Old Firehouse Books suggests tales of mystery and fantasy

Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from book stores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins recommends NAMES OF BOOKS HERE.

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From the publisher:  “The Crucible” meets “The Virgin Suicides” in this haunting debut about five sisters in a small village in 18th century England whose neighbors are convinced they’re turning into dogs. Even before the rumors about the Mansfield girls begin, Little Nettlebed is a village steeped in the uncanny, from strange creatures that wash up on the riverbed to portentous ravens gathering on the roofs of people about to die. But when the villagers start to hear barking, and when one claims to see the Mansfield sisters transform before his very eyes, the allegations spark fascination and fear like nothing has before.

Belief in witchcraft is waning but an aversion to difference is as widespread as ever, and these conflicting narratives all point to the same ultimate conclusion: something isn’t right in Little Nettlebed, and the sisters will be the ones to pay for it.

From Teresa, bookkeeper: Set in England in the 1800s, you are introduced to the five Mansfield girls through the eyes of other people in the small town of Little Nettlebed.  The girls keep to themselves, don’t try to make friends and seem to think they are better than everyone else. Pretty soon a rumor spreads of the girls turning into wild dogs and then all bets are off; the entire town becomes obsessed with the girls and all the truly terrible things they have done or will do if they aren’t controlled.

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From the publisher: They stole his crown. So he stole their daughter….

For years, Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm. Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge. She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

From Revati, store manager: I am continuing to love L.J. Andrews! “The Ever King” is the perfect blend of magic, romance, action and spice. Very pirate vibes. The second book for this duology, “The Ever Queen” is also available so you don’t have to wait to finish the story.

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From the publisher: Set against the backdrop of the plague-ridden city of Elendhaven, clinging to the edge of the ocean and stripped of all hope, you’ll find a tale of retribution, magic, and monstrosity.

In the deep shadows of this forsaken city dwells a monster. With a soul as icy as it is cunning, it weaves its hands around throats, immune from the grips of death. A puppet to its fragile master who sends it on perilous errands, it becomes a weapon in a scheme too horrible to name. As the bond between the master and the monster tightens, a catastrophic revenge plan is formed.

These monsters of Elendhaven will have their revenge on everyone who wronged the city, even if they have to burn the world to do it.

From  Zane, bookseller: Here’s a little dip into dirty, grimy, industrial madness for anyone who sees a muddy puddle and thinks dark, disturbing, cozy thoughts. Geisbrecht slips you into the mind of a monster slinking the streets of a cold, plague-ridden city as he slowly finds out what he really is, real good stuff for inviting the spooky season, or indulging your yearly spooky existence. Dark, funny, and also (this one is important for me personally) very good.

Type of Story: Review

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