The Leaning Pile of Books is a feature where I discuss books I got over the last week—old or new, bought or received in the mail for review consideration (most of which are unsolicited books from publishers). Since I hope you will find new books you’re interested in reading in these posts, I try to be as informative as possible. If I can find them, links to excerpts, author’s websites, and places where you can find more information on the book are included.
It’s been a few weeks since one of the posts, mainly just due to being busy (which means I haven’t finished the review I have in progress either—I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to finish it this week, but my plans to finish have been foiled the last couple of weeks!).
Here are the surprise books that showed up over the last couple of weeks, plus a recent ebook (the first of these, which I’ve been hearing is quite good!).
Polaris Rising (The Consortium Rebellion #1) by Jessie Mihalik
This space opera romance and trilogy opener was just released earlier this month (trade paperback, ebook, audiobook).
The author’s website has an excerpt from Polaris Rising.
A space princess on the run and a notorious outlaw soldier become unlikely allies in this imaginative, sexy space opera adventure—the first in an exciting science fiction trilogy.
In the far distant future, the universe is officially ruled by the Royal Consortium, but the High Councillors, the heads of the three High Houses, wield the true power. As the fifth of six children, Ada von Hasenberg has no authority; her only value to her High House is as a pawn in a political marriage. When her father arranges for her to wed a noble from House Rockhurst, a man she neither wants nor loves, Ada seizes control of her own destiny. The spirited princess flees before the betrothal ceremony and disappears among the stars.
Ada eluded her father’s forces for two years, but now her luck has run out. To ensure she cannot escape again, the fiery princess is thrown into a prison cell with Marcus Loch. Known as the Devil of Fornax Zero, Loch is rumored to have killed his entire chain of command during the Fornax Rebellion, and the Consortium wants his head.
When the ship returning them to Earth is attacked by a battle cruiser from rival House Rockhurst, Ada realizes that if her jilted fiancé captures her, she’ll become a political prisoner and a liability to her House. Her only hope is to strike a deal with the dangerous fugitive: a fortune if he helps her escape.
But when you make a deal with an irresistibly attractive Devil, you may lose more than you bargained for . . .
Unfettered III: New Tales by Masters of Fantasy edited by Shawn Speakman
Unfettered III, an anthology with proceeds going toward helping SF&F authors and artists with medical debt, will be released on March 19 (hardcover, ebook, and audiobook).
There is also a signed/numbered limited edition with signatures from all contributors, who include Lev Grossman, Mark Lawrence, Megan Lindholm (Robin Hobb), Seanan McGuire, Naomi Novik, Brandon Sanderson, and many more. (The book description has the full list of authors.)
This thick book also includes a short foreword written by Jacqueline Carey, and each author wrote a brief introduction to their story.
From the editor of the award-winning anthology Unfettered comes the newest installment in the science fiction and fantasy series, Unfettered III.
Be haunted by the chilling ghost story of Megan Lindholm. Revisit the Magicians world with Lev Grossman. Return to Osten Ard in an epic first look at Tad Williams’s Empire of Grass. Share a heartfelt story of loss and gain with Callie Bates. Cross the sands of the desert planet Dune with Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Travel the Ways in a new Wheel of Time novella with Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson. Enter the amazing potter city of Seven with Naomi Novik. And many more stories, all wondrous alongside beautiful art by Todd Lockwood!
More than 700 pages of stellar SF&F from the likes of:
- Callie Bates
- Terry Brooks
- Delilah S. Dawson
- Jason Denzel
- David Anthony Durham
- Lev Grossman
- John Gwynne
- Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson
- Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson
- Mark Lawrence
- Megan Lindholm (Robin Hobb)
- Seanan McGuire
- Naomi Novik
- Peter Orullian
- Cat Rambo
- Robert V.S. Redick
- Ken Scholes
- Scott Sigler
- Anna Smith Spark
- Shawn Speakman
- Anna Stephens
- Patrick Swenson
- Ramon Terrell
- Marc Turner
- Carrie Vaughn
- Tad Williams
- Deborah A. Wolf
Lacking health insurance when he was diagnosed with cancer, Shawn Speakman asked friends in the science fiction and fantasy writing community to donate short stories he could use to counter mounting medical debt. The result was Unfettered, an anthology offering tales from some of the best authors working today.
Now, in Unfettered III, Speakman continues to pay forward the aid he received, raising money to combat medical debt for SF&F artists and authors. He has gathered together a great mix of new and favorite writers―free to write what they like―the result a powerful new anthology perfect for all readers.
Unfettered III is sure to astound with the magic bound within its pages. All the while raising money for a charitable cause.
Because protecting our artists and authors is as important as the stories they tell.
The Last Tsar’s Dragons by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
The Last Tsar’s Dragons, a short story that was expanded into a novella, will be released on June 19 (trade paperback, ebook).
It is the waning days of the Russian monarchy. A reckless man rules the land and his dragons rule the sky. Though the Tsar aims his dragons at his enemies―Jews and Bolsheviks―his entire country is catching fire. Conspiracies suffuse the royal court: bureaucrats jostle one another for power, the mad monk Rasputin schemes for the Tsar’s ear, and the desperate queen takes drastic measures to protect her family.
Revolution is in the air―and the Red Army is hatching its own weapons.
Discover Russia’s October Revolution, reimagined in flight by the acclaimed mother-and-son writing team of the Locus Award-winning novel, Pay the Piper, and the Seelie Wars series.
Additional Books:
- Bloodwitch (The Witchlands #3) by Susan Dennard (Available Now)
- Endgames (Imager Portfolio #12) by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. (Available Now)
- The Fever King (Feverwake #1) by Victoria Lee (Release Date: March 1)
- Kill the Farm Boy (The Tales of Pell #1) by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne (Paperback Release: February 26)
