Reviews
Praise for The Spare Man:
A 2023 Hugo Award Finalist!
A 2022 Locus Magazine Recommended Reading List pick!
“Rarely is science fiction as entertaining and fun as The Spare Man is from start to finish. Mary Robinette Kowal is a modern master of the genre.”—John Scalzi, New York Times bestselling author
“Kowal’s comedy-of-manners SF mystery is a rollicking case of knowing when to throw decorum out the window in order to get results. Highly recommended for… anyone who loves a good mystery in an out-of-this-world setting.”—Library Journal, starred review
“A perfect latter-stages-of-a-pandemic read, The Spare Man is a balm for those who are re-learning how to be in a changed (real) world.”—Locus
“Kowal expertly weaves in red herrings and twists right up to the unmasking of the killer, and punctuates the suspense with moments of sparkling wit… this is a page-turner.”—Publishers Weekly
“Kowal delivers a fast-paced thrill ride that places a traditional hard-boiled detective story in space… readers of traditional detective stories and science fiction alike will not be disappointed.”—Booklist
Praise for The Calculating Stars and the Lady Astronaut series:
“The Calculating Stars is a wonderful, scientifically accurate view of what might have been. Kowal masters both science and historical accuracy in this alternate history adventure.”—Andy Weir, author of The Martian
“This is what NASA never had, a heroine with attitude.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Readers will thrill to the story of this ‘lady astronaut’ and eagerly anticipate the promised sequels.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Kowal’s book was revelatory for me, because here is a version of history where men eventually, finally, listen to women.”—Tor.com
“A fine balance of integrating historical accuracy—including mid-twentieth-century sexism, racism, and technology—with speculative storytelling.”—Booklist
“Readers will be hooked.”—Library Journal
“These are really outstanding books. They strongly remind me of James A. Michener’s Space in style and substance. Fiction tightly intertwined with real history. It feels like Kowal is giving life to the stories of those you actually knew from history books.”—Jim Wright, Stonekettle Station
