A stunning speculative fiction debut -- and a refreshing change from spaceships and swords -- is Karen Lord's novel Redemption in Indigo.

In some respects Beukes' Moxyland is typical -- even stereotypical -- cyberpunk. But her debut novel nevertheless transcends conventions to make the stuff of great science fiction.

At its core this book is arguably a crime thriller; fortunately for us, it's much more than urban fantasy. Welcome to Lauren Beukes' excellent Zoo City.