I picked up this book because I felt sorry for it (why? Look at the cover!) and my virtue was rewarded.  I love it when that happens.

After taking an impromptu road trip to recover from losing her job, Maggie finds herself auditioning for the Crossroads Theatre summer stock company.  In the weeks that follow, she begins to realize that what’s coming together is a bit more magical than a musical (or two).  If you’ve ever been in a play, you’ll enjoy this book.  And if you’ve ever wondered why anyone might want to, you’ll begin to understand.  A really nice read.

CS

Orphaned in a horrific disaster, Trei joins his mother’s family on the Flying Islands. There, he finds his purpose in life: to become one of the kajurahi, those who fly with magical wings. He also finds his cousin Araene, whose own destiny is more powerful- and dangerous- than she had ever imagined.

It’s hard to describe The Floating Islands. I can say it’s about identity, grief, flight, magic, and cooking. I can tell you that it’s beautifully written, and emotionally true. I can say that it’s absolutely wonderful. All of which is true… but that doesn’t begin to do it justice.

Read it. Find out why Rachel Neumeier has become so highly recommended.

CS

On to Fantasy. As always, feel free to add your own suggestions.

Rachel Aaron Spirit Thief, Spirit Rebellion, Spirit Eater
In Eli Monpress’s world, everything — rivers, trees, doors, shingles — has an animating spirit. And he is one of the rare few who can easily interact with them. A successful thief, he mostly uses his rare talent to execute spectacular heists. But ‘thief’ is not the same as ‘villian’, and when the spirits are in trouble, Eli brings all of his skills to help. An entertaining new hero, and series.

Guy Gavriel Kay Under Heaven
Alone, but for the ghosts of the slain, Shen Tai has spent two years burying the dead from his people’s last great battle. But his work does not go unnoticed by the great powers of the world, and when he is singled out to receive an astonishing gift, Shen Tai is suddenly plunged into unimaginable danger. Another masterpiece from one of the greatest talents in the field.

Patricia A. McKillip Bards of Bone Plain
Phelan wants to complete the last paper of his studies as quickly as he can, so he chooses a simple topic: the story of Bone Plain. But the mystery behind the story takes hold of him, and turns his whole life into something both familiar and unrecognizable. The past and present meet everywhere in this gorgeously written tale, in stories, in songs, and sometimes in archeological discoveries.

Robin McKinley Pegasus
Like all members of the royal family, Princess Sylvi is bound to a royal pegasus on her twelfth birthday. But unlike every bonded pair before them, Sylvi and Ebon can clearly hear and understand one another, even without aid from the powerful Speaker magicians. Thus begins a relationship that will change everything each species knows about the other. An excellent read.

Rachel Neumeier Lord of the Changing Wind, Land of the Burning Sands, Law of the Broken Earth
The dull, dun covers of these books belie the extraordinary richness within. Nor does the back cover copy do them justice. Just know that these are not griffins as usual. They are dangerous, yes, and fierce, and almost incomprehensively magical. A superlative new series (and all three books are out in paperback).

Some suggestions* for the hard science fiction fan on your list.

Paolo Bacigalupi Windup Girl
Oil is over, bio-terrorism has become a corporate strategy, and calories are currency. In this bleak and sinister world, humans exist uneasily beside bio-engineered beings called New People, which makes for some astonishing reading. This novel won the both the Hugo the Nebula: find out why.

Iain M. Banks Surface Detail
A new Culture novel! This one starts with Lededje Y’breq, who is heading into battle in a desperate attempt to free herself and her family. But this being Banks, that’s only where the story begins, not where it ends up. Expect the unexpected.

William Gibson Zero History
Hollis and Milgrim work for the global magnate Hubertus Bigend, and neither is exactly happy about it. But even the powerful and controlling Bigend can find himself out of his depth. More about behavior and choices than technology, this new novel from Gibson is so futuristic that it takes place in the recent past.

Robert J. Sawyer Watch
The second book in Sawyer’s WWW series furthers the adventures of Caitlin Decter and the Webmind, the emerging internet consciousness she was the first to encounter, and wake. But now both are being watched by a shadowy government agency that seeks to identify possible threats… and destroy them.

Connie Willis Blackout and All Clear
(These are listed together because they’re not books one and two in a duology, but the two halves of one story. And it’s a doozy.) In 2060, Oxford is full of time-travelling historians. Merope, Michael and Polly are prepping for their trips to WWII. But it’s not only their assignments that go haywire: so does the war itself. Another excellent entry in her time-travel oeuvre.

*Remember: this just a brief list. Feel free to add your own favourites in the comments.