Fiction - The Irresponsible Reader

DETAILS:
Publication Date: December 8, 2025
Format: eARC
Length: 293 pg.
Read Date: December 20-23, 2025

What’s Dogged About?

Dogged Determination and her mate, Vigilant Aggression, are Wardogs, a canine-humanoid race. They, like the rest of their squad are dedicated to going to other worlds to spread the Emperor’s peace (which could look like conquering a civilization and subduing the populace to someone who isn’t a Wardog). One fateful day, they are marching in formation through a wizard’s portal off to the next mission, and the unthinkable happens—the portal collapses, and the line in front of Dogged is caught half-in/half-out of the portal, leaving chunks (for lack of a better word) of the soldiers on each side.

She and her Kennel Master, stunned, go to report to the Emperor and get the permission of one of the advisors for Dogged to investigate what happened.

The one thing that she has going for her is her determination (she’s aptly named)—when she starts something, she sees it through. She’s not the brightest, she’s not subtle, putting together clues is not probably where she’ll shine But she will not stop looking until she knows what happened to her mate, the others, and why.

The Humans

Along the way she inspires the interest—and eventually loyalty—of the first mate of a commercial ship. Well, acting captain of a ship following a dispute between Dogged and his former captain. There’s sort of a friendship that builds between the two, and Balen sees that Dogged’s just not up for the task ahead of her and decides to help her out—basically acting as her human to Wardog translator. Not long after that, they encounter an elementalist who joins up with them.

The three of them together form a new pack of sorts, providing a kind of connection that Dogged was unprepared for and didn’t seem to know was possible. I don’t want to overplay this idea, but it’s really like Balen and Sahar found a lonely and sad dog at a rescue shelter and decided to bring her home with them. And in them, Dogged may have found her forever home (at least emotionally).

The Tone

Dogged is the best kind of unreliable narrator—she’s not lying (deception is hard for her), but her understanding of the world and people outside her experience and training is limited, so the reader will constantly be interpreting her first-person narration. Like any good dog, her observations and reactions will make an observer smile.

At the same time, Dogged is a warrior. She is great with a spear—and not bad with (human-sized) bladed weapons. But even without that, she’s a walking weapon: full sets of claws at the end of her hands, vicious and sharp teeth, and strength to go up against Conan and his mighty thews. And, yes, she’s trying to learn new ways of dealing with problems and questions—she’s being forced to, anyway. But for her entire life, all she’s ever been given to use is a hammer—every instinct, reflex, and response he has is to treat things as nails.

A lot of blood gets spilled, organs are torn, limbs are severed—starting in the opening scene, and it doesn’t let up.

You get this great mix of bloody violence, canine innocence, and heart. It’s hard to explain—but Fletcher pulled off something fantastic here.

So, what did I think about Dogged?

I think I just said it. This is a fantastic read.

The cover appealed to me and made me look into it. Some of the reviews—starting with Andy Peloquin’s—convinced me that I’d probably enjoy this book. Boy howdy, did they undersell it.

On some other day, I might not have relished this the way I did. But there’s no day where I don’t have an absolute great time with it.

I’m on the verge of overhyping this here. I don’t know what else to say that’s not potentially overblown.

This was the right book for me at the right time—I didn’t expect it, but it’s the case. One of my favorites of 2025—probably the 2020s as a whole. I dunno—let me get some distance on it before I start saying things like that.

I’m just telling ya—get this, you won’t be sorry.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from the author in exchange for this post—I read the book because I wanted to, and the opinions expressed are my own.

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My Favorite Crime/Mystery/Detective/Thriller Fiction of 2025

By HCNewton

On January 9, 2026

In Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, News/Misc.

Covers of King of Ashes, The Final Vow, Everybody Knows, Don't Tell Me How to Die, Where the Bones Lie, The Broken Detective, Second Lies the Son, Dark Neon & Dirt, One Death at a Time, and The Bang-Bang Sisters, next to an image of an anthropomorphized Pilcrow and the words 'My Favorites of 2025 Crime Fiction'
Finally, we’re at the end of my 2025 wrap-up. Thanks for sticking with me for so long! (assuming you have). I’ve taken to considering this genre apart from everything else when I put together my Favorites Lists, or just about everything else would get ignored. Even if I went with a Top 20 instead of a Favorite 10, maybe 5 books from the previous lists would’ve made it along with all of these. Maybe.

Once again, I’ll note that I limit my lists to things I read for the first time. Yes, there are some author names on here that have been on a couple of these lately. Under half the list. It wouldn’t surprise me if any of these showed up in the years to come. I might have to retire some authors from consideration. Maybe this list should be renamed “S.A. Cosby, M.W. Craven, and some others.”

As always, re-reads don’t count for these lists.

(in alphabetical order by author)

King of Ashes

by S.A. Cosby

This was a twisted, gripping, read about a group of siblings trapped (and shaped) by a shared trauma from their childhood. Now adults, they find themselves trapped in a deal with a local gang of drug dealers, and the only way out may be to become worse than them. Told with Cosby’s signature style and humanity, this will leave you in a daze.

The Final Vow

by M.W. Craven

This is a lighter book than the last couple of Poe and Tilly novels–but that doesn’t make it less compelling to read. Just a little more fun, and probably won’t leave you haunted and unable to get a good night’s sleep right away. It definitely sets a new direction for the series. But none of that matters. This is M.W. Craven at the top of his game–he sets a puzzle worthy of Poe and Tilly, puts some big obstacles in their way, and let’s the reader sit back and revel in it. Who could ask for more?

Everybody Knows

by Jordan Harper

My original post
This is one of the best and starkest depictions of human depravity and the dangers those who dare to stand against it will face. The only thing that makes this experience entertaining is Harper’s prose and fantastic pacing. It left me speechless.

Don’t Tell Me How to Die

by Marshall Karp

My original post
This is a devilishly clever story that’s also emotionally effective. I mean, part of the book’s premise is that the protagonist’s mother died young. Early in the novel, we flashback to that, and I got choked up. I knew the woman was dead before I started the book, and it still got me. Just imagine what the book did to me by the end. As far as the rest of the story goes–the less I say, the better it is for a potential reader. But it’s a doozy–a new kind of story for Marshall Karp and just as good (if not better) as his previous best.

Where the Bones Lie

by Nick Kolakowski

My original post
Kolakowski brings us a little L.A.-noir here with this book–a former Hollywood fixer gets a shot at a new life when someone hires him to find out why her father died many years ago. The interplay between the protagonists is great to read, the mystery is compelling, and the contemporary California-ness of the setting is so real (geographically, environmentally, and in the entertainment industry). It’s a really strong work from Kolakowski.

The Broken Detective

by Joel Nedecky

My original post
We move from L.A.-noir to Winnipeg-noir, which is a thing (apparently). This tale of broken detectives hunting for one particular broken woman in the midst of crime, corruption, and the worst of humanity grabs you in the first couple of pages and won’t let go until a couple of days after you finish. It’s one of the most satisfying endings I read last year, too.

Second Lies the Son

by Matt Phillips

My original post
Here’s another haunting read–Matt Phillips is one of those writers that I just want to read the prose of. The plot and characters don’t matter as much to me as the experience of reading Phillips. But, he always comes through with characters and plot that matter as much as you want, too. This is a fast, lean novel that will leave you moved (disturbed might be a better word) and chewing on it for days.

Dark Neon & Dirt

by Thomas Trang

My original post
And now we’re back to L.A.-noir…Trang’s debut is the kind of assured, nervy book that is a delight to find. You’ve got dirty (or at least compromised) cops, professional thieves, and a collection of coincidences that entwine them in more ways than they find comfortable. The diallogue is fantasitc. The whole things feels like a slick Winslow novel as cool as Miami Vice was at its height.

One Death at a Time

by Abbi Waxman

My original post
Abbi Waxman’s first mystery novel proves (to me, anyway) that she can write anything. The mystery portion of the novel is really well done; the characters are well-designed and well-executed, the relationships between them are strong and obvious—you like the people you’re supposed to like enough that you wish you sat around the room with them, watching them go back and forth Also, it’s funny. That’s a one-two-three combination that I’ll always enjoy and recommend.

The Bang-Bang Sisters

by Rio Youers, Kristen Sieh (Narrator)

My original post
This rollicking adventure captures the spirit of music and live performance (and inter-band dynamics) as…well, any rock novel I can think of. There’s a serial killer equal to Francis Dolarhyde; a violent, kill-or-be-killed, “game” as nasty as Chain-Gang All-Stars; and three great women characters with all the style, skill, and general badassery as The Deadly Viper squad–all in a book with the violence level equal to—if not greater than—Kill Bill, Vol. 1. It’s got the pacing of a classic rock song—with occasional bursts of speed metal–it’s fast, it’s furious, it’s bloody, it’s raw emotion, it’s dangerous. It is so much fun. It is Rock and Roll.

A few books that almost made this list, and I want to be sure to mention:

Mississippi Blue 42 by Eli Cranor; Medusa Protocol by Rob Hart, Righteous Trash by Nick Kolakowski; and The World Entire by Jo Perry.

PUB DAY SPOTLIGHT: Fairest Hunter by M.K. Felix

By HCNewton

On January 9, 2026

In Fantasy, Fiction

I’m excited talk about today’s release of (literary local) M.K. Felix’s Fairest Hunter. I’ve chatted with her a couple of times, and this sounds like a fun take on Snow White and Robin Hood both. I’m happy that I can finally own it (and very likely read it in the next 7 months at the rate I move). Here’s a little more about it to get you interested.

Book Details:

Title: Fairest Hunter by M.K. Felix
Title: The Favored’s Curse, Book One
Format: Hardcover/Paperback/eBook
Length: 353 pg.
US Publication Date: January 9, 2026

About the Book:

A rebellious huntress. A cursed prince. A coup to change it all.

Rowena:
The king spreads darkness with his words, and when he asks me to kill his own son, it’s the final tipping point for me. Guess that solves the issue of how to overthrow the tyrant. We’ll put Prince Alvor on the throne. Except, the Alvor before me is not the same one I knew growing up. This Alvor, well he’s entirely too alluring. He keeps tearing my walls down, reminding me that I’m not the only one who needs to fight for this kingdom.

Alvor:
With one glance into Rowena’s eyes, something changed. She has magic, and the more I reconnect with her, the more I’m sure she’s the key to saving our kingdom. But time is not on our side. I need to claim the throne before my father drives our kingdom into the ground with his greed. The only problem? I’m not ready to let Rowena sacrifice herself for me or my people. Especially not after she broke my curse and rekindled the sparks in my heart.

Book Links:

Hardcover ~ Paperback ~ eBook ~ Free Companion Novella: Lady Scarlett

About the Author

Idaho mom writing clean ✨FANTASY✨

Website ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Linktree

My Favorite Non-Crime Fiction of 2025

By HCNewton

On January 8, 2026

In Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, News/Misc., Science Fiction

Covers of The Goblin Emperor, Light from Uncommon Stars, Anxious People, A Drop of Corruption, Five Broken Blades, Dogged, Mushroom Blues, Bounty Inc., The Price of Power, My Documents, and The Amazing Twin Chicken Freedom Fighters, next to an image of an anthropomorphized Pilcrow and the words 'My Favorites of 2025 Other Than Crime-Fiction'
Back when I started this site, I knew the content would be largely “genre”-oriented. I’d have wagered the content would be roughly 1/3 Mystery/Detective fiction, 1/3 Urban Fantasy, and slightly less than 1/3 SFF, with “non-genre” fiction, humor, and non-fiction being enough to make my one-thirds just an approximation (honestly, if you asked me what I read regularly, that’s pretty much how I’d describe it today). Actual numbers show that’s wrong—it’s typically almost 40% Crime/Thriller Fiction, the rest of fiction is around 30% combined. This is just a long-winded way to get to these two points: because Crime Fiction takes such a big chunk of my reading, it gets its own “Favorite” list, but none of the others really garner enough numbers for their own. This year, however, the numbers are a bit more even gross-genres, but…the practice has been set. We’ll see what next year brings.

When it comes to this particular list of favorites this year, I just couldn’t get lower than 11 (I’m thankful I made it lower than 24). But as this is a catch-all, I figure I can be a little loose with the numbers. So here’s my list of 11 favorite non-Crime Fiction Novels of 2024. Hopefully, you will find something here to tempt you.

As always, re-reads don’t count—only the works that were new to me.

(in alphabetical order by author)

The Goblin Emporer

by Katherine Addison

To say I was daunted by the incredibly detailed pronunciation guide and information about names before the novel is to put it mildly, but that went away almost immediately. This is a wonderful work–such an intricate web of courtly manners and rules (written and unwritten), a murder plot, a coup or two, and some geeky engineers. Okay, that’s a bad way to try to describe this. I read this a couple of months ago, and already want to re-read it. Once I got into this novel I didn’t want to leave.

Light from Uncommon Stars

by Ryka Aoki

Words fail me as I try to talk about this contemporary Fantasy about a woman whose way out of a Faustian bargain depends on her damning others. And it turns out that I really liked this woman, and hoped she’d get that last soul. Just not the one she’s decided to use to fulfill the bargain, because this one should be protected and nurtured. Oh, and there’s a bunch of aliens on the run from an intergalactic conflict.

This book made me happy–it delighted me in the description of music, in fact. It broke my heart. It made me tense. It filled me with hope. There might be books on the lists this week that are better technically, but I’m not sure any of them worked on my heart the way that this one did.

Anxious People

by Fredrik Backman

Of this books that made me laugh this year, this is probably in the top 3. It’s also the book that probably made me think of fatherhood more than any other. And marriage. And all the ways we can let each other down, and the hope that exists for the next time when we don’t.

It’s Backman, so you know he’ll be funny. You know he’ll tug at your heartstrings. You know he’ll make you think. He does that, and more–because he throws in some small town cops, a bank robbery that went wrong, and a bunch of hostages. If I stopped reading after this one in February, I’d have called 2025 a good year for reading (although I’d have been so bored for the remaining 10 months, it’s good I didn’t).

A Drop of Corruption

by Robert Jackson Bennett

My original post
This is simply a perfect follow-up to The Tainted Cup–new strangeness to explore in this world, new depravities to be seen, new political machinations to watch, new opportunities for Ana Dolabra’s brilliance (and strange way of seeing the world) to shine–yet entirely of a piece with the first book. A Drop of Corruption is another fantastic mystery/fantasy hybrid. Like so many of the others on this list, superlatives fail me.

Five Broken Blades

by Mai Corland

I love the set-up to this book–a bunch of killers of varying in strengths and modus operandi are brought together for one joint-job. And one of them is a traitor. And the reader doesn’t know (but we can guess, and will) who the traitor is, why they’re doing it and more.

I liked this one so much that I bought the hardcovers for the rest of the trilogy right after finishing. I never do that.

I’ve seen some criticisms of the work–and some of them have merit. But while I was reading it? I was so taken in that I didn’t notice any of them. And now? I don’t care about any of the criticism, I had so much fun with this book that you could tell me that I’m the only one in the world who likes it and I’d be fine with it. (I’d also know you were lying, but that’s okay)

Dogged

by Michael R. Fletcher

This is a violent, grisly novel about an empire on the brink of ruin–and the devastation this wreaks on the populace. It is also one of the most heartwarming tales I’ve read this year about loyalty, determination, and doing what’s right for those important to you.

The central character just might be the character of the year for me–she embodies so much of what I love in a noble warrior character.

This book made my month in December–and I read a lot of books that I really enjoyed. But while I was reading this one, almost everything I’d read last year paled in comparison (including every other item on this list).

It sucks you in, it tells a perfect story in an almost perfect way–and makes you want more. I don’t want a sequel, it’s a wonderful stand-alone. I just want a half-dozen books just like it.

Mushroom Blues

by Adrian M. Gibson

My original post
A Police Procedural set in a world with Earth-like technology and laws. However, it’s inhabited with humans and a sapient, humanoid, fungal species. Basically, humanoid Mushrooms. It’s hard to explain.

The mystery/police procedural part of this was great. The alternate world was outstanding. The worldbuilding is top-notch. The primary and secondary characters were drawn so wonderfully. The motives for the crimes (and the crime fighting) were complex and messy—and almost entirely understandable. The genre-hybrid of this feels entirely natural to an extent that you can almost wonder why anyone hasn’t been approaching these genres in a similar fashion for decades.

Gibson’s scheduled to get a sequel out this year. I’m going to be at the front of the line for it.

Bounty Inc.

by Adam Holcombe

My original post
This book is a space opera/SF adventure. With intrigue, action, strangeness, betrayal, and more. It’s what you expect from this kind of book—and it delivers that well. But I can also describe it as a wholesome, found family, cozy-ish, feel-good novel at its core. With an earnest spirit that reaches every corner of the book.

Is the big romantic arc entirely predictable? Yes. Is it effective, sweet, and wholly satisfying? Yup. Will you get gut-punched by what happens to some of these characters? Yup. (I didn’t say it was cozy, I said it had that heart, bad things happen). Will you cheer at parts of the action? Yes. Will you be dismayed by some of the twists? Yup. Will you want this pretty long book to be longer? YUP.

Satisfying on several levels. Fantastic action. Strange alien species. And entertaining on every page.

The Price of Power

by Michael Michel

My original post
I read four books this year that I might have described as “one of my favorite fantasy novels” at one point. It’s a hotly competitive rank apparently. This is one of those. And that thumbnail review is still true.

This is a gritty, intense read following four primary characters (and a couple of others nearby each of them). The world it sets up and introduces us to is teetering on the brink of civic upheaval and all-out war. And something tells me those’ll be the easier problems to deal with. Book three releases in a couple of weeks not and my anticipation level is high.

My Documents

by Kevin Nguyen

My original post
This is a timely work about the complete internment of Vietnamese-Americans following some terrorist strikes. It is chilling. It’s occasionally joyful (usually as a precursor something utterly absent of joy, but also as a reminder of its importance).

This is a powerful, haunting, (purposefully) uncomfortable read that will also charm you. It’s been residing in a corner of my mind since I read it, and I keep almost making references to it when talking to others about current events as if it’s something in our shared cultural moment. It’s impact is going to last a while in my mind–and I’d recommend you let it impact yours, too.

The Amazing Twin Chicken Freedom Fighters

by Zephaniah Sole

My original post
This is either brilliant or the ravings of a madman. Possibly both.

It is absurd in every way. It’s hilarious on several levels–from very low-brow to philosophical riffs. Sole plays with narrative, meaning, reality…and I don’t know what all, really. If I was pursuing some sort of English degree right now, I’d be using this (and the promised sequel) as the foundation for a few papers.

It can also be read as twisted fun–you’d be missing a lot, but you’d have a great time.

A few books that almost made this list and I want to be sure to mention:
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E Butler, The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman, Bones & Betrayals: Silence of the Dead by Andi Ewington & Erica Marks, Grace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Mathew Norman, Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by Jason Pargin, and How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler.

A Few Scattered Thoughts on My Latest Reading of The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis

By HCNewton

On January 7, 2026

In C.S. Lewis, Fantasy, Fiction, Further Up and Further In

Further Up and Further In A Year with C.S.Lewis

The Last Battle

by C. S. Lewis , illustrated by Pauline Baynes

DETAILS:
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia, #7
Publication Date: June 25, 1994
Format: Paperback
Length: 211 pg.
Read Date: December 24, 2025

If you need to know what this book is about, or anything about this series…seriously, just stop what you’re doing and pick up this book. I don’t mean to be a snob, or maybe I do, but something was missing from your childhood, and now is your time to fix it. I realize that there are many legitimate reasons for people not to have read this (more than some of the earlier), and I’m not questioning the choices you or your parents made (actually, I guess I am). But I’m not going to try to talk about this book like I do most others.

If only because everything worth saying has been said by other, better, writers. Probably several times.

I’ve also read this too many times to count as a child—even through my college years, and at least once a decade since. I’ll probably pick up the pace of re-reading them so I can talk to the grandcritters about them, too.

But I feel the need to say something now, so here are a few things that jumped out at me during this read:

bullet Shift is the first Narnian primate we’ve seen, right? There’s probably a lot of meaning to be mined from that. hmmm….
bullet A couple of pages of watching Shift in action is enough to make a guy want to go hang out with pre-Dragon Island Eustace just for the company.
bullet I just want to yell at Tirian to pay attention to the Centaur and his reading of the stars. I mean sure the astrology is nonsense (or is it in Narnia?), but the rest of it…
bullet Then just a few pages later, we get word that “Aslan” is ordering tress to be cut down and sold. Sorry, just how clueless are Tirian, Jewel, and anyone else who thinks, “yeah, this could maybe be the guy.”
bullet

The King was so dizzy from being knocked down that he hardly knew what was happening until the Calormenes untied his wrists and put his arms straight down by his sides and set him with his back against an ash tree. Then they bound ropes round his ankles and his knees and his waist and his chest and left him there. What worried him worst at the moment—for it is often little things that are hardest to stand—was that his lip was bleeding where they had hit him and he couldn’t wipe the little trickle of blood away although it tickled him.

That is just a great little detail there at the end. Hard to resist the impulse to wipe your mouth/chin there.
bullet Even in the midst of the end of the world, Lewis can find time to bring a smile with something like this:

…in Narnia your good clothes were never your uncomfortable ones. They knew how to make things that felt beautiful as well as looking beautiful in Narnia: and there was no such thing as starch or flannel or elastic to be found from one end of the country to the other.

bullet I thought about talking about Susan’s absence at the end, but it seems even less controversial to me on this read than on others. Also, I just got my hands on Gaiman’s “The Problem with Susan,” and should keep my powder dry until I can read/interact with it.
bullet I didn’t take that many notes while reading this one–I think I just caught up in the reading. Oops. I really liked Jill here (nothing against Eustace, but Jill really got to shine).
bullet This isn’t a wholly satisfying ending to the series, but it’s such a good one. I wonder a bit if Lewis could’ve done more–but I really can’t complain. It’d have been really easy for him to bungle this–I’ll take a pretty good conclusion over a mess.

And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can: most truly say that they all lived happily ever after, But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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PUB DAY REPOST: Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire: Quieting the Dead

By HCNewton

On January 6, 2026

In Authors, Fantasy, Fiction, K-O, Seanan McGuire, Wayward Children

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold

by Seanan McGuire

DETAILS:
Series: Wayward Children, #11
Publisher: Tordotcom
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 148 pgs.
Read Date: December 23, 2025

What’s Through Gates of Garnet and Gold About?

We watched Nancy get her door and get to go home 10 years ago (in publication time, I’m a little unclear about how long it’s been in Eleanor West’s School’s time, as is at least one student). And aside from a quick “hi,” a few books later, that was pretty much the end of her story.

Until now, obviously, otherwise, why would I start by talking about her?

She’s back, and there’s a rule-breaking quest involved. The twist this time is that Nancy has been sent by The Lady of the Dead. Something…someone…is attacking people like Nancy in the Halls. People who have come through their own Doors from their own worlds to their true home. The dead are left unmolested and undisturbed. But it’s the other living people there who are being attacked. Nancy’s friends (or as close as living statues have to friends), are being killed and they need help.

This is a first for Eleanor West and her students–but they can’t say no. They don’t want to. Kade, as almost always, the leader of the group. Christopher, who is more comfortable with the dead than anyone other than Nancy, and his bone flute come along as well. There’s no way that Sumi, Nancy’s old roommate, is going to pass up this opportunity. Talia demands to be part of it, too. She has no skills that seem to make sense for this task*, but she’s done the math. Going on a quest with other students is just about the best way to guarantee getting her Door when it’s completed. So no one had better stop her. I, for one, hadn’t done this connection–and I’m guessing many of the other students haven’t either, or there’d be several others clamoring for a change.

* Naturally, it turns out that it’s good she came along.

An Introduction to the Series

McGuire’s been clear from the get-go that this series can be read in any order–and that’s true enough. But I think there are a couple of books that should be read in a particular order, regardless of what she thinks. And you’re just better off in general going in publication order.

But let’s say that this is the first book you pick up–you’re in for a treat. In an Introduction of sorts–not really a prelude or prologue–a couple of pages before chapter one, whatever you want to call them–McGuire introduces this series, sketches the function of the Doors, the impact they make on those who pass through. Those who want them back, etc.

This isn’t a “The Story So Far…” kind of thing–but it’s the closest that this series is going to get. I hope we get these exact pages–or ones very like them–from here on out.

I Needed a Fresh Dose of Sumi

Sumi is one of the characters who appears with greater consistency than others in this series–and I, for one (but am probably not alone), am so grateful for that. Her weaponized optimism, utter lack of regard for social niceties, unwavering positivity, and generous affections emphasize all the good things to be found in a person and situation. She also brings a level of comedy and heart to every scene she’s in. She can also be profound, usually unintentionally, and add emotional weight to a scene when you didn’t realize it needed it.

And when she gives a warning–you know things are serious. But the reader gets to chuckle the way she does it.

Obviously, we needed Sumi if we’re going to spend time with Nancy (we’re going to need Kade for similar reasons). But I personally needed a dose of her in general. And while what we got was sufficient, I’m hoping it’s not too long before we spend time with her again.

So, what did I think about Through Gates of Garnet and Gold?

After last year’s Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear, I assumed we’d get something good, but not great for this book–we were due for McGuire to take her foot off the pedal a bit and coast a little. I’m very glad that McGuire wasn’t thinking like that and brought us another stellar installment in this series.

I mean, I was sold from the instant I saw that Nancy was coming back–and McGuire did right by this return. When Nancy got her door again, I wasn’t prepared for that to happen. I didn’t realize we were going to spend so little time with most of these characters, just enough to fall in love with them as characters, and then watch them go on to the next chapter of their lives–and that we’d very likely be done with them (aside from an occasional glance at most). I’ve embraced that when it comes to these books, and it no longer gets to me so much that we walk away from them. But I’ve always wanted more Nancy.

So, sure, that made me an easy sell for this book–but that didn’t mean I was guaranteed to rave over it. It just made it very likely.

I didn’t really understand what Nancy saw in the Halls of the Dead before, nor do I think I truly understood what was involved. This world made a lot less sense to me than any of the others, and I really wasn’t that interested in it other than as it served as Nancy’s true home. But we got to see much more of it than we have previously, we get some more mature description of it from Nancy (and her Lady). I see the appeal, the attraction. Or at least I understand where some would. Personally? The only world I’m less interested in is the underwater world that Nadya introduced us to last year (I just don’t think I could get over being underwater). But now, I get why Nancy and the others want to be there.

What the questors and readers learn about the forces attacking–and their plans–is pretty unsettling, and tells us a little more about McGuire’s universe and the stories she’s telling. In a way that made me uncomfortable and pleased me at the same time. You’ll have to read it yourself. But it’s such a fantastic touch.

As usual for this series, McGuire balances whimsy and danger, joy and weeping, with skill and aplomb. For Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear, I wrote:

This is definitely one of the stronger books in this series that is on a great roll lately, I commend it to your attention. As with just about every book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone or as an entry point (but I strongly encourage reading at least Every Heart a Doorway before any of the others). I was sad when it ended—not because of the way it ended, I just wasn’t ready to move on. I predict I won’t be alone in that.

That’s a pretty good way to wrap up this post, too. With one significant difference–I need to know what happens after the last page, preferably now. It’s not a cliffhanger (this is not one of those series), in fact it’s a perfectly fitting ending for this novella. But I really need the next page–and fear McGuire is going to make us wait a bit before she gives it to us.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Tordotcom Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

4 1/2 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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A Few Scattered Thoughts on My Latest Reading of The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

By HCNewton

On January 1, 2026

In C.S. Lewis, Fantasy, Fiction, Further Up and Further In

Further Up and Further In A Year with C.S.Lewis

The Magician’s Nephew

by C. S. Lewis , illustrated by Pauline Baynes

DETAILS:
Series: The Chronicles of Narnia, #6
Publication Date: June 25, 1994
Format: Paperback
Length: 202 pg.
Read Date: December 19-20, 2025

If you need to know what this book is about, or anything about this series…seriously, just stop what you’re doing and pick up this book. I don’t mean to be a snob, or maybe I do, but something was missing from your childhood, and now is your time to fix it. I realize that there are many legitimate reasons for people not to have read this (more than some of the earlier), and I’m not questioning the choices you or your parents made (actually, I guess I am). But I’m not going to try to talk about this book like I do most others.

If only because everything worth saying has been said by other, better, writers. Probably several times.

I’ve also read this too many times to count as a child—even through my college years, and at least once a decade since. I’ll probably pick up the pace of re-reading them so I can talk to the grandcritters about them, too.

But I feel the need to say something now, so here are a few things that jumped out at me during this read:

bullet

“The Wood between the Worlds,” said Polly dreamily. “It sounds rather nice.”

I wholeheartedly agree, Polly. And I do wish you two had taken the opportunity to dip in and out of a few more before you stumbled into the worst pool possible.
bullet Ugh. I hate reading things like this:

And you could see at once, not only from her crown and robes, but fro mthe flash of her eyes and the curve of her lips, that she was a great queen.

Yes, please, Mr. Lewis–let’s focus on the surface appearance. Greatness of appearance=greatness of person. No matter how the adjective “great” is meant here–since when does this work out? He very easily could’ve thrown in some remark that this is how Pool and Diggory thought, but that it obviously was a wrong way to think–he makes that sort of comment all over the place.
bullet Oooh, a growing lamp-post. Now that is interesting and strange. And if you read this in Chronological order, you really won’t care much (or will want to see a lot more of it). But if you read them in the publication order, you get to that point and say, “ahhhhh. That’s cool,” feel a warm glow of recognition/satisfaction, and move on. This is the only time I’m going to say anything about the reading order in this series. But I could go on.
bullet Watching the animals crawl out of the land as they’re created–very cool. Some clever writing, and the best part of this book. Sadly, it’s pretty short.
bullet The bit where the Talking Beasts are trying to figure out just what Uncle Andrew is (animal–but not talking one like them, a tree maybe?) is pretty funny and good engagement.
bullet Where Jadis tempts Diggory with the apple (a bit heavy-handed on the symbolism) is just fantastic. A better bit of temptation than we got with Edward succumbing.
bullet The whole thing with the garden and the apples, the Tree of Protection, etc., feels…I dunno. Sort of crammed in other than the temptation bit. It just left me feeling “meh”–particularly the little quest that Aslan sent Diggory on to get there. I even checked Paul F. Ford’s Companion to Narnia (yes, I am the sort of nerd that has books like that sitting on my shelves), and it was less than helpful on this point.
bullet The book as a whole feels like Lewis is trying to augment the mythology he’s already created for Narnia, fill it out some (how is this the first we’re hearing of former Sons of Adam/Daughters of Eve as rulers??), so he can bring it all home in an epic conclusion. Even if the augment doesn’t make much sense, largely falls flat (in my eyes), and doesn’t do much other than establish a framing device of sorts to get us to The Last Battle. But other than giving us Diggory and Pool, I’m unconvinced that this does anything for the series and is almost entirely skippable.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire: Quieting the Dead

By HCNewton

On December 31, 2025

In Authors, Fantasy, Fiction, K-O, Seanan McGuire, Wayward Children

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold

by Seanan McGuire

DETAILS:
Series: Wayward Children, #11
Publisher: Tordotcom
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 148 pgs.
Read Date: December 23, 2025

What’s Through Gates of Garnet and Gold About?

We watched Nancy get her door and get to go home 10 years ago (in publication time, I’m a little unclear about how long it’s been in Eleanor West’s School’s time, as is at least one student). And aside from a quick “hi,” a few books later, that was pretty much the end of her story.

Until now, obviously, otherwise, why would I start by talking about her?

She’s back, and there’s a rule-breaking quest involved. The twist this time is that Nancy has been sent by The Lady of the Dead. Something…someone…is attacking people like Nancy in the Halls. People who have come through their own Doors from their own worlds to their true home. The dead are left unmolested and undisturbed. But it’s the other living people there who are being attacked. Nancy’s friends (or as close as living statues have to friends), are being killed and they need help.

This is a first for Eleanor West and her students–but they can’t say no. They don’t want to. Kade, as almost always, the leader of the group. Christopher, who is more comfortable with the dead than anyone other than Nancy, and his bone flute come along as well. There’s no way that Sumi, Nancy’s old roommate, is going to pass up this opportunity. Talia demands to be part of it, too. She has no skills that seem to make sense for this task*, but she’s done the math. Going on a quest with other students is just about the best way to guarantee getting her Door when it’s completed. So no one had better stop her. I, for one, hadn’t done this connection–and I’m guessing many of the other students haven’t either, or there’d be several others clamoring for a change.

* Naturally, it turns out that it’s good she came along.

An Introduction to the Series

McGuire’s been clear from the get-go that this series can be read in any order–and that’s true enough. But I think there are a couple of books that should be read in a particular order, regardless of what she thinks. And you’re just better off in general going in publication order.

But let’s say that this is the first book you pick up–you’re in for a treat. In an Introduction of sorts–not really a prelude or prologue–a couple of pages before chapter one, whatever you want to call them–McGuire introduces this series, sketches the function of the Doors, the impact they make on those who pass through. Those who want them back, etc.

This isn’t a “The Story So Far…” kind of thing–but it’s the closest that this series is going to get. I hope we get these exact pages–or ones very like them–from here on out.

I Needed a Fresh Dose of Sumi

Sumi is one of the characters who appears with greater consistency than others in this series–and I, for one (but am probably not alone), am so grateful for that. Her weaponized optimism, utter lack of regard for social niceties, unwavering positivity, and generous affections emphasize all the good things to be found in a person and situation. She also brings a level of comedy and heart to every scene she’s in. She can also be profound, usually unintentionally, and add emotional weight to a scene when you didn’t realize it needed it.

And when she gives a warning–you know things are serious. But the reader gets to chuckle the way she does it.

Obviously, we needed Sumi if we’re going to spend time with Nancy (we’re going to need Kade for similar reasons). But I personally needed a dose of her in general. And while what we got was sufficient, I’m hoping it’s not too long before we spend time with her again.

So, what did I think about Through Gates of Garnet and Gold?

After last year’s Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear, I assumed we’d get something good, but not great for this book–we were due for McGuire to take her foot off the pedal a bit and coast a little. I’m very glad that McGuire wasn’t thinking like that and brought us another stellar installment in this series.

I mean, I was sold from the instant I saw that Nancy was coming back–and McGuire did right by this return. When Nancy got her door again, I wasn’t prepared for that to happen. I didn’t realize we were going to spend so little time with most of these characters, just enough to fall in love with them as characters, and then watch them go on to the next chapter of their lives–and that we’d very likely be done with them (aside from an occasional glance at most). I’ve embraced that when it comes to these books, and it no longer gets to me so much that we walk away from them. But I’ve always wanted more Nancy.

So, sure, that made me an easy sell for this book–but that didn’t mean I was guaranteed to rave over it. It just made it very likely.

I didn’t really understand what Nancy saw in the Halls of the Dead before, nor do I think I truly understood what was involved. This world made a lot less sense to me than any of the others, and I really wasn’t that interested in it other than as it served as Nancy’s true home. But we got to see much more of it than we have previously, we get some more mature description of it from Nancy (and her Lady). I see the appeal, the attraction. Or at least I understand where some would. Personally? The only world I’m less interested in is the underwater world that Nadya introduced us to last year (I just don’t think I could get over being underwater). But now, I get why Nancy and the others want to be there.

What the questors and readers learn about the forces attacking–and their plans–is pretty unsettling, and tells us a little more about McGuire’s universe and the stories she’s telling. In a way that made me uncomfortable and pleased me at the same time. You’ll have to read it yourself. But it’s such a fantastic touch.

As usual for this series, McGuire balances whimsy and danger, joy and weeping, with skill and aplomb. For Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear, I wrote:

This is definitely one of the stronger books in this series that is on a great roll lately, I commend it to your attention. As with just about every book in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone or as an entry point (but I strongly encourage reading at least Every Heart a Doorway before any of the others). I was sad when it ended—not because of the way it ended, I just wasn’t ready to move on. I predict I won’t be alone in that.

That’s a pretty good way to wrap up this post, too. With one significant difference–I need to know what happens after the last page, preferably now. It’s not a cliffhanger (this is not one of those series), in fact it’s a perfectly fitting ending for this novella. But I really need the next page–and fear McGuire is going to make us wait a bit before she gives it to us.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Tordotcom Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

4 1/2 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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Oberon’s Bathtime Stories by Kevin Hearne: The Canine Dynamo Will Spark Joy, Mark My Words!

By HCNewton

On December 26, 2025

In Dogs, Fiction, Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Oberon’s Bathtime Stories

by Kevin Hearne

DETAILS:
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles/Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries
Publisher: Horned Lark Press
Publication Date: April 8, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 127 pg.
Read Date: December 19, 2025

What’s Oberon’s Bathtime Stories About?

So, whenever Oberon—the Iron Druid’s Irish Wolfhound—gets a bath, he gets told a story so he’ll put up with it long enough to get clean. This is something we’ve known since the first book, and it continues in Atticus’ (largely undocumented) adventures and life post-Scourged.

This is a collection of those stories—eleven of them plus something a little different. The outline is simple—Oberon and/or his buddy Starbuck engage in some sort of shenanigans or misadventure. Atticus cleans them up, telling them a story about meeting some famous person—usually with a point/lesson—then the dogs get the zoomies and take a nap.

These people range from the Visigoth King Alaric to John Quincy Adams, from Corrie Ten Boom to Robert Johnson, and so on.

A Break in the Pattern

There’s one exception to this pattern—chapter 5, “The Triple Nonfat Double Bacon Five-Cheese Mocha.” Features Oberon prompting Atticus into action. It’s nothing major—it’s just a brief 17 page story, after all. But it’s the kind of thing that would take up part of an early chapter in an Iron Druid novel.

It was good to have this break, so everything wasn’t just the same. It was also fun to see the Iron Druid in action, knowing that he’s still got it in him.

So, what did I think about Oberon’s Bathtime Stories?

This was fun—some good light entertainment. Not quite as satisfying as a dog would find a belly rub, but probably a good series of scritches behind the ear.

I do think Hearne got a little preachy a time or two—both in the selection of subject and how he told their story, particularly Atticus’ lessons for Oberon and Starbuck. I don’t particularly take umbrage with his messages, just the delivery. Not so much umbrage that I didn’t immediately turn the page to the next story—I’m just using this excuse to say umbrage a few times.

If you’re a fan of the Iron Druid Chronicles and this somehow slipped by your radar, you’re going to want to invest the time. It’s absolutely worth it. If the idea of stories featuring historical figures told to a dog, and you haven’t read the IDC, you’ll likely still enjoy it. Hearne’s got a reliable charm.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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REPOST: The Return of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza, Julia Iredale (Illustrator): The Witch Returns to Battle a Dystopian Holiday

By HCNewton

On December 25, 2025

In Fantasy, Fiction, YA/MG/Children's Books

The Return of the Christmas Witch

by Dan Murphy & Aubrey Plaza, Julia Iredale (Illustrator)

DETAILS:
Series: The Christmas Witch, #2
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 10, 2022
Format: Hardcover
Length: 56 pg.
Read Date: December 17, 2022

What’s The Return of the Christmas Witch About?

Kristtörn wakes from her frozen slumber to find a world she cannot recognize—it’s a dystopian world where the joy of Christmas is gone and everyone is left with an automated, sanitized, homogenized, corporation-run day of market-driven consumption. Santa is nowhere to be found—and many doubt he ever existed—in his place, we have the Kringle Corporation.

We get to spend time with one family—grandmother remembers Santa and longs for his return, but her grandchildren don’t (but aren’t fans of Kringle, either). Kristtörn watches the girl and the two strike up a relationship at a distance, and ultimately team up to take down the corporation and bring back Kristtörn’s brother.

That’s a sloppy job on my part, but it’ll do for these purposes. Murphy and Plaza tell it so much better.

The Artwork

On the whole, I’d just want to repeat what I said about the first book, so I will.

Iredale’s work struck me like a classic storybook, the kind of art that was in the books I read as a kid—especially the books that were old by the time I read them. It was fitting for the kind of story. It wasn’t knock-out gorgeous, and I think it would’ve hurt the book overall had it been. There’s some sharpness to the art—almost the kind of thing that would’ve been carved into wood.

It’s vibrant and I can’t imagine a kid who won’t want to pour over the pictures as much as the story.

So much for repeating—I did think this work wasn’t as well done as the previous book. There are a couple of illustrations that…sloppy isn’t the right word, but they don’t seem as finished. It felt like Iredale ran out of time and rushed one or two drawings/characters. That’s likely not right—and probably not that fair of me to say. But that was my impression. I doubt that any of the target audience will pick up on it (or care if they do), but it surprised me that I wasn’t as impressed with the art.

So, what did I think about The Return of the Christmas Witch?

This takes a darker turn than I expected from this story—the first book had a hint of this, and it’s not out of place, but I raised an eyebrow at the dystopia. That said—I thought it was a great choice, and offered a new take on the usual “over-commercialization of Christmas” and “we need to get back to the essence of the holiday” stories. But that’s what it is at its core—and I’m all for that kind of story.

I did think the ending felt a little rushed—like the authors ran into a hard page limit/word count. It wouldn’t have taken much more, but after the well-established set-up, I thought we needed a little more development to the magical ending.

The door is left open to one more book in the series—it’s maybe even suggested. If so, I’m totally on board for it. I can see the authors leaving it here, too—and I’d be okay with that.

The words-to-image ratio for this kind of book leans toward the words side, so that will limit some younger fans—but as long as there’s a willing adult around, I think this will satisfy fans of the first book.

3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

Category: Fiction Page 6 of 341

What’s Dogged About?

The Humans

The Tone

So, what did I think about Dogged?

Book Details:

About the Book:

Book Links:

About the Author

What’s Through Gates of Garnet and Gold About?

An Introduction to the Series

I Needed a Fresh Dose of Sumi

So, what did I think about Through Gates of Garnet and Gold?

What’s Through Gates of Garnet and Gold About?

An Introduction to the Series

I Needed a Fresh Dose of Sumi

So, what did I think about Through Gates of Garnet and Gold?

What’s Oberon’s Bathtime Stories About?

A Break in the Pattern

So, what did I think about Oberon’s Bathtime Stories?

What’s The Return of the Christmas Witch About?

The Artwork

So, what did I think about The Return of the Christmas Witch?