Are you looking for something with a bit more magic or mystery for your summer reading? Come find out the new and classic books and manga that Kmuse thinks might be the perfect distraction from reality.

The Book that Takes World Building to the Next Level

Ordinary Monsters by JM Miro

If you are looking for the next big fantasy series, then check out Ordinary Monsters. From the United States to Victorian London and Scotland, Ordinary Monsters creates an alternate world where children possessing “talents” are used in a game of life and death. The world-building was brilliant, and the intricate story where you don’t know friend from foe was filled with creative twists. I look forward to reading the next in the series and highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

(You can purchase Ordinary Monsters with our Amazon Affiliate link here — https://amzn.to/3brtC80 — and help support the blog! Disclaimer in sidebar.)

The Book With the Plot Twists

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

The Woman in the Library was a brilliantly written mystery, and I was shocked at how many times the narrative twists and turns surprised me. What looks on the surface to be straightforward find-the-killer mystery slowly becomes a multi-mystery narrative about writers, their muses, and how real life can be scarier than fiction. I highly recommend giving this book a chance to hook you, just as it hooked me.

(You can purchase The Woman in the Library with our Amazon Affiliate link here — https://amzn.to/3A5kMHn — and help support the blog! Disclaimer in sidebar.)

(Re)Discovering a classic

Death Note

This was actually a recommendation from my awesome co-blogger Karie The Maknae, but I was so happy she reminded me about this series. Not only was Death Note one of the first Mangas I read way back when, it remains one of my favorites.

The series centers around a high school student (Light Yagami) who discovers a supernatural notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing the victim’s name while picturing their face. Starting off with the idea of making sure justice is served, Light quickly shifts to a ruthless vigilante whose moral code goes off-kilter. Not only are the illustrations brilliant, but the story will leave you thinking about these characters in years to come.

(You can support the blog by using our Amazon affiliate link to purchase Death Note (see disclaimer in sidebar): https://amzn.to/3lYakc6)

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Til the next turn of the page,

Kmuse

Dramas With a Side of Kimchi