04/01/2021
Lostetter (Noumenon) makes her fantasy debut with this title. In book one of a five-part series, we are introduced to Krona, a soldier in a Europe-coded world, who is present when an exhibition opening is raided and a valuable artifact of terrible power is stolen—it's the death mask of Louis Charbon (a notorious long-dead serial killer). Now Krona is caught up in the search for a gruesome new murderer, who dissects his victims ruthlessly, then arranges their mangled bodies into disturbingly beautiful flower forms—killings in the style of Charbon, who had created an art form known as "Death Is Art." Krona enlists the aid of Thibaut (part-ally, part-aristocratic pain in the ass) in the search for the killer, who is always elusively just out of reach. VERDICT This tale has creative worldbuilding and an intense focus on the psychology of a killer. Its unresolved ending will leave readers either frustrated or eager to tackle the next installment in the series.—Jane Henriksen Baird, formerly at Anchorage P.L., AK
Praise for The Helm of Midnight
"Marina Lostetter brings together a cast of relatable, remarkably human characters across three separate timelines to tell a beautiful story of struggle, loss and, eventually, triumph... Tears, smiles and surprise await any reader that opens this book."—Bookpage, starred review
"The Helm of Midnight transports readers to an intensely unique and creative world, with interwoven secrets and heart-pounding action. Bloody, ambitious, and absolutely riveting."—Andrea Stewart, author of The Bone Shard Daughter
"A mysterious and mind-ripping journey through the mystic depths of time and the darkness of the human psyche." —Matt Wallace, author of the Sin du Jour and Savage Rebellion series
"Beautiful and vicious, The Helm of Midnight will snare you with its intriguing mystery and then enthrall you with its rich characters and inventive world."—Megan E. O'Keefe, author of Velocity Weapon
"An utterly enthralling mystery of magic, masks, and murder. Marina Lostetter weaves together three stories to a stunning conclusion with a skill that will leave you breathless."—K. B. Wagers, author of the Farian War series
"A tense and atmospheric mystery in an inventive fantasy setting, Lostetter weaves three stories of trauma and grief together with skill and suspense to a thrilling conclusion."—Sam Hawke, author of City of Lies
"A firecracker.... What makes this book a captivating read is not merely the tight prose and exquisite use of language to create tension, but the master craft level of world building that offers much more to the fantasy genre than the usual fare. Don’t pass this one by, it’s too good.”—New York Journal of Books
"This tale has creative worldbuilding and an intense focus on the psychology of a killer."—Library Journal
Praise for Noumenon:
“Lostetter expertly balances the thrill of discovery with the interpersonal consequences of an isolated community. The tools of speculative fiction are deployed with heart-rending attention to emotional reality in this enthralling odyssey. A striking adventure story that could hold a galaxy in its scope.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“[An] ambitious and stunning debut...Lostetter handles a complex and fractured narrative masterfully, never allowing her novel to become confusing or unconvincing. There are no easy answers to the book’s questions, but the lingering sense of wonder and discovery thoroughly justifies its title.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Noumenon...offers a dreamlike exploration of evolving societies and the many ways humans can control, fight and love each other.” —The Washington Post