Plum Rains

Plum Rains by Andromeda Romano-Lax, 389 pages

In near-future Tokyo, Filipina nurse Angelica is struggling to make ends meet (and pay off the loan shark from whom she and her brother both borrowed) while caring for Sayoko, a cantankerous Japanese woman who is approaching her 100th birthday. Just ten days before the birthday celebration, however, Sayoko's son sends her a prototype caretaker robot, with whom Sayoko quickly bonds and to whom she begins telling decades-old secrets. Angelica is highly suspicious of this robot, who she fears is an attempt to replace her, but can't help admitting is helpful as a Sayoko-sitter while Angelica tries to sort out her own issues.

With its setting in 2029 and a focus on some very real issues from the past, present, and future — including the exploitation of "comfort women" during World War II, immigration, climate change, artificial intelligence, Japan's aging population, and our increasing reliance on technology — this book is an odd mix of science fiction and historical fiction. But it presents a lot to ruminate on, and I can't wait to discuss it with the Orcs & Aliens next week.

Hard Reboot

 Hard Reboot by Django Wexler, 160 pages.

Kas is a junior researcher on a research trip to the frankly terrible Old Earth. She's excited about the chance to make some career making studies of ancient code, and is not at all prepared for a con artist to swoop in and maneuver her into an accidental bet on a giant robot fight that may torpedo her academic career before it ever starts. She's also very cute and sitting on a major academic discovery, so keeping close through all the danger seems like a good idea to Kas, even when the circumstances surrounding her new friend starts to get very dangerous.

I read this months Orcs and Aliens book a little early and I don't regret it one bit. It was obviously fun (it's about giant robot fights), but it's also surprisingly emotionally relevant. It's also the type of novella that manages to imply SO MUCH about a wider world, and I would love to read more in this setting. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else has to say about this one!

Project Hail Mary

  Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, 478 pages.

I actually already reviewed this book last July! You can read that here. Overall my opinions about it are pretty much exactly the same, but with less surprise this time. One difference is that I was reading it with someone else (and in preparation to discuss it with more people) which definitely led to some interesting conversations. And I'm looking forward to more conversations with Orcs and Aliens tonight!
 

A Pale Light in the Black

 A Pale Light in the Black by K.B. Wagers, 421 pages.

Kara beat me to the punch this month! So check out her original review of this book last year. 

I had a bit of a harder time getting into this book. The first fourth or so was a bit of a struggle for me, and I didn't really get into it until about half way through. However, from that point I was completely invested. I really appreciated the detailed explorations of how in the distant future people continue to be essentially the same, and the interesting ways that is expressed in a changing world (the examination of evangelical reactions to space was especially interesting for me). 

I really enjoyed all of the characters on Zuma's Ghost, and most of the characters in general (D'Arcey in particular is a favorite). This book was extremely sweet, and once I got into it it felt extremely comfortable to read. I'm looking forward to discussing it more at Orcs and Aliens tonight!