Orbit 13
Twenty stories of distinctly bleak 1970s speculative fiction, ranging from post-apocalyptic nightmares to reality-bending psychological horror. Doris Piserchia and Kate Wilhelm deliver some excellent work, but the relentless gloom left me exhausted rather than hungry for more.
Jalav
A promising fantasy about a fierce tribe of warrior women begins as an intriguing reversal of traditional gender roles, then devolves into relentless rape, slavery, and abuse portrayed as romance. Unconvincing characterization and a dreadful post-apocalyptic reveal only make its dangerous rape apologism worse.
Taurus Four
A stranded space explorer encounters a primitive society descended from hippies and falls for a teenage girl. I kept reading in hopes that the protagonist's spectacular sexism was deliberate satire. Instead, the novel celebrates his misogyny and delivers one of the most appalling endings I've encountered.
Charlemagne's Champion
Roland, an outcast warrior terrified of his supernatural heritage, seeks redemption through service to Charlemagne. A deeply unlikable protagonist and sloppy prose nearly drove me away, but intriguing magical mysteries and a promising friendship kept me reading—until a disappointing conclusion vindicated my initial doubts.
A City in the North
A wealthy human explorer becomes obsessed with visiting an ancient ruin on a planet whose enigmatic native inhabitants want outsiders to stay away. In just 222 pages, Marta Randall delivers a fascinating, character-driven exploration of alien cultures, colonialism, and the limits of human understanding.
The Far Forests
Fifteen charming, gently supernatural tales of romance, mystery, death, and other peculiarities. Joan Aiken makes even her macabre stories feel cozy and inviting, creating a quietly delightful collection with surprising moments of substance.
The Duchess of Kneedeep
A runaway duchess flees across an absurd planet where seemingly every man she encounters threatens her with sexual violence or murder. Tepid jokes, shallow characters, and a twist that trivializes her entirely reasonable fears made this supposed comedy impossible to finish.
The Fluger
A seemingly unstoppable alien monster terrorizes a futuristic New York City while an uncooperative alien assassin hunts it down. A gloriously pulpy, occasionally gory adventure with inconsistent writing, surprisingly thoughtful characters, and unexpected moments of genuine beauty.
Dancer of the Sixth
A military intelligence agent discovers someone has stolen her former identity and must go undercover as herself to investigate. A terrific premise buried beneath bloated prose, tedious exposition, and a mystery that loses its tension almost immediately.
Soul-Singer of Tyrnos
A young Singer follows the gods' guidance across Tyrnos, using the magic of song to heal suffering and expose corruption. A compact, traditional fantasy quest with likable characters, unusual magic, and just enough adventure to scratch that fantasy itch.
The Nature of Witches
An American scientist in Sweden begins to wonder whether his estranged wife is a witch. Surprisingly perceptive prose and vivid characterization give way to appalling misogyny, sexual violence, and an ending that rewards an utterly reprehensible protagonist.
The Strange Likeness
A 1929 girls' boarding-school story about two look-alikes offers a glimpse into the ambitions of young women nearly a century ago. But reading a copy rescued from my grandmother's bookshelf made this unremarkable little novel an unexpectedly moving experience.