5 Books for Fans of Speculative Fiction

by MK French

Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre. It encompasses all genres that deviate from reality: fantasy, mythology, dystopian, science fiction, magical realism, etc. This is a fun genre as it lets us explore what-ifs and dig deeper into sensitive issues that might be more difficult to address in real life. 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Free books were provided for an honest review.

The Book of Thorns by Hester Fox ~ a Review

by MK French

Stranded near Paris, Cornelia Shaw allows herself to be recruited to Napoleon’s Grande Armée. She uses herbal mixtures to heal soldiers, which several see as witchcraft. They're not too far from the truth, as Cornelia’s knowledge is due to her ability to speak to flowers. When Napoleon’s army descends on Waterloo, the flowers tell her about a girl resembling Cornelia who has the same ability. Her long-lost sister Lijsbeth is on the opposite side of the war, but Cornelia still wants to meet. Soon the sisters try to uncover the source of their abilities even as accusations of witchcraft threaten to destroy them.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox ~ a Review

by MK French

Ivy Radcliffe is now Lady Hayworth, owner of Blackwood Abbey in the Yorkshire moors. She has nothing keeping her in London after her brother died in the Great War, so she moves into her new property. Its library is wonderful, with familiar works mingle with strange, esoteric texts. There is a presence in the library and rumors about the abbey’s previous owners. Odd events occur and grow more sinister, so it's up to Ivy to uncover the library’s mysteries.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox ~ a Review

by MK French

Margaret Harlowe never fit in with her wealthy New England family, cultivating the powers of nature and giving in to her darker nature. A hundred and fifty years later, Augusta Podos lands a dream job at Harlowe House, a museum in Tynnemouth, Massachusetts. When she discovers vague references to a daughter that was nearly completely erased from the historical record, Augusta can't resist digging into the mystery, even when it's clearly something not of this world.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox ~ a Review

by MK French

Tabby and her sister Alice fled from their Aunt Belefonte, who was exploiting Tabby's gift to communicate with the dead. After getting separated from Alice, Tabby was adopted by Eli, the caretaker for the city's cemetery. There were graves robbed by resurrection men, so Tabby's gift will either help save the cemetery or lead to her own destruction.

The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox ~ a Review

by MK French

In 1846, Gabriel Stone leaves Massachusetts after the death of his wife and moves to Maine. He becomes the minister for the town of Pale Harbor, and there are a number of odd occurrences within the sleepy little town. The townsfolk claim they're all caused by Sophronia Carver, who lives in the eerie Castle Carver with her maid. They claim she's a witch and had killed her husband, but it's soon clear that the incidents are inspired by Edgar Allan Poe tales. If Gabriel doesn't discover the truth, Pale Harbor might become one of Poe's stories.

The Witch of Willow Hall by @HesterBFox ~ a Review

by MK French

Lydia Montrose and her family moved from Boston to the town of New Oldbury in 1821 to escape scandal. Heartbreak seems to follow anyway, and the subtle menace in Willow Hall awakens power that Lydia had never been told about.