Sylvain Neuvel really doesn’t like conventional narrative formats. His debut trilogy, the Themis Files (Sleeping Giants, Waking Gods, and Only Human) was written entirely as “found” documents, everything from transcribed interrogations to diary entries. Now he’s back with a Tor.com novella, which is told in the form of a 25-question test. But of course, even …

Ancient Greeks really liked snakes. So did most cultures of the Mediterranean and Ancient Near Eastern world; it was only later that snakes got a devilish reputation. Living their lives hugged so closely to the earth, they were thought to have deep wisdom, and because they shed their skin, they were symbols of longevity and …

Or, where to spend your Christmas cash if you want books. This is necessarily heavy on releases for the beginning of the year and sequels, since many other titles haven’t been announced. Many further goodies await, but for now, this year already looks intriguing, exciting, and magical as heck. The Wicked King (Holly Black) January …

The Sea Dreams It Is The Sky reads like House of Leaves had an unholy demon baby with The Shadow of the Wind. In the best way. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, then rest assured: it’s terrific, it’s horrific, and it’s smart as hell. Part Gothic horror and part cosmic horror …

Bram Stoker’s Dracula was the first adult book I ever read, which sparked my love of the occult in literature. Robert Masello’s The Night Crossing not only did justice to the memory of Bram Stoker but is a much needed reminder of the majesty of the world of vampires and witches. This novel is about …

My first introduction to GRRM was via Game of Thrones, which I quickly fell in love with the ability to juggle multiple characters and varying storylines. So when I got the chance to read and review Nightflyers, a collection of science fiction short stories, I was ecstatic. One of the greatest storytellers of a generation …

In honor of the amazing Half-Witch having come out this month, here are five other titles doing things by half measure only in the title. (I am not sorry for the puns.) But first, here’s a bit about Half-Witch: Half-Witch (John Schoffstall) – Lizbet Linz is not a witch. Nor is her father, although he …

We were fortunate enough to snag an interview with Rebecca Roanhorse, author of the smash-hit debut Trail of Lightning. The book follows Maggie Hoskie in Dinétah, the post-global-warming former Navajo reservation, as she fights monsters arisen from myth. This is an #ownvoices title that emphasizes Diné heritage and culture, and a rollicking good read. Geekly, …

The Big Water came, bigger than anyone expected. Dire climate change warnings weren’t dire enough, and much of the world either drowned or descended into chaos. But the Diné—the proper title for the Navajo people—survived behind a vast wall made from magic as much as brick. The magic that had once only existed in whispers …

This was the first year I watched Eurovision, in no small part thanks to Catherynne Valente’s wonderful Space Opera. I think they owe her some royalties, or at least the chance to do publicity for them. If you’ve read anything by Valente, you already know how rad that would be. If you haven’t, Space Opera …