Latest news with #AdrianTchaikovsky
Geek Dad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
‘Bee Speaker by Adrian Tchaikovsky:' A Book Review
Another month, another book by Adrian Tchaikovsky. This time, returning to his irregular but excellent Dogs of War series. Each book nominally stands on its own. Indeed, I read book 2, Bear Head , before reading book 1, Dogs of War, with little detriment. Having said that, to fully understand the world Tchaikovsky has created, I would recommend reading at least Dogs of War before commencing Bee Speaker. If you haven't read the Dogs of War trilogy, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do. They remain my favorite of Tchaikovsky's books, and some of the best science fiction I have read. The main premise of the Dogs of War universe is that humans have invented bioengineering and used it to create 'Bioforms.' Engineered dogs, bears, and even snakes and reptiles, to be used in the theatre of battle. Both Bear Head and Dogs of War explore the ethics of using non-human sentient creatures to do one's dirty work. Both books are utterly compelling and hooked me from the very first page. Another key component of the books is distributed intelligence systems. Essentially, in the series, hive minds were distributed across Earth and later, Mars. Bees are one such system, and they play a pivotal role in Dogs of War. Unsurprisingly, they take center stage in Bee Speaker. Bee Speaker takes place some time after the previous two books. Civilization has collapsed on Earth, leaving them with some pre-collapse technology, but few ways of recreating it. Mars, meanwhile, is beginning to thrive. The citizens of Mars receive a distress signal from Earth – from bees – and decide they need to investigate. The novel opens with that investigation underway. The Martian explorers have arrived on Earth, and things are about to go very, very wrong. Tchaikovsky delivers again. If a little more slowly. Unlike the other two novels, it took me a while to work my way into Bee Speaker, and I can't quite put my finger on why. It might be because there are several different competing factions (Earth's citizens, as depicted here, have a feel of the Fallout factions to them). The story contains humans and bioforms from both Earth and Mars, and I initially struggled to identify fully with any of them. I think there was some deliberate vagueness for plot reasons, too and I could only appreciate this once I was deeply immersed in the book. And deeply immersed I became! Bee Speaker is a sparkling construct that examines the power and limitations of distributed intelligence (and therefore, by extension, in a more real-world context, AI). Once again, (as he did with Alien Clay as well as the other Dogs of War novels), Tchaikovsky makes us rethink how we see ourselves. Makes us consider the nature of life and the definition of sentience. There is also, as there often is in his novels, a subtle examination of power structures and, in this case, the absurdity of doomsday-prepared billionaires. After reading Bee Speaker , I am happy to maintain that the Dogs of War series are my favorite of Tchaikovsky's books (though his output is so large, I have barely scratched the surface). If you haven't read them, I thoroughly recommend you do. I've yet to encounter anybody who doesn't like them. Will there be more? Who knows? Each story mostly drives down its own cul-de-sac, yet Adrain Tchaikovsky keeps revealing pathways to new roads. May the exploration long continue. If you would like to pick up a copy of Bee Speaker, you can do so here in the US and here, in the UK. (Affiliate Links) If you enjoyed this review, check out my other book reviews, here. I received a copy of this book in order to write this review. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Gizmodo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
57 New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books Arriving in June
Greet the summer heat with new books from Adrian Tchaikovsky, V.E. Schwab, Malka Older, Elizabeth Bear, and more. It's a new month and a new season, and a huge pile of new sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books is on the way. Keep reading for rebellious royals, climate thrillers, reimagined myths, galactic heists, post-apocalyptic journeys, romances that challenge space and time, ghostly tales, and so much more. June 3 The Afterlife Project by Tim Weed In the year 2068, scientists journey across the post-apocalyptic planet hoping to save humankind before it's too late. At the same time, they send a microbiologist millions of years into the future in search of signs of life that might help them in their quest. (June 3) Bee Speaker by Adrian Tchaikovsky The Dogs of War series continues in this third entry exploring 'a future where genetically engineered 'Bioforms' have inherited not the Earth, but the Solar System.' (June 3) Black Salt Queen by Samantha Bansil 'Filled with passion, romance, betrayal, and divine magic, Black Salt Queen journeys to a gorgeous precolonial island nation where women—and secrets—reign.' (June 3) The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward Twin sisters who were adopted into different homes after their mother died are shocked when she seemingly reappears 30 years later, having not aged a day. Is this a con artist at work, or something even more insidious? (June 3) Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie Mare 'A multiverse novel about two women who fall in love despite living in worlds that are five months apart, as they try to find a timeline that doesn't end in disaster.' (June 3) Crueler Mercies by Maren Chase A princess is forced into exile after her father has her mother executed. Over a decade later, as she's offered an arranged marriage that will allow her return to royalty, she discovers a much better option when she meets an alluring lady-in-waiting who schools her in magic alchemy. (June 3) Fenrir by Eric Flint and Ryk E. Spoor 'When astronomer Stephanie Bronson uncovers a massive alien vessel named Fenrir racing toward the Sun, she must lead a desperate mission to rescue its crew before a catastrophic failure dooms them both to fiery destruction.' (June 3) Galaxy Grifter by Alla Zaykova After an interstellar con man loses his spaceship to a gang as loan collateral, he decides to pull a heist that will solve all his money troubles—only to uncover a far more dangerous scheme that's already in the works. (June 3) A Game of Monsters by Ben Alderson The Realm of Fey series concludes as 'bolstered with the sudden help of his ex-love Erix, Robin embarks on a mission to save Duncan, seeking out the aid of the Nephilim once more. However, Robin finds that the game of the gods is not over, and those he can trust may have other motives.' (June 3) The God and the Gwisin by Sophie Kim 'In this swoony sequel to The God and the Gumiho, a trickster god must work with his reincarnated lost love to solve his brother's murder on board a luxury underworld cruise ship.' (June 3) It's Not the End of the World by Jonathan Parks-Ramage This tale set in near-future Los Angeles is described as 'a terrifying climate thriller, a vicious takedown of the uber-wealthy, and a queer family saga that isn't afraid to punch back.' (June 3) The Lure of Their Graves by Laura R. Samotin 'In the heart-wrenching sequel to The Sins on Their Bones, The Lure of Their Graves forces Dimitri and Vasily to confront old ghosts and a new threat: political enemies-turned-suitors, all coveting Dimitri's throne and his hand in marriage.' (June 3) Maria the Wanted by V. Castro 'A fierce and seductive vampire thriller, pulsing with rage, fear and desire, that explores the dark back streets of Mexico and a vampire woman's determination to find her place in the world.' (June 3) Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove A sentient spaceship strikes back—with the help of a team of monster allies—when an ancient vampire starts killing off her human passengers in this 'queer love child of pulp horror and classic sci-fi.' (June 3) Queen of Mercy by Natania Barron 'The gorgeous final chapter in the critically acclaimed female-led Arthurian Fantasy Romance trilogy.' (June 3) Realms of the Round Table by John Matthews 'Rare and previously unpublished tales of one of the most famous legends in literature is brought to life for a new generation by one of the world's leading Arthurian experts and illustrated by an acclaimed Tolkien artist.' (June 3) Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky 'On a planet shrouded in darkness, a stranded crew must fight for survival—but the darkness may have plans of its own.' (June 3) A Song of Legends Lost by M.H. Ayinde 'An unforgettable tale of revenge and rebellion unfolds when a reckless king implements an ill-fated plan to end a thousand-year war in this relentlessly gripping epic fantasy debut.' (June 3) Ten Incarnations of Rebellion by Vaishnavi Patel 'An epic and daring novel that imagines an alternate version of 1960s India that was never liberated from the British, and a young woman's struggle to change the tides of history.' (June 3) The Two Lies of Faven Sythe by Megan E. O'Keefe 'A search for a missing person uncovers a galaxy-spanning conspiracy in this thrilling standalone space opera.' (June 3) The Unmapping by Denise Robbins 'Each person in New York wakes up on an unfamiliar block when the buildings all switch locations overnight. The next night, it happens again … While scientists scramble to find a solution—or at least a means to cope—and mysterious 'red cloak' cults crop up in the disaster's wake, New York begins to reckon with a new reality no one recognizes.' (June 3) June 10 Awakened by Laura Elliott 'In a bid to make us more productive, to give us more time, science took sleep from humanity. But sleeplessness turned people into feral monsters and now a small group of scientists are trapped in the Tower of London, consumed by guilt at what they have done and desperately searching for a cure.' (June 10) Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab 'A genre-defying novel about immortality and hunger' set in 1532 Spain, 1827 London, and 2019 Boston. (June 10) A Dance of Lies by Brittney Arena 'A debut fantasy romance filled with hope after heartbreak, secrets, and betrayal, as a dancer-turned-spy must decide how far she will go to secure her freedom.' (June 10) The Flight of the Fallen by Hana Lee The 'gritty, queer Mad Max–inspired fantasy duology continues with more high-stakes political intrigue, monsters of all kinds, and a high-speed motorcycle adventure to find a refuge for humanity beyond the wasteland.' (June 10) Just Emilia by Jennifer Oko 'The past, present, and future collide in a DC Metro elevator as three women get caught up in a gripping time-traveling tale of memory, emotion, and unspoken truths about their shared history.' (June 10) The Lady, the Tiger and the Girl Who Loved Death by Helen Marshall In this dark fantasy, a young woman learns to tame death from her grandmother, then joins the circus as the first step toward avenging her parents. (June 10) The Nimbus by Robert P. Baird Marriage, parenthood, and religion share focus in this satirical tale about a divinity professor facing the impossible when his toddler son begins periodically giving off a strange, glowing light that changes the lives of those who witness it. (June 10) The Palace of Illusions by Rowenna Miller This tale set during an early 20th century World's Fair in Paris follows a gifted clockmaker who discovers a fantastical mirror world—then realizes there's a dark side to tapping into its magic. (June 10) The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses by Malka Older 'The next entry in the multi-award-nominated cozy space-opera mystery series the Investigations of Mossa and Pleiti' follows Pleiti setting out on her own to investigate a plagiarism accusation that conceals a much darker mystery. (June 10) Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle 'Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy.' (June 10) Six Wild Crowns by Holly Race 'A breathtaking epic fantasy of dragons, courtly intrigue, sapphic yearning, and the wives of Henry VIII as you've never seen them before.' (June 10) This Is Not a Ghost Story by Amerie A man's peaceful afterlife existence is suddenly disrupted when he's shoved back into the world of the living in Los Angeles, where he 'becomes an instant celebrity for being the first visible and verifiable ghost.' (June 10) The Witch Roads by Kate Elliott A courier assigned to guide a snobbish prince to safety warns him not to enter a haunted tower—which he ignores—then must contend with the additional danger that shadows their journey as a result. (June 10) Writing Mr. Right by Alina Khawaja Just as she's decided to give up her aspirations of being a successful romance novelist, a woman's shocked when her muse comes to life. Things get complicated when she starts to fall for him—especially since he'll vanish once she fully recovers her writing spark. (June 10) June 17 Ecstasy by Ivy Pochoda In this 'deliciously dark horror reimagining of a Greek tragedy,' a woman finds herself again after her controlling husband dies and she unwittingly encounters an ancient god. (June 17) Engines of War by R.S. Ford 'The final novel in a trilogy where guilds clash, magic fuels machines, and an all-out war has consumed an empire.' (June 17) A Far Better Thing by H.G. Parry 'A heart-rending fantasy of faery revenge set during the French Revolution.' (June 17) The Folded Sky by Elizabeth Bear 'Dr. Sunya Song embarks on an interstellar journey across the Milky Way to connect with the artificial intelligence known as Baomind, a moon-sized entity that holds the key to humanity's survival amidst cosmic challenges and unforeseen threats.' (June 17) The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes 'In a fast-paced, sexy, ghostly adventure, a publicist at the top of her game must confront her secret mystical past.' (June 17) A Holy Maiden's Guide to Getting Kidnapped by Katy Nyquist 'A Holy Maiden should never drink, get kidnapped, nor kiss a Dark Lord, but Ysabel is breaking all the rules to escape her fate as a human sacrifice.' (June 17) If Wishes Were Retail by Auston Habershaw 'In this hilarious debut fantasy cozy, a rebellious―but enterprising―young woman and an ancient―but clueless―genie set up shop at the local mall.' (June 17) The Mercy Makers by Tessa Gratton 'A talented heretic must decide between the pursuit of forbidden magic, or the ecstasy of forbidden love, in the start of a sweeping, romantic epic fantasy trilogy.' (June 17) This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman 'A princess with a mostly useless magical talent takes on horrible monsters, a dozen identical masked heroes, and a talking lion in a quest to save a kingdom—and herself—in this affectionate satire of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale The Twelve Huntsmen.' (June 17) School of Shards by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko, translated by Julia Meitov Hersey The Vita Nostra trilogy concludes in this 'magical dark academia novel' that 'brings the story of Sasha to a revelatory climax as she learns to take control of her powers and reshape the world…or destroy it forever.' (June 17) UnWorld by Jayson Greene 'A gripping novel about four intertwined lives that collide in the wake of a mysterious tragedy set in a near-future world where the boundaries between human and AI blur.' (June 17) Wearing the Lion by John Wiswell This tale 'brings a humanizing and humorous touch to the Hercules story, forever changing the way we understand the man behind the myth—and the goddess reluctantly bound to him.' (June 17) June 24 An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating by Cecelia Edward 'An ancient witch explores the thrills—and perils—of online dating with hilarity and heart in a charming rom-com perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and witchy romance.' (June 24) As You Wish by Leesa Cross-Smith When three friends working as au pairs in Seoul visit a magic waterfall, they start to realize the wishes they made don't really represent their deepest dreams. (June 24) The Dallergut Dream-Making District by Miye Lee, translated by Sandy Joosun Lee 'In this bestselling follow-up to The Dallergut Dream Department Store, Penny and her crew of coworkers must visit a special dream-making district to unlock new secrets about the customers they lost and hope to bring back.' (June 24) The Ellyrian Code: The Treaty of Edriendor by BF Peterson 'Fourth Wing meets The Atlas Six in this epic fantasy set in an elite university, where four students test their mettle to become part of an elite order of dragon riders.' (June 24) Glass Girls by Danie Shokoohi 'A former child medium is forced to face her deadly past and the ghosts she left behind in this electrifying debut.' (June 24) Heart of the Wyrdwood by RJ Barker 'The epic conclusion to the Forsaken trilogy, set in a forest straight out of darkest folklore with outlaws fighting an evil empire and warring deities.' (June 24) The Last Vigilant by Mark A. Latham 'In a world where magic is forgotten, monsters lurk in the dark woods, and honorable soldiers are few, this utterly gripping epic fantasy tells the story of an out-of-practice wizard and a hot-headed sergeant who are thrust into the heart of a mystery that threatens to unravel their kingdom's fragile peace.' (June 24) Lords of Creation by S.M. Stirling 'In this series conclusion, the richly imagined worlds of a habitable Venus and Mars, each with their own unique civilizations and ecosystems, come alive again.' (June 24) A Magic Deep and Drowning by Hester Fox In the Dutch Republic circa 1650, a woman longing to escape her overbearing family meets a mysterious man in a tale inspired by The Little Mermaid. (June 24) The Secret Romantic's Book of Magic edited by Marie O'Regan and Paul Kane 'Enemies become lovers, rivalry turns to romance, and convenient marriages create true love in these 12 addictive romantasy tales. Featuring Olivie Blake, Kelley Armstrong, Katherine Arden, Hannah Nicole Maehrer, Tasha Suri, Melissa Marr and more.' (June 24)
The Guardian
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
What we're reading: writers and readers on the books they enjoyed in January
Everyone else got there a long time ago but I've only recently read Adrian Tchaikovsky's sci-fi masterpiece Children of Time. Cautionary, richly imaginative and deeply, unexpectedly humane, it was both utterly unputdownable and a welcome relief from the current resignation to dystopia. I've also been taking delight in Edward Carey's glorious novel Edith Holler. Set in a Norwich that is at once fictional, historical and fantastical, he transports the reader into the world of brilliant 12-year-old Edith who is cursed to never leave her family's tumbledown theatre … until fate decides otherwise. Filled with the author's witty, curious observations and alive with his own illustrations, it's a novel like no other. I've been a Simon Russell Beale fan ever since, as a teenager, I first saw him in The Duchess of Malfi back in the 90s. So imagine my excitement when his memoir, A Piece of Work, appeared in the bookshops. It threads around every Shakespearean role he's performed – from Desdemona at school to his famous Richard III, his unforgettable Hamlet and beyond. It's a fascinating, hands-on view. The City Changes Its Face by Eimear McBride is published by Faber (£20). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at Delivery charges may apply. I am always drawn to books that offer in-depth character studies. The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey left me eager to learn more about each character, with each section of the book drawing me further into their world. Meanwhile Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan was a slow burn. I felt as if I was being guided in one direction, only to be sent off on a detour, as O'Hagan unveiled the different layers of his central character's life. At times, I felt like I was being drawn into an unsettling dystopian world. Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion For many months I've been reading novels for the Women's prize for fiction, which is celebrating its 30th year, and for which I'm on the judging panel. In between those books I've been reading poetry, and two of the best British collections I've discovered recently are Caleb Femi's Poor and Victoria Adukwei Bulley's Quiet. The latter is a wholly unique, beautifully muscled contemplation on the prism of silence and black interiority which really resonated with me. I also found Femi's collection very moving, with its acute, truthful and loving observation of the lives of black boys on the North Peckham Estate in London. I Want to Talk to You by Diana Evans is published by Chatto & Windus (£18.99). To support the Guardian and the Observer order your copy at Delivery charges may apply. I've just finished two great books, both of which I definitely rate five out of five. The first was The Outrun by Amy Liptrot, a beautiful and emotional memoir that tells the story of the author's childhood on Orkney, her move to London, and her return to Orkney aged 30 as a recovering alcoholic. Returning to the Scottish island, she reconnects with the power of the land and sea, and Orkney's history, culture and people. An immersive personal journey that reminds the reader of the healing and magical power of nature. The second book I loved lately was The New Life by Tom Crewe, a fictional account of the lives of John Addington Symonds and Henry Havelock Ellis, who wrote the first English medical textbook about homosexuality, Sexual Inversion. As well as being a brilliant and gripping story, the history behind it is fascinating.
