New Books : 10 November 2020
Human modification is on the rise with organ farming in THE BOOK OF MALACHI, psychic children in REFRACTION, cyborgs in THE CHIMERA CODE, and genetically engineered soldiers in THE RUSH’S EDGE!
New books this week are by T.C. Farren, Christopher Hinz, Jonathan Lethem, C.S. Malerich, Wayne Santos, Emily C. Skaftun, Ginger Smith, and Evan Winter.
* Farren, T. C. : The Book of Malachi
(Titan 978-1-78909-519-7, $14.95, 336pp, trade paperback, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
SF novel about a mute man who is offered a new tongue in exchange for serving six months as warden on a top-secret organ-farming project.
• Titan’s site has this description.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “The descriptions of Malachi’s self-harm and the vile conditions of the prison are visceral and stomach churning, but glimmers of hope save the story from total darkness and, though the rules of this dystopian world remain murky, readers will find it easy to root for both Malachi and the prisoners he befriends as they struggle against their circumstances. This striking horror novel is not for the faint of heart.”
• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound
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* Hinz, Christopher : Refraction
(Angry Robot 978-0-85766-865-3, $15.99, 400pp, trade paperback, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780857668660
SF novel about a man with an oddball psychic power who learns he was part of an illicit experiment as a child.
• Angry Robot’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Hinz packs this twisty story with action and mystery while striking a fascinating balance between modern reality and science fictional innovations. Readers will be hooked.”
• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound
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* Lethem, Jonathan : The Arrest
(Ecco 978-0-06-293878-7, $27.99, 320pp, hardcover, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780062938794
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9780062938985
SF post-collapse novel, set in a world in which all machines have stopped working, about two siblings and a nuclear-powered supercar.
• HarperCollins’ site has this description with a sample.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Still, the project crackles and hums with witty dialogue and engaging ideas. While it’s not entirely satisfying, Lethem’s fans won’t mind.”
• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound
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* Malerich, C. S. : The Factory Witches of Lowell
(Tor.com 978-1-250-75656-5, $14.99, 128pp, trade paperback, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9781250756558
Historical fantasy novella about witches who go on strike in Lowell, Massachusetts.
• Macmillan’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “The practical magic and genuine connection between Judith and Hannah are sure to charm. Historical fantasy fans won’t want to miss this.”
• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound
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* Santos, Wayne : The Chimera Code
(Solaris 978-1-78108-797-8, $11.99, 500pp, trade paperback, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: B088HH7BF8
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: B08CL4963W
SF novel about a magical chimera unit, composed of a resourceful mage, a genderless hacker, and a cyborg with a big gun, tracking down illegal copies of a powerful mage.
• Simon & Schuster’s site has this description — “Neuromancer for a non-binary age.”
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides previews.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Santos’s enthusiasm for his subject is clear and his rigorous plotting delivers some genuine surprises. This is fun, fresh cyberpunk.”
• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound
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* Skaftun, Emily C. : Living Forever and Other Terrible Ideas
(Fairwood Press 978-1-933846-98-9, $17.99, 312pp, trade paperback, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
Collection of 18 stories, with an introduction by Tim Powers.
• Fairwood’s site has this description with blurbs by John Kessel, Karen Joy Fowler, Nancy Kress, and others.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Though Skaftun’s prose occasionally becomes self-consciously writerly, which may turn off more mainstream horror readers, her thoughtful explorations of wildly unusual concepts will keep fans of literary chills hooked. Eerie, unsettling, and occasionally zany, this philosophically minded collection offers a delightful diversion.”
• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound
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* Smith, Ginger : The Rush’s Edge
(Angry Robot 978-0857668646, $14.99, 328pp, trade paperback, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780857668677
SF novel about a genetically engineered ex-soldier fighting back against the government that created him.
• Angry Robot’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Smith masterfully cultivates a deep sense of camaraderie among the characters while keeping them on the edge of danger. The unlikely bonds linking the crew members and thoughtful exploration of the morality of genetic engineering are sure to draw readers into this well-crafted space opera.”
• Purchase this book from Amazon | Indiebound
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* Winter, Evan : The Fires of Vengeance
(Orbit 978-0316489805, $28, 528pp, hardcover, November 2020)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 10 Nov 2020
• Ebook ISBN [link to Amazon Kindle edition]: 9780316489812
• Audiobook ISBN [link to Amazon]: 9781549101939
• The Burning #2
Fantasy novel, second in a series following The Rage of Dragons (2019), about an ousted queen and a young warrior fighting to retake the throne.
• Hachette’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “With energizing battle scenes and well-handled romance, Winters capably earns readers’ attention again as he unfurls the politics of a nation in-flux.’
• 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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