New & Notable
Aman J. Bedi, Kavithri (Gollancz 5/24) This enchanting debut South Asian steampunk/fantasy novel, first in the Ghosts of Ethuran series, is inspired by the landscapes and society of colonial and post-colonial India, and follows a young outcast woman who dreams of attending a magical academy and gaining enough power to raise improve the lives and status of her people.
Tobias S. Buckell & Dave Klecha, The Runes of Engagement (Tachyon 6/24) This rollicking science fantasy novel pits the forces of the United States military against monsters from mythology (and roleplaying games) after portals open in the sky and orcs, trolls, dragons, and more cross over – with one Marine platoon trapped in a hostile fantasy world.
Christopher Buehlman, The Daughters’ War (Tor 6/24) This prequel set in the strange fantasy world of The Blacktongue Thief sees our hero Galva defying the wishes of her family to join a new military unit, the Raven Knights, who ride giant black birds into battle against the goblins overrunning the land. “The rare prequel that makes you want to pick up the first book again…. It helps, too, that both books are damn good.” [Adrienne Martini]
Genoveva Dimova, Foul Days (Tor 6/24) This immersive debut novel mingles Slavic mythology and urban life in the Soviet era as the witch Kosara contends with supernatural creatures in the walled city of Chernograd… and deals with her abusive ex, the Tsar of Monsters. First in the Witch’s Compendium of Monsters duology. “A lively and accomplished debut, with an engaging voice and a deft touch with characterization.” [Liz Bourke]
Gretchen Felker-Martin, Cuckoo (Nightfire 6/24) Felker-Martin burst onto the horror scene with debut postapocalyptic novel Manhunt, and her follow-up is just as terrifying and thought-provoking. A group of queer teenagers in 1995 endure the nightmare of a conversion camp, while something evil stalks them in the desert… and 16 years later, the traumatized survivors return to strike down the monster.
Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, Ribbon Dance (Baen 6/24) This latest installment in the epic and long-running Liaden Universe series is the first to be published since coauthor Steve Miller’s death in February. It follows Trader Padi yos’Galan, who just wants to help establish new trading routes… but entanglements on the world of Colmeno force her to explore and master her psychic powers.
Yoon Ha Lee, Moonstorm (Delacorte 6/24) This young-adult SF novel launches the Moonstorm trilogy, and concerns a young woman who dreams of piloting giant Imperial war mechs. She gets her chance – but the training program isn’t what she expected, and the truths she discovers about the rebellion tempt her to switch sides. “Moonstorm is at heart a delightfully fast-paced adventure novel… an excellent addition to Lee’s oeuvre.” [Alexandra Pierce]
Ananda Lima, Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil (Tor 6/24) On Halloween night in 1999, a Brazilian-American writer met the devil at the party and slept with him. She continues to see the devil throughout her life… and to write stories for him. That’s the framing device for this critically acclaimed debut collection, featuring nine linked stories of the fantastic and the surreal.
Paul Tremblay, Horror Movie (Morrow 6/24) Tremblay’s 2018 novel The Cabin at the End of the World had a high-profile film adaptation as Knock at the Cabin, and now the author takes on the world of horror filmmaking in this disturbing and compulsively readable story about a tragically unfinished horror film with a devoted cult following, narrated by the lone survivor of the original cast as Hollywood attempts to reboot the film.
Nicola Yoon, One of Our Kind (Knopf 2024) Yoon is a celebrated YA author, and this psychological horror novel (with SF elements) proves her equally adept at adult fiction. When a family moves to an all-Black utopian community that appears to be fully insulated from the racist injustices of society, it seems too good to be true… as the secrets hidden within the “wellness center” prove.
From the August 2024 issue of Locus.
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