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Lists

Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi of 2014

by Mary Jo Schimelpfenig, December 10, 2014 10:00 AM
Here are the books that knocked my socks off in 2014. All of them would make great gifts; each of them was truly something that evoked that inexpressible delight of finding an author you are excited about.

÷ ÷ ÷

Fool's Assassin (Fitz and the Fool #1)

by Robin Hobb

All the things I loved about the earlier Fitz books are here again: Hobb's ability to take you deep inside the characters' inner workings, the reappearance of many old friends from the previous books. The opening finds Fitz living in relative peace at Withywoods with his beloved wife, Molly, but naturally that doesn't last long, and the book ends with a good, solid cliffhanger. Hobb is in fine form here.

Half a King (Shattered Sea #1)

by Joe Abercrombie

I was completely immersed in Yarvi's story by the second page, and I read this book every chance I could get until it was over. Yarvi is a prince who unexpectedly becomes king, is nearly murdered shortly after being crowned, escapes death only to be enslaved... and that's when the real fun begins. Abercrombie keeps the pace brisk enough for even the most reluctant of readers.

The Mirror Empire (Worldbreaker #1)

by Kameron Hurley

Tired of cookie-cutter plots and hackneyed characters? Here's your next book. Inventive, stellar world-building. Satellites, blood magic, and war aplenty. You haven't read anything like this. Hurley's writing just keeps getting better and better. I've been a fan of the author since God's War, and she is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Traitor's Blade (Greatcoats #1)

by Sebastien de Castell

Swashbuckling sass and rollicking adventure. The minute Falco jumped out a window, I knew I was in for a good read. Lots of sword fights, plenty of harebrained schemes, and a cracking good story with zesty dialogue. Fans of Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora will devour this with gusto.

The Martian

by Andy Weir

Nail-biting suspense. An astronaut is separated from his group and inadvertently stranded on Mars. Will he be rescued? Forced to battle the elements, temperamental machinery, and an uncertain supply of food and water, his survival is tenuous at best. Told in the form of a logbook, The Martian is certain to keep you up way past your bedtime. This is a good choice for fans of hard sci-fi.

The Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance

by Jeff Vandermeer

In between these beautifully designed covers are some of Vandermeer's most inventive and creepy adventures. All three volumes of the Southern Reach Trilogy were released in 2014, so you won't have to wait years to find out how the story ends. They're available in a single-volume edition complete with brilliant cover art.

The New Annotated H. P. Lovecraft

edited by Leslie S. Klinger

With its gorgeous production, from the waving tentacles on the cover to the meticulous annotations, this one gets it just right. It would definitely make a stunning holiday gift. Not everything that Lovecraft wrote is here, but at 928 pages, there's plenty to enjoy.

The Steampunk User's Manual

by Jeff VanderMeer and Desirina Boskovich

Several years ago, VanderMeer put out The Steampunk Bible: An Illustrated Guide to the World of Imaginary Airships, Corsets and Goggles, Mad Scientists, and Strange Literature. This is a companion book, full of photographs of makers and their diverse creations. It would be a great gift for any creative type on your list; there really is something for everyone here. Instructions for several projects are included.

Prince of Fools (Red Queen's War #1)

by Mark Lawrence

Prince of Fools is essentially a tale of two opposites: Jalan, a self-professed coward highly skilled at avoiding responsibility, 10th in line for the throne; and Snorri, a mighty warrior and survivor of countless battles from the frozen north. Bound together by an act of magic, they must travel together through the frozen wilderness of Snorri's homeland. If you've read Lawrence's Broken Empire trilogy, this is set in the same world but has a much different tone. It's funnier and less violent, but still action-packed.

÷ ÷ ÷

More on Powells.com:

  • Best Fiction of 2014
  • Best Nonfiction of 2014
  • Best Cookbooks of 2014
  • Best YA Fiction of 2014
  • Best Kids' Books of 2014

 




Books mentioned in this post

The Lies of Locke Lamora

Lynch, Scott

Gods War Bel Dame Apocrypha 1

Kameron Hurley

Steampunk Users Manual An Illustrated Practical & Whimsical Guide to Creating Retro futurist Dreams

Jeff Vandermeer, Desirina Boskovich

Area X: The Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihilation; Authority; Acceptance

Jeff Vandermeer

Prince of Fools Red Queens War Book 1

Mark Lawrence
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One Response to "Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi of 2014"

Ted Cross December 12, 2014 at 03:20 AM
I visited Powell's about three years ago and it was awesome. I have a debut cyberpunk thriller out that is getting wonderful reviews, but I can't see any way to get the book into Powell's. Is it only via used books? My book is called The Immortality Game.

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