Lethe
An ambitious, idea-dense debut with aquatic hybrids, psychic dolphins, wormholes, cyclops tribes, and a mysteriously idyllic world. The first two-thirds are gripping and full of promise, but a muddled final stretch and weak payoff keep it from fully cashing in on its fascinating setup.
Jinian Footseer
A pragmatic young woman sets off through a richly imagined fantasy world, encountering strange creatures, mysterious old gods, and no shortage of adventures—with six wonderful older women offering support along the way. A captivating, meandering journey whose pleasures far outweigh its frustratingly rushed conclusion.
A City in the North
A wealthy human explorer becomes obsessed with visiting an ancient ruin on a planet whose enigmatic native inhabitants want outsiders to stay away. In just 222 pages, Marta Randall delivers a fascinating, character-driven exploration of alien cultures, colonialism, and the limits of human understanding.
A Door Into Ocean
On an ocean-covered moon, an all-female society of gifted biologists faces a growing threat from a militaristic civilization. An extraordinary exploration of ecology, identity, culture, and nonviolent resistance, with rich characterization and a gripping second half that was almost too tense for me.
Regenesis
Four loosely connected novellas follow a misanthropic ecological scientist working to preserve animal life across the galaxy. Rich in real science, surprising emotion, and occasional delightful weirdness, Regenesis left me wishing there were more.