General Fiction
Plot/Idea: Silenced Whispers is an enthralling cross-cultural love story set against the backdrop of social upheaval in pre-WWI Tehran. Gohar is caught up amongst the sociopolitical turmoil in a tense and thought provoking story which has a profound impact on the reader.
Prose: Bellisario's novel benefits from an excellent level of description and historical accuracy which propels it to the next level. The prose is sharp, the characters are well rounded and the storyline is consistently compelling.
Originality: Silenced Whispers is a provocative drama with a heart-wrenching and emotional storyline that is gripping and affecting. Bellisario's excellently crafted tale also provides an lluminating insight into the harsh and oppressive social landscape of early 20th century Iran.
Character/Execution: Silenced Whispers is a character-led story with tense, naturalistic and affecting dialogue. The central character of Gohar, an adopted orphan forced to marry a politician 40 years her senior, is particularly well crafted and the reader forms an immediate connection with her plight.
Blurb: A tense and absorbing Iranian drama.
Plot/Idea: A House of Cranes is an effortlessly intricate, character-focused drama that is both touching and involving. An exploration of boyhood fascination and wonder, Walter Lee's well-written story is an effectively paced tale of sexual awakening.
Prose: James Walter Lee's text is elegantly written, full of beautifully written observations. His dense passages of description and deft use of language heighten the dramatic atmosphere and infuse the storyline with intimacy.
Originality: A House of Cranes creates an excellently crafted web of passion, desire, and powerful eroticism. The sensual scenes are handled in a discreet and alluring manner, while the work strikingly conveys Lucius's growth and renewal via his creative endeavors.
Character/Execution: Walter Lee demonstrates a deep understanding of human relationships and complex family dynamics in a truly memorable work.
Blurb: A brilliantly realized drama.
Plot/Idea: The Curse Of Maiden Scars finds Renna Covert, an 18th century workhouse orphan turned courtesan, struggling to understand her past, survive the machinations of people determined to use her, and hold onto a semblance of self in the midst of a challenging existence. None of these come easy, and before long, Renna faces danger from all directions as long-buried family secrets, from a past she can't remember, are finally unearthed.
Prose: Croft's prose is lovely—even when describing painful moments—and transforms the most gruesome parts of the story into lyrically beautiful scenes. She never shies away from the brutal reality of what women faced in 18th century England, showcasing Renna's quick mind and resilience amid a time in history when women were persecuted and abused.
Originality: The Curse of Maiden Scars is a noteworthy tale, reconstructing itself over time to much more than the story of a poverty-stricken orphan. The book becomes a commentary on society's ills: prostitution, mistreatment of the mentally ill, indifference toward the ravages of poverty, and more, with Croft ably using Renna's life to educate readers in a way that's neither overly obvious or heavy-handed.
Character/Execution: Renna is a sympathetic heroine who readers will root for from page one. She is scarred inside and out, and her headstrong naivete gets her into more trouble than anyone would wish—but that's precisely why she is so memorable. The supporting cast are, like Renna, fully drawn characters in their own right, from best friend Max to authority figure Mother Shipton to Renna's three suitors: Alistair, Henry, and Donovan, all of whom badly want Renna, but for very different reasons.
Plot/Idea: Paradise Undone is a compelling work of historical fiction based on events in Jonestown in the late 70s. Themes of sexual promiscuity and mass murder loom large amongst an intense political landscape in a striking and frequently horrific reimagining of the past.
Prose: Dawid's text is fascinating, boldly mixing fact with fiction in an engrossing and thought-provoking manner. Interspersed with real life quotes from Jim Jones which add weight and authority to proceedings, Paradise Undone tackles difficult and profoundly affecting themes, magnified by Dawid's gripping and impactful language.
Originality: Paradise Undone is an excellently formed work of historical fiction that blends quotes, interviews and dramatic interpretations of events in late 70s Jonestown. Dawid offers a shrewd insight into the sociopolitical climate at the time, seamlessly blending documentary style writing with absorbing fiction.
Character/Execution: Dawid's presentation of central characters Jim Jones and Marceline Baldwin are particularly convincing and authentic. Her characters are infused with real emotional depth, while the direct quotations from Jim Jones lend the novel a striking level of insightful impact.
Blurb: A riveting work of historical fiction.
Plot/Idea: Zephyr Trails is an endearing historical story of a woman who sets out to find her father, previously confined to Andersonville Prison, in the aftermath of the Civil War. Ehrlich brings the old west setting to life while maintaining the central conflict and a sense of forward momentum.
Prose: Ehrlich's prose is buoyant, lyrical, and vivid, evoking a sense of hardscrabble living without relying on overly folksy descriptions or dialogue.
Originality: Zephyr Trails offers a fresh premise, as a daughter seeks the whereabouts of her father. The author provides consistent historical verisimilitude, while delivering an engaging chronicle of the Old West.
Character/Execution: Ellis is a well fleshed-out protagonist. Her search for her father is rounded out by her career as a writer and her desire to take part in Western expansion through the messenger service. While the author invokes white settlers' fears about indigenous people, her main characters acknowledge white prejudice as well as the tribal specificity and individuality of the Native characters they encounter.
Plot/Idea: The character Maggie, granny woman and healer, draws readers in from the start, through a sneak peak in the prologue of loss to come. Her kindness, patience, and love persevere throughout this stunning character-driven story, and her life, sorrows, and joys are perfectly punctuated by truly affecting moments—her relationship with the Cherokee, giving birth to her daughter Caroline, the profound loss of her friend Esther and her family, and the final reconciliation at the river between Maggie and Caroline.
Prose: Simple, straightforward prose highlights the novel's time and place of late 1890s North Carolina. Though the setting's natural beauty is surrendered at times, the tighter focus on the particulars of Maggie’s healing practice—and the relationships and families of rural/mountain life—are very well drawn.
Originality: Brown offers several acute shocks and harrowing episodes, but the story's originality and effectiveness lies in its emotional connection with the characters.
Character/Execution: Three outstanding characters—Maggie, Caroline, and Josie Mae—give this story enormous depth, plenty of conflict, and a striking emotional impact. Esther and her family, Daniel, and Cherokee characters Degataga and Oukonunaka, are also well-conceived, creating an overall believable and compelling cast.
Blurb: Moments of joy, devastating grief, and desperate hope make Daughters of Green Mountain Gap a moving historical fiction as well as a quiet tale of deep wisdom.
Plot/Idea: Radio Free Olympia is an enigmatic, place-driven novel that integrates lyrical vignettes with poetry and mythology.
Prose: The writing style and tone of this novel is varied, alternately whimsical, brash, and sometimes even abrupt. Dunn alternates between these styles in a kaleidoscopic fashion that can border on chaotic. Readers of poetry who savor writing on a sentence-by-sentence level, will relish in the unique storytelling.
Originality: Radio Free Olympia possesses a unique versatility that is grounded more in a sense of place than in a steady progression of plot points.
Character/Execution: The many characters, human and otherwise, serve as near archetypes within the narrative. Dunn beautifully captures the spirit of the Pacific Northwest, both in terms of its rugged history, indigenous cultures, and dense wilderness. Though Dunn does not necessarily delve too deeply into any one character's psyche or show a significant amount of personal or collective development, readers will be left with an understanding of where they've come from and where they stand by the conclusion of the novel.
Plot/Idea: The Fallen Woman's Daughter is a rich novel about family bonds, centering on Nora and Patsy, who are whisked away from their mother, Gertie, and placed in a girls’ home. Neither understands the events leading up to their family being torn apart—or the pain in store for them in the future—but their love for Gertie stays constant, despite the heartbreak they suffer individually and together.
Prose: Cox forms striking descriptions that build layers into the story, lending the main characters a vivid realness that will stick with readers long after the last page. The prose is crisp and clear, with a bright tone that pushes the plot forward.
Originality: The interlacing of generations throughout this engaging novel is moving, as Cox allows her characters to see each other more fully through each other’s eyes—and their experiences together. The thread tying the women together over the years is moving to follow.
Character/Execution: Cox’s characters are eloquently drawn, each with believable motives that make them both authentic and appealing. Nora’s strength and resolve to look after her sister and carve some kind of life for them from literally nothing is impressive to see; meanwhile, Gertie’s initially blasé attitude toward life comes across as disheartening, but she eventually shows pluck that makes her lovable as well—and garners her a sweet, transformative ending of her own.
Plot/Idea: The Tender Silver Stars is an impactful historical novel that focuses on integrated friendships and women's rights in the South, starting in the '50s and stretching into the '70s.
Prose: Stockwell's prose is sturdy and immediately engaging. From the first descriptions of young Triss, the author capably holds the reader's attention.
Originality: The Tender Silver Stars features an unusual and well-plotted storyline, while the examination of burgeoning women's rights in the American south, particularly in regards to career pursuits, is fascinating.
Character/Execution: Readers will find a strong lead in determined, driven Triss. The unique friendship formed between Triss and Everlove is sensitively explored; their individual and shared struggles are movingly conveyed. Readers will ultimately root for both characters as Triss seeks to bring justice to the story's central villain.
Plot/Idea: Brooklyn Valentine is a quirky and endearing romantic novel that centers on two characters who cross paths against the lively backdrop of Brooklyn. Levine capably captures the experience of finding unexpected romance, while the environs of Coney Island, Brighton Beach, the Brooklyn Bridge, and other locales, are rendered beautifully.
Prose: Levine pulls readers into the story, immediately creating a cozy atmosphere. Dialogue allows the characters to come to life, while Sal's loving descriptions of Brooklyn are immersive.
Originality: This charming New York story eschews Manhattan sight seeing in favor of the many authentic flavors of Brooklyn. Levine offers her protagonists a second chance at love and underscores the importance of community.
Character/Execution: Levine has a knack for character development. Sal and Terry are relatable characters whose personal struggles are convincingly portrayed. Individually intriguing, the pair have a subtle chemistry, and readers will enjoy witnessing them overcome their marked differences. The broader cast of characters, including Sal's family members and unusual, unerringly loyal friends, are fully formed.
Plot/Idea: Insecure and unassuming 30-something Jay embarks on an existential trip of epic proportions as he embarks on an all too real journey of discovery. Set against a backdrop of a hot London summer that's as warped as his own fractured identity and with a small cast of characters that are as symbolic as they are satirical, Jay's experiences–almost all set in real-time–unfold in a painfully tender way that's both faraway and relatable.
Prose: Cacoyannis's prose is beautiful and funny; tragic and heartfelt–it contains magnitudes. A thoroughly clever and entertaining read that's as much a social commentary as an exploration of one man's demons, Reimagining Ben is a joy to read from start to finish.
Originality: What makes Reimagining Ben so delightfully original isn't its plot or even its characters–what sets it apart is its ability to elevate the seemingly mundane to a tragic farce that, despite its forays into absurdity, manages to stay genuine and oddly beautiful.
Character/Execution: Jay is the heart of Reimagining Ben and Cacoyannis captures his struggles beautifully–his insecurity, his ambiguous sexuality, his curiosity–all are revealed through thoughtful interactions with both himself and others. Ben, Andy, Gino, Rita, and even George (at times) are all shifting archetypes of Jay himself and their presence is necessary to reveal hidden (and not so hidden) truths.
Plot/Idea: On the Run is a taut and unnerving historical thriller set between Ireland and the USA at the time of the Troubles. Against the backdrop of IRA bombings and a tense social landscape, Shaw's novel shines a light on the harsh political unrest and unforgiving prison life of the time.
Prose: Shaw's text is peppered with fabulous passages of description that effectively transmit the geographical landscape. The stunning imagery is interspersed with the grim realities of prison life and undeniable tragedy in a book that packs a real emotional punch.
Originality: On the Run is an engrossing and effective novel which captures the tense atmosphere that permeated the Irish sociopolitical landscape in the late 70s. Shaw's historical fiction is woven together with effective sports writing and strong family dramatization to create an all-encompassing and engrossing storyline.
Character/Execution: On the Run's acutely realized family life is one of its main strengths, the great emotional depth in the characters' relationships having a profound impact on the reader. The portrayal of protagonist Terence, convicted for terrorist activity in the aftermath of the assassination of Lord Mountbatten, is particularly affecting.
Blurb: A compelling historical thriller.
Tatae's Promise: You will live... you will tell
by Sherry Maysonave and Moises J. Goldman, PhDRating: 8.50
Plot/Idea: Tatae's Promise tells the heartbreaking, brutal, and ultimately triumphant tale of Hinda Mondlak, an Auschwitz inmate and eventual escapee tasked by her beloved father to keep the promise: "You will live, and you will tell."
Prose: Goldman and Maysonave's prose is precise, detailed, and doesn't shy from conveying horrific realities. Tatae's Promise is well-told and brings the reader into the ghetto, camp, and refugee camps with Hinda, her sister, Rachel, and their cousin Aizik.
Originality: While there are many books about brave and resourceful Jews surviving the Nazis, Tatae's Promise stands out with its attention to detail and rich characters. And unlike many books about surviving the Holocaust, Tatae's Promise doesn't end with Germany's surrender, instead following the characters for several years afterward as they rebuild their shattered lives.
Character/Execution: Hinda Mondlak and her loving family are brave, resourceful, and root-able. They allow the realities of the Holocaust to fully and painfully resonate with readers.
Plot/Idea: Ridley is a compelling character to follow, and Robinson skillfully constructs her hardships and triumphs here. In her drive to make something more of her life than her humble beginnings, Ridley must face several daunting experiences, but her voice strongly emerges from them all—powerful, resolute, and convincing.
Prose: Robinson's prose engages readers immensely, sharpened by the song bits—Ridley's own composition—that add emotional depth.
Originality: Though a girl down on her luck may not feel original, readers will be transfixed by Ridley's unshakable personality, surrounded by a truly unique cast.
Character/Execution: Robinson draws strong emotions around this whirlwind of a main character, making characters desperately wish for Ridley's success in a tempestuous, dangerous world.
Blurb: A compelling adventure built around a gripping young woman whose determination is unstoppable.
Plot/Idea: Make the Dark Night Shine is an epic historical story that largely unfolds on the brink of war. Protagonist Kenzo adventures through post-WWI Paris with two companions until he returns to Japan and leads a path in Zen Buddhism before the onset of WWII. Lessik delivers a consistently compelling narrative that is driven by his protagonist's personal growth.
Prose: Lessik uses clear and exacting prose that make for an enjoyable and multilayered read. He is able to capture Kenzo’s straightforward and analytical tone while also encapsulating his feelings and conflict throughout the novel.
Originality: Kenzo’s identity as a queer Japanese man offers a singular and striking perspective on an era often explored through historical fiction.
Character/Execution: Lessik capably develops the international settings and historical era, but the strongest aspect of the novel lies in Kenzo's journey. From his efforts to conceal his identity to his pursuit of Buddhism and his perilous quest to reunite with his daughter, the protagonist allows the narrative to truly come alive.
Plot/Idea: Kurian constructs a nuanced plot that ebbs and flows gracefully with the rising and falling action, carrying readers along as John and Gunther rediscover their friendship and other parts of themselves, not to mention the world around them.
Prose: Though the characters often had somewhat stilted conversations, this speaks to an intuitive understanding of the painfully awkward and uncomfortable exchanges people who are on a journey to reconcile the past and the present must sometimes endure. The rest of the book is written in such a manner that the audience is given leave to use their imaginations, but not without a solid base to jump off of.
Originality: Journeys akin to John's are fairly common in literature, but the focus on his and Gunther's friendship as well as the many other elements at play set this story apart from others like it; American readers, in particular, will enjoy the locale as well as the rich culture that adds its own unique spin on the plot.
Character/Execution: John and the rest of the characters, even those readers will only see and hear from briefly, are distinct creatures. Though none of them make a grand transformation by the end of the book, they remain constant in such a way that actually reveals more about their core characteristics.
Blurb: Set in late 1980s Spain, this amalgamation of real-world complications and the thrill of mysticism makes for a story as multifaceted and whimsical as Ibiza itself.
