Romane über Frauen / Romane über Frauen, 10. Die Verschwörung der Maria Stuart Autoren, Verschiedene (2024)

A feel-good read about a monk who wants more from life. Set in a futuristic world where humans finally live in a sustainable way in harmony with nature after an environmental catastrophe generations ago.
What I loved most here are the interactions between monk and robot. The robot (named Mosscap after the first thing it saw after 'awakening') has a curious personality and is easily enthused by almost anything which makes it absolutely adorable and one of my all-time favorite fictional characters.
For fans of 'The House in the Cerulean Sea'!

I've heard only good things about this series and with it winning both the Hugo AND the Nebula Award, it had been on my reading list for quite a while.
Just finished reading it aloud to my friend over the course of a few days (the book is unfortunately pretty thin) and we had a blast. We both were very amused by the protagonist here, a security robot who develops a life of their own but still pretends to take orders. All it really wants though is watching soap operas on the entertainment feed!

"The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi" is an entertaining read for anyone seeking a captivating blend of history, magic, and quirky badass characters. With its richly imagined medieval seafarer world set against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea, this book is a delightful adventure that lingers in the heart and mind long after the final page.

It's the first in a trilogy and one of my absolute favorite books of 2023!

The hauntingly epic illustrations help make this inventive sci-fi story set in 1997 in an apocalyptic post-war US especially absorbing.
Afterwards you'll never be able to look at VR-technology the same way again... Stalenhag will make you look at it in an indeed VERY different, creepy light.

Samantha Shannon has done it again! When I read The Priory of the Orange Tree in 2019, I was so impressed that such a long high fantasy book not only shined in terms of its intricate worldbuilding and masterful storytelling, but also its extremely well-developed characters and emotional impact. This prequel delivers on all of the same aspects, while presenting its own new and exciting tale.

Shannon is a master of crafting relationships. This moves from a macro level of international politics and religious conflicts over court intrigue to a micro level of interpersonal relationships. All of these levels are interwoven and create a complex and rich picture of Shannon's fantasy world. Her beautiful prose brings this picture to life. You can't help but root for the characters in this book; I found myself especially connecting with Wulf and Dumai's storylines. I love how intrinsically queer and feminist this series is, defying gender norms and tackling themes of (bodily) autonomy and sisterhood.

I would absolutely not be surprised if in a few year's time, "Babel" was hailed as a (modern) classic of fantasy literature. And rightfully so - the way it takes abstract concepts of etymology and manages to seamlessly weave them into an epic fantasy plot and thereby turn them into commercial fiction seems unprecedented to me. The 'magic' at work in this alternative version of 19th century Oxford is grounded so plausibly and satisfyingly on linguistic theory that it never once seems out of place, but simply caters to the political stance on colonialism the story thrives to convey. Be warned, though: It's second title "The Necessity of Violence" is not to be taken lightly. It does get very dark towards the end, and while entirely justified and well-handled, it completely pulls the rug out from under your feet. But most of all "Babel" is a beautiful shout-out to the still very much underestimated profession and/or art of translation. Don't miss out on this one, all you language lovers.

If you're intending to pick up this book, which I would highly recommend, buckle up, because it will take you on a turbulent space voyage of emotions. On board with you: our flawed but loveable heroine Katrina Nguyen, teenage runaway and violinist, and an only partly human cast of quirky characters. You'll visit an intergalactic hideout disguised as a donut shop, various music competitions influenced by a literal demon and a historically patriarchal violin shop on the cusp of change. The queer rep here is wonderfully nuanced - there's hard-hitting depictions of Katrina's experience as a trans woman, heartwarming found family moments and a joyful lesbian romance. While it has its lengths and some moments that I found to be a tad too solemn, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey this book took me on.

Hello epicness, goodbye sunshine.
'Empire of the Vampire' is Dark Fantasy entertainment at its peak!!
Though absolutely making use of the vampire cliche, Kristoff manages to broaden the genre and make it witty and cool again.
It's been a long time since I've been so invested in a story. Don't miss out and meet Gabriel, Astrid, Dior, Aaron and many more fascinating characters.

I would absolutely not be surprised if in a few year's time, "Babel" was hailed as a (modern) classic of fantasy literature. And rightfully so - the way it takes abstract concepts of etymology and manages to seamlessly weave them into an epic fantasy plot and thereby turn them into commercial fiction seems unprecedented to me. The 'magic' at work in this alternative version of 19th century Oxford is grounded so plausibly and satisfyingly on linguistic theory that it never once seems out of place, but simply caters to the political stance on colonialism the story thrives to convey. Be warned, though: It's second title "The Necessity of Violence" is not to be taken lightly. It does get very dark towards the end, and while entirely justified and well-handled, it completely pulls the rug out from under your feet. But most of all "Babel" is a beautiful shout-out to the still very much underestimated profession and/or art of translation. Don't miss out on this one, all you language lovers.

A special treat for anyone who has read and loved the Mistborn Trilogy.
Legitimately named 'A Secret History' I won't spoil any of the story here. Let me just say that it revolves around one of the most beloved characters in Sanderson's Cosmere universe, so don't miss out!

This book needs to be better known! I can't recall ever reading a story as wholesome as this one; especially in the predominantly gloomy Fantasy genre.
Just as in "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children", the plot revolves around orphaned youths with magical abilities - one more endearing in their quirks that the other. That's about the only common thread though. While the "Miss Peregrine's" series relies on the spooky and strange atmosphere, the crux of the matter in this story is the character development of the protagonist, Linus. His evolution from miserable case worker defined by the "Rules and Regulations Handbook" to a happy healthy human surrounded by loved ones is heart-warming and simply delightful! Moreover, Klune advocates for diversity and openness towards those who are different than 'normal' in an unobtrusive way.
Reading this wonderful book made my heart ache in so many ways. It has a very good chance of becoming my favorite this year - and it's only January!

Those people unfortunate enough to have read my bio on here will know that fantasy is a genre away from which I usually shy as far as possible. It was therefore with trepidation that I followed several colleagues' recommendation to pick up this book.
Fifty pages and several days later, and I came within millimetres of abandoning it. Although I could see its interest for many (and Clarke's skill as a writer), it was exactly what I dislike about fantasy novels - invented worlds with questionable internal logic etc.

Twenty more pages and I was completely, hopelessly hooked. So much indeed that I read the last hundred-ish pages in one late-night sitting.

So much did I love this book that I am incredibly unwilling to ruin its magic by providing any spoilers. All I'll say is, when reading it, I kept thinking, "This is like a better, pithier version of Donna Tartt's 'A Secret History'". If this is fantasy and it can be this good, I need to change my bio sharpish.

'The Name of the Wind' is narrated by a young insufferable genius who often gets in trouble because of his wit and nerve alone.
I'm putting off rereading the series until the loooong-awaited third novel 'The Doors of Stone' is finally published (God only knows when that'll happen though), so it's been some years since I've last delved into the world of Temerant but what I still remember vividly are:
- the narrator's persevering fight for the life he wants to live
- the epic friendships
- the vast mysterious magic university
- Rothfuss's constant appreciation for music and libraries
- a love story that will make you want to pull your hair out in despair for them to finally be together!!
These are only a few perks to make it one of my favorite books of all time, and definitely my favorite Epic Fantasy series. I know that millions of other readers feel the same way - it's one of the best rated books on goodreads and I've never met anybody who didn't enjoy this novel!

Book 1 in the Great Cities Series

This book is an ode to New York - a city unique enough to be its own living and breathing entity. N.K. Jemisin took this notion seriously and let the city come alive indeed: through the five main characters in this book - each representing one of New York's boroughs. Highly imaginative - I was intrigued!

This novel is unjustly very obscure, a fact that the new reissue from Dörlemann is hopefully helping to change. Originally published in 1926, it tells the story of unmarried auntie Lolly who, out of the blue, vacates her post as an unpaid housemaid to her brother's family, to move to an obscure village in northern England. For the first time in her life, and much to her family's consternation, Lolly does what she wants and it involves cats, midnight dances, a very peculiar village and - Satan.
Utterly charming and uplifting, the novel's lighthearted treatment of such themes as the lack of prospects for women, loneliness and ageing is borne out by Lolly's esprit and its just rewards. It's a classic of early lesbian literature and should absolutely be read more.

A short and comparatively easy-to-read British classic from 1886 about the duality of human nature. Stevenson's linguistic eloquence is a pleasure to consume!

Eine ehemalige Ork-Abenteurerin hängt nach 22 Jahren ihr Schwert an den Nagel und möchte im kleinen Universitätsstädtchen Thune ein Café eröffnen? Klingt genau nach der Verschnaufpause, die man sich als Lesende ab und an wünscht. Erst einmal steht ungemein viel Arbeit an: Möbel schreinern, Mitarbeiter:innen anwerben, Kaffee im pseudomittelalterlichen fantastischen Städtchen bewerben und sich gegen leicht mafiöse Strukturen wehren. Aber ein schicksalshafter Stein schenkt dem ganzen Vorhaben eine große Portion Glück. Viv, die oben benannte Orkfrau lernt im Laufe des Romanes eine Reihe von neuen Bekannten und Freund:innen kennen, die ihr helfen, ihren Traum eines Cafés und eines richtigen Zuhauses zu erfüllen. Tandri, Cal, Timble - man muss sie einfach alle lieben. Wer sich einmal von gewaltig-epischer Fantasy ausruhen möchte und eher einen Blick in das sogenannte Hope Punk -Genre werfen möchte, wird hier in eine sehr positive, warme und heimelige Welt geführt. Konflikte existieren auch hier, aber das optimistische Weltbild ist in jeder Zeile spürbar. Etwas mehr Worldbuilding hätte dem Buch gut getan, aber der kleine Figurenkosmos (Found-Family-Topos!) und die charmanten Orte Thunes überzeugen eigentlich schon zur Genüge.

Samantha Shannon has done it again! When I read The Priory of the Orange Tree in 2019, I was so impressed that such a long high fantasy book not only shined in terms of its intricate worldbuilding and masterful storytelling, but also its extremely well-developed characters and emotional impact. This prequel delivers on all of the same aspects, while presenting its own new and exciting tale.

Shannon is a master of crafting relationships. This moves from a macro level of international politics and religious conflicts over court intrigue to a micro level of interpersonal relationships. All of these levels are interwoven and create a complex and rich picture of Shannon's fantasy world. Her beautiful prose brings this picture to life. You can't help but root for the characters in this book; I found myself especially connecting with Wulf and Dumai's storylines. I love how intrinsically queer and feminist this series is, defying gender norms and tackling themes of (bodily) autonomy and sisterhood.

This is a good book. It works very well as a time-travelley whodunit, with an interesting take on intertextuality ("Sea of Tranquility" makes multiple references to Mandel's other novels). However, "perfect is the enemy of good" - as a big fan of Mandel's work in general, to me this doesn't seem to be quite up to her usual standards. It's got an extremely tight-knitted, fast plot, which makes it very readable, but left me longing for that specific kind of awe-inducing let's call it complete incompleteness her other books tend to have. Here, her characters seem to be driven by plot and not the other way round. With Mandel's skill set as a writer, and all the cool, complex, literary stuff you can do with time travel, I simply feel like this could have been even better. But then again, I do admit that my expectations were probably way too high. You won't regret reading this.

Was für ein grandioser 2. Band!
Bereits der Einstieg fühlte sich explosiv und aufregend an. Man findet sich direkt im Geschehen wieder. Ein konfliktträchtiges, mitreißendes und spannendes Geschehen.
Ich hatte den Eindruck, dass der Umgangston rauer als im ersten Band war. Und ich muss sagen, dass mir das sehr gefallen hat.
Die Handlungen und Entwicklungen der Charaktere sind raffiniert und tiefgründig. Ängste, Sorgen und Kämpfe echter.

A dark simple fairytale of a mysterious family, loneliness, ghouls and a desolate parallel world.
I can't say that I was really invested in the characters but they were well enough formed to distract me from the real world.

I must admit though that I liked the idea of the story more than Schwab's realization.

This 2006 Fantasy classic has been on my to-read-list for a loooong time. Now that I've read it, I wish I'd picked it up sooner. What a fantastic book full of brilliant ideas, exemplary worldbuilding and humor!
While the main plot of the book features a fraudulent heist, the heart of the novel lies in the touchingly epic friendship that is 'The Gentleman Bastards' - the band of thieves led by the book title's namesake - Locke Lamora.
I really enjoyed spending time with this gang of lovable characters and look forward to reading the next volumes.

Hello epicness, goodbye sunshine.
'Empire of the Vampire' is Dark Fantasy entertainment at its peak!!
Though absolutely making use of the vampire cliche, Kristoff manages to broaden the genre and make it witty and cool again.
It's been a long time since I've been so invested in a story. Don't miss out and meet Gabriel, Astrid, Dior, Aaron and many more fascinating characters.

You're looking for a Fantasy Series that will consistently keep your attention? Try "The Mistborn Trilogy". "The Final Empire" is the first volume in the series.
Sanderson is king when it comes to the invention of magical systems and to the building of worlds - an epic adventure full of fantastic characters awaits you!
P.S.: If you're more into standalones give "Elantris" by Brandon Sanderson a go - it's just as great!

A special treat for anyone who has read and loved the Mistborn Trilogy.
Legitimately named 'A Secret History' I won't spoil any of the story here. Let me just say that it revolves around one of the most beloved characters in Sanderson's Cosmere universe, so don't miss out!

Eine ehemalige Ork-Abenteurerin hängt nach 22 Jahren ihr Schwert an den Nagel und möchte im kleinen Universitätsstädtchen Thune ein Café eröffnen? Klingt genau nach der Verschnaufpause, die man sich als Lesende ab und an wünscht. Erst einmal steht ungemein viel Arbeit an: Möbel schreinern, Mitarbeiter:innen anwerben, Kaffee im pseudomittelalterlichen fantastischen Städtchen bewerben und sich gegen leicht mafiöse Strukturen wehren. Aber ein schicksalshafter Stein schenkt dem ganzen Vorhaben eine große Portion Glück. Viv, die oben benannte Orkfrau lernt im Laufe des Romanes eine Reihe von neuen Bekannten und Freund:innen kennen, die ihr helfen, ihren Traum eines Cafés und eines richtigen Zuhauses zu erfüllen. Tandri, Cal, Timble - man muss sie einfach alle lieben. Wer sich einmal von gewaltig-epischer Fantasy ausruhen möchte und eher einen Blick in das sogenannte Hope Punk -Genre werfen möchte, wird hier in eine sehr positive, warme und heimelige Welt geführt. Konflikte existieren auch hier, aber das optimistische Weltbild ist in jeder Zeile spürbar. Etwas mehr Worldbuilding hätte dem Buch gut getan, aber der kleine Figurenkosmos (Found-Family-Topos!) und die charmanten Orte Thunes überzeugen eigentlich schon zur Genüge.

Hello epicness, goodbye sunshine.
'Empire of the Vampire' is Dark Fantasy entertainment at its peak!!
Though absolutely making use of the vampire cliche, Kristoff manages to broaden the genre and make it witty and cool again.
It's been a long time since I've been so invested in a story. Don't miss out and meet Gabriel, Astrid, Dior, Aaron and many more fascinating characters.

Wahnsinn was zwischen diesen Seiten steckt. Liebe, Verrat, Intrigen, Machtspiele.
Jella Benks schafft es, das perfekte Gefühlschaos hervorzurufen. Starke Protagonist:innen, glaubhafte Lügen, echte Emotionen und vor allem geschickte Täuschungen, werden hier ganz groß geschrieben.

Hello epicness, goodbye sunshine.
'Empire of the Vampire' is Dark Fantasy entertainment at its peak!!
Though absolutely making use of the vampire cliche, Kristoff manages to broaden the genre and make it witty and cool again.
It's been a long time since I've been so invested in a story. Don't miss out and meet Gabriel, Astrid, Dior, Aaron and many more fascinating characters.

"Lesson Two" continues where "Lesson One" left off: the seniors have graduated after repairing the cleansing mechanism - now El's year is the new senior class trying to make it out of the Scholomance alive.
The tone is similar to "A Deadly Education": slow pacing, way too little action in the first 80% and A LOT of information - though somehow not the info I'm yearning for like why the heck are there so many monsters in the world in the first place?! The end scene is epic though and I really liked that the school started to develop a character of its own.
Though not as captivating and refreshing as the first book I enjoyed rejoining El on her quest to survive school - preferably without having to use her evil powers!