ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Over a writing career that spanned three decades, Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned toward deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film; notably: Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2007 the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.
First published January 1, 1965 Length: 231 pages Formats: audiobook, ebook, hardback, paperback
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Read a review for Book One: FULL SPEED TO A CRASH LANDING
OFFICIAL AUTHOR BIO: Beth Revis grew up in the Appalachian Mountains with a cemetery in her backyard, which is probably why she prefers her stories to be dark and full of twists. She’s the New York Times bestselling author of the Across the Universe trilogy, which has been translated into more than 20 languages. Beth lives in a house full of boys—her husband, son, and two massive dogs—and she forces them all to watch reruns of Firefly and Doctor Who. Visit her at bethrevis.com.
FORMAT/INFO: How to Steal a Galaxy was published by DAW on December 3rd, 2024. It is 192 pages long and told in first person from Ada's point of view. It is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: When agent Rian White spots con artist Ada Lamarr's name on the guest list for one of the most exclusive charity galas of the year, he knows she's up to something. He's not wrong: Ada IS there to steal something. The fact that Rian will spend the entire evening watching her just adds a fun extra challenge to the mix. Especially because Ada isn't just there to do a job for her employer; she's also ready to tip the first domino in a long con she's been setting up for months.
How to Steal a Galaxy is another winsome adventure for Ada Lamarr, who continues to steal my heart with her chaotic cons. This time she's at a charity gala for reasons unknown, and it's up to both the reader and Rian to figure out what she's up to. This mystery aspect is one of the big highlights of the series for me. Even though the story is written first person, we aren't privy to what EXACTLY Ada is after. We can see the moves she makes and occasionally get a cryptic remark, but it's up to us to figure out how the pieces come together (at least until Ada reveals all in the final chapter).
The other big highlight is of course Ada herself. She continues to be an intentionally chaotic force. As she mentions to a character, one of the important aspects of stealing something is misdirection. Her aim is to be constantly moving, both in physical space and in conversations, so that her "real" moves are masked. I love these kinds of characters, ones who wield anarchy as a weapon, especially when you strip away the chaos and see the real game hidden beneath.
The one drawback to flag for readers is that this series is very much one big story told in three parts. While each novella is a separate adventure, Ada is playing the long game. My issue with the first book, Full Speed to a Crash Landing was in how abruptly it ended; In How to Steal a Galaxy, my issue is that this is very much set up for the big finale of the third and final novella, Last Chance to Save the World. This is very much a series I would recommend reading fairly close together, as I think the pacing will be much more satisfying when the novellas are read as one full arc.
CONCLUSION: But really, my issues are probably only issues for a reader such as myself, who is reading these books a few months apart and has to (im)patiently wait for the third and final book to release in spring 2025. Once the last book is out in the world, I highly recommend picking up the Chaotic Orbits novellas as a set and reading them in one glorious weekend. You're sure to have an absolute blast.
FORMAT/INFO: How to Steal a Galaxy was published by DAW on December 3rd, 2024. It is 192 pages long and told in first person from Ada's point of view. It is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: When agent Rian White spots con artist Ada Lamarr's name on the guest list for one of the most exclusive charity galas of the year, he knows she's up to something. He's not wrong: Ada IS there to steal something. The fact that Rian will spend the entire evening watching her just adds a fun extra challenge to the mix. Especially because Ada isn't just there to do a job for her employer; she's also ready to tip the first domino in a long con she's been setting up for months.
How to Steal a Galaxy is another winsome adventure for Ada Lamarr, who continues to steal my heart with her chaotic cons. This time she's at a charity gala for reasons unknown, and it's up to both the reader and Rian to figure out what she's up to. This mystery aspect is one of the big highlights of the series for me. Even though the story is written first person, we aren't privy to what EXACTLY Ada is after. We can see the moves she makes and occasionally get a cryptic remark, but it's up to us to figure out how the pieces come together (at least until Ada reveals all in the final chapter).
The other big highlight is of course Ada herself. She continues to be an intentionally chaotic force. As she mentions to a character, one of the important aspects of stealing something is misdirection. Her aim is to be constantly moving, both in physical space and in conversations, so that her "real" moves are masked. I love these kinds of characters, ones who wield anarchy as a weapon, especially when you strip away the chaos and see the real game hidden beneath.
The one drawback to flag for readers is that this series is very much one big story told in three parts. While each novella is a separate adventure, Ada is playing the long game. My issue with the first book, Full Speed to a Crash Landing was in how abruptly it ended; In How to Steal a Galaxy, my issue is that this is very much set up for the big finale of the third and final novella, Last Chance to Save the World. This is very much a series I would recommend reading fairly close together, as I think the pacing will be much more satisfying when the novellas are read as one full arc.
CONCLUSION: But really, my issues are probably only issues for a reader such as myself, who is reading these books a few months apart and has to (im)patiently wait for the third and final book to release in spring 2025. Once the last book is out in the world, I highly recommend picking up the Chaotic Orbits novellas as a set and reading them in one glorious weekend. You're sure to have an absolute blast.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nebula Award, SCKA Award finalist. Member of SFWA. Left one erstwhile empire only to settle in another. Speaks German by day, Russian by night. Writes in English.
Publisher: CAEZIK SF & Fantasy (November 12, 2024) Length: 300 pages Formats: ebook, paperback
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robin Sloan grew up in Michigan and now splits his time between San Francisco Bay Are and the San Joaquin Valley of California. He is the author of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and Sourdough.
Publisher: MCD (June 11, 2024) Length: 432 pages Formats: audiobook, ebook, hardcover, paperback
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: K.R. Gangi is an independent author from Minnesota who transcribes his daydreams into stories of fantasy. The Light of the New World series is his first step on his writing journey, along with a few short stories and an endless list of projects he hopes to one day complete. There is nothing that brings him more joy than his wife, Melissa, and the books neatly shelved in what's referred to as "The Reading Room." He firmly believes that there is nothing more powerful than a good story.
Find K.R. online: website
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: K.R. Gangi is an independent author from Minnesota who transcribes his daydreams into stories of fantasy. The Light of the New World series is his first step on his writing journey, along with a few short stories and an endless list of projects he hopes to one day complete. There is nothing that brings him more joy than his wife, Melissa, and the books neatly shelved in what's referred to as "The Reading Room." He firmly believes that there is nothing more powerful than a good story.
Find K.R. online: website
OFFICIAL AUTHOR BIO: Stephanie Burgis is a dual citizen of the US and the UK and lives in South Wales (land of dragons) with her husband, the author Patrick Samphire, and their children. The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart is Stephanie's first (delicious) novel for Bloombsury.
FORMAT/INFO: Wooing the Witch Queen will be published by Bramble Romance on February 18th, 2024. It is 304 pages long and told in third person from Saskia and Felix's POV. It will be available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback formats.
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: When Archduke Felix needs a place to hide from his murderous relatives, he figures there's no place safer than the court of the wicked sorceress Queen Saskia. She's no friend to the empire, has a magical wall around her country to keep out anyone trying to invade, and needs someone to organize her magical library. She also, unfortunately, has murderous feelings about the Archduke, owing to the actions of his regent who's been using Felix as a puppet ruler. So when Queen Saskia mistakes Felix for a dark wizard, he doesn't correct her. But the more time Felix and the Queen spend with each other, the more they begin to fall for each other, until Felix realizes that if his identity is revealed, he's risking not only his life, but his heart as well.
Wooing the Witch Queen is a cozy fantasy romance mixed with a healthy dollop of "fight the patriarchy" energy. Queen Saskia brings a take-no-prisoners attitude to the table, willing and able to incinerate condescending wizards and pretenders to the throne. Of course, much of the "wickedness" ascribed to her comes from her insistence on treating non-humans as equal to humans and her refusal to let any man dictate terms to her (though I suppose her fondness for a crown of bones doesn't help).
On the other side of the pairing is Felix, a cinnamon role of a man fleeing an abusive life. He loves books and fountain pens and the extraordinarily powerful woman that is Queen Saskia. While he's a bit of a tempering influence on Saskia's more murderous inclinations, he also fully supports Saskia in her bold, brash ways.
There's a lot to adore about how this couple comes together. There's the obvious flirtations in the library, bonding over a love of books while hands briefly touch. There's the growing respect for each other as they each see the love and protection the other offers to those around them. And perhaps my favorite part of all, Felix's embracing of a Saskia in all her passionate glory.
And for those wondering about how spicy this one gets, I'd classify it as akin to PG-13. Things are more implied than explicit, everything essentially happening juuuust off page.
The one downside to this novel is that it relies fairly heavily on Queen Saskia overlooking some glaringly obvious clues as to Felix's real identity. There are a couple of moments where the leaps of logic she makes are somewhat baffling. It's the kind of contortions that are somewhat common in romance novels to keep the tension going, but some of the explanations offered were a real stretch.
CONCLUSION: Wooing the Witch Queen is the cozy power fantasy romance I didn't know I needed. It's that classic tale of finding a person who accepts you for who you are. More importantly, it's about a powerful woman finding a man who isn't threatened by her power but instead is wildly attracted to it. I had a delightful time with this tale, and I will definitely be back for the next installment of the Queens of Villainy romance series.
FORMAT/INFO: Wooing the Witch Queen will be published by Bramble Romance on February 18th, 2024. It is 304 pages long and told in third person from Saskia and Felix's POV. It will be available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback formats.
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: When Archduke Felix needs a place to hide from his murderous relatives, he figures there's no place safer than the court of the wicked sorceress Queen Saskia. She's no friend to the empire, has a magical wall around her country to keep out anyone trying to invade, and needs someone to organize her magical library. She also, unfortunately, has murderous feelings about the Archduke, owing to the actions of his regent who's been using Felix as a puppet ruler. So when Queen Saskia mistakes Felix for a dark wizard, he doesn't correct her. But the more time Felix and the Queen spend with each other, the more they begin to fall for each other, until Felix realizes that if his identity is revealed, he's risking not only his life, but his heart as well.
Wooing the Witch Queen is a cozy fantasy romance mixed with a healthy dollop of "fight the patriarchy" energy. Queen Saskia brings a take-no-prisoners attitude to the table, willing and able to incinerate condescending wizards and pretenders to the throne. Of course, much of the "wickedness" ascribed to her comes from her insistence on treating non-humans as equal to humans and her refusal to let any man dictate terms to her (though I suppose her fondness for a crown of bones doesn't help).
On the other side of the pairing is Felix, a cinnamon role of a man fleeing an abusive life. He loves books and fountain pens and the extraordinarily powerful woman that is Queen Saskia. While he's a bit of a tempering influence on Saskia's more murderous inclinations, he also fully supports Saskia in her bold, brash ways.
There's a lot to adore about how this couple comes together. There's the obvious flirtations in the library, bonding over a love of books while hands briefly touch. There's the growing respect for each other as they each see the love and protection the other offers to those around them. And perhaps my favorite part of all, Felix's embracing of a Saskia in all her passionate glory.
And for those wondering about how spicy this one gets, I'd classify it as akin to PG-13. Things are more implied than explicit, everything essentially happening juuuust off page.
The one downside to this novel is that it relies fairly heavily on Queen Saskia overlooking some glaringly obvious clues as to Felix's real identity. There are a couple of moments where the leaps of logic she makes are somewhat baffling. It's the kind of contortions that are somewhat common in romance novels to keep the tension going, but some of the explanations offered were a real stretch.
CONCLUSION: Wooing the Witch Queen is the cozy power fantasy romance I didn't know I needed. It's that classic tale of finding a person who accepts you for who you are. More importantly, it's about a powerful woman finding a man who isn't threatened by her power but instead is wildly attracted to it. I had a delightful time with this tale, and I will definitely be back for the next installment of the Queens of Villainy romance series.
Book Review: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
Official Author Website
Buy The Husbands here
Buy The Husbands here
OFFICIAL BOOK BLURB: You wait ages for The One . . . then 203 come along at once
One night Lauren finds a strange man in her flat who claims to be her husband. All the evidence – from photos to electricity bills – suggests he’s right. Lauren’s attic, she slowly realises, is creating an endless supply of husbands for her. There’s the one who pretends to play music on her toes. The one who’s too hot (there must be a catch). The one who makes a great breakfast sandwich. The one who turns everything into double entendres (‘I’ll weed your garden’). And the one who can calm her unruly thoughts with a single touch.
But when you can change husbands as easily as changing a lightbulb, how do you know whether the one you have now is the good-enough one, or the wrong one, or the best one? And how long should you keep trying to find out?
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: The Husbands by Holly Gramazio was a solid read. It’s not just solid, it’s an exceptional one.
Our protagonist Lauren comes home from a girls night out and is greeted by a stranger who claims he is her husband. Her house is not exactly as she remembers it, and this person has apparently been around for a while, and the people around her are very familiar with their history. She discovers her attic is functioning/malfunctioning and gives her a steady supply of husbands – every time the present one walks into it, a new one comes out.
The way she deals with this situation is downright hilarious, but also opens up a lot of questions. As Lauren tries to work through how the attic might be doing this, and goes through her seemingly unlimited husband buffet, the author spectacularly examines the paradox of choice where the abundance of husbands makes her more picky, choosy, and irritable. A lot of the fun was in her increasing desperation to get reluctant ones to climb up into the attic, and I have them bookmarked to read again and again. The fun part aside, there’s also a heavier side to the story which examines the loneliness she faces being the only one who is in on this truth, and the lengths she would go to to kind of convince herself that she should keep one or another husband. This slowly takes her on a journey of self-discovery that makes the story relatable in more ways than one.
CONCLUSION: In short, this book is right up there with the freshest, funniest, and most thought-provoking books I’ve read. I don’t recall another book making me crack up like this one did, and at the same time had me marvelling at how clever it was. Highly recommended.
Our protagonist Lauren comes home from a girls night out and is greeted by a stranger who claims he is her husband. Her house is not exactly as she remembers it, and this person has apparently been around for a while, and the people around her are very familiar with their history. She discovers her attic is functioning/malfunctioning and gives her a steady supply of husbands – every time the present one walks into it, a new one comes out.
Official Book Blurb: The eternal light keeping demons at bay has been extinguished and Eidyn’s last bastion is under brutal siege. Aranok and his allies draw the final battle lines as the war for the kingdom nears its end. With death threatening from every shadow and truth itself at stake, Eidyn’s defenders must put aside their grudges and come together. But is it possible to save everyone when some prefer the lie?
The art is by Jeremy Wilson and cover design is by Lauren Panepinto.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ADRIAN M. GIBSON is a Canadian speculative fiction author, podcaster and illustrator (as well as occasional tattoo artist). He was born in Ontario, Canada, but grew up in British Columbia. He studied English Literature and has worked in music journalism, restaurants, tattoo studios, clothing stores and a bevy of odd jobs.
In 2021, he created the SFF Addicts podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow author M. J. Kuhn. The two host in-depth interviews with an array of science fiction and fantasy authors, as well as writing masterclasses. (But don’t worry, it’s not overly serious—there are also plenty of shenanigans to be had.)
Adrian has a not-so-casual obsession with mushrooms, relishes in the vastness of nature and is a self-proclaimed “child of the mountains.” He enjoys cooking, music, video games, politics and science, as well as reading fiction and comic books. He lives in Quito, Ecuador with his wife and sons.
Find Adrian online: website
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