This week's roundup is all about escaping real life through
speculative fiction. These days my world is full-on hard realities, so I
want my reading to transport me to words that don't exist (at least not
yet). The books I feature today represent some of the variety of
stories found under the umbrella of fantasy and science fiction. I hope
at least one will make it to your wish list.
Followers by Megan Angelo
(Graydon House, Jan. 14) is a dual-time story that focuses on the
effects of social media--first in 2015 and then in 2051. While some of
the elements will seem familiar to our everyday lives in contemporary
times (influencers and reality TV), how Angelo imagines that social
media will evolve and change in the fairly close dystopian future gives
us something to think about. The novel has garnered starred reviews and
is billed as appealing to literary fiction lovers as well as dystopian
fans. Opener:
Prologue / New York / 2051
So
she still believed in mail, this woman, whoever she was. The first
thing Marlow saw when she walked into the building was a grid of metal
boxes, each with its own window and cobwebbed keyhole.
Audiobook: Read by Jayme Mattler (HarperAudio; 13 hr, 29 min)
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez
(Del Rey, Jan 14) is the proof that science fiction is much more than
the Earthlings-meet-aliens scenario of old television shows. Nia pilots a
faster-than-light ship, which means she barely ages in comparison to
her friends and family, eventually leaving her alone and lonely. When she meets
an apparently orphaned boy, something tugs at her, and she takes
him in. Others, however, have not forgotten the child, and they may want
him back. Another novel with starred reviews and much buzz. Opener:
He
was born with an eleventh finger. A small bead of flesh and bone beside
his right pinky. The doctor calmed the worried parents and told them
the nub was a harmless thing. “But still,” he said, unlacing a small
cloth pouch, “a farmer needs only ten fingers to work the dhuba.” He
coaxed the child to sleep with the smoke of torched herbs, and sliced
the nub from the hand with a cauterizing knife.
Audiobook: Read by Shayna Small (Random House Audio; 13 hr, 17 min)
Strange Exit by Parker Peevyhouse
(Tor Teen, Jan. 14) is a stand-alone science-fiction/dystopian thriller
in which the only survivors of a nuclear holocaust are in orbit around
Earth awaiting the time until it's safe to return to the planet. The
people are kept alive in a virtual reality version of San Francisco,
meant to ease their fears. When the system starts to break down and
supplies run low, two teens manage to escape the simulation--one wants
to rescue everyone on board before it's too late; the other decides that
only some are worth saving. The reviews have been mixed. Opener:
The
San Francisco Zoo: gates rusted open, weeds bursting through cracks in
the asphalt, trees like many-armed scarecrows, broken and stunted. Lake
figured she was the only person to set foot in the place in years. Not
counting the boy in the tiger exhibit. Lake peered in at him through a
curtain of dirt over the viewing glass. She guessed he was around her
age, seventeen. He sat on a log, hunched over something she couldn’t
see. No tiger in sight.
Audiobook: Read by Caitlin Davies (Blackstone; ~6 hr)
A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen
(Mira, Jan. 14) is a different kind of dystopian story set in the
aftermath of deadly flu pandemic that killed all but about 2 billion
people on Earth. After a six-year quarantine, people emerge into public
to start over, whether in closed cities, on communes, or in marauding
gangs. Amid rumors of another flu outbreak, some survivors learn that it
isn't all that easy to make a new beginning, especially when the
secrets of their "before" life may be exposed. Another novel with mixed
reactions. Opener:
People were too
scared for music tonight. Not that MoJo cared. Her handlers had broken
the news about the low attendance nearly an hour ago with some
explanation about how the recent flu epidemic and subsequent rioting and
looting kept people at home. They’d served the news with high-end
vodka, the good shit imported from Russia. . . .
Audiobook: Read by Emily Woo Zeller (Harlequin Audio; 11 hr, 39 min)
Diamond City by Francesca Flores
(Wednesday Books, Jan. 28) is a dark fantasy debut about a young adult
orphan who is trying to make her way in a violent world. Aina, a
professional assassin, takes on an assignment that will give her the
funds to be her own boss--if she can evade her enemies long enough to
make the successful hit. To complicate matters, she must justify her
life choices against the lessons taught by her murdered parents, who
used their magic to protect those in need. Reviewers feel the
world-building could be stronger but praise the action and the plotting.
Opener:
The baker’s final words were smothered by a whimper.
“You
know how they say you should watch out for the quiet ones?” Aina’s
breath fogged the blade of the dagger she held. “They were right.” She
took her time with the blade, heedless of his screams.
Audiobook: Read by Frankie Corzo (Macmillan Audio; 9 hr, 59 min)
These all sound great! I too am more interested in escape reading than usual. Hope all is going as well as can be with your mom!
ReplyDeleteescape reading is my favorite kind .. these all sound interesting especially The Vanished Birds, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThose aren't my usual genres but The Followers appeals to me.
ReplyDeletegreat covers. i have been stepping outside my comfort zone in my reading. having to watch out for the quiet ones...makes me curious
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Too many good titles! I'm going to try the first one, because of its connections with social media. Thanks for your always great suggestions
ReplyDeleteFollowers sounds interesting, and I liked Mike Chen's last book so I put that one on a list to investigate as well.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how much dystopia is rising up again as a popular published genre. Especially given today's political climate.
The Beginning of the End is timely with this flu epidemic.
ReplyDeleteI’d been thinking about you and hoping you have some good friends and family to assist with lunch, hugs or whatever you need. xo
Followers is on my list.
ReplyDeleteI love the imagination of this genre. These books look amazing.
ReplyDeleteA couple of these have crossed my radar too, but I’m most excited about Exhalation and the new Alexander Weinstein.
ReplyDeleteHave been thinking of you this week after reading your recent tweet about your mum. Hope you’re doing okay xo