BookCase.Club is a monthly book subscription box offering different genres: Children’s, Young Adult, Mystery/Thriller, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance, and Historical/New Age/Contemporary Fiction. Each box contains 2 hand-picked books, except for the Children’s box which includes 3 books. It costs $9.99 per month, making it one of the most inexpensive book subscriptions out there.
This is the Strange Worlds Case, which is all about Sci-Fi/Fantasy.
DEAL: Save 50% on your first month! Use coupon code HELLOSUB501M. OR Get 10% off your entire order! Use coupon code HELLOSUB10.
When you sign up, you’ll pick the genre.
This month’s Strange Worlds book picks are Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory and Through Darkest Europe by Harry Turtledove.
Everything in my box!
Through Darkest Europe by Harry Turtledove ($14.89)
From the modern master of alternate history and New York Times best-selling author Harry Turtledove, Through Darkest Europe envisions a world dominated by a prosperous and democratic Middle East and under threat from the world’s worst trouble spot.
Senior investigator Khalid al-Zarzisi is a modern man, a product of the unsurpassed educational systems of North Africa and the Middle East. Liberal, tolerant, and, above all, rich, the countries and cultures of North Africa and the Middle East have dominated the globe for centuries, from the Far East to the young nations of the Sunset Lands.
But one region has festered for decades: Europe, whose despots and monarchs can barely contain the simmering anger of their people. From Ireland to Scandinavia and Italy to Spain, European fundemantalists have carried out assassinations, hijackings, and bombings on their own soil and elsewhere. Extremist fundamentalist leaders have begun calling for a “crusade”, an obscure term from the mists of European history.
Now, Khalid has been sent to Rome, ground zero of backwater discontent. He and his partner Dawud have been tasked with figuring out how to protect the tinpot Grand Duke, the impoverished Pope, and the overall status quo, before European instability starts overflowing into the First World.
Then the bombs start to go off.
This book would make a great read for fans of science fiction and speculative fiction!
The story synopsis is printed on the flap of the dust jacket.
Set in the 21st century, this book shows an alternate universe where the standing of Islamic and Christian countries are interchanged.
This is an interesting read. It may be slow in the beginning, but it makes up for it on the second half. The strength of the novel is in the world building and the way the author brings depth to the characters!
Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory ($10)
Teddy Telemachus is a charming con man with a gift for sleight of hand and some shady underground associates. In need of cash, he tricks his way into a classified government study about telekinesis and its possible role in intelligence gathering. There he meets Maureen McKinnon, and it’s not just her piercing blue eyes that leave Teddy forever charmed but her mind – Maureen is a genuine psychic of immense and mysterious power. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry, have three gifted children, and become the Amazing Telemachus Family, performing astounding feats across the country. Irene is a human lie detector. Frankie can move objects with his mind. And Buddy, the youngest, can see the future. Then one night tragedy leaves the family shattered.
Decades later the Telemachuses are not so amazing. Irene is a single mom whose ear for truth makes it hard to hold down a job, much less hold together a relationship. Frankie’s in serious debt to his dad’s old mob associates. Buddy has completely withdrawn into himself and inexplicably begun digging a hole in the backyard. To make matters worse, the CIA has come knocking, looking to see if there’s any magic left in the Telemachus clan. And there is: Irene’s son Matty has just had his first out-of-body experience. But he hasn’t told anyone, even though his newfound talent might just be what his family needs to save themselves – if it doesn’t tear them apart in the process.
Harnessing the imaginative powers that have made him a master storyteller, Daryl Gregory delivers a stunning, laugh-out-loud new novel about a family of gifted dreamers and the invisible forces that bind us all.
The back cover has brief reviews of the book from other authors.
It’s another piece of science fiction, with some elements of paranormal and magical realism.
The story follows the Telemachus family, a family where some of the members have actual psychic powers.
I had a really great time reading this book and I love how each of the characters stand very well on their own. I laughed so hard when Matty first discovered how his psychic powers are triggered!
This book was a fun read. It had lots of twists and turns with a little mystery, some suspense, a bit of romance, and lots of action and adventure! The characters may be a bit dysfunctional but I love them nonetheless. They were great and I like how the author showed us a few insights and back stories through flashbacks.
This month’s titles definitely lived up to the box’s name, which is Strange Worlds! One book offers a peek at an alternative world where Islamic countries are more progressive and European countries are falling back behind, and the other book focuses on a family with psychic powers. Overall, I’m happy with these books, they kept me engaged and they were also wrapped up really well. If you want new books and you love being surprised with titles from your favorite genre, this subscription is for you! What’s great is that they have other genres as well, and you can switch every month, in case you want to spice up your reading list.
Have you tried BookCase.Club? What are you currently reading?
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