Cats

The Rainfall Market

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The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang

A charming Korean cozy fantasy, a quick and pleasant read. Teen Serin writes a letter detailing what she’d like to change in her somewhat dreary life, and receives a golden ticket to the magical Rainfall Market in Rainbow Town. The Market is full of dokkaebi, which turn out to be goblins, and are described in an illustrated glossary. Other than Taekwondo and listening to music, Serin doesn’t have any hobbies. Her mother is a seamstress and they are poor.

When a week of rain is predicted, the market opens for the lucky people with tickets. Serin has many adventures at the market, accompanied by Issha, a magical cat guide. There is a little hint of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory about the market and Serin’s adventures. Other then the dokkaebi, there are few Korean words, making for easy reading. I love the cover, really liked the ending, and was surprised to find out that the author is male. I would definitely read another cozy adventure like The Rainfall Market, especially on a rainy day.

Brenda

The Tomb of Dragons

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The Tomb of Dragons: The Cemeteries of Amalo, Book 3 by Katherine Addison

Sometimes a novel is so satisfying to read that I don’t want it to end. Reading books by Addison is like that for me, and it’s a real treat to have such a good story to enjoy and savor. Katherine Addison is the pen name for Sarah Monette, and her Addison books are set in the world of Osreth, which has steampunk and fantasy elements. It’s a dark world, but full of ordinary people who are clever, kind, and sometimes heroic.

This is the last book in a trilogy featuring Thara Celehar, an elven cleric who is a Witness for the Dead. He investigates crimes, occasionally quiets ghouls, problem solves on special assignments, and, rarely, officiates at funerals. Unfortunately, his magic was damaged in the last book, so he is currently working special assignments. Thara feeds cats near his apartment, drinks a lot of tea and visits the opera house where his friend works. In his last book, his good black coat of office was damaged, and there’s a minor subplot to get him looking respectable (but not gaudy) again. He is mentoring a new Witness, a woman named Tomasaro, and also helping a cemetery administrator deal with a mountain of old paperwork. There is winter travel with a caravan, a scary dragon encounter in a mine, the acquiring of an intriguing guard, and a couple of encounters with the local prince and even the emperor. I wish there was a glossary, though I did find one on a fan wiki online. More books in this world, please, even if other characters take center stage.   

Brenda

The Teller of Small Fortunes

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The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

This is a delightful first novel that’s an Indie Next and a Library Reads pick. I love the book cover, which features a wagon, an Asian woman in a cloak, a cup of tea, and a cat. The book is recommended by other cozy fantasy writers, including Sangu Mandanna, Sarah Beth Durst, and Rebecca Thorne.

Tao is Shinaran, but grew up in Eshtara in her stepfather’s house. She once told a major fortune, but has resolved to tell only small fortunes. Small fortunes usually concern the near future and are about everyday happenings. She travels between villages with her mule, Laohu, telling fortunes by reading tea leaves, palms, or a set of Shinaran stones. When a large tree blocks the road, she meets Mash and Silt. Mash is a large ex-mercenary and poet while Silt is a reformed thief. A small fortune told for Mash has a huge effect, and the trio decide to travel together. Mash has been looking for his missing daughter for months.

Then apprentice baker Kina joins the found family. Kina’s pastries usually taste delicious but don’t look very appealing. She is happy to join them on the road, and they soon acquire another wagon and horse, along with a cat. The group encounters a troll and a phoenix on their travels. Tao finally sees her mother after a long separation, as well as her stepfather, and learns more about Eshtara’s Guild of Mages. This is a lovely tale that is heartwarming, a little sad, and occasionally funny. I enjoyed this story about a young woman who didn’t fit in anywhere finding her path and her people. Another book in the same world but with new characters is expected next year.

Brenda

The City Beyond the Sea

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Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea by Pari Thomson

Iffenwild is a wondrous city, part of the Marin Deep, with blue water magic. It’s only a legend to those in the Greenwild, first introduced in Greenwild: The World Behind the Door. Botanists in Amazeria are in danger, and want the Greenwilders to come with help from Iffenwild.

Daisy, the Prof, and Indigo travel to the Moonmarket and sneak onto the Nautilus, one of four theater ships headed to Iffenwild to perform for the city residents and their duchess. Also on board is Max, who’s been ill most of his life and was recently kidnapped by the Grim Reapers. Max and Daisy clash; they have similar personalities. Daisy’s cat, Napoleon, is a help and a comfort, as is Indigo’s parakeet. Daisy struggles to control her green magic, while Max is recovering his strength and secretly learning how to swim. Max, in disguise, gets a walk on role in the Nautilus company’s play, and spends time in a storeroom with a magical memory tree.

The theater, ships, water horses and the land/sea combination of Iffenwild enchant. While dark in parts, this page turning middle grade fantasy novel is a very satisfying read. The depiction and use of magic here is delightful. Some people have power with plants or water, there are magical animals, and there are magical fruits, seeds, leaves, and vines. Excellent! A sequel, The Forest in the Sky, is expected next summer.

Brenda

The Kamogawa Food Detectives

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The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai, translated by Jesse Kirkwood

I enjoyed this short, engaging novel of six connected stories, a bestseller in Japan. The stories are set in Kyoto, which is fondly described, with mentions of notable tourist sites such as the Higashi Hongangi Buddhist Temple. Weather and seasons are highlighted, including cold winter breezes from the surrounding mountains, many rainy days, and the stunning beauty of the spring Cherry Blossom Festival. But the focus of the novel is the Kamogawa Diner, and the small detective agency, both run by retired police officer Nagare Kamogawa and his daughter Koishi, in her 30s. The diner, with four tables and 5 seats at the counter, is hard to find, but always smells enticing.

Other than some regular customers, most diners are clients seeking a nostalgic dish from long ago. Koishi interviews them, then Nagare travels throughout Japan to source ingredients, search for chefs or customers of closed restaurants, and finds long-lost relatives and friends in search of the desired recipe and ambience. Two weeks later, the clients return for their requested meal, and a story, along with greetings from friendly cat Drowsy. The food is lovingly detailed, and isn’t all traditionally Japanese. Among the requests are Napolitan Spaghetti with frankfurters, eaten by a 5-year-old girl on a trip with her grandfather, a widower looking for his wife’s secret recipe, and a favorite meal for a loved one who is ill. This charming novel is a very good rainy-day comfort read. In Japan, the book has seven sequels. The first sequel, The Restaurant of Lost Recipes, will be published here in October. Enjoy!

Brenda

Two New Mysteries

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Paws to Remember by Sofie Kelly

An extra-special Magical Cats cozy mystery. Minnesota librarian Kathleen is looking forward to traveling with Marcus, a local detective, to Boston for Christmas with her family. There’s a problem with their scheduled flight, but taking the train may be a good option, and all will be well.

Before that, Marcus and amateur sleuth Kathleen investigate a very cold case when Kathleen finds a body that may be connected to a young woman who disappeared decades ago. Is there any family to contact, or friends who would remember what happened? Cats Owen and Hercules do their feline best to assist; neighboring dog Fifi finally makes friends with the cats and tries to help Kathleen.

In between sleuthing, there is cocoa and Christmas cookies to enjoy, tai chi classes, recipes to sample, and an art studio to repair after a pipe froze, along with other small town Minnesota winter pleasures, including table hockey.

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

While definitely not a cozy, this British mystery, fourth in the Thursday Murder Club series, may appeal to a broad range of mystery and thriller readers. Three amateur senior sleuths in a luxury retirement village, along with a retired spy, meet weekly to discuss cold cases, but often find modern mysteries to solve. Elizabeth’s husband Stephen, who has dementia, was friends with the owner of antique shop. The shop owner’s sudden death appears to be connected to a missing box full of heroin. The Thursday Murder Club investigates, aided by police officers Chris and Donna, Donna’s mother Patrice and jack-of-all-trades Bogdan, looking at a couple of wealthy heroin dealers, other antique dealers and art forgers, professors, and an imprisoned cocaine dealer.

A subplot of romance fraud introduces new Fairhaven residents Mervyn and techie Bob. Joyce bakes and asks questions; Ron drives and plays whatever part is needed. Ibrahim is a brilliant, mostly retired psychiatrist, while Elizabeth brings a gun and is usually their leader. Colorful and fast-paced, with a bit of violence yet poignant at times, this is an excellent entry in the series, which begins with The Thursday Murder Club.

Brenda

Starter Villain

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Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Cats, not bacon. For cats and bacon, see Emily Jane’s On Earth as It Is On Television. If you enjoyed award-winning science fiction writer Scalzi’s latest adventure novel, The Kaiju Preservation Society, you might enjoy this. No, there are no kaiju, either. But there are cats, and later some sarcastic dolphins. Ordinary guy Charlie, currently a substitute teacher, helped care for his father before his recent death. Now his older half-siblings want their shares of dad’s house. It’s just a regular house, nothing special, so Charlie’s share probably won’t be enough to buy a local pub. Charlie has recently adopted a stray cat, and together they find a stray kitten.

Then Charlie, a former business reporter, gets word that his Uncle Jake has died. He hasn’t seen Jake since he was a kid, but is asked to host the viewing and funeral service. Jake owned parking garages, but that doesn’t explain the tough guys who show up at the funeral home, some packing heat. Later Charlie visits Jake’s company headquarters, with the cat and kitten in tow. It turns out to be on a volcanic island, where we meet the dolphins. Perhaps Uncle Jake had more in common with the bad guys at the funeral home than he thought, and they want Charlie to join their organization. Lots of adventure, plenty of humor, some tricky situations, and an appealing main character in Charlie. Plus, of course, cats. This book will be published on September 19, National Talk Like a Pirate Day. Enjoy!

Brenda

On Earth As It Is on Television

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On Earth As It Is On Television by Emily Jane

This debut science fiction novel is a deeply weird yet engaging read. Blaine wonders about his wife Anne, who likes single use plastic more than a green lifestyle and is rather over the top about almost everything, especially bacon. Their kids, Jas and Avril, fight like young wild beasts until the TV catches their attention, or Mr. Meow Mitts, their cat.

In Malibu, Heather is taking a rather aimless gap year before college when alien spacecraft arrive, hovering over major cities, including Los Angeles. Her mother is on vacation with Heather’s stepfather, Jack, a television executive who gained fame on Jeopardy. Jack’s son Alex, a high school senior, is so perfect that Heather thinks her mom likes him better.

Then there’s Oliver, who has an extremely bland existence until the starships arrive. The ships leave, but it turns out there may already be aliens among us. And did I mention the cats?

The characters’ stories mesh together cleverly, and not very predictably. This book will be published in June, and may be a hit. Readalikes include forthcoming novel The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis and also this fall’s Starter Villain by John Scalzi because, cats. No, not because of bacon. I don’t even eat bacon (true). If you’re in the mood for something a bit different, enjoy!

Brenda