The past year has been notable for the release of exceptional science fiction literature, with December delivering a strong lineup of titles from acclaimed authors including Ada Palmer, James S. A. Corey, and Ben Bova. Notably, a new entry in the Wild Cards series, edited by George R. R. Martin, has drawn attention, particularly among fans of “Game of Thrones.”
Persepolis Rising by James S. A. Corey
Writing under the pseudonym James S. A. Corey, the duo of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck rose to prominence with their book, Leviathan Wakes, which initiated The Expanse series now adapted into a television show. This ambitious series explores humanity’s expansion into outer space.
The seventh installment, Persepolis Rising, continues the journey of the crew aboard the aging gunship Rocinante, now charged with maintaining peace among various colony worlds. Set in a future where humanity has spread across more than 1,000 solar systems, the narrative involves a looming threat from a concealed enemy on the enigmatic planet of Laconia. The stakes are high, and the unfolding conflict promises to reshape human existence. New readers are encouraged to start from the earlier books, which are regarded as highly engaging.
Expected release date: December 5
Buy: Persepolis Rising
Wild Cards: Mississippi Roll edited by George R. R. Martin
For fans of the “Game of Thrones” series, it’s important to clarify that George R. R. Martin serves as the editor for Wild Cards: Mississippi Roll, rather than being the sole author. Contributors to this 24th entry include Cherie Priest, Carrie Vaughn, David D. Levine, John Jos. Miller, Kevin Andrew Murphy, and Stephen Leigh.
This volume comprises interlinked short stories centered around a steamboat adventure on the Mississippi River. Each narrative explores the experiences of different characters aboard the vessel, which plays a crucial role in aiding refugees who have recently arrived in America. The publisher assures that this installment serves as a welcoming entry point for newcomers to the Wild Cards series.
Expected release date: December 5
Buy: Wild Cards: Mississippi Roll
The Will to Battle by Ada Palmer
Ada Palmer gained acclaim with her Terra Ignota series, which began with Too Like the Lightning and continued with Seven Surrenders. The Will to Battle is the third of four volumes in this narrative arc, and readers are encouraged to read the previous works for context. This series investigates how a nearly utopian future society negotiates a potential breakdown.
In this volume, the story unfolds as the leaders of the Hives—nations without fixed locations—face their long-hidden truths and the resurgence of violent impulses among the populace. A new conflict looms as the fragile peace is threatened.
Expected release date: December 5
Buy: The Will to Battle
Survival by Ben Bova
Ben Bova, a prolific science fiction author with over 100 books to his name, is celebrated for his contributions to the genre. His work includes The Grand Tour series, consisting of more than 20 volumes that detail humanity’s quest to colonize other planets within the solar system and beyond.
Survival is part of this expansive saga and also fits within the Star Quest mini-series. The series begins with New Earth, where humans discover a habitable planet. Subsequent titles—Death Wave and Apes and Angels—detail humanity’s struggle against a catastrophic wave of radiation endangering life in the Milky Way. In Survival, a team encounters an ancient machine intelligence that has survived previous disasters but shows little interest in assisting organic life. Will they manage to persuade this entity to help, or is biological existence doomed?
Expected release date: December 26
Buy: Survival by Ben Bova
What was your favorite science fiction book of 2017? Which titles are you eager to dive into by the end of December? Share your thoughts in the comments.
