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Welcome to Tuesday, shipmates. It’s Alex, and I’ve got six new releases for you (a bit weighted on the YA side this week) and a few genre news items. In reality-land… it’s been one heck of a week, and a difficult one. I imagine most of us are still stuck at home (thanks, Covid-19), and it’s got a particular flavor of helplessness this last week, which doesn’t necessarily lend itself well to doing anything but watching the news and worrying. Be kind, listen, stay safe, and love one another.
Black Lives Matter.
Good non-SFF things for a Tuesday: Bail funds for Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Louisville, Houston, Detroit, and a master list of more.
New Releases
The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso – “Nothing must unseal the door” is the most important directive given to Ryxander, a Warden of Gloamingard Castle. At the castle’s heart lies a black tower that has been sealed with magic for a thousand years, its dangerous secrets contained. But one bad, impetuous decision leaves Ryxander with blood on her hands and darkness about to burst forth and cover her world.
Star Wars: Queen’s Peril by E.K. Johnston – After winning the election for Queen of Naboo, Padmé Naberrie leaves her home for the palace and takes the name Amidala. She begins to recruit the trusted companions that will be her protectors, spies, and confidantes, learning each young woman’s strengths and figuring out how to unite them as a group. When the Trade Federation invades Naboo, it’s up to the young queen and her as-yet-untested handmaidens to defend their home.
Stormblood by Jeremy Szal – Harmony injected Vakov Fukasawa with alien DNA to make him a super soldier–a Reaper; while it worked on the side of bio-enhancement, it also permanently altered his body chemistry, leaving him addicted to adrenalin and aggression. And in so doing, Harmony discovered an entirely new drug market for millions of its civillians. Vakov walked away from Harmony, but now his former fellow Reapers are being murdered by someone–or something–and his brother might be involved. It’s an investigation Vakov can’t turn down.
The Court of Miracles by Kester Grant – In a world where the French Revolution failed, the people are caught between the ever-more cruel and merciless nobility and the nine criminal guilds that have become known as the Court of Miracles. Eponine is a talented cat burglar who spends her nights on robberies and her days on avoiding her abusive father and protecting her adopted sister, Cossette. When Tiger, the head of the Guild of Flesh, takes an interest in Cossette, Eponine must choose between losing her sister forever or setting off a war between the guilds.
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown – In an attempt to escape their war-torn home, Malik takes his sisters to the peaceful and prosperous desert city of Ziran. But the price of entry turns out to be the abduction of one of his sisters by a desert spirit, and if he wants her back, he’ll have to murder the Crown Princess of the City, Karina. The princess has her own plans, however. Karina plans to resurrect her mother, who was killed by an assassin, using ancient magic that requires the beating heart of a king. Malik plans to get at her by entering the Solstasia Festival Competition; Karina plans to get the heart by offering her hand in marriage to the victor and killing him. Then the worst happens to interfere with their murderous plans: they find each other attractive.
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow – Best friends Effie and Tavia try to navigate their junior year of high school as the world seems to be falling apart around them. In the wake of a highly publicized murder trial for a siren, Tavia accidentally lets her magical voice loose and reveals the powers she’s been hiding for years. Effie is dealing with family struggles and finds herself fighting demons from her past that are all too literal. Only their friendship might keep their heads above the rising waters.
News and Views
Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Nebula Awards!!! File 770 has a post with some great screen shots of the winners on during the virtual ceremony.
The Locus Awards have announced the finalists.
City of Brass is coming to Netflix!
Jeannette Ng wrote a short story about ancestors mistaking burnt books as offerings: The Radicalised Dead
James D. Nicoll on how to recover from reader’s block
Penguin Classics is launching a science fiction series.
Michelle Yeoh talks about getting to play the Nice Captain again in a Short Trek.
If you’re looking for Space Opera to read, Shaun Duke has compiled a google sheet of books written by trans, non-binary, and women writers.
The world of science fiction and fantasy model building – I am endlessly impressed by people who build models. I’ve never had the patience!
SpaceX has returned human space flight to America
On Book Riot
Why are the same fairy tales retold again and again?
See you, space pirates. You can find all of the books recommended in this newsletter on a handy Goodreads shelf. If you’d like to know more about my secret plans to dominate the seas and skies, you can catch me over at my personal site.