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The Testamentsby Margaret AtwoodWhat: A long-anticipated sequel to the best-selling The Handmaid’s Tale is set 15 years after Offred stepped into an unknown fate and interweaves the experiences of three female narrators from Gilead. Genre: Canadian fiction; Dystopian fiction Character: Complex Storyline: Character-driven; Intricately plotted Tone: Disturbing; Suspenseful Writing Style: Compelling; Lyrical
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| Meet Me in the Future: Stories by Kameron HurleyWhat it is: a short story collection by speculative fiction writer Kameron Hurley, containing "16 hard-edged pieces that gleam like gems in a mosaic" (Publishers Weekly).
Don't miss: "When We Fall," a prequel to The Stars are Legion, and "The Light Brigade," which became the novel of the same name.
Reviewers say: "These are stories that pack a punch" (Booklist). |
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| The Harp of Kings by Juliet MarillierWhat it's about: A group of apprentice warriors from Swan Island must locate the ancient Harp of Kings before Midsummer, when it will be used in the coronation of the next king of Breifne.
Why you might like it: Unfolding from the perspectives of its three main characters, this intricately plotted series opener's central quest narrative is enhanced by a coming-of-age story and a slow-building romance.
About the author: No one does Celtic-inspired historical fantasy like New Zealand-born, Australia-based author Juliet Marillier, best known for her Sevenwaters series. |
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| Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn MuirIntroducing: Lesbian swordswoman Gideon Nav, indentured servant in the House of the Ninth; and her nemesis, necromancer Lady Harrowhark Nonegesimus, who may be her best shot at freedom.
Why you might like it: This edgy, irreverent debut boasts a foul-mouthed, snarky heroine; an enemies-to-not-quite-lovers plot; a murder mystery in the midst of an interplanetary competition; and necromancy.
For fans of: the revenge plot of Jay Kristoff's Nevernight Chronicle; the protagonist and atmosphere of Nicole Kornher-Stace's Archivist Wasp. |
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A little hatred by Joe AbercrombieWhat: A battlefield hero, a ruthless socialite and a woman with the ability to glimpse into the future find their world and prospects transformed by escalating tensions among the disparate supporters of magic and machine development. Genre: Epic fantasy; Fantasy fiction Character: Flawed; Large cast of characters Storyline: Intricately plotted; World-building Tone: Atmospheric; Violent Writing Style: Descriptive; Engaging; Witty
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| It Devours! A Welcome to Night Vale Novel by Joseph Fink and Jeffery CranorWhat happens: Local scientist Nilanjana Sikdar investigates strange goings-on in the desert and discovers...well, you'll just have to find out.
Should you start here? While this spin-off of the popular Welcome to Night Vale) podcast stands on its own, it does contain some (minor) spoilers for the main series.
Food for thought: "Death is only the end if you assume the story is about you." |
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Frankenstein by Elizabeth GencoWhat: Retells in graphic novel format Shelley's classic tale in which a monster assembled by a scientist from parts of dead bodies develops a mind of his own as he learns to loathe himself and hate his creator
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| Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuireThe prodigal daughter: Cryptozoologist Verity Price comes from a renowned family of monster hunters, but what she really wants is to become a professional ballroom dancer. Or does she?
Series alert: Discount Armageddon kicks off the InCryptid series, which continues with Midnight Blue-Light Special.
About the author: In addition to horror-tinged books published under the name Mira Grant, the versatile and prolific Seanan McGuire is the author of the October Daye novels and the Wayward Children series. |
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| Storm of Locusts by Rebecca RoanhorseWhat it is: the sequel to the Nebula Award-nominated Trail of Lightning.
Starring: Diné (Navajo) monster hunter Maggie Hoskie, who must rescue her best friend, Kai, from a cult.
For fans of: Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels novels, another post-apocalyptic urban fantasy series featuring a strong heroine and plenty of monster-battling thrills. |
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| Echopraxia by Peter WattsWhat it's about: Biologist Daniel Brüks, a "baseline" human adrift in a post-human world, gets caught up in a conflict between the monastic hive-mind of the Bicameral Order and a genetically engineered vampire (and her zombie bodyguards) as they search for a ship that disappeared.
Is it for you? This deeply philosophical hard SF novel offers a challenging but rewarding read to those who enjoy mind-bending concepts (and enjoy fiction that includes citations and appendices).
Should you start here? Although this 2nd Firefall novel stands on its own, you may want to start with the Hugo-nominated Blindsight. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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