Staff Picks: Science Fiction Highlights

Fri, 08/30/2024 - 2:44pm by lucroe

Enjoy some new and slightly older titles in the science fiction genre at AADL. Here are some award winners and stand out novels worth checking out. Like your sci-fi space operas? We’ve got you covered, as well as some action, suspense, and thoughtfully inspired writing about what the future may present.

These Burning Stars by Bethany Jacobs | Request Now
Jacob’s debut novel and Philip K. Dick Award winner is a tightly woven space opera, the first in a series (2nd volume coming out this Fall). This is set thousands of years after generational ships have left Earth to find habitable planets to settle. They find the start system called Treble and set up a kingdom ruled through three levels of service, the Clerics (religion), the Secretaries (law), and the Cloaksaan (enforcement). The story follows three women, Esek Nightfoot who is a cleric but more Cloaksaan than priest; Jun Ironway a hacker whose family Esek had killed to coverup the Nighfoot involvement in past atrocities; and Six, a former Novitiate of Esek’s who is out to expose her dirty deeds. Esek and fellow cleric, Chono are sent on a mission to recover a memory coin that holds the Nightfoot family secrets. This leads to chase sequences across galaxies, questionable loyalties, and stunning worldbuilding. For fans of Becky Chambers, Ann Leckie, and Elizabeth Bear.

Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey | Request Now
How do you follow up one of the best Scifi series (books and streaming show included), create another impressive series. This one involves a planetary invasion by the Carryx, a terrifying alien race bent on enslaving humanity. But will humanity overcome these overlords? We follow a team of scientists as they fight for survival for themselves and freedom for all. What makes this book so unique is the reader gets a point of view from the invaders. As an insectoid race, we get their worldview, mindset, and culture which creates more believable characters. They even have a Carryx librarian who aides the humans in scientific discovery. We also find out that they have enemies too who are living amongst the humans, watching the Carryx from the inside. Lots of character development and intrigue await the reader.

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh | Request Now
Winner of the 2024 Hugo Award, Tesh tells the story of Earth’s destruction after an intergalactic war and how the survivors settle elsewhere except for a group of idealistic warriors on Gaea Station. There, Kyr, a young female warrior and her cohorts await orders until her brother Mags disappears. She then sets on a personal mission through multiple timelines and realities. Could she have been on the wrong side all along? The battle against patriarchal and institutional oppression, one that sees Kyr repeatedly overturning her world and worldview makes for impressive character growth in this action packed scifi story.

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson | Request Now
In this post-apocalyptic version of our world, the multiverse theory has been cracked by the Eldridge Institute. People can peek into alternate realities that have branched off in similar ways—over 400 of them, to be exact. While objects can be moved between these worlds, humans can only make the journey if they’re not alive in the destination world. That’s where Cara comes in. Since she’s dead in 372 worlds, she is a valuable traverser for the company. Originally from a settlement called Ashetown, a dangerous, violent place, Cara’s life in Wiley City is contingent upon her employment with the Institute. Traversing between worlds takes its toll, on her identity, her relationships with alternate versions of friends and enemies, and the myriad possibilities played out within these worlds. All of these lives become entangled when a version of herself is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Cara will have to make some difficult decisions for herself and her loved ones across the multiverse.