Santa Womble Goes to Space!
Helloooo! For this final day Santa Womble not just goes to space but to the future which may be a minute away or thousands of years or even an alternate world that could be calling. Yes these are science fiction books you may want to offer someone as a gift (or buy for yourself I think you’ve earned it)
Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto — Runalong The Shelves - this is a hugely enjoyable SF heist tale that fans of Leverage should enjoy. There is a beautifully queer cast treated centre-stage, a compelling villain and characters to root for.
Pilgrim Machines by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne — Runalong The Shelves - This is a brilliant epic piece of science fiction with a cast more of Starship Minds than humans pushing the boundaries of exploring the universe. Its elegant, strange and compelling and a writer well worth discovering
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor — Runalong The Shelves - A facsinating meta tale of an SF author and also the story she creates. Anyone close to publishing may recognise the issues raised here but also readers should appreciate who owns your story as well as your life? Go in knowing little and you’ll be rewarded.
Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky — Runalong The Shelves - Here scientists investigate a fascinating truly alien world that is absolutely not friendly to human life. Intricate xenobiology and a compelling tale of survival awaits the reader
Extremophile by Ian Green — Runalong The Shelves - A near future tale that has a vivid punk approach not just with its main characters but its pace and approach to taking on those in power.
Thirteen Ways to Kill Lulabelle by Maud Woolf Rock — Runalong The Shelves - Speaking of Clarke award nominees this was delightful surprise as a clone is hired to murder all her other selves. Mischievous and yet has heart it really works and way better than the winner that was chosen!
Bee Speaker by Adrian Tchaikovsky — Runalong The Shelves - Tchaikovsky returns to the Dogs of war series and this time we go further into the future of a destroyed earth with welathy billionaires also in the story’s sights plus a compelling non-human starring cast to meet. A very impressive series delivers again!
Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera — Runalong The Shelves - I could easily place this story in fantasy too as there is a powerful sense of magic and wonder but we do meet the future too and this wonderfully thematic set of tales within a tale feels a love letter to the genre but also does its own thing refreshing the genre at the same time. A delight to read and think about afterwards
If The Stars Are Lit by Sara K Ellis — Runalong The Shelves - Who hasnb;t been confined with an AI avatar of an ex from time to time. The idea could easily have been comedy but Ellis pulls this into a dramatic and tense situation with great character work and I really liked this story.
When There Are Wolves Again by EJ Swift — Runalong The Shelves - This story tells us a story of hope, climate change, taking action and explores 2020 to 2070 - its amazing and I love it so so much
All That We See or Seem by Ken Liu — Runalong The Shelves - I have this feeling cyberpunk still evolves and here the idea of cyber and physical space in the same place creates something very fresh. I’m interested in where this series goes next
Project Hanuman by Stewart Hotston — Runalong The Shelves - This was such a refreshing read with a new 21st century approach to the idea of the omnipotent society. Hotston has been an author I’ve long been impressed with and this heralds a new step up in their storytelling.
The Salt Oracle by Lorraine Wilson — Runalong The Shelves - A story that also blurs the genres as we have the future but also digital ghosts but for me this story explores the ethics of science and reminds us of the humanity (or not) of those involved in it. Wilson is one of our best writers in the genre
