Sue's Saturday Suggestions #39

Interesting Books

(Descriptions from Goodreads)

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters, review at Cuddlebuggery

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

Orleans by Sherri L. Smith, review at The Book Smugglers

First came the storms. Then came the Fever. And the Wall.

After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct… but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.

Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader’s newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby to a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other’s last hope for survival.

I have listed these titles in earlier SSS posts: check out my SSS Books Page for links to more reviews:

Between Two Thorns by Emma Newman, review at Over the Effing Rainbow

Blood’s Pride by Evie Manieri, review at The Ranting Dragon

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, review at Gossamer Obsessions

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger, review at Vampire Book Club

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan, reviews at Fantasy Faction & the Little Red Reviewer

Author Interviews

Scott Lynch at Fantasy Faction

Scott Lynch’s The Republic of Thieves gets a Release Date

FINALLY! It seems like we have been waiting for this title forever, but the October dates seem to be official and reliable: fingers crossed that the date does not have to be postponed again. You can read the full release here.

Jan DeLima

The cover for Celtic Moon is almost ready for release, but in the meantime here is Jan’s piece on the Highlands of Maine in Winter.