Wiswell Collection by John Wiswell 2 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
Wearing The Lion
Someone You Can Build A Nest In

Format: Hardcover; Paperback

Overview:
This two-book collection gathers John Wiswell’s acclaimed myth-inspired fantasy into a single, gift-ready set that will resonate with readers who crave brainy enchantment, emotional depth, and characters who linger long after the last page. Wearing The Lion reimagines the Heracles myth through Hera’s complex gaze and a hero whose strength is matched by his heart, blending epic questing with intimate family ties and hard-won empathy. Its blend of wit, tenderness, and brutal truth-turns makes it a standout modern myth retelling. Paired with it is Someone You Can Build A Nest In, a luminous, boundary-pushing romance centered on Shesheshen, a shapeshifter who falls in love with Homily, a warm-hearted human. The shapeshifter story diverges from traditional horror by rooting its tension in consent, trust, and chosen family. This set—featuring one hardcover and one paperback—delivers a complete experience: smart storytelling, lush world-building, and two very different ways to think about monsters, gods, and the power of connection. Wiswell’s award-winning voice ties both books together with thematic resilience, sly humor, and genuine heart.

What This Collection Covers:
Wiswell explores belonging, power, and the boundaries of love across two distinct fantasy horizons. Wearing The Lion turns mythic trials into deeply human tests—how do you remain compassionate when the world demands punishment, and what family means when gods and monsters collide? The narrative uses monster-slaying as a vehicle for emotional discovery, delivering action with a patient focus on character growth. In Someone You Can Build A Nest In, the romance between a shapeshifter and a wary human dismantles genre barriers: it’s at once eerie, funny, and intimate, articulating how fear can become trust and how love can redefine safety. Together, the books invite readers to interrogate what counts as family, who gets to belong, and how consent and vulnerability shape every relationship. This collection is ideal for fans of literary fantasy, queer romance, and stories that insist on humanity even in the face of terrifying wonder.

Book-by-Book Guide:
Wearing The Lion — Wiswell braids myth and modernity in a story told with both bravado and tenderness. Hera’s vengeful arc against Heracles is tempered by the hero’s steadfast kindness, turning familiar labors into a parallel journey of healing and self-identity. The trials—reimagined with brutal precision and dark humor—become stages for empathy, resilience, and the creation of a fragile, imperfect family. This hardcover edition elevates the prose, offering a immersive reading experience that rewards attentive readers who enjoy moral complexity, mythic texture, and scenes that linger after the battle ends. It’s a bold, emotionally rich take on a revered legend that asks who deserves a second chance at belonging and who gets to tell the story of a god’s cruelty turning into care.

Someone You Can Build A Nest In — Shesheshen, a shapeshifter who must navigate a perilous path between danger and desire, forms a tense, hopeful bond with Homily, a human woman who mistakes her for human. The romance unfolds with quiet intensity as in-laws and hunters threaten their fledgling life together, forcing the couple to reckon with trust, boundaries, and the meaning of home. Wiswell’s blend of fantastical horror and tender queer romance creates a luminous, unnerving world where monsters aren’t just threats but mirrors for our own capacity to love, protect, and endure. The narrative rewards patient reading with vivid world-building, a fearless exploration of identity, and an ending that feels earned and true to the characters’ chosen family.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This pair is ideal for adult fantasy readers who savor myth retellings, queer romance, and horror-tinged storytelling with heart. It’s especially well-suited for fans of character-driven narratives that interrogate power dynamics, consent, and the complexities of family—whether biological or chosen. The hardcover/softcover pairing makes it a thoughtful gift for book clubs, dedicated Wiswell fans, and readers looking to introduce themselves to contemporary mythic fiction with a modern, inclusive lens. It also serves as a compelling classroom or reading-group pairing for discussions about adaptation, genre-blending, and the ethical dimensions of love and loyalty in high-stakes worlds.

Key Benefits:

• Two-book collection by a Nebula Award–winning author, offering breadth and depth in one giftable package
• Two distinct fantasy experiences: mythic epic retelling and tender, boundary-pushing queer romance
• Hardcover edition paired with a paperback edition for versatile shelving and gifting options
• Thoughtful exploration of consent, belonging, and chosen family across fantasy palettes
• Accessible yet sophisticated prose that rewards rereading and discussion
• Ideal for book clubs seeking diverse voices and genre-blending reads
• Perfect gift set for readers new to Wiswell and longtime fans alike

About the Author:
John Wiswell is a celebrated, Nebula Award–winning author whose work bridges fantasy, horror, and LGBTQ+ themes with wit and warmth. His writing is known for nimble plotting, sharp humor, and emotionally layered characters who challenge assumptions about monsters, gods, and humanity. Wiswell’s debut collection and subsequent novels—including Wearing The Lion and Someone You Can Build A Nest In—have earned admiration from peers and critics for their originality, empathy, and courage to push boundaries. He has been recognized with prestigious nominations and awards in the science fiction and fantasy communities, highlighting his talent for crafting stories that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. Readers new to Wiswell will discover a distinctive voice that remains accessible while venturing into bold, imaginative terrains. His work consistently invites readers to reevaluate fear, love, and what it means to belong in a world where the extraordinary intrudes on everyday life.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
This collection offers a rich, immersive doorway into Wiswell’s imaginative universe—two vividly different but thematically linked tales that celebrate resilience, love, and the power of chosen family. The combination of a hardcover and a paperback edition makes it a beautiful, durable addition to any shelf, while also serving as a compelling, binge-worthy reading experience. Whether you’re seeking a thought-provoking myth retelling or a boundary-pushing queer romance, this set delivers. It’s a thoughtful gift for fans of smart fantasy and for readers eager to explore diverse perspectives within myth and monster lore.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.