Billed as "The Secret History as directed by Whit Stillman," it's near-impossible to read The Magic Circle and not think of Donna Tartt's 1992 book. (Tartt's next book, The Goldfinch, is slated to be published this October; that's one to look forward to!)

Davidson's short novel, ostensibly about game designers staging a live-action role play of the Bacchae, calls on many elements of Greek tragedy, updated for the Internet age. It's a quick read, but perhaps too freighted with references; my mind wandered, and I found myself thinking of, say, the maenad season of True Blood (season two?).