Fantasy and Science Fiction
January 2023
Recent Releases
Màgòdiz
by Gabe Calderón

In a world... where war has wiped out most of the human population, those who remain live under the oppressive rule of the Madjideye and their brutal Enforcers.

Meet: storyteller A'tugwewinu, sole survivor of the Andwánikádjigan people, who mourns her murdered lover, Bèl; firekeeper Shkitagen and his partner, healer Nitawesi, who seek sanctuary; and Riordan Streetking, hunted by Elite Enforcer H-09761.

About the author: novelist and poet Gabe Calderón's work has appeared in the Lambda Literary Award-winning anthology Love After the End: 
An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction. 
The Stars Undying
by Emery Robin

What happens: To seize the throne from her sister, Altagracia Caviro Patramata, would-be ruler of Szayet, forges an alliance with military commander Matheus Ceirran of the Ceian Empire.

Why you might like it: Full of intrigue, this space opera is the 1st installment of the Empire Without End series, which draws inspiration from the reign of Cleopatra.

For fans of: Kate Elliott's Unconquerable Sun. 
The Djinn Falls in Love and Other Stories
by Mahvesh Murad and Jared Shurin (editors)

Contains: 22 stories about djinn by an all-star lineup of speculative fiction authors.

Contributors include: Amal El-Mohtar, Neil Gaiman, Saad Z. Hossain, Usman T. Malik, Nnedi Okorafor, K.J. Parker, Sami Shah, Kamila Shamsie, and Neon Yang.

You might also like:  Saad Z. Hossain's Djinn City.
A Fire Endless
by Rebecca Ross

What it is: the sequel to A River Enchanted and the conclusion to the Elements of Cadence duology.

Read it for: well-drawn characters, both familiar and new; a magical island setting inspired by Scotland; and an inventive twist on Celtic folklore.

You might also like: Charles de Lint's Jack of Kinrowan novels.
Series Starters
Age of Ash
by Daniel Abraham

What it's about: In the ancient city of Kithamar, street thief Alys searches for her brother's murderer.

Read it for: sympathetic characters, immersive world-building, and a slowly unfurling mystery.

Series alert: Age of Ash marks the opening installment of the Kithamar series.
The Blood Trials
by N.E. Davenport

What happens: Determined to avenge her grandfather's assassination at the hands of the Republic of Mareen's ruling Tribunal, Black warrior-in-training Ikenna pledges herself to the Praetorian Trials, a brutal initiation rite with a very low survival rate.

Is it for you? Blood and gore abound in this opening installment of the Blood Gift duology.

For fans of: the strong-willed fighters and blood-soaked vengeance quests of Pierce Brown's Red Rising saga or Evan Winter's The Burning series.
The Outside
by Ada Hoffmann

Starring: Dr. Yasira Shien, branded a heretic by the Gods after the reactor she invented warps reality and destroys a space station.

Why you might like it: This trilogy opener, which blends space opera and cosmic horror, introduces an autistic heroine and takes place in a universe ruled by superintelligent AI and their post-human angels.

For fans of: Yoon Ha Lee's Machineries of Empire series, beginning with Ninefox Gambit.
Northern Wrath
by Thilde Kold Holdt

What it is: the opening installment of the Hanged God trilogy, a
historical grimdark fantasy inspired by Norse mythology.

Read it for: a well-drawn ensemble cast; a detailed Viking Age setting; fiery, gore-drenched raids and battles; and a slow but steady march towards Ragnarok.

For fans of: John Gwynne's Bloodsworn saga.
Shards of Earth
by Adrian Tchaikovsky

What it's about: A century after the alien Architects destroy Earth, genetically modified supersoldier Idris Telemmier joins the crew of the salvage ship Vulture God and discovers a derelict craft containing some dangerous and in-demand cargo.

Series alert: Shards of Earth kicks off the Final Architecture series, which continues with Eyes of the Void.

Book buzz: This "dazzlingly suspenseful space opera" (Publishers Weekly) won the 2022 BSFA Award for Best Novel.
More Recommendations
My Next 5
For personalized reading recommendations from Durham County librarians, try My Next 5!  Simply complete an online form to tell us a little about what genres, books, and authors you like (or dislike). A DCL librarian will review your submission and reply with a list of the next five books you should read -- all ages of readers welcome!
Find Your Next Read
Want to keep up-to-date on new books at the library?
We've got even more NextReads e-newsletters
on everything from Horror to Home & Garden! 
NoveList Plus
NoveList Plus is a comprehensive database of fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages, including recommendations,
articles, and lists for your fiction and nonfiction needs.
DCL cardholders can access NoveList Plus from any computer. 
Durham County Libraries
Check out the library's top ten checkouts!  Lists include top tens for adult fiction and nonfiction, movies, young adults fiction, picture books and kids' fiction.
Contact your librarian for more great books!
Durham County Library
300 N. Roxboro St.
Durham, North Carolina 27701
919-560-0100

DurhamCountyLibrary.org