Welcome to Future Fiction, my reimagining of the Waiting on Wednesday meme! There are so many amazing new books coming out, that I can no longer pick just one. My goal with Future Fiction is to share at least three new books each week, a combination of recent cover reveals and books that I’ve recently added to my TBR pile. I’m still going to be linking up with Wishful Endings/Can’t Wait Wednesday, and I also want to give a shout out to Jill at Breaking the Spine for starting the original Waiting on Wednesday meme. I hope you’ll find some new books to add to your TBR piles, and as always, I look forward to hearing what YOU’RE looking forward to:-D
This is the last Future Fiction of SciFiMonth 2021, and I’ve had a lot of fun showcasing upcoming SF reads. I hope you’ve enjoyed these selections!
A gripping, far-future retelling of Beowulf from an award-winning author, perfect for fans of Richard K. Morgan
Yorick never wanted to see his homeworld again. Thirty years later, he finds himself sent back to the icy mining colony as a company man–and he can’t leave this frozen rock in the dust until he neutralizes the threat. A vicious, long-forgotten machine has newly thawed from the ice, and it seems to have a mind of its own.But as Yorick plumbs the depths of of the mines and his own past, he finds a tangled conspiracy that’s much more than he bargained for–and its source is closer to home than he ever could have guessed.
Ymir by Rich Larson. Releases in July 2022 from Orbit Books. A sci-fi retelling of Beowulf, this sounds like fun! This doesn’t sound like a sequel, but it does say on Edelweiss that it’s book #2 in Larson’s The Violet Wars series, so it could be. In any case I can’t wait to read this:-D
In a long-ago war, the all-powerful A.I. ruler of the Voluntary State of Tennessee—Athena Parthenus, Queen of Reason—invaded and decimated the American Southeast. Possessing the ability to infect and corrupt the surrounding environment with nanotechnology, she transformed flora, fauna, and the very ground itself into bio-mechanical weapons of war.
Marcia, a former captain from Kentucky, experienced first-hand the terrifying, mind-twisting capabilities of Athena’s creatures. Now back in the Commonwealth, her retirement is cut short by the arrival of federal troops in her tiny, isolated town. One of Athena’s most powerful weapons may still be buried nearby. And they need Marcia’s help to find it.
A standalone novella set in the same Kentuckian post-apocalyptic setting as the author’s previous stories “The Voluntary State” and “The Border State.”
These Prisoning Hills by Christopher Rowe. Releases in May 2022 from Tordotcom. I’m not familiar with the other stories mentioned—I think they might be short stories. Still, I’m intrigued by the Kentucky setting and the idea of nanotechnology infecting the natural environment.
A multilayered, locked-room science fiction novella from Paul Cornell in which five digital beings unravel their existences to discover the truth of their humanity.
“The crew of the Rosebud are, currently, and by force of law, a balloon, a goth with a swagger stick, some sort of science aristocrat possibly, a ball of hands, and a swarm of insects.”
When five sentient digital beings—condemned for over three hundred years to crew the small survey ship by the all-powerful Company—encounter a mysterious black sphere, their course of action is clear: obtain the object, inform the Company, earn lots of praise.
But the ship malfunctions, and the crew has no choice but to approach the sphere and survey it themselves. They have no idea that this object—and the transcendent truth hidden within—will change the fate of all existence, the Company, and themselves.
Rosebud by Paul Cornell. Releases in April 2022 from Tordocom. First, locked room mystery, one of my favorite tropes. Second, the story itself sound so good! I’m excited to check this out.
This is an interesting selection!! I think that the more compelling to me is Rose-Bud but the other two sounds quite interesting too!! Thanks for sharing them!
I’m also so curious about Rosebud:-)
I’m interested in all of these. I’ve not read Larson before, but I have read just a little Morgan, who they compare it to, and the story sounds interesting. I really like the cover for These Prisoning Hills. And I’m intrigued by an all digital crew in Rosebud.
The all digital crew is a fascinating idea, and not one I’ve run across before:-)
I haven’t read Beowulf but I know the story and a sci-fi retelling of it does sound interesting. Maybe Ymir is the second in the series but that can also be read as a standalone?
The title of These Prisoning Hills alone gives me chills and: “she transformed flora, fauna, and the very ground itself into bio-mechanical weapons of war” that kinda worries me because I feel like that could really happen someday but it also sound like a thrilling read!
Rosebud sounds like it has grreat potential. I also like locked room mysteries, both in books and movies. It’s fun to try and figure it all out!
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I’m hoping it’s a standalone, I am so curious. Retellings can be hit or miss but I’m hoping this one is good:-)
The locked room mystery sounds good to me – Rosebud.
Lynn 😀
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Yes, I’m all over locked room mysteries these days;-)
They all sound fascinating! I think I’d read Rosebud before the others, but really, I’m intrigued by all!
It’s definitely an interesting bunch!
Wow. The cover for These Prisoning Hills is incredible! Cover buy for sure.
I agree! It’s surreal, right?
Not me rushing to Goodreads to add these! (Well, the last one was already on my list but still!) I agree, the apocalyptic midwest sound quite interesting- I kind of want to check out the other stories too, for worldbuilding purposes! And far-future Beowulf obviously has my interest! Thanks so much for sharing these, as always! (I literally star your posts when I get the email- I know my TBR is going to grow! )
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You’re so sweet! I am obsessed with finding new books and covers, it’s sort of sad, lol.
These all seem somewhat frightening to me Tammy! I need fluff right now 😉
LOL I totally understand Sophie!
These sound great! Ymir has me with that title 🙂
And I’m not familiar with Rowe but will definitely be checking his stuff out. That cover is giving me Simon Stalenhag vibes!
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I had to look up Simon Stalenhag but as soon as I did I recognized his work. Good call!
Oh damn, These Prisoning Hills artwork is stunning!
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