SF/Fantasy

Just as the shape-shifting drákons (they can change from human to smoke to dragon) thought their race was dying out, Kimber Langford, Earl of Chasen and Alpha lord of these creatures, discovers the possibility of another tribe existing in Transylvania led by Princess Maricara. As these leaders take measure of each other, a brutal serial killer threatens the very existence of the rare and sometimes benevolent drákons. Abé, who first introduced the drákons in The Smoke Thief and The Dream Thief, adds a new element to the mix as the sensual drákons face their greatest fear—extinction. Abé's graceful storytelling and evocative details make this a good choice for adult fantasy collections.

As rival princes grow closer to open war over the succession to an empty throne, a rogue sorcerer's powers may hold the key to saving a dying land. Wanted by almost every figure of power, from an ambitious priestess to a bastard prince, Valen tries to fight an addiction to an enchantment that transforms pain and pleasure in order to save his world and redeem his shattered soul. The sequel to Flesh and Spirit builds upon the first book's events and illuminates the complex intrigues that mark the land of Navronne. Berg's lush, evocative storytelling and fully developed characters add up to a first-rate purchase for most fantasy collections.

Post-Civil War Savannah, GA, stands largely intact, yet the scars of the long conflict run deep in the defeated city. Newly arrived to Savannah, an Irish nun named Brigid Rourke seeks to do God's work but finds herself caught up in a war between white magic practitioners and a cult of demon worshippers intent on giving the city to their infernal masters. Brigid and those who stand by her face the greatest test to their faith and resolve. This debut novel by a Savannah native depicts a richly detailed city peopled with colorful characters overlaid with a touch of the supernatural. Sadly, Clark died in 2007. Most libraries with a demand for supernatural horror will want this title.

Ever since the appearance of the black monolith in 2001 (as detailed in Clarke's classic 2001: A Space Odyssey), humanity has been fascinated with the creatures they call the Firstborn, possessors of technology far more sophisticated than earthly scientists can even imagine. In 2064, an anomaly—an object traveling through space—destroys a deep-space monitor and continues on a trajectory that will impact Earth in 2072 unless steps are taken. The Firstborn have arrived. SF Grand Master Clarke and Locus Award winner Baxter bring their "Time Odyssey" (Time's Eye; Sunstorm) series to a close while leaving room for yet another phase of their saga. Most libraries should purchase.

When Bricriu Poisontongue steals the mystical Chalice of Fire, given to Cucullen, leader of the Red Branch warriors, by the gods as a symbol of peace for Ulster, a group of heroes, led by Cumac, the goddess-born son of Cucullen, sets out to recover the precious artifact. Their journey takes them through the Otherworld and into the Earthworld, where they encounter magical creatures, battle temptations from those who would deter them from their quest, and find their way to the place where the Chalice now rests—just beyond their reach. Cullen's debut captures the feel of Celtic mythology as its heroes travel from adventure to adventure and learn from their mistakes. Richly detailed and filled with poems and stories that add an authentic feel, this series opener belongs in most adult and YA fantasy collections.

When his Boston-based business fails, Jacob Logan returns to his North Carolina hometown to take a brief respite before once more seeking his fortune elsewhere. After settling into his now empty family home, maintained by an elderly caretaker hired after the deaths of Logan's parents, Jacob discovers that neither peace nor quiet is within his reach as strange events conspire to cut his contacts with the outside world. Soon, Logan realizes that his life and that of anyone he cares about depend on solving the puzzle whose pieces lie in his house, in the strange behaviors of the townspeople, and in the tantalizing mystery of the fireflies. Dansky's ability to build terror slowly and talent for hiding his clues in plain sight demonstrate an attraction to old-fashioned, classic horror. The author of the "Exalted: Trilogy of the Second Age" series (Chosen of the Son; Beloved of the Dead; Children of the Dragon) and as well as a writer and designer of video games, Dansky now exhibits his talent for original supernatural fiction in this tightly paced tale of mystery and terror. A good choice for most horror collections. [Discoveries™ is a new fantasy-tinged speculative fiction imprint that expands the publisher's scope beyond its traditional shared-world boundaries.—Ed.]

As predicted, the godlike being known as the Great Bird soars across the sprawling city of Ararat, changing the land's topography and recarving avian territories. A young boy, Jack, races across the rooftops to catch part of the Bird's power—succeeding in unexpected ways. The Countess of Ararat supervises a ritual to trap the Bird's energy in her floating warship, the Thunderer, commanded by the idolized Captain Arlandes. From the faraway town of Gad, a failed singer named Arjun comes to find the Voice, a missing deity, and instead awakens another force strong enough to destroy the most powerful city in the world. Gilman's first novel, most likely the beginning of a series, creates powerful images of a city as complex as Dickens's London; citizens' dreams and nightmares blend in complex patterns that hint at secrets buried deep within the city's heart. Most libraries should consider adding this tale of broken gods and damaged heroes to their fantasy collections.

In the middle of the 36th century, the research facility Centurion Station sits atop the ruins of previously unknown civilizations. Here, scientists monitor the dark area of space known as the Void, thought once to be a seeding ground for new life but now no longer active—until the dreams begin, depicting a strange new reality. The author of the "Night's Dawn" trilogy as well as Pandora's Star and other far-future novels begins a new trilogy set in his alternate universe. A trio—including a woman whose planet may soon be destroyed, a telepathic young man, and a genetically engineered detective—finds themselves as the focal point of events. Hamilton's stories are always broad in scope and panoramic in detail. Fans of the author and of sf epics will enjoy this series opener. For most libraries.

In the distant future, the Timeweb connects solar systems, stars, and other celestial objects through a delicate infrastructure of space and time, allowing for faster-than-light travel and communication among the many races inhabiting the known worlds. But as this web begins to disintegrate, the Human Empire finds itself at war with the Mutati shapeshifters, supposedly capable of using their doomsday weapon against their enemies. Noah Watanabe, a galactic ecologist with the paranormal ability to journey through the universe, undertakes a dangerous mission to prevent a third coalition force from destroying both empires and conquering what remains. The son of the late Frank Herbert ("Dune" series) establishes himself as an expert storyteller in his own right as he continues this sf saga of war and heroism. Believable alien and human characters and a vividly imagined far future make this a good addition to any sf collection, along with its predecessor, Timeweb.

During a blizzard, a number of alien ships crash-land in the frozen lands of America's Midwest and southern Canada. Father Joshua spearheads the attempt to integrate the survivors, named the Wannoshay by their hosts. When an unexplained series of explosions occurs, however, the new arrivals are blamed and interned in camps. There, they sicken—and soon humans fall ill as well. Jasper's first novel (he has previously published short fiction) makes important points about the current treatment of immigrant populations while telling a story of sacrifice and courage that belongs in larger libraries.

The appearance of a young girl in the small town of Clearwater has a profound impact on Eugene Grim, when his foster mother gives her a home. Angel, as she is called, begins to regain her memories and her health—and strange events begin occurring, causing outbursts of insanity and madness among the citizens. Grim must find who is responsible for Death's arrival before Clearwater becomes a city of empty buildings. The author of Dragonfly and Feral shows his skill at small-town horror in this title suitable for large horror or dark fantasy collections.

A journey focused on revenge becomes an odyssey of self-discovery and of the founding of an empire in blood and sacrifice. As Zhan searches for her grandfather, a creature no longer human that has killed his entire village, she travels in the company of Seth, a fire-breathing shaman; Korinyes, a gypsy who is more than she seems; and Adel, a paladin present at the slaying of the last dragon. McDermott's debut novel requires careful reading to piece together a story told in nonlinear form, as mercurial as memories and as visceral as death. This fantasy adventure belongs in libraries where literary fantasy in the tradition of Gene Wolf, A.A. Attanasio, and Gabriel García Márquez is popular.

For Jaz Parks (Once Bitten, Twice Shy), belly dancer and CIA black-ops agent, an assignment to recover a stolen piece of biotech and to assassinate the thief is more than it seems. Behind the theft is Chien-Lung, an armor-clad, nearly invulnerable vampire, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Jaz also faces soul-eating reavers and demonic nightmares, all ready to kill their victim. Parks is an interesting sleuth of the future, with a sharp tongue and sharper stilettos. Rardin's second urban noir fantasy thriller has an engaging protagonist, snappy dialog, and a storytelling style perfectly suited to its content. Most libraries with a demand for urban fantasy will want this title.

The 20th installment in Yarbro's long-running series featuring the elegant vampire Count Saint-Germain opens in Switzerland in 1817, just after the defeat of Napoléon. As the count seeks to heal the grief of his current mistress, Hero, a widow of the Napoleonic War, he becomes intrigued by the work of an Austrian scientist who is investigating the unique properties of blood, an interest that proves dangerous for the count and those close to him. Named a Living Legend by the International Horror Guild, Yarbro continues to provide meticulously researched period fiction that touches on the supernatural world of her vampiric hero but speaks to the humanity that lies so precariously on everyone. Libraries should purchase where the author has a following.

Vampyre PI Joe Pitt serves as the enforcer for the Manhattan vampyre Clan Society. Its leader, Terry, offers a zenlike philosophy in trying to woo other groups of the Vyrus-infected to unite with his own. When the Docks Clan rejects Terry, it becomes Joe's task to rid the earth of such scum, which he carries out with gory delight. If he has one soft spot, it is for Evie, a young woman dying of AIDS. A gift of his blood might cure her, but it could just as easily kill her. While weighing this heavy decision, Joe must deal with a freakish clan in Brooklyn that has close connections to a violent, prayerful group who consider the passing of the blood to its descendants a religious obligation. Well written and fast-paced, this third installment in Houston's Joe Pitt Casebooks noir series (after Already Dead; No Dominion) features all the hard-boiled action of the previous titles. While definitely not for the squeamish, it is recommended for public libraries where urban fantasies are popular.—Patricia Altner, BiblioInfo.com, Columbia, MD

This sequel to My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding features short stories by some of paranormal romance and urban fantasy's most popular authors, all based on the theme of honeymoons. This theme lends itself to a variety of interpretations, from the literal (Kelley Armstrong's "Stalked," a tale of honeymooning werewolves) to the more abstract (Marjorie M. Liu's folkloric ghost story, "Where the Heart Lives"). Many of the stories are connected to ongoing series, including Jim Butcher's popular "Dresden Files" and the late Ronda Thompson's "Wild Wulfs of London," but no prior knowledge of the series is necessary to enjoy the stories. One standout by a new author is Caitlin Kittredge's "Newlydeads," a creepy tale of a coastal town where everything is assuredly not as it seems. Heavy hitters like Butcher and Armstrong will pique readers' interest, and the overall quality of the stories will introduce them to some unfamiliar, up-and-coming authors. Recommended for libraries where paranormal romance and urban fantasy are popular.—Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL

Quite possibly inspired by a college class (the editor is a professor of Slavic languages and literature at Brown University), this anthology of 19th- and early 20th-century Russian fantasy and science fiction (poetry and prose) is both fascinating and problematic. On one hand, it offers an astonishing number of clearly translated, compelling texts, some of which are available in English for the first time. Along with stories, poems, and novel excerpts from familiar names like Pushkin, Lermontov, Turgenev, Gogol, Chernyshevsky, Dostoevsky, Blok, Bely, Zamiatin, and Bulgakov (whose "The Fatal Eggs" is a timely delight), as well as an introduction to early 19th-century Russian fantasy and poetry, this collection presents amazing work by lesser-known authors like Odoevsky, Briusov, and Kuprin (whose "Liquid Sunshine" is particularly memorable), among others. Indeed, the early 20th century and early Soviet space exploration texts by Bugdanov, Tolstoy, Platonov, and Efremov are a revelation. On the other hand, the anthology, taken as a whole, imagines an unlikely discursive continuum from fantasy tales (especially those involving ghosts, witches, or monsters) to utopian and dystopian narratives, technological fantasies, and space-travel sagas. And it limits its presentation of later 20th-century Soviet and post-Soviet science fiction to a short, concluding essay. In short, it's a wonderful mess: it works, more or less, but much like, say, a Soviet-made car. Recommended to public and academic libraries where interest warrants.—Roger A. Berger, Everett Community Coll., WA