SF Bookclub

Image from Simon and Schuster  If you loved Ninefox Gambit , you might enjoy Code and Codex . Instead of reality being manipulated by calendars, reality here is manipulated by language (which is an interesting metaphor). I actually like the way the book moves back and forth between the past and the present, and I like the narrator's voice, when we actually see it.  Valentina, who was purchased from her parents as a companion for Aurelia, is a trusted retainer of now Emperor Aurelia. An interesting aspect of Valentina is that, for some reason, and by some unexplained method, Valentina changes biological sex according to Aurelia's whim. There is no notable change in Valentina's character when this happens: neither voice nor actions change. Granted that I am looking at this through the lens of a 21st century American woman, but it seems that the experience of being a man or a woman would change *something*. Like Ninefox Gambit , Code and Codex  features a very old and except...

Cover image of As You Wake, Break the Shell  As You Wake, Break the Shell is very much a Becky Chambers book. I've read many of here books, with my favorite being the Monk & Robot series. I always appreciate Chambers' world building and the gentle, sympathetic way that she develops her characters. I very much enjoyed the non-linear storytelling and the characters. I do wish some of the plot had been more developed.  Rating: 4/5 

I've enjoyed everything I've ever read by T. Kingfisher, and Daggerbound was no exception. This book, like Swordheart , features a warrior trapped inside a weapon. This weapon is found by a monk who is rethinking his vocation, but is finishing one last mission. Instead of completing his mission, though, he finds a warrior who needs his help. Unlike some cozy romances, this one is sweet, but not cloying, and avoids a lot of the toxic behavior I see in other romances. I liked it a lot. Is it her best? No. It is not Nettle and Bone, but it is a lot of fun that doesn't take too much work.  4 stars

 I love M.R. Carey's writing, but this one kind of misses the mark for me. It is a retelling of the fairy tale "The Tinder Box." Mag, a soldier whose wounds have sent him home, goes to work for a widow, Jannae Mirchella. Mag discovers that Jannae is no ordinary widow when a demon falls from the sky and she badgers him to empty the demon's pockets. As directed, Mag hands over MOST of the artifacts from the body of the demon, but he keeps one item for himself-- a magical tinderbox that grants wishes. Jannae, as one might imagine, is most distressed by Mag's duplicity.   

 Each chapter in Jo Walton's Everybody's Perfect is told from a different perspective. Some of the events overlap and some are unique to the teller.  The setting is Venice, but not the Venice we know. Instead, this Venice is connected to the Serenissima, which serves as a way station and a connector between worlds. Here, we meet Tiry, a laborer who has an incurable skin condition that is treated (but not cured) via magic that is dispensed at a support group. The action begins when Tiry dreams that Serenissima will soon have an administrator (called a doge) who will marry the sea. Each teller encounters this information and does something different with it. The way Walton tells the story forces the reader to think about what "truth" means and how that truth varies according to who holds it. 

Set in the Imperial Radch universe, Radiant Star by Ann Leckie does not disappoint. The Imperial Radch have sent a new governor to  Aaa. And right after that, trade was cut off due to other conflicts. So we begin with a society in disarray. And in this society, there are two major religious factions that overlap, but each thinks they have the correct way of viewing the world. The conflict between the religious factions and the Radch and the residents of Ooioiaa, the capital of Aaa are the driving forces of the novel. But set against this backdrop, we have Jonr, the son of one of the important persons in one of the factions. Jonr was supposed to have been sent to a far off world to work, but was instead placed into suspended animation. In the time the novel is set, Jonr has been in suspended animation for 30 years, but is now awakened. I know this sounds complex, and it is, but the threads all end up working together and this novel is top-notch.   

The Dragon has some Complaints by John Wiswell Garradigh, a formerly 4 headed dragon (now reduced to 3), doesn’t get on well with his fellow wild dragons, so he hitches a ride to a new, floating city. There, he meets Raina who rehabilitates his injuries and gets permission to be his rider. Turns out, he doesn't get along with tame dragons very well, either. But with Raina, Garradigh, and specifically Centerhead, learn about kindness and the importance of belonging. Oh, and they must, together, defend their new city. The Dragon has Some Complaints is and adventure story with some romance. It is very different from Someone to Build a Nest In. There are still deaths, but no half digested body parts walking around on their own. Y'all, this book is so fun! It will certainly be on my Hugo nomination ballot next year.

 Jo Walton and Ada Palmer are experts in the field of science fiction and fantasy. Both have been nominated for multiple awards and both lean into the academic side of writing as well as the practice. Trace Elements explains history of SF, the role of publishers, and why so many SF novels were capped at around 80,000 words. This book is fascinating for anyone who likes to read SF as well as anyone who is interested in popular fiction or genre fiction as some of the same forces shaped those books as well. At 368 pages, this is not an exhaustive history of all things sf, but it provides enough context to enhance any fan's enjoyment of works published as SF.  What we think of as Science Fiction began to be published in the United States in the 1920s in pulp magazines, and books soon followed. Walton and Palmer call this "Imprint Science Fiction" to distinguish it from other genres, including dystopia written by authors of other genres (such as Atwood's Handmaid's Ta...

 Green City Wars is the story of Scotch, a genetically engineered racoon who has left the corporation that made him so he can go freelance as an investigator,. The story has a noir feel, but Scotch is more Jim Rockford than Sam Spade. The twists, turns, shifting alliances and double crosses are on par with _The Sting_. Along the way, we meet a saint, a technology adept turtle, a vengeful possum, and a pigeon who craves stories, Green City Wars doesn't take itself too seriously; it is a lot of fun to read. I loved this book and would read a sequel if Tchaikovsky wrote one.

Image: Book Cover The Dark Lord's Guide to Dating (and Other War Crimes) by Tiffany Hunt was uneven. It had some clever concepts; I loved the chapter titles. But the execution was not always effective. The first half, particularly, reminds me of a 1970s/80s romance novel where Stockholm syndrome seems to be the drive that pushes the heroine to the hero. The second half was filled with VERY explicit sex that seemed pointless. And, no real spoiler, but it seems to be the first in a series as there were MANY unresolved plot points. It is like the story just stopped half way through. I don't know that I care enough about anyone (but Vex, the Dark Lord's assistant) to pick up the sequel. That said, it was entirely readable and fine for a beach read.

I've read most of Rebecca Roanhouse's novels, and have enjoyed them all. So I was looking forward to Roanhouse's _River of Bones and Other Stories_ and was not disappointed. In this excellent collection, she infuses Native American mythology and concerns. The collection opens with Roanhorse's first published short story, “Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience™" which explores the commodification of Indigenous People's identity for entertainment and self-aggrandizement. Other highlights include "The Boys from Blood River" about cowboy vampires and "A Harvest of Beating Hearts" about a sapphic serial killer. "White Hills" made me deeply uncomfortable, but I think that was the point. How much "Indian" blood/identity is "too much" to pass for white? To BE white? To be white ENOUGH for the White Hills Country Club? Overall, this is an excellent collection about identity and the supernatural, which is where Rebe...

  Abeni and the Kingdom of Gold by P. Djèlí Clark Pub Date: Apr 29 2025 This is a middle grade book, but was still enjoyable for me, a cantankerous adult. Clark does not oversimplify the story nor provide obvious and cliched lessons. I did not realize that Abeni and the Kingdom of Gold was the second book in a series when I picked it up. However, that fact did not diminish my enjoyment. The important information from the previous book was woven in in a way that did not overwhelm the story, but provided vital information for a newcomer or a nice refresher for a returning reader. Abeni is resourceful, brave and empathic. She encounters strange creatures, some of whom wish her harm, but she continues to be open to new acquaintances and willing to ask for and receive guidance and help. She is empathetic and forgiving without being naively taken advantage of. In short, she is the kind of leader that I...

Once Was Willem by M.R. Carey (who also writes as Mike Carey) is excellent. I've read some of Carey's works in comics, but never one of his novels. While it starts off a little slow, when the story begins to unfold it is riveting. The setting is a medieval village, but I didn't recognize the historic period. (I'm not a historian, so it may just be that I didn't recognize it.) Once-Was-Willem is the protagonist and narrator, and this is the story of how he fought his maker to try to save the people of his village. He is joined by shapeshifters Anna and Kel and elemental spirit Peter (and others, but to name them would give spoilers). This is the first novel I've read by Carey, but it won't be the last.

  Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer This prequel is a must read for fans of the Southern Reach trilogy.  It establishes the origin of Area X and fills in the stories of some of the people referenced in the writings found there in the trilogy. This book (or the first 2/3 of it) follows Old Jim as he tries to piece together what happened to an earlier expedition of biologists, while the last third follows a different character in a team of scientists who follow up a year after the first part of the book. The story incorporates (probably) extraterrestrials, science, magic, psychics, mind control and spies, but to explain how would cause spoilers. I don't think this stands alone without being familiar with the Southern Reach trilogy, though. But having read SR, I enjoyed this.

 Let me begin by saying that I *loved* Space Opera , which was the first book in the series. I was eager to learn more about Decibel Jones, Mira Wonderful Star, and Oort Saint Ultraviolet. And, if you enjoyed Space Opera , you might enjoy this direct sequel. It continues the adventures of Decibel Jones, Mira Wonderful Star, and Oort Saint Ultraviolet. In her breezy, clever style Valente fills us in on every species from the Intergalactic Grand Prix. The result is like a cross between Douglas Adams and James Joyce. Sometimes it's brilliant, and sometimes it's a chore. I really enjoyed parts of it and parts of it I just trudged through. I had hoped it would be more about Dess, Mira, and Oort, but most of the book seemed to be about the politics of the universe and the purpose of all this was not clear, even at the end. Only a few of the species/factions were relevant to the plot. I have to wonder what Valente's editor was thinking in approving this for press. I did genuinely ...

Veycosi, a historian and musician in training, is impulsive and prone to making gaffes and mistakes. He is sincere and earnest, but can't quite manage to be successful. He is engaged, but his fiancees are not willing to go through with the marriage until he successfully completes his education. Unfortunately, he pursues a bold idea to solve a problem, and creates more problems as a result, which derails his education and his status in the community. While all this is happening to Veycosi personally, his island is being invaded by a larger, better armed group of people, and Veycosi continues to try to solve problems with clever ideas and shortcuts and keeps causing greater problems.  Hopkinson weaves a complex plot and keeps all the threads going throughout the novel. It's carefully plotted and satisfying.  I will say that the mix of English with the other language used was sometimes confusing. The words could eventually be figured out from context, but to be honest, the mix of...

The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey is another winner from the authors who brought us _The Expanse_ series. Dafyd Alkhor is an indifferent scientist, but a skilled politician. He's worked his way into a research group whose work is so important that other groups are trying to steal it (and the credit). Then, the unthinkable happens. (Spoilers ahead). Humans are invaded by aliens more stronger and more powerful than they are, the Carryx. They Carryx pit humanity against other sentient beings in a battle for survival, but they objective that they are given is not the true objective. Dafyd has to use all his political acumen to suss out how to help humanity survive, I loved the Expanse series, and although this story is completely different, it still has the action and intrigue. I couldn't put this down!

Review: Alliance Unbound by C.J. Cherryh and Jane S. Fancher I'm going to preface this by saying that I have loved most of what I read by Cherryh. And overall, I liked this book. However, and this is a big however, I felt like I must have missed the previous book in this series.* I felt a bit lost through much of this book. It was also poorly edited with some information repeated multiple times and other information given once, and never again. Like Downbelow Station , this book has a complex political setting, but there was way too much rumination by Ross Monahan. The book opens with Ross trying to find his place with a new crew and a new ship. Most ships are crewed by literal families who take on the various roles within the crew from navigator to captain to kitchen staff. Ross and some of his Monahan cousins are displaced from their family's ship for a political situation that occurred in the first book. This situation is described several times.  At 535 pages, this book is...

  Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker was an absolute treat to read. Mara Billings, an indifferent college student who is drifting through life, takes a job on her cousin's reality show that combines haunted houses with home renovation. She doesn't seem to fit in with the crew any better than she did at college, until she meets Jo. Jo is kind to her and Mara impulsively invites her to join her family for the weekend, which leads to a falling out. That is when things get odd. I greatly enjoyed this book, even though I figured out the "twist" well before it happened. The plot was well-supported and plausible, given the rules established in the story. It was a fun read, with actual character development and a satisfying ending. At just 176 pages, it was a quick read. Perfect to wiling away an afternoon. (I was allowed to read this for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

  The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves; China Miéville   The Book of Elsewhere begins in a military barracks, but this isn't really a military book. Instead, it is a book about a god who is grappling with metaphysical questions while dodging a rival god. I did enjoy the book, but the choices that the authors made in narrative structure made it more difficult to follow. The overarching plot, though, was intriguing. I liked some of the characters, but many of them were unlikable and/or underdeveloped. I would read more by Reeves and Miéville, though.  I received access of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.