For fans of speculative fiction, a compelling new selection of novels has arrived, blending alien mysteries, ancient pacts, and dystopian futures. This review roundup highlights standout recent releases across science fiction, fantasy, and horror, offering something for every reader seeking an escape into other worlds.
Alien Mysteries and Folkloric Bargains
Van Jensen's debut novel, 'Godfall' (Bantam, £20), throws readers into a tense mystery in small-town Nebraska. The catalyst is the arrival of a colossal, three-mile-long alien entity known as 'the Giant'. Local sheriff David Blunt finds his job overwhelming as the area floods with scientists, government agents, and curious enthusiasts. The situation turns darker with the appearance of a potential serial killer, whose brutal methods claim two victims. When the FBI takes over the case, Blunt is sidelined, but the murder of a lifelong friend fuels his determination to investigate alone. His quest leads him into a dangerous doomsday cult and forces him to confront the secrets of his community, all while pondering whether the key lies in the Giant's very substance. This is a gripping fusion of sci-fi and crime thriller.
In Rebecca Ferrier's 'The Salt Bind' (Renegade, £18.99), the setting shifts to 1770s Cornwall. Kensa, the daughter of an executed smuggler, lives as an outcast. Her fortunes seem to change when the local wise woman, Isolde, takes her on as an apprentice. Kensa dreams of earning respect as a healer, but soon learns the role involves upholding an ancient pact between land and sea. Her training is cut short when she must act independently, summoning the Father of Storms and inadvertently striking a terrible bargain. Now, she must rectify her mistake or witness the sea drowning her home. This is an evocative folkloric fantasy that poignantly explores themes of sisterhood and belonging.
Magical Poetry and Generation Ship Rebellion
Shen Tao's impressive debut, 'The Poet Empress' (Gollancz, £20), transports readers to a fantastical ancient China where poetry holds magical power and rulers prove their might by subduing dragons. Village girl Wei Yin becomes the favoured concubine of Prince Terren, sparking jealousy among the court. In secret, however, she endures his cruel torture, healed only by spells to hide the evidence. Defying the ban on women's literacy, Wei Yin learns to read and write with the help of a eunuch servant. She discovers a single spell—a 'heart-spirit poem' written with love—could kill the tyrant prince. This presents an impossible dilemma: how can she muster love for her tormentor? The novel is a powerful tale of resilience with deep psychological insight and rich world-building.
Master of space opera Peter F. Hamilton presents a departure from his usual epic scale with 'A Hole in the Sky' (Angry Robot, £9.99), the first book in the Arkship trilogy. Narrated by 16-year-old Hazel, the story is set on a generation starship where society is strictly controlled following a catastrophic mutiny centuries ago. With finite resources, a harsh policy of 'Cycling' ends the lives of those deemed non-productive. Hazel begins to question these brutal rules in a faster-paced, shorter adventure seemingly aimed at younger readers. The two sequels are promised later this year.
A Tribute to a Science Fiction Legend
Marking the centenary of his birth, a new collection celebrates the vast career of British science fiction legend Brian Aldiss. 'Hello Earth, Are You There?' (HarperVoyager, £9.99) has been assembled by his daughter and features 27 short stories selected from over 300 he wrote across five decades. As William Boyd notes in the introduction, Aldiss was a central figure in the British SF boom of the 1960s but was never confined to one genre, also producing mainstream novels, memoirs, and criticism. This collection serves as a welcome and entertaining sampler of a profoundly important writer's work.
From chilling thrillers under alien shadows to magical systems rooted in poetry, these new releases demonstrate the continued vitality and diversity of speculative fiction. Each book offers a unique portal, inviting readers to explore the limits of imagination and the depths of human experience.
