kat's picks: 2018 edition
Barsk: The Elephant's Graveyard by Lawrence M. Schoen
Barsk is known for three things: its endless rains, its revoltingly furless residents... and koph, the drug that allows them to speak with the dead.
Barsk is known for three things: its endless rains, its revoltingly furless residents... and koph, the drug that allows them to speak with the dead.
Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher
An assassin, a disgraced paladin, and a ninja accountant walk out of prison. Their mission: find out the secret of the Clockwork Boys. Not dying is optional.
An assassin, a disgraced paladin, and a ninja accountant walk out of prison. Their mission: find out the secret of the Clockwork Boys. Not dying is optional.
Crosstalk by Connie Willis
Briddey Flannigan's fiance has offered the ultimate romantic gesture: an EED. Soon she'll have someone, not just on her phone or in her office, but in her head. Permanently.
Briddey Flannigan's fiance has offered the ultimate romantic gesture: an EED. Soon she'll have someone, not just on her phone or in her office, but in her head. Permanently.
Hypercapitalism by Larry Gonick, Tim Kasser
Every resident of the United States has $550 a year spent on them in advertising — advertising pushing them to buy, need, consume. How have we gone from being citizens to being consumers?
Every resident of the United States has $550 a year spent on them in advertising — advertising pushing them to buy, need, consume. How have we gone from being citizens to being consumers?
Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
New-minted Constable Peter Grant has a problem. He's got exclusive eyewitness testimony of a murder -- but his witness is a ghost. And speaking with the dead is about to be the least weird thing in his life...
New-minted Constable Peter Grant has a problem. He's got exclusive eyewitness testimony of a murder -- but his witness is a ghost. And speaking with the dead is about to be the least weird thing in his life...
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
In Ketterdam, money is not king. Money is God. God doesn't love people like Kaz Brekker -- but Kaz knows how to bring the God of Ketterdam to heel. All it needs is one impossible heist.
In Ketterdam, money is not king. Money is God. God doesn't love people like Kaz Brekker -- but Kaz knows how to bring the God of Ketterdam to heel. All it needs is one impossible heist.
The Bathwater Conspiracy by Janet Kellough
Detective MacHenry knows someone wants this case buried -- but Mac can’t let it go. This isn’t the usual murder-for-money: it’s a brutal killing, the kind that hasn't been seen in generations. Not since the men died.
Detective MacHenry knows someone wants this case buried -- but Mac can’t let it go. This isn’t the usual murder-for-money: it’s a brutal killing, the kind that hasn't been seen in generations. Not since the men died.
The Bullet-Catcher's Daughter by Rod Duncan
The year is 2007. Elizabeth Barnabas keeps house for her private detective brother: a respectable woman even in the staid Anglo-Scottish Republic. Except Elizabeth doesn't have a brother....
The year is 2007. Elizabeth Barnabas keeps house for her private detective brother: a respectable woman even in the staid Anglo-Scottish Republic. Except Elizabeth doesn't have a brother....
The Duchess War by Courtney Milan
Minnie Pursling needs to become a woman no one thinks about. If only the Duke of Clermont wasn’t tempting her be all the things she cannot safely be -- brilliant, dazzling Minerva Lane….
Minnie Pursling needs to become a woman no one thinks about. If only the Duke of Clermont wasn’t tempting her be all the things she cannot safely be -- brilliant, dazzling Minerva Lane….
The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids by Michael McClung
The fellow thief who stuck Amra Thetys with a horrifyingly ugly statue was a friend. Now she wants answers. Chief among them: what about that statue has put an immortal assassin and a mad sorcerer on her tail?
The fellow thief who stuck Amra Thetys with a horrifyingly ugly statue was a friend. Now she wants answers. Chief among them: what about that statue has put an immortal assassin and a mad sorcerer on her tail?
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The King is dead, but not the war: for honor, for glory, for the relics of the Shattered Plains. Slave and general alike are bound to the war machine. But the king-killer and his long-dead magic will change everything....
The King is dead, but not the war: for honor, for glory, for the relics of the Shattered Plains. Slave and general alike are bound to the war machine. But the king-killer and his long-dead magic will change everything....
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
The powerful wizard called the Dragon protects the village from the terrible Wood -- at the price of the best, most beautiful girl every ten years. Agnieszka isn't the best or the most beautiful. Why has the Dragon taken her?
The powerful wizard called the Dragon protects the village from the terrible Wood -- at the price of the best, most beautiful girl every ten years. Agnieszka isn't the best or the most beautiful. Why has the Dragon taken her?
kat's picks: 2017 edition
Fly Away Home by Marge Piercy
Her perfect husband wants a divorce, and people are dying in houses she never knew she owned. What rotten foundation has Daria's perfect world been built upon, and what will it cost her to tear it down?
Her perfect husband wants a divorce, and people are dying in houses she never knew she owned. What rotten foundation has Daria's perfect world been built upon, and what will it cost her to tear it down?
Genrenauts by Michael R. Underwood
The stories of Earth are only reflections of a vast constellation of story-worlds, and when things go wrong in those worlds, it spills over into Earth Prime as disasters. Enter the Genrenauts, tasked with finding broken stories -- and fixing them.
The stories of Earth are only reflections of a vast constellation of story-worlds, and when things go wrong in those worlds, it spills over into Earth Prime as disasters. Enter the Genrenauts, tasked with finding broken stories -- and fixing them.
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
Holden's ship is destroyed when it answers a faked distress call; Miller's career is destroyed by the search for a missing girl. Each has one end, but neither understands how deep and treacherous a mystery lies in the middle.
Holden's ship is destroyed when it answers a faked distress call; Miller's career is destroyed by the search for a missing girl. Each has one end, but neither understands how deep and treacherous a mystery lies in the middle.
Penric's Demon by Lois McMaster Bujold
An accident on the eve of his betrothal leaves Penric sharing the inside of his head with a demon -- and the ghosts of the women it has possessed over the centuries. Suddenly marriage to one woman sounds pretty good....
An accident on the eve of his betrothal leaves Penric sharing the inside of his head with a demon -- and the ghosts of the women it has possessed over the centuries. Suddenly marriage to one woman sounds pretty good....
Range of Ghosts by Elizabeth Bear
The moons of the Khan's children fall, save Temur's -- and he, too, is hunted by his ambitious cousin. But more than one kingdom is at stake: the cult of the sorceror-king sows chaos that it may reap the world....
The moons of the Khan's children fall, save Temur's -- and he, too, is hunted by his ambitious cousin. But more than one kingdom is at stake: the cult of the sorceror-king sows chaos that it may reap the world....
Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty
Maria's woken up in a new clone before. But never in a sea of bodies, light-years from Earth, with decades missing from her memory and five crewmates all wondering the same thing: which of them was the killer?
Maria's woken up in a new clone before. But never in a sea of bodies, light-years from Earth, with decades missing from her memory and five crewmates all wondering the same thing: which of them was the killer?
The Cold Between by Elizabeth Bonesteel
Her crewmates get to have simple bar hookups. But not Commander Elena Shaw. Within the day her ex-boyfriend is dead, the police are framing her new lover, and Central Corps is on the brink of war with the PSI....
Her crewmates get to have simple bar hookups. But not Commander Elena Shaw. Within the day her ex-boyfriend is dead, the police are framing her new lover, and Central Corps is on the brink of war with the PSI....
The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
Other Earths surround us, and it turns out all it takes to reach them is some wires, a potato, and one step. Now natural stepper Joshua and a sentient drinks machine take the ultimate Step: to the end of all Earths...
Other Earths surround us, and it turns out all it takes to reach them is some wires, a potato, and one step. Now natural stepper Joshua and a sentient drinks machine take the ultimate Step: to the end of all Earths...
The Murderbot Diaries: All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Watching over scientists on a planetary survey is a boring job if you haven't, say, hacked your governor module -- not to go on a murderbot spree; to watch soap operas. But then the survey gets interesting....
Watching over scientists on a planetary survey is a boring job if you haven't, say, hacked your governor module -- not to go on a murderbot spree; to watch soap operas. But then the survey gets interesting....
The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher
Gerta has secretly loved Kay for years: now the Snow Queen has stolen him, and she's determined to get him back, no matter how long the way, how hard the journey, or how little he may want it. But who is she really rescuing?
Gerta has secretly loved Kay for years: now the Snow Queen has stolen him, and she's determined to get him back, no matter how long the way, how hard the journey, or how little he may want it. But who is she really rescuing?
Who? by Algis Budrys
Lucas Martino returns from captivity in the SIB more machine than man, stripped of all the features his government could use to identify him. Have the Allies got a scientist, or an SIB imposter and spy? What makes a man himself?
Lucas Martino returns from captivity in the SIB more machine than man, stripped of all the features his government could use to identify him. Have the Allies got a scientist, or an SIB imposter and spy? What makes a man himself?
kat's picks (vintage edition)
Bone by Jeff Smith
The Bones were lucky to find the valley-- but between dragon, princess, ancient evil, and stupid, stupid rat creatures, they'll be luckier to leave.
The Bones were lucky to find the valley-- but between dragon, princess, ancient evil, and stupid, stupid rat creatures, they'll be luckier to leave.
DMZ by Brian Wood
Matty is a journalist abandoned behind the front lines of the war for New York City. So why does he feel more at home than he ever has?
Matty is a journalist abandoned behind the front lines of the war for New York City. So why does he feel more at home than he ever has?
District 9 by n/a
When the aliens finally came, they were neither saviors nor destroyers, only refugees. And it's even easier to dehumanize aliens... easily the best sf movie of the decade.
When the aliens finally came, they were neither saviors nor destroyers, only refugees. And it's even easier to dehumanize aliens... easily the best sf movie of the decade.
District B13 by n/a
Gritty near-future setting; crisp, witty dialogue; fantastic stuntwork; and a cast of characters I actually care about. Hollywood, the French have a thing or two to teach you about action films.
Gritty near-future setting; crisp, witty dialogue; fantastic stuntwork; and a cast of characters I actually care about. Hollywood, the French have a thing or two to teach you about action films.
Dragon and Thief by Timothy Zahn
Jack Morgan has a ship full of trouble, a cool tattoo, and a new alien friend. The problem? They're one and the same....
Jack Morgan has a ship full of trouble, a cool tattoo, and a new alien friend. The problem? They're one and the same....
Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff
Gale women cook, cast charms, and arrange marriages. To Alysha Gale, inheriting Gran's Calgary shop seems a lucky escape. But Gran was still a Gale, and she'd meddled in more than charmed pie will fix....
Gale women cook, cast charms, and arrange marriages. To Alysha Gale, inheriting Gran's Calgary shop seems a lucky escape. But Gran was still a Gale, and she'd meddled in more than charmed pie will fix....
Halting State by Charles Stross
It's 2012, and orcs have just robbed an Avalon 4 bank. A deadbeat programmer, a sword-wielding accountant, and a very bewildered cop must join forces to catch them.
It's 2012, and orcs have just robbed an Avalon 4 bank. A deadbeat programmer, a sword-wielding accountant, and a very bewildered cop must join forces to catch them.
Hawkspar by Holly Lisle
She lost name and freedom to slavery, sacrificed hopes and sight for kin she barely remembers. But can the Hawkspar eyes find a future to save them all?
She lost name and freedom to slavery, sacrificed hopes and sight for kin she barely remembers. But can the Hawkspar eyes find a future to save them all?
Implied Spaces by Walter Jon Williams
The AIs protected mankind for centuries, as Aristide created them to. But now he, his magic sword, and his talking cat must save the world.... again.
The AIs protected mankind for centuries, as Aristide created them to. But now he, his magic sword, and his talking cat must save the world.... again.
Inland Territory by Vienna Teng
Beautiful piano, bittersweet lyrics, and a voice so pure as to be almost painful. If you can't catch her in concert, do yourself a favor and get the CD.
Beautiful piano, bittersweet lyrics, and a voice so pure as to be almost painful. If you can't catch her in concert, do yourself a favor and get the CD.
Just Us Kids by James McMurtry
Dust-dry and brutally truthful, McMurtry is a spinner of song-stories and a virtuoso of the heartstrings. Listen with care; lyrics can cause mental whiplash.
Dust-dry and brutally truthful, McMurtry is a spinner of song-stories and a virtuoso of the heartstrings. Listen with care; lyrics can cause mental whiplash.
Midnight Boom by The Kills
Sharp punk edge with clever lyrics and a backbeat to kill for. I picked this up after hearing 'URA Fever' as soundtrack on 'The Losers', and I'm glad I did.
Sharp punk edge with clever lyrics and a backbeat to kill for. I picked this up after hearing 'URA Fever' as soundtrack on 'The Losers', and I'm glad I did.
Nation by Terry Pratchett
Mau paddles home to find his village gone -- and a strange ghost girl washed up on the same tidal wave. What world will they build on the ruins of the old?
Mau paddles home to find his village gone -- and a strange ghost girl washed up on the same tidal wave. What world will they build on the ruins of the old?
Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge
Alfred Vaz wants to save the world. Robert Gu just wants to make poetry again. Mr. Rabbit promises both what they want... but will they get what they deserve?
Alfred Vaz wants to save the world. Robert Gu just wants to make poetry again. Mr. Rabbit promises both what they want... but will they get what they deserve?
Scar Night by Alan Campbell
Dill is the last of his line, an angel forbidden to fly. Rachel is half an assassin. Both serve the Chained God -- but is the church all that it seems?
Dill is the last of his line, an angel forbidden to fly. Rachel is half an assassin. Both serve the Chained God -- but is the church all that it seems?
Shangri-La by Mark Knopfler
Take a helping of Dire Straits. Add vivid, evocative lyrics, a fascination with the sordid side of American culture, and a dash of blues growl, and what do you have? One hell of an album.
Take a helping of Dire Straits. Add vivid, evocative lyrics, a fascination with the sordid side of American culture, and a dash of blues growl, and what do you have? One hell of an album.
Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman
Mages control the current; wizzards are controlled by it. Wren stands on the razor edge between, a lonejack-for-hire with a killer agent. But some jobs make it hard to stay in the middle....
Mages control the current; wizzards are controlled by it. Wren stands on the razor edge between, a lonejack-for-hire with a killer agent. But some jobs make it hard to stay in the middle....
The Aware by Glenda Larke
Just another citizenless halfbreed looking for a pretty slave on Gorthan Spit. But Blaze is far from ordinary, and as she'll find out, neither is her prey....
Just another citizenless halfbreed looking for a pretty slave on Gorthan Spit. But Blaze is far from ordinary, and as she'll find out, neither is her prey....
The Child Goddess by Louise Marley
A immortal child isn't a child: she's a prize for science to win and business to sell. Grownups want to live forever. But children want to grow up....
A immortal child isn't a child: she's a prize for science to win and business to sell. Grownups want to live forever. But children want to grow up....
The Wizard Hunters by Martha Wells
To Tremaine, it's an enemy airship. To Illias, it's a wizard-ridden flying whale. Both want the same thing: stop it destroying their worlds....
To Tremaine, it's an enemy airship. To Illias, it's a wizard-ridden flying whale. Both want the same thing: stop it destroying their worlds....
Undertow by Elizabeth Bear
An assassin. A godbotherer. A war criminal. The government. Who would you trust? (Hint: don't pick the government.)
An assassin. A godbotherer. A war criminal. The government. Who would you trust? (Hint: don't pick the government.)
Winter's Orphans by Elaine Corvidae
An indentured, impoverished factory girl isn't much of a threat -- unless she has fae blood.But is Mina a greater danger to those she hates, or those she loves?
An indentured, impoverished factory girl isn't much of a threat -- unless she has fae blood.But is Mina a greater danger to those she hates, or those she loves?
Wrapt in Crystal by Sharon Shinn
The holy women of Semay are dying. As a Moonchild, it's Drake's duty to find the killer, no matter what he may think of their religion. But pinning down the priestesses of Ava is harder than it looks...
The holy women of Semay are dying. As a Moonchild, it's Drake's duty to find the killer, no matter what he may think of their religion. But pinning down the priestesses of Ava is harder than it looks...