The Last Wizard's Ball (Gunnie Rose #6)

The Last Wizard's Ball by Charlaine Harris is the sixth book in her alternate history / wester / magic series about a gunslinger in a very different old west.

Lizbeth Rose's sister Felicia attends the Grand Wizards' Ball, and as one of the most powerful - and beautiful - death wizards in a generation, she is highly sought after as one of the belles of the ball.

However, war and violence are on the rise in Europe as German and Japanese wizards are also courting Felicia . . . and some are refusing to take no for an answer.

As the façade of genteel wizard society turns deadly, Lizbeth must learn to not only protect her sister, but also navigate the arcane world that is pulling her sister and husband into a dangerous dance with death that could change the world as they know it.

Harris has written another addictive series! 

All the Dead Shall Weep (Gunnie Rose #5)

All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris is the fifth book in her alternate history western series featuring Gunnie Rose and her sister Felicia.

Felicia is traveling with her best friend Peter to visit her sister Lizbeth in Texoma. Felicia is in magic school in San Diego, of the Holy Russian Empire. 

Lizbeth and her husband Eli have visited Felicia in San Deigo, but this is Felicia's first trip to Segundo Mexia, Texoma - a much more rural place than the big city she lives in. 

When an army of unknown origin comes through Segundo Mexia, Peter and Eli follow them. Felicia and Lizbeth stay and try to protect the people in town. 

Could all of this be a move by someone to take over Texoma? Or is it related to the wizard's ball coming up - where the magical families make betrothals to strengthen their lines? A ball where the very powerful Felicia will be presented for the first time.

Harris has a wonderful gift for world-building. The Gunnie Rose series is both highly entertaining and a fast read. I highly recommend reading this series. 

Harris, Charlaine. (2023). All the Dead Shall Weep. New York: Saga Press.

He Who Drowned the World (Radiant Emperor #2)

He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan is the stunning conclusion to her Radiant Emperor series, an alternate history to the end of the Great Yuan and the founding of the Ming Dynasty. 

Zhu Yuanzhang, formerly Zhu Chongba, has crowned themself king of a large part of southern China, land taken back from the Mongol Yuan dynasty.

General Ouyang, who fought against Zhu, will form an uneasy alliance with Zhu to continue the destruction of the Yuan. Someone else is also pulling strings to gain the throne himself. So far, Zhu cannot figure out who that could be.

In this heart-wrenching conclusion, Parker-Chan closes this brilliantly written alternate history, queer retelling of a pivotal time in Chinese and world history. If you are a fan of history or great writing read this series. It is a feat of literature. 

Parker-Chan, Shelley. (2023). He Who Drowned the World. New York: Tor.

To Shape a Dragon's Breath (Nampeshiweisit #1)

To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose is the first book in the fantasy series.

The island of Masquapaug has not seen dragons for generations. The Anglish conquerors have their types of dragons on the mainland, but the Nampeshiwe have gone. Or at least everyone thinks that until Anequs is on the shore when she sees a huge Nampeshiwe take off from the next island. 

She goes back to tell her family. The next day she goes to the old temple to give thanks for the honor of seeing a Nampeshiwe. When she arrives, there is a dragon egg. She takes it back to the meetinghouse where everyone on Masquapaug sings, dances and tells stories to the egg while they wait for it to hatch.

Unfortunately, the Anglish have rules about dragons and who can have them. Anequs must go to school to become certified to shape a dragon's breath. Without this bond and the teachings, the fire a dragon breathes can destroy. But with the knowledge of how to work with a dragon, one can shape the breath into something magical.

Blackgoose has created a beautiful book set in the time of early colonization - when those who invaded think they know everything and are civilized. When those who already lived in the area see the invaders as brutish and shortsighted. I absolutely love this book! My only complaint is that is just came out so I will have to wait forever for the next one in the series. :-)

Blackgoose, Moniquill. (2023). To Shape a Dragon's Breath. New York: Del Rey.

The Serpent in Heaven (Gunnie Rose #4)

The Serpent in Heaven by Charlaine Harris is the fourth book in the Gunnie Rose alternate history, western, fantasy series - this one focuses on Rose's sister Felicia. 

Felicia Karkarov is a student at the Grigori Rasputin School of magic in San Diego - capital of the Holy Russian Empire. As a relative to the tsar, Felicia is at the school not for magic but to be close in case the tsar needs a blood transfusion. In fact, her teachers do not know if she has magic.

On her way to dine with her new in-laws, Felicia is kidnapped and locked in a room. She has no idea who has nabbed her, but she plans to escape. 

Harris has created a wonderful alternative history. This is a super fun series. Check out the first one today!

Harris, Charlaine. (2022). The Serpent in Heaven. New York: Saga Press.

She Who Became the Sun (Radiant Emperor #1)

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is the first book in a retelling of Chinese history beginning in 1345.

Being a daughter in 1300s China is not easy. Having a brother who is an 8th -born son also means you have to do everything for you brother and father. 

When your father takes your brother to the fortune teller, you come along. The seer says your brother, Zhu Chongba, is destined to greatness. Since you are there, too, your fortune is told - it shows nothing. 

In a time of poverty for all but the upper class, your brother has been promised to the monastery. So, when your brother and father die and you have not food, you disguise yourself as your brother and present yourself to the monastery as him. You feel that is you do as your brother would, and keep the eye of heaven off of yourself, you can take over his destiny.

Parker-Chan has written the beginning of a brilliant series - historical fiction with a queer twist. I absolutely loved this book! If you are a fan of history, fantasy or badass female characters, read this book! (Book 2 will be out in August!)

Parker-Chan, Shelley. (2021). She Who Became the Sun. New York: Tor. 

The Hidden Place (Golem and Jinni #2)

The Hidden Place by Helene Wecker is the second historical fiction book featuring the Golem and the Jinni. This second book is every bit as wonderful as the first!

In the early 1900s Manhattan, there live (at least) two creatures passing themselves off as human - a golem who goes by Chava and works as a baker. And a jinni who works with metal in Little Syria, Ahmad. 

Both Chava and Ahmad have changed the lives of the humans around the for the better. Now it is time for their lives to change a bit, too. 

Sophia Winston lives on the upper edges of Central Park with her family. She has an illness that makes her very cold. She has told her parent that she is to travel to Europe to get better. They have hired two companions to accompany her - and report back to her parents. 

Wecker is an amazing writer. You will be captured on the first page and long for more when you complete both books. If you are only going to read one thing this year, start here. 

Wecker, Helene. (2021). The Hidden Place. New York: Harper.

The Russian Cage (Gunnie Rose #3)

The Russian Cage by Charlaine Harris is her alternate history series featuring Gunnie Rose. Lizbeth Rose is a guard who, with a crew, guides people through the wilds of an altered United States.

Lizbeth gets a letter from her half-sister in the Holy Russian Empire (what we call California and Oregon) - a sister she only discovered months ago. On a second reading she notices a code.

Eli has been arrested. Eli's brother, a classmate of her sister, has been to see him but cannot find out why he is in jail. 

Lizbeth packs a bag, digs up some money and hops a train west. Once arriving in San Diego, she has to attempt to blend in - including not carrying her guns. 

Harris has created a wonderful genreblend - alternate history magic, western - which should surprise no one who is familiar with her Southern Vampire (aka True Blood) series. She is a great writer with an extra amount of imagination! I love this series!

Harris, Charlaine. (2021). The Russian Cage. New York: Saga Press.

A Longer Fall (Gunnie Rose #2)

 A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris is the second book in her alternative history western featuring Gunnie Rose - a bodyguard and guide through the wild lands of North America.

Joined by a new crew, Gunnie Rose is escorting a crate from Texoma to Dixie. 

When the train is derailed, she is sure is it to seal the crate. Rose and the other gunnie, Lizbeth, try to defend their cargo against whomever is coming for it. 

Harris has created a wonderfully enjoyable series that is part western, part fantasy and part historical. Rose is as followable a character as her Sookie Stackhouse was in the vampire South.

Harris, Charlaine. (2020). A Longer Fall. New York: Saga Press.

An Easy Death (Gunnie Rose #1)

An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris is the first book in her alternate history / fantasy / western series featuring Gunnie Rose.

In an alternate history of North America, where other countries (Canada, Mexico, Russia, England) control part of what we know at the United States, Rose works as a gunnie on a crew that transports people between what is once again Mexico (now called Texoma) and New America to the north - across the lawless region in between.

When all goes wrong, she is forced to take a job by two wizards from the Holy Russian Empire (California to Alaska) as a local guide and gunnie while they look for a missing man. She doesn't tell them that she knows exactly what happened to him - she needs the money.

This is a great start to another fun series by Charlaine Harris, best known for her Southern Vampire series that became True Blood on HBO. With a feel both western and dystopian, this is the start of a wonderful series.

Harris, Charlaine. (2018). An Easy Death. New York: Saga Press.

Competence (Custard Protocol #3)

Competence by Gail Carriger is the third book in her Custard Protocol series featuring Prudence Akledama and her friends who are traveling the world in her dirigible (which looks like a giant lady bug).

Pru and her friends are on their way to South America. They are going to hunt or rescue a different type of vampire - the letter was vague.

Filled with wonderful supernatural creatures from vampires and werewolves to werecats and those who can take any shape, all of Gail Carriger's books are a great ride.

While it is impossible to choose a favorite book out of all I have read, Gail Carriger is definitely one of my favorite writers.

Carriger, Gail. (2018). Competence. New York: Orbit.

Purple Hearts (Soldier Girls #3)

Purple Hearts by Michael Grant is the final book in his Soldier Girls trilogy (also know as the Front Lines series). This series explores WWII with the idea that, due to a court case about equality, young women were also drafted and allowed to fight on the front lines. Everything else about the novels are accurate to the war and time period.

Beginning with D-Day, this novel closes out the war for Rio Richlin, Frangie Marr and Rainy Schulterman.

Rio and her platoon are on ships in the UK awaiting deployment to the largest battle of the war. She is now a Sargent, in charge of keeping her people alive.

Frangie is in the same swarm of boats, ready to bring up the rear and provide medical aide. She will run into the fight whenever a soldier needs her help.

Rainy is in intelligence, about to be smuggled in to France to report on German tank movements. She will have no one but herself to keep her safe.

After the D-Day battle, they will still have to face many fierce and emotional battles: the Hurtgen, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of concentration camps. This wonderful, terrible story is lovingly depicted by Grant via these women you would want watching you back in any fight.

Grant, Michael. (2018). Purple Hearts. New York: Katherine Tegan Books.

The Power

The Power by Naomi Alderman is an amazing commentary on our times. And just what us left leaning women needed in this political climate!

Written as an historical novel, looking back five thousand years to our current day, The Power looks at what happened to shift the political and social power from men to women.

Roxy is the daughter of a London gangster. When men come to attach her mother, thinking she wouldn't be home, Roxy fights back. She has something inside of her that tells her she can hurt the men who are trying to hurt her family.

Margot is mayor. The power in her is awakened by her daughter - teen girls can trigger it in older women. But Margot keeps her power a secret. The political climate is not reacting well to girls being able to defend themselves - and occasionally attacking some guy.

Allie is an orphan who is being abused. When she feels something in her chest she fights back. And her step father reacts as if electrocuted. Then she runs.

Tunde is a witness. He is excited for young women to be able to defend themselves. In some parts of the world they will rebel against religious laws that keep them from having rights. Tunde will start traveling the globe to help document the changes and the revolution.

The Power is so good. Alderman has written a book that shows the opposite future to the one in The Handmaid's Tale where women rule the world and men are seen as the weaker sex. This is a refreshing novel that is brilliantly conceived and written. Go buy a copy today - and buy one for the women in your life.

Alderman, Naomi. (2016). The Power. UK: Penguin.

Silver Stars (Soldier Girl #2)

Silver Stars by Michael Grant is the second book in his Soldier Girl series – an alternated history where there was not gender restriction in the draft for WWII in the United States. The story follows three American young women as they experience the horror of the War to End All Wars.

The story continues as each character has experienced battle and is just trying to get home safely. Rio Richlin, whose proficiency with a rifle has put her on the front lines, will be sent with her squadron to a new theater. Frangie Marr, who is a nurse, will continue to help people while facing the double burden of being a black woman in the US Army. Rainy Schulterman, trained in Army intelligence, will have the chance to help the war – but at the cost of being stuck behind enemy lines.

Grant has done a good job of realistically placed female soldiers into the US Army of the 1940s. This is a great young adult series.

Grant, Michael. (2017). Silver Stars. London: Electric Monkey.

The Dark Days Pact (Lady Helen #1)

The Dark Days Pact by Alison Goodman is the second book in her Lady Helen series of alternate history / fantasy set in the early 1800s England.

Lady Helen Wrexhall was introduced to the Dark Days Club at the time she was introduced to society. Expecting parties and potential suitors, instead she got creatures that look human but feed off of those around them.

Now Helen is in training to fight these creatures, to keep a balance. She is in Brighton with her members of the club, the Hammonds. Lord Carlston is helping to train her.

Unfortunately, Lord Carlston is fighting something within himself. And to make matters worse, the man Helen turned down for marriage has followed them to the shore.

Goodman has created a great fantasy series set within the confines of British society at its height.

Goodman, Alison (2017). The Dark Days Pact. New York: Viking.

Front Lines (Soldier Girl #1)

Front Lines by Michael Grant is the story of what it would have been like if US women could have been drafted during World War II - focusing on three young women who sign up.

The court case Becker v. Minneapolis Draft Board in 1940 ruled that the Selective Training and Service Act (the military draft) unfairly singles out males, and extends the draft to all United States citizens 18 year of age or older.

Rio Richlin of Gedwell Fall, California, just heard that her sister died in the Pacific when her Navy ship was sunk by the Japanese. When her best friend Jenou announces that she is joining the Army. Rio decides to join with her.

Frangie Marr of Tulsa, Oklahoma, wants to be a doctor. She doesn't know any black women doctors, but it is her dream. She is going to sign up for the Army and try to become a medic. The stipend will help her family's income since her father's injury.

Rainy Schulterman of New York City wants to join the Army to kill Nazis. Her relatives in Europe have been silent since Germany invaded. Her brother, who is her best friend, is a Marine being assigned to the Pacific. Rainy will be assigned to Army intelligence.

Grant has written a great historical novel that is also a what-if. The book explores the sexism and racism at the time with three great main characters. Front Lines is the first book in a series. Buy a copy today! Book two is already out.

Grant, Michael. (2016). Front Lines. New York: Katherine Tegen Books.

Romancing the Inventor (Supernatural Society Novella #1)

Romancing the Inventor by Gail Carriger is the first Supernatural Society Novella set in the same work as her Parasol Protectorate, Finishing School and Custard Protocol series. This one takes place a few years after the end of the Parasol Protectorate series finishes.

Genevieve Lefoux has been one of my favorite characters in these series. Now she has a novella focusing on her - or rather one in which the main character's attention is completely focused on her.

Madam Lefoux is an inventor. Even as a child she created useful gadgets. Now she is indentured to a vampire hive as punishment. She spends all of her time in the potting shed, come laboratory.

Imogene Hale is a parlourmaid. Her family needed the income and Imogene has no desire to marry, so she got hired at the local vampire hive. When she is sent to take a lunch tray to the potting shed, she becomes intrigued by Madam Lefoux. And finds ways to be assigned the duty more often.

Carriger has created a sweet romance story set in an alternate history England. Fans of the Carriger series will enjoy this novella and be happy that Vieve has finally found someone to help her get over her old lost love.

Carriger, Gail. (2016). Romancing the Inventor. ?: Gail Carriger LLC.

Like a River Glorious (Goldscryer #2)

Like a River Glorious by Rae Carson is the second book in her Goldscryer series which takes place during the California Gold Rush.

Leah Westfall can sense gold. When her parents were killed she followed her best friend West. Now she and Jeff and the rest of the people they collected on the way, are staking a claim in the Sierra Nevada mountains above Sacramento.

Once they find a place to search for gold, Leah tells them all what she can do. They will have to be careful not to show that they are luckier than the prospectors around them, but they will find gold.

She also tells them about her uncle. Hiram is after her. He knows what she can do and as her last living male relative, he is rightfully her authority until she get married - which she has no desire to do. If Hiram finds her he will put her to work finding gold for him. She will become his servant.

Carson has done a great job combining history with magic. Any fans of historical fiction, California history, westerns, magic, or of great stories will love this series.

Carson, Rae. (2016). Like a River Glorious. New York: Greenwillow Books.

The Dark Days Club (Lady Helen #1)

The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman is the first book in her series featuring Lady Helen Wrexhall in regency England.

It is 1812. Lady Helen Wrexhall is about to be presented to the queen and enter British society as an adult. Helen and her brother are being raised by her aunt and uncle after their parents death. Helen's aunt is hoping the stain of Helen's mother does not limit her chances at a good marriage. Her mother was accused of treason.

Two men notice her as soon as she is presented. Her brother's best friend - a match that would rank Helen so high she would be in line for the crown. And a distant cousin who is trying to find his way back into society after being accused of killing his wife.

Goodman has taken regency England and added a new element in this alternate history series. Hidden in the world Lady Helen is entering is another layer - Deceivers who feed on people and the Reclaimers who have to protect society from them. This is a great start to a wonderful series!

Goodman, Alison. (2016). The Dark Days Club. New York: Viking.

Manners and Mutiny (Finishing School #4)

Manner and Mutiny by Gail Carriger is the fourth book in her Finishing School series - about a school that teaches girls espionage along with etiquette.

England is awash in the latest technology - mechanicals used as maids, butlers and more. They have all been recently updated with a special valve - a valve that Sophronia and her friends think will lead to something big. Months ago all of the mechanicals stopped working and started to sing the same song - surely a test.

Sophronia, Agatha and Dimity continue their education at a strange school that floats in a large dirigible in the moors of England. They seem to be having a hard time getting any adults to believe the severity of the problem.

In this conclusion to the series, Carriger continues her wonderful alternate history of England in the 1850s. Her characters are delightful - fans will be excited to see some of them in her other two series. If you are looking for a fun, light read, start one of her series today. Her world is brilliant!

Carriger, Gail. (2015). Manners and Mutiny. New York: Little, Brown and Co.