Books: Fire, Thrawn, Stross, Luna

[woodwardiocom]

Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds

Set in Reynolds' Glitter Band universe, this is a novel about wealth corrupting, leading to murder mysteries and conspiracies in an alliance of space habitats. Creepy, but for Reynolds it's a bit "more of the same".

The Nightmare Stacks and The Delirium Brief by Charles Stross

Stross' Laundry Series was in danger of becoming "more of the same" as well, but these two volumes start to ring changes on the setting, what with an otherworldly invasion that's impossible to cover up. Unfortunately, in this world, the more obvious the magic is, the closer it is to the end of all things. Bonus points for including a kettenkrad.

Thrawn by Timothy Zahn

It must be very interesting to be told to go back and reboot the story of one of your greatest creations. Thrawn is an Imperial Admiral in the Star Wars universe, and one of the best-written villains of that setting. Zahn first created him decades ago, but those stories are no longer canon. This retelling of his origins is intriguing and ties in strongly to the Rebels TV show.

Flowers Of Luna by Jennifer Linsky

A delightful novel of love, fame, fashion, and duels on the Moon. A young woman accidentally insults another on her first day at a prestigious fashion school, and promptly falls in love with her. Secrets abound, heartbreak ensues. (On the Moon.) Reads a bit like a less fraught Revolutionary Girl Utena.