On the Shelf

Header Right Social

FacebookInstagramYoutubeMeetupOn the Shelf Blog

Header Right Search

Fantasy

Piranesi

by Leave a Comment

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Format: Book, eBook
Who it’s for: Adults

Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller (Circe, Song of Achilles), Piranesi is the story of the titular character who lives in a labyrinth-like House with countless rooms, statues, and even an ocean trapped inside. Through Piranesi’s journal entries, we learn about the Tide, the 13 skeletons he cares for, and the Other, the only other living human Piranesi encounters. 

It’s best to go into this book knowing little about it, so I won’t give too much away, but as we learn of Piranesi’s discoveries in the House and his interactions with the Other, something starts to feel a bit off. Where (and what) is the House? Who is Piranesi? Who is the Other? 

It takes a bit of effort to get through this book – it’s not long (under 250 pages, far shorter than Clarke’s 700+ page Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell), but it’s chock full of symbolism and metaphor. Take the time to read slowly to appreciate the references and uncover the mysteries of the House and the Other with Piranesi.

Find Piranesi in the catalog.

Backyard Fairies

by Leave a Comment

Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Kids

A young girl goes searching for fairies in the woods in her backyard. She sees evidence of them everywhere, but they always seem to manage to stay just out of her sight. Luckily for readers, magical creatures are on every page of Wahl’s multi-textured, whimsical illustrations, bringing the forest and magic to life.

Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl is the perfect short and sweet bedtime read-aloud for children ages 3-7 (and – spoiler alert! – it even ends with our heroine’s bedtime). Little ones will love searching each page for fairies and sprites hidden in plain sight.

Find Backyard Fairies in the catalog here!

Dungeon Critters

by Leave a Comment

Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess & Sara Goetter
Format: Graphic Novel
Who is it for: Kids, Teens

Dungeon Critters follows a group of four young animal adventures on their quest to prove themselves and save their kingdom. This book is absolutely charming.

After exposing a sinister plot involving a foul, necromantic plant, Chirp, Goro, June, and Rose must face the perils of dungeons, the rigors of high-society balls, and the literal trials of Bear Court! But adventuring is not all danger—there is ample room for young love.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the art style. The artists put a lot of effort into making each and every character unique and expressive. What starts off as a cute little fantasy romp, really ramps up into a dramatic and beautiful tale, with genuinely compelling characters.

The children and teens collection have always been filled to the brim with fantasy titles, so it is traditionally difficult for new works to stand out. However, Dungeon Critters has not problem captivating its audience; with diverse characters and vibrate art, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Find it in our catalog!

Across the Green Grass Fields

by Leave a Comment

Title: Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire
Format: Book
Published: January 12, 2021
Who it’s for: Adults and Teens

As with the previous 5 books in the Wayward Children series, this next novel is beautifully written in such a way that draws the reader into a fantasy world that is tempting and beautiful, but always expects more of its inhabitants than meets the eye.

Young Regan is growing up, and her parents have decided that now is the time to tell her about her genetic identity. As she grapples with this news, she hopes that she can trust Laurel with this really big secret about herself. She can’t. Regan runs to the woods between school and home, and stumbles across a strange doorway. It beckons her, but is she sure that she wants to enter? As she passes through the twisted branches, she enters Hoofland, and leaves her world behind. The supposed mythical, but very real, centaurs explain that the appearance of a human in their world means that “something’s coming”; and Regan will be expected to be a hero.

Across the Green Grass Fields is a stand alone novel in The Wayward Children series, introducing a new character. If you are curious about the first book, check out this previous blog post by Tess.

This series can be found in the adult fiction collection, but the stories will be loved by teens as well.

Find it in the catalog

Gideon the Ninth

by Leave a Comment

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Format: Book
Who it’s for: Adults

Gideon the Ninth, book one of The Locked Tomb Trilogy, is a wild ride. The book is dark, imaginative, and fresh. Part fantasy and part science fiction, the book follows the heirs of the Nine Houses who have been selected by their god, the King Undying, to take part in a trial to join his group of immortal Saints and their personal knights, or Cavaliers.

The main character of the novel is Gideon, an indentured servant of the Ninth House, who is more comfortable with a sword than necromantic magic. Gideon has spent her entire life trying to escape the frozen planet of death where she was raised, and her future of eternal servitude as a reanimated skeleton.

Her chance arrives when her childhood rival, enemy, and ruler, Harrow, the Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and greatest bone witch to be born of the Ninth House, forces her to serve as her Cavalier. Gideon must protect and serve Harrow during the trial. If Harrow succeeds, she becomes an immortal disciple of the King Undying, and Gideon earns her freedom. However, Harrow and Gideon must first keep from murdering one another.

The book is both dark and hilarious. Who knew violence, tragedy, and a whole lot of bones could be so funny? It is also one of the best examples of enemies to…well, something approaching love at least.

Necromancers in space, what more can I say?

The second book in the trilogy, Harrow the Ninth, came out in August 2020.

Find it in the catalog.

The Shadows Between Us

by Leave a Comment

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Format: Book
Who it’s for:  Young Adults, Adults

Alessandra is the second daughter and must wait until her older sister is engaged before she can attend any royal social gatherings.  While she waits for her turn, she plots.  She wants to marry the Shadow King and then kill him so that she can take over the kingdom.  She plans how she is going to catch the eye of the King – what she will wear and how she will act.  When she does, she soon learns that she is not the only one trying to kill him.  She gets to know him and even begins to like him.  Liking the King was not part of her plan.

Alessandra is not your ordinary noblewoman.  She likes to design her own outfits and she doesn’t follow society’s rules.  She does as she pleases which includes having some relationships before she is married.  She is determined to do her own thing and her goal is to change the way women are made to follow the rules made by men.  And, if someone displeases her, she just might kill them.

Someone on Good Reads described this as a “Slytherin Romance” and I think that is a good description.  You want to hate Alessandra because she is so unapologetically evil, but you like her anyway.  She knows what she wants and she is going to get it!

Find it in the catalog.