Santa Womble - The Fifth Stocking - Science Fiction

Hellooo!

Ah the final day of xmas treats suggestions. and time for an exploration of the future and space but most importantly humanity

Here are some gift suggestions

The Silver Wind by Nina Allan - fantastic trip through a very different spin on time travel and parallel universes with a uniquely British feel to it

Paris Adrift by E J Swift - staying on time travel this was one of my favourite tales and less about Paris and more about growing up.

Echo Cycle by Patrick Edwards - another time travel novel that gives us a truly horrible view of the UK post Brexit mixed with Roman adventures. Fascinating

Judges - The Patriots by Joseph Elliott-Coleman - to the near future and the creation of the Judges and dawn of the 200AD universe in this clever tale.

The Book of Koli by M R Carey - Another alternative future for the UK in post apocalyptic Britain that has Carey’s trademark humour and skill at writing characters

Stormblood by Jeremy Szal - Aliens, mercenaries and intrigue abound in this tale of space opera combining Mass Effect with Babylon 5

Goldilocks by Laura Lam - One of the best SF books I read this year is this tale of rogue spaceship theft and a near future that restricts the rights of women - genius.

Sparks by Kit Mallory - another dystopian UK (a theme of the year) and the conclusion to a brilliant duology with a wonderful gay character at the heart of the action.

The Doors of Eden by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Parallel universes, evil capitalists and Neanderthals combine in this smart and fun SF thriller.

Fearless by Allen Stroud - a tense almost naval space opera where a rescue mission finds a dark secret all alone in the night. Thrilling SF with a compelling lead captain

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson - another of my favourite SF novels also explores parallel universes, class and racism - trust me you need this one in your lives.

Greensmith by Aliya Whiteley - a wonderfully subversive piece of SF that makes you reconsider the usual narrative

Once Again by Catherine Wallace Hope - a warming time travel thriller that reminded me a lot of Quantum Leap

The Saints of Salvation by Peter F Hamilton - 2020 sees the end of the Salvation Sequence from one of the biggest SF authors where earth faces its final days and the future fights for the right of the universe to continue

The Chimera Code by Wayne Santos - and on the borders of SF and fantasy lets finish off with this hugely inventive piece of cyberpunk thriller genius!