A City in the North
A wealthy human explorer becomes obsessed with visiting an ancient ruin on a planet whose enigmatic native inhabitants want outsiders to stay away. In just 222 pages, Marta Randall delivers a fascinating, character-driven exploration of alien cultures, colonialism, and the limits of human understanding.
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 Fluger
A seemingly unstoppable alien monster terrorizes a futuristic New York City while an uncooperative alien assassin hunts it down. A gloriously pulpy, occasionally gory adventure with inconsistent writing, surprisingly thoughtful characters, and unexpected moments of genuine beauty.
The Devil You Say
Aubrey Arbuthnot returns for another absurd supernatural adventure in 1920s England. The plot is more ambitious and the humor more outrageous than Strong Spirits, but an increasingly obnoxious protagonist and some unexpectedly cruel stereotypes diminish the fun.
Soul-Singer of Tyrnos
A young Singer follows the gods' guidance across Tyrnos, using the magic of song to heal suffering and expose corruption. A compact, traditional fantasy quest with likable characters, unusual magic, and just enough adventure to scratch that fantasy itch.
Strong Spirits
When a charmingly useless young aristocrat's father dies, his ghost refuses to leave him alone. A wonderfully absurd little supernatural comedy set in 1920s England, with dry humor, lovable characters, and just enough detail to make its 151 pages feel like a complete world.