Januaries

September 1, 2024
In this collection of speculative fiction and romantasy, BookTok sensation Blake (Masters of Death, 2023) has collected years of short fiction, including short stories, verse, novellas, and a set of wedding vows. While fans of the blockbuster author will enjoy her tales of star-crossed love, spicy paranormal encounters, and twists on classic mythology, they and other fantasy fans will be charmed and intrigued by the subtle, ironic, experimental tales in this collection. In "The Audit," a young person applies for a loan based on what he'll earn someday so that he can spend the money while he's still young, only to get way more money than he bargained for; in "A Year in January," a bipolar woman finds a quirky, inquisitive roommate on Craigslist who is definitely not of our world; and in "Monsterlove," a shape-shifting being tries frantically to safely grow and birth her baby (or "Anti-Self") even as she morphs into everything from her "Good Form" to a black hole. This enchanting collection shows Blake's impressive range and will be a delight for many fantasy and romantasy fans.

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Starred review from October 14, 2024
The 14 tales in this dreamy collection from bestseller Blake (The Atlas Six) showcase the distinctive style, big ideas, and slippery worldbuilding that have earned the author her large fan base. “The Wish Bridge” follows star-crossed lovers, one of whom is always confined to a bridge that only appears on the full moon, granting wishes and telling truths to those that seek to cross. “Chaos Theory,” the volume’s longest entry, spans multiple universes and involves assassinations, coups, secret love affairs, and a cat’s intrinsic hatred for birds. Though some individual stories are less straightforwardly exciting, such as “Monsterlove,” a surreal meditation on the complexity of motherhood through the lens of a shape-shifting monster-mother, the collection as a whole is a propulsive delight. By turns hopeful, sarcastic, silly, heartbreaking, deadpan, and ornate, these tales have something for everyone, whether they’re already familiar with Blake’s singular style or not. It’s a treasure trove for adults who never stopped loving fairy tales and campfire stories. Agent: Amelia Appel, Triada US.