This Year's Nebula Finalists for Best Sci-Fi or Fantasy Novel

In an interview with journalist Ezra Klein, the great sci-fi writer Adrian Tchaikovsky recommended this book for its "astonishing examination of imperialism and language and appropriation as part of its fantasy plot." Speaking with The Guardian, novelist Gabrielle Zevin said that in spite of not being a huge fantasy fan, she admired the book's world-building chops. "It’s really about language and the power that exists in the distance between a word and its translation," she said.

"While at times The Mountain in the Sea gives the impression of a novel about the ethics of artificial intelligence grafted onto a different novel about learning to communicate with octopuses, in the end the themes comple­ment each other in resonant ways," writes sci-fi author and scholar Gary K. Wolfe in Locus Magazine. "The result is a genuinely intellectual thriller that does what SF does best – that is, to keep the ideas as exciting as the action..."

Named a best fantasy novel of 2022 by Vulture, this book was also a favorite of Goodreads fantasy fanatics who made it a finalist for its annual "Reader's Choice" award. Nettle and Bone follows a princess's journey to complete three impossible tasks and save her sister from the clutches of an abusive prince.

Readers have gone rabid for the goth adventures of the Locked Tomb series by Locus Award winner Tamsyn Muir. Publishers Weekly called this third installment a "characteristically brilliant" next chapter which will keep readers on the edge of their seats. "Nona’s lovely, simple, and occasionally silly voice works especially well in juxtaposition with the dark, dense backdrop of the series so far, creating a riveting contrast."

A rave review in the Chicago Review of Books called the book "a fantastic excuse to dig into Arthurian legend, and it stands on its own as an enthralling read—an instant classic, born of classics." Autostraddle senior editor Heather Hogan also praised this "gender-bending, queer Arthurian adventure," saying it "will weave you up in its spell in a matter of pages."

"Sweet, kind, and cozy. Perfect for reading in a noisy, scary world," is what former Hugo Award finalist Blue Neustifter had to say about this debut novel, which follows an orc swordsman's journey from slaying horrific monsters to running a hit coffee shop in the fantastical city of Thune.