Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Fiction of 2012 (page 3)


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Cover art for ARCADIA
FICTION
Released: March 1, 2012

"A novel of "the invisible tissue of civilization," of "community or freedom," and of the precious fragility of lives in the balance."
An astonishing novel, both in ambition and achievement, filled with revelations that appear inevitable in retrospect, amid the cycle of life and death. Read full book review >
Cover art for POISON FLOWER
FICTION
Released: March 1, 2012

"A tour de force with no room for subtle characterization, complicated moral dilemmas or descriptions of anything that's not instantly material to Jane's job—just an hours-long jolt of pure, adrenaline-fueled plot."
Jane Whitefield's latest attempt to hide someone other people are looking for puts her in even more danger than usual, and that's not easy. Read full book review >
Cover art for KINGDOM COME
FICTION
Released: March 5, 2012

"Ballard writes brilliantly about the nightmarish underside of modern life, and this novel makes us poignantly aware of the loss of his voice. "
Ballard (1930–2009) creates a world reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange and V for Vendetta in this novel of suburban fascism. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
FICTION
Released: March 13, 2012

"With his third featuring brash, breezy, unflappable Carter (Eyes of the Innocent, 2011, etc.), Parks propels himself to a niche shared by only a handful of others: writers who can manage the comedy-mystery."
No one's supposed to hate the girl next door. Read full book review >
Cover art for RIZZO'S DAUGHTER
FICTION
Released: March 13, 2012

"Good cops, bent cops, tormented and demented cops, cops of every description inhabit Rizzo's world, all of them utterly believable and intensely interesting. For readers compiling a short list of crime fiction, here's an essential."
In Manfredo's tender and terrific latest, a burned-out cop can't quit because he's also a devoted dad. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BOOK OF JONAS
FICTION
Released: March 15, 2012

"A literary tour de force."
In Dau's debut fiction, Younis, a perceptive, observant boy in a nameless Central Asian land, is caught up in the war on terror. Read full book review >