Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, sharp debut that digs in to a very current issue with compassion and good humour.
Nadia is a heartbroken, recently dumped by her girlfriend academic, estranged from her mother and full of unexamined sadness. Rather than face her issues head on she accepts a challenging UN role rehabilitatiting ISIS brides in Iraq. there she meets Sara, a spirited young Londoner who joined ISIS at just 15.
I loved the dynamic between Nadia and Sara, and the lightness of touch with which the author wrote about difficult subjects. This book had be laughing out loud as well as shedding a few tears.
Marianne
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
Fantastic, gruesome folk horror exploring the complexity of mother-daughter relationships through cannibalism! Yes, this is my second book of the year that deals with cannibalism, but don't fear. It'll provoke lots of thoughts whirring about consumption, toxic love, and the importance of community for a healthy society, but your brain might need to settle after reading first. If you like subversive fiction that doesn't mind going into some dark places, it's an intriguing story with a protagonist who you'll root for, despite her penchant for eating people.
Olivia
Barrowbeck by Andrew Michael Hurley
Barrowbeck is a loose set of short stories, some interlinked, but all revolving around the mysterious and mythic village of Barrowbeck. Many of these stories were originally developed for radio and they haven't lost anything in their transference to paper. Combining a range of genres, from horror to historical and magical realism to mystery, Hurley has had the uncanny ability to write an entire book full of distinct, unique stories- something that can be quite difficult to say about short story collections! Check this out if you enjoyed Devil's Day or Starve Acre. You won't be disappointed.
Olivia
Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang
After a glowing recommendation from a friend who has a similar taste in books to me, I had to give this a try and I’m so glad I did! A standalone fantasy book, dark academia, female protagonist and a secret that can destroy their way of using magic forever, what more could you want?
This book gripped me right from the beginning and didn’t let go until I finished it with my heart broken for the characters. Even as a standalone, the novel sets up the world and its magic system brilliantly that you along with the characters are shocked when secrets come to light.
If you love dark academia and fantasy and want something to escape into, Blood Over Bright Haven is the choice you need to go with, just don’t forget to have a few tissues handy. I’m also looking forward to reading more from M. L. Wang!
Alisha
