Garth Nix, you've done it again!

After meeting her father, Susan Arkshaw is determined to live a somewhat everyday life as an art student. No Old World monsters, minimal contact with the booksellers (except for Merlin), and no exploring the steady rise of her new abilities. She is now an average person, except for the fact, there is a serial killer who has targeted her.

Just as expansive and detailed as the first book, The Sinister Booksellers of Bath returns readers to an alternative London where a secret society of booksellers keeps watch on mythical monsters and wonders. Wonderfully evocative of other fantasies, like with Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising; Nix is a seasoned author who knows how to construct finely-detailed worlds right down to what the characters like to read. The setting is still in the 80s, adding a specific liminal feeling. Swords and Doc Martins, complicated rituals and clunky desktop computers... Susan's world feels almost solid enough to take a step inside and explore.

Mainly, I loved reading about Susan's struggles with accepting her new role. She is the daughter of an Ancient Sovereign, which puts her in an unusual position as well as an unknown future with Merlin. The Old World needs her, and the booksellers tolerate her, but what does Susan want? Maybe a nice cup of tea with her ridiculously charming (and genderfluid) boyfriend as they explore more of the underground art scene together.

An excellent addition to the series with long-term potential for more books!

NetGalley/HarperCollins provided me with an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Someone once said that teen and young adult novels are just books that are good to read, and this latest from Garth Nix is no exception. The left- (and right-) handed booksellers are in Bath sorting through some old books when Merlin gets trapped by a mystical map. The ensuing rescue brings to light a previously unknown supernatural serial killer, and begins to waken Susan's latent powers. Read this in a day, it was that fun to read!

Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

My dearly beloved fellow Nix Nuts,

Another fantastic outing by our Literary Lord and Master!

I don't remember if I ever bothered to read the description of this one before crawling into it, so I believed that the title referred to evil Booksellers at first, rather than just being a synonym of "left-handed". Ooops! The real story is more interesting, though, I believe, and I am ready for Susan's next adventure.

If you can't get an ARC, don't worry...I promise it'll be worth the wait until March.

Thanks, Netgalley!

~ Dayanara

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath continues the introduction of Susan Arkshaw to the incredible mythical layer of the England she’s always known. Thanks to NetGalley, I read an advanced copy of this novel. In Garth Nix’s first book of the series, as well as in his Old Kingdom series, it’s amusing to see how normal people react when faced with magic they don’t understand. I happily found that wonderful touch in this novel as well.
This is an enjoyable read, romping in and out of our world, with colorful characters and a love for books. Unfortunately, the stakes don’t feel high enough. Yes, Susan has a deadly enemy, but she also has more protectors than even she can keep track of. It’s hard to feel concerned for her safety or that she wants to be left alone, something even she realizes won’t happen.
I give this four stars and recommend it for those who have read The Left-Handed Booksellers of London.