Join host Adrian M. Gibson and award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal for a chat about her new novel The Spare Man, her Glamourist Histories and The Lady Astronaut series, the modern space race, building off of Dashiell Hammett’s book The Thin Man (and its movie adaptations), what makes a good mystery, committed couples, compelling characters, dogs, puppeteering and much more.
Tor Books
Review: The First Binding (Tales of Tremaine #1) by R.R. Virdi
A South Asian fantasy novel that follow a formula long-time fantasy readers know and love: boy loves, loses, seeks revenge, and becomes a legend.
Review: The Universe After Trilogy by Drew Williams
Summary: Drew Williams’s The Stars Now Unclaimed, the first volume of The Universe After series, is a fun, adventure-filled space opera set in a far-future galaxy.“The only thing more fun than a bonkers space battle is a whole book packed with bonkers space battles. Come for the exploding spaceships, stay for the intriguing universe.”—Becky Chambers, […]
Review: A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
The juxtaposition of a culture of repression to one of acceptance set up the foundation for a plot rich in mystery and political intrigue. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoyed “Winter’s Orbit” by Everina Maxwell, also published by Tor in 2021. Tor is understanding what readers want. Written in an elegant prose, A Strange and Stubborn Endurance features a world rich in depth and filled with lush descriptions that readers will melt over.
Review: Malice (The Faithful & the Fallen #1) by John Gwynne
Synopsis Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage. The Banished Lands has a […]
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
The Kaiju Reservation Society is wondrous, an adventure in a new world – like Godzilla movies? Read about the ‘real’ thing. This book scratches the Kaiju movie itch for me, I’ve been a huge fan for years, and if you like them, you’ll want to read this.
Review: A Prayer For The Crown-Shy (Monk & Robot, #2) by Becky Chambers
Synopsis: After touring the rural areas of Panga, Sibling Dex (a Tea Monk of some renown) and Mosscap (a robot sent on a quest to determine what humanity really needs) turn their attention to the villages and cities of the little moon they call home. They hope to find the answers they seek, while making […]
Review: A Psalm For The Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1) by Becky Chambers
Synopsis: It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend. One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, […]
Review: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
Synopsis: Jamie’s dream was to hit the big time at a New York tech start-up. Jamie’s reality was a humiliating lay-off, then a lowwage job as a takeaway delivery driver. During a pandemic too. Things look beyond grim, until a chance delivery to an old acquaintance. Tom has an urgent vacancy on his team: the […]
Review: Servant Mage (#1) by Kate Elliot
Fellian is a Lamplighter, able to provide illumination through magic. A group of rebel Monarchists free her from indentured servitude and take her on a journey to rescue trapped compatriots from an underground complex of mines. Along the way they get caught up in a conspiracy to kill the latest royal child and wipe out […]
Ashley’s Top 10 Reads in 2021
Reflecting on my favorite books of the year is one of my favorite December activities. Here are my top 10 reads in 2021.
Review: Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
A delightful read! A breath of fresh air and a gratifying interlude, that I immensely enjoyed!