John Joseph Adams, ed., Cosmic Powers: The Saga Anthology of Far-Away Galaxies
(Simon & Schuster/Saga Press Apr 2017)

This original anthology includes 18 stories (five reprints) of adventure tales from far-flung galaxies, with work by Charlie Jane Anders, Tobias S. Buckell, Becky Cham­bers, Alan Dean Foster, Kameron Hurley, Linda Nagata, and more, with an introduction by the editor. ‘‘Fitting the scope of space opera into short stories can be hard, but these stories do it pretty well.’’ [Rich Horton]

 




Marie Brennan, Within the Sanctuary of Wings
(Tor Apr 2017)

Brennan brings her charming series, ‘‘The Memoirs of Lady Trent’’, to a close with this fifth volume. Set in an alternate (and dragon-filled) version of the 19th century, headstrong naturalist Isabella Trent recounts her most remarkable voyage of discovery, to the hidden Sanctuary of Wings – where she discovers a lost civilization.

 




Neil Clarke, ed., The Best Science Fiction of the Year, Volume Two
(Skyhorse/Night Shade Books Apr 2017)

The sophomore install­ment of this newcomer in the Year’s Best ecosystem includes 27 stories from SF powerhouses and relative newcomers, including Madeline Ashby, Nina Allen, Aliette de Bodard, Ken Liu, Ian R. MacLeod, Sarah Pinsker, Robert Reed, Lavie Tidhar, and more. Clarke (who edits Clarkesworld) provides an introduction with an overview of the current short SF scene.

 




Cory Doctorow, Walkaway
(Tor Apr 2017)

This consistently visionary author continues to explore possible futures with a tale set in a world ruined by climate change, where those disenchanted by the rules of society strike off to forge their own independent societies in the wilderness beyond the cities. ‘‘ This is the best Cory Doctorow book ever. I don’t know if it’s destined to become an SF clas­sic, mostly because it’s so advanced and different that it makes the whole genre look archaic.’’ [Bruce Sterling]

 




Doug Ellis, Bob Garcia & Phyllis Weinberg, eds., Weinberg Tales
(American Fantasy Press/Tattered Pages May 2017)

This non-fiction volume is a tribute to the late author, editor, and collector Robert ‘‘Bob’’ Weinberg (1946-2016), with appreciations by Stefan Dziemianowicz, Harlan Ellison, Stephen Jones, and Joe R. Lansdale, plus a series of articles by Weinberg about collecting fantasy art, and essays including ‘‘My Life in Fantasy’’ and ‘‘A Dream of Mars’’. Lavishly illustrated with artwork and photos, this is a suitable tribute to a legend of the field.

 




Robin Hobb, Assassin’s Fate
(Ballantine Del Rey May 2017)

Hobb brings the Fitz and the Fool trilogy (set in her long-running Realm of the Elderlings universe) to a close with a suitably epic bang, as aging assassin FitzChivalry Farseer and his enigmatic friend the Fool vow to exact a final revenge against the sadistic Servants, a secret soci­ety that uses its knowledge of the future for its own gain.

 




Jeremy Robert Johnson, Entropy in Bloom
(Night Shade Books Apr 2017)

This debut collection by a rising author of dark and bizarre fiction with a cult sensibility includes 15 reprints from 2004-2011 and an original novella, ‘‘The Sleep of Judges’’, with story notes by the author. Brian Evenson pens a laudatory introduction.

 




Caitlín R. Kiernan, Dear Sweet Filthy World
(Subterranean Press Mar 2017)

This is the 14th (!) collection by one of our most ambitious and accomplished short fiction authors, collecting 29 stories, most from her Sirenia Digest story subscription service, published from 2009 to 2012. ‘‘She writes always with tactility, clarity, inventiveness and surprise, conjuring up weirdness out of the mundane, and lifting the veil of the exotic to reveal a common heritage of humanity. These stories stand out as passionate and real.’’ [Paul Di Filippo]

 




Ellen Klages, Wicked Wonders
(Tachyon Publications May 2017)

The new collection by the acclaimed author includes 13 stories (one original), her famed memoir ‘‘The Scary Ham’’, story notes, and an introduction by Karen Joy Fowler. ‘‘For decades, it seemed like Ray Bradbury was SF’s default poet of childhood…. I wonder if Ellen Klages is gradually assuming that mantle.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]

 




Ellen Kushner, ed., Tremontaine
(Simon & Schuster/Saga Press May 2017)

This collects the first season of the ongoing e-book serial set in Kushner’s Riverside world (a prequel to her classic Swordspoint), with installments by Kushner, Patty Bryant, Joel Derfner, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Malina Lo, Racheline Maltese, and Paul Witcover. ‘‘Well-paced, ex­cellently written… delighting in the opportunity to fully indulge in its drama of manners (and swords), it’s one of the most accomplished and purely enjoyable things I’ve read in a while. I recommend it highly.’’ [Liz Bourke]

 




Mahvesh Murad & Jared Shurin, eds., The Djinn Falls in Love and Other Stories
(Solaris Mar 2017)

This enjoyable original anthol­ogy includes 20 stories and a poem exploring ‘‘djinn, jinn, or genie’’ and similar beings from various cultural traditions. It includes new stories by Maria Dhavana Headley, Claire North, Nnedi Okorafor, Usman T. Malik, K.J. Parker, Helene Wecker, and many others, plus an excerpt from American Gods by Neil Gaiman. ‘‘An intriguing anthology… strong throughout.’’ [Rich Horton]

 




Jeff VanderMeer, Borne
(Macmillan/MCD Apr 2017)

In a bizarre future devastated by biotech run amok, in a city dominated by the giant flying bear Mord, a scavenger named Rachel discovers a strange creature, names him Borne, and raises and teaches him – but as Borne grows, he threatens the delicate balance of life in the ruins. ‘‘With Borne, [VanderMeer] may have produced his most focused and linear novel to date…. I don’t think he’s created characters before quite as memorable or quite as heart-breaking as Rachel and Borne.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]