SF/Fantasy

Eugene Stanley, nephew of Professor Christopher Greenshields, a noted scholar of Aegean civilizations, has agreed to help a relative research his latest book. While engaged in his work, Stanley encounters a number of mysterious and sinister phenomena—ghostly apparitions, unexplained writings, and disembodied voices—hinting at unimaginable dangers. Set in a Victorian-era alternate world still steeped in an Ice Age, Barlough's latest addition to his "Western Lights" series (e.g., Dark Sleeper) continues to add an element of civilized creepiness to his vividly imagined world. Notable characters reminiscent of the narrators of Lovecraftian horror bring an immediacy to this tale of ghostly horror. Recommended for fans of old-fashioned ghost stories with a Dickensian feel.

The planet Harmony and its colonies stand apart from the rest of the universe, from the human Confederated Star System and from the aliens of the Marillon Empire, both of which have tried their best to infiltrate or attack the reclusive Harmonic Empire. But recently Harmony, run by a rigid seven-caste system buttressed by an alliance between religion and nobility, has begun to erode from within. When a young woman named Sissy appears from the worker class bearing the mark of all seven castes and demonstrating a unique empathic resonance with the seismically active planet, the reigning High Priest of the Crystal Temple moves swiftly to take advantage of her abilities, including her prophetic voice—but Sissy has her own world-shattering ideas. Bentley, who writes fantasy as Irene Radford ("Merlin's Descendants" series), launches a new series set in a universe where humans have grown apart from one another and where an alien grudge threatens the peace of all. Strong characters and a fully realized world make this a standout addition to most sf collections.

During his first visit to Mars, Navaho archaeologist Jamie Waterman discovered evidence of cliff dwellings, indicating that intelligent life had once inhabited the Red Planet. Later, anthropologist Carter Carleton uncovers a fossil of what might be a Martian, focusing world attention on the planet. As scientists scramble to retain the funding necessary to maintain their presence on Mars, the New Morality Movement, religiously fundamentalist and rabidly anti-science, increases its hold on the reins of power—in the United States and, perhaps, throughout the world. Bova's latest addition to his Grand Tour books (e.g., Venus) brings back familiar characters and expands on his projected future, encompassing both his hopes for continued exploration of space and his fears for the obstacles that stand in its way. A good addition to most libraries and a welcome find for Bova's many readers.

Civilization has collapsed, cities lie in ruins, and two Knights of the Word, Logan Tom and Angel Perez, continue their valiant battles against the demons and once-men to save the remnants of humanity and the newly discovered Elves, who have long hidden themselves from the world. Joining with Angel and Logan are Kirisin, an elf entrusted with the Elfstones that can protect his people and help transport them to a safe place, and Hawk, the boy born of wild magic and destined to lead human and elven survivors to a new world. In his dramatic and powerful conclusion to the trilogy (following Armegeddon's Children and The Elves of Cintra) describing the birth of the world known as Shannara, Brooks provides both a stirring coda to his the "Word" and the "Void" series and a stepping-off point for more explorations into the early history of one of fantasy's most enduring worlds. Strong storytelling and unforgettable characters make this a priority purchase for most libraries.

Among the toxic and chemical wastes that regularly spew into the rivers, lakes, storm drains, and flooded landfills are the rejects of the country's cybertechnology: microchips, pharmaceuticals, nano-techs, and biochemical material. Gathering in the Mississippi Delta, these bastard spawns of biotech research gradually develop an intelligence, becoming the Watermind. When MIT dropout C.J. Reilly and her lover, Max, stumble upon the entity, at first they find it sympathetic and intriguing. Then it begins to kill, and they realize the danger it poses to the world. Part B-movie horror, part Philip K. Dick dystopic adventure, this sf adventure/suspense by the author of the award-winning War Surf belongs in larger sf collections.

On the distant planet of Jehovah, a harper meets a scar-faced man who offers to tell her a tale like no other, one about a prehuman artifact known as the Dancer. Once found, this artifact passes through many hands, from its discoverer, Capt. Amos January, to Little Hugh O'Carroll, assistant manager of New Eireann, and from them to a host of secret agents and counteragents from the numerous planets that make up the United League of the Periphery and the Confederation of Central Worlds. The author of Eifelheim recalls the intertwined structure of ancient Celtic music and storytelling in this series of connected vignettes about an object that always lies just beyond one's reach. Reminiscent of the tall tales and cautionary stories of Mike Resnick and revealing the talent of a master storyteller, this Sci Fi ESSENTIAL book belongs in most libraries and should appeal to fans of sf adventure and space opera.

Captured as a child by the dark elves—the Nilfghar—and taken to their underground kingdom to be raised as a slave, Orivon Firefist grew into a strong, though pale, young man who kept his spirit alive despite the cruelties inflicted upon him. In time, he escaped to the world of sunlight, but when the Nilfghars kidnap more children from a small village he returns to the land of his captivity on a mission of rescue—and vengeance. The best-selling author of the "Band of Four" series (e.g., The Kingless Land) and the creator of the Forgotten Realms role playing background has crafted a sequel to Dark Warrior Rising filled with swordplay, sorcery, and the bravery of one man willing to face the darkness within to conquer the darkness without. Essential for fans of role playing and fantasy adventures and suitable for both YA and adult audiences.

In Gregory's alternate world, the 1950s saw the emergence of a new phenomenon in which ordinary people began to be possessed—not by demons from Hell but by archetypes straight from the collective unconsciousness. Among these are the Kamikaze, who drives its hosts to spectacular acts of suicide or assassination; the Truth, who destroys liars; and the Little Angel, a young girl in a nightgown, who visits the dying and whose kiss speeds them to their inevitable end. Since he was five, Del Pierce has been possessed by the Hellion, a creature part Dennis the Menace, part total destructive mayhem. To all appearances, Del is now free of the "demon," and his family simply believes that he has been mentally ill. But Del knows that the Hellion is still trapped within his body, always on the edge of breaking his host's eroding control. Rising sf/fantasy star Gregory, winner of the Asimov's Reader's Award for his novelette "Second Person, Present Tense," demonstrates his skill at full-length storytelling in a debut novel that breaks new ground while paying homage to some of the genre's most iconoclastic authors, A.E. Van Vogt and Philip K. Dick. Most libraries should introduce sf fans to this bright new voice of the 21st century.

Following the visions given them by the Wild Magic, the young High Mage Tiercel; his Bonded dragon, Ancaladar; the Knight-Mage Harrier; and his sometime companion, the unicorn Kareta, continue their journey, this time in search of the Lake of Fire, thought to lie in the inhospitable Madiran Desert. At the same time, as the Wild Mage Bisochim leads his desert armies in a war of conquest, a small tribe led by a young woman, Shaiara, flee Bisochim's onslaught in search of a hidden oasis where they might find safety. Coauthors Lackey and Mallory continue their fantasy sequel to The Phoenix Unchained by expanding on their world's desert societies and the secrets hidden far beneath the sands. As the young characters learn to accept responsibility for their actions, their trials increase in difficulty. Solidly developed characters, appealing magical companions, and an intriguing tale make this a good addition, along with its predecessor, to any fantasy collection.

In a world separated by a thin border from the lands of the Fey, Rebecca Beauvelley knows that for her younger sister Caroline to make a marriage beneficial to their family, a husband must soon be found for Rebecca, despite her crippled and useless arm. When her father betroths her to a cruel northern lord, she runs away with the charming elder Fey Altamire. Too late, Rebecca discovers that Altamire's intentions are far from honorable and that she has become a sexual pawn in his rise to power among the Fey and human lands. The husband-and-wife writing team, authors of the "Liaden Universe" series (e.g., I Dare), begin a new series that blends the fantasy and romance genres in one seamless whole. Some steamily graphic sex scenes may limit this to an adult readership; otherwise, for most libraries.

As researchers into neural interface with computers and artificial intelligence (AI) begin to die under bizarre circumstances or suffer from complete mental breakdowns, a few of their colleagues suspect that an intelligent virus has managed to escape confinement and has now declared the Internet its hunting ground. The author of Probe and Moonstruck has delivered a spooky cautionary tale that is part hard-wired sf and part intrigue and suspense. A good choice for readers who prefer their sf with a heavy dose of hard science along with fast-paced storytelling. For most libraries.

When 19-year-old Brenda Morris witnesses what appears to be a magical attack against her father, she uncovers the secret history of her family and 12 others, each former inhabitants of the world of Smoke and Shadows and now exiled to Earth after the overthrow of their emperor. The Thirteen Orphans, as the exiles and their descendants are called, are named after the houses of the Chinese Zodiac plus the Cat, and the ancient Chinese game of mah-jongg hides their magic, which must be recovered before Orphans are destroyed and their way home closed forever. This new series launch by the author of the "Firekeeper" series (e.g., Through Wolf's Eyes) deftly mingles the fascination of the mah-jongg tiles and the animal lore of the Chinese Zodiac with a modern tale of discovery and danger. This urban fantasy should appeal to fans of Charles de Lint and Jim Butcher and is an excellent choice for most libraries.

Tymon the Black, known far and wide as an evil sorcerer, suffers from the curse called the Long Look, through which he sees horrors to come that only he can prevent. His current course of action involves kidnapping a princess, murdering a prince, involving himself in arranging a wedding, and preventing a war while sending a creature of darkness back to its home in the void. The author of two short story collections, The Ogre's Wife and Worshipping Small Gods, Parks's first full-length fantasy is equal parts dark comedy and fantasy adventure and should appeal to those who enjoy tales of derring-do that are ever so slightly off the beaten path. For larger fantasy collections.

A century from now, in a world not so different from our own, Cassie, an actress, falls in love with two men, a private detective with mysterious powers and a powerful and wealthy man who has visited the human colonies in space. One transforms her into her true self, while the other becomes her stage angel and backs her career. Yet both men know that all is not as it seems and beneath the facade of everyday life there lurk strange, elder beings whose horrors only wait to be unleashed. Combining 1930s-style pulp noir with Lovecraftian horror, Wolfe's stand-alone (at least for now) story of romance and horror demonstrates the author's talent for subtle storytelling, in which the horror builds slowly until its unexpected presence dominates the characters' world. For most libraries.

Generously illustrated with artist Staples's mood-enhancing black-and-white drawings, and including many of the author's poems serving the same purpose, this first-ever collection of 60 stories and sketches of terror represent most of the styles employed by the young dean (1906–36) of American horror, who also created Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, and Conan the Barbarian. Originally published in pulp magazines, these tales are often beautifully literate, the energy of Howard's writing nearly palpable. Vocabulary and language structure transport the reader in time and place, as exemplified in the medieval opener, "In the Forest of Villefere." The horrors include warped humans, monsters, werewolves, and fantastic beasts in period pieces, along with ordinary people in unusual modern circumstances, as in "The Touch of Death." The stories are not all horror. "The Spirit of Tom Molyneaux" is in effect a thrilling and inspirational, if now politically incorrect (through its use of dated language), sports fantasy. Recommended for all libraries.—Jonathan Pearce, California State Univ., Stockton, CA

This richly complex tale from the author of The Burning Girl deftly encapsulates an entire culture's frictions and fractures in the loyalties of one young woman. Moth seeks to climb out of the Tidal slums where she'd been abandoned without betraying her Tidal friends, her secret mother, her lover, or her bond with the invisible powers of her world. Beneath the surface of a seemingly stable, if compressed, island civilization, connections and tensions link the Society of Doors, an outlaw organization looking to return to the heaven of the past; Lady Vashmarna's scientific idealists seeking to expand limited resources; a ruler clinging to the failing status quo, and the Tidal have-nots coping with an explosive brew of fear, faith, and rumor. Sharp-edged personalities and complicated personal relationship among the characters prevent Phillips's tale from degenerating into allegory. Her lush prose and dark fantasy cityscape will appeal to fans of China Mieville's Perdido Street Station and Sarah Monette's Melusine, but her manipulative, scarred, sexual, unapologetic antiheroine recalls Elizabeth Bear or Melissa Scott. For fantasy collections where those authors circulate.—Meredith Schwartz, New York