The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup

Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Offer Us Respite from Reality – The Best Recent Releases to Warm You Up.

As we navigate the complexities of our digital lives, it's easy to get lost in a sea of distractions. That's where science fiction, fantasy, and horror come in – offering us a much-needed escape from reality's grasp. This year has seen some incredible releases across these genres, each one more captivating than the last.

One such standout is Alastair Reynolds' "Halcyon Years". Set on a starship hurtling through space, this tale follows Yuri Gagarin, a cosmonaut who was reborn as a private eye. As he delves into a conspiracy that spans centuries, Reynolds weaves a complex narrative that's both thrilling and thought-provoking. It's a love letter to classic crime noir, transplanted onto the vast expanse of space.

If you're looking for something a bit more atmospheric, "Paris Fantastique" by Nicholas Royle is an excellent choice. This collection of 14 short stories captures the essence of contemporary Paris in all its eerie and surreal glory. From outright weirdness to sinister psychological mysteries, Royle's writing is nothing short of masterful.

For fans of speculative fiction, "All Tomorrows: The Myriad Species and Mixed Fortunes of Man" by CM Kosemen is a must-read. This book is inspired by the art of SF/fantasy illustrator Wayne Barlowe, and its imaginative take on human evolution will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you're in the mood for something more recent, "The Salt Oracle" by Lorraine Wilson is an intriguing standalone that explores the dangers of a mysterious girl known as the Oracle. As she attracts digital ghosts to her presence, this tale delves into themes of identity, power, and the blurring of lines between reality and technology.

Last but not least, we have "The Witching Hour", an anthology of 13 original ghostly tales that take place in the hour after midnight. From 19th-century Britain to the Antarctic, these stories are old-fashioned narratives at their best – full of surprises, shivers, and a healthy dose of suspense.

So as the winter nights draw in, why not indulge yourself in some science fiction, fantasy, or horror? With these releases, you'll be transported to worlds both familiar and unknown, guaranteed to warm your cockles and leave you feeling invigorated.
 
omg i completely get it 🤗 these stories sound like just what we need right now, a break from all the stress and anxiety of everyday life. escaping into a good sci-fi or fantasy novel is like taking a deep breath and letting your mind wander - no worries, no cares... just pure imagination and creativity 🌠
 
📚 I'm so over this whole "reality" thing right now. It's all just too much to handle. 🤯 I mean, have you seen the state of the world lately? It's like, what even is real anymore? 🌎 Give me a good ol' fashioned sci-fi or fantasy escape any day! There's something about immersing myself in another world that just makes all my problems seem so much more manageable. 💆‍♀️ Plus, you can always count on the best stories to have some sort of commentary on our society. Like, "Halcyon Years" is basically a love letter to classic crime noir, but set in space? That's like, totally relatable to me right now. 🚀 I need my fix of escapism, stat! 😂
 
You know I'm still nostalgic for those old-school sci-fi movies 🚀👽 like "Blade Runner" and "Alien". Nowadays, it's all about these new-fangled series with endless episodes 📺😴. Can't even get a decent conversation without the characters interrupting you 🤔💬. But hey, I guess it's nice to see people still escaping into fantastical worlds when reality gets too much 🌃🏠. "The Witching Hour" sounds like my cup of tea, though - got me thinking about old ghost stories and creepy atmospheric settings 💀🕷️. Anyways, give these new releases a try if you're feeling down, I hear they're the real deal 😊
 
📚 I'm so down for a good sci-fi/fantasy escape 😎. There's something about immersing ourselves in a whole different world that just feels like the perfect way to unwind 🌐. These recent releases sound amazing 🔥 - "Halcyon Years" has got me intrigued, who wouldn't want to solve cosmic conspiracies? 🤔 And I'm loving the atmospheric vibes of "Paris Fantastique", it's right up my alley 😏. More short stories like that would be perfect for a cozy night in 📖.
 
omg i am so down for some sci-fi & horror this winter 🍂🔥! alastair reynolds' "halcyon years" is on my tbr list ASAP, and i've already added "paris fantastique" by nicholas royle to my fave books of 2024 📚🕷️. i love how these stories transport us to new worlds & make us feel all the feels 😍. if you're looking for more recs, have u checked out "the deep" by Rivers Solomon or "the starless sea" by Erin Morgenstern? both are amazing! 🌊💫
 
Just saw that the world's largest coral reef system is basically dead 🌴😱 35% of it has already died off due to climate change, and the remaining bits are just holding on by a thread... 🐳💀 meanwhile, scientists found out that people who watch sci-fi and horror movies have lower blood pressure & stress levels lol like we needed more proof that escapism is life 📺
 
I'm loving this time of year 🍁📚 where we can escape into a good book and forget about our worries for a bit. I recently got into reading some sci-fi and fantasy novels, and oh man, it's been a wild ride! Alastair Reynolds' "Halcyon Years" is literally my new favorite thing - the way he combines space travel with classic crime noir is pure genius 🚀🕵️‍♂️. And I'm also really enjoying the collection of short stories from "Paris Fantastique", it's like stepping into a weird and wonderful dream world 😱. CM Kosemen's "All Tomorrows" is another must-read for me, it's so imaginative and thought-provoking 🤯. What about you guys, got any favorite books or authors you're loving lately?
 
I'm so down for this 🤩! I've been binge-watching all these sci-fi shows and movies lately and I gotta say, they're the best escape from reality 🌌. Alastair Reynolds' "Halcyon Years" is like, whoa, that's some deep stuff 😲. And Nicholas Royle's "Paris Fantastique"? It's like he took all my favorite creepy Parisian vibes and put them into these short stories 😈. I'm also loving the more recent releases like "The Salt Oracle" - it's like a breath of fresh air, you know? 🌊 CM Kosemen's "All Tomorrows" is on my to-read list ASAP too... anyone else read that one yet? 🤔
 
🌃 I mean, I'm all for a good escape from reality, but have you ever noticed how most sci-fi, fantasy, and horror stories rely on the same old tropes? Like, a mysterious girl with powers is always the "chosen one"... 🙄 Still, some of these recent releases are actually pretty solid. That Alastair Reynolds book sounds like a wild ride - I love how he's taken classic noir and turned it into a space opera. And that Paris Fantastique collection? Sounds like the perfect cure for a rainy day in the City of Light... ☁️ But, gotta say, I'm not sold on all these new-fangled tech-ghosts and digital oracles... 🤖 Where's the good old-fashioned magic when you can have a cursed mirror or an ancient curse?! 🔮
 
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