DREAMING OF THE ULTIMATE TRANSPLANT, a respected neurosurgeon journeys from the Vatican to the Soviet Union in search of a way to transfer brains—and, in his belief, souls—from body to body. Fascinating true story, well reported. B PLUS

MR. HUMBLE AND DR. BUTCHER
Simon & Schuster
2021

INTRIGUING IRISH MYSTERY with a touch of the Gothic revolves around a missing student and her art teacher. Thoughtful, spooky, resonant. SOLID B

THE TEMPLE HOUSE VANISHING
Algonquin Books
2021

HUMANS VERSUS ANDROIDS in a clever near-future thriller. Outstanding worldbuilding with a few touches of political commentary, but above all a suspenseful read. B PLUS

THEY NAMED HIM PRIMO (PRIMO'S WAR BOOK 1)
Jaka Tomc
2021

A CRYPTIC, BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED alternate history of a world where an elaborate, masterful game is played in a secluded mountain academy—while in the capital city below, the government grows increasingly corrupt. SOLID B for me; might be someone else’s A.

THE BETRAYALS
William Morrow
2021

HYPERSLEEK THRILLER PITS a small group of disaffected techies against the colossus of social media. Sharp satire and high-stakes action. B PLUS

VERSION ZERO
G.P. Putnam's Sons
2021

A SMALL-TOWN ARIZONA APOCALYPSE has an around-the-world reach. Crackling, fast-paced horror tale with stylish, cinematic flair. B PLUS

THUNDER, AZ
Abandoned House
2021

A DISASTER TRAVEL AGENT heads off to an isolated island nation and finds different crises than she had expected. Both a tense thriller and a thoughtful parable about tourism and exploitation. A MINUS

THE DISASTER TOURIST
Counterpoint
2020

THE DANGEROUS TERRITORY OF GIRLHOOD, and of femaleness in general, mapped expertly by Melissa Febos. Memoir, reportage, and analysis merge in a powerful examination of gendered existence. A MINUS

GIRLHOOD
Bloomsbury Publishing
2021

LOKI SPEAKS! AFTER nine centuries of exile on Earth, the mischief maker is once more entangled in the conflict between Asgard and Jotunheim. Can he avert a second Ragnarok? Clever, action-filled riff on classic Norse mythology. A MINUS

MISCHIEF MAKER: A NORSE MYTHOLOGY CONTEMPORARY FANTASY
Craig Martelle, Inc
2021

COMPELLING, CREEPY NEAR-FUTURE science fiction tale is a thoughtful parable of the sacrifices we all make to survive. Strong characterization and a believably desolate tomorrow. B PLUS

COMPOSITE CREATURES
Angry Robot
2021