This week's round-up of beautiful book mail!
I'm excited to begin sharing a roundup of the book mail I've received recently. I can't wait to delve into these books and share my thoughts through reviews! Purchase links are provided below. As always, a huge thank you to all the authors and publishers for sending these out to me! 🫶🏻
Thirteen Wats To Kill Lulabelle Rock by Maud Woolf:
In the futuristic Bubble City, where the elite indulges in authenticated clones known as portraits, Thirteen Ways to Kill Lulabelle Rock unfolds as a satirical sci-fi novella. The narrative centres around movie star Lulabelle Rock's thirteenth portrait, tasked with disposing of her twelve predecessors in a bizarre publicity stunt orchestrated for the release of her latest film.
From the perspective of Lulabelle's final clone, the novella delves into themes of identity and self-awareness within the confines of a liminal existence. Straddling the line between being and non-being, the portrait grapples with memories that aren't truly its own, blurring the boundaries between Lulabelle and its distinct entity. This intriguing premise adds layers of depth to the story, inviting readers to ponder the nature of consciousness and individuality in a world where clones and authenticity collide.
Thank you so much to the author - Maud Woolf and the team at Angry Robot Books for sending the book to be reviewed!
Support a local, independent bookshop and buy the book here.
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The Trials of Marjorie Crowe by C.S. Robertson:
For the past 25 years, Marjorie Crowe has called Kilgoyne, Scotland, home. Living alone, she follows the same routine, walking the village's familiar paths twice daily with a singular purpose—to ward off any lurking evil. However, her eccentric habits and rumoured ancestry fuel gossip among the villagers, who speculate about her being a witch, much like her forebears.
Despite being a herbalist, crafting potions and cultivating plants for the villagers' benefit, Marjorie finds herself ostracised and labelled as peculiar. When she stumbles upon a shocking sight one morning—a boy dangling from the infamous 'witching tree'—she hesitates to speak up. But when the boy miraculously reappears unharmed, suspicion turns toward Marjorie.
As tensions escalate, fueled by paranoia and fueled by social media, Marjorie becomes the target of relentless harassment and accusations. Accused of witchcraft and blamed for a second boy's disappearance, she finds herself facing not just verbal attacks but also online trolling, with calls for her to be burned at the stake.
Thank you so much to the author - C.S. Robertson as well as the team at - Hodder Books for sending this book to be reviewed!
Support a local, independent bookshop and buy the book here.
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A Sign of Her Own by Sarah Marsh.
We're immersed in the world of Ellen Lark, whose life takes a significant turn at the tender age of four when scarlet fever steals her hearing. While she develops a rudimentary sign language to communicate with her sister, her grandmother, Adeline, has other plans.
Adeline insists Ellen learn Visible Speech under the tutelage of none other than Alexander Graham Bell, then a professor in bustling Boston. Despite Bell's renowned work with the deaf community, his focus on Visible Speech—an alternative to sign language—confounds Ellen.
As Ellen matures, she finds herself torn between her desire to please Mr. Bell and her yearning to be embraced by the deaf community she's grown to cherish. Amidst this internal struggle, a budding romance with a charming young deaf man further complicates matters.
The narrative unfolds through two intertwining timelines, offering glimpses into Ellen's journey as she navigates the intricacies of identity, belonging, and love. Sparks fly as loyalties clash and emotions run high, weaving a compelling tale of self-discovery and resilience.
Thank you so much to the author - Sarah Marsh the team at Tinder_press and Headline Books for sending the book to be reviewed!
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