Here's the May 2024 book list!
19 new SF/F books to check out this month
I've been a little behind on book lists recently, so this list packs up the latter half of April and the first half of May. (In case you missed it, here's the first list for April, and you can also find other recommendations via the Book List tag.)
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Also, as a reminder, I'm running a giveaway for two copies of The Folio Society's edition of Dune Messiah. You can find details here.
Okay, here are 19 new SF/F books that you should check out for the rest of the month:
I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle (May 14th)
Peter S. Beagle, author of the classic novel The Last Unicorn, embarks on a new fantasy adventure I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons. The kingdom of Bellemontagne is home dragons of all types, from tiny to giant. When his father dies, Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax (who goes by Robert) is reluctant to pick up his job as a dragon exterminator. He's always loved dragons but would rather be the Prince's valet. But the new job steers him along a new course, which brings new problems and challenges.
Publishers Weekly says that "theresulting adventure offers surprises and humor aplenty alongside a hefty dose of classic dragon lore."
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (May 7th)
Set in the near future, an unnamed bureaucrat is tasked with an exciting job: she's to work assisting "expats", people from the past who've been swept into the present. She'll be a "bridge" for Commander Graham Gore, a polar explorer who was presumed dead during an expedition to the arctic in 1845, and as she helps to explain the modern world, they forge a deeper relationship, one that could be upended when the nature of the governmental program they're part of becomes clear.
Kirkus Reviews gave the book a starred review, saying "Drama, intrigue, and romance ensue. And while this quasi-futuristic tale of time and tenderness never seems to take itself too seriously, it also offers a meaningful, nuanced perspective on the challenges we face, the choices we make, and the way we live and love today."
A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall (April 23rd)
When a woman who goes by E. makes an interesting discovery outside of her underwater home, she begins exchanging letters with a noted scholar named Henerey Clel, and together, they begin working on unraveling a mystery about the depths. When disaster strikes and the pair go missing, E.’s sister Sophy and Henerey’s brother Vyerin work to pick up their work and figure out what they were looking for.
Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review, saying “The conceit is well used and never feels overly clever or gets in the way of the luscious worldbuilding and slow-burning plot. This poetic and emotional tale announces the arrival of a skilled storyteller.”
Fall of the Iron Gods by Olivia Chadha (April 23rd)
In this sequel to Olivia Chadha’s Rise of the Red Hand, we follow Ashiva, Synch, and their allies after they’ve launched a major attack against their oppressive government. Now, they have to infiltrate the Planetary Alliance Commission before it can eliminate their revolutionary force, the Red Hand.
Kirkus Reviews says “Chadha explores the necessity for human oversight of machines in a well-developed way. The story is grounded in parallels to other real-life concerns, such as worldwide environmental destruction, political truth-spinning, and a space colony that’s “a big escape pod for the rich.”
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang (April 16th)
Long before she was born, Ruying’s world was invited by a technologically-superior civilization from another reality, overcoming her people’s native magics and taking over. She despises the invaders and harbors a secret: she’s been blessed by Death and has the ability to suck the life force out of people, but has been careful to keep her powers under wraps to protect her family.
When an enemy prince discovers her powers, he offered her an opportunity to keep her family safe, even if it means aiding him and his cause.
Ocean’s Godori by Elaine U. Cho (April 23rd)
Ocean Yoon is something of an outcast: she feels out of place in Korea, and has been kicked out of the Alliance, the country’s space agency after a mission went bad. When her friend Teo is framed for murdering his family, Ocean and her fellow crew mates find themselves at the forefront of a political crisis, and they have to figure out how to navigate the firestorm and save their friend.
Publishers Weekly says “Every scene builds suspense and illuminates fascinating themes of exploitation, privilege, and identity, all held together by a sweet found family narrative. Ambitious and heartwarming, this is a treat.”
Relics of Ruin by Erin M. Evans (April 30th)
In this sequel to Empire of Exiles, picks up the story of a group of Archivists who uncovered a murder at the heart of the empire and has left it shaking at its foundations. Just as things are starting to get back to normal, the discovery of an ancient, stolen artifact further complicates things, prompting Quill and Amadea to try and uncover who stole and replaced the item without anyone knowing.
Archangels of Funk by Andrea Hairston (May 7th)
In the near future, the world has been rocked by a series of wars over water resources, prompting a huge refugee crisis and bringing about the rise of a violent militia movement. While online trolls are taking over the internet, Cinnamon, a trio of her Circus Bots, and pair of dogs team up with a community of farmers to help the refugees. Their work attracts the attention of those Darknet Lords and militia members, and it'll take everything they have to rebuild a future that's safe for everyone.
Library Journal gave the book a starred review, saying "The music of Hairston’s prose and her characters’ approach to conflict set the novel apart" and "This cross between Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler and Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono deserves a place in every library."
The Sword Unbound by Gareth Hanrahan (May 7th)
In this sequel to Gareth Hanrahan's The Sword Defiant, Sir Aelfric and his friends saved the world decades ago by defeating a dark lord, and recently had to reunite his former companions to rise to a new challenge. Alf has now been labeled a traitor and is on the run, all while a revolution begins to take root in the lands, and in order to survive his pursuers and a web of conspiracies, he wields an evil sword known as Spellbreaker, which could ruin his reputation and standing for good.
The House that Horror Built by Christina Henry (May 14th)
When Harry Adams gets the job of a lifetime – cleaning the home of famed horror director movie Javier Castillo – she's delighted. It's full of props and costumes and other relics from his career. Castillo left the film industry under scandalous circumstances, and he's kept a low profile ever since. But when Harry begins hearing someone calling for help from behind a locked door, she has to bend some rules to figure out what secrets the house harbors.
Publishers Weekly writes "Henry captures the epic scale of the best horror movies and her passion for monstrosity comes through clearly. The results are familiar but fun."
First Light by Liz Kerin (April 23rd)
Liz Kerin puts out a sequel to her novel Night's Edge, set in a world where vampires exist and who have been pushed to the edges of society. Here, nine months have passed since Mia fled a disaster in Tucson. She's hot on the tail of a vampire who bit her mother and destroyed their lives. But when she catches up with her quarry and infiltrates a group of fugitives, she finds that she might be in more danger than she thought.
Publishers Weekly notes that "this duology stands as an exciting take on the vampire mythos for the modern era, exploring the difficulties of emotional intimacy in a world designed to make it a fatal liability."
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: A Visual Archive: Celebrating the Original Trilogy's Iconic Conclusion and Its Indelible Influence on a Galaxy Far, Far Away by Kelly Knox, Clayton Sandell, and S. T. Bende (April 23rd)
There's no shortage of books about the making of the Star Wars universe, and here's another to add to the pile: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: A Visual Archive: Celebrating the Original Trilogy's Iconic Conclusion and Its Indelible Influence on a Galaxy Far, Far Away (there are way too many colons in that title.) This one takes a look at the behind-the-scenes work on Return of the Jedi and particularly looks at how it influenced everything that followed, from the books to The Clone Wars to The Mandalorian.
Dry Lands by Elizabeth Anne Martins (May 14th)
In the near future, a massive flood destroys half of the world, bringing about a major refugee crisis and problems on what dry land remains. Liv and her three-year-old son Milo survived, and they're working to try and find a safe home, away from the cannibalistic gangs and problems in the encampments.
Publishers Weekly says "Liv’s daily battle against starvation and predators, human and otherwise, is visceral, and—thanks to Martin’s gift for characterization—her evolution feels earned as she gradually adapts her ethics to keep Milo alive at all costs. "
Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina (April 16th)
Noemi Broussard is trying to get a fresh start: she's planning to move off of the reservation that's been her home, only to have everything crumble when her new boyfriend apparently commits suicide. But his death doesn't really make sense, and Noemi begins to believe that something else is at play behind the tragedy. Meanwhile, her uncle Louie has returned, and he might hold the key to the secrets that the reservation holds.
Library Journal says "Medina skillfully brings to life a rich and complex cast of characters that are grappling not only with real-life horrors such as alcoholism, poverty, and suicide but also an unnatural horror inextricably linked to the Takoda people’s history, culture, and identity—and threatens to devour their community."
The Wings Upon Her Back by Samantha Mills (April 23rd)
This book is one of my most anticipated of the year, the debut novel of Samantha Mills, in which a teenager named Zenya ran away from her home to join a warrior sect that augments their soldiers with mechanical wings, and begins learning their ways to protect her city. Years later, she becomes tired of warfare and the rulers whose will she upholds. When she's cast out, she has to rethink everything that brought her to that place in order to survive.
The Official Game of Thrones Cookbook: Recipes from King's Landing to the Dothraki Sea by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel (May 7th)
A number of years ago, Chelsea Monrose-Cassel and her friend Sariann Lehrer launched Inn at the Crossroads, a blog devoted to recreating the foods of George R.R. Martin's Westeros series, which led to a cookbook A Feast of Ice and Fire, and arguably, the rise of an entire publishing niche: the nerdy cookbook.
She's now back with a follow up, an official GOT cookbook with a ton of new recipes and a foreword from Martin that should provide fans with plenty of inspiration in the kitchen.
The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain by Sofia Samatar (April 16th)
Sofia Samatar is back with a new book about a boy who was raised as one of the "Chained", someone raised to live and work in the depths of an interstellar mining ship. When he's abruptly brought "upstairs" and is given the opportunity to get an education and new life, his life is turned upside down. He bonds with "the professor," a descendant of a fellow worker who's struggled to build her career, and together, the two of them set off to break free of their pasts.
Publishers Weekly awarded the book a starred review, saying "Samatar unfurls worldbuilding details with masterful subtlety, making each shocking reveal all the more potent."
The Maps of Middle-Earth: The Essential Maps of J.R.R. Tolkien's Fantasy Realm from Númenor and Beleriand to Wilderland and Middle-Earth by Brian Sibley (April 9th)
Harper Collins has been steadily re-releasing J.R.R. Tolkien's works in some handsome editions, and has begun working on some suppliemental works in a similar format. The latest is The Maps of Middle-earth by Brian Sibley, which explores four of Tolkien's iconic maps of his legendarium: Middle-earth, Wilderland, Beleriand, and Númenor. The book comes with some great pull-out maps, and should make for an excellent read for the Tolkien afficianados out there.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne (May 7th)
In this cozy fantasy, Reyna and Kianthe plan on opening a bookshop where they can relax, read, and drink tea. But Reyna is one of the Queen's guards and Kianthe is a powerful mage. When Reyna is captured by an assassin, she decides that she's done with her work as a bodyguard and the pair decide to escape to a small isolated town where they can open up the bookshop they've dreamed of. But the queen they've escaped has other things planned, and it could make their cozy existence troublesome.
Library Journal says "Like the tea they serve and the company they keep, this is a read to soothe and comfort, with sprayed book edges adding to the delight."
That's it for me today. I'll have another post for you tomorrow morning!
Andrew