The Rats and the Ruling Sea by Robert V.S. Redick

… Robert V.S. Redick’s The Rats and the Ruling Sea possesses all of the same outstanding qualities that impressed me in The Red Wolf Conspiracy, while fixing most of the problems that plagued the first volume of THE CHATHRAND VOYAGE. In particular, the book manages to maintain a high level of excellence from the very beginning all the way to the engrossing finish. In short, The Rats and the Ruling Sea is not only a vast improvement over its predecessor; it’s easily one of the best fantasy novels of the year. Read the rest.

Reaper’s Gale by Steven Erikson

…  Steven Erikson’s Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen: Incredibly ambitious, fearlessly imaginative, and immensely satisfying on every level — emotionally, intellectually and from a purely entertainment standpoint — Erikson’s Malazan books not only celebrate the genre, but are redefining fantasy … Read the rest.

Sleepless by Charlie Huston

… In his previous books, Charlie Huston established himself as a writer of incredible talent, vision and imagination. In Sleepless, the author is better than ever, delivering a novel that not only displays his mastery over characters and dialogue, but also shows off his versatility, including the ability to challenge readers cerebrally while also pulling on their heartstrings. In short, Sleepless is a mesmerizing, award-worthy novel that is quite possibly the best thing that Charlie Huston has ever written. Read the rest.

Tigerheart by Peter David

Whether you’ve read the original J.M. Barrie play or novel, seen the Disney film, eaten the peanut butter, or been exposed to any of the other countless adaptations out there, most people are probably familiar with the tale of Peter Pan and Neverland, and because of this familiarity, readers should be able to immediately connect with Peter David’s Tigerheart which is an homage to, an original retelling, and a sequel to the classic bedtime story. Read the rest.

Thirteen Years Later by Jasper Kent

… Thirteen Years Later features another engrossing story by Jasper Kent, brilliantly weaving together history and family drama with supernatural horror, political intrigue, espionage and suspense… as much as I loved Twelve, I enjoyed Thirteen Years Later just as much, if not more, and if Jasper Kent can continue this high level of excellence in the remaining sequels, then I strongly believe that THE DANILOV QUINTET will end up being one of the best vampire series I have ever read. Read the rest.

Thicker Than Water by Mike Carey

The fourth Felix Castor novel starts out with a bang… From there, Thicker Than Water follows the same formula as the other Castor novels — a tangled supernatural mystery comprised of seemingly unrelated parts — but with some significant differences. For one, the case is personal this time, revolving around an old childhood acquaintance who was brutally attacked with razors and Castor’s name written in blood… Thicker Than Water has all the ingredients for being the best Felix Castor novel to date… Read the rest.

Twelve by Jasper Kent

… I love vampire stories, but the concept has started to lose its novelty…  Which is why I was instantly attracted to Jasper Kent’s Twelve, a book billed as “the First Napoleonic Historical Vampire Novel.” Simply put, using a war as the backdrop for a vampire tale was a brilliant idea. In fact, I wonder why it hasn’t been done more often. After all, wartime is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for the ever thirsting vampire and is just full of material for an author to work with. Yet an interesting hook can only take a novel so far without the proper execution. This is what makes Twelve so special. Because while it was the hook that first reeled me in, it was Jasper Kent’s wonderful writing and storytelling that kept me glued to Twelve until its very last page… Read the rest.

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry

…I had a strong feeling going in that I would enjoy reading Jonathan Maberry’s Patient Zero, but even then I didn’t anticipate how awesome the book would be… Patient Zero is the ultimate page-turner, a novel that hooks you with its opening sentences — “When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week, then there’s either something wrong with your skills or something wrong with your world. And there’s nothing wrong with my skills.”— is thoroughly fun to read, immensely entertaining, and is just impossible to put down. I loved every moment I spent with it and highly recommend this blockbuster-in-the-making to anyone looking for an awesome time. Read the rest.

Stalking the Unicorn by Mike Resnick

I had a complete blast reading Mike Resnick’s Stalking the Unicorn. It was smart, highly inventive, outrageously funny — led by hilariously wry dialogue — and fun. It was also immensely rewarding, especially getting to see how John Justin Mallory ended up in the other Manhattan, how he became partners with Winnifred Carruthers, his first meeting with the cat-girl Felina and Grundy — “the most powerful demon in New York” — and the clever manner in which he solved the case. Stalking the Unicorn is a true classic, the kind that will stand the test of time and be just as much fun to read now or twenty years in the future, as it was when the book was first published in 1987.

River of Shadows by Robert V.S. Redick

… Robert V.S. Redick has developed into one of the most exciting young voices in fantasy today. While The Red Wolf Conspiracy was a massively hyped debut that did not live up to expectations, the author showcased remarkable improvement in The Rats and the Ruling Sea — UK title — resulting in one of the best fantasy novels of 2009. Now in the third volume in The Chathrand Voyage, Robert V.S. Redick continues to make strides as a writer, while delivering another first-rate fantasy novel in The River of Shadows… exciting blockbuster action; sweeping adventure; intriguing subplots… deft storytelling and witty prose… Even with characterization flaws and issues with the story, The River of Shadows is another outstanding work of fantasy from Robert V.S. Redick, ranking right up there with The Rats and the Ruling Sea in terms of pure fun and entertainment the book brings to the table, while surpassing its predecessor because of improved writing and the rewarding answers provided… Read the rest.

Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey

… Written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck under the pen name James S.A. Corey, Leviathan Wakes is a space opera novel set in a future where humans have colonized the solar system and are on the verge of launching their first generation ship… Through it all — including moments both epic and intimate, exciting and thought-provoking — Leviathan Wakes is an incredibly well-crafted story highlighted by smart plotting, unexpected surprises, skillful pacing and a rewarding feeling of satisfaction once the book is concluded. Leviathan Wakes is an amazing book. In fact, there is not a single negative thing I can say about the novel, which delivers in all phases including setting, characterization, story, pacing, prose, and pure entertainment. Simply put, Leviathan Wakes is the best novel I’ve read in 2011 — so far — and maybe the best thing Daniel Abraham has ever written, while introducing a remarkable new talent in Ty Franck. My only concern is whether the sequel will be able to live up to the lofty standards set in Leviathan Wakes, but I’m confident that Daniel and Ty will give it their best shot and I look forward to seeing the results of their efforts in Caliban’s War. Read the rest.

The Stranger by Max Frei

Max Frei’s The Stranger is an interesting novel to say the least. For starters, I almost gave up on the book at three different times… I feel The Stranger is not the kind of book that readers will be able to delve into and immediately enjoy. Instead, it will take time to get used to the novel’s many idiosyncrasies, but if readers can accomplish that, then The Stranger will reward you. Read the rest.

God’s Demon by Wayne Barlowe

From acclaimed artist Wayne Barlowe, whose distinctive stamp can be found in literature (Barlowe’s Guide to Extraterrestrials, Expedition), film (Harry Potter 3 + 4, Blade II, Hellboy), television (Discovery Channel’s Alien Planet, Babylon 5) and videogames (Dead Rush, Prototype) as well as appearing in numerous museums, Time, Life, and Newsweek, comes the creator’s latest visionary piece God’s Demon, an extraordinary fantasy novel set in the bowels of Hell. Read the rest.

The God Engines by John Scalzi

John Scalzi is another author I’ve never read before, even though I own several of his novels. It’s an oversight I’ve been meaning to correct for some time now, but just never got around to doing. However, that all changed as soon as I heard about John Scalzi’s novella, The God Engines. Billed as the writer’s take on fantasy that “takes your expectations of what fantasy is and does, and sends them tumbling,” The God Engines instantly intrigued me and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Much to my pleasure, The God Engines is every bit as good, if not better, than advertised… Read the rest.

Canticle by Ken Scholes

… Lamentation was a bumpy reading experience. Reading Canticle on the other hand was like cruising in a Mercedes Benz or a Lexus. The flow of the novel was much smoother and more engaging, the author’s command of the story and its many branching subplots was executed with greater effect, and the prose was once again elegant bordering on poetic. In short, the progress made in Ken Scholes‘ writing between the two novels is simply amazing and a large factor in why I enjoyed Canticle so much more than his debut… Read the rest.

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington

First things first. If you are easily offended, have a weak stomach, or can’t stand foul language, graphic violence, sadistic behavior, deplorable protagonists and the like, then Jesse Bullington’s The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart is not for you. On the other hand, if you possess a strong constitution, like to try out new things, and are not afraid to embrace your dark side, then The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart can offer a rewarding reading experience.  Read the rest.

ArchEnemy by Frank Beddor

Comparatively, The Looking Glass Wars trilogy may lack the substance, characterization and complexity of such popular children’s series as the Harry Potter books, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and Garth Nix’s Abhorsen Trilogy, but as a whole is just as fun and entertaining. In the end, ArchEnemy closes out Frank Beddor’s The Looking Glass Wars in exciting fashion and cements the trilogy as one of the best new YA fantasy series currently published. Read the rest.

My Dead Body by Charlie Huston

… I was disappointed by the last Joe Pitt novel. While Every Last Drop finally reveals the source of the Coalition’s blood supply — quite the gut-churning revelation — and takes Joe and Evie’s relationship to new levels, not to mention sparking a war between the Clans, the book as a whole felt incomplete. That’s because Every Last Drop was basically a setup novel with no resolutions or payoffs. So my disappointment in the book made me wonder if Charlie Huston could pull off a finale worthy of the series. That answer, unequivocally, is a yes… Read the rest.

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

…Boneshaker immediately intrigued me because I’m a huge fan of steampunk and zombie fiction, but what really hooked me was the prologue — an excerpt from Hale Quarter’s Unlikely Episodes in Western History detailing the “Boneshaker incident.” From there, I fell in love with the concept of a walled-in Seattle full of such dangers like the deadly Blight gas, rotters (living dead), and various communities that found a way to live in the unlivable city. It is in this nightmare that the bulk of the novel takes place. Read the rest.

The Naming of the Beasts by Mike Carey

The fifth Felix Castor novel had the unfortunate task of following in the footsteps of what I strongly believe is the best volume in the series thus far (Thicker Than Water), but The Naming of the Beasts was up to the challenge, mainly because the book revolves around an escaped Rafi/Asmodeus and the carnage/horror trailing in the demon’s wake.  Read the rest.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

….. The Forest of Hands and Teeth may be marketed as a Young Adult title — which is evident by its accessibility and teen sensibilities — but don’t let such labels prevent you from reading this book. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is an astonishing debut, skillfully written by Carrie Ryan, poignantly narrated by Mary, powerfully unforgettable, and better than advertised. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is one of the best debuts of the year. Read the rest.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Considering how popular Stephenie Meyer has become, it’s hard to imagine that her debut novel was only just released in 2005, because it seems like I’ve been hearing about the author for decades. The Host — Ms. Meyer’s first novel for adults — marks my introduction to the author’s charms and I can now see firsthand why Ms. Meyer is so popular. Read the rest.

Poison Ink by Christopher Golden

Poison Ink is the first YA novel that I’ve ever read by Christopher Golden, and from start to finish, I couldn’t be more impressed. As usual, the first thing that stands out is the author’s top-notch writing. Which in this case encompasses his ability to convincingly adopt the personality of a sixteen-year-old female high school student; faithfully capture domestic, social and high school life — including different cliques, lunch ladies, texting, flirting, and peer pressure — and a gift for witty banter. Read the rest.

Lord Tophet by Gregory Frost

Shadowbridge has been lauded for its imagination and storytelling, described as award-worthy, and praised as a classic-in-the-making, and such acclaim is not wholly without merit. But comparatively, Lord Tophet is a much better novel. It is also a different novel, so while Shadowbridge may provide the groundwork and is necessary to the duology, and Lord Tophet is a direct continuation of Shadowbridge, the two novels should be treated individually. After all, it is Lord Tophet that actually delivers the payoff …  Read the rest.

Night of Knives by Ian C. Esslemont

….  If you love any of the Malazan books by Steven Erikson, then I think you’re going to love Ian C. Esslemont’s Night of Knives. Obviously, both writers are well-versed in Malazan lore, so that’s not a problem. Prose-wise, Mr. Esslemont is pretty similar to Mr. Erikson, though there are differences — Esslemont’s writing is a bit more erudite and the characterization feels more intimate. Pacing is a bit uneven, especially in the beginning following the prologue when Mr. Esslemont is trying to establish the book’s two main characters, Temper and Kiska.  Read the rest.

Half the Blood of Brooklyn by Charlie Huston

… Charlie Huston’s Joe Pitt Casebooks is one of those rare series that just keeps getting better and better, and Half the Blood of Brooklyn was easily the best so far. … Half the Blood of Brooklyn is the start of the payoff. The world’s basically been established, so characters are evolving, conflicts are coming to a head, and Joe’s finally making a stand for something he truly believes in… and it’s sadistically magnificent. Read the rest.

Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Between introducing the uniquely imaginative concept of ‘Insect-kinden’ and showcasing a well-rounded display of characterization, world-building, story, pacing and prose, Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Empire in Black and Gold was not only an impressive debut, it was also a memorable start to an exciting new fantasy series. A direct continuation of Empire in Black and Gold, Dragonfly Falling is basically more of the same, just on a larger and more entertaining scale…  Read the rest.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

… The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is much better than most of the debut novels that I’ve read over the years. Extremely well-written, imaginative, emotionally gripping, and featuring a compelling narrator, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is an almost-perfect debut that deserves far more attention and could end up being one of the best fantasy releases of the year… Read the rest.

Escapement by Jay Lake

In my opinion, Jay Lake’s Mainspring was a novel full of great potential that was hindered by inconsistent writing and execution. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and was looking forward to reading the sequel. Happily, everything that worked so well in the first book has been retained in Escapement, while most of the problems were corrected, resulting in a greatly improved sequel that is everything Mainspring could have been and much more… Read the rest.

The New Dead: A Zombie Anthology by Christopher Golden (ed.)

In the Foreword, editor Christopher Golden asks, “Why are we fascinated by zombies?” I’m not sure The New Dead anthology ever adequately answers that question, but it does provide readers with a collection of short stories that not only celebrates the zombie genre, but also examines it from different perspectives, and in some cases, introduces new ideas. On top of that, the anthology boasts an impressive mix of big-name authors, rising stars and new faces, while the stories themselves are indeed, “wildly diverse and entertaining.”…  if you love zombie fiction, then you will love Christopher Golden’s The New Dead.  Read the rest.

The Conqueror’s Shadow by Ari Marmell

… Ari Marmell’s The Conqueror’s Shadow was a major surprise. After all, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy reading The Conqueror’s Shadow, based on the comparison to David Eddings (an author I’ve outgrown), the talk of humor (which I only like in moderation, especially in fantasy), and the author’s background in shared worlds (a genre that I admit holds little appeal to me). But I did enjoy it. Very much. In fact, The Conqueror’s Shadow is one of the most enjoyable fantasy books that I’ve read in a long time, and I sincerely hope Ari Marmell serves up more of the same in his next novel… Read the rest.

Warriors by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois (eds.)

… In his Introduction, George R. R. Martin describes Warriors as a ‘spinner rack’, which is an apt description for an anthology that includes stories of every ilk from historical fiction, fantasy and sci-fi to a Western, mysteries, “some mainstream”, and “a couple of pieces that I won’t even begin to try and label.” Besides diversity, Warriors is also rich in quality, with every story in the anthology well-written and deserving of inclusion, even if I enjoyed certain pieces more than others. Warriors lived up to expectations delivering a diverse, entertaining and rewarding reading experience that I will not soon forget… Read the rest.

Shadow Gate by Kate Elliott

… Shadow Gate builds on that first book and doesn’t just continue the series, but takes us deeper into the world of the Hundred, its surrounding lands, and the lives of its characters through rich worldbuilding and intimate characterization. Factor in the answers that are revealed, the thought-provoking themes that the author examines, and a compellingly human story and the end result is a book that is much more powerful and satisfying than its predecessor. In the end, I know it’s early yet, but as of now, Crossroads is shaping up to be Kate Elliott’s best work… Read the rest.

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

Swords & Dark Magic: The New Sword & Sorcery is a novel I’ve been eagerly anticipating ever since it was first announced in 2009. I was particularly excited about the anthology’s impressive list of contributors which includes several authors I enjoy reading like Glen Cook, Greg Keyes, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, Garth Nix, Tim Lebbon, Caitlin R. Kiernan, James Enge, and personal favorite, Steven Erikson. And with highly respected editors Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders behind the wheel, I knew the book wouldn’t disappoint. From start to finish, Swords & Dark Magic is an entertaining anthology that will please anyone who is a fan of sword & sorcery… Read the rest.

The Traveler by John Twelve Hawks

Robert hasn’t written a formal review for The Traveler but he discusses this novel in his reviews for its sequels. He gives The Traveler a 4.5 star rating and highly recommends it. Read the reviews for the sequels.

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.

A Fantasy Medley edited by Yanni Kuznia

Stories by Kelley Armstrong, Kate Elliott, C.E. Murphy, Robin Hobb… Serving as both a delicious indulgence for those readers already familiar with the authors and an enticing appetizer for those who are not, A Fantasy Medley is a successful and diverse glimpse at the magic and wonders that fantasy has to offer. My only complaint with the anthology is that it was so short… but as with anything that brings pleasure, I never wanted A Fantasy Medley to end… Read the rest.

Disciple of the Dog by R. Scott Bakker

R. Scott Bakker may be best known for his Prince of Nothing and Aspect-Emperor fantasy novels, but as he demonstrated with the thought-provoking crime thriller, Neuropath, this author is no one trick pony. So I was pretty interested to see what R. Scott Bakker would do with his second non-fantasy book, Disciple of the Dog… Thanks to his unique ability of remembering everything, Disciple Manning is instantly different from other fictional private investigators, and, in my opinion, much more interesting… Of course, Disciple Manning would not be nearly as interesting if not for R. Scott Bakker’s writing, which is just superb in this book… readers should expect a skillfully written novel brimming with sharp dialogue and humor, vivid prose, and convincing characterization… Read the rest.

Of Blood and Honey by Stina Leicht

…Stina Leicht’s Of Blood and Honey is a captivating debut that seamlessly blends together historical drama with supernatural horror and dark fantasy… Of Blood and Honey is rich with historical detail with actual places and events woven into the narrative. In this case, the setting is Northern Ireland between the years 1971 and 1977, with the backdrop centered on the civil rights struggle between Loyalists and Nationalists… While I wish Stina Leicht had dedicated the same amount of time, research and attention to detail to the supernatural elements in Of Blood and Honey as she did the historical setting and the dramatic events in Liam’s life, it’s hard to complain. The book can be difficult to read at times because of the horrific ordeals that Liam has to endure, but that’s part of the novel’s charm: a fearlessness to explore the darker side of humanity. Combine that with Leicht’s impressive writing, a story and characters that bleed with emotion, and history & politics that are still relevant today, and what you have is a dazzling debut that will hopefully receive the attention and praise that it deserves. Read the rest.

Antiphon by Ken Scholes

… Antiphon is a novel I couldn’t wait to get my hands on, especially after the jaw-dropping events that transpired in Canticle and how much author Ken Scholes improved between Lamentation and Canticle. At the same time though, I worried about Antiphon suffering from middle book syndrome and being unable to continue the momentum from Canticle. Fortunately, I had nothing to fear. Antiphon is every bit as good as the superb Canticle, and then some… Against all odds, Ken Scholes delivers a middle book in Antiphon that is actually better than its predecessors. Even more impressive, Antiphon is a novel that rewards its readers, at the same time setting the stage for even greater things to come… Read the rest.

Surrender to the Will of the Night by Glen Cook

…After reading The Tyranny of the Night and The Lord of the Silent Kingdom, I felt The Instrumentalities of the Night was developing into some of Glen Cook’s best work yet, and Surrender to the Will of the Night only confirms that thought… Once again marrying the no-nonsense characterization, military action and dark humor of the author’s Black Company novels with the epic scope and inventive magic of Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen, as well as the complex medieval European/Middle Ages-influenced religion and politics of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire and Kate Elliott’s Crown of Stars, Surrender to the Will of the Night… is the best Instrumentalities of the Night novel yet… required reading for anyone who loves Glen Cook or considers themselves a true fan of fantasy literature. Read the rest.

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

… To say that The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss is one of the most anticipated novels of the year is a bit of an understatement… The release of The Wise Man’s Fear may have taken longer than expected, but it was definitely worth the wait. Compared to The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man’s Fear is everything that made the first novel such a huge success except that it is bigger, better and more rewarding. Granted, many of the same flaws that ailed The Name of the Wind can still be found in The Wise Man’s Fear, but considering the vast improvements made to the sequel, these issues are only minor annoyances. To put it simply, anyone who enjoyed The Name of the Wind will be blown away by The Wise Man’s Fear. The book is that much better. Furthermore, there is no doubt in my mind that The Wise Man’s Fear will end up being one of the best fantasy novels of the year. As far as the third and final volume in The Kingkiller Chronicle, Patrick Rothfuss can take as much time as he needs to finish the book. If The Wise Man’s Fear is any indication, it will be worth waiting for… Read the rest.

The King of Plagues by Jonathan Maberry

… The King of Plagues is the third novel to feature Joe Ledger and the Department of Military Sciences, “a new taskforce created to deal with the problems that Homeland Security can’t handle.” The first book, Patient Zero, combined zombie horror with terrorism set to a realistic post-9/11 backdrop. It was a brilliant idea and a total blast to read. Unfortunately, the sequel was a major disappointment. After finishing The Dragon Factory, I was disappointed by the far-fetched territory the series had ventured into and hoped that The King of Plagues would not follow suit. To my relief, Jonathan Maberry’s The King of Plagues utilizes the same successful formula that made Patient Zero so much fun to read. A formula that made The King of Plagues nearly as thrilling and page-turning as the awesome Patient Zero. A formula that should be used for all future installments in the Joe Ledger series. Read the rest.

Among Thieves by Douglas Hulick

…Douglas Hulick is the author of Among Thieves, an exciting fantasy debut set against a criminal underworld in the Byzantine/Constantinople-influenced city of Ildrecca… Drothe may be a criminal, one willing to lie, cheat, steal, kill or torture in order to get what he wants, but he’s a very likable criminal… Apart from Drothe and his engaging first-person narrative, what I love most about Among Thieves is the fast-paced, well-executed story. A story full of mystery and intrigue, breathtaking fight scenes, unexpected plot twists, surprising revelations and clever cons. A story that hooked me from the first chapter, kept me entertained until the very last page, and then left me begging for the sequel… As far as fantasy debuts go, Among Thieves is not on the same level as such standouts as Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora or Joe Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself, but it’s damn close… it will be a crime if Douglas Hulick’s Among Thieves isn’t in the running for the best fantasy debut of 2011. Read the rest.

Heaven’s Needle by Liane Merciel

… Fans of The River Kings’ Road will no doubt be surprised — and possibly disappointed — by the new direction Liane Merciel takes in her sophomore novel, Heaven’s Needle. After all, the new book has little to do with the author’s debut, while offering a much darker and more horror-driven reading experience. Of course, it’s for these very reasons that I found Heaven’s Needle to be much more engrossing than its predecessor. While I enjoyed reading The River Kings’ Road, it was a typical epic fantasy novel with few surprises, whereas Heaven’s Needle with its almost perfect mix of horror and epic fantasy provided something different and exciting. Granted, Liane Merciel took a major risk in writing a book that may alienate many of her fans, but in the process, I believe the author has improved her craft while coming a long ways toward finding her own voice. In short, I completely respect Liane Merciel’s decision to try something different and can’t wait to see what the author does next. Read the rest.

To Hell and Back: The Damned Busters by Matthew Hughes

… The Damned Busters is a novel that immediately caught my attention simply because it was written by Matthew Hughes. In fact, the only thing I knew about the book going in was that The Damned Busters was the author’s first attempt at writing urban fantasy. Urban fantasy is a genre I’ve all but given up on, but I had faith that Matthew Hughes would not let me down and I wasn’t disappointed… The Damned Busters is a damn good book. Chesney Arnstruther is a uniquely charming protagonist; the plot is immensely entertaining, full of wit, humor and heart; the ideas presented are original and thought-provoking; and Matthew Hughes’ writing is skillful and engaging. Best of all, The Damned Busters is a blast to read and not quite like any book I’ve ever tried before, instantly making the sequel one of my most anticipated releases of 2012. Read the rest.

At The Edge of the Universe, we review mainstream authors that incorporate elements of speculative fiction into their “literary” work. However you want to label them, we hope you’ll enjoy discussing these books with us.

Order “The Watchers” HERE

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Jon Steele was an award-winning cameraman and editor for ITN for more than twenty years. He has traveled and worked through seventy-eight countries across six continents. War Junkie, his autobiography of a life behind the camera in some of the worst places on earth, was published in 2002 and has become a cult classic of war reportage. The Watchers is his first novel.

PLOT SUMMARY: Lausanne, Switzerland...

In the Lausanne Cathedral, Marc Rochat, a strange boy with a limp, watches over the city. He lives in a world of shadows and beforetimes and imaginary beings, waiting for the angel his mother told him he’d one day have to save.

Marc believes that angel is Katherine Taylor, a high-priced escort who is about to discover that her real-life fairy tale is too good to be true.

Meanwhile, Jay Harper wakes up one day with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or what he did before. Offered a job as a freelance security specialist for the International Olympic Committee, he has no choice but to accept. On the trail of a missing former hockey star, Harper crosses paths with Marc Rochat and Katherine Taylor, which he will discover is no coincidence.

Three lives. One purpose…

FORMAT/INFO: The Watchers is 560 pages long divided over a prologue called ‘Quietus’, four titled books, forty numbered chapters, and an Epilogue. Narration is in the third person via Marc Rochat, Katherine Taylor and Jay Harper. The Watchers is mostly self-contained, coming to a satisfying stopping point, but it’s the first book in a trilogy. The sequels are tentatively titled Angel City and The Way of Sorrows. June 9, 2011 marks the UK Hardcover publication of The Watchers via Bantam Press.

ANALYSIS: Like many other reviewers, Jon Steele’s The Watchers caught my attention because of its tagline: “Imagine The Bourne Identity rewritten by Neil Gaiman.” After finishing the book, I can see why the publisher chose such a comparison, but it is a little misleading. The truth is, The Watchers is a very difficult novel to classify.

For starters, the book opens with a prologue set in 1917, at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the first World War. It’s a beautifully written prologue – full of magic, wonder and mystery – and immediately intriguing, but how these events are connected with the rest of the book are not revealed until much later in the novel.

From this prologue, The Watchers shifts to present day Switzerland with the next 300-some pages of the novel introducing and cultivating the book’s three main characters and their relationship to one another: Marc Rochat, a 21-year-old boy, handicapped both mentally and physically, who serves as the guardian of Lausanne Cathedral – think Quasimodo; Katherine Taylor, a 26-year-old American former Playboy star who moved to Switzerland to work as an escort for the Two Hundred Club which caters to Europe’s rich and powerful; and Jay Harper, a thirty-something Brit who cannot remember anything prior to waking up and accepting a job as a freelance security specialist for the International Olympic Committee.

How these three characters are connected to one another is all part of the “mysterious mystery” that Jon Steele slowly unravels during the first two-thirds of the novel, which also involves a once famous Russian hockey player gone missing, Inspector Gobet who may or may not be crooked, extremely dangerous killers, and Lausanne Cathedral. Most of this “mysterious mystery” is presented through Harper’s narrative, which contains a detective noir influence. Over the course of the book, Harper also suddenly remembers things – understanding French, quoting poems, etc. – without knowing where that knowledge came from, which is where The Bourne Identity comparison comes in. Meanwhile, a Book of Enoch subplot – “an apocryphal book of the Hebrew Bible, long discredited until it was discovered as part of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1948” – is introduced around page 280, injecting a Dan Brown element into the novel. Magic realism on the other hand, best describes the narratives by Marc Rochat and Katherine Taylor, although a sense of ambiguity keeps the reader guessing as to what is real and what is imagined.

It’s around page 360 that The Watchers starts shifting in another direction. Before that point, I was completely engrossed by the book, thanks mainly to Jon Steele’s exquisite writing, which in turn is the key behind the novel’s compelling main characters, a vividly described setting that felt almost as real as what I imagine the genuine article would be like (especially Lausanne Cathedral), and a story that brilliantly straddles the line between reality and fantasy. Characterization in particular, is a high point of the novel because of the amount of detail and effort that is used to flesh out the protagonists’ different personalities, narrative voices and worldviews. Of the three, Marc Rochat is easily the most interesting because of his uniquely charming outlook on life (detectiveman, weather-teller, workermen, beforetimes, nowtimes) and the way he communicates with ghosts, his cat Monsieur Booty, and the bells of Lausanne Cathedral.

The story admittedly, is a bit slow-moving and lacking in the action & adventure department, which can be partly attributed to the amount of details and information used by the author in establishing the setting and characters, but it’s really the nature of the book. In other words, The Watchers was never meant to be a page-turner like a James Patterson or Dan Brown novel. Instead, The Watchers is a character-driven book, where even the environment is a character, and editing out what may seem like unnecessary details would only lessen the novel’s impact. Besides, The Watchers is gripping in its own way, as I found it nearly impossible to put the book down. At least for the first two-thirds of the novel.

Once the book starts shifting into supernatural territory around page 360, The Watchers becomes less engrossing. Part of the problem is that once the cat is let out of the bag, the novel loses its intriguing sense of mystery and ambiguity and becomes a straightforward battle between good and evil. Another problem is that the supernatural elements – fallen angels, Nephilim, dead black potion, time wake, stasis, etc. – lack the detail and clarity found in the rest of the book, giving the last third of the novel an unfinished feel. However, since The Watchers is just the first volume in a trilogy, I’m hoping the sequels will explain the supernatural war in much greater detail. Finally, the author goes a little overboard with some of The Watchers’ supernatural elements, especially compared to everything that came before, but the Epilogue was satisfying while introducing a number of interesting developments to be explored in the next book…

CONCLUSION: Because The Watchers shifts between so many different genres – historical fiction, detective noir, magic realism, religious conspiracy, supernatural thriller – it’s difficult to say what kind of audience would enjoy Jon Steele’s debut. Personally, I loved The Watchers because of Jon Steele’s exquisite writing, the novel’s compelling protagonists and the vivid setting, but I felt the supernatural elements did not work nearly as well as the rest of the book and I’m a bit worried about how the author will handle these elements in the sequels. Nevertheless, The Watchers mostly enthralls, seizing the heart and imagination, while leaving the reader satisfied, but still tempted for more…

The Goblin Corps by Ari Marmell

… Ari Marmell’s The Conqueror’s Shadow really took me by surprise when it came out in 2010, establishing itself as one of the year’s most entertaining fantasy novels. Unfortunately, the sequel — The Warlord’s Legacy — was a major disappointment. As a result, I was on the fence regarding the author’s new novel, The Goblin Corps, before I eventually decided to give the book a chance.
To my relief, The Goblin Corps possesses the same elements that made The Conqueror’s Shadow so much fun to read. This includes cleverly subverted fantasy tropes — villains who are more likeable than the heroes, a wolf-like troll, a war against the Dark Lord that doesn’t go quite as planned, etc. — comical David Eddings-like humor, and Joe Abercrombie’s kick-ass grittiness… apart from the novel’s PG-13 humor, The Goblin Corps embraces its dark side — and thrives because of it… The Goblin Corps is even more rewarding and fun to read than The Conqueror’s Shadow: Better written, funnier, more fulfilling, and twice as entertaining… Read the rest.

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

… it’s too early to say whether Mark Lawrence will become a favorite of mine, but Prince of Thorns certainly left a strong first impression… its greatest asset is Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath himself. Jorg may be ruthless, immoral, and way too young to be accomplishing the things that he does in Prince of Thorns, requiring a strong suspension of disbelief, but he’s also incredibly fascinating… Concise storytelling is the second best attribute in Prince of Thorns, with brisk pacing, short chapters and a slim page count highlights of the novel. Factor in a story that boils down to an age-old tale of bloody revenge, and it’s no surprise that Prince of Thorns is a remarkably fast and intense read, especially compared to most epic fantasy… In a year teeming with fantasy debuts, Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns is one of the year’s best thanks to a captivating antihero in Prince Jorg, Jorg’s compelling first-person narrative, and a story full of brutal sword-and-sorcery action, treacherous court intrigue, and cold-blooded revenge. Read the rest.

The Whitefire Crossing by Courtney Schafer

… The Whitefire Crossing by Courtney Schafer is the tenth fantasy debut I’ve read in 2011 and it’s the best of them. In fact, when all is said and done, The Whitefire Crossing could be the fantasy debut of 2011. So what’s so special about The Whitefire Crossing? In a word… everything. Characterization. World-building. Prose. Plot. Storytelling… The Whitefire Crossing succeeds in all of these areas, and does so with flying colors… it was the personal nature of the story that I admired most. Most epic fantasy these days features some sort of grand struggle between good and evil that threatens the entire land. The Whitefire Crossing is different. The stakes in Courtney Schafer’s novel are much more personal. Intimate… Courtney Schafer’s The Whitefire Crossing is the complete package. Fully developed characters. Across the board world-building. Intriguing magic. Accomplished writing. Engaging storytelling. Thrilling adventure… Add it all up and there’s no doubt in my mind that The Whitefire Crossing is not only one of the best fantasy debuts of 2011, but it’s also one of the year’s best fantasy novels period. Read the rest.

Dead of Night by Jonathan Maberry

… When it comes to zombie literature, Jonathan Maberry boasts an impressive résumé… Thanks to the author’s latest zombie offering, Dead of Night, that résumé has become significantly stronger… Dead of Night is a familiar setup with a small American town the site of a zombie outbreak… What makes Dead of Night so special is Maberry’s skillful writing. Pacing, for instance, is breathtaking, and combined with the author’s vivid prose and cinematic-like storytelling, makes it feel like you’re watching a big-budget Hollywood movie rather than reading a novel… even though Dead of Night features plenty of nail-biting tension, gore and heart-stopping scares, Jonathan Maberry does a fantastic job of balancing out the novel’s horror elements with moments that are thought-provoking and emotionally heartbreaking, which really shows off the author’s skill and versatility… Jonathan Maberry’s Dead of Night is one of the best zombie novels I have ever read. Read the rest.

The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel by Anthony Horowitz

…The House of Silk is written by Anthony Horowitz, a choice I admit both surprised me and was a little worrisome at first. After all, not only had I never read anything by Anthony Horowitz before, but I thought he only wrote children’s novels. So I wasn’t sure what to expect from Horowitz in The House of Silk. However, after finishing the book, I can say with utmost confidence that Anthony Horowitz was the right person for the job. From Dr. Watson’s faithful narrative voice to the accurate portrayal of Sherlock Holmes and his recognizable idiosyncrasies, vices, and amazing powers of deduction to a skillfully executed plot full of signature Holmesian twists and revelations, Anthony Horowitz has written a Sherlock Holmes adventure that is not only rewardingly true to the originals, but also possesses a modern sensibility that will succeed with contemporary audiences… Read the rest.

Black Light by Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan & Stephen Romano

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan wrote the screenplays for Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, Saw 3D, and The Collector, which Dunstan also directed. Currently, they are filming The Collection — a sequel to The Collector — and have written Piranha 3DD, which came out this Thanksgiving from Dimension Films. Black Light is their debut novel.

Stephen Romano is an acclaimed author, screenwriter and illustrator. His works include the illustrated novel Shock Festival and adapting Joe R. Lansdale’s “Incident On and Off a Mountain Road” for Showtime’s Emmy Award-winning series Masters Of Horror.

PLOT SUMMARY: If you have a supernatural problem that won’t go away, you need Buck Carlsbad: private eye, exorcist, and last resort. Buck’s got a way with spirits that no one else can match, and a lot of questions that only spirits can answer. Buck has spent years using his Gift to look into the Blacklight on the other side of death, trying to piece together the mystery of his parents and why he can’t remember anything before the age of seven. His quest for answers led him to the Blacklight Triangle, a stretch of unforgiving desert known for the most deadly paranormal events in history. A place where Buck almost died a few years ago, and where he swore he would never return. But then Buck takes a call from billionaire Sidney Jaeger, and finds himself working the most harrowing case of his career. One that will either reveal the shocking secrets of his life, or end it forever…

ANALYSIS: On the surface, Black Light features many of the same traits regularly employed in the urban fantasy genre including a contemporary setting, a first-person narrative, a cynical protagonist, etc. However, the book possesses some key ingredients that help differentiate the novel.

First and foremost is Buck Carlsbad’s unique Gift, which allows him to Pull a ghost/spirit into his body — imagine a human version of the proton pack and trap from Ghostbusters. Once a spirit is ingested, Buck can then see into the Blacklight, the world of the dead. Not only that, but he also has the ability to pull Artifacts from the Blacklight back into the real world, which plays an important role in the novel. Containment, meanwhile, is a whole different matter involving regurgitation and silver urns.

Next, Black Light is immensely entertaining, fueled by breakneck pacing and an action-packed story. Granted, things take a little while to get going after the initial introduction to Buck Carlsbad and his Gift, but once Buck finds himself on a maglev train facing off against the Blackjack Nine, Black Light goes into overdrive for the rest of the novel, highlighted by surprising twists and nearly nonstop excitement. What makes Black Light even more fun to read is the book’s refreshing mix of noir-influenced urban fantasy and in-your-face, R-rated horror. We’re talking grisly violence, profanity, explicit gore, a high body count, the works.

Finally, the prose in Black Light, particularly the scenes where Buck is using his Gift and looking into the Blacklight, is visceral and gripping:

The heat washes over my body, weaker than ever before, but then I tighten my grip on the madness, giving myself to it… and the madness is good, the madness fuels my body in a dreamtime sizzle, bursting and flashing, energizing. The dark blue glow intensifies. The voices of a million billion angry bastards rip off in my ears, thundering in the infinite spaces set before me, the neon-striped outlines of the real world just outside the menagerie of slithering zero gravity shapes, like half-formed moray eels and faces filled with burning eyes and cursing tongues.

As impressive as the prose might be, the rest of the authors’ performance is uneven. Characterization, for example, is shallow and unemotional. So as badass as Buck Carlsbad is with his powers and martial arts skills, I never really sympathized with him or his plight. And don’t even get me started on the one-dimensional supporting cast. Dialogue and plotting, on the other hand, are both fairly solid, if not conventional, specifically the banter and various plot devices used throughout the narrative. Creatively, I loved Buck’s Gift and the Blacklight, but things do get a little far-fetched, especially towards the end of the novel when events venture into comic book-like territory.

CONCLUSION: Black Light may be rough around the edges due to weak characterization and uneven writing, but the novel’s action-packed story and refreshing mix of horror and urban fantasy helped mask the book’s shortcomings, while delivering a thrilling reading experience. In the end, Black Light entertained the hell out of me and I sincerely hope Patrick Melton, Marcus Dunstan and Stephen Romano offer up another serving of Buck Carlsbad in the very near future…

The Map of Moments by Christopher Golden & Tim Lebbon

Compared to Mind the Gap, The Map of Moments is better written, better executed, creatively superior, and just overall a more gripping and satisfying reading experience than its predecessor. A haunting, yet inspirational novel that could resonate very strongly with readers, The Map of Moments is undeniable proof that Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon make a great team. Read the rest.

Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters

S.M. Peters’ Whitechapel Gods is a debut novel that I would have passed over if not for its eye-catching cover by artist Cliff Nielsen. Like Stephen Hunt’s The Court of the Air and Jonathan Barnes’ The Somnambulist, Whitechapel Gods takes place in a fantastical Victorian setting. In this case, the backdrop is 19th century London, specifically the district of Whitechapel — that is, a Whitechapel like you’ve never seen before, walled off from the rest of the city and transformed into a “steampunk-driven hell” where humanity suffers under the tyrannical rule of the ancient gods Mama Engine and her consort Grandfather Clock.  Read the rest.

Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher

If you’re a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellboy, or the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter comic books, then The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle will be perfect for you. Like those, Welcome to the Jungle boasts a fun mix of fast-paced supernatural action, humor and a dash of mystery/thrills. This graphic novel in particular is pretty tame in the violence/language department and is suitable for teen readers and above… Read the rest.

Havemercy by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett

Havemercy was not the novel that I was expecting. After all, it’s a fantasy debut written by twenty-year-olds, one of whom is a huge Harry Potter fan, with a picture of a dragon on the cover… Let’s just say I made assumptions and was quite delighted to find that Havemercy had much more in common with Sarah Monette — who I feel is one of the most original authors in the genre today — instead of say, Christopher Paolini‘s Eragon.  Read the rest.

Horns by Joe Hill

… Horns once again finds Joe Hill at the top of his game, in particular his uncanny ability to examine humanity in all of its beauty and ugliness. This is done through fully fleshed out characters who readers can care for, sympathize with, or hate; piercing insights about love, sin or other topics relevant in everyday life; and the author’s keen and vivid descriptive abilities… Read the rest.

Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt

On the surface, Blood Engines seems like any number of urban fantasy novels out there. Strong leading heroine? Check. Contemporary backdrop? Check. Supernatural action, sex, and sarcastic humor? Check, check, check. Yet, Blood Engines has more going for it than you might think. For instance, in most of the urban fantasy series that I’ve read, the opening volume usually spends a lot of time on set-up and ends up leaving the reader with more questions than answers. Not so in Blood Engines, which is basically a self-contained story. Sure, there are a couple of threads left unresolved that will get picked up in the sequels, but never once did I feel that I was reading a set-up novel. Read the rest.

The Other Lands by David Anthony Durham

… David Anthony Durham’s The Other Lands shares many of the same strengths and weaknesses as its predecessor, but because of a story that is mostly setup, less engaging character arcs, lethargic pacing, and questionable decisions regarding big reveals and POVs, the second volume in the ACACIA TRILOGY falls decidedly short of the mark left by the superb Acacia: The War with the Mein. Nevertheless, much of this can be forgiven because The Other Lands is a middle volume and because these are issues that can be easily remedied, but more so because the novel promises a spectacular finish to the ACACIA TRILOGY.  Read the rest.

Poison Sleep by T.A. Pratt

…  it’s the little differences that really separate Blood Engines and Poison Sleep from the competition: the third-person narratives, the novels being self-contained, the strong supporting characters, the plot manipulations, the inventive magical concepts, and so on. Between the two, I personally thought that Poison Sleep was the stronger and more entertaining novel, but they are both terrific reads. If Tim Pratt keeps this up, the Marla Mason series will be one of the first I will recommend to readers who want to discover great urban fantasy. Read the rest.

A Companion to Wolves by Elizabeth Bear

When I first started A Companion to Wolves I thought it was just going to be another run-of-the-mill fantasy. I mean you had humans who bonded telepathically with wolves, trolls and wyverns for enemies, and Norse culture/mythology as a major influence in the naming of characters, places, and things, the northern setting, and the religion (Othinn, Ragnarok, Freya, etc.). Of course I should have known better.  Read the rest.

The Solaris Book of New Fantasy by George Mann (ed.)

….. Not only does the compilation masterfully celebrate the rich diversity of the fantasy genre, it also showcases a wonderful array of writers, both new and established, who deserve a much larger audience. In fact, the best part of the anthology I thought was its excellent selection of authors who probably don’t get enough credit and I was grateful for the opportunity to meet writers I had never heard of or was only familiar with by reputation. So in the end, no matter what kind of a fantasy reader you are, I believe there’s something in The Solaris Book of New Fantasy for everyone and I hope that Solaris will continue producing these anthologies for years to come. Read the rest.

Fallen by Tim Lebbon

…. I’m a huge fan of Tim Lebbon’s Noreela universe. Not surprisingly, I had pretty high expectations for Fallen and apart from a couple of minor gripes — namely the novel’s simplistic story and certain fantasy conventions — my expectations were met quite satisfactorily. To sum up, Fallen is just another outstanding addition to the Noreela mythos, and every time I visit this terrifying yet fascinating world, the harder it becomes to tear myself away.  Read the rest.

Daughter of Hounds by Caitlin R. Kiernan

….  Undoubtedly, I have become an avid fan of Caitlin R. Kiernan and highly recommend her novels to anyone who likes their books full of ambitious ideas, poetic wording, compelling characters, and open-ended conclusions that challenge the readers’ own imagination. In short, I will anxiously be awaiting Caitlin R. Kiernan’s next creation.  Read the rest.

Black Blood by John Meaney

Creatively, I loved John Meaney’s Bone Song, especially the highly imaginative world. At the same time though, I was disappointed by the shallow characters, a formulaic plot, and the disjointed narrative. Because of the uneven experience, I was a bit apprehensive about reading the sequel, but my curiosity in knowing how the story continued prevailed. Fortunately, despite a few hiccups, Black Blood turned out to be an overall much stronger and much more enjoyable effort. Read the rest.

In A Time of Treason by David Keck

As much as I enjoyed David Keck’s debut, I admit that it was a flawed effort so I was quite happy to see how improved the writing was in In A Time of Treason. Namely, the prose was more elegant, the descriptions better expressed, there was a lot more background information without the author relying on shameless infodumping, and overall Mr. Keck just displayed greater confidence as a writer. Even so, the writing wasn’t perfect. There are still passages that are confusing and may require a re-read or two, the limiting third-person narrative is still in effect, and the plotting is a bit uneven… Read the rest.

Shadowplay by Tad Williams

… the second volume in the Shadowmarch trilogy improves in almost every area over its predecessor, most noticeably with a story that is much more engaging, complex and vaster in scope. Where Shadowmarch was merely a long-winded set-up piece introducing us to characters and places and establishing history and plotlines, Shadowplay is an incessant build-up of action, suspense, and drama that picks up immediately from the cliff-hanger events of Shadowmarch and continues on until its own exciting unresolved ending.  Read the rest.

Already Dead by Charlie Huston

Going in, I was super-confident that this series was going to be right up my alley and I wasn’t disappointed in the least. For starters, that same unflinching Tarantino-esque dialogue, urban vernacular and stylized violence that I loved so much from The Shotgun Rule were on display here in all of its explicit glory. Even better, there was a much more pronounced noir influence — Joe’s first-person narrative, crime / mystery subplots, a frequent use of flashbacks, Manhattan’s seedy underworld setting — running in the book and I absolutely love noir! Read the rest.

No Dominion by Charlie Huston

… Charlie Huston’s second Joe Pitt Casebook was a little different from the first one. For starters, it has a little slower beginning, but once Joe hops on that A train watch out! From there, the book really picks up the tempo as Joe finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between the Hood’s DJ Grave Digga & Papa Doc; then he’s ensnared by the vicious Lady Vandewater who’s working on a devious scheme to incite a war between the clans; which leads back to the Society, a Coalition plot and a coup attempt. Personally, I love this kind of storytelling — all of the tangled threads, red herrings, double crosses and unexpected revelations… Highly entertaining. Read the rest.

Dragon in Chains by Daniel Fox

Fantasy novels have a habit of treading over familiar territory and Daniel Fox’s Dragon in Chains is no exception with youthful protagonists, an empire divided by rebellion, pirates, and a dragon among the book’s most obvious tropes. On top of that, the book follows a standard ‘first-volume-in-a-trilogy’ formula including an emphasis on character development and setting, unresolved storylines, and an ending that leaves readers hanging. Fortunately, the book is not all archetypical and because of parts like the setting, the characterization and the prose, Dragon in Chains has much more to offer than your average fantasy novel. Read the rest.

Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb

… In the end, it’s difficult to review a book that is only one-half of the story, but because of characters, prose and world-building that is vintage Robin Hobb; a story that continues to build on the epic mythos established in the author’s previous Elderlings trilogies; and the fact that it’s a new Robin Hobb novel that we’re talking about, Dragon Keeper doesn’t disappoint and comes highly recommended. Read the rest.

Read Bill’s review also.

The Extra by Michael Shea

… What immediately impressed me about The Extra was Michael Shea’s writing. Specifically, the stylish prose, his wild imagination, slick execution, distinctive narrative voices, and the overall manic energy present throughout the novel…  In the end, Michael Shea’s The Extra is an exhilarating thrill-ride full of creativity, insane action, and accomplished writing. Hugely entertaining — I can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy… Read the rest.

Dust by Elizabeth Bear

While Dust is categorized as science fiction, there were actually a lot of familiar fantasy elements in the book, which I found a little bit surprising but quite enjoyable…  If Dust had been a straight-up fantasy novel, it would be hard to ignore all of the tropes that Ms. Bear uses, but because of the sci-fi setting, they actually complement the story. And that’s where things get interesting… Besides the fun story that mixes traditional fantasy with space opera adventure, Dust also features interesting characters… Read the rest.

Jade Man’s Skin by Daniel Fox

….Thanks to mouth-watering prose, compelling characters, and an oriental-flavored backdrop, Daniel Fox’s Dragon In Chains was one of the better fantasy novels I had the pleasure of reading in 2009. Because of that, I had very high expectations for the sequel, Jade Man’s Skin, and the second volume in the MOSHUI TRILOGY delivers with another rewarding reading experience, albeit an experience that is very much like the one found in Dragon In Chains… Read the rest.

Lye Street by Alan Campbell

… I really enjoyed Lye Street. Part of it of course is returning to the unforgettable world of Deepgate and learning more about Carnival, but also a lot of the problems that plagued the debut are nowhere to be found, and in a couple of areas, the novella actually excels over the book. So, if you were a fan of Scar Night, I’m pretty confident that you’ll like Lye Street, which is an excellent companion piece. And if you haven’t read Scar Night yet, then no worries because Lye Street is also the perfect introduction to author Alan Campbell and the Deepgate Codex… Read the rest.

The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer

… Despite issues I had with the narrative’s complexity and ambitiousness, characters I wasn’t able to connect with, and my disillusionment regarding the nature of the book, I came away vastly impressed with Dexter Palmer’s The Dream of Perpetual Motion, in particular the accomplished writing and the author’s wild and vivid imagination. And even though I believe the book’s success will be hindered by its inaccessibility and strangeness, The Dream of Perpetual Motion is a special novel that marks the debut of a talented new author with a very bright future… Read the rest.

Spellwright by Blake Charlton

… Even though Blake Charlton’s Spellwright suffers from problems with world-building, characterization, prose, pacing, and uneven storytelling, the book is still one of the most entertaining and satisfying fantasy debuts I have ever read, mainly because of its charming appeal, highly imaginative magic system, and the author’s obvious love for the genre. In fact, I enjoyed reading Spellwright so much, I worry about the sequel living up to the high standards set by Blake Charlton’s remarkable debut… Read the rest.

The River Kings’ Road by Liane Merciel

… From top to bottom, The River Kings’ Road will be instantly familiar to anyone well-versed in fantasy literature. Yet for all of its familiarity, I really enjoyed reading The River Kings’ Road. The plot was fast-moving, entertaining and accessible, while also managing to throw a couple of unexpected curve-balls at the reader. The setting is well-realized and hints at a much larger and interesting world, I cared about the characters, and I finished the novel wanting to know what happens next. In short, even though The River Kings’ Road fails to bring anything new to the fantasy genre, I liked what I saw from Liane Merciel’s debut… Read the rest.

Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

… If you enjoyed The Looking Glass Wars I daresay you’re going to like Seeing Redd even more, which I think is better than the first book in many areas. The writing for one is tighter and more accomplished; because a lot of setup was taken care of in The Looking Glass Wars the pacing is much faster and there’s more heart-pounding action… As far as the story, it’s a little bit darker, but still appropriate for PG audiences while also appealing to mature readers, and the ending comes to a nice stopping point even though it’s the middle volume in the series. In short, everything that made The Looking Glass Wars such a fun read is multiplied and improved upon in Seeing Redd… Read the rest.

Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth

… There’s a lot to like about Christopher Farnsworth’s debut novel, Blood Oath, but for me it all starts with the concept: a vampire oath-bound to serve and protect America and the presidential line against threats from the Other Side, which in this case includes everything from zombies and werewolves to demons, invisible men and aliens… Overall, I had a blast with Christopher Farnsworth’s debut novel, Blood Oath. Sure, the book is hardly thought-provoking or original, but then again, it’s not supposed to be. Instead, Farnsworth has taken several familiar ideas like political thrillers and vampires, and combined them. The end result is an addictively fun and entertaining reading experience that has the potential to be very successful. At least, I hope it’s successful, because I can’t wait to join Nathaniel Cade for more adventures. Read the rest.

The Felix Castor Novels by Mike Carey

… Mike Carey’s Felix Castor novels are something special, and I’ll give you three reasons why. One, the writing is just brilliant, with each volume jam-packed with vividly descriptive prose, witty dialogue, clever phrases and some of the best similies and metaphors I’ve had the pleasure of reading… I would recommend the Felix Castor series for the writing itself, but fortunately there’s much more to the Felix Castor books, including reason number two: the characters. Dynamic, multifaceted,and full of personality, Felix and company are a joy to follow, because they feel like real people that you can actually care about. Third, and perhaps most importantly, Mike Carey’s books possess remarkable depth, which applies to both the aforementioned characters and prose as well as dense plotting and highly creative supernatural elements that have their own scientific logic… Read the rest.

Vicious Circle by Mike Carey

Out of all of the urban fantasy novels that I read in 2007, Mike Carey’s prose debut (The Devil You Know) was one of my favorites. Basically, Mr Carey took everything that I love about the genre — including the supernatural tangoing with the ordinary, mixing humor with horror, and creating a protagonist that is impossible not to root for — and gave the formula a refreshing makeover. Even so, there was room for improvement and in Vicious Circle Mike Carey has delivered a sequel that is in every way bigger and better than its predecessor… Read the rest.

Dead Men’s Boots by Mike Carey

… Compared to the previous two Felix Castor novels, I would rank Dead Men’s Boots right up there with Vicious Circle. The highlights of the book are the plot, Mr. Carey’s inventiveness — were-creatures who can organize themselves as a colony for example — and some really cool action scenes involving Juliet and Moloch. I also thought the mystery elements were better handled this time around and less predictable, but the novel suffers from following the same formula as the other two, and I felt the ending was a little too Hollywood-esque with the way everything was wrapped up. Nevertheless, Dead Men’s Boots is another delightful and engaging entry in the Felix Castor series… Read the rest.

The Light of Burning Shadows by Chris Evans

… the second book of the Iron Elves continues to suffer from many of the same problems as A Darkness Forged in Fire, but with improved writing, better execution, an action-packed story, characters that have evolved, and a thrilling finish that will leave readers wanting more, The Light of Burning Shadows is a marked improvement over the debut, and a highly entertaining fantasy that should continue making a name for Chris Evans… Read the rest.

After the War by Tim Lebbon

In my mind, one of the best things about reading fantasy and science fiction is getting to discover other worlds, and for me it doesn’t get much better than Tim Lebbon’s Noreela… After the War features two novellas set in the unforgettable land of Noreela… Overall, After the War isn’t going to set the world on fire with its two novellas, but as a fan of Mr. Lebbon’s world of Noreela, I really enjoyed myself which is about all anyone can ask for. At the same time, if you’ve never read anything by the author, then I give After the War a glowing recommendation. Not only is it a great introduction to the haunting world of Noreela, but it’s also a tantalizing glimpse into the macabre mind of Tim Lebbon. Read the rest.

The Alchemy of Stone by Ekaterina Sedia

… For starters, Ms. Sedia can write. Specifically her prose, which can be either smooth as silk or hauntingly evocative, is just breathtaking… The characters are interesting and likable; dialogue is smart and witty; the plotting is intricate enough to keep readers engaged and guessing at what happens next, yet at the same time is easy to follow; and the novel is excellently paced so that the pages just speed by… Besides the prose, the best thing about The Alchemy of Stone is Ekaterina Sedia’s imagination… read The Alchemy of Stone, a magnificent tale of change, betrayal and enchantment, and discover for yourself the magic of Ekaterina Sedia. Read the rest.

Paper Cities by Ekaterina Sedia

… Paper Cities is much like any anthology. It has a theme and stories that range from excellent to bad depending on one’s tastes, but it’s also unique in several ways. For starters, I knew virtually nothing about this side of Urban Fantasy, so for me this anthology was an eye-opening experience that made me appreciate the aesthetics of this particular brand of storytelling. Secondly, despite the predominant theme, the twenty-one stories included in the anthology were vastly different from one another and is an aspect that I really value in my reading, so I loved the book’s diversity… Paper Cities is just a pleasure to read and will at times entertain, challenge, and inspire the reader. Read the rest.

Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky

… how many times have authors written about a powerful ‘Empire’ bent on conquering the world and the unlikely heroes determined to stop them? For that matter, how many novels feature youthful protagonists who become much more than they ever dreamed of, haunted forests, a spy who can steal peoples’ faces, rescuing characters from slavers, inciting a revolution and so on? These are all common fantasy conventions utilized by Adrian Tchaikovsky, not to mention the requisite world map, hefty page count, and inevitable sequels. Yet, Empire in Black and Gold is much more than a traditional epic fantasy and readers would be making a big mistake by overlooking this spectacular debut… Read the rest.

Passage by Lois McMaster Bujold

… while Passage is a continuation of The Sharing Knife series and again revolves around Dag and Fawn — specifically alternating between their two points-of-view — the novel is a bit different from the original duology. For one, the romantic elements have been really toned down… Secondly, supporting characters are figured more prominently… Passage is not meant to be an action-thriller and instead, it’s the journey and how it changes the characters that is important. From that viewpoint, Bujold succeeds wildly… expect characters you can’t help but fall in love with, a world that sometimes feels more alive than our own, and themes that we can all relate to… Read the rest.

Queen of Kings by Maria Dahvana Headley

What if Cleopatra, one of the most famous women in history, was a vampire? That’s the basic concept behind Maria Dahvana Headley’s entertaining debut novel, Queen of Kings, which combines the historical events surrounding Cleopatra’s death in 30 BC with Greek and Egyptian mythology, resulting in a historical/fantasy/horror hybrid…  Shallow characterization, unconvincing historical detail, and too much time spent with the supporting cast instead of Cleopatra may prevent Maria Dahvana Headley’s Queen of Kings from living up to its full potential, but the author’s debut novel is still primed for success thanks to an accessible writing style, a thrilling story full of heart-pounding drama and adventure, and its appealing to a wide audience — fans of historical fiction, supernatural fantasy, romance, Greek and Egyptian mythology, and horror should all take note. Plus, all of the problems that can be found in Queen of Kings are issues that can be easily corrected, meaning the sequels could be even better. For myself, Queen of Kings started out slowly after an interesting Prologue, but from the Book of Divinations through to the end of the novel, Maria Dahvana Headley’s debut was as exhilarating a thrill ride as any big budget blockbuster movie, leaving me with high expectations for the sequels. Read the rest.

The Society of S by Susan Hubbard

… besides an impressive scholarly background, what was it that drew me to Ms. Hubbard’s latest novel The Society of S? In a nutshell… vampires. Of course, if you ask the author, The Society of S isn’t a vampire novel. It’s a ‘coming of age’ tale that just happens to have vampires in it. And that’s a pretty accurate assessment. So, while the inclusion of vampires is what hooked me initially to The Society of S, it was the wonderful storytelling that kept me glued to the pages… Read the rest.

Lord of the Silent Kingdom by Glen Cook

… Compared to its predecessor, Lord of the Silent Kingdom is an improvement in some areas and a fall-off in others. On the plus side, the book itself is much easier to follow, part of it due to the format and writing, but mostly because the reader should already be familiar with the world that Mr. Cook has created… the characterization of the world and the variety of peoples who populate it continues to be deftly realized and is definitely one of the high points of the book. What I felt was a weakness, was that while a lot happens in Lord of the Silent Kingdom, the reader is not always involved in the thick of the action, and the book lacks the epic, supernatural action of The Tyranny of the Night. In fact, the novel feels more like a setup piece between The Tyranny of the Night and the forthcoming volumes in the Instrumentalities series as a lot of threads are left unresolved. So, from a personal standpoint, I did not enjoy Lord of the Silent Kingdom as an individual book as much as I did The Tyranny of the Night, even with all of the latter’s faults. That said, I feel that The Instrumentalities of the Night is one of the more ambitious and dynamic fantasy epics out there today… Read the rest.

Shadowrise and Shadowheart by Tad Williams

…Since Tad Williams’ Shadowmarch series was originally planned as a trilogy before the decision to split the final volume into two books, I felt it was more appropriate to review Shadowrise and Shadowheart together. On its own, Shadowrise would be a difficult novel to review. After all, the book only tells half of the series’ intended conclusion, and the feeling of incompleteness is painfully obvious… Fortunately, Shadowrise continues the strong performance that was found in Shadowplay… Tad Williams’ Shadowmarch series may have gotten off to a rocky start in the opening volume, but by the time Shadowheart rolled around, I could hardly contain my excitement at finally completing the series, and both Shadowrise and Shadowheart deliver… as good an ending to a fantasy saga as I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Read the rest.

The Fallen Blade by Jon Courtenay Grimwood

… I’m not the biggest fan of alternate history/historical fiction, but Jon Courtenay Grimwood does a tremendous job of creating a living, breathing Renaissance Venice that feels as convincing as the real thing, and is one of the novel’s greatest strengths… if there is one thing negative to say about Jon Courtenay Grimwood’s Venice, it’s that the setting sometimes overshadows the rest of the book. This is most evident regarding The Fallen Blade’s fantasy elements — including a vampire, werewolves (krieghund) and a witch (stregoi) — which only account for a small percentage of the novel… Fortunately, the fantasy stuff picks up during the novel’s climax, and I’m hopeful it’s a preview of things to come in the sequel. Characters, meanwhile, are memorable and intriguing… Overall, Jon Courtenay Grimwood’s fantasy debut did not live up to my high expectations or its own immense potential. Nonetheless, The Fallen Blade is a well-written novel that features a fully realized setting, engaging characters, and a gripping story rife with complex politics and heartbreaking drama. In short, The Fallen Blade is still a very good book, and I definitely plan on being there for the second Act. Read the rest.

The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

…Intrigued by the brief, yet enticing taste that “Stonefather” had to offer, I’ve been looking forward to starting the Mither Mages series for a couple of years now, which finally begins with The Lost Gate… Orson Scott Card has a real knack for writing a young protagonist, which is evident from Danny’s likable personality and the way that he talks, acts and thinks like a real teenager. Plus, the chapters move along at a fast pace, the dialogue, despite my feelings, was entertaining, and I just loved the whole gate magic concept and had a blast learning about gate magic… The Lost Gate is the kind of book that I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending to both teens and older readers alike… without question a fun and entertaining journey that readers will definitely want to continue. I for one, can’t wait to read more about Danny, Wad, gate magic, and the Mither Mages. Read the rest.

Blackveil by Kristen Britain

… It’s hard to believe, but the first Green Rider novel was released in 1998… Fans of the series will be pleased to learn that Blackveil does not deviate much from the formula established in the first three Green Rider books… Blackveil has everything that Green Rider fans could hope for including romance, adventure, humor, time travel, dark magic, entertaining drama, ghosts, prophetic visions, and much more. In fact, even with all of the problems the book suffers from — bloated page count, trivial subplots, cliffhangers, etc. — Blackveil is still one of the better entries in the series. Unfortunately, I can only recommend Blackveil to die-hard Green Rider fans and anyone who loves to read traditional epic fantasy and is not bothered by archetypes and tropes. As for those who want something different, it would be wise to look elsewhere… Read the rest.

The Desert of Souls by Howard Andrew Jones

…The Desert of Souls is not going to win any awards for originality… Fortunately, it’s not the content that matters so much as the stylish manner in which Howard Andrew Jones tells the story, which includes energetic pacing, Asim’s engaging narrative voice, well-timed surprises, and a balanced blend of breathtaking action, witty humor and thoughtful insight… Howard Andrew Jones’ debut novel may utilize a number of recognizable ideas from the likes of Robert E. Howard, One Thousand and One Nights, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, but blended together, The Desert of Souls offers a fantasy experience that is fresh, fun and absolutely riveting. Best of all, The Desert of Souls is only the beginning of Dabir and Captain Asim’s remarkable adventures together, and I can only hope that there will be many more adventures yet to come… Read the rest.

The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells

The Cloud Roads is a novel that immediately grabbed my attention because of the cover artwork, but the real reward is the book itself with its rich and inventive world-building, seasoned writing, and entertaining story. World-building is by far the novel’s most striking attribute… Plot-wise, the story in The Cloud Roads is fairly straightforward and predictable with a number of familiar plot devices and fantasy tropes… Yet, for all of its familiarity and predictability, The Cloud Roads is a well-told novel thanks to crisp pacing, exciting action, and deft storytelling… Martha Wells is a very talented and creative writer, someone I should have been reading all of these years. Even with its issues regarding characterization, dialogue and humor, The Cloud Roads is a terrific fantasy novel that stands out due to imaginative world-building, accomplished writing and engaging storytelling. The Cloud Roads is a proud example of what the genre is capable of producing. Read the rest.

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente

…As a fan of fairy tales and mythology from around the world, I loved Valente’s The Orphan’s Tales, which I consider a modern day classic. So when I heard the author was putting her unique stamp on Russian folklore in her latest novel, Deathless, I couldn’t wait to get a copy… Even with all of the changes made to the original tales, Valente manages to keep her novel firmly rooted in Slavic mythology as evidenced by the appearances of domovoi (house imps), leshy (forest imps), vila, rusalka, firebirds, Likho, Viy, Gamayun and more. At the same time, Valente’s boundless imagination is on full display… Deathless possesses a charming fairy tale-like quality that accounts for much of the novel’s irresistible appeal… If not for faltering towards the end, Catherynne M. Valente’s Deathless could have been another masterpiece like The Orphan’s Tales. Even so, Deathless is still a special novel, one that will no doubt garner award recognition while continuing to expand Valente’s audience and her reputation as a master storyteller. Read the rest.

Sea of Ghosts by Alan Campbell

… I was a huge fan of Alan Campbell’s debut series, The Deepgate Codex, and ever since the trilogy’s conclusion, I’ve been anxiously awaiting news regarding the author’s next book. So when Sea of Ghosts was finally announced, it instantly became one of my most anticipated releases of 2011… That same inventive imagination is on full display in Sea of Ghosts, which introduces readers to a world slowly drowning in brine… Campbell has created another stunning fantasy world… I was particularly impressed by the significant improvement Campbell has made as a writer, especially compared to his debut novel, Scar Night. In fact, for those yet to read anything by Alan Campbell, I would recommend Sea of Ghosts over The Deepgate Codex, mainly because the new series offers greater appeal than the author’s debut trilogy, while possessing the potential to be more rewarding. Read the rest.

The Winds of Khalakovo by Bradley P. Beaulieu

…It’s hard to come up with anything original anymore, especially in epic fantasy, but Bradley P. Beaulieu makes a valiant effort in his debut novel, The Winds of Khalakovo. What immediately distinguishes The Winds of Khalakovo is the setting, which features a Grand Duchy heavily influenced by Czarist Russia… Besides the Russian influence, there’s an Arabian flavor… creating a fantasy world that may seem familiar because of its individual components, but is unique and refreshing because of the unconventional combination… I was impressed by the skill and creativity displayed by Bradley P. Beaulieu in his debut. In particular, I enjoyed the author’s accessible writing style, was drawn to his compelling main characters, and found the novel’s unique setting and unpredictable story refreshing and exciting. In short, Bradley P. Beaulieu is another terrific addition to the Night Shade lineup, while The Winds of Khalakovo is one of the year’s better fantasy debuts. Read the rest.

The Dragon’s Path by Daniel Abraham

… There are many reasons why I’m such a huge fan of Daniel Abraham’s writing, but the quality I most admire about the author is his versatility. Fantasy, science fiction, superheroes, urban fantasy, multi-volume series, standalone novels, short fiction, collaborations with other authors, shared worlds, mosaic novels, comic books… Daniel Abraham has taken on all of these different formats and subgenres and done so successfully. Daniel Abraham can now add traditional epic fantasy to his resume… The Dragon’s Path may suffer from shallow world-building and concepts that are underutilized like the thirteen different races of humanity, but because of main characters who are interesting and well-developed and a story that consistently surprises despite its familiarity, The Dragon’s Path is a very solid start to Daniel Abraham’s new fantasy series, The Dagger and the Coin. A series that I believe possesses the potential to appeal to a wide range of readers, including fans of traditional epic fantasy, fantasy that challenges the genre’s conventions, and Daniel Abraham’s own particular brand of fantasy… Read the rest.

Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy 2 edited by William Schafer

… Looking to improve upon the successful formula that was established in the first anthology, Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy 2 is longer than its predecessor, but is it any better?…  The anthology is certainly more consistent in quality from beginning to end… every single story is well crafted and skillfully written, brings something different to the table, and is rewarding in its own unique way. On the other hand, there is not a single story in the anthology that I would consider a ‘must-read’, except maybe for Norman Partridge’s “Vampire Lake”, while accomplished authors like Joe Hill, Glen Cook and Caitlin R. Kiernan fail to bring their ‘A’ game. Furthermore, I still believe the anthology could have benefited from a few additional stories… Regardless of these issues, Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy 2 maintains the diversity, creativeness and quality of the first volume, while showing enough improvement to easily justify a third Tales of Dark Fantasy. In the end, highly recommended for fans of the first anthology and anyone willing to explore the darker side of fiction… Read the rest.

The Stranger’s Woes by Max Frei

…It may have taken me a long while to become acclimated to the quirky humor, characters, setting, story structure and other idiosyncrasies found in Max Frei’s The Stranger, but once I did, the book was impossible to put down and I finished the novel immediately hungering for another helping of Sir Max’s adventures. For the most part, The Stranger’s Woes served up exactly what I was craving… the same humor and running jokes, the same supporting cast, the same imaginative world with its strange customs, the same story structure, and so on. The downside to all of this is that The Stranger’s Woes doesn’t really offer anything different from its predecessor. In fact, you could take the three stories found in The Stranger’s Woes, insert them in The Stranger, and no one would be able to tell the difference… For now, this isn’t a major issue with eight more volumes to go, but at some point, The Labyrinths of Echo needs to do more… Read the rest.

Miserere: An Autumn Tale by Teresa Frohock

… Teresa Frohock’s impressive debut, Miserere: An Autumn Tale, takes the concept of characters passing from the real world into another world and sets it in the middle of an ages-old war between Heaven and Hell… Miserere: An Autumn Tale revolves around four main characters… it plays out like a Shakespearean drama because of the intense emotional turmoil that exists among the foursome… That said, it’s a good thing that Lucian, Rachael, Lindsay, Catarina and their drama are the focal point because the rest of the novel doesn’t measure up to the same standards. Teresa Frohock’s world-building lacks depth… Frohock’s writing may be accessible and emotive, but it’s also plain and unsophisticated… In spite of these various issues, Miserere: An Autumn Tale remains an impressive and entertaining debut, led by an interesting concept in Woerld and the Katharoi, great characters, and compelling drama. So even though Teresa Frohock’s craft has plenty of room for improvement, I look forward to experiencing the author’s growth and development… Read the rest.

At The Edge of the Universe, we review mainstream authors that incorporate elements of speculative fiction into their “literary” work. However you want to label them, we hope you’ll enjoy discussing these books with us.

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Glen Duncan is the author of seven previous novels including I, Lucifer, which was shortlisted for the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. He was chosen by both Arena and The Times Literary Supplement as one of Britain’s best young novelists. Glen currently lives in London.

PLOT SUMMARY: A veil of melancholy has fallen over Jake Marlowe. Not only is he a werewolf, but he is the last of his kind. Hunted by his enemies and haunted by his past, he is worn out by centuries of decadence and debauchery, and by the demands of his lunatic appetites. As a result, he decides to submit to his fate at the next full moon. However, as Jake counts down to suicide, a violent murder and an extraordinary meeting plunge him straight back into the desperate pursuit of life…

FORMAT/INFO: The Last Werewolf is 304 pages long divided over three ‘Moons’ and sixty-one numbered chapters. Narration is in the first person via the protagonist Jake Marlowe, except for the last six chapters. The Last Werewolf wraps up the novel’s major plotline, but leaves a number of matters unresolved, hopefully to be continued in a sequel or two. July 12, 2011 marks the North American Hardcover publication of The Last Werewolf via Knopf. The UK edition was published on April 7, 2011 via Canongate Books.

ANALYSIS: Werewolves have never captured my interest the same way vampires have, but over the past few years, three books have come out that have really changed the way I look at werewolves. The first is Toby Barlow’s spectacular novel, Sharp Teeth. Then came The Wolfman by Nicholas Pekearo, rest his soul. Finally, we have The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan…

The Last Werewolf — my first Glen Duncan novel, by the way — not only stars a werewolf as the main protagonist, but also features vampires, a World Organisation for the Control of Occult Phenomena (WOCOP), and copious amounts of sex. Sounds like a formula straight out of an urban fantasy/paranormal romance novel right? Wrong. Instead, The Last Werewolf is a gritty and visceral, hard R-rated contemporary horror thriller dressed up in literary wrappings, which is mainly due to Glen Duncan’s sophisticated writing style and evocative prose:

“If this was Hollywood I’d be dismissing her fully paid and heavily gratuitied in preparation for a night’s heroic solitary brooding, a sequence of fade-shots wet-eyed Pacino would do with baleful minimalism, staring out at the city, lit cigarette, bottle and glass, the face tranquilly letting all the death and sadness gather with a kind of defeated wisdom. But this wasn’t Hollywood.”

“The moon was an inscrutable pregnancy, a withheld alleviation, a love more cunning than a mother’s.”

Personally, I found Glen Duncan’s writing style somewhat difficult to follow as I had to constantly stop and re-read passages in order to fully digest what the author was saying, while the prose can get overblown at times. That said, the author does a marvelous job capturing the voice of someone who has been alive since the early 1800s and is weary of life. Even more impressive are the subtle, but noticeable changes to Jake Marlowe’s ‘journal entries’ when he suddenly discovers a reason for living.

Werewolf elements in the book are fairly conventional. The Curse is only transferred by infection. The infected can only transform during a full moon. Benefits include increased senses, healing, and lifespan. Silver is a weakness. Et cetera, et cetera. Of course, the author puts his own spin on the werewolf mythos in the form of an amped-up libido, the infection killing people instead of changing them, and a strong aversion to vampires. However, it’s the intimate and thought-provoking look inside the mind and heart of Jake Marlowe the werewolf that is the novel’s main attraction, which includes being tormented by the memories of everyone he has ever killed, suffering from profound loneliness and a life void of love, and wondering if life after death exists for a werewolf.

Plot-wise, The Last Werewolf starts out a bit slowly with the novel focused on establishing Jake’s past — when he became infected in 1842; his first kill which he has not spoken of in 167 years; the time he saved Harley’s life, his human familiar, fix-it and friend for fifty years — his loneliness and exhaustion of life, and his desire to die. That’s when the author throws a few curveballs — vampires, WOCOP politics, a love interest — to complicate matters for Jake and increase the novel’s entertainment factor. Unfortunately, these interesting plot developments become bogged down by Marlowe’s long-winded ruminations, while a narrative shift towards the end of the book telegraphs the novel’s ending. It’s an anticlimactic ending that leaves many matters unresolved, like Alexander Quinn’s journal which supposedly contains the origin of werewolves, and the vampires’ Helios Project.

Despite these issues with the story, The Last Werewolf is a striking novel. Glen Duncan’s writing is intelligent and provocative; Jake Marlowe is a compelling and sympathetic protagonist, even if he is a monster; and the plot delivers plenty of action, sex, thrills and surprises. Admittedly, I enjoyed reading Sharp Teeth and The Wolfman more than I did The Last Werewolf, but Glen Duncan’s book ranks right up there with the best that werewolf fiction has to offer, and is a tale worthy of a sequel.

Low Town by Daniel Polansky

…Daniel Polansky’s Low Town is categorized as ‘noir fantasy’. What is noir fantasy? In my mind, it’s when Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett meet the fantastic — magic, the supernatural, and so forth… As far as noir fantasy goes, Low Town doesn’t really bring anything new to the table, but Daniel Polansky’s debut is still one of the subgenre’s better efforts. What impressed me the most about Low Town was the setting. Of the noir fantasies that I’ve read, the majority of them — urban fantasy novels in particular — take place in an alternate version of our world where magic and the paranormal are real. Not Low Town. Low Town is set in a fully realized secondary world… Besides the setting, I also loved the tone of the book. A lot of authors have tried to emulate Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, but not everyone can pull it off. Daniel Polansky does so with ease, with the characters, story and milieu of Low Town all delightfully drenched in hard-boiled noir. In other words, Low Town is dark, gritty and morally ambivalent… Read the rest.

Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst

… Promise of the Wolves is basically a coming-of-age tale that chronicles Kaala’s maturation from pup to youngwolf. Like a coming-of-age tale, Kaala undergoes rites of passage, makes both friends and enemies, and suffers under the tyranny of adults, all while trying to become an official member of the Swift River pack… Promise of the Wolves is also reminiscent of a traditional fantasy epic… Writing-wise, Promise of the Wolves is penned with grace, intelligence and passion. The prose is charming and accessible; the character of Kaala is likeable and well-rounded, her narrative voice is alive; the secondary characters possess distinguishing qualities and are solid; the plot moves along at a steady clip and offers more than a few surprises… I was completely charmed by Dorothy Hearst’s debut and look forward to completing The Wolf Chronicles. Read the rest.

The Third Section by Jasper Kent

… Jasper Kent’s Twelve was a remarkable debut, one that I still remember quite vividly. The sequel, Thirteen Years Later, was arguably even better. Following in the footsteps of these two exceptional novels, The Third Section had very large shoes to fill, a feat the book is unable to fully pull off… Compared against Twelve and Thirteen Years Later, The Third Section is easily the weakest of Jasper Kent’s three books because of protagonists who are not nearly as compelling as Aleksei Danilov and a slow-paced story lacking in originality and reward. That all said, as the third volume in The Danilov Quintet, The Third Section works well as a bridge novel, helping readers transition between one generation of characters and the next, and I’m confident the series will return to form in the fourth book. Read the rest.

The Taker by Alma Katsu

… Alma Katsu’s The Taker immediately appealed to me because of its description, which compared the debut novel to Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Justin Cronin’s The Passage. Starting out, I had a difficult time with Alma Katsu’s The Taker, nearly giving up on the book at two separate occasions. Fortunately, once I got past the opening chapter and the supernatural elements kicked in, The Taker became nearly impossible to put down. It’s easy to see why. Take away the novel’s negative issues and what is left? How about a beautifully written, heartfelt narrative; compelling, unforgettable characters; and a mesmerizing blend of history, romance, and the supernatural. In the end, even with its flaws, The Taker is a captivating novel and one of the better debuts of the year… Read the rest.

Spellbound by Blake Charlton

… Apart from characterization, Blake Charlton’s Spellbound is a better novel than its predecessor, building on Spellwright’s charm and unique magic system, while demonstrating noticeable improvement in world-building, the usage of fantasy tropes, and starting/ending a book in style. At the same time, Spellbound manages to avoid many of the problems suffered by middle books of trilogies, delivering a middle volume that progresses The Spellwright Trilogy into new territory, leaving readers satisfied with the book itself but also invested in the trilogy’s conclusion. In short, Spellbound is highly recommended to fans of Spellwright and anyone who enjoys epic fantasy that is charming, imaginative and entertaining. Read the rest.

Ganymede by Cherie Priest

…Cherie Priest returns to form in her latest Clockwork Century novel, Ganymede. For the most part at least. One of the biggest issues I had with Dreadnought was how all of the exciting parts were sandwiched in between seemingly endless pages of boredom. Ganymede still suffers from a few boring lulls, but overall the book is a more entertaining affair thanks to faster pacing, a smaller page count, tighter plotting and a narrative that once again switches between two different POVs. It also helps that the tone of Ganymede is not as dark or serious as it was in Dreadnought, while the author has reined in her exploration of such themes as racism, gender roles and war, even though they are still present… For the most part, Ganymede is another rewarding entry in the Clockwork Century series. A series I very much look forward to continuing in next year’s Inexplicable. Read the rest.

The Monster’s Corner: Stories Through Inhuman Eyes edited by Christopher Golden

…The Monster’s Corner features nineteen brand new, never before published short stories from a wide variety of authors from all genres. The Monster’s Corner is about monsters that readers can sympathize with, like the Frankenstein monster, King Kong, Godzilla, Magneto, Blade Runner’s Roy Batty, or the whale from Moby Dick… monsters that reflect the author’s philosophy about monstrosity. “About how we define each other and how we define ourselves. About what we see in the mirror and what we fear others will see. About perspective and seeing the world through inhuman eyes”… the authors selected for The Monster’s Corner are talented and give the reader a diverse range of stories to choose from, but I was in the mood for something darker. Something that would send chills down my spine and leave me haunted by nightmares. In that regard, The Monster’s Corner doesn’t quite hit the spot. That all said, Christopher Golden has, in the end, compiled another impressive and successful horror-themed anthology in The Monster’s Corner. Read the rest.

The Sacred Band by David Anthony Durham

…Over four years ago, David Anthony Durham burst onto the fantasy scene with Acacia: The War with the Mein, the impressive opening volume in the Acacia trilogy. This was followed by The Other Lands in 2009, a respectable middle volume that was slightly disappointing compared to its predecessor but set the stage for a potentially awesome conclusion to the trilogy. Which brings us to The Sacred Band. In the third and final volume of the Acacia trilogy, readers can expect another well-written novel from David Anthony Durham, highlighted by accomplished prose, rich characterization, morally ambiguous characters, creative world-building that reflects real history and social issues… a rewarding conclusion that successfully wraps up the Acacia trilogy. Read the rest.

At The Edge of the Universe, we review mainstream authors that incorporate elements of speculative fiction into their “literary” work. However you want to label them, we hope you’ll enjoy discussing these books with us.

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Thomas Mullen is the author of The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers and The Last Town on Earth, which was named Best Debut Novel of 2006 by USA Today, was a Chicago Tribune Best Book of the Year, and was awarded the James Fenimore Cooper Prize. He lives in Decatur, Georgia with his wife and two sons.

PLOT SUMMARY: Zed is an agent from the future. A time when the world’s problems have been solved. No hunger. No war. No despair.

His mission is to keep it that way. Even if it means ensuring every cataclysm throughout history runs its course—especially the Great Conflagration, an imminent disaster in our own time that Zed has been ordered to protect at all costs.

Zed’s mission will disrupt the lives of a disgraced former CIA agent; a young Washington lawyer grieving over the loss of her brother, a soldier in Iraq; the oppressed employee of a foreign diplomat; and countless others. But will he finish his final mission before the present takes precedence over a Perfect Future? One that may have more cracks than he realizes?

FORMAT/INFO: The Revisionists is 448 pages long divided over thirty-six chapters. Each chapter is narrated by a single POV. Three of the POVs—Leo Hastings, Tasha Wilson and Sari—are narrated in the third-person. The other POV, Zed/Troy Jones, is narrated in the first-person. The Revisionists is self-contained. September 28, 2011 marks the North American Hardcover publication of The Revisionists via Mulholland Books. The UK version (see below) will be published on the same day via Mulholland UK.

ANALYSIS: The Revisionists is described by the publisher as a “fast-paced literary thriller that recalls dystopian classics such as 1984 and Fahrenheit 451.” A fairly accurate description considering that Zed—one of the novel’s main characters—is from the future. A future that may seem ‘perfect’ because of the way war, crime and racism has been largely eliminated, but in reality is an Orwellian society where all history, even the physical evidence of recently deceased loves ones, is controlled by the Government.

Zed is a Protector of this future, this ‘Perfect Present’. As an agent of the Department of Historical Integrity, his job is to go back in time and ensure that certain Events are not altered by historical agitators (“hags”). Assigned to the Disasters Division, Zed must protect such Events as 9/11, Nazi concentration camps, the bombing of Hiroshima, and, in his latest mission, the Great Conflagration which will be responsible for killing billions of people across the world. This concept of going back in time to protect history from changing is slightly reminiscent of Félix J. Palma’s The Map of Time, but Thomas Mullen never explains how time travel is possible in this future, and instead focuses on the moral complications involved with time travel, while ruminating on such matters as existentialism and fate:

“What is predetermined, what spontaneous? You get to thinking about such things after this long on the job. You start pondering options that most people don’t even realize are there, seeing secret paths and hidden escapes. Or the opposite happens: you see the larger forces that guide you against your will or without your knowledge. If you are what you do, then what does it mean if others make that decision for you?”

Despite all of this talk about time travel and the future, The Revisionists is more of a contemporary drama/thriller in the vein of such movies as Fair Game and Syriana than it is science fiction. How so? For starters, the book is set almost entirely in present-day Washington, DC. Secondly, the novel’s three other protagonists are ‘contemps’, i.e. not from the future. This includes Leo Hastings, an ex-CIA agent currently gathering intel for a private contractor; Tasha Wilson, a corporate lawyer angered by the death of her brother, Lieutenant Marshall Wilson, and the vague details surrounding what happened to him; and Sari, an Indonesian maid/nanny employed by a South Korean diplomat and his abusive wife. Third, The Revisionists features a heavy dose of espionage, while whistle-blowing, entrapment, left-wing politics (anti-war, mainstream media), racial animosities, dictatorships, urban gentrification, privatized intelligence, civil rights and other topical issues are thoughtfully examined in the book. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, there is Zed. As the novel progress, the author starts dropping hints that maybe Zed is not an agent from the future after all. That maybe he is a deluded individual who became mentally unhinged after what happened to his wife and daughter. It’s a compelling argument either way, one the author never clearly answers, injecting the book with an ambiguity that reminded me of Blade Runner, Memento and Inception.

Regardless of what classification The Revisionists may fall under, there’s no debating the impressiveness of Thomas Mullen’s accomplished writing. Sympathetic characters with fully developed backgrounds; engaging narratives written in both the first and third-person; a plot that never loses its way despite a complicated tangle of myriad threads, twists and revelations; the clever ambiguity surrounding Zed and his past; the realistic depiction of Washington, DC . . . Thomas Mullen excels at all of this and then some. Admittedly, the author occasionally goes a little overboard when writing about politics or describing aspects of a character’s background, but for the most part, The Revisionists contains a level of writing that most people can only dream about.

CONCLUSION: The Revisionists is my first Thomas Mullen novel, although I had heard of the author last year when The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers was released, a book which intrigued me, but not enough to actually purchase a copy. What convinced me to read The Revisionists was a description that seemed to promise a thought-provoking science fiction novel in the vein of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. A promise that is only partially successful because of Zed’s ambiguity and the novel’s emphasis on contemporary issues. Then again, much of the novel’s best qualities can be attributed to these same factors. That and Thomas Mullen’s brilliant writing. So even though The Revisionists was not the science fiction novel that I was hoping for, I very much enjoyed Thomas Mullen’s new book, which offers readers a smart, relevant and engrossing reading experience…

The Emperor’s Knife by Mazarkis Williams

The Emperor’s Knife first came to my attention thanks to an interview I did with Night Shade author Teresa Frohock. Because of Teresa’s glowing comments about the book and Night Shade’s recent track record with debut authors, expectations were high for The Emperor’s Knife, and for the most part, Mazarkis Williams’ debut lived up to those expectations. What impressed me the most about The Emperor’s Knife were the characters, specifically the main POVs of Prince Sarmin, the assassin Eyul, the Lord High Vizier Tuvaini, and the Felt bride Mesema. Read more »

Bone Song by John Meaney

British author John Meaney is primarily known as a writer of hard science fiction. In his latest offering however, he changes tack a bit and delivers a novel in Bone Song that is described as blending “gritty futuristic noir with gothic fantasy.” A fairly accurate description, although personally I would categorize the book as urban fantasy because the backdrop is definitely present day, the main character is a police lieutenant, and the story is driven by a murder investigation that features plenty of familiar police procedural elements and subplots like a romance, a traitor, and obvious red herrings, not to mention the supernatural aspects… Read the rest.

This Witch for Hire (an omnibus edition containing: 1. Dead Witch Walking 2. The Good, The Bad, and the Undead) by Kim Harrison

Since the Anita Blake novels are the only similarly-themed books that I’ve read relative to Rachel Morgan, there will be a lot of comparisons between the two series. So, let’s look at the similarities. First off, both series could be described as urban/contemporary fantasy, set in an alternate present-day world where supernatural creatures such as vampires, weres, and witches, not only exist, but are part of society… Read the rest.

Gears of the City by Felix Gilman

Despite a somewhat slow and haphazard beginning, I thought Felix Gilman’s Thunderer was one of the best debuts I read in 2007 and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. Alas, Gears of the City was a bit disappointing. I think the biggest issue I had with the book were the characters. Simply put, I just didn’t care about any of them, which was a little surprising considering that returning protagonist, Arjun, was fairly compelling in Thunderer. Read the rest.

The Cardinal’s Blades by Pierre Pevel

… Pierre Pevel’s The Cardinal’s Blades is a fast and fun reading experience, but is plagued by a few fundamental problems and lacks the substance and depth to be anything more than a good summer read. It’s also a book that I believe will appeal more to fans of Alexandre Dumas, swashbuckling adventures, and alternate histories than those of epic fantasies. Fortunately, being a fan of Dumas myself as well as fantasy, I enjoyed reading The Cardinal’s Blades and look forward to continuing the series. Read the rest.

Stalking the Vampire by Mike Resnick

….Out of all of the JOHN JUSTIN MALLORY stories that I’ve had a chance to read, the previous novel in this series, Stalking the Unicorn is easily my favorite. It’s also, in my opinion, the best of the JOHN JUSTIN MALLORY stories, and compared to that book, Stalking the Vampire comes up wanting in a few key areas such as dialogue, wit and humor. Even so, Stalking the Vampire is still a hell of a lot better than most of the stuff that’s passing for urban fantasy these days, and if I had to choose between the two, nine times out of ten, I’m sticking with Mallory. So here’s hoping that Mike Resnick has many more JOHN JUSTIN MALLORY stories to tell…  Read the rest.

Set the Seas on Fire by Chris Roberson

…Set in the late 1700s/early 1800s, during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Revolution / Napoleonic Wars, and King George III, Chris Roberson’s Set the Seas On Fire is an engaging blend of historical and speculative fiction, with a dash of coming-of-age tale thrown in for good measure. So, following in the footsteps of protagonist Hieronymus Bonaventure — what a great name! — readers can look forward to some good old seafaring adventuring including an informative and realistic glimpse at how a British Naval ship is run. Read the rest.

Servant of a Dark God by John Brown

…..I love starting fantasy series, especially those written by brand new authors. Visiting a whole new secondary world; learning about new magic systems, religions, and cultures; getting to know new characters … I find it very exciting, and in this regard John Brown’s debut novel delivers. …..Overall, John Brown’s Servant of a Dark God is a better-than-average entry in the field of epic fantasy, with its own set of problems and promise. Happily, the good outweighs the bad, and with improvement, John Brown could become a fantasy author to watch. Read the rest.

Night Runner by Max Turner

…. In the end, Night Runner is a pretty enjoyable book … if you’re a teenager. Because of its lack of depth and PG presentation, adults like myself might find the novel unsatisfying. Therefore, I would mostly recommend Night Runner to teens, especially male readers since the book is less about romance, and more about action and adventure. Read the rest.

Deepwood by Jennifer Roberson

….All in all, Deepwood is another terrifically written and exciting fantasy adventure by a veteran author who knows how to capture and maintain the readers’ attention… It’s a fun, action-packed fantasy that builds on the imaginative mythos of its predecessor and will appeal to readers of all ages. In short, I definitely enjoyed both Karavans and Deepwood immensely, look forward to many more adventures set in this universe, and hope also to experience the numerous other novels that Jennifer Roberson has to offer.  Read the rest.

Shadowbridge by Gregory Frost

Gregory Frost graduated from Clarion Workshop, authored five novels and the critically-acclaimed short story collection Attack of the Jazz Giants & Other Stories, and has been a finalist for nearly every major award in the fantasy field including the Hugo, the Nebula, the James Tiptree, and the World Fantasy Award. Impressive, but what did I think of Shadowbridge? Well, for the most part I enjoyed reading Shadowbridge and while I may have liked the novel, I can’t say that I loved it. Read the rest.

The Tower of Shadows by Drew Bowling

Last time I read a much-hyped fantasy debut by a promising up-and-coming talent it was the highly disappointing and, at least to me, overrated Eragon by teenager Christopher Paolini. So, even though it came with much less fanfare, I was admittedly skeptical about trying out The Tower of Shadows, another fantasy debut by a young wunderkind. Fortunately college student Drew C. Bowling, who started his novel in high school, is a much more accomplished writer than Paolini was, and delivers an impressive first offering…  Read the rest.

Mad With Wonder by Frank Beddor

… Overall, because of the story I felt Mad With Wonder was a step down from the first Hatter M geo-graphic novel. Despite this, the graphic novel as a whole is more than worth its cover price because the book is loaded with awesome extras like a preview from the third Hatter M volume, an excerpt from ArchEnemy, card illustrations, and a ton of information that ‘proves’ Wonderland’s existence. Plus, Mad With Wonder is still a blast to read, especially if you’re a fan of Frank Beddor’s The Looking Glass Wars… Read the rest

The Dragon Factory by Jonathan Maberry

… Jonathan Maberry’s Patient Zero was quite possibly the most entertaining novel I read in all of 2009. As a result, the sequel couldn’t come fast enough for me. Unfortunately, Patient Zero must have set the bar too high, because even though The Dragon Factory was another entertaining reading experience, the book never lived up to the first JOE LEDGER novel… The Dragon Factory was a disappointment compared to Patient Zero, but I still enjoyed reading the book and look forward to The King of Plagues… Read the rest.

The Devil You Know by Mike Carey

In a genre that has become over-saturated in recent years with second and third-rate carbon copies looking to feed off the successes of more popular series such as Laurell K. Hamilton’s ANITA BLAKE novels, The Devil You Know is quite a breath of fresh air. At a glance there may seem to be a lot of similarities: the contemporary setting where the paranormal has become a part of everyday life, the down-on-your-luck main character who narrates in a first-person perspective, the blending of horror, crime noir and humor elements, and so on. Yet, these would only be superficial observations, because if you were to take a closer look at what The Devil You Know brings to the table, it becomes pretty apparent that Mike Carey has imbued the material with his own unique stamp… Read the rest.

The Adamantine Palace by Stephen Deas

In recent years, UK publisher Gollancz has introduced a number of exciting new speculative fiction writers… That trend continues with Stephen Deas. The Adamantine Palace is an epic fantasy novel that combines old-school fantasy traits with edgier, more contemporary ones… Overall, I really enjoyed Stephen Deas’ The Adamantine Palace. It’s a fun and entertaining debut that will appeal to fans of both classic and contemporary fantasy… Read the rest.

Mind the Gap by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon

… Mind the Gap may be the first collaboration between Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon, but their writing styles mesh together so well, it’s like they were born to work with one another. Both write with great confidence, possess smooth prose, know how to tell an engaging story, and are vividly creative. Plus, they really complement one another. Lebbon has a gift for evoking the horrific, while Golden knows how to appeal to the younger/mainstream audience… The one drawback is their characters… they tend to lack a certain depth and intimacy and the cast in Mind the Gap is no exception. Other than that, there’s not much to complain about apart from the slow beginning… Read the rest.

Mainspring by Jay Lake

… Story-wise, Mainspring is certainly imaginative and entertaining with its exotic locales, incredible wonders and dire perils… Even though Mainspring is marred by inconsistency — specifically the characterization, pacing, descriptive prose and the execution of certain concepts — I still enjoyed reading Jay Lake’s novel. After all, the book is highly creative, smart, and manages to challenge the mind, stimulate the imagination, and is fun to read all at the same time. The problem with Mainspring is that it had all of the potential of a modern-day classic. Because of its inconsistencies however, the novel is a flawed effort that exasperates almost as much as it amazes… Read the rest.

Dusk and Dawn by Tim Lebbon

… As a whole the Dusk and Dawn duology was a series that I was more than happy to pick up. Sure, it’s rough around the edges with characters that are difficult to relate to and a story that can be predictable at times, but for anyone who likes their fantasy made of darker and more imaginative material, tinged with horror elements and aimed at adults, then this is it. Best of all, Mr. Lebbon concludes the Dusk and Dawn duology with an ending that leaves room for future exploration into the spellbinding world of Noreela with a couple of standalone prequels and a short story. Personally, I can’t wait to see what Mr. Lebbon comes up with next for the denizens of Noreela. Read the rest.

The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller

… Karen Miller’s The Innocent Mage has its share of drawbacks: The story and characters are not that creative. The book is on the long side and is notably lacking in the action department. The worldbuilding is a bit sparse… Despite all of this, I happened to like The Innocent Mage and thought it was a fairly enjoyable fantasy. In addition to the characters, I was most impressed with Ms. Miller’s writing, which may have not been that stylish, but was engaging, and for the most part, technically proficient. I also really liked the jaw-dropping, cliffhanger ending… if you don’t mind treading over familiar ground, then Karen Miller’s The Innocent Mage is definitely worth a look… Read the rest.

Maledicte by Lane Robins

Set in a Victorian-like backdrop, complete with aristocracies, a budding industrial revolution, and such debaucheries as prostitution and drug addiction, Maledicte reminds me somewhat of Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series… Maledicte possesses its own voice and offers some fresh perspectives to what might otherwise be considered stale material, though I think readers will either love or hate the manner in which the book is told… If you can overlook the lack of worldbuilding and exposition, the inconsistencies of the writing, and the occasional soap opera-like moment, there’s a lot to like in Maledicte… Read the rest.

Dreadnought by Cherie Priest

…  Judged by its own merits, Cherie Priest’s Dreadnought is a satisfying reading experience highlighted by skillful writing, a strong female protagonist, and heart-pounding action sequences. The problem I had with Dreadnought is when comparing the novel to the highly entertaining Boneshaker and the even more impressive Clementine. Compared to those books, Dreadnought, despite its many virtues, just doesn’t offer the same kind of fun, nonstop entertainment or unforgettable characters that can be found in the pages of Boneshaker and Clementine. Thus, my disappointment in the novel. That said, I’m still going to be one of the first people in line for Cherie Priest’s next Clockwork Century novel, Republic of Texas… Read the rest.

Passion Play by Beth Bernobich

… Passion Play could have been great. Therez and Lord Kosenmark are, for the most part, strong and interesting central characters; the plot — involving an undying king, magical jewels, two kingdoms on the brink of war, a shadow court, and much more — has all the necessary ingredients for powerful drama, crafty deception and exciting adventure; the secondary world that Beth Bernobich has imagined is bursting with untapped potential if the tantalizing glimpses of life dreams (dreams of past lives), Lir’s jewels, and the magical realm Anderswar are anything to go by. The problem with Passion Play is in the details, or more precisely, the lack thereof. In other words, at 368 pages, Passion Play is not nearly long enough to provide the kind of details necessary for all that is happening in the book, especially when you consider that two years of Therez’s life is covered. As a result, so much of the novel just feels shortchanged, particularly the supporting characters, the magic system, and the world building… Read the rest.

Kill the Dead by Richard Kadrey

… In the second Sandman Slim novel, Kill the Dead, readers can expect more of the same. More of the cocky, foul-mouthed Stark with his accompanying addictions for nicotine, booze, Aqua Regia, car theft, and smart-ass comments… energetic pacing; stylish action sequences; cool slang words… and accessible, pop culture-soaked figures of speech… Unfortunately, Richard Kadrey’s performance is not all good. Characterization, for example, is practically non-existent, especially toward the supporting characters… Overall, Richard Kadrey’s Kill the Dead takes its sweet time getting to the good stuff, but when it does, the action is fast, furious and compelling, and will definitely satisfy fans of the first Sandman Slim novel while leaving readers already anticipating the next volume in the series. That said, if you like your urban fantasy dark and gritty, then there are much better options available than Sandman Slim… Read the rest.

Never Knew Another by J.M. McDermott

…The concept behind Never Knew Another is a fairly simple one, but incredibly fascinating. Walkers — wolves that can shed their skin to become human — are servants of the goddess Erin dedicated to hunting and eradicating the seed of the demon Elishta… Walkers are blessed with many gifts, including the ability to smell a man’s life — and sometimes death — in his skin, smelling the secrets of the land, and being able to “merge into the mind of a dead man”… Unfortunately, Never Knew Another suffers from some serious flaws. World-building is practically non-existent… Character depth is also an issue, while the novel’s sudden ending was largely unsatisfying. Despite these obvious and frustrating deficiencies, J.M. McDermott’s Never Knew Another is still more of a positive reading experience… I remain intrigued by the forthcoming volumes in the Dogsland Trilogy, which I believe will only get better thanks to the many questions yet to be answered, a fantasy setting ripe with untapped potential, and J.M. McDermott’s creative guidance. Read the rest.

Hidden Cities by Daniel Fox

…Hidden Cities is the concluding volume in the Moshui: The Books of Stone and Water trilogy. Like its predecessors, Hidden Cities is highlighted by Daniel Fox’s elegant prose and a strong cast of characters… What surprised me was the novel’s lack of payoff. With any trilogy, I expect the third book to resolve storylines and provide a sense of closure. What Hidden Cities offers instead are cliffhangers and even more unanswered questions than what the trilogy started out with… As much as I love the prose and the characters in the series, it wasn’t enough to overshadow the bloated number of viewpoints in Hidden Cities or the novel’s lack of closure, which is especially disappointing since the book was supposed to conclude the Moshui: The Books of Stone and Water trilogy. Of course, it will be even more disappointing if there isn’t a sequel to tie up all of the loose ends left at the end of Hidden Cities. Read the rest.

The Enterprise of Death by Jesse Bullington

… For all of its vulgarity and gruesomeness, there was always a healthy dose of dark humor in The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart to help lighten the mood. In contrast, humor has been significantly reduced in The Enterprise of Death, and what humor is present is of the more morbid variety. As a result, it’s much more difficult not to be disturbed by the vileness in The Enterprise of Death… Thankfully, I stuck it out and I’m glad I did… what made The Enterprise of Death worth reading was Jesse Bullington’s clever writing and a vivid imagination… The ending is also a lot more satisfying than that of The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart, and even leaves room for a sequel or two that I would love to check out… Overall though, The Enterprise of Death is not as good as The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart. Jesse Bullington’s sophomore effort pushes vileness to a whole new level, but without the humor and entertainment that made the author’s debut novel such a unique reading experience. Still, it’s hard not to be impressed by the author’s boldness and creativity, and that alone is enough to keep me interested in whatever Jesse Bullington decides to write next. Read the rest.

The Unremembered by Peter Orullian

…  Tor is one of my favorite publishers, especially when it comes to fantasy… Many of the authors Tor has introduced over the years have gone on to become mainstays of the genre, while others are exciting new voices. Unfortunately, the verdict on Peter Orullian is still pending. While the author shows tremendous potential in The Unremembered — specifically a confident writing style highlighted by rich prose, comprehensive world-building, characters who realistically struggle internally, and an obvious passion for the genre — the novel’s overwhelming use of fantasy tropes and conventions is a major drawback. As a result, many of the book’s positive moments are canceled out by negative ones, culminating in a debut that is neither great nor terrible, but instead falls somewhere in between. Still, if Peter Orullian can build on his strengths, while tightening up his writing and making a more concerted effort at forging his own identity, then the author could eventually become a force to reckon with. Read the rest.

Den of Thieves by David Chandler

… Den of Thieves may not offer fully developed characters, in-depth world-building, creative ideas, or clever plotting, but thanks to swift pacing and non-stop sword & sorcery action, David Chandler’s novel does provide lots of fun and thrills. Keeping expectations lowered though is the key to enjoying this novel. Because of the thief protagonist, the plot involving the Burgrave’s crown, and various other factors, I can see why Den of Thieves has drawn comparisons to Martin, Abercrombie, and Lynch. Unfortunately, neither the book nor the author is anywhere close to that level. In fact, Den of Thieves is not even on the same level as Douglas Hulick’s Among Thieves, a similar yet far superior fantasy debut that was released this same year. However, as long as readers understand what kind of book they’re getting, then Den of Thieves has plenty to offer. Read the rest.

Eyes to See by Joseph Nassise

…Urban fantasy is a genre I’ve almost completely sworn off due to reasons vented elsewhere. That said, I’m always on the lookout for titles that might bring something new to the table. In the case of Joseph Nassise’s Eyes to See, readers are promised an urban fantasy novel that “charts daring new territory in the field” if the synopsis and author blurbs are anything to go by, but does the book really deliver on that promise? The answer is yes… and no… Because of the emotional punches landed by Jeremiah Hunt’s missing daughter, Joseph Nassise’s Eyes to See is partially successful in bringing something new to the genre, but in other areas, the novel doesn’t measure up to its peers due to one-dimensional supporting characters, narrative shortcomings, and too much reliance on familiar urban fantasy trappings. Still, as far as the genre is concerned, Eyes to See is solidly entertaining, and I’m curious to see what happens in the next Jeremiah Hunt Chronicle, King of the Dead. Read the rest.

Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow

Lilith Saintcrow is the perfect name for an author of urban fantasy. Like most of the novels that I’ve read that are classified as urban fantasy, supernatural thriller or paranormal romance, Night Shift has its good and bad qualities. What I like about the book was its darker vibe, the emphasis on action instead of romance or comedy, the intense pacing, Jill Kismet’s noir-esque narrative voice, and Lilith Saintcrow’s piercing prose. Read the rest.