Speculative Book Review

The Green Goblin That Could Have Been

2012-01-27T00:49:00.000Z

I am a little late to the party on this one. But Amalgamated Dynamics released footage of the Green Goblin that was originally designed for the 2002 Sam Raimi Spider-man film. While I understood the reasons for the armored Goblin, this would have been completely awesome if they explained how he came to look this way which I think they could if they slowed that portion of the film down just a tad.

Musical Interlude: You, Me, and Optimus Prime

2012-01-25T12:06:00.000Z

REVIEW: Blood of the Mantis Andrian Tchaikovsky

2012-01-24T00:04:00.001Z

Blood of the Mantis Andrian Tchaikovsky
Publishing Information: ARC; Paperback
Publisher: Pyr; 320pgs
ISBN 10: 1616141999
ISBN 13: 978-1616141998
Series: Book 3 of the Shadow of the Apt series
Copy: Won in a contest
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Driven by the ghosts of the Darakyon, Achaeos has tracked the stolen Shadow Box to the marsh-town of Jerez, but he has only days before the magical box is lost to him forever. Meanwhile, the forces of the Empire are mustering over winter for their great offensive, gathering their soldiers and perfecting their new weapons. Stenwold and his followers have only a short time to gather what allies they can before the Wasp armies march again, conquering everything in their path. If they cannot throw back the Wasps this spring then the imperial black-and-gold flag will fly over every city in the Lowlands before the year’s end. In Jerez begins a fierce struggle over the Shadow Box, as lake creatures, secret police and renegade magicians compete to take possession. If it falls into the hands of the Wasp Emperor, however, then no amount of fighting will suffice to save the world from his relentless ambition."

The third novel in the Shadow's of the Apt series, Blood of the Mantis is not quite as good as The Empire of Blackand Gold or Dragonfly Falling, the first to novels in the series, mainly because it is a novel that is bridging things that are to come. A few questions are answered and resolved but overall this is another book to set up conflicts for later books. With book four, Salute the Dark, finishing up the first story arc. This book look to tie up some loose ends and set things up.

In Blood of the Mantis the magical and mysterious Shadow Box takes front and center. Achaeos is obsessed with obtaining the box and the wasp army is also hot on the boxes trail. Even though Achaeos takes center stage there is still not a lot of forthcoming knowledge about his character brought out. Truth be told there is very little character development for any of the players in the series. We do go to a few new locations and meet a few new kinden but nothing earth shattering or exciting.

The pacing of the novel is slower than what readers are used to from the series. Considering that this is a book that sets things up for things to come it is expected. There is a decent build up for the showdown that should occur in the next book, which I plan to read soon. While I was a bit disappointed with this novel, I also now that from word of mouth that the series is worth continuing and that Thaikovsky has many tricks up his sleeve. This novel is necessary as the things that occur in it are needed to continue the story but one cannot help if some of it could have been edited into some of the previous novels and still kept the action we come to expect moving. That said, it is still a book worth checking out. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7.5/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: A Hero's Tale by Catherine M. Wilson

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000Z

A Hero's Tale byCatherine M. Wilson
Publishing information: eBook(Kindle Edition)
Publisher: ShieldMaiden Press, 1^stOctober 2008
ISBN 10: 0981563635 (Paperback)
ISBN 13: 978-0981563633 (Paperback)

ASIN:B001MBUDNU
Series: WhenWomen Were Warriors
Copy: Suppliedby Author
Reviewer: Kathryn

Blurb:“In Book III of thetrilogy, Tamras must make her own hero’s journey. She ventures intothe unknown and encounters a more formidable enemy than any she hasever faced. Character is destiny, and the destiny of Tamras and allher people will depend upon choices that come less from the skillsshe has been taught than from the person she has become, from her ownheart.”

AHero's Tale is the final part of Catherine M. Wilson's When WomenWere Warriors series, and it follows on directly from the end of thesecond. Together in the forest, Maara and Tamras find allies in thestrangest of places, but their happiness doesn't last. Whilst Tamraslearns valuable lessons from the new allies, it's only a matter oftime before her luck runs out.

Likethe previous volumes, I found the writing mostly clear, concise andenjoyable to read. The character development continued very well, andwhilst the number of characters sometimes became a little hard tomanage, Wilson left enough clues in the text to get a good idea oftheir differences. I'm finding it hard to find praise for this bookthat I haven't applied to the previous two, because it really is –once again – more of the same.

Thematicallyspeaking, Wilson again puts a lot of emphasis on love, but a lot ofthought is put into the other topics such as betrayal and hope, aswell as a look at the differences between cultures and communities.Tamras finds herself in various locations in this volume, and eachcommunity feels different. The Northerners speak in a differentmanner, the people of an important settlement have the oppositesystem for their rulers to Tamras' home – yet they're all in whatwe'd now consider the same country. These discussions andexplorations build the world in a way I've found few series to do,and I enjoyed how it made me think.

Interms of criticism, I found myself becoming a little uncomfortablewith the erotic scenes. It's not so much that I have a problem witheroticism, but whilst they originally offered some characterdevelopment, it feels like they were elaborated on to fill the time.I felt that I'd read it before, that these actions had been doneearlier, and it took away from my enjoyment a little. They were stilltasteful and had an air of beauty around them, yet I wished them overmore often than not.

Thepacing gained in the second part also seemed to fall flat with thestart of this volume, with the plotline seeming to just fade. I didfind myself a little confused with the plot and all its nuances, butI would say that's partially due to the inconsistent method in whichI read the book, but thankfully it's summarised a number of timestowards the end. I was a little surprised by the ending, but I foundit pleasant all the same.

Tosummarise, I felt A Hero's Tale was a slightly weak end to apowerful and emotional series, and whilst I enjoyed this volume theleast of the three, I still took a good amount of pleasure andenjoyment from it, as well as a level of sadness upon reaching thefinal page.

N.B.In a previous review, I mentioned the books felt like one book thatwas split up - I've been informed by the author that it was indeed asingle novel that was split into three parts.

Plot:7/10
Characters: 8/10
Style: 8/10

Overall:8/10

REVIEW: Shadow's Lure By Jon Sprunk

2012-01-17T00:48:00.032Z

Shadow's Lure by John Sprunk
Publishing Information: Paperback; 391 Pages
Publisher: Pyr June 21, 2011
ISBN 10: 1616143711
ISBN 13: 978-1616143718
Series: Book 2 of the Shadow's Saga
Copy: Provided by Publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: In Othir, he was at the top of the food chain—an assassin beyond compare, a dark shadow in the night. But Caim left that life behind when he helped an empress claim her throne. And now his past has come calling again.

Searching for the truth behind the murder and disappearance of his parents, Caim discovers a land in thrall to the Shadow. Haunted by temptations from the Other Side, he becomes mired in a war he does not want to fight.

But there are some things a son of the Shadow cannot ignore, and some fights from which he can't run. In this battle, all of Caim's strength and skill won't be enough.

For none can resist the Shadow's Lure.

It seems like it was ages ago when I read Shadow's Son, the first book in the Shadow's Saga. And for that reason when Shadow's Lure began I had a lot of catching up to do. I remembered the key players but some of the finer details escaped me. It was a few chapters in when everything started coming back together.

Shadow's Lure is more of a personal journey than a quest or adventure. As Caim travels back to his long forgotten homeland he learns a great deal about himself and his family origins. The complete story remains a mystery but a lot of what everyone was wondering from the first novel is brought to light.

Josey also does a lot of growing up in the course of this book. She is no longer quite as naive as she once was and by the end of this novel proves she is worthy of the throne. Anyone looking for a strong female character needs to look no further as she does a fine job of balancing her new role as empress and that of a young woman with very little knowledge of court politics.

While I did enjoy Shadow's Lure quite a lot it didn't have the non-stop action I recall from the first book. It definitely has that middle book feel that many fantasy novels suffer from. Because it is more of a personal/spiritual journey this time around it drags a little from time to time. However, that said it is still a favorite and does its best to uncover many mysteries while preparing us for what is ahead of Caim and Josey and those that reside in Othir. Anyone who is a fan of the first book will notice that the pacing in this book is a little slower and is preparing us for whatever may come in book three which looks like a doozy.

Plot 7/10
Characters 8/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: Percepliquis By Michael J Sullivan

2012-01-16T00:11:00.002Z

Percepliquis By Michael J Sullivan
Publishing information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Ridan Publishing; 16 January 2012
ISBN 10: 1937475018
ISBN 13: 978-1937475017
ASIN: B005IGVSIO
Series: Book 6 of the Riyria Revelations
Copy: Provided by publisher
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS...THE ELVES HAVE CROSSED THE NIDWALDEN. TWO THIEVES WILL DECIDE THE FUTURE.

"I saw a great journey. Ten upon the road, she who wears the light will lead the way. The road goes deep into the earth, and into despair. The voices of the dead guide your steps. You walk back in time. The three-thousand-year battle begins again. Cold grips the world, death comes to all, and a choice is before you." -- Fan Irlanu, Tenkin Seerer of Oudorro Village

Percepliquis is the final installment of the epic fantasy, The Riyria Revelations. In this saga that began with The Crown Conspiracy, two thieves caught in the wrong place at the right time were launched on a series of ever escalating adventures that have all lead to this moment. Three thousand years have passed and the time for Novron's heir to act has arrived."

The adventure was bound to end at some time and I am a little sad that it has. The Riyria Revelations has to be one of my favorite series in all of fantasy. I was a little late to the show when The Crown Conspiracy was released, but once I read it, I was hooked. I was then lucky enough to be on good terms with his publishing company and the author himself, and received advanced copies of nearly every one of the books from that point on. I am also fortunate to have received the final installment of the series in advance as well.

The beginning Percepliquis moves at a much slower pace than the past installments. It does turn up the heat towards the end of the book. But before you get there the pace seemed a bit off, as there was a lot of questing and not much action. There are a lot of loose ends tied up in this novel that will have people wondering how they could have missed all of the clues. I like how the novel does its best to answer all of the questions fans and readers have had over the course of the series. The big questions that everyone had on their mind was answered for me before the big reveal which lessened its impact when it finally came to light.

The problem that I had with the novel is the ending. The ending was a little too over the top for me. The reason I have enjoyed the previous installments of The Riyria Revelations is that it is a gritty story that can be told to anyone. At the end of Percepliquis, that does not occur. The grittiness that readers have come to expect is missing.

Now that the series is complete, I still recommend the series whole-heartedly, but this is the weakest novel in the series by far. The pacing is slow and the ending is way too happy for my taste. It was a bit of a let down. Sullivan is still of on my favorite authors and may actually be my favorite author in all of fantasy, but I was expecting something much darker or at the very least grey and the ending that I received was a rainbow at full blast.

Plot 7/10

Characters 9/10

Style 6/10

Overall 7/10

If you want to read the series now I recommend that you check out the trilogy versions instead:

Book 1 - Rise of Empire (contains The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha)
Book 2 - Theft of Swords (contains Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm)
Book 3 - Heir of Novron (to be released 31 January 2012) (Wintertide & Percepliquis)

REVIEW: Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky

2012-01-10T00:04:00.001Z

Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Pyr 2 April 2010
ISBN 10: 1616141956
ISBN 13: 978-1616141950
ASIN: B005J6BLZS
Series: Book 2 of the Shadows of the Apt series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Two young companions, Totho and Salma, arrive at Tark to spy on the menacing Wasp army, but are there mistakenly apprehended as enemy agents. By the time they are freed, the city is already under siege. Over in the imperial capital the young emperor, Alvdan, is becoming captivated by a remarkable slave, the vampiric Uctebri, who claims he knows of magic that can grant eternal life. In Collegium, meanwhile, Stenwold is still trying to persuade the city magnates to take seriously the Wasp Empire's imminent threat to their survival. In a colourful drama involving mass warfare and personal combat, a small group of heroes must stand up against what seems like an unstoppable force. This volume continues the story that so brilliantly unfolded in Empire in Black and Gold - and the action is still non-stop."

I do not know why I do not read this series back to back each one just seems to get better and better. Tchaikovsky is truly a hidden gem. In Dragonfly Falling we continue the story of the Wasp Empire marching to take over the known world. Only Stenwold and his band of agents seem to have an understanding of what is about to happen to Collegium and the nearby cities.

In this installment of the series, the story progresses along quite a bit and only a few new characters are introduced. One in particular is Uctebri of the mosquito kinden. A magical race that uses blood to do their will. We also learn a great deal more about the Wasp emperor Alvdan and while he is an interesting character, his enslaved sister is much more interesting and I foresee her playing a much larger role in the series as it progresses.

There is a lot of movement on both sides in Dragonfly Falling and just as many things occur behind the scenes as they do on the battlefield. In this novel we have the true set up to the rest of the story arc as the story comes to an end we are introduced to a relic of great importance. It is further explored in Blood of the Mantis.

If you liked Empire of Black and Gold, I think this book will definitely be enjoyed as it is much richer and the characters start to come into their own. Lots of battles and intrigue are also found within it's pages. It is definitely a step up from the first book in the series and should prove to many that Tchaikovsky is a force to be reckoned with. It also begins the true motivations for the first story arc. A great edition to the series.

Plot 8/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: A Journey of the Heart by Catherine M. Wilson

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000Z

A Journey of theHeart by Catherine M. Wilson
Publishing information:eBook (Kindle Edition)
Publisher: ShieldMaiden Press, 1^stOctober 2008
ISBN 10: 0981563627 (Paperback)
ISBN13: 978-0981563626 (Paperback)

ASIN:B001MBUDNA
Series: WhenWomen Were Warriors
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer:Kathryn

Blurb:“In Book II of thetrilogy, Tamras’s apprenticeship as a warrior isn’t turning outquite the way she expected. Her unconventional choices lead to hercrossing swords, almost literally, with Vintel, the war leader ofMerin’s house. She finds herself embroiled in a power struggle sheis doomed to lose, but the loss sends her on a journey that willchange her destiny and decide the fate of her people.”

AJourney of the Heart follows on directly from the end of TheWarrior's Path, and things begin to change for Tamras. Her friendshipwith Maara continues to develop, and we learn more about thewarrior's mysterious past. The plot itself develops much more in thisvolume too, as the antagonist becomes clear and more prominent, andwhilst it still retains the biographical form of the first novel, anend goal becomes visible in this one, giving the story a little morefocus and pushing it in a new direction, but also raising questionsas to how Tamras will get to that point and claim her birthright.

Oneof the major themes in this volume is motherhood and its manydifferent forms and interpretation, but largely the focus is more onadoption and the loss of a parent or child. We're treated to views onhow blood relations aren't the only requisite for being a parent andchild, but also an exploration of how the absence of a mother or theloss of offspring can affect a person. These discussions are justsome of those that happen, with others revolving around love,symbolism, spirituality and even the use of a sword, and aside fromoffering interesting views, they also cement the relationshipsbetween characters. When Maara talks to Tamras about the use of asword, as an example, it adds to the teacher/student dynamic betweenboth characters, yet when the topic of motherhood comes up theinteractions change. It's subtle, but it works very well.

Ido have a criticism or two for this book, however. Some of thediscussions between certain characters sometimes feel as if they goon for a little too long and I found myself beginning to skim readsome parts, meaning I had to go back and re-read parts to find thesingle word that I missed which returned the context to the followingparagraphs, but this may also have been because I jumped into thisalmost as soon as I'd finished the first book. Another small problemI had was that the erotic scenes, whilst vivid and sensual, seemed toread a little similar. There are three or so times where Tamras isintimate with two different characters (not at the same time, I mustadd), and the names could be swapped with – mostly – littlechange.

Myreview for this book is shorter, and that's because it's been harderto write. A Journey of the Heart is more of the same, and whilst itfinds more of a focus and the pacing increases, it's really nothingmore than that. The characters are largely the same, although theydevelop through the pages, and a lot of the action continues to takeplace in some familiar areas. I don't think it takes away from thebook, but nor does it seem to add to it. If anything, it adds to thefeeling that this is one long novel split into three parts (somethingconfirmed, perhaps, by the chapter numbers following on from theprevious volume).

Therecommendations from my previous review still stand – this will begreat for anyone into fantasy with a historical basis or an emphasison relationships. I must warn readers that it is a direct follow onfrom the first book, and as such this volume is not a jumping-inpoint.

Plot:9/10
Characters: 8/10
Style: 8/10

Overall:9/10

REVIEW: Resurrection: Demon Squad by Tim Marquitz

2012-01-03T00:11:00.001Z

Resurrection: Demon Squad by Tim Marquitz
Publishing information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Damnation Books
ASIN: B005347SZ8
Series (Book 2)
Copy: Given by Author
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Book 2 in the Demon Squad series.

Armageddon averted, the world returns to business as usual. Unfortunately for Frank "Triggaltheron" Trigg, business as usual sucks.

His night out interrupted by a horde of kidnapping zombies, what could possibly be worse? The resurrection of the Anti-Christ, that's what. Caught in the middle of a supernatural pissing match between the Devil's wife, a legion of undead, and an overachieving necromancer, Frank must survive long enough to stop Hell from being unleashed upon humanity; Again."

It is no secret that I am a fan of Tim Marquitz. Aside from being a all-around good guy, he does a great job of writing fast-paced and action packed stories. Resurrection: Demon Squad is no exception.

Resurrection takes place not long after the events in the first book Armageddon Bound. However, instead of giving the reader a lot of background and infodumping. Marquitz assumes that you already know the events from the last book and sets out to continue the adventures of Trigg. There are a few clues interwoven within the story to jog your memory but it is so well done that you really forget that it is there.

Many of our favorite, and not so favorite characters are back for round number two and we also have a few new individuals who enter into the story. Each character is well written and provide a new wrinkle in the mythology that is being created. The only real complaint that I have with the characters is Trigg himself. He does not grow much as a character. He also does not seem to learn from his mistakes. That said, it is a minor complaint and I hope that it is something that Marquitz thinks about when he gets around to writing his next novel in the series.

Without giving things away I will say that the story is interesting. The historical references are given a new twist and I think Marquitz had a lot of fun with the plot of the story and all of the characters we are introduced in this edition. The addition of zombies was also a nice touch and a great way to start the series up and build up from there.

Overall, there is very little if anything to complain about in this sophomore effort to the series.

Why this series has not been picked up by a major publishing house is beyond me. With every new short story and novel Marquitz continues to write interesting and compelling stories. It is hard to go wrong with anything he has written. If you have not read Marquitz then now just might be the time to start. Resurrection: Demon Squad is a long awaited sequel to a great Urban Fantasy series. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7.5/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: The Warrior's Path by Catherine M. Wilson

2011-12-31T14:00:00.000Z

The Warrior's Pathby Catherine M. Wilson
Publishing information: eBook(Kindle Edition)
Publisher: ShieldMaiden Press, 1^stOctober 2008
ISBN 10: 0981563619 (Paperback)
ISBN13: 978-0981563619 (Paperback)

ASIN:B001MBU7EK
Series: WhenWomen Were Warriors
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer:Kathryn

Blurb:“In Book I of thetrilogy, Tamras, our hero, arrives in Merin’s house to begin herapprenticeship as a warrior, but her small stature causes many,including Tamras herself, to doubt that she will ever become acompetent swordswoman. To make matters worse, the Lady Merin assignsher the position of companion, little more than a personal servant,to a woman who came to Merin’s house, seemingly out of nowhere, theprevious winter, and this stranger wants nothing to do with Tamras.

Tamras’s journey begins with the smallest ofsteps. She sets aside her disappointment and performs as well as shecan the humble tasks given her, and eventually she succeeds inwinning the trust and then the friendship of the cantankerous warriorto whom she has been assigned.

In the first year of her journey, Tamras willmake a series of choices that often seem insignificant, but they willflow from her character and from her good intentions, and they willdetermine her destiny.”

The Warrior's Pathis the first book in Catherine M. Wilson's WhenWomen Were Warriorsseries, a historical fiction-cum-fantasy set in Bronze Age England.In it, we follow Tamras as she follows in her mother's footsteps totake her place as a warrior. However, before she is given her shield,she must rise through the ranks from a lowly companion to theposition that is rightfully hers, and to do that she must makefriends, learn the ways of the world and serve the Lady Merin in anyway possible. Yet, to earn what is hers, Tamras must discoverherself, find her warrior and overcome her doubts, worries andnaiveté.

Ihave to say I found this book to go beyond my expectations. It's froma small press I'd never heard of, and instead I was greeted with abook that surpasses the quality of even some of the bigger genrepublishers. I was gripped from the start, reading for two hours inone night and then finishing it off the following morning, somethingvery unusual for me. The writing is absolutely superb, it's neveroverindulgent nor hard to understand, and the pacing is beautiful. Ialso liked how the characters interacted and whilst some were alittle hard to tell apart or simply dropped in without too muchcontext, it never took away from the story as it echoed what Tamraswould have felt.

WhilstI normally gloss over or shy away from intimate moments in books, Icouldn't turn away from them in this one. Tamras sleeps with anothergirl a couple of times, and each time it's beautiful, erotic andsensual, yet never pornographic or something along those lines.Wilson creates this amazing feeling around those scenes, and I mustconfess I was left pining for such experiences myself. That's howpowerful Wilson's writing is with this book, you can feel theemotions and the way the characters interact with each other.

Inormally have faults to pick at, but with this book I'm failing tofind many. Any faults with it are by far made up for by how touchingand intimate it can be. There are times when it feels a littlerepetitive in that some phrases are often used frequently in a shortperiod of time. For example, at one point a ritual occurs and acharacter seems to change. From that point onwards, they're referredto as “the person who was not...”, and this opens a number ofparagraphs that follow, but taken into context it could be the resultof Tamras being a little overwhelmed. I also felt the more spiritualor magical moments to sometimes be a little disorienting, but again,it seems to fit in with the character's experience. Whilst it seemsto close fairly nicely, it's definitely left open for a sequel andthe plot itself isn't particularly visible. Rather than having a firmgoal set, instead Wilson takes us through the events of Tamras' life,and this is a refreshing break from a protagonist being destined tosave the princess/world/cheerleader.

Tome, this book is everything I've been looking for in fantasy lately.Great characters, beautiful moments of intense yet not disturbinglygraphic eroticism, a fairly diverse cast and an ability to grab me.It's like what would have happened if Jane Yolen had dropped thegender politics and pseudo-historical sections from the GreatAltaseries, and had injected it with a dose of passion. We're alsotreated to Aesop'sFables-esquestories from time to time, each of which fits in with the sorts oftales that would have been passed around at camp-fires, and each hasits own lesson. One of the most memorable ones was a story of threebrothers and a stone giant, and they really add to the world thatWilson has created.

Highlyrecommended to everyone, but especially those looking for a tastefulgenre read with a lesbian protagonist, a fantasy/historical fictionhybrid or just a great story with an emphasis on female characters.Fans of Jane Yolen, Robin Hobb or Elizabeth Moon's initial Paksworldtrilogy may also wish to check this out.

Plot:8/10
Characters: 8/10
Style: 10/10

Overall:9/10

REVIEW: Green Lantern: Blackest Night By Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke

2011-12-27T00:17:00.000Z

Green Lantern: Blackest Night By Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke
Publishing information: Hardback; 272 Pages
Publisher: DC Comics; 13 July 2010
ISBN 10: 9781401227869
ISBN 13: 978-1401227869
Series
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Comics hottest writer Geoff Johns (GREEN LANTERN: SINESTRO CORPS WAR, THE FLASH, ACTION COMICS, JSA) and superstar artist Doug Mahnke (JLA, BATMAN, SUPERMAN) raise the dead in this must-read tie-in to the most anticipated comics event of the year, BLACKEST NIGHT. This hardcover collection starring Hal Jordan expands on the War of the Light as the evil Black Lanterns descend on all of the Corps throughout the universe, explains villain Black Hand's connection to death and the Black Lantern corps and features key plot points that are essential to enjoying the storyline to it's fullest.

For those of you that don't know there is not just the Green Lantern Corps., there are eight other colored rings. One of them happens to be Black, which gains its power through death. The Black Lantern Corps. wants to kill every living thing in the universe. It is up to the Green Lanterns and the other colored Corps. to remove the threat the Black Lanterns bring to the universe. Following on the heels of DC's Final Crisis series the Black Lanterns have drafted nearly every dead character in the DC Universe: Martian Manhunter, Batman, and a host of others.

The problem with Blackest Night is that as each issue comes to a close it feels as if a panel or two is missing to bridge the story together for the next chapter. While not difficult to piece things together it does interrupt the story a little bit. However, that said the story is interesting and anyone who loves Hal Jordan will enjoy this installment. There are only a few key players and I would have liked to have seen some of the other Earth Lanterns but Hal is a favorite for most GL fans so he takes stage front and center. Jon Stewart does play a part but Kyle and Guy are not seen which is disappointing. The ending is also not that satisfactory and there are a few plot holes, but with comic books you know that those holes are intentional and will come up in later issues.

The artwork is fantastic and with all the different colored rings in the story there are a lot of colors used in nearly every panel. While not my favorite Green Lantern story arc. Blackest Night is a major turning point in the mythos that is Green Lantern and the DC Universe. Any fan of Green Lantern needs to know about the events that took place and this is one of the easiest ways to read about it. With a sequel to the movie Green Lantern on its way you never know if some of the plot points to this arc may show up in future installments of the movie series. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 9/10
Style 7/10
Artwork 10/10

Overall 7/10

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T02:19:00.000Z

From all of us here at Speculative Book Review, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas and to thank you for checking in on us from time to time.

REVIEW: Serial Killers Incorporated by Andy Remic

2011-12-20T00:07:00.002Z

Serial Killers Incorporated by Andy Remic
Publishing Information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Anarchy Books; 25 March 2011
ISBN 10: 1908328045
ISBN 13: 978-1908328045
ASIN: B004TTX5SM
Series: Book One
Copy: Provided by Author
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Meet Callaghan, a hard-drinking, drug-fuelled, womanising no-good son-of-a-bitch. He's the amoral hardcore photographer for Black & White, the tabloid rag that tells it as it is. Or at least, how it should be.

Callaghan's in way too deep with Mia, his Mexican stripper girlfriend... and even deeper with Sophie, estranged wife to Vladimir "Vodka" Katchevsy, infamous Romanian gun-runner and self-eulogising expert at human problem solving. People start to die. And Callaghan's caught in the middle. A situation even his Porsche GT3, Canary Wharf Penthouse suite and corrupt politician contacts can't solve.

At the nadir of his downward spiral, Callaghan is approached by a man: a serial killer who brings him a very unique and dangerous proposition..."

It is no secret that I am a fan of Remic's work. He does a great job of creating very visceral scenes and situations. Not to mention in his latest novel he takes a new direction and goes for a well done mystery. There is a lot of murder and mayhem in Serial Killers Incorporated. In fact, the mystery is what made it such a hit for me. Remic is known for his Clockwork Vampire trilogy (Kell's Legend and Soul Stealers reviews), which is in a similar vein to Gemmell and his military sci-fi novels which I have yet to get to. With this novel we see a different side of him, and it is a side that I want more of.

Callaghan is not the most likable character. He likes designer drugs, fast women, and fast cars. To make matters worse he is part of the paparazzi. He finds the recently deceased and takes the pictures that end up on the front page of London's most successful tabloid. While he is very self-centered in the beginning, he does show some signs of becoming more human towards the end of the book, and maybe something else. The people he surrounds himself are not very likable either. From the married woman he is seeing on the side to his estranged stripper girlfriend. Things get even more strange when he is approached by a serial killer with a job. To document and report on the killers' activities.

The story takes place in modern day England. Callaghan and his report friend do there best to uncover the underbelly of the streets of London and beyond. Of course Callaghan and his buddy do very well for themselves and live a lifestyle most would only dream of. Between his stable of exotic cars and motorcycles and bevy of beauties, Callaghan is lost. He is constantly finding himself on the wrong side of trouble and barely squeezing by when he gets out of each scrape.

As the story progresses things are not as they seem and Remic does a great job of hiding the truth from the reader, while at the same time building up suspense and ratcheting up the action. Just when you think you have all of the pieces figured out and the book is coming to a close, Serial Killers Incorporated throws you for a major curve. To tell you would spoil the entire book. The book also leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions. Which admittedly, I liked. It could be read as standalone, but rumor has it that Remic has the next book outlined and ready to go once he finds the time to work on it. I for one, am very glad to hear there will be a sequel. Serial Killers Incorporated is Remic at his best. If this does not make you a fan, I don't know what will. Highly recommended, the perfect stocking stuffer.

Plot 9/10
Characters 9/10
Style 9.5/10

Overall 9.5/10

REVIEW: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Kindle Edition)

2011-12-13T00:17:00.000Z

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Scholastic Paperback; 1 September 2009
ISBN 10: 0439023521
ISBN 13: 978-0439023528
ASIN: B002MQYOFW
Series: Book 1 of the Hunger Games trilogy
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like 'Survivor' and 'American Gladiator.' "

The Hunger Games by Collins is not a new concept. It has been done several times. Perhaps the most famous of all is the Japanese version entitled Battle Royale, which is one of my favorite dystopian novels and novels in general. There are a few differences but the overall idea is the same. Instead of killing your classmate like Battle Royale, here you are pitted against children from other regions or cities. Two children from each of the twelve regions are picked. One boy, one girl and only one person is left standing. That person then wins fame and glory and more food and resources for their region.

Admittedly, I originally wanted to see how bad this book was in comparison to Battle Royale, what I found was a really entertaining novel. Each book has its own quirks, but it is really hard to find fault with the novel. It reads really well, has interesting characters, and builds up tension at a breakneck pace.

Katniss is the main character and it was nice to see a young girl take the lead in the novel. She does possess many of the traits of a boy, but since this is considered Young Adult fiction that works for readers of either gender. She is smart, emotional, and in over her head but doing the best she can given the situation. She is very likable. Some readers may say she is a little to "Mary Sue" but for the story it works. She is joined by her male counterpart, Peeta, he is not cut out for the Hunger Games but does his best to survive. Even though the book tends to focus on these two competitors, there are glimpses of the other contestants and their motivations. I think that BR does a better job on character development but I really can not complain with the way Collins wrote her characters.

The world building is minimal and it is intentional. At some point in time the states rebelled against the federal government. From that rebellion the government struck back and annihilated most of the American population. The country, which only appears to be the East Coast, is divided into twelve regions (there was a thirteenth but they were made an example). Each region is isolated from one another and the capital. The Hunger Games is what keeps the regions in line and serves as a brutal reminder of how things came to be.

I think that the reason I ended up enjoying Hunger Games instead of hating it was that it was entertaining. It is not a difficult read, it is just a lot of fun. The perfect book to take on vacation or to sit out on the beach. The series is currently a trilogy with Catching Fire and Mockingbird already released. The movie, based on the book is scheduled to be released this Spring (March). Highly recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 8/10
Style 8/10

Overall 8/10

Review: 21 Erased by Barbara Rayne

2011-12-12T08:00:00.008Z

21 Erased by Barbara Rayne
Binding Type: Trade Paperback - 84 pages or e-book
Publication Date: 29 Oct 2011 (Kindle store) - 8 Nov 2011 (paperback)
ISBN: 1466489421 (paperback)
ASIN: B0061BQN76 (e-book, Kindle Store)
Copy: Sent by the publisher
Reviewer: Yagiz

"The code is your identity, your bank account, your credit card, the bus fare... your existence. When they take it away, you disappear like you never lived at all. All it takes is a moment and you’re no longer a human being…you’re nothing. Everything you thought you owned is shattering into pieces in front of your eyes, you’re disappearing without leaving a single trace of your existence. You were that insignificant. The system had you that much, nothing was yours but the illusion. They own your life. When you got in their way, they spat you out like a chewing gum that lost its flavor. You no longer exist. You have been erased...

The author's Web site described 21 Erased with the following section:

The book addresses special readers, those who have the speed of thinking, sharp observations, and whose mind understands immediately. Those who need extensive descriptions to have enough time for their mind to adjust, whose mind wanders off, those find it too quick, need explaining what just hit them.

With just one sentence, the main character's world is opening up in front of your eyes. All the rules of that harsh life are outlined and you are drawn into the plot breathless.You'll find yourself breathing with her, tense and living her life. You are a special reader because the book itself is special.

Only intelligent mind that connects everything in an instant, that sees the traps and lies in a life around him, is the one that will breathe with this book. You will recognize some things that are in all regimes - you cannot fool the intelligence. We see...

When I first read the description above, I found it very pretentious. After having read the book and having gotten familiar with Rayne's style (or at least the style she chose for 21 Erased), the above section doesn't seem so odd anymore.

21 Erased is the story of Sarah told by herself. She is a young woman working as a cook in a government building. She also carries coffee, when necessary, to the offices. She is a simple resident living in constant fear of the system. However, what makes Sarah special is her ability to distinguish the true nature of the dark canvas of their lives. One day, during her brother John's birthday party, she shares her negative opinions about their situation with Steven, a friend of John's. And the same night she gets kidnapped from her home by government agents.

"They know everything. I was angry because I was scared, I lived in fascism and nobody saw it but me."

The book starts pretty good. It gives a good indication about what's to come. It draws the reader in. When I read the short, 2-page, prologue-like first chapter, I felt I had to read more. This first chapter is a brief introduction to the book's setting. Unfortunately the author doesn't develop it as much as I'd like to but this brief glimpse is enough to tell the reader she's getting herself into a story about a dark, tightly controlled society.

In this future fascist dystopian society, the code that people carry on their hands is their identity, their money, their house key, their car key, their bus pass. Without it or with an invalid code, they are nothing. They simply cease to exist. And everybody knows that maladjusted people are taken to the Adjustment Centers that were originally opened for pandemic control. They never come back.

This is a world where the heavy hand of religion is constantly felt on the shoulders of the citizens. There are prayers every day, for everyone at specific times. When the TV programs end, everybody pray and place their hand on their code reader and then, only then, they can go to sleep. People don't talk at work and the conversations during breaks revolve around simple things such as a TV show or a movie.

It doesn't come as a surprise to learn that government controls every aspect of its citizens lives. They control the media who tell people what to say and what to think. They even control the music or the shows that people listen to in their smart cars. The government also takes the responsibility of raising exemplary citizens very seriously. For this reason, children are taken away from their parents at birth. Every citizen is given a pill once a month that needs to be taken during a predefined time of the month. Internet is heavily controlled, people cannot kiss in public, cannot consume alcohol, cannot leave their state without permission.

One can't even find solace in good weather. Because of the climate change, the only season is winter. The temperature is always below 40F (5C). Some people are worn out from the cold and they have no money for heating. And when the sun comes out, it is not pleasant. It burns their skin.

21 Erased is a very fast read. Not only as a consequence of its novella size but also thanks to the author's style. Rayne also uses short chapters in her book, which contributes to the overall ease of read. But mainly because the book has the feeling of a movie made by a camcorder. It's not necessarily a bad story but the lack of depth in certain areas took me by surprise. All aspects of the story could be more developed. There are some brilliant ideas in the setting that don't live longer than a simple mention in a sentence. Just when the reader gets ready to learn more about them, they never materialize.

The only character development is Sarah's. The other characters feel like shadows. And I had a strong feeling that the author changed course in the middle of the story. At times it feels like reading through Sarah's elaborate diary. There are also a few other things that I cannot discuss in a review for the fear of spoiling the story.

However, and this is important, despite all these shortcomings, I enjoyed reading 21 Erased. Normally, I would consider any one of the points I mentioned above annoying however the runaway train speed of the author's style grabbed me and pulled me until the very end. I think Rayne is currently working on her new book called Evolve. I'd be interested to see how it compares to 21 Erased.

You can read the first chapters of 21 Erased on Smashwords. You can also follow the author on twitter, on Facebook and on Google+.

In her dystopian political thriller, 21 Erased, Barbara Rayne tells the story of Sarah, one of the many victims of a future fascist regime. As part of the setting, the author tackles some of the major problems that humankind faces today: Totalitarianism, climate change, overpopulation, food shortages, inequality between citizens, degradation of ethics. She paints a dark picture of a society changed under the influence of such environmental pressures. Maybe, living like prairie dogs, in constant fear of the things the environment may produce, can do that to the humankind. In such a world, would we ever behave altruistically? Would we stop asking questions, be content with being alive, console ourselves that we are not suffering as much as some neighbors, colleagues or acquaintances? Or would we rise above what the system is trying to impose on us, ignoring our most basic survival instincts, overcoming them with what we think is right? Read 21 Erased, witness Sarah's world through her experiences and decide for yourselves.

Plot: ............. 6
Characters: ... 5
Style: ............ 7

Overall: ....... 7/10

REVIEW: Book of Tongues Volume 1 by Gemma Files (Kindle Edition)

2011-12-06T00:15:00.002Z

Book of Tongues Volume 1 by Gemma Files
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: ChiZine Publications; First edition 15 April 2010
ISBN 10: 0981297862
ISBN 13: 978-0981297866
ASIN: B003ICWGX6
Series: Volume 1 of the Hexslinger Series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Two years after the Civil War, Pinkerton agent Ed Morrow has gone undercover with one of the weird West's most dangerous outlaw gangs-the troop led by "Reverend" Asher Rook, ex-Confederate chaplain turned "hexslinger," and his notorious lieutenant (and lover) Chess Pargeter. Morrow's task: get close enough to map the extent of Rook's power, then bring that knowledge back to help Professor Joachim Asbury unlock the secrets of magic itself.Magicians, cursed by their gift to a solitary and painful existence, have never been more than a footnote in history. But Rook, driven by desperation, has a plan to shatter the natural law that prevents hexes from cooperation, and change the face of the world-a plan sealed by an unholy marriage-oath with the goddess Ixchel, mother of all hanged men. To accomplish this, he must raise her bloodthirsty pantheon from its collective grave through sacrifice, destruction, and apotheosis.Caught between a passel of dead gods and monsters, hexes galore, Rook's witchery, and the ruthless calculations of his own masters, Morrow's only real hope of survival lies with the man without whom Rook cannot succeed: Chess Pargeter himself. But Morrow and Chess will have to literally ride through Hell before the truth of Chess's fate comes clear-the doom written for him, and the entire world."

At the heart of Book of Tongues is a strong western; however, Files has decided to add a pinch of magic and a dash of steampunk into the mix. Set just a few years after the American Civil War we have a former preacher, Asher Rook, who was hung for his crimes only to return with a vengeance. With his newfound powers which manifests itself through his bible, he has the ability to summon plagues and level whole towns. There was not much to like about this character but he is impressive. Make no mistake, he is a bad man.

Edward Murrow is the other major player in the novel. He has joined Rook's gang but is actually an undercover Pinkerton agent. He is charged with the duty to uncover just how much arcane power Rook has. The only thing I really enjoyed about this character was his double barreled eight shot shotgun. The rest of the gang is not very involved other that to fill out the group. All except Reverend Rooks, lieutenant, the vicious Chess Pargeter. He would rather spit on you than look at you. To add a twist into the early portions of the book. Chess and Rook are lovers. Very early on we have a fairly graphic discussion on gay sex and there is a scene or two that has them in a erotic embrace. While not ground breaking it was unexpected in a western.

The world building is fairly limited. While Files brings up England and China not much is really brought up as you read the book. There is also very little infodumping, the reader is left in the dark. But the background on Rook is amazing. We are slowly told how he went from upstanding preacher to the evil magic user, or hexslinger. There are a lot of loose ends as you get towards the end of this first volume. You are also left with a major cliffhanger by the time you reach the last page.

While I enjoyed Files' style of writing. She has an impressive way to keep you turning pages, the story and characters never really won me over. There is a lot of grey and black, but not a lot of white. I need someone to root for and I just never found anyone worth caring about in Book of Tongues. I would like to recommend the book as she is a very talented writer but the fact that I have no plans to continue with the series keeps me from doing so. I think you will have to make up your own mind on this one.

Plot 6/10
Characters 5/10
Style 8/10

Overall 5/10

REVIEW: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol. 1) by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness

2011-11-29T00:29:00.001Z

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness
Publishing information: Paperback; 160 pages
Publisher: DC Comics; 1 April 2005
ISBN 10: 1401202209
ISBN 13: 978-1401202200
Series/ story arc
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "In Public Enemies, a huge remnant of Superman's home planet, Krypton, menaces Earth. Lex Luthor, U.S. president in current Superman stories, accuses the Man of Steel of complicity in the threat and commissions a squadron of superheroes to bring him in."

I am a fan of Jeph Loeb's work, he tends to write a compelling story for the few graphic novels that have featured his writing. In this case we have to iconic superheroes, Superman and Batman. They both have the same goal to bring the guilty to justice. Superman the boy scout and Batman the ruthless detective team up when the President of the United States, Lex Luthor, accuses Superman of being the vanguard from Krypton who are planning to attack and enslave the Earth.

The only issue I really had with the concept was that Superman was a fairly well established hero at this time and why he would now change his stripes made very little sense to me but again it is a comic book so, some suspension of disbelief is required. On top of the impending invasion there is also a very large Kryptonian meteor heading on a collision course with Earth which is weakening Superman. With Luthor putting a price on Superman's head, Batman steps in to work along side the Man of Steel.

The best thing about the graphic novel is that through out story arc are the thoughts of both Batman and Superman and while their methods may be completely opposite there is an understanding between then and it shows how well they work together. Superman the most powerful being on the planet and Batman, the World's Greatest Detective create a fairly powerful team, even if their methods vary greatly.

Knowing that Superman is a tough adversary, Luthor puts together his own super powered bounty hunters which are charged with bringing in Superman and anyone else that is harboring or associate with him. The team plays to win and again we see how well Superman and Batman work together. There are some unexpected surprises along the storyline as well as a lot of cameos. It makes for a exciting read and as I said before a fun storyline.

Ed McGuinness' artwork is colorful and bold. It has his own style and flair while doing its best to show of the classical images we associate with Superheroes. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Vol.1) is a highly charged graphic novel with a lot to look forward to as you read it. It packs a lot of adventure in only a few pages. Recommended.

Plot 8
Characters 9
Style 8
Artwork 8.5

Overrall 8.5/10

REVIEW: The Drowning City (Kindle Edition) by Amanda Downum

2011-11-22T00:04:00.000Z

The Drowning City by Amanda Downum
Publishing information: Kindle; 384 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 1 September 2009
ISBN 10: 0316069043
ISBN 13: 978-0316069045
ASIN: B002LHRME2
Series: Book 1 of the Necromancer Chronicles
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Symir -- the Drowning City. home to exiles and expatriates, pirates and smugglers. And violent revolutionaries who will stop at nothing to overthrow the corrupt Imperial government.

For Isyllt Iskaldur, necromancer and spy, the brewing revolution is a chance to prove herself to her crown. All she has to do is find and finance the revolutionaries, and help topple the palaces of Symir. But she is torn between her new friends and her duties, and the longer she stays in this monsoon-drenched city, the more intrigue she uncovers -- even the dead are plotting."

I originally bought this book because I found the cover to my liking. Add to the fact that you have an assassin, a female assassin, and you should have a really good book.

While reading The Drowning City there is a lot to enjoy. The city and atmosphere that Downum has created is very impressive. From the Asian feel of the city to the lore that surrounds the various groups and factions. There a lot to look forward to as you read the novel. The city is alive and very vibrant. I find I really like novels that do an amazing job of creating a complete picture of your surroundings.

However, it is really hard to stay with the novel as the plot and prose of the novel have some serious flaws. For the plot, it was similar to a lot of other books I have read in the past and I personally just could not get past that fact. It seemed as if they just switched out a male assassin for a fairly interesting female protagonist and then forgot what to do with her once the author had built up her mythology.

The prose had its highs and lows. But by the time I reached the end of the novel I have to say there were more lows than highs. There are times where things have no narrative flow and I found myself going back a page or two to see if I had skipped something. Many of the characters take action without any emotional response as to why they are doing it, which I find few people act that way. The Drowning City felt as if the emotional portions of the book were left out on purpose.

While the book was not awful, it certainly was not spectacular. Downum has a few redeeming qualities. Her world building is outstanding and is her saving grace. Isyllt Iskaldur is a powerful creation and while this is her story it just never really got off of the ground for me and it was a major disappointment. As a debut novel, flaws are expected and I do think that Downum will be able to overcome the issues I found with the novel in later novels. With that said I have no plans pick up the remaining books in the series. The Drowning City left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

Plot 7
Characters 5
Style 6

Overall 6/10

Mark Charan Newton Signs a Two-Book Deal with Tor UK

2011-11-21T12:00:00.001Z

Mark Charan Newton, the author of the excellent Legends of the Red Sun series just signed a new deal with Tor UK for the rights of his new fantasy-crime series' first two books. The author had already made his intentions to leave New Weird aside and to try something different public. So now we have something concrete. The press release that came out earlier this morning gives some information about the upcoming series (emphasis mine):

"The first book in a series provisionally titled DRAKENFELD introduces the eponymous hero, an investigator. The series is set in a fantasy world, but will appeal to fans of historical mysteries. In this opening volume, Lucan Drakenfeld is called home after the death of his father – but is immediately thrown into the investigation of a royal death. He also finds that his father’s demise is not as clear-cut as it at first appears..."

After the announcement, Newton blogged about the deal and gave more information about his new books (emphasis mine):

"It’s very much a fantasy novel, but equally a crime novel, with a locked-room mystery at the heart of it. Whilst I’ve dabbled with the odd crime sub-plot before, it was mainly a pastiche – Drakenfeld is much more committed to the crime genre, perhaps along the lines of the CJ Sansom novels. (It needs to be rewarding for readers of both genres.) The world is very much a classically inspired setting (Ancient Rome in particular), and there virtually no weirdness. I’m also really enjoying writing the Drakenfeld novel, much more so than any of the previous series, and especially the locked-room element: the impossible crime."

The fourth and last book of Legends of the Red Sun will be published in the summer of 2012. And it looks like we'll be able to read Drakenfeld, the first book of Newton's new series, in 2013.

I wish him all the best with his new books and I am really looking forward to reading them.

PRESS RELEASE – 21st November 2011

New Deal For Mark Charan Newton

Bella Pagan, Senior Commissioning Editor at Tor UK, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, has acquired world rights to the first two volumes of a fantasy series by Mark Charan Newton. The agent was John Jarrold.

The first book in a series provisionally titled DRAKENFELD introduces the eponymous hero, an investigator. The series is set in a fantasy world, but will appeal to fans of historical mysteries. In this opening volume, Lucan Drakenfeld is called home after the death of his father – but is immediately thrown into the investigation of a royal death. He also finds that his father’s demise is not as clear-cut as it at first appears…

Pagan said ‘Mark writes compulsive adventures set in utterly convincing new worlds – he’s a terrific writer. I couldn’t ask for a better start to my new position at Tor UK than this first deal’.

Tor UK have successfully published three fantasy novels by Mark in the Legends of the Red Sun series since 2009, with a fourth to appear in the summer of 2012. They have been strongly acclaimed by China Miéville, Peter F Hamilton and reviewers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The first book in the new series will be published in 2014. For more information about Mark, see his website markcnewton.com or follow him on twitter @MarkCN.

Contact Chloe Healy or John Jarrold for further details:

Chloe Healy: c.healy@macmillan.co.uk 00 44 20 7014 6000 Twitter: @UKTor
John Jarrold: j.jarrold@btinternet.com 00 44 1522 510544

Books That Surround Me

2011-11-17T08:00:00.007Z

There are so many books that I'd like to read but so little time... I've been telling myself the same thing for a long while. And today I just wanted to write about the books that I just left behind, the book that I'm currently reading and the books that are patiently waiting to be read.

House of Fear edited by Jonathan Oliver, Infinity Blade: Awakening by Brandon Sanderson and 21 Erased by Barbara Rayne were the last three books that I read. They were all very different but I enjoyed them all. I'm going to post their reviews soon.

Currently I'm reading Courtney Schafer's The Whitefire Crossing. I've already read close to 100 pages and it has been a captivating read so far. I've been particularly impressed by the setting.

The list of the books that are vying for my attention and that are shouting "Pick me! Pick me!" is longer (in alphabetical order):

Final Days by Gary Gibson
Hell Train by Christopher Fowler
Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
Manhattan in Reverse by Peter Hamilton
Ossard's Hope by Colin Taber
The Recollection by Gareth L. Powell
Solaris Rising: The New Solaris Book of Science Fiction edited by Ian Whates
Spellbound by Blake Charlton
Tattoo by Kirsten Imani Kasai

I don't know about you but most of the time my mood dictates which book I pick from the pile next. Regardless of the next book, I'm dying to go through this list as soon as I can.

Here's more detail about the books that surround me:

House of Fear edited by Jonathan Oliver

The tread on the landing outside the door, when you know you are the only one in the house. The wind whistling through the eves, carrying the voices of the dead. The figure glimpsed briefly through the cracked window of a derelict house.

Editor Jonathan Oliver brings horror home with a collection of haunted house stories by some of the finest writers working in the horror genre, including Joe R. Lansdale, Sarah Pinborough, Lisa Tuttle, Christopher Priest, Adam L. G. Nevill, Nicholas Royle, Chaz Brenchley, Christopher Fowler, Gary Kilworth, Weston Ochse, Eric Brown, Tim Lebbon, Nina Allan, Stephen Volk, Paul Meloy and more.

Infinity Blade: Awakening by Brandon Sanderson

Trained from birth in swordplay and combat, a young knight named Siris has journeyed to the Dark Citadel with a single purpose: fight through the army of Titans to face the tyrannical God King in one-on-one combat. This was his father’s sacred mission, and his father’s before him, going back countless generations in an effort to free their people from enslavement. But when Siris somehow succeeds where all those from his bloodline previously have failed, he finds himself cast into a much larger world, filled with warriors and thieves, ancient feuds and shifting alliances, Deathless immortals and would-be kings. His quest for freedom will take him on an epic journey in search of the mythical figure known as the Worker of Secrets – the one being in the world who can unravel the secrets of the Infinity Blade.

Based on the bestselling video game from ChAIR Entertainment and Epic Games, this all-new adventure from acclaimed fantasy author Brandon Sanderson digs deeper into the fantastical world of Infinity Blade, a world of mystery and intrigue where magic and technology are indistinguishable, and even life and death are not what they seem.

21 Erased by Barbara Rayne

The code is your identity, your bank account, your credit card, the bus fare…your existence. When they take it away, you disappear like you never lived at all. All it takes is a moment and you’re no longer a human being…you’re nothing. Everything you thought you owned is shattering into pieces in front of your eyes, you’re disappearing without leaving a single trace of your existence. You were that insignificant. The system had you that much, nothing was yours but the illusion. They own your life. When you got in their way, they spat you out like a chewing gum that lost its flavor. You no longer exist. You have been erased...

The Whitefire Crossing by Courtney Schafer

Dev is a smuggler. Technically, he's a tracker for the caravan teams that bring legitimate merchandise from the free city of Ninavel into the kingdom of Alathia. The spring trails are treacherous, and it takes an expert climber to locate the safest route through the Whitefire mountains. But with the right connections, one can slip magical gems from one side of the mountain pass, where they are legal, to the other side, where they are not. Having made a promise to a dying friend, Dev is forced to make a singularly dangerous Whitefire crossing. Instead of smuggling gems, he's smuggling a person. Kiran: A blood mage on the run from his master... a blood mage desperate to sneak into a kingdom where blood mages are imprisoned for life. Caught up in a web of subterfuge and magic that endanger the entire caravan, Dev and Kiran must find a way to trust each other with their darkest secrets in order to overcome the forces arrayed against them! The debut novel by Courtney Schaffer, The Whitefire Crossing is the story of a sardonic young smuggler and a runaway apprentice mage caught in a deadly game of intrigue between rival mages that will determine the fate of a city.

Final Days by Gary Gibson

But this new mode of transportation comes at a price and there are risks. Saul Dumont knows this better than anyone. He’s still trying to cope with the loss of the wormhole link to the Galileo system, which has stranded him on Earth far from his wife and child for the past several years.

Only weeks away from the link with Galileo finally being re-established, he stumbles across a conspiracy to suppress the discovery of a second, alien network of wormholes which lead billions of years in the future. A covert expedition is sent to what is named Site 17 to investigate, but when an accident occurs and one of the expedition, Mitchell Stone, disappears – they realise that they are dealing with something far beyond their understanding.

When a second expedition travels via the wormholes to Earth in the near future of 2245 they discover a devastated, lifeless solar system - all except for one man, Mitchell Stone, recovered from an experimental cryogenics facility in the ruins of a lunar city.

Stone may be the only surviving witness to the coming destruction of the Earth. But why is he the only survivor — and once he’s brought back to the present, is there any way he and Saul can prevent the destruction that’s coming?

Hell Train by Christopher Fowler

Imagine there was a supernatural chiller that Hammer Films never made. A grand epic produced at the studio's peak, which played like a cross between the Dracula and Frankenstein films and Dr Terror's House Of Horrors... Four passengers meet on a train journeying through Eastern Europe during the First World War, and face a mystery that must be solved if they are to survive. As the Arkangel races through the war-torn countryside, they must find out: What is in the casket that everyone is so afraid of? What is the tragic secret of the veiled Red Countess who travels with them? Why is their fellow passenger the army brigadier so feared by his own men? And what exactly is the devilish secret of the Arkangel itself? Bizarre creatures, satanic rites, terrified passengers and the romance of travelling by train, all in a classically styled horror novel.

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

Humanity has colonized the planets - interstellar travel is still beyond our reach, but the solar system has become a dense network of colonies. But there are tensions - the mineral-rich outer planets resent their dependence on Earth and Mars and the political and military clout they wield over the Belt and beyond. Now, when Captain Jim Holden's ice miner stumbles across a derelict, abandoned ship, he uncovers a secret that threatens to throw the entire system into war. Attacked by a stealth ship belonging to the Mars fleet, Holden must find a way to uncover the motives behind the attack, stop a war and find the truth behind a vast conspiracy that threatens the entire human race.

Manhattan in Reverse by Peter Hamilton

A collection of short stories from the master of space opera. Peter F Hamilton takes us on a journey from a murder mystery in an alternative Oxford in the 1800s to a brand new story featuring Paula Mayo, Deputy Director of the Intersolar Commonwealth’s Serious Crimes Directorate. Dealing with intricate themes and topical subject this top ten bestselling author is at the top of his game.

Ossard's Hope by Colin Taber

The wealthy city state of Ossard has fallen amidst blood, rioting and flames. Through the chaotic aftermath, Juvela leads the hopeful to safety within a set of mysterious ruins, but are they already claimed? Whilst leading them, the divine addiction is taking root within her, something she's triggered in her flight from doomed Ossard. The deep hunger of soul feeding has overwhelmed and enslaved every god it has touched; how can she, only newly into her own godhood, possibly beat it? And if she can't, what of the divine war she was born to trigger? Yet hope remains... Ossard's Hope follows the unique tale first begun in The Fall of Ossard.

The Recollection by Gareth L. Powell

When his brother disappears into a bizarre gateway on a London Underground escalator, failed artist Ed Rico and his brother's wife Alice have to put aside their feelings for each other to go and find him. Their quest through the 'arches' will send them hurtling through time, to new and terrifying alien worlds. Four hundred years in the future, Katherine Abdulov must travel to a remote planet in order to regain the trust of her influential family. The only person standing in her way is her former lover, Victor Luciano, the ruthless employee of a rival trading firm. Hard choices lie ahead as lives and centuries clash and, in the unforgiving depths of space, an ancient evil stirs...

Solaris Rising: The New Solaris Book of Science Fiction edited by Ian Whates

Solaris Rising is the first in an exciting new series of anthologies that are set to reaffirm Solaris's proud reputation for producing high quality science fiction. The book will feature all original short stories from Peter F. Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter, Paul di Filippo, Adam Roberts, Lavie Tidhar, Ian Watson, Ken MacLeod, Mike Resnick, Tricia Sullivan, Eric Brown, Steve Rasnic Tem along with other top name authors; stories guaranteed to surprise, thrill and delight, demonstrating why science fiction remains the most innovative, satisfying, and downright exciting genre of all.

Spellbound by Blake Charlton

Francesca DeVega is a successful healer in the city of Avel, wielding magical text to close wounds and disspell curses, but her life is thrown into chaos when a dead patient suddenly sits up and tells her to run. Now Francesca is in the middle of a game she doesn’t understand, one that ties her to the notorious rogue wizard, Nicodemus Weal, and brings her face to face with demons, demigods, and a man she thought she’d never see again.

It has been ten years since Nicodemus Weal escaped the Starhaven Academy, where he was considered disabled and useless, where he battled the demon who stole his birthright and killed his friends. Unable to use the magical languages of his own people, Nico has honed his skills in the dark language of the kobolds, readying himself for his next encounter with the demon. But there are complications: his mentor suffers from an incurable curse, his half-sister’s agents are hunting him, and he’s still not sure what part Francesca DeVega will play. He certainly doesn’t know what to make of Francesca herself….

Tattoo by Kirsten Imani Kasai

HER FATE IS IN HER FLESH.

In an environmentally fragile world where human and animal genes combine, the rarest mutation of all—the Trader—can instantly switch genders. One such Trader, the female Sorykah, is battling her male alter, Soryk, for dominance and the right to live a full life.

Sorykah has rescued her infant twins from mad Matuk the Collector. Her children are safe. Her journey, she believes, is over, but Matuk’s death has unleashed darker, more evil forces. These forces, led by the Collector’s son, cast nets of power that stretch from the glittering capital of Neubonne to the murky depths below the frozen Sigue, where the ink of octameroons is harvested to make addictive, aphrodisiacal tattoos. Bitter enemies trapped within a single skin, Sorykah and Soryk are soon drawn into a sinister web of death and deceit.

Press Release: Anarchy Books

2011-11-16T00:44:00.000Z

ANARCHY BOOKS PRESS RELEASE

Saturday 19th November is a date for your diaries, with Anarchy Books releasing not one wholesome SF novel, but two!

First comes New York Nights by SF Heavyweight, Eric Brown.

"New York 2040 is a city of the lost. So, a good place to work in Missing Persons. But business is not so good that Hal Halliday can forget his sister, burned alive when she was a child. Now, only VR offers the chance to bring her back. The future may yet allow Hal to live in the past - if he can survive his next job..."

Described by Peter F. Hamilton as "the name to watch in SF", and Brown's novel HELIX described by Stephen Baxter as, "a classic concept - a built world to dwarf Rama and Ringworld - a setting for a hugely imaginative adventure. Helix is the very DNA of true sf. This is the rediscovery of wonder", this first digital release of New York Nights is available as a PDF, EPUB or MOBI format, for the low price of £1.99. Artwork by Jethro Lentle. Check out www.anarchy-books.com.

The second “SF Saturday” release emerges from the crazy imagination of famous tattoo artist Dan Henk.The Black Seas of Infinity is Dan Henk’s debut novel, and what a powerhouse of action SF it is!

“Visions of pulp era heroes fill his thoughts. Taking advanced physics, he dreams big, but harsh reality bites as he grows up, and he resigns himself to building surveillance drones for the military. After a brief probative period, he’s unexpectedly moved into the clandestine world of investigating crashed alien craft. Fascinated beyond anything he thought possible, it’s a dream come true but his lack of social skills get him fired. However, he's seen too much – and a year later returns to pull off a bloody heist... Fleeing into the woods with the military in hot pursuit, he makes a mad scramble up the coast. It’s only then he discovers the world has grown strange. Businesses are closed. Highways deserted. The US has become fractured... Trigger happy locals and violent militias are only the beginning. Death, madness, and the unwelcome return of creatures from beyond this world await...”

Think X-Files crossed with Alastair Reynolds and you’ll begin to get a picture of where Dan’s stunning original SF writing will lead you...

The Black Seas of Infinity is available in PDF, EPUB or MOBI flavours, for the low low price of £1.99. Artwork and internal illustrations by Dan Henk. Check out www.anarchy-books.com.

REVIEW: Superman Birthright by Mark Waid

2011-11-15T00:19:00.000Z

Superman: Birthright by Mark Waid

Publishing information: Graphic Novel paperback; 314 pages

Publisher: DC Comics; 1 October 2005

ISBN 10: 1401202527

SIBN 13: 978-1401202521

Standalone

Copy: Out of Pocket

Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Superman's origins have been imagined and reimagined over the years. Here is a new take on the character's roots. Superman: Birthright retells the early chapters of Superman's story, from escape as an infant from the doomed planet Krypton to arrival as reporter Clark Kent at the Daily Planet and his first public exploits. Writer Waid puts his own spin on the legend, rethinking nearly every aspect of the venerable character while remaining respectful of his established history. Waid wisely integrates ideas from the popular TV series smallville but doesn't slavishly follow its innovations; for instance, a young Lex Luthor befriends Clark in high school, but unlike in the series, his sinister nature is clear even then. Waid similarly tweaks the rest of the well-known cast, from Lois Lane and Clark's other Planet colleagues to Ma and Pa Kent. Ironically, though he updates the character, Waid evokes Superman's pre-World War II incarnation, whom his Depression-reared creators kept engaged in righting society's ills. Leinil Francis Yu's stylized artwork is expressively dynamic to the point of caricature, but this larger-than-life visual approach befits the retelling of a myth."

Superman has been re-invisioned many times, but coming of the tails of the successful television series Smallville DC must have wanted an updated version. There are a few changes. Befriending Lex Luthor during his time as a teenager is new; However, Lex is an evil genius even then. I did like some of the dynamic presented. It showed Clark as a helpful person even then, but he was rather naive as he still had not figured out that Kryptonite could weaken and possibly kill him. Even though Lex had figured it out within seconds. I know that as a teenager Clark is suppose to not know much about the world but he should also be a fairly good student with the ability to quickly think things through and act even quicker. Many of the other characters were also present and they all had slight re-imaginings but nothing really stood out. I was surprised that Waid did not take advantage of adding Chloe or Pete, but then again Lana Lang played a very small role and if I recall only had one or two panels dedicated to her. The overall story arc is the beginning of Clark's rise to become Superman and Lex Luthor's nemesis.

The artwork is impressive. It has a touch of the Superman of old, while also keeping it closer to the present. Overall Superman: Birthright is a great read and earns its spot on the shelf as a retelling of Superman's origins. Birthright does not shock the readers with anything drastic and plays well to those who are super fans. It updates without deviating too far from what we are use to. It would have been nice to see something new to add to the legend it decided to play it very straight laced. While not necessary to read to gain anything new or insightful about Superman or Lex Luthor it is a great story arc and features some nice artwork.

Plot 7/10

Characters 7/10

Style 7/10

Artwork 8/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000Z

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Publishing information: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Voyager; August 2010
ISBN 10: 0007321988
ISBN 13: 978-0007321988
Series: The Seven Realms Series #1 (Originally The Seven Realms Trilogy #1)
Copy: Publisher Giveaway
Reviewer: Kathryn

I won't be opening this review with the blurb, as I feel it contains too many spoilers, for example it refers to events that happen over halfway through the book, in one case not becoming apparent until the last fifth of the read. However, I will do my best to spoil the book less than the blurb did. The Demon King is the first book in what is now called The Seven Realms Series, written by Cinda Williams Chima, author of The Heir Chronicles, a trilogy that has since been extended to a quintet. It is a young-adult series, aimed mostly at the early to mid teens.

We follow two protagonists, Princess Raisa ana'Marianna and Han Alister, and from the first few chapters it's clear that their stories will parallel each other and intertwine with some regularity. Both of the protagonists are roughly sixteen years old, and come from two different lifestyles, although they do share aspects of their lives. Han is a reformed thief and comes into the possession of a powerful amulet, whilst Raisa is approaching her name day and as such she's expected to start taking part in the game of courtship. Whilst this is happening, war is brewing in the south, meaning the Queen is pushing Raisa towards a marriage that will have to be political, but also in the near future. However, she's attracted to a powerful wizard, but such a coupling is forbidden by the Naéming, an agreement in place that serves to stop the wizards from gaining too much power and potentially destroying the world.

On the surface it's a fairly clichéd story, but the switch between a princess and a rebellious commoner is carried out with skill, and the way their stories link is quite clever. Whilst any direct interaction is limited to a chapter or two, there's a cast of characters that appears to both sides and they help develop the story, but also give background to the world. I found it interesting just how they were linked, and how those links impacted the story. I also liked the interactions between the three major groups in the book (wizards, clan and royalty), as it was clear to me through the characters that the author had put a lot of thought into how they work with or against each other. However, I did feel that parts of the plot were overlooked quite often. For example, Han comes into the possession of a powerful wizard's amulet, and after some history from another character who links it to the titular Demon King, it fades into nothingness for most of the book, only becoming important again at the end.

But as I alluded to at the start, the book is not all that particularly strong in the writing. It's functional, and it does read fairly well, but the characterisation for both protagonists sometimes falls flat. Both Han and Raisa spend an amount of time thinking about kissing other people, which I found a little bit annoying. Raisa kisses a couple of characters, and she avoids being sexually abused twice, or at least she thinks she does. She also manages to move through the castle in disguise a few times without being noticed, which I did not believe, and at times she seemed to react in ways I felt weren't very realistic for a princess. On the other hand, Han is a well-rounded character, and Chima distinguishes his two sides – thief and son, both of his mother and the clan he wishes he was a part of – rather well, and there is a little internal conflict between the two. The supporting characters are largely interesting, and they are used to great effect in shaping the story and the world around them.

At two points in the book, I felt that the author had perhaps lost track of her style. Each chapter is given a title that hints at what will happen, but one chapter is titled "Name Day 2". Personally, that stuck out like a sore thumb, and it makes me wonder if it was a place-holder that was overseen in editing. Secondly, there is one chapter that opens with a paragraph that uses a list in the text. By that I mean it 1) went like this, 2) totally broke the immersion, and 3) looked out of place and a little bit silly. Both of these make me question just how much effort was put into polishing this book for release, because they feel to me as if they should have been corrected.

As implied above, I noticed a romantic theme to various aspects of the story. We have Raisa practically falling head over heels for every male character her age that isn't royalty, and we are semi-frequently told she kisses, or attempts to kiss, one of a few characters. With Han, early on he became flustered when he tackled his friend Digging Bird into a river, causing her shirt to become see-through. To me, I found these moments to take away from the book because they changed the tone, but also felt as if they were written for the sake of having them. I don't mind romance in books, but I feel that describing a fifteen year-old girl with a wet shirt to possibly be going a little too far.

Overall, I would say The Demon King is a competent read, but one with flaws that I feel will turn many readers off, in particular the more mature or advanced ones. If you can look past the book's obvious flaws, there is the foundation of a potentially great series here. The characters are compelling in their own ways, the world is well built, the history is there, and you're going to find some enjoyment in this read. I don't think it's the best book I've ever read, and until the last hundred or so pages, I must confess I was very unsure how I felt about it, but once I'd closed it I was glad I had read it. Whilst I won't be rushing to get stuck into its sequel, The Exiled Queen, I still took some pleasure from this read.

A tentative recommendation.

Plot 6/10
Characters 6/10
Style 5/10

Overall 5.5/10

REVIEW: The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson (Kindle Edition)

2011-11-08T00:07:00.000Z

The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Tor; 18 September 2007
ISBN 10: 0765348837
ISBN 13: 978-0765348838
ASIN: B003L1ZZEQ
Series: Book six in the Malazan Book of the Fallen
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "The Bonehunters begins two months after the events of House of Chains. The Malazan Fourteenth Army has destroyed the army of the Whirlwind, and Adjunct Tavore Paran has executed Sha'ik. The Fourteenth is now pressing westward, pursuing the remnants of the Whirlwind rebellion (under Leoman of the Flails), as it seeks refuge in the fortress city of Y'Ghatan, where the Malazan Empire had previously faced its greatest defeat. Meanwhile, Onearm's Host, restored to the favour of Empress Laseen, has landed on Seven Cities' north coast to complete the task of subduing the rebellion, but a deadly plague has been unleashed. Ganoes Paran, the new Master of the Deck of Dragons, arrives from Genabackis to help deal with the chaos. Elsewhere, the balance of power is shifting in the Malazan Imperial Court, and strange black ships have been sighted in the waters surrounding Quon Tali and Seven Cities. The quest of the expeditionary force of the Letherii Empire to find warriors worthy of facing Emperor Rhulad Sengar in battle is about to be answered twice over..."

Not long ago I read and reviewed the fifth book in the series, Midnight Tides and quickly remembered why I enjoy Erikson's Malazan series. So, I quickly jumped back into the fray and started The Bonehunters. When we left off in Midnight Tides we were just really starting to get a feeling of things to come. The first four books set up most of the player and the world, Midnight Tides reads like the prequel to the remaining novels and with The Bonehunters things finally start to unravel and unfold. It is also the direct sequel to The House of Chains, the fourth book in the series.

While anyone who reads the Malazan novels know, there is a degree of catch up and a lot of fog of war when you start each novel but as you slog your way through things start to make sense and the bigger picture begins to take shape. Many of your favorite characters return in this installment and we start to understand their place in the events that are sure to come.

Many of my favorite characters make a return. Ganoes Paran for one, he is slowly coming to realize his potential as Master of the Deck. He plays a pivotal role in this book. Apsalar also returns and shows what she is capable of as well. As with all of Erikson's novels, you never know where the characters stand of what they are capable but I think quite a bit of information was brought forth in this book. Major clues as to what is unfolding are brought to the forefront and I look forward to getting to the end of the journey. There is a lot of information contained within the novel and while there is some infodumping it is part of the journey and not something that you want to skip and it certainly does not detract from the story.

As with all of the Malazan books, there is a lot of great dialogue and some dark behind the scenes plotting and magic. The big problem with The Bonehunters is that it ends without getting all the answers, of course we know that there are four more books to get those answers but the clues that he leaves us with in this novel make you want to jump right into the next novel to see if they come to pass or if he has thrown another haymaker when you were not looking. If you are fan of the previous installments in the series this one has a lot of revelations and as always, the ending leaves you at the edge of the cliff. Recommended.

Plot 8
Characters 8.5
Style 8

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: Orcs: Forged for War by Stan Nicholls & Joe Flood

2011-11-07T08:00:00.014Z

Orcs, Forged for War by Stan Nicholls & Joe Flood
Publishing Information: Trade Paperback; 208 pages
Publisher: First Second Books (21 Oct 2011)
ISBN 10: 1596434554
ISBN 13: 978-1596434554
Copy: Sent by the publisher
Reviewer: Yagiz

"Orcs: Forged for War is the first graphic novel in Stan Nicholls’ beloved Orcs universe. The fantasy landscape in this world is brutal and unforgiving, and populated by a race of unlikely protagonists: the powerful and violent warriors, orcs.

Orcs: Forged for War is an original story—a new entry in this series, not an adaptation of old material. It follows a ruthless and deadly cohort of warrior orcs as they fight their way free of the dominion of an evil human enchantress. Sitting on an exhilarating peak with high fantasy on one side and the thrilling, gruesome battlefields of graphic novel classics like Frank Miller’s 300 on the other, Orcs presents the world of its ogre-like protagonists with technicolor violence and moments of unexpected sympathy."

I love comic books. I started to read them when I was a kid and, as far as I can remember, my first fantasy comic book was an issue of Conan. My uncle loved (still loves) Conan comics and he collected them. I can clearly remember feeling as excited as a pirate in a vast treasure room. I used to read them for hours.

Then when I moved to France for college, I met a different and much more developed comic book culture. Les Bandes Dessinées, or simply les BDs, are absolutely huge in France and in Belgium. During the following years, I had the pleasure to read the work of some great artists with various different styles. I still use amazon.fr to order my BDs.

So when I caught a glimpse of Stan Nicholls & Joe Flood's Orcs: Forged for War, I knew I had to read it. I also really liked its cover art. With its blood-red background and the lone orc warrior with a bloody longsword, it is a good indicator of what's inside.

The book's setting is Nicholls' Maras-Dantia where various races co-exist, but not so happily. It is evident that there's a lot of inter-racial tension and this not only between humans and the Elder Races but also among the Elder Races. Orcs are just one of those Elder Races and they make up for their lack of magical powers with their ferocity and skill on the battle field. They are a race full of surprises and contradictions as they are not painted all in black a la Tolkien (who didn't invent them, by the way).

The story revolves around a band of Orc warriors called Wolverines. The only non-Orc member of the group is a Dwarf who is one of the two sergents under the command of Captain Stryke. According to the story, Captain Stryke is given the responsibility of escorting a convoy under the orders of a Goblin wizard. Orcs and Goblins hate each other so you can guess the general mood of the mission. His hands being tied, Captain Strkye has no choice but to comply with the orders of his empress.

I like the story but it is fairly simple. I would have expected more suspense. I believe the reader is given obvious clues about the things that's going to happen. At first I wasn't in love with the style of Joe Flood however it grew on me as I read it. The book reads pretty fast. It is not one of those dialogue-heavy graphic novels. And be ready for some real action, fight, war, gore and burnt bodies. You've been warned. Orcs: Forged for War is definitely not for your young kids.

Also, don't forget to visit Orcs Sketchbook, The Making of the Graphic Novel, Orcs: Forged for War where you can get the freshest news and various sketches by Joe Flood.

I must confess, I hadn't read Nicholls' Orcs trilogies. However, despite some problems, I, not only enjoyed Orcs: Forged for War but I now have this itch about picking up Bodyguard of Lightning, the first book of his First Blood trilogy.

Plot: ............. 7
Characters: ... 8
Style: ............ 8

Overall: ....... 8/10

REVIEW: Midnight Tides (Kindle Edition) by Steven Erikson

2011-11-01T00:06:00.000Z

Midnight Tides by Steven Erikson
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Tor Books; 1 April 2010
ISBN 10: 0765348829
ISBN 13: 978-0765348821
ASIN: B000UZJRH2
Series: Book 5 in the Malazan Book of the Fallen
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "After decades of warfare, the five tribes of the Tiste Edur have united under the rule of the Warlock King of Hiroth. But peace has been exacted at a terrible price - a pact made with a hidden power whose motives are at best suspect, at worst deadly."

Not long ago Andy reviewed Midnight Tide and he did an excellent job.

It has been a while since I delved into the wold of Wu. I stopped reading the Malazan Book of the Fallen series to tackle a few other books and series as the fifth book does not continue on from the previous novels. It takes place on another continent and with two new races before jumping back into more familiar places and characters.

While the two races we meet in Midnight Tide are not new to readers of the series as they have been discussed and in some cases we have met some individuals from the respective clans, this is an in depth look at the continent and the people that inhabit it. We have the Letherii, the dominant race on the continent where it gets its name and the Tiste Edur, a once powerful race that has gone on to lose its former glory, but looking to regain it by any means necessary.

As with any Erikson novel, there are a multitude of characters some with major roles, others with smaller roles or cameos which could have implications later on down the road. I will only focus on a few. Perhaps my favorite in this book was Bug and Tehol. Aside from their plan to topple the Letherii economy, they provide plenty of laughs from their dialogue. Their discussions are fast and furious and always fun to read. Whenever one of them is in a scene it was light and entertaining. I know they are in future installments of the series and I look forward to meeting them again.

We also have the Sengar brothers: Fear, Trull, Binadas, and Rhulad. Trull, Rhulad, and Fear play much bigger roles in this novel and they are constantly evolving as the story progresses. I have nothing but empathy for Rhulad as his fate is one I would not wish upon anyone. Fear is your typical big brother, full of responsibility and holding on to it by his fingernails. Trull is a wild card as he is different from his brothers as he sees a bigger picture and must come to terms with his personal decisions. They made for a very interesting read.

Since I had taken a hiatus from the series, it took me a little while to get back all the places, people, and powers that the series has to offer. I thought that since it starts a new string of stories which finally tie back to the original story I would be fine. And to a certain extent I was, but I was lost a little while and had to jump on Malazan Wiki to find my place as there were a few things that I had forgotten and had to relearn. Once I found myself back into the world I remembered why I liked these books so much. The mystery that unravels in each of the books makes for a read that you must stay on your toes to keep up with the pace Erikson is taking you on. In these volume we learn a lot more about the magic system and the Chained God. As the Tiste Edur attempt to reclaim their once powerful empire by attacking the Letherii, we also have a old god reclaim is glory through manipulation. Midnight Tide really is the set up to the next act in the overall story arc.

While this is a favorite for a lot of Erikson's fans, I found it a decent read with some great characters, places, and of course a new bump in the road to the final confrontation, but it was not my favorite read. Fans will enjoy it but since this is as far as I have read into the series so far, I don't see its far reaching implications just yet. That said Midnight Tides a very satisfying read that will impact the rest of the series.

Plot 8
Characters 10
Style 8

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: The Green Mile by Stephen King

2011-10-28T08:00:00.000+01:00

The Green Mile by Stephen King
Publishing information: Paperback
Publisher: Gollancz; 21 August 2008
ISBN 10: 0575084340
ISBN 13: 978-0575084346
Series: N/A; Standalone
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Kathryn

Blurb: “The Green Mile: Those who walk it do not return, because at the end of that walk is the room in which sits Cold Mountain Penitentiary's electric chair. In 1932 the newest resident on death row is John Coffey, a giant of a black man convicted of the brutal murder of two little girls. But nothing is as it seems with John Coffey, and around him unfolds a bizarre and horrifying story.

Evil murderer or holy innocent – whichever he is – Coffey has strange powers which may yet offer salvation to others, even if they can do nothing to save him.”

Like many people, I'd seen the adaptation of The Green Mile with Tom Hanks, and I really enjoyed it. It was touching, it was beautifully shot, and it was a very well-made film. It's often the case with adaptations that the film loses sight of the book and changes too many things, but thankfully The Green Mile is not one of those, as I was about to find out.

Written as a serialised novel, The Green Mile is made up of six parts and they tell the story of the Green Mile and a few of its residents, but also of its wardens and their families. Our narrator for this journey is Paul Edgecombe, the supervisor of E Block which also known as “The Green Mile” due to the colouring of the linoleum floor. We are shown these events through what is effectively Paul's autobiography, written in 1996 in a nursing home, and this gives us two different points of view. Both viewpoints guide us through John Coffey's last months on the Green Mile, occasionally referring to past events for details and character development, and how the strange, near-silent giant affects everyone's lives.

The Green Mile is best described as a thriller with some supernatural events. As is perhaps typical for King, he brings Christianity into the mix and, unlike Carrie where it is used by Carrie's mother as a tool of destruction, in this book King uses the religion as a way of understanding and it also shapes the actions of the guards. Again being typical for his writing style, King creates very interesting and life-like characters that contrast each other, and he looks at them and portrays them in a way that few do. The emphasis on religion also helps bring another level of meaning to the fates of the characters, regardless of their morality.

In terms of King's writing, this is him at his best. Paul never feels as if he's an artificial construct, instead the prose feels natural, and King peppers it with terms and phrases that lend it an air of authenticity. Paul talks in a way we wouldn't today, but he's still understandable. The Green Mile is little different from King's previous works in that it is quite gruesome at times, especially when Ol' Sparky is involved, and there is a fair amount of foul language and some rather sinister thoughts are talked about by some of the cast. As this is a collection of shorter pieces, there is some overlap between some chapters as the final paragraphs of one part will often begin one of the first chapters in the following part, which can disrupt the flow of the book a little if you read it in a short period of time. I also felt that at times some of the minor characters were hard to distinguish between, especially the “floaters”, a group of wardens who were not permanently stationed in Block E.

In closing, I'm full of praise for this book. This is Stephen King at his very best. It grips you, it makes you want to read on to find out more about John Coffey, and the serialised nature makes it very easy to read and allows the plot to flow beautifully. The characters are brilliant and mostly well defined, and you will care about many of them. An excellent read, and highly recommended.

Plot 9/10
Characters 8/10
Style 8/10

Overall 8.5/10

REVIEW: Blood Hunter (Kindle Edition) by J.S. Marich

2011-10-25T00:34:00.001+01:00

Blood Hunter by J.S. Marich
Publishers Information: Kindle
Publisher: Asylett Press 1 November 2010
ISBN 10: 1934337900
ISBN 13: 978-1934337905
ASIN: B0042X9VS8
Standalone (for the time being)
Copy: Provided by author
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis "In the year 2049, the world is trying to come to terms with the fact that their worst nightmares not only exist, but they also want their civil rights. The public is both afraid and fascinated that vampires, werewolves, and zombies walk among them. The politicians don't know what to do with them. Religions have begun to condemn them. At the center is Eden Blackwell, a young vampire, hired by the Pope as a preternatural bounty hunter to help keep the monsters under control. It hasn't won her any popularity, especially among her own people. It doesn't help that she acts as a consultant for the local police department on preternatural-related crimes. She's their "monster" expert. But hey, a girl's got to pay her rent, right?"

There a a ton of Urban Fantasy novels out there and many of them feature a vampire vixen. Marich's Blood Hunter, Eden Blackwell, is a newly created vampire that has decided to become a preternatural bounty hunter. She is also blessed by the pope. While I am not a big urban fantasy reader I did enjoy the character quite a bit. She has a hard time making ends meet, she is still coming to terms with her new life as a vampire, she also has some family issues both the vampire kind and the mortal kind. The character of Eden is a really good balance of power and femininity. One thing that bothered me was that she had been ordained by the Pope to go out and vanquish evil and yet it did not give her any benefit. She was the sword of the Catholic religion and yet she still could not pay her rent and it did not open any doors for her. It It seemed it was a title and not much more. I think it could have been fleshed out much more and give her some advantages.

The world building is interesting, I did find some flaws. Since the world is set in the near future people were still driving gas powered Pontiac GTOs and Ford Tauruses. I was hoping that there would be some improvements in the world. Humans are still smoking as well, which I would have liked to have seen it either abolished or something new to take its place. Even though we are told that it is the future, I don't really remember anything that stood out and told me it was. It could have taken place in the present day and it would have made no difference. There was one small portion of the story that bothered me but I am sure it is only me that will be bothered with it. One of the officers is said to be a huge gun enthusiast and he carries a nine-millimeter Desert Eagle. Which they do not make (they do make a Baby Eagle) but if he is dealing with the supernatural and a gun nut, I would think that he would have a fifty calibre and even then I have issues as it is not a practical gun by any means or situation. But like I said, it is only something that I am sure I would be bothered with.

At the heart of Blood Hunter is a murder mystery and while not the most difficult mystery to solve, it was entertaining. It reads quite quickly and does not let up until its ending. For all of its minor flaws, it was entertaining and should be a great read perfect for the Halloween season. Recommended.

Plot 6
Characters 7.5
Style 7

Overall 7/10

Casual Friday

2011-10-21T13:39:00.000+01:00

REVIEW: The Strain Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan (audiobook)

2011-10-18T00:10:00.001+01:00

The Strain Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan (audiobook)
Publishing information: Audiobook
Publisher: HarperCollins 2 June 2009
ISBN 10: 0061715204
ISBN 13: 978-0061715204
Series: Book 1 in the Strain Trilogy
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Just as a jumbo jet on a flight from Germany to New York is touching down at JFK, something goes terribly wrong. When Ephraim Goodweather, of the Centers for Disease Control, investigates the darkened plane, he finds all but four passengers and crew dead, drained of blood. Despite Goodweather's efforts to keep the survivors segregated, they get discharged into the general population. Soon after, the corpses of the tragedy's victims disappear. The epidemiologist begins to credit the wild stories of Abraham Setrakian, an elderly pawnbroker who's the book's Van Helsing figure, and concludes that a master vampire has arrived in the U.S."

I am a fan of Guillermo Del Toro's movies, the fact that he is moving into novels did not take me long to decide on whether or not to pick up his first book in The Strain Trilogy. Del Toro and Hogan attempt to take us back to a time when vampires were scary and not out to seduce young high school girls with no personality. Borrowing heavily on Eastern European folklore we find the vampires as deadly killers with little or no remorse.

The Strain focus a lot of detail on what makes a vampire, their physiology and how they are transformed from human to vampire. At times it was interesting, but most of the time it was a large infodump. Our hero is Dr. Goodweather, a CDC worker who is in charge of the investigation since the infested plane landed. He is a likable character, but he never really managed to have me join his side and start rooting for him. The authors also include a character similar to Van Helsing, one Abraham Setrakian who has encountered the creatures before when he was in a holocaust encampment. His character had a rich background and I really enjoyed the scenes that he was in. Truth be told his character was the only reason I continued to listen to the story. The vampires are also pretty impressive. Their mythology makes a lot of sense. About half of the ways to kill them work and the reasons why make a lot of sense.

The majority of the novel is not much fun to read and quite boring. It takes a really long time for things to happen and when they do they failed to keep me reading long into the night. Admittedly, I am not a huge vampire reader but if the book manages to keep me interested I have no problem reading past my bedtime. With The Strain I found that I would look forward to lights out.

I was really disappointed in the story from someone who directs some of my favorite movies I expected something more. The only real impressive feature of the book was the talented reading of Ron Perlman. I swear he should read every novel. However, he did have a hard time keeping me interested in this book. The Fall is already out and the third book in the series, The Night Eternal is scheduled to be released on 25 October 2011. I have no plans to continue with the series.

Plot 7/10
Characters 6/10
Style 6.5/10
Voice Talent 10/10

Overall 6.5/10

Gone Reading

2011-10-15T00:15:00.000+01:00

Not long ago we were contacted by Gone Reading a website that sends all of its profits to charity. The charity's goal is to start and maintain libraries in countries that cannot provide libraries on their own. If that sounds up your alley, why not click on over and check them out.

More about them from their website:

Philanthropic Startup Markets Gifts for Readers & Book Lovers

GoneReading – the lifestyle brand of gifts for readers – pledges 100% of profits to charity.

Gone Reading International – maker of the GoneReading brand of gifts for readers – was founded to bring the
magic of reading to places where it doesn’t exist. “We believe that when people have open access to great reading
materials, life always changes for the better,” says founder Brad Wirz.

That’s why GoneReading uses all year-end profits to fund new reading libraries and other literacy projects in the
developing world. By purchasing GoneReading brand products, you’re changing the world while treating your
friends and family to great gifts.

During a volunteer trip to Central America in 2010, Wirz helped to build a library in the middle of the Honduran
jungle. “Hundreds of villages, thousands of people, had basically no access to books or reading materials at all.
That just blew my mind,” says Wirz.

The result is GoneReading and its unique brand of gifts for the reading lifestyle. GoneReading gifts feature original
designs and slogans, examples of which are shown below. Each design is available for purchase on an array of
apparel, drink ware, book bags, baby clothing, pet products and more.

Orbital Drop Way of Shadows

2011-10-14T00:09:00.002+01:00

The Way of Shadows for $2.99!

This month’s Orbital Drop is THE WAY OF SHADOWS, the first book in Brent Weeks’ bestselling Night Angel Trilogy. It’s just $2.99 through October!
Visit The Orbital Drop for details!
Happy reading!

Retribution Falls Goes YA

2011-10-13T00:44:00.000+01:00

Chris Wooding's popular Tales of the Ketty Jay series is going Young Adult. With that in mind it receives a new cover to play on the cowboy theme. Sadly there is nothing to show it is also a steampunk genre novel. No flying airships or daring escapes featured on the cover. While I like its minimalism, I think the original covers are much better.

Retribution Falls will debut in the YA section the first week of 2012.

REVIEW: The American Book of the Dead by Henry Baum

2011-10-11T00:02:00.001+01:00

The American Book of the Dead by Henry Baum
Publishing information: Paperback; 248 pages
Publisher: Backwards Books; 1 November 2009
ISBN 10: 9780578026930
ISBN 13: 978-0578026930
Standalone
Copy: Provided by author
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Eugene Myers is working on a novel about the end of the world. Meanwhile, he discovers his daughter doing porn online and his marriage is coming to an end. When he begins dreaming about people who turn out to be real, he wonders if his novel is real as well. Eugene Myers may just be the one to stop the apocalypse.

In the tradition of Philip K. Dick and Robert Anton Wilson, The American Book of the Dead explores the nature of reality and the human race's potential to either disintegrate or evolve."

The first thing I would like to say is that for some reason I really like the cover. Maybe it is because I just finished playing Portal 2. With that said, there is no shortage of books featuring the apocalypse; however, Baums The American Book of the Dead is a very different spin on the events that bring an end to humanity. We have a writer, Eugene Myers, has somehow channeled the future and knows the end of days is coming.

Eugene Myers is a typical male. He teaches at the local college and dreams of his female students, his wife barely has time for him and thinks he is inept. When his dreams become very specific he decides to track them down only to find that they too are having strange dreams. As things continue to spiral down to doomsday he and his new friends look for a way to survive. While Baum does his best to keep Myers grounded and humble he never really comes off as anyone I wanted to cheer for. The people that he surrounds himself with also have very few (if any) characteristics that make you want to get to know them.

Then there is the President of the United States of America, he has decided to bring about the biblical end of the world and proclaims himself the Anti-Christ. There was a lot of bible talk and a few verses. I have no problem with one here or there but they just made me annoyed. The babble that he spewed and how he twisted it to his own needs is nothing new and you can find it on many channels. But as a villain who we are told is highly intelligent, we are never shown that fact and the way in which he just does things off the cuff without much thought of his actions does not show me an intelligent person. His father was a much more interesting character and would have been a craftier antagonist.

While The American Book of the Dead started out strong it quickly started to show its weakness and once the cracks began to show they grew larger. There is a slight twist to the story but even with that looming on the horizon it did nothing to save the book. The ending was also a little too tidy for me to enjoy the novel. We are talking about an apocalypse and it seems far too happy and uplifting. We all like our books coming to a sunny conclusion but this was just too much to bear. While the book may be right up many people's alley it was not to my liking.

Plot 6
Characters 5
Style 7

Overall 5/10

Harper Voyager to Reissue A Song Of Ice And Fire in Hardback in the UK

2011-10-08T08:00:00.002+01:00

After releasing A Dance with Dragons, one of the most anticipated books of recent years, Harper Voyager decided to reissue the first four books of the amazingly popular series A Song of Ice and Fire in hardback. Their cover art will follow and complement the theme of A Dance with Dragons' cover.

I Don't Get Book Trailers!

2011-10-06T13:00:00.003+01:00

Call me old-fashioned or old-school but I don't get book trailers. I fail to see how a book trailer can do a better job than a well-written blurb to excite a potential reader. I'm not against using a different medium to promote a book however a trailer is so limiting with regards to the reader's imagination. It's just like a film that can rarely be anything other than a pale interpretation of a book.

I understand it is a marketing tool and it is important to reach a wider audience when promoting. But someone who picks trailer over blurb, forgive me if I sin here, is probably not a potential reader to start with. He/she would wait for the film to come out. All right. I'm probably being a little bit too unfair. All joking aside, is there science behind book trailers? Is there really potential readers who wouldn't be reached if we didn't have book trailers? Has there been a book trailer that makes justice to its book or that makes a better job than the blurb?

Do you care about book trailers? Have you ever bought a book thanks to its trailer?

REVIEW: The Ritual by Adam Nevill

2011-10-05T13:00:00.002+01:00

The Ritual by Adam Nevill
Publishing Information: Trade Paperback; 368 pages
Publisher: Macmillan (6 May 2011)
ISBN 10: 0230754929
ISBN 13: 978-0230754928
Copy: Sent by the publisher
Reviewer: Yagiz

"And on the third day things did not get better. The rain fell hard and cold, the white sun never broke through the low grey cloud, and they were lost. But it was the dead thing they found hanging from a tree that changed the trip beyond recognition.

When four old University friends set off into the Scandinavian wilderness of the Arctic Circle, they aim to briefly escape the problems of their lives and reconnect with one another. But when Luke, the only man still single and living a precarious existence, finds he has little left in common with his well-heeled friends, tensions rise.

With limited fitness and experience between them, a shortcut meant to ease their hike turns into a nightmare scenario that could cost them their lives. Lost, hungry, and surrounded by forest untouched for millennia, Luke figures things couldn’t possibly get any worse.

But then they stumble across an old habitation. Ancient artefacts decorate the walls and there are bones scattered upon the dry floors. The residue of old rites and pagan sacrifice for something that still exists in the forest. Something responsible for the bestial presence that follows their every step. And as the four friends stagger in the direction of salvation, they learn that death doesn’t come easy among these ancient trees..."

Oh! How I love a good horror story. But in my humble opinion and limited experience, they are rare. When I reviewed Adam Nevill's Apartment 16 last year, I told that I was looking forward to the author's next book. Today I'm glad because he won't disappoint his readers with his last book. Nevill comes back with even a greater horror story in The Ritual.

The story starts with four old university friends going on a camping trip together. Having lived their lives their way since leaving the university, some see the trip as a bonding session, some see it as an escape from their day-to-day life. The crucial detail is that the trip is in Scandinavian wilderness. Life has treated them differently and being together once again doesn't go without its tension. But their story grows its real thorns when they decide to take a shortcut and they get lost.

At this point I can almost hear your thoughts. This or very similar stories have been told before. But believe me, never like this. Nevill's characters are so well developed that the reader finds herself in the midst of a quicksand of horror, slowly sinking deeper as the pages turn themselves. Hutch is the cement of the group. He is a level-headed, nice guy who is loved and respected by the other three. He assumes the leadership naturally. Luke is the wild spirit who hasn't had a career and a stable life since leaving college. And he doesn't get along well with Dom and Phil, who have a good career and a family life. Nevill develops their characters skillfully throughout the story.

One of the things I like about Nevill's stories is that the author doesn't rely on gore to scare his readers. I may be old-school but gore has never impressed me. I value horror when it shapes itself in the reader's mind, tickling primitive, evolutionary, well-hidden fear buds. Nevill's stories are like that. The reader is ensnarled in their slowly growing tentacles, holding her in place, while she is incapable of separating herself from the book.

"There was simply no preparation in life for the determined madness of others."

In The Ritual, the reader finds herself right in the middle of a distressing situation from the very beginning. The first pages clearly announce what is to come. The setting alone is disturbing. The author leaves the urban environment of his previous books to bring the reader in the untouched parts of the Scandinavian forests. With the author's fluent style and his masterful descriptions, the black forest becomes the perfect horror setting.

Adam Nevill raises the bar higher with The Ritual. When great setting, memorable characters and beautiful prose come together one can happily sit back and enjoy the incredible ride. I would buy Nevill's next book without even reading its blurb.

Plot: ............. 9
Characters: ... 9
Style: ............ 9

Overall: ....... 9/10

REVIEW: Skulls (Kindle Edition) by Tim Marquitz

2011-10-04T00:10:00.000+01:00

Skulls by Tim Marquitz
Publishing information: Kindle
Publisher: Damnation Books
ISBN 10: 1615723544
ISBN 13: 978-1615723546
ASIN: B004U7FOA0
Standalone
Copy: Provided by Author
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Life held little interest for Jacob…until he found death.

Abused and neglected, Jacob’s only solace comes when he is alone in the woods or in the arms of his new girlfriend. But when he stumbles across a hidden bunker filled with human skulls, he learns what true suffering is. Drawn to examine the skulls, he finds there is more than just empty blackness behind their lifeless stares. Through their eyes he watches them die.

With every glance, he witnesses another murder, the memories of the dead playing out inside his mind until reality becomes a blur. A primal cruelty awakening, Jacob returns to the morbid comfort of the skulls, over and over again. But when he happens upon a fresh skull, a victim tortured and slain for his amusement alone, he knows his time has come. Face to face with death, Jacob must choose whether to resist the darkness that dwells inside or condemn himself forever, murdering his innocence on the edge of an axe."

When Tim approached me to read Skulls he did not tell me much other than it is very different from his Armageddon Bound or Sepulchral Earth series. He was telling the truth as Skulls is a not what I was expecting and it was quite haunting at times.

Skulls is about a troubled teen named Jacob, his mother has left him to the care of an abusive and more often drunk father and an indifferent step-mother. He lives a dejected life where the only humanity he has found is his girlfriend, who ensures he is properly fed and has some happiness in his dispirited existence. Jacob is your typical crestfallen youth who could really go either way depending upon which way you push him. His girlfriend tries to bring out the best in him where his father does everything in his power to destroy what little hope he has in his life.

Jacob and his friends are out in the woods playing "Zombie" and drinking beer when Jacob uncovers a underground lair containing several human skulls. When Jacob looks into the empty eye sockets he is drawn into the very last moments of that person's life. Each life is brought to an untimely end by a masked man with an axe. The memories become more and more powerful and draw Jacob to return and learn more of the fates of those skulls and why more skulls are found each time he returns. As the need to return to the underground lair becomes addiction, he begins to change and this is noticed by his friends, girlfriend, and local law enforcement.

The memories he replays are interesting and horrifying, yet tastefully done. There is just enough gruesome details to give you the overall outcome of the victim, yet never over the top. Not to mention the fact that while this is a horror novel there is a bit of mystery as someone is watching Jacob enter and exit the lair and adding skulls to the collection. When everything is finally brought to a conclusion I found that I was completely wrong with who I thought the killer was which is something that I enjoyed. I like it when it comes from right field.

Skulls is a great choice for a Halloween read and if you have not had the opportunity to read anything by Tim Marquitz, this is the perfect time to start. While the story is short, it is one of his best to date. You will not be disappointed. Highly Recommended.

Style 9
Characters 10
Plot 9

Overall 9/10

Cover Art: Daniel Abraham's The King's Blood

2011-10-01T08:00:00.001+01:00

Daniel Abraham's The Dragon's Path has been, without a doubt, one of my best reads this year (as of this writing, its review is still 'work in progress'). And I'm truly looking forward to reading the second book of The Dagger And The Coin series. So when I saw the cover art of The King's Blood, I had the great feeling to be closer to the publication date.

Even though this cover is following the same theme, I liked the cover of The Dragon's Path better. It had more life. But maybe that's the whole intention behind the cover of The King's Blood: Red, reminiscent of blood, and devoid of life, announcing deaths to come.

The Cover of Adam Nevill's new book: Last Days

2011-09-30T08:00:00.004+01:00

Adam Nevill has quickly become one of my favorite horror writers. His latest book, The Ritual was simply brilliant (my review). Today I saw the cover of Nevill's next book, Last Days.

Adam Nevill's books have consistently had good looking covers and this one, in my opinion, is no exception. I really liked The Ritual's cover and I really like this one too. It certainly conveys the heart-squeezing horror-story message pretty well. I simply can't wait to read it.

Last Days will be published in May 2012. And here is the blurb:

They visit after dark and they never let go . . .

When indie filmmaker, Kyle Freeman, is offered a deal to make a documentary about a notorious cult, an opportunity to avoid both bankruptcy and obscurity is finally on the table.

Led by the infamous Sister Katherine, The Temple of the Last Days reached its bloody endgame in the Arizona desert in 1975. Ever since, rumour and speculation about the group’s mystical secrets and paranormal experiences have lain half-concealed behind a legacy of murder, sexual deviancy and imprisonment.

The shoot’s locations take Kyle and his one-man crew to the cult’s original bases in London, France and finally to the desert crime scene where the cult self-destructed in a night of ritualistic violence. But when Kyle interviews the remaining survivors, who haven’t broken silence in decades, a series of uncanny events and unexplained phenomena plague the production. And what exactly is it they are managing to record in any place the Temple once resided?

Troubling out-of-body experiences and nocturnal visitations, the sudden demise of their interviewees and the discovery of ghastly artefacts soon pitches Kyle into the unnerving realisation that he is entangled in the cult’s hideous vestiges.

And whenever the old friends call, there’s no light, no warning and no mercy ...

REVIEW: Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore

2011-09-27T00:34:00.031+01:00

Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: HarperCollins; 28 March 2006
ISBN 10: 0060735449
ISBN 13: 978-0380792733
ASIN: B000OVLK2M
Standalone
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "Pilot Tucker Case has a weakness--well, Tuck really has two--and the combination of drinking and sex in the cockpit of the pink Mary Jean Cosmetics Learjet puts him on the front page of papers all over the planet. But he finds another job with a mysterious employer--someone with a brand-new Lear 45-- who's willing to pay Tuck generously and ask no questions about his record. The jet and job are on Alualu, a speck in the Pacific Ocean, and Tucker has nowhere else to go. But first he has to get to Alualu, and once there, he faces a hurricane, Shark People, atypical missionaries, and boredom ... and the responsibilities assigned to him by Capt. Vincent Bennidetti, U.S. Air Force, deceased bomber pilot and present-day deity of the Shark People."

When you are looking for a book to lighten you spirit or need a good laugh, you can not go wrong with Christopher Moore. The books are quick to read and while humorous, they also contain a little moral lesson. Or at least something for you to think about, but not too seriously.

Island of the Sequined Love Nun is Moore's fourth book and if you have enjoyed his previous work, you will enjoy this as well. The characters are always interesting. Take Tucker for instance. He is a down on his luck pilot who takes a job out in the middle of the Pacific by a group he knows nothing about. Even before he makes it to his employer he meets an Australian spy, a talking fruit bat, and a teenagers that worship California gangs and MTV. Tuck may be the main character but he is just an example of the interesting individuals you will meet in the novel.

One of the topics that Moore attempts to tackle is ethics and retribution. It is only brought up a few times and even then it is rather vague, while most books that deal with these topics the antagonists usually find themselves in hot water or ultimately punished by the end of the novel; however, Moore tends to let his slide and get away scott-free which seems to me to mirror real life than the movies or other books.

The Island of the Sequined Love Nun does its best to explore religion and hypocrisy, but with Moore's talent he does not hit you over the head with it. The imaginary cult and the various other religions found on the island make for some great moments and humorous adventures. While I felt the novel was the weakest of Moore's collection, I still found the story compelling and a lot of fun to read. It is hard to find a truly funny novel and not ruffle feathers when dealing with religion, but Moore manages to do both quite well. I am slowly working my way through Moore's books and plan to read the next one in the series as some of his characters manage to find their way into the pages of future novels. This particular novel was much different from his previous work and shows his growth and ability to tackle difficult topics without removing his trademark humor.

Plot 7
Characters 8
Style 8

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: Happily Ever After edited by John Klima

2011-09-21T07:30:00.000+01:00

Happily Ever After edited by John Klima
Paperback: 477 pages
Publisher: Night Shade Books (24 May 2011)
ISBN-10: 1597802204
ISBN-13: 978-1597802208
Reviewer: Cara
Copy: Bought in bookshop

From the back of the book
Once Upon A Time...
... in the faraway land of Story, a Hugo-winning Editor realised that no one had collected together the fairy tales of that age, and that the doorstep-thick anthologies of modern fairy tales were sorely lacking...

And so the Editor ventured forth, wandering the land of Story from shore to shore, climbing massive mountains of books and delving deep into lush, literary forests, gathering together thirty-three of the best re-tellings of fairy tales he could find. Not just any fairy tales, mind you, but tantalising tales from some of the biggest names in today's fantastic fiction, authors like Gregory Maguire, Susanna Clarke, Charles de Lint, Holly Black, Alethea Kontis, Kelly Link, Neil Gaiman, Patricia Briggs, Paul Di Filippo, Gregory Frost, and Nancy Kress. But these stories alone weren't enough to satisfy the Editor, so the Editor ventured further, into the dangerous cave of the fearsome Bill Willingham, and emerged intact with a magnificent introduction, to tie the collection together.

And the inhabitants of Story - from the Kings and Queens relaxing in their castles to the peasants toiling in the fields, from the fey folk flitting about the forests to the trolls lurking under the bridges and the giants in the hills - read the anthology, and enjoyed it. And they all lived...
...Happily Ever After.

This is a beautiful book. The cover art (by Kurt Huggins and Zelda Devon) captures the essence of the tales contained within and each story has different small decorative motifs at the top of each page. A lot of care has been taken by Night Shade Books to present Happily Ever After as a volume to treasure and, given the high calibre of authors contributing to this anthology, they are right to do so. Personally, I would be prepared to pay for a hard cover version, so taken am I with this anthology.

From the unusual introduction by Bill Willingham (of the Fables graphic novels series), which is a short story itself, to the chilling final tale by Robert Coover, Happily Ever After has a something for everyone within its pages. Many of the stories are based on the familiar characters from the European tradition - Red Riding Hood, trolls, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, for example - but others take their inspiration from other parts of the world or are completely new yet still recognisable as a fairy tale. The authors hail from across the broad range of speculative fiction: Peter Straub is known as a horror writer, whereas Garth Nix is a familiar name in childrens fiction. Patricia Briggs is the author of a quality urban fantasy series and Nancy Kress is an award winning science fiction writer. Other names familiar to me who have contributed to this anthology include Jeff VanderMeer, Karen Joy Fowler, Howard Waldrop, Michelle West (also known as Michelle Sagara) and Esther Friesner.

Having grown up reading Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and the Andrew Lang 'colours' series of fairy tales (now available on Kindle) I am probably biased in favour of this type of story. I always enjoyed the dark undercurrents that were present in the written versions but were mysteriously absent in the Disney film versions. As a result, I prefer my fairy stories to have a more sinister edge. In Happily Ever After, I was not disappointed; these are fairy stories for adults. Take Wil McCarthy's He Died That Day, In Thirty Years for example. Here we have a modern take on Alice in Wonderland, only in this story she is not the innocent girl who finds herself in a mysterious world filled with white rabbits and mad hatter but instead is a protagonist in a distinctly science fictional piece. One story that stands out is Pinocchio's Diary by Robert J Howe, which is brutal and terrifying yet has a strong moral core. Another that left a lingering disquiet was The Return of the Dark Children, which explored how the parents dealt with the loss of their children to the Pied Piper.

While I enjoyed the book overall, I was annoyed by there being four stories based on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Also there were 2 stories about Rapunzel, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Although the stories were all quite different from one another, I would have preferred there to have been only one version of each. Of all the stories, however, there was only one I really disliked - The Sawing Boys by Howard Waldrop. I found it confusing (despite the glossary of slang terms used at the end) and was somewhat puzzled by its inclusion in this particular anthology.

Happily Ever After will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys short stories with a twist. The range of authors combined with new and imaginative approaches to familiar tales will appeal to a broad spectrum of speculative fiction readers. It is a book that lends itself to reading in short bursts rather that straight through from start to finish. I found that reading a story every 2 or 3 days was ideal, and it acted almost like a palate cleanser. It is certainly a book I will return to time and time again and I am sure it will still be prominent on my bookshelves for many years to come.

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: Incarceron (Kindle Edition) by Catherine Fisher

2011-09-20T00:10:00.000+01:00

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
Publishing information: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Thorndike Press; 22 September 2010
ISBN 10: 1410429911
ISBN 13: 978-1410429919
ASIN: B0049MPHWQ
Series: Book one of the Incarceron series
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Description: "Finn is a 17-year old prisoner of Incarceron. His memories begin and end there. He knows nothing about his heritage except for vague memories that tease at his mind. The teen is determined to escape the prison fashioned centuries ago as a solution to the chaos created by man. Now Incarceron is self-sustaining and self-perpetuating—prisoners are born there and they die there. Legend claims only one man has ever escaped, Sapphique, and Finn is determined to follow in his steps. Claudia, the warden's daughter, lives sequestered in a castle surrounded by servants. But she, too, longs for escape—from a father who frightens her and from betrothal to an insipid prince. Finn and Claudia each discover a crystal key and are amazed to find that they can communicate with each other. As their trust in one another builds, each pledges to help the other. The two stories emerge, intertwine and, by the end, unwind in startling twists that will astonish."

I have heard a lot of rumblings regarding Incarceron, that it is the next big thing after Harry Potter and that it is a cross between City of Ember and Hunger Games. I wish that were the case, sadly it is not.

Incarceron focuses on two individuals Finn, a boy with no memory and said to have been born inside the living prison known as Incarceron and Claudia, a young girl who is rebelling in her father's plan for her to become queen. By chance the two of them encounter one another and with their combined efforts plan to help each other with their individual problems. Nothing new here and that is why I have a problem with other reviews stating that it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's just not original.

While this is a Young Adult novel/series, I don't think you have to dumb down anything so that children can understand the concepts presented in the book and it seemed like the entire book was watered down for that exact reason. When Fisher laid down her world, early on I could see where the book was going and ultimately what was going to happen to her characters. I lost interest nearly sixty pages into the book. It was unfortunate as there is a lot of great things that could have happened but failed to come to fruition.

Finn is a somewhat interesting character, he is likable. His predicament is easy to identify with from a readers prospective but it is also where he fails. His past is a mystery and yet he is told that he is special by those around him. Strikes a similar chord to a certain boy wizard. He also speaks parsaltongue or something along those lines as he can hear the living prison and has a strange bond with it. Claudia is not much better. She is perfect in any and all ways. She was breed and educated to be anything that she needs to be. She has no flaws which may work for some but even kids realize that everyone has some shortcomings. This is not to say that they were bad characters but they both have been done hundreds of times before and with all the hype surrounding this book, I was hoping for something more inventive than what I read.

There is some magic in the novel but it mainly comes from the prison itself. As it has the ability to feed those contained inside and the ability to change its form in the blink of an eye. It is an ingenious idea but never got off the ground for me. The prison is in the title of the book and I felt that it took a backseat to everything else that was happening in the novel.

While I wanted to enjoy and be able to recommend Incarceron, I find I cannot do it. It is mundane. We have been there and done it all before which is a huge disappointment. I have heard that the book is being planned to become a movie and it may be a excellent medium for this story as there is plenty of scenes that would make excellent special effects. Whether it was my mood or all the hype surrounding this title, I just did not enjoy this as much as I should have. It is average at best.

Plot 7
Characters 6
Style 6

Overall 6.5/10

Author's Guild Sues Universities

2011-09-16T00:36:00.000+01:00

Click the link to read the full article here.

NEW YORK (AP) — Authors and authors' groups in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom sued the University of Michigan and four other universities Monday, seeking to stop the creation of online libraries made up of as many as 7 million copyright-protected books they say were scanned without authorization.

The Authors Guild, the Australian Society of Authors and the Union Des Ecrivaines et des Ecrivains Quebecois, or UNEQ, joined eight individual authors to file the copyright infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan against Michigan, the University of California, the University of Wisconsin, Indiana University and Cornell University.

For more of the article click here.

Short but Great Stories

2011-09-14T09:00:00.001+01:00

I'm not your typical short-story lover. In general, I wouldn't really consider short story my favourite format however I've always believed that they fit some genres much better than others. The obvious one is horror. And I would add to that science-fiction.

Sometimes, depending on my mood, I find it very liberating not to commit to a whole book to fully enjoy a good story. I also happen to read a couple of books at the same time therefore short stories suit much better the genre switching that my mood might dictate. They also provide a great way to discover new authors and new styles.

Here are some of my recent books containing some great stories:

House of Fear
edited by Jonathan Oliver

Paperback: 408 pages
Publisher: Rebellion (14 Oct 2011)
ISBN-10: 1907992065
ISBN-13: 978-1907992063

The tread on the landing outside the door, when you know you are the only one in the house. The wind whistling through the eves, carrying the voices of the dead. The figure glimpsed briefly through the cracked window of a derelict house.

Editor Jonathan Oliver brings horror home with a collection of haunted house stories by some of the finest writers working in the horror genre, including Joe R. Lansdale, Sarah Pinborough, Lisa Tuttle, Christopher Priest, Adam L. G. Nevill, Nicholas Royle, Chaz Brenchley, Christopher Fowler, Gary Kilworth, Weston Ochse, Eric Brown, Tim Lebbon, Nina Allan, Stephen Volk, Paul Meloy and more.

Manhattan in Reverse
by Peter F. Hamilton

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Macmillan (7 Oct 2011)
ISBN-10: 0230750303
ISBN-13: 978-0230750302

A collection of short stories from the master of space opera. Peter F Hamilton takes us on a journey from a murder mystery in an alternative Oxford in the 1800s to a brand new story featuring Paula Mayo, Deputy Director of the Intersolar Commonwealth’s Serious Crimes Directorate. Dealing with intricate themes and topical subject this top ten bestselling author is at the top of his game.

Engineering Infinity
edited by Jonathan Strahan

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Solaris (15 Jan 2011)
ISBN-10: 1907519513
ISBN-13: 978-1907519512

The universe shifts and changes: suddenly you understand, you get it, and are filled with a sense of wonder. That moment of understanding drives the greatest science-fiction stories and lies at the heart of Engineering Infinity. Whether it's coming up hard against the speed of light and, with it, the enormity of the universe, realising that terraforming a distant world is harder and more dangerous than you'd ever thought, or simply realising that a hitchhiker on a starship consumes fuel and oxygen with tragic results, it's hard science-fiction where sense of wonder is most often found and where science-fiction's true heart lies. This exciting and innovative anthology collects together stories by some of the biggest names in the field, including Stephen Baxter, Charles Stross and Greg Bear.

The End of The Line
edited by Jonathan Oliver

Paperback: 374 pages
Publisher: Solaris (1 Nov 2010)
ISBN-10: 1907519327
ISBN-13: 978-1907519321

New horror stories set on and around the Underground
In deep tunnels something stirs, borne on a warm breath of wind, reeking of diesel and blood. The spaces between stations hold secrets too terrible for the upper world to comprehend and the steel lines sing with the songs of the dead.

The End of The Line collects some of the very best in new horror writing in an themed anthology of stories set on, and around, the Underground, the Metro and other places deep below. This collection of 19 new stories includes thoughtful, disturbing and terrifying tales by Ramsey Campbell, Christopher Fowler, Mark Morris, Pat Cadigan, Adam Nevill and Michael Marshall Smith amongst many others.

REVIEW: Greyfriar (Kindle Edition) by Clay and Susan Griffith

2011-09-13T00:06:00.000+01:00

Greyfriar by Clay and Susan Griffith
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Pyr 18 November 2010
ISBN 10: 1616142472
ISBN 13: 978-1616142476
ASIN: B004BA73LE
Series: Book 1 of the Vampire Empire
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once-great cities were shrouded by the gray empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.

It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.

Princess Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to a man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is the Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the first book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, Vampire Empire brings epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.

There is a lot of positive buzz surrounding the Greyfriar, the first book in the Vampire Empire series, so it was only a matter of time before I found myself reading it to see what all the hype was. Greyfriar is a lot of fun to read and it does bring back some of the mythos that vampires used to exhibit before the time of teenage angst, glitter, and romance.

The first thing that I enjoyed about the novel was that our hero is actually a heroine. Princess Adele is a strong character and not a damsel in distress, she has a inner strength that is not seen in a lot of female characters in vampire novels. She also does not rattle when faced with a life or death situation and rolls with the punches. She also gives a few punches along the way. She is very capable and the fact that she is next in line for the throne leads me to a believe that if she survives until the end of the series the future will be very bright for her people.

There is also the vampire killer Greyfriar who begins the story very mysteriously and to some a legend or myth. However, as the story continues we soon learn most of who he is and why he fights, I thought that it was well done but I would have liked to have had the mystery stay around for a little longer. The other major characters are the two vampire princes who are as different as night and day and have a long history of love and hate between them. While one must kill the other to take the throne, the build up to the confrontation is exceptionally written and will be resolved in later editions in the series. We also have an American senator who has been chosen to wed the young princess. A bit of a rogue and rough rider rolled into one. His introduction in the story is typically American and his personality does not let up until the end of the book. Nearly all of the major players in the novel are well written and a lot of fun.

I think the major attraction to me was the world building. It is the future but a future in which steampunk has led the way to keeping humanity from being enslaved by the vampire empire. The empire has taken over all of the northern hemisphere. There are brief mentions of the Japanese invading their home country to rescue valuable relics. We do not know where the vampires came from and how large their numbers are. We also have very little information as to how they came to take over the hemisphere. There are a lot of unanswered questions and I like that. There are also a lot of clues that help you form the picture mentally. The fact that it is not spelled out for you was something that I enjoyed.

Greyfriar is a short novel which I think works to its advantage. The action is fast and frenzied and keeps moving right along. A great debut and a series with a lot of potential. Recommended.

Plot 7.5
Characters 8
Style 8

Overall 8/10

REVIEW: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

2011-09-10T05:37:00.004+01:00

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Publishing Information: 2001 (first publishing) 2002 (current edition)
Publisher: Signet, Mass-Market Paperback, 592 pgs
ISBN-10: 0-380-78903-5
Series: Standalone
Reviewer: Andy
Copy: Out of Pocket

Synopsis: (from back cover): Shadow is a man with a past. But now he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life with his wife and stay out of trouble. Until he learns that she's been killed in a terrible accident.

Flying home for the funeral, as a violent storm rocks the plane a strange man in the seat next to him introduces himself. The man calls himself Mr. Wednesday, and he knows more about Shadow than is possible.

He warns Shadow that a far bigger storm is coming. And from that moment on, nothing will ever be the same.

When I was a teenager, my favorite writer was Neil Gaiman. I remember rushing to New England Comics after high school to buy the next volume of the groundbreaking graphic novel series Sandman. I recall doing a high school book report on Gaiman's urban through-the-looking-glass series Neverwhere my junior year. I can recollect incurring the local library's maximum late fees for the dark fairy tale Stardust because I kept wanting to read it just one more time before returning it. I didn't hesitate to purchase my own copy of 2001's American Gods when it was released in paperback. However, sometimes life happens when you least expect it. I went off to college, with Gaiman's novel still sitting on my bedroom shelf, and waved away my fairy-tale comic-geek daydreams in the rear-view mirror.

This book has sat on my shelf back in a small town outside Boston for literally 10 years. When I had heard that this book was being converted to an HBO series, with Gaiman as part of the writing credits, I knew I had to read it immediately. I returned to my parents house and found the book on a shelf in my old bedroom. It didn't quite have that new book smell anymore, but it would serve the purpose.

Much like Gaiman's Sandman series, Gaiman's novel American Gods (as the title suggests) is about deities. However, where the Sandman books featured an original group of divine beings called the Endless, Gaiman turns to the real world's mythology for the inspiration behind this novel. Like Sandman however, gods are made real by believers - the beliefs of mortals. Since this is the case. all the pantheons exist making for a very crowded celestial realm. The premise behind the book is that the gods of the old world were carried over to America in the minds of immigrants when other cultures migrated to the U.S. However, now these old-time gods have fallen on hard times - they are pumping gas and turning tricks - just ways to blend in with mortals since no one believes in them anymore. Instead, Americans have turned to a new breed of gods that preside over over fast food, television, and the internet - a group that wishes to eliminate the traditional gods from existence. Therefore, this war of the gods is actually a culture war for the hearts and minds of America.

For a book written by a British guy, American Gods has a very sophisticated understanding of American culture. The story is stacked to the brim with American culture new and old, from big city cab-drivers to small town murders, from African-American to Native American, from road-side attractions to attractive road-side hitchhikers. Gaiman demonstrates the kind of understanding of American culture that could only come from someone removed by the culture - from one exposed to American pop culture in all its flavors. This is not a bad thing - Gaiman's appreciation for American culture shines and it provides the perfect setting for Gaiman's story. The amalgamation of culture that is America provides the perfect meeting place for what will result in a war among the gods.

The story is magnificently told. The surprises are subtle enough to be unpredictable but well-planned enough to be intuitive. The characters are extremely colorful and loquacious but the protagonist Shadow plays the perfect complement to them all. Shadow is a dull-witted ex-con whose common-sense wisdom could at first be mistaken for stupidity. Shadow is masculine in the way famous American tough-guys are - he can crack a few skulls and still remain a man of few words. However, with this book - I have a few complaints. Gaiman's unnecessary need to be literary doesn't always make it clear which gods the characters represent. A list of characters in the index would have been greatly appreciated. There are a few too many obscure dream sequences and simply unnecessary unrelated American stories - these certainly could have been whittled down.

If you are interested in mythology and American culture, certainly seek out this book. Fans of the Sandman graphic novel series will undoubtedly be pleased. However, if you are not a mythology-nerd or an American culture buff, the book's appeal may be easily lost on you. In short, if you are already a fan of Gaiman's work don't miss it. If you are not, you may only want to pick it up if you already find the concept of the novel intriguing.

Plot……….9/10

Characters………9.5/10

Style……….8.5/10

Overall……….8.5/10

REVIEW: The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton

2011-09-06T00:19:00.000+01:00

The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton

Publishing information: Paperback; 1120 pages
Publisher: Orbit; 8 Oct 2008
ISBN 10: 0316021806
ISBN 13: 978-0316021807
Series: Book 1 of the Night's Dawn Trilogy
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer/: Tyson

Back of the book: "Space is not the only void...

In AD 2600 the human race is finally beginning to realize its full potential. Hundreds of colonized planets scattered across the galaxy host a multitude of prosperous and wildly diverse cultures. Genetic engineering has pushed evolution far beyond nature's boundaries, defeating disease and producing extraordinary spaceborn creatures. Huge fleets of sentient trader starships thrive on the wealth created by the industrialization of entire star systems. And throughout inhabited space the Confederation Navy keeps the peace. A true golden age is within our grasp.

But now something has gone catastrophically wrong. On a primitive colony planet a renegade criminal's chance encounter with an utterly alien entity unleashes the most primal of all our fears. An extinct race which inhabited the galaxy aeons ago called it "The Reality Dysfunction." It is the nightmare which has prowled beside us since the beginning of history.

THE REALITY DYSFUNCTION is a modern classic of science fiction, an extraordinary feat of storytelling on a truly epic scale."

I have been pondering just how I was going to write this review, the book is massive and is only the opening shot in the trilogy. A lot of characters are introduced and ideas brought into play. With that in mind I am not even sure that I can give this a fair review but I will do what I can.

The Reality Dysfunction takes place in several galaxies and planets. Nearly every niche in human society has their own personal planet. There is also two ways that humans have branched off, the Edenists and the Adamists. Edenists have used gene technology which has given them the ability to communicate telepathically (human and other creatures) and over generations of breeding several other abilities. The Edenists are more technological using Bitek or Biological technology to enhance their lively hood. The Adamists have a much better life overall but both do quite well in the future. Aside from the differences in human ideology, each planet is different from the others. There are a few planets that come to the forefront in this novel, one is the main planet, named Tranquility, for commerce as well as a center for one strand of humanity. There is also a planet, Lalonde, where things start to unravel and has a wild west, make it on your own and by the sweat of your brow feel to it. I found it funny, although I doubt Hamilton intended it to be that way, but Canada received its own planet. But with the two ideologies and the various planets representing nationalities and different ways of life, leads the book into many different planets and ecologies which is interesting. There are a few other species that are included in Hamilton's universe and they play a big role in the opening novel to the trilogy but, I have to keep some things close to my chest for fear of divulging too much plot. I will say that they are not what you expect and they are unique.

Since The Reality Dysfunction spans the universe and is a space opera in the grandest sense, there are a myriad of characters to keep track of. There is Joshua Calvert, who is your typical rogue. He loves women and they in turn love him. Syrinx a former Navy Captain turned privateer with a bone to pick with Calvert. She also has a Voidhawk, a living interstellar space ship that is bonded to her. Quinn Dexter, a former gang member on forced to work on Lalonde as punishment for his crimes on Earth. He is also a practicing satanist, which brings all kinds of chaos along with it. I could go on and on about the other characters in the book but the list if very long and each one has a very detailed history and motivations.

Aside from Hamilton's impressive planets and characters there is also a political angle in the novel which has several different factions and reasons for existence. There is a lot to take in in this first installment and in all honesty I was lost (and a tad bit bored) with the first 300 pages as there is some action;however, mainly it serves to set up the stage for the rest of the novel. The reason I was lost is there is very little information that you get to help you keep the people straight and their motivations and factions apart. I just ended up plugging away at it until I finally formed a clearer picture in my head and was able to see who was who.

The Reality Dysfunction is an ambitious space opera and I found it entertaining at times, at other times I was either playing catch up or bored to death waiting for the build up to finally come to its close or at least prepare me for what was the bigger picture. The Reality Dysfunction is also very large. As I have not finished the series (and seriously debating whether I want to simply because of their size) I am not sure if there could have been some major editing as a lot of the book feels slightly padded. Again, I have not read the sequels so, I don't know how or if some of it plays a part in the later acts. However, if you do love space operas, I would have to say this one needs to be on your list. It has some great characters, a enormous universe with some great technology, and the idea/plot was an unexpected delight.

Plot 9
Characters 9
Style 7

Overall 8/10

Dark Fantasy: sub-genre or marketing ploy?

2011-08-31T07:00:00.001+01:00

In recent years a new sub-genre has appeared in UK bookshops. Always located close to the Science Fiction & Fantasy shelves, the proudly labelled "Dark Fantasy" section contains a somewhat strange mix of books, mostly written by women.

But what IS Dark Fantasy? Is it a bona fide sub-genre? Or is it a marketing term, used to cover the range of paranormal romance/urban fiction/young adult titles that have proliferated since the success of Twilight, aimed at the post-Harry Potter generation of female readers?

Wikipedia gives a definition of sorts, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_fantasy] but starts by stating

"A strict definition for dark fantasy is difficult to pin down."

The entry goes on to say that

"The term itself may refer collectively to tales that are either horror-based or fantasy-based."

but what DOES seem clear is that there is a supernatural element, be it monsters, magic or a combination of both. Classic books such as Dracula by Bram Stoker or Grimm's Fairy Tales fall into this definition as they straddle the divide between Horror and Fantasy. They contain elements of both and have sinister undertones, as do the works of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P.Lovecraft. By the same definition, Stephen King - particularly his early novels, like Carrie and Salem's Lot - could be classified as Dark Fantasy; so too many books by Neil Gaiman, Angela Carter, Clive Barker, Tanith Lee or Anne Rice. Yet these authors are not to be found on the Dark Fantasy shelves.

So what do the booksellers and publishers classify as Dark Fantasy? Well... from recent browsing in my local Waterstones [one of the last remaining UK chain of bookshops] it seems to be a combination of Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, light Horror and Young Adult books - mostly written by women and largely aimed at women too. I sometimes wonder if this section has been created in the light of the Twilight phenomena, a marketing ploy to capture the (mainly) teenage readership of the popular Stephenie Meyer series.

The feisty, 'kick-ass' female protagonist protecting the world from the 'evil' supernatural beings is a popular theme. There are a number of long-running series that fit in this category - the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, the Anita Blake novels by Laurell K. Hamilton or the Women of the Underworld series by Kelley Armstrong for example. Another series that is similar is Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, however, the protagonist here is a male wizard and you will find these books shelved in the general Science Fiction & Fantasy section, not under the heading of Dark Fantasy!

A high proportion of Paranormal Romance books can be found in the Dark Fantasy section. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Darkhunter series, J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood novels and Christine Feehan's Carpathian series are some of the more well known examples, all involving some form of the vampire mythology. But it isn't all 'sexy vampires'. P.C. Cast's Goddess Summoning series draws from Celtic and Greek mythologies. Atlantis is the basis for the Lords of the Underworld series by Gena Showalter. But in all of these series romance is a central theme, with the the mythology and worldbuilding providing context. However, it is fair to say that the background and history of the central characters, whether they be ancient Greeks converted to Dark Hunters by Artemis or Atlantean warriors, is worthy of any speculative fiction novel. It is the emphasis on romance that places these books firmly in the marketing section 'Dark Fantasy' thus keeping them well away from the sword and sandals aficionados and the space opera fanboys!

So, in conclusion, it seems clear that what is now labelled 'Dark Fiction' in UK bookshops today is a marketing construct, catering for the current fashion for vampires (mainly of the non-sparkly type, thankfully!), werewolves, shape-shifters etc. with a loosely romantic plotline. The publishers and booksellers are keen to feed the appetites of the older teenage/early 20's women, now that the Twilight series is complete. Five years ago this section didn't exist, now it commands 4 or 6 columns of shelves in my local shop, albeit tucked away around the corner from the 'real' Fantasy and Science Fiction. Dark Fantasy is quickly becoming speculative fiction's 'dirty little secret' and is dismissed (or completely ignored) by many genre commentators. Yet there are some very good writers tucked away there. One thing I would suggest, however... if Gail Martin, Poppy Z Bryte, Nancy Collins or Tanith Lee were starting out today, would their books be classified as Dark Fantasy?

REVIEW: A Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond E Feist

2011-08-30T00:07:00.000+01:00

A Darkness at Sethanon by Raymond E Feist
Publishing Information: Paperback; 464 pages
Publisher: Spectra; 1 January 1987
ISBN 10: 9780553263282
ISBN 13: 978-0553263282
Series Volume IV in the Riftwar Saga(US) Volume III (UK)
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "An evil wind blows through Midkemia. Dark legions have risen up to crush the Kingdom of the Isles and enslave it to dire magics. The final battle between Order and Chaos is abotu to begin in the ruins of the city called Sethanon.

Now Pug, the master magician sometimes known as Milamber, must undertake an awesome and perilous quest to the dawn of time to grapple with an ancient and terrible Enemy for the fate of a thousand worlds."

The final book in the original Riftwar Saga was a disappointing read and very predictable. Last week I reviewed Silverthorn, which felt like a giant prologue for this book. Darkness At Sethanon takes place roughly a year after the events in Silverthorn and really is two stories in one. The first story focuses on Arutha as he decides to take the battle to the enemy and hopefully, through faking his death, be able to surprise the legions of darkness that is preparing to destroy the realm. The other story is of Tomas and Pug as they must travel between worlds and find the one person that can help them defeat the evil before it gains a foothold in Midkemia and then spreads through other dimensions and worlds.

Arutha's story takes him north where he meets a former enemy that he never expected to encounter. I really liked this portion of the book. It was the first time I enjoyed reading about Arutha since the Magician. The action was done really well and with an old favorite returning made for some great dialogue. With the hordes of darkness preparing to overwhelm everyone in the city there was a bit of strategy used in the conflict. While not very in depth it was written very vividly and I found myself turning page after page to see the outcome.

The other story in A Darkness at Sethanon is regarding Pug and Tomas. Pug has received all the instruction he can from the ancient elves and with luck he will be able to face the coming darkness. There was a lot of build up to all of his education in Silverthorn and while he does become far more powerful than he was previously, I don't see where he ever really used it. He was basically used as a battery for another famous magician to use to perform magic. On top of that, his role was not all that instrumental in the final conflict. For that Tomas was needed. Pugs year long training and education was never really utilized. I felt cheated. The entire quest that Pug and Tomas undertake felt like filler to stave them off until everybody else was in their proper position for the final conflict to take place. When we get to the final act the battle that Arutha was engaged in and all the time Pug and Tomas put in on their quest was a huge let down. It was over far too soon and the end result was not that satisfactory. Of course, it sets things up for later Riftwar novels but I was hoping for something epic in scope, a roar, what I got was more of a whimper. The epilogue was also very predictable.

While the origianal Riftwar Saga is a classic, if I could do it all over again I would have stopped at Magician (Magician:Apprentice and Magician: Master). Magician feels like a complete story. Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon feel more like a sequel as they start nearly where Magician ends but the focus shifts away from what made Magician such a great book(s). While I did set out and attain my goal of finally reading Feist, I was a little disappointed with how the original Riftwar Saga ended. I am not sure if I will read another Feist novel as the last two books in the series were bitter disappointments and the way in which it ended left me unsatisfied.

Plot 7
Characters 6
Style 5

Overall 6.5/10

REVIEW: The Waste Lands [The Dark Tower III] by Stephen King

2011-08-28T05:09:00.007+01:00

The Waste Lands [The Dark Tower III] by Stephen King
Publishing Information: 1991 (first publishing) 2003 (current edition)
Publisher: Signet, Mass-Market Paperback, 590 pgs
ISBN-13: 978-0-451-21086-9
Series: The Dark Tower, Book #3 (of 7)
Reviewer: Andy
Copy: Out of Pocket

Synopsis: (from inside cover): Roland, the last gunslinger, moves ever closer to the dark tower of his dreams and nightmares as he travels through city and country in Mid-World - a macabre world that is a twisted image of our own. With him are those he has drawn to this world: street smart Eddie and courageous wheelchair-bound Susannah. Ahead of him are mind-bending revelations about who and what is driving him. Against him is arrayed a swelling legion of foes-- both more and less than human.

There is something about The Dark Tower series that seems very piecemeal. Considering that there were long stretches between each book. this isn't surprising. The first installment, written by a young King still finding his inspiration in a fog of drugs and alcohol, was very vague and uncertain, and it was clear that King was still wrestling with an amorphous idea still nascent in his imagination. Despite its lack of shape. the mysteriousness of the book led to some genuinely eerie moments such as Roland's visit to Tull and his meeting with the barmaid Alice. King was adding a healthy dose of horror to his dark fantasy, and the result was an ominously disturbing novel. But, it was certainly unclear where exactly King was taking us in Roland's journey to the shadowy place known only as the Dark Tower.

In the second book, King's story began to take shape. Roland met some unlikely companions, and a link was established between our world and mysterious Mid-World, the home of the gunslingers. While giving his story some direction and being less obscure, King was able to maintain a bit of the dark tone of the first book, as the characters wrestled with addiction, mental illness, and the loss of bodily extremities. King demonstrated that he not only had a talent for creating a dark and disturbing world, but he could also construct a plot in that world, and this was indeed a recipe for success.

King had admitted in the meantime that he didn't exactly know where this story was going as he was writing it, and he must follow his characters to see where they would lead him. In the early 90's, King entered Mid-World once again for the third installment of this series. The eerie style that characterized the first two books has been taken down a few notches. Instead of weed-chewing drug users and cannibalistic mutants, where have been introduced to a giant cyborg bear and a talking train. It felt as if King was trying to make his story less of a horror story and more of a fantasy adventure. The book suffers somewhat for it. At other times, I question King's understanding of human psychology and human relationships. One female character, after battling a mental illness where she continually put herself in dangerous sexual situations, agrees to regress to her old behavior. The result is a rape scene that demonstrates a very shallow understanding of the seriousness of rape. Other times, King's characters seem to develop their relationships and conduct themselves in unintuitive ways, leading to a generally unnatural feel. Its times like this where I find it difficult to suspend my disbelief.

Still, there is plenty to like here. The recipe of Western, high-fantasy, and post-apocalypse is somewhat unique and King balances the flavors nicely. King definitely has a handle on the Western, as fans of the genre will recognize many familiar conventions here. King is able to write plenty of quality action/adventure scenes, leading to a very Hollywood-ready feel. Despite King's apologies in the afterword for what might be interpreted as a cliffhanger ending, I found it to be a natural stopping point. But though the book wasn't a complete disappointment, it certainly did not live up to the standard set by its predecessor.

Plot……….8.5/10

Characters………6.5/10

Style……….6/10

Overall……….7/10

REVIEW: Silverthorn by Raymond E Feist

2011-08-23T00:12:00.000+01:00

Silverthorn by Raymond E Feist
Publishing Information: Paperback; 343 Pages
Publisher: Batnam Books; 1 December 1993
ISBN 10: 9780553270549
ISBN 13: 978-0553270549
Series: Book 3 in the Riftwar Saga
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "A poisoned bolt has struck down the Princess Anita on the day of her wedding to Prince Arutha of Krondor.

To save his beloved, Arutha sets out in search of the mytics herb called Silverthorn that only grows in the dark and forbidding land of the Spellweavers.

Accompanied by a mercenary, a minstrel, and a clever young thief, he wil confront an ancient evil and do battle with the dark powers that threaten the enchanted realm of Midkemia."

Not long ago I reviewed the first two books in the Riftwar saga, Magician: Apprentice and Magician: Master (One book if you live outside the US) and enjoyed them very much. It can be hard to find English books in South Korea so I ordered the remaining two books in the first Riftwar series. After finally receiving them it didn't take me long to pick them back up and complete the series.

Silverthorn takes place not long after the events in Magician: Master, things are finally slowing down and the kingdom is preparing for a wedding. Within a few pages a dark and sinister plot is uncovered and the quest begins. The book has the feel of a quest and that is exactly what we end up getting. The only problem is that most of the intriguing characters from the previous novels are shifted to the back of the book. Pug, who I really like, has very few pages dedicated to him although he is a key player in the series. Instead we follow Prince Arutha and his friends as they hunt down the antidote for his soon to be bride Anita.

We do have Jimmy the Hand, a young thief to keep us entertained. Unfortunately, even he has trouble keeping the book interesting. Thankfully the book is not that long. The pacing was decent but the fact that you have invested two books with Pug and Tomas and then start to read Silverthorn only to find second rate characters is hard to swallow. However as you read the book you realize that it is just one gigantic prologue that sets up the final book Darkness at Sethanon.

Silverthorn, is a bit of a let down since the first two books in the series were excellent. I know that it is just a large build up to the final confrontation in the last book in the first Riftwar series.

Plot 5
Characters 6
Style 7

Overall 6/10

REVIEW: A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin

2011-08-22T02:36:00.010+01:00

A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Publishing Information: 2011 (first publishing) 2011 (current edition)
Publisher: Bantam, Hardcover, 959 pgs
ISBN-13: 978-0-553-80147-7
Series: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book #5
Reviewer: Andy
Copy: Out of Pocket

Synopsis: (from inside cover):
In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance--beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind. Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys.. But his newest allies in this quest are not the ragtag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys's claim to Westeros forever. Meanwhile, to the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone-- a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, will face his greatest challenge. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch, but also beyond in the land of creatures of ice. From all corners, bitter conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitable to the greatest dance of all.

Its been a long wait. For years until this book was released, I often encountered bitter A Song of Ice and Fire fans. There was always a certain pessimism that was characteristic of Martin fandom (much like Chicago Cubs fans)- though they loved the books, they weren't holding their breath that Martin would ever complete the series. Some even believed, that Martin had lost his grip on the story, introducing too many new characters and tangent plotlines, leading to a consensus that the books were going seriously downhill. The fourth book, A Feast For Crows, had been the worst received ASoIaF book yet, and many fans had sworn that they would abandon the series rather than put their time and energy into a ship that was sinking fast (or not very fast). However, a hit show on HBO reminded former fans what they loved about the series, and the timely release of A Dance With Dragons - just a month after the end of the first season, propelled the book to the very top of the bestseller list.

But when it comes to gritty fantasy, ASoIaF is still one of the best things out there. Martin's ingenious blend of historical fiction and low-magic epic fantasy helps endear fans who wouldn't normally read the genre. Not only that, Martin's unflinching use of realism and Machiavellian treachery finds its influence in real-world history, and the series is evidence that some of the best characters and stories have already been played out in reality. Martin employs magic sparingly, leading to him utilizing genuinely clever plot devices rather than the ad-hoc deus ex machina rubbish so often utilized by less talented storytellers. There's a reason why Martin is still one of the best out there - and it most certainly is related to the time he takes between novels. Constantly writing and rewriting is part of Martin's craft, and other writers could take a lesson from his attention to detail and willingness to perfect his language.

Even though I agreed with the majority opinion that AFFC was in fact the weakest book of the series, I still thought it was still an interesting installment. Martin was still evolving as a writer, and there was especially a lot of attention paid to world-building and character development. It did not contain as many of the heavy hitting big moments of previous books, but I trusted gratification would come eventually, and characters still needed to transition from point A to point B before that could happen. A Dance With Dragons, on the other hand, was the perfect synthesis of the old Martin and the new Martin. Westeros and Essos are more richly imagined than ever before, and there are plenty of big highlight moments from characters we haven't seen in over 10 years.

Although many fans still remain pessimists - this book renewed my faith in Martin. Isolated plotlines are beginning to converge and there is indeed a light at the end of decades-long tunnel. ADWD proves also that Pentos is just as fascinating of a continent as Westeros, and that the Wall is still one of the greatest architectural wonders in all of literature. The iconic characters we love and hate are just as interesting as before, and one former bastard turned lordling with a sadistic passion for flaying his prisoners might be the most despicable villain yet. I have few complaints here. Some fans will find the pacing and long voyages frustrating, but a series I once read about a hobbit carrying a magic ring contained plenty of long voyages as well. If instant gratification is what you are seeking, wait for Season 5 of HBO's Game of Thrones. However, if you want to read one of the masters of fantasy continue his excellence, read this book.

Plot………8.5/10

Characters………10/10

Style………10/10

Overall………9.5/10

REVIEW: The Metalmark Contract by David Batchelor

2011-08-20T04:43:00.001+01:00

The Metalmark Contract by David Batchelor
Publishing information: Kindle, Paperback; 250 pages
Publisher: Black Rose Writing; 3 March 2011
ISBN 10: 1612960111
ISBN 13: 978-1612960111
ASIN: B004Y60T3E
Series: Book One
Copy: Provided by author
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis "The alien Metalmark offered mankind a starship and its advanced technology in a trade for the rights to planet Mercury and moon Triton. What could go wrong? But his appearance sent the nations of Earth into turmoil as many people suspected danger and a trick. Our dreams of futuristic breakthroughs made Metalmark a celebrity in the West, but inflamed the Islamic world. A scientist with the space agency and a CIA spy became two of Metalmark's defenders. Our chance to join superior beings and travel the stars depended on the clash of futurists with ancient traditions. Could he sell us the means to a quantum jump in progress? But . . . he wanted Mercury and Triton for habitats where his species could spawn . . . what did that mean?"

It has been a while since I have read a first contact novel. So, when presented with the chance to read the latest first contact novel by David Batchelor, I jumped at the chance.

The Metalmark Contract is a frustrating book. Not so much because it is poorly written, but due to the fact that many of the decisions made by mankind in the novel makes you want to stand up and shout that they are making a terrible mistake. When the alien named Metalmark comes to Earth requesting to meet with the United Nations to engage in trade, he asks for the planet Mercury and the moon Triton for spawning grounds. While our leaders first question why he requires those two heavenly bodies it is soon forgotten. They ask for as much information on the two space bodies but then quickly forget it when events start to spin out of their control. I would like to have seen some more discussion or details on the two planets and their advantages to keeping them, but once Metalmark shows Earth his amazing technology they forget that they may need Mercury or Triton. It really frustrated me as I am not sure that a contract like this would have been ramrodded into law so quickly. China seems to be the only country who is leery of what Metalmark is asking for and what he is giving in return. The President of the United States is true to form and plays the part of a puppet only it seems that the alien has managed to play the strings to perfection.

Metalmark is very interesting, without giving away too much about him (you will have to read it to find out more about him). He is very charismatic and has definitely done his homework on humanity. His true motives are hidden from everyone, he also does a great job of deflecting any and all information that humans try to glean from him about his origins or his species. It probably helps that he has a CIA agent and NASA scientist doing their utmost to shelter and protect him from any real negative publicity. While there is a medium-sized cast in this novel, they are juggled quite well and Batchelor does a great job of introducing them and keeping them interesting throughout the story. They also do a decent amount of growing as the novel continues.

The end of The Metalmark Contract leaves many questions to be answered and everyone's fate is left up in the air. But for a first novel it is quite good. It only lagged in one or two places and that was to set things up for the next event. The Metalmark Contract is an interesting premise as first contact is based on a need of commerce instead of friendship or the advancement of knowledge. There is also a lot of mystery involved in the novel as we are never fully told what "spawning" means and what it implies. Metalmark's physiology is also interesting and much different from what we usually encounter in science fiction novels. The Metalmark Contract is a fun read and sadly a quick read. You will also have to wait until the next novel is completed before you find out more about the implications of the contract forged between mankind and its latest neighbor. Recommended.

Plot 7/10
Characters 7/10
Style 7/10

Overall 7/10

REVIEW: The Magicians by Lev Grossman

2011-08-19T07:52:00.005+01:00

The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Publishing Information: 2009 (first publishing) 2010 (current edition)
Publisher: Plume (Penguin), Trade Paperback, 402 pgs
ISBN-13: 978-0-452-29629-9
Series: Standalone (sequel recently released)
Reviewer: Andy
Copy: Out of Pocket

Synopsis: (from back cover): Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A high school math genius, he's secretly fascinated with a series of children's fantasy novels set in a magical land called Fillory, and real life is disappointing by comparison. When Quentin is unexpectedly admitted to an elite, secret, college of magic, it looks like his wildest dreams may have come true. But his newfound powers lead him down a rabbit hole of hedonism and disillusionment, and ultimately to the dark secret behind the story of Fillory. The land of his childhood fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he ever would have imagined…. The Magicians is one of the most daring and inventive works of literary fantasy in years. No one who has escaped into the worlds of Narnia and Harry Potter should miss this breathtaking return to the landscape of the imagination.

           One of the most significant characteristics of much of contemporary narrative art (including both fiction and film) is the self-awareness of the storytellers and the readers. Since we've all grown up reading genre fiction, we understand the conventions of genre and as authors we can play with these expectations in hopes of avoiding the tiresome and cliche paths worn by earlier writers. Some authors and filmmakers take it so far as to be self-referential, making the very characters in their books knowledgeable about the the kind of stories in which they themselves exist. The most familiar examples are in cinema/ In Wes Craven's Scream the characters identify a set of rules to follow if they find themselves victims in a slasher film and the killers are trying to reenact the horror films that they were raised on. In Gary Ross' Pleasantville, the idealized 1950's nuclear family sitcom life, such as Leave it to Beaver are infected with the technicolor realism of the modern world. In HBO's the Sopranos, the strip-club owner and gangster Sylvio is always trying to mimic Pacino characters, usually leading to very poor results.
           Lev Grossman's The Magicians, is an attempt to create a postmodern, self-aware, self-referential story about fantasy. The "hero" Quentin is a dreaming escapist, still fantasizing late into his teens about falling into a rabbit-hole like the children in the Fillory books, a direct reference and imitation of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series. Instead he finds himself in a Hogwarts-style school for the magically gifted - leading to serious disappointment. Quentin finds that studying magic isn't that much different than studying much of any other discipline and there are no evil wizards to vanquish or epic quests to embark on. This school for magic is given of a heavy dose of realism - fights between jealous students, casual sex, and partying creates a more realist University type atmosphere than the family-friendly adolescence of Hogwarts. Fantastic elements like ridiculously childish anthropomorphic characters are juxtaposed against a jarringly harsh pessimistic realism to often hilarious results. I don't want to give away specifics here, but a giant bunny chasing after a character with knives was a wonderfully absurd moment.
           The story itself is not always as shallow as its privileged rich-kid characters - much of it revolves around how long we should follow childhood fancies, as they often come at the expense of loved ones - and how even the fantasy worlds in which we wish to escape can disappoint us with their own particular realism. This is a fantasy for people who grew up reading fantasy and now are cynical about fantasy. Reliance on magic is even sometimes symbolic of addiction - just another way Grossman brilliantly thwarts our escapist daydreams. The concept here is brilliant - my only gripe is with some of the execution. The post-grad second-half of the book, which should be the more interesting half feels rushed and shallow, as if Grossman himself doesn't want to spend time in the world he has created. Fantasy fans should tread carefully - this isn't as much of a nostalgic tribute to your childhood favorites as it is a quasi-satire. This might explain why popular magazine-critics tend to favor it more than hardcore fantasy fans. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and if you don't take the genre too seriously, it certainly shouldn't be avoided.

Plot……….8.0/10

Characters………8.5/10

Style……….8.0/10

Overall……….8.0/10

REVIEW: Wizard of the Pigeons by Megan Lindholm

2011-08-17T08:30:00.213+01:00

Wizard of the Pigeons by Megan Lindholm
Paperback: 298 pages
Publisher: Voyager; (Reissue) edition (4 Oct 2010)
Originally published: 1986
ISBN-10: 0007112564
ISBN-13: 978-0007112562
Reviewer: Cara
Copy: Bought online

From the back of the book:
Seattle: a place as magical as the Emerald city.

Subtle magic seeps through the cracks in the paving stones of the sprawling metropolis. But only inhabitants who posses special gifts are open to the city's consciousness; finding portents in the graffiti, reading messages in the rubbish or listening to warnings in the skipping-rope chants of the children.

Wizard is bound to Seattle and her magic. His gift is the Knowing - a powerful enchantment allowing him to know the truth of things; to hear the life-stories of ancient mummies locked behind glass cabinets, to receive true fortunes from the carnival machines, to reveal to ordinary people the answers to their troubles and to safeguard the city's equilibrium.

The magic has it's price; Wizard must never have more than a dollar in his pocket, must remain celibate, and he must feed and protect the pigeons.

But a threat to Seattle has begun to emerge in the portents. A malevolent force born of Wizard's forgotten past has returned to prey upon his power and taunt him with images of his obscure history and he is the only wizard in Seattle who can face the evil and save the city, his friends and himself.

I first read this book in the late 1980's, when it was originally published, but forgot all about it until I was browsing online and stumbled across a review of the re-released edition. I then remembered how much I enjoyed the book at the time and tracked down a copy. Re-reading it was an enjoyable experience, particularly in light of how popular urban fantasy has become in recent years. However, this is 'true' urban fantasy, in that the city plays a central role and is integral to the plot. Indeed, I would suggest that this book has been a significant influence on many current urban fantasy writers.

Wizard of the Pigeons has as it's main character a homeless war veteran who also happens to be a wizard of some considerable power. His power is dependent upon him observing several rules; listening to people even when what they have to say is hurtful, giving away more than he receives, remaining celibate, never having more than a dollar in his pocket, feeding and protecting the pigeons.

"He lived a simple life upon the streets of the city, passing among the folk like the wind passes among the flowers, unseen but not unfelt. He was known, to the few who knew him, simply as Wizard."

He is a gentle character, scarred from his mysterious past but someone who genuinely cares about people. As the story open Lindholm takes us through his daily routine and shows how he interacts with the residents of Seattle and with the city itself. But soon warnings begin to appear; something dark and evil is approaching, something that threatens Wizard personally. By tempting him to break his rules, the presence is also threatening Seattle by weakening Wizard's magic and creating an imbalance within the city.

The secondary characters are well drawn and support Wizard in his battle against the malevolence. Cassie embodies the female archetype and is a strong magical presence and a good friend to Wizard. She seems to be a shapeshifter of sorts, but this is not made clear and adds to her mystery. Of the other wizards who live in Seattle's streets, Rasputin and Euripedes have their own forms of magic and rules which they live by. The evil that is coming is focused on Wizard and it is he who must ultimately confront it however much his friends want to help.

And it is this that makes the book stand out among the current crop of urban fantasy books. There are layers of ambiguity within the narrative, mostly relating to Wizard's past, which is vague to say the least. Is he a Vietnam vet or has he experienced much earlier conflicts, such as Troy for example? How much of his personal experience is real or allegorical? Is the whole magical, good versus evil conflict a metaphor for post-traumatic stress disorder, or a descent into madness? For a short book, there are certainly plenty of thought-provoking ideas.

As the book progresses, Wizard becomes more unreliable as a narrator. His perceptions are misleading as he begins to come apart mentally. There is little action as such, no face-on battles with an evil entity, but rather an internal conflict reaching a point of no return. This is what makes Wizard of the Pigeons a fascinating read. It is not straightforward fantasy yet the magical elements are central to the plot. The strength of the book is the characterisation and the insight into Wizard's world.

Another aspect of Wizard of the Pigeons that stayed with me from my first reading over 20 years ago is the role of Seattle in the book. At the time, I knew little about Seattle, but the descriptions of the city made me want to visit, if only to experience the locations myself. Megan Lindholm's writing brought the city alive and gave it an endearing personality all of it's own.

"On the far western shore of a northern continent there was once a harbour called Seattle. It did not have much of a reputation for sunshine and beaches, but it did have plenty of rain, and the folk who lived there were wont to call it 'The Emerald City' for the greenness of its foliage. And the other thing it boasted was a great friendliness that fell upon strangers like its rain, but with more warmth." (opening paragraph)

With my recent re-reading, I gained the distinct impression that Wizard could not have existed in any other US city, but perhaps my perceptions have been influenced by the fact that most of my favourite bands come from Seattle and surrounding areas [Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Screaming Trees, Nirvana, Pearl Jam et al].

Overall, Wizard of the Pigeons is a book to savour. While definitely fantasy, it does not conform to the expected current urban fantasy standards, which is no bad thing!. The quality of the writing combined with the lead character's ambiguous nature make strong combination, resulting in an enjoyable and thought-provoking gem of a book.

Plot 8/10
Characters 8/10
Style 8/10

Overall 8/10

Note: Megan Lindholm is better known as Robin Hobb, author of The Farseer trilogy, The Liveship Traders trilogy and The Tawny Man trilogy, amongst others.

REVIEW: The Essential Moon Knight Vol. I (Marvel Essentials)

2011-08-16T00:10:00.000+01:00

The Essential Moon Knight Volume 1 (Marvel Essentials)
Publishing Information: Paperback; 560 Pages
Publisher: Marvel; 22 February 2006
ISBN 10: 9780785120926
ISBN 13: 978-0785120926
Series: Volume 1 (three volumes currently at time of review)
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book: "Debuting as both enemy and ally of the Werewolf by Night, Moon Knight's three personalities equaled one eerie adventure after another by Moench, Miller and more! Earning enemies like the brutal Bushman and the macabre Morpheus early in his career, Moon Knight also teamed up with Spider-Man, the Thing, and others against well-known and forgotten villains alike! Spun by Cyclone! Caught by Crossfire! Plus: an early fight with the Purple Man alongside Luke Cage! Featuring Topaz from Witches and the original White Tiger! Includes black-and-white stories not reprinted in more than two decades! Collects Werewolf By Night #32-33; Marvel Spotlight #28-29; Spectacular Spider-Man #22-23; Marvel Two-In-One #52; Hulk Magazine #11-15, 17-18, 20-21; Marvel Preview #21; Moon Knight #1-10."

I am a fan of the latest edition of the Moon Knight comics. It is a little more gritty and mature for the average comic book and has a decent story arc. With comic books rather hard to find in South Korea when I came across the Essential Moon Knight Volume 1, I had to pick it up. I know a decent amount about his origins and his motivations for doing what he does so reading about his early adventures looked like a sure fire winner.

Sadly, this is not the case. Perhaps I was spoiled by reading a more compelling story arc with the latest incarnation of the character. In Essential Moon Knight Vol. 1 the character begins the book feeling real campy and not as impressive as I read about shortly before moving to Korea. He mainly is a guest star on some of the biggest Marvel titles. His introduction to the Marvel Universe was not as clear cut as it could have been. We are told he is an expert and highly sought after mercenary and hired by a secret organization that wants to capture a werewolf, he wears silver and that is about it. While I have never read Werewolf at Night before it looked like a decent and compelling comic for its time. However, for an introduction to a new character it felt incomplete.

After Mark Spector/Moon Knight's introduction he goes on a tour of other famous characters: Spider-man, Hulk, and others. The artistry starts out looking campy, then goes to impressive and finally ends nearly where it began. The stories are decent but not anything that you will really remember or care to remember as most of the story arcs are just a few issues. Moon Knight jumps in does his thing to either partner up or disrupt things and then jump right back out. While this is fairly common with new characters it never really felt as if he had any impact on things when the greater picture was taken into account. Then you get to the ten issue run of Moon Knight and you can see the character finally take shape and get a real feel for the superhero.

Even for a fan of Moon Knight, I was not all that impressed with Essential Moon Knight Volume 1. It was great to see his origins, but I found the stories were a little dated and in all honesty, boring. There are a few real winners in the collection; however, based on the amount of reading you have to do to get there and the constant doldrum I am not sure it is worth it for the reader. Moon Knight is a compelling character but for an opening collection of his stories, it fails to capture the character or your imagination. Truth be told, I was bored while I read it.

Plot 6
Character 7
Style 6
Artwork 6

Overall 6/10

REVIEW: inSyte by Greg Kiser

2011-08-15T02:34:00.000+01:00

inSyte by Greg Kiser
Publishing Information: Kindle
ASIN: B004YWKIB6
Copy: Provided by author
Standalone
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "inSyte is a paranormal thriller that will appeal to readers of Michael Crichton and Stephen King

It’s Tampa Bay and the year is 2020. Ex-Navy SEAL Mitch "Double" Downing discovers how to tap into the internet with his mind. His new inSyte provides transparent access to the sum of all human knowledge recorded since hieroglyphics. More than mere information – Mitch can see into men’s hearts and be all places at all times (easy in an ‘always on’ surveillance society with fourth generation tweets). Sort of like God.

But inSyte has ideas of its own as the software exposes a politician’s “divine” plan that will unwittingly slaughter millions of people. Is killing the man the only way to prevent Armageddon? The politician’s daughter would probably disagree. And she happens to be the love of Mitch’s life. Losing Kate would be too damn much collateral damage.

At the center of the conflict is a wolf-like killer who will stop at nothing to murder the ex-Navy SEAL.

And Mitch must come to grips with inSyte’s dark side – a dominating addiction that soon controls his thoughts and places him on a steep slide to self destruction."

inSyte was a novel I was not expecting. When it arrived in my email box I was not sure what to make of it, as the premise sounded interesting but I was curious to see if it would work.

The beginning of the novel we are given a handful of characters, some portraying the all-American hero, others were very dark and brooding. It was a great mix. Mitch is an intriguing character, he is rather level-headed even though he has created an amazing device that could change the world. His background is that of a Navy SEAL, I was a bit confused at this part as he was still in college yet, he had already been in the armed services and was still able to hit on (successfully) the coeds on campus. It was a minor wrinkle but it nagged at the back of my mind when he was on his dates throughout the story. Mitch is also joined by his friend and former squad mate at college. They were decent characters and it doesn't take long for you to really start rooting for them.

We also have several bad guys in the novel. The Russian hitman/enforcer has some distinct animal-like characteristics and his charisma really draws you into the story. Another reason is that he is never really fully developed, there are a lot of holes and by the end of the novel you never really get a clear understanding of just what he is or what he could be. It is a mystery that I will not divulge here.

The story moves in a similar style to a Tom Clancy novel where there is plenty of intrigue and action as the story progresses. While it is the future not much has really happened aside from the fact that the world's cities are wired wirelessly, and poverty is a major concern. Kiser does not expand too much on it but it does appear that he is forewarning us of things to come if we continue on our present path of logging in to our online worlds instead of actually interacting with our fellow man.

inSyte was a nice change of pace and an interesting novel. There is just enough science fiction for the scifi lover in you and action and adventure for anyone who enjoys military novels. There is also a bit of urban fantasy thrown into the mix to make you wonder just what else is in Kiser's world. While this novel sadly would never have made it onto my radar without the author requesting that I review it, I am glad he did as I found myself a hidden gem. Recommended.

Plot 7
Characters 8
Style 7.5

Overall 7.5/10

REVIEW: The City & The City by China Miéville

2011-08-14T04:49:00.005+01:00

The City & the City by China Miéville
Publishing Information: 2009 (first publishing) 2009 (current edition)
Publisher: Ballantine Books, Hardcover, 312 pgs
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-49751-2
Series: Sequel
Reviewer: Andy
Copy: Out of Pocket

Synopsis: (from inside covert): New York Times bestselling author China Miéville delivers his most accomplished novel yet, an existential thriller set in a city unlike any other - real or imagined. When a murdered woman is found in the city of Beszel, somewhere at the edge of Europe, it looks to be a routine case for Inspector Tyador Borlu of the Extreme Crimes Squad. But as he investigates, the evidence points to conspiracies far stranger and more deadly than anything else he could have imagined. Borlu must travel from the decaying Beszel to the only metropolis on Earth as strange as his own. This is a border crossing like no other, a journey as psychic as it has physical, a shift in perception, a seeing of the unseen. His destination is Beszel's equal, rival and intimate neighbor, the rich and vibrant city of Ul Qoma. With Ul Qoman detective Qussim Dhatt, and struggling with his own transmission, Borlu is enmeshed in a sordid underworld of rabid nationalists intent on destroying their neighboring city, and unificationists who dream of dissolving the two into one. As the detectives uncover the dead woman's secrets, they begin to suspect a truth that could cost them and those they care about more than their lives. What stands against them are murderous powers in Beszel and in Ul Qoma: and, most terrifying of all, that which lies between these two cities. Casting shades of Kafka and Philip K. Dick, Raymond Chandler and 1984, The City & The City is a murder mystery taken to dazzling metaphysical and artistic heights.

Before beginning The City & The City, I knew that China Miéville was one of the most creative young writers on the shelf. The first two Bas-Lag books defied categorization, and proved that Miéville was a visionary. But, though I was enamored with world of Bas-Lag and all its weird and grotesque appeal, the resolutions were unsatisfying at best, containing some relatively disappointing moments.

China Miéville's the City & the City demonstrates real maturation as an author. Where I found Miéville overly verbose in the past, his hard-boiled style in The City & The City was succinct and satisfying. The style became more understated, which made Mievelle sound less like an adolescent trying to shock and more like a mature writer creating an atmospheric noir environment. Thematically, there is unity to this book - Miéville found an interesting premise and ran with it, writing a high concept novel worthy of Philip K. Dick or Ursula Le Guin.

Its not clear if The City & The City is quite science fiction. It takes place in present day, with a technology and pop culture very close to our own, in a fictional city in Europe. Actually it takes place in two cities that are really one city. Confused yet? You should be. The twin cities of Beszel and Ul Qoma are coincident in time and space and it requires a shift in perception to travel from one to the other. This shift in perception is called breaching, and its a serious crime, more serious than murder and will basically result in the perpetrator disappearing off the face of the earth. Luckily, the citizens of these twin cities are brainwashed from birth to compartmentalize what they perceive, allowing once city to completely remain below the level of consciousness.

The novel is not merely gimmicky - because the concept improves the plot. This is a murder mystery and witnesses to a murder become especially problematic when certain citizens are conditioned to ignore someone being murdered in the street. China Miéville really has done something quite interesting and original here. The book serves as a postmodern deconstruction of the very concept of location, and a political exploration of divided societies. These themes are echoed in the references to Derrida, Zizek, Gaza, and the Berlin wall. The interesting thing the story reminds us is that all cities are merely man-made fictions, and an individual's perception really can be altered by social institutions. Oh, yeah, and aside from all this, there's a pretty good murder mystery too.

Plot……….8.5/10

Characters………8.5/10

Style……….9/10

Overall……….9/10

New Abercrombie Covers

2011-08-14T02:20:00.000+01:00

Take a look at the recent trade paperback editions:

REVIEW: The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie (Kindle Edition)

2011-08-09T00:09:00.006+01:00

The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie
Publishing Information: Kindle
Publisher: Orbit; 7 February 2011
ISBN 10: 0316044989
ISBN 13: 978-0316044981
ASIN: B00480O978
Standalone
Copy: Out of Pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Synopsis: "This blood-drenched, thought-provoking dissection of a three-day battle is set in the same world as Abercrombie's First Law Trilogy (The Blade Itself, etc.), but stands very well alone. Union commander Lord Marshal Kroy coordinates the fight with the aid of a motley group of incompetent, self-important officers. The strangely sympathetic Col. Bremer dan Gorst is officially a royal observer who nurses a burning desire to kill or be killed. Leading a much smaller army against the Union is Black Dow, whose grip on the throne of the Northmen is tenuous and based on fear and brutality. Calder, a slippery and cunning egotist, advocates peace while plotting to take Black Dow's place. Abercrombie never glosses over a moment of the madness, passion, and horror of war, nor the tribulations that turn ordinary people into the titular heroes."

There is no denying that Joe Abercrombie is quickly becoming a fan favorite for fantasy readers. With The Heroes, he should win over everyone else. I am sure many other reviewers will say that this latest novel is gritty, it is, but it is mostly bloody. Even though there is a lot of warfare and many great characters meet their maker in a violent way, the book does a really great job of telling a story.

The Heroes takes place over a few days as the North and the Union meet up for a final confrontation. A few of the Northmen, the Dogmen, are scouts for the Union and play a role in the novel but the majority of the novel for the Union side takes the prospective of Bremer Dan Gorst. A character that was first introduced during The Blade Itself trilogy. For the North side the majority of the prospective takes place through a new character Craw and Prince Calder, the second son of the king. The Heroes really shows you just how far Abercrombie has come into his writing as an author. The characters really come alive in the novel, from the get go you have a strong description of everyone involved and the dialogue that you find throughout the book is tight. When the warriors are discussing tactics or just taking a breather from the action, they feel real. It is as if you are standing there listening to real individuals complain and describe their past and sharing their experiences.

Perhaps the best thing about The Heroes is that we finally return to the North. Nearly everyone wants more of the Northmen first introduced to us in The Blade Itself. Black Dow has staked a claim as the ruler of the North and the Union wants to stop their advance. Which leads us to a small hill known as The Heroes. It is very reminiscent of many battles in Vietnam or Korea when men would go to their deaths all for a meaningless piece of land countless times only to leave the area with a no idea whether or not their friend's death meant anything in the bigger picture or if their contribution helped weaken the enemy's resolve. By providing us with both army prospectives it is hard to pick which side I wanted to win. The Northmen are some very interesting characters with many likable characters. The Union only has a handful of characters that I enjoyed reading about. Tunny's comments and actions had me laughing on many occasions as he instructed his greenhorns in the military craft, or lack of military craft.

Even though this is a fantasy novel, the very idea of dying in conflict is very real and the setting for The Heroes is just like that of many modern day settings or from previous historical conflicts. I could not help but think of White Horse Hill or Pork Chop Hill where countless men from both sides died on a nameless hillside that was later abandoned for other political and military goals. The battles are fast, furious, and gruesome. The scenes depicted are impressive and Abercrombie shows his flair for telling a quick-paced battle. And there are plenty of battles to go around with many different prospectives. Each day brings with it deadly consequences and heart racing action.

Perhaps the one question everyone will ask is, does Logan Ninefingers, The Bloody Nine, show up in the novel. Unfortunately, he does not. He is mentioned in the novel on several occasions and his legend is bigger than ever as the mention of his name inspires fear in all but the bravest of fighters. I was a little disappointed that he was not featured in the book; however, I will say that I have a feeling that he is coming and that this novel just makes us salivate at the very idea of his return. I hope that I am correct in that assumption.

The one bad side to the Kindle and I will continue to say this until somebody listens, is the maps. The Heroes have a handful of maps that show the various positions of the two armies and on the Kindle you can barely make anything out. I did not have to study the map very long or hard to understand the troop positions and movements but, the fact that they are so small and do not come out very well on the Kindle may deter others from reading the book in this format. Instead opting to go with the physical book to actually see what the map has on it. eReaders need to do something to improve the maps the books contain. This is not something that Abercrombie should be blamed for but publishers and who ever converts the physical book over to the various eReader formats need to improve the quality of maps and images for those of us that want to read electronically.

The Heroes is an outstanding novel and an impressive addition to the world Abercrombie has created. I do suggest reading his novels in publication order as there are many recurring characters and nearly everyone from previous novels is given a mention. Although if you haven't read his previous works you could easily get by, but I feel you will miss some of the little touches that Abercrombie has added to the enrichment of the novel. The Heroes is my favorite Abercrombie novel to date and I look forward to seeing him top this one, which should be very difficult to do. The Heroes was pretty much the entertainment equivalent of riding a unicorn down a mountain while drinking from a goblet filled with the laughter or children. Highly recommended.

Plot 10
Characters 10
Style 10

Overall 10/10

REVIEW: Progeny: Children of the White Lions by R.T. Kaelin

2011-08-08T04:59:00.006+01:00

Progeny: Children of the White Lions by R.T. Kaelin
Publishing Information: 2010 (first publishing) 2010 (current edition)
Publisher: Terrene Press, Trade Paperback, 662 pgs
ISBN-13: 987-0-6154210-3-2
Series: Volume 1
Reviewer: Andy
Copy: Provided by Author

Synopsis: (from from back of book): Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living in a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud…until one blistering hot summer day when they go to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reach the lake, they see an unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watch in horror as the monstrous creation plunges toward their home, apparently drowning all in its path, including their parents and older brother Jack. As the only survivors, brother and sister strike out on their own, hoping to discover the reason their home and family was destroyed. They must make their way through a countryside where magic is outlawed, punishable by imprisonment or even death, while struggling with the revelation that Kenders has magical abilities herself. Ancient, powerful forces still seek them on their travels -- some intending to eliminate the threat they pose and some hoping the help them fulfill a destiny of which they are unaware. Myths and legends come to life, whacking the pair along a journey they never could have imagined possible.

Since I was a child, I've been regaled by authors with tales of seemingly ordinary village youths who find they have a secret destiny to battle the forces of evil. These stories are devoured by pubescent teenagers everywhere because the heroes in the story are so relatable to the readers - they, like the protagonists, wish to escape their mundane and menial everyday tasks in order to find that their lives actually hold some deeper significance. Perhaps they have been bestowed with the title of "the Chosen One" or passed down some magic sword through a hereditary line, an inheritance that charges the bearer with some sacred duty and power. These themes occur in everything from Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain to Goodkind's Sword of Truth, following a archetypical blueprint identified and diagrammed by Joseph Campbell in the Hero With a Thousand Faces inspiring films like the original Star Wars trilogy.

Progeny, by R.T. Kaelin, is another one of these stories. Early in the book, two village youths named Nikalys and Kender, soon after watching their entire village decimated by a giant water elemental, find that they are actually adopted, have hidden powers instinctively available to them, and must hide from an evil Wizard who wishes that they didn't exist. Kenders (not to be confused with the Dragonlance race), is the female of the pair and can see and manipulate color-coded ribbons in the air known as "strands" producing magical effects. Nikalys, her brother realizes that he has catlike reflexes and innate martial abilities. They are both coached by a shapeshifting wild man named Broedi - a caretaker with the task of watching over these especially gifted children by the genetic parents.

The book is massive - its a large trade paperback with 662 margin-less pages. Disappointingly though, the action moves at a snail's pace. The book is sorely in need of an editor as pointless anecdotes and lackluster world-building take up many of the pages here. There is nothing quite original about this world - the races are Tolkien inspired, gods are at war, magic is outlawed, etc, etc - all things we've come across a hundred times before. I am not a victim of modern culture's pull toward instant gratification, and I enjoy a bit of travel and world-building in my fantasy, but there is barely anything original or captivating about the world Progeny inhabits - the book was reminiscent of a long and tiresome family road trip where you can predict the bickering of your relatives before it even occurs.

Much of the exposition is force fed to us in an unnatural way leading to clumsy dialogue. Additionally, magic is too often used as a substitute for more clever plot devices as the characters seem to find much more difficult and indirect lengths to magically solve their problems than was necessary. Did the evil Wizard really need to recruit his whole class of student Wizards and destroy an entire village and cross his fingers hoping he'd disposed of his targets? It came off as not quite discreet and bit of overkill. Did the the merchant-wizard-gnome actually need to use mind-control on the University's magistrate in order to use him for a teleport spell and then banish him to a permanent vacation? Much of this simply comes off silly and childish, taking away from the more serious elements of the story. If this is your first foray into fantasy you might find something new and interesting here - but really there are better books out there that tell vastly similar stories. Part of the problem with telling a story that has been told so many times before, is that you aren't likely to eclipse the great names that pioneered the genre.

Plot……….2.0/10

Characters………3.0/10

Style……….1.5/10

Overall……….2.0/10

REVIEW: The Hunter by Theresa Meyers

2011-08-05T07:11:00.004+01:00

The Hunter by Theresa Meyers
Publishing Information: 2011 (first publishing) 2011 (current edition)
Publisher: Zebra/Kensington, Mass-Market Paperback, 335 pgs
ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-2124-7
Series: Book One of the Legend Chronicles
Reviewer: Andy
Copy: Provided by Publicist

Synopsis: (from from back of book): They're the Chosen-- Winchester, Remington and Colt -- brothers trained to hunt down supernatural beings using the latest steam-powered gadgetry. Its a hard legacy to shoulder and it's about to get a lot more dangerous… Colt Jackson has gotten his name on many a wanted poster with success in the family business: hunting supernaturals across the frontier. Lately, though, there's a sulfur stink in the wind and the Darkin population is exploding. A rift in the worlds is appearing. To close it, Cold will have to do the unthinkable and work with a sexy irresistible demon to pass arcane boundaries no human alone can cross.

When I received Teresa Meyer's The Hunter in the mail I was genuinely excited to read it. I am a sucker for a western/steam punk hybrid, and though the cowboy on the cover looked like the Marlboro Man shooting a laser beam, my first grade teacher always warned me not to judge a book by its cover. Maybe I should have taken a closer look at the cover of this one.

Little did I know, The Hunter, for all intents and purposes, is a romance novel. One of the two central lovebirds is actually a succubus that looks more like a supermodel. Lilly, is the quintessential damsel in distress or rather demon in distress. Her counterpart Colt, cleverly named after the firearm, is always nearby to catch her when she's falling or prop her up on his mechanical horse. The fact that there are still women out there that go for this sort of thing in this day and age baffles me to no end. Not to mention, Lilly, obviously embodying the deepest fantasies of every young lady, can instantly and magically change her outfit on command, making her some sort of demon fashion designer from the abyss.

And Colt always notices Lily's outfit. In fact, Lily's outfits are so appealing to Colt he often stops the action so the two can make out. And Lilly's kisses should not be underestimated. Lilly's kisses can open doors that have been magically locked in abandoned mines. In one scene, Lilly even pouts when Colt does not pay attention to her long enough (she's an excellent role model for young women everywhere) While all this occurs, the male hero Colt is perpetually excited (we know this because of the constant references to the bulge in his pants). Colt must not have read the warning on his package of Cialis, because when you get a priapism you are supposed to call a doctor immediately.

Of course, I joke because I'm clearly not the intended audience for this book. Even excluding all the romantic elements, the book is full of cliches. The plot involves finding pieces of a magic book stashed away that contains instructions on how to stop the impending bad guy apocalypse. Yes - dire circumstances, indeed. But not so dire that the characters can't stop to make out. Yet. for all the tedious superficiality here, Meyers is not an altogether untalented writer. She has the ability to craft a sentence - if she could only tell a more worthwhile story.

Plot……….2.0/10

Characters………0.5/10

Style……….3.5/10

Overall……….2.5/10

Battleship Trailer

2011-08-05T00:08:00.000+01:00

If you love the board game, will you love the movie?

NPR's Best Science Fiction Fantasy Ever Written

2011-08-04T07:33:00.003+01:00

NPR has decided to compile a list of the greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy novels of all time. So far, they've whittled it down to 100 nominees and are asking listeners to cast votes on 10 for the title of the Greatest Science Fiction and Fantasy of all time. Finally, the Speculative genre gets some recognition from America's public news source.

You can cast your vote here.

REVIEW: Queen of Kings by Maria Dahvana Headley

2011-08-03T08:00:00.009+01:00

Queen of Kings by Maria Dahvana Headley
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Bantam Press (21 July 2011)
ISBN-10: 0593067045
ISBN-13: 978-0593067048
Copy: Bought in bookshop
Reviewer: Cara

From the back of the book:
Once there was a queen of Egypt... a queen who became through magic something else...
In 30BC, as Octavian Caesar and his legions marched into Alexandria, Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, learned that her beloved Mark Anthony had taken his own life. Desperate to save her kingdom, her husband and all she held dear, Cleopatra turned to the gods for help. She summoned Sekhmet, goddess of death and destruction, and struck a mortal bargain. And not even the wisest scholar could have foretold what would follow...
For saving Anthony's soul, Sekhmet demands something in return: Cleopatra herself. Transformed into a shape-shifting, not-quite-human manifestation of a deity who seeks to destroy the world, Cleopatra follows Octavian back to Rome. She desires revenge, she yearns for her children... and she craves human blood.
In Queen of Kings, meticulously researched historical fiction and the darkest of fantasy collide in this spectacular reimagining of a story we thought we knew so well.

I have always been fascinated by the legend of Cleopatra, so when I read about Maria Dahvana Headley's novel, I knew it would find it's way to my reading pile soon after publication. It is clear from the blurb that this is an alternative history to the one we are familiar with. Cleopatra does not disappear into the pages of history after the death of Mark Anthony and Egypt's defeat by Rome, but instead does a deal with the goddess Sekhmet, exchanging her soul for revenge. The love story of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony continues on after both their deaths and is a central feature of the narrative; indeed theirs is not a romance, more of an obsession. And like all obsessions, it is ultimately destructive. Much of the book is written from Cleopatra's point of view and through this we see how she justifies her actions to herself while she deteriorates into a kind of madness.

There is a lot of destruction, for vengeance Cleopatra-style is on a very large scale, incorporating both the Egyptian and Greco-Roman pantheons alongside some very dark magic. It is this aspect I particularly enjoyed as the various gods and goddesses involved ultimately had their own agendas, with Cleopatra and others being mere pawns in their power plays. To counter Cleopatra's magic, Octavian recruits his own magicians from the corners of the empire. This adds to the fantastical nature of the story as each witch or sorcerer has their own back story, and all three are intriguing characters in their own right. I found the different points of view gave a variety of perspectives along with insights into the motives of the magicians.

Much has been made of the vampire nature of Queen of Kings, possibly to catch the post-Twilight generation. Personally I didn't see this book as being part of the current vampire trend, mainly because the only similarity was that the goddess Sekhmet needed blood (and a lot of it!) to sustain her within Cleopatra's body. This was secondary to the magical elements. A major feature was the political situation within the Roman Empire. Octavian was strengthening his power base after the assassination of Julius Caesar and the conquest of Egypt was central to this, hence his desire to destroy Cleopatra.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Queen of Kings and found it a gripping and exciting read. While possibly aimed at the older end of the young adult market (or a predominantly female readership), the horror element was certainly present but without the overly-gory, visceral descriptions that I personally find off-putting. The characters were well drawn, with their respective motivations made clear through the various points of view. The magic took a variety of forms; from the wind magic of Usem to the weaving of fates by Audr and the blood magic of Chrysate, Maria Dahvana Headley showed a lot of imagination in her writing. The final denouement, when all the strands finally came together was, in parts, breathtaking. It was worth the wait, as I found the middle of the book dragged a little. Despite this, the characters shone through. Octavian's paranoia and Cleopatra's obsession were balanced by Agrippa's sceptical stoicism and Nicolaus' cowardice.

The blend of historical fiction with dark fantasy was very well done in my view, and made the reading experience a worthwhile one - I felt I had actually learned something of how Rome moved from a republic to an empire.

Plot: 7.5
Characters: 8
Style: 7.5

Overall rating 7.5/10