Review: Ericas of the Fynbos by John Manning and Nick Helme

 

• Rating: A must-have for Fynbos lovers What is it? A field guide
• Ideal for fans of: Field Guide to Fynbos by John Manning, Field Guide to Succulents in Southern Africa by Sith, Crouch and Figuerido
• What makes it special? The attention to detail, and flowering times are highlighted 
• Get it in South Africa from: Struike Nature 

 Ericas are one of the true gems of the Fynbos flora, yet they’re notoriously difficult to identify. Of the over 700 different species of this plant, many of them look eerily similar.

Well, not any more. John Manning and Nick Helme have solved the quandary of Erica identification. Ericas of the Fynbos is an easy-to-use guide to these glorious plants. After a comprehensive introduction covering Erica phenology, pollination, adaptive traits, and where to locate these plants, the 180 most common species are identified.

The different species are grouped, rather ingeniously, into five categories, based on the shape of their flowers. These are the elongated sunbird heaths. The bulbous vase heaths, small flower heaths, the adorable stoppered heaths (my personal favourite), and minor heaths. Thereafter, the various kinds of Ericas are narrowed down by the many defining features of each flower type. For example, whether they are velvety, have tassels, or the pattern in which the flowers cluster on a stalk. As an added bonus,endangered species are highlighted, so if you come across these, not only are you lucky, but you’re reminded that these are not for picking. PLEASE don't pick them.

From there, identification is a breeze, as you simply search for an image that best suits your specimen. To make it even easier, each entry features the geographic region in which the plant thrives, the months in which it flowers, and the average size of each bloom.

The photographs of each flower and plant are crisp close-ups, allowing you to see each hair or leaf on a plant to ensure you can accurately identify them.

And what a riot of colour! Who knew that there were so many different colours of Ericas (apart from the authors, and now, the lucky owners of this book). My ignorance of Ericas was further highlighted when I realised that what I’d mistakenly thought of as one very prolific pink Erica in our nearby mountains was actually a mix of ELEVEN different plants. Reader, I am humbled.

As a lover of plants, and botanical graduate, this book takes pride of place in my reference library. As a compact soft-covered book, it fits perfectly into a backpack, and I dare you not to take it with you whenever you’re among the plants.

Ericas of the Fynbos by John Manning and Nick Helme is published by Struike Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa.

Review: Field Guide To The Spiders Of South Africa by Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Reference (field guide)

Ideal for fans of: A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa, by Johan Marais

What makes it special? It demystifies and de-scarifies spiders 

Get it in South Africa from: Struik Nature (Penguin Random House South Africa)

We all know someone who will scream, cry or exclaim loudly when faced with spiders. Often, it's followed by the "ewwwwww, spiders!" dance, complete with nose crinkling and head shaking. 

But not any more.

Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman and Struik Nature are changing all that. Field Guide To The Spiders Of South Africa will actually make you fall in love with spiders. 

First, you'll start with identification. This guide features a mind-boggling 780 different species of spiders which are all home to the south of sunny South Africa. Once you've identified your new eight-legged friend, you can learn everything about it. And I mean everything. 

• Spider morphology, habitats, mating, common geographic locations, and whether or not they're endangered
• Info on webs - their shapes, how they're built, and why spider silk is freaking amazing 
• How to capture them safely 
• As a bonus, there's also an entire section dedicated to venom (and most importantly, how to treat any bites you might get). 

Of course, all of this information is accompanied by stunning photographs and illustrations that allow you to see all distinguishing features. Moreover, it's vital to add this; the spiders have been styled to look kinda cute. I mean it - this isn't a book of horrors featuring fangs and legs and things being killed in webs. Instead, it's an attempt to make these many-legged friends less intimidating. 

And that's so important, because spiders have several really important roles in nature, too. And you'll discover what those are when you read through this guide (no spoilers here!).

So even if you think you're afraid of spiders, this is a book to consider getting. Not least because you could learn how to avoid them, but because it opens up a whole new world for nature lovers. 

So go on, go on a walk and discover some spiders. Just take your Field Guide To The Spiders Of South Africa with you. 

Field Guide To The Spiders Of South Africa by Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman is published by Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa.

Review: All That’s Left To Say by Emery Lord

 

Rating: Stop what you’re doing and buy it ASAP

What is it? A teenage whodunnit  

Ideal for fans of: Nancy Drew, Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly 

What makes it special? A balance of carefully crafted gut-punching emotion, and a regular ol’ detective story

Get it in South Africa from: Jonathan Ball Publishers

For Hannah, Sophie was more than a cousin. She was a best friend, a sister, a soul mate. The girls grew up together, shared everything, and saw each other as two halves of the same equation. There were no secrets between them.

Or so Hannah thought. Because what started as a regular Saturday ended in a hellish nightmare. Sophie, dead at a party. Sophie, dead by overdose. Sophie, dead.

Hannah cannot accept that her hard-working, chipper cousin, with a love of the environment and a contagious laugh, would ever be involved in drugs.

For months, Hannah drifts though life in a grey daze, trying to come to terms with the tragedy. She is convinced that Sophie was set up, drugged, or even worse. And she is determined to prove it.

But that means she needs to start telling lies of her own, as she changes her look and her school to covertly investigate, and discover what really happened to Sophie.

All That’s Left To Say is nothing short of a masterpiece. While the idea of a mourning teenager running around solving a case may seem far-fetched and warrant an eye roll, Emery Lord has created the perfect teen detective.

Hannah is smart, she’s strong, and she’s hurting so much. Her grief, fury and helplessness, apart from being palpable to the reader, fuel her in her search for the truth. Emery Lord has managed to provide a book shouldering a boat-load of grief, but rather than a depressing ‘woe is me’ tale, it’s refreshing, deeply addictive, and impossible to put down. The characters are easy to love, and some easy to hate, and the plot is as twisted and rewarding as anything I’ve read in ages.

There’s a dash of romance, a horde of wholesome families, and even humour. In short, All That’s Left To Say is just *French chef's kiss*. I dare you not to finish this book in one sitting, as you wade between tears and triumph. What an adventure!

All That’s Left To Say by Emery Lord is published by Bloomsbury, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

 

Review: Indoor Jungle Guide by Saffron de la Rouviere

 

Rating: Do it ASAP – a learning essential!

What is it? An online course all about indoor plants  

Ideal for: Plant parents, botanists, plant lovers

What makes it special? It’s local and incredibly informative

Get it in South Africa from: Udemy

Today, I'm branching out and reviewing something a little different - the Indoor Jungle Guide. If you don't know, in additional to being bibliophile, I am also a qualified botanist and plant freak - which means that this short course was balm to my nerdy, plant-loving soul. 

Saffron de la Rouviere is something of a celeb in the South African plant world - she's the unofficial queen of indoor plants. Not only is she always willing to help out, meet and inspire plant parents, but she's also responsible for one of my favourite subscription services - the Saffron's Garden Plant Club, in which you get monthly plant babies and related goodies at a seriously reasonable price. 

But back to the Indoor Jungle Guide. 

Saffron has combined her own knowledge and experience with some extra help from the pros (read: horticulturalists, botanists and even plant sellers) to bring you the ultimate guide to indoor plants. 

In just one hour, you can become a plant pro. Seriously. This might not sound like enough time, but this guide packs a punch, and will fill your brain faster than your watering can fills those pots with water. 

Here's what you'll learn:

• The history of indoor plants (and how their story has roots in the world's oldest eco system, the jungle).
• How to look after your plants (with emphasis on light, water, soil, fertiliser, and humidity - and let me tell you, there's no shortage of info here. I may have a degree in plant science, but even I gathered a bouquet of new tips and tricks)
• How to identify and deal with those awful pests and diseases that won't leaf your plants alone)
• How to make more plants through the magic of propagation. 

And as they say in the old infomercials, 'BUT WAIT; THERE'S MORE'.

The Indoor Jungle Guide also has a few quick quizzes to test your skills, and is set up in such a way that it is interactive, calming and fun. With subtle humour, gorgeous visuals, and Saffron's wealth of knowledge, this is the best place to start on your plant journey, and also a great refresher for anyone who's already up to their elbows in potting soil and cuttings. 

So do yourself, your plants, and mother nature herself a favour, and sign up to this course. And when you're done, consider signing up for Saffron's subscription, so that you always have access to new plants and new info. 

Happy gardening, all!

Review: Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Magical fiction  

Ideal for fans of: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Pan's Labyrinth

What makes it special? A strong female protagonist, and a horde of mythical creatures

Get it in South Africa from: Jonathan Ball Publishers 

Marjan’s world has just been turned on her head. Although she’s just a high schooler, she’s suddenly the owner of a veterinary practice, and an orphan. Because just a few weeks ago, Marjan’s father and the original practice owner was murdered. 

And no one has any idea who the killer can be. 

Of course, Marjan is used to being on her own anyway, as her dad frequently had to travel all over to help people with their pets. Just like a normal vet, right?

Right?

Wrong. 

Because Marjan soon finds out that there was more to her dad than she ever realised, and that the fairy tales she grew up listening to were more real than she ever realised. Now that her dad is gone, it’s up to Marjan to continue his work while trying to come to grips with the world of magic, mythical creatures, and betrayal. 

As an adult, I was enthralled by this YA beauty. But can I be honest? If I was a teenager, I would be obsessed, because Once There Was has all the ingredients of a superb story that can live on for generations. 

A hidden world of magic and mystery? Check. 

A strong female lead who doesn’t get distracted by silly boys or her image? Check 

A dash of romance that doesn’t steal the show? Check.

A thrilling plot and loveable characters? Check. 

Magic, myth, and legend? Double check.

To be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Once There Was becomes the Harry Potter of its age, albeit for a slightly older audience, and a more female one at that. Kiyash Monsef has added a fresh take on the trope of orphan navigating a secret world, and made it more relatable, more mature, and infinitely more interesting. She’s also taken elevated the literary teen from love interest and bystander to powerhouse and protagonist, and what’s not to love about that? 

I certainly hope there will be a sequel, because I suspect Marjan has great things ahead of her, and I can’t wait for the next adventure.

Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef is published by Simon & Schuster, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Mythological fiction  

Ideal for fans of: Stephen Fry and Madelaine Miller  

What makes it special? Unique retelling of a well-known Greek myth

Get it in South Africa from: Pan Macmillan South Africa

Medusa’s story is one of the best-known Greek myths. The Gorgon with the power to turn anything that met her gaze to stone, Medusa has been viewed as a monster for centuries. Similarly, the brave warrior who ended her reign of terror – Perseus – has the legacy of a hero, monster slayer and favourite of the gods. In beheading Medusa, he saved mankind from a bitter and evil woman, who relished her petrifying abilities.

But is that really how it all went down?

After all, what makes a monster?

These questions are central to Natalie Haynes’ investigation of Medusa.

In Stone Blind, Perseus is not the golden hero who saves the world from the ravages of a demented Gorgon. Instead, he has been cast as a vicious little thug, who murdered a girl for no real purpose. He is inexperienced, dim-witted and cowardly. And it changes everything.

According to Haynes, Perseus has no idea what he’s doing. He’s not cunning, but cruel.

Stone Blind is a feminist retelling of Medusa’s story. It begins long before her birth, providing context of the tragedies to which she was exposed, purely for the entertainment of the Greek gods.

Because if the inhabitants of Olympus treated people as their playthings, Medusa was their favourite toy. Her life was ruined by a meaningless battle – of egos – between Athene and Poseidon. Medusa did nothing to deserve her fate.

And then came Perseus, to give her an undeserved ending.

Of course, all mythology is open to interpretation and a bit of retelling. It’s what makes these stories linger throughout history. But Haynes has really outdone herself, and retold this piece of mythology in a totally unique way. For the first time, we see the other side of the story – a narrative forgotten or silenced or just never imagined.

In addition to giving us ample food for thought, and reason to want to demolish the patriarchy, this book features several well-known cast members of the theatre that is Greek myth. Altogether, Stone Blind is a vibrant and new way to see an old story, and it’s amazing.

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes is published by Mantle, an imprint of Pan Macmillan.

Review: Leech by Hiron Ennes

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Fiction  

Ideal for fans of: Iain Reid, Alice Feeney

What makes it special? Totally unique story, unexpected twists

Get it in South Africa from: Pan Macmillan South Africa

The Interprovincial Medical Institute has just sent a replacement doctor to an isolated chateau in the countryside. Nestled deep within the mines and soon to be buried under the winter snows, the chateau is run by an ailing baron, whose previous doctor died unexpectedly. Now, the Institute seeks answers. However, the cause of death could shake the very foundations upon which the Institute stands. Buried deep within the deceased is a parasite of undetermined origin. And that should have been impossible, because the physicians are already under the control of the Institute itself.

As the parasite spreads, the Institute faces competition. It begins to lose its grip on the household, and as a result, deadly secrets come tumbling out.

Have you noticed that these days, the entertainment industry seems to regurgitate the same stories, plots or tropes? It’s often pretty easy to predict the plots and twists of stories these days. In fact, critics might just be tempted to loudly declare, “There are no new stories anymore – it’s all been done!” Thankfully, Hiron Ennes has just proven that to be completely incorrect. Not only have they presented a totally unexpected protagonist in a never-before-seen context, but Ennes has also managed to add a refreshing setting, language, and history to the story, to boot. Leech is the literary equivalent of a breath of fresh air. Even better, it ticks all the right boxes for a perfect thriller.

If this story doesn’t get turned into a film, it’s just because it hasn’t been read by the right people yet. So keep your eyes peeled. I would even go so far as to say it could usher in a new type of storytelling. It’s THAT good.

Also, Leech is more than just a page-turning thriller with a riveting plot. It’s an introduction to a world of endless possibility. Clever, thought-provoking, and chilling, Ennes has penned a work of art that’s also a brilliant piece of social commentary. By the time you reach the final chapter, you’ll be hard pressed not to question what you know about humanity, and the monsters that hide within it.

Leech by Hiron Ennes is published by Tor, an imprint of Pan Macmillan.

Review: An Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Plants of East Africa, by Najma Dharani and Abiy Yenesew

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Field guide, fact book  

Ideal for fans of: Botany, medicine, herbalism, aromatherapy

What makes it special? Comprehensive, fully illustrated and easy to use

Get it in South Africa from: Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa

Whether you’re a novice to plant-based remedies, or a pro with a degree in botany, I guarantee you’ll learn something from this book. 

An Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Plants of East Africa features a mind-blowing 136 different plant species with medicinal properties. And that number may include some you’d not expect. For example, Blue Plumbago can relieve headaches and treat warts. Also, did you know that the Coral Tree can be used for wound poultices, or to cure ear ache? What’s more, even Jasmine could form part of your ‘first aid’ garden, as it treats parasitic worms and lice.

Najma Dharani and Abiy Yenesew have used their extensive combined knowledge to bring you the ultimate guide to medicinal plants. Moreover, the authors certainly know what they’re talking about. Dharani is an ecologist and senior lecturer in plant sciences, while Yenesew is a professor of chemistry, specialising in organic chemistry. Together, they offer unique insights backed by decades of scientific research and understanding.

Each plant comes with extensive photographs of the plant in its entirety, as well as close ups of the leaves, flowers, and (where relevant) bark. In addition, every entry has a comprehensive description to make sure you correct in your identification. 

Even better, the plant ecology and geographic spread are noted, allowing you to be certain you’re dealing with the right plant.

But the most interesting information is the breakdown of everything you need to know to use these plants. From which plant parts to use, and how to prepare them – while ensuring that you do this using the correct dosage - and a helpful guide to the active ingredients, you’ll be a herbalist in no time at all.

That’s not all. An Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Plants of East Africa also contains info on conservation, as well as an index to both the common and scientific names of each entry.

Finally, there’s also a helpful list of common medical ailments, and which plants can be used for them – saving you time, and helping you learn the major medicinal groupings.

This book is ideal for every home, especially if you’d like to venture towards herbal medicine and cultivate your own first aid garden.

An Illustrated Guide to Medicinal Plants of East Africa, by Najma Dharani and Abiy Yenesew is published by Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa.

Review: Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Fiction, mystery/drama

Ideal for fans of: The Guest List (Lucy Foley) or Sleep (CL Taylor)

What makes it special? Exceptional prose and a triple twist

Get it in South Africa from: Pan Macmillan South Africa

Daisy Darker died eight times by her thirteenth birthday. Then again, she was only given fifteen years to live thanks to a congenital heart defect. Daisy suspects this is the reason she is her mother’s least favourite child. Because she was born damaged, into an already breaking family.

But that’s all behind her now. Daisy is preparing for a family reunion. To celebrate her nana’s 80^th birthday bash, the whole family will meet at Seaglass; a ramshackle old house isolated on a tiny island. And Daisy has a secret. Yet while her family is stuck together until the tide goes out, they’re not alone. They’re trapped with a killer.

Daisy Darker can be summed up in a single word: delicious. The writing is superb, with a nod to high-brow literature, yet accessible. Daisy Darker reads so easily it feels like you’re inhaling the story. And what a story it is! We’re slowly guided back through the Darker family’s murky past, until it becomes clear that Daisy isn’t the only one who’s hiding something. Each trip back adds to the present narrative and helps build tension as we count down the hours until the tide is out.

Feeney ends of this masterpiece with a satisfying grand reveal that includes not one, or two, but THREE twists. So yes, you might be able to correctly navigate the red herrings and guess the killer correctly. But I guarantee that you will not predict the unique outcome. And that’s reason enough to try Alice Feeney. She’s put a modern spin on a well-known genre, and made it new again. Moreover, her writing is vibrant, explosive and dramatic, and this makes for the perfect literary getaway.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney is published by Macmillan, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, and can be sourced from Pan Macmillan South Africa.

Review: Field Guide to the Amaryllis Family by Graham Duncan, Barbara Jeppe and Leigh Voigt

Rating: Buy it ASAP – a bookshelf essential

What is it? Non-fiction, field guide

Ideal for: Plant lovers and amateur botanists

What makes it special? The content is organised by biome, with full-colour illustrations

Get it in from: Penguin Random House South Africa (Struik Nature). Otherwise, check out the Botanical Society of South Africa (or your local botanical garden).

___________________________________________________________________________________

The Amaryllis family is made up of a whopping 18 genera, comprising 265 species located mostly in Southern Africa. And this book covers all of them. 

Amateur botanists, hikers and nature enthusiasts alike will no longer have to guess exactly which Amaryllis plant they’re looking at.

The Field Guide to the Amaryllis Family is the bible for all-things Amaryllis. Comprehensive is an understatement.

It’s detailed and fully illustrated – including drawings and photographs of the underground structures (which is hopefully only for the event that you stumble across an uprooted bulb. Please don’t dig up Amaryllis willy nilly! I beg you!)

Each entry includes where a plant is found, look-alikes, and its life cycle. That way, you’ll know when to look out for flowers, seeds, or good ol’ fashioned greenery. It also features the history and medicinal properties of each species.

Finding a plant is easy, as they’re organised by biome. If you don’t know what that is, no problem. The authors have included a section explaining what these are and how they differ. 

This means that depending on which region you’re located in – and there are maps to help you work it out – you can narrow down searches, making identification user friendly.

[I feel like this is a good point to repeat: there are 265 different species of this plant. That creates a lot of potential for misidentification.]

As an aside, this is exactly how I discovered that I live on the cusp of two biomes; fynbos and succulent karoo (the authors are turning me into a novice geographer, too – how’s that for an added bonus?).

This book is also a visual record of the entire Amaryllis family. If you don’t use it as a field guide, you could still keep it is a comprehensive botanical diary. The photographs and illustrations are downright gorgeous, and for good reason. It took a tribe; 162 photographers and artists.

And as a final treat, it provides a list of bulb stockists, so that you can source some of these botanical delights for yourself, too.  

Field Guide to the Amaryllis Family by Graham Duncan, Barbara Jeppe and Leigh Voigt is published by Galley Press, and can be sourced from Struik Nature, an imprint of Penguin Random House South Africa.

Review: The Unravelling by Polly Crosby

Alternate name: The Women of Pearl Island

Rating: 5 Stars (Masterful)

Genre: Literary fiction with a dash of history

Themes: Grief, family, love

Ideal for fans of: Natasha Carthew, Megan Hunter, Sara Collins

Get it in South Africa from: Jonathan Ball Publishers

After her mother’s death, Tartelin feels unmoored. She thinks with longing of her mum’s stories of the sea, and longs for closure. When she spies an advert for a job posting on a remote island off the English coast, it immediately catches her eye. Marianne Stourbridge, a lepidopterist, seeks an assistant, and Tartelin is looking for a way to escape and heal. With this job, she can be near the ocean her mother loved so much. It seems like fate.

Yet when she arrives, Tartelin realizes nothing is as it seems. The strangely deserted isle holds more than just the ruins of buildings once washed away into the sea – it holds a mystery, and Marianne is at the very scarred heart of it.

But there’s a catch. Miss Stourbridge is no longer used to company, and keeps her assistant at arm’s length. Yet somehow, the two women eventually become close, sharing their time, their grief, and finally, uncovering the island’s history, and the secrets it has hidden beneath its bleak exterior.

The Unraveling is more than a satisfying tale with a dash of history and suspense. It is an investigation into the nature of loss, and how this shapes not just a person, but their past and future, too. The carefully woven subplots of evolution and rebirth remind us that family isn’t necessarily a blood bond, but a meeting of like-minded souls and a desire to be seen and see.

Tartelin and Marianne are united by grief and loss, yet separated by so much else, not least of which their ages. Despite this, Polly Crosby reminds us that love and acceptance have no boundaries, and any playing field can be levelled with enough trust.

The mysterious and frightening history of the island and its inhabitants also serve to highlight the dark side of humanity, a start contrast to the hopeful sweetness felt throughout the novel. Crosby shows that man can be both creator and destroyer, and all that separates the two is motivation. Crosby gives tangible weight to the power of things left unsaid, making this book as much a story of loss and longing as it is of hope and happiness.

The Unravelling is poetic and beautifully written, but it is also an addictive story. It’s the kind of literary fiction that has a refreshingly satisfying and undeniable pull, making it sure to appeal to any reader. This is top-shelf prose made accessible through a brilliant story, and the effect is nothing short of perfection.  

The Unravelling by Polly Crosby is published by HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers

Review: Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy

Josephine Morrow isn’t your average woman. Not only was she conceived totally without the input of a man, but she was the first of NINE such births. She is Girl One. But before a tenth virgin birth, disaster struck and everything changed. One night, a fire broke out at The Homestead which housed these special mothers and their daughters, killing the man that made it all possible; her namesake, Dr Joseph Bellanger. 

Now that she’s an adult, Josie is following in Bellanger’s footsteps, trying to show herself and the world that his genius was not only brilliant, but repeatable. But she’s interrupted by an unforeseen hitch: her mom, Mother One, is missing.  

In order to retrace her mother’s steps and find her, Josie must do something she’s never been allowed to do: return to the Homestead, and the other Mothers, who might be able to help. 

But her hunt is hindered by a shocking revelation: not only did Dr Bellanger have less of a role than Josephine had always imagined, but he wasn’t anythign like she remembered. And nor were the other girls; because pathogenesis isn’t the only thing that’s special about these girls. They also each have a hidden ability which makes them not just freaks of nature, but a magnet for trouble. 

Girl One is the latest in a long line of speculative feminist writing that’s recently took the literary world by storm, and it deserves its place among its peers. Sara Flannery Murphy has penned something amazing: this book contains well-written prose that has been wrestled into an astonishing story that is as unpredictable and moving as it is dark and delicious. A sprinkling of the supernatural also really elevates Girl One to something beyond dystopia; it brings a glorious color and texture to the story that can only be called art. Murphy's world is a sharp and nuanced creation filled with a satisfying balance between the mundane and the macabre, and boy does it sparkle! Add to that a dash of romance and a sprinkle of scientific horror and you have something that appeals to everyone, and ticks all the boxes.

If the story is familiar at points, it’s only because of the current prevalence of feminist stories – Girl One is an original that deserves to become a beloved classic, and I have NO DOUBT that Hollywood will agree, and snap up the rights to give the story new life on screen. Here’s hoping. 

Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy is published by Raven Books, a Bloomsbury company, and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers. 

Review: Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal

Nell has tried to stay out of sight her whole life. With a rare skin condition that has her peppered in spots, she’s learned to avoid the eyes in her local village. Until now. When the village hosts Jasper Jupiter’s Circus of Wonders, she catches a glimpse into a strange new world of performers and self-confessed oddities. But it isn’t until her father sells her off to the troupe that she really learns about circus life.

For the first time, Nell is using her appearance. With Jasper’s innovative thinking, a gorgeous outfit, and a little practice, she evolves from a flower-picking recluse into one of England’s top performers, even catching the eye of the Queen herself.

But Nell’s moment in the spotlight is under threat, because Jasper has been relying a little too heavily on loan sharks and promises to make his circus the greatest show in the country.

At the same time, Nell learns to navigate the minefields of love and friendship, as her world becomes more vibrant – and more dangerous – than she ever could have imagined.

Circus of Wonders is a truly thrilling book that hits all the right boxes, by offering the reader a little bit of everything. It has mystery, suspense, drama, romance, a brilliantly-written narrative, and a dash of magic. With an insight into the workings of Old England, Elizabeth Macneal has also managed to reimagine the concept of wonder – presenting a tradition as old as the circus in a fresh and delicious new way. But there’s more to this book than just a good circus story – there is an underlying social commentary about the dangers of judgement, as well as the unbreakable and often intimidating bonds between lovers and family. Circus of Wonders is deep, and it’s beautiful. What more could you want?

Circus of Wonders by Elizabeth Macneal is published by Picador, an imprint of Pan Macmillan.

 

Review: Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi

When Otto and Xavier Shin decided to go on an epic train journey for their non-honeymoon honeymoon, they had no idea what to expect. Not only are they the only two passengers on board, but the vehicle is home to the mysterious Ava Kapoor and her lifetime of secrets. As the two men begin to piece together Ava’s unusual background, and the circumstances that led to her living on the train, they realize that they’re sharing more than just their time together. For some inexplicable reason, the Shins and Ava are tied by more than just geography – they also share a mystery; the curious case of people unseen.

For Ava, it’s an invisible man she refuses to believe exists. For Otto, it’s a mysterious figure he failed to save from a burning building, and for Xavier, it’s the ex whose love he didn’t fully appreciate. As their journey progresses, the unseen and forgotten players from the character’s pasts slowly begin to play a larger role, blurring the fine lines between reality, memory and delusion. All the while, it becomes increasingly clear that another line is being blurred; that between passenger and prisoner.

Peaces is more than just a story; it’s a journey. Through gloriously written prose that reads like poetry, we are able to follow in Helen Oyeyemi’s footsteps. As she takes us deeper into a world of possibility and improbability, it’s enough to make you question your own existence and be thankful for it. The care with which Oyeyemi writes, and the intricate meanings she conveys through her prose, have given this book a mirror-like quality. Not only does the language impress and sparkle like well-polished silver, but the words themselves slowly join forces to ensnare and capture the reader into a larger-than-life fairytale. And you will not want to escape. Being in a world created by this author feels like purpose; her words beg to be read, and digested, and shared. Who am I to deny that?

Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi is published by Faber & Faber, a Bloomsbury company, and can be found in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly

Ava Kirilova has spent her life working towards this moment. After years of practice and dedication, she’s not just ready to headline Swan Lake – she IS Swan Lake. But being the best has a downside. Because her father owns the dance company, Ava’s had to work twice as hard to prove that she is the best, and not just the favourite. And the journey to the top has been lonely.

While Ava puts everything into the role, and in ensuring that she’ll make her father proud, she’s sacrificed things like friendship, connection, and occasionally, her peace of mind. And maybe she was right to do that.

Just before her debut in the role she was born for, disaster strikes. Someone wants what Ava has, and they’re willing to do anything to get it. In a cruel representation of life imitating art, the tragedy of the Black Swan has bled into Ava’s life, and there’s no turning back now.

Watch Her Fall is like a dance itself – carefully choreographed, flawless, and unpredictable. In fact, there was a time when I started having flashbacks of Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis’ twisted relationship onscreen, and despaired that Erin Kelly would be following the same path.

I was so gloriously wrong. In just a few pages and several gasps, this book evolved from a well-known trop of jealously and despair into something so much darker and more delicious. While Ava dances as the two Swans, she deftly skips over every red herring you can imagine, until her steps, and the narrative they trace, emerge into new and unpredictable territory. This book will blow your mind, and if you love a good twist, then this will be your guiding star because it has so many, you’ll get whiplash.

Honestly, there is nothing to fault in this book, apart from the fact that it ends. From clever character development to shocking horrors and suspense, and a poetic prose, Watch Her Fall is nothing short or art, and you need it in your life. and then you’ll need more. So Erin Kelly, I hope you’re hard at work on your next literary treat.

Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly is published by Hodder & Stoughton and is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Body of Stars by Laura Maylene Walter

Celeste and her brother Miles may have been born two years apart, but they’re essentially twins. For as long as either can remember, the other has always been there. But unlike other families, Miles has always been obsessed with his sister’s markings, and what they mean. By the time Celeste becomes a changeling and her juvenile markings are replaced by adult markings, Miles is somewhat of an expert interpreter. Only, she can never let him know what her adult markings predict, because they spell out Miles’ future, too, and it’s not a good one.

However, just as she is coming to terms with what her new future will look like, Celeste becomes another statistic; she’s abducted. Two weeks later, she returns home, broken and tainted, and the life she once envisioned slips away into a river of shame and misfortune. Eventually, Celeste decides to finally show Miles her markings, but is surprised to learn that her brother has a secret of his own, and if she’d known, everything could have been different.

Body of Stars is a phenomenal book, and its dystopian message is all the more believable because it is set in a world similar to ours, with a key difference: all women are born with a set of markings that literally predict the future. Their juvenile markings change when they become adults, after a short period of being a changeling. Unfortunately, it’s a risky time in any girl’s life, as the changes cause them to be irresistible, putting them at enormous risk of ending up like Celeste: abducted, raped, only to be returned broken and without a hope of a decent future.

Reading this book left me in awe, and angry. Part of what fuelled my rage was the injustice faced by these characters, which mirrors the many challenges faced by so many women – and men- throughout history. When a social construct such as gender inequality is dissected and rearranged into fiction, it becomes so much easier to identify its flaws, and spark outrage that there’s no solution. While Body of Stars is primarily based on gender issues, the formula is applicable to any modern social injustice – from racism to class inequality. The plot is both brilliant and devastating because it could be altered to represent any form of oppression – cruelty can have many faces.

Initially, Laura Maylene Walters gives us the fleeting impression that women’s abilities to know the future and to interpret fate make them valuable and powerful, but we soon learn that is not the case. This is a world that blames broken young women for their own misfortune, and by failing to lay blame with the perpetrators, effectively offers up its women as victims, while reminding them that being abducted is determined by their own actions. In fact, there’s a line that sums up this twisted perspective; “to be abducted indicated a moral failing; a lapse of judgement and restraint that pointed to a more serious deficiency”. The stigma follows them for the rest of their lives; crushing their dreams of attending university, and robbing them of careers and pride.

As we witness Celeste’s shame and despair, and her fruitless pursuit of justice, it’s impossible not to lament the fact that no one cares. Here, the taboo is commonplace, and outrage has become complacency. In fact, abducted girls are not even considered victims; they take on the shameful persona of perpetrator and victim. In trying to cope with her new role as the one at fault and the one who was faulted, Celeste turns to fantasy, and reads a tale about people without markings, in which the future in uncertain and nothing is left to fate. Our protagonist explains, “In that book, both girls and boys grew up blank. They were the same.” She imagines a world in which there are no markings, and it changes everything.

Only, the reader does live in a world free of markings, and it changes nothing. Celeste’s story is so moving because it isn’t new. It isn’t even fictional. We live in a world of differences, and rather than embrace these and learn from them, we allow the unknown and the unexperienced to make us afraid. That fear is the root of nearly all social injustice; taboos bleed into each other and create a nightmare reality.

Body of Stars is more than just a clever story with a beautiful narrative and relatable characters, although those aspects alone make it well worth a read. It’s the type of book that plants a seed in your mind, a read that gives you goosebumps and makes you dash down your thoughts and insights in an excited scrawl; the type of book you lend to friends and family. This story has the power to incite a revolution and make history, if only we listen to its call to stop the shit, and fix our society. To do this, we need to rely a little less on judgement and oppression, and a little more on embracing opportunity and making the right voices heard.

You don’t need to be a feminist to appreciate this book, but it is a good starting point. From there, you’re free to become a global citizen and do your part to end injustice. Do you accept the challenge?

Body of Stars by Laura Maylene Walter is published by Hodder Studio, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton, and a Hachette company. It is available in South Africa from Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Review: Exit by Belinda Bauer

The last couple of years of Felix Pink’s life have been hell. After his son loses his battle against cancer, it’s just Felix and Margaret, until she passes, too. Now it’s just Felix and his dog, Mabel. At seventy-five, he knows he doesn’t have much time left, but he’s using it well. You see, Felix is an Exiteer. He works for a company that ensures other families don’t suffer the way he did – they accompany terminally ill patients to the afterlife, to ensure the dying are surrounded by a calm, respectful presence. It’s not a job for everyone, which is why Felix understands when his partner, Chris, resigns.

But when Felix sees his new partner, 23-year-old Amanda, he has doubts. And when she accompanies him to her first job, things go terribly wrong, but it’s not just her fault. Shockingly, they helped the wrong person Exit. They killed the wrong man. To make matters worse, it seems they were set up.

As Felix tried to navigate his new existence as a murderer, he also wants to make amends. Determined to make sense of the error, he starts to investigate, and discovers that there is far more to the sordid affair than he could ever have imagined.

Exit is an unexpected treat from the first sentence. Not only do we have an unconventional protagonist in the form of a boring and bumbling pensioner, but it’s so well written and so cleverly woven together that it made me wonder why more books don’t feature aged and unexpected protagonists. The world, or a life, can’t always be saved by an angsty teen with Hollywood hair.

But there’s more to a good book than a good hero. In Exit, Belinda Bauer has carefully woven together a complicated story that is so thoroughly edited it makes it near impossible to predict the ending – and I’ve made a lifelong habit of predicting the end to whodunnits. It’s beyond refreshing to not see how the entire plot will play out by Part Two.

Bauer is ticking all the boxes. Excellent protagonist in an impeccable story, complete with poetic prose and a gratifying dash of the macabre? There’s nothing to fault in this book. So what are you waiting for – go on and read it. Thank me later.  

Exit by Belinda Bauer is published by Bantam Press, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, a Penguin Random House company.

Review: Troy by Stephen Fry

Long ago, when gods still roamed the earth and the world was a playground for the egos of important men, the unthinkable happened. Prince Paris of Troy was promised the love and adoration of the most beautiful woman in the world, as seen through a vision given to him by the goddess of love. Unfortunately, this unnatural beauty – who went by the name of Helen – was already married to another man. In response, Paris decided to sail to Sparta and kidnap Helen, under false pretenses. His actions so enrage Helen’s husband that he and his brother immediately launch war against Troy, in order to return Helen to her home. However, what started off as a rescue mission soon became a decade-long stalemate and brutal war that is still recounted thousands of years later.

If you thought you knew about the story of Troy – and particularly of those events involving a certain beautiful lady and a ten-year long war, you’re wrong. Not only has Stephen Fry made this popular myth as relatable and interesting as any film starring Brad Pitt, but he’s improved it with the addition of more context and history than any film could ever hope to represent. Whether you like a good adventure, are a history buff or just enjoy Mr. Fry’s particular skill with a pen, this book will not disappoint.

While this book forms the perfect companion for the other similar works in Mr. Fry’s repertoire – Mythos and Heroes – it is also perfectly suited as a stand-alone work that is every bit as brilliant and entertaining as Homer intended, while being far easier to enjoy. Fry has delved into the tangled mess of history for us, so that we don’t need to struggle and trudge through endless names, facts and events just to get to the juicy parts of one of the most infamous wars of all time. Complete with Fry’s signature wit and sassy humor, Troy takes ancient history, and rebrands it as modern adventure suitable for any audience. The effect is dazzling; not only are we given a beautifully curated and modernized tale, but in so doing, Fry has made Greek mythology (dare I say it?) sexy. If that’s not talent, I give up.  

Troy by Stephen Fry is published by Michael Joseph, a Penguin Random House company.

Review: The Burning Girls by CJ Tudor

After Reverend Jack Brooks leaves Nottingham following an unfortunate incident among her congregation, she is transferred to the small town of Chapel Croft. With a teenage daughter in tow, Jack worries how they will adjust to the village, which is steeped in superstitious history and myth. However, from their first day in Chapel Croft, both Jack and her daughter Flo can’t shake the feeling that the odd occurrences in Chapel Croft are more than just superstition – someone has to be behind it. Not only is Jack receiving threatening notes, but Flo has been having strange vision of burning girls, and her growing paranoia is spoiling the only friendship she’s yet to make.

Soon, Jack finds herself delving into the village’s past to come to terms with its history, and the strange events set into motion by her arrival. More than anything, she wants to keep Flo safe and away from harm, no matter the cost. But how much can a reverend do when faced with a possible murderer?

The Burning Girls hits all the right notes to be a great book. An excellent and twisted narrative is enhanced by well-written prose and just a sprinkling of horror and the supernatural. CJ Tudor has a talent for showing us the dark side of humanity, and making us enjoy it. This book will have your adrenalin kicking up a notch a few times, and it’s the best feeling in the world. Not since the likes of Stephen King have thrillers been so nuanced and edgy, and it is marvelous. I cannot wait for my next hit, so I really hope Tudor is holed up somewhere in an office hunched over her keyboard, because the world needs more of what she has to offer.

The Burning Girls by CJ Tudor is published by Michael Joseph, a Penguin Random House company, and is available in South Africa from Penguin Random House South Africa.

Review: Cursed by Thomas Wheeler and Frank Miller

After being attacked by a dark force as a child, Niume has always been an outcast among her own people, despite her mother being the Arch Druid of their particular Fey clan. However, when Niume is selected to be the clan’s next Summoner – the one who communicates with the magical Hidden – her fellow Fey can’t hide their resentment. In response, and to escape the unwelcome responsibility, Niume decides to leave her village and its magic behind her.  

However, amid her plans for departure, the village is attacked by the fierce Red Paladins – a religious sect intent on eliminating all the Fey clans across the country. As Niume watches her childhood home burn around her, her mother tasks her with a final mission – to take an ancient sword to the wizard Merlin.

As Niume begins her journey, she realizes that the sword hides more than just a bloody history – like her, it is filled with magic, and together, it may just be the saving grace of the Fey, if only Niume can prevent it being taken from her.

The story of Arthur and the sword Excalibur may be well-known, but you’ve never seen it like this. With a fresh feminist twist, and a large helping of magic, this book is a treat from the first page. Cursed isn’t a retelling of Arthur’s adventures as much as it is a re-imagining of the events preceding the story we know so well, and it is glorious. Niume is the badass young female warrior we never realized we needed, while Arthur and Merlin, titans of the tales of old, have been whittled down to people rather than archetypes. Combines this with Frank Miller’s graphic novel-inspired lustrations, and this book is pure adventure from start, and nobody in their right minds should pass it up.

Cursed combines the comfort of the familiar, with a vibrant and expanded universe of the newly discovered. It’s everything you need in a good book, and I’d highly recommend you try it.

Cursed by Thomas Wheeler is published by Penguin Random House.