Happy Friday, friends! Today we’re talking about Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews, webcomics, problematic faves, WorldCon, fairytales, and so much more.
This newsletter is sponsored by Penguin Teen.
After her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just like her, who have lost their families and homes because of Aric. But when Caledonia’s best friend barely survives an attack thanks to help from a Bullet looking to defect, Caledonia finds herself questioning whether to let him join their crew. Is this boy the key to taking down Aric once and for all…or will he threaten everything the women have worked for?
What does it mean to have more women in sci-fi? This contemplative piece unpacks a lot of stereotypes and internalized misogyny in the process of answering that question.
Bones for the win: A fan looks at the ways Star Trek: The Original Series combatted toxic masculinity, and makes a compelling case.
LET THERE BE GREAT REJOICING: we’re getting Avatar: The Last Airbender novels about Avatar Kyoshi!!!! All the muppet arms!!!!
Get more comics in your browser! I love SF/F webcomics, and this list just added a bunch more to my bookmarks folder.
Want a behind the scenes look at WorldCon 76? Alex gives the nitty gritty details on the business side of things (as well as the alt-right protest), which I always find fascinating.
I have a deep appreciation for the questions posed in this post about reconsidering problematic faves, and in particular would like to highlight this bit, which sums up so beautifully a feeling I’ve been struggling to articulate:
“I like and respect my friends better than I like the book, and I don’t feel comfortable reading a book that’s taking aim at my friends. It has lost its magic.”
Sometimes a fairytale is what you need, and we’ve got 50 retellings for kids that can scratch that itch.
I confess that I have not listened to this because it is OVER AN HOUR LONG, but if you’ve ever wanted N.K. Jemisin to tell you her world-building secrets, here’s your chance.
Which Weasley sibling are you? Take our quiz! (I am Charlie and I will be over here with my dragons.)
Reminder! Today (August 31) is the last day to enter the Recommended giveaway for 16 excellent books, which you should do right here.
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews
You might have heard me gush about the world-building in the Kate Daniels series on SFF Yeah, or name-drop them repeatedly while talking about other urban fantasy. In case you weren’t sure: I’m a fan. The last book in the series is out this week, and it gave me All The Feelings.
Before I get into some spoilers, let’s take a moment for my top two reasons this series is worth picking up. And while I’ve heard that the first book, Magic Bites, can be hard to get through for new readers, I’m here to assure you that it’s worth it.
1: It has one of my favorite world-building premises ever, and takes place in an alternate Atlanta in which the world is subject to period, unpredictable waves of magic. While the magic is down, your car and phones work but not your spells; while the magic is up, vice versa. There are vampires and shapeshifters and demons and gods roaming the world again, and humanity is having to relearn how to deal with the supernatural.
2: It has a heroine who not only kicks ass, but learns how to be a person. The Kate Daniels of Magic Bites is just barely a human being — she’s gruff, isolated, drinking too much, and basically only good at slicing things and people and things pretending to be people to bits with her sword. But as the series progresses, Kate also grows in important ways. She acquires friends and a family of choice; she makes peace with her traumatic childhood; she begins to own her power.
And now for mild series spoilers! Avert your eyes!!!
If you’ve been following along with me, I’m happy to report that Magic Triumphs is as satisfying a finale as I could have hoped. The stakes could not be higher — the future of Kate’s son is at stake, the Oracles are having visions of blood and fire, and Roland is just waiting to take over Atlanta and then the rest of the world. Assassins are popping up around town, the populations of entire towns are disappearing overnight, and Kate just got a weird box of ashes with a flower on it. Also her son is manifesting some startling new abilities. Kate’s life is complicated; it must be Tuesday.
The full cast — plus some suprising-to-me reappearances — is on hand for this battle to end the war, and they’re fighting on two fronts. Can they defeat the new Big Bad as well as Roland? And what (or who) will they lose in the process? Magic Triumphs showcases the same bonds of loyalty, friendship, and love that have made the last few books such an absolute delight to read. Kate and her family of choice are Ride or Die for each other, and it makes my heart explode every time.
I finished this book, patted my face dry with a tissue, and then had to suppress the urge to reread the entire series immediately. (Instead I’ll be re-reading it one book at a time for the next 10 months, and I cannot wait.) And if you’re listening, Ilona Andrews? I don’t know if the ending was intended to launch a new series, but I am here for The Further Adventures of [Redacted] and [Redacted], please and thank you.
And that’s a wrap! You can find all of the books recommended in this newsletter on a handy Goodreads shelf. If you’re interested in more science fiction and fantasy talk, you can catch me and my co-host Sharifah on the SFF Yeah! podcast. For many many more book recommendations you can find me on the Get Booked podcast with the inimitable Amanda.
Your fellow booknerd,
Jenn