Sorry, but I hate warm weather. You're allowed to like it. But this starts the time of year when I long for chilly mornings and grey rainy days. I guess I could say something about how there are lots of new books blooming or some other flower metaphor, but... books!

I'm writing tired, what can I say. Enjoy these fantastic books, and thanks to the publishers who send these my way!

Bookish Candle: Green Gables Lane is one of my favorite scents ever from Frostbeard, and that's saying something. It's the Candle of the Month for April, and arrived just before the new Anne of Green Gables anime started airing! How's that for timing? Use my link to get 20% off your purchase of this and other book lovers' candles!

Tea Pairing: As we await the return of Chapters Tea & Co. during their cross-country move, I'm using this opportunity to explore other tea brands! This month, I'm getting to know the unique blends from Plum Deluxe. I'm currently enjoying their United Kingdom Loose Leaf Sampler, which includes ten unique teas to try. Look for my review of this collection on the blog next week!

ALL THE NOISE AT ONCE
by DeAndra Davis
Available now

Aiden Wright finally has his chance to join his brother on their high school's football team after an overstimulation meltdown killed his chances the previous summer. Even being a benchwarmer is a great start for him. But on the team's Superlative Night, the "Incident" happens. A teammate starts a fight with Aiden, a bystander calls the cops, and Brandon is arrested and accused of assaulting an officer.

Now Brandon's life is coming apart as he loses his scholarship, his place on the team, and potentially his freedom. As Aiden grapples with his new spot on the team and the guilt of being "at fault" for Brandon's arrest, he learns difficult truths about being a Black teen with autism—truths his parents attempted to shelter him from. Now, the trial that could make or break Brandon's entire life is approaching, and Aiden must figure out his role in the proceedings.

All the Noise at Once is a challenging read thematically, but one told with unprecedented honesty and care. Aiden's first-person narrative guides even inexperienced readers through the mind of a young person with autism, from the feelings that accompany sensory overload to the process of parsing hidden or falsified feelings. Best of all, the difficult topics between the covers are approached with realism, imperfection, and uncertainty. There isn't one character who knows best, there's no lapse into therapy speak or or carefully-worded monologue. The topics are difficult, and they're allowed to be difficult; and while there are some clear answers, others are more nebulous. Everyone, from the teens at the center of the story to the adult professionals, is allowed to be confused and angry and flawed as they confront injustice. Modern lit in general, and YA lit in particular, needs more of that freedom.

THE ANATOMY OF MAGIC
by J.C. Cervantes
Available now

Dr. Lily Estrada is going home—and "home" happens to be a magical hacienda in Mexico inhabited by the talented women of her family. All of them have a gift related to flowers, gifted to them through the sacrifice of their great-grandmother. Lily's is memory... and funnily enough, memories are torturing her right now. She's waiting out news on whether a routine surgery turned tragic will end her career as an ob-gyn. Her connection to her flower magic seems to be fading. And things only get worse when Sam, the man who broke her heart ten years ago, reappears as a guest at a wedding hosted by the Estradas.

The guilt of losing a patient, the heartbreak of her betrayal by Sam, and the fear that she's lost her goddess-given gift converge in a series of prophetic dreams. To reawaken her own magic, she'll have to reveal a long-buried secret to her family. Doing so brings even more secrets into the light, including the real reason for Sam's departure all those years ago. With the truth exposed, Lily makes a decision that threatens to alter the fate of her entire family and their connection to the land.

The Anatomy of Magic, like its preceding book The Enchanted Hacienda, has some definite Encanto vibes to it; but this is a complex romance intended for older readers. Even without reading the preceding novel, it's easy to get into the flow of the Estradas' home life. The legend at the heart of their powers is unique and surprisingly heartwarming, even though the limitations placed on the women of the family seem overly strict at first. If you're looking exclusively for romance with not much preamble, this is not the book for you. However, if you love character studies, family bonding, and slow-burn romances, this one will be just right.

BENNY ON THE CASE
by Wesley King
Available now

Benny lives in a retirement home in Newfoundland with his widowed mother, his best friend Mr. Tom, and the other senior residents. He also has Mosaic Down syndrome: a version of the condition that largely only affects Benny's appearance. But even that is enough to keep him out of a mainstream classroom for fear of bullying. He's finally fought his way into a class with the rest of his peers; and while there are indeed bullies, there's also new girl Salma from Seattle. And her expertise in technology and true crime will come in handy surprisingly soon.

A rash of burglaries has plagued the retirement home, and it won't take many more strikes to shut the place down—displacing not just the residents, but Benny and his mother as well. Together, he and Salma decide to crack the case themselves. But what starts as a bit of sleuthing ends up being much bigger than anyone bargained for. And as the pair seek out the truth behind Starflower's problems, they must also navigate constant bullying and the declining health of Mr. Tom.

Benny on the Case is a book full of love—not just for Newfoundland, but for the people among us who get put upon for being different. King's prose is witty, but never unbelievable as coming from the mouth and mind of its eleven-year-old protagonist. It contends with big issues: grief, abandonment, broken homes, and bullying, to name a few. But it also presents lessons and coping mechanisms that young readers can take to heart and learn from. It's also a great introduction to the cozy mystery genre for younger readers.

DEATH AT THE PLAYHOUSES
by Stuart Douglas
Available now

Fresh off a season of their hit series Floggit & Leggit, Edward Lowe and John Le Breton are off to do a bit of Shakespeare. John is filling in for an old friend, Sir Nathaniel Thompson, whose drunken antics have gotten him fired from the run of tragedies. Initially, John worries how he'll handle the social (and professional) awkwardness of taking over a role from a peer. But that soon becomes a non-issue when Nate is found brutally murdered near the playhouse.

While rehearsing for their turns onstage, the pair step into their other roles: those of amateur detectives. But the situation is more delicate this time, as John's ex-wife Sally has turned up unexpectedly in the midst of proceedings—and far too close to the criminal proceedings surrounding Nate's death. Worse still, a second member of the company turns up dead soon after. Solving this mystery will take Lowe and Le Breton from from England to the Netherlands, and into a conspiracy decades in the making.

The first Lowe and Le Breton mystery was an absolute delight, even for viewers unaware of its heavy Dad's Army inspiration. Laced with references that will register whether you're a Brit of a certain age or an American raised on late-night PBS programming, Death at the Playhouses broadens the world of Lowe and Le Breton even further. The two have grown beyond their inspirations, already becoming two of the great amateur sleuths of the 21st century (and, in a way, the 20th). Two books is not enough for this pair. While Lowe and Le Breton themselves might fancy fewer brushes with death, readers will absolutely want more.

LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT
by F.T. Lukens
Available April 29

Cam is a run-of-the-mill human living in a world inhabited by paranormal beings. His best friend Al is a witch, his crush Mateo is a werewolf, but he's content to be "normal." But all that changes when, during an altercation in the school hallway, Cam sees a flash of the future: a girl he's never seen before, covered in blood. All signs point to Cam being a clairvoyant: a very rare, very esteemed sort of psychic. Now he's the talk of every paranormal alliance in town; but all he wants is to help the stranger in his vision.

With the help of Al, Mateo, the sprite Reece, and the (very human) paranormal influencer Gemma, Cam sets out to navigate his two biggest problems. One, find the future murder victim and hopefully alter her fate. Two, navigate paranormal politics as sprites, witches, and fellow psychics vie for access to his powers. But as he approaches the truth, he begins to unveil uncomfortable knowledge much closer to home.

Despite the title, Love at Second Sight is a mystery first, romance second; if you're here for wall-to-wall smooching, this is not the book for you. As a touch-sensitive psychic, Cam can't even hold hands with his crush for quite a while. The overarching plot has shades of X-Men, albeit with a fantasy bent, as Cam learns to embrace his uniqueness in the face of family who aren't eager to have an "abnormal" son. The ending is somehow simultaneously predictable and rushed: even amidst a sea of red herrings, readers will chase down the answer long before Cam does. But a somewhat hurried and predictable ending doesn't make the rest of the book any less of an enthralling read.

 

It's that time again: time for a new issue of Otaku USA magazine! Big thanks to everyone who keeps picking up and reading these issues. It's a lot of fun being part of this mag, and I love the opportunity to talk at length about both new and classic series.

This particular issue was a very busy one for me, with six separate columns! So if you're an enjoyer of me writing about anime a whole lot, this will be one to grab.

First up is my review of Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective. Between the memes about "what if House was an anime girl" and my own work as a writing advisor for medical school applicants, this was an interesting watch. All that said, I consider this an absolutely fab show... and one that does something that even my beloved House didn't always manage.

Also up for review is the new adaptation of Ranma 1/2. I am, in fact, a big fan of classic series getting reboots (see Yaiba on the cover!). And considering the original series was one of my first anime, I wanted to get in there and give my thoughts on this latest version. Spoiler: I liked it and it's good.

On to features, of which I penned three. Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four! is indeed another isekai offering, but I kind of loved this. Like Magilumiere before it, this takes a relatively standardized genre and stretches it to tell a story about the importance of unique skill sets. I always love a show where people whose skills aren't flashy or "cool" get a chance to shine.

On the other end of the spectrum is my review of season 2 of Shangri-La Frontier. Or, as Paul Chapman rightly calls it, "The Adventures of John Darksouls Who Is Good at Video Games." Calling it an isekai misses the entire point, even if you could call it one on a technicality. This is a monumentally great series about the hobby of gaming—possibly one of the strongest anime made on that front so far. And any opportunity to talk about it from that angle is an opportunity I shall take.

Finally, at least in features, I cover TASOKARE HOTEL. This is one of my recent pet anime, based on a mystery/room escape mobile game. The game itself was Very Okay, with a lot of the Okay-ness being down to a messy localization. But I'm thrilled that the anime has turned out as it did, and fascinated with the choices made to turn an interactive experience into a compelling TV series.

Last but not least, I've invaded a new section for me: games! I offered my thoughts on the demo of Genso Manège, a newly-localized otome visual novel. Between the art and the story, this was absolute catnip for me. So I'm glad to have given it a boost to our audience!

The new issue is on newsstands now. If your local magazine seller doesn't stock it, you can order a copy from the website. You'll also find daily news and features there, including regular reviews and articles from yours truly! As always, thanks so much for your support—and keep spreading the word!

 

How much do you know about Conan the Barbarian? The name? The loincloth? Next to nothing? Frankly it doesn't matter. Because The Savage Sword of Conan from Titan Comics is more than just a cool collection of classic action/adventure. It's an excellent first step into Robert E. Howard's legendary character.

This first collected volume compiles the first three issues of the new The Savage Sword of Conan comic, plus bonus materials including pinups, poetry, prose, essays, and more.

The three issues themselves are fantastic. John Arcudi's Conan and the Dragon Horde is a great kickoff, with Conan serving as a general on a quest for promised riches. Also along for the ride is the beautiful engineer Ineah, whose siege engines are shockingly perfect for the "unexpected" beasts the army faces. Max von Fafner's art is largely lovely, but his faces occasionally get uncanny in that sort of Modern Western Comics way.

Conan: Leaving the Garden was (to my mind) the most solid of the issues, depicting the Cimmerian digging himself out of a field used to harvest souls for consumption. Richard Pace's rough-hewn art is a surprisingly strong match for Jim Zub's unforgiving narrative, in which Conan must decide whether to honor an oath or eradicate a harmful village.

Frank Tieri's Conan: Wolves of the Tundra asks and answers a simple question: what if Conan became a werewolf? The self-contained story unfolds with bold art from Cary Nord: stunning action leading up to a humorous conclusion. The book ends with Alan Quah's wordless Conan: Lure of the Pit Creature, an inventive action piece.

But Conan isn't the only hero in this book. As with older Conan volumes, Solomon Kane gets space alongside Howard's better-known character. Patch Zircher writes and draws the three-part Master of the Hunt, in which Kane pursues the Wild Hunt and finds his faith shaken every step of the way. As excellent as these new Conan installments are, this three-part story feels like the best of the bunch in both writing and art.

The Savage Sword of Conan isn't just comics, though. This volume also includes two poems and a short story, Zub's "Sacrifice in the Sand," each coupled with new artwork. Pop culture scholar Jeffrey Shanks weighs in with "Men Shall Die for This," an essay on the history and cultural influence of Solomon Kane. And, of course, Titan Comics fills the back pages with alternate covers for avid collectors.

As a longstanding sword-and-sorcery fan, I had no doubt that The Savage Sword of Conan would click for me. But I was pleasantly surprised by just how much context and additional material there was, both for avid readers and newcomers alike. If you know Conan, you will love this book; if you don't know Conan, you will by the time you're through.

The Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 is now available from Titan Comics.

 

A while back, I mentioned I'd be taking a crack at GMing properly. I've made small attempts before, but my campaign of Girl by Moonlight: On a Sea of Stars is my first time really digging in and doing my damndest. I've got a great group of players and... well... I also love this system.

Besides just wanting to run a cool game for friends (two of whom are Forever DMs themselves, two of whom don't get to game as much as they'd like), I also wanted to start actually learning how to run games. I'm four sessions in, with many more to go, and there are a few things I've picked up so far. Old news to you old hands out there, I'm sure. But maybe there's someone who, like me, could use some encouragement and a look at the basics.

GMing Also Means Teaching

Art by Si F Sweetman

The only games that are "easy" are games that are designed to be easy (I'm thinking of Grant Howitt's amazing one-page games, which are great for beginners). No matter how good a game's structure is, or how much it feeds into what you and your group want to do, it still has to be learned. A part of GMing I never expected was the teaching aspect, but in retrospect, it's pretty obvious, isn't it?

Girl by Moonlight has a lot of moving parts, and plays with the Forged in the Dark system in interesting ways. For example, everyone gets stress from personal obligations at the beginning of a session, and that stress is wiped at the end (with certain exceptions).  Links are also used as a sort of interpersonal inspiration token: take time to get to know your teammates, and in return they can offer you free assistance in combat. In fact, a lot of this system runs on what you're willing to do for others. Healing can only be done by someone else helping you, for instance.

In retrospect, I sort of wish I'd gone the route Luke Westaway did in Oxventure Presents Blades in the Dark. He introduced some of the crunchier mechanics slightly later in the campaign's run, allowing the players to get accustomed to the basics. That said, I've been finding my own ways to teach the system. While NPCs with sheets aren't a thing in Forged in the Dark games, I used a fan-made support playbook to create a sort of DMPC. The way she's built, both mechanically and as a character, I can use her to demonstrate how to get the most out of what's available.

I've also taken to turning references into "tokens" on Roll20, placing them within view but out of the action. That way, players know at a glance what Links can be used for. It's very much dependent on the group, I suppose, how you teach a system. But between the Roll20 integration and making things readily visible to everyone, I think I'm getting there.

You Can Say No to the Book

Art by Si F Sweetman

Rules exist for a reason: to make games fair and fun. But if there's something in a book that just doesn't suit anyone, and it's not at the core of what the game is or how it's played... it's okay to do away with it. Case in point, Girl by Moonlight's stipulation that campaigns "start during the second season." I understand that generally: it allows players to know each other, build up the Promises that will help them dictate their action, and jump straight into the "good stuff."

Except... to me? The introduction is a major part of the "good stuff." So no, we started at episode 1. And I did the series design privately, working in elements that I knew the players would enjoy. That meant making a few tweaks, like having players set up their Promises after session 1 and altering when and how players first formed Links with their robots. But it's been worth it.

Similarly, I have one player playing the Enigma playbook. Generally, character info is supposed to be readily available over the table—and I do trust these players not to metagame. But the player requested that there be a period of time in which the mystery can be built up even to the players. Is this accounted for in the book? No. But who cares? To that end, we set up a clock that is ticking down based on rolls and events in the game. This means that a lot of mechanics are temporarily off the table. But for the fun of the mystery and the inevitable big reveal? It's worth it.

I'm Still a Player

Art by Si F Sweetman

Kiiiiind of. It's hard to explain.

Like, GMing is hard. It really is. It's a fun kind of hard—I'm writing on the fly, and I don't get to go back and edit. Ideas get thrown at me that aren't mine, and once in a while I see two that fit together and they make something new, and then I get to integrate it next week. But spinning all those plates is tough, and I'm still getting used to keeping them all in the air.

That said, I don't feel disconnected from the players. I may be the one calling most of the shots, but it feels like we're all here doing the same thing. We're all at a party, I'm just the one cooking dinner. Doesn't mean I don't get to enjoy the dinner, too.

Keeping that mindset—that we're all here for the same reason, that everyone is throwing their creativity down on the table—helps me get over that constant fear that I'll disappoint everyone or make a bad game. But at its best, I don't feel like anything's changed. I'm not against the players, even if I do throw them challenges. When I do the Mission phase, I have a few conditions laid out for what can or should happen. But I don't necessarily stick religiously to those conditions. If someone does something cool that makes complete sense for the scene, so be it: we follow that. I described the Mission phase as a game of chess between me and the players. There's not a stat block with HP, there's just a scene. Once they've outwitted me in a way that I can't help but love, they've done it.

The main thing I've learned, though, is that I want to keep GMing. I also want to keep playing, of course. But I think I like this. All I want in life is for the things I create to bring people joy. And where I initially thought GMing would force me to confront embarrassment and failure in real time, it's more like I'm getting to see something I made—something I am making in the moment—hitting home for people. Ain't no way I'm giving that up anytime soon.

I'm not unaccustomed to NDAs in my line of work, but it never gets easier to sit and wait for the opportunity to tell people something cool you know or have done. Fortunately, I now get to: I'm in the featurettes for the upcoming 4K UHD release of Peter Cushing's Dr. Who films from Severin Films.

If you don't know what the Cushing Dr. Who films are... welcome, you are from outside my usual demographic! These two films—Dr. Who and the Daleks and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 AD—are adaptations of the First Doctor serials The Daleks and The Dalek Invasion of Earth. While they adapt the early series history of the Daleks relatively faithfully, they take liberties with the core cast. For example, Dr. Who (his government name) is a human man tinkering with a homemade time machine, Susan is a literal child rather than a teen, Barbara is another of Dr. Who's granddaughter, and Ian is Roy Castle having an especially awkward day.

When I was approached about being a part of this release, I was told they wanted insight other than behind-the-scenes information. And, seeing what other extras are included, I understand why! Each movie has multiple audio commentary tracks, interviews with cast and crew, and even special features about the 4K restoration itself. The extras across both discs add up to more than ten hours, covering pretty much everything you could hope to know about the films.

Given my background with the Black Archive and my interest in how Doctor Who as a show is put together, I wanted to explore how we look at these movies as modern viewers. While plenty of fans remember these films fondly, they're often also judged based on how (or whether) they slot into Doctor Who canon as we know it. And there's so, so much more to them. How they work as films on their own, why they existed in the first place, and what we miss when we concentrate on canon-welding over meeting these movies where they are.

Beyond that, you'll have to check out the featurette!

While it's not my first time talking about a piece of media (I do that to some degree every day), it was my first time having a film crew in my house. Nervous? Extremely. But the people filming were lovely, we chatted about Doctor Who and anime, and my living room was rearranged for filming and then put back again by afternoon. It was also a good opportunity to get out some of my own model Daleks for set dressing.

I've not seen the full featurette, but you can see a wee clip of me within the first two minutes of Severin Films' March release trailer.

My own involvement aside, I'm extremely excited about this new release. It's going to be amazing to have restored versions of both films, and the people involved with the extras are lovely. Robert Shearman, Mark Gatiss, Mike Tucker, Emily Cook, and so many more people who are really wise about this series and its workings are all involved. I'm especially looking forward to the audio commentary featuring Roberta Tovey (who played Susan) and the archival interview with the late Bernard Cribbins. The first disc will also include the 1995 documentary Dalekmania, which I can't wait to have in my library.

Total Extermination: The Peter Cushing Doctor Who Collection drops on June 24. The slipcase release comes with that awesome case above and both films. You can also order each film separately. My featurette, Kara and the Daleks, will be on the Dr. Who and the Daleks disc.

 

Better late than never, I say! The past few weeks have been busy—equal parts work, health concerns, and things I can't talk about just yet (but look forward to talking about when I can). Nonetheless, five books for you, all new this month! These selections run the gamut from high fantasy to vampire romance, from psychological thriller to Lovecraftian horror. Be sure to check them all out and support your favorite authors!

Bookish Candle: Baba Yaga's Hut is a unique, surprisingly cozy candle, blending woody scents with ember and citrus. Given the sheer amount of eldritch horror and monstrous mystery threaded through this month's selection, it feels oddly appropriate. Use my link to get 20% off your purchase of this and other book lovers' candles!

Tea Pairing: Chapters Tea & Co. is currently continuing their move to the West Coast, with their new return date scheduled for late April. In the meantime, check out the Teatime Adventures collab teas from Friday Afternoon Tea. I've been sampling these as I read through the new source books!

BLOOD AND EMPIRE: THE GATEWAY SAGA, BOOK 1
by James Maxwell
Available now

Bethany Sylvana is a young seamstress with a dream: she wants to become a Diviner. These highly-esteemed adepts open portals in the fabric of reality, leading charges through ancient portals. Her lack of prestige or education initially appears to work against her, but an unfair disqualification from the test is overturned by someone she hoped never to deal with: her father, the emperor.

As Bethany navigates a grueling education to achieve her dream, war is brewing. Julian, Bethany's half-brother, has had his claim to the throne called into question after a deadly duel. With the eyes of the kingdom of Everlast upon him, Julian must face his own challenges: war against a powerful queen and her equally powerful army. Meanwhile, the family of Julian's wife Samara quietly seeks to orchestrate his downfall to avenge the death of Samara's brother—though Samara herself has other ideas. As the first volume draws to a close, these three very different threads will weave themselves together into a story of fractured family and political intrigue.

I don't often say I can't put a book down because the term feels overused. But in this case, it's true: Blood and Empire is unputdownable. Bethany's journey to becoming a Diviner contains brilliant worldbuilding, hinting at a cosmos greater than even most of this setting's characters can conceive. Even in the face of political machinations, Macbethian schemes, and epic battles, her quest to fulfil her dreams—and to be recognized fairly for her talent—shines bright. It begs to be continued, and fortunately, book 2 isn't far behind.

CLAIRE, DARLING
by Callie Kazumi
Available now

After the death of her mother, Claire was convinced she'd never find someone to love her. But she has in the person of her fiancé, Noah Coors: a handsome, successful businessman whom she met in the most ordinary of ways. But one day he goes missing, refusing to answer her calls and texts. What starts as a casual lunch run explodes into a terrifying revelation: not only does Noah not want to see her, but he's living with (and engaged to) another woman. And has been for ages.

With the help of her friend Sukhi, Claire begins digging into the unpleasant truths of Noah's life. Her sleuthing is interspersed with diary entries of her life with Noah and reflections on the physical and emotional abuse she endured from her mother. A rash choice sends Claire's future down an unforeseen path, but the road in front of her will grant her the answers she's been looking for... both vindicating proof and a reality she could never have foreseen.

A word of warning: if you've had an abusive parent or partner, Claire, Darling will bring a lot of uncomfortable feelings and memories to the surface. This isn't a call not to read it so much as a warning to approach it when you feel capable of doing so. If anything, it's good to see a piece of fiction acknowledging the cycle of abuse and the impact that it can have on a person's ability to function as an adult. The twist in the tale at the end is well-wrought and has precedent, but the further sting at the end of the twist feels like a bridge too far. Rather than elevating the final few chapters, it feels like it dampens the effect of the book as a whole, subverting an unusually empathetic depiction of mental health and abuse for a bit of last-minute shock value. But if one ignores the final chapter, Claire, Darling is an excellent first novel for Kazumi, presenting a pointed and poignant view of the long-term effects of narcissism and abuse.

THE NIGHTMARE QUEST OF APRIL MAY
by Rosemary Jones
Available now

Arkham Horror series The Drowned City continues—and we move on from Lucius Galloway to April May, as she encounters her own eldritch horrors. The young journalist spends her days at the Arkham Advertiser taking ads for lost dogs, and her evenings reading Weird Tales. But there's been an uptick in lost dog ads lately. Not only that, but April and the people around her have been having strange dreams, similar enough to make psychologist Carolyn Fern sit up and take notice. She offers free support in the form of hypnosis to these dreamers... but soon twelve of them, including April's friend Nella, fall asleep and won't wake up.

Carolyn and others believe that April, with her artistic mind, holds the key to bringing these dreamers home. But April isn't too trusting of Carolyn's methods. Moreover, she's seen strange things around town: an eye symbol pops up in increasingly odd places, and soon coworkers begin to go missing. To save her friends, and to put a stop to the dark activities going on in Arkham, April will have to face her fears and travel to a world of dreams, where she and others risk being right in the eyeline of the Ancient One.

Aconyte's Arkham Horror series is always fantastic, centering characters that Lovecraft himself likely would have written off as alien horrors rather than compelling heroes. April May is a wonderful addition to the roster, delving deep into Arkham's nightmarish history as she finds her place in American society. While The Nightmare Quest of April May leaves some questions unanswered and several dark sorts active in the wider world, the story never feels rushed or truncated. It comes to a satisfying conclusion while still leaving some threads untucked, hinting at more dark activities to come.

TILL DEATH
by Kellan McDaniel
Available now

Howard is 18 years old and looking for support in his life. His school's Queer Student Union is struggling to make their voices heard, and Howard himself has moved in with his Oma after his parents were less than accepting of his identity. As a youngster into older entertainment and aesthetics, he finds solace in his volunteer work at a retirement home. But a visit to check in on new resident James kicks off a whole new chapter of his life when Howard meets George: a young visitor who, unbeknownst to Howard, is James's eternally young vampire lover.

As George struggles to see his partner through the end of his life while hiding from James's less than understanding daughter, Howard finds acceptance with his new companion. As the two start dating, they discover their lives are more intertwined then they first realized. And the more time Howard spends with George, the more he starts to wonder if maybe the world would be better without the people blocking his ability to be himself.

On the one hand, Till Death is a compelling story of grief and loneliness—of how difficult it can be to care for a loved one when your relationship isn't even accepted by that loved one's family. James and George's story is tragic and heartfelt and beautiful. But once Howard and George get close, things get odd. On the one hand, having someone who can impart both history and support is a valuable thing. On the other, teen vampire romances are messy at the best of times, and the constant hand-waving of Howard and George's relationship because Howard is an "old soul" is far too reminiscent of real-world problems, regardless of sexuality. Considering Howard's change in personality the longer he's with George, perhaps this is intentional. Perhaps this is the story of someone making someone else worse. The result, though, is a fractured narrative: equal parts compellingly beautiful and worryingly toxic.

SALTWATER
by Katy Hays
Available March 25

Helen Lingate has long desired an escape from her controlling, old-money family. Her mother Sarah, an accomplished playwright, died when Helen was young under mysterious circumstances. On the 30th anniversary of Sarah Lingate's passing, Helen teams up with her assistant Lorna to orchestrate a complex plan: one that will free them both from the family's grip. But in the wake of the plan, Lorna herself goes missing under a new set of mysterious circumstances.

A multifaceted, multigenerational mystery unfolds against the backdrop of Capri, bringing in a variety of points of view: Helen herself, Lorna in the hours leading up to her disappearance, Sarah in the weeks and months before her untimely demise, and other players throughout the Lingate family. At the center of it all are a duffel bag full of money, a snakelike necklace of Sarah's thought to be lost, and Saltwater: Sarah's unproduced final play that could air all of the Lingates' dirty laundry. As Helen explores two disappearances at once, she discovers that pretty much nothing is as she originally believed.

Saltwater aims high and exceeds expectations, succeeding where so many thrillers of its kind have fallen short. Every little thread, from Helen's love interest to Lorna's background to the movements of housekeeper Renata, are ultimately woven back into the the overall story in a meaningful way. Hays doesn't make the mistake of showing her hand too early; but when the time does come to play it, she does so to full effect. The twists and turns are surprising without being untethered, stretching even on to the final page. There are no two ways around this: Saltwater is simply an excellent book.