Friday Quotes

I'm pleased to be able to report that this week I finally completed two of the books among the many that I am currently reading and I seem to be making some progress with the others as well. I finished First Among Sequels, which I will review next week, and Spellwright which I reviewed below.
And so here are some of the more memorable quotes that I came across in my reading this past week, including some from one of my favorite comics, Calvin and Hobbes (no day would be complete without a little Calvin)

Enjoy!

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Gardens of the Moon (Steven Erikson)

Every god falls to a mortal's hand, such is the end of immortality

The Witches of Eileanan (Kate Forsyth)

All dreams are visions of what may be. We ourselves choose whether or not to make dreams reality

First Among Sequels (Jasper Fforde)

Whereas story is processed in the mind in a straightforward manner, poetry bypasses rational thought and goes straight to the limbic system and lights it up like a brushfire. It's the crack cocaine of the literary world."

The Left Hand of Darkness (Ursula K. Le Guin)

• The unknown, the unforetold, the unproven, that is what life is based on. Ignorance is the ground of thought. Unproof is the ground of action. If it were proven that there is no God there would be no religion... But if it were proven that there is a God, there would be no religion.



• Light is the left hand of darkness
  and darkness the right hand of light.
  Two are one, life and death, lying
  together like lovers in kemmer,
  like hands joined together,
  like the end and the way.

Spellwright (Blake Charlton)

• There is more possible with language than can be imagined within your rules of spelling



• Half the world will tell you that you're worthless and stupid; the other half will tell you that there's nothing wrong with you at all. A few might even say your disability is a gift...The truth is that you are neither broken nor gifted; you are only what you make yourself into

Calvin and Hobbes (Bill Watterson)

• That’s the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn’t good enough for me! I demand euphoria!



• "Well, remember what you said, because in a day or two, I'll have a witty and blistering retort! You'll be devastated THEN!”



• Life is full of surprises, but never when you need one.



• Calvin: I'm a genius, but I'm a misunderstood genius.
  Hobbes: What's misunderstood about you?
  Calvin: Nobody thinks I'm a genius.

Lawsuits lead to more scifi and Manipulated Photos

I came across a couple of interesting items recently, thanks to Twitter and StumbleUpon, and I enjoyed them so much that I had to share them with you:

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There was an article in The Guardian a couple of weeks ago that made me laugh, about an author who is being sued for her use of a particular location as the setting in her crime thriller novel.

When Lalie Walker set about using the Marché Saint Pierre as the setting for her latest crime thriller she thought she was paying a nostalgic tribute to a much-loved Parisian landmark.

But, after reading her tale of a crazed killer who sews fear and loathing among the rolls of taffeta, the owners of the much-loved Montmartre fabric store have signaled that they do not appreciate her gesture.

Arguing that certain passages in her fictional depiction of a business rocked by threats, voodoo and staff abductions are defamatory, they are taking her to court and demanding €2m (£1.8m) in damages.

But it was the conclusion of the article that I particularly liked...

For Walker, the court case has come as a shock.

"I think this is serious. It means that every time you want to write a fiction you have to ask the permission of the owners or the place," she said. "Potentially it represents a big threat to our liberty."

She added, gloomily: "We will all have to end up writing science fiction instead."

So there you go! Just a few more lawsuits like this and there will be no dearth of science fiction literature, as authors will have no choice but to switch to genre writing. Though I actually think it will be the fantasy genre that will gain here because scifi novels are usually based on some reality, still leaving possible openings for lawsuits.

You can check out the full article here

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I just stumbled across this website that included some really cool manipulated photographs by
Eric Johansonn. Unfortunately I can't understand anything the site says, because it's all in Russian, but the photos are definitely worth checking out.

The High Fantasy Bookworm Carnival

Jo at Ink and Paper is hosting the High Fantasy Bookworm Carnival this week, which I am participating in.

I sent Jo links to a few different fantasy book reviews that I've written, in the hope that she might figure out which one of them are actually high fantasy. I'll admit that I'm a bit fuzzy as to what exactly constitutes as a high fantasy, so I thought I'd be on the safe side by submitting my reviews for three different books:


Villains by Necessity by Eve Forward
Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L Wilson
Servant of a Dark God by John Brown

Though afterwards I did do a bit of web browsing and have come to the conclusion that a high fantasy is a story which takes place in an alternate world and generally involves a struggle between good and evil which eventually leads to a battle that determines the fate of the world.

The kind of books that come to mind, that match this description, would be David Eddings' Belgariad and Malloreon series, Terry Brooks Shannara books and Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. These were also some of the first fantasy books I ever read and so I've always had a soft spot for them. But since I haven't written any reviews of these books, I think the ones listed above should do.

Jo also asked each participant in the Book Carnival to talk a bit about what they think makes a good high fantasy.

While I don't have a particular preference for high fantasy over other types of fantasy, I do think that it is particularly imperative for a high fantasy tale to have realistic and fully developed characters that readers can connect with. Stories in this genre are usually told in multi -volume series of books that can take many years to finish and I think it's largely due to the memorable characters that readers will remain loyal to a series of books, throughout the intervening years.

A good epic fantasy also has to be well paced, keeping the reader's attention and interest while providing the right dosage of action and drama mixed in with world building and character development. It's a difficult balance to maintain, but when done correctly the results can be quite wonderful.

To see which high fantasies other bloggers recommend, visit Ink and Paper's Bookworm Carnival.

Spellwright by Blake Charlton

In a world where magic is wielded through the use of written words, there is no real place for a boy who can't spell. Nicodemus Weal can't even touch a magical spell without horribly corrupting it, which is why at the age of twenty five he is still an apprentice at the University, rather then a wizard, like his peers. And to make matters worse, Nicodemus will forever be plagued with the knowledge that he could have been the prophesied hero, the Halcyon, were it not for his disability. So instead of training to become a powerful wizard, Nicodemus's magic is limited to janitorial tasks and his adventures remain confined to the pages of the knightly romances that he reads in bed each evening.

The quiet pace of Nicodemus's life is suddenly shattered when wizards and students start turning up dead, murdered by corrupt spells. Suspicion immediately falls on Nicodemus and his mentor, the Wizard Shannon, for they are the most knowledgeable about this dangerous magic. Soon Nicodemus finds himself being hunted down as a possible murderer, though it's the rumors about his role in the prophesied war of Disjunction that have authorities wanting him dead.

Though amidst all the danger and chaos, a ray of hope suddenly appears for Nicodemus when a visiting dignitary offers him the chance to be rid of his disability, making it possible for him to become the hero he was meant to be.

I had been eager to read Spellwright ever since I first read about it on the Tor website, many months ago. I love fantasies that employ creative magic systems, and a system of magic based on words and writing sounded like something I would really enjoy. Plus, the idea of a dyslexic protagonist within such a magic system, immediately intrigued me.

In the opening scene of the book we are immediately treated to a demonstration of the dangerous power of words in this world, and successfully drawn into the story through this powerful introduction.

The grammarian was choking to death on her own words. And they were long sharp words, written in a magical language and crushed into a small ball. Her legs faltered. She fell onto her knees…She tried to scream, but gagged on the words caught in her throat.

He flicked the golden sentences into Nora's chest. She could do nothing but choke.

"What's this?"he said with cold amusement."Seems my attack stopped that curse in your mouth."He paused before laughing, low and breathy. "I could make you eat your words."

Pain ripped down her throat. She tried to gasp...

With five small cracks, the sentences in her throat deconstructed and spilled into her mouth. She fell onto her hands and spat out the silver words. They shattered on the cobblestones.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is Charlton's deliciously vivid descriptions of the wizards' use of magic. Through his writing I could almost hear the sharp crackle of words being shaped and nearly see them flash in the air as they take form. While reading the paragraph above I could easily imagine the pain of sharp-edged words lodged within my own throat.

By tensing his bicep, he forged several runes within his arm. He could see the silvery language shine through skin and sinew. Tensing his bicep again, he joined the letters into a sentence, which he let spill into his forearm.

With a wrist flick he cast the simple spell into the air, where it twisted like a tendril of glittering smoke. He extended his arms and cast the sentence onto the nape of the monkey's neck.

The problem though is that right from the beginning Charlton starts throwing around magical terminology that the reader is not yet familiar with and so for a while I had trouble following what was going on. The magic is rather complex and detailed and much of the book involves familiarizing the reader with the magic, which can get a bit tiresome at times. Sometimes this information is given over thorough discussions between wizards, and once in a class given by Nicodemus, so it's not all dumped on the reader at one time, but it still caused the book to drag in some places.

Pacing was another issue that I had with the book. There were parts of Spellwright that had me completely hooked and then I would reach points in the story where I would put the book down and not pick it up for several days. I particularly recall this happening towards the end, when I would put the book down every couple of sentences and then wait until the next day to read a couple more sentences, until after a few pages when I finally reached a point where the story hooked me again and I was able to finish it easily. But because of this uneven pacing I wasn't able to really lose myself in the story.

There was one other aspect of the book that I was rather disappointed with, and that was the development of the main character, Nicodemus Weal. Charlton had provided Nicodemus with a rich array of materiel with which he could have become a strong and complex character. Nicodemus carries the weight of a disability and a failed prophecy, as well as being practically an orphan (always good material for a fantasy), but rather then becoming embittered by any of this, Nicodemus seems to have accepted these challenges and quietly gone on with his life. That is, until Nicodemus discovers that he may actually be able to cure his disability and be able to fulfill his prophecy, and for the first time we see him express some dissatisfaction with his current situation. But while these events could have been used to explore Nicodemus's inner struggles more deeply and help his character evolve and progress, he remains disappointingly mild and seems barely affected, despite the occasional angry outburst. I was particularly surprised by this since Charlton himself had struggled with severe dyslexia, as a child, and I had expected to see some of his own frustrations and struggles reflected in Nicodemus. And so, while I had enjoyed Nicodemus's character at the start of the book, towards the end I had grown rather impatient with him which lessened my overall enjoyment of the book.

While Spellwright had ended up falling short of the high expectations I had for it, there was enough good material here that I would not hesitate to pick up the sequel, when it comes out. Though I do hope that with all of the lengthy magical explanations out of the way, the next novel will have a smoother narration and a stronger focus on character development.


This review goes towards the Once Upon A Time Challenge hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings

Read for free: Rides a Dread Legion by Raymond E. Feist

For a limited amount of time you can download Rides a Dread Legion, by Raymond E. Feist, for free at Amazon. This is the first book in Feist's The Demonwar Saga and the download includes a bonus excerpt from At the Gates of Darkness.

Description: The last remnants of an ancient advanced race, the Clan of the Seven Stars, are returning at long last to their lost homeworld, Midkemia-not as friends, but as would-be conquerors. Led by the conjurer Laromendis, they are fleeing the relentless demon hordes that are sweeping through their galaxy and destroying the elves' vast empire planet by planet. Only by escaping to Midkemia and brutally overtaking the war-weary world can the last remnants of a mighty civilization hope to survive . . . if the Dread Legion does not pursue them through the rift. The magician Pug, Midkemia's brave and constant defender, is all too familiar with the Demon King Maarg and his minions and their foul capacity for savagery and horror, and he recognizes the even graver threat that is following on the heels of the elven invasion. The onslaught to come will dwarf every dire catastrophe his imperiled world has previously withstood, and there is no magical champion in all of Midkemia powerful enough to prevent it. Only one path remains for Pug and Midkemia's clandestine protectors, the Conclave of Shadows: forging an alliance of formidable magical talents, from the demon-dealing warlock Amirantha, brother of Pug's hated foe, and the demon-taming cleric Sandreena, to the elven Queen Miranda, to the warrior Tomas. However, uniting enemies and bitter, vengeful former lovers will be no easy task, and even together they may ultimately be unable to turn the death tide. But a failure to do so will most certainly ensure Midkemia's doom.This special free edition includes an excerpt from Raymond E. Feist's newest Demonwar Saga novel, At the Gates of Darkness.

My Awards!

I recently received a few different awards from some of my wonderful fellow bloggers, which I really appreciate so much. It really makes all the hard work worthwhile when you see that people really enjoy your blog. I'm usually terrible about posting about these awards and passing them on, so this time I'm making sure to do it right away.



First off, I just received the Super Comments award from one of my favorite bloggers, Melissa at My World.. in Words and Pages. This is rather appropriate since it's from Melissa that I learned the positive effects of leaving comments for other bloggers and how you can really develop relationships with bloggers and visitors through these comments. In addition to her great book reviews, Melissa's wonderful personality comes through clearly through her posts and comments and I always enjoy visiting her blog and reading about what she has been up to.

Thanks Melissa!


From Beth at Maybe Tomorrow I received this fun Over The Top award for which I have to answer the questions below with a single word answer and then pass it on to five other bloggers. Beth is a relatively new book blogger whose interesting book reviews I always enjoy reading.

Your cell phone? iPhone

Your hair? Covered

Your mother? Writer

Your father? Teacher

Your favorite food? Chocolate!

Your dream last night? Forgotten

Your favorite drink? Water

Your dream/goal? Bookstore

What room are you in? Living

Your hobby? Reading

Your fear? Aging

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here

Where were you last night? Home

Something that you aren't? Planner

Muffins? Chocolate

Wish list item? House

Where did you grow up? Didn't

Last thing you did? Cooked

Your TV? None

Your pets? Dogs

Friends? Far

Your mood? Shifting

Missing someone? Family

Vehicle? None

Something you aren't wearing? Shoes

Your favorite store? Bookstore (any)

Your favorite color? violet

When was the last time you laughed? Today

Last time you cried? Unsure

Your best friend? None

One place you go to over and over again? Supermarket

Facebook? Occasionally

Favorite place to eat? Elsewhere

Thanks Beth for this great award! I enjoy these kind of blog awards because they give me the chance to learn a bit more about the bloggers themselves, so I'm going to pass it on to some of my favorite bloggers who I would enjoy getting to know a bit better:

Stephanie at Misfit Salon
Audrey at Brizmus Blogs Books
Wonderbunny at Cookies, Books and Bikes
Michelle and Leslie from Michelle and Leslie's Book Picks

And from Ramona at Alone in the Holy Land I received this pretty Sunshine Award.

Ramona was one of the first bloggers I met when I began blogging and also the only blogger I've met who resides in Israel, as well. While she does occasionally blog about books, she more frequently talks more about her own life and some of the struggles that she goes through while living in a foreign country and raising a young child.

This award is meant to be passed on to 12 of my favorite bloggers, though I'm actually going to only pass it on to five of the bloggers whose blogs I make a concerted effort to visit on a regular basis..

Melissa at My World...in Words and Pages
Bryce at Seak's Stamp
Ryan at Wordsmithonia
TJ at Book Love Affair
Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings


Thanks again to Melissa, Beth and Ramona for these wonderful awards, and of course, to all the little people who made this all possible (you know...the little people who sneak in and write up my reviews and blog posts for me at night, when I'm too tired to do it myself)

New Releases: First week of April

There are some really exciting releases this week, including Ann Aguirre's second Corine Solomon book, Hell Fire, and Jim Butcher's Changes, the 12th in his Dresden Files series. There are also some other great looking books that I came across while compiling this list and I'm now eager to read, including the fantasy novel, Poison Throne, by Celine Kiernan and the Scifi and fantasy short story anthology, Nebula Awards Showcase 2010.

Hope you have a great reading week!

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Title: May Contain Traces of Magic
Author: Tom Holt
Release Date: April
Publisher: Orbit UK
Genre: Fantasy
Description: There are all kinds of products. The good ones. The bad ones. The ones that stay in the garage moldering for years until your garden gnome makes a home out of them. Most are harmless if handled properly, even if they do contain traces of peanuts. But some are not. Not the ones that contain traces of magic.
Chris Popham wasn’t paying enough attention when he talked to his SatNav. Sure, she gave him directions, never backtalked him, and always led him to his next spot on the map with perfect accuracy. She was the best thing in his life. So was it really his fault that he didn’t start paying attention when she talked to him? In his defence, that was her job. But when ‘Take the next right’ turned into ‘Excuse me,’ that was when the real trouble started.
Because sometimes a SatNav isn’t a SatNav. Sometimes it’s an imprisoned soul trapped inside a metal box that will do anything it can to get free. And some products you just can’t return.


Title: Watcher of the Dead
Author: JV Jones
Release Date: April
Publisher: Orbit UK
Genre: Fantasy
Description: In the frigid wasteland of the north, Raif Sevrance, Watcher of the Dead, has endured many trials to lay claim to the renowned sword known as Loss. But the price of wielding the legendary weapon is high, and Raif is unsure if he is willing to pay it. Ash Marsh, Daughter of the Sull, still struggles to come to terms with her heritage, and the knowledge that the Watcher, armed with Loss, could be the one who will save the Sull – or end them.
Raina Blackhail, widow of a murdered ruler and wife of his brutal successor, has seen her clan disgraced and has, herself, taken up the mantle of chief. But there are enemies both beyond her gates and within.
And in the murky swamps of the Stillwater, two children will learn the secrets of the Marsh clan. Secrets so old they threaten everything . . .


Title: The Orphaned Worlds
Author: Michael Cobley
Release Date: April
Publisher: Orbit UK
Genre: Science Fiction
Description: Darien is no longer a lost outpost of humanity, but the prize in an intergalactic power struggle. Hegemony forces have a stranglehold over the planet and crack troops patrol its hotspots while Earth watches, passive, rendered impotent by galactic politics. But its Darien ambassador will soon become a player in a greater conflict. There is more at stake than a turf war on a newly discovered world.
An ancient Uvovo temple hides access to a hyperspace prison, housing the greatest threat sentient life has ever known. Millennia ago, malignant intelligences were caged there following an apocalyptic war. And their servants work on their release.
However, Darien’s guardians have not been idle, gathering resistance on the planet’s forest moon. Knowledge has been lost since great races battled in eons past, and now time is short. The galaxy will depend on the Uvovo reclaiming their past – and humanity must look to its future. For a new war is coming.

Title: Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, Book 6)
Author: Alexandra Ivy
Release Date: April
Publisher: Zebra
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Description: Salvatore Giuliani is not a happy werewolf. It’s his duty as leader to track down the
pureblood females who can keep his people from extinction. But the moment he catches
scent of Harley, a pureblood held by a pack of mangy curs, his savage need for her
obliterates all other instincts. And the only thing worse than being captured is finding
that beautiful, independent Harley defiantly refuses to become his mate.
Harley has been taught to distrust all Weres, especially their arrogant king. She won’t be
used for breeding or bonded against her will, not even to a man who makes every nerve
tingle with awareness. Yet Salvatore is her key to saving the family she never knew she had—
if she dares to succumb to his dark, predatory desire, and face a vicious enemy sworn to
destroy them both.

Title: Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid, Book 5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: April 1
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Description: Georgina Kincaid has formidable powers. Immortality, seduction, shape-shifting into any human form she desires, walking in heels that would cripple mere mortals--all child's play to a succubus like her.

Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend's wedding is a different story. Georgina isn't sure which is worse--that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina's roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there's Simone, the new succubus in town, who's intent on corrupting Seth.

But the real danger lies in the mysterious force that's visiting her thoughts, trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she'll be too weak to resist. And when that happens, she'll discover who she can trust, who she can't--and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity. .


Title: Amortals
Author: Matt Forbeck
Release Date: April 1
Publisher: Angry Robot
Genre: Science Fiction
Description: Today you die. Today you are reborn. Today you hunt the man who killed you.
It’s Lee Child vs. Altered Carbon in a high-tech blast of tough-as-nails future thrills. Matt Forbeck arrives as the new king of high-concept – with a blockbuster action movie in a book. In the near future, scientists solve the problem of mortality by learning how to backup and restore a persons memories into a vat-bred clone. When Secret Service agent Ronan “Methusaleh” Dooley is brutally murdered, he’s brought back from the dead yet again to hunt his killer, and in doing so uncover a terrible conspiracy.


Title: Her Vampire Husband
Author: Michele Hauf
Release Date: April 1
Publisher: HQN
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Description: She may resist his bite, but she can't resist his charms…

Werewolf princess Blu Masterson won't allow her seductive vampire husband to consummate their marriage with his bite, marking her forever. Alone in a secluded estate with her sworn enemy, Blu curses the marriage arranged to bring their rival nations together, especially since Creed Saint-Pierre calls out to her most feral desires.

When Blu uncovers her pack's secret plot to destroy the vampire nation—and Creed—she is forced to confront her growing feelings for her sexy undead husband. Will she choose the only life she's ever known or accept his vampire bite?


Title: Hands of Flame (The Negotiator)
Author: C.E Murphy
Release Date: April 1
Publisher: Luna
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Description: War has erupted among the five Old Races, and Margrit is responsible for the death that caused it. Now New York City's most unusual lawyer finds herself facing her toughest negotiation yet. And with her gargoyle lover, Alban, taken prisoner, Margrit's only allies—a dragon bitter about his fall, a vampire determined to hold his standing at any cost and a mortal detective with no idea what he's up against—have demands of their own.

Determined to rescue Alban and torn between conflicting loyalties as the battle seeps into the human world, Margrit soon realizes the only way out is through the fire….


Title: Inside Out
Author: Maria Snyder
Release Date: April 1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: YA Fantasy
Description:
Keep Your Head Down.
Don't Get Noticed.
Or Else.

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.


Title: White Tiger
Author: Kylie Chan
Release Date: April 1 in UK (May in US)
Publisher: Angry Robot
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Description: Handsome young Hong Kong businessman John Chen employs Emma, a naïve young nanny, to care for his daughter. When she falls in love with her employer, however, Emma discovers he is not quite what he seems – he is being hunted by a whole horde ancient demons, dragons and gods, and they all want him dead. Emma will soon discover it is she who has the power to save them all…


Title: Directive 51
Author: John Barnes
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Science Fiction/Post Apocolyptic
Description: The first book in a new post-apocalyptic trilogy from "a master of the genre"

Heather O'Grainne is the Assistant Secretary in the Office of Future Threat Assessment, investigating rumors surrounding something called "Daybreak." The group is diverse and radical, and its members have only one thing in common-their hatred for the "Big System" and their desire to take it down.

Now, seemingly random events simultaneously occurring around the world are in fact connected as part of Daybreak's plan to destroy modern civilization-a plan that will eliminate America's top government personnel, leaving the nation no choice but to implement its emergency contingency program...Directive 51.


Title: Starfinder: A Novel of the Skylords
Author: John Marco
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Fantasy
Description: Young, orphaned Moth is obsessed with the airships around his mountain home and dreams of taking to the air one day like his heroes, the Skyknights. With his best friend, Fiona, he will soon breach the magical boundary between their world and the world of the mysterious and powerful race known as the Skylords, who have jealously guarded their heavenly domain.


Title: Touched by an Alien
Author: Gini Koch
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Romantic Science Fiction
Description: How can a sexy marketing manager join forces with an Alpha Centauri male in Armani to save the planet-using hairspray, a Mont Blanc pen, and rock n' roll?

Easy... She's Touched by an Alien

Marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt steps into the middle of what appears to be a domestic dispute turned ugly. And it only gets uglier when the man turns into a winged monster, straight out of a grade-Z horror movie, and goes on a killing spree. Though Kitty should probably run away, she springs into action to take the monster down.

In the middle of the chaos a handsome hunk named Jeff Martini appears, sent by the "agency" to perform crowd control. He's Kitty's kind of guy, no matter what planet he's from. And from now on, for Kitty, things are going to be sexy, dangerous, wild, and out of this world.


Title: A Magic of Dawn (A Novel of the Nessantico Cycle)
Author: S. L. Farrell
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre:
Description: Kraljica Allesandra sits on the Sun Throne of a much-diminished Holdings empire, while her son Jan rules the rival Coalition of Firenzcia. The schism between them threatens to tear apart the realm when they need solidarity the most. Facing powerful threats, from the rising influence of the Numetodo sect to the fundamentalist preacher Nico Morel-as well as the army of Tehuantin from across the sea- Allesandra and Jan must each find a pathway to survival for themselves and their people.



Title: Maelstrom (Destroyermen)
Author: Taylor Anderson
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Alternate History
Description: Lieutenant Commander Matthew Reddy, along with the men and women of the battleship Walker, are once again at war. Having sided with the peaceful Lemurians against the savage, reptilian Grik, they now find themselves scrambling to prepare for the attack that is sure to come. Meanwhile, the Japanese juggernaut Amagi, also trapped in this strange world, is under Grik control. Soon, they will have amassed a force that no amount of fire-power and technology will be able to stop. Reddy, his crew, his allies, and his loved ones face annihilation. But if there is one thing they have learned about their new world, it is that hope-and help-may just be over the horizon...



Title: Nebula Awards Showcase 2010
Author: Bill Fawcett
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: SF & Fantasy anthology
Description: An annual commemoration, the Nebula Awards are presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America to those members whose imaginations refine and re-define the infinite storytelling possibilities found within the genre. The Nebula Awards Showcase represents the best of the best in fantasy in one indispensible collection.

This year's compilation includes stories by:
•Ursula K. LeGuin
•Catherine Asaro
•John Kessel
•Nina Kiriki Hoffman
•Harry Harrison, this year's Grandmaster


Title: Changes (Dresden Files)
Author: Jim Butcher
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Description: Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.

Title: Hell Fire (Corine Solomon, Book 2)
Author: Ann Aguirre
Release Date: April 6
Publisher: Penguin
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Description: As a handler, Corine Solomon can touch any object and know its history. It's too bad she can't seem to forget her own. With her ex-boyfriend Chance in tow-lending his own supernatural brand of luck-Corine journeys back home to Kilmer, Georgia, in order to discover the truth behind her mother's death and the origins of "gift".

But while trying to uncover the secrets in her past, Corine and Chance find that something is rotten in the state of Georgia. Inside Kilmer's borders there are signs of a dark curse affecting the town and all its residents-and it can only be satisfied with death...

Title: The Gaslight Dog
Author: Karin Lowachee
Release Date: April 10
Publisher: Orbit US
Genre: Fantasy
Description: At the edge of the known world, an ancient nomadic tribe faces a new enemy-an Empire fueled by technology and war.
A young spiritwalker of the Aniw and a captain in the Ciracusan army find themselves unexpectedly thrown together. The Aniw girl, taken prisoner from her people, must teach the reluctant soldier a forbidden talent – one that may turn the tide of the war and will surely brand him an outcast.
From the rippling curtains of light in an Arctic sky, to the gaslit cobbled streets of the city, war is coming to the frozen north. Two people have a choice that will decide the fates of nations – and may cast them into a darkness that threatens to bring destruction to both their peoples.

Title: The Magician’s Apprentice
Author: Trudi Canavan
Release Date: April 10
Publisher: Orbit US
Genre: Fantasy
Description: Taking place hundreds of years before the events of The Magicians’ Guild, The Magician’s Apprentice is the new novel set in the world of Trudi Canavan’s Black Magician trilogy.
In the remote village of Mandryn, Tessia serves as assistant to her father, the village Healer. Her mother would rather she found a husband. But her life is about to take a very unexpected turn.
When the advances of a visiting Sachakan mage get violent, Tessia unconsciously taps unknown reserves of magic to defend herself. Lord Dakon, the local magician, takes Tessia under his wing as an apprentice.
The hours are long and the work arduous, but soon an exciting new world opens up to her. There are fine clothes and servants and – to Tessia’s delight – regular trips to the great city of Imardin.However, Tessia is about to discover that her magical gifts bring with them a great deal of responsibility. For a storm is approaching that threatens to tear her world apart.

Title: The Mage in Black
Author: Jaye Wells
Release Date: April 10
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Description: Sabina Kane doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to family. After all, her own grandmother, the leader of the vampire race, just tried to kill her. When she arrives in New York to meet the mage side of her family, the reunion takes the fun out of dysfunctional. On top of that, the Hekate Council wants to use her as a pawn in the brewing war against the vampires. Her mission will take her into the bowels of New York’s Black Light district, entangles her in mage politics, and challenges her beliefs about the race she was raised to distrust. And Sabina thought vampires were bloodthirsty.

Title: The Poison Throne
Author: Celine Kiernan
Release Date: April 10
Publisher: Orbit
Genre: Fantasy
Description: Young Wynter Moorehawke returns to court with her dying father – but she finds her old home shadowed with fear. The king has become a violent despot, terrorizing those he once loved. His son and heir Alberon has fled into exile and now there are whispers everywhere of rebellion. Meanwhile, Alberon’s half-brother Razi has been elevated to his throne. He struggles to meet his King’s demands while remaining loyal to his beloved brother and to his friend-Wynter.
And at the heart of matters is a secret that no one dares speak of. A secret so large it could tear the kingdom in two and Wynter is at the heart of it all. Her father lies dying. Her king is mad. Her friends are divided.
She must choose- her father or her dreams, her friend or her king, her duty… or her love.