Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




2011 Best of Fiction: Debut Titles


Cover art for THE NIGHT CIRCUS
FICTION
Released: Sept. 13, 2011

"Likely to be a big book—and, soon, a big movie, with all the franchise trimmings."
Self-assured, entertaining debut novel that blends genres and crosses continents in quest of magic. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ART OF FIELDING
FICTION
Released: Sept. 7, 2011

"A promising debut--and one guaranteed to draw attention, for it commanded an unusually big advance and will likely be pushed accordingly. Stay tuned."
An amiable, Middle American, baseball-centric coming-of-age tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for WE THE ANIMALS
FICTION
Released: Sept. 2, 2011

"Upon finishing, readers might be tempted to start again, not wanting to let it go."
An exquisitely crafted debut novel--subtle, shimmering and emotionally devastating. Read full book review >
Cover art for THIS BURNS MY HEART
FICTION
Released: July 12, 2011

"Protagonist Soo-Ja's story will enthrall in this first-rate literary effort."
A captivating debut novel from Chicago-based author Park. Read full book review >
Cover art for PARTITIONS
FICTION
Released: June 21, 2011

"Written with piercing beauty, alive with moral passion and sorrowful insight--a rueful masterpiece."
In his magnificent first novel, poet Majmudar (O°, O°, 2009) embodies the terrible days following the partition of India and Pakistan in the stories of four refugees from sectarian violence. Read full book review >
Cover art for BUZZ ALDRIN, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN ALL THE CONFUSION?
FICTION
Released: June 7, 2011
by Johan Harstad, translated by Deborah Dawkin

"A modern saga of rocketships, ice floes and dreams of the Caribbean, and great fun to read."
Or, the long-awaited Great Faroese Novel: a splendid confusion about life, love and intrigues in the land of the midnight sun. Read full book review >