Summer Hols Reading?
Helloooo!
A little late but as covid household, work, heatwave and potential redundancy have made July a little busy (it’s going to be OK don’t worry) I’ve had a bit to eat with the past few weeks. In a week’s time I finally get on a place and see a beach so that is what is keeping me going at the moment but also books. Over the last six and a bit months quite a few good reads came to me and as I care perhaps a few suggestions ahead?
The Black Coast by Mike Brooks - Starting with some catch-up reading in January and I loved what Brooks delivered with this tale of warriors, dinosaurs, intrigue but also people learning to live, fight and die together. The sequels are coming with me on holiday!
The Cruel Stars by John Birmingham - This action packed space opera starts a new series and it is delicious fun with AI, spaceships and fascists to deal with. Highly entertaining and well worth tracking down.
Alias Space and Other Stories by Kelly Robson - For those seeking some smart and imaginative short fiction then please run and get this. I went in cold and there are so many good stories by an author you need in your lives.
Temple of No God by H M Long - I love series prepared to do things differently and H M Long has a tale set ten years later and we get to see how a world inspired by Nordic and Roman mythology has evolved further. Again peace is an objective and gods cannot be trusted - what is not to love?
Mestiza Blood by V Castro - Horror and dark fantasy fans should get to know V Castro I think they’re going to be one of the brightest names. Here prepare for tales of spirits, monsters and curses.
Outcast by Louise Carey - Another smart series that looks at cyberpunk and evil corporations as well as free will with an intriguing spin on it. I am already very keen to see what happens next!
lost objects by Marian Womack - In terms of strange short fiction but this with a environmental focus then Womack’s collection is well worth tracking down. Short but incredibly imaginative.
Hold My Place by Cassondra Windwalker - A surprise that gives me dark joy is this gothic horror that uses the pandemic experience to dizzying effect. Poetic and thoughtful I loved it!
The Chancels of Mainz by Russell Hemmell - I loved all of this year’s Luna novellas and you’ll find all close to this link but this strange historical fantasy is constantly surprising and has stayed in my memory. Well worth a look!
All The White Spaces by Ally Wilkes - Horror again and in the warm summer cool down in Antarctica where the sun no longer rises. A smart claustrophobic tale with a really interesting lead trans character and the horror is chef’s kiss.
Bloodsworn by Tej Turner - Being a fan of books trying new things. This series brings traditional fantasy with actual normal teenage leads who act like teenagers and its a lot of fun to read. High action, good characters and lots of situations to navigate I find this very entertaining,
Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi - If i can find another new SF novel in 2022 that beats how I feel about this book I will be lucky. Goliath is smart, powerful, thoughtful and talks of issues about gentrification and racism that haunt me many months after reading it. Please do read it.
Stars and Bones by Gareth L Powell - Another fun SF tale is this mi of space opera and social SF telling the tale of the last humans exiled out to space. Inventive and has a sentient cat.
Age of Ash by Daniel Abraham - An unusual idea for a fantasy series. One big tale over one city told over the same time but split into three volumes. This has magic, intrigue and growing up to discuss. I’m in it for the rest
Our Lady of Mysterious Ailments by T L Huchu - For me already making Rivers of London like comparisons for fantasy (and I think this is smarter) then come with me for more near future post-apocalyptic Scottish adventures with a young magician learning about her power and the state of her country.
Ogres by Adrian Tchaikovsky - Capitalism, rebellion and the power of a story all rest in this little mix of SF & fantasy in another novella from one of the genre’s best writers.
Plutoshine by Lucy Kissick - This SF tale telling us about settlers on Pluto has a sense of wonder and infectious sense of the joy of science I could not stop reading it without smiling. Classic style but with heart. Hugely enjoyable.
Sundial by Catriona Ward - And from joy to a scary tale whispered on a cold desert night with the remarkable Sundial proving Ward is one of the best thriller writers we have at the moment.
Ocean of Stars by John Dodd — Runalong The Shelves - Pirates in space, time travel and a touch of Babylon 5 awe! What more do you need from me to tempt you on that?
The Entropy of Loss by Stewart Hotston - One of the best novellas I have read this year mixing first contact with a couple working out how to say their final goodbyes this is a pleasure to read and digest!
Our Child of the Stars by Stephen Cox - Warm heartfelt SF that does not fear breaking up the history of the earth. Watch and be dazzled how this is done!
Resilient by Allen Stroud - Another interesting piece of space opera moving to a tense space station thriller as more mysteries unwind and we find death is not always final.
Nettle and Bone by T Kingfisher - One of the best fantasy novels of the year easily and reminds me of Pratchett yet the storytelling is very different its w warm character story with serious issues being discussed and ever more timely!
Equinox by David Towsey - This tale treads the boundary of dark horror and fantasy with a tale of a world where everyone has two souls in them separated by night and day. Mystery, curses and magic all await you and its so good!
Tell Me An Ending by Jo Harkin - This is a subtle piece of SF exploring the ramification of editing our memories and giving the reader some weighty ethical issues to ponder. I loved it!
Whirlwind Romance by Sam Thompson - Some excellent weird fiction with a dash of unsettling horror await you in this collection which I loved very much.
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah - I loved how this series makes its own world of Arabian myth and gives me a great adventure too! A new name to watch!
To Catch A Moon by Rym Kechacha - Another creative fantasy using paintings to inspire a dreamlike and hypnotic journey I really enjoyed going on!
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna - I was not sure the Gilded Ones could be topped but this tale’s more political stance that would annoy a writer of children’s books that don’t understand privilege makes this even more what we should be getting in YA now.
That should do for now! I’ve loads of cool stuff to read and tempt you with but in the meantime thanks for reading and being awesome. Have a great summer!
