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Staff Picks 2020: Fantasy & Science Fiction
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Network effect
by Martha Wells
Wes's Pick:
When Murderbot’s human associates are captured and need its help, it must choose between inertia and drastic action, in this first, full-length standalone novel about a sentient murder machine programmed for destruction.
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All systems red
by Martha Wells
Danny's Pick:
"A security robot styling itself Murderbot gains free will. Instead of going on a murderous rampage, it promptly becomes distracted by watching thousands of hours of entertainment programs. This first in series is a novella, so its a quick read, and a lot of fun! It also won the Nebula and Hugo awards for best novella."
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Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
Danny's Pick & Jeff's Pick:
"A swordswoman must assist her childhood rival in a space necromancer contest where the winners gain godlike powers in order to join the undead emperor's inner circle. Gideon the Ninth has elements of science fiction, fantasy, murder mystery...and more than a generous helping of sarcasm and wit. Its been billed as "lesbian necromancers in space" but while it is LBGTQ+ friendly, I think it skews more fantasy and mystery with science fiction and romance elements present but muted."
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Race the sands : a novel
by Sarah Beth Durst
Danny's Pick and Lisa's Pick:
Danny says, "Two women struggle to make a better life by becoming monster racing champions. One to escape her controlling family and an arranged marriage to a known abuser, the other to keep the government from coming between her and her daughter. There are some absolutely fantastic characters in this book and it packs some powerful punches into a standalone fantasy. Easily my favorite book this year!"
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Battle ground : a novel of the Dresden files
by Jim Butcher
Danny's Pick:
"I finally decided to jump in on this long-running urban fantasy series and I'm glad I did. There are seventeen books in the series, with two of those being released just this year after a five-year hiatus. The series gets better as it goes, and I'd highly recommend giving it a solid shot - four books at least. Butcher weaves fantasy tropes such as fairies, vampires, and wizards nicely into a modern Chicago setting, also blending noir mystery elements, action, and humor throughout. This Dresden Files just works. If you've been curious about urban fantasy, this is a great starting point".
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The calculating stars
by Mary Robinette Kowal
Lisa's Pick:
On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process.
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Storm front : a novel of the Dresden files
by Jim Butcher
Lisa's Pick:
A modern-day mage and consultant to the Chicago police, wizard Harry Dresden finds his stale life suddenly enlivened when he is called to share his expertise in the investigation into a grisly double murder, a crime that reveals the presence of a rival who practices the darkest of black arts.
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A memory called empire
by Arkady Martine
Jeff's Pick:
Taking over for an ambassador who died a suspicious death, Mahit Dzmare investigates the potential murder while navigating the alien culture of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire, which is hiding a technological secret that could impact the universe. A first novel.
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