Book Review: A MEMORY CALLED EMPIRE by Arkady Martine
Yes, Paul Weimer already delivered a ‘squee-tastic’ review of Arkady Martine’s debut novel, A Memory Called Empire, here earlier this week. But this novel is so notably brilliant that it’s worth fueling that hype with even more squee. Martine’s debut includes nearly all of the elements I would potentially look for in a great science fiction novel, balancing each of them to hit so many positive notes that I suspect other readers will find it just as elegantly captivating. Until now, I’ve never gotten to read a new release and think: This deserves to win all of the awards. I cannot fathom anything else coming this year to approach this level of achievement. Compared to Paul, I’m not as broadly read in the genre, and I’m ashamed to say I still haven’t even read Dune! I did, however, grow up adoring the novels of Asimov, and the space opera setting of A Memory Called Empire immediately drew my thoughts to his linked series. Martine takes the philosophical and political-historical intellect underlying the best of Asimov and refreshes the out-of-date social and cultural perspectives of his works. Several others have also drawn comparisons to the more modern Imperial Radch novels by Anne Leckie. While I liked Leckie’s Ancillary Justice, the narrative voice of Martine’s novel and the themes addressed through its plot resonated even stronger with me.
Book Review: A MEMORY CALLED EMPIRE by Arkady Martine
Last year, I read a debut author’s space opera that was hyped by many as the Next Big Thing. Comparisons to Dune were explicitly made. The text showed that the author clearly was writing in conversation with Dune, trying to catch that magic about a big broad space opera by focusing on the life and times of a protagonist destined to have an enormous impact on their universe. But for me, that novel fell down on a number of fronts and was an enormous disappointment. This is not that book. This book steps into those shoes, attempting to capture that Dune magic, and walks miles in them. And for me, it succeeds where that other novel failed. This is A Memory Called Empire by debut novelist Arkady Martine. A Memory Called Empire is a dazzling space opera involving a Byzantine plot that immerses the reader in a fully realized world with a cast of interesting characters.
Reading Rangers #10: Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFReadingRangers10KomarrByLoisMcMasterBujold/SandF–Reading_Rangers_10–Komarr_by_Lois_McMaster_Bujold.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSHello, Rangers! We’re back with everyone’s favorite Space Nancy Drew in Komarr! This time Stina, Paul, and Trish sit around the campfire to talk about women’s agency, budding relationships, whether or not Miles is “dad” material, how good intentions can go horribly, horribly wrong, the politics of isolationism, and more! Stina gets personal and, as is common when discussing Bujold, the team has lots of praise for her ability to write strong characters. Next time in our journey through the Vorkosigan Adventures, we’ll discuss A Civil Campaign! We hope you enjoy the episode!
Book Review: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD GNOMES by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne
Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne return readers to the pleasant and exciting land of Pell, where danger once again threatens the kingdom and a motley crew embarks on an adventure to set things right. No Country for Old Gnomes is a rough-and-tumble romp across Pell and through various obstacles, including a ghost-hostel, a swamp, and a cabbage field. Dawson and Hearne are ready to once again delight readers with the second book from their The Tales of Pell series, picking up just months after the events of Don’t Kill the Farm Boy and introducing a whole new set of adventurers. Following the crowning of King Gustave at the end of Don’t Kill the Farm Boy, the lands of Pell have settled into an uneasy peace and the previous adventuring group have all settled down. But now the gnomelands are under attack by dastardly halflings and an unsavory criminal organization. After one particularly close-to-home halfling bomb (it took the kitchen first, the poor room), one gnome known as Offi Numminen finds himself in a difficult position. Forced away from the only home he’s ever known, this rather out-of-place gnome finds himself the leader of a ragtag band of adventurers as they journey to face their villain and stop a war before the gnomes are driven out altogether.
Speculative Fiction in Translation #13: Spanish Sherlock Holmes
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SFiTEpisode13SpanishSherlockHolmes/SFiT–Episode_13–Spanish_Sherlock_Holmes.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSMarch brings us Indonesian sci-fi about intergalactic love, Portuguese fantasy about a family’s terrible secrets, Italian sci-fi about what it means to be human, a story from the “Lost Files” of Sherlock Holmes, and much more. We also discuss the books we’re looking forward to later in 2019 and what we’d like to see in English in the future. Remember: with new stories and books coming to their attention each week, make sure to check the SFT website for updates. Enjoy, and keep reading! A bientôt!
Cover Reveal: GABRIEL’S ROAD by Laura Anne Gilman
Today at Skiffy and Fanty, we reveal the cover of the latest Devil’s West verse novel from Laura Anne Gilman, Gabriel’s Road. The Devil’s West series is an alternate magical history series involving an early 19th century American West where a being who everyone calls the Devil holds a large chunk of what we think of as the Louisiana Purchase. Neither Spain nor the burgeoning United States particularly appreciate his presence, and there are magical dangers within the Territory itself. That’s where the Left Hand of the Devil comes in. While the Devil generally remains in the town of Flood, he sends his Left Hand out on the Road to see to problems and to justice. Isobel, new to the role, is his latest Hand. Through The Cold Eye (an Endeavour Award winner and a Washington State Book Award finalist), Silver On the Road, and Red Waters Rising, Isobel is mentored by Gabriel Kasun, a man from the East whose destiny is entwined with Isobel’s and the Territory itself.
