Cara
So far I have reviewed a total of 63 books, most of them here on Speculative Book Review. I have read quite a few more that haven't been reviewed, mainly because they are non-genre or were, well, awful! But now it is time to list my Top 5 Reads of 2010, which is a difficult task because of the quality of books around at the moment. I have been reading a mix of old and new books, so I am going to cheat and do TWO lists: best new (2010) releases and best of the rest. All titles are linked to the full review.
Best New Releases of 2010:
5. Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard
Murder, magic and mystery in the Aztec Empire, this a fascinating debut from an author to watch.
"What gave the book an edge for me was the setting... Aztec Tenochtitlan, with it's gruesome, blood-obsessed religion and warrior culture. By combining these with dark magic, sacrifice and intrigue, Aliette de Bodard has produced a very good introduction to her Obsidian and Blood series."
4. The Silent Land by Graham Joyce
I read this when the snow was inches deep outside, which added to the atmosphere and tension. and I admit to shedding a tear or two along the way. A perfect winter read especially when curled up beside a real fire with a big mug of hot chocolate!
"There are no gorefests, no monsters or scary bits, but this doesn't matter because Graham Joyce keeps you hooked in through the simplicity of the story and his excellent dialogue. And once you reach the end, you realise the clues were all there, clear and sparkling like icicles in sunshine."
3. The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
I am a big fan of this author and the second book in her Inheritance Trilogy did not disappoint. Set 10 years after the events in The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, Jemisin expands her world and introduces us to a new cast of characters alongside some familiar ones.
"There is little evidence of the usual stereotypical tropes to be found here, in my view, and The Broken Kingdoms explores the issues of religion, race and disability in a positive and interesting way."
I am a big fan of this author and the second book in her Inheritance Trilogy did not disappoint. Set 10 years after the events in The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, Jemisin expands her world and introduces us to a new cast of characters alongside some familiar ones.
"There is little evidence of the usual stereotypical tropes to be found here, in my view, and The Broken Kingdoms explores the issues of religion, race and disability in a positive and interesting way."
2. Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
I expect to see Zoo City appearing in Award nomination lists soon, it was that good. Innovative, sharp and imaginative with plenty of action and wit.
"If you are looking for something new and original, then Zoo City is a very good place to start."
1. City of Ruin by Mark Charan Newton
This remains my favourite read of 2010 and I have high hopes of his new release Book of Transformations, due out in 2011.
"This is urban fantasy in the truest sense of the term, the city is the star in this gritty and innovative novel."
5. Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
An excellent insight into the world of an autistic man with a choice to make.
"Lou isn’t dangerous or deviant just different. Like all of us, he just wants to be accepted for who he is. For me, acceptance of difference is the theme of the novel. Why should he be pressured to undergo experimental treatment so that he fits into what society deems ‘normal’?"
An excellent insight into the world of an autistic man with a choice to make.
"Lou isn’t dangerous or deviant just different. Like all of us, he just wants to be accepted for who he is. For me, acceptance of difference is the theme of the novel. Why should he be pressured to undergo experimental treatment so that he fits into what society deems ‘normal’?"
4. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
I loved this... how could I resist punk-loving fairies let loose in New York City!
"...the plot, for me, was secondary to the humour. Morag and Heather were anarchic, chaotic, accident-prone and very, very funny. They both had spirit in abundance and this, combined with sharp wit and a tendency to inadvertently create mayhem everywhere they went, produced numerous comic scenes that had me crying with laughter."
I loved this... how could I resist punk-loving fairies let loose in New York City!
"...the plot, for me, was secondary to the humour. Morag and Heather were anarchic, chaotic, accident-prone and very, very funny. They both had spirit in abundance and this, combined with sharp wit and a tendency to inadvertently create mayhem everywhere they went, produced numerous comic scenes that had me crying with laughter."
3. The Gate to Women's Country by Sheri S. Tepper
This is a powerful post-apocalyptic novel which explores a matriarchal low-tech society, where the warriors (male) live outside the walled communities.
"...presents a fledgling eco-utopian society where the ultimate aim is balance and equality between the sexes within a pacifist, non-violent culture. The means by which the Women's Council set out to achieve this balance, however, are both morally and ethically questionable."
2. Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
A modern black woman is transported back through time to the days of slavery in the US.
"...is a book that everyone should read, if only to try to understand the dehumanising process of life as a slave with no rights. I wouldn’t say that I ‘enjoyed’ the book, but I couldn’t put it down, wanting to know how Dana survives."
1. The Prestige by Christopher Priest
Set in the Victorian world of music halls and stage magicians, the actions of the two main protagonists have repercussions on their modern-day descendants.
"...the final reveal, and where the book's title comes from, was both chilling and shocking. This is a novel that will stay with you evermore, a powerful and haunting story of rivalry and oneupmanship."
This is a list of books I have thoroughly enjoyed in 2010 but did not quite make the lists above. All are worth reading though...
Yagiz
I cannot believe that it is almost the end of 2010. As time seems to go faster, quality reading becomes more important. If I had the power to completely forget about five books that I've read this year in order to have the great pleasure to meet them for the first time again, what would my list look like? Here's my attempt to it:
5. The Noise Within by Ian Whates: The Noise Within is one of the best sci-fi books that I've read in recent years. It ticked all the boxes for me and left me looking forward to the next installment. I'm expecting great things from this space opera series. (Review Here)
4. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson: In The Way of Kings, Sanderson has shown that he has what it takes to start what can become one of the best epic fantasy series of all times. He's created an amazing setting coupled with great characters in this first book of The Stormlight Archives. Highly recommended for the lovers of epic fantasy. (Review Here)
3. Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton: I don't want to get into discussing things like New Weird or Old Peculiar, and I'm not going to pretend that I can do a good job at it. All that I know is that Newton has created an amazing story that dances among various genres and sub-genres. It is a dangerous thriller but it also contains traits of horror. It is fantasy but it also touches science-fiction. All this is mixed so well in this book that it was a true delight to read. (Review Here)
2. Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay: Under Heaven may well be Kay's best book ever. I never particularly liked far eastern settings in fantasy however I must admit that the culture painted by Kay in Under Heaven suits his poetic style so well that the reader is often left with a lump filling her throat by the power and the beauty of his words. This is, without a doubt, one of the best books of 2010. (Review Here)
1. Hawkwood and the Kings by Paul Kearney: Hawkwood and the Kings is a masterfully written book built on an exceptionally well realized setting. This first volume, containing the first two books of the series, proves that Kearney's The Monarchies of God can well be on a par with the bests such as G. R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. I cannot recommend it enough if you are a fan of Martin, Erikson or Abercrombie. You are in for a feast of breath-taking adventure. (Review Here)
Tyson
I have read a lot of books this year (114 books to be exact), and many of them that I read are already scheduled to be posted next year. With that said I only picked the books that I have posted this year.
5. Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis. A terrific alternative history trilogy that has the Nazis creating supermen through technology and the British using black magic to thwarth the Third Reich at every turn. Review here.
4. Fevre Dream by George R R Martin. Believe it or not Mr. Martin has several other books besides A Song of Ice and Fire. Fevre Dream is an exceptional vampire novel that has Martin at the top of his game yet again. The standalone takes place on the Mississippi River on a River boat with a odd captain and his even stranger business partner. Review here.
3. The Blade of the Courtesans by Keiichiro Ryu. Beautifully written alternative history with very little magic in feudal Japan. The prose is what won me over but the story itself is impressive. Not a lot of magic but a fair amount of sword play and romance. Great book if you are looking for something with some Asian flavor. Review here.
2. Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. A simple tale of an alternative China. Hughart weaves a story that takes you on a journey you never want to come back from. The imagery and allusions are impressive and while I normally do not care for such a poetic writing style I was captivated. Review here.
1. Infoquake by David Louis Edelman. Far into the future humanity has gone beyond the moon. Computers are still necessary but only to upgrade your bodies nanotechnology. Climbing to the top of this business field is Natch. He has a new innovative program that will shake the very foundation. But can he survive long enough to cash in on his new discovery? Best novel I read all year by a large margin. From what I have heard the trilogy only gets better as you get deeper into the series. Review here.
Everyone here at Speculative Book Review want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and want to thank each and everyone of you for stopping by this little blog and we hope to keep reviewing and adding content to the site as we grow. This has been a lot of fun and hope that our list has helped you find a book to read in the coming year. But with any luck you found one of these in your stocking anyway.
A very big THANK YOU from Cara, Victoria, PeterWilliams, Yagiz and Tyson.
Set in the Victorian world of music halls and stage magicians, the actions of the two main protagonists have repercussions on their modern-day descendants.
"...the final reveal, and where the book's title comes from, was both chilling and shocking. This is a novel that will stay with you evermore, a powerful and haunting story of rivalry and oneupmanship."
This is a list of books I have thoroughly enjoyed in 2010 but did not quite make the lists above. All are worth reading though...
- Walking the Tree by Kaaron Warren
- Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
- The Child Thief by Brom
- Wolfsangel by MD Lachlan
- Spellwright by Blake Charlton
- The Quiet War by Paul McAuley
- Myth-Understandings Ed. Ian Whates [short story anthology]
- The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas
- The City of Dreams and Nightmare by Ian Whates
- Oracles: A Pilgrimage by Catherynne M. Valente
Yagiz
I cannot believe that it is almost the end of 2010. As time seems to go faster, quality reading becomes more important. If I had the power to completely forget about five books that I've read this year in order to have the great pleasure to meet them for the first time again, what would my list look like? Here's my attempt to it:
5. The Noise Within by Ian Whates: The Noise Within is one of the best sci-fi books that I've read in recent years. It ticked all the boxes for me and left me looking forward to the next installment. I'm expecting great things from this space opera series. (Review Here)
4. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson: In The Way of Kings, Sanderson has shown that he has what it takes to start what can become one of the best epic fantasy series of all times. He's created an amazing setting coupled with great characters in this first book of The Stormlight Archives. Highly recommended for the lovers of epic fantasy. (Review Here)
3. Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton: I don't want to get into discussing things like New Weird or Old Peculiar, and I'm not going to pretend that I can do a good job at it. All that I know is that Newton has created an amazing story that dances among various genres and sub-genres. It is a dangerous thriller but it also contains traits of horror. It is fantasy but it also touches science-fiction. All this is mixed so well in this book that it was a true delight to read. (Review Here)
2. Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay: Under Heaven may well be Kay's best book ever. I never particularly liked far eastern settings in fantasy however I must admit that the culture painted by Kay in Under Heaven suits his poetic style so well that the reader is often left with a lump filling her throat by the power and the beauty of his words. This is, without a doubt, one of the best books of 2010. (Review Here)
1. Hawkwood and the Kings by Paul Kearney: Hawkwood and the Kings is a masterfully written book built on an exceptionally well realized setting. This first volume, containing the first two books of the series, proves that Kearney's The Monarchies of God can well be on a par with the bests such as G. R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen. I cannot recommend it enough if you are a fan of Martin, Erikson or Abercrombie. You are in for a feast of breath-taking adventure. (Review Here)
Tyson
I have read a lot of books this year (114 books to be exact), and many of them that I read are already scheduled to be posted next year. With that said I only picked the books that I have posted this year.
5. Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis. A terrific alternative history trilogy that has the Nazis creating supermen through technology and the British using black magic to thwarth the Third Reich at every turn. Review here.
4. Fevre Dream by George R R Martin. Believe it or not Mr. Martin has several other books besides A Song of Ice and Fire. Fevre Dream is an exceptional vampire novel that has Martin at the top of his game yet again. The standalone takes place on the Mississippi River on a River boat with a odd captain and his even stranger business partner. Review here.
3. The Blade of the Courtesans by Keiichiro Ryu. Beautifully written alternative history with very little magic in feudal Japan. The prose is what won me over but the story itself is impressive. Not a lot of magic but a fair amount of sword play and romance. Great book if you are looking for something with some Asian flavor. Review here.
2. Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. A simple tale of an alternative China. Hughart weaves a story that takes you on a journey you never want to come back from. The imagery and allusions are impressive and while I normally do not care for such a poetic writing style I was captivated. Review here.
1. Infoquake by David Louis Edelman. Far into the future humanity has gone beyond the moon. Computers are still necessary but only to upgrade your bodies nanotechnology. Climbing to the top of this business field is Natch. He has a new innovative program that will shake the very foundation. But can he survive long enough to cash in on his new discovery? Best novel I read all year by a large margin. From what I have heard the trilogy only gets better as you get deeper into the series. Review here.
Everyone here at Speculative Book Review want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and want to thank each and everyone of you for stopping by this little blog and we hope to keep reviewing and adding content to the site as we grow. This has been a lot of fun and hope that our list has helped you find a book to read in the coming year. But with any luck you found one of these in your stocking anyway.
A very big THANK YOU from Cara, Victoria, PeterWilliams, Yagiz and Tyson.
