AFTER THE RICH DISCARD EARTH, the people left behind—disenfranchised, mostly members of minority groups, living off scraps on a toxic planet—keep on looking for connection, safety, and home. Complex, rewarding narrative of a too-believable future. B PLUS

GOLIATH
Tordotcom
2022

THE FIGHT AGAINST REPRODUCTIVE INJUSTICE and racism in 1970s Alabama and beyond, stunningly recreated in a troubling yet beautiful novel inspired by true events. Powerful narrative educates without being didactic, thanks to nuanced characterization. B PLUS

TAKE MY HAND
Berkley
2022

AN AMBIVALENT THIEF HAS second, and third, thoughts about stealing from a wealthy lookalike. Sharp psychological thriller, well plotted. SOLID B

THE DOUBLE: A TWISTED AND UNPUTDOWNABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER
Tamarillas Press
2022

THE FASCINATION WITH WOMEN’S MADNESS that gave rise to the 19th century “hysteria” industry, evoked in a touching, poetic novel told from the points of view of patients at Paris’s famous Salpêtrière hospital. Lovely and disturbing. B PLUS

CITY OF INCURABLE WOMEN
Bellevue Literary Press
2022

THE LAST YEARS OF A COMPLICATED WOMAN’S life, evoked with affection and exasperation by her novelist son. Both a nuanced portrait of a fierce, brilliant, difficult person and an indictment of how society can fail the vulnerable elderly. SOLID B

TASHA
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
2022

A HARD-BOILED CYBORG DETECTIVE on the trail of a kingpin’s stolen lucky charm finds even more danger than she expected. Clever mix of grim future science fiction with classic noir tropes. B PLUS

NEON GOLDFISH: HOLOCITY CASE FILES #3
Northern Edge Publishing
2022

AN EROTIC EXISTENTIAL THRILLER about the hunt for a magical book of tremendous power, but also about loss and disappointment and passion and creativity and sumptuous meals. Sara Gran dazzles, as always. A MINUS

THE BOOK OF THE MOST PRECIOUS SUBSTANCE
Dreamland Books
2022

A POWERFUL INTERPLANETARY CIVILIZATION, shaped by traditions of Africa and the African diaspora, faces devastating attacks from within and without. High-energy space opera with lots of action, fascinating world-building, and a strong Black voice. B PLUS

SWEEP OF STARS (ASTRA BLACK #1)
Tor Books
2022

LIGHTHEARTED PARANORMAL REGENCY features book-world intrigue, a determined protagonist, and a wealth of period detail. Lots of fun! B PLUS

THE VANISHING VOLUME
BookView Cafe
2022

THE ASSASSIN’S TRAGIC FAMILY brought to life in this vivid re-imagination of the famous—and infamous—Booths. Karen Joy Fowler’s chiseled prose shines brightest in her deft, haunting portrayal of the Booth women. B PLUS

BOOTH
G.P. Putnam's Sons
2022