The Bright Sword        

by Lev Grossman

Penguin Random House

    This retelling of the legend of Camelot centers on the less well known people of the realm, makes villains of some of the heroes, has a great deal of bloodshed and is, overall, a wonderful read. Grossman explains in a short essay at the end a bit about the way this story has been changed over hundreds of years with each retelling - the anachronisms and lack of historical accuracy - which bring new colors to each of the stories. 

    This is a fine addition to the lore.

If you'd like to know more about this book, or own it, please check with your local independent bookstore or this fine place bookshop.org .

 I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons 

Peter S. Beagle

Simon & Schuster

    This is a very light and engaging fantasy. The characters are delightfully well drawn and I hope we see them in a sequel. This is my first Beagle book but I will try some of his other older ones.

    A distracting fantasy may be just the thing we need for these difficult political times.

    Vote. Please.

If you want to know more about this book, or own it, please check your local independent bookstore or this great place: bookshop.org .

Trust Her                               

by Flynn Berry

PenguinRandomHouse

This is a fine sequel to Berry's Northern Spy - both deal with the conflict in Ireland; two sisters who escaped severe consequences when they moved from Belfast to Dublin find it's a very small island. Both of the women are thoughtful and hopeful about the prospects for peace, in spite of their own difficult positions, and they'll do their best to keep their families safe. A compelling read.

If you'd like to know more about this book, or own it, please check your local independent bookstore or this great placebookshop.org

Enlightenment                                             

by Sarah Perry

Mariner Books/HarperCollins Publishers

   Thomas Hart and Grace Macaulay are friends whose lives are upended by unattainable love and an astronomer from a century past who knows their torment too well. Several comets have very important roles in this wonderful story of stars, love, religion, anger and reconciliation. And the vital importance of museums and libraries.

If you would like to know more about this book, or own it, please visit your local independent bookstore or this great place:bookshop.org

 Translation State

by Ann Leckie

Orbit / Hachette Book Group

You don't need to be a Science Fiction fan to enjoy this book. There is a stronger sense of family, in all its permutations, and belonging, than space. But there is also an intergalactic feud and a wonderful penultimate scene on a constantly twisting space ship that will fulfill SF lovers' needs.

If you'd like to know more about this book, or own it, please check with your local independent bookstore or this great placebookshop.org