The Waters Rising by Sheri S. Tepper

It pains me to DNF this book. Sheri Tepper is one of my favorite authors. Her novel The Family Tree is one of my all time favorite books. But I can’t make myself continue reading The Waters Rising. I have tried for over a month to read this book, and the same thing happens every time — I find my attention wandering after about five minutes. I think this can be attributed to three different things. First, if you’re going to set a story on future Earth, you’re bounded by Earth’s physics and geography… Second, and more importantly, I don’t care about any of the characters… Third, it bugs me when authors attempt to create tension by withholding information, because then it is confusing… I think the most damning element is that I haven’t mentioned a single character by name. Wanna know why? Because I can’t remember a single character’s name… Read the rest.

Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep

The atmosphere of Spider’s Bite might be described as “Southern-fried noir.” The setting is Ashland, an Appalachian city where magic is openly known and a ruthless magical mobster has her fingers in every pie. Most of the cops are corrupt. The hair is big and the food is gloriously unhealthy. Gin Blanco is an assassin… Her profession makes her an unlikely heroine, but her tough, snarky voice and her surprisingly strong sense of ethics are likely to win you over in spite of yourself… There are a few twists that aren’t too hard to guess, but Gin’s engaging voice, gutsiness, and resourcefulness keep the pages turning. When I finished Spider’s Bite, my first thought was, “What a fun book!” I will definitely check out the rest of the Elemental Assassin series. Read the rest.

Chosen by Jeanne C. Stein

I read the first ANNA STRONG novel, The Becoming, some time ago and didn’t like it. Because of this, I haven’t kept up with the series. When I received a review copy of Chosen, however, I was curious. Now that I’ve read it, I will say that Chosen is superior to The Becoming, but that this series will probably never be one of my favorites…The sex may pose a problem to some readers, not because it’s there but because of the way it’s handled. The frequency of the sex scenes is consistent with an erotic novel, but the style of these scenes is not… Chosen held my attention and had some high points, but my experience was marred by the rocky early chapters in which there’s simply too much sex, too often. The series has improved but still doesn’t really stand out in the overcrowded vampire field. Read the rest.

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

I read The Farseer Saga years ago and have since considered it one of my favorite fantasy epics. It’s one (along with The Lord of the Rings and Memory, Sorrow and Thorn) that I often suggest to new fantasy readers. But after more than a decade of reading deeper and further into fantasy literature, I’ve often wondered how well this saga would now appeal to my more mature (I hope) palate. When Tantor Audio recently released The Farseer Saga on audio, I was overjoyed and considered this to be my sign that it’s time to re-visit the six duchies… Read the rest.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Here we go, folks: The Way of Kings, at over 1000 pages, is the first volume of Brandon Sanderson’s projected ten-book series, THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE. At one book per year, we probably won’t see the end of this series before 2020, especially given that Sanderson is first planning to finish up Robert Jordan’s WHEEL OF TIME. So, if you’re looking for a new series to read, this one has some advantages and disadvantages: on the plus side, there will be a lot of reading material coming your way; on the other hand, it’ll take quite some time for all of it to get here. Luckily, The Way of Kings is a very promising start to the series. Unlike what seems to be most of the fantasy audience, I haven’t been a huge fan of all of Brandon Sanderson’s work so far, but The Way of Kings is easily his best work to date… Read the rest.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

… Sanderson has come to be known as the “cool magic system” guy, based on his earlier books… a cool magic system can really only hold up a short story (maybe a long one), not a full-length novel or series. To keep your readers with you for that long, you need to be good at two basic components: character and plot/pacing. Sanderson showed in the Mistborn trilogy and Warbreaker, and to a lesser extent, Elantris, that he can handle both with ease, and the same holds true in The Way of Kings, even if it does have its flaws… The Way of Kings is well worth reading due to its strong characterization and plotting… you’ll care about what happens to many of these characters and find yourself alternately thrilled, moved, or compelled to keep turning pages… Highly recommended. Read the rest.

Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

Having enjoyed Dianne Sylvan’s nonfiction in the past, I was thrilled to see she had an urban fantasy coming out. I wasn’t sure if Queen of Shadows would live up to the high expectations I’d set up in my head, but I was definitely curious to find out. My expectations were met and then some. Queen of Shadows is my favorite book of 2010 so far… If paranormal romance and urban fantasy exist on a continuum, Queen of Shadows is more toward the PNR end of that spectrum. If you just don’t like vampire romance at all, it probably won’t convert you. But if you do like vampire romance, but often find yourself disappointed in it and are looking for a book that reminds you why you liked vampire romance in the first place, you could not do better than Queen of Shadows. Moving, well-written, suspenseful, and sensual, this is a novel you won’t want to miss. Read the rest.

To Live Forever by Jack Vance

… One thing I love about Jack Vance is that he writes about things that fascinate me. As Gavin is trying to figure out how he can contribute something creative and meaningful to society, and thereby push himself ahead of everyone else, he tackles the field of psychology. I found it great fun to read Vance’s ideas about the future of my field… You don’t have to be a psychologist to love To Live Forever. This is a fun, fast-paced, and clever science fiction novel, but it isn’t at all “gadgetty,” so it will probably appeal even to those who think they don’t like scifi. It’s also, as is common for Jack Vance, part humorously scathing social commentary. Read the rest.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins has certainly been one of the most anticipated titles this year, bringing to a close the trilogy that began with The Hunger Games and continued with Catching Fire. The Hunger Games was a captivating, compelling read — one of my favorite reads that year — and Catching Fire was close to it in quality; though different in pace and tone, it maintained a strong sense of character and character growth. So does Collins manage to recapture the fire in Mockingjay? To be honest, it’s a bit mixed… Read the rest.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

… I enjoyed this book. Thoroughly. It was entertaining, good fun and left me with a smile on my face. When I wasn’t reading it, I found my thoughts dwelling on it and wondering what events would come next, which I think is the mark of an excellent book… The term ‘unique’ is thrown around with abandonment, but, in this case, I would say it is justified; even though I am four years late to the party, The Lies of Locke Lamora feels fresh and new and exciting… this is a fabulous novel, with some flaws. It isn’t the instant classic some would have had me believe, but it is a cracking piece of storytelling and I envy those who are about to embark on it for the first time. Read the rest.

Shatterglass by Tamora Pierce

This, the fourth and final installment in the THE CIRCLE OPENS quartet is itself a sequel to Tris’s Book in the original CIRCLE OF MAGIC series… Short and plump, prickly and sarcastic, with curly red hair and spectacles, someone who would much rather snuggle down with a good book than socialize, Tris is one of Tamora Pierce’s best characters… As always, Tamora Pierce delivers a great story, though not one that’s hinged on the usual fantasy formula. With emphasis on growth, learning and discipline, and an interest in handicrafts (here it’s glassblowing, but Pierce has also included weaving and metal-work in previous CIRCLE books), this series has an interest in human nature and the day-to-day existence of ordinary folk that is so often missing in other novels in this genre… Read the rest.

Cursed (UK) or Frostbite (US) by David Wellington

… In recent times many books involving werewolves have made these creatures soft and cuddly, taking away the animal quality from them. David Wellington more than makes up for this in Cursed… Cursed is a compulsive read — chilling, dark and fatalistic for much of its duration, but containing an element of hope to take onward to the second book in the series. Chey and Powell are characters that I want to journey with, and I found this ultra-realistic take on the werewolf myth a very effective addition to the canon of lycanthropy. Highly recommended. Read the rest.

A Star Shall Fall by Marie Brennan

… Marie Brennan does a good job of portraying the time period in which the novel is set. She works that time period’s science into the plot in clever ways… The characters, too, are products of their time. Sometimes they express opinions that will sit uncomfortably with readers. Brennan doesn’t write modern characters dressed up in period costumes, and I appreciate this even when it leads to a few moments of unease. The final scenes are moving; as always, Brennan drops the reserve at the climactic point and lets emotion shine through. The way everything works out is well-thought-out, unexpected, and affecting… A Star Shall Fall is a well-written novel and a good addition to the series. I recommend it to fans of historical fantasy. Read the rest.

Dragongirl by Todd McCaffrey

The steep fall in the quality of the Pern series can’t be laid solely at the feet of Anne McCaffrey’s son Todd McCaffrey, as Anne’s later books in the series themselves widely varied in quality, ranging from downright bad (a few) to mediocre/adequate (most) to not-great-but-pretty-good (a few). But at least one could kind of justify the existence of most of them, as they wrapped up characters we’d grown to love, or gave us the backstory of how the whole setup began, or kept us in the familiar and beloved setting but gave us new situations. But since Todd began co-writing the books with his mother, and later writing them on his own, it isn’t just the quality of the books that’s questionable but their very reason for being. The simple fact is we’ve seen these types of characters and these specific plots too many times and the books have suffered from a major lack of originality, along with a pretty big drop-off in writing craft… it’s well past time to put Pern to rest. Read the rest.

The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe

For those of you enjoy audiobooks, this is the perfect time to finally read (or to re-read) Gene Wolfe’s The Shadow of the Torturer. Audible Frontiers recently put it on audio and the excellent Jonathan Davis is the reader… What makes Gene Wolfe’s epic different from everything else on the SFF shelf is his unique, evocative storytelling style… In addition to being unique in style, The Shadow of the Torturer is a gorgeous piece of work: passionate storytelling (heart-wrenching in places), fascinating insights into nature and the human condition, beautiful prose… I enjoyed every moment of The Shadow of the Torturer. I love the oddness, originality, and challenge of it, the way that events I knew I saw coming didn’t happen, and the unsettling sense that there’s way more going on here than I’m being explicitly told… Read the rest.

The Wild Swans by Peg Kerr

I still remember the day I bought my copy of The Wild Swans. I’d been on a retold-fairy-tale bender and had devoured almost every book listed in the back of the Fairy Tale Series books edited by Terri Windling, at least the ones I could track down. I knew I wanted something in a similar vein, and the back cover blurb of The Wild Swans promised exactly what I was looking for. The book delivered, too; it turned out to be a stirring novel blending the fairy tale “The Wild Swans” with modern-day issues… The Wild Swans broke my heart and then fused it back together. I recommend it with enthusiasm… Read the rest.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

… When a series becomes this popular and sparks this much speculation among readers, the author’s task is extremely difficult. How to surprise a fanbase, when that fanbase has spent many months trying to guess what will happen in the final installment? Yet Suzanne Collins succeeds admirably. There are plenty of twists in Mockingjay that I simply never saw coming… Like the previous books in this series, Mockingjay works on the level of action/adventure and on the level of social commentary. Here, Collins gives us a chilling look at war, propaganda, and collateral damage. If you’ve enjoyed this series so far, you will almost certainly find Mockingjay a worthy conclusion. If you haven’t tried this series yet, you’re missing out! Read the rest.

Red Hood’s Revenge by Jim C. Hines

Red Hood’s Revenge is the third book in Jim Hines’ series that reimagines the characters of Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty (going back to their far darker roots than the usual Disney versions) and turns them into a formidable team… if you have any doubts about whether this is your grandmother’s fairy tale, here’s an early line from Snow (Snow White) to Talia (Sleeping Beauty): “Wake me when it’s time to kill Red Riding Hood.” Of course, this only comes after Danielle (Cinderella) has asked out loud, “You’re telling me Red Riding Hood wants to kill me?”… This continues to be simply an enjoyable, well conceived and executed series and Hines certainly hasn’t tapped it out yet. Read the rest.

The Palace of Love by Jack Vance

… The actual plot, while just as brisk and fun as usual, isn’t the most entertaining aspect of The Palace of Love. This volume is particularly charming because of Jack Vance’s exquisite characters — three in particular: 1. Vogel Filschner, rejected by the prettiest girl in school… 2. Navarath, a washed-up poet who lives on a houseboat… 3. Zan Zu, the girl from Eridu, a dreamy dirty adolescent misfit with no name… These are three of Vance’s best supporting characters, all packed into about 150 pages. That’s enough reason to read The Palace of Love… Read the rest.

Blood of Ambrose by James Enge

… Mr. Enge has crafted unique and exciting tales that revolve around one of the coolest characters ever in fantasy. In fact, I think I just may have a man-crush on Morlock Ambrosius. (The last time I felt this way was for Joe Abercrombie’s Logen Ninefingers from The First Law.)… Blood of Ambrose is such a fun story to read. Enge is one of those rare authors whose style and prose is perfect for a fantasy… I can honestly say that I haven’t read anything quite like these tales about Morlock Ambrosius. The series is considered to be a new sword and sorcery tale: a fantasy story that revolves around a character instead of the kingdom-sized conflict of an epic. James Enge has earned himself another fan in this reviewer… Read the rest.

Kraken by China Mieville

China Mieville’s Kraken is a rollicking head-spinning comic novel set in an alternate London… I found that (more so than with his other books) I needed to let the many, many strange words wash over me and just act as unfocused filler that created a sense of a London submerged in magic and religion (lots of cults, lots of gangs, lots of acronyms and names of magical acts). If you stopped to ask yourself just what he was talking about at any given point, you’d just give up the way you would listening to a conversation between two quantum physicists discussing math issues… Kraken isn’t an easy read thanks to the sheer flood of strangeness, but if you just ride the wave and let it carry you forward, it’s an exhilarating trip. Recommended. Read the rest.

The Green Man edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

In fairy tales, whenever someone journeys into the forest, you just know something strange is about to occur and that the protagonist’s life is going to be changed forever. The same is true of the stories and poems featured in The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest. With this collection, editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling kicked off a series of young adult anthologies, each devoted to a particular theme. Here, the theme is wild nature, and most of the stories feature teenage characters who encounter the wilderness and undergo a coming-of-age experience there…  if you read The Green Man slowly, you’ll be better able to appreciate each story’s subtleties, and I think you’ll find this anthology worth reading. It’s visually gorgeous, too; Charles Vess provides cover art and beginning-of-chapter “decorations” that are elegant and fitting. Read the rest.

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

Since Bill has extensively reviewed The Gathering Storm I’ll just add a few of my impressions and address the audio version… Listening to a WHEEL OF TIME novel on audio is a massive undertaking: 33 hours of life in this case. Not only is the pace of the novel too slow, but Kramer and Reading read it too slowly, also. But I have a trick for this: I speed up the audio to 1.4 times normal speed and then it’s tolerable. In fact, it sounds like a normal reading rate at this speed. I recommend the audio version if you have the capability of speeding it up. If you don’t, make sure you’re up to 33 hours of leisurely listening or else get the print version. Read the rest.

The Big Time by Fritz Leiber

… I love Fritz Leiber and I love his concept of soldiers outside of time influencing the outcome of world events. So I was expecting to love The Big Time, which won a Hugo Award. But I didn’t love it. The narrator, Suzanne Toren, is incredible… my main issue is that almost all of The Big Time is dialogue and Greta’s internal soliloquy… The Big Time is a concept novella which reads more like a stage play. Even though I loved the concept, I would have loved it more if I’d seen it in action. And even though the audio production was perfection, by golly, I don’t want to listen to another concept novel narrated by a 1950s Chicago party girl! Read the rest.

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels is a hard-as-they-come heroine with magic, swordsmanship and a very interesting history… Kate is special among the glut of urban fantasy heroines because she loses fights, gets hurt, and has not compromised her standards just because she’s in love. She is still a bad-ass, but you have to respect her for making tangible sacrifices in order to do what needs to be done… Magic Bleeds is exactly what I wanted to see from the series. More world building, more character development and a whole bunch of bloody action that makes you stick to the story to see what happens next. This series is rapidly becoming my favorite in the UF genre… which is really saying something. Read the rest.

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong is a fine addition to the Women of the Otherworld series… The mystery is strong, compelling, and reasonably twisted; the plot is well paced and packed with action; and the characters and their stories are, as always, strong. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel… while I enjoy reading the novels of Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series, the world setting has always struck me as a bit contrived… If these types of small issues with world setting distract you as a reader, then this may not be the series for you. But if you enjoy good stories about memorable characters, then I would recommend this series and this book. Waking the Witch is self contained enough that you can enjoy it even if it is your first introduction to Armstrong’s Otherworld. Read the rest.

Once Upon a Winter’s Night by Dennis L. McKiernan

… There was a time when I had even more of a thing for retold fairy tales… When I learned of Once Upon a Winter’s Night, I was ecstatic. I hadn’t stumbled across any other retellings of “East o’ the Sun” and I bought this novel eagerly. I remember enjoying it at the time. It wasn’t incredibly deep, adding length but no new layers to the tale, but I thought it was sweet and fun for the most part. Yet it left a vague, unpleasant taste in my mouth that I couldn’t quite define at the time. I can define it now. Sexism… Once Upon a Winter’s Night may have had its place when no one else was retelling this particular tale, but we don’t need it anymore. There are now several newer interpretations of “East o’ the Sun” featuring stronger heroines… Read the rest.

The Killing Machine by Jack Vance

After successfully dispatching the first of his lifelong enemies in the previous novel, The Star King, Kirth Gersen now takes on the second of the five demon princes, Kokor Hekkus, aka “The Killing Machine.” The Killing Machine is even more fun than The Star King. It’s full of diverse characters, exotic venues, hilarious fashions, weird food, awesome architecture, and bizarre machinery. Nobody outdoes Jack Vance for sheer inventiveness. The plot moves rapidly and contains plenty of action and suspense… Read the rest.

A Darkling Plain by Philip Reeve

… this is the last chapter of Tom Natsworthy and Hester Shaw’s adventures in a world filled with airships, traction cities, predator suburbs, static communities and terrifying animated human corpses fitted with robotic parts called Stalkers… the ending comes with a fair amount of satisfaction, bittersweetness and sadness that it was over; even though I know I can read it again, I’ll never be able to read it again for the first time… once you read any book in this series, you will never forget it. It has the raw creativity and rich world-building that only the most consummate storytellers can create and sustain, and this series combines the very best of adventure, romance, suspense, character development, tragedy, pathos and sacrifice into an unforgettable reading experience. Read the rest.

The Last Page by Anthony Huso

… The Last Page is a very busy novel, filled with everything from zeppelins to blood magic, from steampunk-like technology to Cthulhu-esque beings from beyond. There’s a lot going on, and the amount of plot lines sometimes makes it feel as if the author just decided to throw everything and the kitchen sink into his debut: there’s a love story, a war story, the mystery of the book mentioned in the title, a lot of politics, a complex family history, various rivalries and power struggles, and a lot more. If the book at times seems a bit chaotic and overwhelming, stick with it, because Huso improbably manages to keep most of the balls in the air… Despite some weaknesses, The Last Page delivers enough originality and excitement to rank as a noteworthy debut. This is a good novel that with some more polish could have been excellent, but nonetheless promises a bright future for a new and original voice in fantasy. Read the rest.

Shadow Chase by Seressia Glass

The back cover blurb for Shadow Chase promises an adventure story revolving around the Vessel of Nun, an Egyptian artifact that has gone missing and, unless restored to its proper place, will unleash a worldwide flood. This storyline, however, doesn’t start until after the 100-page mark…  once it does get rolling, it’s a great deal of fun… Shadow Chase would be a stronger novel if some of the talk and introspection were cut from the early chapters. The plot is a good one, but it takes an unusually long time to get there. Read the rest.

The Gaslight Dogs by Karin Lowachee

… Karin Lowachee’s prose is powerful and often uniquely styled… Also impressive is the way Karin Lowachee quickly and deftly adds depth to her characters. Within the first pages of their respective chapters, you’ll have a solid idea of who Sjenn and Jarrett are, and as the book progresses, they are placed in emotionally wrenching situations that add layer upon layer to their personalities. However, the emotion in this novel is often understated: certain scenes contain powerful but almost silent clashes of worldviews and personalities, and their true impact may not strike you initially and hit you long after reading them… this is actually the first book in a planned trilogy, but rest assured: the ending, while open, is extremely poignant and more than satisfying, so the novel works very well as a standalone. Read the rest.

Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland

I’ve been having some difficulty reviewing Diana Rowland’s Mark of the Demon. Not because I didn’t like it; on the contrary, I thought it was fantastic. The problem is, every time I start to think about it, my brain goes on a tirade. Mark of the Demon leaves me frustrated with the urban fantasy genre as a whole, because it is everything UF can be… I really wish there were more books out there like Mark of the Demon. Great characters, compelling writing, a well-wrought mystery, good world-building, a sense of humor, good action and tension, and a hint of steamy but tasteful sex; I honestly couldn’t ask for more. Read the rest.

Vault of Deeds by James Barclay

… If you’re going to read Vault of Deeds, do it to tickle your funny bone. Honestly, some of the fantasy satire I’ve already seen before. What sets it apart is Barclay’s writing style, which is more than palatable. However, there are also a couple of good lines in there and a few surprises that elevate it beyond the norm. As far as books of this sub-genre go, it’s certainly above average. Having said that, don’t expect this to be layered comedy. James Barclay attempts to do one thing — make readers laugh — and does it well. There’s no additional sub-text here or complex plot threads. Which isn’t to say that Barclay just threw in a random assortment of jokes; there’s a structure to the prose and how the comedy fits. It’s just that if you were expecting more, this isn’t the place to find it… Read the rest.

Troll’s Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling

…Troll’s Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales caught me by surprise. It’s quite the petite book and at first glance looks rather slim. It has a striking cover, but what gives it the “young readers” vibe is the entire layout, from the silhouette of bushes to the large typeface… Even the acknowledgments (“For Mom, who read me all the stories. ~Ellen Datlow. To Ellen’s mom, because I’m so glad she did! ~Terri Windling” ) conjures that childlike atmosphere from the get-go and made me chuckle… I can honestly say all the stories and poems are great… Overall this volume was a welcome surprise and if the package is cute, that’s reflective of the content. Troll’s Eye View is a collection of simple stories; there is subversion here, but at the forefront is its accessibility and young-reader charm. Read the rest.

Outlaw of Gor by John Norman

… Tarl Cabot is a bit like Richard Rahl — effortlessly subduing evil, fighting oppression, and spreading nobility wherever he goes… He spends a lot of time talking about how he reveres women and hates those Gorean cultures which capture women and consider them useful only as pleasure slaves… but the reader knows it’s just a matter of time before one of these beautiful and spirited women, with her dress ripped to shreds, will be on her knees with her arms raised and wrists crossed and begging Tarl to enslave her… I must admit that I’ve got a strange fascination with this series and I plan to read the next book. However I think that it wouldn’t work for me if I was reading it in print instead of listening to it on audio. I believe that it’s the reader, Ralph Lister, who manages to “fix” what otherwise I’d read as just plain sexist masculine fantasy… Read the rest.

Ever by Gail Carson Levine

Gail Carson Levine is best known for her retellings of traditional fairytales, (most famously Ella Enchanted) but here she draws on a mythological setting for her inspiration. Despite the fairytale-ish title, Ever takes place in an imaginary world that bears a resemblance to Greek or Middle-Eastern culture, particularly in regard to its climate, customs, clothing and food. The biggest problem with Ever is simply that we are never given enough reason to care about the young couple. Sure, they’re nice enough kids, but there’s no depth to their relationship whatsoever and the entire thing (on Kezi’s side in particular) is based on love at first sight and physical attraction. No sooner do they meet in the flesh than they’re risking life and limb to be together, without any sort of emotional attachment for the reader to invest in. All in all, Ever is not a bad book, just a little… humdrum… Read the rest.

Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

… What I love about Linda Robertson’s books are the unusually rich family and family-of-choice relationships; the beautiful, spiritual descriptions of magic and ritual; and, in Hallowed Circle in particular, the originality of the plotting. So, the first half of this book didn’t quite grab me, though it may grab you if you’re more fond of supernatural love triangles than I am. The second half really sunk its teeth in, though, and wouldn’t let go. The central characters face deep losses and the need to step up and claim more power and responsibility. Plus, there’s lots of magic — and when Robertson’s writing magic, that means lovely writing and high emotion set into a well-researched framework… Read the rest.

Strange Wisdoms of the Dead by Mike Allen

I thought Strange Wisdoms of the Dead would be yet another attempt to convert me into a fan of speculative poetry, but leafing through the pages of this book I found something more massive. This is a comprehensive Mike Allen anthology covering ten years of work, compiling not just his poems but his fiction and collaborations as well. Allen‘s poetry does dominate this book. Whether he’s talking about time sharks, spiders, or decapitated heads, Allen evokes visceral images that surprise and entice. If you’re just looking for variety, Strange Wisdoms of the Dead delivers as the poet tackles fantasy, science fiction, and horror in an array of tricky and fanciful poems… Read the rest.

Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus by R.L. LaFevers

I wish the THEODOSIA THROCKMORTON series had existed when I was a kid. I went through one heck of an Egyptology phase, and I don’t suppose I’ve ever left my brainy-heroine phase. My parents, though, should probably thank their lucky stars R.L. LaFevers hadn’t written these books yet. I can just imagine the mess I’d have made, trying to whip up ancient Egyptian potions in the backyard… I recommend the THEODOSIA books to any middle-grader with an Egypt fascination. Girls will be particularly fond of the series due to its engaging female lead, but boys who like Egypt (or sinister villains or stinky hexes) will find plenty to enjoy here as well… Read the rest.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

… Knowing what to expect, especially in a novel like this one, may make all the difference as to how much you enjoy it (or whether you even want to pick it up at all)…  I’d advise that you draw your attention to the title itself. It’s pretty much a dead giveaway, for unless you are fantastically interested in history, then a book called The Historian probably isn’t going to get your blood pumping. This is a book that takes its time, enjoys indulging in sensory details, leaves several enigmas unsolved. It is in creating this “atmosphere” that Kostova excels. From dark and opulent underground tombs, to the rich dark forests of Romania, perhaps this novel works best if described as a travelogue… As for the vampire aspect itself, it’s surprisingly low-key, though effective… Read the rest.

Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

… The plot doesn’t break much new ground in the field of vampire romance; the jaded ancient who finds love and regains his joie de vivre is a classic trope of the genre. Jeaniene Frost builds a fun and sweet novel around that trope, however. Eternal Kiss of Darkness features a tender, sexy love story and just the right amount of horror/violence elements. Then there’s the comic relief. Several scenes in this novel are hilarious… I really enjoyed Eternal Kiss of Darkness. It’s a breezy, quick-moving read that’s perfect for a hot summer weekend. While it’s a spin-off of the NIGHT HUNTRESS series, no prior knowledge of those books is required. In fact, Eternal Kiss of Darkness is the first Jeaniene Frost book I’ve read… Read the rest.

The Star King by Jack Vance

… Jack Vance‘s DEMON PRINCES saga consists of five short science fiction novels which each tell the tale of how Kirth Gersen tracks down and deals with one of the evil men who killed his family… Kirth Gersen is the type of hero who was popular back in the 1960s when this series was written: a single unattached worldly man who’s clever and brave, but only slightly more clever and brave than his enemies — a James-Bond-type hero. His enemies are James-Bondish, too… In fact, these are the kind of books that would make great movies because they’re short, the plot is tight, fast, and action-packed and there’s plenty of violence, but it’s not gory. There’s even a bit of romance and mystery… Read the rest.

God’s Demon by Wayne Barlowe

Every so often you just get lucky and find a great book that you were not even looking for. For me that often seems to happen at the airport, and that was the case when I picked up God’s Demon, Wayne Barlowe‘s gritty, at times horrifying novel depicting the reality of the Angels who fell from Heaven with Lucifer… God’s Demon is about a Fallen Angel who can’t resign himself to being what he is, but who aspires to be what he was. It’s an amazing, heart-wrenching tale that gives you reasons to want to cheer, cry and rejoice while you witness heroism like we seldom see in fantasy literature these days. The imagery and the emotions that Barlowe uses to describe remorse, aspiration and hope are simply amazing. This is my favorite book that I have read this year, bar none! Read the rest.

Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn

… I don’t normally read contemporary urban fantasy, but I wanted to try Night Myst because it’s been released on audio by Tantor Audio and I love their books. As usual, their production was beautiful and perfectly cast… I definitely recommend Tantor’s audio version for anyone who wants to read Night Myst… Night Myst kept me entertained for 11 hours, but I probably will not read the rest of the series. I’m now realizing more and more that it’s me: I just don’t much like this type of novel. However, I think Night Myst will be appealing to those who do enjoy this subgenre… a good read for those who like vampires, sparkles, and a strong kick-ass heroine… Read the rest.

Baby’s First Mythos by C.J. Henderson

Do you, or a loved one, like your humor squamous and tentacled? Are you the proud owner of a pair of plush Cthulhu bedroom slippers? Do all those cute Little Golden Books about religion make you wish there were a Little Golden Book of Cthulhu? If so, Baby’s First Mythos is the book for you! Baby’s First Mythos is written in the style of children’s alphabet and counting books. You’ll learn your ABCs from Azathoth to Zarnak. Each letter stands for a character, creature, or place in the H.P. Lovecraft mythos and features a verse by C.J. Henderson and intricate black-and-white artwork by his daughter Erica Henderson. The same treatment is then given to the numbers… Read the rest.

Infernal Devices by Philip Reeve

… Philip Reeve has created one of the most vivid and exciting fantasy worlds in recent fiction, a post-apocalyptic world where massive itinerant cities roam the wastelands, preying on smaller cities and static communities… With its multi-tiered traction cities, deep underwater complexes, floating aerial cities, and plethora of submarines and airships that travel between all three, it’s only a matter of time before someone makes this series into a visually splendid film… Reeve delivers a story that is chocka-block full of action, danger, excitement, mystery and suspense… Depressingly though, THE HUNGRY CITY CHRONICLES seem to be all but unknown among the annals of children’s literature. You honestly don’t know what you’re missing. Read the rest.

The Faery Reel: Tales from the Twilight Realm edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling

The Faery Reel is an indispensable tome for anyone who has a mania for faeries. Aside from the short stories in this anthology, the comprehensive introduction of Terri Windling on the fey and the illustrations by Charles Vess are worth the price of admission in themselves. Moreover, the last few pages feature a Further Reading section on the topic of faeries. The typography of the book is appropriate to the faery theme and makes the text quite readable. In other words, it’s a really pretty book. But The Faery Reel isn’t just about exterior beauty, and I’d still buy the book if only for the story selections and the poetry… I really love this anthology… Read the rest.

Thresholds by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

… From the brilliant cover art forward, Thresholds envelopes the reader in a world that is both familiar and foreign. Maya is a sympathetic main character, mourning the loss of her best friend, feeling burdened by guilt for uprooting her siblings from their school and friends, aware of the way her parents watch her every reaction for signs as to her emotional wellbeing. Her uneasy friendship with the Janus House kids strikes the right tone of tentative gestures and second-guessing by Maya, who feels like every step forward is a betrayal of her friendship with Stephanie. The emotional war playing out within her is an accurate depiction of the loss of a friend at a young age, and resonates through the story with a melancholy tone… Read the rest.

The Questing Road by Lyn McConchie

New Zealand author Lyn McConchie has written several novels with Andre Norton in that author’s WITCH WORLD and BEAST MASTER universes, so I was surprised that The Questing Road, though officially McConchie’s first solo fantasy novel, actually reads much like a debut novel. While there are a few moments of charm and sparkle, the characters are so flat, and the writing so uneven, that I would have easily believed this to be someone’s first attempt at a novel… I couldn’t get over The Questing Road’s weaknesses and had trouble staying motivated enough to finish the novel. When the ending turned out to be as uninspired as the rest of the novel, I found myself wishing I’d given up earlier. Read the rest.

Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I’m of two minds about Raised by Wolves. It features a suspenseful plot (especially in the second half) and one really good message, but also includes, possibly by accident, a couple of disturbing messages… Raised by Wolves is, on the one hand, a story about how an underdog becomes a leader and a hero. On the other hand, at times it seems like a story about how abuse is sometimes justified and how anyone who dies in a violent assault is somehow lacking… Overall, Raised by Wolves isn’t quite up to the level of Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver or Jackson Pearce’s Sisters Red, but you might enjoy it if you liked those books. Just be prepared for some seriously dysfunctional werewolves. Read the rest.

Tymon’s Flight by Mary Victoria

… In many ways Tymon’s Flight has all the trappings of a typical fantasy-adventure… But by keeping almost everything that happens tied up tightly within Tymon’s point of view, these familiar components are handled in such a way that makes every plot development feel mysterious and suspenseful… Tymon makes a great protagonist for the reader to follow… Mary Victoria’s prose is both clear and descriptive… Though I tried to pace myself with a chapter a night, I soon found that this was impossible. Once the story picks up, reading becomes compulsive, and an entire weekend was devoted to finishing up Tymon’s Flight. Mary Victoria has created an intriguing world, likable characters, and a tried-and-true conflict of heroic underdogs versus corrupt priestly bureaucrats. I’d be first in line to pick up the sequel… Read the rest.

Sympathy for the Devil edited by Tim Pratt

Please allow me to introduce Sympathy for the Devil, a fine new anthology filled entirely with short stories about the devil… who is, as we all know, a man of style and taste. However, you won’t just find the smooth-talking stealer of souls here… Sympathy for the Devil, edited by Tim Pratt, offers up 35 very diverse short stories (and one piece of poetry) which all, without exception, deal with the devil in some form. If that sounds a bit one-tone for an anthology, well — it is. If ever there were an anthology to nibble at intermittently, reading a story here and there instead of reading the whole book cover to cover, this is definitely it. In that sense, it’s almost perfect as a nightstand book — the only problem being that some of the stories are positively terrifying, and if you happen to have a significant other sharing your bedroom, you might get funny looks when he or she spots your collection of devil stories by the bed… Read the rest.

Wolf’s Cross by S.A. Swann

I didn’t like Wolf’s Cross quite as much as I did Wolfbreed. Part of the reason is that I loved the romantic plotline in Wolfbreed…  I also don’t recall Wolfbreed dwelling so much on the sexual aspects of lycanthropy. Sure, I know animals mate, but from this and other books I’ve learned that I don’t enjoy reading about it from inside the animal’s mind. It makes me feel icky. Then again, Wolfbreed and Wolf’s Cross are not for the squeamish in general. Besides the sex, there are plenty of disembowelments, dismemberments, and so on… I recommend Wolf’s Cross to people who like their werewolves visceral and their novels gritty but with a philosophical moment here and there. Read the rest.

Lord of the Changing Winds by Rachel Neumeier

Lord of the Changing Winds is a very well done, straightforward fantasy novel. While there isn’t anything earth-shatteringly new here, neither is there a sense of “same old story”… Kes isn’t your typical teen heroine and I for one was happy that this wasn’t just another “youth bonding with a magical creature” book. The other main characters… are well written and believable in their roles… None of them are wholly sympathetic characters, which makes for a better than average book… Lord of the Changing Winds is highly recommended to anyone looking for a good solid fantasy, and especially to fans of Robin McKinley and Tamora Pierce. Read the rest.

Johannes Cabal the Detective by Jonathan L. Howard

Johannes Cabal the Detective is the second book about the eponymous necromancer. I read the first book, Johannes Cabal the Necromancer, at the beginning of this year, and was enormously enamoured with the bitingly sarcastic gentleman in question. In fact, it has remained my number one read of 2010 despite fierce competition from other titles, and so I was almost nervous about picking up this second novel about Johannes Cabal in case it did not live up to the first. I am pleased to report that Johannes Cabal the Detective is just as darkly funny, original and snarky as the first novel in the series… Read the rest.

Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James

Syrie James, author of two straight historical novels, dips her toes into the paranormal pool with Dracula, My Love. Using Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula as a framework, James tells the story from the point of view of Mina Harker, and adds a twist: What if Mina wasn’t just ensorcelled by Dracula, but truly loved him? I figured this would be a hard sell for me. The popular view of the vampire has changed throughout time, from the ravenous monsters of folklore to the seductive villains of nineteenth-century fiction to the romantic heroes and antiheroes of the last few decades. But Mina in love with Dracula? The man who killed her best friend? I wondered how Syrie James would get me past this issue. The answer is really clever… Read the rest.

The Alchemist and The Executioness by Paolo Bacigalupi and Tobias Buckell

The Alchemist and The Executioness caught my eye as soon as it went up at Audible.com. Paolo Bacigalupi and Tobias Buckell offering linked fantasy novellas that take place in a shared world?… What could be more promising?… It was intriguing to explore the idea that small and secret lawbreaking, even for a good cause, can accumulate to destroy a nation or, as one of Bacigalupi’s characters says: “If we grant individual mercies, we commit collective suicide.” That got me thinking of all sorts of current political, economic, and social parallels. With The Executioness, Tobias Buckell becomes the hero of middle-aged mothers everywhere… I can highly recommend The Alchemist and The Executioness to fantasy lovers of all ages. I wish it had been longer. Read the rest.

A Wild Light by Marjorie M. Liu

Reading the Hunter Kiss series is rather like having a strange but wonderful dream. You’re sometimes confused about exactly what is happening and why, but the vistas are breathtaking, the emotions are intense, and when you wake up, the only words that come to mind are “What a ride!” In the hands of a lesser author, confusion can be a dealbreaker that leads to the book hitting the wall. But Marjorie M. Liu is not a lesser author. Her poetic prose and beautifully drawn character relationships keep you reading even when you — and Maxine — aren’t quite sure of what’s going on… Read the rest.

Wait for Dusk by Jocelynn Drake

Okay, I can’t help it. I have to start with this awful cover art… A more fitting cover would have shown Mira with a fireball in one hand and a big bloody knife in the other. Having read the first four DARK DAYS novels, I was expecting Wait for Dusk to follow the pattern of books two, three, and four: namely, a slow-build start with lots of politics and posturing, leading up to an action-filled finish. To my surprise (and pleasure), there’s not a slow moment in Wait for Dusk… The book is filled with action and violence, and every fight is consequential to the main plot in addition to being exciting. Jocelynn Drake builds to a big ending and then delivers it… Wait for Dusk ends on a satisfying note. This is the first DARK DAYS book that’s really recaptured the explosive energy that defined Nightwalker, and to my mind it’s even better than that first installment. Ignore the cover and snap this one up. Read the rest.

The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin

… Ursula K. Le Guin packs a lot of depth into this short, elegant novel. The contrast between the two opposing world views couldn’t be more clear, but there are also nuances within each culture… Much has been made of the parallels that can be drawn between the James Cameron movie Avatar and this novel, and it’s true that there are some notable plot similarities — which may also explain the timing of this re-release… the whole Noble Savage theme and stories of cruelty by colonizers to indigenous people were really nothing new even in the Seventies. Still, The Word for World is Forest is maybe the most famous example of this type of Romantic Primitivism in science fiction… These are themes that have been done many times, but rarely so succinctly and elegantly… Read the rest.

Black Dust Mambo by Adrian Phoenix

Kallie Riviere, a hoodoo rootworker, attends an annual witches’ carnival looking for some fun. She thinks she’s found it in the form of sexy nomad Gage, but before they can do the deed, Kallie passes out in the bathroom while Gage goes to bed alone. In the morning, Kallie finds Gage murdered, the victim of a hex that was laid on Kallie’s bed… The plot is exciting and makes use of well-researched voodoo and hoodoo lore… Black Dust Mambo doesn’t make as much use of the New Orleans setting as one might expect. In fact, most of the book takes place in a hotel. Yet the atmosphere of New Orleans is still pervasive, and the ending implies that we’ll be seeing much more of the setting in future installments. I’ll definitely be “tuning in” for these. I really enjoyed Black Dust Mambo and I look forward to seeing what Adrian Phoenix, and Kallie Riviere, do next. Read the rest.

By Midnight by Mia James

… There are a lot of vampire stories around now, mostly thanks to the massive success of Twilight, and I have read a number of them. Some are definitely better than others. I regret to say that this is one of the worst that I have read… I found this novel dull and unimaginative, with very few redeeming features. At my most cynical, I would say it is a blatant cash-in on the success of the Twilight novels, and that it fails on every level. There is plenty of very good YA fiction out there, some of which includes vampires. Please try something else rather than spend any time on By Midnight. Read the rest.

Imager’s Intrigue by L.E. Modesitt Jr

Imager’s Intrigue, the third novel in L.E. Modesitt’s IMAGER PORTFOLIO fantasy series, starts a few years after the events of Imager’s Challenge… The first third of Imager’s Intrigue is extremely exciting and possibly the most enjoyable part of the series so far. By now, Rhenn has become a fascinating, well-rounded character, and his adventures in the city of L’Excelsis, dealing with an increase in drug overdoses due to a suspiciously stronger variety of elveweed, lead up to a stunning mid-novel climax. After this, the novel slows down considerably as the main intrigue, which again combines local Solidar politics with an international plot, quickly gets very intricate… Read the rest.

The Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod

… The Sweet Scent of Blood has a promising beginning. Suzanne McLeod introduces several original concepts. One is her version of the vampire creation myth, which is unique and yet slots so neatly into classical mythology that it feels like it was always there. Another is the connection between magic and diet… Unfortunately, it then devolves into a middle that is both sagging and extremely confusing… Some — but not all — of the confusing elements are explained at the end. It was too little too late for me, though, and didn’t quite make up for the feeling of being lost for several hundred pages. Sadly, I cannot recommend The Sweet Scent of Blood. Read the rest.

The Bird of the River by Kage Baker

… The Bird of the River is the last novel by Kage Baker, who passed away earlier this year… Part coming-of-age novel, part adventure story, part social commentary, part whodunit, The Bird of the River is a charming, enjoyable fantasy novel that’s definitely recommended to readers who liked the author’s previous fantasy novels. Reading it, it’s hard not to feel sad that this is Kage Baker’s last novel. I’m sure she had many more great stories to tell, and it’s heartbreaking that we’ll never get the chance to read them… Read the rest.

Swords and Dark Magic: The New Sword and Sorcery edited by Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders

… Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders have gathered seventeen new and original sword & sorcery tales in this anthology. The stories are written by a variety of successful authors, bringing to play a broad range of styles and themes. I’m a huge fan of sword & sorcery (it’s what got me into fantasy). So I was extremely eager to get my hands on this book. I did find Swords and Dark Magic to be heavier on the “sorcery” than the “sword,” more so than is my preference… Regardless, my enjoyment was no less for it… Swords and Dark Magic is a must-have for fellow sword & sorcery fans and just the thing to support our cause. For readers new to S&S, you won’t find a better introduction and it’s the perfect book to round out your fantasy collection. Read the rest.

Rise of the Darklings by Paul Crilley

… Rise of the Darklings is a middle grade/YA book — the plot is not so complex as to go over the heads of younger readers, but is not so simple that older readers would find it boring or want to put it down after a few chapters. Paul Crilley’s writing style is similar to JK Rowling’s… Rise of the Darklings is exceptionally entertaining — a perfect solution for Harry Potter fans who are missing the series and haven’t found anything to replace it. This is a great family series that kids and adults can enjoy together. I will definitely be picking up Paul Crilley’s next Invisible Order book! Read the rest.

The Third Bear by Jeff Vandermeer

The Third Bear is an excellent collection of Jeff Vandermeer’s category-defying short fiction, filled with stories that are unique, mostly excellent, and often incredibly hard to describe. Asking someone who has read this book (say, a reviewer) what one of the stories is about could well get you a blank stare as a response, or a few mumbled words, or simply “you’ll have to read it for yourself.” Pinning these stories down in a few words is very hard, not to mention a bit unfair to both the stories and the new reader… Whatever box you try to put it in, The Third Bear is simply an excellent collection of short fiction that you’re guaranteed to think about long after you turn the final page… Read the rest.

The Legions of Fire by David Drake

David Drake made his name writing military science fiction, such as the great HAMMER’S SLAMMERS series of stories and books, and was one of the greats of military SF for Baen Books in the 1980s. The GENERAL novels, co-written with S.M. Stirling, remain one of my favourite SF series of all time for superb plotting, hard-hitting action, brilliantly-described battles, and its cyber-steam/star-faring/carbine-wielding/dog-riding fallen human civilization. In recent years, Drake turned his efforts to fantasy… The Legions of Fire, the first of a planned quartet, failed to grab my interest at all, and it was only through sheer determination that I finished this sadly boring book… Read the rest.

The Portrait of Mrs Charbuque by Jeffrey Ford

… Jeffrey Ford takes a wonderful premise and executes it masterfully, pulling the reader deeper into the novel with each new breadcrumb of information. I couldn’t put the book down, and I read it all in a day as I had to know the answers to the mysteries that make up the novel. In typical Ford fashion he saves the biggest twist for the denouement and once again I was unable to see it coming. Despite the intricate plot the novel is essentially very human… I never have any reservations about recommending Ford’s work to people, he is a fantastic writer and always a joy to read. Highly recommended, particularly to those interested in art like myself, or people who have a fondness for America during the Victorian age. Read the rest.

Clementine by Cherie Priest

One of the most entertaining novels I read in 2009 was Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker. Full of exciting cross-genre adventure (zombies, steampunk, post-apocalyptic retrofuturism), memorable characters and a cool twist on American history, Boneshaker was a blast to read. I couldn’t wait to see what else Cherie Priest’s CLOCKWORK CENTURY had to offer. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long thanks to Subterranean Press and their publication of Clementine… Clementine combines Western pulp, steampunk, swashbuckling adventure and a dash of espionage for an experience more akin to The Wild Wild West meets Indiana Jones meets Pirates of the Sky Caribbean… as much fun as I had with Boneshaker, I enjoyed reading Clementine even more… Read the rest.

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington

I was rather excited about The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart coming out on audio. After all, Robert and Rebecca rated the book so highly, though Greg reported that he couldn’t finish it. I usually tend to agree with Greg’s assessment of books we’ve both read, but since Robert and Rebecca reported that the writing quality was so high, I thought I could muster up the stomach to stick this one out… Not so… However, I wouldn’t want to steer others away from this clever book, because I think it was unique and well written and likely to be enjoyed by those with more fortitude than me. And for them, let me recommend the excellent audio version of The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart. Read the rest.

World’s End by Mark Chadbourn

…World’s End is quintessential contemporary dark fantasy. The story setting is a mix of modern day society and various elements from mythology. It’s quite obvious Chadbourn has done his homework, given how well he links all these mythological pieces in with modern theological and philosophical concepts. Chadbourn creates a unique, believable, and complex tapestry of myth and folklore for this world. He pulls this off extremely well and authors-to-be should take note, because it’s this kind of detail in world building that writers often miss in their stories… I’m amazed that Mr. Chadbourn’s books don’t get as much attention as they should. I see vampire/zombie trash all the time cluttering up shelves. The Age of Misrule series blows away a large portion of bestselling fantasy available today. I look forward to reading the next installment, and only regret I didn’t read it sooner. Read the rest.

Lammas Night by Katherine Kurtz

… there is a persistent legend that numerous British witches and occultists banded together during World War II, using magic to keep Hitler from invading Britain. I’m not convinced there was a huge organized effort, but I’m sure there were occultists in Britain at the time, and it would surprise me more if no one had tried to lay the magical smack down on the Führer. Katharine Kurtz uses this legend as the basis for Lammas Night… What Kurtz does best in Lammas Night is weave the magical elements perfectly into the real history. The reader is left with the impression that this could have been going on behind the scenes. I recommend Lammas Night to readers looking for an unusual historical fantasy with subtle magic, with the caveat that the cover makes it a little uncomfortable to read in public… Read the rest.

Grand Conspiracy by Janny Wurts

It gets harder and harder to review each subsequent novel in Janny Wurts’ excellent epic fantasy series THE WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW without either repeating yourself or including spoilers for earlier volumes… So, to avoid spoilers and repetition, I’ll keep this review short and simple, and leave it at that: this is another great book in what’s quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy series. Now all the WARS OF LIGHT AND SHADOW novels are available and in print again, and with the ninth book in its final stages of completion, you’re seriously missing out if you’re not reading what’s sure to become a classic of epic fantasy. Read the rest.

The Seventh Swan by Nicholas Stuart Gray

I had a hard time getting into The Seventh Swan at first; I think Nicholas Stuart Gray‘s writing style was the culprit. He jumps between points-of-view constantly, so it’s hard to tell who’s thinking what. After I got used to that, though, I found The Seventh Swan moving… Although I would have preferred a different ending to the story, The Seventh Swan is worth reading if you’ve ever wondered what happened to that fellow with a wing for an arm… Read the rest.

The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay

The Last Light of the Sun is another of Guy Gavriel Kay’s brilliant historical fantasies. This one blends Norse, Celtic, and Anglo-Saxon histories with a bit of faerie mythos… I thought the cast of The Last Light of the Sun was not as accessible or compelling as that of Tigana and A Song for Arbonne (though I really loved a couple of the side characters, especially Judit and her brother Athelbert) but, as always, each is a work of art. All of GGK’s characters (even the minor ones) are passionate people full of hopes, fears, dreams, and plenty of spirit. This complete characterization — the reader’s ability to be fully in the head of the point-of-view character — is one of the things that sets this author above others… Read the rest.

The Hounds of Avalon by Mark Chadbourn

… If you absolutely loved the previous books in the AGE OF MISRULE and DARK AGE trilogies and are dying to find out how the story continues, The Hounds of Avalon will probably be right up your alley. If, like me, you weren’t falling over yourself to get to this book, especially after the comparative let-down of The Queen of Sinister, you’ll probably be even more disappointed in The Hounds of Avalon… while I could recognize The Hounds of Avalon’s qualities and see why some readers might gobble this one up, I finally realized that I just didn’t have any interest in finding out where the story was going. After having read about a third of the novel, I pronounced the Eight Deadly Words and decided to move on to something else. Read the rest.

The Traitor by Michael Cisco

… The Traitor is a wonderfully dark tale of bleak morality, betrayal, fanaticism, and disdain for society and humanity in general. Even though it is dark, it is also very funny at times as most of the characters that Nophtha meets or associates with tend to be society’s outsiders or misfits. One of my favourite books of the nearly forty I have already read this year, and both a novel and writer deserving of more wider read. Easy to recommend to those who don’t mind a book that requires you to think for yourself every now and then. Read the rest.

The Steerswoman’s Road by Rosemary Kirstein

Some books are like a wild, whitewater rafting adventure that ends with a huge cascading waterfall. The Steerswoman’s Road is more like drifting down a slowly meandering river on an inner tube… The premise was intriguing, promising adventure and intrigue. What I got was an exercise in world-building with ploddingly slow plot development. Along the way, Rosemary Kirstein introduces many interesting, well-drawn secondary characters, but they disappear too quickly and the plot just keeps meandering along… Read the rest.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

… you could turn the last page of Shiver and be satisfied, and hopeful for Grace and Sam’s future. In Linger, Maggie Stiefvater takes all those loose ends and unravels them further. This is a darker book, and a messier one. By that, I don’t mean the writing is messy. I mean the characters’ lives are messy, and in ways that won’t be easily resolved. As I finished reading Linger, I found myself wondering how Stiefvater will write her way out of the situation she has set up — and there’s always the possibility that she won’t, and that it will end tragically for our protagonists… Linger is clearly setting up at least one more sequel… Read the rest.

Wizard at Work by Vivian Vande Velde

… Wizard at Work by Vivian Vande Velde is a collection of humorous takes on familiar fairy tale staples. Each chapter treats a different trope — Cinderella, dragons, magic mirrors, unicorns, and ghosts all put in appearances in some form or another — and together they form a sweet, simple, and gently funny collection of tales that will delight younger readers. Both characters and plot are drawn with broad strokes that keep the story moving along from one adventure to the next. Though no one will ever accuse Wizard at Work of breaking new ground, it’s a fun novel that is age appropriate… Read the rest.

A Walk in Wolf Wood by Mary Stewart

Mary Stewart is best known for her Merlin-themed books (including The Crystal Cave), which are geared toward slightly older readers, but A Walk in Wolf Wood, (along with The Little Broomstick and Ludo and the Star Horse) are wonderful books to make accessible to younger readers. Told in clear, descriptive prose, with plenty of adventure and mystery, plus a few nuggets of wisdom, Stewart’s novels are a great addition to any child’s library… of particular interest is the way Stewart incorporates legitimate information about the medieval period into the text, as well as paragraphs of unsurpassed wisdom…. this is a top-notch novel for young readers. Read the rest.

Imager’s Intrigue by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

L.E. Modesitt returns to great storytelling in Imager’s Intrigue, the powerful third book of The Imager Portfolio series. Imager’s Intrigue follows closely on the heels of Imager’s Challenge as Rhennthyl, the main character, continues his rise in power as an Imager and a catalyst for change… Modesitt really does a great job with this installment, blending plenty of political intrigue, social commentary, and exciting action. I strongly recommend Imager’s Intrigue for all Modesitt fans!! Read the rest.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

… Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 presents a possible frightening future in which intellectual pursuits and nonconformity are deemed dangerous and subversive. It’s been more than half a century since Fahrenheit 451 was published and we’ve seen censorship laws actually become looser over the years and the advent of the internet has brought on the current “information age.” But that doesn’t make Fahrenheit 451 irrelevant because it’s about much more than literary censorship. It’s about freedom of speech and individual rights. It’s about thinking for ourselves and what might happen if we let the government tell us what we can see, hear, or own. Fahrenheit 451 resonates with me on so many levels. First of all, it’s just superbly written… Read the rest.

Black Heart, Ivory Bones edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

Black Heart, Ivory Bones is the sixth and final entry in Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling’s series of fairy tale anthologies. Of the six, I’ve read four, and each has its own particular flavor, its own unique mood. While all of the books contain a mix of light and darkness, in this volume there seems to be more of a balance: “all that’s best of dark and bright,” if you will. The mood that Black Heart, Ivory Bones evoked in me was a wistfulness, maybe, or a pensiveness… My choices for favorite stories in the anthology have changed somewhat over the years, but the book as a whole is a standout to both my 23-year-old self and my 32-year-old self. I highly recommend it. Read the rest.

Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson

Brown Girl in the Ring is a novel that may have been a little ahead of its time. When it was first published in 1998, it had “Science Fiction” stamped on the spine. Cue angry Amazon reviewers complaining that it was full of “mumbo jumbo.” If I were to wager a guess, I’d say that Brown Girl in the Ring was marketed as science fiction because of its near-future setting and heavy violence level, which were not nearly as common in late-nineties urban fantasy as they are today (see Ilona Andrews, for example). Yet this is unmistakably urban fantasy, with a strong horror streak. I could see it picking up many new fans if it were rereleased today… Read the rest.

On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony

…This is a fun premise and I expected Piers Anthony to do a lot with it, but unfortunately I found On a Pale Horse to be mostly illogical, trite and, worst sin of all, just plain boring. Part of the problem is that it doesn’t know if it wants to be a comedy, a love story, or a heavy philosophical treatise. It tries to do all three (it should have been possible), but it fails at all three… The humor and the romance are silly, but the thing that really killed On a Pale Horse for me was that it tries to be thoughtful and enlightening as Zane attends a variety of deathbed scenarios that illustrate the unfairness, loneliness, guilt, relief, grief, and ugliness of death… Except it’s not… Read the rest.

The Dervish House by Ian McDonald

… six narratives all take place in Istanbul, less than 20 years into the future. The city, historically a crossroads and now also the capital of the newest EU member nation, is where East meets West, old meets new, Christianity meets Islam, and Europe and Asia meet across the Bosphorus river that dissects the ancient city. Likewise, the lives of these six strangers will meet and interconnect in The Dervish House, a gorgeous new SF novel by Ian McDonald… it’s hard not to feel as if you’ve actually visited Istanbul after reading The Dervish House… spending some time with these six characters in the fascinating city of Istanbul was pure enjoyment. Look for The Dervish House on the shortlists of the major SF&F awards next year… Read the rest.

The Godmother by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

In traditional fairy tales, fairy godmothers show up when they are least expected but most needed, to right wrongs and assist those in peril. Enter Felicity Fortune. Summoned to Seattle by a sweet but burned-out young social worker named Rose, she sets out to solve problems both modern and ageless with magic and kindness… In this entertaining and sometimes thought-provoking novel, we see that today’s problems are not as new as we might think, echoing situations that have appeared in folktales for hundreds of years, and we learn that a little kindness goes a long way… I recommend The Godmother to anyone who likes retold fairy tales with a dash of social consciousness. Read the rest.