The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf
Blind Spots
Thomas Mullen
Minotaur Books
c/o St. Martin's Publishing Group
www.minotaurbooks.com
9781250842749, $27.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Spots-Thomas-Mullen/dp/1250842743
Synopsis: Seven years ago, everyone in the world went blind in a matter of = months. Technology helped people adjust to the new normal, creating a devic=
e that approximates vision, downloading visual data directly to people's br= ains. But what happens when someone finds a way to hack it and change what = people see?
Homicide detective Mark Owens has been on the force since before The Blindi= ng. When a scientist is murdered, and the only witness insists the killer w=
as blacked out of her vision, Owens doesn't believe her -- until a similar = murder happens in front of him. With suspects ranging from tech billionaire=
s to anti-modernity cultists (and with the bodies piling up) Owens must con= duct an investigation in which he can't even trust his own eyes.
Critique: Seven years ago, everyone in the world went blind in a matter of = months. Technology helped people adjust to the new normal, creating a devic=
e that approximates vision, downloading visual data directly to people's br= ains. But what happens when someone finds a way to hack it and change what = people see?
Homicide detective Mark Owens has been on the force since before The Blindi= ng. When a scientist is murdered, and the only witness insists the killer w=
as blacked out of her vision, Owens doesn't believe her - until a similar m= urder happens in front of him. With suspects ranging from tech billionaires=
to anti-modernity cultists - and with the bodies piling up - Owens must co= nduct an investigation in which he can't even trust his own eyes.
Critique: With the publication of "Blind Sports", novelist Thomas Mullen co= mbines an compelling science fiction crime story about one man's search for=
truth in a world of ubiquitous surveillance and calculated disinformation = manipulating perceptions of reality that's all too recognizable in the tech= nologies of today. Original, thought-provoking, riveting, "Blind Spots" is =
a thoroughly entertaining read and unreservedly recommended for community l= ibrary collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of my= stery buffs and science fiction fans that "Blind Spots" is also available i=
n a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99).
Editorial Note: Thomas Mullen (
http://www.thomasmullen.net) is the author o=
f several previous novels, including Darktown, an NPR Best Book of 2016, wh= ich was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Southern Book=
Prize, the Indies Choice Book Award, and was nominated for or won prizes i=
n France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The follow-up, Lightning Men, was=
named one of the Top Ten Crime Novels of 2017 by The New York Times and wa=
s shortlisted for a CWA Dagger Award. His debut, The Last Town on Earth, se=
t during the 1918 flu pandemic, was named Best Debut Novel of 2006 by USA T= oday and was awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize for excellence in hist= orical fiction.
Silver Sable: Payback
Cath Lauria
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
9781839082191, $16.95, PB, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Sable-Payback-Marvel-Heroines/dp/1839082194
Synopsis: Doctor Victor von Doom holds Symkaria in his despotic grip, selli=
ng its treasures to pay off the country's exorbitant debt. Yet patriotic he= roine Silver Sable desires its freedom. Doom doesn't do favors, so he offer=
s her a deal: track down the Clairvoyant (a device for seeing the future) a=
nd he'll erase her homeland's deficit.
Sable soon discovers she can't outwit someone who can predict her every mov=
e. She needs the help of someone wild and unpredictable. Someone like Black=
Cat. Together they must chase down the Clairvoyant's creator, pull off the=
ultimate Vegas heist, survive backstabbing exes, and outsmart one of the m= ost powerful people on the planet. All they need now is a little bit of luc=
k.
Critique: A fun read from cover to cover, "Silver Sable: Payback" is a 'mus=
t read' for the legions of Marvel Universe fans. While also available for p= ersonal reading lists in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.95), "Silver Sab= le: Payback" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition =
to community library Science Fiction & Superhero Action/Adventure collectio= ns.
Editorial Note: Cath Lauria (
https://aconytebooks.com/?authors=3Dcath-lauri=
a) is a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, suspense and romance f= iction, and has a vast collection of beautiful edged weapons.
Karma of the Sun
Brandon Yin Kit Boey
CamCat Books
www.camcatpublishing.com
9780744307603, $25.99, HC, 352pp
https://www.amazon.com/Karma-Sun-Brandon-Ying-Boey/dp/0744307600/r
Synopsis: In the isolation of the Himalayas, the snows still fall, but they=
are tinged with the ash of a nuclear winter; the winds still blow, but the=
y wail with the cries of ghosts. The seventh and final blast is near. As th=
e world heaves its final breaths, the people of the Tibetan plateau (civili= zation's final survivors) are haunted by spirits and terrorized by warlords=
.. Though the last of the seven prophesied cataclysms is at hand, young Karm=
a searches for his father who had disappeared ten years earlier and was now=
presumed dead.
Driven by a yearning to see his father again before the end, and called by =
an eerie horn unheard by anyone else, Karma forges into the Himalayas and d= iscovers that his father's disappearance may be linked to a mystical mounta=
in said to connect the physical world with the spirit lands -- and a possib=
le way to save their doomed future.
Critique: An inherently fascinating read from cover to cover, "Karma of the=
Sun" by Brandon Ying Kit Boey is a 'must read' selection for all dedicated=
science fiction fans with an appreciation for deftly scripted a post-apoca= lypse action/adventure with more unexpected plot twists and turns than a ro= ller-coaster. While available for personal reading lists in a paperback edi= tion (9780744307627, $19.99) and a digital book format (Kindle, $6.49), "Ka= rma of the Sun" will prove to be a prized and enduringly popular addition t=
o community library Science Fiction collections.
Editorial Note: Brandon Ying Kit Boey (www.BrandonYingKitBoey.com) writes s= peculative fiction and poetry. His work has been described as literary and = atmospheric, often drawing from Asian cosmology and fantasy. His poems have=
been published in literary journals and anthologies, and he is also a writ=
er of plays and short stories. He can be followed at: IG @boeybooks, and on=
Twitter @BrandonYKBoey
Claw Heart Mountain
David Oppegaard
CamCat Books
www.camcatpublishing.com
9780744307504, $25.99, HC, 320pp
https://www.amazon.com/Claw-Heart-Mountain-David-Oppegaard/dp
Synopsis: Imagine you are on the way to a remote mountain cabin with your f= riends. Upon arrival, you discover an abandoned armored van with fifteen mi= llion dollars on board. Would you take the money?
Nova and her friends answer with a resounding yes. Perhaps their answer wou=
ld have been different had they known that a professional killer was alread=
y tracking down the money. Or that a legendary creature known as the Wraith=
roams the mountain, ravenous with hunger.
Thinking they're safe and anonymous, Nova and her friends divvy up the stol=
en cash, unaware who or what is after them, unaware that soon they will be = fighting for their lives.
Critique: With a special appeal to fans of dark fantasy, horror fantasy, an=
d the stuff of which scary movies are made, "Claw Heart Mountain" by David = Oppegaard is an original, memorable, deftly crafted, and a bone deep chill =
of a novel from beginning to end. While highly recommended as an addition t=
o community library collections, it should be noted for personal reading li= sts that "Claw Heart Mountain" is also available in a paperback edition (97= 80744307528, $19.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.49).
Editorial Note: David Oppegaard (
https://davidoppegaard.com) is the author =
of The Town Built on Sorrow, The Firebug of Balrog County, The Suicide Coll= ectors, And the Hills Opened Up, and Wormwood, Nevada. He is also the autho=
r of the novella Breakneck Cove. David's work is a blend of horror, literar=
y fiction, science fiction, and dark fantasy. He has been named a finalist = for a Bram Stoker Award and a Minnesota Book Award
Waiqar
Robbie MacNiven
Aconyte Books
https://aconytebooks.com
9781839082108, $16.95, PB, 352pp
https://aconytebooks.com/shop/waiqar-by-robbie-macniven
Synopsis: Waiqar, Lord of the Mistlands, is a necromancer of supreme power,=
arrogance, and skill. Driven by his hunger for absolute dominion, he has t=
he whole of Terrinoth in his sights. But before he can raise his undead arm= ies and march on the Baronies, his hold on the Mistlands must be complete. = Waiqar's court is rife with scheming and deception, from corrupt vampires w= ith plans to usurp him, to an apprentice harboring dark ambition of his own=
.. As his enemies vie for power, Waiqar's own plans come to fruition. For po= wer is hard won but easily lost, and the great necromancer has more to lose=
than anyone.
Critique: Another riveting fantasy novel in the Aconyte Books 'Decent: Lege= nds of the Dark' series, "Waiqar" by Robbie MacNiven is highly recommended =
to the attention of all action/adventure heroic fantasy fans and a welcome = and enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction & Fant= asy collections.
Editorial Note: Robbie MacNiven is an author and freelance journalist livin=
g in the Highlands of Scotland and currently enrolled as a student at the U= niversity of Edinburgh, studying History.
After They Came
Dan Harary
Genius Book Publishing
https://geniusbookpublishing.com
9781958727027, $22.95, PB, 340pp
https://www.amazon.com/After-They-Came-Dan-Harary/dp/1958727024
Synopsis: Jonathan Tuckerman, a Los Angeles man down on his luck and truly = alone in life, decides to mark his 70th birthday by drowning himself in the=
Pacific Ocean. Instead, he inadvertently becomes the world's "Wonder Man" = after a pair of extra-terrestrial visitors from the Pleiades interdimension=
al star system appear in a giant spacecraft, pluck him from the sea, and pr= esent him to the media and the world as their sole "Ambassador to Mankind".
Jonathan's life is dramatically transformed for the better as he works clos= ely with the magnificent Tall White aliens Jorthon and Kalyssa to solve man=
's long-insurmountable problems.
Jorthon and Kalyssa aren't the only aliens visiting Earth, however. The Dra= conians, a long-hidden race of ancient (and sinister) extra-terrestrials, m= ake their presence on Earth known, livid that Jonathan and the Tall Whites = have received global accolades for their remarkable achievements. The Draco= nians and their heinous leader blame the Tall Whites (and God himself) for = their miserable existence, as they decide to seek recognition, retribution,=
and revenge.
"After They Came" author Dan Harary takes the reader - indeed, the entire h= uman race - on a wild ride through real UFO research and lore, global polit= ics, climate change, religion, true love, a family reunion, and "the meanin=
g of life itself," all set against the backdrop of unprecedented extra-terr= estrial intervention and presenting unlimited possibilities for achieving g= lobal peace and prosperity -- dreams heretofore unattainable by man.
Critique: With a special appeal to science fiction fans interested in stori=
es featuring UFOs, First Contact, and Alien Invasion themes, "After They Ca= me", as an original, narrative driven, and memorable story of 'loneliness r= eversed, despair erased, and one man's wholly remarkable destiny fulfilled'=
is an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to community librar=
y Science Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading = lists of dedicated science fiction enthusiasts that "After They Came" is al=
so available in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).
Editorial Note: Dan Harary (
https://www.danhararyauthor.com) is best known = for his 40-plus years of work in Hollywood as an Entertainment Industry Pub= licist and owner of the boutique Asbury PR Agency in Beverly Hills (www.asb= urypr.com) Dan is also the author of three other books: "Flirting with Fame=
", "Carrots", "My Paranormal Life: Supernational Stories from a Hollywood I= nsider". Dan is a longtime UFO Researcher and experienced three UFO sightin=
gs during his life, the first, with his father in 1970, remaining highly me= morable. He is a longtime member of the MUFON/Los Angeles organization.
Quantum Radio
A. G. Riddle
www.agriddle.com
Head of Zeus
https://headofzeus.com/home
9781803281698, $24.95, HC, 416pp
https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Radio-Multiverse-G-Riddle/dp/1803281693
Synopsis: At CERN, a scientist has just made an incredible discovery - a br= eakthrough that may answer the deepest questions about human existence. But=
what he's found is far more dangerous than he ever imagined!
Dr. Tyson Klein is a quantum physicist who has dedicated his entire life to=
his research. At CERN, he analyses data generated by the Large Hadron Coll= ider, the world's biggest and most powerful particle accelerator. Now, Ty b= elieves he's found a pattern in its output. It looks like an organised data=
stream, being broadcast over what he calls a quantum radio.
Could it be a signal from another universe? A message sent from the future?=
Or something else entirely?
As Ty peels back the layers of his discovery, he learns that what he's foun=
d isn't what he thought it was. The encoded message is far more profound. I=
t may alter our understanding of human existence and the universe.
But Ty is not the only one looking for it. Someone has been following his r= esearch for a long time. And they'll do anything to prevent him from unrave= ling what is being broadcast by the quantum radio. Because the first one to=
discover the truth may well control the future!
Critique: Having a special appeal to fans of traditional, hard core science=
fiction and time travel adventure enthusiasts, "Quantum Radio" by novelist=
A. G. Riddle is original, entertaining, deftly crafted, and inherently fas= cinating read from first page to last. While strongly recommended, especial=
ly for community library Science Fiction collections, it should be noted fo=
r the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction fans that "Quantu=
m Radio" is also available in a paperback edition (9781803281704, $22.28) a=
nd in a digital book format (Kindle, $6.15).
Editorial Note: A.G. Riddle (www.agriddle.com) spent ten years starting and=
running internet companies before retiring to focus on his true passion: w= riting fiction. He is now an Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestselling aut= hor with nearly five million copies sold worldwide in twenty languages.
Hopeland
Ian McDonald
TOR Books
www.tor-forge.com
9780765375551, $30.99
https://www.amazon.com/Hopeland-Ian-McDonald/dp/0765375559
Hopeland is a highly recommended pick for sci-fi readers interested in stor= ies of time travel and futuristic struggle. It presents the attempts of Rai=
sa Hopeland to become the next electromancer of London, and the controversy=
her effort introduces as climate change and political interests vie for co= ntrol. From journeys to hidden places to dialogues between those that move = through time and special intentions to change the world and its possible fu= tures, Ian McDonald builds a powerful saga that is hard to predict or put d= own. McDonald has long been influencing the sci-fi world, and his latest ne=
w effort doesn't disappoint. It's a thought-provoking journey that will lin= ger in the reader's mind long after Hopeland's final struggle takes place.
Tides of Chaos
Christopher Bramley
www.christopherbramley.com
Sanctum Publishing
https://www.sanctumbooks.com
9780993127380, $42.99, HC, 752pp
https://www.amazon.com/Tides-Chaos-World-Christopher-Bramley/dp/099312738X
Synopsis: A dark force emerges in the ancient West as Eordeland tries to ig= nore the coming war. Darklings walk the earth once again, their holds on th=
e chaos within men strengthening by the day.
The Dragons are restless. The Dwarves are not answering. The visions found =
in the Hall of Wyrms have yet to be understood, and the Nameless One lurks =
as inhuman creatures slaughter and defile throughout the lands.
The seemingly trivial task of deciphering Aldwyn's work to find the deeper = threats behind the war has fallen to Karland and Xhera -- but Demons a cont= inent away are not the only danger as other enemies also ride the rising ti= des of Chaos!
Their first journey saw the rise of legends. Their second may see the destr= uction of Eordeland... or even Anaria itself.
Critique: The second book in the impressive Kuln dark fantasy series, "Tide=
s of Chaos" by Christopher Bramley is set in a detailed world of imaginatio=
n, legend, magic, and adventure. A consistently riveting read from cover to=
cover, "Tides of Chaos" continues an inherently engaging read that is a 'm= ust' for all dedicated action/adventure fantasy saga fans. While also avail= able in a paperback edition (9780993127373, $21.99) and a digital book form=
at (Kindle, $9.99), "Tides of Chaos" is unreservedly recommended for commun= ity library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections.
Editorial Note: British novelist Christopher Bramley (www.christopherbramle= y.com) is the author of the World of Kuln series, as well as other diverse = stories, and also writes articles and books in both non-fiction and busines=
s.
The Serpent Calls
Christopher Bramley
www.christopherbramley.com
Sanctum Publishing
https://www.sanctumbooks.com
9780993127366, $36.99, HC, 558pp
https://www.amazon.com/Serpent-Calls-World-Kuln/dp/0993127363
Synopsis: War is coming as ancient creatures stir upon the face of Kuln, an=
d the times grow dark. An ordinary boy reluctantly joins his mentor in an e= ffort to find out what afflicts the lands, but time grows short. Chaos is g= rowing -- and they are being hunted!
The realms are inexorably moving towards conflict. Forces of legend stir as=
the balance shifts. Eordeland itself trembles, and at the heart of the unr= est moves a small group seeking answers, thrown together by circumstance. F=
or Karland, the sights, experiences and beings he will encounter will chang=
e him forever. The darkness spreads, and the stakes could yet be higher tha=
n anyone imagined...
What will be their fate when The Serpent Calls?
Critique: The first book in a stunning new Fantasy trilogy by Christopher B= ramley, "The Serpent Calls" set in a detailed world of imagination, legend,=
magic, and adventure. Original, fascinating, compelling, and featuring a n= arrative driven story telling style and a gifted imagination, "The Serpent = Calls" will have a very special appeal to readers with an interest in Epic = Sword & Sorcery sagas. While especially recommended for community library S= cience Fiction & Fantasy collections, it should be noted for the personal r= eading lists of dedicated Dark Fantasy fans that "The Serpent Calls" is als=
o available in a paperback edition (9780993127304, $17.99) and in a digital=
book format (Kindle, $7.13).
Editorial Note: Christopher Bramley (www.christopherbramley.com) lives in t=
he UK and is the author of the World of Kuln series, as well as other diver=
se stories, and also writes articles and books in non-fiction and business.=
He moonlights as a TEDx and conference speaker, coach, and consultant for = executives and organizations in complexity, agility, resilience, and human = learning. Chris is atypically autistic (ASD 1/2, with likely dyscalculia an=
d occasional dyspraxia), and has differences in sensory and emotional input=
, as well as increased sensitivity in all of them, and annoyingly persisten=
t imposter syndrome, so he sees different patterns and linkages in the worl=
d. He is very imperfect with a lot of his dreams ending up in his books. He=
can be followed on Twitter: @christopbramley
Love Like a Cephalopod
Cassondra Windwalker
Bayou Wolf Press
https://www.bayouwolfpress.com
9781737752561, $14.99, PB, 202pp
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Like-Cephalopod-Cassondra-Windwalker/dp/1737752= 565
Synopsis: Being an executioner for the state is exhausting, but after a lif= etime of dispatching the criminal and the inconvenient, fifty-eight-year-ol=
d Grenda finds it does have its compensations. Her cat-sized dragon Bjartur=
and the dragon eggs she tends are all the friends and family she needs. Co= mpletely cut off from the outside world, she happily accepts the luxuries o= wed her status (including a pet octopus named Morrigan) without the faintes=
t twinge of conscience or doubt.
All that changes when she encounters the most unexpected nemesis: a young r= efugee girl whom Grenda is incapable of executing. Against her will, Grenda=
finds herself shifting from killer to caretaker, risking her life to defy = the state she's never questioned and help young Allora to freedom. Everythi=
ng Grenda thinks she knows about her world, her life, and even her own iden= tity cascades out of her control -- including the dragon-bond she holds dea= rer than life itself.
Critique: A deftly crafted dystopian novel that will have immense appeal to=
Science Fiction & Fantasy fans, "Love Like a Cephalopod" by Cassondra Wind= walker is impressively original and features that kind of narrative driven = storytelling style that, from first page to last, keeps and holds her reade= r's attention and just won't let go! While especially and unreservedly reco= mmended for community library collections, it should be noted for personal = reading lists that "Love Like a Cephalopod" is also readily available from = Bayou Wolf Press in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).
Editorial Note: A gifted poet, eloquent essayist, and compelling novelist, = Cassondra Windwalker, (
https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/cassondra_windw= alker) is presently writing full-time from the southern Alaskan coast. She = enjoys hearing from readers via Twitter @WindwalkerWrite, Instagram @Casson= draWindwalker, Facebook.
The Book of Azrael
Amber Nicole
Rose & Star Publishing
https://roseandstar.com
9781737706779, $33.99, HC, 470pp
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Azrael-Gods-Monsters/dp/1737706776
Synopsis: A thousand years ago, Dianna gave up her life in the deserts of E= oria to save her dying sister. She called upon anyone who would listen, not=
expecting a monster far worse than any nightmare to answer. Now she does w= hat Kaden asks, even if that means securing an ancient relic from the very = creatures that hunt her.
In the old world his name was Samkiel. In the new world it is Liam, but one=
title remains true throughout time. He is the World Ender, a myth to his e= nemies, a savior and King to those loyal to him. After the Gods War, he loc= ked himself away, hiding from the world. He denied his crown and responsibi= lities, leaving the very ones who needed him most to deal with the fallout =
of the death of their homeworld. Now an attack on those he holds dear sends=
him back to the one realm he never wished to visit again and into the sigh=
ts of an enemy he thought imprisoned eons ago.
Now enemies older than time must put aside their differences and work toget= her in hopes of saving both their world and every realm in between!
Critique: An original and compelling read from first page to last, "The Boo=
k of Azrael" by novelist Amber Nicole is an exceptional, riveting, and roma= ntic dark fantasy saga with more plot twists and turns than a Disneyland ro= ller-coaster. Having a special appeal to readers with an interest in folklo= re, mythology, and action/adventure fantasy, "The Book of Azrael" is an ext= raordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to community library Scien=
ce Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the personal readi=
ng lists of fantasy fans that "The Book of Azrael" is also available in a p= aperback edition (9781737706755, $20.99) and in a digital book format (Kind= le, $2.99).
Editorial Note: Amber Nicole is an author who works full time helping anima=
ls as a vet assistant. When she isn't working she is dreaming of far off pl= aces with dragons, magic, and swords. She loves a good villain and plans to=
tell many stories showcasing them in the spotlight.
The Bridge to Magic
Alex Thornbury
https://alexthornbury.com
Shadow Lore Publishing
9780645497038, $34.99, HC, 420pp
https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Magic-Sundered-Web/dp/0645497037
Synopsis: Elika is an orphan on Terren's streets who hates and fears the br= idge that spans the great chasm to the Deadlands. Like everyone else, she c= lings to the hope that purging every lingering echo of magic from the world=
can stop the Blight.
Then she discovers that magic is hiding within her, and through her it seek=
s to enact the will of its own. Everything Elika knew about her past shatte= rs, as long-buried secrets about her true birth emerge.
Accused of being a mage, many doubt her loyalties. Her gang turns against h= er. The one man she thought she could trust and love, abandons her. Elika m= ust soon decide: Either destroy the magic inside her or cross the bridge to=
her own uncertain end. But what awaits them in the Deadlands where the ene=
my of mankind roams wild? Her future or her end?
Critique: A dystopian fantasy by Alex Thornbury, "The Bridge to Magic" is a=
gripping story of a life between two deaths and an impossible choice to ma= ke. It is also a story of finding hope, love and survival in a world where = none seems possible. Original, compelling, and of particular appeal to read= ers with an interest in deftly written dark fantasy novels, "The Bridge to = Magic" is especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Sci= ence Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for the personal rea= ding lists of dedicated epic fantasy fans that "The Bridge to Magic" is als=
o available in a paperback edition (9780645497007, $17.99) and in a digital=
book format (Kindle, $4.99).
Editorial Note: Alex Thornebury (
https://alexthornbury.com/about) is an awa= rd-winning author. She grew up in Cheshire UK, and developed deep love of h= istory and fantasy thanks to the many castles she visited as a child. Thoug=
h she grew up to be an Alchemist by trade, she never stopped fantasizing ab= out other worlds, dragons and epic battles. She has abandoned her Alchemy a=
nd potion making career, and is now a full time author. Her debut fantasy b= ook, "The Bridge to Magic", has won the 2022 Royal Dragonfly book award for=
Science Fiction/Fantasy.
Love Chronicles of the Octopodes
Karen An-hwei Lee
https://karenanhweilee.com
Ellipsis Press
https://ellipsispress.com
9781940400105, $20.00, PB, 232pp
https://www.amazon.com/Love-Chronicles-Octopodes-Karen-hwei/dp/1940400104
Synopsis: With the publication of "Love Chronicles of the Octopodes", autho=
r and storyteller Karen An-hwei Lee presents a dystopic future of unregulat=
ed gene editing in which a woman named Emily wakes up on the wrong side of = the universe as an octopus thanks to rogue "designer genes" run amok.
One of thousands of clones generated from a genetic code sequenced from a l= ock of hair saved from the original Emily Dickinson, the ersatz Emily resem= bles an octopus but harbors the soul of a human poet and navigates her life=
in a lagoon as a bumbling "rogue soul" enamored of black spice cake, botan= ical monographs, and gingerbread recipes, while romanced by personified moo= nlight.
Critique: Original, compelling, thought-provoking, entertaining, "Love Chro= nicles of the Octopodes" will have a special appeal to readers with an inte= rest in genetic engineering and its possible consequences. "Love Chronicles=
of the Octopodes" is a unique and unreservedly recommended for the persona=
l reading lists of dedicated science fiction fans, as well as community and=
academic library Science Fiction collections,
Editorial Note: Karen An-hwei Lee (
https://karenanhweilee.com) is the autho=
r of the novels The Maze of Transparencies and Sonata in K. Several of her = recent poetry collections are Duress (Cascade Books), Rose Is a Verb: Neo- = Georgics (Slant Books), Phyla of Joy (Tupelo Press), and In Medias Res (Sar= abande Books).
Burn the Ship (Pirates of New Earth series, Book 3)
Sarah Branson
www.sarahbranson.com
Sooner Started Press
9781957774060, $18.99 Paper/$1.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Ship-Pirates-New-Earth/dp/1957774061
Burn the Ship is the third book in the Pirates of the New Earth series begu=
n in A Merry Life, continuing the saga of mother and pirate Kat, who made s= uch a splash in the first book and continues her foray into uncharted terri= tory here.
Unlike typical pirate stories, Burn the Ship assumes a cyberpunk overlay of=
dystopian angst as Kat juggles her duties. She faces the added task of ser= ving justice to the world and eliminating human trafficking on Earth while = serving dinner to her family and keeping her personal life intact and separ= ate from the political and social issues that drive her to be a leader. Kat=
is, in short, a force to be reckoned with.
As an officer in the Bosch Pirate Force, she is charged with entering the f= ray of a blossoming threat while addressing both her family's needs and the=
ghosts from her past that continue to haunt her, affecting her choices and=
values. As powerful as the social and political turbulence Kat navigates a=
re matters of the heart which keep redirecting her special interests from h= ome to broader social and political issues.
Readers looking for rollicking rides through dystopian worlds that are repl= ete in emotional currents and undercurrents will especially relish the conf= rontations that lead Kat to re-examine her closest connections in life. Mys= tery, high drama, and new opportunities for Kat blend into the kinds of con= undrums that can destroy, shake, or build a family. How she chooses to navi= gate these disparate worlds makes for a powerful dystopian adventure story = that will attract not only Kat's prior fans, but newcomers who like excepti= onally powerful female protagonists who tackle the dual and concurrent chal= lenges of family and freedom alike.
The new possibilities which emerge from Kat's actions and reflections promi=
se to attract a wide audience with components of thriller, mystery, adventu= re, and women's literary inspections, as well as those reading the sci-fi g= enre it will be identified with.
Blow the Man Down (Pirates of New Earth series, Book 4)
Sarah Branson
www.sarahbranson.com
Sooner Started Press
9781957774107, $18.99 Paper/$1.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Blow-Man-Down-Pirates-Earth/dp/195777410X
Because Blow the Man Down is the fourth book concluding the Pirates of New = Earth sci-fi series, it's recommended that readers have at least an initial=
familiarity with pirate mother Kat and her unusual pursuit of justice and = family before joining her on her final adventure. Those with such backgroun=
d will already know of Kat's evolutionary process, conundrums, and special = challenges in remaining true to both her mission to end human trafficking a=
nd meeting her family's needs.
Both pursuits continue in the year 2366, as Kat faces both the culmination =
of her life's pursuit and a new threat when her children are abducted. Torn=
by the blows to her heart's deepest desire, Kat's initial feeling that "th=
e world is now in balance" shatters with each event that further proves she=
is not in as much control as she'd imagined. As events unfold, Kat faces t= hreats even in places she'd formerly felt safe, and begins to wonder if she=
and her allies can ever defeat the storm that has driven both human traffi= cking on New Earth and the man who once enslaved her.
Sarah Branson builds a story that centers not just on Kat's strength, but t=
he emotional currents and forces that buffet those around her. One such cha= racter is fellow former slave and survivor Carisa, who has adopted extraord= inary measures and compromises in order to endure. As Kat begins to realize=
the real impact of past, present, and future decisions she must make about=
the course of her life and its pursuits, readers absorb a powerful crescen=
do of events that both challenge her convictions and solidify her life purp= ose.
Sarah Branson creates just the right special blend of action and discovery = that keeps Kat growing, evolving, and challenged to do and be more. Women w=
ho look for characters that can serve as role models for adaptation and cou= rage will find Kat's dilemmas and scenarios emotionally compelling, realist= ic, and educational.
Libraries that choose Blow the Man Down should consider the series as a who= le. Each book builds another piece of Kat's character and world. Together, = the series books create a world both realistic and thoroughly absorbing. Bo=
ok clubs interested in stories of proactive women who confront new lessons = about their convictions and power in life will find many discussion points = sparked by not just Blow the Man Down, but the series as a whole.
New Dragon Soaring
G.S. Carline
Dancing Corgi Press
9781943654253, $19.95 Paper/$.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/New-Dragon-Soaring-Shadows-Book/dp/1943654255
New Dragon Soaring is the third book in the Dragon Shadows series featuring=
dragons, girl pirates, and curses. In this book, Lisette de Lille and Tris= ten de Rocco have a young daughter, Alara. The kidnapping of their child by=
a Ruhee, a vengeful women obsessed with Rocco, separates the couple and le= ads them into different discoveries as each strives to find their baby.
Between the events which led to Alara's birth in the aftermath of battle to=
the specter of a savior turned deadly force because of a love that takes a=
dark turn as author G.S. Carline paints a compelling story replete with tw= ists and turns that both serves as a standalone tale and enhances the prior=
series novels.
Exploring moon and blood dragons and how they differ to the yet-unexplored = powers her new daughter may exhibit, the story provides a satisfying blend =
of quest and discovery that involves readers of all ages in a special tale =
of combat and revelation. Carline is especially adept at portraying the dif= ferent kinds of growth each character experiences both individually and as = part of a couple.
Embedded within Rocco's lessons on transformation from dragon to man and ba= ck, for example, are instructions on everything from relationships to paren= ting choices. The strength of New Dragon Soaring doesn't just lie in a ques=
t or the uncovering of personal power, but in the discoveries surrounding t= ransmitting this power and these lessons to new generations. There is plent=
y of struggle, battle scenes, and interpersonal interactions between good a=
nd not-so-good forces, but Carline takes the time to examine the psychologi= cal influences on all choices, making the characters believable and compell= ing.
Libraries and reads looking for action-packed sword-and-sorcery fantasies t= hat take the extra step in explaining the growth of power and connections w= ill find New Dragon Soaring a sterling example of a series book that holds = equally powerful appeal to prior readers as well as newcomers.
Scales and Stingers
K. M. Warfield
https://kmwarfield.com
Creative James Media
http://creativejamesmedia.com
9781956183726, $12.99 Paper/$4.99 ebook
https://www.amazon.com/Scales-Stingers-K-M-Warfield/dp/1956183728
Sword and sorcery fantasy readers seeking epic and memorable stories will f= ind Scales and Stingers, the first in the Heroes of Avoch series, to be a c= ompelling introduction to a world in which half breed Thia Bransdottir is s= hunned. Her father's protection vanishes upon his death, and she is slated = for religious work in a cloister, but her story doesn't end here.
Jinaari Althir is sworn to protect Thia throughout her life no matter where=
she goes. Her unwillingness to trust anyone after her father is killed lea=
ds her to wonder about everyone in her life - even those seemingly charged = with protecting a half-Fallen like herself. Thia has never run from anythin=
g. Does this make her courageous? As she comes to know Adam and a host of p= eople that swirl around her, some with special interests and some with thei=
r own preservation in mind, Thia discovers innate abilities she'd never con= sidered. These are brought to the forefront both by new challenges and thos=
e who observe her closely. It's not in Thia to quit - or to make friends. S=
he must learn different ways of reacting to life and adversity if she is to=
not just rise above her heritage as half-Fallen, but embrace its strengths=
..
K. M. Warfield crafts a story that is compelling as different characters de=
al with banishment, shame, courage, and unexpected strengths. From warlocks=
and unusual homecomings to secrets that bind a disparate group of friends,=
Warfield's ability to build a story based on changing political and social=
environments creates a tale that's hard to put down. Perhaps Thia's greate=
st lesson isn't just to learn to trust others and herself. It's to know how=
to oppose and guide the forces at work in her kingdom: "Wisdom isn't telli=
ng someone what they should do, it's showing them the support they need to = make the decision themselves."
Libraries looking for introductory series titles in sword and sorcery fanta=
sy arenas will find the character-building moments in Scales and Stingers t=
o be vivid draws that nicely juxtapose social action and dilemmas with indi= vidual struggles.
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(dot) com
Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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