First published in Cinders Magazine Volume one Issue Six

Cormoran Strike Series

What with the BBC’s recent release of Strike: The Cuckcoo’s Calling and Strike: The Silkworm, we decided to revisit JK Rowling’s fantastic detective series. Writing as Robert Galbraith the series follows veteran private detective Cormoran Strike and his intelligent partner, Robin Ellacott. Rowling’s talent for whodunnit’s hasn’t lessened since her Harry Potter days, with each of the three books as compelling as the adventures of the boy wizard. However, their true shining star is the kind-hearted genius that is Robin Ellacott. Resourceful and brave, Robin is the girl that you want to be and the girl, you want to be your friend. The books follow Robin’s journey from temp to partner in the business, and it’s her story that keeps me reading on. There hasn’t been much news about the next book in the series, Lethal White, but that doesn’t make us any less excited.

Jane by Aline Brosh McKenna and Roman K. Perez

We don’t need to tell you in Cinders that we are big fans of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend writer, Aline Brosh McKenna, so when we heard that she was writing the script for a graphic novel adaptation of Jane Eyre, we were definitely onboard. And boy does it not disappoint. Given a modern setting, we meet Jane Eyre, a young woman who just wants to get to art school in New York. However in order to make her dreams a reality, she needs to take a position as a nanny to pay her way. Roman K. Perez’ art is wonderful in the book, beginning in black and white and – just like the Wizard of Oz – only becoming colour when Jane reaches New York. Even if graphic novels aren’t your thing, if you’re a Charlotte Bronte fan, we think that this book will be one for you.

Wild Beauty by Anna Marie McLemore

Anna Marie McLemore is becoming a big name in the magical realism genre, and with the release of her third novel, Wild Beauty; it’s easy to see why. The book is filled with lush, magnetic prose that you just can’t tear yourself away from. It follows the Nomeolvides family, the women who tend the gardens at La Pradera, who are cursed that every man they will ever love eventually disappears. That is, until the garden gives them a mysterious boy back. Knowing nothing but the first three letters of his name, he must use the girls help to figure out the mystery of who he is. An enchanting, and surprising read.