Hench
by Natalie Zina Walschots · first published 2020
100% recommend
“This book is fast, furious, compelling, and angry as hell."" -- Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author The Boys meets My Year of Rest and Relaxation in this smart, imaginative, and evocative novel of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption, told with razor-sharp wit and affection, in which a young woman discovers the greatest superpower—for good or ill—is a properly executed spreadsheet. Anna does boring things for terrible people because even criminals need office help and she needs a job. Working for a monster lurking beneath the surface of the world isn’t glamorous. But is
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…fun, quick read. Some sci-fi gems that were scattered in between those listed above include: "Starplex" by Robert J. Sawyer, "The Clockwork Dynasty" by Daniel H. Wilson, "Solar Warden" by Ian Douglas, "Hench" by Natalie Zina Walschots, "The Peacemaker's Code" by Deepak Malhotra, "Hail Mary" by Andy Weir (don't let the naysayers fool you, this is a fun book with a lot of interesting ideas), and the entire…
on “Ask HN: Best Contemporary SF Books” ↗…well-known) "Eifelheim" by Michael Flynn (a most unusual premise and a gob of seemingly inane stuff to get through at about the 2/3 point, but IMHO worth it) "Providence" by Max Barry (heart pounding) "Hench" by Natalie Zina Walschots "Orange World" by Karen Russell (short stories but many qualify as sci-fi, very memorable to me) And here are some definitely well-known examples that also stick in my head:…
on “Ask HN: What are some underrated sci-fi books?” ↗…All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr Most of Joe Abercrombie; particularly the First Law series. God of the Woods by Liz Moore In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Life We Bury by Allen Eskens Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
on “The Mensa Reading List for Grades 9-12” ↗…has stuck in my brain for many years Chocky - John Wyndham Providence - Max Barry - This book flows like a movie. It will make a great movie. I found myself LITERALLY out of breath a couple of times Hench: A Novel - Natalie Zina Walschots - Quirky, memorable The Peacemaker's Code - Deepak Malhotra - Why hasn't this guy written more sci-fi? Orange World and Other Stories - Karen Russell - OK, maybe not…
on “Ask HN: What are your favorite sci-fi books?” ↗…encompasses three long books; however, I consider them one long epic novel 09. Mailman (Stephen Starring Grant) 10. Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver) 11. Lessons in Chemistry (Bonnie Garmus) 12. Hench (Natalie Zina Walschots) 13. Personal Librarian (Marie Benedict) 14. In Cold Blood (Truman Capote) 15. Life We Bury (Allen Eskens) 16. Ordinary Grace (William Kent Krueger) 17. God of the Woods (Liz…
on “Book recommendations from Hacker News?” ↗