Captain Pike, Doctor Strange, and New Holly Black!

To view this email as a web page, go [here.]( [Tor.com Newsletter]( [Forward to a Friend]( NOW IN THEATERS [Doctor Strange 2 Needs More Madness in Its Multiverse]( Marvel’s newest release, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, released this past weekend to audiences nationwide. And there is a good movie trapped inside director Sam Raimi’s sequel—but we only see glimpses of it. Leah Schnelbach reviews the film. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( ELVISH TO ENGLISH DICTIONARY [On Tolkien, Translation, Linguistics, and the Languages of Middle-earth]( Possibly the most famous example of using linguistics in SFF literature is the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, who had a passion for languages dead and invented, and set up the entire history of Middle-earth as a frame story based on the premise that he was publishing his own translations of ancient texts that he’d found. In a new SFF Linguistics column, CD Covington celebrates the book that first made her think language was cool and the extraordinary accomplishments of the man who wrote it. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( LITTLE BUT FIERCE [Five Small Books Packed With Big Ideas]( When it comes to reading enjoyment, sometimes it’s hard to beat a sweeping, 800-plus page story—especially if it’s part of a massive series. But there’s also something to be said for tiny tomes that tackle big ideas in ways that feel impactful and deeply meaningful. Cole Rush recommends five smaller novels (all under 300 pages) that pack a big punch. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( STARS AND BEYOND [Stranger Than Sci-Fi: How Science Nudges Fiction Into New Frontiers]( From the early days, writers of science fiction have relied on finders of science fact to launch our stories into entirely new directions. Sci-fi and scientific research have always intersected across all branches of science. Here, Adam Oyebanji explores some fascinating moments in the intertwined history of science and speculative fiction. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( FOR YOUR BOOKSHELVES [The Netherworld Next Door: Holly Black’s Book of Night]( It’s been 20 years since Holly Black published Tithe. Since then, Black has written a lot of things—but you can always tell a Holly Black book. It’s like walking into a certain kind of bar. There’s a specific, netherworldly sense of place, which continues in her first book for adults, a story of shadow magic and ancient tomes. Molly Templeton reviews the novel here. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( CLASSIC SCI-FI [Five SF Works About Fighting Crime in Space]( When imagining how society might operate in space, inevitably writers will also imagine what human misbehavior might look like—and various ways to prevent it. SF authors have already explored how such space patrols might operate. James Davis Nicoll shares five vintage works about crime prevention in space. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( WARRIORS & WORLDBUILDING [The Brilliant Ambiguity of Conan the Barbarian’s “Riddle of Steel”]( An authentic and raw performance by a budding superstar. A rousing score. Bloody, emotional battle sequences. And a hero’s journey for the ages—these are just a few things that make Conan the Barbarian such a classic. But it also has something no other SFF film has—the iconic Riddle of Steel, which brings Conan’s culture to life, and provides a basis for his underlying motivation. Robert Repino digs into the brilliance of this unique worldbuilding device. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( BATHTUB CONFESSIONAL [Who Belongs in Doggy Heaven? The Religious Subversion of Our Flag Means Death]( Will we ever stop talking about the brilliance of Our Flag Means Death? No, we won’t. And as with all things OFMD, the important stuff is the deep sea of emotion that lurks just beneath the surface. In a new Close Reads column, Leah Schnelbach takes a look at the subversive way the show tackles religion and the rejection of Christianity’s social order. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( O CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN [“Welcome back and welcome aboard” — Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: “Strange New Worlds”]( The newest Captain Pike-focused Star Trek show, Strange New Worlds, has finally debuted—to absurdly high expectations. Good news is, those expectations are met: This show is wonderful. Keith R.A. DeCandido reviews the first episode here, with weekly reviews to follow every Thursday. [Read more]( SHARE THIS: [Publish to Facebook]( [Publish to Twitter]( Follow Tor.com to get updates on all of our original fiction. FOLLOW US: [Follow Us on Facebook]( [Follow Us on Twitter]( [Follow Us on Tumblr]( [Follow Us on Pinterest]( This email was sent by: Macmillan 120 Broadway New York, NY, 10271, US We respect your right to privacy - [view our policy]( Macmillan believes piracy hurts writers, readers and everyone who loves books. Learn more and report suspicious activity [here.]( To subscribe to this or other email communications from Macmillan, please click [here](. Visit our [profile center]( to update your email address and/or other information. If you no longer wish to receive this email communication, click [here]( to unsubscribe.