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The Speculative Shelf

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A Green and Ancient Light

A green and ancient light

By
Frederic S. Durbin
Frederic S. Durbin
A Green and Ancient Light

A Green and Ancient Light is a beautifully told story of love, family, the beauty of nature, and the innocence of youth. Equal parts Pan's Labyrinth, The Secret Garden, and The Chronicles of Narnia, it's a fantasy tale that could be appreciated by readers of any age.

The story was scrubbed of any identifiers (no village name, no country name, no character names), but the rich setting detail provided everything you could need. Frederic S. Durbin creates a setting filled with such beautiful imagery that opening the book felt like being transported to the nameless countryside each and every time. He writes a simple, yet profound story that I enjoyed immensely.

2022-05-16T00:00:00.000Z
Fevered Star

Fevered Star

By
Rebecca Roanhorse
Rebecca Roanhorse
Fevered Star

Fevered Star is a worthy follow-up to Black Sun, one of my favorite books of the last few years. This is epic fantasy of the highest order and Roanhorse's writing is a joy to read.

While Black Sun was constructed like a ticking time bomb with a narrative structure that built towards an epic conclusion, Fevered Star is a quieter tale. It's the calm after the storm that that hit in book #1. It's a transitory time in the Meridian as factions grow, contract, splinter off, or soldier on. The characters scramble to consolidate power and lines are drawn in the sand.

Despite the more subdued action, I'm fully invested in these characters. Each POV brings something interesting to the table and Roanhorse uses this novel to position her chess pieces for the coming conclusion/confrontation/clash to decide the fate of this world. Several fuses have been lit, but we'll have to wait until the third book to see them pay off. I know I'm looking forward to it.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2022-05-16T00:00:00.000Z
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

By
Becky Chambers
Becky Chambers
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy

A heartwarming continuation of the adventures of our beloved robot and human companions, Mosscap and Dex. Much like the first novella, I so enjoyed the time spent in this world and with its inhabitants. The shared bond between this unlikely pair is wonderful, as is the throughline exploring the nature of humanity. I hope this is not the end of their travels, because Becky Chambers has created a winning formula here – further cementing herself as a beacon for hopepunk storytelling.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2022-02-14T00:00:00.000Z
Venomous Lumpsucker

Venomous Lumpsucker

By
Ned Beauman
Ned Beauman
Venomous Lumpsucker

This is the most delightful book about mass species extinction that you'll ever read. Ned Beauman employs pitch-perfect gallows humor to engage with human-caused environmental destruction in a fresh and exciting way.

I was quite charmed by Beauman's madcap storytelling and clever writing and I lost count of the number of times I highlighted an amusing passage or chuckled to myself whilst reading this book. It's very, very funny.

The highest praise I can give a book is that it has “readability” and Venomous Lumpsucker has this in spades – fast paced, an engaging story, smart humor, and interesting characters. This book is a winner.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2022-02-10T00:00:00.000Z
The Bone Orchard

The Bone Orchard

By
Sara A. Mueller
Sara A. Mueller
The Bone Orchard

The Bone Orchard is an ambitious and inventive novel about the lengths someone will go for self-preservation amidst extreme trauma. 

While the main plot concerns a poisoned emperor and the subsequent whodunit - the real stars here are Shame, Justice, Desire, Pride, and Pain. These five “boneghosts” are richly drawn and complex characters who answer to Charm, our central protagonist. Their relationship to Charm is fascinating and evolves in unexpected ways throughout the course of the novel. And, once I could keep all of the characters straight, I really enjoyed the world Sara A. Mueller conjured up – even if sometimes it felt like the narrative could have been tighter. Bonus points for an outstanding cover!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2022-02-01T00:00:00.000Z
Siren Queen

Siren Queen

By
Nghi Vo
Nghi Vo
Siren Queen

Luli Wei was overlooked by the masses until she made it impossible to look away. After striking a brutal bargain to achieve her dreams, Wei finds her home on the silver screen. What follows is a mesmerizing (and hair-raising) coming of age tale about Luli's rise into the spotlight.

Nghi Vo's Old Hollywood is painted with a dreamlike brush. There's a phantasmagoric haze over every event and every interaction. It's mesmerizing and disturbing in equal measure. And, as impressed as I was with the tone and prose – I struggled to stay invested in Luli's story as I found it a bit overstuffed and all over the place. Others will surely love this, but it was not quite my cup of tea when all was said and done.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2022-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
Sea of Tranquility

Sea of Tranquility

By
Emily St. John Mandel
Emily St. John Mandel
Sea of Tranquility

It's easy to get swept away to Emily St. John Mandel's far flung settings as the story briskly moves from moment to moment, character to character, and timeline to timeline. St. John Mandel's writing is clean and the plot never lingers long enough for inertia to set in. And while that makes for a quick read, there's a certain slightness to the story that's hard to shake. St. John Mandel raises interesting questions and ideas, but doesn't really explore them in any deep, meaningful way.

I was lukewarm on Station Eleven, even though I loved the vibe and world St. John Mandel had crafted. I felt similarly about this book. I wanted to be more invested than I was and the major moments did not hit me as hard as I hoped they would.

HBO's adaptation of Station Eleven is one of the best shows I've watched in years, so perhaps I just need to wait for Sea of Tranquility to get the same treatment someday.

My thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2022-01-09T00:00:00.000Z
The Witchwood Crown

The Witchwood Crown

By
Tad Williams
Tad Williams
The Witchwood Crown

It was so wonderful to be back in Osten Ard and to see what has changed and, interestingly, what has remained the same. The Heart of What Was Lost and Brothers of the Wind turned out to be great primer novellas to the start of this new series.

I felt a certain Star Wars: The Force Awakens vibe from this book – similar story beats as the original Osten Are trilogy, a familiar foe, characters we know and love, and a new group of dynamic, young upstarts.

I was pleased to see Williams's writing style has become somewhat less opaque than in the decades old original trilogy. And while this book does not work at all as a standalone (nor does it try to), I have full trust that Williams will neatly tie everything together when all is said and done. I am fully on board for the ride.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2022-01-06T00:00:00.000Z
The Heart of What Was Lost

The Heart of What Was Lost

By
Tad Williams
Tad Williams
The Heart of What Was Lost

I can't say that I was too interested in what happened to the Norns in the aftermath of Tad Williams' original Osten Ard trilogy, but this was a nice, quick read that added greater depth and understanding to the plight of the Norns.

It wasn't the epilogue to Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn that I was expecting (or wanting), but it was a well-written tale that keeps me excited for what's to come in this world.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-12-11T00:00:00.000Z
Brothers of the Wind

Brothers of the Wind

By
Tad Williams
Tad Williams
Brothers of the Wind

This will be more rewarding for those with preexisting knowledge of Osten Ard, but I think this works really well as a standalone story, too. For me, this is one of my favorite books of the year.

While Williams fills in some of Ineluki's backstory (prior to his descent into supervillainy), there's more emphasis on Ineluki's brother, Hakatri, and Hakatri's faithful servant, Pamon Kes. This duo's story is incredibly compelling, with Pamon Kes as the standout star. I'd happily read more stories from Pamon's perspective and I hope Williams tells additional tales from this era in Osten Ard's history.

All in all, this was a wonderful novella that I struggled to put down. Bonus points for an outstanding cover and a stunning map!

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

My thanks to DAW and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

2021-12-06T00:00:00.000Z
To Green Angel Tower, Part 2

To Green Angel Tower, Part 2

By
Tad Williams
Tad Williams
To Green Angel Tower, Part 2

What an excellent series capper. I'm glad I pushed through the so-so second book and wasn't deterred by the size of this massive, massive tome. Williams puts on a masterclass in building towards a grand finale here and while brevity and succinctness are nowhere to be found, Williams employs his 520,000 word count to set a captivating tone and mood for this concluding novel. I listened to some of this via audiobook as a change of pace and Andrew Wincott's incredible narration added another layer of gravitas to the story and characters. 

I'm very pleased to know that Williams has continued telling stories in this world and I look forward to diving into those books soon.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
How High We Go in the Dark

How High We Go in the Dark

By
Sequoia Nagamatsu
Sequoia Nagamatsu
How High We Go in the Dark

A euthanasia theme park, a talking pig named Snortorious P.I.G., and a funerary hotel. There is no shortage of dark humor to be found among the increasingly macabre story beats of How High We Go in the Dark. Even so, some sections are just incredibly devastating to read and that's a credit to Nagamatsu's excellent writing. 

Not every vignette worked for me, but the ones that did were awfully affecting. My investment in each small story waned as we moved farther away from the “present day,” but the ever-evolving interconnectedness of the narratives was intriguing to track throughout.

If you're looking for an escape from our current pandemic-ridden world, this is not the right book for you. If you can put that aside, there's some really effective storytelling at work here. 

My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

For my true fractional star rating see this review on The Speculative Shelf.

2021-11-17T00:00:00.000Z
The Justice of Kings

The Justice of Kings

By
Richard Swan
Richard Swan
The Justice of Kings

An odd thing about this book is that the only character on the cover and the character mentioned in the book's description as an “unforgettable protagonist destined to become a fantasy icon” is not the main character of the story! It's certainly an interesting choice and I'm unsure whether or not it is an effective one. Helena, our actual main first-person POV character, is likable and authentic. We see Sir Konrad Vonvalt (the aforementioned coverboy/man) and the story itself through her eyes. It was a tad distracting trying to puzzle out how this served the greater narrative, and I can't say I ever arrived at an answer.

Luckily, Richard Swan's writing flows nicely and made for a pleasant reading experience. The murder mystery nestled inside the larger, empire-spanning conspiracy was compelling and left me curious to explore this world beyond what is shown in this specific story. I'm on the fence over whether I'll continue on to book #2, but this was a solid start to an intriguing new series.

My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-11-16T00:00:00.000Z
The Fall of Babel

The Fall of Babel

By
Josiah Bancroft
Josiah Bancroft
The Fall of Babel

With the final page turned and the curtain now closed, I'm happy to report that The Books of Babel is one of the greatest fantasy series I've ever read. Bancroft's prose continues to possess a unique flavor with dashes of charm, wit, biting humor, and heart that are unmatched by others in the genre.

Throughout this final book, I cared about certain characters more than others, found some story threads more compelling than others, and preferred the quieter, more contemplative moments to the dizzying action sequences and set pieces. Despite my mileage varying on certain aspects of the novel itself, all of the elements coalesced into something wondrous and satisfying in the end.

We've been taken on a wild ride since Thomas Senlin first set foot in the magnificent and mysterious Tower of Babel. And while I'm sad to leave this world and cast of characters behind, I'm excited to see what else can be plumbed from the depths of Josiah Bancroft's imagination. Frankly, I'd devour whatever he writes next – whether that's a shopping list, appliance manual, esoteric textbook, or (ideally) a new novel! 

My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-10-29T00:00:00.000Z
Jade Legacy

Jade Legacy

By
Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee
Jade Legacy

Engrossing, unpredictable, and heart-wrenching through to the final page – Jade Legacy is a worthy capstone to an incredible trilogy. I can confidently say that Fonda Lee's Green Bone Saga is a modern fantasy classic and I feel lucky to have come across such a special series.

Lee's writing makes everything compelling, even down to the most esoteric matters of the clans' business empire. And although we're very familiar with the main players in the warring clans, Jade Legacy further plumbs the depths of these flawed, but captivating characters with an expanded story timeframe and frequent time jumps. This was a smart choice and made for a supremely satisfying concluding book.

There are new avenues Lee could explore in future stories set in this world, but for now I am happy to sit back and marvel at the brilliant trilogy she has crafted.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

2021-10-12T00:00:00.000Z
Elder Race

Elder Race

By
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Elder Race

Lynesse must seek out a reclusive wizard living in a forbidden tower. That concept alone (and the gorgeous cover) drew me to this novella, but the plot gets turned on its head almost immediately with a delicious bait and switch. The storyline that follows the twist was not quite compelling enough to sustain my interest, but the ending was strong and satisfying.

This novella is a good reminder of what an interesting writer Adrian Tchaikovsky has become and I've never been disappointed by one of his stories. As an aside, reading this in conjunction with AppleTV+'s Foundation series made for a nice genre pairing, I must say.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-10-01T00:00:00.000Z
Jade War

Jade War

By
Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee
Jade War

With the characters, world, and magic system already established, this book hit the ground running and increased the complexity and reach of the ongoing clan war.

I rarely like a second book in a series better than the first, but Jade War is just excellent. It ups the ante and improves upon many of the elements that made Jade City so good. I can't wait to crack open the ARC of Jade Legacy currently sitting on my shelf.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-09-28T00:00:00.000Z
The Bone Ship's Wake

The Bone Ship's Wake

By
R.J.  Barker
R.J. Barker
The Bone Ship's Wake

Much like a fireworks show, The Bone Ship's Wake starts slowly before building in pace and intensity to an epic and explosive finale. It's a satisfying conclusion to a magnificent seafaring adventure trilogy.

While the first book in this series remains my favorite, the entire saga is worthwhile and this final book is just the cherry on top of a thrilling and bloody pirate sundae. Sounds tasty, right?

It's been gratifying to watch these characters withstand both literal and figurative storms and come out better for it, but I am certainly sad to see their adventures come to an end. Although this particular saga is at its close, Barker leaves the door cracked open enough should he ever want to return to tell more tales from the Scattered Archipelago. I would happily sign up for another tour of duty in this world.

My thanks to Orbit for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-09-11T00:00:00.000Z
A Psalm for the Wild-Built

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

By
Becky Chambers
Becky Chambers
A Psalm for the Wild-Built

While there's nothing groundbreaking here, I breezed through this novella and it made for a very pleasant reading experience.

Chambers storytelling style is straightforward and without frills, but the overall result is quite affecting. I'm eager for future adventures with Dex and Mosscap and learning more about the world of Panga.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-08-12T00:00:00.000Z
Stone of Farewell

Stone of Farewell

By
Tad Williams
Tad Williams
Stone of Farewell

This was a bit of a letdown after a really enjoyable opening novel. Folks knock the first book because the first 200 pages are interminably slow. No one ever mentioned that the second book takes about 500(!) pages to really get going.

While The Dragonbone Chair raised many questions and provided few answers, Stone of Farewell raises very few questions and answers even fewer. Here's hoping the final doorstopper in the trilogy is packed to the brim with with action and plot development!

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-08-11T00:00:00.000Z
Notes from the Burning Age

Notes from the Burning Age

By
Claire North
Claire North
Notes from the Burning Age

This is a book of loss and devastation, what remains, and what grows from the ashes of a broken world. North brings this plausible dystopian world to life with stark imagery and elegant prose. Although the premise has the components of a spy thriller, the story is definitely a slower burn.

The overarching narrative never quite grabbed me, but the cat and mouse interplay between Ven and his on-again, off-again adversary/captor was really intriguing.

I had not read any of Claire North's work prior to this novel, but I've come away impressed and excited to see what she writes next.

As an aside, I hope Orbit sticks with Leo Nickolls and Siobhan Hooper for the cover art/design on future books. They did an outstanding job with this one.

My thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-07-07T00:00:00.000Z
Jade City

Jade City

By
Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee
Jade City

Reading Jade City provided a welcome respite from more traditional (and generic) epic fantasy fare. Fonda Lee has crafted a compelling family drama, situated within an intriguing world, with an awesome magic system to boot. There's plenty of war and conflict to be had here so I'm curious to see how things escalate in the ominously titled sequel, Jade War.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-06-20T00:00:00.000Z
Under the Whispering Door

Under the Whispering Door

By
TJ Klune
TJ Klune
Under the Whispering Door

Having read The House in the Cerulean Sea (which I loved) and now Under the Whispering Door, I've noticed a certain Pixar-esque sensibility to T.J. Klune's writing – there's a dynamic premise, a gentle touch, a colorful cast of characters, and a thoughtful message. The tone borders right on the edge of being too syrupy sweet, but Klune injects enough turmoil and heft into the proceedings to never cross over into cloyingness.

I did have some difficulty getting behind Wallace's redemption arc here, as his introduction paints him in such a vile light that it made it hard to believe his personality could undergo such a 180 in such a short time. As such, I did not find this book to be as effective or affecting as The House in the Cerulean Sea, but it is still well worth your time. I really enjoy Klune's writing and I look forward to reading whatever he pens next.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

2021-04-02T00:00:00.000Z
We Have Always Been Here

We Have Always Been Here

By
Lena  Nguyen
Lena Nguyen
We Have Always Been Here

We Have Always Been Here is a gripping sci-fi thriller that twisted in unexpected directions and kept me hooked all the way to the end. There's a real palpable tension and delirium infused into Nguyen's writing that enhances what could have been a straightforward thriller into something much deeper, sharper, and stranger. I'm excited to see what Nguyen writes next, as this was an excellent debut.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

2021-03-19T00:00:00.000Z
Fugitive Telemetry

Fugitive Telemetry

By
Martha Wells
Martha Wells
Fugitive Telemetry

Fugitive Telemetry has all the trappings of a classic Murderbot story – trademark snark, funny situations, a compelling murder mystery, and a seemingly unfeeling security robot that feels feelings. Murderbot is back and just as good as ever.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

See this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

2021-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
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