SCI-FI AND FANTASY

By Jamie Buxton 22:06 30 Nov 2023, updated 22:06 30 Nov 2023

Iron Flame

by Rebecca Yarros (Piatkus £22, 640pp)

After the massive reset at the end of Fourth Wing, Violet (aka Violence) Sorrengail is still flying high on her mighty — and mightily sarcastic — dragon. But fear not, levels of fighting, rebelliousness and all-round sexiness are still sky-high, though now an age-old enemy is testing traditional loyalties.

Summer Fishing in Lapland

by Juhani Karila (Pushkin £12.99, 352pp)

I loved this off-kilter tale of myth and mundanity — a deep dive into a morass of Finnish folklore and small-town life. A coming-home story and a comingto-terms story of grief and monsters, as Elina must face down old transgressions to catch a pike and save a life.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros (Piatkus £22, 640pp)

Summer Fishing in Lapland by Juhani Karila (Pushkin £12.99, 352pp)

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A bona-fide sci-fi blockbuster where AI and quantum-leaping have combined to create a lethal, cosmic mess. Caught up in the mayhem are a Nigerian sex-worker, a disembodied scientific genius and a clever rabbit — because in an infinite universe, anything is possible. Huge complexity, awesome story-telling, utterly gripping.

Ink Blood Sister Scribe

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Here be blood magic, secret libraries, a major, magical conspiracy and sisters, one with powers that put her family’s life at risk. This is a scorchingly good debut with a grand geographic sweep, an excellent variation on spell-casting, hugely satisfying family dynamics and surprisingly gory episodes of quite squirm-inducing efficacy.

Infinity Gate by M.R. Carey (Orbit £18.99, 512pp)

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs (Century £16.99, 416pp)