Stephen Baxter & Alastair Reynolds, The Medusa Chronicles
(Simon & Schuster/Saga Press Jun 2016)

SF novel, an epic space opera, sequel to Arthur C. Clarke’s Nebula Award-winning novella ‘‘A Meeting with Medusa’’, this continues the adventures of astronaut Howard Falcon, the first explorer of Jupiter, over almost 800 years of his long life, thanks to his cyborg body – following the con­tinued human exploration of space, contact with sentient races, the development of self-aware robots, and other developments. Published in the UK by Gollancz.





Neil Clarke, ed., The Best Science Fiction of the Year, Volume One
(Skyhorse/Night Shade Books Jun 2016)

Clarke, editor of the Hugo Award-winning Clarkesworld magazine, offers his own choice of the best short SF of the 2015 in this hefty new anthology, the first in a se­ries, with a look at the year in SF by Clarke, plus 31 stories by authors including Paul McAuley, Carrie Vaughn, Robert Reed, and Ian McDonald.





Neil Gaiman, The View from the Cheap Seats
(HarperCollins/Morrow Jun 2016)

This non-fiction collection offers 84 items: introductions, essays, and other items, mostly short pieces, on such topics as people he has known, science fiction, movies, comics, music, and fairy tales. ‘‘Neil Gaiman fans who hang on his every word will have a lot of hanging to do with The View from the Cheap Seats, and I hope they take advantage of the opportunity.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]





Lian Hearn, The Tale of Shikanoko, Vol. 2: Autumn Princess, Dragon Child
(FSG Originals Jun 2016)

Hearn’s knowledge and love of things Japanese infuses this latest volume in her fantasy set in feudal Japan, second in a four-book series (all four to be published this year), a grand adventure full of wonders, magic, political intrigue, and compelling characters.





Joe Hill, The Fireman
(HarperCollins/Morrow May 2016)

A world­wide plague of spontaneous human combustion caused by a spore provides the basis of this horror novel/thriller that finds a group of the infected fighting to save civilization, aided by the man called the Fireman. ‘‘A freight train of a book. Long, composed of many sections, it’s already in motion on the first page, and it does not let up until the very end.’’ [John Langan]





Kameron Hurley, The Geek Feminist Revolution
(Tor May 2016)

A non-fiction collection of 37 essays, nine new, by noted commentator Hurley, on topics such as writing, some per­sonal concerns, items of geek interest, and, of course, feminism. Includes the Hugo-winning ‘‘We Have Always Fought’’. ‘‘Hurley’s passion is undeniable, and her willingness to stand up and be counted is admirable… This is a readable collection, eloquent, persuasive, and angry.’’ [Liz Bourke]





Yoon Ha Lee, Ninefox Gambit
(Solaris Jun 2016)

This space opera/military SF novel is the first in the Machineries of Empire trilogy, set in a far-future where wars are fought over calendars. Captain Kel Cheris, in disgrace for using uncon­ventional methods in battle, sets out on a daring mission to defeat heretics who have taken over a military base, but to do so needs the help of an undead general who never lost a battle – but whose madness in the past caused the massacre of his own army. An exceptional first novel from a writer noted for his short fiction.





Stephanie Saulter, Regeneration
(Quercus/Jo Fletcher US May 2016)

The genetically modified, waterbreathing humans known as gillungs are thriving, as are their new aquatic industries – including energy innovations – but the normal population’s fear of their success threatens their achievements. Thriller elements mix with a more hopeful mood in this impressive finale to the ®Evolu­tion trilogy. ‘‘A deeply satifying novel, both in its own right and as a conclusion to the larger arc begun in Gemsigns… a novel about justice, and about humanity… an achievement I can only admire.’’ [Liz Bourke] First published in the UK by Quercus (8/15).





Jonathan Strahan, ed., The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year Volume Ten
(Rebellion/Solaris May 2016)

Strahan weighs in with his latest Year’s Best anthology, this time with a solid 27 stories from 2015, plus a discussion of the year by Strahan. Authors include Neil Gaiman, Cath­erynne M. Valente, Jeffrey Ford, Kim Stanley Robinson, Kelly Link, and Ann Leckie.