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Books Received, September 15 — 21

22 Sep, 2018

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A thrilling, atmospheric debut with the intensive drive of The Martian and Gravity and the creeping dread of Annihilation, in which a caver on a foreign planet finds herself on a terrifying psychological and emotional journey for survival.When Gyre Price lied her way into this expedition, she thought she’d be mapping mineral deposits, and that her biggest problems would be cave collapses and gear malfunctions. She also thought that the fat paycheck — enough to get her off-planet and on the trail of her mother — meant she’d get a skilled surface team, monitoring her suit and environment, keeping her safe. Keeping her sane. Instead, she got Em. Em sees nothing wrong with controlling Gyre’s body with drugs or withholding critical information to ensure the smooth operation” of her expedition. Em knows all about Gyre’s falsified credentials, and has no qualms using them as a leash — and a lash. And Em has secrets, too … As Gyre descends, little inconsistencies — missing supplies, unexpected changes in the route, and, worst of all, shifts in Em’s motivations — drive her out of her depths. Lost and disoriented, her control giving way to paranoia and anger, Gyre severs her connection with Em and the outside world. On her own in this mysterious, deadly place, surrounded by darkness and the unknown, Gyre must overcome more than just the dangerous terrain and the Tunneler which calls underground its home if she wants to make it out alive — she must confront the ghosts in her own head.But how come she can’t shake the feeling she’s being followed?

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Books Received, September 8 — 14

15 Sep, 2018

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S. A. Chakraborty continues the sweeping adventure begun in The City of Brass — the best adult fantasy I’ve read since The Name of the Wind” (#1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir) — conjuring a world where djinn summon flames with the snap of a finger and waters run deep with old magic; where blood can be dangerous as any spell, and a clever con artist from Cairo will alter the fate of a kingdom.Nahri’s life changed forever the moment she accidentally summoned Dara, a formidable, mysterious djinn, during one of her schemes. Whisked from her home in Cairo, she was thrust into the dazzling royal court of Daevabad — and quickly discovered she would need all her grifter instincts to survive there. Now, with Daevabad entrenched in the dark aftermath of the battle that saw Dara slain at Prince Ali’s hand, Nahri must forge a new path for herself, without the protection of the guardian who stole her heart or the counsel of the prince she considered a friend. But even as she embraces her heritage and the power it holds, she knows she’s been trapped in a gilded cage, watched by a king who rules from the throne that once belonged to her family — and one misstep will doom her tribe.Meanwhile, Ali has been exiled for daring to defy his father. Hunted by assassins, adrift on the unforgiving copper sands of his ancestral land, he is forced to rely on the frightening abilities the marid — the unpredictable water spirits — have gifted him. But in doing so, he threatens to unearth a terrible secret his family has long kept buried.And as a new century approaches and the djinn gather within Daevabad’s towering brass walls for celebrations, a threat brews unseen in the desolate north. It’s a force that would bring a storm of fire straight to the city’s gates … and one that seeks the aid of a warrior trapped between worlds, torn between a violent duty he can never escape and a peace he fears he will never deserve.

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August 2018 in Review

31 Aug, 2018

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August

22 books read. 11 by women (50%), 11 by men (50%).

Works by POC: 7 (32%)

Year to Date

173 books read. 93.5 by women (54%), 72.5 by men (42%), 2 by NB (1%). 5 by persons whose gender is unknown (3%).

Works by POC: 59 (34%) And now, the meaningless table. 

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Books Received, August 18 — 24

24 Aug, 2018

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The land is in turmoil. Mages are hunted by men and gods alike. Even their own kind betray each other in the name of safety and protection. 

With their last refuge fallen, two young mages must conspire against a god to show the world that their abilities aren’t a curse; they are the only way to ensure lasting peace. Under the threat of anti-magic fanatics, Wren struggles to find her place as a leader and to keep her people safe as they build a new home. While Danoph searches for answers on a spiritual journey, determined to find out who he really is and where he came from in an effort to calm the coming storm. 

Their world has turned against them, yet only they can save the world. 

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Books Received, August 11 — 17

17 Aug, 2018

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Acheron’s human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, he became the sole defender of mankind. Only it was never that simple. For centuries, Acheron has fought for our survival and hidden a past he’ll do anything to keep concealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence. Now his survival―and ours―hinges on hers, and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both. War has never been more deadly…or more fun.

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Books Received, August 4 to 10

11 Aug, 2018

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Original Science Fiction Stories About Young People of the Future

What will life be like for the young people of the future? What will they inherit from today, and what strange new situations will they face?

Nine popular science fiction writers confront these questions in lively stories created especially for this collection. Their answers are intriguing and remarkably varied. Each author presents a possible world of the future. And each examines the lives of young people who are balancing their own dreams against the peculiar demands of their world. 

Contents:

Come Sing the Moons of Moravenn — Leigh Brackett
Examination Day — Gordon Eklund
The Speeders — Arthur Tofte
Let My People Go! — Joseph Green
Night of the Millennium — Edward D. Hoch
A Bowl of Biskies Makes a Growing Boy — Raymond F. Jones
Final Exam — Thomas N. Scortia
The Others — J. Hunter Holly
Peace Love and Food for the Hungry — Gail Kimberly

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Books Received, July 28 — August 3

4 Aug, 2018

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Jane Hawkins lives on a floating space port where she tries to help her mothers run a failing inn. Every day she watches starships land from far-off places, bound for exotic adventures.

But a new occupant under their roof is about to change everything. His name is Villem Osteonides. More machine than man, he’s crewed aboard ships that sail through the universe faster than light.

And he has a secret that will change Jane’s life forever.

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August Sale!

1 Aug, 2018

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My venerable laptop has been displaying disturbing behavior of the sort that suggests it’s time to replace it. Accordingly, any reviews commissioned between now and August 15, 2018 are half off! Fifty dollars will buy you a book review by yours truly! Multiples of fifty will buy you multiple reviews!

(Because I don’t want my loyal patreon supporters to feel short-changed, any Patreon review credits claimed between now and the 15th are also doubled.). 

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