New Science Fiction/Fantasy Titles

The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

This new science fiction title is geared towards young adults. It has that "Harry Potter" feel of being "over-explainy." (That's not necessarily a bad thing.) It introduces a new kind of character for young adults to identify with, especially young girls of color.

When fifteen-year old Ejii witnesses her father’s beheading, her world shatters. In an era of mind-blowing technology and tantalizing magic, she embarks on a mystical journey to track down her father’s killer. With a new found friend by her side, Ejii comes face-to-face with an earth turned inside out -- and with her own magical powers.

But she soon discovers that her travels across the sands of the Sahara have a greater purpose. Her people need to be protected from a force seeking to annihilate them. And Ejii may be just the hero to do it.

Ragamuffin by Tobias S. Buckell

The Caribbean-born speculative fiction author of Crystal Rain returns with this new title.

Descended from the islanders of lost Earth, the Ragamuffins are pirates and smugglers, plying the lonely spaceways around a dead wormhole. For years, the Satraps have tolerated the Raga, but no longer. Now they have embarked on a campaign of extermination, determined to wipe out the unruly humans once and for all.

But one runaway woman may complicate their plans. Combat enabled, Nashara is more machine than flesh, and she carries inside her a doomsday weapon that could reduce the entire galaxy to chaos. A hunted fugitive, she just wants to get home before she’s forced to destroy civilization---and herself.

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

"One of the most important writers of the twentieth century."
--Ray Bradbury

"I think the author who influence me the most as a writer was Richard Matheson. Books like I Am Legend were an inspiration to me."
--Stephen King

Not a new title, just a new movie-tie-in version for the new film starring Will Smith. It's exciting to see the old Charlton Heston film, The Omega Man, remade. I only hope that Will Smith will do a good job. He can act, he just has been very poor at choosing his roles. I'm glad to see that he has been moving away from the adolescent crap.

It's also cool that the lead role will be played by someone black. It's been creepy that science fiction visions of the future usually exclude people of color. Just what are these "visionaries" tryin' to say?!

Darwin's Paradox by Nina Munteanu

This is the first book from this author from Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

A devastating disease. A world on the brink of violent change. And one woman who can save it - or destroy it all. Darwin's Paradox is set in Canada's near future Ontario and Quebec. Julie Crane must confront the will of the ambitious virus lurking inside her to fulfill her final destiny as Darwin's Paradox, the key to the evolution of an entire civilization.

Full disclosure, I haven't looked at this book yet so I don't know what it's like, but this lady has one hell of a blog. Check it out: The Alien Next Door.