Books Like...

In 'Made Things' by Adrian Tchaikovsky, readers are transported into a fantastical world where puppeteer Coppelia AKA Moppet discovers that her closest companions are not human but made of wood, steel, candlewax, and paper. Set in a city ruled by powerful mages, the story follows Coppelia's journey as she navigates through the underworld of thieves and the struggles against the Magelords of Loretz, accompanied by her homunculi friends Tef and Arc. As the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into a world where intricate characters, including the homunculi and the thieves, face challenges and dangers while trying to find their place in a society dominated by magic and power struggles. With a lyrical writing style and solid plot twists, 'Made Things' is a captivating blend of action, adventure, and fantasy that explores themes of friendship, survival, and the quest for identity.

'Tender Morsels' by Margo Lanagan is a dark and brutal retelling of the fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red. The story follows Liga, a woman who faces abuse and trauma in the real world, leading her to create a safe haven in a magical world for herself and her two daughters. As the boundaries between the dream world and reality blur, Liga and her daughters find themselves torn between two worlds, dealing with themes of suffering, abuse, redemption, and the complexities of human relationships. Lanagan's writing style is described as rich, earthy, and rhythmic, with a mix of fantasy elements and real-world struggles that create a captivating and emotionally intense narrative.

On an Earth that is on the point of death through global warming, there is an orbital lift still operating from a small town on the equator in Africa. Rich people preparing to ascend the elevator stop off at a hotel in the town. When things go wrong with the hotel's systems, teams of Fire Walkers are called in to get things sorted out. The fire walkers are young, talented, tough, and very poor. They have to be all these things to withstand the heat and be desperate enough to go out on potentially suicidal missions to improvise fixes to keep things working well enough for survival. This book is the story of one team of fire walkers lead by Mao who are commissioned to deal with a drop in power coming from the solar power fields to the south of the town. The slow reveal of the problem the fire walkers are actually facing is good but the ending was a bit too much of a quick fix after the slow build-up of the other scenarios in the story. Tchaikovsky has come up with some good twists that make this a very different tale to any that I have previously encountered. This is not the best of Tchaikovsky's work. It has the feeling of being the author's notes for a successor work. I found it sketchy in places but still a riveting read. I look forward to reading the books that build on this backstory. There are interesting ideas to be found in the book's closing pages. The 'Fire Walkers' is a decent read. It will grip you and, I hope, will leave you wanting more. But the 'sketchbook' feeling of the work means it falls short of the standard I expect for my 5-star rating.

Desdemona and the Deep is a surreal and dream-like fairy tale that follows the impetuous and determined heroine, Desdemona, on a quest to undo a wicked bargain her father made with the Kobold King. The story is filled with diverse characters, intricate world-building, and a plot that delves into themes of justice, sacrifice, and the power of imagination. The author's writing style is described as poetic and sensuous, with vivid descriptions that bring the world of mortals, gentry, and koboldkin to life.

The Virtu is a continuation of the story begun in Melusine, featuring the unique and distinct character voices of Felix and Mildmay. The plot revolves around the two brothers navigating through a fantasy world filled with convoluted magic and nonmagic elements. The narrative seamlessly combines the perspectives of Felix and Mildmay, showcasing their struggles, relationships, and adventures as they face various challenges together. The author, Sarah Monette, intricately weaves a tale of family, loyalty, magic, and mystery, leaving readers intrigued by the unfolding events and the complex personalities of the main characters.

Flowers for the Sea by Zin E Rocklyn is a dark fantasy novella that captures the harrowing journey of Iraxi, a pregnant woman aboard a deteriorating ark filled with other refugees. The setting is claustrophobic, with vivid, graphic descriptions of the ship's decay and the lurking dangers surrounding them, including monstrous creatures. Rocklyn’s writing is richly atmospheric, blending horror and fantasy with meticulous attention to detail, drawing readers into a world marred by trauma and survival. The themes of generational pain, identity, and the struggles of motherhood resonate throughout, painting a strikingly relevant picture against a backdrop of societal prejudice and environmental disaster.

The story unfolds over a compact 112 pages, focusing deeply on Iraxi and her emotional turmoil as she grapples with her impending motherhood amid scorn from her fellow passengers. There is an unsettling tension created by her circumstances and the supernatural elements tied to her child. The prose is lyrical and immersive, echoing the beauty and violence of the world Rocklyn has built. While some side characters may feel underdeveloped, Iraxi’s raw anger and independence make her a compelling and relatable protagonist. Readers are left pondering the implications of their experiences long after they turn the last page, marking Rocklyn as a noteworthy voice in contemporary dark fantasy.

Tales from the Hinterland is a collection of dark and gritty fairy tales that are both magical and creepy. The stories are full of unsettling premises and disturbing conclusions, making them more suitable for adult readers rather than children. Melissa Albert's writing style weaves compelling and rich grim fairy tales, creating a world where nothing good happens and tragedy prevails. The book includes interconnected stories that provide a macabre twist on traditional fairy tales, offering a unique and haunting reading experience.

In "The Expert System's Brother" by Adrian Tchaikovsky, the story unfolds on an unnamed alien planet where a small village of 317 people lives under strict rules imposed by the village Lawgiver. The protagonist, Handry, is banished from the village following an accident, leading to a series of events involving his twin sister Melory, who has been inhabited by a ghost that controls her actions. As the plot progresses, the novella explores themes of social control, exile, and the struggle for survival in a harsh environment filled with unique creatures and mysterious technology. Tchaikovsky's writing style combines elements of science fiction and fantasy, creating a rich and immersive world that captivates readers with its originality and thought-provoking narrative.

The novella delves into complex questions about identity, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, challenging readers to reflect on what it means to be human and the price of adhering to societal norms. Through a mix of intriguing world-building, unexpected plot twists, and compelling character dynamics, Tchaikovsky weaves a story that offers a satisfying reading experience while exploring profound themes that resonate long after the final pages.

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow is a modern reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, where the protagonist Zinnia Gray, who has a rare genetic condition, finds herself thrown into a fairytale world on her twenty-first birthday. Alongside Princess Primrose, Zinnia embarks on a journey to rewrite her own story and challenge the traditional Sleeping Beauty narrative. The book is described as a delightful mix of fantasy, multiverse exploration, and feminist themes, with a unique twist on the classic tale that brings out the strength and agency of its heroines. The writing style is praised for being captivating, clever, and humorous, blending elements of magic, melancholy, and girl power in a fast-paced and engaging narrative.

In a kingdom plagued by a deadly bramble that thrives on magic, an alchemist discovers a way to destroy it but faces the dilemma of using magic to do so. The story delves into the consequences of magic, the complex character of the alchemist, and the desperate struggle to save the kingdom from the deadly spread of the bramble. Set in a fantastical world steeped in mythology and magic, the novella presents a gripping tale of sacrifice, love, and the battle between magic and alchemy.