SF/Fantasy

When Rayna Powell seeks to avoid running into a woman standing in the middle of the road on a rainy night, the ensuing crash hurtles her into another world, where she crosses a barren, lightning-filled plain to emerge in a land that hails her as a god returned. Rayna reluctantly gets drawn into an ancient conflict between the folk of West Taren and their eastern kin. Confronting inhuman magicians known as Red Robes and their ruthless king, Rayna and her newfound allies uncover a startling secret about the world's origin. Baker's first novel combines a fantasy-type world with quasi-scientific underpinnings to create a sf/fantasy blend suitable for large libraries.

The disappearance of criminal magnate Gentleman Johnnie Marcone and the suspected involvement of the Sidhe Courts draw professional wizard Harry Dresden into an ever-growing web of supernatural complexity that brings the ongoing war between good and evil to a head—and threatens a rift between Harry and the people he cares about most. The tenth addition to Butcher's popular "Dresden Files" series (after White Night) hints at higher stakes and more personal repercussions in future volumes. Set in a modern Chicago that includes the presence of supernatural creatures, this tale of urban sword and sorcery features compelling characters and superb storytelling and belongs in most libraries. Highly recommended.

From Jason Stoddard's unusual alternate history featuring elephants and a search for uranium in the land of the Diné ("The Elephant Ironclads") to Margo Lanagan's wicked version of Hansel and Gretel ("The Goosle"), the 16 original tales in this collection highlight some of the best work from genre veterans and newcomers. Including contributions by Elizabeth Bear, Lavie Tidbar, Barry Malzberg, and Pat Cadigan, this eclectic mixture of new sf and fantasy belongs in most libraries.

Geerna, a young Ice Age woman, is transported by a bright light during her womanhood ceremony to a strange world called Elom. That is the result of the First Judgment. Eons later, as the people of Elom strive to follow Geerna's Law, news comes to them of a Second Judgment—and a group of six unique individuals are chosen as the champions of humanity. Their journey takes them to another world, one known to them from ancient legends. Former Alabama state senator Drinkard's first novel combines the prehistoric fantasy of Jean Auel's The Clan of the Cave Bear with tales of alien abduction to produce a unique dramatic exposition on the course of human civilization and its likely future. Though this is primarily a novel of ideas, the characters stand out as individuals rather than mouthpieces. A good choice for larger sf or alternate history collections.

The world of the Hundred have relied on its eagle-borne reeves for protection since the departure of the once all-powerful Guardians. Now, however, a rogue Guardian has arisen to carve a path of bloodshed and cruelty throughout the realm. When Guardian-led marauders murder her eagle and leave her for dead, the young reeve Marit finds a winged horse to ride as she sets out to discover the secret behind the Guardians' corruption and to learn how she has mysteriously survived her own murder. In this follow-up to Spirit Gate, the author of the "Crown of Stars" series demonstrates once again her talent for large-scale storytelling, encompassing both the fate of nations and the destinies of individuals. A strong addition to most fantasy collections.

Years ago, the warleader Acton invaded the land now known as the Eleven Domains, slaying its original inhabitants to make room for his own people. The survivors became known as The Travelers, fugitives in their own lands. As the stories of Bramble, a young girl with a gift for taming horses; Ash, a boy trained as a hired killer; and Saker, an enchanter seeking to raise the dead for revenge, move toward a destined joining, the hidden stories of the Domains' people come to life. YA author Freeman's first novel for adults depicts a world where ghosts commune with the living and where fate is foretold in the casting of stones. Gracefully narrated through many voices, this series opener belongs in most fantasy collections.

When elven merchant Elac's caravan is attacked and destroyed by an army of kobolds, he finds unexpected help from Rilen, an elven warrior who journeys with him to the city of Unity. There, Elac discovers that he has a role to play in the current conflict involving not only kobolds, but hosts of undead and a group of Necromancers whose wars have continually threatened the Pelacian continent. Along with a small group of companions, Elac seeks the answer to his destiny in the haunted ruins of Piaras Keep. The author of The Killing Frost moves from space opera to epic fantasy in a fast-moving story that should satisfy fans of classic quest adventures. A good choice for most fantasy and YA collections.

The plateau world of Ae'leron lives in fear of the griffins and dragons that threaten them from the air and the dwarven Drobin Empire that rules the humans with an iron fist. When Drake Bloodstone, a young guardian of the hidden human enclave of Cliffton, is forced to lead a party of Drobin to the lair of the Dragon King, he knows that the fate of his loved ones hangs in the balance. This debut novel promises to unlock a realm of magic and warfare in a unique world of cloud-bound lands and a mysterious Underworld. A good choice for larger fantasy collections.

Siblings Oliver and Colleen Bascombe crossed from their world into the land of the Two Kingdoms, home to the many myths and legends of human civilization, in order to fulfill their destiny. Standing between them and their fate is a world at war, where Atlanteans now seek to control the world of myths for themselves. The conclusion to Golden's trilogy (The Myth Hunters; The Borderkind) displays his broad knowledge of world myth and his gift for storytelling. Well crafted and always surprising, this fantasy adventure belongs in most libraries.

Though son of the chief of the Unberogen tribe, Sigmar must earn his right to leadership through his prowess in battle—and the tribe's enemies are many, from hordes of green-skinned orcs to rival tribes. As the legend of Sigmar grows, so, too, do those who hold ill will toward him, and treachery brews within the tribe. Former role-playing game designer McNeill (False Gods; Fulgrim) tells his story with just the right amount of somber cadence reminiscent of the rhythms of Norse sagas. The action never stops in this rousing fantasy adventure based on the Warhammer role-playing game. Suitable for YA and fantasy collections.

David Grant's talent for lucid dreaming grows beyond his comprehension as he experiences his dreams even while awake. His discovery of the Trans-Humanist Institute enables him to learn to control his gift until he realizes that his teacher and mentor, Dr. Thotmoses, has his own agenda. David's journey to self-knowledge takes him from dreams to nightmares as he strives to uncover what the Institute plans for him. Nasir (Distance Haze; Tower of Dreams) brings a new approach to an always fascinating subject—dreams and the human unconscious—in a work of speculative fiction and adventure suitable for most libraries.

Raised in Berkshire County, MA, to protect her identity, Miranda Popescu, along with her friends Peter and Andromeda, find their way to the hidden world of Greater Roumania, where Miranda is princess of a country caught in the throes of war and suffering under a tyrant. As Miranda discovers the strange magics of her new world, her companions undergo their own transformative journeys, culminating in a desperate final battle to free Roumania from the invading Turks. The final volume in Park's cross-world epic series (A Princess of Roumania; The Tourmaline; The White Tyger) depends on an understanding of the previous titles for context, but the well-drawn characters and the vivid images of ancient magics work on their own level to provide an engaging and satisfying conclusion. A good choice, along with other series titles, for most fantasy collections.

Werecat Faythe Sanders is an enforcer for her father's Pride of shapechangers. When several male "strays"—prideless werecats—turn up dead, Faythe and her brothers go on the prowl, unaware that their discoveries will bring to light some of Faythe's darkest secrets and threaten her life. The second installment of Vincent's urban fantasy series (after Stray) features a well-thought-out vision of werecat social structure as well as a heroine who insists on carving her own path, even if it means breaking some of her society's most sacred taboos. Some explicit sex and numerous scenes of violence may limit the appeal, but fans of urban fantasy should enjoy this title.

Valashu Elahad, young prince of the royal house of Mesh, has succeeded in his quest to discover the Lightstone, thought to possess the power to stop the Dark Angel Morjin from enslaving the world of Ea. But now the Lightstone must be protected from Morjin even as war comes to the world. Continuing the epic tale begun in The Lightstone and The Silver Sword, Zindell crafts a complex story of mythic proportions with a young hero out to prove himself and to save his world. Drawing upon classic images that recall tales of the Holy Grail and other quests, this latest work from the author of Neverness belongs in most libraries.

Francesca (Cesca) Marinelli is a 227-year-old vampire who was recently unearthed from her crypt below a Victorian mansion in St. Augustine, FL. With the help of her friends, she's adjusting to 21st-century life, but her knowledge of the history of St. Augustine makes her uniquely qualified as a guide for ghost tours of the city. When a member of the vampire-hating Covenant organization causes trouble on one of her tours, Cesca is a bit shaken up; after a vampire-loving French newlywed turns up dead in the ocean, she becomes a suspect. Enter special investigator Deke Saber, a paranormal expert whose detective side wants to solve the case and whose protective side wants to save Cesca from the Covenant. Haddock's alternate world is more quirky than dark, with Cesca learning how to surf and drinking bottled "Starbloods" rather than biting humans. An unresolved subplot involving a giant cat, a wizard, and an entity known as The Void is a clear indication that this will be an ongoing series. Readers who enjoy MaryJanice Davidson's chick-lit/paranormal "Undead" series will find La Vida Vampire a worthy readalike. Recommended for public libraries.—Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL

There are new changes and new angles in Harris's eighth Sookie Stackhouse paranormal mystery (after All Together Dead). Louisiana telepath and cocktail waitress Sookie barely escapes with her life when she becomes enmeshed in a struggle for control of the Louisiana vampires. At the same time, werewolf leaders begin a fight to the death, and Sookie is caught in the middle. Other changes have a more benign nature: she encounters a most charming man, Niall, who announces that he is a prince of the Fey as well as her great-grandfather. He offers her his considerable powers and gives hints into their strange family history. Sookie gets more good news when she discovers her deceased cousin Hadley had given birth to a baby boy four years ago. By the time Sookie meets him, it's obvious that they share a certain supernatural trait. Sookie's fans will love this addition to the "Southern Vampire Mysteries" series. Recommended for public libraries.—Patricia Altner, BiblioInfo.com, Columbia, MD

Following his fantasy debut, Winterbirth, this middle book of the "Godless World" trilogy reimmerses readers in the Clans-and-Indians atmosphere of Ruckley's heroic fantasy world. The titular "bloodheir" could refer to any of three candidates. Orisian, newly minted as thane of the Lannis Blood, searches for a positive direction in which to lead his staggered people. Aewult, the Haig prince and Orisian's ally, commands a huge army, but his arrogance and greed for glory may doom them all. And Orisian and Aewult's mutual foe, Aeglyss, channels the rejections of his youth into a horrible magical vengeance as his strange powers mutate, raising him ever higher in the fatalistic ranks of the Black Road as they bring war deep into Haig lands. Or it could be that the bloodheir is actually the reader, who will learn that no secondary character is safe in Ruckley's cruel, icy world. This grim, sometimes gripping martial epic will leave those who have come this far anxious for the final chapter. A solid fantasy choice, especially for libraries where Winterbirth found an audience.—Neil Hollands, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA