How did I get behind again so fast? Le sigh. Happy (belated) book birthday to these lovelies, anyway! 🥳🥳

The Verdant Cage by Jess Lourey
The Bloody and the Damned by Becca Coffindaffer
The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu
What We Are Seeking by Cameron Reed
The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly & Jennifer Marie Thorne

The Verdant Cage by Jess Lourey
on April 7, 2026
Pages: 416
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

The Wall was built to keep them safe. Or so they thought.

For as long as seventeen-year-old apothecary Rose Allgood can remember, the towering stone Wall surrounding Noah’s Valley has protected her people. No one leaves. No one fights. And no one questions why.

But their paradise has been hiding its thorns. When Rose’s mother becomes the Valley’s first murder victim and her twin brother is swiftly condemned, she alone is searching for the real killer. Determined to find the truth, she follows a trail of hidden messages, forbidden knowledge, and whispers of a past no one dares to remember.

The deeper she digs, the more certain Rose becomes that her mother’s death was no accident. That the Wall isn’t just keeping something out.
It’s keeping something in.

Fans of The Hunger Games, The Grace Year, and The Maze Runner will devour The Verdant Cage―a chilling dystopian thriller about what it takes to rebel when you discover your entire world is a lie.

TW at start: “The Verdant Cage is an atmospheric dystopian thriller. As such, the story features scenes that might not be suitable for all readers, including violent and threatening situations, physical harm, death including death of family, and coercive power structures. Readers sensitive to these elements should take note before entering Noah’s Valley.”

If you’ve been here for awhile, you know that the dystopian YA of the late aughts/early teens was my absolute jam. And I have been giddy excited to see it popping back up- only this time, updated, and more relevant than ever. That is certainly what we have here in The Verdant Cage. Now, the comps definitely drew me in (and I think The Grace Year is a solid one) but I also felt some excellent Matched vibes, as well as some age-old The 100 grey morality/changing of the guard/”no good choices” drama that I adore. I don’t want to say too much about the comps though, because I feel like that would spoil stuff, and trust me, you do not want to be spoiled, for this is an excellent adventure!

Anyway, I loved the characters, and the story was simply unputdownable. The whole thing was absolutely giving commentary on our current worldwide mess, and I loved how the author was able to mirror the very real problems we’re facing into a smaller scale society that readers can easily wrap their minds around.

“We all wake up at different times and for different reasons. What matters is what we do after we hear the call.”

Bottom Line: Loved it so much I pre-ordered it, and also, I need the sequel yesterday.

The Bloody and the Damned by Becca Coffindaffer
Published by Roaring Brook Press on April 7, 2026
Pages: 400
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

An assassin with outlawed, magical abilities will do anything to get their kidnapped sisters back in this dystopic-fantasy standalone, perfect for fans of Arcane and Iron Widow.

Mercy has no place here.

On Trinity, a metal world where the privileged live in the skies and the rest fight for water below, you do what you can to survive.

18-year-old Val knows this better than anyone. They’ve sacrificed everything to provide for their younger sisters. Using their outlawed teleportation powers, they've become the most infamous assassin-for-hire on Trinity, known as the Butcher.

No one should be able to trace the Butcher to Val. But when things go horribly wrong on a routine mission and Val’s sisters are kidnapped by a gang in retaliation, it means that someone has to know the truth.

Desperate and friendless, Val has no one to turn to but their ex-childhood best friend turned vigilante thief. He broke their heart, but he owes them.

But as Val fights for the return of their sisters, they start to realize there might be something much bigger at play... something that could upend everything they’ve ever known about Trinity.

Val’s journey will take them from a maximum security prison transport to the headquarters of the most powerful gang on Trinity, and all the way to the Gate of Heaven. Each more heavily guarded than the last.

Good thing the Butcher has never blinked at an extra casualty.

“Content warning: The Bloody and the Damned is set in a secondary dystopian fantasy world and includes content that may be triggering for some readers. The following are depicted on-page: death, violence, murder, blood, death/loss of parent(s), injury/injury details, grief, knives, gun violence, law enforcement abuse, propaganda, kidnapping, explosions, classism and resource inequality, water restriction, and environmental destruction. It also includes themes of religious trauma, prosperity gospel, and climate change. Please proceed at your own discretion and take care of yourselves.”

Whew, this title was not joking, it sure was bloody, and this world felt pretty much damned! Dark, indeed, friends, be sure to heed the warnings! From the start, I was invested in Val’s story. (Also I loved their name- Valene, I want to name something that some day!) They were fiercely protective of their sisters, and having lost both parents, were kind of the de facto caretaker in their family. It’s a lot, but how does Val put food on the table? Well, all the murder, you see! Val’s got a lot of secrets, but the one they keep from everyone is that they are The Butcher, which is 100% as stabby as it sounds. Maybe more, really. Val kills, and they do it well, mostly because they have a special ability to… well, it’s kind of teleporting, but more like scattering their molecules was how I imagined it. Anyway, a lot of stuff goes awry and Val finds themself on the run- and in search of their now-kidnapped sisters. They enlist the help from former bestie Orion and former sidekick-turned enemy Dani.

And the whole book is thrilling, because the stakes are very high (plus, you can tell that the author is not one to shy away from brutality, so the stakes stay high throughout). I loved the group that Val ends up on the lam with- it is such a delightful mix of folks that I highly enjoyed. Their interactions broke up the darkness too, which I loved. I was very entertained throughout, and I loved that there were absolutely secrets we the reader are meant to unfurl about the world as the story progresses. I will say, I do wish we’d gotten to know a bit more about the world, though I am glad that we figure out some of it! The ending has me feeling some mixed emotions, but I will say that it certainly fits the story, and gives a satisfying conclusion. If you have read the story, let me know what you think! View Spoiler »Obviously, it fit because Val was more than willing to die for their loved ones. But on the other hand, Val doesn’t get to live, and I felt kind of cheated for them. « Hide Spoiler And if you haven’t, now’s a good time to do so!

Bottom Line: It’s a brutal, dark world that Val lives in, and I enjoyed getting to travel it with them and their family- both blood and found. 

The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu
Published by Tor Books on April 7, 2026
Pages: 240
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

The Subtle Art of Folding Space , is the exhilarating debut science fiction novel from Nebula and Hugo-winning author John Chu channels unhinged physics, generational trauma, and the comfort of really good dim sum. This isn't your usual jaunt through quantum physics.

Ellie’s universe, and this one, is falling apart. Her ailing mother is in a coma; her sister, Chris, accuses her of being insufficiently Chinese between assassination attempts; and a shadowy cabal of engineers is trying to hijack the skunkworks, the machinery that keeps the physics of each universe working the way it’s supposed to.

Daniel, Ellie's cousin, has found an illicit device in the skunkworks—one that keeps Ellie's comatose mother alive while also creating destabilizing bugs in the physics of this universe. It's not a good day.

If she can confront her mother’s legacy and overcome her family’s generational trauma, she just might find a way to preserve the skunkworks and reconcile with her sister…but digging into her family’s past is thornier than it seems, and the secrets she uncovers will force Ellie to choose between her family and the universe itself.

I feel like talking about this one in two parts: what worked (namely, the characters) and what did not (namely, I could not wrap my head around the world). Off we go!

What Worked:

The characters and their stories were excellent. In fact, I am not sure I’d have been compelled to continue, but I really was invested in Ellie’s story, and by extension, Daniel’s. Ellie’s mom is dying, and her sister is a literal menace. Ellie feels so lost and so unmoored, there is no way you don’t feel for her. Daniel is an awesome cousin, and I was so glad that Ellie had someone to count on. And, Daniel brought some great comedic moments to the book which I really appreciated. Oh, and also, food. We do love some food.

I also liked trying to figure out who was wreaking havoc on the universes, and also, why. Ellie is trying to do the right thing by everyone in all universes, which is a lot to put on one’s plate, but some other people are clearly trying to sabotage her at every turn.

What Didn’t: 

Look, I cannot pretend to have understood a blessed thing about this world. I tried, I really did. But it was just… whoosh, over my head. And because of that, I had a hard time following the plot itself, because most of it hinged on some basic understanding of the whole “keeping the universes running smoothly” mechanics. I think some of it was meant to be taken as a “it works because I said so”, or maybe magic, I have no idea, but I am just not a creative enough thinker for that. Also, we mostly talk about the multiverse but don’t actually get to see it in action, and that bummed me out.

Bottom Line:  Great characters, but I felt so confused that I am not totally sure how to feel.

What We Are Seeking by Cameron Reed
Published by Tor Books on April 7, 2026
Pages: 352
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

From Cameron Reed, the acclaimed author of The Fortunate Fall, comes a soaring novel of queer hope and transformation, perfect for readers of Ann Leckie and Amal El-Mohtar.

On the planet Scythia, plants give birth to insects, trees can drag you to your death, and armies of animals graft native plants into human crops.

John Maraintha has been abandoned here, light-years from the peaceful forests that he loves.

The desert is harsh and the people in thrall to a barbaric custom called marriage.

He must find some way to make a life here.

But on Scythia, survival means transformation―and not everyone is willing to accept change.

What We Are Seeking felt a bit like the Donovan series, though… tamer. Quieter, perhaps, and definitely tamer. But the same idea: what happens to people on a new planet with its own life forms when they’re left on this planet for life. Our main character John is from a generation ship, and he definitely did not expect to be spending the remainder of his life on far-flung Scythia, but he finds himself there all the same. The inhabitants of said planet come from two other, more established planets that each have their own functioning rules, mores, and societies. Suffice it to say, those often clash. Add to it that there are all kinds of biological entities, both native to this planet and not, that are wreaking havoc in their daily lives.

While the plant stuff was cool, it wasn’t the most enjoyable part for me, mostly because I think I am bad at picturing stuff like that. Anyway, I was far more invested in the characters and the conflicts. How no matter how much time has past, no matter how far flung into the galaxy human beings find themselves, we cannot help but have the same fights, make the same mistakes over and over again. Groups worrying about other people’s decisions that don’t affect them, using one’s religious beliefs to try to control others, groups thinking they’re inherently superior based on birthplace or language or whatever. The psychology, the humanity of it is so intriguing.

I will say, there were some moments that felt a bit draggy for me, but it was still worth it. That, and the romance bit had me a little… flummoxed? There was a love interest for John that felt very out of left field. He’d had some interesting interactions with several folks who I could have seen being a romantic interest for him, but when he announced who he was in love with, I simply hadn’t gotten that vibe at all. Never did, frankly. But I did enjoy some of the side romances in the book, so at least there’s that!

Bottom Line: New world, same humans.

The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly, Jennifer Marie Thorne
Published by Crown on April 7, 2026
Pages: 368
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley

An immersive, page-turning novel about surviving as a funny woman in the male-dominated world of comedy—and what happens when the most promising female star of her generation disappears.

In the 1980s, women were not supposed to be funny. But when a group of college improv comedians gets the chance to join a new late-night show, it’s Lillian Martin who stands out. The new show was called The Midnight Show and it would air every Friday night, live from New York, and change the landscape of TV and comedy forever.

But first it would change Lillian’s and her friends’ lives. The show is a runaway hit and the cast is thrown into the spotlight. Suddenly, they’re skipping the line at the city’s hottest clubs and posing on the cover of Rolling Stone. Lillian, in particular, seems destined for big things—until one winter night in Lower Manhattan, she vanishes, leaving nothing behind but questions. Was Lillian a victim of her own excesses? Was it a mugging gone wrong? Or could she have been killed by someone in her own inner circle?

Forty years later, Lillian’s disappearance has never been solved. But when a budding journalist looking to examine Lillian’s story from a modern lens begins asking questions, she stirs up decades-old drama—as well as tightly-held secrets some comedy legends would much rather stay buried.

A propulsive story of fame and friendship, The Midnight Show takes readers behind the scenes of the cutthroat world of comedy in 1980s New York and asks if the rush of getting a laugh is all it’s cracked up to be.

As a fan of the history and lore of Saturday Night Live, I was all-in when I heard about the premise of this book. But the truth is, it delivers even more than the real-life SNL history (one of the perks of fiction, eh?) in terms of an excellent mystery as well as some fabulously crafted relationships. The book is told in a series of excerpts from interviews done by up and coming journalist (and failed comedian herself) Madeline with the cast and crew of the eponymous Midnight Show. And obviously, this reviewer appreciates the title of said show even more than most, yeah? (The fictional book about the show, titled It Started At Midnight is even more my favorite, but I digress.)

Anyway, I do not want to give anything away, because this is a big mystery after all! But getting the proverbial band back together to gather their insight on what might have happened to Lillian over forty years ago is epic. Everyone, of course, remembers these early years of their careers and stardom slightly differently, and of course the role Lillian played in each varied by individual. As such, their opinions on what may have happened to her are clouded by their own biases, and perhaps, their own guilt. (And as you can imagine, there are folks who are not nearly guilty enough.)

Truly, I could not put this book down as I flew through the pages to see what we’d uncover about Lillian and her untimely end. I had a few ideas, and some of them ended up being correct, but in a satisfying way. I also loved the commentary on feminism of the time (the late 70s and early 80s were certainly a different time for women, especially in comedy), and how these female pioneers of comedy faced rampant sexism, and how each handled it in vastly different ways.

Bottom Line: Dear Authors, you could very much write more stories in this alt-world, maybe follow the casts from different generations? I’m just saying, I would scoop them up so fast. So. Fast.

Have you read any of these books? Plan to? Let us chat about them!