Guilt-Edged Ivory
Theo and Ran return to Ivory for a murder mystery full of aristocratic intrigue. It's an enjoyable read, but the low stakes and focus on the whodunit leave less room for the rich relationships that made the earlier books so exceptional.
The Duchess of Kneedeep
A runaway duchess flees across an absurd planet where seemingly every man she encounters threatens her with sexual violence or murder. Tepid jokes, shallow characters, and a twist that trivializes her entirely reasonable fears made this supposed comedy impossible to finish.
The Adversary
The final volume of The Saga of Pliocene Exile delivers an overstuffed conclusion in which murderous abusers edge toward redemption, ever-expanding psychic powers dissolve the stakes, and crucial information is withheld simply to keep the reader turning pages. Includes a complete spoiler-filled recap for anyone who'd rather skip the 470-page ordeal.
Bone Dance
A post-apocalyptic, low-tech cyberpunk noir that mixes psychological mystery, mysticism, and questions of identity. Ambitious and occasionally beautiful, but its competing storylines and uneven development made finishing it a frustrating slog.
The Light in Exile
An agrarian colony, a mysterious agent, and an ancient alien race consumed by loss. A beautifully crafted, character-driven science fiction novel that balances cosmic stakes with intimate, believable lives—despite some languid pacing.
Two-Bit Heroes
Theodora returns to Ivory, gets engaged to Ran, and finds herself tangled up with a band of outlaws. A slow start and a messy ending can't spoil the delight of spending more time with Doris Egan's wonderfully human characters.
The Gate of Ivory
A pragmatic young woman stranded on a magical planet finds friendship, intrigue, and a wonderfully unconventional family. Clever, funny, deeply human, and an absolute delight from beginning to end.
The Nonborn King
The third Saga of Pliocene Exile novel abandons much of what made the series wonderful: compelling characters, immersive storytelling, and emotional depth. What's left is war, betrayal, and people I desperately want to see die.
Gifts of Blood
A collection of strange, beautifully imagined stories about healing vampires on the Russian steppes, plus an alien invasion and a musical spider. Rich in mythology and prose, if sometimes light on plot.
The Golden Torc
Book two of the Saga of Pliocene Exile broadens the cast, speeds up the storytelling, and leans harder into science-fantasy. Not quite as immersive as The Many-Colored Land, but still compelling—and Sugoll is worth the price of admission.
The Many-Colored Land
A one-way ticket six million years into Earth's past, a cast of misfits, and the delicious terror of the unknown. A sprawling science-fantasy epic that initially blew me away.