SF Bookclub

 Review of Cascade Failure by L. M. Sagas  4/5 Stars I read a lot of SF. I enjoyed this one quite a bit. It is a story of found family and the dangers of making choices for your loved ones instead of *listening* to what they want. Especially for a debut novel, the pacing was really good and the story was engaging. I didn't really see a lot of character development, though. I also noticed that sometimes Sagas seemed to get caught up in clever descriptions that would have been better left to the reader to notice on their own (too much "telling"). I can certainly understand why others have compared it to the Murderbot books by Wells, but it lacks the single voice of a consistent snarky narrator. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Resources for discussion of Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Blurb:  The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines and no more time for undead nonsense.  Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service.  Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fa...