We read a lot of books around here. Shocker, I know. We always tell you what we love, but our monthly wrap-up has to be one of our favorite recommendation lists, as it covers the most recent 5-star read of our very long TBRs. This past October, 11 Bookstr team members read books spanning fantasy, romance, horror, and historical fiction, and we cannot wait to tell you all about them.
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen (Fantasy Romance)
Every 100 years, the Olympian Gods put together a crucible for the throne, to be crowned King or Queen of the Overworld. They each choose a human champion to participate in the 12 labors of the crucible to win. This year, a surprise entry by Hades, who has never entered before, and his chosen champion, a thief cursed by Zeus never to know love, throws the event into chaos. Everyone is asking themselves: Why now, and what is the point? After all, Hades is already King of the Underworld. What horrors does he want to unleash by gaining both realms, and what does this inconspicuous, seemingly weak human have to do with it?
What a fascinating retelling of the Greek pantheon; contemporary setting, Gods active in the lives of mortals, and a backstory that tells a very different tale of the Olympian history without sacrificing anything. I loved the character development, the plot, and the simmering, slow burn romance. I’ve already started reading book two, The Things Gods Break, which was released in October.
- Kristi Eskew, Executive Editor
Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliand (Romantasy)
Sage Flores moves back home after avoiding her family for years. When she arrives, she’s met with a host of feelings from everyone around her, including her high school sweetheart, Tennessee Reyes. But she has other things to focus on and can’t let this extremely attractive man into her heart. Not when she has a dead sister bringing her coffee and another sister who can rain her emotions onto the house – literally.
This was such a cozy read for October. I loved how the author unveiled the circumstances of the teenage relationship between Tennessee and Sage throughout the novel, like leaving breadcrumbs for the reader to pick up. When they finally got together, I’ll admit it, I cried; Tennessee is the best kind of book boyfriend. It was so good I wanted to immediately dive into the second one right away, but it was 2 a.m. (and I didn’t have a copy of Lightning in Her Hands).
- Cassandra Fushia, Editorial
When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-Yi Lee (Sapphic Fantasy)
When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-Yi Lee is a new adult fantasy novel that follows Adeline as she investigates her mother’s death and uncovers the dark underbelly of Singapore, where a complex network of gangsters channels the power of their gods. Adeline becomes involved with the all-girl gang, the Red Butterflies, and quickly learns that her mother wasn’t who she thought she was as the mystery of her death begins to unravel.
The writing style is luscious, and the world-building is so excellently done! The romance begins quite subtly, but is developed gorgeously throughout the novel. When They Burned the Butterfly is perfect for fans of Fonda Lee and R.F. Kuang, and will keep readers on the edge of their seats, as it absolutely did for me!
- Paige Mandia, Social Media Intern
A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir (YA Fantasy)
The final book in the Ember in the Ashes series. It’s an epic conclusion where we find our crew in alliances we never expected. The jinn are on the attack with the Nightbringer leading them. Laia and Blood Shrike are allied, and they’re trying to recover from losing their loved ones. And Elias is now the Soul Catcher, and he struggles to leave his old life behind and accept his new one.
I was so hooked onto the series os a whole, I didn’t want it to end. It took me a long time to finish this book since I didn’t want to say goodbye to the characters! The characters grew with each book, and in this finale, it was clear just how much they had evolved. When the crew had no reason to have hope, they still found little shreds of light to hold on to. The writing was amazing and added some new words to my vocabulary as well! I also love it when a book makes me cry, and tears were shed.
- Farah Ali, Graphics
A Curious Kind of Magic by Mara Rutherford (Cozy YA Fantasy)
Willow runs her late father’s magic shop and does her best to sell enchanted trinkets and talismans, but everyone in town knows that they’re ordinary fakes. One day, an outlander named Brianna walks into the shop and turns Willow’s fakes into the magical objects they’re supposed to be. But try as she might, Willow struggles to enlist Bri’s help to keep the shop open because Bri’s ability is a curse — everything she touches turns magical, and she’s on the hunt for a grimoire that’ll end it.
A Curious Kind of Magic is super fun, cozy, and perfect to read to welcome autumn while curling up under a blanket with tea. The characters are so lovable and full of life, and Willow’s narration is hilarious and a delight to read. With such a big focus on friendship and adventure, this was a breath of fresh air in the midst of typical YA fantasies. I had the privilege of reading the ARC for this book before it was published, and I hope other readers will enjoy it as much as I did!
- Isabella Talavera, Outreach
Morgana & Oz, Vol. 1 by Miyuli (Graphic Novel; Fantasy)
Morgana Winterberry is a witch who’s bad at magic, and Oz hails from a rival clan of vampires. Can we make it any more obvious?
After their clans fail to reach a peace, and the witches are accused of poisoning the vampires, war looms over the horizon. Add in a few mis-enchanted spells from Morgana and Oz, now turned into a cat, into the mix, and the two must find a way to work together to reverse Morgana’s spell and uncover who wouldn’t want peace between witches and vampires.
I always love a good graphic novel. Morgana & Oz had everything I loved about prose fiction — a budding romance, humor, secret plots, and an intriguing cliffhanger — with some gorgeous, cozy art to accompany the text.
- Ashley Lewis, Social and Outreach
Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge (Midwestern Gothic Horror)
Every Halloween, groups of teenage boys hunt a creature known as the October Boy for the chance to escape their suffocating hometown. But as the night goes on, Pete uncovers the truth of the October Boy and the dark rituals that envelop the town.
Dark Harvest is a fast read, perfect for the autumn season, even if Halloween has come and gone. It also won the Bram Stoker Award!
- Adia Reynolds, Social Media Intern
Mickey7 by Edward Ashton (Science Fiction)
To escape his creditors, Mickey Barnes joins an expedition to colonize an alien planet as the resident Expendable: a disposable employee sent on a series of suicide missions no one else wants to do. After one body dies, a new iteration is regenerated with the previous version’s memories more or less intact. When he’s presumed dead after a botched scouting mission and returns home to find a new clone in his bedroom, Mickey must keep his duplicate a secret or risk permanent death.
Mickey7 is a darkly funny sci-fi romp with an unexpectedly heartfelt message about coexistence and the value of all life. Its unique premise promises humor, action, and shenanigans galore. A brief and bingeable read you can knock out in a day, this book is a wild, unpredictable ride fellow sci-fi fans will eat up!
- Lauren Nee, Managing Editor
After Midnight by Irmgard Keun (Historical Fiction)
A haunting echo of 1930s Germany and girlhood. This beautiful coming-of-age novella paints an authentic picture of Sanna’s struggle on the cusp of adulthood, but it also offers a grim insight into the increasing nationalism and censorship of the period. Quick to read, hard to forget.
- Sari Kitchen, Marketing & Outreach Intern
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco (YA Historical Mystery)
Going against her overprotective father’s wishes, Audrey Rose Wadsworth sneaks out to her uncle’s laboratory to study forensic medicine, often involving the gruesome act of practicing on cadavers. When Audrey is dragged into the investigation of a serial killer, Jack the Ripper, her need for answers makes her look into those around her and realize that it’s closer to home than she thinks.
What I liked most about this book was the way Audrey defied Victorian expectations and pursued medicine anyway, when in a time women were discouraged from doing so. The mix of real-life history and the fictional investigation made the story much more suspenseful. Along with the blend of historical London, forensic details, and eerie murder scenes, this book had the perfect moody, gothic vibe that kept the story entertaining.
- Melissa Mittendorff, Outreach & Editorial
A Killer Wedding by Joan O’Leary (Mystery/Thriller)
Christine is chosen to cover the wedding of the grandson of the wealthy founder of a beauty empire for Bespoke, the luxury fashion magazine where she works. The destination wedding is taking place in a beautiful castle in Ireland. When the unexpected happens, Christine is forced to figure out how to get herself out of a sticky situation while hunting for clues and keeping herself safe.
This was a really fun read! I devoured it in one day! The writing was fabulous, and the character development was fantastic. I enjoyed how the author used stories to give us information about the characters. If you love murder mysteries, you will absolutely love this book!
- Michelle Krieger, Video Manager
Have you picked up any of these intriguing titles and haven’t cracked the cover open yet? Have we convinced you to? Maybe you found a new book for your TBR? Be sure to let us know on our socials!
Did you miss our September Wrap-Up? Check it out here.
You can pick up these and other Team Recs on our Bookshop and support indie bookstores in the process.
