Fantasy 5+/5

Shae, a high-powered lawyer returned to her family at a time of political upheaval between the warring organized crime clans of Asia-inspired Jonloon, struggles to keep her family intact when the family’s wise leaders both die and her hot-headed brother is left in charge. Riveting for its complex characters, unusual setting, and danger-charged political and militaristic twists, I could not put this book down.

Dave and I got to watch a hilarious play (Murder on the Links, Agatha Christie) and sell Undaunted at Vertigo Theatre on Friday. Great show, and sold a few books!

Science Fiction 3-/5

Binti, sole survivor of an alien attack on her inter-planetary flight to university, uses her cultural inheritance to communicate with the aliens and broker a truce between aliens and humans. Although this award-winning novella was well-written, it failed to engage me.

Literary 4+/5

Five survivors of an Indian Residential School have interlocking paths as adults, with sad, tragic, and uplifting consequences. This seminal and award-winning novel by a Canadian aboriginal writer shares many true events, and I found the writing to be engagingly authentic. It’s a timely book everyone should read.

Lots of family support this past week; getting itchy to get back to the novel. Got about 2 hours on it this week. Sigh.