Off Beat: Nine Spins on Song Wicked Ink Books, 256 pages Review by Benjamin Thomas Off Beat: Nine Spins on Song is a collection of nine lengthy stories that follow inspiration derived from songs that meant something to each writer. Starting with Basil & Jade by A.G. Henley and wrapping up with Thanksgiving in the
Walkaway Cory Doctorow Head of Zeus, 504 pages Review by Joanna McLaughlin What would happen if instead of trying to improve a corrupt society – or even just survive it – we chose to turn our backs on it altogether? This is the premise of Cory Doctorow’s new novel, Walkaway, in which the main characters
Carapace Davyne DeSye Illuminus, 338 pages Review by Steve Ironside Some books you regret picking up, some are just a joy to read, and some feel like a bit of a slog, but at the last page you can put it down and say, “that was worth it”. Carapace initially felt like it belonged in
The Delirium Brief Charles Stross Orbit, 435 pages Review by Duncan Lunan The press release for this novel begins “James Bond meets H.P. Lovecraft in the latest occult thriller from Hugo Award winner Charles Stross, in a series where British spies take on the supernatural”. The Bond reference is apt because it’s sometimes alleged that
Under the Pendulum Sun Jeannette Ng Angry Robot, 416 pages Review by Marija Smits The central premise of Under the Pendulum Sun is a strong one: to what lengths will a missionary go to bring faith to the faithless? But here’s where the premise gets really interesting – the faithless are the inhabitants of Arcadia,
Sirens Simon Messingham Derelict Space Sheep, 338 pages Review by Katie Gray I was tentatively excited for Sirens. Being a die-hard Doctor Who fan I was familiar with Simon Messingham’s work – he’s the author of no less than seven expanded universe novels across four different books ranges. Naturally I was interested to read his
Shattered Minds Laura Lam Tor, 400 pages Review by Eris Young In a future North American West Coast ruled behind the scenes by a sinister corporation called Sudice, neurological experiments are conducted on criminals and drug addicts: people the company think no one will miss. One of these addicts is Carina, a neuroprogrammer and former
The Rift Nina Allan Titan Books, 400 pages Review by Neil Williamson The very simple truth at the heart of Nina Allan’s brilliant new novel is that between any two people there exists a chasm. No matter how close someone is to you – friends, lovers, family – no matter how completely you trust them,
Ancestral Machines, A Humanity’s Fire Novel Michael Cobley Orbit, 504 pages Review by Duncan Lunan I enjoyed the Humanity’s Fire trilogy which preceded this novel, but I was concerned that the opening of the Well into vast sub-layers of alternative realities and ancient technologies would submerge the emphasis on human values which had characterised the
The Last Days of New Paris China Mieville Del Rey, 224 pages Review by Eris Young Set against a backdrop of crumbling streets and burned-out buildings, The Last Days of New Paris follows the parallel stories of Thibault, the last surviving member of a rebel army of artists, and Jack, arrogant acolyte of occultist Aleister