My first book finished in 2011, and it was an incredible way to start the New Year. Blending medieval legend with Christian mythology, it tells the tale of Prester John, the fabled Christian king-priest who, according to legend, converted and ruled peacefully over most of Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. Except in this version, he got there and it was already an Eden, in which anything planted grows into a tree (books, bulbs, and bodies), inhabited by talking lions, gryphons, and blemmyae.

The language is delicious, densely lyrical, something to really savor. Ms. Valente weaves four storylines with ease, then blends them together so perfectly.... This is a gorgeous book. Read it slowly, and enjoy.