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Fantasy and Science Fiction January 2021
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| King of the Rising by Kacen CallenderThe setting: the islands of Hans Lollik, a Caribbean-inspired archipelago colonized by the white Scandinavian-esque Fjern, whose wealth and power depend on the continued enslavement of the Black islanders.
The protagonist: Løren Jannik, a formerly enslaved young man determined to use his kraft (magic) to liberate his people.
What sets it apart: This thought-provoking sequel to The Queen of the Conquered eschews a straightforward narrative of good triumphing over evil in favor of a nuanced examination of colonial systems of oppression. |
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| Ready Player Two by Ernest ClineWhat it is: the long-awaited sequel to Ready Player One, as steeped in geek lore and 1980s pop culture nostalgia as its predecessor.
The situation: After winning the treasure hunt that his hero, eccentric tech titan James Halliday, hid in the virtual world of OASIS, Wade Watts now holds the keys to the kingdom -- and is about to embark on another quest that will reveal more of Halliday's secrets.
Reviewers say: Fans of the first book "will enjoy revisiting old friends and meeting new ones" (Booklist). |
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Record of a spaceborn few
by Becky Chambers
A young apprentice, an alien academic, a caretaker for the dead, an archivist and others wrestle with profound questions after their evacuation ship, carrying the last humans on Earth, finally reaches its destination. Hardcover Library Edition. 30,000 first printing.
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| Crosshairs by Catherine HernandezIn a world... where environmental disaster presents a white supremacist regime of "True Canadians" with a useful pretext for sending "Others" to labor camps, Jamaican Filipino drag artist Kay becomes a fugitive before joining the resistance alongside newfound allies.
Is it for you? With its detailed depictions of state-sanctioned violence against Black, Indigenous, LGBTQIA, and disabled people, this dystopian novel presents a bleak and unflinching look at oppression. |
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The true queen
by Zen Cho
"In the follow-up to the "delightful" Regency fantasy novel (NPR.org) Sorcerer to the Crown, a young woman with no memories of her past finds herself embroiled in dangerous politics in England and the land of the fae. When sisters Muna and Sakti wake upon the peaceful beach of the island of Janda Baik, they can't remember anything, except that they are bound as only sisters can be. They have been cursed by an unknown enchanter, and slowly Sakti starts to fade away. The only hope of saving her is to go to distant Britain, where the Sorceress Royal has established an academy to train women in magic. If Muna is to save her sister, she must learn to navigate high society, and trick the English magicians into believing she is a magical prodigy. As she's drawn into their intrigues, she must uncover the secrets of her past, and journey into a world with more magic than she had ever dreamed"
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| Witchmark by C.L. PolkStarring: former army officer Dr. Miles Singer, who's hiding from his powerful family while concealing his magical powers from society; and Tristan Hunter, the mysterious gentleman who convinces Miles to join his investigation into baffling crimes involving veterans.
Book buzz: In addition to winning the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, this debut was also a finalist for the Nebula Award, the Locus Award, and the Lammy Award.
Series alert: Set in a world reminiscent of Edwardian England, Witchmark is the opening installment of the Kingston Cycle, followed by Stormsong and the forthcoming Soulstar. |
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Burning roses
by S. L. Huang
A wolf-weary Red Riding Hood and a middle-aged Hou Yi the Archer join forces when deadly sunbirds begin to ravage the countryside, threatening everything the pair have grown to love. By the author of Zero Sum Game. 40,000 first printing.
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| The Sol Majestic by Ferrett SteinmetzStarring: itinerant teen philosopher Kenna, whose answer to the question "Why do you love food?" wins him a life-changing free dinner at The Sol Majestic, the galaxy's most renowned restaurant.
What happens: Kenna bonds with the staff, falls in love with a cute boy, escapes his parents' toxic belief system, and confronts a deep moral quandary while working to save the place he's come to call home.
Read it for: a heartwarming coming-of-age story, the diverse members of Kenna's found family, and mouthwatering descriptions of food. |
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| Chilling Effect by Valerie ValdesWhat it's about: Captain Eva Innocente of La Sirena Negra and her crew must take on dangerous secret missions to raise the ransom money to save Eva's sister, Mari, from crime syndicate The Fridge.
For fans of: the appealing characters in Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet; the spacefaring capers of Mike Brooks' Keiko novels.
Series alert: Chilling Effect is the 1st in the same-named series, followed by Prime Deceptions. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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