Here’s our now traditional Review of the Year, pointing out what we liked most.
Part 2: Science Fiction Books
(Part 1 looked at Fantasy & Horror Books (LINK), Part 3 will look at Film and TV.)
Mark Y: Looking back, I seem to have read more SF than anything else this year. This has made the choice harder, but I’ll go with these:
Cynical wisecracking SF story of clones and secret societies, this book sets a great pace and doesn’t let up. I found it difficult to put it down once started. It’s an upgrade of the traditional space adventure, with a touch of Edge of Tomorrow thrown in for good measure. A pleasantly surprising debut. In the review I said: “I raced through this one and couldn’t put it down. It was a terrific read, easy to follow and deceptively engaging. Though Ashton is perhaps best known for his short stories to date, Mickey7 shows that he may be an author to watch.”
The Thousand Earths by Stephen Baxter
Stephen’s epic scale narrative of deep space and time focuses on the impact of change on a small group of characters. Lots of elements relatable to present day. It’s not for everyone, but for those like me who like his style, this is one of his best in recent years. In the review I said: “The Thousand Earths has big ideas presented in a human manner, one where the needs of individuals are examined under a galaxy-crossing, time-travelling backdrop. It is a winning riposte to those who have claimed before that Stephen writes big stories but cold characters, as here we have both characters to engage with and astonishing progression in time and space. Fans of Stephen’s books should love it.”
Beyond the Burn Line by Paul McAuley
Another surprising favourite of the year. This one feels almost like a Dickensian fantasy at the beginning before the story’s true science-fictional nature is revealed. We’ve got quests, we’ve got adventure, we’ve got bears and racoons – with an interesting twist about halfway through. Great writing, lovely style, big ideas that are subtly expounded. In the review I said: “Beyond the Burn Line is inventive and smart, engaging and logical. As a reader I found myself caring a great deal about what happens to Pilgrim, his descendants, and their world, until by the end when the story was done, I was sad to find it finished.
Beyond the Burn Line shows us what a skilled writer can do. Imaginative, intelligent world building, with a far-future setting that allows our characters, whilst different, to exhibit endearingly human traits. ”
Expect Me Tomorrow by Christopher Priest
This one shouldn’t really be a surprise. Christopher manages to baffle and subtly confound in his usual manner and yet makes a story that is surprisingly accessible and typically clever. The most surprising thing is that at least some of this story seems to be based on real events. A story that deals with the past as well as the future. In the review I said: “Expect Me Tomorrow is never dull. It actually deals with current issues but in the unexpected way that only a skilled writer can achieve. It is by turns twisty and turny, but always mesmerising, with a satisfying conclusion that doesn’t entirely tie everything together but feels satisfyingly appropriate. ”
A pleasingly devious standalone story that plays with your preconceptions. Part Jules Verne, part H P Lovecraft and ultimately proper SF, this was one that you are best knowing little about before you start reading, but given time will reveal its true purpose. In the review I said: “…this is an unusual story that is not typical Alastair Reynolds, but whose narrative drive, clever plot points and rigorous science make this an engaging read. Alastair deserves credit for writing something different, rather than just producing what readers know him best for. I enjoyed this one a lot.”
Honorable Mentions: The Book of Mars – A hefty tome, combining an eclectic range of fact and fiction about the Red Planet. A wonderful book to dip into, which gives you a variety of rabbit holes to go down. I was pleasantly surprised how much of the non-fiction I enjoyed reading whilst there’s also some classic and some pleasingly obscure fiction worthy of your time.
RobB: I didn’t read very much science fiction published in 2022. Some of what I read had touches of Science Fiction (like Leech by Hiron Ennes, Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes, and Full Immersion by Gemma Amor) but were more entrenched in horror. The only straight up 2022 Science Fiction books I read were The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal and The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi. Both were superb novels that would likely rise to the top of my list were it half as long as the number of Fantasy or Horror novels I read.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
Here’s my snippet from The Kaiju Preservation Society: “John Scalzi all but admits he’s going for pure entertainment with this novel and he most definitely hits the target. I’m a Metallica fan, some of their more melodic and powerful songs are delightful, songs like “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” and “Fade to Black,” but sometimes, you just want to blast “Enter Sandman,” turn it up to eleven, shout out the lyrics because you and everybody you are with knows the lyrics, and enjoy the ride. Both kinds of things from the same artist are worthy, enjoyable on their own merits, and if anything, shows the range (within a specific genre, if you will), of said artist.
The Kaiju Preservation Society is a blast, a zippy read with a great concept, fun characters and a novel that ends with a note which reminds me of the closing shot of Iron Man that leaves the reader (at least this reader) hoping for more giant monster stories. In the best way possible, the novel delivers exactly on what you might expect from John Scalzi writing about Kaiju might deliver.”
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal:
Perhaps the word that I can best use to describe this book (and it has already appeared in this review) is the word charming. Tesla and Shal are charming, so is Gimlet, and the story is just a fun romp that itself is charming. Charming can sometimes come across as “too cute” for its own good, but MRK is a smart enough writer to keep that charming element that is a comforting blanket over the whole novel at just the right level.
Mary Robinette Kowal has proven a keen intelligence in all of her writing, a fun, gripping plot and whimsical elements to balance the “serious” elements in the stories she spins. The Spare Man is a fine, smart piece of entertainment that I can only give high recommendation. The novel could work as a sample/taste of her work, if you like this one, chances are you’ll want to seek out her other works, particularly the Lady Astronaut novels.
MarkC:
Reckoning by W. Michael Gear
Reckoning is the sixth book in W. Michael Gear’s fantastic Donovan series, taking place on a planet full of hostile flora and fauna. Not only that, but the mysterious problems with FTL travel to the planet have given some interesting storylines to date. Reckoning continues the series in grand fashion, returning to some ideas presented in earlier books, but adding new twists and turns to them. All in all, a superb continuation to the series. Of course, it has to be said that this isn’t one to read if you’re new to the series – you really must start with Outpost.
The Flight of the Aphrodite by S.J. Morden
This is a novel I very much enjoyed. While the near-Jupiter setting and story are interesting in themselves, it’s character-focused and doesn’t pull any punches, and the comparison to Event Horizon is apt. If you’ve read Morden’s other recent books (One Way, No Way, Gallowglass) you’ll know what to expect, and won’t be disappointed.
Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
Now here’s another novel that I very much enjoyed and found a very readable and engaging novel. A simple prose in first person that allows us to discover information along with Mickey is great, and it quickly becomes apparent that there is more here than initially thought. Great stuff.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
Much as Rob said, The Kaiju Preservation Society is a blast. Scalzi is a favourite author of mine and he once again manages to deliver an interesting story with his usual flair and style, and as is often the case with his novels, there is more to this than first appears. Fantastic.
And that’s it for Science Fiction Books this year. We hope you’ve found something worth reading in all of that. Next up: Film and Television!
