Category: Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for October 23: Witches

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date October 22, 2020

Sponsored by Winter, White and Wicked by Shannon Dittemore and Amulet Books

Mad Max: Fury Road meets Frozen in a striking new fantasy novel.

On an island cursed by eternal winter, rig driver Sylvi takes comfort in two things: the solitude of the roads and the favor of Winter, an icy spirit who has protected her since childhood. But when her best friend disappears, Sylvi must make a dangerous haul for a smuggler she wouldn’t normally work with. Sylvi will do whatever it takes to save her friend, but soon she’ll have to choose: safety, anonymity, and the favor of Winter—or the future of the island that she calls home.

Happy Friday, shipmates! Another glorious day in October, and hopefully where you live is less on fire than my state (sorry, California). It’s Alex, with some genre news items and my six favorite books about witches! Stay safe out there, keep enjoying this spooky month, and I’ll see you on Tuesday.

Thing that made me happy this week: There’s a second season of Unsolved Mysteries on Netflix now. You’re welcome. It’s kind of weird alternating it with GBBO, though.

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? blacklivesmatter.card.co and The Okra Project.

News and Views

Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman are suing Wizards of the Coast

Where to Find Narnia in the Real World, as the CS Lewis Classic Turns 70

You can download an anthology of Africanfuturism stories, edited by Wole Talabi, for free from Brittle Paper

Matt Wallace revealed the cover for Savage Bounty, sequel to Savage Legion. (Full disclosure: Matt and I have the same agent.)

io9 has a teaser for Cadwell Turnbull’s next novel, No Gods, No Monsters

Tamsyn Muir has signed a five book deal with Tordotcom publishing

The Fantasies That Made Sense of a Senseless Year

Tor.com will be doing a nerdy trivia night on November 11.

Syfy Wire got a look at The Wakanda Files and has five items as a sneak peak for you.

There’s a Nazca cat now!

On Book Riot

7 books for fans of Hades the game

5 fantasy books where alchemy transforms adolescence

You have until tonight to enter to win a copy of Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

This month, you can enter to win a $250 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Free Association Friday: Witches

We’re still in the best month of the year, so it’s time for some more spooky celebration. Nothing says October quite like witches, right? Here’s six of my favorites, though I could fill the next seventeen newsletters with fun books about witches.

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

Immanuelle was born in blasphemy, the child of her mother’s union with a dark-skinned outsider, and existence threw her family into disgrace. Approaching adulthood, Immanuelle does her best to be pious and follow the edicts of the Prophet, even as she becomes ever more aware of his base hypocrisies. But when she is drawn into the woods where the four vengeful spirits of the powerful witches the first Prophet killed still live, she discovers more about her mother, her self, and the grim truths that make a rotting foundation under the community. This is one of the best, righteously angriest books I’ve read this year, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

Alex is the most powerful bruja of her generation, but she hates her magic and wants nothing more than to be rid of it. When she tries a spell to remove her own power, it backfires and causes her entire family to vanish. Now she’s got to figure out where her family has gone and how to save them, and the only ally she has is Nova, a brujo she’s not even sure she can trust.

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

Tea is different from the other witches of her family; her gift is one of necromancy. As a bone witch, she is feared and ostracized. Her only allies are an older bone witch, who will guide her in her journey to power, and her brother, whom she accidentally raised from the dead.

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

There are two series-within-a-series about witches in Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels, but Wyrd Sisters is still my favorite, probably because it’s got a lot of Shakespearean references in it and that’s the kind of nerd I am. But I heartily recommend joining Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, and Magrat Garlick as they sort out a small problem of succession after the King of Lancre is murdered by his cousin.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Agnieszka has grown up with the Wood as her home and she loves them dearly… but there is a corruption in the Wood, and it’s spreading, threatening to twist and consume every living thing. What keeps this corruption at bay is a wizard known as the Dragon, and every ten years, he takes a woman from the villages to serve him. This time, he reluctantly takes Agnieszka, because he can see what she cannot–that she has magic of her own. But despite his arrogance, it’s not a magic he can understand… and it’s very much of the Wood.

The Witches of Lychford by Paul Cornell

What seems like a common problem for many a sleepy English village–a major supermarket chain wants to plop down a giant store right at their border–is more than a question of local control versus modernization. Because Lychford stands at the boundary between two worlds, and disturbing that boundary would be a very, very bad idea.

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.

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for October 20

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date October 19, 2020

Sponsored by Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group

When MNGR First Class João da Silva arrives on the moon of Titan to take charge of Homestead Station, he finds the massive mining colony plagued by tensions between the giant, genetically-engineered Titan workers and the Terran management. As anger mounts, what began as a routine posting quickly turns into something far more dangerous.

Happy Tuesday, shipmates! It’s Alex, bringing the new releases and a chilling tale of a Twinkie that has defied scientific understanding. (No, really. Check the bottom of the news section. I love this story and I cannot begin to explain why.) To be honest, things are a little freaky here in Northern Colorado right now… the Cameron Peak fire that’s been keeping us inside for weeks is now the biggest fire in state history (heading for 200K acres burned as of this writing) and around 1:00 in the afternoon on Saturday, a new fire touched off just 17 miles from the city center of Boulder, forcing the immediate evacuation of Jamestown. The massive smoke plume had people pulling over on the streets near my house to watch. So really, I’m just saying hug the people you can, check in with the people you can’t, global climate change is real and we need to get our butts in gear, and stay safe out there.

Thing to smile about: this twitter thread that tracks a 4000-year history of cats walking on our stuff

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? blacklivesmatter.card.co and The Okra Project.

New Releases

Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Gyen Jebi just wants to be left alone to pursue their art, but when they find themself jobless and desperate, they are recruited by the Ministry of Armor to paint the magical sigils that animate its automatons. Unable to ignore politics any longer–especially those of the government occupying their land–they have no choice but to rise up and fight. And stealing the mighty dragon atuomaton Arazi is a good first step in their personal war.

God Storm by Coco Ma

After defeating her evil mother and the demon she summoned to try to kill her, Queen Asterin Faelenhart should be celebrating. But darkness has fallen over her kingdom and shadows the queen, reminding her of the sacrifices she made for her crown. The path of the Immortal Realm, ruled by the God of Shadow, begins to intertwine with her kingdom, and she realizes that the wicked ruler of this other realm has the answer to everything she lost and wants returned.

The Mirror Man by Jane Gilmartin

Jeremiah leaps at the offer to escape a life he feels disconnected from; all it takes is participation in an illegal cloning experiment, and he’ll be paid handsomely for it besides. The experimental drug transfers his memories to his clone and lets it take over his life. He soon finds out that watching his own life as an outside observer is an even more displacing reality… and that doesn’t even cover his horror as he watches his clone go into an out-of-control spiral that places his family in danger.

Where the Wild Ladies Are by Matsuda Aoko translated by Polly Barton

A collection of linked stories that are feminist retellings of Japanese folktales, where the traditionally feminine is cultivated rather than feared or suppressed.

The Fourth Island by Sarah Tolmie

The hidden fourth island of Aran is a place populated by the lost, only found by the dead, dying, and lost after they have given in to a dark emotion. But rather than a hell of the lost, the fourth island and its lost souls have become a community that welcomes those who find refuge there and offers a chance of redemption.

Of Fury and Fangs by Kyoko M.

Dr. Rhett Jackson finds out someone wants him dead in the worst possible way–when a dragon tries to kill him in his own home. Unfortunately, his list of enemies is long–not everyone is happy with the scientists who resurrected dragons from the dead to begin with.

News and Views

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Ignyte Awards!

This recent interview with Cory Doctorow has me jumping out of my chair and yelling: Technologists have failed to listen to non-technologists

He also hits it out of the park with this one, IMO: The Dangers of Cynical Sci-Fi Disaster Stories

NPR did a great interview with Rebecca Roanhorse about Black Sun

TOC for the Breathe FIYAH flash fiction anthology, which is available for free on Tor.com as of yesterday.

Time’s list of the 100 best fantasy books of all time has some good picks on it. (And some that made me snort rudely into my tea, but let’s not get into that.)

Words matter: In Dune, Paul Atreides led a jihad, not a crusade

Cover reveal for Defekt by Nino Cipri, sequel to Finna. (Full disclosure: Nino and I have the same agent.)

New book coming from S.L. Huang!

Really cool animation of a black hole made using the Unreal enginer

A disturbing Twinkie that has, so far, defied science

On Book Riot

A beginner’s guide to gothic fantasy

This week’s episode of SFF Yeah! is about the books you rediscover while packing

You could win a copy of Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

This month, you can enter to win a $250 Barnes & Noble gift card.

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.

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for October 16: Heart-Warming Ghosts

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date October 15, 2020

The Traveling Triple-C Incorporeal Circus by Alanna McFall

Chelsea has been dead for two years due to an unfortunate accident, but she’s not about to let that stop her from making it to her brother’s wedding. Along with the much older ghost who acts as her mentor and their one living friend, an unhoused woman who has an amazing talent as a mime and can see ghosts, they set out to walk from New York City to San Francisco. It’s a road trip book like you’ve never read before.

The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo

Li Lan is the daughter of a bankrupt family, so she doesn’t have many marriage prospects… until the wealthy and powerful Lims offer to have her become the ghost bride of their only son, who died under somewhat mysterious circumstances. Li Lan must find out the truth behind her betrothed’s death if she wants to make it out of this alive… (Note, this has been made into an extremely cute limited series that’s on Netflix.)

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

A trans boy named Yadriel is determined to prove to his traditional family that he’s a brujo, and the first step is summoning a ghost… but he accidentally summons the ghost of a high school classmate he didn’t even realize was dead. And the ghost refuses to pass on until Yadriel does a few things for him. And while Yadriel is dealing with a cranky yet very cute ghost (oh no) he’s also trying to figure out what made this classmate and a brujo in his own family disappear at about the same time… (Look, I love this book, and it’s VERY cute.)

Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire

People are supposed to live a certain amount of time, and when they shuffle off the mortal coil early for any reason, they find a heavy debt on their record. These ghosts can steal from the living, or they can earn it back in other ways. Jenna, one such ghost, ekes out a little time each day by volunteering at a suicide prevention hotline. But something is binding the ghosts around her into mirror, and she needs to find out what–and stop it.

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger

Elatsoe (Ellie) is a normal ace Apache teen living in a paranormal life thanks to the magical ability to raise the spirits of dead animals, a talent passed down from her ancestors. Rather than going to college, she’s decided she’ll be a PI, putting her brains and natural curiosity to good use. But when her beloved cousin is murdered and his ghost visits her, she has her first case earlier than she ever could have expected–and her whole family is in danger.

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.

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for October 13

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date October 12, 2020

Sponsored by Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group

Guilt weighs heavy on former criminal “wheelman” Alyson, whose illicit life left her shattered. When an eccentric businessman offers Alyson a chance to correct a single mistake in her past by entering a massive cross-country car race, Alyson takes it. The catch? Each leg covers a different period in history. Just like that Alyson and the other drivers find themselves in a gut-wrenching race through time, contending with medieval warriors, dinosaurs, and natural disasters. But for an opportunity to change history, Alyson will drive from the Big Bang to the death knell of the universe.

Avast, me hearties! It’s Alex, and it’s Tuesday, so you know what that means. But this week there are so many books coming out—it’s an absolute embarassment of riches—that the news will have to wait until Friday (and I can’t help but notice there are several books that involve witches in some form, how seasonally appropriate!). I suspect we’ll all be too busy scaling Mount TBR to read anything else anyway. Stay safe out there, shipmates, and I’ll see you on Friday!

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? blacklivesmatter.card.co and The Okra Project.

New Releases

The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk

Beatrice Clayborn is the only hope for her family, in the sense that they’re counting on her to marry well and help them get out of their debts. But Beatrice wants to be a Magus, able to practice her magic out in the open—and marriage will end that dream permanently, with her magic locked down by a marital collar that’s “necessary” to protect her unborn children. When she becomes entangled with a rival sorceress and her brother Lavan, her decision becomes even more complicated. Will she sacrifice her magic and herself–even if she does it for love–or will she devestate her family?

Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron

In the Jim Crow South, a teenaged girl named Evvie Deschamps is manifesting magic that grows stronger by the day, a gift that her family calls the jubilation, which has been passed down from generations of Black women. As her magic shakes something dark loose, she must face the demons of the past with the strength of her mighty lineage, all while looking after her two sisters and mother, and trying to find time for her crush.

Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Winter Solstice is usually a time of celebration in the holy city of Tova, but this year, it coincides with a solar eclipse that the Sun Priest claims will unbalance the world. A ship will arrive on that fateful day, captained by a woman who can calm the waters with a song, and its only passenger a supposedly harmless young man.

The Emperor’s Wolves by Michelle Sagara

The Imperial Wolves are the executioners of the Dragon Emperor, he who watches over the many races who warily mingle in the City of Elantra. To become a Wolf means to have one’s mind read, and it’s an exam very few pass. Severn is determined to join the Wolves, and exposing secrets he has long kept hidden seem a small price to pay. His first task, if he can survive it, is bringing the perpetrators or a series of murders that occured twenty years ago to justice. It’s a hunt Severn might not survive.

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

By 1893, there are no witches left in America—and if women want power, they need the vote first. When the Eastwood sisters join the suffragists of New Salem, they might just make a witch’s movement out of the winter’s movement. But there are forces arrayed against them who will not suffer a witch to vote—or live.

The Tindalos Asset by Caitlín R. Kiernan

The Signalman comes calling on Ellison Nicodemo, a burnt out agent who has seen and done one too many things and now longs only for oblivion. But one doesn’t refuse the Signalman, and he has a final mission for her: stop the latest apocalypse, because only Ellison can unleash the Hound of Tindalos.

In the Black by Patrick S. Tomlinson

Long range spy satellites at the edge of human space are going quiet, and Captain Susan Kamala and her crew are dispatched to figure out why. What they find is a mysterious alien ship that could destroy them easily—but it’s not looking for a fight. Captain and crew must figure out how to communicate with this ship and— they’re very skilled and very lucky—preserve the peace.

Wine Dark Deep by R. Peter Keith

The mission and even survival of the crew of The Ulysses is thrown into uncertainty when revolutionaries seize the solar systems most important asteroid mine and refueling station. But the captain of The Ulysses knows that failure is not an option—and he’s got a plan.

Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

Fasten your seatbelts for this dark fantasy historical novella that puts a supernatural twist on the Ku Klux Klan. The white-hoods aren’t just men; hiding amount the regular ol’ awful human racist “Klans” are literal, actual demons known as “Ku Kluxes” who ride across the nation spreading fear and violence. Maryse Boudreaux and her fellow resistance fighters, a foul-mouthed sharpshooter and a Harlem Hellfighter, are on a mission to hunt their hunters armed with blade, bullet, and bomb. Maryse senses that something awful brewing in Macon, and the war on Hell is about to reach a terrifying fever pitch.

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.

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for October 9: A Few of GdT’s Favorite Reads

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date October 8, 2020

Sponsored by Saga Press, publishers of Rebecca Roanhorse’s BLACK SUN.

Machine by Elizabeth Bear is a new space opera perfect for fans of Ann Leckie and Becky Chambers. Filled with inventive science and riveting action scenes, it follows scientist Doctor Jens she uncovers a dangerous mystery involving an ancient spaceship, a crew suffering from an unidentifiable contagion, and a decaying AI ship-mind. Unable to resist a good mystery, Dr. Jens dives in and makes shocking discoveries about these anomalies, as well as her own life.

Happy Friday, shipmates! We’re one week in to the best month and… well, heck of a year this week has been, huh. It’s Alex, with some genre news and a few month-appropriate books picked out. I’ve been trying to brighten my outlook with some horror movies (no, really) and judicious viewings of The Addams Family films… and oddly thematically appropriate round of disaster heteros in Tasha Suri’s Realm of Ash (look, ash made out of dead people and living nightmares is very October-appropriate). Stay safe out there, space pirates, and I’ll see you soon!

Need something to smile about? Fat Bear Week has a winner! LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS LAD.

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? blacklivesmatter.card.co and The Okra Project.

News and Views

3 Black women authors won MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grants”—and one of them is science fiction powerhouse N.K. Jemisin.

Nibedita Sen: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Excellence

Fernando Sdrigotti: What We Talk About When We Talk About Magical Realism

Another cool events from the Carl Brandon Society: Asian Diaspora: How Colonization and Migration Changes Cuisine

CW for transphobia (and, frankly, nonbinary-phobia): Akwaeke Emezi shuns Women’s prize over request for details of sex as defined ‘by law’

Alex Brown has recommendations for must-read speculative short fiction from September

Author Claire O’Dell is running a Kickstarter to republish her River of Souls Trilogy

The Nobel Prize in Physics this year is all about black holes. A little more about their research here.

On Book Riot

6 of the best friendships in YA fantasy

8 epic friendships in sci-fi and fantasy books

4 more YA books about aliens and the unknown

Why the medieval girl in the tower trope still exists in YA lit

This week’s SFF Yeah! podcast is about a few of our favorite things

This month, you can enter to win a $250 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Free Association Friday: Happy Birthday, Guillermo del Toro

In keeping with the glorious month belonging to Halloween, October 9 is Guillermo del Toro’s birthday! As you would imagine, he’s got some weird, spooky, fantastic, and gothic taste. He’s also co-written some books, but today we’re looking at a sampling of six (rather dark) books the birthday boy has recommended on his Twitter feed over the years.

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

In an ancient Britain where the wars between the Saxons and Britons have finally ended, an elderly couple journey to visit their son. But a strange mist covering the land is causing mass amnesia, and they barely remember the person they are traveling to see. Joined by a Saxon warrior, a knight, and an orphan, the small party begins to remember together the dark past they all share.

Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination by Edogawa Rampo, translated by James B. Harris

A short story collection from Japanese mystery writer Edogawa Rampo (actually the pen name of Tarou Hirai), but there’s plenty of the perverse and fantastic to be found in here. One of Edogawa’s literary heroes was Edgar Allan Poe (note the play on the name) and it definitely shows.

The Vampire Tapestry by Suzy McKee Charnas

Edward Weyland is a different kind of vampire. His condition is biological, rather than supernatural, and he’s also a respected anthropology professor who spends decades in hibernation and survives these days by stealing blood from laboratories. Maybe he’s still a monster, but he’s a monster who has to live and cooperate with his prey if he wants to survive.

The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson

Everyone is familiar with The Lottery, hopefully—though if you’re not, this is a good season to get started with this disturbing delight. There’s also 24 more stories of the occult (and horror, not going to lie: that was mostly her thing) in this collection. A bit more horror than I normally like to get on my space ship, but I always make an exception for Shirley Jackson.

The Decapitated Chicken and Other Stories by Horacio Quiroga, translated by Margaret Sayers Peden

Another short story collection, perhaps more to the horror side and filled with tales of madness, death, morality, and, yes, fantasy. Horacio Quiroga was a Uruguayan writer and poet who had a massive influence on magical realism.

Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Look, this is Guillermo del Toro we’re talking about. Did you think for one minute that this wasn’t one of the first books he listed as a favorite?

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for October 6

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date October 5, 2020

Swords and Spaceships for October 2: Cosmic Horror

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date October 1, 2020

Sponsored by Skyhunter by Marie Lu, with Fierce Reads

A broken world. An overwhelming evil. A team of warriors ready to strike back. #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marie Lu is back with an adrenaline-laced novel about the lengths one warrior will go to fight for freedom and those she loves. “A riveting dystopian novel and a timely story of fighting for what’s right.” —PopSugar

Welcome to October, shipmates—the best month EVER (more on that later)!! It’s Alex with a bit of news and some rather… cosmic books to carry you into the first weekend of International Black Cat Month. (I made that up, but it should be true.) Stay safe, and may you find some joy this weekend, no matter how big or how small.

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? Louisville Community Bail Fund

News and Views

If you’re quick, you can still grab a ticket for Literary Mothers: Influence and Inspiration with a panel of female Desi authors, hosted by the Carl Brandon Society (and if you don’t get to see the event livestreamed, sounds like there will be a recording you can watch later).

Neon Yang announces their next book!

Pulp Librarian did a thread of amazing (and NSFW) terrible old SFF book covers.

Queer Enchantments: Finding Fairy Tales to Suit a Rainbow of Desires

The Folio Society is doing an EVEN FANCIER version of Dune [than the one I own] for Frank Herbert’s 100th birthday. Limited edition, only 500 copies, and whew— $695 is a killer price tag.

Ms. Marvel has been cast!

Peter McLean’s Priest of Bones is being adapted for TV

On Book Riot

Cover reveal and excerpt: Seed of Cain by Agnes Gomillion (This is the sequel to The Record Keeper and I am VERY EXCITED.)

8 seriously unnerving science thrillers

Free Association Friday: Cosmic Horror in SFF

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With spiders on cobwebs
And black cats with cute blebs in moonlight so clear
It’s the most wonderful time of the year

It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With kids trick-or-treating
Candy corn for the eating while the goths throw a ball
It’s the hap-happiest season of all!

At last, it’s October! Happy Halloween, everybody! To kick off the best freaking month of the year, how about some SFF with cosmic horror?

Beneath the Rising by Premee Mohamed – A white child prodigy, Johnny, and her brown, ever-faithful sidekick, Nick, go on a world-hopping quest to stop some very chthonic gods from crossing over into our world. The fact that there are chthonic gods nosing around in the first place may or may not be Johnny’s fault—and there are a lot of other things in Nick’s life that may or may not be her fault as well.

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle – Kind of goes without saying, right? But if you haven’t read this one yet, it’s an answer to “The Horror at Red Hook” and takes on what is the worst about Lovecraft head on. Also, better wordcraft than Lovecraft could have ever dreamed.

White Is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi – Give a gothic haunted house tale unmistakably cosmic underpinnings and this might be the book you get. Miranda’s mother dies on a trip abroad, which makes Miranda’s pica—which causes her to eat chalk–worsen… and then Miranda starts hearing spirits. Spirits that become extremely hostile when she brings friends to her strange family home.

She Walks in Shadows edited by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Paula R. Stiles – If you’re looking for some short cosmic horror, this brings together women from across the world with stories of the weird and Lovecraftian.

Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys – In the late 1920s, the US government rounded up the residents of Innsmouth and took them to the desert, far from their Deep One ancestors and their sleeping god. Only two people from Innsmouth survived… and now the government that took everything from them need their help in the midst of the Cold War.

Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan – A government agent known only as the Signalman is tracking down a dangerous cult who eat a lot of “magic” mushrooms. Except rather than magic, those mushrooms might be something dangerous and alien… and there’s something out past Pluto that seems about to make contact with humanity, whether we like it or not.

Hammers on Bone by Cassandra Khaw – John Persons is a PI who has been hired by a 10-year-old kid to murder the kid’s dad. But it’s okay, because the dad is a real piece of work. But this abusive, terrible dad might actually be something worse than an abominable human. Thankfully John is up to the job, since he’s ancient and magical himself.

Red Right Hand by Levi Black – Charlie is rescued from certain death at the teeth of three horrifying skinhounds by something that might be worse: the Man in Black, an elder god who demands she become his acolyte in payment for the rescue. But the Man in Black isn’t even the worst evil out there, and Charlie is forced to help him on his quest to destroy the other elder gods.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin – I can’t tell you why. Just trust me. Plus it’s a dang good book anyway.

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for September 29

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date September 28, 2020

Sponsored by the audiobook edition of To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini, read by Jennifer Hale.

From Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon, comes an epic adult fantasy debut, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. The audiobook is read by celebrated videogame voice actress, Jennifer Hale, whose varied roles include Commander Shepard in Mass Effect and Rosalind Lutece in BioShock Infinite. In the audiobook, Kira Navárez finds an alien relic on an uncolonized planet. At first, she’s delighted, but elation turns to terror when the ancient dust around her begins to move. As war erupts among the stars, Kira is launched into a galaxy-spanning odyssey of discovery and transformation.

Happy Tuesday, shipmates! All hands on deck—new releases spotted off the port bow! It’s Alex, and there’s a bunch of new books to check out this week, as well as some fun news. The weather here has really turned and it’s starting to feel properly like autumn, cool and breezy and hopefully soon to be less on fire. This weekend I made two cakes and one of them turned out all right, so I’ll take my victories where I can. Stay safe, keep sailing, and I’ll see you again on Friday.

Need something to smile about? Fat Bear Week is coming!

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? Louisville Community Bail Fund

New Releases

Burning Roses by S.L. Huang – Red Riding Hood and Hou Yi the Archer are both middle-aged, tired, and very ready to be REtired. But when sunbirds begin to ravage the countryside, they join forces to save everything they’ve come to love—and embark on an epic quest now with the wisdom of years even if they lack the vigor of youth.

Battle Ground by Jim Butcher – Harry Dresden has a problem. A big problem. Enormous. Titanic, even. Because the Last Titan has declared war on Chicago, and as if she’s not a big enough problem on her own, she’s also bringing an army with her. The only chance that Harry and the entire city have is to kill her, which will change the world forever.

Skyhunter by Marie Lu – Talin is a refugee from the Federation, a terrifying and aggressive empire that conquers and destroys everything in its path using mutant monsters called Ghosts. Talin finds a new home on the last free nation in the world, Mara, and becomes a member of its elite fighting force, a Striker. A mysterious prisoner captured from the Federation may make Talin wonder who he is, but she never questions her loyalty or her determination to fight to the death for the home she loves.

The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson – A small tourist town in western Oregon falls victim to a swift and terrifying epidemic of violence perpetrated by the children of executives at a local biotech firm. Lucy is a lonely young woman who’s an outsider in the close-knit community, but she becomes a leader of a band of fellow outcasts. If they stick together, they just might survive.

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik – Scholomance is a magic school that regularly pits its students against each other or outright kills them. El is determined to survive the school; she may be unprepared upon arrival, but within her lives a dark power that can level mountains and kill millions. She doesn’t want to kill millions—just Orion Lake, the annoying popular boy who has now saved her life twice.

Spell Starter by Elsie Chapman – Aza Wu has her magic back, and has managed to pay off her parents’ debt to Saint Willow. Unfortunately, the cost of accomplishing those two all-important goals has put her in the permanent employ of a gang leader. But while she can try to settle into that life, Saint Willow has other ideas. She’d rather have Aza as a fighter she can control.

News and Views

The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell is the winner of the Arthur C Clarke Award.

Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology is kickstarting

Dear Tolkien Fans: Black People Exist

Check out the trophies for the Ignyte Awards.

Patrick Stewart vs Mark Hamill

The Hidden Girl is becoming a TV series.

Disney has unveiled its tribute mural to Chadwick Boseman

Tomi Adeyemi is one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020, and John Boyega wrote about her.

Cory Doctorow is doing a virtual lecture series in October.

On Book Riot

8 YA fantasy novels set in far-flung corners of the Earth

This week’s SFF Yeah! podcast is about Arrival.

This month, you can enter to win $50 to spend at your favorite indie bookstore and a free 1-year audible subscription.

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for September 25: Happy Hamillday!

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date September 25, 2020

Sponsored by our 'Books by authors you should get to know' Book Bundle Giveaway!

Book Riot is teaming up with BookClubbish to give away one book bundle containing 5 books by authors you should add to your TBR list: The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull, Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West, The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi, The Bright Lands by John Fram, and A Good Family by A.H. Kim.

Happy Friday, shipmates! We did it. We survived another week. Assuming that you haven’t completely transcended the mortal construct that is time at this point. It’s Alex, with a list of books that came out very silly, and some news items to share, many of which involve pre-orders being available so Past You can send Future You a nice present.

I hope you can keep on keeping on, and stay safe out there.

Happy thing for today: The new season of GBBO starts on Netflix TONIGHT. I am going to bake cake ALL WEEKEND.

Also, the Gundam is WALKING

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? Louisville Community Bail Fund

News and Views

Cassandra Khaw has written her first full-length novel! You can already pre-order The All-Consuming World.

We’ve also got a cover reveal and excerpt for P. Djèlí Clark’s A Master of Djinn, which sure sounds like it’s in the same delightful universe as The Haunting of Tram Car 015.

Darcia Little Badger talks beautifully about her father, her grief for him, and the influence he had on her as a writer.

Rhianna Pratchett: “Dad would be smiling to see my name on a book”

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki announced the launch of The Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction.

You can now pre-order Silk & Steel: A Queer Speculative Fiction Anthology

The last words of every fallen Lord of the Rings villain and hero

Judith Butler ethered both a completely unprepared interviewer and She Who Must Not Be Named with the grace of an ice dancer and the supreme cutting edge and power of a diamond-bladed pathology saw.

I know I’m wandering a little far from books here, but everything I’ve read about the African Fantasy MMO The Wagadu Chronicles is just really cool

The Evolution of Costumes in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Get your avocados to Mars

On Book Riot

9+ Tolkien-inspired recipes to enjoy on Hobbit day

5 great speculative fiction anthologies of 2020

This month, you can enter to win $50 to spend at your favorite indie bookstore and a free 1-year audible subscription.

Free Association Friday: Happy Birthday, Mark Hamill!

On this day in 1951, Mark Hamill entered the world. Presumably he was not yet wielding a lightsaber, as that could have gotten very awkward. So how about some books that touch on his incredibly varied career?

Please note: Since I was looking for very specific books, this list didn’t come out with quite the diverse authorship I normally want. But hopefully it’s still fun and silly, at least.

The Joker: A Visual History of the Clown Prince of Crime by Daniel Wallace – This is the hill I will die on: Mark Hamill is the best Joker there has ever been (though I will also accept Cesar Romero). And Mark Hamill himself wrote the introduction to this book!

The Legends of Luke Skywalker by Ken Liu – Luke is obviously Mark Hamill’s most iconic character, and this book explores the stories that the characters within the Star Wars universe tell about him–which may be true or not.

Or if you want a book that’s very Luke-centric from Legends, I definitely recommend Children of the Jedi by Barbara Hambly.

Zorro by Isabel Allende – Mark Hamill totally voiced Zorro in an animated version of the tale, 1997-1998. This book is not about those cartoons, but it sounds like a cool book about Zorro nonetheless.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy by Michael Teitelbaum – I had absolutely no idea that Mark Hamill was the voice of Fire Lord Ozai until I started really diving into his work history. So if you didn’t know either, now you know. There’s some cool backstory stuff about the Fire Nation (and Ozai) to be found in this here book.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell – You see, when DreamWorks made movies from these books, they also made a TV series. Mark Hamill was the voice of Alvin the Treacherous in those, which honestly sounds like a lot of fun.

Wing Commander: Heart of the Tiger by – William R. Forstchen and Andrew Keith – The first time I actually saw Mark Hamill outside of his role as Luke Skywalker was when I played Wing Commander III… which I never finished because our PC at the time couldn’t handle it. But it was cutting edge, it had video of him and everything. He plays Colonel Christopher “Maverick” Blair, the main character.

The Art of Castle in the Sky by Hayao Miyazaki – Yup, Mark Hamill did a voice in the English dub of Laputa: Castle in the Sky (he was Muska.) It’s also still one of my favorite Miyazaki films, which doesn’t actually have anything to do with Mark Hamill, though I’m sure his presence didn’t hurt.

I also learned that there is a cartoon called Biker Mice From Mars (based on comics) and he voiced the character Pierre Fluffbottom, so if I have to know that, so do you.

Swords and Spaceships

Swords and Spaceships for September 22

Post author By Alex Acks
Post date September 21, 2020

Sponsored by Greythorne by Crystal Smith, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Brimming with deliciously mysterious magic, political intrigue, and a passionate heroine who will do anything to save the ones she loves—this highly anticipated sequel to Bloodleaf, praised as “enchanting, visceral, and twisty” by Laura Sebastian, won’t disappoint.

Happy Tuesday, shipmates. It’s Alex, here for another round of new releases. To be honest, this last weekend, with Ruth Bader Ginsburg passing away on Friday, felt pretty brutal. I guess I’m just saying that if you’re having a hard time with all the everything, you’re not alone. Stay safe and take a minute to breathe, even if breathe might mean something like, “turn off the internet for 48 hours and cry.” Then we keep sailing, together.

Rest in power, RBG.

If you need something that’ll make you smile, here’s a little boy and his best friend, the plastic skeleton.

Looking for non-book things you can do to help in the quest for justice? blacklivesmatter.card.co and The Okra Project.

New Releases

Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore – Ex-best friends Lita and Chicky are both outsiders in their small New Mexico town. Lita wants to enter the Miss Meteor pageant to prove to the world—and herself—that girls who look like her have a place. Chicky decides to help her because it’s a great chance to get revenge on the people who have made them both miserable for most of their lives. (It’s SFF, trust me, but if I tell you how, it’d be a spoiler.)

Sweet Harmony by Claire North – Harmony is tired of everything in her life being as average as she is herself. But she decides to pursue self-improvement in the most modern way possible: upgrading her nanos, something that requires just a few swipes on an app. It seems so easy at first, but there are only so many upgrades a body can take…

Tamora Carter: Goblin Queen by Jim C. Hines – Tamora discovers a couple of goblins digging around in a dumpster one night after roller derby practice—and they’re not the only ones who have come through a magical portal into our world. She quickly realizes that they might be the key to what happened to her best friend, Andre—and that there are things out there much more dangerous than goblins.

The Seventh Perfection by Daniel Polansky – Manet became the God-King’s amanuensis by means of the seven perfections, rendering her body to the peak of physical performance and her mind incapable of forgetting anything she has ever seen. This perfection will ultimately drive her mad, but first she has an unsolvable riddle to unravel, which may destroy the God-King she has crafted herself to serve.

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi – The consequences of thwarting the Fallen House are still haunting Séverin and his crew. In an attempt to assuage his own guilt, Séverin begins pursuing an artifact that, if the stories are true, will grant its holder the power of God. It’s a quest that takes the crew to Russia and threatens to destroy them before they can complete this one last job.

The Resurrection of Fulgencio Ramirez by Rudy Ruiz – In the border town of La Frontera in the 1950s, tensions are high and cultures continually clash between the white and Mexican-American populations. And in that moment, a son of impoverished immigrants named Fulgencio falls in love with Carolina, the pharmacist’s daughter, a romance that is doomed by forces outside their control. Twenty years later, Fulgencio reads the obituary of Carolina’s husband and sees a second chance—though first he has to break his family’s curse.

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots – Anna is a temp who does office work for some truly terrible people… until an encounter with a “hero” leaves her terribly injured and jobless. With only her fury, the internet, and her office worker ability to collate data left to her, she quickly realizes that she’s not the only person who’s been injured by a so-called hero, and the “good” versus “evil” story being sold is almost entirely marketing. With some careful social media management, she can start pushing her own narrative. Her acumen lands her a new job, with one of the most evil villains remaining, but this time it might be her turn to save the world.

News and Views

Malka Older: The Only People Panicking Are the People in Charge

Let’s Stop With the Realism Versus Science Fiction and Fantasy Debate

You can watch Samuel R. Delany’s 2020 Windham-Campbell lecture

The first real trailer for WandaVision has been released

The 19 coolest starships from Star Trek

Tatiana Maslany will be She-Hulk

Oh my god, Chuck Tingle has made a “select your own timeline” adventure: Trouble in Tinglewood

There’s going to be a Japanese movie adaptation of Heinlein’s The Door into Summer

Terry Goodkind has died

The 2020 Ig Nobel Awards have been announced. You can watch the award ceremony here. It’s well worth your time even if it was virtual this year.

On Book Riot