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20 Books for 20Somethings

The Summer Queen by Joan D. Vinge

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

Joan D. Vinge has had her hand on many film novelizations -- from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome to Ladyhawke to Cowboys & Aliens. It is the Hugo Award winning The Snow Queen, however, that has gripped readers and kicked off her Snow Queen Cycle, which is based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale. Her output has suffered since a dreadful car accident in 2002, coupled with other health issues, but she is back writing. Hopefully we will see much more from her in the near future.

Her Smoke Rose Up Forever by James Tiptree, Jr.

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

Alice Bradley Sheldon was the Kaiser Soze of her day. In 1968 she began publishing science fiction stories under the name James Tiptree, Jr. -- a pseudonym she would successfully hide behind for nine years until it would finally be discovered, somewhat shockingly, that she was a woman. Her stories are dark science fiction, teeming with sexual tensions, often pessimistic, and weighted with a feminist theme. Hidden in her work were the struggles of a woman suffering emotional troubles, and she would take her own life in 1987. An award in her name is presented each year to a work of science fiction or fantasy that expands/explores understanding of gender.

Elsewhens by Melanie Rawn

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

Melanie Rawn took a lot of time off to try and deal with some personal demons but before she took a bow she turned out some first rate fantasy work. Her Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies took up residence on shelves, epic in scope and in size. Since 2006, she'd dipped her feet in slowly but exploded with the outstanding Touchstone. The writing world is better served with Rawn actively engaged and providing more of her first rate stories.

Ice and Shadow by Andre Norton

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

In 1984, Andre Norton was named the first woman to receive the Grand Master Award from the Science Fiction Writers of America. And she deserved it. Publishing her first novel, The Prince Commands, in 1934, Norton would take on the world -- after changing her name from Alice to Andre, of course. She was a writer of open spaces as opposed to cityscapes and her characters were often witty and independent. 1965's Year of the Unicorn would see Norton utilize a rare idea -- a female protagonist. With 27 different series to her name, Norton truly defined the term Trailblazer, and left an indelible mark on generations of readers and writers.

Victory Conditions: Vatta's War by Elizabeth Moon

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

The Speed of Dark, a science fiction near-future tale told from the viewpoint of an autistic computer programmer, won Elizabeth Moon the 2003 Nebula for Best Novel, and it is mind-blowing. A former computer specialist in the US Marine Corps, Moon has been publishing stellar fantasy and hard science fiction works since 1988, primarily within her Paksennarrion Series of sword and sorcery adventure. Within Vatta's War, Moon pulls out the stops for a militaristic space adventure. Moon is a capable author in both realms, wielding a sword or a blaster with competence.

The Scrivener's Tale by Fiona McIntosh

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

If you don't know who Fiona McIntosh is, shame on you. While she's gaining accolades in Australia she's still looking for the lit fuse to hit the powder keg here in the States. With three series currently available here (The Quickening, Percheron, Valisar), McIntosh has found a way to shrink epic feel into three books, which means no waiting around for nine years to get to book seven. Another key is that all three of these trilogies are expressly different in setting and tone, yet if you pay attention you can see that they all occur within the same universe. Her pace is quick, her characters are likable and/or revolting (as necessary), and her stories absolutely reward you for giving them your time.

All the Weyrs of Pern: Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

While Anne McCaffrey has a solid foothold in science fiction as well as fantasy, it is her gifted combination of both elements in her Dragonriders of Pern that has secured her place amongst the greatest in the genre, no matter her gender. While she may have had struggles gaining a male readership back in the '60s, there should be zero problems in that area now. She enjoyed a successful run in teaming up with Elizabeth Ann Scarborough to write the Acorna Universe and the Petaybee Universe. She then worked with her son, Todd, on several Pern novels and has left the world in his hands. McCaffrey passed in November 2011, having won Hugos, Nebulas, appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list, was the 22nd Grand Master of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and entered the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Summoner: Chronicles of the Necromancer, Book 1 by Gail Z. Martin

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

With the release of The Summoner in 2007, Gail Z. Martin sent up a flag of warning that a new epic fantasist was on the scene. Now six books into The Chronicles of the Necromancer, Martin shows no sign of slowing down. The series holds everything a lover of epic fantasy will enjoy -- colorful characters, blood feuds, struggles for the crown, the dead...and the undead. And to top it all off, she takes those disparate elements and combines them with a deft hand and presents readers with small gifts within each cover.

Daughter of the Forest: The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1 by Juliet Marillier

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

New Zealand-born Marillier flies under the radar, and it's unfortunate, because a great many readers are missing out on some really strong writing. Her best work to date is The Sevenwaters Trilogy, which kicks off with the American Library Award winning Daughter of the Forest. Much of her work is presented in the first person viewpoint, which is not the easiest approach, but she nails it every time. The Saga of the Light Isles is a two book series with a Viking theme that deserves a look. Across the board, Marillier shows her gifts for folklore and should garner more readership than she does.

The Telling by Ursula K. Le Guin

Female Fantasy Authors, November 2012

Hugo. Nebula. National Book Award. Newbery Honor. Ursula K. LeGuin has piled up an impressive array of hardware for the quality of her work. It would be very easy to simply say Earthsea and leave things as they are, for it is an exquisite series. The Hainish series of books should be on everyone's list of science fiction must reads -- a series which includes such titles as The Dispossessed and The Left Hand of Darkness. Add to that her stand-alone The Lathe of Heaven and you are just beginning to scratch the surface. That she can take themes of psychological and social importance and twist them into entertaining stories is a testament to her grand abilities.