The New York Times is launching a new bi-weekly column dedicated to book reviews about works of science fiction and fantasy.
The column, which is called “Otherworldly”, is written by novelist N.K. Jemisin. The first edition looks at four titles: China Miéville’s This Census-Taker; Emma Newman’s Planetfall; All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders; and Keith Lee Morris’s Travelers Rest. The column goes live in the publication’s weekend edition in print, but is already available online.
Here is more about the column from Jemisin’s website:
I’m an eclectic reader, so the new column will obviously feature science fiction, fantasy, horror, some YA, some graphic novels, some anthologies, and even some nonfiction where it impacts the genre. I’ve got no problem with self-published or small-press books, although I believe the NYT has a policy forbidding selfpubs if they can’t be found in “general interest” bookstores, whatever that means. I like books that feature complex characters, period, but stereotypes piss me off and stuff I’ve seen too often bores the shit out of me.
The nominees for this year’s Nebula Awards have been revealed, and we’ve collected free samples of all the nominees below–the best science fiction books of 2012.
Many of these stories are available to read for free online. These are marked “COMPLETE” among the links. Here’s more about the awards:
The Nebula Awards are voted on, and presented by, active members of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. Founded as the Science Fiction Writers of America in 1965 by Damon Knight, the organization began with a charter membership of 78 writers; it now has over 1,500 members, among them many of the leading writers of science fiction and fantasy.
continued…
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
This is the second book in The Inheritance Trilogy. I loved The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, book one. My expectations were very high and I was not disappointed. Loved It.
Set 10 years after the confrontation in the first book. Powerful magic was released creating a World Tree (as seen on the cover) in the city of Shadow. Oree Shoth is a blind artist, who makes her living selling art to tourist. She has the ability to see a little magic and godlings. Someone is killing godlings in Shadow. Oree finds one of the first victims in an alley. Godlings are a part of Oree's everyday life. Like the first book it very interesting to see mortals and gods interact. There's all the good stuff love, sex, hate betrayal, deceit , fear and forgiveness
Broken Kingdoms is more of a companion as opposed to a continuation. So you can read this one first but trust me you will want The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms as well. All of the major characters in the first book do make appearances.
The beautiful thing about this trilogy, the author pulls you into the world she's created. The story arc's are amazing. The second half was unbelievably good. I found myself rereading passages. Oree Shoth is one of my favorite protagonist of 2010.
Even if fantasy is not a genre you normally read The Inheritance Trilogy will give you some serious reader joy. Trust me and give it a try.
Book one is out in the small paperback size for only $7.99. If you've already read it, go buy The Broken Kingdoms and enjoy.
