SF & Fantasy Reviews, June 15, 2011
Jun 15, 2011Allston, Aaron. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi; Conviction. Lucas/Del Rey. Jun. 2011. c.400p. ISBN 9780345509109. $27. SF
The exiled Luke Skywalker, his Jedi son, Ben, and Sith apprentice Vestara Khai continue their precarious alliance as they track down the Force-wielding entity known as Abeloth, convinced it is responsible for the attacks of madness affecting Jedi throughout the galaxy. On the planet Coruscant, Leia and Han Solo concentrate on the political and tactical problems affecting the discredited Jedi Order, following paths that lead them to the seat of the Republic’s power. The seventh installment in the nine-volume “Fate of the Jedi” series (and the first in a “mini-trilogy” that rounds out the series) takes the action into the heart of the Republic as a Jedi knight is tried for murder and expands the story to the hostile planet Klatooine as it becomes the staging ground for a long-awaited confrontation that could decide the fate of those whose destinies rely on the Force. VERDICT One of three authors (along with Christie Golden and Troy Denning) contributing to the latest series in the popular and growing opus of Star Wars® novels, Allston (Outcast; Backlash) remains true to the spirit of the characters, combining wry humor and passionate conviction with splendidly depicted action scenes. [Library marketing.]
Chicks Kick Butt. Tor. Jun. 2011. c.320p. ed. by Rachel Caine & Kerrie L. Hughes. ISBN 9780765325778. pap. $14.99. FANTASY
From the weather-wielding, Djinn-battling heroine of “Shiny,” a tale set in Roxanne Conrad’s (writing as Rachel Caine) Weather Warden universe, to Carole Nelson Douglas’s “Monster Mash,” which features paranormal investigator Delilah Street in a bittersweet story that resolves an old conflict within the world of classic monster films, the 13 pieces in this urban fantasy/romantic adventure collection explore the paranormal subgenre that pits savvy female characters (some of them more than human) against supernatural foes—and often laces these stories with a strong dose of romance. The list of contributors, many of them New York Times best-selling authors, includes Karen Chance, P.N. Elrod, Rachel Vincent, and L.A. Banks. VERDICT A stellar introduction to the wide world of women in urban fantasy, this volume should have a broad appeal for new readers of the genre and series fans alike.
Drake, David. Out of the Waters. Tor. (Books of the Elements, Vol. 2). Jul. 2011. c.336p. ISBN 9780765320797. $25.99. FANTASY
When Governor Saxa of the magnificent city of Carse, soul of the Empire, sponsors a public theatrical and religious celebration, the spectacle depicts a mighty city destroyed by a monster from the sea—to the delight and entertainment of the crowds. Only Saxa’s son Varus and a few others realize that the illusion was a vision of something dreadful to come. In the first volume (The Legions of Fire) of Drake’s epic fantasy series, which provides an imaginative look at a fictitious civilization not unlike ancient Rome, Varus defeated the elemental forces of fire; in this second volume, it is water’s turn. Populated with believable characters and mythical creatures, this dynastic saga deals with empires and fortunes won and lost and a world in which powerful entities seek to serve their own purposes. VERDICT Consummate storyteller and prolific author Drake’s latest novel should please his many fans as well as fans of the classical age.
Files, Gemma. A Rope of Thorns. ChiZine. (Hexslinger, Vol. 2). Jun. 2011. c.350p. ISBN 9781926851143. pap. $15.95. FANTASY
After sacrificing his lover, the notorious outlaw and “sodomist” Chess Pargeter, to his new consort, the Mayan goddess Ixchel, hexslinger Asher Rook has created “Hex City” in New Mexico as a haven for witches, hexes, and other practitioners of magic. However, the vengeful Pargeter, given new life by the power of his sacrifice, has enlisted the aid of former Pinkerton agent Ed Morrow and a young spiritualist named Yancey Colder and is pursuing Rook. This sequel to A Book of Tongues paints a stark, vivid, and gory picture of the “wild west” in the years following the Civil War. VERDICT Filled with antiheroes, sacrificial victims, and supernatural beings, Files’s latest is not for the squeamish but should delight fans of gothic Western fantasy and Central American myths.
Green, Simon R. For Heaven’s Eyes Only: A Secret Histories Novel. ROC: NAL. Jun. 2011. c.368p. ISBN 9780451463951. $25.95. FANTASY
Shaman Eddie Drood, of the power-wielding Drood family, wakes after a near-death experience to find the family in chaos, its Matriarch murdered by someone within. In addition, a new Satanic Conspiracy threatens the world, seeking to take advantage of the Droods’ weakness. Green’s latest addition to his witty urban fantasy series (The Man with the Golden Torc; Daemons Are Forever) continues its spoof of the James Bond adventure/suspense genre as well as the supernatural detective story. Drood is a likable character with a devoted and uncannily sensible wife as his support and better half. VERDICT Series fans should enjoy this extended parody and the genuine storytelling skill that lies beneath it.
Hoffman, Erin. Sword of Fire and Sea. Pyr: Prometheus. (Chaos Knight, Bk. 1). Jun. 2011. c.280p. ISBN 9781616143732. pap. $16. FANTASY
Capt. Vidarian Rulorat, the last surviving member of a family descended from a marriage that blended the elemental magic of water and fire and doomed future generations to a rare disease, courts dangers from many sides when he agrees to escort fire priestess Ariadel to a water temple in the southern part of the world. Pirates and inclement weather are the least of their problems as rogue telepaths seek to kidnap the priestess and creatures from a forgotten time return to the skies of the world. This series debut by video game designer Hoffman features well-drawn characters, both human and mythical. VERDICT Introducing a world of elemental magic, intelligent gryphons, and warring forces, this fantasy adventure is suitable for both YA and adult readers.
Lackey, Mercedes. Unnatural Issue. DAW, dist. by Penguin. (Elemental Masters, Bk. 7). Jun. 2011. c.368p. ISBN 9780756405755. $25.95. FANTASY
Mentally unhinged by the death of his wife in childbirth, Earth Master Richard Whitestone not only abandoned his duties as protector of his lands but refused to acknowledge his only daughter. Raised among the household servants, Susanne inherits her parents’ elemental earth powers but must search outside her family for a teacher. When news of a necromancer in Whitestone’s territory reaches the White Lodge of Elemental Masters in London, Water Master Lord Peter Almsley travels to the vicinity to confront the practitioner of forbidden lore and finds a young woman desperately in need of training. Set in an alternate England on the eve of World War I, the latest addition to Lackey’s “Elemental Masters” series (The Fire Rose; The Serpent’s Shadow; The Gates of Sleep; Phoenix and Ashes; The Wizard of London; Reserved for the Cat) features a strong female protagonist in search of her true calling and a sophisticated nobleman who discovers that there is more to life than magic. VERDICT Historical fantasy and gothic romance combine beautifully in this fantasy adventure from the author of the popular Valdemar novels.
McCaffrey, Anne & Todd McCaffrey. Dragon’s Time: Dragonriders of Pern. Del Rey: Ballantine. Jul. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780345500892. $26. FANTASY
Though a cure has been found for the plague that affected the dragons of Pern during the Third Pass of Thread, the numbers of dragons and their riders are not enough to survive the remainder of Threadfall, leaving the future of life on Pern in question. The young weyrwoman Fiona and her devoted friends—dragonrider T’mar, former dragonrider Lorana, and harper Kindan—search desperately for answers in old records and across the borders of time, finally discovering secrets about the nature of time travel that could solve their troubles. VERDICT SF grand master McCaffrey and her son Todd combine their prodigious storytelling talents to craft a complex tale of desperation and sacrifice, love and loss. As always, the dragons themselves steal the limelight with their winsome personalities and implacable takes on life and love. Sure to be a winner with Pern’s many fans, this title opens new possibilities for future novels.
Mann, George. Ghosts of War. Pyr: Prometheus.Jul. 2011. c.234p. ISBN 9781616143671. pap. $16. FANTASY
New York City in 1927 suffers from a rash of abductions committed by bizarre, skeletal, mechanical raptors. Tracking down these creatures is the unauthorized mission of playboy Gabriel Cross, otherwise known as “The Ghost,” labeled a vigilante by many but recognized as a hero by the few who appreciate his efforts to protect the city. As the country comes closer to war with England, Cross must decide whether the help of a British spy in the apprehension of his target is worth the risk to his national loyalty. This sequel to Ghosts of Manhattan pits the superhero protagonist against a mad scientist in an action-packed story patterned after the pulp fiction novels of the mid-20th century. VERDICT Fans of steampunk and noir fantasy should enjoy this unassuming adventure.
Naked City: Tales of Urban Fantasy. Griffin: St. Martin’s. Jul. 2011. c.560p. ed. by Ellen Datlow. ISBN 9780312604318. $25.99; pap. ISBN 9780312385248. $15.99. FANTASY
In Jim Butcher’s “Curses,” practicing magician and PI Harry Dresden takes on a Chicago legend and finds himself involved in the world of Faerie mischief, while in Peter S. Beagle’s “Underbridge,” a cynical children’s literature professor finds a kindred spirit under a Seattle bridge. The 20 stories in this anthology, contributed by Holly Black, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Delia Sherman, Christopher Fowler, John Crowley, Naomi Novik, and others, reflect the diversity and depth of urban fantasy popularized by authors such as Charles de Lint and Tanya Huff. VERDICT These original tales by an impressive array of authors provide a powerful introduction to the genre for the curious and a welcome indulgence for urban fantasy fans.
Rayne, Sarah. Property of a Lady. Severn House. Jul. 2011. c.252p. ISBN 9780727880284. $28.95. HORROR
Asked to check on an old house unexpectedly inherited by American friends, English professor Michael Flint travels to the Shropshire town of Marston Lacy and finds a property that seems to harbor a life of its own. When he makes the acquaintance of antiques dealer Nell West and discovers that her young daughter and the daughter of Charect House’s new owner suffer from the same nightmares, Flint suspects that both girls are in danger from an entity that might be a ghost or something even more menacing. VERDICT Rayne (House of the Lost; What Lies Beneath) delivers another intriguing tale of psychological and supernatural suspense, working the contrast between the idyllic English countryside and the dark histories of its inhabitants into a delicious tension. Fans of haunted-house fiction and psychological suspense should particularly enjoy the final twist.
Stross, Charles. Rule 34. Ace: Berkley. Jul. 2011. c.368p. ISBN 9780441020348. $25.95. SF
Called to the scene of a gruesome and bizarre murder, Detective Inspector Liz Kavanaugh, head of Edinburgh’s Innovative Crime Investigation Unit (the “Rule 34 Squad”), discovers a rash of criminal activities that span the globe and seem to be linked to a particular kind of Internet research involving sophisticated programs that target illicit cyberactivities. Faced with pressure from her department to curtail her efforts, Kavanaugh must weigh the importance of her career against the need to do what is right, regardless of the cost. VERDICT Stross (Singularity Sky) draws on tomorrow’s technologies to create a story that features intriguingly offbeat characters and a labyrinthine puzzle of a plot. Fans of modern cyber-fi literature as well as technological thrillers should enjoy this thinking person’s sf adventure.
Turtledove, Harry. The War That Came Early: The Big Switch. Del Rey: Ballantine. Jul. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780345491862. $27. FANTASY
Turtledove’s latest foray into alternate history is based on the premise that Chamberlain did not appease Hitler in 1938 and that World War II was thus launched a year early, before many of the Third Reich’s superstructures were in place. As the war progresses slowly, the sudden death of a key player changes the game, and suddenly no one is certain where the lines of loyalty are drawn. The Hugo Award winner continues to delight in exploring the world of “what if?” as he tackles a formidable subject in the third entry in his World War II series (after Hitler’s War and West and East). VERDICT The author’s fans should enjoy this further permutation of world history, even while wondering how many “new” ways to tell a familiar story remain. [Library marketing.]
ADDITIONAL SF & FANTASY
Hoffman, Paul. The Last Four Things. Dutton. Aug. 2011. c.432p. ISBN 9780525952183. $25.95. FANTASY
Death, judgment, heaven, and hell are the title concerns in this follow-up to The Left Hand of God. The jilted Thomas Cale has somewhat accepted his destiny as the “anger of God,” the leader of Redeemer forces that will rid the earth of the rival Antagonists and their allies. His mentor Bosco twists Cale’s skills to his own means, while Cale’s friends try to extract him from the fray before he brings the whole world to conflagration. Rival Kleist finds love with a utilitarian girl from the scavenging Klephts, but his leadership may change her people in ways that are ultimately dangerous. VERDICT Hoffman mixes cynical farce with military fantasy action to raucous effect. This is a big step forward from his debut, with great battle scenes and graveyard, cackle-inducing black humor. It flags only in the last 50 pages, where attempts to prepare the way for the trilogy’s final book are disjointed from the rest of the plot. Hoffman’s ongoing depictions of degraded, objectified women may not sit well with some readers. [See Prepub Alert, 2/14/11.]—Neil Hollands, Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA
Priest, Cherie. Hellbent. Spectra: Bantam. (Cheshire Red Reports, Bk. 2). Aug. 2011. c.352p. ISBN 9780345520623. pap. $15. FANTASY
When an urban fantasy features a “vampire superthief” and an “ex-navy SEAL and fabulous drag queen” among its lead characters, it can either be a delightful guilty pleasure or a disaster. In Priest’s second Raylene Pendle book (after Bloodshot), the author brings an enjoyable noirish humor to this booming genre. Our undead protagonist boldly breaks down the fourth wall to bring new readers up-to-date (although being reminded that she’s just a character in a book may take some readers out of the narrative). In her new outing, Raylene has been hired to retrieve a magical artificat also desired by a powerful witch who will stop at nothing to get it. At the same time, someone is trying to kill Ian, Raylene’s blind vampire friend. VERDICT Raylene and her gang of misfits will draw in urban fantasy fans of all stripes as well as fans of Priest’s other fantasies. Some language, used to show character traits, is a bit strong and might turn off gentler readers. However, the humor and adventure more than compensate for this minor negative.—Stacey Rottiers Comfort, Dexter Dist. Lib., MI
CORRECTION In the LJ 4/15/11 review of The Plain Man, author Steve Englehart’s name was misspelled. LJ apologizes for the error.
