Six to try - The Sound of Empires Falling
The Star Wars prequels have many things wrong with them but I do love the line as the Empire starts that Padme utters “So this is how liberty dies…with thunderous applause” hard having lived through the last decade to say that’s not true. But sometimes we have to look at the other side how to make these things stop. One of my favourite lines in a 90’s Doctor Who novelisation (annoyingly can’t find the book or author) was where the Doctor talked about their favourite sound is the sound of an empire falling. I don’t know about you at the moment, but I’d like to hear a few of those in the coming years.
Often democracy and fantasy tends to like some form of status quo – the hereditary monarchy merely passes family lines but I thought I’d like to look at six stories that explore the concept of what happens when the world the characters lived in was not enough.
The Split Worlds series by Emma Newman – one of the oldest series in my shelves and one I was very glad to see completed is this unusual urban fantasy tale set in the genteel English city of Bath. Cathy has run away from an alternate version of the country – one that seems stuck in the 19th century; ruled by cruel families and also mysterious and unnerving fae. Initially this seems a simpler tale of taking out cruel dictatorships but a the series grows you realise this series examines the concept of the patriarchy. How women are kept out of power via magic, rules of society and cruelty. It goes dark and as a male reader I think a tale that actually helped me see exactly how controlling our world often is. Would have loved a little more examination of other cultures (there are no people of colour in the early novels) but Newman who is an amazing storyteller really finds their voice as the story progresses – if you’ve enjoyed her SF this is a great series to pick up.
The Book of the Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor – this is actually a prequel to another equally brilliant story Who Fears Death, but this tale tells us the story of how our world ended. Phoenix was a genetically created superhuman happily living in ignorance of the wider world; but her friend dies and she discovers how much she is being lied to. She escapes her corporate captors and sees how this world treats people. Phoenix has a hard decision to make. This tale is furious – it explores racism, corporate abuse and the right to live. We know where the story is heading but it makes you question did this world deserve saving? Powerful and haunting.
The City in The Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders – Walls are so popular now and this tale really speaks to the world of the last few years. Sophie is kept in a walled city on a planet tidally locked between super dark col on one side of the planet and blazing sun on the next. Colonists live in cities; their lives controlled tightly and dissent against the rulers leads to either death or exile in the wilderness which is the same thing. This story is a tale of growing up and realising the world isn’t what you think it is; control of the state is supreme but it also has a warning that those who seek power need to be watched carefully. Often, they crave just a new throne of their own to make a country great again.
The Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson – In some ways this seems a standard tale of aliens but it’s a supremely intelligent tale exploring colonisation. A book that actually challenged me as I realised I wanted the african people of Rosewater to make friends with their alien super powered lodgers; but I ignored those aliens had an agenda that wasn’t about peace. It was about power and seeing people as resource. Its not comfortable reading but a series I think is already showing itself to be a modern classic. Smart engrossing and thoughtful.
The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz – One of the hallmarks of this last decade is we feel the world have gone backwards. It has reminded us that history is not fixed and those who dislike change equally will want their own revolution. This story examines what would happen if men’s rights activist could change history and its truly chilling watching the world we know reversed. But we see across time there will be and always have been people be prepared to stand up and be counted. Its empowering and has a strong intersectional look at feminism.
The Broken Earth trilogy by N K Jemisin – the final series is the series I believe is the best trilogy of the last ten years. We track a powerful woman named Essun who we meet at the end of the world grieving for her lost child. But Jemisin creates a powerful picture of threw old that was before – where those with magic were treated as slaves, experimented on, killed and made second class. We are forced to examine this world; understand its sins and the horrible question is asked – did this world deserve to live? It is a story looking at many themes but for me powerful to discuss how prejudice works, abuse by those in authority happen and asks the reader well what choices did we have left? It is a series you all must read.
I would love to hear your suggestions in the comments
