Second paragraph of third chapter:

@JUICELINE / Why Gen ((O) Teens think your favorite Transformers film is problematically cyberphobic / TR91
@SKINNYDIP / We got a sneak peek at the new G17 human rights reform bill! SPOILERS AHOY / TR86
@DEADPLANET / What the fuck lives at the heart of Australia, and why? This zoologist has answers that may surprise you / TR77

I’m sorry that my other book reviews this week have been somewhat grumpy, and I hope this one makes up for it. I have listened to a lot of Eddie Robson’s audio work (particularly enjoyed The Five Companions and The Jigsaw War), and read a number of his short stories, but this is the first time I have read one of his novels and also the first time that I have read any of his non-Who writing.

I thought it was excellent. Our protagonist, Lydia, is from Halifax (the Yorkshire one), and lives in New York in the very near future as a translator for a diplomat from the delegation of an enigmatic alien race, the Logi, who communicate telepathically to chosen individuals. Her alien liaison is murdered, and she finds herself navigating diplomacy, non-human mind-sets, and the relationship between Yorkshire and New York, all in a society where everyone is online and watching you all the time (and you can fact-check people in mid-conversation). It adds up to something very refreshing. You can get Drunk On All Your Strange New Words here.

This was the SF book that had lingered longest on my unread shelves. Next there is Star Eater, by Kerstin Hall.