Ashby, Madeline

Ashby (ReV) has created an eerily familiar future world and characters who are both sympathetic and horrific. Give to fans of Patricia Highsmith and Naomi Alderman.

Ashby’s third in the “Machine Dynasty” series (after iD) begins as a satirical mashup of horror, romance, and sf, and evolves into a complicated story about ethics, compassion, and the possibility of starting over after generations of violence and abuse. A thoughtful choice for those who enjoy genre-bending, boundary-pushing sf.

The plotting is slightly uneven, with a few too many narrative threadsthrown out but not woven in (or pulled at too abruptly). Still, fans of futuristic mysteries will find plenty to enjoy here.