Kalyn Josephson is a fantasy writer living in the California Bay Area. She loves books, cats, books with cats, and making up other worlds to live in for a while. The Storm Crow is her debut. Visit her at kalynjosephson.com.
What Wakes the Bells (2025) Elle Tesch "Set in a sentient city built upon the bones of a dead god, What Wakes the Bells is a wonderful exploration of complex family dynamics, self-determination, and first love, all set against the backdrop of an ancient battle generations in the making."
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents (2024) (Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents, book 1) Nicki Pau Preto "The heart, humor, and hijinks of middle grade are at their best in The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents. A story full of found family, magic, and learning to believe in yourself, it's sure to appeal to fans of Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor series."
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog (2024) Mary Averling "Equal parts creepy and magical, The Curse of Eelgrass Bog is a surreal blend of magic and mystery that will leave you feeling as though you've stumbled across an undiscovered world of your own. It had me from page one!"
From Dust, a Flame (2022) Rebecca Podos "From Dust, a Flame speaks to the importance of stories and how they connect us. A spellbinding tale of mystery and magic that explores grief, loss, and how the choices we make can echo across generations, this is the sort of book you'll want to read again the moment you finish."
Fire Becomes Her (2022) Rosiee Thor "A candid exploration of wealth and politics, as well as the ways relationships and people bend and form under society's expectations. Replete with a tightly woven plot, a main character every bit as sharp and eloquent as Thor's writing, and a glittering Roaring Twenties vibe, this book burns brightly."
The City Beautiful (2021) Aden Polydoros "With stark, poignant prose and an endearing main character, The City Beautiful is an entrancing and chilling tale that deftly analyzes complex themes of identity and assimilation. One-part historical fantasy, one-part gothic thriller, this genre-blending story has something for everyone."
What We Devour (2021) Linsey Miller "What We Devour has my new favorite magic system. Miller pulls no punches in a stark examination of class structures and the consequences of conflating worth and wealth set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic fantasy world. With a cunning main character and visceral prose that will leave you haunted, this book is a dark delight."
These Feathered Flames (2021) (These Feathered Flames, book 1) Alexandra Overy "These Feathered Flames is a beautiful story of sisterhood, court intrigue, and ancient magic that simultaneously draws on established folklore and breathes new life into it. With luscious worldbuilding and two skillfully crafted heroines that will ensnare your heart, this book is a fantastic start to a new series!"
The Gilded Ones (2021) (Gilded Ones, book 1) Namina Forna "A poignant examination of patriarchal oppression that ensnares its reader and doesn’t let go. With a compelling main character and fresh magic system, it takes you on a journey of self-discovery through a fantastically built world with a burning mystery at its heart."
