Happy Tuesday, shipmates! It’s Alex, with a fairly short list of new releases for you to check out this week–April’s getting a slow start, perhaps. But there are some cool looking books nonetheless, most of them from series you might want to check out! I write this newsletter to you from the embrace of a most satisfactory food coma; a dear friend of mine made gravlax and delicious seafood salad for our regular D&D game, and it was a… transcendent experience. Hope you had a delicious weekend, too! Stay safe out there, space pirates, and I’ll see you on Friday!
Not SFF-related, but I am excited as all get out: First Amazon Union Voted for in Staten Island.
Let’s make the world a better place, together. Here’s somewhere to start: NDN Collective and Jane’s Due Process
New Releases
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality by Roshani Chokshi
The Sleeper will gain access to the nectar of immortality–and therefore infinite power–on the next full moon. Worse, he’s far ahead of the Pandavas, already in the labyrinth that the sisters can’t even gain entrance to. The Pandavas must work together to win this race against time… but at the end, it’s up to Aru to decide who will have immortality. (Continuation of the series that starts with Aru Shah and the End of Time.)
Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak by Charlie Jane Anders
Rachael, Elza, and Tina have all left Earth to go to the stars, each with her own dreams and mission in the galaxy. Rachael is an artist who can no longer make art after an encounter with an alien artifact. Elza wants to compete for the chance to be a princess in the Palace of Scented Tears. And Tina has gone to the Royal Space Academy to study with her friends. Though their goals are different, their lives remain intertwined… (Sequel to Victories Greater Than Death.)
Aspects by John M. Ford
Before his unexpected and early death in 2006, author John M. Ford wrote a fantasy novel of politics, ancient empires, romance, divine fate, and magical machine guns. Follow three characters–Varic, Archmage Birch, and Palion Silvern–as they explore a fantastical world in a rich 18th century setting.
Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!
News and Views
The Monsters and the Translators: Grappling With Beowulf in the Third Millennium
Treasuring the Books No One Else Seems to Love
Lil Nas X is extremely SFF adjacent and I will hear no arguments otherwise. Which is to say his outfit for the Grammys this year definitely belongs in your eyeballs.
Encounters With the Supernatural in Antarctica: A Brief History
Did you ever want to give Q (the Star Trek one) a call?
A Guide to Preparing Your Supernatural Advance Directive
Chris Pine Thinks Star Trek Shouldn’t Try Being Marvel, and He’s Right
On Book Riot
Is There Such a Thing as a Reliable Narrator?
When Does Lord of the Rings Get Interesting?
This month you can enter to win $250 at Barnes and Noble, a Kindle Paperwhite, and $100 at Bookshop.org.
See you, space pirates. 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.