| Bridge by Lauren BeukesWhat happens: While sorting through her late mother's possessions, Bridget Kittinger finds the "dreamworm," a mysterious object that facilitates interdimensional travel.
Why you might like it: This mind-bending thriller by the author of The Shining Girls follows its determined heroine through multiple selves and realities to solve a mystery.
For fans of: the complex mother-daughter relationship in Aimee Pokwatka's Self-Portrait With Nothing; the multiverse-related intrigue of Micaiah Johnson's The Space Between Worlds. |
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| The Water Outlaws by S.L. HuangStarring: disgraced weapons instructor Lin Chong, dismissed from the Emperor's service and recruited by the legendary Bandits of Liangshan.
Why you might like it: Inspired by the classic Chinese novel Water Margin, this short novel by the author of Burning Roses should appeal to readers who enjoy wuxia-inspired fantasy epics.
For fans of: Wesley Chu's War Arts series or Jin Yong's Legends of the Condor Heroes books. |
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| The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle by T.L. HuchuWhat it's about: Teenage ghosttalker Ropa arrives on the Isle of Skye to attend the Society of Skeptical Enquirers’ conference shortly before a valuable magical scroll disappears.
Why you might like it: This 3rd book in the Edinburgh Nights series (after Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments) takes its heroine away from her usual haunts to solve a locked room mystery in a creepy old castle.
For fans of: Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series. |
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| Thornhedge by T. KingfisherOnce upon a time... Toadling, a changeling child, was tasked with guarding a sleeping princess in a bramble-covered castle.
And then... two centuries after Toadling begins her solitary vigil, a knight arrives at the castle to break a curse that should not be broken.
Why you might like it: This fractured fairy tale turns Sleeping Beauty on its head in ways that may appeal to fans of Alix E. Harrow's A Spindle Splintered or Tamsyn Muir's Princess Floralinda and the Forty-Flight Tower. |
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| Whalefall by Daniel KrausWhat happens: While diving in the Pacific, Jay Gardiner is swallowed by an 80-foot-long sperm whale and has just one hour to escape before his oxygen supply runs out.
Reviewers say: The "scientific and biological accuracy enhances the disturbing realism" (Publishers Weekly) of this "moving character study disguised as a riveting, cinematic survival thriller" (Booklist).
For fans of: tense SF survival stories, such as Andy Weir's The Martian. |
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| Prophet by Sin Blaché and Helen MacdonaldWhat happens: Unexplained phenomena on a military base prompt an investigation by ex-MI6 agent Sunil Rao and American intelligence officer Adam Rubinstein.
Reviewers say: This collaboration between musician Sin Blaché and author Helen Macdonald (H is for Hawk) is "shrewdly imagined, sharply crafted, witty, chilling, psychologically lush, grotesque, and romantic" (Booklist). |
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| More Perfect by Temi OhWhat it is: a retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, set in a near-future dystopian London where the popular Pulse brain implant connects people to the Panopticon network.
Why you might like it: This novel by the author of Do You Dream of Terra-Two? offers a tightly plotted, thought-provoking story of love and augmented reality.
For fans of: Philip K. Dick's Minority Report or Sarah Pinsker's We Are Satellites. |
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| Forged by Blood by Ehigbor OkosunWhat it's about: Living under an oppressive regime, Dèmi secretly works to reclaim her blood magic and liberate her people.
Why you might like it: This debut, which kicks off the Tainted Blood duology, "puts a Nigerian spin on epic fantasy tropes" (Library Journal) as it introduces a compelling young heroine and her intriguing world.
For fans of: Tomi Adeyemi's Legacy of Orisha series, Deborah Falaye's Blood Scion series, or Namina Forna's The Gilded Ones. |
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| He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-ChanWhat it's about: Following her victory over the Mongol army, Zhu Yuanzhang, the Radiant King, sets her sights on becoming emperor -- but she's not the only one eyeing the throne.
Series alert: He Who Drowned the World is the sweeping 2nd book in the Radiant Emperor duology; newcomers are advised to start with book 1, She Who Became the Sun. |
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| Where Peace Is Lost by Valerie ValdesWhat it's about: Retired supersoldier Kelana Gardavros lives a quiet life on a backwater planet as a refugee "Kel Garda"...until her past comes back to haunt her.
Is it for you? Less humorous than author Valerie Valdes' Chilling Effect series, this standalone novel offers an adventure story with a side of romance. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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