|
Fantasy and Science Fiction January 2021
|
|
|
|
|
The Princess Knight by G. A. AikenWhat it's about: A sequel to The Blacksmith Queen finds Gemma joining the unruly Amichai warriors and fighting to persuade the grand masters to support their cause, while her reckless younger sister and the War Monks plot against the Blacksmith Queen. Reviewers say: "Electrically fun...turns the usual fairy-tale class dynamics upside down...this is a book that encourages trust in people's goodness, if not their patience or good sense. It's light on the romance, but prodigiously good for the heart." --The New York Times
|
|
| 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). |
|
|
Spellbreaker by Charlie N. HolmbergWhat it's about: A world of enchanted injustice needs a disenchanting woman in an all-new fantasy series by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician. What happens: Born with illegal spell-breaking powers in a world where corrupt wizards advance the causes of the wealthy, Elise supports underground resistance efforts before striking an unlikely bargain with an elite magical student. Reviewers say: "...romantic and electrifying...the fast-paced plot and fully realized world will have readers eager for the next installment. Fans of Victorian-influenced fantasy won't want to put this down." --Publishers Weekly
|
|
|
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher PaoliniWhat it is: a brand new epic novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eragon, Christopher Paolini. What it's about: During a routine survey mission on an un-colonized planet, Kira finds an alien relic. At first she's delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move. What happens: As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation. First contact isn't at all what she imagined, and events push her to the very limits of what it means to be human. While Kira faces her own horrors, Earth and its colonies stand upon the brink of annihilation. Now, Kira might be humanity's greatest and final hope.
|
|
|
Hollow Empire by Sam HawkeWhat it is: Moving from poison and treachery to war and witchcraft, Sam Hawke's Poison Wars continue with Hollow Empire, a fabulous epic fantasy adventure. What it's about: The deadly siege of Silasta woke the ancient spirits, and now the city-state must find its place in this new world of magic. But people and politics are always treacherous, and it will take all of Jovan and Kalina's skills as proofer and spy to save their country when witches and assassins turn their sights to domination. Who might enjoy it: fans of Robin Hobb, Naomi Novik, and Scott Lynch.
|
|
|
Road Out of Winter by Alison StineWhat it is: Urgent and poignant, Road Out of Winter is a glimpse of an all-too-possible near future, with a chosen family forged in the face of dystopian collapse. What it's about: An impoverished girl from a marijuana farming family is forced by another summerless year to embark on a treacherous journey through the backroads of Appalachia to find missing relatives and a new way to survive. Reviewers say: "Richly imagined, deeply moving and unthinkably offers hope in a world that uncannily resembles ours currently in the thick of COVID-19.... Gloriously well-written." - Ms. Magazine
|
|
|
D (A Tale of Two Worlds) by Michel FaberWhat it is: A stunning modern-day Dickensian fable and a celebration of friendship and bravery for freethinkers everywhere. What it's about: Baffled by the sudden disappearance of the letter D, a young woman is summoned to the home of a former history teacher before arriving in an enslaved, wintry land where free thinking is under threat. Reviewers say: "Clever and enjoyable, this Narnia-like work will delight any fantasy buff." - Library Journal
|
|
| 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. |
|
| 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. |
|
| 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. |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|