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Gary's Picks!

 

Bookseller Bio

Gary obsesses over stories, mostly ones with massive worldbuilding and epic tales of fantasy! A pop culture geek at heart, he also devours media tie-ins for series like Star Wars or Welcome to Night Vale.

 

 

 


 

Books: 
Staff Pick Badge
Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes) By Travis Baldree Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250886101
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - November 7th, 2023

Legends & Lattes had such a natural ease to it that it's hard to find anything comparable, and while I haven't found it's likeness yet, Baldree manages to accomplish the whole thing all over again with this one. This time, Viv is at the start of her journey, a fledgling adventurer who is too headstrong for her own good. When she takes a grievous injury, she finds herself stuck in a small seaside town with little to do but read. Fern, the local bookseller, is struggling to find her way--and keep her shop afloat--when Viv's arrival reignites both her motivation, and her love of recommending books to other people, of seeing the folks she connects with in those rare, special moments when you really know what that customer is looking for. It's about finding yourself and seeing yourself in others. It's about connection. And, of course, there’s a healthy dose of necromancy as well.

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
The Archive Undying (The Downworld Sequence #1) By Emma Mieko Candon Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250821546
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tordotcom - June 27th, 2023

The Archive Undying is mech fiction unlike anything I've consumed outside of anime or Friends at the Table. In a world of AI deities and their pilot priests, the robotic god of Khuon Mo has gone mad, destroying everything it touched. And it's not the only one. Now, built upon the wreckage, the emerging faction, Harbor, is building new mechs out of the corpses of these old robotic gods. And Sunai, the undying priest of Khuon Mo, is on a collision course with his past. In The Archive Undying, Emma Mieko Candon has created an incredible world that feels lived in, full of characters weighed down by long and complicated histories, and secrets kept close to the chest. 

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Star Wars Visions: Ronin: A Visions Novel (Inspired by The Duel) By Emma Mieko Candon Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780593358689
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - July 12th, 2022

Inspired by the Star Wars Visions short "The Duel," RONIN follows the tale of a former Sith traveling the galaxy, cutting down the others of his fallen order as he comes across them along his journey. Freed from the traditional Star Wars canon, Emma Mieko Candon creates a new history of the galaxy, one that is wholly unique and heavily Japanese. The Ronin himself embodies the archetype drawn from the works of Kurosawa and other samurai films that originally inspired George Lucas when he created the original trilogy. This book kept me guessing the whole way through, and had me craving a reread from the moment I finished. 

--Gary 


Staff Pick Badge
The Terraformers By Annalee Newitz Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250228017
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Tor Books - January 31st, 2023

The Terraformers tells a compelling story spanning hundreds of years, following several generations of individuals from the Environmental Rescue Team, those tasked with helping guide the growth and development of various ecosystems on the planet of Sask-E. With this book, Annalee Newitz takes a hard look at our relationship with nature and the world around us, while also scrutinizing the vast distance between the needs of working class and the interests of the corporate elite. I’ve been a fan of Newtiz’s work for a long time, and The Terraformers is up there as one of my favorite of their books.

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes By Travis Baldree Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250886088
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - November 8th, 2022

This story contains everything I've been hoping for from high fantasy. It's a lovely, low stakes story about an orc fighter who simply wants to settle down and open a coffee shop. Along with the help of the business-minded succubus Tandri, and the extraordinarily talented rattkin baker Thimble, Viv manages to open the very first coffee shop in the town of Thune. Despite trouble brewing with the local mob boss, The Madrigal, and some run-ins with former mercenary companions, this story maintains its hopeful optimism, culminating in one of the sweetest found family stories I've read all year!

--Gary


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The Discord of Gods (A Chorus of Dragons #5) By Jenn Lyons Cover Image
$20.99
ISBN: 9781250175700
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - November 15th, 2022

The epic conclusion to my favorite fantasy series of the last 5 years! Relos Var's plan to "save the world" has finally been put into motion. The dragons are restless, the gods are gone, and Kihrin and his friends only have a couple of days to stop a 14,000 year old wizard from sacrificing billions of lives and turning himself into the god of everything. Wrapping up plot threads first introduced in The Ruin of Kings, Jenn Lyons deftly pulls all our heroes together to do the impossible and truly save the world.

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Revenge of the Sith: Star Wars: Episode III By Matthew Stover Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780345428844
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - October 25th, 2005

The Star Wars novelizations have always been something truly special, but this book truly takes the lead as my favorite of the saga. Stewing with dramatic irony as the first act continually reminds us just how best of friends Obi-Wan and Anakin are, Stover also provides us with an extraordinary amount of character interiority that we simply don't see on screen. This book really gets into Anakin's head as his own desires to save everyone come into conflict with the growing fears that he will lose the woman he loves. It's emotional and devastating, and revels in the tragedy that is the downfall of the chosen one.  

--Gary


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Star Wars: Brotherhood By Mike Chen Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9780593358573
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Random House Worlds - May 10th, 2022

The dynamic between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi will forever be at the emotional center of my Star Wars fandom. Taking place not long after the start of the Clone Wars, Anakin has been recently promoted to Jedi Knight. Now on his own, he's tasked with instructing a class of younglings while Obi-Wan gets sent to Cato Neimoidia to investigate an explosion. Careful to maintain the planet's fragile neutrality, Obi-Wan must tread carefully, or risk the planet falling to the Separatists. Of course, things are made much more difficult when Asajj Ventress, the apprentice to Count Dooku, arrives to stir up trouble. 

--Gary


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Star Wars: Padawan By Kiersten White Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781368023498
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Disney Lucasfilm Press - July 26th, 2022

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Obi-Wan Kenobi is my favorite jedi. Ever since I was a young kid watching the movies, I've been enamored with this shining example of what a Jedi Knight is supposed to be. In Padawan, Kiersten White faithfully captures the struggle of the young jedi-to-be as he tries to find balance in his place within the Jedi Order and the galaxy at large. When Qui-Gon doesn't show up the morning they're supposed to leave for a mission together, Obi decides to strike out on his own, determined to solve the mystery of a long lost planet. Once there, he discovers that much like himself, the whole planet has been thrown out of balance. In his quest to help restore the planet, Obi also rediscovers his connection to the Force, and reaffirms his drive to become a Jedi Knight.

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Star Wars: Light of the Jedi (The High Republic) (Star Wars: The High Republic #1) By Charles Soule Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780593157732
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - June 29th, 2021

Light of the Jedi is the first book to introduce us to a new era of Star Wars storytelling, the High Republic. Set 200 years before the events of the Phantom Menace, we see the Republic just on the cusp of expansion into the Outer Rim. With the construction of the new space station, Starlight Beacon, the Jedi are poised to help guide that expansion. That is, until a great disaster in hyperspace leads to the discovery of another force at work in the galaxy, that of the dreaded Nihil. If you're interested at all in the High Republic era of Star Wars, this is the place to start!

--Gary


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Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark By Claudia Gray Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781368057288
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Disney Lucasfilm Press - February 2nd, 2021

While the Great Hyperspace Disaster is occurring, and the Nihil raiders emerge, Padawan Reath Silas and his fellow Jedi companions are forced to dock on what appears to be an abandoned space station. Crowded with refugees waiting for the all clear, strange occurrences around the station suggest that it may not be as abandoned as previously believed. This is the first young adult novel of the High Republic era, and the way Claudia Gray ties her story to the events of Light of the Jedi truly captures just what makes the High Republic special. While the adult novel introduced one threat with the Nihil, Into the Dark reveals another, the drengir, who will prove to be just as dangerous for the galaxy. 

--Gary


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The Kaiju Preservation Society By John Scalzi Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250878533
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - January 24th, 2023

This novel reads like a true blockbuster film, with a lighthearted lead character wrapped up in something much, MUCH, bigger than he is. When Jamie Gray loses his job and gets stuck as a delivery driver during the pandemic, a chance run in with his old acquaintance, Tom, affords him an opportunity working with an "animal rights organization." What Jamie quickly learns is that this job doesn't take place on Earth, or, not our Earth, anyway. And the animals they're working to protect aren't like anything back home, they're kaiju, massive and dangerous, and at risk. It's not just the Kaiju Preservation Society who have found their way to this alternate world, and the biggest threat turns out to be what it always is, capitalism. 

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
The House of Always (A Chorus of Dragons #4) By Jenn Lyons Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781250175656
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Tor Books - March 29th, 2022

In this fourth installment in Jenn Lyons' impeccable Chorus of Dragons series, heroes from both sides join forces to help Kihrin overcome the King of Demons, Vol Karoth. Trapped within the Lighthouse at Shadrag Gor, where time moves differently than the world outside, our gathered heroes wrestle with their memories of the events that got them there, and through their shared trauma learn that perhaps they aren't on such different sides as they previously imagined.

I've been an incredibly vocal advocate of this series since Ruin of Kings, and House of Always may be my favorite yet. These characters come together so brilliantly, and the lengths they're willing to go to save the ones they love is some of the most admirable in any work of fiction I've read in recent years. I truly cannot recommend these books enough.

--Gary


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House of Leaves: The Remastered Full-Color Edition By Mark Z. Danielewski Cover Image
$29.00
ISBN: 9780375703768
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Pantheon - March 7th, 2000

At its center, House of Leaves is a haunted house story. Will Navidson has moved into a new house, one that turns out to be bigger on the inside. Like the house itself, the novel has several layers. It's a story about a story about a film about a labyrinthian house that seemingly has no end. Each narrative is nested within the previous one, and as the situation for Will gets more dire, so too are each of our other protagonists wrapped up within the puzzle. And, like the characters involved, even the narrative structure begins to fray at the edges, until it falls to pieces at the end. 

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
The Memory of Souls (A Chorus of Dragons #3) By Jenn Lyons Cover Image
$21.99
ISBN: 9781250175557
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - April 6th, 2021

Right off the bat, I'm just going to say that this is my absolute favorite fantasy series that is currently ongoing. Lyons has done such an incredible job building up this world, and all of her characters are so rich. After the devastating events in the city of Artine, our four hellwarrior children are finally united! Of course, this means the gods have big plans for their journey. And Relos Var is not far behind. With the seal on Vol Karoth's prison broken, Kihrin has been hard at work trying to undo the damage caused by Var. I love these characters to pieces, all four children of prophecy are so complex and well written, and things only get more interesting as they begin to uncover the history of their past lives, and how their souls have been intertwined through millenia. Do yourself a favor and buy this book!

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Star Wars Poe Dameron: Free Fall By Alex Segura Cover Image
$17.99
Currently unavailable, email or call for more information.
ISBN: 9781368051668
Published: Disney Lucasfilm Press - August 4th, 2020

I am, as anyone who has read my reviews knows, a huge fan of Star Wars. Poe Dameron might be one of my favorite characters of the sequel trilogy, and Freed does an incredible job of capturing both his naivety and his cocky arrogance at once. Poe just wants to be a pilot, to fly and see the galaxy. When a cute, young Zorii Bliss shows up in need of a pilot, he gets whisked away on the adventure of a lifetime. What he doesn't know, is that the group he's ferrying across the galaxy are the notorious Spice Runners of Kijimi. This book is a quick read, and a ton of fun! 

--Gary


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Howling Dark (Sun Eater #2) By Christopher Ruocchio Cover Image
$9.99
Currently unavailable, email or call for more information.
ISBN: 9780756413040
Published: DAW - June 30th, 2020

Hadrian Marlowe does not consider himself a soldier, so much as a scholar. For decades, he's been searching for a means to contact the elusive Cielcin, the alien species that has been at war with humanity for centuries. His journey has taken him far outside the realm of the Sollan Empire, into new territory. He's not looking to fight, but to negotiate peace, to end the war once and for all. Unfortunately, he will not succeed. I love this series to pieces! Hadrian is our narrator, reflecting on his past from the prison he occupies, a traitor to the empire, the man known for enslaving the entire Cielcin race and destroying a star that cost the lives of nearly four billion people, including the emperor himself. His journey through this alien world, butting up against civilizations far unlike the empire he hails from, is fascinating. He's smug, arrogant, and a little pretentious, making him the ultimate fish out of water as he explores the long lost planet of Vorgossos. 

--Gary


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Shadow Fall (Star Wars): An Alphabet Squadron Novel (Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron #2) By Alexander Freed Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781984820068
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - February 23rd, 2021

In this thrilling follow up to Alexander Freed's Alphabet Squadron, Yrica Quell and her rag-tag team of pilots are once again on the hunt for the elusive Shadow Wing, an elite team of X-Wing pilots still waging war in the Outer Rim. Even as New Republic forces move to secure planets left devastated in the wake of Imperial occupation, Shadow Wing gathers their strength. I love these characters so much, all of the pilots that make up Alphabet Squadron are veterans of the old war between the Empire and the Rebellion, struggling to face their own baggage and trauma of the past. They're flawed, and yet in spite of that, they grow. They step up to the plate when things look grim, and fight to prevent the utter destruction of worlds under Operation Cinder. If you haven't read these yet and you're a fan of Star Wars, do yourself a favor and pick them up!

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Alphabet Squadron (Star Wars) (Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron #1) By Alexander Freed Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9780593128244
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - December 31st, 2019

In the years following the Rebellion's victory on the Forest Moon of Endor, pilots on both sides are found adrift. The Empire is no more. Project: Cinder has burned up worlds throughout the galaxy. And Yrica Quell has found herself at Traitor's Remorse. An elite pilot from the 204th Imperial Fighter Wing, or Shadow Wing, Quell has defected from the ashes of the former empire. Yrica, along with a ragtag crew of pilots from all different walks of life, is determined to prove herself loyal to the New Republic, and prevent further destruction at the hands of her former squadron. 

As someone who has been reading and watching Star Wars all their life, I absolutely love ambiguity of "ground soldiers" in the war. The folks who aren't generals, aren't leaders, aren't heroes of legend and destiny, but the soldiers, pilots, and everyday folk who got wrapped up in this galactic war. Alphabet Squadron is a team of unlikely comrades, who are just trying to make their way in this newly formed galactic landscape. They all fly different ships, and come from different backgrounds, but their mission is the same. Survive, move on, and stop any further destruction at the hands of Shadow Wing. 

 

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Providence By Max Barry Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780593085196
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons - May 4th, 2021

Seven years after first contact with an alien species, humanity is at war. Four individuals have been chosen to crew the highly specialized warship Providence Five. Piloted by an AI, the ship and its crew are scheduled to travel beyond our solar system in order to take the fight directly to the enemy. The book becomes a true page turner as, once communications are disrupted, the crew rapidly discovers that the ship is behaving in increasingly unexpected ways. Does the AI really even need them here? Why were they chosen? And how are they expected to survive, when even their impenetrable battleship begins coming under increasing enemy fire?

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Empire of Silence (Sun Eater #1) By Christopher Ruocchio Cover Image
$9.99
Currently unavailable, email or call for more information.
ISBN: 9780756413019
Published: DAW - June 4th, 2019

This book is a true blending of genres unlike anything else I've read in recent years. This is space fantasy at its finest! Hadrian Marlowe is the eldest son of a noble house, destined, so he believes, to succeed his father and rule the planet that he's from. Unfortunately for Hadrian, he doesn't want to rule a planet. In fact, he doesn't want much of anything to do with politics. Hadrian, it turns out, is a scholar. He dreams of traveling the galaxy, learning all he can about alien species and studying throughout the stars. Of course, his father has very different plans for him. Despite taking place in the far distant future, in a galaxy of aliens and space flight and ancient ruins, this book leans into it's fantasy tropes; nobility politics, gladiatorial fights, and a centuries long war for dominance. It's everything I wanted and more! 

--Gary


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Otaku By Chris Kluwe Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781250203946
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - February 23rd, 2021

Ashley Akachi lives in Ditchtown, a city of skyscrapers that exists in the ruins of what used to be Florida. Between the rising ocean levels, and the tragedy known as the Water Wars, tensions are high. The Church of Christ Ascendant maintains tenuous control of the area, hoping to avoid further conflict with the Silicon Zone Egalitare. Things in Ditchtown are rough, but that's where Infinite Game, a virtual world of seeming perfection, comes in. In there, Ash is Ashura the Terrible, top of the leaderboards and followed by millions around the world. However, when conflict begins to brew back in the real, it seems that only Ashura and her crew, the SunJewel Warriors, have what it takes to save the world. This book is incredible! Fast paced and highly intense, I could not put it down! 

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
The Name of All Things (A Chorus of Dragons #2) By Jenn Lyons Cover Image
$9.99
Currently unavailable, email or call for more information.
ISBN: 9781250225726
Published: Tor Fantasy - March 9th, 2021

This brilliant follow up to Lyon's debut novel, The Ruin of Kings, is truly a fantasy for the ages. After the death of the emperor, the destruction of the Stone of Shackles, and the unleashing of demons across the living world, it appears that the prophecies about Kihrin were true. While hunkered down to hide from yet another dragon, Kihrin meets the woman of his dreams. Janel, and her companion Brother Qown, have come a long way to be trapped in this tavern with Kihrin, and while the world outside falls apart, they catch him up on the events that led them to be here. Once again, Lyon's weaves this narrative together as a text that exists in-universe, lovingly annotated by Senera, a "faithful and obedient" servant of Relos Var. It's funny, tragic, brilliant, and complicated. I cannot get enough. 

--Gary


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The Future of Another Timeline By Annalee Newitz Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780765392114
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - October 6th, 2020

Science fiction has always been the genre that's most concerned with focusing on social and cultural issues. The Future of Another Timeline is no different. In fact, in today's day and age, it almost feels crucially important in a way few books are. This punk rock time travel story is the tale of toxic misogyny though the ages, and the women who are fighting for their basic human rights. It's a tale of historical figures, Comstockery, and the seemingly futile attempt to better the future by changing the past. Our two protagonists, Beth and Tess, live decades (and sometimes centuries) apart, but their lives intertwine in this beautiful narrative as they struggle to save themselves, and their futures. 

--Gary 


Staff Pick Badge
This Is How You Lose the Time War By Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781534430990
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: S&S/Saga Press - March 17th, 2020

There is a war going on, eternal and meticulous, between two factions that can move through time and space. Across many strands and possibilities. Their agents alter histories through the smallest of gestures, a nudge here, a whispered suggestion there. In this war, agents act alone, and there's no fraternizing with the other side. When Red stands amidst a victory on a war-torn world, she finds a letter from the enemy. It's coy, taunting, playful. Blue believes she's gotten the upper hand, and in another strand at another time, she's about to make her move when she gets a reply. This is beautiful tale across time and space is an intimate and poetic in the best of ways. 

--Gary


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The Rage of Dragons (The Burning #1) By Evan Winter Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780316489775
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Orbit - March 10th, 2020

As an avid fan of fantasy, I'm always eager to find a new epic world to sink my teeth into. The Rage of Dragons is one such a world; a civilization trapped in an unending cycle of warfare. It's gritty, brutal, and dangerous. While soldiers are sent to fight a war along the border, class tensions cause a whole other slew of problems at home. Within this world, we're introduced to Tau, a common boy who wants to be a swordsman. When tragedy strikes, Tau sets out on a mission for vengeance, and he'll stop at nothing to prove that even a Lesser can prove more fearsome and formidable than any Noble. 

--Gary


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Master & Apprentice (Star Wars) By Claudia Gray Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781984819611
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - September 24th, 2019

Twenty years ago, I discovered my love for Star Wars. I was eight years old, sitting at the end of the front row of a sold-out movie theater when Phantom Menace premiered. I was too young to be disappointed, the way many fans of the original trilogy were. I've grown up since to be an avid defender of the prequels, but at the time I was just enthralled. This movie was for me. The film opens with two Jedi, a Master and an Apprentice. Twenty years later, Claudia Gray has breathed life into this relationship that ended far too soon. This story, which takes place nearly a decade prior to Episode I, shines a light on the dynamic duo. Qui-Gon is a bit of a renegade, a student of prophecy who disagrees with many of the decisions of the Jedi Council. Obi-Wan is a bit of a stickler, a by the books padawan determined to become a great Jedi Knight. When the two of them are sent to Pijal, they'll be forced to reconcile with their beliefs and their faith in not only themselves, or the council, but the will of the Force. It’s everything my inner child could have hoped for and more.

--Gary


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Star Wars: Queen's Shadow By E.K. Johnston Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781368057943
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Disney Lucasfilm Press - March 10th, 2020

As a fan of all things Star Wars, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. Set just a few years after the events of The Phantom Menace, Queen's Shadow follows Padmé Naberrie, the former Queen of Naboo, as she transitions from her role in planetary politics to broader, galactic affairs. Along with her loyal handmaidens, Padmé travels to Coruscant to begin her life in the Senate. Once there, she must learn to navigate this new, more complex political field, allying herself with other senators in order to fight for the causes she believes in. There's a warmth to this story that was refreshing, and though we're spared from the blaster fire and epic space battles of most Star Wars stories, the stakes are just as high! I could not put this book down. 

--Gary


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The Raven Tower By Ann Leckie Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780316388702
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Orbit - October 1st, 2019

The Raven Tower is a fantasy novel unlike anything I've ever read before. The narrator is a god, a very old, very pensive god. The story is told in two parts, one following the tale of the soldier Eolo, who finds himself in Vastai during a time of upheaval, and the other chronicling the history of The Strength and Patience of the Hill, our narrator. While the book alternates between these two narratives, it never feels rushed. Strength and Patience has all the time in the world, and that comes through in the way they tell this story. Despite this, the two stories weave together beautifully, culminating with our protagonists officially meeting and forever changing the destiny of the city where this all takes place. For anyone who enjoys high concepts and rich storytelling, this one's a must! 

--Gary


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The Ruin of Kings (A Chorus of Dragons #1) By Jenn Lyons Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9781250225719
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Fantasy - August 25th, 2020

The Ruin of Kings is a fascinating narrative; it's a text that exists within the world that Lyons has created, with relevant footnotes and annotations to add to the reader's understanding. When we begin our story, Kihrin, our protagonist, is in prison. His jailer, a mimic who can read minds and change her appearance at will, demands her prisoner tell her a story. And so it begins, with Kihrin explaining just how he wound up in this situation. He and his jailer take turns retelling the events that led us to this moment, with each chapter alternating viewpoints. Even though the two stories take place at different points in time, they both weave together brilliantly. It's a tale of gods, kings, and demons. And that's only the beginning. As an avid reader of epic fantasy stories, it just doesn't get much better than this! 

--Gary


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Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy By Amy Ratcliffe Cover Image
$29.95
ISBN: 9781452166315
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Chronicle Books - October 30th, 2018

When looking back at the Star Wars saga, especially the original trilogy in particular, it's very easy to wonder where all the female characters are. Beyond Princess Leia herself, it doesn't seem like there's enough representation in the Star Wars galaxy. Never fear! This wonderful book by Amy Ratcliffe provides a wealth of information about all the female characters that have appeared over the years. Not only in the movies, but in the books and comics and TV shows too! Each chapter details another character, introducing the reader to who these fierce women are, where they came from, and why they're important! The book is also filled with beautiful artwork from many talented artists. I cannot recommend it enough! 

--Gary


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The World of Lore: Dreadful Places By Aaron Mahnke Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9781524798024
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Del Rey - October 9th, 2018

Like the previous installments in The World of Lore, Dreadful Places, is an engaging deep dive into all things horrifying. This particular title focuses all on, well, "dreadful places". From haunted hotels to creepy castles to faraway shores, accounts of the horrific are ever-present. Aaron Mahnke does a wonderful job of retelling the local folk tales, before digging even deeper to find the nuggets of truth in each of these stories. Plus, the illustrations are just to die for. ;)

I loved this book! 

--Gary


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Alice Isn't Dead: A Novel By Joseph Fink Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780062844149
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harper Perennial - August 31st, 2021

"This isn't a story. It's a road trip."

Whether you're a fan of the podcast, or just a fan of horror stories, Alice Isn't Dead is the perfect thriller. The story follows Keisha Lewis, whose wife Alice has gone missing. After months of searching to no avail, she mourns, believing Alice to be dead. That is, until she spots Alice in the background of news reports from all across America. Keisha takes a job with a trucking company, and travels the country, determined to find her wife. What she finds instead is an otherworldly conflict in the hidden corners of our nation. Keisha doesn't know what this secret war with inhuman killers has to do with her, but she has learned one thing: Alice isn't dead, and she'll do whatever it takes to find her. 

--Gary 


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Hilda and the Hidden People: Hilda Netflix Tie-In 1 (Hilda Tie-In #1) By Luke Pearson, Stephen Davies, Seaerra Miller (Illustrator) Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9781912497881
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Flying Eye Books - September 3rd, 2019

Hilda is a tough, blue-haired adventurer who lives in the wilderness with her mother and her trusty deer fox, Twig. Now the star of her very own Netflix show, Hilda was first introduced in a series of graphic novels by Luke Pearson. Hilda and the Hidden Folk is a faithful retelling of the first two Hilda stories, giving even more depth to her encounters with the trolls, elves, and giants that live in the wilderness around her home.On her quest to save her house from destruction, she encounters weather spirits, rides on the back of a woof, and helps a giant find his long lost love. I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait for the next one! 

--Gary


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The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins By Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy, Carey Pietsch (Illustrator), Carey Pietsch Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9781250153708
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: First Second - July 17th, 2018

I’ve been a fan of the McElroy brothers and their podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me for years, so when they began their D&D campaign, The Adventure Zone, I was totally on board. The podcast may be finished, but the exploits of the Tres Horny Boys live on in the graphic novel adaptation of their first arc, Here There Be Gerblins! The story follows the fighter Magnus Burnsides, the cleric Merle Highchurch, and the wizard Taako (you know, from T.V.) on their very first mission! With Dungeon Master Griffin McElroy always available to drop in and offer some sage advice, the boys fight gerblins, charm a bugbear, and flee from a flaming dwarf. This book is a delight, and I’m legitimately excited for the follow-up. Whether you’ve listened to the podcast or not, this book is worth your time. (But seriously, listen to the podcast. It’s free!)

--Gary


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How to Stop Time: A Novel By Matt Haig Cover Image
$18.00
ISBN: 9780525522898
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: Penguin Books - June 11th, 2019

I’ve always been fascinated by tales of immortality, and this book delivers! While stories of folk like Nicholas Flamel or The Count of St Germain are full of magic and whimsy, this book takes a more pragmatic view of the situation. Our hero, Tom, was born in 1581, and he’s lived a very lonely existence since, losing first his mother, and then his wife. When he moves back to London, the weight of the past nearly overshadows his life in the present. Matt Haig weaves an incredible tale of history, love, and loss through the centuries. Tom’s introspective nature, coupled with the ultimate warning — “Never fall in love” — gave this story a weight that I haven’t encountered in other immortality stories. I love it, and you will too! 

--Gary


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The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures By Aaron Mahnke Cover Image
$29.99
ISBN: 9781524797966
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Del Rey - October 10th, 2017

Aaron Mahnke is a masterful storyteller, proving that the history behind our most recognizable monsters can be even more horrifyin gthan the fiction. The book is rich with historical accounts; meticulously researched and presented in nice bite-sized chunks. Whether you're a fan of the podcast, the tv series, or just a horror junkie, this book is a must! 

--Gary


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It Devours!: A Welcome to Night Vale Novel By Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780062476074
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Harper Perennial - January 8th, 2019

The newest novel from the world of Night Vale is a delicious study of the intersection between science and religion. It's a book about belief, relationships, interlopers, a mysterious desert otherworld, and a Smiling God. It follows a scientist, Nilanjana Sikdar, who is on a mission to discover the origin of mysterious sinkholes appearing around her town. Are they the result of a government conspiracy? Divine retribution from the Joyous Congregation of the Smiling God? Do they have something to do with the House that Doesn't Exist? Can Nilanjana figure it out before all of Night Vale is consumed? Whether your a fan of the podcast or not, this book is a treat! I couldn't put it down!

Joyfully, it devours! 

--Gary


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Thrawn (Star Wars) (Star Wars: Thrawn #1) By Timothy Zahn Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781101967027
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - January 30th, 2018

In the years preceding the Battle of Yavin, the Empire was at the height of it's power. Imperial officers scramble for power through cunning and manipulation. It's amidst this turmoil that we meet Thrawn, a Chiss warrior from the Unknown Regions of space. Exiled from his militaristic homeworld for radical thinking, he turns out to be a powerful tool for the Emperor. With the help of his translator, Eli Vanto, and the up-and-coming Arihnda Price, Thrawn quickly moves up the political ladder, securing his place as one of the most powerful people in the galaxy. 

As a fan of Timothy Zahn's original Thrawn trilogy, and the animated series Star Wars: Rebels, this book does an incredible job of showing the Chiss warrior's brilliance and ruthlessness. Despite being a Rebel at heart, this book had me rooting for the rise of an Imperial Officer and cheering as he coolly dispached any opposition.

--Gary


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Catalyst (Star Wars): A Rogue One Novel By James Luceno Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781101967003
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Random House Worlds - May 2nd, 2017

The newest release of the Star Wars canon, Catalyst sets up the events of the new "Rogue One" film. The story follows Jyn Erso's father Galen. A brilliant scientist, Galen's research has attracted the attention of Orson Krennic, a top member of Chancellor Palpatine's Death Star project. Determined to create a superweapon before their enemies can, Krennic enlists Galen to do his bidding. Trapped under his thumb, the Ersos must escape Krennic's plans in order to save themselves and the galaxy!

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Star Wars: Ahsoka By E.K. Johnston Cover Image
$10.99
ISBN: 9781484782316
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Disney Lucasfilm Press - October 3rd, 2017

After walking away from the Jedi Order and narrowly surviving Order 66, Anakin Skywalker's former padawan is just trying to keep her head down and avoid any unwanted Imperial attention. Weaponless, and on the run, she's found a home on Raada, a backwater moon good for little more than farming. When the Empire arrives, Ahsoka is forced back into action. Relying on her wits, and some inconspicuous use of the Force, she's determined to find a way to save her friends and undermine the relentless grip of the Emperor Palpatine. For fans of Clone Wars and RebelsAhsoka is like revisiting an old friend, and watching as she forges alliances to spark the Rebellion. 

--Gary


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American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition: A Novel By Neil Gaiman Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9780062472106
Availability: Not in Stock, Available for Special Order
Published: William Morrow Paperbacks - August 16th, 2016

In Neil Gaiman's universe, all of the gods are real. Deities from cultures all around the world come together in this epic fantasy spanning the crossroads of America. When the Old Gods are no longer worshipped, they'll do whatever it takes to regain relevence. Shadow Moon, freshly released from prison, finds himself entagled with a mysterious man known only as Mr. Wednesday, and is dragged across America in this wonderous tale of myth and modernism.

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Mostly Void, Partially Stars: Welcome to Night Vale Episodes, Volume 1 By Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780062468611
Availability: Backordered
Published: Harper Perennial - September 6th, 2016

Mostly Void, Partially Stars is the first volume of the Welcome to Night Vale script books. Whether you're a long time listener, or you've never heard of Night Vale at all, this is the place to start. This volume contains the first year's worth of podcast episodes, illustrations by "our favorite weird artist" Jessica Hayworth, and behind the scenes introductions by the extraordinary creators Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor.
Night Vale is a quiet desert community where conspiracy theories are always true, and all us residents can do is tune in to the Community Radio and hope for the best. In these volumes, you'll learn about the forbidden dog park, Old Woman Josie and the angels, a foreboding glowing cloud (ALL HAIL), and a budding romance between our subversive radio host and that new scientist with his perfect hair.

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
The Great Glowing Coils of the Universe: Welcome to Night Vale Episodes, Volume 2 By Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor Cover Image
$18.99
Currently unavailable, email or call for more information.
ISBN: 9780062468635
Published: Harper Perennial - September 6th, 2016

Mostly Void, Partially Stars and The Great Glowing Coils of the Universe are the first two volumes of the Welcome to Night Vale script books. Whether you’re a long time listener, or you’ve never heard of Night Vale at all, this is the place to start. Each volume contains a year’s worth of podcast episodes, illustrations by “our favorite weird artist” Jessica Hayworth, and behind the scenes introductions by the extraordinary creators Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. Night Vale is a quiet desert community where conspiracy theories are always true, and all us residents can do is tune in to the Community Radio and hope for the best. In these volumes, you’ll learn about the forbidden dog park, Old Woman Josie and the angels, a foreboding glowing cloud (ALL HAIL), and a budding romance between our subversive radio host and that new scientist with his perfect hair.

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Saga Volume 1 By Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (By (artist)) Cover Image
By Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (By (artist))
$9.99
ISBN: 9781607066019
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Image Comics - October 23rd, 2012

In a galaxy torn apart by war, two lovers from different side of the conflict run away together. In a desperate attempt to protect their newborn daughter, our heroes travel the galaxy in search of a safe place to call home. I cannot express how wonderful this series in. Volume 1 is only the first steps into the most epic space opera I've read in recent years. 

--Gary


The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Norton Juster, Jules Feiffer (Illustrator)
$8.99
ISBN: 9780394820378
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Yearling - October 12th, 1988

I think I can pretty definitively say that this is THE book that made me fall in love with language. It's a playful fantasy story, in which the bored child Milo is whisked away to the Lands Beyond, where he's given the "impossible" task of saving the princesses Rhyme and Reason, who have been exiled from the Kingdom of Wisdom. The story itself is quaint, and is brimming with wordplay that still delights me to this day. 

--Gary


Staff Pick Badge
Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1: Precious Little Life By Bryan Lee O'Malley Cover Image
$24.99
ISBN: 9781620100004
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Oni Press - August 14th, 2012

I do not think it is possible for me to overstate the impact this series had as I navigated my late teens and early twenties. This slice of life comic about Scott Pilgrim's tragic love life is filled with characters that feel as earnest as the friends I saw in my own life, while simultaneously exaggerating the experience of being that age to a comical degree. The series is filled with music and video game references, and occasionally spends entire chapters with characters lingering in thrift stores and record shops. These books were also the inspiration for Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs The World, and the series remains one of my favorite comics of all time. 

--Gary