Katherine Harbour's Blog, page 5

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

The Monstrumologist
In early America, Will Henry is the young apprentice to a doctor who studies and hunts monsters. When a horrifying species called Anthropophagi appears in America, the two must find and destroy a nest of the man-eaters. There are grisly deaths and terrifying encounters with these wily beasts. Doctor Warthrop soon calls in the aid of the sociopathic and charming monster hunter, Kearns. (who may be a serial killer) in order to destroy the monsters ( who may have a vendetta against the human race.) A great horror story.

The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

The Gilded Wolves
In an alternate 1889 Paris, where a magical craft called Forging enhances objects, Severin, the owner of a fancy hotel, gathers several experts in their fields to track down an artifact that will prove he is the heir to a fortune: His foster brother Tristan, a botanist; Enrique, a Filipino scholar; Laila, a famous dancer called L'engima; and Zofia, a chemical expert. There is also Hypnos, an aristocrat with unknown loyalties and a flirtatious manner.
With its secret societies, glamour, and fantastic ensemble cast, the story has dashes of H.G. Wells steampunk and Arthur Machen horror. The world-building is detailed and immersive. Severin and his crew--and two of them have marvelously dark secrets--have to navigate their way through a maze of intrigue and hidden enemies to save one of their own.

Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Breathed

Flawed Dogs: The Shocking Raid on Westminster
Ever since Watership Down and Charlotte's Web, I've been wary about stories featuring animals. This middle grade take reminded me why I used to love books like this. Sam, a feisty little dachshund, finds the love of his life in young Heidi. Then all of that is cruelly stolen from him, by the evil and jealous poodle, Cassius. After heartbreaking tribulations, and meeting a pack of patchwork dogs--one of whom is a cat pretending to be a dog--Sam, now missing one leg, plans his revenge against Cassius at the Westminster Dog show. I loved Sam and his band of misfits. And, yes, the ending is a tearjerker.

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein
A horror story set in turn-of-the-century Geneva. Elizabeth was saved from a childhood of abuse and poverty, fostered by the wealthy Frankensteins, who needed a companion for their difficult, genius son.
Years later, Elizabeth and her best friend, Justine, seek Victor Frankenstein, who left Geneva after a rift between Elizabeth, himself, and their missing friend, Henry. Elizabeth's entire life has centered around Victor, whose temper and frightening intelligence have verged on madness.
After they return home, one of Victor's little brothers is murdered, and Justine accused of the crime, Elizabeth, who has been glimpsing a hideous monster in the forest surrounding the house, begins to realize a terrible truth about Victor.
A wrenching tale of a girl who is a survivor, and whose desperation to keep her new life, at the whims of a troubled young man, steers her toward what may be a horrifying end.

Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt

Mr. Splitfoot
In Troy, New York, Nat and Ruth are orphans in foster care with a religious fanatic. All of the other kids are damaged in some fashion. Ruth and Nat, a boy, consider themselves sisters. Nat claims he can channel the dead.
Then a young con man calling himself Mr. Bell arrives and charms the two into running a racket and earning money as spiritualists. Things take a creepy turn when a cult leader shows up, wanting Ruth and a box of stolen money.
Every other chapter is set in the future and concerns Cora, Ruth's niece, who is pregnant and traveling with her Aunt Ruth, who seems to have taken a vow of silence.
This is a poignant mystery touched with dread and strange twists. It is, in a sense, a ghost story.

The Hawkweed Prophecy by Irena Brignull

The Hawkweed Prophecy
Poppy is a teenager in England and trouble seems to follow her. Cats also follow her. And she is able to influence things. Her awareness of her strangeness increases when she meets Ember, a girl who lives in a caravan with other transient women. When both girls meet a boy named Leo, who lives in the streets, a friendship blossoms between the three, But malevolent forces--one of whom is responsible for switching Poppy and Ember at birth--seek to destroy their tender alliance.
A fable of friendship and witchy sisterhood, this atmospheric tale is for anyone who loves Alice Hoffman.

Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

Ace of Shades
Set in a sort of punk Victorian Las Vegas called New Reynes, with electricity and cars, the story follows Enne, a proper young lady searching for her foster mother, Lourdes, who is a bit of a revolutionary. Enne seeks help in this dodgy city by contacting one of its infamous street lords--Levi Glaisyer.
The second POV is Levi's, as he struggles to help Enne because she has what he needs to pay off another crime lord. Levi and Enne have to navigate other crime lords and a plot to keep dangerous royalty from resurfacing.
The charm of the story lies with Enne--who, despite her proper upbringing is a reckless and curious creature--and Levi, whose toughness and deviousness disguise a king heart.
I loved this book, with its unique worldbuilding and a sizzling romance that carries through a dazzling and perilous intrigue.

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Grim Lovelies
I love ensemble casts and this dark fairy tale inspired by Cinderella's animal helpers is one of the best. In contemporary Paris, Anouk is a delicate and ornate girl, maid to a witch who is like a wicked stepmother. All of the witch's servants were formerly animals and dread returning to that state. They are: Beau the chauffeur, (missing) Luke the butler/gardener, Hunter Black the assassin, and Cricket the cat burglar.
Anouk's world falls apart when the witch is murdered. It means the spell that keeps them human will end. They set out on a quest to find another witch who might help. Along the way, they encounter dangerous witches' boys, London-punk, Mad Hatter-like Goblins, a darkling prince, and the conniving, immortal Royals who think they rule the world. It's a gorgeous story that surprised me, with a protagonist whose innocence doesn't keep her from fiercely trying to secure a happy ending for her small family.

Seven Wild Sisters by Charles De Lint

Seven Wild Sisters
A modern fairy tale set in Appalachia, about seven sisters who inadvertently step into a war between two fairy factions--the Ginseng fairies and the court of the Bee Queen. Young Sarah Jane befriends an elderly neighbor named Aunt Lillian, whose knowledge of fairies comes from a childhood adventure. When Sarah Jane's sisters go missing, Aunt Lillian enlists the help of the Apple Tree Man and a cat being that calls himself Li'l Pater.
A lovely adventure about sisters steeped in folktales, with gorgeous illustrations by Charles Vess..

Glory O'Brien's History of the Future by A.S. King

Glory O'Brien's History of the Future
Glory and her best friend Ellie find a bat that seems dead but not decayed, frozen in time. So they drink its blood, as you do, and it gives them the ability to see peoples' pasts and futures. Glory lives with her depressed dad--her mom died when Glory was small. Her friend Ellie lives on a commune across the street. It's a friendship that's falling apart. While Glory seeks more out of life after graduation, Ellie is content with boys.
Because of the weird bat, Glory sees a dystopian future where a small minority of ignorant men attempt to start a New America which sends Equal Rights back to the Dark Ages--and Glory's descendants may be the warriors who fight this civil war.
As Glory tries to figure out if her mother's fate might be her own, Glory realizes her own history is built on the choices she makes.
This is a weird--in a good way--story, about growing up and friendship and the uncertainty of the future.