New Books Tuesday: April 17

didic (68)in #news • 6 years ago

Many people know that Wednesday is New Comics day. Somewhat less known is the fact that Tuesday, in the US, is New Books day.

Weekly disclaimer: This weekly post highlights some of the books being published on any given week, usually in the science fiction and fantasy genres, both YA and books for adults. I am VERY likely to miss cool new books, so please feel free to tell me about them in the comments. Sometimes these will be books I've read a pre-publishing copy of, but most of the time, they will not. These are books I find notable, but I certainly don't read fast enough in English to be able to read all the cool books that come out every week.

It's another big week of new book releases, with some highly anticipated books coming out. Let's take a look!

Before Mars by Emma Newman

Planetfall and After Atlas, Newman's first two novels set in this same universe, were both on my Hugo ballot for their respective years. So you can bet I expect great things from this third novel. If you've read the first two, you are likely delighted to hear the third is out. If you haven't, I suggest you start with Planetfall, which is both an engaging mystery on a distant planet as well as a fascinating look at mental illness, due to the protagonist/narrator's anxiety and... other issues.

The City of Lost Fortunes by Bryan Camp

Camp's debut novel is a contemporary urban fantasy taking place in post-Katrina New Orleans and it looks super interesting. A street magician is drawn back into the world of his past, where magic of an altogether different sort reigns. Color me curious.

Last Shot: A Han and Lando Novel by Daniel José Older

Older's story in the Star Wars anthology From A Certain Point Of View was an utter delight, and much more of a DJO story than a SW story. I expect he'll bring his unique voice to this one as well. Also, the subject matter is super interesting, as the book takes place before Solo, between Solo and A New Hope, and after Return of the Jedi, where it features the entire Solo family including young Ben.

Head On by John Scalzi

I expect that for many readers a new Scalzi novel, especially a sequel to Lock In, is the biggest release of the week. And it certainly looks intriguing with its seemingly impossible murder mystery.

Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller

While I found Miller's YA debut, The Art of Starving, too dark for my taste, I am very much looking forward to this, his debut for adults. It's a story of resistance in a dark future, and has garnered some serious raves. I have loved Miller's short fiction, and was delighted to be able to moderate a panel with him at ICon a couple of years back.

From Unseen Fire by Cass Morris

This is a historical fantasy which appears to be in the vein of Guy Gavriel Kay, where the names and places are changed ever so slightly to allow greater authorly freedom. It takes place in Aven, an alternate ancient Rome with magic, and has garnered early praise from Kate Elliott, known far and wide to always be right.