New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books Reviewed

Several new science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels have been reviewed, offering a diverse range of speculative fiction for readers. Natasha Pulley's "The Salt King" (Gollancz, £22) is described as a blend of an apocalyptic end-of-the-world narrative with folk horror elements and developing love stories. The novel follows Avelyn Brocken, a Vatican trainee priest dispatched to East Anglia to investigate a potential miracle. Brocken's background in Hreodwater, a unique community centered around a salt mine with its own distinct language, religion, and rituals, makes him uniquely qualified for the assignment. The story explores the mysterious "salt light" and a slumbering king within the mine, with implications that threaten entire civilizations. The Guardian describes it as an original, rich, and gripping tale that also serves as an insightful examination of faith's power.

Robert Jackson Bennett's "A Trade of Blood" (Hodderscape, £25) continues the adventures of detectives Ana and Din, previously featured in the Hugo and World Fantasy award-winning "The Tainted Cup." This installment centers on a murder within the cattle-ranching aristocracy of the Empire of Khanum. The accused murderer, found with the victim, claims no memory of the event. The victim was his lover, and their families were entrenched in a bitter feud, leaving the accused as the sole survivor of his lineage and burdened by the fear of a family curse. The detectives, however, suspect a more tangible and perilous antagonist operating behind the scenes, possessing a formidable weapon. This novel is characterized as a form of speculative fiction deeply rooted in natural laws and scientific principles rather than overt magical systems, and it delves into significant thematic issues.

Jake Arnott's "Netherwood" and CN Vair's "Fawn" are also mentioned in the roundup, though specific plot details for these titles are not provided in the excerpt. The review collectively highlights these works as significant recent contributions to the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, catering to readers seeking imaginative and thought-provoking narratives within these speculative fiction subgenres. The inclusion of these varied titles suggests a broad spectrum of thematic and stylistic approaches being explored by contemporary authors in the field.