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!
The books in this week's round-up are:
Determination by Tawseef Khan:
Jamila Shah is twenty-nine and utterly exhausted.
As an immigration solicitor managing her family's cherished law firm, Jamila's days are a blur of relentless work and sleepless nights, often interrupted by frantic phone calls from clients on the brink of deportation. Navigating the government's harsh and unforgiving 'hostile environment' policies, she tirelessly advocates for her clients, hoping each decision brings the life-changing news they desperately need: permission to remain.
Her dedication comes at a cost. With no time for family, friends, or even herself – let alone a demanding partner – Jamila's life is a whirlwind of responsibilities, leaving her overwhelmed and unfulfilled.
But when she reaches breaking point, she realises something must change. In this pivotal moment, she begins a deeply personal journey to rediscover her happiness while grappling with society's unrelenting expectations and her unwavering commitment to helping others.
In this assured, multi-voiced and character-driven debut, readers are introduced to the staff of Shah & Co Solicitors – themselves migrants who arrived in the UK not long ago – and the clients they serve.
Together, they paint a poignant and authentic portrait of the struggles faced by recent arrivals as they navigate bureaucratic obstacles, fight to build new lives, and strive for a sense of normality in a world that so often seems stacked against them.
Thank you so much to Serena and the team at Footnote Press and Bonnier Books for sending me a finished copy of the book!
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And He Shall Appear by Kate Van Der Borgh:
An intoxicating and deeply unsettling exploration of obsession, privilege, and the dark forces that bind us.
When a first-year student arrives at Cambridge, he is immediately struck by how out of place he feels in a world of privilege and tradition—a world of punting, politics, and polished self-assurance.
Then, he meets Bryn Cavendish. Charismatic, magnetic, and infamous for his wild parties and dazzling magic tricks, Bryn draws people into his orbit with effortless ease. To be in his inner circle is intoxicating; to be cast out is to become invisible.
As the academic year unfolds, the student becomes captivated by Bryn’s enigmatic charm, spiralling deeper into his world. But Bryn’s magic, once a harmless spectacle, begins to take a darker, more sinister turn. As the tricks grow more dangerous, questions about the true nature of Bryn’s power emerge.
Is his allure simply a product of privilege and confidence, or is something far more malevolent at play?
Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Cambridge, this gripping tale combines the haunting allure of dark academia with a razor-sharp exploration of friendship, envy, and ambition. Perfect for readers who crave stories that linger long after the final page, this is a masterful look at the forces that compel us—and the price we pay to belong.
Thank you so much to Matt and the team at 4th Estate for sending me a finished copy of this beautiful book!
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North is the Night by Emily Rath:
In this darkly mythical, Finnish folklore-inspired fantasy duology, two bold young women, Siiri and Aina, find themselves defying both gods and mortals as they face the ominous forces threatening their world.
In the shadow of a vanishing summer, the peace of the Finnish wilderness is shattered by land-hungry invaders, a zealous priest, and the mysterious disappearances of young women. When Aina is dragged to Tuonela, the mythical underworld, by a death goddess, Siiri embarks on a perilous journey to save her.
Meanwhile, Aina must navigate the cruel realm of the Witch Queen, where she uncovers a dark truth about the king of the underworld's plans for her. To escape, Aina must make a desperate bargain while Siiri fights to rescue the woman she loves.
Thank you so much to the team at Quercus Books for sending me an advance reader copy of this book! The cover is beautiful!
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