Category Archives: Transhuman News

The hope of the new year is the same hope of any science fiction or fantasy novel please, mighty powers above, get us through this catastrophe in one piece. With the start of New Normal Year 3, many of us are looking for an unwritten road map.

Luckily, few heroes conquer evil alone, so its totally okay to look to others for inspiration. And yes, Im talking about books.

2022 promises us pandemic delivery drivers protecting monsters, magical thieves trying to make good while bartending, and powerful women bargaining with ancient magical beings on their own terms. Whether youre returning to the fantastical worlds you love through highly anticipated sequels (and endings) or discovering something brand new with a fresh take, here are 26 fantasy and science fiction books to watch for in 2022, so far.

Jan. 4, 2022

The Fallen Star, part of Lucasfilms High Republic initiative, arrives as a follow-up to 2021s Star Wars: Light of the Jedi and The Rising Storm. The book is the beginning of the end for Phase 1 of the new batch of storytelling, wrapping up the saga of Jedi and the evil Nihil before the series jumps backward in time. In this title, the High Republic continues to defend against the Nihil marauders and their leader, Marchion Ro. In the threequel, Ros planning a bold attack, making use of a terrifying weapon that can wrestle the Force from Jedi.

Jan. 11, 2022

The 16th novel in the magical alternate history Elemental Masters series follows Annie Oakley, sharpshooter and performer, as she tours through Germany with Buffalo Bills Wild West Show. When Bill hires a local sharpshooter as a part of the act, Annie learns that she isnt just a crack shot shes a magician. She, her husband Frank, and the German sharpshooter Giselle, team up together to hunt the monsters that follow the show, threatening performers and locals alike. Annies got her gun, and its filled with silver bullets.

Jan. 18, 2022

Return to Okorafors award-winning fantasy world in this follow-up to Akata Witch and Akata Warrior. Sunny Nwazue continues to strike a balance in her life, whether thats between America and Nigeria or her life as a Leopard Person and a good daughter. Now, armed with all shes learned so far, Sunny must go on a dangerous mission to find a hidden object one that will change her forever.

Jan. 18, 2022

In 2030, a grieving archeologist discovers the remains of a girl killed by an ancient virus. As the permafrost lessens, the Arctic Plague is unleashed, forcing humanity to reshape everything about their lives. How High We Go in the Dark spans centuries and planets to tell the story of human resiliency through the eyes of a cynical theme park worker who falls in love, a heartbroken scientist who teaches a pig to talk, and a widowed painter who seeks a new home in space with her granddaughter.

Jan. 25, 2022

Goliath is set in 2050 Earth, where the privileged have fled to colonies, cannibalizing the remaining neighborhoods brick-by-brick to build reminders of their old homes in space. Those left behind have to navigate collapsing infrastructure, barely surviving. Featuring a space dweller looking to settle in New Haven, a group of laborers attempting to save Earths cities, and a marshall trying to solve a kidnapping, Tochi Onyebuchi weaves together multiple disparate narratives within this very real fictional world.

Feb. 15, 2022

Described as an African Game of Thrones, Marlon James first Dark Star book, Black Leopard, Red Wolf, told the story of Sogolon the Moon Witch and Tracker as they battled to find a missing boy across a mythical landscape. Now, the highly anticipated sequel presents Sogolons version of events how she triumphed and failed in her search for the boy, how she challenged Aesi, the powerful chancellor to the king, leading to a century-long feud. More than just a retelling with a new lens, Moon Witch, Spider King is an indomitable woman fighting to tell her own story.

Feb. 15, 2022

From the co-author of The Expanse comes a brand new epic fantasy trilogy set in the ancient, bloody city of Kithamar. When Alys, a thief from the slums of Longhill, sets out to find her brothers killer, she uncovers an intrigue as deep as the roots of Kithamar itself one that just may change everything.

Feb. 15, 2022

The companion novel to Akwaeke Emezis young adult novel Pet introduces us to Bitter, a young painter attending the haven-like Eucalyptus school. Outside the school walls, the city of Lucille is filled with protests against deep-set injustices. Tempted to stay out of the fray, Bitter finds herself pulled in multiple directions by friends who want more for their world, a new romance, and her art.

March 1, 2022

When Olivia Prior receives a mysterious invite to her late parents manor, Gallant, she finds the first place in her life that feels like home. Unfortunately, it is a home that is trying to drive her out her cousin is hostile and there are ghouls in the halls. After stumbling through a seam in a shadow that leads her to a place where the ghouls are fully-formed and a dark presence reigns, Olivia must decide if she will protect her world from the Master of the House or join him.

March 15, 2022

For the first time, The Expanses numerous novellas each of which tells a focused story set in the world of the towering space opera will be collected into a single volume. Memorys Legion will include: Drive, The Butcher of Anderson Station, The Churn, Gods of Risk, The Vital Abyss, Strange Dogs, Auberon, and a new release, Memorys Legion.

March 15, 2022

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Interdependency trilogy comes a brand new standalone novel. Jamie Gray is a delivery driver in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when a chance delivery connects him to an old acquaintance with a wild job protecting monster dinosaurs called Kaiju in an alternate dimension. But Jamie and his new team at the Kaiju Preservation Society arent the only ones who can enter the Kaijus territory, and careless opposing forces may cause millions back on Jamies Earth to die.

April 5, 2022

The author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel is back with another human-centered science fiction novel this time telling the story of a plague, interwoven through the lives of several characters, set across time and space. 18-year-old Edwin St. Andrew is an exile, traveling the Atlantic on a steamship. Olive Llewllyn is traveling through Earth on a book tour, though she is from the second moon colony, to promote her best-selling pandemic novel. And a detective in Night City, Gaspery-Jacques Roberts, is investigating the North American wilderness, where he finds mysteries that might upend their entire way of life.

April 19, 2022

In the sequel to 2020s epic fantasy Black Sun, Roanhorse takes readers back to the shattered city of Tova where strange alliances form under the threat of gathering enemies. Sea captain Xiala finds herself allied with the Prince of Knives while the now living avatars Serapio and Naranpa struggle for free will within their new identities. A new order is rising and all must learn to navigate a world with living legends.

April 19, 2022

Janelle Mone is already a multi-hyphenate. In 2018, the Grammy Award nominated artist released her excellent album Dirty Computer, which was accompanied by a science fiction visual album, which she called an emotion picture. The Memory Librarian is a collection of short speculative fiction, from Black women and Black non-binary writers.

April 26, 2022

If you would rather watch a princess kill a prince than marry one, T. Kingfishers latest is for you. In order to save her sister from the abusive prince shes been married off to, Marra must complete three seemingly impossible tasks. But of course, building a dog of bones and sewing a cloak of nettles is only the beginning. With a cast of strange companions she meets along the way a reluctant fairy godmother, a grave witch, and her familiar, a disgraced knight Marra must find the courage to overthrow the crown and save her sister.

May 3, 2022

Having enthralled young adult readers for decades, Holly Black makes the much anticipated leap to adult dark fantasy with Book of Night. Follow Charlie Halls straight path through the crooked magical underbelly of the Berkshires while she tries to make up for past mistakes. Formerly a magical thief and lock-pick, Charlie is a dive bartender hoping to keep herself and her sister Posey out of trouble. But Poseys boyfriend is keeping secrets and when Charlies past catches up with her, shes thrown back into the chaotic and dangerous world she tried to leave behind.

May 3, 2022

Jump back into Tchaikovskys space opera with Eyes of the Void, the follow up to last years Shards of Earth. The planet-killing Architects have returned threatening life across the galaxy, and throwing human colonies into disarray. Only the Intermediaries, who can communicate with the Architects and who helped avoid catastrophe 80 years ago stand between humanity and complete annihilation. Idris, an Intermediary who attempted to start a new life, may hold the key to saving humanity. But it will come at the cost of plunging into unspace: the terrifying, chilling frontier that has broken other minds.

May 10, 2022

Luli Wei is desperate to be a star, but not so desperate shell play a maid. Trying to make it in pre-Code Hollywood, Luli knows how cutthroat the industry is to people who look like her. So when she discovers that Hollywood is run on a system of ancient magic and blood bargains, shell do whatever it takes for the steep price of fame. Written by Nghi Vo, author of The Empress of Salt and Fortune, Siren Queen is a fantastical exploration of an outsider finding success on her own terms.

June 7, 2022

Joey and Rudra are two very different people. She is the Reality Controller for South Asias fastest rising celebrity who also happens to be her ex. He is a wealthy recluse estranged from his family, seeking refuge in video games and his immigrant neighbors lives. As each continues to make the best decision they can in a world of lesser evils, they quickly become enmeshed in multiple conspiracies. Resistance, for these two contrasting heroes, will look vastly different to each. The City Inside is a near-future epic set in Delhi that offers hope in the face of mounting anxieties about the government, the environment, and our world at large.

June 21, 2022

The final installment in the epic silkpunk fantasy series by Ken Liu has arrived. Beginning immediately after the events of The Veiled Throne, readers land back in the middle of two wars, following familiar characters as they enter their final act.

Princess Thra wrestles with her ancestral dream as she runs across the continent from Lyucu pursuers, asking herself how to conquer the unconquerable. In the city of Dara, Empress Jia, Prince Phyro, and Pkyu Tanvanaki must navigate changing visions of the future while struggling against the genocidal Lyucu. On both sides of the Wall of Storms, mortals hearts will determine the fate of two empires on the brink.

July 12, 2022

Readers return to Panga with Sibling Dex and Mosscap as they explore the villages and cities of the moon they call home in the follow up to Becky Chambers solarpunk novella A Psalm for the Wild-Built. The monk and the robot continue their quest for answers, learning more about one anothers cultures, while making new friends and experiencing the entropic nature of the universe. This meditative series continues Chambers reputation for writing contemplative but hopeful books.

July 12, 2022

The sequel to AC Wises adult, feminist retelling of Peter Pan, Hooked follows Captain James Hook, the immortal pirate, 22 years after his escape from Neverland. James discovers that Peter Pans monster has found him again, this time in London, but a chance encounter with Wendy Darling gives James the help he needs to vanquish Pans monster even if he must return to playing the villain for a final time.

Aug. 16, 2022

Tasha Suri brings readers a new entry in the Burning Kingdoms trilogy with The Oleander Sword. Malini is the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa, but even with a prophecy and an army by her side, deposing her brother will not be easy. Priya, thrice born priestess, Elder of Ahiranya, wants to see Parijatdvipa rid of its poisonous rule and the plague eating away at all living things across the country. Both Malini and Priya chose divergent paths, and although their intertwined souls will bring them back together to save their kingdom, the cost will be great.

Aug. 23, 2022

In the mid-1800s, Babel is the worlds center for translation and magic, including silver working, where lost translations are given meaning via enchanted silver bars. Hosting this center has made the British empire unparalleled in their quest for continued colonization. When Robin Smith, a Chinese orphan raised in Britain, joins Babel as a translator, he wrestles with serving the organization and betraying his motherland. He is caught between Babel and the Hermes Society, an organization aiming to stop imperial expansion. Soon, Robin will have to decide which side he will take.

September 13, 2022

Muir is back with another installment of her sharp-witted, queer, gothic, space-set necromancer series. Theres nothing else like it and nothing quite as acidic and propulsive. In Nona the Ninth, Nona just wants to live a normal life but the last Cohort facility is hemmed in by Blood of Eden forces, and Nona might have to be the weapon that saves them from the Nine Houses.

Sept. 27, 2022

The conclusion to Noviks Scholomance trilogy takes El out of the deadly magic schools halls, and into the wider world. But the celebration is short lived though she, and her friends, saved most of the schools students during their mad dash to escape the maw-mouths, she must return to save the one who remains locked in. Noviks version of magical education is deadly, thrilling, and violent and this final book will bring it all to a close.

Correction: This story previously stated the new Star Wars: The High Republic book was The Rising Storm. The list has been updated with the correct info.

See original here:
The big new science fiction and fantasy books coming out in 2022 - Polygon

When Gal Gadot was cast as the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII, it created a lot of controversy, but in the latest issue of InStyles February Badass Women issue, Gadot spoke about what this new film will highlight about the ancient ruler.

I cant reveal a lot, but I can tell you that were going to celebrate the Cleopatra story, Gadot told InStyle. Were going to show not just how sexy and appealing she was, but how strategic and smart, and how much impact she had and still has on the world were living in today.

The actress added, Ive watched all the Cleopatra movies throughout history, but I feel like were telling the story the world needs to hear now.

Kari Skogland will replace Patty Jenkins as the director of the project, but the latter will still be producing the film, maintaining that working relationship between Gadot and Jenkins.

Many people felt conflicted about Gal Gadot playing the Egyptian queen, rehashing long-running conversations about the race/ethnicity of Cleopatra. Historically, as far as we know, Cleopatra was of Greek heritage, specifically Macedonian, because she was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which was installed after the colonization of Egypt by Alexander the Great.

There has been some speculation as to whether Cleopatras mother was Cleopatra VI Tryphaena or someone else who was a woman of color. Personally, from the research Ive read, Cleopatra was likely just Greek.

In response to all this discussion, Gadot said, First of all, if you want to be true to the facts then Cleopatra was Macedonian. We were looking for a Macedonian actress that could fit Cleopatra. She wasnt there, and I was very passionate about Cleopatra.

I have friends from across the globe, whether theyre Muslims or Christian or Catholic or atheist or Buddhist, or Jewish of course, Gadot continued. People are people, and with me I want to celebrate the legacy of Cleopatra and honor this amazing historic icon that I admire so muchYou know, anybody can make this movie and anybody can go ahead and do it. Im very passionate that Im going to do my own too.

What some have said is that despite Cleopatra being likely Greek, casting an Egyptian/Arabic actress would have still been a great opportunity for an actress of that background.

Regardless, at this point, I think while Gal is a gorgeous woman and has a presence onscreen, she has not proven herself to be an actress with enough range to be able to translate into a woman with as much legacy and interesting nuance as Cleopatra. Maybe shell surprise us? We will have to see. But you know, smart and sexy Cleopatra. How groundbreaking.

(via Variety, image: Warner Bros.)

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Gal Gadot Claims Cleopatra Movie Is the Story We Need Now - The Mary Sue

Science fiction as a literary genre has seen tremendous transformation in the last centuryespecially in the English speaking world. The genrebeloved of young and adults alikehas witnessed growth and popularity. While some novelists like H.G. Wells and Issac Asimov are considered geniuses of the genre, others like Phillip K. Dick and Frank Herbert have gradually established themselves as the greatest.

In this week's Sunday special,Rising Kashmir'ssub-editorIrfan Mehrajlists some of the best science fiction novels one can read in the ongoing winterespecially when it's snowing. Winter in Kashmir is long and harsh. To be able to curl up in a blanket and have your imagination take you to places is a pleasure rarely enjoyed in any other season. The novels in the list mostly belong to the popular category of fiction published in the last 100 years or so.

1. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

Published at the turn of the century in 1898, the novel by the celebrated English novelist H. G. Wells hassince its publicationattained a cult status in the literary world. The novel first appeared in a serialized form in a magazine. The novel tells the classic sci-fi tale of the conflict between humans and extra-territorial beings. Told in the first-person narrative of two unnamed protagonists in England as the country is invaded by Martians. In its over two centuries of being in print, the novel is the most written about and cited science fiction novel to date. Such is its popularity, the novel has never been out of print and several films, dramas, comic books, and TV serials have been made on the plot of the book. The novel is a must-read for all science fiction lovers and for those looking to develop an interest in the genre.

2. Dune by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert's brilliant novel Dune is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time. So much so, the entire Dune series is considered to be among the classics of the genre. The idea of the novel came to Herbert when he was supposed to write a magazine article on sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes near Florence, Oregon, United States. As was his style, the author got very involved and ended up with more material than was needed for the magazine article. The novel originated when he was supposed to do a magazine article on sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes near Florence, Oregon. He became too involved and ended up with far more raw material than needed for an article. As luck would have itHerbert never wrote the magazine article but instead the idea germinated into what later became Dune. The novel was published in 1965. It became an instant hit upon its publication and won several awards. Today, the Dune series has the distinction of being the single-most best selling science fiction of all time. In 2021, the movie was adapted to a major Hollywood picture directed by Denis Villeneuve.

3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Published in 1818, the novel by Mary Shelley has earned fame beyond measure. No list of best-ever science fiction books can miss this one. The author started writing this gothic thriller when she was only 18 years old and over two centuries later, the novel she wrote is still hailed as a masterpiece. The novel tells the story of a scientist Dr Frankestein who creates a monster with a scientific experiment and is horrified at what he has made. The novel is a classic horror and science-fiction brought together for epic effect. One of the important lessons drawn from the story is that just because one can doesn't mean one should and perhaps should sufficiently describe the present breakneck technological madness we are witnessing.

4. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

American novelist Ray Bradbury published the novel in 1950. Ever since it was published, the novel has never been out of print and has been a raging successwith several cinematic adaptations to its name. The novel is an episodic novel and is considered the author's best work. It's a relatively short novel and tells the epic story of the colonization of Mars by humans who are fleeing the soon-to-destroyed Earth. The novel is a classic American science fiction novel that delves into the theme of post-war America dealing with a technologically advanced future.

5. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

The second novel by H. G. Wells, the Time Machine is a genre-bending novel that has spawned hundreds of spin-offs and adaptations since its publication in 1895. It's a novella but with great depth. It is considered the first novel to popularize the concept of time travel. Set in England, the novel tells the story of a scientist who develops a machine that can move him forwards and backwards in time. What follows is an exciting adventure.

6. I, Robot by Issac Asimov

Published in 1950, the novel is regarded as the American novelist Issac Asimov's most widely read and well-known work. Considered one of the greatest science fiction novels, the novel is prescient in its predictions of the future. It's a must-read for our time as we enter a world completely dominated by technology. The stories in the novel explore the theme of the moral and ethical implications of humankind's ever greater push for technology. The novel has influenced not only many other great science fiction writers but also scientists as well.

7. The Man in the High Castle by Phillip K. Dick

This novel by American novelist Phillip K. Dick changed his career. He would write under different pen names but after the publication of this alternative-history novel in 1962, Dick earned massive acclaimand won the Hugo Award for Best Novel. The novel tells the alternate story of the Axis PowersGermany and Japan winning the Second World War. It takes place in the partitioned United States of Americaruled by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan and is as intriguing as any other novel on this list. The novel has earned worldwide acclaim for the author. The novel was recently adapted into a Television series by Amazon Prime.

8. 2001: A Space Odyssey

British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke wrote his celebrated novel 2001: A Space Odyssey concurrently with Stanley Kubrick's film of the same name. Both were instant hits and are rightly featured as some of the greatest science fiction ever written and filmed. The novel tells the story of an astronaut who embarks on a dangerous mission that takes him far into outer space and brings him into contact with an alien race. The novel was written even before the man set foot on the Moon. The novel explores what such an exploration would mean for humankind. It's definitely a novel no science fiction lover can afford to miss.

9. Neuromancer by William Gibson

Published in 1984, the novel by American-Canadian Willam Gibson has won many awards and is regarded today as the classic of the science fiction genre. It is set in a dystopian Japanese underworld, the novel touches upon aspects of futuristic technology and its impact on the human race. The novel is simply unputdownable. The central character of the novel is hacker-turned-junkie Henry Case as he is in the midst of pulling off a job that is as futuristic as anything written at that time. The novel was Gibson's debut novel and has the distinction of winning all three great science fiction awards the Nebula Award, the Philip K. Dick Award, and the Hugo Award. It's the only novel with that distinction.

10. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein

Robert A. Heinlein is a well-regarded science fiction writer of his generation. His novel Starship Troopers is one of the most popular and controversial books. It's a military sci-fi novel. Heinlein is said to have written the book in response to the United State's decision to halt their nuclear tests. The book has been called to glorify the military and tells the story of a group of soldiers who are undergoing rigorous training in order to fight aliens in the Bug War. While it has been criticized for its overt glorification of the military, the book is still one of the most important science fiction novels of the last century.

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Best science fiction novels to read this winter - Rising Kashmir

This is the latest in our series on underrated destinations, It's Still a Big World.

A day in Zihuatanejo starts before dawn. With bolillos de requesn (a salty Mexican cheese spread served on a fresh roll) and black coffee in front of the gas station at 6 a.m.

Under a moonless sky, the morning creeps in. Everything looks low-res in the limininal hours and we board a fiberglass panga boat as the sun begins to separate the water from the sky.

The fishermen are already coming in. They leave at sunset and return as the sun rises, on scant and efficient motorboats that will break your ass if youre sitting down and catch a wave the wrong way. They bring back tuna, mahi mahi, and red snapper.

My guide, Arturo Melln Mandujano, has been working on humpback whale research trips for years, south of Zihua in the small enclave of Barra de Potos, known for its fish and its surf. The warm waters of Guerreros coast here, roughly four hours north of Acapulco, are an ideal location for humpbacks to breed, and the seas fill with them in the winter, as well as sometimes the orcas that hunt humpback calves. Pelicans dive into the water surrounding our tiny craft as we move into the lagoon of Potos. Once breakfast has been caught, they sit at the tops of bright green mangroves, alongside high-soaring frigates and the seemingly impermeable cormorant; all warm under the golden orb sun which down here hits so hard the night barely has time to shake it off before its back up again.

When the sun creeps a few fingers above the mountains, we leave the tranquil waters of Laguna de Potos and head for open swell. I stand so I dont crack a vertebra as we thrash into the fury of Pacific waves racing toward the lagoon.

The dolphins find us quickly. They are swift and joyful. A lone Pacific Ridley sea turtle swims by; I am always so surprised to see them on the surface, even though its normal.

I didnt grow up on the tropical seas, and no matter how many times I go out on a boat in these waters, I am always amazed by the marine world as if it were the first time. And I always get a case of the tides. The Spanish word for seasick (mareado/a) comes from the word for tides (mareas).

I breathe into the steadiness of what I can see from here: Guerreros imposing, green mountains and secret beaches, and islands that jut out of the infinite, alive and never-still blue existence beneath me. In these moments of everythingness and nothingness, the world is mine.

And I am something else. Something that is too great to be judged or measured. Something that belongs to the forces of the wild. There is no time in Barra de Potos. Only the movements of the tides, the ferocity of the sun and the refuge of the moon.

Back at the beach in Barra de Potos, I am greeted with fresh-caught huachinango, fried and also baked in chile sauce, guacamole, fresh tortillas and coconut water at Enramada Leticia, as the waves frequently consume the sand beneath our feet, and women wander past the tables selling seashell necklaces and loose cigarettes. This spot belongs to Arturos family, from where they rent kayaks and offer tours of the lagoon and the open swell.

Ive come here seeking a low-key place to relax as I struggle with a health condition that appears to be difficult to diagnose. Zihuatanejo had called to me like many people looking to escape. I wanted a place where I wouldnt be hassled or hustled, where the culinary traditions remain strong, where the people are proud and the natural world is seen as a companion, not something to exterminate. And I found it.

A place to wander and a culinary haven

At Marisquera Leo, which as the name suggests is a place for seafood delicacies, the owner will tell you that everything is great but the service. He has been fishing for goose barnacles (or percebes) for more than 50 years. His charming and rustic restaurant overlooks the bay from a distance, set back into the neighborhoods that climb the citys hills.

A delicacy in Spain, goose barnacles live naturally on the sides of the sea where fierce tides crash into jagged volcanic rock, making the fishing process so hazardous it leaves Leo next to zero competition. Worth a small fortune in the Iberian peninsula, percebes can be had for locals' prices at his restaurant overlooking the bay.

I tried the seaweed salad, the tuna sashimi and the percebes, of course, washing it down with a bottle of Taxco mineral water and lime and salt. Hydration is something to take into constant consideration in these parts.

Coming down from Leos hill, into the sun-blazed bay of Zihuatanejo, I watch as hundreds of fishermen leave when the sun begins to sink. The beach in front of Paseo de Pescador is filled with boats, and people preparing their coolers for the nighttime catch.

And while Zihuatanejo is a paradise for seafood lovers, it is also the home to three stellar vegan restaurants.

At La Casita Ecovegana, I dined on pozole (a Mexican corn stew, in this case with mushrooms rather than pork) and enfrijoladas, tortillas doused in a flavorful black bean sauce. The agua fresca, or fresh fruit water, was flowing that day and the outdoor picnic table seating made for the perfect relaxed ambience.

Finding a quality vegan restaurant in a Mexican beach town is not a given, and to find three is something special. EntreZankas (Zanka being a colloquial term for people from Zihua) and La Raz de la Tierra in neighboring resort town Ixtapa. Theres also a weekly organic market downtown where local farmers and producers bring all kinds of fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as homemade healthy foods. Eating vegan in Mexico can mean eating pre-Columbian, before massive trade with Europe and Asia altered the cuisine of the Americas, and vice versa, for ever more.

Later that night, I stopped by Angustina Mezcal y Cocina for a sampling of mezcal from their wide variety of menu items, and a few delicious eats such as zucchini and cheese tamales and tlayudas, a giant, fresh corn tortilla filled with smoked meat, cheese and vegetables

The mezcal was a highlight, as would be with any trip to Guerreroa state renowned for its take on this smoky agave intoxicant. Whether infused with cardamom, bottled with a scorpion or simply the Cupreata, a rare agave species native to the highlands of Guerrero, the effect is the same. A warming sensation, bordering at times a hallucinogenic trip. Guerreran mezcal is special.

Before calling it a night, I stroll along the newly renovated malecn, where people jog, lovers stroll and kids on skateboards and rollerblades playfully race alongside La Playa Principal.

The lights of Zihuatanejo shimmy across the waters, from Playa Las Gatas (accessible by boat) and from Playa La Ropa, where Andy Dufresne famously worked on his boat after escaping prison in The Shawshank Redemption, a famous Stephen King novel and box-office film based on said bestseller.

Even though the famous last scene of the movie wasnt even shot here, mention the name Zihuatanejo to any movie buff and theyll know exactly what youre referring to; perhaps more a feeling than a place. But what they may not know is that it is a real place with a great deal of history and lore of its own.

Into the blazing light

In the mornings, the fishermen return tired. Cigarette smoke lingers on a scorching summer morning as dozens of people come to the market, buying fish from the many vendors.

Not many women go out fishing, this is a job that has been strictly delineated by binary gender. But women dominate the selling and buying. They take the fish to their homes or to the many restaurants, markets and hotels in the Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa area.

Around downtown Zihuatanejo are sculptures and murals dedicated to the regions women. The name Zihuatanejo comes from Nahuatl and can be translated to land of adorned women in honor of the jade, shell and obsidian jewels that women would have worn in pre-Columbian times. Another legend tells of goddesses that would rise in the afternoon to guide the sun into the realm of the dead each night.

The rest of downtown is nearly silent this early. The bars wont open for several hours. People wash the sidewalks outside their homes and businesses, as the heat of the day begins to overthrow the misty morning calm.

The fish market begins to wind down by 9 a.m. and across the walkway, Magdaleno Flores a collector of handmade masks from across the Mexican state of Guerrero, is opening up his shop, Arte Objeto (at Paseo del Pescador #9). Stepping into his store is akin to stepping into a museum of indigenous, Afromestizo and other forms of Mexican art.

Each mask has a different significance, some of them are used for dances, battles, ceremonies and other festivities. Others are for decoration. Others are for protection. Many are highly religious in a synchronistic relationship between Catholicism, Mesoamerican and African cosmologies. Some still are simply representative of the times and popular culture, even resembling an extraterrestrial antagonist from a Hollywood blockbuster.

Many of the artisan villages are nestled deep in the sidewinding mountains of Guerrero, requiring a 10-hour bus trip east of Zihua, through territory that is currently marked by insecurity due to the international drug war.

Flores used to make the trip regularly to buy directly from artisans, but the threat of violence has prevented him from doing so for the past three years. A painter himself, Magdaleno also sells works of his own design such as the canoe depicted in the final image.

"We are Catholic, Flores says. The Nahua religion, the indigenous communities are very religious. For that reason, the festivities that they do often are representative of the fight between the Devil and Archangel Michael: the battle between good and evil."

The mask of a tecuan, in this case a tiger, is made of cow skin leather, painted by hand with natural pigments from various endemic flora. The mask is protected by a lacquer made from chia seeds, which are a common crop in the region. Tecuanes in Guerrero are associated with shapeshifting as well as with deities. Other masks are made of coconut shells and various types of wood. Horse and boar hair is also used to complete the design.

"The leather is very hard and very rigid, but they have a trick. The first time they use it, they drink mezcal and blow it into the center of the mask. It makes it very flexible."

The festivities for which this mask was made, specifically in Xalitla, Guerrero, take place in August and are an offering to the gods to ensure healthy crops.

As is common throughout much of Mexico, each village has its patron saint which is honored through food, dance and community festivities, which sometimes include orchestrated battles that fight with the goal of bleeding.

Guerrero, afterall, is the Spanish word for warrior.

Above the shop, Flores wife, Christina Rodriguez, operates a shelter for street dogs and cats, where people can volunteer to walk the dogs, or of course, take one home.

In the house of warriors

On my last day in Zihuatanejo, I had a situation. Although the early June heat was intense even at 9 a.m., my body began to overreact.

As I toured the beautiful, waterfront Museo Arqueolgico de la Costa Grande, learning about the history of the areas original peoples and also the tragic events of colonization, including the slave trade industry, I began to feel overwhelmed by heat. I struggled to hang on, to breathe, to sit down, but couldnt shake the discomfort. I had to ask for help.

I approached Liliana Pineda Nieto, assistant to the museums director. I was invited into the air conditioned office and offered a bottle of water as Liliana graciously fanned me with my palm-leaf sunhat and applied a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol to the back of my neck (a local trick for helping with symptoms of heat stroke). Pineda Nieto is a professional folklore dancer who attends folkloric dance conferences across the country. Being in her presence was a delight.

When I was feeling well enough, I figured it would be a good idea to eat something and the one restaurant that had been most highly recommended to me by locals and foreigners alike, Camelitas Caf, seemed like the best option.

I was greeted by owner Carmelita Ramrez, and two of her children, Paco Gonzlez and Carmen Gonzlez, pastry chef at the splendid Rol Coqueto.

I told them about my situation and received a traditional Mexican suero: an ultra hydrating drink consisting of lime juice, salt, baking soda and honey. Within a half hour, I felt well enough to engage in conversation with Carmelita and her family, and was able to dive into the tremendous spread that Carmelita had recommended for me.

While I wasnt able to finish everything, I was fortunate enough to sample a variety of dishes, most of which are unique to Guerrero. My favorite was pork ribs and country soup with corn, squash and plantain. Its amazing what a good, home-cooked meal can do for a person.

About a month after returning to Mexico City, I would receive a diagnosis of a chronic illness, likely brought on by the natural aging process and also pandemic stress. I was in a crisis, and these incredible people came to my aid. While I recover, I dream of the next, and hopefully much longer - as in months - time I will spend in Zihuatanejo.

Where to stay

In Ixtapa:

Cala del Mar Resort & Spa is a classy resort with breathtaking views, seated atop a cliff overlooking the rocky Pacific shore. Excellent sashimi, room service, superb obsidian stone massage, plunge pools and chic minimalist design make this one of Zihuatanejoss most luxurious stays.

In Zihuatanejo:

Get a room with a hammock and a private pool at La Casa que Canta and call it a life. This opulent hotel overlooks the entire bay of Zihuatanejo and all the activity therein, with epic sunset viewing to boot. It is within walking distance of the citys downtown beaches and restaurants.

In downtown Zihuatanejo:

This area became popular in the 1950s, and much of the architecture in the older hotels lean toward a preserved retro style. To stay in the heart of it all, Hotel Casa de la Palma Bed & Breakfast, offers balconies and a pool to retreat from after a day of wandering around the city.

In Barra de Potos:

Hacienda la Rusa is a romantic, palm-thatch-roofed Mexican villa steps away from a lengthy beachfront and a devastating view of the Guerreran coast. This bed and breakfast is within walking distance of the small town of Barra de Potosi for activities and snacks , and would be the place to go and forget about literally everything.

North along the coast:

Love everything you read above but dont want to stay near the city? ZIhuatanejo is the jumping off point for exploring Guerreros northernmost beaches such as nearby surfing hotspot Troncones and into the lush and nearly unpopulated beaches of Michoacn.

Megan Frye is an independent journalist and translator living in Mexico City. She has a history of newsroom journalism as well as nonprofit administration and works with international and Mexican publications.

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This Pacific Coast Mexican Town Is Always the Perfect Escape - Daily Beast