Iron Widow

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (2021) 394 pages

This is the beginning of a relatively new series. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Rong Fu on Libby. Part Mighty Morphin Power Rangers kaiju adventure and part feminist revenge tale. The story is set in the future, but cultural values and some characters were pulled from Chinese history, according to the author. This leans more toward fantasy than science fiction with Chi energy powering soldiers' armor and the mecha Chrysalises like the vermilion bird pictured on the cover. Zetian is a powerful teen pilot who gains the nickname the Iron Widow. She is unstoppable in fighting the misogyny in her culture in addition to the alien insectoid "invaders" that the government sends the soldiers to eliminate.
 

Prime Deceptions

Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes, 448 pages

In this sequel to last year's Chilling Effect, Captain Eva Innocente and her crew of the smuggling spaceship La Sirena Negra are on the run from The Fridge, an intergalactic mafia, when they pick up an assignment to track down a scientist that escaped from The Fridge a year earlier. It seems one of the galactic organizations fighting The Fridge is in need of the scientist's expertise, and when Eva and her crew agree to the assignment, they're sent on an intergalactic caper that takes them through larger-than-life bot fights, through tourist-trap worlds, and into a tangled web of psychic Pokemon-type creatures. It's a fun, action-filled tale, full of psychic cats and fantastic humor, especially at the expense of a particular mansplaining and infinitely punchable scientist. I loved it, and I can't wait to see what Valdes comes up with next.

*This book will be published Sept. 8, 2020.

Before the Devil BreaksYou

Before the Devil BreaksYou by Libba Bray, 552 pages
The third in the Diviners series doesn't quite live up to the series debut. The book has a fair amount going for it, interesting characters and interesting situations among those, but its a bit repetitive and strained. The Diviners (there are seven of them now) have to stop a host of unquiet ghosts, based on an island asylum, from bringing the King of Crows back to power. Evie and Will have their same strained relationship, though Evie finds out more about her Uncle's past.Sam Lloyd finds out something of his own past, too.

Lair of Dreams: A Diviners novel

Lair of Dreams: A Diviners Novel by Libba Bray, 613 pages.

Evie O'Neill is back in the second Diviners novel. She and all her friends battle a strange ghost that traps people in their dreams. The city is paralyzed by this sleeping sickness. Bray does a good job of presenting a diverse cast of characters, but they all lean somewhat towards melodrama. I had listened to the first diviners novel back in 2013 while I was wandering around Xian, so I have fond memories of that book. I listened to this one too, but it never really brought me in. I am kind of surprised that I listened to the third book too.
Capably narrated by January Levoy.

Spoonbenders

Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory, 399 pages.
Christa and Kara both told me about this one, and it was one of my favorites of this year, too. Teddy Telemachus and his extended family are a mix of psychics, telekinetics, firestarters, and conmen. Teddy himself can fool almost anyone, from gangsters to the CIA. He has a lot more trouble fooling his talented wife, Maureen, the most powerful psychic in the world, and even less luck pulling one over on his daughter Irene. A rollicking, funny, fast-paced novel that is convoluted and a lot of fun. The audio is very well done too.

Spoonbenders

Spoonbenders / Daryl Gregory, ready by Ari Fliakos, 399 pgs.

The Amazing Telemachus Family does a show with a performance of their psychic powers.  Teddy Telemachus and his wife Maureen and their three kids all have power.  Or at least that is what they SAY.  In actuality, Teddy is a confidence man, the three kids are still learning what they can do and Maureen is the only real deal.  When they get booked on the Mike Douglas show, they are moments from real fame and fortune.  But the act sputters and the youngest Telemachus, Buddy, has a bit of a breakdown and their whole thing is debunked.  Fast forward, the kids are adults with their own kids.  They are not very successful, their powers are weak or maybe just a liability.  Teenage Matty has learned that he did inherit an ability from his grandmother.  He can teleport around outside his body.  However, the prep for these trips is a little bit difficult to explain.  He needs to get his power under control and his uncle Frankie is willing to help.  Of course Frankie also needs a favor from Matty...if he could find his way into the local mobster's office and learn the combination to his safe, that would be just great.  Frankie owes the guy almost $50 k.  But really, I shouldn't give anything away here.  This entire family is just delightful in their dysfunction.  They are all interesting and even the minor characters are perfectly rendered.  This is one of my favorite books of the year.  I listened to the audio that is so well done, I recommend it. If you only listen to one book this year, make it this one.