Miriam Cortinovis

In general, Miriam is eagerly looking for everything and anything speculative across most age ranges (Adult, New Adult, Young Adult, and Upper Middle Grade).

For Fantasy, Miriam seeks intersectional diverse stories ripe with unique magic, immersive atmosphere, and memorable characters, especially from BIPOC and/or LGBTQAI+ perspectives. In both Adult and Young Adult, they hunger in particular for romantic queer fantasies like THE MAIDEN AND HER MONSTER, A TREACHERY OF SWANS, and A DARK AND DROWNING TIDE—although a romantic plotline is never a requirement for their list. They’re not impartial to a good multiverse/portal story (see their beloved A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC or VOIDWALKER), fairytale-tainted quests (SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN), epic-leaning series the likes of PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE and THE JASMINE THRONE, quieter, elegant settings—particularly if Catholic-inspired (THE SACRED SPACE BETWEEN)—and outrageous genre-blenders (ROAD TO RUIN). Of recent, they’d love to find something horror-adjacent that excites them as much as THE STARVING SAINTS.

That being said, Miriam also would love to see fantasy stories set in our world, whether through an urban feel like LEGENDBORN, a small-town undertone like STARLING HOUSE, a paranormal allure like IMMORTAL DARK, a sentient dark setting like TOGETHER WE ROT, and a historical perspective like VESUVIUS or THE SPIRIT BARES ITS TEETH.

While for upper middle-grade Miriam leans more toward the speculative side of things, (WITCHLINGS, ARU SHAH, and GHOST SCOUT’S HONOR) they’re also eager to find authentic contemporary stories that, in particular, discuss grief, home, moving places, losing friends, or disability/chronic illness (themes that apply to their list overall).

For Science Fiction, Miriam is eager to have their brains teased and blown. Though no book in their heart will ever compare, they won’t stop chasing the perfect companion to GIDEON THE NINTH. They’d love space shenanigans (SOME DESPERATE GLORY), heist dystopias (HAMMAJANG LUCK), capitalist critique (METAL FROM HEAVEN), and AI that surpasses our current understanding (ANCILLARY JUSTICE or THE ARCHIVE UNDYING).

In addition, Miriam takes an interest in Young Adult Contemporary novels that draw on their fascination with American high school from immigrant perspectives and with summer camps/adventures, in the veins of SMASH OR PASS. They’re also looking for queer YA Horror & Thriller the likes of WHAT THE WOODS TOOK and THEY BLOOM AT NIGHT.