British Author Challenge August 2025: Emily Tesh & Alex Wheatle

I discovered Emily Tesh when tor.com had Silver in the Wood for free; I enjoyed it so much that I immediately bought the sequel. I decided to feature her because her fourth book, The Incandescent, was published this year.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Tesh

Works
Greenhollow Duology
Some Desperate Glory
The Incandescent

Alex Wheatle came on my radar when I was searching for 21st century British authors; I've never read any of his books, but his life sounded fascinating. Sadly, he died of cancer back in March.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Wheatle

Selected Works
Crongton
Brixton Rock
The Dirty South
Island Songs
Kemosha of the Caribbean
Sufferah: The Memoir of a Brixton Reggae-Head

>1 amanda4242: I read Silver in the Wood when it was free, too, and I also really liked it so am happy to read more by Emily Tesh.

>3 Kristelh: Glad you like the selection! I'm planning on reading The Incandescent, but hope to re-read the Greenhollow Duology, too.

>1 amanda4242: I will for sure be reading Some Desperate Glory in August. Beyond that, I am not sure.

>5 alcottacre: I have that one on the shelf, but it's not calling to me at the moment.

>6 amanda4242: I have to go with what is available from my local library in this case and Some Desperate Glory is the only book that they have from either of this month's authors.

>7 alcottacre: Library availability (or lack thereof) is why I'll be reading Wheatle's Kemosha of the Caribbean.

I have nothing by Tesh but I am hopeful that the bookstore has Some Desperate Glory.

I will read Home Boys for my Alex Wheatle read.

>8 amanda4242: I hope it turns out to be a good read for you, Amanda!

>9 PaulCranswick: Fingers crossed for Some Desperate Glory, Paul!

Reactor has chapter one of The Incandescent, a long excerpt from Silver in the Wood, and the first three chapters of Some Desperate Glory posted if anyone wants to try before they buy.

The Incandescent Chapter One

Silver in the Wood excerpt

Some Desperate Glory Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three

>8 amanda4242: I like that too

Kemosha of the Caribbean by Alex Wheatle

My most generous thought about this book is that Wheatle must have really skimped on the research. His 17th century Jamaica is very poorly rendered and, at times, downright anachronistic. The characters are not well-written and their actions frequently put them in the too stupid to live category. All in all, it's a cool idea that was very badly executed.

I'm reading and enjoying Some Desperate Glory at present.

>14 avatiakh: I just started The Incandescent and am liking it. It's not a comedy, but there's a strain of wicked humor in it I find appealing.

>14 avatiakh: I finished that one today and I enjoyed it too.

Thanks, Amanda, for introducing another new-to-me author whose books I will have to be on the lookout for.

>16 alcottacre: Glad you enjoyed it! Half the fun of these challenges is finding new works to love.

>16 alcottacre: I finished Some desperate glory last night and had struggled with the different parts but overall enjoyed the book. I have The Incandescent on my tbr pile and look forward to trying her fantasy later in the year.

I read Cane Warriors. The subject matter is difficult and the conversations between characters are in dialect so it was a challenging read. I thought it was worth the effort.

The September thread is up!

https://www.librarything.com/topic/373448

>1 amanda4242: I read Silver in the Wood in August and have finally posted my review. I, too, got it when Tor.com offered it for free but this is the first time I've read it. I really enjoyed it - thanks for the nudge!