Books Like...

The Municipalists by Seth Fried is a science fiction novel that blends humor, adventure, and social commentary. The story follows a button-down bureaucrat named Henry and his liberated AI assistant, OWEN, as they navigate a city resembling New York in the near future. Their mission is to stop a rogue civil servant and his high society girlfriend from destroying cultural institutions to redirect urban renewal funds to impoverished neighborhoods. The book explores themes of city planning, AI with attitude, friendship, betrayal, and the widening gap between urban and rural communities.

In "The Salvage Crew" by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne, readers are taken on a sci-fi adventure following a salvage crew on a mission to an uninhabited world. The crew, consisting of diverse and flawed characters, faces unexpected challenges and uncovers terrifying secrets on the planet Urmagon Beta. The story is narrated from the perspective of an opinionated AI named Amber Rose, providing a unique and engaging viewpoint. The book combines elements of AI, human relationships, poetry, and survival, creating a narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

The plot of "The Salvage Crew" is driven by the crew's interactions, challenges, and the mysteries they encounter on the alien planet. The writing style mixes humor, irreverence, and deep philosophical themes, offering readers a blend of adventure, exploration, and introspection. Through its characters and world-building, the book delves into themes of humanity, technology, and the unknown, making it a compelling read for fans of sci-fi and those looking for a fresh take on the genre.

"The Second Rebel" is the second installment in the "First Sister" series, set in a dystopian future where various factions in space are embroiled in conflict. The narrative continues from where "The First Sister" left off, focusing on the character of First Sister, who has regained her voice and seeks to reform the Sisterhood from within to combat corruption and power misuse. The story intricately weaves multiple characters' journeys, including Lito and Ofiera, as they engage in a mission to rescue Sorrel, and delves into the complexities of rebellion, personal growth, and the fight against oppressive systems.

The writing style is engaging and accessible, allowing readers to deeply connect with the thoughts and emotions of the characters. The author skillfully incorporates hints and references to the previous book, making it easier for readers to follow the unfolding events. The narrative is enriched by its exploration of contemporary issues such as racism, gender identity, and the struggles of marginalized communities, all while maintaining a relatable human experience. The blend of action, politics, and emotional depth contributes to a captivating space opera that resonates with its audience.

In "Chilling Effect" by Valerie Valdes, readers are introduced to Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra, who navigate through a galactic gray market. The story follows Eva's journey to rescue her kidnapped sister from the galactic crime syndicate known as The Fridge, all while dealing with alien overlords, mysterious artifacts, and a crew that is both eccentric and loyal. Valdes weaves a tale filled with diverse species, pop culture references, and a touch of Spanglish, creating a universe reminiscent of space operas like "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Saga."

'Snapshot' by Brandon Sanderson is a science fiction novella set in a world where entire cities can be recreated virtually for detectives to investigate crimes. The story follows detectives Anthony Davis and Chaz as they uncover a larger crime while investigating a murder. The concept of a 'Snapshot' where a virtual copy of the world from a few days ago can be created is central to the plot, reminiscent of movies like Source Code and The Matrix. explores the consequences of living in a 'fake' world and the challenges faced by the characters in solving the crime within this unique setting.

On an Earth that is on the point of death through global warming, there is an orbital lift still operating from a small town on the equator in Africa. Rich people preparing to ascend the elevator stop off at a hotel in the town. When things go wrong with the hotel's systems, teams of Fire Walkers are called in to get things sorted out. The fire walkers are young, talented, tough, and very poor. They have to be all these things to withstand the heat and be desperate enough to go out on potentially suicidal missions to improvise fixes to keep things working well enough for survival. This book is the story of one team of fire walkers lead by Mao who are commissioned to deal with a drop in power coming from the solar power fields to the south of the town. The slow reveal of the problem the fire walkers are actually facing is good but the ending was a bit too much of a quick fix after the slow build-up of the other scenarios in the story. Tchaikovsky has come up with some good twists that make this a very different tale to any that I have previously encountered. This is not the best of Tchaikovsky's work. It has the feeling of being the author's notes for a successor work. I found it sketchy in places but still a riveting read. I look forward to reading the books that build on this backstory. There are interesting ideas to be found in the book's closing pages. The 'Fire Walkers' is a decent read. It will grip you and, I hope, will leave you wanting more. But the 'sketchbook' feeling of the work means it falls short of the standard I expect for my 5-star rating.

'The God Engines' by John Scalzi is a dark science fictional fantasy novella set in a universe where a totalitarian theocracy rules the stars. The story revolves around a space-faring civilization whose technology is completely dependent on divine power, particularly the gods who are enslaved to power starships. The plot delves into the complexities of faith, power, and the manipulation of gods for human endeavors. The writing style is described as intense, thought-provoking, and with vivid descriptions that create a haunting and terrifying atmosphere.

"Mickey7" by Edward Ashton is a science fiction novel that explores the concept of human cloning and identity. The protagonist, Mickey 7, is reset over and over again, leading to intriguing and sometimes uncomfortable thought experiments. The book presents a world with sentient aliens and advanced technology, raising questions about the future and the nature of humanity. The plot unfolds with a mix of humor, tension, and inventive world-building, keeping readers engaged with unique scenarios and twists. However, some readers felt that the story had slow spots and lacked in-depth exploration of certain fascinating concepts, leaving them wanting more depth and action.

In a world where murder victims inexplicably come back to life, a new job of a Dispatcher emerges - someone who kills people before they die so they can return to life. The novella follows a police detective and a Dispatcher as they investigate the disappearance of a fellow Dispatcher, delving into the morality and consequences of this unique phenomenon. John Scalzi blends fantasy with reality in a believable way, creating a fast-paced and intriguing story that leaves readers wanting more.

In "Gearbreakers" by Zoe Hana Mikuta, the story revolves around Sona and Eris, two women on opposing sides - one trained by Godolia to pilot a Valkyrie Windup and the other a notorious Gearbreaker rebel. Their paths intersect as they form an unlikely alliance to take down the oppressive regime of Godolia. The book is set in a dystopian world filled with mechas, giant mecha battles, rebellion, found family, and unexpected romance. The plot is fast-paced, filled with action, plot twists, and engaging character dynamics, all narrated through a dual POV that provides insight into the world and the characters' perspectives.

The writing style of "Gearbreakers" is captivating, with a gripping opening line that hooks the reader from the start. The novel skillfully weaves together themes of revenge, survival, betrayal, and redemption, creating a world that is both dark and hopeful. The characters, especially the primary ones like Sona and Eris, are well-developed and offer a diverse representation, while the relationships and conflicts drive the story forward, culminating in a cliffhanger ending that leaves readers eager for the next installment.