Tim Lees - Love and war

The 'war' is caused by a spatial 'rift' which connects to another Earth, 'Earth X', allowing its flora and fauna, some possibly sentient, to invade. There is no 'love' but the leader of the ruling 'Party' that organises the ruthless response to Earth X incursions decides to take as a companion a girl with no id papers. Grim. Probably too much packed into the story.

Aliette de Bodard - Age of miracles, age of wonders

Set in Aztec times, the old gods, and their thirst for blood, have been deposed by a new, more humane, 'machine' overlord - or have they? Seems part of something bigger.

Lavie Tidhar - The insurance agent

'Insurance agents' are mercenaries/bodyguards hired by 'Spiritual Entities', beings (possibly aliens) with supernatural abilities who occasionally clash. Mayhem ensues between 'Kim' and 'Ogko' in the jungles of South East Asia.

Patrick Samphire - Camelot

A stereotype "tough guy" has occasional sex with a mysterious brunette while searching for his pilot brother shot down in France. Via a dream of a mythical battle, things may be connected to Arthurian legends. Unengaging and trite.

Nina Allan - The upstairs window

Set in what seems an alternate reality where wars and terrorism are more prevalent, an avant-garde artist attempts to flee the UK after one outrageous art work too many. While the London 'posh set' is captured well, nothing much happens. ( )