SF/Fantasy

In a large, unnamed city ruled by the dictatorial Chairman Void, Jennie Height's sometimes prophetic dreams mesh seamlessly with her waking hours. All too often her visions involving her lover, Walter, a leader of the resistance building against Void, end in failure and disaster, leading some to believe that Jennie is a government spy. When an elite-born member of the resistance, the archivist Carpathia, becomes involved with Walter, Jennie's growing powers take on a life of their own. Read alone or in conjunction with Imprint, the author's companion story set in the same universe, this tale of a dystopian future where hope still lives and dreams mix with reality to create the future belongs in large sf and speculative fiction collections.

Elizabeth I rules England in the "iron world" of humanity; the other realm, of Faerie, claims Queen Mab as monarch. Both worlds exist in symbiosis, but each world is threatened by treachery from within. When Elizabeth's personal spy, poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe, is murdered, his ability to weave sustaining magics into his plays is lost. His replacement, rival William Shakespeare, possesses talent but lacks magic. In order to save England, Faerie intervenes, raising Marlowe as Mab's servant—and Shakespeare's teacher. The latest installment in Bear's historical fantasy series (Blood and Iron; Whiskey and Water) featuring an Earth infused with magic as well as machinery both explores the fertile literary movements of the Elizabethan era and reveals the origins of the Promethean age. The author's mastery of period detail and her ability to interweave literature and politics while bringing to life some of history's most beloved and problematic characters make this a welcome addition to any library. [Also published simultaneously this month is Hell and Earth, the follow-up installment about Marlowe and Shakespeare.—Ed.]

Out-of-work film critic Simon Lester lives on the ever-shrinking largesse of his girlfriend's parents while he searches for work. When a former professor of his offers him an advance to write a biography of forgotten silent film comedian Tubby Thackeray, Simon jumps at the chance to make his mark in the world of film—until he discovers how elusive information about his subject is. As his world begins to disintegrate, Simon hears disembodied laughter and sees a disturbing grinning clown everywhere he looks. Campbell (Secret Story; The Overnight) is one of horror's premier writers, and his ability to draw out the eerie and macabre from the tiniest of details places him firmly at the top of the list of creators of subtle and lasting terror. A strong addition to most libraries.

The continent of Tencendor has fallen; new realms have taken its place. Only a few members of the SunSoar family remain, and new movers and shakers have risen to prominence as they try to hold their alliances fast against a new darkness arising from DarkGlass Mountain—the Dark God Kanubai transformed into something much more powerful. The author of the popular "Axis" and "Wayfarer Redemption" trilogies continues her epic saga of lands and populations in peril and of heroes who fight against the ever-strengthening evil in this sequel to The Serpent Bride. Douglass has established herself as one of the genre's ablest storytellers, able to create vast canvasses upon which her unforgettable characters leave their distinctive marks. Recommended for fantasy collections of any size but particularly where the author has a following.

Gunnery Sgt. Torin Kerr of the Confederation Marines returns from medical leave just in time to ship out to a new war zone to face an alien race known as the Others. Ordered to go to the rescue of a unit out of position, Kerr is caught in a devastating attack. When she returns to consciousness, Kerr finds herself in what appears to be an underground prison camp where prisoners—other marines—are left to fend for themselves in a hostile environment and where most succumb to lethargy and despair. Rather than give in, Kerr determines to escape—and to bring her fellow captives with her. The fourth novel in Huff's military sf series (after Valor's Choice; The Better Part of Valor; The Heart of Valor) examines the psychology of a soldier under pressure and the desire for freedom that drives every prisoner of war. Filled with both action scenes and personal drama, this sf adventure belongs in most libraries.

Sent to the island of Recluce's training school for mages, apprentice Rahl proved uncontrollable and was banished to the island of Hamor. There, he continues his training, increasing in his powers and in his troublesome behavior. As a mage-guard, under the control of the state, Rahl must learn to control his powers even as he gains in knowledge. The sequel to Natural Ordermage explores a new part of Modesitt's world and once again displays the author's abilities to tell stories that shine with the veracity of everyday life as well as momentous events. Libraries carrying other books in the Recluce series will want this latest addition.

Leading off with Brad Beaulieu's story of mystery and intrigue spiced with the feel of The Arabian Nights ("In the Eyes of the Empress' Cat"), a prominent cat doctor defies tradition in the service of justice, while in Card's tale set in the same world as Ender's Game, a commander makes a solo round-trip journey into the future to prepare for an invasion that will not come for many years ("Mazer in Prison"). This collection of 18 stories culled from Card's popular online magazine, The InterGalactic Medicine Show, highlights contemporary sf and fantasy and showcases both veteran and new authors. Each story comes with a full-page illustration, and a list of illustrators appears at the end of the book. This attractive collection belongs in most sf or short story collections.

As a prefect working for the Panoply, Tom Dreyfus enforces the law in the utopian society of the Glitter Band, a collection of space habitats that orbit the planet Yellowstone. When an attack on one of the habitats leaves nearly 1000 people dead, Dreyfus uncovers a plot that threatens the freedom of the entire Glitter Band. Reynolds (Redemption Ark; Pushing Ice) returns to the universe of Revelation Space as he demonstrates his powerful ability to blend futuristic suspense/intrigue with personal drama in a tale of one man's search for truth, however unpleasant or demanding it may be. With appeal to fans who enjoy action-packed hard sf, this belongs in most libraries.

As the land of Kerith stands ready to go to war, the ruling Vaelinar, possessors of elemental magic and long life, find themselves victims of internal treachery. The love between Rivergrace, a Vaelinar raised by a Dweller family—one of the indigenous races of Kerith—and Sevryn, a half-breed warrior who has served the Vaelinar Warrior Queen Lariel, is tested as the lovers are declared traitors and forced to flee, taking separate paths to seek justice. Both encounter the mysterious Ferryman, a creature of power who controls travel along the river, and both find their lives dependent on his will or whim. Continuing the panoramic saga begun in The Four Forges, Rhodes develops her world both politically and emotionally, filling it with complex and compelling characters. A good addition to most fantasy collections.

In Kage Baker's "Running the Snake," a defrocked druid named Will Shaxpur finds a new trade when a pair of con men from across the waters introduces him to the "art" of flim flam, while a practical Queen recognizes in him a touch of brilliance. Along with 14 other tales set in alternate versions of history and featuring criminals and their pursuers, this sf mystery rounds out a strong collection of speculative fiction compiled by Hugo Award-nominated sf editor Anders and featuring the talents of such popular authors as S.M. Stirling, Paul Park, Mike Resnick and Eric Flint. A good addition to most sf or alternate-history collections.

A group of young men and women question the person they know as God about their origins and the purpose of togetherness in Douglas A. Van Belle's "Ungraceful Cliff Dwellers," while in "Only a Personal Tragedy," Sally Kuntz explores the trials of a peacemaker in a time of war. The 12 stories in this collection, intended as an sf companion of the late Marion Zimmer Bradley's classic "Sword and Sorceress" series, feature women protagonists as they take on the roles of either warrior or wisewoman—or both—to cope with their surroundings and find their inner truths. Contributors include Colleen Anderson, Vylar Kaftan, Nancy Fulda, and other new and established genre authors. Suitable for most sf or short story collections.

When the Wizard Lord, whose duty lies in keeping the land in peace and prosperity, turns against his principles and orders his troops to slaughter the remaining wizards in the realm of Barokan, his only opponents are the group of heroes known as The Chosen. But the Wizard Lord has either killed or imprisoned all of the Chosen except for the Sword, who must do what has never been done before: slay the Wizard Lord without his allies to support him. The determination of Erren Zal Tuyo to fulfill his task and the unexpected help he finds along the way provide a satisfying and, at times, surprising conclusion to Watt-Evans's trilogy (The Wizard Lord; The Ninth Talisman). This latest tale of bravery by a master of the sword and sorcery genre demonstrates his skill as raconteur; a good addition to larger libraries and those where the author has a following.

In Off Armageddon Reef, the author of the popular Honor Harrington series launched a brilliant new saga that began with the near total destruction of the human race and detailed the struggles of the one colony that survived by paying a high price—reinventing history and denying the use of technology. The story continues, as King Caleb of the island nation of Charis attempts to reclaim his human past and faces the wrath of the powerful Church of God Awaiting. Weber transitions from the galactic space battles of the Honor Harrington books to old-fashioned sea battles with the skill of a naval expert. Though his story encompasses meaty issues such as the separation of church and state and the importance of a shared mythology, its focus remains on the people who embody the strengths and weaknesses of a flawed but ever hopeful humanity. Along with its predecessor, this second installment of an important sf saga belongs in all libraries. Highly recommended.

Since discovering her ability to travel outside her body, Zoë Martinique has used her paranormal abilities in her sleuthing. Now, as she discovers additional powers that are both exhilarating and frightening, she becomes vulnerable to enemies who seek to use her gifts for their own nefarious ends. When her mother, who is aware of her daughter's gifts, disappears, Zoë must find her at the risk of her increasingly fragile hold on her humanity. This follow-up to Weldon's debut urban noir paranormal mystery, Wraith, provides intriguing background information on Zoë's birth and sets the stage for further adventures. Fans of urban fantasy and supernatural detective stories should enjoy this foray into the borderlands between life and death. For most fantasy collections.

Princess Elizabeth allies with Invidiana, aspiring fairy queen, a partnership that allows both to gain their thrones in parallel Englands. Thirty years later, Michael Devan seeks to rise to the rank of gentleman among the mortals. Resolved to regain the status she lost among the fairies for ceding too much to defeat the Spanish Armada, Lady Lune returns to the mortal court to spy on English spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham, who is also Devan's master. Lune takes the form of Anne Montrose, Devan's fiancée, while he searches for the "hidden player" taking a role in mortal politics. But will their love survive the deception and their conflicting duties to both realms? A deft blending of Elizabethan court intrigue and high fantasy, this debut novel will appeal to fans of Sarah Hoyt's Ill Met by Moonlight and All Night Awake. However, unlike Hoyt's works or Elizabeth Bear's forthcoming Elizabethan fantasies Ink and Steel (see review above) and Hell and Earth, which focus on Marlowe and Shakespeare, Brennan eschews making already-famous figures the protagonists. Instead, she foregrounds the fantasy aspect of alternate history by following original characters as they are pulled into great events and forced to grow into their difficult choices.—Meredith Schwartz, New York

Phillips (Violent Spring) and Chambers (A Prayer for Deliverance) edit this anthology wherein the superhero origin tale meets the mean streets. Transients and junkies, abuse victims and prostitutes, tattoo artists and bounty hunters are among the folks (mostly of color) who use their edgy superpowers to retaliate against their victimizers. Many of these stories would work better in a graphic format, but each does get a first-rate illustration. After a slow start, patient readers will be rewarded and transported by strong work from Gar Anthony Haywood, Naomi Hirahara, Mat Johnson, Victor LaValle, Walter Mosley, Ann Nocenti, Jerry A. Rodriguez, and Peter Spiegelman. A solid choice for libraries where speculative anthologies circulate but especially recommended for inner cities and libraries with diverse readership.—Neil Hollands, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA

Napoléon has landed! England is under siege, and it's up to the dragon Temeraire and his captain, Laurence, to stop the invading army. Unfortunately, Laurence has been convicted of treason, and Temeraire banished to the far-off Welsh breeding grounds, after their daring mission to deliver a cure for the dragon plague to the French. In this fifth volume of the Temeraire series (after His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, Black Powder War, and Empire of Ivory) and the first to be published in hardcover, we return to England after the exotic locales of the last two books, and the action takes place more on land than at sea. Fans of military historicals like Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels will likely enjoy the detailed points of military strategy and supply-line wrangling (it takes a lot of cows to feed an army of dragons), but fantasy readers will still find their sense of wonder. Novik's latest doesn't have quite the sparkle of Empire of Ivory, but series fans will certainly be eager to find out what happens after the previous book's vertiginous cliff-hanger of an ending. Recommended for all public libraries.—Jenne Bergstrom, San Diego Cty. Lib.