City of Last Chances and House of Open Wounds by Adrian Tchaikovsky: These are the first two books in the Tyrant Philosophers trilogy with the third expected in December 2024. The first was good but did take a while to get through, primarily due to not caring for the characters. The second was much better, because the characters were actually likeable. Very well put together as Tchaikovsky’s stories usually are.
Penric and the Bandit by Lois McMaster Bujold: This was great, as are all of the Penric stories.
Goblins & Greatcoats by Travis Baldree: Fun and inconsequential. Travis Baldree is very good at these.
Echo of Worlds by M.R. Carey: I thought the first book in this duology (Infinity Gate) was very good, and was something new in the crowd of SciFi books. This one was good but was treading much more familiar ground. It still had a few unexpected turns and I enjoyed it overall.
Places in the Darkness by Chris Brookmyre: A well written, enjoyable whodunnit on a space station.
The Doctrine of Labyrinths series by Sarah Monette: This is a four book series (Mélusine, The Virtu, The Mirador, and Corambis) published from 2005 to 2009, much before she wrote The Goblin Emperor as Katherine Addison. The first book was a bit rough, with the second getting more into the flow of the world. The third and the fourth are very good, and have the same bones as The Goblin Emperor and the later stories in that universe. There are some graphic parts that I could have done without though. Strongly recommended if you enjoy Katherine Addison’s books.
On the Fox Roads by Nghi Vo: The author is very good at this style of story. Short and enjoyable.
Ivy, Angelica, Bay by C.L. Polk: A “novelette” nominated for a Hugo award. This works as a short story, good but inconsequential.
📚