New Books : 13 October 2020

New books this week are by Ben Bova, Amanda Bridgeman, P. Djèlí Clark, Cory Doctorow, Alix E. Harrow, Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, Caitlín R. Kiernan, C.L. Polk, Rebecca Roanhorse, Michelle Sagara, Patrick S. Tomlinson, and David Wong.

* Bova, Ben : My Favorites
(Blackstone 978-1-094000-92-3, $24.99, 352pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: B087NHPML5
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: B086WMB8YJ

Collection of 14 stories, with new introductions by the author.
• The publisher’s site has this description with the table of contents.
• Paul Di Filippo’s review for Locus Online will be posted later this month.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Bridgeman, Amanda : The Sensation
(Angry Robot 978-0857668561, $14.99, 400pp, trade paperback, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780857668639
• Salvation #2

Near-future SF thriller, second in a series following The Subjugate (2018), about a series of brutal murders in San Francisco tied to a new drug-tech experience.
• Penguin Random House’s site has this description.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Clark, P. Djèlí : Ring Shout
(Tordotcom 978-1-25076-702-8, $19.99, 192pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250767011

Historical dark fantasy short novel about the Ku Klux Klan.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Clark expertly uses fantasy to highlight the mysticism underlying the nation’s darkest moments. Lyrical interludes, mythicized ‘oral histories’ of Gullah traditions, and haunting retellings of African American folklore add rich texture throughout.”
• Gary K. Wolfe reviews it in the October issue of Locus Magazine: “…Clark does a brilliant job of grounding his spectacle in a convincing and unnerving portrait of the 1920s South, with a few chilling instances of the real costs of racism. What may be more important is how he does this without forgoing the energetic, almost cheerfully musical celebration of the power of resistance and belief.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Doctorow, Cory : Attack Surface
(Tor 978-1-250-75753-1, $26.99, 384pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250757524

SF novel, a standalone novel set in the world of the author’s YA Little Brother (2008) and Homeland (2013), about a counterterrorism expert for a cybersecurity firm.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Doctorow lays the tech-talk on a bit thick, which may overwhelm a casual reader, but the high stakes and believable world keep the pages turning. Doctorow’s fans will be pleased.”
• Doctorow has an essay about this book posted at Slate today, The Dangers of Cynical Sci-Fi Disaster Stories: I’m changing how I write fiction—for the benefit of the real world.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Harrow, Alix E. : The Once and Future Witches
(Redhook 978-0-316-42204-8, $28, 528pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780316422031
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781549186424

Historical fantasy novel about three witches in the era of the suffragette movement.
• Hachette’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review “…[the witches’] path to empowerment is entertaining, and Harrow’s world is gleefully referential; folklore and history enthusiasts will have a feast.”
• Gary K. Wolfe reviews it in the October issue of Locus Magazine: “Even though the more mundane question of women’s suffrage may be a bit overshadowed by time we reach the spectacular conclusion, The Once and Future Witches, with its adroit balance of narrative playfulness and imminent tragedy, is as fully original and impressive as its predecessor, and is just a hoot to read.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Herbert, Brian, & Kevin J. Anderson : Dune: The Duke of Caladan
(Tor 978-1-250-76474-4, $27.99, 320pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250764751
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781250771926
• The Caladan Trilogy #1

SF novel, the latest collaboration by Brian Herbert, son of original Dune author Frank Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson, and first in a new trilogy.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Kiernan, Caitlín R. : The Tindalos Asset
(Tordotcom 978-1-250-19115-1, $14.99, 172pp, trade paperback, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250191144
• Tinfoil Dossier #3

Fantasy novella, third in a series following Agents of Dreamland (2017) and Black Helicopters (2018), about strung out government agent Ellison Nicodemo, who is summoned by the Signalman for one last job.
• Macmillan’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Ellison’s episodic attempts to stop this tide provide tantalizing glimpses into a deliciously dark world, inviting the reader to envision the broader, more terrifying context in which the events of the story unfold. With this chilling work, Kiernan again proves her mastery of the genre.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Polk, C. L. : The Midnight Bargain
(Erewhon Books 978-1-64566-007-1, $25.95, 384pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 978-1-64566-014-9
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: B08KKBWC38

Fantasy novel set in a world inspired by Regency England, where a woman’s magic is taken from her when she marries.
• The publisher’s site has this description with blurbs and quotes from reviews.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Polk expertly balances propulsive pacing, a rich multicultural world, and a vivid and subversive cast of characters. Readers will be swept away by this powerful and passionate fantasy.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Roanhorse, Rebecca : Black Sun
(Saga 978-1-5344-3767-8, $27.99, 464pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781534437692
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781508283065
• Between Earth and Sky #1

Historical fantasy novel, first of a trilogy, inspired by civilizations of the Pre-Columbian Americas.
• Simon & Schuster’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Roanhorse strikes a perfect balance between powerful worldbuilding and rich thematic exploration as the protagonists struggle against their fates. Fantasy fans will be wowed.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Sagara, Michelle : The Emperor’s Wolves
(Mira 978-0-778-30991-8, $16.99, 512pp, trade paperback, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: B0813QYB6R
• The Wolves of Elantra #1

Fantasy novel, first in a series set in the world of the author’s long-running Chronicles of Elantra (most recently Cast in Wisdom, Jan. 2020), about Imperial executioners called Wolves.
• Harlequin’s site has this description with a “Look Inside” function.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Both new readers and Sagara’s long-time fans will be delighted to visit the land and people of Elantra.”
• Liz Bourke reviews it in the October issue of Locus Magazine: “It’s easy to read, satisfying, and relaxing: when it comes to the Elantra books, I trust Sagara not to kill off any developed characters who don’t (mostly) deserve it.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Tomlinson, Patrick S. : In the Black
(Tor 978-1-250-30275-5, $19.99, 352pp, trade paperback, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250302762

Military SF novel about contact with an alien ship at the border of human space.
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Tomlinson skillfully toggles between story lines, giving impressive weight to both. The plot is more streamlined than genre fans might expect, but Tomlinson still provides enough worldbuilding to support multiple sequels. Readers are sure to be entertained.”

• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound

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* Wong, David : Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick
(St. Martin’s 978-1-250-19579-1, $27.99, 368pp, hardcover, October 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 13 Oct 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250195814
• Zoey Ashe #2

Near-future SF novel about Zoey Ashe and her cat, second in a series following Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits (2015).
• Macmillan’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives this a starred review: “Wong sneaks a nuanced examination of the surrealist nature of the digital age into the nonstop action, whipping technological, philosophical, and ethical questions into a wild romp that satirizes everything from the men’s rights movement to gaming culture to the cult of celebrity.”

• 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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