Top Ten Reads for Summer 2015

Signal to Noise, Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Release Date: Out now, February 2015
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism
Series: Standalone
Why: I don’t often enjoy magical realism, but I do love magic systems based on something different. Signal to Noise works its magic through music, as three teens cast spells with vinyl records. It’s set in Mexico City (1988 and 2009) and written by a Mexican-Canadian author, so I’m looking forward to learning more about a culture not my own in the process.

The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 2: Fandemonium, Kieron Gillen
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Genre: Graphic Novel, Contemporary Fantasy
Series: The Wicked + The Divine
Why: I loved Volume 1: The Faust Act and I can’t wait for volume 2. The art is gorgeous and the story mixes pop culture with modern myth.

The Wrath and the Dawn, Renee Ahdieh
Release Date: Out now, May 2015
Genre: YA Retelling of 1001 Nights
Series: Standalone
Why: Every glowing review I read makes me more excited for this retelling. I’ve enjoyed several Arab or Islamic-influenced stories recently, and am seeking out more.

Clash of Eagles, Alan Smale
Release Date: Out now, March 2015
Genre: Alternative History
Series: Hesperian Trilogy #1
Why: Roman legions vs. Iroquois warriors, as Rome expands to the new world. I adore Greek/Roman anything, and I enjoy alternative histories when they’re done well. Clash of Eagles also comes recommended as a good audio performance by a friend, who hooked me up with their audio copy. Win.

Time Salvager, Wesley Chu
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction, Time Travel
Series: Standalone
Why: I enjoyed the sample preview of this dystopian/scifi story. James is a chronman, who travels back to dead end timelines to strip them for resources. Until he meets someone worth saving. In the bit I previewed, James made for a strong antihero in an intriguing story.

Three Parts Dead, Max Gladstone
Release Date: Out now, 2012
Genre: Urban Fantasy with ancient gods and a touch of steampunk
Series: Craft Sequence #1
Why: Comes highly recommended. With strong fantasy world-building, a clever mystery, and a non-white female lead, it promises to be an awesome read. Plus, a series that can be read in multiple orders or sometimes as standalones intrigues me, and I want to see how he pulls it off.

Hostage, Rachel Manija Brown & Sherwood Smith
Release Date: Out now, January 2015
Genre: YA Post-apocalyptic, Western
Series: The Change #2
Why: I adored book one, The Stranger and immediately bought book two on my nook. With its fresh mix of western and scifi/dystopian and diverse characters, it’s one of the most fun reads of the year so far. I want to read the sequel before I forget details.

Shadowshaper, Daniel José Older
Release Date: June 30, 2015
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Series: Standalone
Why: In Brooklyn, the graffiti murals start to weep. This YA fantasy mixes Caribbean legend with urban life. I’m intrigued.

Valour and Vanity, Mary Robinette Kowal
Release Date: Out now, 2014
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Series: Glamourist Histories #4
Why: This series has been recommended several times, but I’m reluctant about Regency. Then it was mentioned on Writing Excuses podcast as a good place for new readers to jump in and A HEIST NOVEL. No surprise, this went straight onto my to-read list.

Armada, Ernest Cline
Release Date: July 14, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction, video game nostalgia
Series: Standalone
Why: I’m not quite as Team Ready Player One as almost everyone I know seems to be. But I still enjoyed it, and I’m still gladly in line for Cline’s new novel, which promises just as much retro geek nostalgia.

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books On My TBR For Summer 2015. July’s releases are included here, for anything August or later, see my Top Ten 2015 Fall Releases list. I did not duplicate titles.