Curdle Creek
By Yvonne Battle-Felton
The setting of Yvonne Battle-Felton’s compelling new novel, CURDLE CREEK (Holt, 292 pp., $27.99), is a quaint, all-Black, separatist community that operates under a stringent population control policy: “One in, one out.” To ensure the safety and cohesion of this tight-knit enclave, residents are bound to participate in various annual rituals, including Moving On, Warding Off, the Calling, and the Running of the Widows.
Osira, a lifelong inhabitant of Curdle Creek, grapples with anxiety regarding her standing within the community, especially after her children defy the town’s rigid rules and flee. The tension escalates when her father’s name is called during a brutal ritual of sacrifice. Instead of acquiescing to his fate, he takes a desperate step and escapes. With her family’s honor at stake, Osira embarks on a perilous journey through different realms, seeking to confront Curdle Creek’s transgressions and restore balance, whatever that may entail.
“Curdle Creek” delves into the profound sacrifices individuals are willing to make for the sake of safety, illuminating how the relinquishment of personal freedom in the name of the collective good can lead to self-destruction. The narrative is rife with power struggles, petty rivalries, and acts of violence committed under the guise of religious fervor, all of which contribute to a stifling and oppressive atmosphere. With sharp dialogue, lyrical prose, and a shocking conclusion, this novel offers a masterful exploration of humanity’s darkest monsters: one another.
Nether Station
By Kevin J. Anderson
Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn! The call of the Cthulhu mythos resonates strongly in Kevin J. Anderson’s latest offering, NETHER STATION (Blackstone, 308 pp., $27.99), a thrilling blend of science fiction and cosmic horror that pays homage to the legendary H.P. Lovecraft.
The protagonist, Cammie Skoura, is a neurodivergent astrophysicist passionate about unraveling the mysteries of wormholes. For years, she and her professor have dedicated their efforts to studying a particularly enigmatic wormhole known as Nether. However, the stakes rise dramatically when they lose a critical research probe, forcing them to abandon the ambitious project amid the chaos.