This page is updated as books are received throughout the month.
Cold Moon Rising by C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
(a Tale of the Sazi), Tor, $6.99, 369pp, pb, 9780765359643. Paranormal romance.
Tony is back! USA Today bestselling authors C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp have captivated paranormal romance readers for years. Now they return to one of their most popular characters with Cold Moon Rising, a novel of the Sazi! One man has to reconcile his love, his past, and his difficult future… and save humanity on the side.
Former Mafia hit man Tony Giodone has been through a lot—he’s turned into a werewolf, with a human mate and a pack leader tougher than his old Mob boss. And he’s developed a powerful psychic ability—he can see into the past through other people’s memories.
Being mated with a human is difficult in more ways than one. Tony and Sue’s relationship is full of struggle. Adding to Tony’s trouble is a new problem with some old mobster “friends” who also happen to be a cabal of Sazi mass murderers trying to extinguish the human race.
Only one man might be able to help Tony and the Sazi stop the cabal: Ahmad, the leader of the snakes. He and Tony have a deeper psychic connection than Tony has with anyone else—even his mate! Now Tony is along for the psychic ride of his life as the crown prince of an ancient empire is faced with his deadliest enemy: a woman he once loved, whom he was forced to betray… and who may now betray Ahmad, Tony, and all of humanity.
Clamp and Adams are at their paranormal best with this steamy new tale of vengeance and courage. Cold Moon Rising is sure to delight Clamp and Adams’ Sazi fans and enchant new readers who are lucky enough to discover this award-winning series.
Raven Wakes the World: Tales for the Winter Holiday by John Adcox, illustrated by Carol Bales
Mercury Retrograde, $12.95, 262pp, tp, 9780981665481. Fiction. On-sale date: 27 October 2009.
Mercury Retrograde Press is pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of Raven Wakes the World: Tales for the Winter Holiday, a collection of Christmas-themed novellas by John Adcox. The book includes four very different tales, all of which are sure to touch the heart:
* I’ll be Home for Christmas, in which a folklorist explores the impossible beginnings of an urban legend about a lonely ghost who only appears on Christmas Eve
* Raven Wakes the World, in which an artist retreats to the edge of the world after devastating relationship leaves her unable to create, and finds an ancient Inuit myth coming to life
* Make Up Test, a romantic screwball comedy, in which a young woman’s Christmas wish comes true in the most literal, and hilarious, way possible
* The Star in the East, in which a widower is left to unravel his late wife’s last mystery. Dodging the agents of a sinister Count, he discovers a priceless treasure and a secret that’s remained unsolved for more than two thousand years.
The Stoneholding by James G. Anderson & Mark Sebanc
Baen, $14.99, 419pp, tp, 9781439132999. Fantasy.
Darkness looms over the ancient world of Ahn Norvys, and the Great Harmony of Ardiel lies rent asunder. Prince Starigan, heir to the throne, has been abducted and power has been usurped by a traitorous cabal.
In the mountainous highlands of Arvon is the small but ancient community the Stoneholding, which has held out against the gathering forces of the evil Ferabek. Here by tradition, from earliest times, the High Bard has resided as guardian of the Sacred Fire, as well as the golden harp called the Talamadh. But in his search for the lost prince, Ferabek has attacked the Stoneholding with his Black Scorpion Dragoons and razed it to the ground. Wilum, the aged High Bard was forced to flee for his life with a ragged band of survivors, including Kalaquinn Wright, the wheelwrights’s son.
Kal, green in years and understanding, was torn from his pastoral life in a remote highland clanholding, and thrust out onto a broader stage in a journey of danger and escape, discovery and enlightenment. Now, as night covers Ahn Norvys, he must save what remains of the hallowed order of things and seek his destiny, a destiny that lies far beyond the Stoneholding.
He must somehow find Prince Starigan and rekindle the Sacred Fire.
Chronicles of the Raven 1: Dawnthief by James Barclay
Pyr, $16.00, 403pp, tp, 9781591027799. Fantasy.
Isolated, betrayed and facing the end.
The Raven: six men and an elf, sword for hire in the wars that have torn apart Balaia. For years their loyalty has been only to themselves and their code.
But, that time is over. The Wytch Lords have escaped and The Raven find themselves fighting for the Dark College of magic, searching for the location of Dawnthief. It is a spell created to end the world, and it must be cast if any of them are to survive.
Dawnthief is a fast paced epic about a band of all-too-human heroes.
Merlin’s Dragon, Book II: Doomraga’s Revenge by T.A. Barron
Philomel, $19.99, 256pp, hc, 9780399252129. YA Fantasy.
Deeply imagined, fantastical worlds and unforgettable, courageous heroes are the hallmarks of T.A. Barron’s well-loved books. Doomraga’s Revenge, the sequel to the warmly received Merlin’s Dragon, is no exception. Basil, the tiny lizard the School Library Journal called “prickly and entertaining”, is now a full grown dragon—with full grown problems to match.
A dark magic has been spreading across Avalon. Initially, the events seemed unrelated: a war in Fireroot between the dwarves and the fire dragons, blight in Stoneroot, and disputes throughout the realms. But as Merlin and Basil scour the realms, they begin to realize that looming behind the growing chaos is a single dark threat—an enemy that they’ve never encountered. Onoe that must be stopped before all of Avalon is lost.
Barron’s passion for environmental causes can be seen in the skillfully interwoven message of the importance of conservation: the impact all creatures large and small have on their environment, the interconnectedness of different areas, and the sacrifice sometimes necessary in order to make a change.
With over one million books in print, T.A. Barron has cemented his reputation as one of the most popular fantasy writers today. His skillful reimagination of established legends has brought to life the Arthurian world for countless fans of all ages. In Doomraga’s Revenge, he continues to fill in the gaps of Merlin’s young life through the reptilian eye of the most powerful sidekick ever. Barron’s action-packed, often humorous story will keep readers hooked until the last page—only to leave them clamoring for the final installment of the trilogy.
The Sword-Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe
(an Eddie LaCrosse novel), Tor, $6.99, 309pp, pb, 9780765362032. Fantasy.
Combining exciting sword-and-sorcery and a mysterious noir-esque whodunit, Alex Bledsoe burst onto the fantasy scene with his debut The Sword-Edged Blonde. Tor is pleased to be bringing this remarkable work back out for the first time in a mass market paperback edition, with all-new cover art, which will certainly satisfy old fans as well as those new to Bledsoe’s unique style. It is the first in a new series of hard-boiled fantasy-detective works featuring the amusing Eddie LaCrosse.
It should have been a case like any other: a missing princess, a king willing to pay in gold for her return. But before he realizes it, sword jockey Eddie LaCrosse is swept up in a web of mystery and deceit involving a brutally murdered royal heir, a queen accused of an unspeakable crime, and the tragic past he thought he’d left behind.
In order to uncover the answers he seeks, Eddie must delve into the dark underbelly of society while digging deep into his own private history, drawing past and present together. Vast conspiracies, women both beautiful and deadly, and a centuries-old revenge scheme are only a few of the pieces in a lethal puzzle.
The Sword-Edged Blonde is a tour-de-force foray into a realm of action, intrigue, and murder.
Ariel by Steven R. Boyett
Ace, $7.99, 435pp, pb, 9780441017942. Fantasy.
First published by Ace in 1983, a little over 25 years ago, Ariel received stellar reviews, was reprinted four times in eight months, and was recommended by the New York Times “Book Review.” This amazing reception of Ariel firmly established Steven Boyett as an author to watch—he was only 19 years old when he wrote Ariel. Boyett took some time off writing, while Ariel became a cult classic, with a following of fans who hoped Steven Boyett would, one day, return to writing.
Now, Ace iwll publish Elegy Beach, the long awaited sequel to Ariel, in hardcover in November 2009. This new edition of Ariel chronicles the events that lead up to Elegy Beach and includes an author’s note, along with a restored chapter that was deleted from the original.
It has been five years since the Change…
Five years since the lights went out, cars stopped in the streets, and magical creatures began roaming the towns and country sides of Earth. Pete Garey, a young loner who survived the Change and the madness that followed, spent two years wandering and scavenging the near-deserted cities and towns. Then one day, he encountered Ariel, a unicorn who brought new meaning to Pete’s life and set him on the road to adventure.
Five Hundred Years After by Steven Brust
(sequel to The Phoenix Guards), Orb, $15.99, 448pp, tp, 9780765319661. Fantasy.
Orb Books is pleased to re-release in trade paperback Steven Brust’s classic Five Hundred Years After. Here is the sequel to the landmark novel The Phoenix Guards, where we find our heroes reunited—a mere five centuries later! Older and wiser, our hero Khaavren has become the de facto leader of The Phoenix Guards. But all is not well, as an uprising threatens to destroy the imperial Orb itself.
Conspiracy against the empire begins in the mean streets of the Underside and flourishes in the courtly politics of the Palace where Khaavren has loyally served in the Guards this past half-millenium. It’s up to Khaavren and company to prevent impending tragedy and restore order—before it’s too late! Written with the grace and style of Dumas, this classic and intrigue-filled fantasy will capture the imagination of Brust fans new and old alike.
The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts: Apparitions, Spirits, Spectral Lights, and Other Hauntings of History and Legend by Raymond Buckland
Weiser Books, $14.95, 190pp, tp, 9781578634514. New Age/Paranormal.
From battlefield and biblical ghosts to poltergeists and orbs, The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts examines categories and subcategories of ghosts across time and cultures, including commonalities and misconceptions. Stories of encounters, legendary ghosts, and haunted places are all covered in this beautifully illustrated compendium, a veritable A-Z of the otherworld.
From the book: Ectoplasm—the Greek words ekto and plasma, meaning “exteriorized substance” give us the modern word “ectoplasm”. This word was coined by Professor Charles Richet in 1894 and applied to a materialized spirit or ghost, as seen at a Spiritualist séance. When a “physical” (as opposed to a “mental”) medium goes into trance, he or she may exude a white substance known as ectoplasm. This streams from the body out of a variety of orifices, such as the nose, ears, mouth, navel, nipples, sexual organs, or even just from the pores. Apparently it is light-sensitive, requiring complete darkness to manifest.
The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts is concise and comprehensive, complete with practical tips on ghost hunting and suggested further reading.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
(The Second Book of The Hunger Games), Scholastic, $17.99, 400pp, hc, 9780439023498. Young adult novel.
Suzanne Collins delivers a powerful follow-up to her New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, The Hunger Games with Catching Fire. Combining equal parts suspense and philosophy, adventure and romance, The Hunger Games trilogy is set in a future with unsettling parallels to our present.
Catching Fire continues the story of sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen and her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark, after they have managed to win the annual Hunger Games against all odds. Katniss, Peeta, and their families should be happy. After all, they have secured a life of safety and plenty with their triumph. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capital and their harsh rules. Now there are rumors of rebellion among the other districts, and to her horror, Katniss and Peeta are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. The Capitol will not be fooled again.
Eve of Chaos by S.J. Day
(a Marked novel), Tor, $6.99, 365pp, pb, 9780765360434. Urban fantasy.
Beloved author S.J. Day earned raves for Eve of Darkness and Eve of Destruction, the first two novels in her Marked series. Now, with Eve of Chaos, Day ups the stakes in the continuing adventures of God’s newest demon-hunter! Evangeline Hollis, cursed with the Mark of Cain and caught in the midst of an ancient sibling rivalry, has one question on her mind: how do you tell Satan that you ran over his dog?
Eve has no idea, and she doesn’t want to find out. She’d rather forget the Infernal that nearly wiped out her training class and killed some of the best demon-hunting Marks in the world. Living with the Mark of Cain—and the two seductive brothers who come with it—is trouble enough.
Satan has put a bounty on Eve’s head, and Hell’s denizens are converging on Southern California. The Infernals are complicating Eve’s hunts and creating chaos in her once orderly life. They’ve also brought her to the attention of an overzealous reverend who’s certain she’s Jezebel reincarnate.
S.J. Day continues her winning streak with Eve of Chaos. Eve is a sexy, smart character with an attitude that never quits. Her struggles to find her place in this new landscape of angels and demons makes for a compelling read. With suspense and romance to spare, Eve of Chaos will satisfy urban fantasy fans who like their cityscapes with some extra steam!
The Jewel-Hinged Jaw: Notes on the Language of Science Fiction by Samuel R. Delany, introduction by Matthew Cheney
(Revised Edition), Wesleyan University Press, $27.95, 288pp, tp, 9780819568830. Literary Studies/Cultural Theory.
When it was released in 1977, science fiction master Samuel R. Delany’s collection of essays The Jewel-Hinged Jaw initiated a new way of looking at the science fiction genre. No longer content with simply cataloguing the particularities of a supposedly inferior form and calling it criticism, Delany drew from his extensive body of knowledge and intense respect for science fiction to formulate a challenginng, meticulous expression of the unbounded possibilities contained within tales of “events that have not happened.”
With the republicatoin of this important critical work, Wesleyan University Press is pleased to introduce to a new generation of science fiction devotees the diverse set of essays that Junot Diaz calls “unsparing, wise and catastrophically irrevocably true.” Here readers will find a rigorous attention to language with definite poststructuralist inclinations, as well as careful textual readings of great subtlety and a nascent engagement with feminism, gender, and sexuality that marked Delany out as a visionary then and remain profoundly relevant today.
Included with the volume are “To Read The Dispossessed“, Delany’s thorough, complex analysis of Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel; “About 5,750 Words”, a concise essay that elaborates a compelling theory of the way science fiction can actually alter the way language works, and “Thickening the Plot”, which walks the reader through the process of writing quality, compelling science fiction, line by line. These essays are required reading for those who love science fiction and, more broadly, for anyone who wants to challenge the way they approach the written word.
Patriots by David Drake
Baen, $7.99, 356pp, pb, 9781439132920. Science fiction.
Revolt on a frontier planet.
The corrupt Earth government is sending an army to Greenwood to remove the pioneers who discovered and settled the planet: the potential profits are too great to leave the world to scraggly ne’er-do-wells!
Though the rugged individualists of Greenwood may be fractious and disinclined to agree on most things, the greedy politicians on Earth will learn a harsh lesson if they think the settlers won’t join together to save their livelihoods and homes! Under Yerby Bannock, who never walked away from a drink or a fight, the Greenwood patriots will face thugs in the night, lawyers in a distant court, traitors in their own ranks—
And, if they have to, a fortress built to shrug off the assault of a battlefleet!
Emerald Embrace by Shannon Drake
Medallion, $7.95, 464pp, pb, 9781605420820. Historical romance. On-sale date: February 2010.
Martise St. James journeyed to the brooding Scottish castle to uncover the secret of her friend’s untimely death.
Lord Bruce Creeghan was her late friend’s husband, a man whose stormy eyes aroused Martise’s darkest suspicions—and wildest desires.
Surrounded by whispers of fear—and temptation—Martise tried to unlock the mysteries of the ancient castle, silence the rumors of murder, and locate a missing emerald. But the lord’s magnetic presence demanded her surrender. Her body melting in the man’s powerful arms, she longed to destroy the shadow of her doubts… in the flames of reckless passion.
But who really was Lord Creeghan? Could their love be the greatest peril of all?
Sacred Scars by Kathleen Duey
(A Resurrection of Magic, Book Two), Atheneum, $17.99, 554pp, hc, 9780689840951. YA Fantasy.
At the end of Skin Hunger, Sadima, Franklin, and Somiss have been burned out of their home and escape with Somiss’s precious research to their secret cave. Generations later, Hahp and Gerrard have come to a fragile truce and vow to work together to stop the evils of the academy.
In Sacred Scars, Sadima discovers that Somiss has been altering his research so only he has accurate documents, and she makes secret copies so that she and Franklin can someday escape and share it with humankind, in hopes of ending the historic cycles of bloody, civilization-destroying wars between kings and wizards. But, unable to persuade Franklin of the danger Somiss threatens, Sadima is forced to leave the cave without him, with disastrous results.
In Hahp and Gerrard’s world, the painful ordeals used to teach magic escalate, and their tenuous pact falters as they disagree on the best way to destroy Somiss and his draconian Academy, and set magic free.
The worlds of Sadima and Hahp move closer together in the second compelling installment of Kathleen Duey’s brilliant trilogy.
Dark Road Rising by P.N. Elrod
(a novel of The Vampire Files), Ace, $15.00, 389pp, tp, 9780441017553. Fantasy.
P.N. Elrod’s Dark Road Rising is the first new full-length Vampire Files novel in four years, and fans are eager to find out what happens next!
With a wounded partner and a star-struck girlfriend, Jack Fleming has his hands full. Although ducking from both cops and hitmen is a tough job, Jack’s biggest challenge is keeping track of Gabriel, a dangerously unstable vampire with deadly secrets to hide. Jack must stand alone against his own worst fears, making difficult and potentially fatal decisions. But no good can come from any path he takes, because for a vampire, all roads lead into darkness…
The Keepers of Sulbreth by Susan Gourley
Medallion, $7.95, 432pp, pb, 9781605420653. Fantasy. On-sale date: January 2010.
With elfin blood in his veins, talented swordsman Cage Stone is an indispensable half-breed with a special purpose. He must save Futhark from the monsters that detect growing evil in society and threaten to destroy the human race. Blessed with miraculous enhancements, Cage is the only man who can prevent the annihilation of the world. He is the chosen one—a savior in need of his soul mate to complete his mission.
Long ago, these precious elves created a powerful magic to imprison the demon beings. Now acciptors, cave boas, and gordragons have emerged from their sleepy cavern to torment their victims with malicious relish. Before abandoning Futhark forever, the elves entrusted only a few Keepers of the Gate with the knowledge and ability to restore the supernatural spell that holds their enemies captive. With the passage of time, these fragile scales have weakened, putting humanity at risk.
Sabelline is a Keeper with a tremendous burden. She must renew the seals with a selected Marshal at her side. Only she can create the mystical union with Cage that will enable them to descend into the depths of hell and drive these horrid creatures back into oblivion. But will their mysterious, spiritual bond surpass the daunting obstacles on the way to Kingdom’s Gate in time to rescue Futhark from destruction?
Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb
(Book One of the Rain Wilds Chronicles), Eos, $26.99, 496pp, hc, 9780061561627. Fantasy. On-sale date: 26 January 2010.
Dragon Keeper, Book One of the Rain Wilds Chronicles by New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb, opens with a riveting account of a pod of sea serpents migrating up a river toxic with acidity. Their goal: to find a protected riverbank where they can cocoon and transform into full-fledged dragons. Yet, when the few creatures who survive the harrowing journey eventually hatch, all are malformed or stunted in some manner.
As they mature, the dragons wreak havoc on the shoreline and the economy of the nearby communities of Cassarick and Bingtown. In time, they are sent upriver in search of a new home: Kelsingra, the ancient, long-lost city of dragons.
Accompanying the dragons are the human misfits of the Rain Wilds community, who are recruited to serve as “dragon keepers”. Among them is Thymara, a young woman of sixteen, is central to much of the intrigue of the tale. Alise Kincarron Finbok, a self-educated dragon expert and bitterly unhappy wife of a Bingtown Trader, also makes the dangerous sojourn. She is torn between loyalty to her frequently absent husband and attraction to the charismatic riverboat captain ferrying the expedition up the Rain Wilds River—but what most captivates Alise is her fascsination with the beautiful and dangerous dragons.
Fighting Fantasy 2: The Citadel of Chaos by Steve Jackson, illustrated by Russ Nicholson
Icon, £5.99, 224pp, tp, 9781848310766. Fantasy.
The multi-million selling gamebook series returns with a revamped, updated package, a brilliant new website and the monsters, dungeons and peril to capture a whole new generation of imaginations.
After years of peace, the kingdom of Femphrey is at war again—only this time it is with the elements! Devastating storms sweep across the country, destroying all in their path. Blizzards and floods threaten some areas while others suffer the worst droughts seen in centuries. But is this climate chaos all it appears to be? Or is there some dark design to this meteorological meltdown?
You are a seasoned adventurer, known throughout the land. You have battled giants and slain dragons, but how can even a veteran warrior like yourself fight the weather? Are you ready to take up the challenge and face the perils that await you within the eye of the storm?
Deep inside the Citadel of Chaos, the dread sorcerer Balthus Dire is plotting. Summoned by a desperate plea for help, you are the Vale of Willow’s only hope. And you are no ordinary adventurer. As star pupil of the Grand Wizard of Yore and a master sorcerer yourself, you must strike at the very heart of Balthus Dire’s nightmare world.
Fighting Fantasy 1: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone, illustrated by Russ Nicholson
Icon, £5.99, 208pp, tp, 9781848310759. Fantasy.
The multi-million selling gamebook series returns with a revamped, updated package, a brilliant new website and the monsters, dungeons and peril to capture a whole new generation of imaginations.
After years of peace, the kingdom of Femphrey is at war again—only this time it is with the elements! Devastating storms sweep across the country, destroying all in their path. Blizzards and floods threaten some areas while others suffer the worst droughts seen in centuries. But is this climate chaos all it appears to be? Or is there some dark design to this meteorological meltdown?
You are a seasoned adventurer, known throughout the land. You have battled giants and slain dragons, but how can even a veteran warrior like yourself fight the weather? Are you ready to take up the challenge and face the perils that await you within the eye of the storm?
Deep in the caverns beneath Firetop Mountain lies an untold wealth of treasure, guarded by a powerful Warlock—or so the rumour goes. Many adventurers, expert swordsmen like yourself, have set off for Firetop Mountain in search of the Warlock’s hoard. None has ever returned. Do you dare follow them?
Fighting Fantasy 4: Stormslayer by Steve Jackson, Ian Livingstone, and Jonathan Green, illustrated by Stephen Player
Icon, £5.99, 352pp, tp, 9781848310780. Fantasy.
The multi-million selling gamebook series returns with a revamped, updated package, a brilliant new website and the monsters, dungeons and peril to capture a whole new generation of imaginations.
After years of peace, the kingdom of Femphrey is at war again—only this time it is with the elements! Devastating storms sweep across the country, destroying all in their path. Blizzards and floods threaten some areas while others suffer the worst droughts seen in centuries. But is this climate chaos all it appears to be? Or is there some dark design to this meteorological meltdown?
You are a seasoned adventurer, known throughout the land. You have battled giants and slain dragons, but how can even a veteran warrior like yourself fight the weather? Are you ready to take up the challenge and face the perils that await you within the eye of the storm?
There are dark powers at work in the kingdom of Femphrey. Magic more fearsome than you have ever seen has somehow harnessed the destructive might of Nature.
With time running out, you must uncover the oldest truths about the lore of the elements—only then can you command earth, wind, fire and water and venture into the terrifying eye of the storm.
Rainmaker by Stephen Kuehn
Author House, $25.99, 668pp, tp, 9781449005344. Science fiction.
Dallas Drake was only a fishcook. He claimed to know nothing of dimensional travel, Reptilian races and the Illuminati. Still, his not-so-easy life in the Tejas Wastes turned deadly when a scheming Boss unearthed the secret history of the Earth Stones. The temptations of the Fourth Stone were many—driving both man and reptilians to depravity, deceit and murder. Mexico and Tejas are propelled into a meaningless war while the very Earth is dying of cosmic malady. Only by recalling their ancient heritage can the last honest folks of Axis City avert the impending doom, stop the war and save humanity from mad tyranny. Dallas Drake and friends find themselves racing against more than just time and the Illuminati as they speed across the Dead Plains in search of a legend and salvation… Rainmaker!
The Natural History of Unicorns by Chris Lavers
William Morrow, $26.99, 258pp, hc, 9780060874148. Nonfiction.
From the acclaimed author of Why Elephants Have Big Ears comes the fascinating history of one of the world’s most revered and elusive creatures of all time: the unicorn. It has been spotted in all different regions of the world, captured in all different forms—from ancient Mesopotamia, to the forests of Christendom, to the wild plains of Africa. Now Chris Lavers takes us through 2,500 years of detailed history in The Natural History of Unicorns, showing how animals such as the orangutan, the rhinoceros, and the cow all helped contribute to the creation of this not-so-mythical beast, and how its name and presence shaped the world we live in today.
Initially appearing in Mesopotamian art in the first millennium BC, Lavers illustrates how unicorns soon became immortalized in the speculative writings of Greek philosophers. Pliny’s passing mention of an Indian “monoceros” which “cannot be taken alive” stirred the imagination and fantasy of the medieval Christian world, where unicorns became symbolic of purity, chastity, and courtly love… and allegorical of Christ himself.
Fascinated by tales of the unicorn, Arabian scholars searched far and wide for animals matching its description, like the narwhal and the oryx. In modern times, farmers and scientists have attempted to create unicorns using genetics and surgery, with questionable success.
Unicorns appear in the Bible, in Harry Potter, and on desktop wallpapers. Adorning the Verteuil Tapestries on the walls of the Vatican; unicorns have accompanied the greatest human civilizations, inspired religious devotion, and continue to be the subject of rigorous scientific inquiries.
In a sense, no animals has been more real.
The Natural History of Unicorns is a careful, conversational, and fascinating exploration of the history behind the legend.
Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Baen, $24.00, 375pp, hc, 9781439132876. Science fiction.
Theo Waitley has lived all her young life on Delgado, a Safe World that is home to one of the galaxy’s premier institutions of higher learning. Both Theo’s mother, Kamele, and Kamele’s onagrata Jen Sar Kiladi, are professors at the university, and they all live comfortably together, just like they have for all of Theo’s life, in Jen Sar’s house at the outskirts of town.
Suddenly, though, Theo’s life changes. Kamele leaves Jen Sar and moves herself and Theo back into faculty housing, which is not what Theo is used to. Once settled back inside the Wall, Kamele becomes embroiled in faculty politics, and is appointed sub-chair of her department. Meanwhile, Theo, who has a notation in her file indicating that she is “physically challenged” has a series of misadventures, including pulling her best friend down on the belt-ride to class, and hurting a team mate during a scavage game.
With notes piling up in her file, Theo only wants to go “home,” to the house in the suburbs, and have everything just like it used to be.
Then, Kamele uncovers evidence of possible dishonest scholarship inside of her department. In order to clear the department, she and a team of senior professors must go off-world to perform a forensic document search. Theo hopes this will mean that she’ll be left in the care of the man she calls “Father,” Professor Kiladi, and is horrified to learn that Kamele means to bring Theo with her!
Matters of the Blood by Maria Lima
(Book One of the Blood Line series), Pocket/Juno, $7.99, 352pp, pb, 9781439156742.
Fantasy.
And you thought your family was strange… Try being Keira Kelly. A member of a powerful paranormal family, Keira elected to stay among humans in the Texas Hill Country when the rest of the clan moved (lock, stock, and grimoire) to Canada. But family duty means still having to keep an eye on cousin Marty—a genetic aberration who turns out 100% human, poor guy. And recently Keira’s been having violent dreams—or are they visions?—featuring Marty as the victim of a vicious murder. Something sinister seems to be going on in little Rio Seco. Can Keira get to the bottom of it all while avoiding entanglement with former lover, Sheriff Carlton Larson? And what does she plan to do about the irresistible and enigmatic Adam Walker? When this old friend shows up as the new owner of a local ranch and wants to get better acquainted, Keira is more than happy to be welcoming… until she suspects that Adam could be intimately connected to the dangerous doings in Rio Seco.
Breaking the Wall: Nine Gates by Jane Lindskold
Tor, $24.99, 400pp, hc, 9780765317018. Urban fantasy.
Bestselling author Jane Lindskold introduced readers to an innovative new magical world with Thirteen Orphans. Now, Lindskold’s stellar urban fantasy series, Breaking the Wall, reaches even greater heights in Nine Gates. With the magic of the Chinese zodiac and mah-jongg encroaching on the modern world, Brenda Morris and her compatriots must travel into a wondrous world drawn from Chinese lore and legend.
Brenda Morris has barely had time to become accustomed to the idea that she has some of the powers of the Rat, a member of the Chinese Zodiac; that her former child-star “aunt”, Pearl, is the Dragon; and that the young African-American former soldier she trains beside is the Dog. Brenda has learned that our world is not the only world and that her not-quite-Chinese ancestors came from a magical place, the Lands of Smoke and Sacrifice, created thousands of years ago by the destruction of China’s books and scholars during the time of the first Emperor.
Now, generations later, the Lands are at war, and the magics of the Thirteen Orphans are desperately needed. A mission to capture those powers went disastrously wrong, and unless the Orphans can build the Nine Gates, the Lands’ Dragon, Tiger, Snake, and Monkey will be trapped on Earth. To create the Gates, they must first save the Four Guardians of the mysterious domains that connect the worlds, who are under magical attack. Complicating things is the fact that Brenda has fallen hard for the handsome man (and former enemy) who is the Tiger, much to the distress of the sensual young woman who is the Snake.
With Nine Gates, Lindskold brings a bold new face to urban fantasy, embracing and adapting Chinese myth and culture to create something entirely unique. Perfect for fans of Charles De Lint, Jim Butcher, or anyone who enjoys a compelling tale well told, Nine Gates is an impressive addition to Lindskold’s catalog of wonders.
Intelligent Design edited by Denise Little
DAW, $7.99, 320pp, pb, 9780756405687. Science fiction anthology.
Even though evolution has long been accepted as scientific fact, there are still many who believe everything that exists in our modern-day world is part of a divine plan. And despite the proof offered by fossils on our own world, and the discovery of other inhabitable planets scattered across the galaxy, many people still believe that the Bible should be taken literally.
But even among those who believe religion trumps science, there are many who seek to integrate these two ways of perceiving the universe into a larger, meaningful pattern.
Now eleven intrepid explorers of this controversy bring their own unique perspectives to the debate in tales that range from a look at life on Earth as an out of control science project to a story that reveals which species will actually inherit the planet to the investigation of a scientist determined to discover the truth about God.
[Contributors: Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Brendan DuBois, Jean Rabe, Jody Lynn Nye, Michael Hiebert, Sarah A. Hoyt, Bill McCay, Janny Wurts, Dean Wesley Smith, Peter Orullian, and Laura Resnick.]
Fighting Fantasy 3: Deathtrap Dungeon by Ian Livingstone, illustrated by Iain McCaig
Icon, £5.99, 240pp, tp, 9781848310773. Fantasy.
The multi-million selling gamebook series returns with a revamped, updated package, a brilliant new website and the monsters, dungeons and peril to capture a whole new generation of imaginations.
After years of peace, the kingdom of Femphrey is at war again—only this time it is with the elements! Devastating storms sweep across the country, destroying all in their path. Blizzards and floods threaten some areas while others suffer the worst droughts seen in centuries. But is this climate chaos all it appears to be? Or is there some dark design to this meteorological meltdown?
You are a seasoned adventurer, known throughout the land. You have battled giants and slain dragons, but how can even a veteran warrior like yourself fight the weather? Are you ready to take up the challenge and face the perils that await you within the eye of the storm?
Down in the dark, twisting labyrinth of Fang, unknown horrors await you. Devised by the devilish mind of Baron Sukumvit, the labyrinth is riddled with fiendish traps and bloodthirsty monsters, which will test your skills almost beyond the limit of endurance. Should you somehow find your way out, you will be wealthy beyond your dreams. First you must survive.
The Storm Witch by Violette Malan
(a novel of Dhulyn and Parno), DAW, $15.00, 312pp, tp, 9780756405748. Fantasy.
Dhulyn Wolfshead and Parno Lionsmane were members of the Mercenary Guild, veterans of numerous battles and missions, each a master of martial arts. But more than that Dhulyn and Parno were Partners, a Mercenary bond that could only be broken by one or both of their deaths.
Now Dhulyn and Parno have returned to their Mercenary House to clear themselves of accusation of kidnapping and murder. But before they can resolve these charges, old friends are taken hostage by the Long Ocean Nomads, and they are forced to come to the rescue, agreeing to trade their services for the release of their friends. As they reluctantly set sail, Dhulyn is convinced they are journeying to Parno’s death, which she has foreseen in numerous Visions as occurring in a drowning at sea.
Though Dhulyn will do everything she can to avoid her Visions being realized, in her heart she knows they are sailing to their doom. But even her Visions have not prepared Dhulyn for the trials that await them amidst the Long Ocean Nomads—a people blessed with a unique power of their own—the ability to speak mind to mind. For when Parno discovers that he shares this gift with them, Dhulyn begins to feel more and more isolated. And then the destiny she has dreaded becomes all too real, when—roused by the magic of the Storm Witch, a powerful spirit from ages past who has taken possession of a young princess’ body—the waters of the Long Ocean turn deadly.…
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
(an October Daye novel), DAW, $7.99, 368pp, pb, 9780756405717. Fantasy.
The start of a brand-new series from a new and original voice in urban fantasy.
October “Toby” Daye, a changeling who is half human and half fae, has been an outsider from birth. After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the Faerie world, retreating to a “normal” life. Unfortunately for her, the Faerie world has other ideas…
The murrder of Countess Evening Winterrose pulls Toby back in to the fae world. Unable to resist Evening’s dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby must resume her former position as knight errant and renew old alliances. As she steps back into fae society, dealing with a cast of characters not entirely good or evil, she realizes that more than her own life will be forfeited if she cannot find Evening’s killer.
The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia A. McKillip
Ace, $14.00, 279pp, tp, 9780441017560. Fantasy.
World Fantasy Award-winning author Patricia McKillip is known for her elegantly crafted fantasy novels of magic and myth. McKillip enchanted readers with The Bell at Sealey Head, originally published by Ace in September 2008. The novel is a delightful fantasy filled with what Booklist calls “lyrical prose, well-limned characterizations, vibrant action, a sense of the wonder of magic, and a generous dollop of romance.” Now, Ace is proud to deliver the long-awaited paperback edition of The Bell at Sealey Head.
Sealey Head is a sleepy town on the edge of the ocean where, at sunset, the ringing of a bell can be heard but is never seen. On the outskirts of the town, the aged Lady Eglantyne lies dying in her impressive estate known as the Aislinn House. As the plot progresses, an ancient story of magic unravels to reveal a breathtaking romance, intriguing strangers, and a powerful bell that opens the doors to a castle full of knights and princesses.
Starting Point: 1979-1996 by Hayao Miyazaki, translated by Beth Cary and Frederik L. Schodt, foreword by John Lasseter
VIZ Media, $29.99, 461pp, hc, 9781421505947. Memoir/autobiography.
VIZ Media, one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the publication of the first of a new collection of essays, interviews, memoirs and manga from legendary animation director Hayao Miyazaki titled Starting Point: 1979-1996.
The book will cover the first half of Miyazaki’s legendary career, during which he rose from humble beginnings to create some of the most seminal animated features ever made, including Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Porco Rosso, as well as his launch of Studio Ghibli. A fitting introduction is offered by John Lasseter, the Chief Creative Officer at Pixar and Walt Disney. Ponyo is Miyazaki’s newest feature film and will be released by Walt Disney in North America this August.
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the world’s most beloved animation directors. In September 2005 he was awarded the Venice International Film Festivla’s Golden Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement, and his Studio Ghibli received the Festival’s Osella Award for overall achievement in 2004. His notable films include Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle. Miyazaki’s other achievements include the highly regarded manga series Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which is also published domestically by VIZ Media.
In the first two decades of his career, filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki laid the groundwork for his legendary movies. Starting Point is a collection of essays, interviews, and memoirs that go back to the roots of Miyazaki’s childhood, the formulation of his theories of animation, and the founding of Studio Ghibli. Before directing such acclaimed films as Spirited Away, Miyazaki was just another salaried animator, but with a vision of his own. Follow him as he takes his first steps on the road to success, experience his frustrations with the manga and animation industries that often suffocate creativity, and realize the importance of bringing the childhood dreams of the world to life.
The Serrano Succession by Elizabeth Moon
(contains Change of Command and Against the Odds), Baen, $14.00, 758pp, tp, 9781439132890. Science fiction.
Two Full-Length Novels of Space Adventure:
Change of Command: Esmay and Barin are reconciled—but their universe is falling apart! The exposure of defective rejuvenation drugs has sent fear sweeping across the known galaxy, including the Regular Space Service, while neighboring states fear the aggressive expansion of the Familias Regnant. Fear begets violent reactions—from foreign governments, from great Families determined to hold on to power, from internal rivalries in the Fleet—and nothing escapes the resultant bloodbath unscathed, including Esmay and Barin.
Against the Odds: The worst has happened: Fleet is tearing itself apart. Some of the mutineers see injustice in the unequal spread of the rejuvenation drugs that offer virtual immortality to the rich; others are simply thirsty for power, or for blood. But when Esmay Suiza-Serrano is unceremoniously booted out of Fleet, the apparent victim of Family politics, she has no idea of the conflict into which she has been thrown. As the noose tightens on galactic civilization, great battles will be fought and greater loves affirmed… and old friends will meet their destinies.
Heroes at Risk by Moira J. Moore
Ace, $7.99, 328pp, pb, 9780441017768. Fantasy.
In a land beset by natural disasters, only the magical abilities of the bonded Pairs make it livable. Dunleavy Mallorourgh is a Shield, bound to protect her source, Shintaro Karish, from the dangerous magical forces he must wield to defuse the latest earthquake or hurricane. Lee wanted someone reliable, steady, and not too exciting. Instead, she got stuck with the incredibly handsome and notorious Taro. Lee and Taro have returned to the city of High Scape to resume their duties as a Pair, only to discover that things have really changed. As a strange illness affects the land and the craze for magic escalates, Lee and Taro are in grave danger.
There Was a Crooked Man by Edward Morris
Mercury Retrograde, $7.95, 142pp, tp, 9780981988207. Fantasy.
Mercury Retrograde Press is pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of There Was a Crooked Man, the first installment of the eponymous series of alternate-history novellas by Edward Morris. In this first volume of Morris’s tour de force, on an East coast two centuries after Armageddon, a rogue soldier throws himself back in Time to wreak havoc upon history and feed on the blood in the streets. He lands in the New World with the first white settlers. The Irrakwa try to stop him. And from two centuries ahead, the Law tries to follow him back.
Featuring “Easter Eggs” or cameos of SFnal greats Paul DiFilippo, Jeff VanderMeer, and Richard Lupoff—with more such cameos planned for future volumes—this series has all the earmarks of an instant cult classic. Twenty percent of Morris’s profits from the series have been pledged to Last Chance for Animals in the name of Richard and Jennifer Lee Pryor, as a token of appreciation for their permission to use some of Mr. Pryor’s material in the series.
Night’s Cold Kiss by Tracey O’Hara
Eos, $7.99, 340pp, pb, 9780061783135. Urban fantasy.
People just can’t seem to get enough of vampires lately—and O’Hara’s enthralling approach to these creatures of the night is sure to meet with an instant fan-base.
From the very first page, O’Hara packs in the action and sentiment. Antoinette Petrescu is one of the world’s most skilled Venators (a trained vampire slayer). After witnessing the death of her mother at the hands of an evil Dreniac (a type of vampire that is addicted to death-highs and feeds on humans) she is vengeful and distrustful towards all undead.
But not every vampire is out to get the human race—case-in-point: the classically handsome Christian Laroque. Christian is Aeternus, meaning he has learned to control his blood-lust. Christian is not a threat; in fact, he has a strong desire for Antoinette and wants to help her catch her parents’ killer. Antoinette is implicitly drawn to Christian too, but the last thing she wants is help from any vampire. But in a world of shape-shifters, supposed allegiances, and murderers, Antoinette soon realizes she has a lot to learn about who’s a “good guy” and who’s a “bad guy”.
Antoinette and Christian are joined by supernatural allies to seek out the deranged serial killer and restore balance to both races. They are in for a wild ride full of astonishing plot twists, mistaken identities, and irrepressible passion.
Tracey O’Hara’s fast paced, thrilling debut will leave readers begging for more of Antoinette, Christian, and their supernatural saga.
Exile—and Glory by Jerry Pournelle
(contains High Justice and Exiles to Glory), Baen, $7.99, 493pp, pb, 9781439132937. Science fiction.
Earth was stagnating from a lack of resources, from corrupt governments that stayed in power by keeping their people in ignorance and poverty, and by the established power structures that stifled the creative technologies that could solve the planet’s problems. But the governments and power structures didn’t yet control space, where bold new techniques could freely be applied and the vast resources of the solar system could be utilized by such courageous men and women as:
* Aneas MacKenzie—he had believed in the man he had helped to reach the office of the presidency of the United States, and had tirelessly rooted out corruption wherever he found it, until the trail led straight back to the White House. After that, no place on Earth was safe for him.
* Laurie Jo Hansen—she controlled a multi-national corporation more powerful than many governments. Unlike those governments, she wanted to see Earth’s problems solved and reaching the high frontier was the only way to do that.
* Kevin Senecal—he had made the mistake of fighting back against a juvenile gang, and accidentally killing one of them while escaping. Both the gang and the law were after him, and on all of Earth there was no place to hide.
* Ellen MacMillan—a young employee of the Hansen Corporation who fascinated Kevin, she was on a secret mission, and the biggest secret was her real name.
Two complete novels—High Justice and Exiles to Glory—in one volume by a New York Times best-selling author, telling of an Earth sinking into a morass of corruption, red tape, and failure of nerve, while a dedicated few dare to reach for the stars.
Marvellous Hairy by Mark A. Rayner
Crossing Chaos Enigmatic Ink, $18.90, 294pp, pb, 9781926617084. Fabulist Satire.
Hair is sprouting in unspeakable places and you can no longer carry a tune, but if you’re a surrealistic artiste with an addiction to Freudian mythology and guilt free sex, turning into a monkey has its upsides.
Nick Motbot may be evolving as a novelist, but his friends aren’t too sure about his DNA—at least, not since Gargantuan Enterprises started experimenting with it. Once they figure out what’s happening to him, they decide to set things right. Marvellous Hairy is a satirical novel about a group of friends sticking it to the man the only way they know how, with equal parts grain alcohol and applied Chaos Theory.
Flight of the Renshai by Mickey Zucker Reichert
DAW, $25.95, 560pp, hc, 9780756402730. Fantasy.
Nearly two decades ago, Mickey Zucker Reichert introduced fantasy readers to her greatest creation—the Renshai, a race of warriors who lived for battle and swordcraft, and who began training in the art of war from the moment their fingers could grasp a weapon. Set in a world enriched by Norse mythology, Mickey’s first two trilogies about the Renshai—The Last of the Renshai and The Renshai Chronicles—captivated readers as they followed the adventures of these legendary warriors who fought their way back from almost total extinction to claim a new homeland and find allies in a world where far too many still feared and despised them.
Flight of the Renshai continues the Renshai saga begun in the previous two trilogies. Opening eighteen years after The Children of Wrath ended, Flight of the Renshai focuses on the main characters from the second trilogy, as well as their now-grown children. At the center of the story are the three sons of Kevral Tainharsfatter: Saviar Ra-khirsson, Subikahn Taesson, and Calistin Ra-khirsson.
Béarn and its allies, including the Renshai, are faced with mysterious pirates, the vanguard of an army sent from a continent across the sea. The “pirates” are becoming bolder, and have now attacked one of Béarn’s flagships, a vessel on which young Prince Arturo was sailing with his Renshai guards. With all hands presumed lost, the threat of these marauders can no longer be ignored.
And even as King Griff grieves over the loss of the prince, Béarn must devise a strategy against this deadly enemy. Though Griff’s two greatest weapons are the Knights of Erythane and the Renshai warriors with whom Béarn is allied, prejudice against the Renshai is growing rapidly, fueled by their centuries-old enemies in the Northlands. The Northmen have convinced a faction in Erythane that the Renshai lands were stolen from them. As tensions escalate, the future of the Renshai hinges on a trial by combat. And though it appears that the Northmen have cheated, there is no way to prove it.
Under the terms agreed to, King Griff is reluctantly forced to banish the Renshai from the Westlands.
Shunned by the Westerners and hunted by the Northmen, the Renshai will face many trials, while Saviar, Subikahn, and Calistin must each take his own stand in a world where there are no longer any safe havens for their people. Yet not only the Renshai are in dire straits. Without their aid, Béarn may well fall to the “pirate” army which is fast approaching its shores.…
Dreamwish Beasts and Snarks by Mike Resnick
Golden Gryphon, $24.95, 278pp, hc, 9781930846609. Science Fiction Collection.
At times humorous, at other times serious, this endearing collection of short fiction explores many concepts regarding fantastical or futuristic safaris. In the Hugo- and Nebula-nominated story “Hunting the Snark”, a classical big-game hunt on a newly discovered planet finds more than it bargained for, when the hunt becomes similar to Lewis Carroll’s famous poem. The ending, however, is classic Resnick, where all is not as it seems. Other stories have the element of humor that is so prevalent in his stories, whether he’s describing the pitfalls of stalking the unicorn or the vampire, presented as a pair of after-dinner lectures, or meeting a Tarzan-like British Lord deep in Africa (who is hiding from his creditors while trying to bring Fabian socialism to the great apes); one wonder who is being made fun of? Other stories are more serious and thought provoking, such as “Bwana”, where the Kikuyu have left an industrialized Africa to create a paradise on a new world, but find that it can be fragile to have any contact at all with those that seek progress and fortune. A pure adventure story pits Teddy Roosevelt against a vampire in the streets of New York. A sad warning to today’s world is given in “Safari 2103 A.D.”, where the number of truly wild animals can be counted on one’s fingers. The collection ends with the tale of the Soul Eater, told in separate stories from the perspective of the hunter and hunted, with nods to Moby Dick and the legend of the Flying Dutchman, and is one of the strangest love stories you’ll ever read.
The Last Centurion by John Ringo
Baen, $7.99, 602pp, pb, 9781439132913. Action/Adventure.
In the second decade of the twenty-first century the world is struck by two catastrophes: a new mini-ice age and, nearly simultaneously, a plague to dwarf any in recorded history.
Rising out of the disaster is the character known to history as “Bandit Six”, an American Army officer caught up in the struggle to rebuild the world and prevent the fall of his homeland—despite the best efforts of politicians both elected and military.
The Last Centurion is a memoir of one possible future, a world that is a darkling mirror of our own. Written “blog-style”, it pulls no punches in its descriptions of junk science, bad strategy and organic farming, not to mention all three at once.
Very Hard Choices by Spider Robinson
Baen, $7.99, 278pp, pb, 9781439133033. Science Fiction.
After the shattering death of his beloved wife, aging baby-boomer Russell Walker had wanted only to hide from the world in the woods of British Columbia. Instead, an old college acquaintance called Smelly, who was a telepath, had knocked on his door and demanded his help in stopping a serial killer who made Hannibal Lector look like a boy scout. They had managed to convince Nika, a hard-headed and skeptical police officer, and the trio had stopped the killer, though nearly at the cost of their own lives, and things could go back to normal… they thought.
But then Russell was visited by his estranged son, Jesse, a PR exec from New York, still angry over his father’s role in his mother’s death. And, to their dismay, Nika and Russell learn that agreeing to help Zudie conceal the fact that he can read minds involves committing to help him hide from the CIA, who have been hunting him desperately ever since he escaped from the MK Ultra Project back in the ’60s. Constable Nika must decide what being a peace officer means. Russell must decide on the fly whether or not Smelly is the kind of friend you’d die for. And Jesse, who lives in America, must decide just where his own national—and personal—loyalties lie.
The Holy Bullet by Luis Miguel Rocha
Putnam, $25.95, 320pp, hc, 9780399156007. Fiction.
A fast-paced mystery about the conspiracy surrounding the 1981 attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, from the bestselling author of The Last Pope.
In 2008, Luis Miguel Rocha burst onto the scene with his spectacular—and controversial—Vatican thriller The Last Pope. Now he’s back, with a sequel that’s guaranteed to keep people talking!
An international journalist, a war-weary Portuguese veteran, a Muslim with visions of the Virgin Mary, a rogue priest, and members of the world’s most powerful—and secretive—organizations come together in another gripping Vatican thriller. After the suspicious death of Pope John Paul I, a few operatives bold enough to penetrate the Vatican’s shadowy inner circle will investigate what went wrong—and try to prevent the popular new pope from meeting the same fate. But unfortunately a passion for truth and justice can be dangerous, for them and for John Paul II.
The Youngest Templar, Book 1: Keeper of the Grail by Michael P. Spradlin
Puffin, $7.99, 260pp, tp, 9780142414613. YA Fantasy.
A Dangerous Quest…
When the Knights Templar ride through the Abbey on their way to battle, the orphan Tristan suddenly finds himself made squire to Sir Thomas. While being a squire is exciting, it is also dangerous, as Tristan gets caught between rival knights desperate for power and is entrusted with the most sacred relic—the Holy Grail. With the chaos of war around him, he teams up with some unlikely allies. But even with their help, can Tristan safely bring the Holy Grail back to England? Or will he succumb to the dangers of those who follow in its wake?
The Youngest Templar, Book 2: Trail of Fate by Michael P. Spradlin
Putnam, $17.99, 240pp, hc, 9780399247644. YA Fantasy. On-sale date: October 2009.
Tristan’s desperate mission to protect the Holy Grail continues!
Having escaped the Holy Land, the young squire Tristan must cross Europe on his secret mission to save the Holy Grail. Together with his friends, the fiery archer Robard Hode and the courageous assassin Maryam, he immediately finds himself caught in the middle of a conflict between the French king and a heretical band of Cathars. But when Tristan falls for the beautiful leader of the Cathars, his devotion to the Grail wavers, which might have disastrous consequences.
Retribution by Jeanne C. Stein
(an Anna Strong, Vampire novel), Ace, $7.99, 296pp, pb, 9780441017737. Fantasy.
Retribution by Jeanne C. Stein is the fifth installment of the terrific urban fantasy series featuring bounty hunter-turned-vampire Anna Strong.
Anna Strong was a tough-as-nails bounty hunter, until the night she was attacked and became a vampire. Now she has forged an uneasy balance between her old life and her new, supernatural one. She can’t forgive her vampire mentor Williams for tricking her mortal family into leaving town so Anne could be “free of distractions.” But when vampires start turning up dead and Williams, the leader of a supernatural enforcement squad, comes looking for her help, Anna doesn’t think she can say no. No matter how much she regrets her decision…
The Sword of the Lady by S.M. Stirling
(a Novel of the Change), Roc, $25.95, 484pp, hc, 9780451462909. Science fiction.
New York Times bestselling author S.M. Stirling’s masterful hand created the alternate Oregon that drew readers into the compelling world of The Change; the trilogy included Dies the Fire, The Protector’s War, and A Meeting at Corvallis. Stirling returned to that absorbing world with The Scourge of God, which takes place 12 years after the previous trilogy and tells the story of a new generation affected by “the Change.” Now, Stirling brings readers the highly anticipated second installment of this post-apocalyptic thriller series, The Sword of the Lady.
In The Sword of the Lady, Rudi MacKenzie, son and heir of the mystic Juniper and the warrior Mike Havel, finally completes his trek across the land once known as the United States of America, in search of what may be the source of “the Change.” He reaches Nantucket, now an island almost completely taken over by forest and inhabited by only 200 people who claim to have been transported there after “the Change.” The only building left standing is an odd stone house, where Rudi finds a sword that appears to be waiting for him. He holds it up and, in doing so, begins to assume his destiny; he must face the man who calls himself The Prophet.
Ice Land by Betsy Tobin
Plume, $15.00, 354pp, tp, 9780452295698. Fiction.
A beautiful epic of love, longing, redemption, and enchantment
Iceland, AD 1000
Warned by the Fates of an impending disaster, Freya embarks on a dangerous journey deep into the mountains to find a magnificent gold necklace said to have the power to alter the course of history. Meanwhile, the country is on the brink of war as the new world order of Christianity threatens the old ways of Iceland’s people, and tangled amid it all are two star-crossed lovers whose destiny draws them together—even as their families are determined to tear them apart.
Infused with the rich history and mythology of Iceland, Betsy Tobin’s sweeping novel is an epic adventure of forbidden love, lust, jealousy, faith, and magical wonder set under the shadow of a smoldering volcano.
Beyond the Night by Joss Ware
Avon, $6.99, 400pp, pb, 9780061734014. Paranormal romance. On-sale date: 12 January 2010.
Beyond the Night is a post-apocalyptic romantic adventure, with a paranormal twist. Ware constructs a world where gangas (her version of Zombies) run rampant.
When Dr. Elliot Drake and his friends emerge from a spelunking mission in Sedona to find that 50 years have gone by and the world is virtually destroyed, they are certainly thrown for a loop. The landscape is desolate, human population is sparse, and other-worldly creatures lurk in the night. Even stranger, none of the men have aged and they each seem to possess a different special power.
Stunningly beautiful (and equally strong) Jade was born after “The Change”, and this barren, overgrown world is all she’s ever known. Jade’s dark past has made her more aware than most of the secret behind the world’s transformation. Based out of what would have been Vegas in a commune called Envy—she’s dedicated to defeating this evil at any cost, and trusts few people.
A chance meeting between Elliot and Jade sparks immediate attraction. There are dozens of reasons for them to stay apart, but the slow build of temptation is too enticing to resist. Together they embark on a mission to discover who’s behind the ravaging of the world, and what they can do to defeat them and restore human life.
Malice written by Chris Wooding, illustrated by Dan Chernett
Scholastic, $16.99, 384pp, hc, 9780545160438. YA fantasy. On-sale date: October 2009.
A comic-novel hybrid by internationally acclaimed author Chris Woodring, and illustrated by Dan Chernett, Malice is a thrill ride that chronicles the lives of three friends in the real world who become trapped within the pages of a sinister comic book.
In the fictionalized small British town of Hathern, urban legend says calling Tall Jake six times will make you disappear into the pages of the threatening world of a comic book called Malice. No one believes the legend, including Kady and Seth, until they see their missing friend, Luke, appearing in the deathly panels of the comic. Their only option is to call on Tall Jake themselves and pay a visit to the awful world of Malice, where the rumors are true and the kids are real. Told in a format that mixes straight prose with comic panels, Mlaice is page-turning adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to the cliffhanger ending to be concluded in Havoc, scheduled for release in 2010.