New Books : 24 September 2019

New titles this week are by R.J. Barker, Stephen Baxter, Jillian Boehme, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Dana Fredsti & David Fitzgerald, Jennifer Giesbrecht, Bendict Jacka, Paul Krueger, Annalee Newitz, Beth Revis, K. Arsenault Rivera, Vivan Shaw, and Lauren Shippen — plus, new editions of works by H.P. Lovecraft (annotated by Leslie S. Klinger), R.A. Lafferty, and Rudy Rucker.

---

* Barker, R. J. : The Bone Ships
(Orbit 978-0-316-48796-2, $15.99, 512pp, trade paperback, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780316487979
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781549124068
• The Tide Child Trilogy #1

Fantasy novel, first in a trilogy, about the reappearance of dragons in a land of endless war where ships are built from ancient dragon bones.
• Hachette’s site has this description.
• The Publishers Weekly review comments that the novel “feels like one of Patrick O’Brian’s richly detailed sagas of seamanship … Though characterization is declared more than demonstrated, this is a very promising beginning for a proposed trilogy.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Baxter, Stephen : World Engines: Destroyer
(UK: Gollancz 978-1473223172, £20, 576pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Thu 19 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781473223202
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781473223219
• World Engines #1

SF novel, first in a series, set in a mid 21st century beset by a climate change crisis, as Reid Malenfant — protagonist of Baxter’s earlier Manifold trilogy — investigates an alien artefact entering the solar system on a 500-year orbit.
• Orion’s site has this description with quotes from reviews.
• The book is available from Amazon.com as well as Amazon UK (link on title above).

• Purchase this book from Amazon

– – –

* Boehme, Jillian : Stormrise
(Tor Teen 978-1-250-29888-1, $18.99, 320pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250298898
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250243485

Young adult fantasy novel, the author’s first novel, about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join a combat force and try to awaken an ancient dragon.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Carolyn Cushman reviewed it in the August issue of Locus Magazine: “…the ending is sweet, with Rain getting two of the things in life she really wanted and thought she could never have.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Coates, Ta-Nehisi : The Water Dancer
(One World 978-0-399-59059-7, $28, 432pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780399590603
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9780525494843

Literary fantasy novel, the author’s first novel following three books of nonfiction, about a young man, born into bondage in 19th century Virginia, who has a photographic memory and the power to teleport himself from one place to another.
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “In prose that sings and imagination that soars, Coates further cements himself as one of this generation’s most important writers, tackling one of America’s oldest and darkest periods with grace and inventiveness. This is bold, dazzling, and not to be missed.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Fredsti, Dana, & David Fitzgerald : Shatter War
(Titan 978-1785654541, $14.95, 336pp, trade paperback, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: B07CWGMRZ6
• Time Shards #2

SF novel, second in a series following Time Shards (2018), about survivors of an “Event” that shattered together Earth’s past, present, and future.
• Titan’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Giesbrecht, Jennifer : The Monster of Elendhaven
(Tor.com 978-1-250-22568-9, $16.99, 160pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250225351
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250243645

Short fantasy novel, the author’s first novel, about a monster stalking a desolate port city.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review comments, “Full of foul, intoxicating odors and fouler characters, this disquieting short novel employs serial suicide and multiple homicides to offer criticism of its decadent setting.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Jacka, Benedict : Fallen
(Ace 978-0-440-00058-7, $7.99, 304pp, mass market paperback, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780440000594
• Alex Verus #10

Urban fantasy novel, tenth in a series following Fated (March 2012), Cursed (June 2012), Taken (Sept. 2012), Chosen (2013), Hidden (2014), Veiled (2105), Burned (2016), Bound (2017), and Marked (2018), about a London magician who can foresee the future.
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Considering how much lore has accumulated in the series, this isn’t an ideal place to begin reading about Alex’s adventures, but returning readers will be satisfied by how the story keeps building momentum and excitement. This remains a superior urban fantasy series that’s worth any reader’s time.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Klinger, Leslie S., ed. : The New Annotated H.P. Lovecraft: Beyond Arkham
(Liveright 978-1-63149-263-1, $39.95, 512pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: B07P769J19

Collection of 25 stories by H.P. Lovecraft with annotations by Klinger, with an introduction by Victor LaValle; the volume supplements the earlier The New Annotated H.P. Lovecraft (2014).
• Norton’s site has this description.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “The volume is enhanced by a thought-provoking introduction from African-American novelist Victor LaValle, who tackles the dilemma of enjoying Lovecraft’s work and appreciating his place in the canon while acknowledging his racism. Lovecraft scholars and fans will find this work enjoyable and educational.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Krueger, Paul : Steel Crow Saga
(Del Rey 978-0-593-12822-0, $27, 528pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780593128237
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9780593148754

Fantasy novel about a soldier, a prince, a detective, and a thief who join forces to defeat a killer who defies the laws of magic.
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description with an excerpt and blurbs from Chuck Wendig and others.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Readers with a taste for Southeast Asian culture will appreciate the backdrop, even if they are less than won over by the story itself.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

Lafferty, R. A. : Past Master
(Library Of America 978-1-59853-646-1, $14.95, 256pp, trade paperback, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781598536478

(First edition: Ace Special, 1968)

New edition, in a trade paperback from the Library of America, of Lafferty’s 1968 Hugo and Nebula nominated novel about Sir Thomas More in the world of 2335.
• There’s an introduction by Andrew Ferguson.
• The publisher’s site has this description.
• The novel will also be included in Gary K. Wolfe’s forthcoming American Science Fiction: Eight Classic Novels of the 1960s.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Newitz, Annalee : The Future of Another Timeline
(Tor 978-0-7653-9210-7, $26.99, 352pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780765392121
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250243539

SF novel about a woman in 2022 trying to rewrite the timeline to create a safer future, until she encounters a group of time travelers intent on stopping her.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Newitz’s fascinating extrapolation is an intelligent, gut-wrenching glimpse of how tiny actions, both courageous and venal, can have large consequences. … Smart and profound on every level, this is a deeply satisfying novel.”
• Gary K. Wolfe reviews it in the September issue of Locus Magazine: “As a time-hopping and suspenseful historical adventure, it’s a delight, but as a commentary on who owns history – or thinks they ought to own it – it’s a scary and timely reminder that all future timelines begin with what we do right now.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Revis, Beth : Bid My Soul Farewell
(Razorbill 978-1595147196, $18.99, 336pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781101627860
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9780593105801
• Give the Dark My Love #2

Young adult fantasy novel, second in a duology following Give the Dark My Love (2018), about a young alchemist who turns to dark magic when a plague threatens her homeland.
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly said of the first book, “…this twisty, macabre fantasy from Revis employs keen character work, thoughtful worldbuilding, and an intelligent plot to advocate for compassion, community service, and accessible healthcare.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Rivera, K. Arsenault : The Warrior Moon
(Tor 978-0765392596, $19.99, 656pp, trade paperback, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780765392602
• Ascendant #3

Epic fantasy novel, third in a trilogy following The Tiger’s Daughter (2017) and The Phoenix Empress (2018), about two young warriors trying to save their world from encroaching demons.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gave the first book a starred review: “Rivera’s immense imagination and finely detailed worldbuilding have produced a series introduction of mammoth scope.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

Rucker, Rudy : The Sex Sphere
(Night Shade Books 978-1-949102-01-7, $14.99, 264pp, trade paperback, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: B01LWMJUJY

(First edition: Ace, October 1983)

New edition of Rucker’s 1983 novel about a physicist who is captured by terrorists and held inside a four-dimensional sex sphere.
• Annalee Newitz provides a new introduction.
• Night Shade’s site has this description with blurbs and quotes from reviews.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Shaw, Vivian : Grave Importance
(Orbit 978-0-316-43465-2, $15.99, 448pp, trade paperback, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780316434669
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781478945178
• Dr Greta Helsing #3

Humorous fantasy novel, third in a series following Strange Practice (2017) and Dreadful Company (2018), about a doctor for the undead.
• Hachette’s site has this description.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “The creative worldbuilding around magically enhanced mummy medicine and mystical Egyptology hits just the right note, and her bold story engages the powers of Heaven, Hell, and everything in between while maintaining a character-centered, intimate approach that keeps the reader deeply involved. Readers will hope they haven’t seen the last of Greta and her crew.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

* Shippen, Lauren : The Infinite Noise
(Tor Teen 978-1250297518, $17.99, 336pp, hardcover, September 2019)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 24 Sep 2019
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250297525
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250243423
• The Bright Sessions #1

Young adult SF novel, the author’s first novel and first book in a series, about a high school student who realizes he’s an Atypical, with an enhanced ability to feel empathy.
• The book is based on the author’s podcast “The Bright Sessions.”
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

– – –

---

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.

---

While you are here, please take a moment to support Locus with a one-time or recurring donation. We rely on reader donations to keep the magazine and site going, and would like to keep the site paywall free, but WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT to continue quality coverage of the science fiction and fantasy field.