will please readers seeking speculative queer fiction.” Soft Skull will publish the book on June 1, 2021.

In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls Jakob Guanzon’s ABUNDANCE “a harrowing story of a man’s desperation and unyielding love for his son… This one hits hard.” It was also featured on The Millions’ “Most Anticipated: The Great First Half of 2021 Book Preview,” Electric Lit’s “27 Debuts to Look Forward to in the First Half of 2021,” and St. Paul Pioneer Press’ “We may still be stuck at home this spring, but we’ll have plenty to read.” Graywolf will publish the book on March 2, 2021.

The New York Times raves about Arvin Ahmadi’s HOW IT ALL BLEW UP in a roundup of young adult novels with crossover potential for adult readers. They praise the novel’s “frank and often funny insight” and “an immediately likable [protagonist] with whom we empathize… I could not put this book down.” Viking Books for Young Readers published the book on September 22, 2020.

The New York Times Book Review praises THE REVOLUTION ACCORDING TO RAYMUNDO MATA by Gina Apostol. The reviewer writes: “Virgil should offer libations to the gods in thanksgiving that Gina Apostol writes about the Philippines’ founding stories instead of Rome’s…She writes historical fiction like Hilary Mantel on acid….[a] marvelous welter of Filipino storytelling.” Soho Press published the book on January 12, 2021.

Kiese Laymon's HOW TO SLOWLY KILL YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN AMERICA was reviewed by Jerald Walker for the New York Times. He writes: "I must say, Kie…by adding six rich new essays, deftly curating seven from the original book, and reworking the chronology, you have made a once solid collection superb.” Scribner published the book November 10, 2020.

Publishers Weekly praises Lynn Berger’s SECOND THOUGHTS in an enthusiastic review. They write: “Journalist Berger debuts with a gorgeous rumination that combines her thoughts on becoming a mother for the second time with insight into the development of siblings. Berger’s thoughtful inquiry eloquently illuminates the complexities of second-time parenthood.” Henry Holt and Co. will publish the book on April 20, 2021.

The first trade review for Jakob Guanzon’s ABUNDANCE, from Kirkus, calls the book an “impressive debut” and a “compelling picture of poverty, desperation, and pain.” Meanwhile, Soft Punk praises Guanzon’s prose as “surprising and dreamy, stuffed with longing and tenderness,” and the book’s “lyrical and respectful handling” of a story about a Filipino-American single father and son on the margins as “urgent and necessary.” Graywolf Press will publish the book on March 2, 2021.

Angie Thomas’s CONCRETE ROSE has its first starred review from Kirkus. They write: “A literary DeLorean transports readers into the past, where they hope, dream, and struggle alongside beloved characters from Thomas’ THE HATE U GIVE… A resounding success.” It has also been named one of Forbes’ “10 Most Anticipated Books of 2021.” Balzer + Bray will publish the book on January 12, 2021.

Daniel Hornsby’s VIA NEGATIVA continues to pull in glowing praise. Chapter 16 calls the book “a remarkable performance in narrative voice, a convincing rendition of late-life wisdom captured in evocative sentences,” while Englewood Review applauds it as simultaneously “humorously quirky” and “hauntingly spiritual.” A Buzzfeed list of “46 Books Our Indie Booksellers Were Grateful For This Year” names VIA NEGATIVA “a hidden gem,” and Hornsby “a writer to pay attention to.” Knopf published the book on August 11, 2020.