Book Reviews

Adam Roberts’ The Death of Sir Martin Malprelate is a warm bath of beautiful prose from start to finish. A stunning 1840s Victorian mystery pastiche that earns a breathtaking 5 stars.

Peter F. Hamilton’s The Captain’s Daughter delivers a fast-paced, high-stakes YA survival story. Despite some broad strokes, the action and evolving alien threat make it a solid 4/5

Stephen Baxter’s technology is excellently realised in Hearthspace, but the human element gets lost in an unrelentingly bleak, exhausting journey. A mixed 3-star bag.

Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford throws the Rakada clan right back into the fire. No plot armour, a brutal lizard illness, and pure emotional damage. A heart-wrenching 5 stars.

Halcyon Years is an absolute banger. A bold noir mystery where Yuri Gagarin (yes, that one) hunts killers on a starship. It’s high-concept, expertly paced, and the reveal is completely insane.

The worldbuilding is excellent, the characters are likable, but the logic of the major reveal is rushed and doesn't stand up to any kind of analytical thinking. The maths don't appear to make sense.

Hamilton, used to painting on a galaxy wide canvas narrows his focus to a single passenger on an arkship where little is as it seems. A Hole in the Sky is a fun adventure on a more personal scale.

Purgatory Mount blends interstellar mystery with a fractured near-future America, following Otty and her friends through danger, secrets, and betrayal. Engaging, jarring, and unforgettable.

An immortal warrior seeks the ability to die. Told across 80,000 years in a tale that’s brutal, lyrical, and demanding. Messy at times, but unforgettable. A dense, rewarding read.

Reynolds delivers another masterclass in world building. Machine Vendetta is an excellent character driven, hard sci-fi, space opera, police procedural that rarely lifts its foot off the gas.

Ford’s shift from sci-fi to fantasy is a triumph. With found-family dynamics, giant lizards, and heartfelt twists, The Bone Raiders is hopeful, fast-paced, and impossible to put down.

A witty, intriguing sci-fi from the author of Micky7, with a sharp premise and memorable characters, but ultimately feels like a prologue to something deeper that never quite arrives.

Addie's journey through time - shaped by a Faustian bargain - creates an unforgettable tale of legacy and loss in Schwab's mesmerizing novel.

Ursula Morrow, infected with an alien nano-virus, may hold the key to saving humanity after Earth's fall. Familiar sci-fi beats are elevated by strong characters and a surprising, satisfying ending.

Teagan Frost is back, reeling from saving hundreds with her psychokinesis. "A Sh*tload of Crazy Powers" is a thrill ride with great character development, continuing the "Frost Files" saga.

"Start With Why" explores the power of 'Why' as a driving force. Sinek's compelling thesis relies on anecdotes, risking repetition. Still, it's a thought-provoking read for understanding motivations.