New Books : 29 January 2019

Other new titles this week by Mike Ashley, Leigh Bardugo, Robert Jackson Bennett, Mike Chen, Simon Ings, Michelle Sagara, and Shaun Tan.

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* Ashley, Mike : Starlight Man: The Extraordinary Life of Algernon Blackwood
(Stark House 978-1944520649, $22.95, 462pp, trade paperback, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Fri 25 Jan 2019

Revised edition of Ashley’s 2001 biography of supernatural author Algernon Blackwood (US 2002 as Algernon Blackwood: An Extraordinary Life), brought up to date and with restored text.
• The US edition was a finalist for both the Mythopoeic and International Horror Guild awards.
• The publisher’s site has this page about the author and this book.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Bardugo, Leigh : King of Scars
(Imprint 978-1250231185, $19.99, 528pp, hardcover, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250142276
• King of Scars #1

Fantasy novel, first of a duology in the author’s Grishaverse, about a young king fighting the dark magic within himself.
• Macmillan’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “This duology opener strongly relies on at least a passing familiarity with the previous series, making it less than ideal for newcomers. But Bardugo’s portrayal of flawed, mentally and physically scarred protagonists is sympathetic and insightful, while the strong mixture of political intrigue, worldbuilding, and fantastical elements helps to drive the various story lines.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Bennett, Robert Jackson : Vigilance
(Tor.com 978-1-250-20944-3, $14.99, 192pp, trade paperback, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250209436

Short SF novel set in a near-future America surrendered to gun violence.
• Macmillan’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• Liz Bourke reviews it in the January issue of Locus Magazine: “Grim, self-assured, and elegantly written, Vigilance is a very interesting work of art, deeply invested in the contemporary American moment. On an emotional level, it leaves me cold – but it works so hard to generate horrified revulsion from its matter-of-fact cynicism that I suspect it may well intend to leave its readers filled cold queasiness.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Brodsky, Jordanna Max : The Wolf in the Whale
(Redhook 978-0316417150, $15.99, 560pp, trade paperback, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780316417143
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781549171383

Historical fantasy novel set in 1000 AD, about war between the Inuit and the Vikings and their gods.
• Hachette’s site has this description with an excerpt.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Chen, Mike : Here and Now and Then
(Mira 978-0-7783-6904-2, $26.99, 384pp, hardcover, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781488099588
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781488205606

SF novel, the author’s first novel, about a time traveling agent from 2142 whose been stranded in 1990s San Francisco for 18 years.
• Harlequin’s site has this description with a sample.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Chen’s concept is unique, and Kin’s agony is deeply moving. His choices are often selfish but entirely understandable; he is human, with good intentions and profound flaws. Quick pacing, complex characters, and a fascinating premise make this an unforgettable debut.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Dyer, Thoraiya : Tides of the Titans
(Tor 978-0765385987, $19.99, 320pp, trade paperback, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780765386090
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781427288844
• Titan’s Forest #3

Fantasy novel, third in a series following Crossroads of Canopy (2017) and Echoes of Understorey (2018), about thirteen cities in a forest canopy rules by gods and goddesses.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gave the previous book a starred review: “Dyer skillfully weaves elements of mythology, family loyalty, and divine destiny into a distinctive, enchanting, and complete world.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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+ Ings, Simon : The Smoke
(Titan 978-1785659225, $14.95, 320pp, trade paperback, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 978-1785659232

First US edition (us: Gollancz, February 2018)

US edition of Ings’ 2018 SF novel in which humanity has split into three different species, all racing to be the first to reach the stars.
• Titan’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• Gary K. Wolfe reviewed the first edition in the May 2018 issue of Locus Magazine: “As convincing and insightful as the family drama is on its own terms, situations like this remind us that Ing could not have told this haunting tale without the SF, and he couldn’t have told it with only the SF. It’s a classic example of how SF need not be in opposition to the traditional template of domestic realism, but can amplify it exponentially.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Sagara, Michelle : Cast in Oblivion
(Mira 978-0778307846, $16.99, 544pp, trade paperback, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781488096563
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781488205651
• Chronicles of Elantra #14

Fantasy novel, 14th in the series that began with Cast in Shadow (2005), about Kaylin Neya, member of an elite team that keeps the city of Elantra safe.
• Harlequin’s site has this description with a preview.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Salvatore, R. A. : Reckoning of Fallen Gods
(Tor 978-0765395306, $28.99, 432pp, hardcover, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780765395313
• The Coven #2

Fantasy novel, second in a series set in the DemonWars Saga universe following Child of a Mad God (2018), about a young woman who’s saved a trader and who now faces war coming to their mountain.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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+ Tan, Shaun : Cicada
(Scholastic/Levine 978-1-338-29839-0, $19.99, 32pp, hardcover, January 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 29 Jan 2019

Illustrated children’s book about an underappreciated cicada.
• Scholastic’s site has this order page.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Cicada’s narration suggests, coincidentally or not, that of an Asian immigrant, and Tan’s story could be regarded as one that holds out the hope of liberation for every mistreated foreign laborer.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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These listings are based on publisher schedules and availability on Amazon (rather than on confirmation of physical publication via purchase, review copies, or sightings in bookstores). Titles are listed only once they are published (with rare exception). We do not list galleys or advance reading copies. Page counts are based on publisher or Amazon listings, and typically only approximate the bibliographic page counts of finished books. * = first edition + = first US edition Date with publisher info is official publication month. ‘Nominal Publication Date’ is the day of publication, typically as indicated by Amazon.com.

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