The Labyrinth of Waking Dreams by Michelle Kulwicki

Published April 21, 2026 from Page Street YA

1: What type of weeds, if you don't mind saying?

2: A nice image, but the rhyme is a little awkward.

3: I’m a fan of interesting plant behavior, but does the flower have a name?

4: A weird description, I’d usually say that you lift a camera to your eye.

 

1: I like the idea of a camera lens that can reveal magic. But if he’s looking through the peephole, he’s not actually seeing through the lens.

2: Nice description.

 

1: Does it take expertise to press a button on a camera?

2: Unless camera technology developed much faster in this world, I don’t think this particular camera could be centuries old.

3: I like this imagery.

4: I don’t mind an occasional one-sentence paragraph for effect, but four of them in a row seems excessive.

 

1: What does it mean to drop something hard?

2: Awkward phrasing, it feels like there’s a disconnect before and after the comma.

Verdict: It’s not quite drawing me in.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

Published April 14, 2026 from Hanover Square Press

This is an excellent opening. The descriptions of the house have texture and depth.

 

1: This is a very evocative image.

2: A fun way to introduce a character.

 

The detached and clinical language for this memory is terrifying.

 

Some very effective character details.

 

My interest is certainly piqued.

Verdict: I want to read this book right now.

The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu

Published April 7, 2026 from Tor Books

1: It’s a little awkward the way the dialogue leads into the rest of the sentence.

2: Reading the words “squawks” and “catches” back-to-back feels kind of jarring.

3: Not sure about the coherence of the metaphor, but points for originality.

1: Some nice character insight for her and her sister.

2: This reads awkwardly, with two worldbuilding terms and then a verb that’s kind of just floating there.

1: I like how it gives an immersive view of the platform, but I’m not getting a strong image of the people it’s describing. Also, is self-possession something that you wear?

2: I think it could be clearer what caused the woman to drop her luggage.

1: Repeated word choice.

2: This is a fun characterization.

3: Different from what?

4: Unclear if “this” refers to her sister making death threats, possessing other people, or just talking down to her.

Verdict: Some nice ideas but it’s not drawing me in.

The Geomagician by Jennifer Mandula

Published March 31, 2026 from Del Rey

I’m always happy to start out with a lecture about fossils.

 

1: Blasphemy.

2: I’m a little concerned about her business model.

3: A solid character detail.

4: I’m not getting a strong image of the layout of the store.

 

1: A nice character-establishing anecdote.

2: Seems unsanitary.

3: Sounds like she might have gotten ripped off.

4: Yeah, she definitely got ripped off.

 

1: The interaction feels a bit thin. The dialogue and descriptions aren’t indicating much about their characters.

2: I’m not finding the descriptions very evocative.

3: I like the off-hand reference to how magic works.

Verdict: An interesting setup but the writing feels distant.