Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

I just finished Warbreaker, and the words that keep coming to mind are “That was so good!” This is the first Brandon Sanderson novel I’ve read, and it certainly won’t be the last. Warbreaker combines highly original world-building with an exciting plot that kept me on the edge of my seat… Read the rest.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

…. Unlike most books that are turned into movies, The Princess Bride stays remarkably true to the source material, with most of the dialog making the transition unaltered to the big screen. The Princess Bride contains all the elements of a great fairy tale and action adventure — fights, a beautiful princess, giants, pirates, torture, Rodents of Unusual Size, escapes, miracles, albinos, villains and “twue wuv.” When the Princess Buttercup is kidnapped before she can marry Prince Humperdinck, she needs someone to come to her rescue…  Read the rest.

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

… Reading Joe Abercrombie is always bittersweet for me — I know I’m going to get an amazing story with unique characters told in Abercrombie’s special way. But the wonderful writing comes with a price: you change a little. His books have altered my perception of fantasy literature. Read the rest.

To Ride Hell’s Chasm by Janny Wurts

… For those who are a little too intimidated to try Janny Wurts’ epic The Wars of Light and Shadow, this is an excellent introduction to her style without committing to an eleven volume epic (eight of which are completed). To Ride Hell’s Chasm does not explore the heavy, deep themes that are replete in the multi-volume epic saga of the world of Athera. Instead, this book is just a quick and fun romp. Read the rest.

The Laurentine Spy by Emily Gee

… I could not put down The Laurentine Spy. From the first chapter, Gee pulled me into the Laurentine spy network. My heart was racing throughout the entire book and I often found myself murmuring advice to the characters in order to keep them one step ahead of the evil spycatcher who was all too real and incredibly scary. Read the rest.

Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip

… As always, McKillip’s style is filled with dense imagery and symbolism, perhaps more so in Winter Rose than in any other of her novels. Her creation of winter is particularly evocative: I think it will make you feel a little chilly even when reading it on the warmest summer day! … Read the rest.

To Ride Hell’s Chasm by Janny Wurts

… It’s hard for me to express accurately how much I enjoyed and admire To Ride Hell’s Chasm. Standalone fantasies are already a rare beast in this time of endlessly meandering series. To read a story so meticulously crafted, contained in one cover, is a real pleasure. This novel is easily going on my all-time favorite list of fantasy novels. Read the rest.

Palimpsest by Catherynne Valente

The first thing that strikes you about Palimpsest is the gorgeous prose. Every sentence is crafted with the utmost care, resulting in a novel that almost reads like poetry. It simply begs to be read out loud. I’ve read many books that attempt this kind of lush prose, but Palimpsest is one of the most successful and most beautiful. Read the rest.

Skellig by David Almond

… It is a rare book that can tell what seems to be such a simple story in such a clear, yet intoxicating way. Told in first-person narrative by Michael, David Almond effortlessly creates the point of view of a young boy in a gritty, realistic world. The language and behavior in particular is wonderful — you can really see real people speaking and acting in the ways that he describes, and the interaction with Skellig is so natural that you have no trouble believing Michael’s words. Read the rest.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

…Gaiman weaves a quickly paced, beautifully structured adult fairy tale— ‘adult’ because it doesn’t neglect the human experiences of sex, death and time. His language is that of the gifted storyteller—clear, concise and lyrical, resonant with mythic lore and archetypes. I highly recommend this book (even as a new purchase) for fans of fantasy, fairy tales, mythology, and/or romance, as well as for those who simply enjoy a well-told tale. Read the rest.

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

When the infamous mercenary captain, Monza Murcatto, seems to be getting too powerful, her employer, Duke Orso, attempts to have her and Benna, Monza’s next-in-command, killed. Short work is made of Benna, but, by a cruel twist of fate, Monza survives, just barely. And her quest for vengeance sets a spark to the powder-keg that is the country of Styria during the Years of Blood. Best Served Cold is a stand-alone novel that takes place in the same world as Joe Abercrombie’s acclaimed The First Law series. To his many fans (of which I’m certainly one), I say: you’ll be more than pleased with Best Served Cold.  Read the rest.

The Master of Whitestorm by Janny Wurts

…  The Master of Whitestorm is exciting and has plenty of adventure. Ms Wurts deftly walks the line between spending too  much time in trivial details and giving you a clear understanding of how the magic system works. Great read, and if you are a Janny Wurts fan, The Master of Whitestorm is a must!  Read the rest.

To Ride Hell’s Chasm by Janny Wurts

… This was my first time reading Janny Wurts, and I now understand her very dictated and enthusiastic following. To Ride Hell’s Chasm is the perfect fantasy story. … It’s brimming with cliff-hanging suspense and pulse-pounding action. Mysteries unfold in tantalizing bread-crumb paths toward explosive resolution, and the characters become so endearing it’s hard to accept them as being only fictional. Read the rest.

To Ride Hell’s Chasm by Janny Wurts

… I decided to try this stand-alone first to get a feel for Janny Wurts’ style before I leapt into a mega-epic. Along that line, I was also interested to see how she would affect an actual ending, since WoLaS doesn’t actually have one yet (at least not in print)…  So, now that I’ve finished To Ride Hell’s Chasm, I think I have a small idea of what I’ve been missing by not reading The Wars of Light and Shadow. A long epic by Janny Wurts sounds like a very good thing. 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.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

If you enjoy the atmosphere and imagination of Philip Pullman, Garth Nix, or Philip Reeve, then you’re sure to like Chris Wooding, a YA fantasy author who does not feel the need to fill his fantasy world with elves, dwarfs, wizards, dragons and every other fantasy cliché that’s been done to death since Tolkien published The Lord of the Rings. 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.

Nation by Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett writes with a deft grace that somehow manages to create real, breathing characters who you feel for as they struggle to deal with the tragedy that has completely destroyed their world. In a few lines of prose he manages to make people spring full-fledged from the page like Athena from the forehead of Zeus. He perfectly balances characterization and world building, creating a rich, fully imagined world that resonates with color and sound… I cannot recommend Nation highly enough.  Read the rest.

The City & The City by China Mieville

… Despite the title’s promise of more urban New Weird fantasy along the lines of Perdido Street Station, anyone coming to The City & The City expecting more Bas-Lag fantastical settings and inhabitants, or the wild abundance of imagination that was the city in Un-Lun-Dun will find all that stripped away. The same for those looking for Mieville’s sometimes-baroque style or mini-treatises on economics/socialism. The City & The City tweaks reality in a tiny, almost singular fashion and runs with it. It’s a laser beam fantasy, not a Vegas show of neon. It’s more noir police procedural than fantasy, although the fantastical element is essential.  Read the rest.

King of Morning, Queen of Day by Ian McDonald

… This is a stunning story and one that I’ll probably reread over and over again. It doesn’t suffer one bit from the ailment that afflicts so many multigenerational novels — the tendency for one or more of the intertwined stories to lack luster. All three of the women, and their lives and times, are vivid and passionate. And I must say, there are few male authors who can write such nuanced and three-dimensional female characters. Get your hands on a used copy of this. I wish they’d reprint it… Read the rest.

The Prodigal Troll by Charles Coleman Finlay

Although many cultures have a similar story, the most famous prodigal is that of the parable of Jesus told in Luke 15:11-31. In it, a young man takes his inheritance, leaves his family, and seeks his fortune in the wider world. He soon learns that the world is a cruel place and ends up returning to his father. The term “prodigal” eventually came to mean one who returned after a long absence, usually after finding trouble apart from their families…  Read the rest.

Elom by William Drinkard

I really loved this novel. The blurb for Elom got me: “The Clan of the Cave Bear meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” William Drinkard is not your typical debut novelist. He served in the Alabama State Legislature for twelve years, and even was the Senate Majority Leader. He’s still involved with politics, but not as an elected official. When one hears such things, one wonders, “Yeah, but can he write?” In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. Read the rest.

The Children of Hurin by J.R.R. Tolkien

Tragic literature can be so beautiful that it deserves to be set to music. In this, the most poignant of Tolkien’s tales about the fragility of human existence, Tolkien shows how those who would be princes of men can so easily be ensnared by their pride. The Children of Húrin is at once a moral tale, but also one of oppression, as the reign of Morgoth, the first Dark Lord in Tolkien’s Middle Earth, is reaching the pinnacle of its power. This is one of the three great tales of the Elder days that Tolkien originally wished to publish together as The Book of Lost Tales, but the project was long abandoned in favour of other things… Read the rest.

Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones

… Diana Wynne Jones draws us into her spell with this novel, never letting us put it down. The story gets more and more intricate as is progresses, making less and less sense, and we are captivated, unable to turn away until we know what’s going on. An excellent book, complex and moving. Heaps of stars… Read the rest.

Alcestis by Katharine Beutner

The ancient Greeks held up Alcestis as a model of wifely devotion. Her husband, Admetus, was spared from death on the condition that someone else die in his place. When Admetus’ relatives and friends refused, Alcestis volunteered herself and made the journey to the underworld, but was later rescued by Heracles. In her debut novel, a poignant literary fantasy, Katharine Beutner fleshes out the figure of Alcestis, and gives her a backstory that helps explain her willingness to sacrifice herself… I recommend it to readers who enjoy retellings of myth from the female perspective, and readers who are looking for a blend of fantasy and literary fiction… Read the rest.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Ignore the YA label slapped on this one if that gives you pause. Though that won’t be hard to do because The Graveyard Book opens with a hand in the darkness holding a knife wet with the blood of almost an entire family: father, mother, and older child. The knife lacks only the blood of the toddler son to finish its job. Luckily for the reader (and the boy) he escapes into a nearby cemetery where a mothering ghost convinces the cemetery community to protect him. Another reason to ignore the YA label, or better yet, to revel in it, is that Neil Gaiman’s YA-listed material is stronger than his adult work… Read the rest.

Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier

Sometimes a book comes along just when you need it. Heart’s Blood was like that for me. Between Juliet Marillier’s compelling tale-spinning and an underlying message about love and courage that I really needed to hear, it’s pretty safe to say I was moved deeply by this novel. Read the rest.

Jasmyn by Alex Bell

Start a book with a sentence like this, and you’ve given yourself a tall order to fill. However, Alex Bell doesn’t disappoint. Jasmyn is something special indeed, putting me under its spell in a way that only a few books a year ever do.  Read the rest.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass

… In a story that is so random there is plenty of room for all sorts of crazy theories as to exactly what everything means. Does Alice have a deep subtext, filled with hidden meaning and messages? Is it Freudian? Elaborate satire? Does it reflect the deep internal frustrations, anxieties and wish-fulfillment of a slightly-disturbed mathematician obsessed with little girls? Or is it simply a series of weird and wonderful events dreamed up for the enjoyment of children? The fact that nobody is really sure what to make of this story is probably the reason why it’s still published, read and discussed today… Read the rest.

Fitcher’s Brides by Gregory Frost

A widower, with a little help from his cold-hearted new wife, has fallen under the spell of Elias Fitcher, an apocalyptic preacher who predicts the world will end within the year. Packing up all his earthly belongings, and his three daughters — romantic Vernelia, neurotic Amy, and practical, skeptical Kate — he and his wife move to a tiny village in upstate New York to await the end of days. There, the charming, charismatic, and utterly horrifying Fitcher takes a shine to Vernelia, and sweeps her off her feet in a whirlwind courtship… Gregory Frost here gives us an unforgettable rendition of one of our darkest fairy tales, a heroine to root for, and a truly terrifying villain… Read the rest.

The Folding Knife by K.J. Parker

… K.J. Parker is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Both this novel and Purple and Black are intellectually satisfying without being pedantic or dogmatic. The prose is crystalline in purity. Each word is important, though the full relevance may not be obvious for several chapters. This is fantasy of the highest order, without actually containing a single fantastical element. There are no elves, dragons, or magic — just an author creating an entirely new world out of thin air, and polishing it to such a mirror sheen that it can be held up to reflect who the reader is at their core. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. As it is, I highly recommend The Folding Knife to anyone who can read… Read the rest.

Wilderness by Dennis Danvers

Wilderness, originally published in 1991, has recently been rereleased. I presume it’s because tales of lycanthropy are all the rage at the moment… Wilderness devoured me for two days and evoked the whole gamut of emotions. I recommend it to readers looking for a moving supernatural love story, with themes of trust, acceptance, and forgiveness. This is more in the vein of the “old-school” urban fantasies than the “new” style. It’s not a noir story, not much ass gets kicked, and many of the developments take place within the characters’ psyches. It’s a beautiful example of what it is, though, and I hope it finds its way to the right niche of readers… Read the rest.

Waking the Moon by Elizabeth Hand

I’m on either my third or fourth copy of Waking the Moon, I can’t remember which. I first read it eleven years ago, loaned it to everyone I thought might be remotely interested, sometimes didn’t get it back, and never felt quite right when I didn’t have it on my shelf. This is one of my Desert Island Books…  a fever-dream of a story, with a sympathetic heroine and unique prose. Elizabeth Hand has a writing style that is sensual, vivid, and more than a little bit psychedelic… I always find something new in Waking the Moon every time I read it… Read the rest.

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

Under Heaven is the long-awaited new novel by master fantasist Guy Gavriel Kay — and let’s get the most important news out of the way: it was 100% worth the wait… Once again, Guy Gavriel Kay‘s work straddles the line between historical fiction and fantasy. It’s a testament to his talent that he can bring a historical period, especially one many people may know little about, to life in such vivid, believable fashion. Rest assured, there are definite fantasy elements here, but the novel has firm roots in the actual history, and reworks and remixes many elements from the actual Tang period… This is one of those novels that’s so good, you’ll occasionally close the book after finishing a chapter, just to enjoy and savor what you’ve read before moving on. While I admire everything Guy Gavriel Kay has written recently, his newest novel is easily my favorite novel by him since 1995′s The Lions of Al-Rassan. Expect to see Under Heaven on the short list for all the major awards next year, and do yourself a favor: pick up a copy. Read the rest.

To Reign in Hell by Steven Brust

The accomplishments here are nothing short of spectacular. Imagine writing a book populated with some of the most well known characters in Western history: Yahweh, Jesus, Satan, Lucifer (yes, they are separate), and the archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. They all need unique personalities. If they’re not, if they’re retreads of biblical, Dante, Milton, or others, then the book fails…  You don’t need to know what Milton, the Bible, or Dante said about any of these entities to fully enjoy the novel, but Brust has some good tongue-in-cheek fun that you would miss out on otherwise… Read the rest.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

It could have been maudlin. It’s not. It could have been preachy. It’s not. What Before I Fall is, is awesome… Oliver writes in an authentic teen voice and never breaks character. Some YA authors write characters who talk and think like thirty-year-olds, and some authors try too hard to sound hip. Sam’s voice is spot-on…  By the end of the book, I bet you’ll love Sam, who grows in so many ways as she sees everything she’s been oblivious to all these years. The character development, and all the lovely falling and flight imagery, may bring tears to your eyes. And Kent! Pardon my gushing, but he may well be my favorite YA male lead ever… Before I Fall is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I suspect it’ll become one of my annual rereads… Read the rest.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

… Sometimes I read a novel and feel like it was written specifically for me, so perfectly does it hit all my favorite notes. Sisters Red is one of those. Imagine the dark fairy tale world of Angela Carter, with a forbidden yet gentle romance reminiscent of Maggie Stiefvater‘s novels, plus some Buffy-style ass-kicking. (And it is Buffy-style, featuring hatchets and throwing knives rather than the guns more prevalent in adult urban fantasy.) Then put all of this into a tight plot: tiny little details are seeded into the story in the beginning, and by the end, they all matter. Tremendously… Sisters Red works well as a retold fairy tale, and it also works well as a fusion between the action-oriented type of urban fantasy and the angsty-love-story type. Highly recommended… Read the rest.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

I’m giving Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell a 5 for the simply reason that I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through, but I’d warn all readers to be more wary than usual of reviews (including this one). More than many books, this one I think will be a matter of true personal taste and experience will be your only truly accurate guide… Try Jonathan Strange…It isn’t a rollercoaster ride on a summer Saturday. But it is a memorably gorgeous walk on a crisp autumn day, filled with slow sensual delight. Highly recommended… Read the rest.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke (audio)

Let me say two things about Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell:
1. This is one of the finest novels I have ever read. Ever.
2. You might hate it.
Okay, let me say more. I listened to this book on audio and, because of the language and humor, I was delighted from the very start. I listened for 32 hours and approximately 25 of those hours are rather slow… What kept me going was that the writing is absolutely glorious… This is the perfect book for the right reader… Read the rest.

The Mystery of Grace by Charles de Lint

… The Mystery of Grace is Charles de Lint at his finest. One of his strongest talents is the ability to write a world into existence, and for the length of this novel, you feel like you are walking the streets of Santo del Vado Viejo. You can hear it, smell it, taste it. The Mystery of Grace is different in setting, scope, and content than any of his other novels, but still manages to bear the firm imprint of de Lint’s style. His characters shine in this setting — even the minor characters are fully fleshed out, and have vibrant, memorable personalities… I cannot recommend The Mystery of Grace highly enough… Read the rest.

The King of Elfland’s Daughter by Lord Dunsany

After reading about Lord Dunsany’s The King of Elfland’s Daughter I went in search of it and found it at my university library. Reading it was quite a different experience for me, but people who aren’t prepared for the style of writing like I was might be disappointed, confused or scorning of the slow, dream-like pace, archetype characters and poetical language… The King of Elfland’s Daughter is refreshingly free of geographies, biologies, cultures, or other infinite details that are so prevalent in other fantasy cult books… Read the rest.

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende

The Neverending Story is probably best known to the general public through Wolfgang Peterson’s movie… Since it’s likely that you’ve seen the movie but not read the book, I highly recommend that you track down the original story — the movie stands on its own, but the book takes Bastian on a deeper and more dangerous journey into Fantastica and the inner regions of the soul, both adding detail into the movie’s progression, and continuing into a larger and more fascinating adventure… It is nothing less than a tragedy that money-hungry producers were allowed to exploit Ende’s book into the appallingly bad sequels and series, and I do my best to pretend that they don’t exist… Read the rest.

The Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz

…A fun space-opera fantasy, The Witches of Karres is written for pure entertainment. With a cast of characters that leaps off the page as fully realized as a detailed drawing in a comic book, this is a breakneck romp across a galaxy and out the other side… This is not serious fiction. Rather, Schmitz is interested in telling a fun story, one that is also quite intense in places — I still have nightmares from the spider scene — and takes the reader along on a fantastic and fantastical journey… Schmitz excels at light, action-packed space opera that is pure fun. You will not be disappointed in this fantastic book. Read the rest.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

If you like fantasy stories filled with magic, adventure and romance, but are getting sick and tired of boring, long-winded fantasy epics, then look no further than Stardust. There are no long histories, family trees or endless descriptions of culture, landscapes and back-story. This is just a sweet, simple fairytale told by a great storyteller. Though be warned — the original fairytales were not written for children, and Stardust follows in their literary footsteps, by including several violent, sensual and bittersweet scenes. It might be tempting to read this book aloud to children (particularly if you’ve seen the recent movie adaptation), but this is something I would strongly advise against!.. Read the rest.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Stardust is a charming novel and beautifully written. The language is simple, concise, and to-the-point (I appreciate not having to re-read convoluted sentences). If you’re looking for a deep, dark epic that’s heavy on description, characterization, political intrigue, and plot twists, this isn’t it. This is a light break from the heavy stuff. It’s fun and entertaining. The plot is quick and has a bit of the Princess Bride feel in that it’s purposely a bit silly in places. I listened to Stardust in audiobook format, which I highly recommend because Neil Gaiman himself is the reader, and he does an excellent job… Read the rest.

Black Pearls by Louise Hawes

Once upon a time, there was a woman who was so caught up in a book that she did nothing all day but read it, from cover to cover. Black Pearls: A Faerie Strand is a gem. Louise Hawes‘ dark, sensual fairy tale retellings and Rebecca Guay‘s evocative illustrations work perfectly together to form one of the best books of retold tales that I’ve ever read. I checked this out from the library, but I’ve resolved that I simply must have a copy of my own to treasure… And she read happily ever after. Read the rest.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Retold fairytales, in which the characters and plots of traditional stories are explored in more depth, or told from an unexpected point-of-view, are a dime a dozen these days. But one stands out from the rest, and that is Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted, which takes the story of Cinderella and not only provides impetus for many of the nonsensical elements of the original tale, but builds a rich imaginary world around it and makes the titular character one of the best heroines to ever appear in YA novel… Read the rest.

Child of a Rainless Year by Jane Lindskold

… In Child of a Rainless Year, Jane Lindskold leads the reader into the mystery slowly, letting the weirdness accumulate until Mira can no longer deny it, which is a different technique than what I’ve seen in a lot of “urban fantasy” novels. It’s more usual to drop a mundane character right smack into a supernatural event and go from there; here, it’s a more gradual realization. And it works very well indeed. Lindskold’s prose is beautiful, and the setting vividly painted. It was also refreshing to see an older heroine. Not to mention a heroine who’s plump and doesn’t miraculously lose weight as part of her character development. Read the rest.

Thornspell by Helen Lowe

…Thornspell manages to keep the basic plot-points of the original “Sleeping Beauty” fairytale intact whilst wrapping them in an entirely new perspective… there are plenty of twists, secrets and disguises to keep the reader guessing… Thornspell is a fairytale, but it’s also the “true” story behind the fairytale, and so there is the sense that this is the definitive version of how the original events played out, events which will inevitably change as time goes by into the story that we know today. Read the rest.

Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip

… McKillip’s Winter Rose, does the most amazing job of making the faery world real. In this beautifully poetic novel, wild Rois and her quiet sister Laurel both fall in love with a newcomer to town, Corbet Lynn, heir to a ruined castle, his grandfather’s curse, and lots of unanswered questions… McKillip’s prose is magical and poetic, and we are left wondering what is dream and what is real, even as we shut the back cover. Haunting and beautiful. Read the rest.

Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip

Once again Patricia McKillip crafts a wonderful story, and although I must admit that I haven’t read all of her novels, I think it’s safe to say that Alphabet of Thorn is one of her best works. Out of her many books I have read, this one is definitely my favourite. Her beautiful language, her startling imagery, her intricate plot, her mind-twisting ideas… all come together in this stunning story… Read the rest.

Heroics for Beginners by John Moore

This is one of my favourite fantasy books ever. It might not have the epic scope of The Lord Of The Rings, nor the immersive quality of Feist’s Riftwar Saga, but what it does have going for it it has in spades: it’s very clever. This is The Hitch Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy of fantasy novels. Forget Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt, and Robert Rankin. John Moore is far funnier. Plus, his comic style of writing isn’t the only attraction; this book has an exciting, original plot and some very cool characters. I guess the one potential problem for some readers might be that this book isn’t a serious, dramatic story that you can lose yourself in. It’s light and entertaining. But with so many serious, dark fantasy novels out there, this aspect in itself in like a breath of fresh air.

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

… Cloud Atlas… is utterly brilliant, one of my favorite reads of the past decade and a perfect example of how craft and storytelling are not mutually exclusive… The structure is part of the book’s pleasure, offering up the simple pleasures of varied story/style and cliffhanger endings, along with the more complex pleasure involved in tracing the connections wending between all the stories. The stories span centuries, styles, and genres. They are told as diaries, as letters, as interrogation; they are set in the 19th, 20th, and 22nd centuries; they mimic the style of mystery, SFF, travelogue. They all share strong characters, strong voices, a sense of humor and one of sorrow. They can be equally funny and poignant. Cloud Atlas is a thoroughly enjoyable read on many, many levels… Read the rest.

The Etched City by K.J. Bishop

Sometimes you worry that when you return to a book that you love that the years have not been kind to it, and that nostalgia is doing a lot of the work in your head when you think back. Now, I loved The Etched City the last time I read it, and in rereading it every great memory I had of it was reaffirmed, and I can safely say that it is still in my top ten books of the last ten years as we approach the end of the decade. The novel is dark and decadent, with lush prose, complicated characters, and a wonderful imagination. Despite knowing what happens I still didn’t want the book to end… Read the rest.

The Crystal Mountain by Ruth Sanderson

If it were up to me, I’d make sure every single children’s bookshelf had at least one of Ruth Sanderson’s wonderful books. Her stories are simple, sweet, and yet thought-provoking, and her illustrations are clear, uncluttered and utterly beautiful. The Crystal Mountain is no exception, and is definitely up there as one of her best works… The Crystal Mountain is a must for fairytale lovers, a wonderful addition to a children’s library and delight for those who love beautiful picture books. Read the rest.

Fair Peril by Nancy Springer

Both riotously funny and sweetly touching, Nancy Springer‘s Fair Peril is a fun and wonderful fantasy novel. It’s set in modern times, in a sort of “Anytown, USA” — where the shopping mall is a portal into Fairyland, and anything can happen. It all begins when Buffy Murphy discovers a talking frog who claims to be a prince. Buffy is a divorced and overweight woman, down on her luck, who holds down a practical job in a fake food factory and is a storyteller on the side. Hoping a gimmick will make her storytelling more sought-after, she takes the frog home… it’s a fun and wild ride. In the end, Buffy learns that no story is set in stone, and it’s never too late to start all over with “once upon a time.” Read the rest.

The Snow Queen by Eileen Kernaghan

… The Snow Queen is a short novel, a single-sitting book if you’re a fast reader like me, yet more enchanting than many longer works. Nothing is superfluous here; Eileen Kernaghan tells the story she has come to tell — a mythic reworking of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale of the same name — and that’s it. The enchantment begins with the lovely cover, graced with an illustration drawn from a 1913 book of fairy tales. Then, in the first paragraph, I was taken back to my childhood storybooks… Read the rest.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit is just good clean fun, delightful for children and adults. If you’ve read LOTR and wondered how Bilbo got the ring, here’s the story. I enjoyed Tolkien’s omniscient narrator style in this book — somewhat like Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, and more recently Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell — which I suppose he adopted because he was writing for children. I think it’s charming. I highly recommend the audiobook, read by Rob Inglis. He’s a Royal Shakespeare company actor and the best audiobook reader I’ve ever heard (and I’ve heard a lot of them). He has a different voice for each dwarf, and he does a great Gollum, too. He actually sings the songs (nice voice!) and he even belches up ponies… Read the rest.

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

I’m going to come right out and say what will make most people think I’m slightly crazy: I enjoyed reading The Silmarillion more than I enjoyed reading The Lord of the Rings. Why? I haven’t the faintest idea. Maybe I was too young to properly appreciate The Lord of the Rings. Maybe my love of mythology made The Silmarillion a shoe-in. Maybe the lack of three-dimensional characters was more understandable in a book this vast. Maybe I’m just weird. In any case, The Silmarillion is challenging, beautiful, epic reading and well worth the time and effort it’ll take to fully appreciate the work Tolkien has put into his secondary world… Read the rest.

Fevre Dream by George R.R. Martin

For some time I’ve been a fan of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. In the last few years, though, when my mind turns to that series, it’s usually either (a) to speculate about potential plot twists or (b) to wish the next book were out already. What I forget is how much I simply enjoy Martin’s writing, particularly his nuanced, flawed characters and the way he can turn a phrase. Fevre Dream, a tale of vampires on the Mississippi River in the mid-to-late nineteenth century, provided the perfect opportunity to savor Martin’s writing in a stand-alone novel with a comparatively straightforward plot… I greatly enjoyed Fevre Dream, and you will enjoy it too if you like Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the early books of Anne Rice — the vampire ones and her “straight” historical novel The Feast of All Saints. I also recommend it to Martin fans looking for a fix during the wait for A Dance with Dragons. Read the rest.

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

Let’s just admit it at the outset. As someone who tries to write, I hate David Mitchell. Hate him with the white-hot intensity of a thousand blazing suns. It’d be bad enough if he were just a great, you know, writer. Plain old everyday writer of some kind of novel: literary fiction, sci-fi, adventure, pastiche, historical. But no. He can’t just pick one. He has to be brilliant at them all… Well, I say “hah!” to you Mr. David Mitchell. Hah! Cuz Autumns isn’t brilliant. It’s only kinda brilliant. So there. Double hah!… Curse you, David Mitchell… Read the rest.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

… Coraline is a terrific little heroine. Curious and brave, but appropriately cautious, she sets out to discover what’s in the vacant flat. And though what’s there seems rather wonderful at first, Coraline soon realizes that it’s actually rather horrible. Not in a bloody gory kind of way, but in a spooky, spine-tingling, why-the-heck-is-this-so-scary kind of way. Neil Gaiman understands creepy… The eeriness is accented with excellently terrifying drawings by Dave McKean (who did the Sandman covers). Coraline is excellent fantasy for sensitive but brave children who like to squirm. I read it to my daughters, and I’m sure I squirmed just as much as they did… Read the rest.

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed by Patrick Rothfuss

The Princess and her teddy bear, Mr.Whiffle, live in a marzipan castle and spend their days in various childhood adventures such as fighting pirates, squashing stuffed toy rebellions, and hiding from monsters under the bed. Patrick Rothfuss’s simple and cheery writing style and Nate Taylor’s beautifully comic artwork, full of clean lines and lots of little details, add to the childish atmosphere. But The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed is not a children’s book… Read the rest.

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

… Who Fears Death can be incredibly hard to read, due to the subject matter. Okorafor depicts racial and sexual violence without flinching, and because the scenario echoes real events taking place in our own time, it hits hard. It hurts more than reading about imaginary violence in a made-up land… Who Fears Death is a book I will never forget, but I’m not sure I’ll reread it; it contains some scenes I’m reluctant to revisit… I was swept up in Onyesonwu’s story and couldn’t put the book down. The night I finished, I stayed up far too late turning pages, and after closing the book, I couldn’t sleep. Okorafor includes some tantalizing ambiguities, and I lay awake turning these ambiguities over and over in my mind. I love a book that makes me tear up and makes me think at the same time. Read the rest.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

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

The Traitor by Michael Cisco

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

Blue and Gold by K.J. Parker

Talk about unreliable narrators! If you like that technique, you’re sure to enjoy K.J. Parker’s Blue and Gold. It’s a fast, intense, and dramatic little book that will entertain you for an afternoon. Saloninus is probably the cleverest alchemist who ever lived (or is he?). After publishing several important (?) papers and losing his tuition money, he drops out of the university and begins a life of crime, then gets commissioned by the prince to figure out how to do two things: 1. Produce the elixir of eternal youth and 2. Turn base metal into gold. During the process, though, he accidentally (?) poisons his beautiful and brilliant wife, so now he’s on the run and he’s pretty stressed-out… Blue and Gold is a fast-paced, gripping, excellently written story, which will be especially enjoyed by those who appreciate unreliable narrators and who feel nostalgic about academic settings. Read the rest.

God’s Demon by Wayne Barlowe

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

To Live Forever by Jack Vance

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

The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

In The Speed of Dark, Elizabeth Moon blends science fiction, neuroscience, and her own experience to speculate about a future in which scientists have nearly eliminated the symptoms of autism… Because Elizabeth Moon has a teenager with autism, a background in science (and science fiction), and has done a lot of research, The Speed of Dark feels like an authentic account of an autistic man’s cognitive processes… Few readers could fail to become emotionally attached to Lou and to root for him as he struggles to understand who he is and how he fits in, tests his strengths and challenges himself to excel, makes friends and enemies, falls in love, learns how his brain works and, most importantly, decides who he wants to be… The Speed of Dark, which won the Nebula Award, is one of those novels that makes you feel the whole spectrum of emotions, changes the way you think, and stays with you forever. Its portrayal of a devastating behavioral disorder is all at once beautiful, humorous, enlightening, heart-wrenching, poignant, and hopeful. Read the rest.

Dying Inside by Robert Silverberg

Dying Inside by Robert Silverberg is the painfully intimate portrait of David Selig, a man who has been blessed (or cursed, as he might say) with the gift of telepathy… Getting such an intimate view into Selig’s mind is at times a painful experience: despite his pettiness, sexism and occasional racism, you can’t help but feel for him. The bitter irony of Dying Inside is that this man, who is able to read people’s thoughts, is so completely self-centered and small-minded that he is incapable of having a meaningful relationship with anyone… Robert Silverberg’s prose is gorgeous, perfectly reflecting his character’s thoughts and full of often inwardly directed irony… Dying Inside is an excellent novel, recommended both to science fiction fans and to people who usually don’t read the genre. This is one of those books you’re almost guaranteed to end up thinking about for a long time after turning the final page. Read the rest.

Aunt Maria by Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones once again combines eccentric characters, moral ambiguity, magic, time-traveling, shapeshifting and an uncanny ability to portray human behaviour in one of her best books: Aunt Maria. With all the twists and turns that we expect from Wynne Jones, Aunt Maria is one of the most re-readable and enjoyable books in her vast collection… I would say that Aunt Maria is my favourite Diana Wynne Jones book, but she has so many great titles that I wouldn’t want to limit myself to just one. In any case, Aunt Maria is an immensely enjoyable book — and if there are any film-makers out there, it would also make a brilliant movie: hint, hint. Read the rest.

Instructions by Neil Gaiman

As one might expect from Neil Gaiman, Instructions is an unusual little book, and despite technically being a picture book, isn’t necessarily something you would give to a child. Not that the content is objectionable — just a tad incomprehensible to anyone who isn’t well versed in the rules and patterns of fairytales. With that in mind, a child might be the perfect audience! I think what I’m trying to say is that Instructions is a story for those who love stories, and the more familiar you are with the tales upon which it’s based, the better you will enjoy it… Charles Vess provides the illustrations… creating a visually simplistic but vivid world of the fairytale, in which imps crawl in the branches of treetops, princesses call from tower windows and glass slippers lie abandoned by the roadside… Reading much like a poem, with its own tempo and rhythm, this is a picture book that demands more than one read… Read the rest.

Power of Three by Diana Wynne Jones

Combining the atmosphere of Celtic folklore with a plot reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, an intricate plot (including a huge twist halfway through that will completely turn your perception of the story on its head), and likable characters, Power of Three is one of Diana Wynne Jones’ best novels — and so inevitably it is one of her least known… In terms of theme and plot, Power of Three may very well be the deepest and most complicated novel for young readers that Diana Wynne Jones has written. Exploring the definition of humanity, the worth of the individual and the necessity for peace at its core, the book also has plenty of humor, quirky characters and intricate subplots… Diana Wynne Jones is an expert at portraying human behavior… Power of Three definitely has my recommendation, though I should warn you about reading other reviews on the story, as some of them give away the big twist — something that shouldn’t be revealed if you want to truly revel in Diana Wynne Jones’ genius. Read the rest.

East of Midnight by Tanith Lee

Tanith Lee once again proves herself a master of young adult fantasy with this wonderful (but apparently little known) story of the battle of the sexes. Set in a gloriously created world where women ride horned lions and rule over mankind, East of Midnight is a book that is easy to read, yet raises a range of questions on the differences between man and woman and the way in which we interact with each other… The story races along on every page, being continually colourful, fascinating, exciting and nerve-wracking… East of Midnight is a rich, exciting, poignant read that deserves more recognition than it appears to have. With strong and realistic characters, a beautiful visual landscape and a problematic situation that can be overcome only by the two sexes working together, this is in every particular a great book. Read the rest.

Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn

…Like much of Sharon Shinn’s writing, Troubled Waters is character-driven fiction with fantastical and romantic elements. Shinn has created a world that is completely believable and magical at the same time… Layered upon this is an intriguing culture… Shinn truly shines with her characters. In classic Shinn style, there is a romantic element to this story, though it does not overwhelm the other aspects of the story… Zoe and Darien play against a robust crop of secondary characters, each well thought out and lovingly crafted. I loved Troubled Waters the way I haven’t loved a book in a long time. I actually went back through my reviews to check, and the last time I was this emotionally satisfied with a book was with Shinn’s Archangel. I kept smiling while I was reading, not because the book is happy, but because it is so good. I laughed out loud in places, I gasped in others, I held my breath and found myself gripping the book tightly in yet other places. This book is going on my short list for best book of the year… Read the rest.

In Dreams Begin by Skyler White

…Reading In Dreams Begin felt like finishing Robert Holdstock’s Lavondyss and A.S. Byatt’s Possession on the same day, then going to bed and having a strange, sensual dream… In Dreams Begin explores topics such as art, beauty, fidelity, and the nature of love. It’s an intensely sensual story; readers who hate sex in their fantasy novels had best stay away, but readers willing to surrender to In Dreams Begin’s spell will be rewarded with a thought-provoking read. As in and Falling, Fly, White finishes the novel with a conclusion that will have you scratching your head, saying “Oh!” as pieces fall into place, and maybe thumbing back to earlier scenes to reread them with new knowledge in mind… This is one of the best, and most brain-tickling, books I’ve read this year. For a poetry geek like me, In Dreams Begin is a seductive dream indeed. Read the rest.

Solstice Wood by Patricia McKillip

Solstice Wood is a sequel (of sorts) to Patricia McKillip‘s earlier novel Winter Rose. The latter book is a dark and intricate fairytale based on the ballad of Tam Lin, in which a young girl attempts to free her love from the designs of a faerie queen. Though still set in the mountains around Lynn Hall, Solstice Wood takes place hundreds of years later, as contemporary men and women deal with the repercussions of Rois Melior’s dealings with the fey-folk… One doesn’t have to have read Winter Rose in order to grasp what’s going on; despite name-drops and the general theme, the two stories are completely different. In fact, Solstice Wood would be a good place to start a new reader onto McKillip’s work as the prose is not so intimidating as some of her earlier novels… Solstice Wood is a short book, but it’s no less magical because of its length. Reading Solstice Wood is like enjoying a many-flavored ice-cream on a hot summer’s day. Read the rest.

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

… Under Heaven is just as gorgeous as Kay’s previous historical fantasies: It’s well-researched, carefully constructed, tightly plotted, and beautifully written. The mingling of the real and the magical is delicate — there are no wizards or wands, but just the acknowledgement of the existence of the supernatural and the weird. Most impressively, GGK’s work is always full of poetry, passion, and life. His characters, those who play major roles and minor ones, feel like real people and, whether we like them or not, we come to understand their histories, motivations, frustrations, and desires. We smile when they laugh, our hearts race when they’re afraid, and we cry when they mourn… I read Penguin Audio’s version of Under Heaven, narrated by Simon Vance. For years Mr. Vance has been one of my favorite narrators, and he’s wonderful here, as usual. If you’re an audiobook reader, you’ll definitely want to try this version read by the incomparable Mr. Vance (download here). Regardless, you don’t want to miss Under Heaven — it may be the best fantasy novel of 2010. Read the rest.

The Castle of Dark by Tanith Lee

It is continually frustrating to read a rich, suspenseful, beautifully crafted book and then find that hardly anybody else knows about it — such is apparently the case with Tanith Lee’s The Castle of Dark. Containing an imprisoned damsel, a spooky castle, a magical harp and a mysterious secret, this is a wonderful book that has the same tone and atmosphere of an old dark fairytale… With a style that is quite Tolkien-esque, in a world that is beautifully brought to life by Lee’s poetic language, The Castle of Dark is a short but memorable read… Lee creates a dark fairytale setting simply, vividly and realistically: moist and green forests where grey lions stalk between the trees, the splendor and pomp of a city’s royal court, and of course the creepy and mysterious Castle itself. Just being able to explore these places is reason enough to read this book… A simple, but beautiful and poignant book The Castle of Dark is one of those rare fantasy books that reads as totally original, yet with resonance to real myths and legends of the world. I’m sure you won’t regret tracking it down. Read the rest.

The Clockwork Three by Matthew Kirby

Amid the several highly anticipated children’s and YA works this year by big names such as Suzanne Collins and Rick Riordan, one can be forgiven for missing the entry onto the stage of Matthew Kirby’s first novel, The Clockwork Three. Forgiven, but no longer excused, for among all those much more hyped releases (though they are often justifiably hyped), this stands out as among the best. There. Now you know. You should get it… The writing throughout The Clockwork Three is tight and sharp, vivid and evocative… There are some simply beautiful lines and the writing is so tight and the pacing so well-handled… There’s no scene I’d remove, and it isn’t often I say that. The Clockwork Three is a book with soul and heart, conveyed by crisp and at times poetic language. Highly recommended. Read the rest.

The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I had intended to simply glance at the first page of The Angel’s Game and then set it aside to finish other books I was reading, but the first paragraph ensnared me… The Angel’s Game follows up on the promise of its first paragraph with great skill. The book is a fantasy, a mystery and mainstream fiction about a writer’s life all at once. It is an iteration of the legend of Faust, but it seems wholly new in the hands of Carlos Ruiz Zafon and his talented translator, Lucia Graves… I was fascinated by The Angel’s Game from cover to cover. It held me in thrall for the entire week over which I read it; I lived there far more than I did in the world where I was going about my usual business. I am still puzzling over the ending, fascinated by the way Zafon manages to wrap up all the threads — but doing so the way a magician makes a scarf appear and then disappear again, leaving one to wonder just exactly what one has just read… Read the rest.

The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie

All I can say is “Wow!” The Heroes is another story set in the same world as Abercrombie’s First Law trilogy. Veteran readers will be happy to be reacquainted with several characters from earlier books: the wizard Bayaz; the dishonored warrior Bremer dan Gorst; Finree dan Brock, Union Commander Marshal Kroy’s ambitious daughter; Black Dow, the ruthless leader of the Northmen. But if you haven’t read any of Abercrombie’s books yet, don’t worry — you don’t need to… The other thing that is really amazing about Abercrombie’s storytelling is how realistic the combat can be…  These are the sort of logical underpinnings that take a good story and make it into something truly profound. The why that explains a hero’s greatness is so often overlooked… The Heroes is brilliant storytelling… Gritty, harsh, powerful storytelling that takes you into the crucible of combat and lets you see how the perception of the hero is not always the reality of the hero. Read the rest.

The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie

…In true Joe Abercrombie fashion, The Heroes is a grim tale told by an array of intensely colorful and intriguing characters. Joe Abercrombie is to fantasy books what Clint Eastwood was to Western movies; he’s taken the genre to a whole new level of badass. From beginning to end, reading about medieval warfare cannot get any more real than it is in The Heroes. This book is sure to give readers the instinctive urge to duck a swinging battle-axe or dodge a spear thrust. As always, Abercrombie is a master of dialogue that ranges from hysterical to profound. While reading The Heroes, the pages (the e-pages, in my case) disappeared and I achieved the Holy Grail of bookworms: the complete mental transportation from reality into the imaginary world… If I read just one more new fantasy book in 2011 that’s two-thirds as good as The Heroes, I will consider it an outstanding year for the genre. Read the rest.

Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor

… Although it’s been a while since Kelly reviewed Lips Touch: Three Times, her enthusiasm for it obviously made an impact, for whilst I was browsing through the YA section of my local library, I saw a familiar-looking face staring up at me. It was the cover art for Laini Taylor’s book, an image which had clearly been stored away somewhere in the back of my mind, waiting for me to recognize it in the real world. And so, a few years later, I settle down to take Kelly’s recommendation. I’ve ended up with the same bouncy enjoyment, and can’t wait to track down more of Laini Taylor’s work… Read the rest.

The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell

What does the United States look like 25 years after zombies have led the nation into an apocalypse? What is life like for a teenager born ten years or so after the apocalypse? What has she seen, and done, and what is the state of her soul? These are the questions first-time novelist Alden Bell attempts to answer in The Reapers Are the Angels, a soul-searing novel that looks at some of life’s hardest questions through the lens of violence so common and natural it isn’t even evil… This is one of the oddest and best zombie novels you will ever read. The focus isn’t on the zombies at all… In some very strange ways, this book is almost a prayer of thanks for all that remains when the worst has happened… Read the rest.

Instructions by Neil Gaiman

I am a sucker for illustrated children’s books. I get quite attached to specific editions and consider it a tragedy when some of my favorite tales are reillustrated. It’s the cinematic equivalent of colorizing Casablanca. Imagine my joy to discover that Neil Gaiman, who I love, had paired up with Charles Vess on children’s books. The two geniuses came together to create Instructions, a short tale for a reader of any age who wants to safely traverse enchanted lands… I would recommend Instructions for anyone who loves fairy and folk tales. The more you have read, the more you will get out of this book, which makes me feel perfectly justified in keeping it on my bookshelf as an adult. Read the rest.

Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess have paired up again to produce the breathtaking Blueberry Girl, a fantastical blessing poem or lullaby that Gaiman wrote for his two daughters. Invoking “Ladies of light and ladies of darkness and ladies of never-you-mind,” Gaiman prays for blessings to be bestowed on his blueberry girl. Reminiscent of fairy godmothers — Gaiman’s prayer for protection and spindles makes that allusion even stronger — the author lists off his wishes for his daughters to be bestowed by the ladies who take different forms throughout the story in Vess’s enchanting drawings. There is no hint of the creepy or spooky characters that haunt so many of Gaiman’s books. This is just the pure love of a father for his children. The illustrations depict a wide range of girls from various ethnic groups (though I did not see any overtly Asian-looking girls) so many little girls reading this book are likely to find someone she can identify with. I would recommend it for any parent of a daughter, or anyone involved in nurturing girls. I have a lot of new baby nieces, so this book will be a frequent gift from their favorite auntie.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

… The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland is Catherynne Valente’s first young adult novel and, as Valente fans will expect, it’s gorgeous in every way. The story is fun and the characters and plot will appeal to children, but this book goes far beyond most modern children’s fantasy literature. It’s most comparable to Alice in Wonderland; Like Lewis Carroll’s classic, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland is intelligent, beautifully written, packed with imagination, and full of thoughtful and charming ideas (often pointed out by the delightfully intrusive narrator) that give depth and charisma and make this children’s story more than easily-forgotten entertainment… I listened to The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making on audio. It was read by Ms. Valente herself… My only issue with the audio version is that I missed Ana Juan’s lovely art that introduces each chapter in the print version. Oh, audiobook publishers, why can’t we have the art, too? Read the rest.

The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie

I often struggle when someone asks me what my favorite fantasy book is. I’ve read so many great books that it’s very difficult to pick one above all the others. I don’t have that problem anymore. My answer now is easily Joe Abercrombie’s The Heroes. I cannot think of a book I have enjoyed so much on so many levels than The Heroes… If you are familiar with Abercrombie’s work then it will come as no surprise to you that there are no “Heroes” in this story… this book is violent, vulgar, and often absolutely hilarious… I listened to The Heroes on MP3 by Tantor Audio, narrated by Michael Page. Mr. Page does an excellent job with the voice characterizations… I was very pleased with the production and would not hesitate to listen to more from Tantor or Michael Page. Read the rest.

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor

One of last year’s most striking fantasy novels was Nnedi Okorafor’s Who Fears Death. Brilliance Audio has now released an audio version of Who Fears Death, and I recommend it with great enthusiasm. I discuss the plot at greater length in my review of the print book… Brilliance Audio’s production of Who Fears Death is narrated by Anne Flosnik. Flosnik’s voice is so gorgeous that I would happily listen to her read the phone book. Coupled with Okorafor’s prose, the effect is enchanting indeed. The one thing I will mention is that Flosnik acts out the accent that Onyesonwu might have, which means it takes a little extra concentration to follow the narrative. Then again, this is a book you’ll want to pay close attention to anyway. Who Fears Death is the polar opposite of a light read; it’s complex, thought-provoking, unsettling — and often beautiful. Read the rest.

Embassytown by China Miéville

… In the third, or adult, stage of their development, the Ariekene wake knowing Language, innately. There is no less-than-perfect feedback system. They don’t have to learn language in a complex social context. There is no need to struggle to decipher phonetics, facial expressions, tonal changes or physical non-verbal cues. Furthermore, the Ariekene can only speak things that are true. For these and other reasons humans consider the Ariekene Language unique in the galaxy. It’s tempting to say that China Miéville’s Embassytown is about linguistics, because so much of it focuses on that topic. It’s about so much more, though; politics and art, power, addiction, innocence and wisdom, colonialism and what happens when different cultures engage… Miéville wanted to write about how the mind changes language and language changes the mind. He succeeded. He also wrote a good book about power and respect, about colonialism and self-determination. This is a book I will read again, knowing that each read will uncover something new to think about. Read the rest.

War for the Oaks by Emma Bull

Anyone who likes urban fantasy should go “back to basics” and pick up this defining classic of the subgenre. I’ve read several books that borrow zillions of plot elements from War for the Oaks, but never reach the same sort of exhilarating heights. Yeah, yeah, we all know the story: young woman wanders the city at night and meets a mysterious stranger, so on, so forth. Now sit back and see it done right! Read the rest.

The House of the Stag by Kage Baker

Kage Baker’s The House of the Stag is a stand-alone novel set in the same world as The Anvil of the World and The Bird of the River… What I like best about Baker’s stories is her creative world-building and her sense of humor… Despite some serious subject matter and plenty of darkness, violence and gore, The House of the Stag is delightfully humorous… Too little of Kage Baker’s work has been produced on audio, so when I saw that Audible Frontiers had recently released The House of the Stag, I snatched it up. It’s read by Sean Crisden, whose voices are perfect for Baker’s dry humor. He’s absolutely hilarious in the scene where the theater manager is explaining the stock characters of epics to Gard… It’s rare that I say this, but I was sad when The House of the Stag was finished. I wanted more and I felt again the loss of such a brilliant writer. Read the rest.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

… Anne Ursu’s Breadcrumbs is a retelling of the fairy tale “The Snow Queen,” and it’s fantastic. Ursu perfectly captures what it’s like to be a child of about eleven, just on the cusp of puberty but not there yet. You’re old enough to know that believing in magic is considered childish, but you don’t want to live in a world without it… This is a beautifully written book — and intelligently written, too. Kids will enjoy this, especially kids who are introspective and bookish like Hazel herself, but I think it may actually be even more enjoyable for adults. This isn’t so much a book for children as it is a book about childhood, meaningful for readers of all ages… I recommend Breadcrumbs to anyone who is a geeky kid… and anyone who has ever been a geeky kid. Read the rest.

Icefall by Matthew Kirby

…One might imagine that Kirby’s second novel, Icefall, would have a difficult time matching the quality of his first novel, The Clockwork Three. Darned if he didn’t just do it though. Before I’d even finished it, Icefall was already on my list of top ten children’s novels for 2011 and by the time I was done, as I suspected might happen, it made its way to my top ten fantasy novels in general. And fair warning to all those books coming out in the last few months: it’s going to be hard to knock Icefall out of either list… my nine-year-old son loved it, devouring it in a single sitting. I’ll just point out, however, that I did the same (age 49) as did my wife (age 46). In other words, don’t let its targeted age group deter you from picking it up; Icefall is easily better than 95 percent of the fantasy novels I’ve read this year, in any age category… In two books, Matthew Kirby has, in my mind, cemented himself as one of the best fantasy writers going today. Read the rest.

I am Legend by Richard Matheson

I don’t like vampire novels much, so I wasn’t planning to read Richard Matheson’s classic vampire story I am Legend which was published in 1954, is also known by the title The Omega Man, and is, of course, the basis for the movie I am Legend. But then I recently read and was enthralled by two other books by Matheson: The Incredible Shrinking Man and Steel and Other Stories. I realized that The Incredible Shrinking Man wasn’t really so much about a man who was losing his height as it was about a man who was losing his manhood. Likewise, the novella “Steel,” the titular piece of Steel and Other Stories and the premise for the movie Real Steal, isn’t so much about a fighting robot as it is about a man who, similar to the shrinking man, is fighting to keep his position in life. The psychological aspects of these stories fascinated me and I began to wonder if perhaps I am Legend wasn’t really about vampires after all. As I suspected, it’s not… Read the rest.

Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirlees

I find myself in something of an awkward position with Lud-in-the-Mist, which is in part why it’s difficult to review. The fact of the matter is that while Lud-in-the-Mist is unequivocally an excellent novel, it is not always an enjoyable novel, and there is a large population of readers out there who may find it close to nauseating. Lud-in-the-Mist is Hope Mirrlees’s only fantasy novel, and indeed the only one of her three novels for which she is remembered (and that, for the most part in recent years, because Neil Gaiman has put in a good word or two for the book). To say that the text is unconcerned with market appeal is a vast understatement. This is a dense, often beautiful, just as often frustrating book rife with so many literary and mythological allusions that the mind fairly boggles… Lud-in-the-Mist, then, is often a confusing little book, but ultimately rewarding. You will never read anything quite like this again, and in this way, the novel itself becomes rather like the lurking Faerie outside Lud: it is thoroughly unconventional, but in that unconventionality, it is terribly lovely. Read the rest.

Icefall by Matthew Kirby

… Matthew J. Kirby perfectly creates an unbearable tension… Every major character is complex… All of this great storytelling and characterization is enhanced even more by beautiful writing… I very nearly missed out on Icefall twice. I received an ARC last year, but was swamped and knew Bill was a Kirby fan and passed it along to him, and then after reading his stellar review, selfishly wished I’d held on to it! Then, recently, I checked it out from the library, but kept not getting around to it, until I got an overdue notice and decided to hurry up and read it before I took it back. I’m so very, very glad I did. Don’t make my mistake, people — don’t put off reading this book. Icefall is stunningly good. Read the rest.

Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

The scholar Brian Attebery in his book Strategies of Fantasy writes that works of science fantasy can be divided into two categories: the beautiful and the damned. No middle ground to be had, technology and the supernatural remain relative to the era, and combining them is disastrous to the point of comedy or successful to the point of being a mind-opening experience. Falling into the latter category, Lord of Light, unlike many of Zelazny’s other works of science fantasy, is a flawless blend of the archetypes of science fiction and the mythologies of Hinduism and Buddhism. The result is simply the peak of imaginative literature… everything propels Lord of Light into the highest ranks of science fantasy. Quite simply, it’s a masterpiece that anyone calling themselves a fan of speculative fiction must read… Read the rest.

Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

Readers considering whether they should read Neal Stephenson’s breakthrough novel, Snow Crash, would do well to read the novel’s opening chapters about the Deliverator. Rarely has a sales pitch been so blatantly — and so masterfully — launched at the start of a novel. Even James Bond must envy such a rich opening gambit. For some readers, the remainder of Snow Crash will not live up to the pacing of the opening sequence. In fact, I’d even go so far as to suggest that Stephenson’s hero, Hiro Protagonist — who carries a katana and who is supposed to be “type A on steroids” — does not live up to his introduction. Yet, the style and sheer attitude of the opening is a joy to read, and this mood, which skates the line between irony and geek enthusiasm, is maintained throughout. 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.

How to Make Friends with Demons by Graham Joyce

….How to Make Friends with Demons is another great example of Graham Joyce‘s distinctive style. Narrator William Heaney is a more or less regular middle-aged man: boring government job, divorced with two kids, likes seventies music, has a drinking problem. Oh, and he believes that there are 1,567 varieties of demons that can possess anyone at any time. Someone else claims to have identified 4 additional demons, but Heaney thinks he’s just confusing demons with psychological conditions — and then labels excessive footnoting as a demon a few sentences later. Read the rest.

The Calling

Urban fantasy is replete with different, sometimes catchy, permutations of a standard bunch of mythological/fantastic beings who happen to turn up in our world. In The Calling, David Mack tries something pretty original by bringing us (instead of vampires and werewolves) guardian angels and their evil counterparts. Read the rest.

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

….. I was entranced by Tigana right from the first page. What I noticed immediately was the passion — this is a story lovingly wrought by an author who loves language, loves his characters, and loves the world he’s created. Guy Gavriel Kay‘s prose is heavy with imagery and emotion yet it reads, for the most part, easily (except for the occasional unexpected shift in point-of-view). Read the rest.

Knights of Dark Renown by David Gemmell

… Though Gemmell shows us that good people can do evil things, he give us hope by showing us that we are capable also of great deeds — even if we’ve never done one before. It’s this sort of inspiration that separates David Gemmell’s fantasy from that of some of the writers in this genre who, striving to be different, give us darkness and leave us there… 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.

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.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

The other reviewers mocked me when I said I was going to review Watership Down. ‘I hope you like rabbits!’, they sniggered. Well, Watership Down does have rabbits as the main characters, but it is so much more than a story about bunnies. That would be like saying The Hobbit was about hobbits. Both stories encompasses so many greater themes — adventure, friendship and loyalty, courage in the face of adversity, leadership, the value of home and security, and on it goes (like the road). Read the rest.

The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen by Lloyd Alexander

If I ever have kids, I’m going to make sure that their bookshelves are stocked full of Lloyd Alexander’s books. Most famous for his award-winning The Prydain Chronicles, Alexander has carved out a little niche for himself in children’s literature by taking his often-used (but never stale) technique of adapting a particular culture’s mythology and shaping it to include his own brand of wisdom, poignancy and humour. For … The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen, the story is given a Chinese setting. Read the rest.

Sorcerer’s Legacy by Janny Wurts

… If you are a Janny Wurts fan, then this book is worth searching for high and low to add to your collection. If you are not familiar with her work then this represents a great way to get a taste and see if you like it without investing yourself is a huge epic. For the ability to write a complete story that entertains and inspires I give this 4.5 stars. It’s a great book and could deserve 5 stars if I hadn’t read so much of the rest of her work and knew how good it gets. Read the rest.

Enchanted Ivy by Sara Beth Durst

… One problem I often have with contemporary fantasy is its tendency to ignore the magic of the world around us in its longing for something Other. Enchanted Ivy avoids this problem by striking a nice balance. There’s certainly a great deal of otherworldly magic, as evidenced by the dragons and faeries and talking gargoyles and cute were-tiger boys. Yet I got a real sense that all this magic was inspired by the feelings the campus of Princeton genuinely evoked in Durst. I can actually picture the author looking at the great old buildings and the gargoyles and imagining they could come to life at any second. Otherworldly magic inspired by a place that is, to the author, already magical… The plot is a bit predictable and most of the twists I saw coming. But even so, as adventure/quest stories go, Enchanted Ivy is a lot of fun. In particular, a college campus is a rather unusual setting for this sort of book, which really makes it stand out from the crowd… Enchanted Ivy promises magic, adventure, mystery, romance, and humor, and delivers on all accounts. I could easily see Sarah Beth Durst becoming a favorite author, and I look forward to more of her work in the future. Read the rest.

The Wood Wife by Terri Windling

Our heroine, Maggie, is reeling from her divorce and drifting rather aimlessly through life — she considers herself a poet but hasn’t written a poem in years… Both a mystery and a fantasy, The Wood Wife is gorgeously written and a good read. As a writer, I was especially moved by the discussions of whether or not Maggie was still a poet. Well done…  Read the rest.

Monster by A. Lee Martinez

In this humorous paranormal fantasy, a young human by the name of Monster works for a subsidiary of the local animal control services. This agency locates and captures cryptobiologicals: “things that go bump in the night.” Aptly named Monster hunts and captures trolls, unicorns, yetis, dragons and all sorts of animals with his employee, a sixth dimension paper gnome… Monster is a good example of why people like this humorous fantasist. The story is full of action, wry humor, and plausible world-building. Monster is an engrossing and funny paranormal fantasy…  Read the rest.

Thief With No Shadow by Emily Gee

Ah, Thief With No Shadow. Add this one to the ever growing list of books that leave me utterly baffled as to what the term “romantic fantasy” is supposed to mean. Whatever else it is, this delightful little romp of a fantasy tale is no romance novel. Read the rest.

The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff

Allie Gale is one of many daughters in a modern day matriarchal clan of witches in Toronto. The Gales are incestuously close, all except for Allie’s grandmother, who had escaped the confines of the family and had set out on her own. When Allie’s grandmother mysteriously dies and unexpectedly bequeaths her business in Calgary to Allie, she is surprised to find herself the proprietor of a junk shop filled with magical artifacts, potions, a translucent leprechaun, and an autographed photo of a minotaur. Trying to discover what happened to her grandmother, Allie stumbles upon a slew of UnderRealm creatures, a suspicious sorcerer, and flock of dragons circling overhead…  Read the rest.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

… as in reading Alice in Wonderland, the average child might grasp the fact that there’s more going on here than meets the eye. There is meaning in every character, every circumstance, practically every word: ideas that swell up from the pages for the reader’s enjoyment and consideration. And like Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, it may take a couple of years and several more reads to comprehend them all. But since Haroun and the Sea of Stories is so rewarding the first time around, I think it will be revisited by children who were properly intrigued by their first taste of it. As will adults, of course!.. Read the rest.

and Falling, Fly by Skyler White

When I finished and Falling, Fly, the first words out of my mouth were, “Wow, what a mindf*ck.” The cover art, while a beautiful example of its kind, seems to imply a fairly standard urban fantasy. and Falling, Fly is anything but… and Falling, Fly reaches an ending that satisfies and yet leaves the reader’s brain buzzing.  I always appreciate a novel that makes me think… I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the beautiful writing… Read the rest.

White Is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi

White Is for Witching blends gothic horror, racial politics, and the older, bloodier sort of fairy tales into a deeply unsettling novel. The story opens with a passage intentionally reminiscent of “Snow White,” describing the mysterious imprisonment? disappearance? death? of the heroine, Miranda Silver. From there, we move backward in time, to the point when the events leading to Miranda’s fate began…  Read the rest.

Purple and Black by K.J. Parker

…The true identity of K.J. Parker may be a mystery, but the high quality of her (his?) writing is no secret. I highly recommend Purple and Black for a fast enjoyable read. After this introduction to Parker’s work, I will be definitely seeking out more books by her (him?) in the future. Read the rest.

Warbreaker (on audio) by Brandon Sanderson

… There are two things that I really like about Brandon Sanderson’s writing in general, and Warbreaker is no exception:1. His magic systems. I’ve read all of his work now, and in each case he’s developed a wonderfully thoughtful, unique, and internally valid magic system. 2. He’s funny. So many authors try to be funny, but I find few of them to be actually funny. Brandon Sanderson is funny. This brings me to the audiobook. (Listen to sample). At first I was put out by James Yaegashi’s slow pace which at times sounded like he was reading to first graders (I know how big this book is, so I thought “this is going to take forever!”), but it turns out that his reading really highlighted Sanderson’s humorous dialogue… Read the rest.

The Incredible Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson

Every day Scott Carey is getting shorter by 1/7 of an inch. The doctors have figured out why — he was exposed to a combination of insecticide and radioactivity — but so far they have not been able to make him stop shrinking. Now Scott is only one inch tall and he is trapped in the cellar of his family’s rented home with a stale piece of bread, an out-of-reach box of crackers, a sponge, a garden hose, a water heater, and a black widow spider. And in seven more days, he’ll be gone… this story is less about the horror of being physically small than it is about the horror of being physically different and, specifically, about losing manhood… The Incredible Shrinking Man is so much more than an exciting and well-written horror story — it’s a beautiful psychological study of masculinity and loneliness. I listened to Blackstone Audio’s version. It’s eight hours long and excellently read by Yuri Rasovsky. I highly recommend this version. Read the rest.

Tales from the Perilous Realm by J.R.R. Tolkien

Tales from the Perilous Realm…  Although they are written in the same style and often contain the same themes as the famous trilogy, they are not directly related to Middle-Earth itself. Instead they are self-contained short stories that shed further light on Tolkien’s ideas concerning the importance of fairytales, or more specifically, his love of Faerie (not the species, but the place) as a setting for adventures… Tales from the Perilous Realm will most likely appeal most to Tolkien enthusiasts, particularly in its inclusion of the poems, but anyone with a passing interest in fairytales will most likely appreciate and enjoy this collection. Inevitably there are glimpses and echoes of The Lord of the Rings, which add depth to Tolkien’s later work whether it is read before or after this anthology… Read the rest.

Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

… Under Heaven is the latest stand-alone novel by award-winning Canadian author Guy Gavriel Kay. For those familiar with Kay’s work, little more need be said. Under Heaven is vintage Guy Gavriel Kay, another elegant, captivating work by a master at the height of his powers… I highly recommend Under Heaven for readers familiar with Guy Gavriel Kay‘s work or anyone who enjoys historical, fantasy, or literary fiction. It’s simply a beautiful and epic tale… If the current field of fantasy literature were imagined as a sprawling chateau, with the largest spaces being the armor-crowded trophy room of medieval fantasy and the strobe-lit, vampire-haunted ballroom of urban fantasy, Guy Gavriel Kay‘s works would form a niche — a quiet, starlit courtyard brightened by blossoms and faint music, a enchanted sanctuary which, once found, is never forgotten. Read the rest.

The Boneshaker by Kate Milford

Fans of Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes will find lots of echoes in Kate Milford’s debut novel The Boneshaker. It’s a connection that is impossible to avoid, what with the small-town young protagonist facing off against a mysterious carnival filled with creepy workers and an even creepier head showman. But this is no rip-off of Bradbury; nor is it simply a pleasant homage. From the same basic plot trappings Milford has woven her own highly original and enjoyable tale, one that builds slowly and patiently into a wonderfully compelling and satisfying conclusion… Read the rest.

The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, and Kate Elliott

Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson, and Kate Elliott collaborate here to create a novel that is very hard to put down — despite its formidable length and flattish characters. What drew me in was the carefully designed world, the totally believable magic, the overall mood, and the centuries-spanning plot… The book is divided into three sections, taking place in three different time periods. The sections are different enough in tone and style that I suspect each author wrote a section mostly by herself, with little collaboration except in world-building… Read the rest.

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

… Anansi Boys is especially charming in audio format, thanks to Lenny Henry, an English stand-up comedian whose deep rich voice and character comedy is absolutely perfect for this novel which is based on the African/Caribbean mythology of the trickster spider god Anansi (introduced in American Gods). Henry’s voices are brilliant (especially the old Caribbean women) and he had me literally smiling nearly all the way through the story. Actually, if it weren’t for Lenny Henry, I’d have to say that I probably would only give this novel 4 stars instead of 4.5. That’s because this is not Gaiman’s tightest work… Read the rest.

Monument by Ian Graham

… Ballas is a vagrant with no greater interest than his next means of getting drunk or hiring a prostitute. He’s big, bad, and a kind of ugly that only looks more natural beat-up. Besides the ability to consume mass amounts of alcohol, his only talent is for violence and a spiteful survivability. He’s not a psychopath or unjustly cruel, but he has no qualms about killing whenever he deems it necessary. You have to dig so deep to find any redeeming qualities in Ballas, that what you do find is questionable. Call me twisted, but I love this guy… It took a gutsy author to write this story and it’s just not right that Monument hasn’t gotten more notice…. Read the rest.

The Barbed Coil by J.V. Jones

My favorite novel by J. V. Jones is The Barbed Coil, a stand-alone novel set in both 20th century Earth and a strange and distant world. It begins in a most unusual manner, and I didn’t think it would work for me, but I read on, and I was glad I did… a romance, a mad king, a protagonist who is the only one who can turn things around. And, as an added bonus, the novel is a stand-alone. I have reread this novel several times. I think it is J.V. Jones’s best work.

Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

Tigana is a masterpiece… Guy Gavriel Kay’s writing flows well, as always, fresh and lyrical and soaked with human understanding. The first chapter is a work of genius for its perspective on the heroes’ way of building toward their goal, as is the surprising revelation in the climax, and — perhaps most of all — the heart-tingling last paragraph. (Wait!) The only flaw is Baerd’s strange, protracted battle with the Night-walkers (a touch cliched), and (just perhaps) a touch of gratuitous eroticism in Castle Borso. Even so, these flaws are minor and only faintly detract from the beauty of the whole… Read the rest.

A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay

In this homage to the troubadours and the “court of love” of medieval France, Guy Gavriel Kay comes down from the dizzying heights of The Fionavar Tapestry trilogy and creates a beautiful and memorable tale of mere mortals ensnared by political intrigue, enmity and love… Guy Gavriel Kay writes well, as always, and like a good troubadour, he pays tribute to the fantasy genre while ensuring that the reader/listener is surprised and touched by his work. Perhaps most importantly, GGK believes in the beauty of Art and power of Art’s beauty to make more beautiful the things which it depicts, in this case Mankind, Men and Women striving to preserve what is good and noble… Read the rest.

The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia McKillip

… Up until the last few chapters, I was delighted, certain that The Bell at Sealey Head was about to become my new favourite McKillip novel. Unfortunately, and I hate to say it, but the story unravels a bit in the final chapters… Still, The Bell at Sealey Head is high up on my list of McKillip’s vast collection of books, and I always appreciate fantasy writers who tell intricate and thought-provoking tales that don’t have a deluge of sequels… the syntax is significantly less complex than some of her earlier novels, and so would be a perfect introductory novel to a McKillip newbie. Either way, The Bell at Sealey Head is to be savored and enjoyed… Read the rest.

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson’s Warbreaker is yet another strong showing from the author of the highly recommended Mistborn series and the stand-alone Elantris. Though not without flaws, the book’s problems are more than outweighed by its strengths, making it a highly enjoyable read… If the worst you can say about a book is that it wasn’t long enough, the author is clearly doing something well. In Brandon Sanderson’s case, that’s nearly everything. The parts that don’t quite measure up really don’t have much of a negative impact; the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. I’m looking forward to what follows — I hope we’ll be getting a sequel to Warbreaker! Highly recommended. Read the rest.

Embassytown by China Miéville

Embassytown, is a sharply honed science fiction tale of linguistics. Yes, linguistics. And skeptical as one may be, it more than works… The eponymous Embassytown is on a rarely visited backwater planet called Areika…  The Arekei have what seems to be an entirely unique language:  they are unable to tell lies in it and it can only be understood if spoken by a person with “thought behind the utterance.” To communicate with the Arekei, humans employ specialized Ambassadors… Embassytown starts off a little slow… However, once we start getting a fuller sense of Language and how the humans and Hosts communicate, the book becomes simply fascinating. In more mundane fashion, it builds interest by ratcheting up the action as it progresses… But to be honest, the “action” part of the novel was secondary to me. What was truly compelling and thought provoking were the linguistic aspects that drove all of the more typically dramatic events. And Miéville does a great job of slowly revealing those aspects little by little… what we get is a book that melds action with deep thought… Embassytown is sitting pretty in my Top Ten for 2011 almost halfway through the year… Read the rest.

The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay

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

The Dervish House by Ian McDonald

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

The Portrait of Mrs Charbuque by Jeffrey Ford

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

The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford

The Shadow Year is a charming coming-of-age tale about the 6th grade year of an average American boy (we never learn his name) growing up in the 1960s. This year isn’t average, though, because there are some strange things going on in his small town… The novel reminds me very much of A Christmas Story… most of the plot revolves around the day to day events in a 6th grade boy’s life: waiting for the ice cream man, trying to complete school assignments with a minimal amount of effort, getting picked on by older kids, skipping church, sneaking out of the house, and trying to keep up with his brave and reckless older brother. These little slices of life are funny, poignant, and so beautifully and vividly described that they often brought a smile to my face and occasionally brought tears to my eyes… 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.

Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente

Catherynne Valente writes more poetry than prose, even in her ostensibly prose novels. The language teems with metaphor and simile, with rich sound quality and lush imagery even as it also employs poetry’s concision and elision.With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Brilliance Audio’s version of the book, narrated by Aasne Vigesaa, is absolutely fantastic. It’s even possible, and this is something I don’t believe I’ve ever even considered, let alone stated, that the audio version might even in some ways be a better “reading” experience. Vigesaa wraps her tongue round the rhythms and lushness of language, rising and falling in tone and volume and emphasis so that one is drawn, perhaps, even more fully into the realm of Palimpest… Because of the generally dulcet or melancholy or elegiac tone, and the density and richness of language, this is an audiobook that truly needs to be listened to, not simply heard… Read the rest.

The Alchemist and The Executioness by Paolo Bacigalupi and Tobias Buckell

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

The Wild Swans by Peg Kerr

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

Thief Eyes by Janni Lee Simner

Thief Eyes begins with a spine-tingling scene of sorcery, in which Hallgerd, a young girl in ancient Iceland, calls upon dangerous powers in order to avoid an unwanted marriage. With this scene, Janni Lee Simner sets an ominous mood, gives us some background information, and provides a few tantalizing hints about what might unfold later… Thief Eyes paints a vivid picture of Iceland and alludes to many of its myths. You may find yourself wanting to travel there or to read the classic sagas. I know I did! This is a well-researched and thoroughly enjoyable young adult novel, not to mention refreshingly original. (No vampires!) Read the rest.

Little, Big by John Crowley

… Well, John Crowley’s Little, Big is definitely a book. That’s a good start. But the second I try to narrow down rudimentary elements like plot and character, my brain gets a bit fuzzy. It’s about a family. And a house. And how this family lives in the house which is situated on the borders of another world which sometimes intrudes upon their own, and so is aptly named “Edgewood.” Beyond that, it gets more complicated. Or maybe simpler. It’s hard to be sure… it has its own internal logic, and Crowley’s mastery over his dreamy, elegant prose means that everything flows at a slow but smooth pace…  As it goes on, a pattern emerges and strands begin to tie neatly together, all culminating in a conclusion that is… heartbreaking. Of the bittersweet, unforgettable, tear-inducing kind… it’ll be rattling around in my head for a long time to come. Read the rest.

The Bird of the River by Kage Baker

It’s hard to separate feelings of personal sadness at Kage Baker’s too-early death in January 2010 from one’s feelings reading her posthumously published novel The Bird of the River, emphasizing the book’s own bittersweetness. And it’s impossible, once done, not to mourn, in addition to the person, the loss of such talent. Bird of the River is in many ways a fitting final (or first final) book for the author… It’s simple without being simplistic, quiet without being dull, elegant without being removed or aloof. It’s a slow, lovely ride down a meandering river that keeps opening up little by little, revealing not huge vistas but tiny beautiful moments. I was sad when it was over, though it ended as it should have, and even sadder at the thought that we won’t have the chance to return or read its like from Baker again… Read the rest.

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

… Plain Kate is written in the style of a fairy tale and draws heavily on Russian folklore. Erin Bow’s prose, especially when describing nature or Kate’s craft, is lovely and lyrical. The plot is epic in a way, since the fate of a country rests on the outcome, but at the same time it’s a very intimate story. Almost all of the major characters turn out to be connected. The two major threads are Kate’s struggle to stop the villain and to find a place to belong, and the villain’s quest for revenge and the deep hurt at its core. The central events pit love against fear and bitterness in a beautiful, moving way. I say “love,” but I wish to clarify that I don’t mean romantic love. There is, in fact, no romance whatsoever. If you’re sick of romantic YA fantasy, you’ll like Plain Kate. If you prefer books with a prominent romantic element, this may not be the book for you (though I’d recommend trying it anyway, because it’s terrific)… Read the rest.

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington

… The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart is not a book I would recommend to many people. I would be too afraid that whoever I asked to read it may no longer want to associate with me. Jesse Bullington has worked very hard to be highly offensive in almost every way imaginable, and I loved every minute of it…  If you are a religious person, I highly recommend you burn this book upon it entering your household. If you don’t want to burn things then just give it to someone you wish to have spend an eternity in hell. The mere possession of this book will quite likely taint your soul… I would quite possibly give everything I own to see this listed on Oprah’s Book Club… Read the rest.

This Immortal by Roger Zelazny

… Earth is a strange and dangerous place, fit only as a tourist attraction and a vacation spot for the Vegans… This Immortal is a gorgeous novel and Conrad Nomikos makes a great hero… Conrad’s love of Earth and, particularly, for his Greek heritage is full of beauty and passion… I listened to This Immortal on audio (Brilliance Audio) and fell in love with narrator Victor Bevine whose deeply resonant voice captured perfectly the strength and depth of Conrad, the tenderness of Conrad’s wife Cassandra, the alienness of the Vegan, the gentle deadliness of Hasan the Assassin, and even the zealous geekiness of George, the scientist whose curiosity and ambition makes him willing to experiment on his own friends, pets, and unborn child. The end of This Immortal wraps up a bit too quickly — I wanted to stay longer with Conrad on our devastated planet. I hope everything turns out okay… Read the rest.

Blue and Gold by K.J. Parker

… K.J. Parker has another gem on her (his?) hands with this little novella. Parker knows how to write an opening line: “Well, let me see,” I said, as the innkeeper poured me a beer. “In the morning, I discovered the secret of changing base metal into gold. In the afternoon I murdered my wife.” And from that start, you will plunge headlong into a story that goes through as many transmutations as an alchemist’s potion. Saloninus is an intriguing character that is arrogant, completely unreliable, brilliant, perhaps a little crazy, and fascinating to read about. Every time I thought I finally had the story figured out, Parker would peel away another layer and expose another facet to Saloninus and his treacherous and potentially deadly pursuits. It is not just Saloninus who is an alchemist; Parker is as well. Starting with the fairly base story elements of greed, envy and power, Parker transmutes these into literary gold… Read the rest.

The Bards of Bone Plain by Patricia McKillip

Patricia McKillip is a must-read author for any true lover of fantasy literature. With a voice all her own, she imbues her work — both the story and the style — with beauty, magic, and wonder. Her latest novel, The Bards of Bone Plain, is just as enchanting as I was expecting it to be. I listened to Audible Frontiers’ version read by Marc Vietor and Charlotte Parry… The Bards of Bone Plain combines the arts and sciences (and mysteries) of archeology, music, language, and history, to create a multi-layered story that’s sure to satisfy both sides of your brain… If you’re familiar with Patricia McKillip, then you know she writes in a somewhat dreamy and fanciful style that, though lyrical and lovely, is occasionally misty and vague… This sense of wonder is part of what makes her stories work so well as fantasy. The Bards of Bone Plain is another McKillip novel that leaves the reader in awe. It’s a gorgeous story that celebrates the power of music, language, and love. Read the rest.

No Flying in the House by Betty Brock

… No Flying in the House by Betty Brock is an engaging tale of a young girl trying to find her way in the world with only a little dog for guidance. Torn between her love for Gloria, and her discovery that she is a fairy, Annabel tries to discover the truth behind her parents’ disappearance. The subject material is mostly lighthearted, but the evil Belinda adds a note of sinister tension to the story without being too scary for younger readers. The relationship between Annabel and Gloria is charming, and the story teaches an important lesson about love and sacrifice, without being overly preachy or heavy-handed. This adorable book, written for those in the 9-12 year old age group, is as magical now as when I read it as a young girl… Read the rest.

Among Others by Jo Walton

… Aside from the genuine love for science fiction and fantasy that permeates every ounce of this novel, it also features a loving picture of an isolated, intelligent young woman finding her place in life, and a simple but solid present-day fantasy plot that slowly unfolds to reach a satisfying conclusion. The novel reads smoothly, is never boring, and is very hard to put down. Also, Jo Walton’s concept of “deniable magic” made me reconsider magic and its “causality” (for want of a better word) in a whole new way. Exactly how much of Among Others is autobiographical I don’t know, but if Jo Walton’s fascinating blog entries at Tor.com are an indication, there’s at least one quality she undoubtedly shares with Mori: her love for science fiction and fantasy… Mori and some friends find themselves heading towards the bookstore almost unwittingly. One person mentions that sunflowers are “heliotropes” — they automatically orient themselves towards the sun — and then says that Mori and her friends must be bibliotropes. Borrowing that wonderful word, I think it’s fair to say that Among Others by Jo Walton is a novel for bibliotropes. Read the rest.

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green

… for those with a particular interest in Arthurian legend, and eager to get their hands on every bit of literature surrounding him, then Roger Lancelyn Green’s classic is essential. As a member of one of the famous Inklings of Oxford University (a group that included J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis), Green was keen to organize the myriad Arthur-related stories and combine them into a structured whole, all in a novel that would be accessible to children. As such, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is notable not simply due to the coherency that Green lends to what had previously been a diverse array of legends, but that for the first time they were specifically geared toward children… The Puffin Classic edition includes biographical information on the author, a character guide, a study guide for teachers with suggested activities based on the book, and an introduction by David Almond. Read the rest.

The Reapers Are the Angels by Alden Bell

Alden Bell’s YA post-apocalyptic fantasy novel The Reapers Are the Angels shares DNA with Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Both books deal with the same theme: how to maintain humanity in the face of complete devastation. The apocalypse in Bell’s book is a mysterious zombie plague, which probably means most English professors won’t be adding it to their reading lists. That’s a shame, because The Reapers are the Angels has a lot to say about the human condition, connections, compassion, and hope… In The Road, the boy says to his father, “We’re the good guys, right?” In The Reapers are the Angels, Temple asks, “Am I evil?” In each book, characters wrestle with the gap between survival-based behavior and moral behavior. Is it possible to have morality, community, connection, when you are fighting for survival?… Read the rest.

Kraken by China Miéville

There are two adjectives for China Miéville’s Kraken: “fun” and “exhilarating.” Miéville’s longer works have always seemed serious to me. Intricately imagined, believably peopled with intriguing characters, and told with elaborate arabesques and flourishes of language, they were still serious, even grave. Kraken is not. Maybe Miéville just needed to burn off some energy after coming off his stylistically restrained The City and the City, but Kraken is not a serious book, even though serious things happen. Good people die, others suffer great loss, the End of Days is upon us, and it still reads like a world-class thrill ride… Kraken is an all-access pass to the raucous, smoky, candle-and-neon-lit, swirling, deadly, music-throbbing, beer-guzzling, drug-gulping, ethereal, incense-scented, protean, ink-stained, kaleidoscopic, smile-as-we-cut-your-throat-dangerous, surreal, unreal, godly, squidly, twenty four/seven street carnival of Magical London. It is suspenseful. It is scary. And it’s fun. Read the rest.

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.

Armor by John Steakley

Felix is a loner, a broken man with a mysterious past. When he’s dropped with thousands of fellow soldiers on a toxic planet nicknamed “Banshee,” he’s the only survivor of the battle with the 8-foot tall “Ants” that live there… Because he doesn’t really care if he dies, he is able to make quick detached decisions, and it’s this armor, ironically, that keeps him alive…After nearly quitting Armor because of its lack of emotion, I was surprised to eventually find myself stressed out and sobbing. You won’t believe it at the beginning, but Armor becomes intensely emotional, especially for what’s considered a “military SF” novel. This is not merely “military SF” — it’s a novel about suffering, compassion, love, and the human survival instinct. It just takes a while to get there, which makes it even more gratifying when it finally shows itself. I listened to Blackstone Audio’s version of Armor, narrated by Tom Weiner. His deep voice was perfect for a story with a bunch of rough men in it, but he did a great job with the female characters, too. I unhesitatingly recommend the audio version… Read the rest.

The Uncertain Places by Lisa Goldstein

…In 1971, Berkeley students Will and Ben go to visit the eccentric Feierabend family who live in a rambling house in Napa Valley. Ben is dating the eldest Feierabend sister, Maddie, and wants to introduce Will to the second sister, Livvy. Will thinks Ben’s trying to palm off a less attractive “pale shadow” of Maddie, but when he meets Livvy, he’s smitten. As their relationship grows, so do the mysteries surrounding the Feierabends — and then something terrible occurs and Will must outwit the fairies to bring back his love. Goldstein invents a long-lost Grimm fairy tale that serves as the trail of breadcrumbs to guide Will’s steps. But even if Will does win his way to Livvy, he’ll need to be careful; fairies can be tricky about the fine print. The climax of the story is the kind I like best; it forces the characters to look within themselves and decide what they value most… For readers who enjoy the quieter style of contemporary fantasy, I recommend The Uncertain Places. It’s a quick read, but a memorable one… Read the rest.

Song for the Basilisk by Patricia McKillip

One of Patricia McKillip’s earlier novels, Song for the Basilisk has all the hallmarks of her fantasy fiction: unique prose, ambiguous characters, fairytale settings, court intrigue, and a love of musical instruments. Here especially McKillip calls on her appreciation for viols, flutes, harps and picochets (the one-stringed instrument on the cover), in which music plays a crucial part in the narrative… As always, McKillip’s writing style can be an acquired taste. It’s extremely poetic and dense and can be quite difficult to grasp for a first-time reader of her novels. But the rewards are immense if you stick with it, and one should never rush any of McKillip’s novels. Just let yourself enjoy the words as they unfold, and the meanings that they reveal as the story goes on. Here, music itself can heal and destroy, and McKillip does a masterful job of making the reader actually hear the sounds and rhythms of the instruments that mean so much to her characters. And I probably say this every time I finish a McKillip book, but this one is one of my favorites. Read the rest.

The Bards of Bone Plain by Patricia McKillip

Patricia McKillip does it again! Unique among fantasy writers for her dreamy prose, her ability to meld complex characterization with original fairytale plots, and her ability to slip in a clever twist or two before the story’s end, McKillip returns to form after the slightly lackluster The Bell at Sealey Head with The Bards of Bone Plain… this is vintage McKillip. Her fascination with language, music, history, and the relationship between past and present are refined and thematically connected into a satisfying arc of exploration and discovery. McKillip’s characters are sparkling with life, though perhaps a little underdeveloped in this case, and she never gets bogged down in a quagmire of endless world-building and excessive detail… The Bards of Bone Plain demands a re-read almost the very instant that you finish it, just to better appreciate the way its interconnected stories and characters relate to one another in light of the final chapters’ revelations. I think it’s one of McKillip’s most accomplished works… Read the rest.

Southern Gods by John Hornor Jacobs

… John Hornor Jacobs sets a furious pace in Southern Gods. It doesn’t let up till you hit the epilogue. I was sent an audio copy of this from Brilliance Audio, and I was so desperate to keep reading the story that I actually purchased the Kindle version to read on my phone when I was not able to listen to the audio. While reading this book I ran a gamut of emotions. I was excited, amused, scared, and also totally disturbed. I’ve read some messed-up stuff, and Southern Gods was the first to give me serious nightmares… I recommend Southern Gods to fans of both horror and dark fantasy. At 300 pages it is a bit short. With some more space I believe Jacobs would have made the story flow even more smoothly. I would also recommend the audiobook version. The story is read by Eric Dove, and he is amazing. A voice actor can make or break a story, and Eric made this book a thrill to listen to… Read the rest.

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

A few years ago, I discovered a completely new — to me — subgenre of fantasy. It is bloody, full of battles with swords and maces, always placed in a medieval setting, and very nearly devoid of magic. Its practitioners are the likes of Richard Morgan and Matthew Stover — and Joe Abercrombie, in the dark, brutal and compelling Best Served Cold. I’m still not quite sure that I like this type of book; though it is certainly exciting, it is also troubling. Perhaps that is precisely the intent of the authors’ writing about a very visceral and immediate type of battle, one far removed from the surgical precision of computer-guided missiles floating through the door of a house to pinpoint the death of a terrorist… Read the rest.

Bone and Jewel Creatures by Elizabeth Bear

Elizabeth Bear appeared on the scene in 2004 as if she were Athena, sprung fully formed from Zeus’s forehead to be a major player in the science fiction and fantasy genres… Now Bear has a new nomination, this time for the World Fantasy Award for Bone and Jewel Creatures. I discovered only after I finished reading it that Bone and Jewel Creatures was marketed as a story for young readers from nine to twelve years old. I was surprised; this novella strikes me as a very sophisticated, adult tale with plenty of allusions and implications that would go right over the heads of all but the most well-read of children. It does not seem childlike in any way. Bone and Jewel Creatures is a sort of fairy tale, though; a story of magic and wizards and necromancers… Set aside an hour or two to spend with this book. It may be a trifle compared to Bear’s more challenging trilogies or novels, but it is a lovely trifle — a jewel. Read the rest.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

… I listened to the audio version of Princess Academy with my 12-year-old son and my 9-year-old daughter. We all agreed that Princess Academy deserves its Newbery Honor, for it is absolutely charming. I’m enough of a feminist that I was suspicious of a book about becoming a princess, but I had misjudged this book by its title. Princess Academy is not the book I was expecting. Instead, it is a refreshing story about children living in a rural culture where there is much beauty, love, and wholesomeness… though the girls are in a “Princess Academy,” the idea of becoming a pampered princess (or even just a bride)  is not portrayed as the goal for these girls. Instead, the value of education, useful skills, analytical thinking, and a love of home and community is emphasized. Read the rest.

Reamde by Neal Stephenson