“Scrooge’s decades of avariciousness were well known in London. Only time and concerted effort would erase that reputation.” The novel, After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, by Beth Ford leads us through the life of Scrooge after he has his change of heart, having learnt of his fate if he continued on with his miserly and covetous life. Ford artfully leads us through the honest reactions of Scrooge’s closest confidants and family, questioning how much a person that intends to change overnight can expect others to simply accept and trust this sudden transformation in character. The novel explores the effects of Scrooge’s actions as he attempts to rectify his many wrongs, even delving into considerations of Scrooge’s mental faculties as he touts the visit from three ghosts.

“All the great thinkers were predictors, Marz, Darwin, Nietzche, and in a way they all predicted the same thing—perfection. . . The history of humanity was the history of continual improvement.” The novel, The Echo Dies, by Roger Teichmann leads us through the later life of its central character, Julius Durward, as he visits the French town of Uzès with its many facets of history. As is telling in a well-lived life, Julius reflects on his many regrets, growing frustrated by lapses in his memory. However, through the perspective of other characters, we learn of Julius’s impact, including that of his successful book, Pandora’s Mirror. The Echo Dies vividly explores a broad array of relationships and the lingering impact of past decisions with the use of vibrant language to delve into the novel’s deeper themes

“It was time to choose humanity or isolation.” The novel, The Last Toll Collector, by S.S. Turner leads us through the struggles of the central character, Valerie Tobruk, as she attempts to establish her place in a society that only seeks to expand its growing reliance on AI, removing her perceived value. Through her efforts to discover purpose by traveling to Iceland and then seeking further isolation within the country, she inadvertently establishes a society in an abandoned factory in the remote land of the Westfjords. As Valarie maneuvers through the political minefield of personalities that arrive to call the budding nation, Tobruk, home, we observe the powerful emotional depth to Valarie’s strength through these interactions, revealing a longing for connection and understanding.

“To never lose her voice, or her freedom, or herself. Never again.” With these words, the novel, The Cracks We See Through, by Rebecca Miles Henson leads us through a dystopian society in which ongoing conflict and disasters have led to the rise of women in power in large sects of the population. Through the perspectives of two women, Niamh and Anya, who find themselves dealing with personal struggles and external discord in differing situations, we begin to understand the experience and toll that this new society has placed on these individuals and those they encounter in their strife. Through noble intentions and lofty goals, this novel explores the issues and exploitation that may arise when any sect of society is given full control over others. There is a powerful emotional depth to the story, all the while ensuring the narrative stays grounded in the core themes being explored.