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Fantasy and Science Fiction March 2019
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In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuireWhat it is: The latest entry in the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning series traces the origin story of studious Lundy, who discovers a world founded on logic, reason and riddles before making a fateful bargain. About the series: This is the 4th book in the Wayward Children series. To start at the beginning, check out Every Heart a Doorway. Reviewers say: "This is a lovely installment of the series, with pitch-perfect fairy-tale logic...The series as a whole has wonderfully internally consistent world building--and characters, no matter how far in the background, with complexity and depth." --Booklist
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| The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. ChakrabortyWhat it is: The much-anticipated 2nd book in the Daevabad trilogy, set five years after the events of The City of Brass.
(Re)introducing: healer (and unwilling bride) Nahri, the now-exiled Prince Ali, and daeva warrior Dara.
Why you might like it: Drawing on Middle Eastern history and folklore, this novel plunges readers into a vividly drawn world of dangerous magic, conflicted family loyalties, and political intrigue. |
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| Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon JamesWhat it is: a lush and, at times, surreal Afrofantasy novel by the author of A Brief History of Seven Killings.
Reviewers say: The New York Times' Michiko Kakutani describes the novel's African-inspired setting as "a place mapped by Gabriel García Márquez and Hieronymus Bosch with an assist from Salvador Dalí."
You might also like: Charles Saunders' Imaro, Kai Ashante Wilson's The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps. |
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| The Raven Tower by Ann LeckieWhat it's about: Protecting the kingdom of Iraden is a god known as the Raven, whose chosen incarnation, or "Lease", gains great power in exchange for ritualistic self-sacrifice.
Why you might like it: compelling narration from unusual perspectives and a layered, leisurely paced approach to world-building add up to a thought-provoking and stylistically complex novel.
Author alert: Having won a slew of awards for her Imperial Radch space opera trilogy, author Ann Leckie now tackles epic fantasy. |
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| The Ruin of Kings by Jenn LyonsFeaturing: Kihrin, the street thief who, in discovering his true heritage, also stumbles upon what may be his destiny; Talon, the shape-shifting demon that "helps" Kihrin tell his story; and Thurvishar D’Lorus, the chronicler who supplies additional context through (snarky) footnotes.
Series alert: This debut kicks off the Chorus of Dragons series, a sprawling epic fantasy saga that Kirkus Reviews calls a "virtually un-put-down-able read."
For fans of: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. |
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The Valley of Shadows by John RingoWhat happens: When his efforts to formulate a vaccine for the zombie virus force him into unsavory alliances with shady politicians and unsavory entrepreneurs, security director Tom Smith quietly considers an incomplete and dire backup plan for Earth's survivors. About the series: This is the 5th book in the Black Tide Rising series. Look for the 6th title, River of Night, on shelves this summer. Praise for the series: "Not only has Ringo found a mostly unexplored corner of the zombie landscape, he's using the zombie frame to tackle a broader theme: the collapse and rebirth of civilization. The zombie scenes are exciting, sure, but its the human story that keeps us involved. A fine series." --Booklist
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Through Fiery Trials by David WeberWhat happens: The initial relief of the war's end between the island realm of Charis and the radical Luddite Church of God's Awaiting turns to diligence for cybernetic avatar Merlin and the colonies of Safehold when dangerous ancient secrets emerge. Series note: This is the 10th book in the Safehold series, to start at the beginning, check out Off Armageddon Reef. About the author: David Weber is the most popular living author of military science fiction. Aside from the Safehold series, he is also known for the New York Times bestselling Honor Harrington series, including A Rising Thunder (2012). He lives in South Carolina.
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Trail of Lightning by Rebecca RoanhorseWhat happens: When a small town needs her help in finding a missing girl, Maggie Hoskie, a Dinetah monster hunter and supernaturally gifted killer, reluctantly enlists the help of an unconventional medicine man to uncover the terrifying truth behind the disappearance—and her own past. Series alert: Trail of Lightning is the debut title in the highly praised post-apocalyptic Sixth World series. Rave reviews: " Trail of Lightning has set a new standard for speculative fiction."--- BookPage "Roanhorse vividly depicts Navajo land, legends, and culture in her marvelous fantasy debut."--- (STARRED REVIEW) Publishers Weekly
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The Dreamers by Karen Thompson WalkerWhat it is: The best-selling author of The Age of Miracles presents the story of a student at an isolated Southern California college town who witnesses a strange sleeping illness that subjects patients to life-altering, heightened dreams. Reviewers say: "Richly imaginative and quietly devastating . . . Walker jolts the narrative with surprising twists, ensuring it keeps its energy until the end. This is a skillful, complex, and thoroughly satisfying novel about a community in peril." --- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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Here and Now and Then by Mike ChenWhat happens: Stranded for 18 years since the 1990s, time-traveling agent Kin Stewart, suffering from memory loss, has started a new life, but when rescuers from the year 2142 finally arrive, he must choose between his current family and the one he left behind in the future. Who might enjoy it: fans of The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Reviewers say: "In this heartfelt and thrilling debut, Chen revitalizes the trope of the absent and unavailable father... Chen's concept is unique, and [his characters'] agony is deeply moving. Quick pacing, complex characters, and a fascinating premise make this an unforgettable debut." -Publishers Weekly, starred review
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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