This month's science fiction offerings delve into themes of spectral encounters, ancient deities, and complex social negotiations. Ann Leckie's "Radiant Star," Natalie Adler's "Waiting on a Friend," and Grace Curtis's "Heaven's Graveyard" each present distinct narratives that explore profound human and non-human experiences.
Ann Leckie, known for her unique approach to science fiction, focuses on etiquette and interstellar diplomacy in "Radiant Star." The novel navigates the complexities of how diverse civilizations, with varied faiths, forms, and identities, interact. The story centers on the Ooiooian people, who face interfaith challenges and an impending takeover by the Imperial Radch. Leckie's work is described as a compelling and moving narrative, told with precision and clarity, weaving together elements of sainthood, inheritance, unlikely friendships, and high-handed behavior.
Natalie Adler's debut novel, "Waiting on a Friend," offers an intimate exploration of love, friendship, death, and ghosts. Set in New York City during the early 1980s, a period marked by the devastating AIDS epidemic, the novel features Renata, a character who sees ghosts. These spectral presences are integrated realistically into her daily life, appearing in her apartment, on the street, and as friends. The narrative addresses Renata's experience with realism and delicacy, while a compelling subplot involving ghosts is woven into the authentic backdrop of the era's New York.
Grace Curtis's "Heaven's Graveyard" presents an emotional, slow-burn adventure focusing on buried secrets, gods, and truths. The story follows Coda Canalluny, an archaeologist and archivist who is driven to prove the existence of an ancient myth and her personal hero, Aleya Ana-Unai. Her quest is complicated by university politics, the threat of war, her neurodivergence, and a tumultuous past relationship. A telegram from an old mentor propels the plot forward, leading to a potential new dig, a murder investigation, a race for relics, the discovery of immense divine power, and a moment of reckoning for Coda.
