SCI-FI & FANTASY

September 7, 2023

SCI-FI & FANTASY

A gorgeously detailed story of invasion, negotiation and diplomacy

THE BLUE, BEAUTIFUL WORLD

by Karen Lord (Gollancz £20, 256pp)

A gorgeously detailed story of invasion, negotiation and diplomacy. The background is bleakly familiar: rising sea and temperatures are changing the face of the planet while galloping tech developments infiltrate every aspect of life.

The game-changer is the presence of off-planet visitors, who, contrary to an intergalactic treaty, are jostling for influence.

The tone is mesmerically cool and elliptical, but the story grips as a cast including a freakishly empathic pop megastar, a tech wizard and a global council of gilded youths, try to plot the planet’s new future.

Galactically speaking, Earth might be a hopeless laggard, but what secrets linger in the blue depths of the ocean?

Of course, there’s no honour among the thieves who want his stash, so who can mild-mannered Charlie trust?

STARTER VILLAIN

by John Scalzi (Tor £18.99, 272pp)

What does it take to be a villain? An underground lair? Check. Satellite-busting super weapon? Exuberant wickedness? Nazi loot? Minions? Check, check, check.

When Charlie Fitzer, failed journalist and hopeful bar owner, gets tangled up with his late uncle’s legacy, he finds his relative’s business extended beyond carpark management into the farthest reaches of criminality.

As a result, his life is threatened, and he’s whisked away to a remote island where he’s guarded by rude dolphins. And his cat, Hera, is revealed as a trained undercover operative.

Of course, there’s no honour among the thieves who want his stash, so who can mild-mannered Charlie trust? Prepare to be delighted and surprised.

At last we have a sequel to The Book Of Lost Things

THE LAND OF LOST THINGS

by John Connolly (Hodder & Stoughton £18.99 416pp)

At last we have a sequel to The Book Of Lost Things, Connolly’s standout lyrical fantasy from 17 years ago.

Tragedy strikes Ceres, a single mother, when a car crash puts her daughter into a coma.

The sense of searing grief and aching loss is carried into Ceres’ quest for answers, as she finds a gateway into a blighted land of fairy-tale characters and mythical creatures: some good, other lethally bad.

Ceres finds no magic potions nor easy answers.

Instead, we venture with her on a unique and compelling journey to find some kind of resolution.

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