The Speculative Shelf
Shel is a truly gifted storyteller and he's woven a trilogy-capping book that is dark, twisty, funny, wholly satisfying, and bloody brilliant...major emphasis on the “bloody.”
Sometimes the third book in a series starts to feel stale if it's not charting new ground, but Shel has injected enough fresh energy into this story and its characters to pay off this final adventure splendidly. There's so much fantasy goodness packed into the pages here: demonic possession, talking swords, beasts from hell, false gods, geopolitical conflict, cults, and of course, a dangerous expedition into an ancient cursed ruin. It's all rendered beautifully on the page by Shel's delightful prose. Bump this trilogy up your TBRs folks. This is a masterful conclusion to an outstanding series.
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My thanks to the author for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Clark has imagined an incredible world here. Everything is so richly detailed and vivid. Although the mystery at the heart of this novella was not as compelling as the one in the original short story, A Dead Djinn in Cairo, the sharp writing and unexpected twists and turns will keep me coming back for as long as Clark keeps writing stories in this setting.
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Charles Soule has the enviable (or perhaps unenviable) task of breaking in The High Republic, a new era of Star Wars storytelling. He does so in an admirable way with Light of the Jedi. A time of peace and prosperity in the galaxy far, far away quickly comes to a violent end and this book racks up an insanely high body count.
The story itself is a bit sprawling and unfocused, but there are some intriguing new characters, plenty of Jedi action, and a batch of ferocious antagonists never before seen in the Star Wars universe (think the War Boys of Mad Max). I'll happily seek out more stories in this universe, but I'd say this was a solid but somewhat unspectacular welcome to the new era.
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Lysande is a scholar, plucked out of an academy at a young age to work for the Iron Queen of Elira. When the queen is killed by an unknown assassin, Lysande is thrust into a leadership role in the kingdom, with little support and only her wits to guide her.
What an outstanding debut novel. Lysande is a gem of a main character in a high fantasy world that feels familiar yet fresh. Beaton weaves an intricate plot packed to the brim with tantalizing ingredients – underground secret societies, complex political maneuvering, passionate romance, dastardly treachery, and forbidden magic. This book also tackles drug addiction in a way I haven't seen in other fantasy novels. I'd strongly recommend this, especially for fans of Guy Gavriel Kay.
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Caiden is on a quest for vengeance after his family's subjugation and slaughter. His anger and hatred are unrelenting. His desire to quench his thirst for vengeance fuels the main quest of this novel. Caiden's journey to enact revenge is brutal but not without a beating heart. Whether blood-related or found-family, his love for his family drives everything.
Exciting, Inventive, and packed with imaginative ideas – Hansen's debut space opera is the coolest novel I've read in some time. It's hard science fiction at its finest.
My thanks to Orbit for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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P. Djèlí Clark's short story tells a tale of an alternate Cairo filled with steampunk flourishes, supernatural oddities, and a deadly plot that could destroy the world. Clark packs a complete story into this vivid setting and it works splendidly. A considerable amount of time is spent on exposition, but it's all fascinating and I imagine it makes this story a great primer for both his 2019 novella and his 2021 novel, which are set in the same world. I'll surely be checking those out after this excellent start.
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What an enjoyable read. This story feels special and timeless. Williams's worldbuilding is deep and impressive. Although he raises considerably more questions than he answers, I'm fully invested in seeing this through to the end.
This series has been on my TBR pile for the longest while and if all goes well, I hope to work my way through the remaining Osten Ard books in anticipation of the new book being released in 2021.
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Addie LaRue makes a deal with the devil to be free, but at the price of being forgotten. We follow her over the next 300 years dealing with the repercussions of her Faustian bargain.
While initially engrossing, I never quite fell in love with this book. In fact, my feelings matched how I felt after reading A Darker Shade of Magic, Schwab's most popular novel – well-written, intriguing premise, but it could never quite win me over. I felt every one of LaRue's 300 years and I was exhausted by the end, which I suppose was the point, but in the end, the ultimate destination did not make the journey worthwhile. Schwab may not be the right author for me, but judging by the exuberant reaction to this book by critics and readers alike, it seems I'm in the minority here.
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Despite its massive storms, brutal battles, and monstrous fauna, R.J. Barker keeps the characters at the forefront of his world. The ever-evolving relationships between Joron, Lucky Meas, and the Tide Child crew are really wonderful. Specific attention was paid to flesh out the backstories of several background crew members, which allows them to carry the narrative when Joron or Lucky Meas are sidelined. That said, Gullaime the windtalker remains the standout character of the series and it was exciting to see it again and learn more about its species.
Barker absolutely stuck the landing with this second book of the Tide Child trilogy. The Bone Ships was my favorite book of 2019 and this sequel will surely vie for a top spot in 2020. Every moment spent voyaging through Barker's Scattered Archipelago is incredibly satisfying. I highly recommend this series.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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It was a real delight to be lost in the labyrinthian walls of Susanna Clarke's Piranesi. Clarke's dizzying descriptions of endless hallways, vestibules, and staircases was disorienting but also mesmerizing.
Piranesi, our kindhearted and peculiar main character, is a wonderful window into this world. There are many mysteries that surround him and the maze he finds himself in. Clarke answers more of these riddles than felt necessary, but ultimately, this is a cracking good read that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a brief escape to a more hopeful world.
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It took me longer than I'd care to admit to make my way through this hefty tome, but I come away satisfied and content with the way everything is brought to a close. The Empire of Gold brings this expansive trilogy to a rousing conclusion.
The journeys of our three main characters are given plenty of time to breath, while being really well-balanced against each other. Chakraborty's writing continues to impress and it flows beautifully once again in this book. I'm excited to see what Chakraborty writes next, as this trilogy is such an impressive achievement, especially as a debut.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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This is pitch perfect epic fantasy. Everything works so well together — propulsive pacing, exceptional characters, excellent world-building, and a fascinating mix of cultures, politics, religion, and lore.
The story builds and builds as each chapter moves us closer to the ill-omened “Convergence” (a solar eclipse). I could not stop turning the pages until the explosive finale, which does not disappoint. It also leaves a tremendous amount open-ended, which makes me excited for the future of this series, as it feels like Roanhorse has barely scratched the surface of where to go with these characters and this world. Altogether, this is one of the best books of 2020.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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The mages of Vaskandar have the power to give life to their land and to their kingdoms. Ryxander of Gloamingard is cursed with broken magic that takes life and destroys all that she touches. In order to save her kingdom from an unfathomable threat, Ryx must use her weakness to her advantage whilst holding off a cavalcade of determined interlopers.
I had a really fun time with this book. Each page crackles with magic. Caruso's writing flows well and moves the narrative forward at a swift pace with a steady stream of action and court intrigue throughout. The world of Eruvia is nicely fleshed out, as well. It helps that Caruso has already written a trilogy in this setting, but she lays out the conflicts, local histories, and magic systems in a clear and digestible way for a new reader.
Ryx is a worthy protagonist with very obvious flaws to overcome. Her humanity and search for connection keep her relatable and easy to root for. While the book's ending does not offer much closure, there's enough magic in the pages of The Obsidian Tower to bring me back for book number two.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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This book showcases some truly spectacular science fiction artwork from Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. The undeniably cool retrofuturistic aesthetic is juxtaposed against the seemingly mundane goings on of small town life in 1980s Sweden. The accompanying text is sometimes just window dressing to fill in the backstory behind the images, which stand on their own just fine.
If this sounds intriguing, I'd also highly recommend the Amazon show of the same name, which is loosely based on this source material. Each episode tells a self-contained story about a rural Ohio town and how The Loop that runs beneath it all fuels technological marvels that coexist amongst the townsfolk.
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Foundryside, the first book in this trilogy, was really well-balanced. It told an engaging story, was populated with unique characters, and took place in a vibrant setting. While I'm still taken with this world and the city of Tevanne, most of what I enjoyed about the first book was left behind.
I had been intrigued (and somewhat confused) by scriving, the reality-altering magic system introduced in Foundryside. Because of its complexity, each act of scriving requires considerable explanation and exposition. Shorefall doubles down on scriving and this magic is so integral to the plot that if you're not on board with it you'll be left searching for other things to enjoy.
Unfortunately, the characters seem stagnant and there's no room for them to breathe amongst the massive set pieces and high stakes of the story. In many ways, this felt like a trilogy capping novel instead of a middle book, so it's unclear how the momentum will carry over for another book and I'm unsure if I'll be along for the ride.
In its first full-length novel adventure, Murderbot is thrust right back into the fire on a rescue mission that immediately goes awry. Expanding from the usual novella length of previous installments, this was a bit all over the place for me and I can't say that it benefits from the extra room. The story is similar to previous, tighter Murderbot tales, but the proceedings get so bogged down by technical mumbo jumbo that I had a difficult time following the action.
Murderbot is at its best when the characters and their complicated relationships are at the forefront. In that respect, I really enjoyed the return of my favorite character, ART, Murderbot's snarky sparring partner from a previous novella. This relationship, coupled with Murderbot's dealings with some new (but familiar) allies makes for a compelling new wrinkle. Qualms aside, I'll happily join up on Murderbot's next mission, setting sail next year with a new novella.
I picked up this issue of F&SF specifically for Come the Revolution, a prequel novella to The Alchemy Wars, a brilliant alternate history series that was the perfect combination of concept and execution.
It was great to be back in this imaginative alt-history world and I really enjoyed seeing the backstory and humble beginnings of the mad Queen Mab, who eventually goes on to lead a robot “Clakker” army seeking vengeance on humanity. This story moves with alacrity and Tregillis is once again in fine form as he's crafted an excellent primer for newcomers to the series or those thinking of embarking on a reread.
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Stretching from the near future to the distant past...and then back again, Greenwood tells a beautiful multi-generational story of love, loss, and the meaning of family in all shapes and forms.
Add this title to the growing trend of excellent books about trees that have sprouted up in recent years. Author Michael Christie shines a light on humanity's relationship with trees through the eyes of each main character. Some fight for the preservation and protection of trees at all costs, some craft beautiful art from their component parts, and some heavily exploit them in the name of capitalism. Ultimately, Greenwood speculates a future “Great Withering” of Earth's trees as rapid climate changes leave our towering friends vulnerable and dying.
Christie cleverly uses the cross-section of a tree trunk to organize the nested storytelling structure. Each subsequent section feels tangentially related to the section before it, but as the connections between events and characters become more clear, the full picture emerges, especially in the back half of the book, where we revisit each era once again. I slowly worked my way through this novel and found myself fully immersed in each individual character and story. Christie's prose is beautifully composed and his descriptions of nature are stunning. I'd recommend this to any lover of nature or fan of epic family sagas.
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This was a very satisfying read and it served as a balm in troubled times for me. Linus, a mild mannered case worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth is given a classified assignment to investigate an orphanage on a remote island where six seemingly dangerous children reside along with their mysterious caretaker. Shenanigans ensue...
It was not hard to predict how the story would play out and the moral is not subtle, but the book is filled with so much heart that none of that matters. I was just happy to be along for the ride.
TJ Klune has written something truly wonderful here – a positively delightful book that warms the heart and soul. Each page brims with life and joy and it gives me hope for a better world. I'm not sure what else you can ask for from a book.
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This novella is visceral, staggering, and powerful. We follow Ella and Kev, siblings with extraordinary gifts, who are wearied by structural racism and the damage that this inflicts upon their family.
Onyebuchi's storytelling is really immersive and makes us feel the righteous anger and pain of each societal injustice as Ella and Kev are pushed beyond their breaking points. In the same way that Ella uses her godlike gift to pop in and out of space and time, the narrative jumps around and we're shown windows into pivotal moments in the lives of our protagonists. And while the story presents an ever-worsening dystopian future, Onyebuchi leaves us with a glimmer of hope for a better future to come. Although tough to read at times, I found Riot Baby to be a satisfying read that packs quite a bit of fire into its limited page count.
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This is an exceptional debut novel. Simon Jimenez is clearly a skilled storyteller and is an exciting new voice in science fiction. His prose is beautiful and in The Vanished Birds he seamlessly weaves multiple threads into a tightly-plotted tour de force.
The pace is slow, but measured, as each character is given ample time to establish themselves. As we bounce from vignette to vignette and from character to character the plot is always moving forward as the overarching story comes into focus. When the dust settles we're left with a profound and deeply human story told on an epic scale across millennia. I loved it.
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This was a fun ride. I'm sometimes overwhelmed by sprawling space operas, so this interplanetary story with a small but mighty cast of characters was a welcome relief. I drew several parallels to Pierce Brown's Red Rising series (apart from RR's expansive cast) – propulsive pacing, an absorbing narrative, and a charming underdog looking to topple his subjugators. Ettian's personal journey and evolution of loyalty is quite compelling. Author Emily Skrutskie unspools his story slowly and pulls on his allegiances from several different directions.
The tone of Skrutskie's prose is casual yet sharp, which is always a nice combination and makes for a pleasant reading experience. I tend to gloss over extended space battle scenes, but her descriptions of space flight and aerial dogfights are vivid and engrossing.
Despite a lull in pacing and some rushed story beats in the back half of the novel, I enjoyed this to the end. I'll be interested to see how the future books play out, especially with what unfolded in the final few pages.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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This fourth and final novella is the least thrilling of the quartet, but it does a nice job bringing Murderbot's character development and story arc to a close. It was satisfying to have the original survey team from the first novella back in the fold and it provided a nice full-circle element to the narrative. With a full length novel coming soon, I'm excited to see how Wells expands upon this world and its central, lovable, relatable, root-for-able protagonist, Murderbot.
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Our third adventure with Murderbot takes a little while to get going, but the action/tension really ratchets up in the back half of the novella. Once again, Murderbot finds itself protecting a group of unwitting humans while also unmasking a deeper conspiracy in an unforgiving environment. This seems to be the magic formula for each of these stories, but it works quite well. Since Murderbot seems to make a clean break at the end of each book, we don't get to revisit the great side characters we've met in previous books, but luckily that sounds like it will not be the case in the fourth and final novella.
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This second installment in the Murderbot Diaries series picks up right where All Systems Red leaves off. Murderbot has set out on its own as it searches for clues from its past and as it seeks to understand its own identity. It meets another rogue-ish “construct”, nicknamed ART, who is a real standout addition. Wells imbues these non-human characters with so much humanity that they're incredibly engaging and fun to root for. This story was a worthy successor to the first novella, even if it didn't feel as complete or fully fleshed out as that tale. On to #3!
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