April showered us with excellent sci-fi and fantasy novels–including a queer space opera set in the aftermath of unrest, criminal witch families at war with one another, a technological thriller about cryptocurrency, and more!
SOME DESPERATE GLORY BY EMILY TESH
3 starred reviews, a LibraryReads bonus pick, and an Indie Next pick!
“Tesh’s sweeping epic wrestles with the nature of hatred, vengeance, and radicalization. The political theme of breaking away from fascist ideology pairs beautifully with smart sci-fi worldbuilding—which encompasses shadow engine technology and time slips—and queer coming of age. This riveting adventure deserves a space on shelves alongside genre titans like Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia Butler.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Tesh’s epic space opera is bound to make waves as one of the best SF novels of 2023…Tesh asks us what humanity should stand for, questions what shape justice should take, and forces us to take a stark look at what Kyr has to give up in order to be better. Her growth is what powers this expansive story with an action-packed pace full of exciting battles and gut-wrenching twists.”–Booklist, starred review
“Kyr’s character arc is a monumental journey of emotional growth and understanding, grounding the changes and choices throughout her development. Queer relationships and underrepresented characters are woven into the plot and reveal the extreme ableist beliefs that are central to the station.”–Library Journal, starred review
FURIOUS HEAVEN: A SUN CHRONICLES NOVEL BY KATE ELLIOTT
“Between action-packed military engagements, shootouts, reconnaissance missions, fancy parties, and political scheming, Elliott takes time to consider questions of power, destiny, family, and legacy. Readers are along for a wild ride as Sun sprints through the universe as the mastermind of a brilliant campaign that takes both enemies and allies by surprise.”–Booklist, starred review
“The multiple points of view between Sun, Companion Persephone, and Phrene Lieutenant Apama At Sabao highlight the gray areas of empiric expansion and those conquered… The second ‘Sun Chronicles’ book (after UNCONQUERABLE SUN) continues the complex action and intrigue from the first volume. Expansive space opera at its finest.”–Library Journal, starred review
IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS BY TJ KLUNE
An Indie Next pick and a #1 LibraryReads pick!
“Readers who loved Klune’s (UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR) previous works will find plenty of the author’s trademark charm, heart, and bittersweetness, while those looking for more hopeful robot stories, like A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT by Becky Chambers, will find this interpretation of a robot-future different but just as compelling.”–Library Journal, starred review
And check out this Q+A with TJ Klune!
ONE FOR MY ENEMY BY OLIVIE BLAKE
“Lev and Sasha have electric chemistry, and Blake’s entire cast of characters is well written and compelling…the witty dialogue, exciting twists, and excellent pacing make this a witchy, mob-inspired adventure that will excite fans of V.E. Schwab and Leigh Bardugo.”–Booklist
THE WARDEN: A WARDEN NOVEL BY DANIEL M. FORD
“A great first entry in a series, setting up an interesting sword-and-sorcery world whose secondary cast clearly has stories to tell, from retired soldiers turned innkeeping couple Rus and Martin to a pair of dwarves who are bankers turned adventurers…It will be fascinating to see where Aelis, and her world, goes from here.”–Booklist
RED TEAM BLUES: A MARTIN HENCH NOVEL BY CORY DOCTOROW
“Doctorow brings a thoroughness and honesty to a subject masked by techno-babble and emotional hype…to deliver a clear-eyed warning about how crypto is used (money laundering) and what it costs (billions of tons of CO2)…with unconventional gumshoe Martin at the helm, fans can expect good things from the series to come.”–Publishers Weekly
TSALMOTH: A VLAD NOVEL BY STEVEN BRUST
“Vlad’s narration is cocky and quick-witted as ever, and it’s a joy to revisit his usual costars, among them his strangely unnoticeable Jhereg employee, Kragar; his powerful Dragonlord friends Morrolan, Aliera, and Sethra Lavode; and his familiar, Loiosh. Series fans won’t want to miss this.”–Publishers Weekly
FURIOUS HEAVEN: A SUN CHRONICLES NOVEL by Kate Elliott; 9781250867001; available now
SOME DESPERATE GLORY by Emily Tesh; 9781250834980; available now
IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS by TJ Klune; 9781250217448; available now
ONE FOR MY ENEMY by Olivie Blake; 9781250892430; available now
THE WARDEN: A WARDEN NOVEL by Daniel M. Ford; 9781250815651; available now
RED TEAM BLUES: A MARTIN HENCH NOVEL by Cory Doctorow; 9781250865847; available now
TSALMOTH: A VLAD NOVEL by Steven Brust; 9780765382849; available now
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