SF/Fantasy

Trapped aboard an alien starship that visited Earth in the 1980s, astronaut Keith Stoner returns after a century of space exploration, preserved by cryogenic freezing and time dilation, to an unrecognizable planet—one where he died. Determined to save Earth from annihilating itself through nuclear war, Stoner makes contact with a disaffected returnee from Saturn's space station as well as members of the New Morality, a right-wing institution determined to save America from godlessness. VERDICT After a gap of nearly 20 years, this fourth volume in the "Voyagers" series displays Hugo Award winner Bova's consummate ability to tell an absorbing tale about two men, each with a mission to free his world from blind dogma and orchestrated tyranny. The author's outspoken philosophy provides food for thought for his many fans and readers who enjoy hard sf.

In this anthology of 15 original tales by some of fantasy's most imaginative voices, Tanith Lee returns to her remarkable Flat Earth setting for a poignant and cutting tale of love, fate, and misfortune in "The Pain of Glass." Other contributors include veteran and newer writers Foster Aguirre, Steve Rasnic Tem, Joanna Galbraith, Saladin Ahmed, and others, each chosen for their unique perspective and stylistic grace. VERDICT This second volume in a new annual anthology series will appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy short stories.

The holy war of Paul-Muad'dib has ended, and Paul, blinded by an assassination attempt, has disappeared into the deserts of Arrakis and is feared dead. His sister Alia rules as regent for Paul's twins Leto and Ghanima and seems bent on encouraging the deification of her brother, while Paul's mother, Atreides retainers Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho, and a former friend-turned-critic strive to remember the imperfect man rather than the flawless emperor. Filling in the gaps between the late Frank Herbert's classic Dune and its sequels Dune Messiah and Children of Dune, coauthors Herbert and Anderson focus on the reaction to Paul Atreides's success and the human cost of victory. VERDICT This sequel to Paul of Dune is an important addition to the Dune chronology and will be in demand by Herbert fans. [Coauthor Anderson makes his fantasy debut with The Edge of the World, reviewed in LJXpress 6/19/09.—Ed.]

Professor Amelia Harsh sets out on a dangerous journey to find the lost city of Camlantis, though she must accept help from the man who bankrupted her father and probably caused his suicide. As she navigates the mysterious Shedarkshe River through the dangerous jungles of Liongeli, Harsh uncovers secrets that could bring her crew—and her world—to the edge of destruction. Set in the same alternative Victorian steampunk world as The Court of the Air, Hunt's latest novel combines a Dickensian atmosphere with shades of Indiana Jones. VERDICT Featuring a strong-willed adventuress with a broken past, this alternate historical fantasy will appeal to steampunk fans.

The war between Volstov and Ke-Han has ended, thanks to the metallic dragons of Volstov, and now the peace begins. Charged with opening diplomatic relations and providing for a peaceful future, two men from each country try to forge a unique understanding and overcome the turmoil of a peace almost as deadly as the chaos of war. In this sequel to Havemercy, coauthors Jones and Bennett explore the "other side" of the Volstov/Ke-Han divide in a tale of shifting loyalties and clashing cultures. VERDICT Expert storytelling and an invigorating new universe make this a strong fantasy addition for genre fans.

Pennsylvania handyman Tom Nash seems normal in all ways but one—he hears the prayers of people in trouble and feels compelled to answer them. When he receives an urgent plea from a girl to save her life, Tom sets out on a journey to the unknown, where a woman named Erin introduces him to a battle between fallen angels and heavenly powers. The author of the best-selling "Star Trek® Destiny" series turns to fantasy in this supernatural thriller, which pits a righteous man against the powers of Hell. VERDICT Mack excels in characterization and the kind of gentle humor that surfaces in perilous situations, making his stories come alive. A good pick for fans of fantasy thrillers.

Scientific researcher Nathan Underhill's cutting-edge experiments in breeding hybrid creatures for possible use in stem-cell treatments comes to a crashing halt with the death of his prototype, the mythical gryphon. When his wife, a physician, for no apparent reason loses an elderly patient living at the Murdstone Rest Home and when Nathan himself experiences odd dreams, he suspects that the nursing home's owner has created an even more dangerous mythic creature—the deadly basilisk. VERDICT A master of modern horror (Manitou Blood), Masterton excels in gore without splatter and emphasizes the human aspect of horror: the growing uncertainty that "normal" life can, in fact, triumph over the supernatural. Horror buffs and fans of the author will want his latest.

From Robert Charles Wilson's evocative tale of a young woman faced with a destiny-changing choice ("Utriusque Cosmi") to John C. Wright's far-future novella, which combines high-tech romance with cosmic drama ("The Far End of History"), the 19 original stories in this collection exemplify the growing sf subgenre of new space opera, featuring galactic themes, dramatic episodes, a social conscience, and literary excellence. The second volume in a continuing series features works by a stellar group of writers that include Mike Resnick (see below), Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Cory Doctorow, Elizabeth Moon, and other genre veterans and more recent writers. VERDICT A solid introduction to the genre.

Just when private detective John Justin Mallory thinks he has figured out the alternate Manhattan into which he has wandered, something puts a new spin on his perceptions. His latest case: find missing "toy" dragon Fluffy in time to appear in the prestigious Eastminster pet show. The third in Resnick's tongue-in-cheek fantasy mystery series (after Stalking the Unicorn and Stalking the Vampire) takes John Justin and his crew on a beat-the-clock chase around New York City, from Greenwitch Village (filled with witches) to Chinatown, where Mallory adds a goblin martial artist to his entourage. VERDICT The absurd situations and bizarre mirror images of contemporary society as well as the oddly likable support cast make this a solid if somewhat "fluffy" choice for readers who enjoy fantasy humor.

On the run from a tentacled bounty hunter with a macabre sense of humor and no mercy, space smuggler Cole steals a spaceship filled with a cargo of freeze-dried orphans and bound for the theoretically nonexistent planet of Yrnameer only to find, when he arrives, that this world is in need of a sheriff—a position that seemed doomed to failure. A former field producer for Comedy Central's The Daily Show, Rubens hits the jackpot with a zanily humorous parody of sf adventure, with tributes to space-opera and Western classics along the way. VERDICT Recalling the volatile and irreverent humor of Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, this madcap journey through space will appeal to Pratchett's readers and fans of such sf film parodies as Galaxy Quest and Space Balls.

Bransen Garibond, known as the Highwayman, has fulfilled his quest for the ruler of Vanguard, Dame Gwydre, by killing the evil religious leader known as The Ancient. Now he returns to his homeland of Honce, only to find a vicious war between two rival nobles driven by their lust for power. Entanglements involving politics and the struggling Abellican church draw Garibond, his wife, and his mother-in-law deep into a web of plots and counterplots as the Highwayman wields both his sword and his keen mind to protect his family. VERDICT Set in the same world as his "Demonwars" series, Salvatore's follow-up to The Ancient features solid characters, a well-crafted background, and stirring scenes of swordplay with just a hint of romance. Essential for the author's fans and readers who enjoy fantasy adventure.

Bounty hunter Gabriel Bleak possesses the unusual ability to talk with the dead, a knack that serves him well in his profession. Now, however, Homeland Security is tracking down humans with supernatural abilities, and Gabriel is on its list. As a demonic uprising threatens within the underground Shadow Community, Gabriel finds himself caught in the midst of a battle that could destroy not only his personal independence but the future of the world. The Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Black Butterflies and co-screenwriter of the cult film favorite The Crow, Shirley has a gift for storytelling that emphasizes both depth of character and immediacy of vision. VERDICT This gritty and fast-moving horror urban fantasy will appeal to readers who enjoy dark supernatural thrillers.

A seemingly chance encounter with a dying derelict gives Dr. Alan Bulmer the ability to heal with a touch. At first he denies his ability, but then he sets out to explore it. Soon, he learns that some gifts come with their own curses. First published in 1986, this substantially revised edition of classic psychological horror also features a short story, "Dat-Tay-Vao," explaining the origin of the doctor's gift. VERDICT As part of the author's project to bring together all the novels of his "Secret History" and integrate them with his Repairman Jack novels, this volume is suitable for fans of both series and hard-core horror fans.

NECON (North Eastern Regional Fantasy Conference, for the uninitiated) is a writer's conference held each year in Rhode Island. Allowing 200 campers each year, it has stayed tight knit and manages to boast some of the brightest horror writers of our time. This anthology is divided into four sections that detail what NECON is, its first 20 years, newer authors, and British authors; all of the stories and illustrations previously appeared in other NECON literature. After the first few tales, you'll wish you were part of the group! Included in the first section are accounts of the debauchery, card games, softball, and drinking enjoyed by the campers and introductions organizers and core attendees. VERDICT Contributions (stories, essays, poems, and illustrations) by such noted horror masters as Peter Straub, Steven King, and Neil Gaiman are the major draw for the casual horror reader, but standout entries from P.D. Cacek, Brian Keene, and Douglas Clegg will keep them wanting more. However, because the essays are written from an insider's viewpoint, readers may feel that they've missed all the fun. Essential for genre fanatics and those who know what NECON is.—Amanda Scott, Cambridge Springs P.L., PA

In this third book in a series that began with The Devil You Know, Felix Castor is an exorcist-for-hire in modern-day London, on the trail of a serial killer who died 40 years ago. With the help of a reformed succubus and a zombie hacker, he works to uncover the conspiracy that led to the death of one of his colleagues. It's difficult to avoid comparing Castor to wizard sleuth Harry Dresden of Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" series. Both have a similar noir-fantasy sensibility, but Castor's world is darker and more tragic, with more punishing consequences and a less redeeming hero. Carey has a good pedigree in the world of comics, having written Hellblazer: All His Engines and the graphic novel adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. VERDICT Expect this series to grow in popularity. Books four and five are already published in Britain. Highly recommended for fans of dark urban fantasy.—Karl G. Siewert, Tulsa City-Cty. Lib., OK

The LJ 5/15/09 review of Catherine Asaro's Diamond Star incorrectly referred to the Skolian Empire as having been conquered and the author as male. LJ regrets the errors.