Lucien by J.R. Thornton, Harper Perennial, $18.99, 320 pages
Lucien by J.R. Thornton is a darkly compelling and exquisitely crafted psychological thriller that examines ambition, class, and the dangers of blind admiration. Through the eyes of Christopher “Atlas” Novotny, a gifted but vulnerable artist, readers are drawn into the intoxicating world of his wealthy, enigmatic Harvard roommate, Lucien Orsini-Conti. Thornton expertly balances tension, character study, and suspense, showing how charisma can mask manipulation and darkness. With sharp social observation, richly drawn characters, and escalating stakes, the novel is a riveting exploration of identity, desire, and moral compromise. Lucien is addictive, sophisticated, and hauntingly unforgettable, perfect for fans of literary thrillers.
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Absence by Andrew Dana Hudson, Soho Press, $29.00, 448 pages
In this gripping, genre-blending debut, Andrew Dana Hudson imagines a world unraveling under the mysterious epidemic of Spontaneous Human Absence, where people vanish without explanation and society teeters on the brink of despair. Rookie agents Harvey Ellis and Shonda Erins are dispatched to Dawnville, Kansas, to investigate a woman claiming to have returned from disappearance. In Absence, Hudson expertly explores questions of truth, hope, and survival, weaving speculative fiction, psychological insight, and suspense into a vividly realized narrative. The result is a haunting, emotionally resonant story that lingers long after the final page.
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Amanda Rizkalla’s Hungered is a haunting and beautifully rendered debut that immerses readers in the fragile, moving world of twelve-year-old Sofia. Living in a car with her mother and younger brother, Sofia navigates a childhood shaped by uncertainty, fleeting comforts, and the small joys that punctuate a life on the margins. Rizkalla’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing both the tenderness and cruelty of family, the yearning for stability, and the struggle to claim identity amid displacement. With its deeply felt characters and emotional resonance, Hungered is a striking, unforgettable exploration of survival, memory, and the search for home in all its forms.
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The Wish by Heather Morris, Harper Perennial, $18.99, 320 pages
Heather Morris’s The Wish is a deeply moving and heartfelt contemporary novel that explores connection, compassion, and the fleeting beauty of life. When fifteen-year-old Jesse makes a simple yet profound wish for a virtual experience capturing her life, it sets her on a journey of unexpected friendship with Alex, a solitary virtual reality designer. Morris’s signature empathy shines through as she crafts nuanced, emotionally rich characters whose struggles and joys feel immediate and real. Balancing heartbreak with hope, The Wish is a tender, unforgettable story about love, human connection, and the ways small acts can leave a lasting impact on the world around us.
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My Lover, the Rabbi by Wayne Koestenbaum, FSG Originals, $19.00, 464 pages
Wayne Koestenbaum’s My Lover, the Rabbi is a bold, witty, and intellectually rich exploration of desire, faith, and the complexities of love. With his signature lyricism and sharp observational voice, Koestenbaum crafts a narrative that is at once playful, provocative, and deeply reflective. The story delves into the tension between sacred tradition and personal longing, as the narrator navigates an unconventional, charged relationship that challenges both emotional and spiritual boundaries. Poetic, humorous, and intellectually engaging, My Lover, the Rabbi offers readers a daring meditation on intimacy, identity, and the contradictions of the human heart, leaving a lingering impression long after the final page.
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