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Fantasy and Science Fiction April 2021
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| Machinehood by S.B. DivyaEarth, 2095: Humans rely on pills and body modifications to compete with weak artificial intelligence (WAI) in a cutthroat gig economy.
Starring: Welga Ramirez, a Shield for a private security firm who's determined to track down the terrorist group that killed her client; and Welga's sister-in-law, researcher Nithya, who aids Welga's investigation.
About the author: S.B. Divya is the co-editor of the Escape Pod podcast magazine and science fiction anthology book. |
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| Escaping Exodus: Symbiosis by Nicky DraydenIn a world... where humans colonize the body cavities of massive interstellar creatures known as Zenzee, acting leader Doka Kaleigh pushes for a less exploitative way of life -- one that will require sacrifices that many people do not wish to make.
Why you might like it: This sequel to Escaping Exodus focuses on relationships and explores the politics and social issues of a matriarchal society.
For fans of: the woman-centric society of Kameron Hurley's The Stars Are Legion, or the Afrofuturist take on generation ships in Rivers Solomon's An Unkindness of Ghosts. |
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Knight's Ransom
by Jeff Wheeler
Introducing: Ransom, a young man on a journey to earn his knighthood, who becomes ensnared in courtly intrigue.
What happens: He interrupts an abduction plot that earns him a position serving the son of the Queen of Ceredigion - making him a target.
Series alert: This is book one in the First Argentines series, which twists medieval history with elements from Arthurian legend.
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| A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady MartineWhat it is: the sequel to the Hugo Award-winning novel A Memory Called Empire.
What happens: Shortly after returning to Lsel Station, ambassador Mahit Dzmare reunites with Three Seagrass when both are dispatched to negotiate with a hostile alien armada at the edges of Teixcalaanli space.
Read it for: extensive and detailed world-building, and an intricately layered plot rife with political intrigue. |
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| Sun-Daughters, Sea-Daughters by Aimee OgdenThe premise: Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," but make it space opera.
Starring: Atuale, the Greatclan Lord's daughter who left her undersea realm to wed Saareval of the land-dwelling Vo; and her former lover, the World-Witch Yanja, whose gene-editing expertise made Atuale's transformation possible.
Why you might like it: Atuale and Yanja's bond is deep, complex, and moving, while their interplanetary quest to stop a plague is rendered in lush and poetic style. |
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Wings of Fury
by Emily R. King
In an ancient world: Cronus, God of Gods, whose inheritance is the world, imprisons women to serve him.
Introducing: strong-minded Athea Lambros, who lives to honor her dying mother's plea to protect her two sisters at all costs. On her journey to fulfill her fate and crush the tyranny of the Titans, she joins forces with the Boy God, Zeus, who has been hiding on the island of Crete and believed to be dead by his father Cronus.
For fans of: women of steel, plot-driven historical fiction and mythology
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Persephone Station
by Stina Leicht
On a backwater planet: a community of android refugees, all female, are hiding since they were able to awaken their AI and escape servitude.
What happens: The Serrao-Orlov Corporation wants their property back. However, Persephone Station is run by an organized group of beneficent criminals and worn mercenaries who have a thing for doing the honorable thing, despite the odds.
Why you might like it: Award-nominated author Stina Leicht has created a viciously feminist take on The Magnificent Seven by the way of Blade Runner and Westworld.
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The Ruthless Lady's Guide to Wizardry
by C. M. Waggoner
Starring: Hard-drinking petty thief Dellaria Wells who is down on her luck in the city of Leiscourt--again. A chance opportunity: Della fast-talks her way into a high-paying job as a bodyguard to protect a young lady from mysterious assassins. As she begins to fall for Winn (one of the other bodyguards), the women must team up against a magical foe who seems to have allies everywhere.
Read it for: the charming historical fantasy with a tender love story at its core.
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Fireheart Tiger
by Aliette De Bodard
What it is: a fantasy novella featuring court intrigue and love triangles.
Starring: Princess Thanh, who has returned to her mother's imperial court years after being sent away to Ephteria as a child hostage. Now a diplomat, she sits at the negotiating table with her mother and must weigh the needs of her kingdom against the desires of her heart.
What reviewers are saying: "A fascinating story filled with strong female characters and lush prose, the relationships woven around Thanh evolve into themes of reclaiming the self and recognizing that love can hide the truth about people." (Library Journal)
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Burning Girls and other stories
by Veronica L. Schanoes
What it is: A debut collection of short, fantasy stories about marginalized women who fight to reach the center of society.
Stories include: tea with Baba Yaga, a medieval German woman seeking to avenge her father’s murder, and a fearsome American immigrant tale.
For fans of: the cross-genre fantasy writings of Karen Russell and Kelly Link.
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Contact your librarian for more great books! All branches are now open for walk-in service. |
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Anne Arundel County Public Library 5 Harry S. Truman Pkwy. Annapolis, Maryland 21401 410-222-7371https://www.aacpl.net |
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