The best thing about Martha Wells’ narrators is that their general exasperation with everything makes them immediately relatable, no matter how weird their selves and circumstances… which is good, because the reader is otherwise thrown straight into a complicated sociopolitical fantasy structure and magic system with absolutely no explanations. This book’s viewpoint character, Kai, is a demon who possesses the bodies of dying humans, and whose closest friends are powerful witches and warriors — useful because they seem to have some very terrifying enemies as well. Through adventure and flashback, Wells builds a portrait of how Kai and his friends were brought together, and how they became instrumental in the formation of the empire’s current political balance. Most of the plot threads are tied together neatly at the end, but it also feels like Wells might be doing some worldbuilding in preparation for future adventures.
Tag: genre-fantasy
The Devourers, by Indra Das
South Asian speculative fiction, though it also touches on Nordic and other shapeshifter myths. Narrator Alok Mukherjee is a history professor who meets a mysterious figure who claims to be a half-werewolf; fascinated, Alok agrees to record the stranger’s stories, some oral and some written on human skin. As the stranger’s tale unfolds and Alok is drawn further into the fantastically violent and turbulent history, the relationship between the two of them deepens as well. I liked how the story wove together the mythologies of different cultures, and I also enjoyed how Das took time to develop Alok’s character instead of having him be a passive listener to a story far more interesting than his own life.
City of Last Chances, by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Ilmar is a city at the edge of the Palleseen empire, and one conquered in name but perhaps not in spirit; it is full of restless natives, bitter refugees, starry-eyed students, and ruthless criminals, and also sits on the edge of a haunted magical forest, last resort for the desperate. Tchaikovsky assembles a cast of archetypes and then proceeds to make them into whole characters that grate on one another’s edges and force one another into growth, and sets it against a background of cultural repression and inevitable rebellion. Fascinating read.
The Impossible Us, by Sarah Lotz
Epistolary alternate-universe romp. After struggling author Nick and sassy dressmaker Bee make accidental contact through a misdirected email, they continue to correspond, finding in each other kindred spirits. They eventually make plans to meet… which is when they figure out that they actually live in different universes. Their respective actions after this discovery really do take this book into a new level. Even though things get super weird, the chemistry between Nick and Bee, and their snappy email conversations, keep the book going. Enjoyable plot and shenanigans, though if you start thinking too hard about the ramifications there are some iffy consent issues.
The Scapegracers, by H.A. Clarke
The narrator of The Scapegracers, a teenage lesbian witch named Sideways Pike, has never been cool; however, when a trinity of confident, popular girls hires her to perform a showy spell for their Halloween party, she finds in them both a coven for her magic and an unexpected gift of friendship. The other girls are the opposite of insecure: they are brimming with righteousness and rage, ready to rain down curses on anyone who mistreats them or makes them feel lesser (mostly self-centered teenage boys). There are some threats from scary witchfinders and some weird gatekeeping from the occult establishment going on in the background, but mostly this book is a ferocious celebration of loyalty and magic. I love the defiant rejection of the “mean girls clique” trope, and also the diverse cast. First in a series.
Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros
Yet another “teenagers battle to the death at school” story, except this time they’re battling for the chance to bond with dragons. Nerdy teen Violet always wanted to be a scribe (read: lawyer/historian), but her mother commands her to go to dragonrider school where the chance of death is not only possible but statistically likely; although much is made of her weak frame, Violet can apparently hit whatever she wants to with a thrown dagger and also manages to training-montage her way to awesomeness while still retaining vast mental tomes of history and battle tactics. She also, of course, finds herself in a love corner (it’s not a triangle if it’s not a three-way!) with two hot guys, one of whom is named Xaden. (It’s an exotic analogue of Jayden, Braden, or Kaden.) No prizes for guessing whether or not she bonds one of the coveted dragons. Although I rolled my eyes hard through much of this novel, it was also undeniably a fun ride, full of teen drama, romance, action, and snappy comebacks. Extremely formulaic, but the formula works.
A Day of Fallen Night, by Samantha Shannon
Prequel to the Priory of the Orange Tree, this book sets up a lot of the world and structures that we see later on. (It’s been a few years since I read Priory, so I only recognized a few elements, but enough to keep me reading.) The main characters are Sabran and her daughter Glorian, bound to carry the legacy of their ancestor and protect their kingdom; Dumai, secret heir to magic and empire; and Tunuva, warrior sworn to a greater cause. Each of the women finds herself fighting a separate part of the battle against a world-ending threat. Although there’s a lot going on with dragons, plague, and political tensions, Shannon still finds a way to develop each woman’s story. Things I loved: Sabran and Glorian’s complicated dedication to their birthright, and Tunuva’s characterization as a capable warrior and a sexual being even as an older woman. The entire book verged on being almost too long and complicated, but then I remember Priory being the same way.
Ledge, by Stacey McEwan
The people of the Ledge eke out a miserable existence in a barren, icy land, their population ritually reduced through sacrifices to the winged Glacians. Grim, ax-wielding Dawsyn (I could not read her name without rolling my eyes, sorry), last of her household, is finally snatched up and learns the tragic background of of her existence. With the help of an enigmatic handsome (of course) half-Glacian named Ryon (eyeroll again), she escapes only to discover that the truth is even more grim than she had imagined. The book started out sharp and simple but then both plot and writing got muddled as Dawsyn kept uncovering more and more layers to her country’s past. It seemed like things were being pulled together at the end, but then a completely unnecessary cliffhanger plot twist threw everything into a jumble again. Unlikely to pick up the next book in the series.
On the Merits of Unnaturalness, by Samantha Shannon
Companion work to Shannon’s Bone Season series, and likely incomprehensible (even boring) to those who haven’t read it. This is the full version of the pamphlet published by one of the characters in the series, in defiance of the authoritarian government, classifying and defining forbidden voyant (psychic) talents. Obviously does not stand alone well but would be a good reference point for anyone wanting to return to the Bone Season series after a long break (that would be me).
Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow, by Jessica Townsend
Third in the Nevermoor series, this book deals with the deadly Hollowpox, a disease affecting sentient Wunimals which reduces them to mute, unthinking animals. Morrigan, though she is finally getting training for her unique skills, seems to have a mysterious connection with the Hollowpox and can’t stop worrying over her friends. Townsend does a great job balancing joy with terror for Morrigan, surrounding her with fearful experiences and supportive friends at the same time, so the reader never feels like the angst is too much to keep going. Really interesting political developments towards the end. Looking forward to reading the next book alongside the kids!