Winter is still going strong here in the UK and shows no sign of loosening its grip anytime soon, so here are some books to keep you company during these drizzly February days.
Fantasy
The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon
The fifth splendid instalment in Shannon’s bestselling Bone Season series sees Paige Mahoney, suffering from partial memory loss, make a discovery in Venice that might change the course of the war between humans and immortals.
Cursebound by Saara El-Arifi
The sequel to El-Arifi’s entrancing Faebound finds the sisters desperate to unite their two worlds as the Queen of the Fae threatens war and destruction on her realm, forcing them to each make difficult decisions to ensure their survival.
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett
The latest enchanting instalment in the Emily Wilde series sees our eponymous cantankerous dryadologist set herself up as a fully-fledged faerie queen while trying to battle an evil stepmother’s curse.
Fiction
Sycorax by Nydia Hetherington
A beautiful and deeply moving origin story, the acclaimed author’s latest novel follows the eponymous outcast sorceress from Shakespeare’s Tempest as she finds herself in the eye of a terrible storm.
The Cafe with No Name by Robert Seethaler, translated by Katy Derbyshire
This English translation of the international bestselling novel explores community and quiet everyday heroism through the lively encounters in a small cafe at the heart of 1960s Vienna.
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
From the bestselling author of Weyward, comes a haunting tale about murder, misogyny, mystery, and the bond between sisters, set in a small, sea-soaked coastal town.
History
The Lives of the Caesars by Tom Holland
From the Sunday Times-bestselling author Tom Holland, comes a powerful translation of Seutonius’ acclaimed biography, a mesmerising, immersive and enduring depictions of how Ancient Rome was ruled.
The Mercian Chronicles: King Offa and the Birth of the Anglo-Saxon State, AD 630–918 by Max Adams
From the author of The First Kingdom, comes a riveting historical account focusing on the formidable power and patronage of its two greatest rulers, Ethelbald and Offa, during the eighth-century in the kingdom of Mercia.
The Far Edges of the Known World by Dr Owen Rees
With detailed and meticulous research, Rees’ revisionist history of the ancient world explores the previously neglected caravan routes of Morocco to the Red River valley of Vietnam, and why civilisation may have been thriving where we least expect it.
Science
The Meteorites: Encounters with Outer Space and Deep Time by Helen Gordon
Helen Gordon delves into the rich history of meteorites, illustrating Earth’s profound connection to these celestial visitors, and reveals how these space rocks offer remarkable scientific insights and underscore the delicate nature of life on our planet.
Under a Metal Sky: A Journey Through Minerals, Greed and Wonder by Philip Marsden
Beginning in Cornwall, renowned for its rich geological history, Marsden traverses Europe, delving into the profound impact of substances like ochre, tin, and gold on human progress, illuminating how these materials have shaped our art, science, and culture.
Crime & Thrillers
Little Red Death by A.K. Benedict
In this captivating standalone mystery, DI Lyla Rondell investigates a spate of killings based on classic fairy tales, but she finds herself caught up in the killer’s web.
The Stolen Heart by Andrey Kurkov, translated by Boris Dralyuk
The enrapturing sequel to The Silver Bone throws readers back into the heart of Kyiv as Samson Kolechko contends with striking railway workers, a deadly tram accident and the deceptively complex case of meat selling.
Comment below which book you’re looking forward to reading this month, and if you’ll be adding any of these to your reading list!
The Ink Thief 