SF/Fantasy

When a dead man is brought to Ginger-Sun, priestess of the Sun Dragon, she prepares to give him the rites of the dead until he proves to be very much alive. As she learns more about the soldier called Darz, she finds herself drawn to him against all the laws of the temple. When her enemies among the temple elders bring unfounded charges of witchcraft and lewdness against her, Ginger-Sun finds an inner strength and the magic of shadows to resist them—but at the cost of everything she has known. Asaro's "Skolian Empire" novels have established her as a skilled crafter of dynastic space opera. Her latest novel, set in the same fantasy world as The Misted Cliffs, displays her talent for romantic fantasy and magical intrigue. Purchase where the author has a following.

Matthew Szczegielniak, also known as Matthew Magus, lost his brother and the use of his right hand in a disastrous war against the Fae, spurred on by the treachery of fellow Promethean Mage Jane Andraste. Seven years later, Jane is building a new army of mages, and Matthew discovers the body of a young woman, apparently murdered by a Faerie agent. To fulfill his job as protector of New York City, Matthew must find the murderer, avert another war with the Fae, and contend with the very forces of hell and the New York legal system. Bear's sequel to Blood and Iron reaffirms her skill at creating memorable—and memorably flawed—characters as well as her sure hand at blending together the modern world with the world of the Fae. Her elegant storytelling should appeal to fans of Charles de Lint,Jim Butcher, and other cross world and urban fantasy authors. A strong addition to fantasy collections.

Hundreds of years ago, the militant Peladanes broke the stranglehold of the monstrous Drauglir who, along with his supernatural armies, had terrorized the world. Now, rumors and visions indicate that the ancient evil has returned, and a young Peladane warrior leads an expedition to unknown lands to uncover the truth. Bilsborough's debut, the first in a series of tales set in the world of Lyndormyn, provides the necessary exposition to set the stage for following novels while simultaneously introducing readers to his resourceful heroes. Drawing on Celtic and Norse mythology for atmosphere, this series opener is recommended for most fantasy collections.

Long ago, the warrior Lachlan fought to create a unified land using the powers of the three Swords of Destiny. Though slain by his best friend Allarun before he could achieve his goal, Lachlan returns in the body of a half-blood to avenge himself against the deathless Allarun, the son of the god of death. Bonham's follow-up to Prophecy of Swords features characters of mythic proportions, the sons and daughters of the gods who, nevertheless, possess passions and vulnerabilities that make them at once sympathetic and compelling. Fans of epic fantasy should enjoy this addition to the genre.

After the death of Regis Hastur, who labored to save his planet from exploitation by the Terran Federation, political tension heats up as Domenic Alton-Hastur, heir to the Hastur rule, faces opposition from longtime rival Francisco Ridenow, while unknown to all but a few, an ancient threat rears its head, wreaking havoc among Darkoverians of all ages and classes. Approved by the late Bradley to continue her Darkover novels, Ross remains faithful to Bradley's vision in this sequel to Traitor's Sun, creating a story filled with memorable characters, agonizing decisions, and powerfully subtle psychic forces. Suitable for all libraries, but particularly appropriate where the series has a following.

In a far future, the Benevolent Satrapy, a coalition of alien races, rules over 48 worlds, restricting the freedom and movement of humans under their control. Only the Ragamuffins, descendants of Earth's island population who have turned to smuggling and piracy, retain any freedom—and the satraps have marked them for extermination. The fate of humanity lies with a woman called Nashara, who is part machine and part flesh—a walking doomsday weapon. Only the Ragamuffins can help Nashara and prevent her from destroying the universe she is trying to save. Part of the Sci Fi Channel's "Essential Book" series, the follow-up to Buckell's Crystal Rain establishes the author as a signature voice of Afro-Caribbean speculative fiction. Fans of Nalo Hopkinson should enjoy this colorful and vibrant tale of the "good fight."

Despite the attempts of a group of mercenaries-turned-heroes, the creature known simply as the Master has attained godhood and now threatens to destroy the world of Tralodren and its existing Pantheon of gods and goddesses. As Rowan works to save his beloved Cadrissa from the Master, Clara strives to keep hope alive among her companions, for this time, the gods themselves take a hand in shaping the destiny of the world. In this conclusion to the "Divine Gambit" trilogy (Seer's Quest; Path of Power), Corrie has created a world of warring gods and goddesses; peopled it with humans, dwarves, elves, and other races; and infused it with life and color. This saga of faith triumphant belongs in larger fantasy collections.

In the best of times, the Mage Council provides balance and protection for the various magic users and nonhumans now inhabiting the modern world. When a rash of attacks targeting New York's Fatae, both angelic and demonic, endangers the city's mage population, the council pressures human mage Wren Valere to bring the attackers to justice. Set in the same alternate Earth as Curse the Dark, Gilman's latest novel provides a view of magic and magical creatures that is anything but bright and shiny. Valere is a tough, resourceful heroine, a would-be loner who cares too much to truly walk alone. A strong addition to urban fantasy collections.

For centuries, the Droods have protected the world from supernatural enemies, keeping reality safe for humans. When Eddie Drood, the latest in a long line of secret agents against the supernatural, becomes the victim of a plot to frame him as a danger to humanity, he goes on the run from both his friends and his enemies. The author of the "Deathstalker" and "Nightside" series introduces a hard-boiled, fast-talking, druidic James Bond who wields ancient magic instead of a gun. With crossover appeal to fans of urban fantasy and adventure/suspense, this witty fantasy adventure belongs in most libraries.

Newly returned to active duty with a promotion, Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr has the job of accompanying a batch of marine recruits on a training mission that takes them to Crucible, a planet able to be programmed for a variety of training scenarios. When marines start dying, Kerr and her fellow officers discover that someone has altered the programs and that the opponents they are facing are real—and deadly. The third installment in Huff's Confederation series (Valor's Choice; The Better Part of Valor) adds a new dimension to her military sf adventure series as Kerr begins to question the basis of the Confederation and its division into Elder and Younger Races as well as the true reasons behind the Elder Races' war against the alien "bugs." Series fans will enjoy this fast-paced adventure, appealing to the same audience as David Weber's Honor Harrington series. A good choice for most sf collections.

The war between the Sainnites and the Shaftali has ended with a Sainnite victory and a gesture of peace and reconstruction. As Sainnite General Clement renews her relationship with Shaftali cow doctor Seth, now a Councilor from her village, forces are working to undermine the peace and end the life of Karis, the new Shaftali G'deon, the woman who agreed to peace with her country's enemies. When an earth-blooded prophet gets lost beneath the ice and is transported to another time, she finds that she holds the key to solving the problems of the "future," if she can only discover a means of communicating through time. The third installment, after Fire Logic and Earth Logic, in Marks's "Elemental Logic" series, explores the relationship of water, an element that travels through space and time, to those people who share its qualities or who oppose its power. Finely drawn characters and a lack of bias toward sexual orientation make this a thoughtful, challenging read that belongs in most adult fantasy collections.

Meredith Walford has spent most of her life avoiding her omnipresent father, multibillionaire Preston Walford, the first human to have his personality posthumously translated into an online presence. When the threads of her life once more become entangled with those of a homeless man whose memory has been legally erased, a young woman whose caring for a damaged student cost her her freedom, and a "smart house" whose personality seems strangely familiar, Meredith finally learns to confront the monsters that have haunted her past. Set in a precarious near-future in which environmental storms make shelter even more of a necessity, where altruism is considered a mental disease and "brainwiping" a desirable cure for antisocial behavior, the latest novel by the author of Flying in Place and The Necessary Beggar tackles the problematic issue of human interconnectedness with sensitivity and insight. Palwick's characters resonate with believability and her portrayals of minds on the edge of sanity are unforgettable. Highly recommended for libraries of all sizes and for audiences outside the genre.

In this engaging collection, Tanya Huff's "Exactly" demonstrates why the only thing worse than an assassin on duty is one who is off duty, while in "The Hundredth Kill," a young boy learns that some assassins' duties last beyond death. These stories, together with ten other tales by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Ed Gorman, Jean Rabe, and other genre veterans, demonstrate the multiple talents of those who stalk the night, fulfilling their orders to kill. A good addition to most fantasy or paperback collections.

As Lord Ariakis and his dragon armies extend their rule over the continent of Ansalon, Dragon Highlord Kitiara Uth Matar learns that a former lover, Tanis Half-Elven, is among the small group of heroes that oppose the Highlords and their Dark Queen. As she attempts to prove her loyalty to her superiors by convincing an undead knight to join the dragon armies, Tanis and his companions, including the elf princess Laurana, Kitiara's rival, seek their destiny in the icy fastness of Ice Wall Castle. Returning to their beloved world of the Dragonlance novels, Weis and Hickman discover new tales of familiar heroes. The follow-up to Dragons of the Dwarven Depths should satisfy long-time series fans and attract new ones of all ages. Recommended for most fantasy collections.

Long before the rule of Gilgamesh, king of the Sumarian city of Uruk near the Euphrates River (present-day Iraq), people told stories of the land of Shinar. From this harsh and inhospitable land rose two men destined to become living legends: Uruk, a nomad from the jungles of Africa, and Ander, a young slave. When the region is invaded by the fierce Niphilim, blond, warlike people from the north, Uruk and Ander work together to unite their people and free them from tyranny and slavery. Despite the occasional stumble by first-time novelist Allen, an overabundance of minor characters (a glossary would have been very helpful), and the unlikely fact that the Niphilim army is composed primarily of Amazon-like female warriors, this is a thought-provoking glimpse into the beginnings of a land and people very much in the forefront of current events. For additional titles that deal with ancient Mesopotamian history, consider Sam Barone's Dawn of Empire. An alternate purchase for fantasy collections.—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Municipal Libs., AK

Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series (Dark Side of the Moon) returns with the story of Sin, a Sumerian god who has lost his powers to perpetual villainess Artemis. Sin seems like a violent rogue, but his goal is to destroy the gallu—vicious demons with a penchant for cruelty—and to prevent the dimme from escaping and destroying Earth. Enter Katra, who resembles Artemis so closely that Sin kidnaps her so that he can finally get revenge. After the mistaken identity is resolved, they band together to save the world and fall in love in the process. The characters are Kenyon's usual: brooding man, tough yet nurturing woman, and villains as nasty outside as they are inside. Unfortunately, between the rotating cast of Dream-Hunters, Dark-Hunters, Sumerian and Greek gods, Daimons, demons, and characters named Damien and Deimos, readers may find themselves confused. The action is fast-paced and the love story enjoyable, but the series is so mired in Dark-Hunter mythology and legend that this likely won't win over any new fans. Nevertheless, expect requests from fans of the author and series. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 4/15/07.]—Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL

Morgan, author of Altered Carbon, for which he won the 2003 Philip K. Dick Award, describes a harrowing world set just before the turn of the 22nd century in which artificial intelligence, shuttles to Mars colonies, and a fractured political and economic landscape that resembles that of Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash provides the backdrop. Antihero Carl Marsalis is a "thirteen," whose genetic makeup, the result of a tissue-culture breeding program, enhances his survival and fighting abilities. A government hit man, Carl is hired to help solve a particularly horrific crime and teams up with a tough female. Originally published in Britain under the title Black Man, the novel effectively explores questions about human behavior, motivations, and altruism. Recommended for large public libraries and academic libraries with sf or popular reading collections.—Sara Rutter, Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa Lib., Honolulu

Award-winning editors Dozoi (editor of Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine) and Strahan (reviews editor of Locus and coeditor of Science Fiction: The Best of… and Fantasy: The Best of ... anthology series) have put together an exceedingly fine set of stories written specifically for this collection by some of the best sf authors writing today. These 18 tales run the gamut from technologically centered hard science (think exploding comets and artificial intelligence) to character-driven soft science (settling on new worlds). Alien perspectives are balanced by humanistic introspection. Many of the stories mine the genre's favorite nuggets by exploring political and ethical questions from varied and unusual points of view. In the great tradition of space opera—not to be confused with soap opera, although there is some similarity in the epic sprawl of the underpinnings—the collection shows both remarkable diversity and cohesiveness. Standouts from Kage Baker, Paul J. McAuley, Nancy Kress, Gregory Benford, and Dan Simmons, among others, make this a solid purchase for public libraries with sf and/or short story collections.—Charli Osborne, Oxford P.L., MI

Scott's sf debut envisions a future where cities are segregated into neighborhoods based on musical style. Our hero, Jonny, lives in Chillout; however, his adventures are anything but relaxing. Coming home with a hangover after a drunken fight with his girlfriend, he finds his house stolen (that's right, not the contents, but the whole house) and a card left for him saying, "Don't you hate it when this happens?" And down the rabbit hole the book goes from there. The novel doesn't lack for action, but it does lack an easy-to-follow plot. Jonny gets into scrape after scrape, and the reader has no idea why. All is eventually explained in a too short epilog, but many readers may have given up by then. The humor is surreal and goes a long way to retaining a reader's interest (sample dialog: "Come with me if you want to buy a set of encyclopedias!"), but the disjointedness of it all could be too much for some. Recommended only for large sf collections.—Amy Watts, Univ. of Georgia Lib., Athens

In his introduction to this, the third installation to the "Dark Dreams" series, editor Massey expresses his wish to see a literary landscape in which he and his fellow black writers can gain respect in the horror genre. "The only way for us to achieve it," he writes, "is to deliver stories that challenge, thrill, educate, entertain, and delight readers." Massey and the nearly 20 African American writers who contributed to this anthology certainly delivered on their end of that bargain. These tales cover a wide range of themes, styles, and topics. There's a stark tale of a gathering of lost souls at a desert tavern, explorations of the psychic torment family members are capable of inflicting upon one another, and the strangely satisfying spectacle of a Katie Couric stand-in being devoured by zombies live on national television. Massey evidently suffered no shortage of work from which to choose, as the collected stories are mostly quite good. In addition to including many tales that are simply good reads, the collection also includes a few stories that benefit remarkably from their authors' cultural perspective. Terence Taylor's excellent story, "Wet Pain," for example, deals with the lingering racial wounds of the Old South and our culture's sometimes superficial salves for them. Recommended for horror, African American fiction, and short story collections.—Fred Baerkircher, Twinsburg P.L., OH