Honorable Mention: Untethered Sky
by Fonda Lee
Fonda Lee’s words bring life to the majesty and power of the rocs, legendary birds of prey who keep the countryside clear of the monstrous manticores…poignant and affecting. She made me care deeply for these beautiful winged beasts and the bond they share with their keepers.
FULL REVIEW
5. The Blighted Stars
The Devoured Worlds #1
by Megan E. O’Keefe
O’Keefe dives into the unintended consequences of technological progress and humanity’s insatiable push to over-consume our planetary resources as we move throughout the cosmos. The character development is well-done and the swift pacing kept me on the edge of my seat throughout…an exciting start to a promising new series.
FULL REVIEW
4. After World: A Novel
by Debbie Urbanski
Its telling is bleak, grim, and unforgiving – and yet, it makes for incredibly compelling reading. Author Debbie Urbanski has considered every element of the future down to the most granular detail. Those looking for a fun, post-apocalyptic romp will be letdown, as this story self-consciously subverts the post-apocalyptic trappings that fans of the genre are familiar with and focuses on the cold realities that such an end of days scenario would create…With the proliferation of artificial intelligence and the way it is reshaping our (warming) world – this book is a perfect complement to our modern technological time.
FULL REVIEW
3. The Legend of Charlie Fish
by Josh Rountree
Rountree effectively crafts deep characterizations for each of his cast members and makes you care for their plight, especially during the breathless final act as a colossal hurricane bears down on their Galveston locale…I was thoroughly taken with this story, Rountree’s writing, and the unique island setting. Definitely add this to your TBRs.
FULL REVIEW
2. The Saint of Bright Doors
by Vayra Chandrasekera
I’ve never read anything like The Saint of Bright Doors – wildly inventive, totally mesmerizing, and it upended my expectations at every turn. It reads like an established author’s career-defining masterpiece, rather than a debut novel…I was so impressed with Chandrasekera’s ability to craft a complex, political, and also surreal story in such an intelligible way. I was spellbound the entire time I spent with this book and I can’t wait to read it again, just to recapture some of the awe I felt the first time around.
FULL REVIEW
1. Same Bed Different Dreams
by Ed Park
Ed Park spins historical fact into brilliant literary fiction with Same Bed Different Dreams. His gripping prose and flair for unconventional storytelling makes even the most opaque sections completely engrossing. This book will coast onto yearly Best-of lists (including my own) and it should be in contention for major literary awards. I was simply blown away.
…if you’re an enjoyer of secret societies, doomsday cults, alternate histories, coded messages, spies, double agents, artificial intelligence, and the history of Korea – give this book a go. If you bristle at the thought of an unconventional narrative structure without much hand-holding, perhaps skip it. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was certainly mine.
FULL REVIEW
The Speculative Shelf 