Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Sharp Teeth


Anthony needs a job and the only one he can find in Los Angeles is as dogcatcher. Soon he falls in a love with a strange, but lovely woman hiding the fact that she’s a werewolf. And she’s not the only one. There are several packs of dogs running around in the shadows recruiting members and each one is intent on domination. Sharp Teeth is a dark tale about the violent power struggles between the biggest and meanest packs for control of L.A. 

As many of you already know, the most unique aspect of this book is that it was written in verse. I’ve always had difficulty reading verse so I admit to some trepidation, however my fears proved unfounded. I had no trouble reading the narrative at all. On the contrary it was easy if a bit unusual. Also, my analytical skills of verse are likewise non-existent so I have no real idea why he wrote it this way. If there was any special imagery, it was lost on me though I readily admit the fault lies with me rather than the book. 

Also unique are Barlow’s werewolves. It’s as if he took everything known about the creatures and through it out the window. In Sharp Teeth, werewolves are almost indistinguishable from real canines and even experts would have trouble spotting the differences. By and large, they are just large dogs, however, the similarities end there for they retain their memories and consciousness in their canine forms. So their mentality depends more on their human natures rather than supernatural ones. If there is any change to their psychology, it is when they are first transformed from a human into a werewolf becoming perhaps a bit more feral and wild. This story is less about supernatural creatures then human beings with a second animal nature. 

I would heartily recommend this book for any fan of urban fantasy as well as anyone looking for a distinctive read.

Rating: 8/10.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

New releases for the week of April 29th

Spotlight:
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Synopsis:
Geralt de Rivia is a witcher, a cunning sorcerer, a merciless assassin, and a cold-blooded killer. His sole purpose: to destroy the monsters that plague the world. But not everything monstrous-looking is evil and not everything fair is good...and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.

I loved this book by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and I'm glad it's finally being published in the States. My original review is here.

Hardcover:
> The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol B, Ben Bova
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> The Sharing Knife: Passage, Lois McMaster Bujold
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Iron Angel, Alan Campbell
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Little Brother, Cory Doctorow
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Balefires, David Drake
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Days of Infamy, Newt Gingrich, William Forstchen
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Dead Witch Walking, Kim Harrison
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Ink Exchange, Melissa Marr
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Implied Spaces, Walter Jon Williams
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Paperback:
> Brothers of the Snake, Dan Abnett
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Legacy, Lois McMaster Bujold
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Kushiel’s Justice, Jacqueline Carey
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> One Foot in the Grave, Jeaniene Frost
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> M is for Magic, Neil Gaiman
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> The Harlequin, Laurell Hamilton
(Barnes & Noble)

> Kop, Warren Hammond
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Immortals, Tracy Hickman
(Barnes & Noble)

> Draw One in the Dark, Sarah Hoyt
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Mainspring, Jay Lake
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Fallen, Tim Lebbon
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Incredible Shrinking Man, Richard Matheson
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> The Time of New Weather, Sean Murphy
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Star Trek: Terok Nor: Night of the Wolves, S.D. Perry, Britta Dennison
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Winterbirth, Brian Ruckley
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Armed and Magical, Lisa Shearin
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Starfist: Firestorm, David Sherman, Dan Cragg
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> The Brass Bed, Jennifer Stevenson
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice, Karen Traviss
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Starfish, Peter Watts
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Japanese Dreams, Sean Wallace
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Hell’s Gate, David Weber, Linda Evans
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Steampunk, Ann VanderMeer, Jeff VanderMeer
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Relentless, Richard Williams
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Earth Ascendant, Sean Williams
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Blackcollar: The Judas Solution, Timothy Zahn
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Separation


An author is researching a minor mystery of the European War, a history in which England signed a peace treaty with Nazi Germany in 1941. He comes across an intriguing journal by a former pilot; however, the journal contains a history different than the one that occurred. In 1936, twin brothers return from competing at the Olympic Games with a Jewish girl stowed away in their van. This first separation of many shapes the paths the two brothers follow, one as a bomber pilot and the other as a conscientious objector, and the brother that will determine which history will be achieved.
Like Priest’s earlier work The Prestige, The Separation is written mostly in the form of journals and other historical documents. This style of writing makes for a far more fascinating story than the conventional linear plot. Because the point of view is after the fact, the narration relies on memories and what the narrator chooses to tell us, both of which can be unreliable. The trick is to follow the story and the clues and see what happens.
Of course, it helps if the characters are extremely well written and this is perhaps Priest’s greatest strength: his characters. The characters are incredibly real. They seem to come alive off the page and feel like they might truly have existed during the period. Priest also succeeded in capturing the spirit, thoughts, and technology of the times, in making the reader feel like they were really immersed in the Second World War.
This alternative history novel was a joy to read and is highly recommended.
Rating: 9/10.

New York Times bestsellers for April 27th

Hardcover:
Jim Butcher’s urban fantasy Small Favor is still in the top ten at number 9, down four in its third week. United States, Europe, Canada.

Raymond E. Feist’s latest in the Midkemia series, Wrath of a Mad God, inched up one spot in its fourth week to number 28. United States, Europe, Canada.

Paperback:
Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind about the life of an orphan boy maintains its position at number 11 in is third week on the charts. United States, Europe, Canada.

Cormac McCarthy’s apocalyptic tale The Road is down a surprising eight points in week 55 to hit number 19. United States, Europe, Canada.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

New releases for the week of April 22nd

Spotlight:

Synopsis:
In The Aeneid, Vergil’s hero fights to claim the king’s daughter, Lavinia, with whom he is destined to found an empire. Lavinia herself never speaks a word in the poem. Now, Ursula K. Le Guin gives Lavinia a voice in a novel that takes us to the half-wild world of ancient Italy, when Rome was a muddy village near seven hills.

Lavinia grows up knowing nothing but peace and freedom, until suitors come. Her mother wants her to marry handsome, ambitious Turnus. But omens and prophecies spoken by the sacred springs say she must marry a foreigner—that she will be the cause of a bitter war—and that her husband will not live long. When a fleet of Trojan ships sails up the Tiber, Lavinia decides to make her own destiny, and she tells us what Vergil did not: the story of her life, and of the love of her life.

Paperback:
> Thief With No Shadow, Emily Gee
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Abhorsen, Garth Nix (Reprint)
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Sabriel, Garth Nix
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Consider Phlebas


A war rages across the galaxy. Two species, the religious warrior culture of the Idrians, and the human-machine utopia of the Culture, are deadlocked into philosophically driven sides, neither willing nor able to give up. A fugitive Mind hides on a forbidden world. Both sides will do anything to retrieve it and cast into this turmoil is Horza, a Changer who fights for the Indrians against his own race.
Consider Phlebas is fairly well written. The characters, while not terribly complex, are grey enough to color perceptions and keep the book interesting. The best part is world building, which is quite detailed and thought out. Much of the book is a tribute to the grand old space operas with massive ships and conflicts stretching across the galaxy. The two opposing races in particular are extremely interesting and neither one is clearly sympathetic to the reader. I constantly wondered which side I should be supporting.
Despite the book’s positive aspects, I found it a little lacking. Part of it is the fact that at times it seemed Banks got a little caught up in his world building. There are a couple of sub-plots that seem to have little purpose other than to explore the Culture. The main thing though is that the book failed to grab me. I found it hard to care about plot and character developments. The good news is that the later Culture books all have different stories and protagonists so I might be tempted to read more in the future.
Although Consider Phlebas didn’t grab me, I would still recommend this book to any fan of science fiction and space opera.
Rating: 7/10.

New York Times bestsellers for April 20th

Hardcover:
Jim Butcher’s Small Favor is down three spot in its second week to number 5 on the NYT bestseller list. United States, Europe, Canada.

Raymond E. Feist’s Wrath of a Mad God holds on for a third week, falling nine to number 29. United States, Europe, Canada.

Paperback:
Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is still going strong in its 32nd week on the paperback list and is up one point to number 11. United States, Europe, Canada.

Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind jumps a staggering thirteen points to number 11 in week two on the list. United States, Europe, Canada.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Kitty and the Silver Bullet


Life is going well for Kitty for a change, but it’s not last. Denver’s vampires are on the verge of a civil war and the leader of one side seeks her help. Kitty, having no desire to get involved, easily turns him down, but then she finds out her mother is ill and rushes home. This of course comes brings her into conflict with the abusive werewolf pack that forced her into exile. It also doesn’t help that the leader of the pack is caught right in the middle of the vampire war. Soon, Kitty has no choice but to get involved in the plays for power and fears she may become what she hate the most, a killer.
While the Kitty series still has a pulpy feel to it, as always the best part is the character development. This time we see Kitty being forced by necessity to participate in the vampire’s power struggle and consequently to take on the role of pack leader for the good of Denver’s werewolves. Again, Kitty must struggle to control the two halves of her human and werewolf natures. At times it seems that she’s schizophrenic but for the most part it works. It was also good to see some deeper background development as well. We see some more of hints of deeper supernatural elements to the story which will probably have impacts later down the line.
Another strong point of the series is how each book builds on previous books while being inherently stand-alone and this book is a good example of that. The book is based on events from the first and second books yet there’s enough info so that intimate knowledge of both is not necessary.
So some parts of the Kitty series have settled, but the stage is set for later stories. Stay tuned and recommended.
Rating: 7.5/10.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

New releases for the week of April 15th

Spotlight:
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Synopsis:
Truly successful science fiction does two things: it gives credible glimpses into the future while entertaining the reader. With this in mind, noted anthologist Jonathan Strahan-who is also the reviews editor of Locus magazine-asked sixteen of today's most inventive, compelling writers to look past the horizon of the present day. Neil Gaiman (Anansi Boys), Kelly Link (Magic for Beginners), Garth Nix (the Abhorsen Trilogy), Scott Westerfeld (Uglies; Pretties; Specials) and their colleagues have crafted a dazzling range of stories. Whether on spaceships, in suburbia, or in simulated gaming worlds, whether about cloning, battle tactics, or corporate politics, the stories of The Starry Rift will give every reader something to consider.

Hardcover:
> Keeper of Dreams, Orson Scott Card
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Shadow Gate, Kate Elliot
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> The Hidden World, Paul Park
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Lord of Lies, David Zindell
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Paperback:
> Pearl Harbor, Newt Gingrich, William Forstchen
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> Lathe of Heaven, Ursula Le Guin
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

> SFWA European Hall of Fame, James Morrow
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Europe:
> House of Suns, Alastair Reynolds
(Amazon.co.uk, Book Depository)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

New York Times bestsellers for April 13th

Hardcover:
Jim Butcher’s Small Favor is the tenth book in the popular Dresden Files series and it debuts on the New York Times bestseller list at number 2. It's nice to see it had such a good release. United States, Europe, Canada.

Raymond E. Feist’s Wrath of a Mad God is down four to number 20 at the end of its second week on the charts. United States, Europe, Canada.

Kelley Armstrong’s Personal Demon, also in its second week, comes in at number 24 and down six. United States, Europe, Canada.

Kim Harrison’s The Outlaw Demon Wails comes in at the very bottom of the list at number 35, down ten points in week five. United States, Europe, Canada.

Paperback:
Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is unchanged at number 12 in its 53rd week! This book has been on the bestseller list for an entire year! Congratulations to Mr. McCarthy. United States, Europe, Canada.

Patrick Rothfuss’ popular The Name of the Wind makes its debut on the paperback list at number 24. United States, Europe, Canada.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Kitty Takes a Holiday


Kitty is taking a much-needed vacation at a cabin in Colorado when once again events seem to center around her. First, someone begins leaving crosses and dead animals around her cabin. Then her friend Cormac shows up with her lawyer Ben in two, injured from a werewolf attack. Not long after that, a red-eyed and evil wolf-like presence begins hanging around. Things are never simple for our favorite werewolf DJ.

As I’ve said in previous reviews of the Kitty series, my favorite part of the books is how Vaughn melds a pack mentality and psychology with human traits. Werewolves have an instinct and drive to form a “pack”, a find a group that they can belong to. Kitty has been “rogue” for several months of series time, but now she has a chance to build an actual pack for herself. I like how Vaughn explores the difficulties of human-werewolf relationships.

Character development is also well done. After the events of the second book, Kitty is no longer certain if she wants to continue her radio show. Ben becomes a werewolf and needs Kitty’s help to get through the transition. The resulting new pack means the relationship between all three friends now changes completely.

Kitty Takes a Holiday is another good book in the Kitty series. Recommended.

Rating: 7.5/10.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Small Favor


Things have been surprising quiet for Harry Dresden. Aside from an early blizzard, very little has happened in Chicago in the last year until the Queen of Winter shows up looking for Harry. Criminal Johnny Marcone has been kidnapped and Mab wants Harry to find him. Seeing as how he owes her a “favor” he can’t really refuse. The problem begins when being Mab’s emissary puts him the crosshairs of agents of the Summer Court, and then he finds out that the Fallen Angels of Denarians are back in town. A favor indeed.
The tenth book in the Dresden Files series, Small Favor is another solid book featuring urban fantasy’s favorite wizard. There’s actually little development for Harry this time as most of the changes happen to the supporting cast. Two of Harry’s closest friends are injured in battles with the Fallen Angels. There’s also a fair amount of set up with the Denarians and the Black Council for latter books. I especially like how the agents of Heaven are starting to take a more direct role in the books.
Small Favor will appeal to any fan of the Dresden Files, though the lack of development as a middle book may turn off more casual readers. Recommended.
Rating: 7.5/10.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

New releases for the week of April 8th

Spotlight:
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Synopsis:
This anthology of 21 original fantasy stories explores humanity’s most dynamic and forceful creation—the city. Featuring tales from fantasy heavyweights such as Hal Duncan, Catherynne M. Valente, Jay Lake, and Barth Anderson, the collection whisks readers from dizzying rooftop perches down to the underpasses, gutters, and the sinister secrets therein. Mutilated warrior women, dead boys, mechanical dogs, and escape artists are just some of the wonders and horrors explored in this bizarre assembly of works from voices new and old.

Hardcover:
> Once Upon a Time in the North, Philip Pullman
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Paperback:
> Hood, Stephen Lawhead
(Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble)

Europe:
> Where Demons Dare, Kim Harrison
(Amazon.co.uk, Book Depository)

Saturday, April 5, 2008

New York Times bestsellers for April 6th

Hardcover:
Raymond E. Feist’s Wrath of a Mad God makes its debut at number 16 on the New York Times bestseller list. United States, Europe, Canada.

Kelley Armstrong’s Personal Demon also makes its debut on the list at number 18. United States, Europe, Canada.

Kim Harrison’s The Outlaw Demon Wails slips nine spots to number 25 at the end of its fifth week. United States, Europe, Canada.

Paperback:
Cormac McCarthy’s The Road is still going strong and is up one point to number 12 in its 30th week on the paperback list and its 52th overall. United States, Europe, Canada.

Karen Traviss’ Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Revelation tumbles in its fifth week, down twenty to number 29. United States, Europe, Canada.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Last Argument of Kings


Last Argument of Kings marks a new standard in the fantasy genre. The war against Bethod continues in the North and soon the Gurkish will bring war to the very heart of the Union. With the King on his deathbed the power struggles intensify and Glotka struggles to satisfy two conflicting masters. Failing to find the seed, the travel group breaks up with Logen returning to the north to settle with Bethod, while Bayaz schemes to put Jezal on the throne. The last book in the First Law Trilogy is chock full of battles, betrayals, and machinations.
When I read other reviews saying Abercrombie took the fantasy tropes and completely tore them up in Last Argument of Kings, I wasn’t sure exactly what they meant. I have to admit I was shocked at how events turned out. The battles were amazing, the character machinations and revelations even more so. What really surprised me was how the reader’s preconceptions of the characters and the world were totally turned on its head.
Thus, The only complaint I have of Last Argument of Kings is that the world-view is too cynical for my tastes, but I think that’s Abercrombie’s point. Idealism is one extreme and cynicism is the polar opposite. Those who have power don’t want to lose it and view those who don’t as less than they are. Bayaz has survived so long because he’s the meanest, most manipulative guy on the block. We don’t see anything of Khalul so it's hard to make any judgments, but the implication is that he is not any better. The battle in the series is not between good and evil but rather between those with the ultimate power.
Last Argument of Kings is fantastic and one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long while. Abercrombie has established himself as a giant in the genre. I get shivers thinking of the next book, Best Served Cold. An absolute must-read.
Rating: 10/10.