From bloodsucking vampires to time travelling humanoids; the best Science Fiction out this month: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab, Kill Them with Kindness by Will Carver, Esperance by Adam Oyebanji
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is available now from the Mail Bookshop
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab (Tor £22, 544pp)
Even as they take blood, vampires are the gift that still keep on giving to the genre of dark romance. Now V. E. Schwab's foray into this fertile world has borne ripe and juicy fruit.
Her new book is imbued with love, lust and yearning – mostly of the sapphic variety – and her take on hidden desires, hunger and corruption puts it up there with the classics of the genre.
From 16th-century Spain to 21st-century America via Venice and London, the plotlines are languorously long, yet strong as sinew and soused in buckets of gore.
Three women, three lives and three living deaths – sink your teeth into it and drink deep.
Kill Them with Kindness by Will Carver (Orenda Books £9.99, 300pp)
It starts with a knockabout dystopian premise: suppose the leaders of the western world decided to consolidate their power by releasing a deadly virus? Then suppose that the immunologist behind it all went rogue and found a bug that made people nice.
Overnight, carnivorous chefs would go vegan, tech bros develop a conscience and the world would be transformed by little acts of kindness.
Suffice to say, no one would put up with that, either.
Carver delights in grimly plausible overlaps with our recent history. It's clever, compelling, funny and it really makes you think: could it yet happen? Or did it happen already?
Esperance is available now from the Mail Bookshop
Esperance by Adam Oyebanji (Arcadia £10.99, 432pp)
Not many books feature time-travelling humanoids that talk like actor George Raft at his most gangsterish.
There's humour here and also good, solid plotting – key characteristics of this clever, intricate, hugely enjoyable story that still packs a real punch.
People are being drowned with seawater – mysteriously and ruthlessly – in inner-city apartments and grand country mansions alike.
After the murderers are a pair of straight-talking cops, a glamorous Amazonian Nigerian with mysterious tech and a charming Bristolian drifter.
Linking them is the Esperance, a 19th-century British sailing ship, whose historical business is very much the point of it all and will keep you gripped and leave you furious.
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The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
James Argent parties with Towie pals at Tommy and Georgia's Majorca wedding after ex Nicoline broke silence on attack
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Who will be at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's wedding? Inside the star-studded guest list
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are set to tie the knot next week in Venice, Italy, and their wedding guest list is shaping up to be one for the ages. The couple has certainly surrounded themselves with some of the world's most famous faces, including Hollywood stars, top moguls, and elite politicians. The wedding is expected to be one of the biggest events of the year, with an estimated cost of $15 million to $20 million. Jeff, Lauren and their immediate families will reportedly stay on the tech entrepreneur's $500 million superyacht Koru. Meanwhile, their star-studded guests - who will be treated to lavish gifts including hand-blown glassware by local glassmaker Laguna B - will be split between five-star hotels Hotel Cipriani and Aman Venice nearby. The guest list is thought to have less than 200 people - so which of their celebrity pals have scored an invite to what is expected to be the wedding of the century? Ahead of their nuptials, FEMAIL has compiled a list of all the celebrities, philanthropists, business leaders, and politicians who have made their way into Jeff and Lauren's inner circle. Here's a good idea of who will likely be in attendance when the billionaire, 61, says 'I do' to the glamorous former news anchor, 55, next week. Celebrities Lauren has formed an elite girl squad over the years, which consists of top businesswomen, actors, singers, and models. Kim Kardashian, 44, has been a steadfast presence in Lauren's inner circle for years, offering consistent support through DMs and lavish joint outings. Lauren and Kim's friendship formed in a rather unconventional way - as the two bonded after they became embroiled in a bidding war over a Balenciaga gown. Years ago, during New York Fashion Week, the two stunners realized they were both going after the same clothing item during an auction at the Kering Foundations' Caring for Women dinner. Both of them were offered gowns in the end, and they jetted off to France together to get fitted - and it was there that their bond really kicked off. Lauren and the Kardashian matriarch, Kris Jenner, 69, have also cultivated a family-like friendship. The pair grew close when Kris joined Kim and Lauren at one of Beyoncé's concerts on the Renaissance tour in 2023. Katy Perry, 40, was one of the six women picked by Lauren's fiancé Jeff to jet off into space with her during the Blue Origin space mission. The singer and her fiancé Orlando Bloom, 48, are close friends with the couple and have been spotted on several holidays together. However, according to TMZ, Orlando is reportedly planning to travel to the Venice wedding without his pop star partner. Sources told the publication that Katy is unable to rearrange her tour dates and will be in Australia when Lauren gets married. Charissa Thompson, 43, a Fox Sports presenter, is also a long-time friend and former coworker of Lauren's. She was also the last person to interview the bride-to-be before she went up to space for those 11 precious minutes. Long-time supportive friend, actress Eva Longoria, 50, will likely also be in attendance. In 2024, Eva and Lauren took part in a joint interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where they spoke about the depth of their friendship. 'You and I constantly have these conversations that inspire each other. Instead of sending each other memes, we send [reports] about the Latin community not being represented in TV and movies and the media,' Eva said to Lauren. 'I know, we send each other white papers. I'll send you a study, and you'll text back, "I already read it,"' Lauren replied. 'You and I both have this huge commitment to empowering underrepresented communities, especially Latinas.' Lauren has been close with Jessica Alba, 43, since long before her romance with Jeff turned her into a massive star. In addition, Lauren has maintained a heartfelt friendship with October Gonzalez - the wife of her ex-partner Tony González, with whom she shares a son, Nikko, 24. Not only has Lauren been on holiday with her former partner and October, 44, numerous times, but she also regularly attends events with the TV personality and they even spent Thanksgiving together last year. So there is a huge chance both will be attending the star-studded wedding; Tony and Lauren separated shortly after Nikko's birth in February 2001. The singer Jewel, 51, might also be making an appearance as well as rock star Mick Jagger, 81, Reality stars Kathy Hilton, 66, and Bachelor vet Lucinda Aragon, 36, as well as actress Xochitl Gomez may also be in attendance. Oprah Winfrey, 71, and fellow Blue Origin astronaut Gayle King, 70, are also reportedly going to be there, per TMZ. Laura Wasserman, who used to be married to Casey Wasserman, the president of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, is also a close friend of the bride. Lauren and Jeff had an engagement party in August 2023 with many famous faces in attendance - and that might be an indication of who got an invite to their wedding. Celebrities at the bash included actors Leonardo DiCaprio, 50, Tobey Maguire, 49, and Andrew Garfield, 41, and also Queen of Jordan Rania Al Abdullah, 54. Top moguls In addition to actors and singers, a bunch of moguls and CEOs are also expected to be at Jeff and Lauren's wedding. Elsa Marie Collins, 45, seems to be one of Lauren's closest friends, as they often travel together - her luxury bachelorette being no exception. She is the co‑founder of the nonprofit This is About Humanity, an organization dedicated to 'raising awareness and funds for separated and reunified families at the US/Mexico border.' Elsa, who is married to former NBA star Jarron Collins, previously revealed to Vogue that Lauren donated $1 million to her organization. 'Lauren wakes up thinking about how to help people,' she gushed. Lauren is also good friends with Veronica Grazer, who is the global strategic advisor for Vintro, a company that 'facilitates business connections around the world by democratizing access to business leaders that matter.' In addition, she seems to be close with attorney Lydia Kives, 37, who is the wife of former talent agent Michael Kives. Last year, Lydia hit headlines when a video of herself dancing with Lauren's fiancé Jeff went viral. Natasha Poonawalla is one of Lauren's high society friends, and she is part of the wealthy Poonawalla family, which runs the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, The Serum Institute. Co-CEO of Baby2Baby Kelly Sawyer, jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer, 48, and entrepreneur Tina Chen Craig were also invited to Lauren's book launch event so they very well could be included in the wedding festivities. Billionaire Bill Gates, 69, and CEO of TKO Group Holdings Ari Emanuel, 64, were present for the couple's elaborate engagement party and may also be at the wedding. TMZ's sources also claimed businessman Barry Diller, 84, will be in attendance. Fashion stars Australian model Miranda Kerr, 42, was also spotted with Lauren at her book launch party so she may be at the event. Stylist Victoria Trilling, makeup artist Amanda Diaz, and stylist Jamie Mizrahi could also be in attendance. Lauren's sister and photo coach Elena S Blair, 42, will most definitely be in Venice for the occasion. The sisters have a tight bond despite their 13-year age gap. Models Brooks Nader, 28, and Camila Morrone, 28, also secured an invitation, per TMZ. The outlet also reported that fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, 78, will be in attendance. Politicians TMZ also reported that Ivanka Trump, 43, and Jared Kushner, 44, made the list, as well as Karlie Kloss, 32, and her husband Joshua Kushner, 40. There is no word on whether President Donald Trump, 79, and his wife, Melania Trump, 55, have been invited. However, it's possible because both Bezos and Lauren got front-row seats during Trump's inauguration. Donald Trump Jr., 47, and his new girlfriend Bettina Anderson - who Lauren is friends with - are also set to attend, per Page Six.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Inside Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos's blended family... including his VERY private children
After a two-year long engagement, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are due to tie the knot next week - and when they do, their families will officially become blended. The Amazon founder, who's net worth is $215 billio n, welcomed four children with his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, whom he married in 1993. The couple met while they working for the same investment management firm, D. E. Shaw & Co, and tied to knot a year before Bezos launched Amazon. They were together for 25 years before parting ways after his romance to Lauren was exposed, and they finalized their divorce in 2019. There is little known about Jeff and MacKenzie's four kids - three biological sons and a daughter they adopted from China - with all of them keeping a quiet profile despite their father's fame and fortune. Lauren, 55, on the other hand, welcomed a son, named Nikko Gonzalez, with footballer Tony Gonzalez in 2002 before splitting. She then walked down the aisle with Hollywood agent Patrick Whitesell in 2005, and together, they had a son, named Evan Whitesell, in 2006 and a daughter, named Eleanor Whitesell, in 2008. They were together for more than a decade up until her affair with Jeff was brought to light in early 2019. With Lauren and Jeff's extravagant wedding plans in Venice, Italy, just days away, FEMAIL rounded up everything we know about their kids. Jeff and MacKenzie's eldest son Preston makes rare appearances with his father Jeff and MacKenzie's first child, a boy named Preston, was born in 2000. His name is a family moniker, with his father, grandfather and great grandfather having the middle name Preston. While Preston is rarely seen, he was snapped attending the Academy Awards with his dad in 2020. He was also spotted at the 2019 American Portrait Gala Preston reportedly attended Princeton University, as did both of his parents. He was also rumored to have completed a humanities and engineering degree from MIT, after Jeff was spotted at MIT's commencement ceremony in 2022. Jeff and MacKenzie share three other children together but they have shied away from the public eye The former also share two younger biological sons and an adopted daughter from China. However, the children's identifies are shrouded in mystery, with only Preston's name known to the public. The kids are rarely seen out or with their famous parental figures. One of the only times the Bezos bunch have been seen with their dad was almost 10 years ago at the Star Trek Beyond film premiere at Comic-Con International in San Diego in July 2016. Lauren has three children from previous relationships and her eldest son is a budding model Lauren's eldest son Nikko graduated from college in 2024 and is now a budding model. Her other kids Evan and Ella have opted to stay out of the spotlight so very little is known about them. In January 2023, Lauren spoke out about how she and her billionaire beau have blended their families, with her joking that she felt like they were the 'Brady Bunch' sometimes. 'On a typical Saturday, we hang out, we have dinner with the kids, which is always fun because you never know where the conversation is going to go with this many kids,' she told the Wall Street Journal. She also dished on co-parenting with her exes, specifically Tony, whom she branded as her 'best friend.' 'It wasn't always that way. There was friction [at the beginning]. But Tony and [his wife October "Tobie" Gonzalez] were at Thanksgiving with us [this year], and we're really good friends,' she explained. 'That took about five years, but we always communicated. I'm not saying that being best friends with your ex is the end-all be-all - but you do need to be able to communicate. 'I'm so proud of it. My son looks at me, and he's like, "I'm the luckiest boy in the world because I can have Thanksgiving with both my parents, and they don't have to be married."' She did not touch on her relationship with Patrick. What to expect from Lauren and Jeff's wedding The guest list is thought to have less than 200 people, with suspected guests including A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom and even members of the Trump family. The Amazon boss has booked the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, one of the largest and grandest buildings in the historical center of Venice, as part of the multi-day-long extravaganza of celebrations. According to an insider, Jeff's $500 million superyacht, Koru, will be moored off the coast of San Georgio Maggiore island, which is home to the famous Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th century Benedictine church. They shared that the island is 'off-limits to visitors' from June 24 to June 29, with the mayor believing that the wedding will take place on the yacht - although The Misericodria, an iconic event space in Venice, has been booked out from June 26 to June 28. It's unclear if the space is related to their wedding, but the insider added that a private tender service is said to be taking guests from the island to the yacht. Separate sources recently told the Daily Mail that the festivities are expected to cost anywhere from $15 to $20 million.
