SF/Fantasy, January 2011
Jan 15, 2011Abercrombie, Joe. The Heroes. Orbit: Hachette. Feb. 2011. c.512p. ISBN 9780316044981. $24.99. FANTASY
Black Dow, Protector of the North, wages war against the King of the Union as their great armies meet on a plot of ground near a ring of stones known as “The Heroes.” Heroic fantasy, with an emphasis on military actions and magical warfare, marches to the forefront in Abercrombie’s (Best Served Cold) latest novel. Featuring a colorful cast of warriors, wizards, and royalty, this tale of individual heroics in the context of a three-day battle blends broad-scale action with the gritty details of men at war. VERDICT Reminiscent of Steven Erikson’s Malazan novels and Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera novels in terms of scope and military action, this will appeal particularly to military fantasy buffs.
Barclay, James. Demonstorm. Pyr: Prometheus. (Legends of the Raven 3). Jan. 2011. c.414p. ISBN 9781616142520. pap. $17. FANTASY
War has broken out among the magical colleges of Balaia, and the tribes of the West choose this moment for their attack on the magic wielders of their world. When a spell’s backlash opens a door into the realm of demons, however, only one faction stands a chance of gathering the means to save the world from total destruction—and the Raven has seemingly fought its last battle. The conclusion to the “Legends of the Raven” trilogy (Elfsorrow; Shadowheart) reunites Hirad Coldheart, the Unknown Warrior, and their companions for one last foray into battle, one they cannot hope to survive. VERDICT Military fantasy, well-developed characters, and masterful storytelling make this an outstanding choice for fans of Glen Cook’s “Black Company” novels.
Bear, Elizabeth. The Sea Thy Mistress. Tor. Jan. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780765318848. $25.99. FANTASY
The immortal warrior Cathoair has lost his beloved Muire to the sea. Now he returns to the city of Eiledon to raise their child, Cathmar, whose destiny is integrally tied to that of the world of Valdyrgard. When an old enemy, the goddess Heythe, returns to further her evil plans, the stage is set for a confrontation of epic proportions. The sequel to All the Windwracked Stars draws upon Norse and Celtic myths for its brooding atmosphere, while Bear’s finely drawn characters exert an irresistible appeal. VERDICT Mythic storytelling and a keen eye for detail make this fantasy a strong choice for most fantasy fans.
Berg, Carol. The Soul Mirror: A Novel of the Collegia Magica. ROC: NAL. Jan. 2011. c.480p. ISBN 9780451463746. pap. $16. FANTASY
Magically untalented and happy for it, Anne de Venase finds herself in a royal dilemma when she discovers the king has slated her for a political marriage. The sudden death of her sister, a student of magic, plunges Anne into a maelstrom of intrigue and deadly sorcery as she must accept her sister’s magical legacy to prevent a disaster of worldwide proportions. Berg’s second series installment (after The Spirit Lens) tells a complex story of science versus magic and of one woman’s determination to maintain her integrity while embracing an alien knowledge. VERDICT Berg brings life and grace to a story of magic and politics that should appeal to the author’s fans as well as lovers of Renaissance-style fantasy.
Bova, Ben. Leviathans of Jupiter. Tor. Feb. 2011. c.480p. ISBN 9780765317889. $24.99. SF
To prove that the massive symbionts, named Leviathans, that inhabit Jupiter’s atmosphere possess intelligence, physicist Grant Archer readies a deep-pressure manned probe for immersion in the giant planet’s deadly cloud cover. Equally anxious to thwart his attempt, millionaire Katherine Westfall seeks to outmaneuver Archer in her bid for the top spot in the International Astronautical Authority (IAA) by any means possible—including murder. Bova’s novels revolving around the planets (Mars; Mercury; Venus; Jupiter) contain common themes—rebellion against political and religious interference in space colonization, human courage, and the desire to reach the stars; his latest addition provides all that as well as fully realized characters and a fast-action plot. VERDICT Bova’s fans and hard sf lovers should flock to his latest novel.
Card, Orson Scott. The Lost Gate. Tor. (Mithermages, Bk. 1). Jan. 2011. c.400p. ISBN 9780765326577. $24.99. FANTASY
Danny North comes from an unusual family where magical abilities are the norm. His apparent lack of magic makes him a “drekka,” until he discovers that he is capable of creating gates between one place and another or between one world and another. This type of magic has been forbidden for centuries and is punishable by death. Striking out on his own, Danny flees the family compound and seeks to discover a way to live as the first Gate Mage in a thousand years. Card’s latest novel demonstrates his ability to create youthful protagonists whose coming-of-age resonates with depth and meaning even as they become the fulcrum of events on a grand scale. VERDICT The author of Ender’s Game brings his masterful storytelling to a new series that should find favor among his many fans as well as readers looking for more stories in the Harry Potter vein.
Gunn, Val. In the Shadow of Swords. Errant Pr. Feb. 2011. c.342p. ISBN 9780615232690. $24.95. FANTASY
The killing of Hiril Altaïr by legendary assassin Ciris Sarn results in his being hunted by the victim’s widow. At the heart of the matter are four books whose pages contain knowledge of a conspiracy that may have world-shattering consequences. Gunn’s (Resonance of Shadows; The Fear Beneath) latest novel introduces a fascinating antihero and a strong-willed heroine against a backdrop that blends Arabian mythology and culture with the timeliness of Middle Eastern political complexities. VERDICT Strong storytelling and vivid characters make this a good choice for most fantasy adventure readers.
Jones, Howard Andrew. The Desert of Souls. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin’s. Feb. 2011. c.320p. ISBN 9780312646745. $24.99. FANTASY
When the vizier charges the scholar Dabir and Captain Asim with solving a mystery regarding a jeweled tablet entrusted to his care, the duo finds their trail leads them in search of a pair of thieves and a lost city buried beneath the sands. Mythical creatures and very real enemies complicate their journey, with the search for wisdom the reward for success and death the punishment for failure. Jones’s first novel blends the ambience of The Arabian Nights with the brilliant detection of Sherlock Holmes novels to produce an unusual fantasy detective novel—and a potential series opener—with wit and style. VERDICT Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert E. Howard, and Middle Eastern mythology will enjoy this unusual debut.
Kline, Savannah. Beloved of the Fallen. Ulysses. Jan. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9781569758472. pap. $14.95. FANTASY
Cast from heaven for his intervention in the world of humanity, the fallen angel Valentin now serves Lucifer by meddling in human affairs. Sent to act as campaign manager for budding politician Kira Castelmain, Valentin grooms her to be a catalyst in his master’s plans of conquest and destruction, but his growing feelings for Kira lead to complications in both their lives—and in the destiny of the world. Kline’s debut blends the timely topic of fallen angels with romance and politics in a polished story of betrayal and redemption. VERDICT Fallen angels are the latest trend in urban fantasy and pop fiction (Anne Rice’s Angel Time; Danielle Trussoni’s Angelology), and Kline’s novel should appeal to both urban fantasy and angel fans.
McAuley, Paul. Cowboy Angels. Pyr: Prometheus. Jan. 2011. c.364p. ISBN 9781616142513. pap. $16. SF
The first Turing gate, opened in 1963 in a high-energy laboratory, paved the way for travel to alternate versions of Earth and led to a crusade by CIA agents from the version of Earth known as the Real to locate other worlds and “liberate” them from communist or fascist influences. When a change in government puts an end to the alternate world interventions, agent Adam Stone retires to live in a low-tech version of Earth until he receives word that a rogue agent—his former partner—has gone on a killing spree that involves one target in many different versions of the United States. The author of “The Confluence Trilogy” (Child of the River; Ancient of Days; Shrine of Stars) tackles the complex subject of parallel dimensions in a multiuniverse sf thriller that showcases his lucid storytelling and his grasp of hard science. VERDICT Recalling the style and subject matter of the late Philip K. Dick, this title should appeal to McAuley’s growing readership and fans of alternate history.
Mancusi, Mari. Night School. Berkley: Penguin Group (USA). (Blood Coven Vampire Novels). Jan. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9780425240427. pap. $9.99. FANTASY
Twins Rayne and Sunshine McDonald have already undergone their transformations into vampires when they discover their family secret. Not only are they full-blooded faeries whose parents fled Tír na nÓg, Sunshine is now the heir apparent to the Court of Light. Seeking to avoid an involuntary return to fairyland, the sisters find a hiding place at Riverdale Academy, a school for vampire slayers. As they attempt to hide their true natures, the twins also discover deadly secrets within the academy itself. The latest addition to Mancusi’s popular urban fantasy series (Bad Blood; Girls That Growl) delivers an action-packed story with appealing characters, dark humor, and a new spin on both the worlds of the undead and the fae. VERDICT Though primarily targeted to a YA audience, this novel will appeal to adult fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as the Harry Potter series and the “Twilight” novels.
Parker, K. J. The Hammer. Orbit: Hachette. Jan. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780316038560. pap. $14.99. FANTASY
Gignomai met’Oc’s family, exiled from their home across the sea, lives atop a mesa overlooking the colony that both despises the family and relies on them for protection against possible attacks by the land’s native population. As a third son, Gignomai finds himself useless and goes about finding a purpose in life—to bring independence to the colony and exact a terrible revenge for a tragedy he witnessed as a child. The pseudonymous author of “The Engineer” trilogy (Devices and Desires; Evil for Evil; The Escapement) weaves a dark tale of rebellion and revenge set against a backdrop reminiscent of the colonization of North America in the 18th century. VERDICT Compulsively readable, this grim fantasy should appeal to the author’s followers as well as general fantasy fans.
Wilson, D. Harlan. Codename Prague. Raw Dog. (Scikungfi Trilogy, Bk. 2). Feb. 2011. c.197p. ISBN 9781935738046. $29.95; pap. ISBN 9781935738053. $14.95. SF
Having assassinated the Nowhere Man, Vincent Codename Prague, master assassin of the Ministry of Applied Pressure (MAP), receives a promotion to Anvil-In-Chief and becomes the target of celebrity hounds. Assigned to a job in Prague (where everyone’s surname is also Prague), Vincent faces Doktor Teufelsdröckh, a mad scientist/chef who has created a monster that rivals Frankenstein. In this second installment of his scikungfi trilogy (after Dr. Identity), Wilson ups his creative ante with new bursts of stream of cyber consciousness prose to rival Gilbert Sorrentino (Mulligan Stew) and William Burroughs (Naked Lunch). VERDICT With the cinematic feel of Pulp Fiction and a sound slap at modern culture, this should attract a select audience that appreciates metafiction and pulp action.
ADDITIONAL SF & FANTASY
Foglio, Phil & Kaja Foglio. Agatha H and the Airship City. Night Shade. (Girl Genius Novels). Jan. 2011. c.262p. ISBN 9781597802116. $24.99. FANTASY
It’s hard being Agatha Clay. On top of debilitating headaches and missing relatives she has to deal with inventions that don’t work and a lab position at Transylvania Polygnostic University that is heading nowhere fast. This uncomfortable inertia is disrupted when Baron Wulfenbach visits the lab and all mad science breaks loose, ending with Agatha a prisoner aboard the massive airship Castle Wulfenbach. With sparks of surprising scientific insight, the Baron’s son, and a cat on her side, Agatha can’t help but succeed, though it won’t be easy. VERDICT This volume by the creators of the Eisner Award–nominated webcomic Girl Genius (Volumes 1–9) is a fantastic reintroduction (in a novel format) to the Girl Genius world and will definitely capture new fans. It will appeal to fans of the steampunk genre who like their books riddled with mad science and adventure, along with a liberal dash of humor.—April Steenburgh, Endwell, NY
Priest, Cherie. Bloodshot. Ballantine. Feb. 2011. c.384p. ISBN 9780345520609. pap. $15. FANTASY
In this urban fantasy, vampires and other preternatural creatures live secretly among humans. Kick-butt, undead heroine Raylene Pendle makes a relatively safe and very lucrative living as a cat burglar. Things change when another vampire, the handsome Ian, asks her to retrieve important, highly classified medical documents. He had been kidnapped by the military and rendered blind by their experiments. He escaped but needs the lab notes to regain his sight. The real adventure begins when Raylene takes on the case. Priest (Boneshaker) is a marvelous writer, but the intensity that usually captures her readers on the first page is missing here. Although the prose is clever and funny much of the time, neither the story nor the characters are original or compelling. VERDICT This is not Priest at her best; however, she has a strong fan base.—Patricia Altner, Columbia, MD
Roux, Madeleine. Allison Hewitt Is Trapped: A Zombie Novel. Griffin: St. Martin’s. Jan. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780312658908. pap. $14.99. SF
The worst has happened—Allison and her coworkers are trapped at Brooks and Peabody Bookstore. Outside their safe haven is a crowd of the infected—zombies. No one knows what has happened, but luckily the WiFi still works. Somehow the government has enabled a backup Internet system that allows communication. In a series of blog posts, Allison records her experiences and communicates with other survivors to help her small village fend off the dreaded infected. This fast-paced thrill ride offers an eye-opening look at what is more dangerous—humans or their zombie counterparts. Gory in places and certainly intense, the story features strong character development and plot movement. Some suspension of disbelief is required, as Allison’s group of survivors easily acquire weaponry and sustain themselves on Doritos and SoBe for longer than the average human. VERDICT Zombies remain popular, and overall this is a great undead time for adult and YA fans of the genre.—Jennifer Zoethout, Pickering P.L., Ont.
