| The Wolf in the Whale by Jordanna Max BrodskyStarring: Omat, a young angakkuq (shaman) of the Inuit who embarks on a journey to save the tribe from starvation -- and finds an unexpected ally in Norseman Brandr.
Why you might like it: With a nod to the Vinland sagas, this novel vividly depicts a world inspired by Inuit and Norse legend as it presents the compelling coming-of-age story of its gender nonbinary protagonist.
You might also like: Kim Stanley Robinson's Shaman or Michael Crichton's Eaters of the Dead. |
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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 Tourist by Robert DickinsonThe Backstory: By the 24th century, recreational time travel is a growth industry. Popular destinations include time periods prior to the Near Extinction Event (NEE) that changed the course of human history.
What happens: Multiple narratives converge (and, at times, contradict one other) as a tour guide pursues a missing vacationer through the 21st century and a 25th-century prisoner carries out a covert mission that could alter several timelines.
For fans of: twisty time-travel thrillers such as Ellen Larson's In Retrospect or Sean Ferrell's Man in the Empty Suit. |
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The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
by Claire North
What it's about: Harry August is a kalachakra, an immortal reborn again and again with memories intact. Interwoven with Harry's recollections of his many lives are tantalizing hints about the end of the world.
You might also like: Matt Haig's How to Stop Time, another engaging novel whose effectively immortal protagonist attempts to make sense of his own existence.
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| Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi TaylorWhat it's about: Recruited by St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research, Madeleine "Max" Maxwell is delighted to discover that being a historian involves time travel. Although her job is simply to observe the past, she can't resist getting involved.
Why you might like it: This 1st book in the Chronicles of St. Mary's series boasts quirky characters, madcap adventure, and offbeat humor.
For fans of: Connie Willis' Oxford Time Travel series, Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next novels. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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