Staff reviews: Science fiction, fantasy and horrorLike this list

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• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

  Mandanna, Sangu

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  This one is for the cozy romance lovers! Mika Moon is one of the few witches in Britain but must hide her magic to protect herself and her fellow witches. When she receives a mysterious message begging her to come to the Nowhere House to teach three…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Some Desperate Glory

  Tesh, Emily

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  Science fiction. This novel concerns relationships between humans and aliens after Earth has been destroyed. As in "The Sparrow" (Russell) or Xenogenesis series (Butler), it explores ethical questions about power, interdependence, and difference. -…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Calculating Stars

  Kowal, Mary Robinette, 1969-

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  Science fiction. I have also been working my way through The Calculating Stars and The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal, first two books of the Lady Astronaut series. Enjoying the series immensely, and Mary Robinette has a skill for making the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Toward Eternity

  a Novel

  Hur, Anton

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  Science fiction. Anton Hur's debut novel Toward Eternity was absolutely gorgeous: hard sci-fi wrapped around a beautiful meditation on language, poetry, music, and what it means to be human. (as a sidebar, I also love the catalog's reviews of this…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Greenteeth

  O'Neill, Molly (Fantasy fiction author)

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  This book came into my hands from someone who compared it to the wonderful fantasies of T. Kingfisher and I was instantly enamored with it, especially with the titular Jenny Greenteeth, a lake monster who decides to join a witch on her mission to…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Bury Your Gays

  Tingle, Chuck

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  Horror. Chuck Tingle is such an amazing writer and tells a fantastic story about the entertainment industry and the harmful tropes they weaponize against people again and again. This is a thrill ride from start to finish! - Mallory

• Starter Villain

  Scalzi, John, 1969-

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  Science fiction. I enjoyed the heck out of the audiobook for 2023's Starter Villain by John Scalzi, as performed by Wil Wheaton. Unfortunately, the audiobook is an Audible-exclusive and not available through Libby, but the book itself is quite a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Winter's Orbit

  Maxwell, Everina

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  Science fiction. A cozy, drama filled sci-fi romance that I didn't expect to love as much as I did. - Mallory

• The Empress of Salt and Fortune

  Vo, Nghi

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  This is one of my favorite series, especially on audio. Each of these novellas follows Chih, a traveling cleric, and their bird, Almost Brilliant, as they travel the lands searching for stories to record but end up enmeshed in adventures of their…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping

  Mandanna, Sangu

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  For fans of Harry Potter that have grown up but still want some magical fiction in their lives. The trials and tribulations of having magical power, misusing it to save someone you love and losing your magic and what comes next. - Ian S., Washburn…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

  Jones, Stephen Graham, 1972-

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  Stephen Graham Jones has shown his deft hand for horror before with Night of the Mannequins and The Only Good Indians and is incredible form with his latest novel, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, where a Lutheran pastor is confronted by someone seeking a…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Automatic Noodle

  Newitz, Annalee, 1969-

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  Are you seeking something to interrupt your doom scrolling? Then Automatic Noodle might be the post-apocalyptic, revolutionary, robot empowerment story you've been looking for. Contending with trauma from the civil war between the Pacific States and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dungeon Crawler Carl

  Dinniman, Matt

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  An intergalactic corporation forecloses on Earth for its resources and submerges buildings, vehicles and anything within them deep beneath the surface. Then they invite any survivors to enter the game system they built from these "supplies," and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Psalm for the Wild-built

  Chambers, Becky

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  Even after being on the road for two years Dex is still not closer to finding out an answer to why they felt they had to leave their former home. While in route to a new destination that may give them insight, Dex encounters the robot Mosscap who is…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Accidental Alchemist

  Pandian, Gigi, 1975-

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  What happens when a sentient Parisian gargoyle (and gourmet chef), an immortal alchemist, a wayward teen, and cop join forces in Portland, OR to solve a mystery? Hijinks ensue, fueled by vegan pastries and tea. The Accidental Alchemist is the first…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Spellshop

  Durst, Sarah Beth

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  The perfect book to curl up with as the seasons change from fall to winter. This slow paced, adventure will hold the attention of readers making them savor each moment with Kiela, a painfully introverted librarian and her magically brought to life…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Revelator

  Gregory, Daryl

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  This book is unlike anything I've read before and is completely original. There's a god in the mountain, a cave accessed in an old church, where the women in a certain family "commune" with this entity. Our main character Stella is the next in line…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• A Strange and Stubborn Endurance

  Meadows, Foz

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  With a bit of mystery mixed into the romantasy of it all, this adventure tale finds the young son of a noble, Velasin, getting coerced into a political marriage with the warrior Caethari to cement the peace between two rival nations. Vel comes from…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Nothing but Blackened Teeth

  Khaw, Cassandra

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  Japanese folklore and haunted house mythos come together in this novella, as five semi-estranged friends come together to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of two of their number. But past relationship and friendship drama is exacerbated by the ghost…Read moreRead more of this annotation