Recent Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Novels: A Captivating Roundup
Dive into the latest offerings in science fiction, fantasy, and horror with this review roundup, featuring works from acclaimed authors like Neil Jordan and exciting debuts. These novels explore themes of memory, history, and the supernatural, offering readers a diverse range of immersive experiences.
The Library of Traumatic Memory by Neil Jordan
Better known as a film-maker, Neil Jordan continues his literary pursuits with The Library of Traumatic Memory (Head of Zeus, £20). Set in 2084 in rural Ireland, the story follows Christian Cartwright, who works at the Huxley Institute's titular library. Secretly, he misuses its advanced memory storage technology to communicate with his deceased lover, Isolde, restoring her to a digital semblance of life. The narrative alternates between Christian's experiences and those of his ancestor, Montagu Cartwright, from two centuries earlier. Montagu, the architect of the Huxley Mansion and local church, possessed an ancient obsidian mirror believed to be the scrying glass of John Dee. Lyrical and brimming with ideas, this novel blends sinister undertones with humour, resulting in an enchanting read that delves into love, loss, and the boundaries of technology.
The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan
In his debut novel The Red Winter (Tor, £22), Cameron Sullivan reimagines the historic Beast of Gévaudan, a wolf-like creature that terrorised France from 1764 to 1767. Far from a typical werewolf fantasy, the story is narrated by Sebastian Grave, an immortal figure writing a memoir in the 21st century about his 18th-century adventures. Even then, Sebastian was old and shared his mind and body with a demon named Sarmodel, whose occult powers aided in destroying a terrible beast. Two decades later, when another bloodthirsty creature ravages the same area, Sebastian is summoned by his former boon companion and lover, hoping to end their long estrangement. This wonderfully original novel combines history and fantasy with a unique narrative voice and fascinating characters, making it an engrossing tale of redemption and supernatural conflict.
Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison
First published in 1952, Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison (Virago, £10.99) is an original fairytale from a multitalented feminist icon that feels both ancient and refreshingly new. The story follows orphaned baby princess Halla, saved from her stepmother's spite and raised by bears, then adopted by a dragon. Growing up with bearish and dragonish traits, Halla learns to hate heroes for their dragon-slaying tendencies. Despite many opportunities, she resists becoming a hero herself and rejects traditional female roles, befriending a Valkyrie and embarking on a journey to see the world. Along the way, she helps those she meets, always travelling light. This essential classic, now in a lovely new edition, celebrates independence and adventure in a whimsical, timeless narrative.
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
Set in a Europe devastated by the Black Death, Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman (Gollancz, £22) is a remarkable blend of fantasy, horror, and historical fiction. The story centres on Thomas, a disgraced knight who becomes the reluctant protector of Delphine, an orphaned girl with the ability to see angels. She reveals that they must travel to Avignon to avert a catastrophe greater than the plague: Lucifer and his fallen angels are waging war against heaven, dragging humanity into the conflict. Written with a genuinely medieval mindset, this vividly depicted world features monsters and miracles, echoing elements from Gawain and the Green Knight to the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch. Despite its pervasive dangers and violence, the novel is infused with deep, compassionate humanity, offering a gripping exploration of faith and survival.
Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran
Avery Curran's debut horror novel, Spoiled Milk (Riverrun, £20), is set in a girls' boarding school in 1928 England. The story begins with the tragic death of 18-year-old Violet, who falls from a staircase landing. Narrator Emily deduces that an accidental fall is impossible, pointing to murder, with the only suspect being the French mistress, Mademoiselle, the sole witness. Emily believes that romantic attachments between girls are natural but views such desires in a grown woman as unnatural, suspecting they drove the teacher to murder. She convinces her fellow students to force a confession. As the death toll mounts with another girl dying horribly during dinner, it becomes clear that a long-repressed force or the school itself is bent on destruction. This compulsively readable novel twists the old-fashioned school story into a chilling tale of suspense and supernatural horror.
