The Best New Science Fiction and Fantasy by AAPI Authors

Chicago teenager Aria is practical enough to let logic guide her decision making. That’s why she broke up with Rohan when they chose to head off to different colleges; statistics say they were going to break up anyway. But when Aria winds up trapped in a series of parallel universes in which Rohan is a constant, she finds herself falling for him all over again. Too bad this isn’t her world. She’s got unfinished business back home, and no clear way to return.

A prince is cursed to be murdered by his wife and spend eternity as a sentient tree. A swan-girl without wings has a song that compels anyone who hears it to tell the truth. When one joins the competition to vie for the other’s hand, they strike a bargain — one that could help the prince find true love. But as they grow closer, the swan-girl’s role in their arrangement becomes less and less clear-cut. She wasn’t supposed to fall in love… now what?

A spy takes a job impersonating a Star Eater in the hopes of becoming one himself, in this novella from the author of Zero Sum Game. The Star Eaters — alien creatures solely capable of mining a critical element used in space travel — fascinate Ro. His underground-dwelling species needs to know more about them to expand their reach across the universe, which is why Ro is learning their language. If he studies it well enough, he theorizes, he’ll be able to meld minds with one of them and find out why their species is fading away. But when Ro finally jumps into a Star Eater’s mind, he discovers much more than he bargained for.

A samurai space opera? Yes, please! Fonda Lee’s The Last Contract of Isako follows its title character as she takes on one last job before journeying out into the tundra to end her life. Her primary task is to prevent a recently nominated member of a corporation’s Board of Directors from taking the position. Isako plunges herself deep into corporate espionage, hoping to uncover some dirt on the Board of Directors’ new member. But is she prepared to uncover a secret with dire implications for all of humanity?

From the author of Hammajang Luck comes this sci-fi romp. Malia used to be the Obake, the best-known hacker in the quadrant, but she’s long since hung up her hacking gloves. That is, until boredom leads her to setting up sports matches to gamble on. She crosses a local gang leader, who gives her a choice: take down a politician who’s causing him trouble or lose her life. Malia knows which one she’s choosing. Soon, she’s back in the hacking saddle, but has she bitten off more than she can chew?