Late December Reviews (2024)
Greetings
Welcome to the Books That Burn Fortnightly Roundup! Releasing every two weeks (one week early for Patrons).
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News and Events
I track upcoming book releases by authors we've previously covered on a shareable google calendar.
Notable January Releases:
Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire
Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee
Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
Glass Kanin by Kia Leep
Signal Boost
Here’s this fortnight’s highlighted Gazan GoFundMe Campaign:
Help Ahmed Get His Clinic Back
“In our community, medical help is not just miles away – it’s out of reach entirely. Right now, we are facing a wave of illnesses with no proper treatment in sight. Skin diseases, scabies, and hepatitis A are spreading rapidly, while people suffering from chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease lack the care they desperately need. Too many lives are being lost, and too many families are left without options.
Together, we can change this.
Our goal is simple but powerful: to build a medical point right here where it’s needed most. With your help, this can become a place where people receive the treatment they deserve, where diseases are prevented, and where we can work towards a healthier, cleaner community for everyone.”
Recent Reviews
SOMETHING FABULOUS by Alexis Hall, book 1 of Something Fabulous is Historical/Romance, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Valentine Layton, the Duke of Malvern, has twin problems: literally. It was always his father's hope that Valentine would marry Miss Arabella Tarleton. But, unfortunately, too many novels at an impressionable age have caused her to grow up...romantic. So romantic that a marriage of convenience will not do and after Valentine's proposal she flees into the night determined never to set eyes on him again. Told in Third Person with Single POV.
BOOKS AND BONE by Veo Corva, book 1 of Tombtown is Fantasy, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Ree grew up in Tombtown, but has resisted becoming either a Necromancer or a Healer. A boy from the surface finds his way down and she runs afowl of a lich. Told in Third Person with Single POV.
MAMMOTHS AT THE GATES by Nghi Vo, book 4 of The Singing Hills Cycle is Fantasy, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Chih returns to Singing Hills right after a well-beloved cleric died and their granddaughters and demanding that their grandfather's body be returned to them. Told in Third Person with Single POV.
JACKDAW by KJ Charles, book 1 of A Charm of Magpies World is Fantasy/Romance/Historical, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Ben was a constable before his life fell apart. Now he's trying to find Jonah, his lover who turned out to be a thief. Told in Third Person with Single POV.
FIERY MAGIC by Niranjan is Fantasy/Sci-Fi, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Audrey is a hunter mage, employed by the largest magical corporation in the country. Temporal Corps has an exclusive license for time travel, but the laws are strict. It’s to be used only for exigencies approved by the government. Told in Third Person with Dual POVs.
CHOSEN. AGAIN. by J. Emery is Fantasy, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Ari finds herself back in the land she saved once, now thirteen years older and very done with this whole hero business. Told in Third Person with Dual POVs.
HOW TO BARE YOUR NECK AND SAVE A WRECK by D.N. Bryn, book 3 of Guides for Dating Vampires is Fantasy/Romance, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Andres buys a human to save his life, but doesn't know how to navigate their own genuine feelings for him. Told in Third Person with Dual POVs.
A THIEF IN THE NIGHT by KJ Charles, book 1 of Gentle Art World is Romance, with queer character(s), marketed as Adult. Toby steals a watch during a brief liaison, and then ends up working for the Earl from whom he stole it. The handsome Earl. Told in Third Person with Dual POVs.
Reviews forthcoming for Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolás and All the Painted Stars by Emma Denny.
Rereads and Older Reviews
I re-read Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots, partly in preparation to read the sequel when it comes out in 2025.
Current Reads
I’m about to start my ARC of Installment Immortality by Seanan McGuire.
Pluggables and Podcast News
As for the podcast, hopefully you're enjoying our most recent episode. If you'd like to receive episodes early, as well as bonus content, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Patrons receive this newsletter one week early, as well as a list of upcoming podcast episodes and even more planned reviews.
Patrons at any level receive the booklist with our planned episodes for up to three months at a time.
Thanks for reading, the next roundup will be in two weeks!
-Robin
Co-host of Books That Burn