Solaris books for the Winter Solstice
21st December 2022
The winter solstice is upon us! The days are chilly, the nights are dark and the books, thankfully, are endless.
If you’re the kind of reader who enjoys sinking into fictional winters during the coldest months of the year, here are three books we’d recommend!
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
“He was called the Winter Emperor, for his reign was brought in with early snow and its first month was characterized by bitter cold; the Istandaärtha froze solid below Ezho for the first time in living memory.”
Maia, the youngest, half-goblin son of the Emperor has lived his entire life in exile, distant from the Imperial Court and the deadly intrigue that suffuses it. But when his father and three sons in line for the throne are killed in an “accident,” he has no choice but to take his place as the only surviving rightful heir. Entirely unschooled in the art of court politics, he has no friends, no advisors, and the sure knowledge that whoever assassinated his father and brothers could make an attempt on his life at any moment. Surrounded by sycophants eager to curry favour with the naive new emperor, and overwhelmed by the burdens of his new life, he can trust nobody. Amid the swirl of plots to depose him, offers of arranged marriages, and the spectre of the unknown conspirators who lurk in the shadows, he must quickly adjust to life as the Goblin Emperor.
Northern Wrath by Thilde Kold Holdt
“Blood dripped from Einer’s fingertips onto the crisp snow.”
The bond between men and the gods is weakening.
A dead man walks between the worlds and foresees Odin’s doom.
The only survivor of a slaughter unleashes a monster from fiery Muspelheim.
Long hidden among mortals, a giantess sighs and takes up her magics once again.
A chief’s son must overcome war and treason to become the leader his people need.
And the final battle is coming…
Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
“I’ve never frozen to death before. I’ve definitely thought about it, though. It’s been hard not to since we made landfall on this godforsaken ball of ice.”
Dying isn’t any fun…but at least it’s a living.
Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal— the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. Mickey signed on to escape from both bad debts and boredom on Midgard.
After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.
When he goes missing and is presumed dead at the hands of deadly indigenous creatures, Mickey8 reports for duty, and their troubles really begin.