May 16, 2017
Every Heart a Doorway (2016) Written by: Seanan McGuire Genre: Dark Fantasy Pages: 174 (Kindle) Publisher: Tor.com Why I chose it: I first heard of Seanan McGuire back in 2009 when I picked up Feed by Mira Grant at the bookstore. Feed is a novel about an internet blogging team covering a presidential campaign about 25 years or so after…
May 10, 2017
After having such a difficult time getting through the first volume of Stephen King’s epic Dark Tower series, I had some trepidation towards volume two, The Drawing of the Three. I am pleased to report that this volume of the series goes down much easier than volume one. The Dark Tower II: The Drawing of the Three (1987) Written by:…
May 3, 2017
Runtime (2016) Written by: S.B. Divya Genre: Science Fiction Pages: 120 (Kindle edition) Publisher: Tor.com Why I Chose It: Literally, we’re reviewing the Nebulas and no one had claimed it yet. That’s it, that’s the reason. The premise: The Minerva Sierra Challenge is a grueling spectacle, the cyborg’s Tour de France. Rich thrill-seekers with corporate sponsorships, extensive support teams, and…
May 2, 2017
Savvy readers will recall that one of my favorite things from last year was Ruthanna Emrys’ “The Litany of Earth” (which you can read for free at the link). I found out about Emrys’ fiction when a favorite writer of mine was singing the praises of her then forthcoming novel, Winter Tide. Shortly after that glowing review, I found and…
April 26, 2017
Holding Smoke (2016) Written by: Elle Cosimano Genre: Paranormal Thriller Pages: 322 (Hardcover) Publisher: Hyperion Why I Chose It: As much as I try to keep up on new Horror, a lot slides by me, including this Stoker-nominated YA novel. It caught my eye for its premise — a paranormal thriller set inside a prison facility. Now THAT’s a unique setting and…
April 20, 2017
The Obelisk Gate (2016) Written by: N.K. Jemisin Genre: Fantasy Pages: 448 (Trade Paperback) Series: Book 2 of The Broken Earth Publisher: Orbit Why I Chose It: The Fifth Season was a book I admired and respected, but didn’t really love. I got off on the wrong foot, anticipating Syenite, Damaya, and Essun’s meeting — there are too few fantasy…
April 18, 2017
Disappearance at Devil’s Rock (2016) Written by: Paul Tremblay Genre: Horror Pages: 327 (Hardback) Publisher: William Morrow Why I Chose It: People have been recommending Paul Tremblay to me ever since his book, A Head Full of Ghosts, came out in 2015. The editor of Speculative Chic, Shara White, who is one of my go-to people for reading recommendations, told…
April 4, 2017
Who hasn’t daydreamed about running away from reality? What if you were given the chance to visit a newly discovered alien planet? Susan diRende’s Unpronounceable offers just such a taste of this delicious daydream. Unpronounceable (2016) Written by: Susan diRende Genre: Science Fiction Pages: 116 (Kindle) Publisher: Aqueduct Press Why I Chose It: When we here at Spec Chic decided…
March 31, 2017
Hwarhath Stories: Transgressive Tales by Aliens (2016) Written by: Eleanor Arnason Pages: 392 (Kindle) Publisher: Aqueduct Press Why I Chose It: I actually haven’t heard of this author or her stories before seeing that this book was nominated for the Philip K. Dick award. The title intrigued me and it’s been a while since I’ve read an anthology, so I…
March 24, 2017
The Mercy Journals (2016) Written by: Claudia Casper Genre: Post-apocalyptic fiction Pages: 231 (Paperback) Publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press Why I Chose It: I had not heard of The Mercy Journals until Speculative Chic asked the contributors if we were willing to review the books nominated for the 2017 Philip K. Dick Award. I was so interested in the premise of…