Books Received, January 29 — February 4, 2022
5 Feb, 2022
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A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is a story of kindness and love from one of the foremost practitioners of hopeful SF.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 new friends, learning new concepts, and experiencing the entropic nature of the universe.Becky Chambers’s new series continues to ask: in a world where people have what they want, does having more even matter?
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the teahouse.… Miss Charlotte Pettifer belongs to a secret league of women skilled in the subtle arts. That is to say – although it must never be said – witchcraft. The League of Gentlewomen Witches strives to improve the world in small ways. Using magic, they tidy, correct, and manipulate according to their notions of what is proper, entirely unlike those reprobates in the Wisteria Society. When the long lost amulet of Black Beryl is discovered, it is up to Charlotte, as the future leader of the League, to make sure the powerful talisman does not fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, it is most unfortunate when she crosses paths with Alex O’Riley, a pirate who is no Mr. Darcy. With all the world scrambling after the amulet, Alex and Charlotte join forces to steal it together. If only they could keep their pickpocketing hands to themselves! If Alex’s not careful, he might just steal something else – such as Charlotte’s heart.
Seasonal Fears by Seanan McGuire
From New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire, Seasonal Fears is the extraordinary companion novel to Middlegame.The king of winter and the queen of summer are dead. The fight for their crowns begins!Melanie has a destiny, though it isn’t the one everyone assumes it to be. She’s delicate; she’s fragile; she’s dying. Now, truly, is the winter of her soul.Harry doesn’t want to believe in destiny, because that means accepting the loss of the one person who gives his life meaning, who brings summer to his world.So, when a new road is laid out in front of them — a road that will lead through untold dangers toward a possible lifetime together — walking down it seems to be the only option.But others are following behind, with violence in their hearts.It looks like Destiny has a plan for them, after all.…
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows
Stolen me? As soon to say a caged bird can be stolen by the sky.”Velasin vin Aaro never planned to marry at all, let alone a girl from neighboring Tithena. When an ugly confrontation reveals his preference for men, Vel fears he’s ruined the diplomatic union before it can even begin. But while his family is ready to disown him, the Tithenai envoy has a different solution: for Vel to marry his former intended’s brother instead.Caethari Aeduria always knew he might end up in a political marriage, but his sudden betrothal to a man from Ralia, where such relationships are forbidden, comes as a shock. With an unknown faction willing to kill to end their new alliance, Vel and Cae have no choice but to trust each other. Survival is one thing, but love — as both will learn — is quite another. Byzantine politics, lush sexual energy, and a queer love story that is by turns sweet and sultry. Foz Meadows’ A Strange and Stubborn Endurance is an exploration of gender, identity, and self-worth. It is a book that will live in your heart long after you turn the last page.
The Void Ascendant by Premee Mohamed
The mindblowing, cosmic conclusion to the breakout Beneath the Rising trilogy.SURVIVAL HAS CONSEQUENCESSeven years ago, the last survivor of Earth crashed through uncountable dimensions to a strange new world. Nick Prasad found shelter, and a living, as a prophet for the ruling family — servants of the Ancient Ones who destroyed his home.Now, he’s been offered a chance to rid the multiverse of the Ancient Ones, past and present and forever, although he’ll have to betray his new masters to do it.The first step is jailbreaking a god — and that’s the easy part…