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Fantasy and Science Fiction October 2019 |
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| American Magic: A Thriller by Zach FehstWhat 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. |
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| Meet Me in the Future: Stories by Kameron HurleyWhat 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). |
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| Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn MuirIntroducing: 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. |
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| Blood of an Exile by Brian NaslundWhat 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. |
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| It Devours! A Welcome to Night Vale Novel by Joseph Fink and Jeffery CranorWhat 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." |
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| Storm of Locusts by Rebecca RoanhorseWhat it is: the sequel to the Nebula Award-nominated Trail of Lightning.
Starring: Diné (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. |
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| The New Annotated Frankenstein by Mary Shelley; edited by Leslie S. KlingerWhat 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. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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