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Fantasy and Science Fiction January 2021 |
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| King of the Rising by Kacen CallenderThe setting: the islands of Hans Lollik, a Caribbean-inspired archipelago colonized by the white Scandinavian-esque Fjern, whose wealth and power depend on the continued enslavement of the Black islanders.
The protagonist: Løren Jannik, a formerly enslaved young man determined to use his kraft (magic) to liberate his people.
What sets it apart: This thought-provoking sequel to The Queen of the Conquered eschews a straightforward narrative of good triumphing over evil in favor of a nuanced examination of colonial systems of oppression. |
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The Dark Archive
by Genevieve Cogman
Where we are: Narrowly escaping an assassination attempt while training her new assistant, Irene the time-traveling Librarian investigates her own history to confront an ancient foe and uncover secrets that threaten the Library’s future.
Series: This is book 7. If you want to start the adventure from the beginning, try The Invisible Library first.
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The Quake Cities
by Mark Wheaton
Setting: A world decimated by earthquakes and centered in Los Angeles
What's Happening: Alice wakes up in the Los Angeles Quake Zone in 2025 having no idea how she got there. As her memories slowly return, she finds she's being hunted by several armed groups intent on capturing her alive for her DNA.
Main Characters: Este's occasional boyfriend Wilfredo and her dog Casey, Este and Alice
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Klara and the Sun
by Kazuo Ishiguro
What does it mean to love?
'The Sun always has ways to reach us.'
From her place in the store, Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, watches carefully the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass in the street outside. She remains hopeful a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change for ever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans.
Author: This author has won awards for each of his previous books.
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Oona out of order
by Margarita Montimore
A young woman destined to wake up on her birthday to a random year in her life struggles through an out-of-order existence to reconcile her inner youth with the realities of shifting external identities, appearances and period norms. Hopping through decades, pop culture fads, and much-needed stock tips, Oona is still a young woman on the inside but ever changing on the outside.
Surprising, magical, and heart-wrenching. Montimore has crafted an unforgettable story about the burdens of time, the endurance of love, and the power of family.
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| Witchmark by C.L. PolkStarring: former army officer Dr. Miles Singer, who's hiding from his powerful family while concealing his magical powers from society; and Tristan Hunter, the mysterious gentleman who convinces Miles to join his investigation into baffling crimes involving veterans.
Book buzz: In addition to winning the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, this debut was also a finalist for the Nebula Award, the Locus Award, and the Lammy Award.
Series alert: Set in a world reminiscent of Edwardian England, Witchmark is the opening installment of the Kingston Cycle, followed by Stormsong and the forthcoming Soulstar. |
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| The Sol Majestic by Ferrett SteinmetzStarring: itinerant teen philosopher Kenna, whose answer to the question "Why do you love food?" wins him a life-changing free dinner at The Sol Majestic, the galaxy's most renowned restaurant.
What happens: Kenna bonds with the staff, falls in love with a cute boy, escapes his parents' toxic belief system, and confronts a deep moral quandary while working to save the place he's come to call home.
Read it for: a heartwarming coming-of-age story, the diverse members of Kenna's found family, and mouthwatering descriptions of food. |
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The book of Koli
by M. R. Carey
Everything that lives hates us...
Beyond the walls of the small village of Mythen Rood lies an unrecognizable landscape. A place where overgrown forests are filled with choker trees and deadly seeds that will kill you where you stand. And if they don't get you, one of the dangerous shunned men will.
Koli believes the first rule of survival is that you don't venture too far beyond the walls. He's wrong.
Series Alert: This is book one in the Rampart Trilogy which is followed by The Trials of Koli and The Fall of Koli.
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| Chilling Effect by Valerie ValdesWhat it's about: Captain Eva Innocente of La Sirena Negra and her crew must take on dangerous secret missions to raise the ransom money to save Eva's sister, Mari, from crime syndicate The Fridge.
For fans of: the appealing characters in Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet; the spacefaring capers of Mike Brooks' Keiko novels.
Series alert: Chilling Effect is the 1st in the same-named series, followed by Prime Deceptions. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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