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"It began as a piece of homework. The English teacher gave me twenty marks out of twenty for it, and put it in the school magazine. The kids liked it. I was a writer." ~ from Terry Pratchett's A Blink of the Screen
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New and Recently Released!
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| Vision in Silver: A Novel of the Others by Anne BishopDark Fantasy. Thanks to the intervention of the shapeshifting Terra Indigene (aka "the Others"), Thasia's cassandra sangue (blood prophets) will never again be forced to cut themselves for wealthy patrons who desire the prophecies produced by their bloodletting. However, most have spent their lives in captivity and can't function in the outside world. To help her newly liberated sisters, blood prophet Meg Corbyn, the first to escape the compounds, must use the knowledge she's gained while living at Lakeside Courtyard with Simon Wolfgard and his pack. Meanwhile, the radical Humans, First and Last (HFL) organization attempts to stir up conflict between the Others and their human neighbors. Due to the complexity of the series' storyline, newcomers to the Courtyards of the Others books should start with Written in Red, followed by Murder of Crows. |
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| Voyage of the Basilisk: A Memoir by Lady Trent by Marie BrennanHistorical Fantasy. Having hunted for rock-wyrms in the mountains of Vystrana and discovered rare dragon species on the continent of Eriga, natural historian and explorer Lady Isabella now embarks on a two-year scientific expedition aboard The Basilisk. Accompanied by her son, her research partner, and an archaeologist colleague, Lady Isabella's already formidable mettle will be tested when a storm shipwrecks the group on a remote tropical island whose inhabitants take a dim view both of dragons and Lady Isabella's study of them. Written in the style of a Victorian travelogue, this 3rd installment of the Memoirs of Lady Trent follows A Natural History of Dragons and The Tropic of Serpents. |
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| Prudence: The Custard Protocol: Book One by Gail CarrigerSteampunk Fantasy. Lady Prudence Allessandra Maccon Akeldama, better known as "Rue," is the daughter of "preternatural" Alexia Tarabotti and alpha werewolf Lord Maccon. Possessed of a sense of adventure as well as a talent for borrowing the powers of other supernatural beings with a touch, Rue jumps at the chance to assist her guardian, the Rove vampire Lord Akeldama, by traveling to India in a gaudy dirigible called "the Spotted Custard." Fans of Gail Carriger's witty, engaging Parasol Protectorate books (beginning with Soulless) should enjoy this spin-off series, which focuses on the next generation of high-spirited young ladies and their adventures. |
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| A Blink of the Screen: Collected Shorter Fiction by Terry Pratchett; foreword by A.S. Byatt; illustrated by Josh Kirby and Paul KidbyShort Stories. Fans of the late Sir Terry Pratchett will be delighted by this compilation of the author's shorter works, many new to even his most ardent admirers. The 32 pieces in this volume span Pratchett's entire career, starting with his first published story ("The Hades Business," written at age 13). In addition to illuminating the origins of Pratchett's Bromeliad trilogy and Long Earth quartet (co-authored with Stephen Baxter), this collection also treats readers to a number of stand-alone tales set in his beloved Discworld. Each piece receives an introduction from the author, and many are illustrated, adding visual appeal. |
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| The Mechanical by Ian TregillisAlternate History Fantasy. Built by humans and powered by alchemy, Clakkers are mechanical servants invented by 17th-century Dutch clockmaker Christiaan Huygens. With their strength, longevity, and ability to follow orders in lockstep, the Clakkers are largely responsible for the Netherlands' rise to global dominance -- although perhaps not for much longer. When Clakker Jax takes advantage of an unexpected opportunity to escape from bondage, he flees to the New World, determined to remain free at all costs. With its fast-paced, suspenseful narrative and detailed world-building, The Mechanical, the 1st book in the Alchemy Wars series, should appeal to fans of other magic-imbued alternate timelines such as those featured in Anne Lyle's Night's Masque series or David Walton's Quintessence. |
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Focus on: Alternate History Fantasy
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| Ink and Steel: A Novel of the Promethean Age by Elizabeth BearAlternate History Fantasy. In this prequel to Campbell-award winning author Elizabeth Bear's Promethean Age series, Elizabeth I occupies the English throne, while Queen Mab reigns in the parallel world of Fae. Helping to maintain the balance between these realms is a magical secret society called the Prometheus Club. Spy Kit Marley -- better known as the poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe -- is one of their members, but when he is murdered in the line of duty, young Will Shakespeare must take his place. There's only one problem: Will has no magical abilities. Therefore, it's up to Kit, miraculously restored by Faerie magic, to assist Will -- while searching for the traitor who took his life. |
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| Mage's Blood by David HairAlternate History Fantasy. Every 12 years, the tides ebb to reveal the Leviathan Bridge, a 300-mile-span that connects the otherwise isolated continents of Yuros and Antiopia. Originally created to facilitate trade between the two regions, it is more often used by the powerful Magi of the West to wage crusades against their "infidel" neighbors to the East. But the Antiopians are not about to bow down to the invaders. With its epic scope, extensive world-building, and sprawling cast of morally ambiguous characters, this 1st book in the Moontide Quartet may appeal to fans of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. |
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| Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn Alternate History Fantasy. In a society modeled on feudal Japan, where warring clans compete for power, young warrior Takeo has two destinies. As an official member of the Otori clan, he must avenge his adoptive father's murder. However, Takeo's birth family belonged to The Tribe, a rival group of five clans with extraordinary powers. Can he use his talents to fulfill his mission, or will his dual identity tear him apart? If you enjoy Across the Nightingale Floor, you'll want to read its sequel Grass for His Pillow, and the two books that follow. And if you're interested in more mythology-based fantasy set in East Asia, you might want to check out Barry Hughart's novels featuring Master Li and Number Ten Ox, a mystery-fantasy hybrid that unfolds in 7th-century China. |
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| River of Stars: A Novel by Guy Gavriel KayAlternate History Fantasy. Four hundred years after the events of Under Heaven, Kitai once again teeters on the brink of war. Destined to play an important role in the conflict are Lin Shan, a young woman whose mastery of the arts of calligraphy and poetry is matched by her political savoir-faire, and Ren Daiyuang, a former outlaw who has risen through the ranks of the Imperial Army and must now defend Kitai from invasion by nomadic raiders. Inspired by the history and culture of Song Dynasty China, River of Stars is a lyrical, sweeping saga that may appeal to fans of Elizabeth Bear's Eternal Sky series, which presents a fantasy version of 12th-century Eurasia from the perspective of the Mongol Empire's rulers. |
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| Arcanum by Simon MordenAlternate History Fantasy. One thousand years after the fall of Rome, Europe exists as a collection of independent kingdoms whose access to (or lack of) magic determines their fate. One such realm, the German-speaking Palatinate of Carinthia, depends on its Order of Hexmasters for everything from commerce to technology to basic infrastructure to defense. But what happens when the magic runs out? Find out in this engaging, intricately plotted fantasy novel, an alternate history saga distinguished by strong characterization and extensive world-building. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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