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Firebrand (2017) is the second of A.J. Hartley’s STEEPLEJACK series, following shortly after 2016’s Steeplejack and continuing the story of Anglet Sutonga, a young woman with a very strong sense of justice and a knack for finding herself in trouble. Firebrand builds on the events of Steeplejack, and as a result, this review will contain very mild spoilers for Steeplejack.
June 9th, 2017. Jana Nyman´s rating: 4.5 | A.J. Hartley | Young Adult | SFF Reviews | no comments |
I knew Steeplejack (2016) was a YA thriller/mystery before picking up my review copy, but I wasn’t expecting it to be as solidly-written and entertaining as I ultimately found it to be. A.J. Hartley has not only created a compelling heroine and a richly imaginative world, but also multiple schemes driving the plot which depend on (and drive) social unrest that strikes extremely close to home in places.
Our story begins in the glorious city of Bar-Selehm, a metropolis which is geographically and culturally reminiscent of Johannesburg,
June 8th, 2017. Jana Nyman´s rating: 4.5 | A.J. Hartley | Young Adult | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey
In my review of the third EXPANSE novel from James S.A. Corey (actually a collaborative effort from Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck), I said this:
How did Corey do, based on strengths I highlighted in reviews of the first two books?
June 8th, 2017. Bill Capossere and Marion Deeds´s rating: 3.5, 4.5 | James S.A. Corey | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
Abaddon’s Gate by James S.A. Corey
After reading the first two books in James S. A. Corey’s EXPANSE series, Leviathan Wakes and Caliban’s War, I came to book three, Abaddon’s Gate, with some pretty solid expectations. How did Corey (really Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) do, based on strengths I highlighted in reviews of the first two books?
June 6th, 2017. Bill Capossere and Marion Deeds´s rating: 4.5 | James S.A. Corey | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
Note: this review contains some spoilers for the first book in this series, Burn for Me.
In White Hot (2017), the second book in Ilona Andrews’ HIDDEN LEGACY urban fantasy series, we return to a magical version of Houston, Texas, where some people (typically the rich and powerful) have inheritable magical powers. Nevada Baylor is from a not-particularly wealthy family that runs a private investigation firm, but she and some other members of her family have magical powers that are suspiciously strong for a family with no reputation at all as magic users.
May 30th, 2017. Tadiana Jones´s rating: 4.5 | Ilona Andrews | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Return to the Stars by Edmond Hamilton
For those readers who thrilled to the exploits of 20th century Earthman John Gordon in the futuristic galaxy of 202,115, in Edmond Hamilton’s first novel, The Star Kings (1949), the wait to find out just what might happen next would prove to be a long one. Ultimately, though, their patience was rewarded with Hamilton’s much-belated sequel, Return to the Stars (1969). Unlike the original novel, which was released all at once and comprised the entire 9/47 issue of Amazing Stories magazine,
May 30th, 2017. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4.5 | Edmond Hamilton | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |
Black Dog (2014) is a YA urban fantasy that takes the werewolf shapeshifter subgenre and puts some unusual spins on it. The teenage Toland siblings, 15½ year old twins Natividad and Miguel and their 18 year old brother Alejandro, have been orphaned in their Mexico home by a mass attack of enemy black dog shapeshifters led by their father’s long-time enemy. Alejandro is a black dog, Miguel is a normal human, and Natividad is what is known as a “Pure,” one of the rare girls born with magical powers,
May 23rd, 2017. Tadiana Jones´s rating: 4.5 | Rachel Neumeier | Young Adult | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey
River of Teeth (2017) is Sarah Gailey’s first novella-length work, and if the idea of a gonzo queer alt-history hippo extravaganza doesn’t immediately set your imagination aflame, then perhaps rich character work and a thoroughly convincing atmosphere will do the trick. Beyond that, there’s a caper (which Mr. Winslow Remington Houndstooth would like everyone to know is an operation) and a whole lot of revenge to be had.
Let’s travel back in time,
May 19th, 2017. Jana Nyman´s rating: 4.5 | Sarah Gailey | Short Fiction | SFF Reviews | 6 comments |
A Storm of Wings by M. John Harrison
A Storm of Wings is the second part of M. John Harrison’s VIRICONIUM sequence. Viriconium has been at peace for eighty years after the threat from the north was eliminated, but now there are new threats to the city. Something has detached from the moon and fallen to earth. A huge insect head has been discovered in one of the towns of the Reborn. The Reborn are starting to go mad. Also, a new rapidly growing cult is teaching that there is no objective reality.
May 18th, 2017. Kat Hooper and Stuart Starosta´s rating: 3, 4.5 | M. John Harrison | Audio | SFF Reviews | 5 comments |
Following the publication of 1960’s Trouble With Lichen, fans of the hugely popular English sci-fi writer John Wyndham would have to wait a good solid eight years for his next novel to be released. During that time, the author limited himself to the shorter form, coming out with 10 stories. One of those short stories was “Chocky,” which initially appeared in the March ’63 issue of the legendary American magazine Amazing Stories, which had been started by author and editor Hugo Gernsback back in 1926.
May 16th, 2017. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4.5 | John Wyndham | Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Me, too! I think independent bookstore are enjoying a golden age, and I plan to continue to support that. One…
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My pleasure, Robin! And yes, it surely is some kind of an experience, to be sure....