Bog Queen

North, Anna. Bog Queen. 2025. 288p. ISBN 9781635579666.

When a perfectly preserved body is discovered in a bog in northwest England, Agnes, an American forensic anthropologist, is called in to investigate. This is unlike any case she has ever encountered: though the bones confirm the person was buried over two thousand years ago during the Iron Age, the body remains miraculously preserved. Agnes quickly becomes drawn into a profound mystery, feeling an almost primal call to understand and avenge the death of an Iron Age woman who, despite the centuries, feels more like her than she realizes.

As she works, Agnes must contend with local forces: peat-cutters who seek to profit from the rich bog and passionate activists who demand the ancient land be left undisturbed. The bog itself becomes a central character—a complex repository of artifacts and remains with its own dark, powerful stories to tell. Flashing between the uncertainty of post-Brexit England and the druidic order of Celtic Europe at the dawn of the Roman era, Bog Queen forces Agnes to question everything she thought she knew about her own talents, her self-reliance, and her place in the world.

This is a captivating read for fans of historical mystery, archaeological thrillers, and dual-timeline narratives that focus on place and atmosphere. It will strongly appeal to readers who enjoy stories that blend forensic science and ancient history, particularly those featuring female protagonists with deep connections to the past. The book's rich, complex landscape of the bog, both as a setting and a repository of history, makes it an excellent choice for those who value literary quality and political undertones within a suspenseful framework.

Schooled

Sumner, Jamie. Schooled. 2023. 224p. ISBN 9781534486058.

Eleven-year-old Lenny Syms is chosen to be part of an unusual experimental school, where he and four other students will attend sixth grade on a university campus. They are promised a world-class education with brilliant professors and extensive resources. However, the curriculum is far from traditional. Instead of standard academic subjects, the students engage in unconventional activities like meditation, open-ended discussions, and anthropological observation of the campus population. Lenny, who is still grieving the recent loss of his mom, who died from cancer, finds this strange new environment overwhelming.

Struggling with his grief and a distant father who is more comfortable with academia than with people, Lenny feels isolated and just wants to be left alone. He has no interest in being a part of this learning experiment. To navigate his new life as a middle schooler on a college campus, Lenny must learn to rely on the support of his fellow misfit students and a quirky professor. Schooled explores whether this small, unconventional group can help him overcome his sadness and re-engage with the world.

We Fell Apart

Lockhart, E. We Fell Apart. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9780593899175.

It's always been Matilda and her mother, until it wasn't. Recently, her mother moved to Mexico to be with yet one more lover. But now, at 18, Matilda is done following her mother and stays with her mother's previous boyfriend, who's been more of a father to her than any of the others. Out of the blue, Matilda receives an invitation that reveals the existence of a father she has never met: Kingsley Cello, a reclusive, visionary artist. When he asks her to spend the summer at his sprawling seaside estate, Hidden Beach, Matilda accepts, hoping to discover a long-missing part of her own identity.

Instead of the reunion she imagined, Matilda arrives to find Kingsley Cello conspicuously absent. In his place, she encounters the strange collection of people who inhabit the crumbling sanctuary: Meer, her long-lost, openhearted brother; Brock, a former child star struggling with inner demons; and the wild, brooding Tatum, who clearly wants Matilda to leave immediately. With her father nowhere to be found, Matilda is forced to delve into the twisted heart of Hidden Beach to uncover the answers she desperately craves about her lineage and her father’s disappearance. She soon learns that secrets run thicker than blood, and blood runs like seawater in this isolated place. Everyone at Hidden Beach, she realizes, is lying.

This is a gripping read for fans of mystery and psychological Suspense that feature atmospheric settings and dark family secrets. Readers who enjoy narratives centered on found family, identity discovery, and manipulative relationships will find this book appealing. The book’s core appeal lies in its exploration of the complex bonds of blood versus the secrets that tear families apart, offering a rich, suspenseful drama with unreliable characters and a gothic, isolated backdrop. While a companion to We Were Liars, readers do not need to have read that book to appreciate We Fell Apart.

Of Flame and Fury

Bridge, Mikayla. Of Flame and Fury. 2025. 416p. ISBN 9780374393427. 

At seventeen, Kel Varra is already an accomplished phoenix rider. Working with her underdog team, the Crimson Howlers, Kel is determined to win the annual races and the prize money that would change their lives, allowing them to escape their circumstances. Unfortunately, one of their riders plummets to her death, and Kel must quickly find a replacement. Under the circumstances, Kel forms an uneasy alliance with her arrogant rival, Warren “Coup” Coupers. Despite their on-track tension and personal rivalry, she finds herself unable to get him out of her head.

As the competition intensifies, Kel's home is accidentally destroyed, forcing her to accept a job from a mysterious tech mogul. This individual shows an unsettling interest in her phoenix, Savita. Kel soon finds herself embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone she holds dear. As her feelings for Coup begin to change from resentment to something more, she must race against time to save them all and prevent her phoenix from being killed.

Fans of fantasy will enjoy this combination of the fantastic and technology. Featuring realistic characters and a fast moving plot, Of Flame and Fury delivers a compelling narrative where every choice matters.

The Codebreaker Girl

Nealon, Gosia. The Codebreaker Girl. 2024. 294p. ISBN 9781835255599.

Polish orphan Beata has just graduated as the first and only woman in her university course, and her singular ambition is to join the Cipher Bureau to save her country from invasion by cracking the Enigma code. However, her plans are violently upended as gunfire echoes across her hometown rooftops and Nazi boots march on the cobblestones. Forced underground, Beata and her team must continue their vital work in secret.

While working covertly, Beata meets with members of the underground British intelligence and is immediately captivated by the bright, sparkling eyes of one of the agents, Harry. His passion for cracking Enigma and his understanding of its importance to their shared future only steel her resolve to do what is right. But as the escalating war destroys everything Beata holds dear and tears her and Harry in different directions, their only hope for reunion is at the legendary home of British codebreakers: Bletchley Park. Carrying the final, crucial key to the Enigma code, and with the Nazis relentlessly pursuing her, Beata must keep her secrets safe, determine if she will ever see Harry again, and attempt to turn the tide of the war.

Readers who enjoy crucial, real-life intelligence operations behind the scenes will appreciate this story about a courageous, trailblazing woman in the male-dominated field of codebreaking. The story is driven by intense suspense, and includes the importance of Bletchley Park and the race against time to crack the Enigma machine.

The Champagne War

McIntosh, Fiona. The Champagne War. 2020. 413p. ISBN 9780143795452. 

In the summer of 1914, tensions that have been simmering for years flare into all-out conflict as the First World War begins. Vigneron Jerome Méa, certain he’ll be home by Christmas, heads off to war. His new bride, Sophie, a rebellious, fifth-generation champenoise (champagne maker), remains behind in Épernay, her ancestral manor in France. She is fiercely determined to ensure that the forthcoming vintages will stand as a testament to their love and the powerful resilience of the people of Épernay, especially its strong women. As the years of the Great War drag on, however, Sophie receives devastating news: authorities advise that Jerome is missing and presumed dead.

Meanwhile, when poison gas is first deployed in Belgium, British chemist Charles Nash immediately enlists. After being injured, he is brought to Reims, where Sophie has helped establish an underground hospital deep within the dark, ancient champagne cellars. In the confined, evocative darkness, their stirring emotions take both Sophie and Charles by surprise. While Sophie tirelessly battles to keep her vineyard operating through relentless bombings and the war’s hardships, a critical sugar shortage forces her to strike a dangerous bargain with an untrustworthy acquaintance. However, nothing will ultimately test her courage more than the final, harrowing news that filters through regarding the true fate of her heroic Jerome.

Fans of historical fiction and romance, particularly those set during World War I. will enjoy this story, which features a resilient, determined female protagonist and a narrative set against a unique, evocative historical backdrop. The Champagne War successfully combines themes of wartime sacrifice, lost love, moral compromise, and the perseverance of tradition and community during global conflict.

Holding: A Memoir About Mothers, Drugs, and Other Comforts

Frisbie Brogan, Karleigh. Holding: A Memoir About Mothers, Drugs, and Other Comforts. 2025. 304p. ISBN 9781586424121.

Always seeking her mother's love and never finding it, Karleigh felt that something was missing. One of six children in a reconstituted family, Karleigh attempts to escape her familial bonds through unsafe activities, culminating in becoming a junkie. Desperate for attention and care and resenting herself for it, Karleigh still finds herself drawn back to her mother. Holding is Karleigh's memoir that explores her painful journey through heroin addiction and the complex mother-daughter relationships that shaped her life. It offers a raw and honest look at her experiences, including the two years she spent living with her boyfriend's parents, Wayne and Glorianne, while hiding her addiction. During this time, Karleigh formed a deep but troubled bond with Glorianne, who became a surrogate mother figure. Simultaneously, Glorianne, an adoptee, was on her own quest to find her birth mother, creating a shared sense of longing and connection between the two women.

Ultimately, Karleigh's story is a powerful account of her struggle to break free from the cycle of addiction and deceit. It chronicles her path to sobriety, her efforts to mend the broken trust with her own mother, and her search for self-acceptance. The memoir is a deeply personal and universal story, offering insights into the complexities of family, addiction, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Not the Worst Friend in the World

Reillihan, Anne. Not the Worst Friend in the World. 2024. 272p. ISBN 9780823454792.

It's the thirty-fourth day of sixth grade, and Lou (only her grandmother calls her Louise) is desperate to rewind time. She deeply regrets the terrible things she said to her best friend, Francie, on the ninth day of school, and wishes she could go back to a time when their friendship was still intact. Lou's guilt and longing for redemption are suddenly interrupted when a new girl, Cece Clark-Duncan, passes her a mysterious note. The note claims that Cece has been kidnapped, and Lou sees this as an opportunity to prove she's not a bad friend by helping the new girl.

As Lou digs into the strange situation, she quickly realizes that Cece's family life is more complicated than a simple kidnapping. Lou becomes increasingly anxious, facing a moral dilemma: how can she help Cece without causing more harm? How can she be a better friend than she was to Francie? The situation forces Lou to confront the possibility that her attempt to be a good friend to Cece could result in her losing yet another friend in the process.

A light and fast read involving a mystery, investigations, and relationships, Not the Worst Friend in the World delivers realistic characters who are growing up and learning that the world can feel very lonely if you don't have friends. The theme of evolving friendship is explored and reaches a satisfactory solution. Fans of sleuthing adventures will appreciate this book.

Exit Strategy

Wells, Martha. Exit Strategy. Book 4 of the Murderbot Diaries. 2018. 172p. ISBN 9781250191854.

Murderbot is a highly efficient security unit, or SecUnit, that was never programmed with the capacity for empathy or care. Despite this inherent lack of feeling, the SecUnit makes a crucial and deeply problematic decision to help the only human who ever treated it with respect, Dr. Mensah—a choice it suspects must be a significant "system glitch." After traversing the vast expanse of the galaxy to unearth the truth about both its own forgotten murderous history and the illegal activities of the monolithic GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is now heading back to its base of operations.

Murderbot's critical mission is to assist Dr. Mensah in submitting the damning evidence it collected, which is crucial to preventing the GrayCris Corporation from destroying additional colonial settlements in its relentless, profitable pursuit of resources. However, this high-stakes endeavor is fraught with peril as Dr. Mensah is kidnapped by GrayCris and finds herself trapped on a space station. Despite its misgivings, Murderbot decides to rescue the doctor, while knowing that being captured will mean death or, even worse, analysis in a lab to figure out how it escaped its original programming. With the stake this high, Murderbot is one mistake away from losing the independence it savors!

Readers who enjoy fast-paced, action-packed science fiction and space operas will find Exit Strategy highly entertaining. It is perfectly suited for those who appreciate a unique, snarky, and self-aware AI protagonist whose inner monologue drives the narrative. Fans of stories involving corporate espionage, battles against ruthless megacorporations, and themes of identity, humanity, and found family will be drawn to Murderbot’s reluctant and dangerous mission to do the right thing. The mix of thrilling adventure and deep internal character development offers a satisfying read!

The Creepy School Bus, Part Two

Hough, Paul. The Creepy School Bus, Part Two. 2025. B0DLYLQDZX. 

Even after last year's successful rescue, many unanswered questions plague Kaitlin and her friends. The identity of those responsible for the disappearances ofd many students remains a mystery, and the chilling possibility of the creepy school bus returning looms large. While Agent Warren and his FBI team are on high alert, the malevolent forces behind the buses prove incredibly potent, drawing everyone into a conspiracy far more profound than anyone initially conceived.

As more children vanish from school buses across the nation, Kaitlin and her allies are forced to confront an array of new and terrifying horrors. Their fight is not just to save their friends, but to permanently halt the sinister operations of the creepy school buses, facing dangers that push them to their limits in a desperate battle against an escalating evil.

Omen of Ice

Accardo, Jus. Omen of Ice. Book 1 of the Omen of Ice series. 2023. 400p. ISBN 9781649374028.

Keltania Tunne has dedicated her entire life to training as a bodyguard for a Winter Fae, viewing it as the highest honor for a druid. However, upon her arrival at the Winter Court, nothing aligns with her expectations. Her assignment is to protect Valen, the heir to the throne, but he vehemently rejects her presence, wishing her gone immediately. Despite his arrogance, Tania remains steadfast in her commitment, sensing that something is deeply amiss within the Winter Court.

As Tania navigates the intricacies of the court, she discovers that everyone harbors secrets, from the Winter Lord to the lowliest kitchen maids, and a rising faction seeks the prince's demise. No one is truly as they appear. Tania is determined to uphold her sacred oath and protect Valen, even as his sharp wit pushes her to the brink of both love and hate. The more she uncovers, the more she realizes that Valen's own secret is the most significant of all, a truth that could ultimately lead to both their deaths.

A fast-paced fantasy, Omen of Ice features actions, intrigue, and plenty of duplicity. Fans of Throne of Ice and other Sarah Maas fantasy will appreciate this scandinavian-inspired tale.

Murdle, Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose

Karber, G. T. and Chris Grabenstein. Murdle, Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose. Book 1 of the Murdle Jr. Mysteries series. 2025. 353p. ISBN 9780316582254.

On a cloudy afternoon at Sacred Kidney private school's playground, junior detective Jake, proudly sporting her hard-earned detective badge, is poised to confront Brick, the school's biggest bully alongside her sidekick, Sterling, who has been threatened with the dreaded Cincinnati Twist. Their planned showdown is abruptly interrupted by a scream emanating from the library. The children are certain they heard Miss Saffron the librarian, but upon arriving at the scene, they find the library full of books but no sign of Miss Saffron. What happened? 

Jake seizes this mystery with both hands, and enlists a reluctant Brick along with sidekick Sterling to investigate Miss Saffron's disappearance. Despite the adults present in the library remaining silent, Jake, is determined to uncover the truth. Forming an unlikely alliance sealed with a pinky promise, this trio sets out to unravel the mystery of Miss Saffron's disappearance and solve the crime at Sacred Kidney before someone else gets hurt!

The Good Daughter: A Memoir of Losing my Father and Finding Home

Taguchi, Kumi. The Good Daughter: A Memoir of Losing my Father and Finding Home. 2025. 304p. ISBN 9781925750799.

Growing up, Australian broadcaster Kumi Taguchi perceived her Japanese father as a difficult, silent, and excessively frugal figure, who became largely absent after her parents' divorce when she was younger. Living with her Australian mother and despite attempts to sever their limited connection, Kumi found it impossible to deny this part of her identity. When her father passed away, her complex emotions about him and her Japanese heritage remained unresolved and tangled.

Over time, Taguchi began to understand the profound influences that shaped her father, particularly his harrowing experiences as a child during wartime Japan, and the cultural heritage that both captivated and burdened her. This led her to embark on a journey to Japan, seeking their family home in an effort to reconcile with her past and lay some ghosts to rest. This evocative exploration delves into Taguchi's internal conflicts—the tension between duty and freedom, her relationships, and the challenge of finding a sense of belonging between two distinct worlds—culminating in a candid and resonant narrative about self-acceptance.

Readers who want to learn more about what it is like navigating two very different worlds will appreciate Taguchi's story and what she learned in the process about her family, her ethnic heritage, and herself.

Score Out

Tores, Melisa. Score Out. Book 6 of the Perfect Balance Gymnastics series. 2023. 243p. ISBN 9781958613139

Carmen Alvarez is new to competitive gymnastics, and her Level 4 season is off to a rocky start, plagued by mistakes and falls. Despite her hard work, she faces a significant hurdle: she must achieve an All-Around score of 34.00 to qualify for Level 5 and follow her friends to the next level. As her season draws to a close, Carmen grapples with the possibility of not reaching this coveted score, leading her to wonder if she can convince her family and coaches to allow her one last chance at another meet, and if she'll be able to score out if she gets there.

Set within the world of gymnastics, the Score Out features relatable characters who face age-appropriate challenges, exploring the significant life lesson of persevering. Carmen is empowered girls by discover ing her own inner strength.

When Morning Comes

 Raina, Arushi. When Morning Comes. 2017. 222p. ISBN 9781896580692. 

In apartheid-era South Africa, Zanele secretly plots against the government, keeping her activities hidden from the police, her mother, and her sister. Her best friend, Thabo, a schoolboy who has turned to gang life, suspects her involvement in something clandestine, even as he grapples with his own troubles stemming from a botched deal and powerful enemies. Meanwhile, across the bridge in the affluent white suburbs, Jack, who looks forward to escaping his father's overbearing presence, plans to spend his final days in Johannesburg driving his Mustang. But all of that changes when he encounters Meena, a girl from the simmering black township of Soweto, whose unforgettable face captures his attention.

Meena, working in her father's shop, discovers a packet of banned pamphlets, which leads her into a series of chance encounters: with the mysterious black girl Zanele, who holds a secret, the dangerous gangster, Thabo, with expensive tastes, and the engaging white boy, Jack, with the battered red car. These seemingly random meetings set in motion a chain of events, including a failed plot, a murdered teacher, and the emergence of a secret student movement that has spread across the township, culminating in a powerful student uprising.

The Secret Library

Magoon, Kekla. The Secret Library. 2024. 384p. ISBN 9781536230888.

Since her grandpa's death, eleven-and-a-half-year-old Dally's life has become dull and restricted, with her exacting single mother already preparing her to take over the family business. Craving adventure, Dally uncovers a mysterious envelope her grandpa had left for her, containing a map. This map leads her to an ancient vault—a library of secrets where each book acts as a portal to a specific moment in time. Dally eagerly "checks out" various adventures, including an exhilarating outing with pirates, which soon leads her to delve into her family's hidden history.

As Dally escapes the demands of her present life by visiting this magical library daily, she discovers that the library itself harbors its own secrets and intentions, which could shape her future as profoundly as her mother's meticulous plans. This masterful middle-grade fantasy skillfully blends mystery and adventure, exploring a biracial child's journey to understand her identity alongside the legacy of the past. The narrative is praised for its crackling prose, playful plot twists, and timeless themes, offering a satisfying read that revolves around Dally's pivotal choice between her pre-ordained path and the allure of the unknown.

His Face is the Sun

Corpora, Michelle Jabès. His Face is the Sun. Book 1 of the Throne of Khetara series. 2025. 525p. ISBN 9781464224584.

The kingdom of Khetara is simmering with unrest, mirroring the intense heat of the Khamsin winds. When the pharaoh's wife gives birth to not one but three children, she receives help from three strange ladies who each bless a child. The eldest son becomes the crown prince. The middle child, the daughter Sita, becomes a princess becomes a bargaining chip to marry to another kingdom to support Khetara. The youngest son joins the temple. 

Karim, a tomb robber from the Red Lands, spends time with a group called the Jackals. When plundering an ancient tomb, Karim inadvertently awakens an ancient evil, a pharaoh who was stricken from history more than a thousand years ago. Now Karim is on the run, pursued by a malevolent monster. 

Neff is the only child of the local scribe. When she experiences a powerful vision from a goddess, she is noticed by the high priestess and brought back to the capital's temple where she can train. But her visions are very powerful and prove true. She connects with the young prince who now lives in the temple, but she's unaware that other, more sinister magic is at work within the grand temple.

Raetawy is a farmer's daughter who keenly feels the burden of the pharaoh's exploitation of her people and land. Wondering who will dare challenge the pharaoh, Rae finds that she might be the best suited person to do so after all.

The pharaoh's unexplained illness fuels whispers of rebellion, creating a volatile atmosphere throughout the land. Concurrently, a long-forgotten oracle in the quiet desert begins to manifest, unleashing a dark prophecy that intricately connects the destinies of Sita, Neff, Rae, and Karim. With an ancient evil now roaming the land, and with a corrupt and murderous crown prince claiming the throne of Khetara, bloodsheed looms over the land! Can these four strangers discover what prophecy binds them together and save Khetara before it is too late?

Geo's Fortune

Mucha, Amy. Geo's Fortune. 2025. 272p. ISBN 9781682636718.

At 13, Geo has lived with her goth mother her whole life. Her father died when she was very young, so ever since then it's been the two of them against the world. When her mother needs to secure employment to avoid foreclosure on the house, Geo suddenly sees that her life could change irrevocably, since her mother cannot find work locally. With a move on the horizon, Geo is in urgent need of money, so she decides to start a fortune-telling business with her best friend Lana. Using Lana's rock collection as props, Geo launches herself into interpreting what the rocks say about people who pick them, despite having no belief in psychic powers or knowledge of rocks and crystals. Geo is content to offer fake fortunes to anyone willing to pay, prioritizing quick cash over genuine mystical abilities. 

However, Geo's seemingly harmless scheme takes an unexpected turn when her fabricated predictions begin to mysteriously come true. Her friends quickly become convinced of her psychic abilities, a notion Geo desperately tries to refute. She firmly believes in logic and dismisses concepts like psychic powers, healing energies, or manifesting. Now, she's left questioning her own beliefs as her fake fortunes manifest into reality, challenging her rational worldview. Can Geo figure out what is happening to her before she goes too far?

A delightful tale, all of the characters in Geo's Fortune are realistically portrayed. Geo is insecure but knows how to get things done. Lana doesn't want to lose her best friend. Feather is spacey and out there, but she brings a passion and an explanation to the story. Fans of friendship stories will appreciate Geo's efforts to avoid moving and start a new life elsewhere.

Love in 280 Characters or Less

Stringfield, Ravynn K. Love in 280 Characters or Less. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9781250899385.

Sydney Ciara Warren, a Black college freshman, is embarking on the exciting yet nerve-wracking journey of her first year at Coastal Virginia University. While thrilled about this new chapter, she faces the challenge of being separated from her best friend, Malcolm, and the uncertainty of her future academic and career path, much to the disappointment of her parents who envision law school for her. Fascinated by fashion, Sydney finds comfort and a means of self-expression through blogging about her experiences, curating meaningful outfits, and engaging on Twitter as she navigates campus life and searches for her place in the world.

Within the digital realm, Sydney develops a connection and a crush on a mysterious online persona known as YoungPrinceX. However, her real-life romantic landscape becomes more complex when she begins a relationship with a kind classmate named Xavier, who might just be the person behind the screen. As Sydney juggles academics, burgeoning relationships both online and offline, and the pressure to define her future, she hopes to not only survive her first semester but to truly flourish in her real life as much as she seems to be online.

Filled with realistic characters who live their lives while confronting issues such as racism and gender differences. Love in 280 Characters or Less is a great transition from young adulthood into becoming an adult.

Gallows Hill

Ruby, Lois. Gallows Hill. 2023. 216p. ISBN 9781728431024.

 

In the year 1692, Salem, Massachusetts, becomes the backdrop for a gripping tale as Thomas, a young Quaker orphan, arrives from England. Immediately ostracized by the dominant Puritan community, he finds himself without shelter or means of support. In a twist of fate, he's taken in by Prudence Blevins, an elderly widow whispered to be a witch. This association only deepens his already precarious position in the distrustful town.

Meanwhile, Patience, a young Puritan woman who has always strived for piety, finds her structured world collapsing when her younger sister, Abigail, succumbs to a mysterious illness. This affliction, mirroring the torments of other Salem girls, leads to accusations of witchcraft and demonic influence. As Abigail and others begin to name their neighbors as witches, fear and paranoia grip the community. Amidst this escalating hysteria, Thomas and Patience are compelled to seek the truth, challenging their deeply held beliefs, loyalties, and their very identities in Salem as they desperately fight to protect those they care about.