#SciFiMonth Review: The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin

Posted on November 2, 2020 33 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: MIRA (October 20, 2020)

Length: 352 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

How many times have you wished you could clone yourself? To have a double take over your life, just for a little while, so you can catch a quick breather? In Jane Gilmartin’s The Mirror Man, the ability to achieve this has become a reality, albeit the technology is highly illegal. The possibility of creating a perfect copy of a human being, complete with same personalities and memories, is not something the world is ready to accept, so the company behind the scientific breakthrough can only conduct their experiments under the utmost secrecy.

Now, the experts ViGen Pharmaceuticals believe they have found the perfect subject. Jeremiah Adams is a middle-aged husband and father living a disaffected life, who is also willing to be discreet. For ten million dollars, he agrees to be a part of their top-secret study, which involves being cloned. The catch? Jeremiah will need to be removed from his life for an entire year, while his clone takes over. After all, part of the experiment is “quality testing” to see if the copy is indeed indistinguishable from the original. If successful, no one should suspect Jeremiah has been replaced. Behind the scenes, a team of ViGen scientists will also be monitoring the clone’s every move to ensure adherence to expected personality and behavioral patterns.

At first, Jeremiah thought it would be easy. A year isn’t all that long, plus ten million dollars is a ridiculously large sum of money, enough to set him and his family up for life after the experiment was over. And if he’s being completely honest, he’s also been having a rough time lately, at home and at work. He figures a break will do him good, especially with ViGen setting him up in a luxury apartment where his every need will be met. He’ll finally be able to do what he wants, when he wants—though he would have to meet periodically with a company psychologist, as per his contract agreement. Through these sessions, however, Jeremiah soon realizes that watching him clone live his life from afar isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Though he’ll need the experiment to succeed in order to receive his money, he also can’t help but feel unsettled, not to mention hurt, to see someone else replace him so completely. Then, Jeremiah’s mother dies. Already angry and devastated from being forced to grieve at a distance, our protagonist receives another shock as stumbles upon the dark truth behind the real purpose of ViGen’s cloning technology.

As a fan of sci-fi stories that read like “what if” scenarios, I really enjoyed The Mirror Man and blew through it rather quickly. While it doesn’t place as much emphasis on the science aspect, the energetic pacing and thrills more than made up for it. As the reader, you’re thrown into the thick of things pretty much right away, as the author wastes no time in establishing the premise. As such, I didn’t mind the lack of background into ViGen’s cloning technology, once I realized that wasn’t the point of the novel anyway. Instead, its focus is almost entirely on Jeremiah and the internal conflict raging within him, as he watches his clone with a new perspective on himself, thinking he doesn’t really like what he sees.

Subtle as they were, there were some meaningful underlying philosophical themes at play, exploring the question of what makes us human. Observing his life from an outsider’s perspective forces Jeremiah to confront the truth of his malaise and re-examine his personal choices as he finally realizes what he’s been missing. I wish the narrative had carried this thread a little further, but the plot then swiftly adopts a thriller tone and style, taking off like a runaway train from there. Technology meets conspiracy in The Mirror Man, which I can see being a hit with readers who enjoy the intense pacing and high stakes of books like Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, The Fold by Peter Clines, or The Punch Escrow by Tal M. Klein.

Overall, I thought this was a great read, and in fact, my only criticism is that the conclusion could have been tweaked to pack a harder punch. In the end, the resolution might have come just a tad to easy for our protagonist, but I was nevertheless happy with how everything turned out. After all, it’s not every day I read a book about cloning! I had a blast with The Mirror Man and will most certainly be keeping an eye out for Jane Gilmartin’s future work!

Get Ready for #SciFiMonth 2020!

Posted on November 1, 2020 30 Comments

You may have noticed the hashtag #SciFiMonth and its related images popping up all over the book blogosphere lately. That’s because it’s November and that means Sci-Fi Month is here! The BiblioSanctum has had such a great time being a part of this event in previous years that we’re participating again in 2020. This year, the hosts imyril from onemore.org and Lisa from Dear Geek Place.

Starting today, we’ll be joining other bloggers, authors, and readers in a month-long celebration of everything science fiction. That doesn’t mean we’ll stop covering all our other favorite speculative fiction genres though! You will most definitely continue to see our usual reviews, weekly memes and features, spotlights, and all that other fun stuff of other genres. The only difference is, some of our reviews and posts will branch off from the usual to encompass the various mediums of science fiction.

The great thing about Sci-Fi Month is that it’s a casual, low-pressure event. It has no deadlines, no specific challenges or quotas to meet–just a month of fun to enjoy, discuss, and share everything science fiction. Sci-Fi Month is whatever you make it, and you are welcome to join anytime. The organizers have also arranged for some pretty exciting features like giveaways, readalongs, and a whole lot of other fun activities including prompt challenges and sci-fi themed Top Tens. So if this is something you’re interested in taking part of, head on over to the Google form to sign up.

After that, grab the banner and button and dive right in! Everyone is welcome! Be sure to also follow the hashtag #SciFiMonth and follow the event on Twitter @SciFiMonth so you won’t miss a thing!

Here at The BiblioSanctum, simply look for posts tagged with “SciFi November” or those that contain the SciFi Month images and hashtags to see how we’re getting involved. Come explore the wonders of science fiction with us, and to kick off the discussion, feel free to let us know:

How long have you been a fan of science fiction?

Why do you like sci-fi and what is your favorite thing about it?

What are your favorite books/games/films/TV shows in the genre?

What are your plans for Sci-Fi Month?

As for me, I haven’t been on the ball with regards to planning, so this year my sci-fi coverage will probably be more lowkey. Once more I’ll be playing things mostly by ear, though I do have a couple ideas I’m bouncing around in my head, so stay tuned! As always, I also have a few books I’ve been saving up for November as I use this opportunity to catch up with sci-fi releases I might have missed earlier in the year. Below you’ll find a preview of some of the books I hope to read next month!

Bookshelf Roundup 10/31/20: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on October 31, 2020 21 Comments

Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.

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Received for Review

My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!

Orbit has been really good to me lately, with new books arriving from them nearly every week. This week I want to thank them for sending me Legacy of Steel by Matthew Ward and The Shattered Realm of Ardor Benn by Tyler Whitesides, both of which are sequels. I’ve already read Legacy of Ash by Matthew Ward so I’ll be able to jump into the second book right away, and happily I recently snagged an audio copy of The Thousand Deaths of Ardor Benn and should be caught up soon enough.

Also thanks to Subterranean Press, I received a couple of new ARCs: The Best of Elizabeth Hand edited by Bill Sheehan and The Big Score by K.J. Parker (this one I’m pretty excited to check out!)

And with thanks to Head of Zeus and the kind folks at Kaye Publicity, I received an ARC of The Package by Sebastian Fitzek, who is called Germany’s most successful author of psychological thrillers. I believe this was originally published a few years ago, but might only be now coming to the US market. The tagline is this: “All you’ve done is taken in a parcel for a neighbor. You have no idea what you’ve let into your home.” Sounds pretty creepy and wild!

In the digital haul, I received a couple eARCs via NetGalley. First with thanks to Quirk Book for Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman, and also to Minotaur Books for sending an invite widget for The Lost Village by Camilla Sten. And from Inkshares, I received an e-galley of The Boy in the Woods by Scott Thomas, a new novella by the author who brought us Kill Creek and Violet. I’m definitely feeling the Halloween mood and loading up on some creepy reads!

And only one audiobook acquisition this week, and it’s the latest installment to the official Minecraft series of novels, The Shipwreck by C.B. Lee. I’ve always been curious to try the author’s work, particularly the Sidekick Squad series, but I think this should be interesting too. With thanks to Random House Audio for the listening copy.

Reviews

Dracula’s Child by J.S. Barnes (4 of 5 stars)
The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson (3.5 of 5 stars)
They Threw Us Away by Daniel Kraus (3.5 of 5 stars)
The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry (3 of 5 stars)

This Week’s Reads

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Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read! Let me know what you plan on checking out. Until next time, see you next Roundup!

Friday Face-Off: Forest/Jungle

Posted on October 30, 2020 20 Comments

Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.

This week’s theme is:

“None of the Jungle People like being disturbed.”
~ a cover that features a FOREST/JUNGLE

Mogsy’s Pick:

The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemison

I’ve only finished the first book of N.K. Jemison’s Inheritance trilogy, but the covers to the second book are just too gorgeous and matched this week’s theme too perfectly to ignore. So let’s see which one will come out on top:

From left to right:
Orbit (2010) – Orbit Paberback (2020)

German Edition (2010) – French Edition (2013) – Turkish Edition (2013)

Russian Edition (2013) – Japanese Edition (2012)

Winner:

I have to say it was a real tough choice this week. For me, it came down to a toss-up between the Russian Edition and the Japanese Edition. Technically and artistically I felt the latter was a bit more unique, and manages to paint a really poignant moment from an interesting angle. However, it’s just a shame how the text takes up so much space, causing too much distraction. So, I’m going to go with the Russian edition.

But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?

#SpooktasticReads Dracula’s Child by J.S. Barnes

Posted on October 29, 2020 14 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Dracula’s Child by J.S. Barnes

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Titan Books (September 22, 2020)

Length: 576 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Many authors have endeavored to write a sequel to Dracula, but very few succeed in capturing the atmosphere of the classic as well as the hearts of readers. In the case of J.S. Barnes’ Dracula’s Child, however, I was impressed. While adding to the original’s mythology, the book managed to remain a faithful homage to its style and spirit while keeping me completely enthralled.

After their harrowing ordeal in Transylvania, Jonathan and Mina Harker have returned to England and settled into a life of relative peace in the intervening years. They have a son named Quincy who is growing up to be a fine young man, carefully spared from any of the memories and trauma inflicted upon his parents who are doing all they can to give him the happy, loving childhood he deserves. To celebrate the boy’s birthday, the Harkers have thrown together a small gathering with their closest friends, which includes Professor Van Helsing, with whom they have remained in contact over the years.

But at the party, something awful happens. Van Helsing suddenly takes ill, collapsing to the floor, but not before delivering an ominous prophecy directed to Quincy, warning him to fight for his soul. Shaken, Mina decides to start a diary and write about the night, continuing her entries as Van Helsing’s condition worsens while being treated at the Harkers’ estate. Doctors are baffled, including their friend Jack Seward, who is unable to find an explanation or cure for the professor’s mysterious ailment. Meanwhile, the incident has taken a toll on the family as Jonathan starts drinking more and more and Mina worries for their son. Deeply affected by what happened on his birthday, Quincy has become withdrawn and at times behaves like a completely different person.

While all this is happening, the narrative also follows a pair of companions traveling through the Carpathian Mountains who find something deeper in each other, but also more than they bargained for. Elsewhere, a seemingly innocuous newspaper clipping about a species of bat subsequently causes much distress. A former news writer is ready to end his life by hurling himself into the Thames, when he is suddenly stopped by a enigmatic figure who appears out of the gloom. At the Harker house, a young woman named Sarah is tasked to help care for the comatose Van Helsing, but the presence of her youthful beauty proves to be quite a distraction, to the chagrin of Mina, who is also busy providing moral support for Caroline, the emotionally fragile new wife of Arthur, now Lord Godalming.

As you can see, all the old gang is back, with a number of new characters to fill out the supporting cast besides. Mimicking Bram Stoker’s style, Dracula’s Child is written in the epistolary format with the same linguistic approach, unfolding via a collection of diary entries, letters, newspaper articles, notes and other forms of documentation. While not every single perspective or source was equally relevant to the overall story, they were each written with the careful attention of someone clearly well-versed in the source material. Ultimately, I liked how, as a whole, these interrelated pieces formed to create a full-flavored narrative which felt appropriately horror Gothic while still retaining all the delicious intrigue like a sponge.

As I alluded to before though, Dracula sequels are nothing new, even (or especially) those that imitate Stoker’s style. So, what makes Dracula’s Child special? Well, if you think you’ll enjoy a bold fresh take on the original characters, this might be well worth a look. While there are references aplenty to Dracula, this novel mainly features a unique continuation of the story filled with Barnes’ own content. Dracula himself gets a host of new powers, not to mention hungrier ambitions as he sets his sights on expanding his influence by playing politics.

That said, some readers might find this particular plot thread taxing, especially when combined with synchronic language and epistolary format. The novel’s style and structure demand a fair bit of patience and focus, which could be frustrating. Dracula’s Child is a “mood read” if I ever saw one, and it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

Still, any work based on Dracula, being such an influential character, will shine as long as it’s treated properly and in the right hands. At the end of the day, I thought J.S. Barnes did a great job with Dracula’s Child, considering the novel’s ambitious scope. It stands up decently to the original classic, delivering a satisfying story featuring the unsettling vibes and atmosphere that readers seeking a Dracula sequel will crave and expect.

Waiting on Wednesday 10/28/20

Posted on October 28, 2020 15 Comments

Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!

Mogsy’s Pick

Near the Bone by Christina Henry (April 13, 2021 by Berkley Books)

As October nearly wraps up, I only have a couple more posts for #SpooktasticReads including today’s horror-themed Waiting on Wednesday/Can’t Wait Wednesday featuring this upcoming release from Christina Henry.

“A woman trapped on a mountain attempts to survive more than one kind of monster, in a dread-inducing horror novel from the national bestselling author Christina Henry.

Mattie can’t remember a time before she and William lived alone on a mountain together. She must never make him upset. But when Mattie discovers the mutilated body of a fox in the woods, she realizes that they’re not alone after all.

There’s something in the woods that wasn’t there before, something that makes strange cries in the night, something with sharp teeth and claws.

When three strangers appear on the mountaintop looking for the creature in the woods, Mattie knows their presence will anger William. Terrible things happen when William is angry.”

#SpooktasticReads Review: The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson

Posted on October 27, 2020 18 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson

Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press | Simon & Schuster Audio (September 29, 2020)

Length: 320 pages | 8 hrs and 54 mins

Author Information: Website

If your tastes in horror tend to run towards the more wacky-scary, then The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson just might be the book for you. This horror sci-fi thriller mashup reads a bit like The X-Files and The Walking Dead meets Stranger Things with the parasitic mind control factor of The Faculty thrown in, but even all of that fails to tell the whole lurid story.

Nestled in the picturesque hills of western Oregon is Turner Falls, where the kids are definitely not all right. Tourists may know this quiet resort town for its pristine ski slopes and charming vacation getaway vibes, but few are aware it is also the headquarters of IMTECH, a cutting-edge biotech company. The scientists there have just made an incredible breakthrough on a new technology which they are secretly in the middle of testing, after putting the implant into one of the town’s teenagers.

Needless to say, things don’t end well. The teenager goes berserk at school, injuring his fellow classmates before killing a teacher. A mysterious cleanup crew then comes and puts down the out-of-control attacker. Lucy Henderson is our protagonist, who witnesses the whole incident. Soon, she and her best friend Bucket along with a few others are the only ones left remaining who are trying to figure out what’s going on, as the madness takes hold and begins to spread to all the other kids in town.

Meanwhile, scattered throughout the narrative are also mini-interludes presented in the form of radio broadcast updates from an anonymous paranoid conspiracy-peddling host calling himself the Nightwatchman. They’ve been keeping up with the IMTECH shenanigans for years, trying to warn Turner Falls about the shit that’s about to go down. Of course, in this case, some conspiracy theories turn out to be real.

Yes, things do get a bit over-the-top and also bloody and gross, so you’re probably going to want to stay far away from the book if you are sensitive to graphic violence or scenes of extreme gore—this one is definitely not for the squeamish. Other caveats to consider include the kind of crude and tasteless dialogue some would describe as “locker room” talk. Because, you know, teenagers.

Other than that though, I have to say The Loop was pretty awesome, as long as you’re willing to go with the flow and not take it too seriously. The coming-of-age themes give the story a strong “teen horror movie,” vibe tinged with a heavy dose of dark humor. Personally, I found it refreshingly bold in its irreverence as well as highly entertaining, even as I was shaking my head wondering how much weirder or crazier things were going to get. It’s certainly not going to be for everyone.

That said, even as I put this book squarely in the category of brain candy, kudos to the author for not compromising on important elements like characterization and relationship development. Lucy is a sympathetic protagonist with a complex backstory, and likewise, her connections with the other characters in the novel are explored in ways that ended up deeply affecting me. Without revealing any spoilers, I’ll just say that a lot of stories in this genre are typically stacked with throwaway characters that you know are doomed to perish, so you’re desensitize when the moment eventually comes. This book was different, however, in that it actually hurt.

So, if Jeremy Robert Johnson’s brand of horror and thrills is what you’re looking for, I guarantee The Loop will keep you well entertained. Brace yourself for the wild ride.

Audiobook Comments: I was fortunate to also get a chance to listen to The Loop audiobook. Fantastic narration Inés del Castillo, who was very believable and impressive portraying kickass Lucy and all the other characters. The audio production was also quite high, and some of the sound effects and other little extras gave this format something special that you won’t get from most other audiobooks or from reading the print book.

#SpooktasticReads The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry

Posted on October 26, 2020 17 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Berkley (September 8, 2020)

Length: 415 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

I’ve long been a fan of Christina Henry, but The Ghost Tree was the first novel I’ve read from her that wasn’t a dark fairy tale retelling, and I was pretty excited to check it out. And well, now that I’ve finished the book, I can’t say it was anything like I expected, which was both good and bad.

But first, a quick rundown of the story: It is the summer of 1985 and Lauren deMucci is our protagonist, a fourteen-year-old who lives in Smiths Hollow, a typical small town in America, except for one major anomaly—there’s been a history of gruesome deaths going back for generations, except no one seems to remember them. One day, the calm is shattered with the horrific discovery of the mutilated bodies of two young girls in a neighbor’s yard, but of course, after the initial uproar and panic, the incident once more fades from the people’s minds—just like how the town forgot about the Lauren’s dad, whose body was found in the woods a year ago, his heart torn brutally out of his chest.

But not everyone seems to have fallen under the same spell. Officer Alex Lopez who recently moved to Smiths Hollows from the big city is tasked with investigating the deaths, becoming more and more disturbed by the odd behavior exhibited by the other townsfolk. Lauren, whose father’s death still weighs heavily on her mind, is also experiencing strange visions and other changes she cannot explain, even as she tries hard to salvage her fracturing relationship with her best friend Miranda. A bit of the preternatural appears to have touched Lauren’s brother David as well, freaking out their mother with premonitions about the killings and other things that shouldn’t be possible for the little boy to know. Eventually, a warning to Lauren from her grandmother spurs her to find answers on her own, leading to terrifying revelations about the evil in the dark woods and other horrible secrets the town has long tried to bury.

So, as I mentioned in my intro, there were some good surprises as well as some not-so-good ones, and we’ll begin with the positives. With regards to the novel’s strengths, I enjoyed the premise and I thought Henry did a fantastic job teasing the mystery of what’s wrong with Smiths Hollow. How does a town simply forget about the deaths that happen year after year? Why aren’t these heinous killings attracting more attention, especially given the vicious way the victims are torn apart? These are the questions that stay with the reader, making this story too intriguing to put down.

I also loved the throwback feel of the setting. Thanks to the success of shows like Stranger Things, horror and supernatural stories set in the 80s are all the rage these days, but few can pull off an authentic vibe. The Ghost Tree, however, makes a great effort. Reading it did in fact call to mind some of the more classic horror movies and novels of that era, and it’s a feeling that came through not only in the descriptions of the environment, but also in the way the characters were written—little things like the way they spoke, how they dressed, or their interests in the pop culture like movies and music. I found it all very immersive.

But now, we come to some of the novel’s weaker aspects, and I confess, some of them really bugged me. First of all, despite my praise of Henry’s handling of the mystery above, there was an unfortunate downside to it too, mostly related to pacing. Yes, I was motivated to keep on reading because I wanted answers, but the journey to get there dragged in some places, to the point of actual boredom. And then once I got my answers, I have to admit they were somewhat underwhelming.

Also, I hate to say it, but characterization was a bit slapdash, and I can’t help but wonder if the author might have developed a few bad habits from her fairy tale retellings which are more forgiving of archetypes and clichés. I mean, the stereotypes here were pretty blatant and low effort, from the “slutty best friend” to the “crotchety racist neighbor” and of course, who can forget the perennial horror genre staple—“that creepy kid who knows things.” What’s worse is that none of the characters were all that particularly likeable, and while being shallowly written might have something to do with it, in general I just found most of them off-putting.

So ultimately, for me The Ghost Tree ended up being a mixed bag, and certainly there were some hiccups along the way but also plenty of high points to balance them out. I probably wouldn’t rush to recommend this, but if you’re looking for a quick-and-dirty read to put you in the mood for the Halloween season, this might do.

#SpooktasticReads They Threw Us Away by Daniel Kraus

Posted on October 25, 2020 17 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

They Threw Us Away by Daniel Kraus

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror, Middle Grade

Series: Book 1 of The Teddies Saga

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR (September 15, 2020)

Length: 256 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Described as equal parts Toy Story and Lord of the Flies, They Threw Us Away is the first book of a middle grade trilogy about a group of teddy bears who wake up lost and confused in a garbage dump, unsure why they’ve been discarded. Now if that isn’t the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever read, I don’t know what is! Our main teddy Buddy is the first to come to awaken, and finding himself out of his box, his initial thought is that he’d been claimed by a child—a goal that every Furrington brand bear aspires to. But very quickly, he realizes that cannot be the case, or else he would have entered Forever Sleep, the inanimate peaceful state teddies are said to fall eternally into the first time they are hugged by a kid who loves them.

So no, Buddy hasn’t found himself an owner. He’s not even at the toy store anymore. Around him, all he can see is trash, mountains and mountains of it, and among the piles of greasy pizza boxes and old rusted pots are other Furrington teddies, still brand new in their packaging, just waking up now as well. First there’s Sunny, the feisty yellow bear who believes it’s a “Teddy’s Duty” for them to help each other. Next is Horace, the green scaredy-bear. Then there’s Sugar, the pink teddy who was sadly damaged in her box, giving her a childlike demeanor, though she sure doesn’t let it get her down. And finally, there’s Reginald, the grey bear who had been sitting on the store shelves the longest, and those extra years have made him the smartest teddy who knows the most.

That said, even Reginald doesn’t know why the Furringtons have been unceremoniously dumped, but to a one, they agree they must not stop in their search for a child of their own. First though, they’ll need to flee the junkyard filled with horrors like monstrous dozers, or the merciless flocks of trash gulls ready to peck apart anything that moves. Even if they manage to escape, the teddies will need to endure hardships they have never faced before, as together they try to solve the mystery of why they’ve been throw away, all the while chasing the dream of Forever Sleep.

I confess I don’t read much MG, but when They Threw Us Away was pitched to me, I saw Daniel Kraus’ name and immediately accepted. I’ve read and enjoyed a few of his books, though they were either Adult or YA, and I was curious to see how he would handle a children’s novel, especially one with such a, shall we say, ah, grim premise? After all, Kraus made his name with a lot of his horror projects, and some of those talents have definitely spilled over in this one too. Don’t let the cute little teddies on the cover fool you; despite the intended age group, this story packs a pretty intense punch with content that can potentially disturb young readers.

What kind of content am I talking about? Well, take the scenes of the teddies getting their stuffing brutally torn out by vicious birds, for example, or of them falling into a dumpster full of disembodied teddy parts—the heads and limbs of their former comrades, gah! Bear in mind (sorry, I just couldn’t help myself), Kraus spends a considerable amount of time anthropomorphizing the totally adorable Furringtons, establishing them as living, breathing characters with individual personalities, values, and behaviors. Not surprisingly, it’s like a knife in the gut when bad things happen to them, and I can see how some of the stuff here can get a little rough and quease-inducing for more sensitive readers, no matter the age.

Concurrently though, the language in the book makes it clear this can be nothing else but a MG novel. The style is childish, clearly written for kids in the 8-12 range. Adult readers might grow frustrated with the simplistic storytelling or the cutesy-wootsy speak of the teddies. At times, this gave the book an air of confusion, with the sunny saccharine dialogue clashing horribly with some of the story’s darker macabre themes.

Still, in the end I enjoyed the book, even with its loopy ups and dumpy downs. Daniel Kraus has started something very special and interesting here in They Threw Us Away, and with my curiosity piqued over the mystery of why someone would want to destroy the hapless Furringtons, I’m definitely open to reading more!

Bookshelf Roundup 10/24/20: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on October 24, 2020 23 Comments

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Received for Review

My thanks to the publishers and authors for the following review copies received, and be sure to click the links to their Goodreads pages for more details and full descriptions!

This week, I received a new-to-me thriller called The Power Couple by Alex Berenson which follows a husband and wife who both have top secret security clearance jobs at government intelligence agencies. To rekindle a faltering marriage, they decide to take a family vacation to Europe, but things take an unexpected and frightening turn when their teenage daughter doesn’t return from a night out at a dance club in Barcelona. With thanks to Simon and Schuster for the ARC.

Next, I’m super excited to receive a copy of Warlock Holmes: The Finality Problem by G.S. Denning, with thanks to the kind folks at Titan Books. I’m a huge fan of this series and I’m so glad the author is writing more. I only found out about this fifth installment recently, so that’s always a wonderful surprise!

With thanks also to Grand Central Publishing for sending me a copy of The Woods by Vanessa Savage. This one was already on my to-read list, so I was really happy to receive it. I hope to give it a try soon.

And finally, my thanks to Forge Books for this surprise arrival of A Dog’s Perfect Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron! If you’re even passing familiar with the author, you’ve probably heard of his adorable books about dogs. This one looks to be just as heartwarming and sweet, and plus it’s Christmas themed!

Just one audiobook for review in the digital haul this week. From Tantor Audio, I received a listening copy of Tales from the Folly by Ben Aaronovitch, a Rivers of London collection. This is one of my favorite series, but I haven’t really been keeping up with many of the short stories and novellas set in the same world, so I see this as my chance to catch up with them all!