Staff Picks

Medusa wasn't always a monster... Or should I say, what if we looked at Medusa as a hero instead of a monster? Compelling and well-written, this novel brings a fresh new perspective to an old story. Fans of Madeline Miller's Circe will love Stone Blind.

Publisher’s description:
Attacked by Poseidon in Athene's temple, Medusa, the most beautiful of the Gorgon sisters, is punished for his actions and transformed into a monster whose gaze will turn any living creature to stone, forcing her into a life of solitude until Perseus embarks upon a fateful quest.

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This book is sweet, tender, and devastating. It is gorgeously written and so creative. I loved the Greek Goddess and God element. There is excellent commentary on war, racism, and sexism throughout history. I also cried a lot. So gorgeous.

 

Publisher's description:

It's 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She's a shy and talented pianist; he's a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it's immediate and deep--and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields. Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who's played Carnegie Hall, he's a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that's before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who's already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans. Thirty years after these four lovers' fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.

 

This novel proceeds like both a fairy tale and a dream, as, in reading it, we follow the plight of a young man to do whatever it takes to win the heart of his beloved. Prepare for a very fulfilling adventure as the story goes along.

 

Publisher's description:

Tristran Thorn will do anything to win the cold heart of beautiful Victoria Forester--even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky. But to do so, he must enter the unexplored lands on the other side of the ancient wall that gives their tiny village its name. Beyond that stone barrier, Tristran learns, lies Faerie...and the most exhilarating adventure of the young man's life.

 

I have never considered why Captain Hook was in Neverland; he was a given. I mean, who else would Peter fight? Lisa Jensen takes us to a part of Neverland that so many of us have overlooked--Captain Hook's mind. It's not what you think it's going to be. And this is definitely not a children's story.

 

Publisher's description: Meet Captain James Benjamin Hook, a witty, educated Restoration-era privateer cursed to play villain to a pack of malicious little boys in a pointless war that never ends. But everything changes when Stella Parrish, a forbidden grown woman, dreams her way to the Neverland in defiance of Pan's rules. From the glamour of the Fairy Revels, to the secret ceremonies of the First Tribes, to the mysterious underwater temple beneath the Mermaid Lagoon, the magical forces of the Neverland open up for Stella as they never have for Hook

 

I absolutely loved this! This fantasy novel is an absorbing, atmospheric, and strange spin on some classic fairy tales. Gothic and strange and very compelling. Kingfisher is able to deftly and simply craft a brooding plot, full of wonderful storytelling, characters, and even a slow (read: very slow) burn romance. I gobbled this up and look forward to reading more from this author. I would recommend Nettle & Bone to fans of Holly Black, Naomi Novik, and V. E. Schwab.

 

Publisher's description:

After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra-the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter--has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself. Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince--if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning. On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last.

 

As a Greek mythology freak, I was immediately curious to see how Ovid's stories could be adapted. This book does not disappoint, with stories as short as a page still leaving you feeling as if you got some secret insight into the gods and heroes of old. Each vignette has a different voice, and somehow still carries the weight of ancient powers in its modern prose. Reading this, I felt as riled up as I do after hearing the Xena theme song.

 

Publisher's description: Presents a reimagining of Ovid's "Metamorphoses" that artfully reconstructs and astrologically connects the stories of such classic figures as Narcissus, Pygmalion, and Midas.

 

As a reader I was able to stand beside a goddess on her journey. Circe and I were glimpsing other people’s stories, were presented with characters that come and go, yet I, like Circe, can’t forget their little mortal quirks. I adored the vibrant mortals’ contrast with the Greek gods. I swear, I could write a whole paragraph on my favorite mortals Circe encounters. I think I needed some healing after spending too much time with Greek gods. When I finished Circe, I found myself flipping back, finding my favorite scenes with my favorite mortals and just re-reading them, soaking up the pleasure of spending a little more time with their elegantly written personalities and craving so much more time. I’d recommend Circe to those who enjoy reading from unique perspectives. Until now, I hadn't read a novel from the perspective of a goddess. 

- Anonymous tenth-grade teen volunteer

 

Publisher’s description:
In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child– not obviously powerful like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power– the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts, and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur; Daedalus and his doomed son, Icarus; the murderous Medea; and, of course, wily Odysseus. But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love. With unforgettably vivid characters, mesmerizing language, and page-turning suspense, Circe is a triumph of storytelling, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry, palace intrigue, love, and loss, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man’s world. 

I've read my fair share of Norse mythology, but what makes this book so fantastic is that it's written by Neil Gaiman. This means the prose is approachable while still being beautifully crafted, so it reads like one of his typical works of fiction. He also characterizes the gods in a way that almost makes you feel guilty for getting a fly-on-the-wall perspective of such mythical figures. Just...read it. You know you want to.

 

Publisher's description:

Norse gods emerge with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

 

Stephen Fry has an incredible passion for Greek mythology, and when you pair it with his wit, you get hands down the most engaging compilation of these myths that I've read as of yet--and I've read a lot. Though not entirely comprehensive, Fry's retelling is brimming with British charm, and he turns a contemporary and sensitive eye towards queer themes within these myths. Check out the audiobook too--read by Fry, it's essential.

 

Publisher description:

Here are the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths, stylishly retold by Stephen Fry. The legendary writer, actor, and comedian breathes life into ancient tales, from Pandora's box to Prometheus's fire, and transforms the adventures of Zeus and the Olympians into emotionally resonant and deeply funny stories, without losing any of their original wonder. Classical artwork inspired by the myths and learned notes from the author offer rich cultural context.

 

 

Publisher description:

The Mayan God of Death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore. The Jazz Age is in full swing, but Casiopea Tun is too busy cleaning the floors of her wealthy grandfather's house to listen to any fast tunes. Nevertheless, she dreams of a life far from her dusty small town in southern Mexico. A life she can call her own. Yet this new life seems as distant as the stars, until the day she finds a curious wooden box in her grandfather's room. She opens it--and accidentally frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who requests her help in recovering his throne from his treacherous brother. Failure will mean Casiopea's demise, but success could make her dreams come true. In the company of the strangely alluring god and armed with her wits, Casiopea begins an adventure that will take her on a cross-country odyssey from the jungles of Yucatán to the bright lights of Mexico City--and deep into the darkness of the Mayan underworld.