Welcome back to your feature week! We’re at the halfway point now, and still feeling strong (I’m feeling strong, what about you?)
First up, we have The Epic of Glenda Mesh by Christopher Fryer, and I really have nothing but the utmost praise for this book.
Here’s the blurb:
Glenda Mesh is a badass junior in high school who rules the modern-day city of Babylon like a monster because her parents are rich and she doesn’t care about anyone but herself. Who dares to stop her when she’s also the best track and field star in the country? No one, that’s who.
Until one day a red-headed orphan girl named Enkidu comes into town with a sad backstory and a grudge against tyrants like Glenda. When Glenda faces the reality that she’s become the villain in her own story, and sees the horrid legacy she’ll be leaving behind, she strives to change for the better. However, the only person willing to help her might be her new biggest rival.
In what she frames as a “Hero’s Quest,” Glenda will boldly take on the city of Babylon’s most heinous criminal in history. But when you’re chasing down a psychopath that even the cops are avoiding, it might be a sign that she’s getting in over her head. Chances are, it'll only get worse from there.
Being a villain is easy. Being a hero is hard.
How will Glenda overcome a madman, a drug lord, a stalker, and an angry bull, and still expect to see the end of her junior year? Add in the stress of school, awkward family dinners, track meets with her rival, and a growing fear of death… Glenda Mesh will be tested in every way possible. It will be epic, to say the least.
4.75 stars.
I absolutely adored this book. I expected little out of it, to be honest. It was definitely offbeat, and maybe not something I might've picked up if I hadn't had it recommended by the author (I'm not sure what it is about the cover, it's a perfectly fine cover, I just didn't like it personally, but that's a me problem). I was hooked from page one, and read through the whole thing in a day. It's not my usual fare of epic medieval fantasy either, but I think that's why I was so captivated. Every single one of these characters is extremely well-written, and come across as their own person. Enkidu was probably my favorite, though. The rivalry between two teenagers, the central theme of the book, was definitely inspired. On a minor point, I also really liked the naming of the different settings in the book and relating those to the ancient Mesopotamian names, it was like little treasures I'd find along the way.
I feel like this book’s criminally underrated, but that might be because it mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Here’s hoping it gets the recognition it deserves and it finds the right audience.
Next up we have The Traitors We Are by Michael Roberti. I was instantly intrigued by the main exploit of the book, which is that writing disappears when the author dies. I thought it might linger on that aspect for a little longer, but what it does it achieves well. I absolutely loved the political schemes within schemes in this book (it’s what I love to read and write, and this book delivers in spades). No one is trustworthy in this one (maybe me either, am I trustworthy?)
This cover is really beautiful.
Here’s the blurb:
In a world where writing disappears when the author dies, 22-year-old Cael Oberlan watches the last gasping breaths of his best friend. He pulls a scrap of paper out of his pocket as his friend’s signature fades. Cael only wants vengeance for his friend and to create a reality where he no longer has to bow before any man. However, the nagging suspicion that his father, who started this war, hasn't given him the whole story about his role in this conflict threatens to unravel everything he ever thought he knew about himself and the people he is fighting to free.
As nephew of the King, 24-year-old Emil Trestinsen should be a hero. He should already hear his name echoing in celebration in the streets of the capital. In a young life already full of disappointment, a lack of recognition for ridding the kingdom of "Ruinous" Lorcen Oberlan may prove to be the final push he needs to seize his destiny. He will prove his worth to his family and his nation. He will end this rebellion and take his rightful place as the next governor of the rebels.
When 18-year-old Merily Oberlan receives letters from the frontlines, and the top one is blank, she is devastated to realize one of her loved ones has died in battle. She is determined to help bring an end to this bloody war and be strong for her people, a cultural and religious minority in the kingdom of Harfal.
What started as a simple rebellion transforms into a complicated web of lies, betrayal, and difficult decisions no one should have to make. It is a race against time and death as handwriting continues to disappear, erasing the contracts and historical records necessary for peaceful negotiations.
I haven’t finished this one yet so I haven’t posted my review, but expect this one to be quite highly rated.