My Favorite Fiction From June 2012

June was a really good month for fiction! Must be all that summer reading we’re all expected to do. I didn’t get very far in my novel reading this month, but I did start on The Shadowed Sun by N. K. Jemisin, Redshirts by John Scalzi, and continue working through Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed. I also picked up Ancient, Ancient by Kiini Ibura Salaam.

Contact by Eileen Gunn
I love stories where humans encounter aliens that are SO alien. This one is told from the alien’s POV and works really well.
Winter Scheming by Brit Mandelo
[TRIGGER WARNING: Domestic Violence.] What I like best about this story is that it starts out in an unexpected way given what’s really going on (which you understand at the end). Very well structured and executed.
Immersion by Aliette de Bodard
I had trouble with this one at first because one of the POVs was hard to grok, but I liked where the story went in the end.
If The Mountain Comes by An Owomoyela
Engaging meditation on scarcity and class.
Mother of All Russiya by Melanie Rawn
I’m not sure about this one. I liked he story in general, but I’m concerned about the characterization of Master Cheng. I’d be interested in discussing it with anyone who read or will read it.
Tiger Stripes by Nghi Vo
This story slowly builds up and worms into you.
The Inconstant Moon by Alaya Dawn Johnson
If you haven’t read Alaya’s novel “Moonshine” and you’re into vampires or the 1920s or supernatural-inflected historical fiction, go out and get it RIGHT NOW. It’s jazz vampires! If you’ve read “Moonshine” or the sequel “Wicked City” then you’ll like this story, too. It’s a prequel and tells the tale of how the novel’s protagonist, Zephir Hollis, first came to NYC.
Daddy’s Girl by Amy Sundberg
I love the main character of this story like burning. She’s is so damn fierce!