Top 10 SF/Fantasy of the Past Year

Posted by Staff, summarized from Booklist magazine

Booklist recently published a list of the top 10 SF/Fantasy books from the past year.  The stories range from gothic tales to high-tech gladiators and reflect the many faces of contemporary science fiction and fantasy. All descriptions are from Booklist.

The Troupe by Robert Jackson Bennett.  In this fantasy, everything in existence is an echo of a primal song used by the Creator to bring the universe into being.

The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark.  Dark's letter-perfect gothic style is a satisfying tribute to novels of the genre and the incubi, fae, vampires and witches make this a stellar romance.

The Games by Ted Kosmatka.  In the not too distant future, the Olympics feature a popular event utilizing artificially created gladiators fighting to the death.

Hitchers by Will McIntosh.  Well-drawn characters and a smart plot follow the devastation of a bioweapon attack in Atlanta.

Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy edited by Ellen Datlow.  An anthology of short fiction offers a superb sampling of urban fantasy.

Timeless by Gail Carriger.  The 5th book in the Parasol Protectorate, this book wraps up a popular steampunk series.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.  The author follows the exploits of two magicians and thier young wards over a period of time from the 1870's to about 1900.

Reamde by Neal Stephenson.  An unknown hacker has created a computer virus and is using it to extort money from players of an online game.

The Weird: A Compendium of Strange and Dark Stories edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer.  An outstanding collection of short stories.

The Wind Through the Keyhole by Stephen King.  This should satisfy those who read the entire Dark Tower Saga, those who didn't, and those who haven't started yet.