Gary K Wolfe

Kemi's one of the most promising younger writers, I think--and she knows a lot about the Permian extinction, as well.

Making History by K.J. Parker: Review by Gary K. Wolfe Making History, K.J. Parker (Tordotcom 978-1-250-83578-9, $18.99, 128pp, tp) September 2025. Much of the delight of K.J. Parker’s faux-historical fiction comes from the ingratiating and affable voi…

Check out @garykwolfe’s review of MAKING HISTORY by K.J. Parker: “we’re left enjoying another fine example Parker’s deep sense of irony and chronically untrustworthy characters.”

Alix takes some risks with this one, and as usual it pays off beautifully.

A great chat with the always insightful Ken Liu.

Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher: Review by Gary K. Wolfe Hemlock & Silver, T. Kingfisher (Tor 978-1-25034-203-4, $28.99, 368pp, hc) August 2025. Like many writers of her generation – and for that matter, several generations before her – T. Kingfisher…

“That rare balance of wit and genuine dread has become one of Kingfisher’s most distinctive trademarks, and HEMLOCK & SILVER is another fine example of what her devoted horde of followers cherish in her work.” @garykwolfe reviews new work from @UrsulaV

I think we were both missing Quinn, even though it had been years since either of us chatted with her.

Despite its apparently cozy trappings, this one also has political teeth, set in a future San Francisco newly liberated from--well, wait and see.

"Lessons in Magic and Disaster is a convincing novel of character long before the spells even begin to kick in. At the same time, Anders’s voice is not without a bracing sense of anger... her most mature and personal novel to date, as well as her finest." -- Gary K. Wolfe, Locus Magazine

And finally! I saw the print version of @locusmag.bsky.social's wonderful review of Lessons (by the always fantastic @garykwolfe.bsky.social) a while ago, but now it's online and worth reading. It's so thoughtful and erudite:

locusmag.com/2025/08/less...

Back in the saddle.

Pretty much my reaction as well, and I may not continue with it. Hawley's strength is quirky and morally compromised characters, but these seem drawn entirely from the Alien playbook.

Outspoken & Incendiary

Outspoken & Incendiary

The Outspoken & Incendiary: Interviews with Radical Science Fiction Writers @nisishawl.bsky.social @eileengunn.bsky.social @garykwolfe.bsky.social

Coode Street 683: China Mieville joins Gary Wolfe and Jonathan Strahan to discuss Perdido Street Station and 25 Years of Bas Lag

www.podbean.com/eas/pb-5dr4d...

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang: Review by Gary K. Wolfe Katabasis, R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager 978-0063021471, $35.00, 560pp, hc) August 2025. Several weeks ago, on the fivebooks.com website, Lev Grossman was asked about Dark Academia, which, he quite co…

“A rich combination of dream vision, acerbic satire, intellectual playfulness, and human drama, KATABASIS should more than satisfy...” @garykwolfe reviews new work from R.F. Kuang locusmag.com/2025/08...

Ran errands this morning listening to @jonathanstrahan.bsky.social and @garykwolfe.bsky.social chat with @charliejane.bsky.social and @annaleen.bsky.social about their latest books — which kinda made me feel as if @seattlein2025.org had already begun! jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-68...

Coode St 682: Gary and Jonathan talk to Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz about Lessons in Magic and Disaster and Automatic Noodle.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Review by Gary K. Wolfe The Bewitching, Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Del Rey 978-0-59387-432-5, $29.00, 368pp, hc) July 2025. From early in her career, Silvia Moreno-Gar­cia has shown an almost scholarly interest not only in Mex…

Check out @garykwolfe’s review of THE BEWITCHING by @silviamg.bsky.social: “Moreno-Garcia’s skill at precisely evoking par¬ticular times and places serves her especially well in balancing these three narrative lines” locusmag.com/2025/07...

If Wishes Were Retail by Auston Habershaw: Review by Gary K. Wolfe If Wishes Were Retail, Auston Habershaw (Tachyon 978-1-61696-434-4, $16.95, 272pp, tp) June 2025. Even though they’ve been around for centuries in complex ways, djinns have in the past few decades …

“IF WISHES WERE RETAIL, for all its cozy-fantasy trappings and screwball-comedy antics, actually has something sharp to say about many of the real contradictions inherent in American capitalism.” @garykwolfe reviews @aahabershaw.bsky.social locusmag.com/2025/07...

Silvia's new novel is a delight, and we're glad to have her back on the podcast.

Actually, you’re right.

I don't know if anyone has tried it from a critical point of view, but I haven't been keeping up with SFS-style scholarship. I suspect it would involve a lot more textual work than most want to do. As I said, though, I'd be surprised if it ended up looking much like conventional SF histories.

It's just us again this time, but at least we talk about some interesting folks.

One Message Remains by Premee Mohamed: Review by Gary K. Wolfe One Message Remains, Premee Mohamed (Psy­chopomp 979-8-89115-010-1, $19.99, 205pp, tp) February 2025. In a career of barely a decade, Premee Mohamed has emerged as one of the more adventurous new v…

“In a career of barely a decade, Premee Mohamed has emerged as one of the more adventurous new voices in SFF, both in terms of genre and form…” @garykwolfe’s reviews ONE MESSAGE REMAINS by @premeemohamed.com - locusmag.com/2025/06...

photos of gary k wolfe, tochi onyebuchi, kemi ashing-giwa, and sarah gailey with text about a panel for the locus awards

We have locked in some special events for the Locus Awards! Tune in to The Plot Thickens: A Conversation with the Locus Awards Guests, a panel moderated by our reviewer @GaryKWolfe!

Buy tickets in bio or here: locusmag.com/2025-lo...

@tochitruestory @sarahgailey @kashinggiwa

Coode Street 679: Guy Gavriel Kay and Written on the Dark

This week we talk to @guygavrielkay.bsky.social about his new novel, Written on the Dark, and much more!

www.podbean.com/eas/pb-e4t2w...

Plus an interview reflecting on the history of potatopunk with SF scholar and reviewer @garykwolfe.bsky.social!

Also, Joe joined us on the Coode Street Podcast earlier this month: jonathanstrahan.podbean.com/e/episode-67...

Illinois Republicans like Rep. Mary Miller, Rep. Mike Bost, and Rep. Darin LaHood just voted to take away health care from 13.7 million people — the majority working people simply without insurance.

Why? All to give Trump’s friends at Mar-a-Lago another tax break. It’s shameful.

Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay: Review by Gary K. Wolfe Written on the Dark, Guy Gavriel Kay (Ace 978-0593953983, $29.00, 400pp, hc) May 2025. For the first-time reader, there comes a point in almost every Guy Gavriel Kay novel where you need to decide …

"...There are more than a few flashes of brilliance in WRITTEN ON THE DARK, as well as some profoundly moving insights and some of Kay's most memorable characters." @garykwolfe reviews @guygavrielkay (@guygavrielkay.bsky.social)
locusmag.com/2025/05...

Episode 677: Silvia Park and Luminous

This week Jonathan and Gary are joined by Silvia Park to discuss her exciting debut novel, Luminou

www.podbean.com/eas/pb-3twfj...

I just learned about this publication when Emma interviewed me for it, but it's pretty interesting despite my rambling.