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Fantasy and Science Fiction October 2019
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Wasteland : a Children of D'Hara novella
by Terry Goodkind
A latest series entry set in the world of the Sword of Truth novels finds a young woodsman seeking answers and vengeance in the aftermath of his father’s murder, while a mysterious woman races to escape bloodthirsty tyrant assassins.
New to this series? Start with The Scribbly Man and then Hateful Things.
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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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| The Harp of Kings by Juliet MarillierWhat it's about: A group of apprentice warriors from Swan Island must locate the ancient Harp of Kings before Midsummer, when it will be used in the coronation of the next king of Breifne.
Why you might like it: Unfolding from the perspectives of its three main characters, this intricately plotted series opener's central quest narrative is enhanced by a coming-of-age story and a slow-building romance.
About the author: No one does Celtic-inspired historical fantasy like New Zealand-born, Australia-based author Juliet Marillier, best known for her Sevenwaters series. |
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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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The Princess Beard : the tales of Pell
by Delilah S Dawson
"Once upon a time a princess slept in a magical tower cloaked in thorns and roses, waiting for true love's kiss. Or so her father told her. Instead, she woke up on her own, cut off all that pesky long hair, and used it to escape. But she kept the beard, because it made a great disguise. This is not a story about finding Prince Charming-- it's a story about finding yourself. On a pirate ship. Where you belong. But these are no ordinary pirate misfits aboard The Puffy Peach, serving under Filthy Lucre, theone-eyed parrot pirate captain. First there's Vic, a swole and misogynistic centaur on a mission to expunge himself of the magic that causes him to conjure tea and dainty cupcakes when confronted. Then there's Tempest, who's determined to become the first dryad lawyer-- preferably before she takes her ultimate form as a man-eating tree. They're joined by Alobartolus, an awkward and unelfly elf who longs to meet his hero, the Sn'archivist who is said to take diction directly from the gods of Pell. Throw in some mystery meat and a dastardly capitalist plot, and you've got one Pell of an adventure on the high seas!"
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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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| Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuireThe prodigal daughter: Cryptozoologist Verity Price comes from a renowned family of monster hunters, but what she really wants is to become a professional ballroom dancer. Or does she?
Series alert: Discount Armageddon kicks off the InCryptid series, which continues with Midnight Blue-Light Special.
About the author: In addition to horror-tinged books published under the name Mira Grant, the versatile and prolific Seanan McGuire is the author of the October Daye novels and the Wayward Children series. |
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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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Trail of Lightning
by Rebecca Roanhorse
While most of the world has drowned beneath the sudden rising waters of a climate apocalypse, Dinétah (formerly the Navajo reservation) has been reborn. The gods and heroes of legend walk the land, but so do monsters. Maggie Hoskie is a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last best hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much more terrifying than anything she could imagine. As Maggie discovers the truth behind the killings, she will have to confront her past if she wants to survive.
This opening installment of the Sixth World series (which continues with Storm of Locusts) was nominated for both Hugo and Nebula Awards.
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The Terror
by Dan Simmons
Captain Crozier must find a way for his crew to survive the deadly attacks of a mysterious and insatiable sea monster that is stalking the men trapped in the Arctic ice, in a novel loosely based on the mid-nineteenth-century Arctic expedition originally led by Sir John Franklin.
TV Tie-in: The AMC TV hit 's first season is based off of the novel.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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