Fantasy and Science Fiction
October 2019
Recent Releases
American Magic: A Thriller
by Zach Fehst

What it is: a globe-trotting fantasy spy thriller reminiscent of the work of Dan Brown and Robert Ludlum.

Starring: former CIA operative Ben Zolstra, who must track down a terrorist who has uploaded to the dark web incantations that allow ordinary people to wield powerful magic.

You might also like: Bookburners by Max Gladstone, Margaret Dunlap, Mur Lafferty, and Brian Francis Slattery.
Meet Me in the Future: Stories
by Kameron Hurley

What it is: a short story collection by speculative fiction writer Kameron Hurley, containing "16 hard-edged pieces that gleam like gems in a mosaic" (Publishers Weekly).

Don't miss: "When We Fall," a prequel to The Stars are Legion, and "The Light Brigade," which became the novel of the same name.

Reviewers say: "These are stories that pack a punch" (Booklist).
Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir

Introducing: Lesbian swordswoman Gideon Nav, indentured servant in the House of the Ninth; and her nemesis, necromancer Lady Harrowhark Nonegesimus, who may be her best shot at freedom.

Why you might like it: This edgy, irreverent debut boasts a foul-mouthed, snarky heroine; an enemies-to-not-quite-lovers plot; a murder mystery in the midst of an interplanetary competition; and necromancy.

For fans of: the revenge plot of Jay Kristoff's Nevernight Chronicle; the protagonist and atmosphere of Nicole Kornher-Stace's Archivist Wasp.
Blood of an Exile
by Brian Naslund

What it's about: Exiled lord-turned-dragonslayer "Flawless" Silas Bershad has a chance to redeem himself by rescuing a kidnapped Almiran princess and assassinating the emperor of neighboring Baleria.

Why you might like it: This opening installment of the Dragons of Terra series boasts an action-packed plot, compelling (if not exactly sympathetic) characters, and an immersive setting.

You might also like: John Gwynne's Of Blood and Bone series, a similarly verging-on-grimdark fantasy where no character is safe.
Here Be Monsters
It Devours! A Welcome to Night Vale Novel
by Joseph Fink and Jeffery Cranor

What happens: Local scientist Nilanjana Sikdar investigates strange goings-on in the desert and discovers...well, you'll just have to find out.

Should you start here? While this spin-off of the popular Welcome to Night Vale) podcast stands on its own, it does contain some (minor) spoilers for the main series.

Food for thought: "Death is only the end if you assume the story is about you."
Storm of Locusts
by Rebecca Roanhorse

What it is: the sequel to the Nebula Award-nominated Trail of Lightning.

Starring: DinĂ© (Navajo) monster hunter Maggie Hoskie, who must rescue her best friend, Kai, from a cult.

For fans of: Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels novels, another post-apocalyptic urban fantasy series featuring a strong heroine and plenty of monster-battling thrills.
The New Annotated Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley; edited by Leslie S. Klinger

What it is: a thoroughly annotated, lavishly illustrated edition of Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein.

Includes: both the 1818 and 1831 versions of the text, as well as 200 illustrations ranging from engravings to photographs.

Series alert: Readers whose sweet spot is the intersection of horror and SF will be pleased to learn that editor Leslie S. Klinger is also responsible for The New Annotated H.P. Lovecraft.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
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