|
Fantasy and Science Fiction April 2021
|
|
|
|
| Machinehood by S.B. DivyaEarth, 2095: Humans rely on pills and body modifications to compete with weak artificial intelligence (WAI) in a cutthroat gig economy.
Starring: Welga Ramirez, a Shield for a private security firm who's determined to track down the terrorist group that killed her client; and Welga's sister-in-law, researcher Nithya, who aids Welga's investigation.
About the author: S.B. Divya is the author of Runtime as well as co-editor of the Escape Pod podcast magazine. |
|
|
The Effort by Claire HolroydeWhat it is: For readers of Station Eleven comes an electric, heart-pounding novel of love and sacrifice that follows people around the world as they unite to prevent a global catastrophe. What it's about: Discovering that a dark comet near Jupiter will eventually hit Earth and destroy all known life, a NASA Near-Earth Object scientist and his indomitable girlfriend assemble an international team to prevent a global catastrophe. Reviewers say: "A solid debut novel from Claire Holroyde, reminiscent of the movies Deep Impact and Armageddon . . . You won't want to put the book down."-- Red Carpet Crash
|
|
| The Conductors by Nicole GloverIntroducing: Henrietta "Hetty" Rhodes and her husband, Benjy, who use magic to investigate crimes against Black people in 1870s Philadelphia.
Read it for: well-drawn protagonists, their lovingly depicted Seventh Ward community, and a magic system based on the constellations.
For fans of: the alternate history of P. Djèli Clark's The Black God's Drums; the unique magic of Alaya Dawn Johnson's Trouble the Saints. |
|
| A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady MartineWhat it is: the sequel to the Hugo Award-winning novel A Memory Called Empire.
What happens: Shortly after returning to Lsel Station, ambassador Mahit Dzmare reunites with asekreta Three Seagrass when both are dispatched by yaotlek Nine Hibiscus to negotiate with a hostile alien armada at the edges of Teixcalaanli space.
Read it for: extensive and detailed world-building, and an intricately layered plot rife with political intrigue. |
|
|
The Factory Witches of Lowell by C. S. MalerichWhat it is: a riveting historical fantasy about witches going on strike in the historical mill-town of Lowell, Massachusetts. What it is: Faced with abominable working conditions, unsympathetic owners, and hard-hearted managers, the mill girls of Lowell have had enough. They're going on strike, and they have a secret weapon on their side: a little witchcraft to ensure that no one leaves the picket line. Reviewers say: Sisterhood, love, and magic blossom in this timely tale of protest based on a historical incident...Slender but still well-crafted and satisfying. --Kirkus
|
|
|
The Charmed Wife by Olga GrushinThe premise: Cinderella wants her Prince Charming dead in this sophisticated fairy-tale for the twenty-first century. What happens: Thirteen years after marrying Prince Charming and having two children, a dissatisfied Cinderella sneaks out to obtain the services of a witch known to provide love potions to disgruntled housewives, but instead of rekindled romance, she wants her husband dead. Praise for the book: An absorbing study of marriage, divorce, self, and responsibility, threaded with numerous retold fairytales and rendered in prescient, gorgeous language. Highly recommended. -Library Journal (starred review)
|
|
|
The Future is Yours by Dan FreyWhat it's about: Two best friends create a computer that can predict the future. But what they can't predict is how it will tear their friendship--and society--apart. What happens: The device can predict everything perfectly--from stock market spikes and sports scores to political scandals and corporate takeovers--allowing them to chase down success and fame while staying one step ahead of the competition. But the future their device foretells is not the bright one they imagined. Ambition. Greed. Jealousy. And, perhaps, an apocalypse. The question is . . . can they stop it? Of note: The novel is already in development as an HBO Max series.
|
|
|
The Mask of Mirrors by M. A. CarrickWhat it is: Darkly magical and intricately imagined, The Mask of Mirrors is the not to be missed start to the Rook & Rose trilogy, a dazzling fantasy adventure from an incredible new voice. What it's about: Returning to Nadezra bent on revenge, con artist Renata Viraudax finds her plan of tricking her way into a noble house and securing her fortune thwarted by the discovery that she holds the key to saving all her worlds. Who might enjoy it: fans of The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison and The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty.
|
|
|
Vengewar by Kevin J. AndersonWhat it is: A follow-up to Spine of the Dragon finds the Three Kingdoms and the nation of Ishara challenged to set aside generations of war to join forces against a reawakened ancient race that would remake the world. What happens: The Three Kingdoms are shattering under pressure from an inexperienced new King who is being led by an ambitious regent to ignore the threat of the Wreths, in favor of a Vengewar with Ishara. His brother and uncle can see only the danger of the Older Race. In Ishara, the queen lies in a coma, while an ambitious priest seizes power. But he has neither the training nor the talent to rule a nation-- or even a city. Ishara is in deadly peril, and the Wreths have not even appeared on their continent. Reviewers say: "Large-scale battles, magic, and multiple exciting story lines meld together to create a thrilling adventure." --Publishers Weekly
|
|
|
Victory's Price: An Alphabet Squadron Novel by Alexander FreedWhat it is: The trilogy conclusion finds the remnants of Alphabet Squadron battling the Star Destroyers and TIE squadrons that would carry out the fallen Emperor’s final edict of construction, while Keize undertakes a mission on behalf of loyal Empire soldiers. About the author: Alexander Freed is the author of the Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron trilogy, Star Wars: Battlefront: Twilight Company, and Star Wars: Rogue One and has written many short stories, comic books, and videogames. Born near Philadelphia, he endeavors to bring the city's dour charm with him to his current home of Austin, Texas.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|