THE STRUGGLE TO FIT IN as a Vietnamese immigrant in a small Pennsylvania town takes a boy from the great books to punk rock to movies and television. Brilliant observations in crisp, polished prose. A MINUS

SIGH, GONE
Flatiron Books
2020

EPIC INTERSTELLAR ADVENTURE unites far-flung colony planets of a dead Earth. Intriguing worldbuilding, memorable characters. B PLUS

PROSPER & THRIVE (THRIVE SPACE COLONY ADVENTURES BOOK 7)
Ginger Booth
2020

A RUSSIAN OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER arrives at a seedy English girls’ school and falls into a gossamer web of bad choices. Witty and enigmatic tale with a hint of the Gothic. B PLUS

OLIGARCHY
Counterpoint
2020

A MYSTERIOUS SCIENTIFIC PRODIGY and her childhood friend face an array of otherworldly forces in a battle for the world’s future. Thrilling fantasy with lots of nuance. A MINUS

BENEATH THE RISING
Solaris
2020

AN EVERLASTING MAGICAL WAR, with soldiers resurrected after each battle, takes an unexpected turn. Intriguing fantasy could do more with characterization. B MINUS

THE IMMORTAL WAR (DATHEN LEGENDS)
Independently published
2020

A YOUNG ARTIST STRUGGLES with returning to her complicated family life after an accident. Rich, vivid prose and an evocative picture of Baltimore. B PLUS

DON'T YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU
Dzanc Books
2020

LOVELY, IMPRESSIONISTIC MEMOIR of a rich, complicated life, tied together by thoughtful recollections of food (and some appetizing recipes!). SOLID B

EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL
Farrar
2020

AN ANCIENT INTERSTELLAR CIVILIZATION’s artificial intelligences are foraging for humans on Earth. Fascinating sci-fi adventure undermined in places by rough prose. B MINUS

THE TRAVELERS BOOK 3: A SPACE OPERA
Lee Hunnicutt
2020

A BRILLIANT, WITTY PUZZLE of a book explores the connection between art and politics, and the enduring legacy of fascism. B PLUS

DON'T SHED YOUR TEARS FOR ANYONE WHO LIVES ON THESE STREETS
Knopf
2020

A GORGEOUS, SPOOKY REBOOT of the gothic horror tradition, set in mid-twentieth-century Mexico. Truly frightening story told in lush, polished prose. A MINUS

MEXICAN GOTHIC
Del Rey
2020