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A Conversation With Gwyneth Jones
Part 1 of an interview with David Soyka
On the term "adult fairy tale":
"I don't really like the term "adult fairy tale", but it's been plaguing me all my life so I have to accept it's the way people see
my work. The term "fairy" has an interesting provenance. Did you know the "fairy" in that term used to be "fata", i.e.
fate? It seems that, originally, a fairy was a story about fated events, about someone's destiny working out, in noteworthy
ways. (Read all about it in Marina Warner's book From the Beast To The Blonde; Chatto & Windus ISBN 0-7011-3530-1). I
was very pleased with that discovery, it makes a lot more sense than the conventional reading about little people with butterfly
wings -- who don't often feature even in the "dumbed down" versions of the traditional stories."
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Omnifix by Scot Mackay
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
It has been ten years since an invasion by an unknown alien species released hundreds of unmanned weapons platforms into the solar system,
all of them armed with deadly nanogenic weapons. Earth forces beat back the attack, but weren't able to prevent the devastation
of earth's environment and population. Civilization is now confined to fortified city-states heavily shielded against the nanogens that
remain active.
The Resurrection Man's Legacy and Other Stories by Dale Bailey
reviewed by Charlene Brusso
It's quite possible that Dale Bailey's name won't ring any more bells in your brain, at first. The
credits on the copyright page list nearly everything here as having previously appeared The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction,
most during the editorship of Kristine Kathryn Rusch. If that still doesn't strike a chord in your memory, all the better, because
then you've got some interesting reading ahead.
Highlander: The Series
a give-away contest
When his samurai mentor, Hideo Koto, commits Seppuku, Duncan not only takes on a deathbed oath to forever protect his fallen mentor's
family, but also takes possession of the extraordinary Dragon's Head Katana.
A darkly twisted turn of events leads Duncan into a battlefield alliance with the oldest living Immortal, Methos, an alliance
that may well end in the death of this legendary being.
Read the contents, answer the questions, win a DVD. Easy, eh?
New Arrivals
compiled by Neil Walsh
Among the books recently arrived at the SF Site office are new novels from Gene Wolfe, Arthur C. Clarke & Stephen Baxter, Robert Jordan, Mickey Zucker Reichert, and Paul McAuley; new collections from Barry Malzberg & Bill Pronzini, Joe R. Lansdale, Brian Stableford, and more.
Intervals of Horrible Sanity by Michelle Scalise
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
It isn't often that a collection reveals its brilliance so quickly, but this collection
trumpets the author's unique talent from the intense, harrowing first story and maintains its unbreakable hold until the last
page. Even after closing the book, the resonances of the tales never quite let go. Whether violent, chilling, unsettling, or
shocking, each selection earns its right to be included; there is no filler here, only the "good stuff."
Thief of Lives by Barb & J.C. Hendee
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
It is a mystery that only begins to unfold in this sequel to Dhampir. Here, the real concern is a murder that
has taken place in the land's capital city, Bela. A councilman's daughter has been left murdered on her doorstep, the
savagery looking like a vampire murder. Her father, Lanjov, like many people, has heard about the village of Miiska
and how the village was freed from the grip of a trio of vampires, even though the price, including a burned
warehouse, was great. He has sent to Miiska for the vampire hunter with an offer she can't refuse.
Paradox, Autumn 2003
reviewed by Rich Horton
This is a new magazine featuring straight historical fiction, alternate history, and fantasy set in historical settings.
History is the common denominator. The mix of stories in this issue is weighted toward "speculative
fiction": five stories to two (with both "historical" stories by writers better known for SF).
In Memoriam: 2003
a memorial by Steven H Silver
Science fiction fans have always had a respect and understanding for the history of the genre.
Unfortunately, science fiction has achieved such an age that each year sees our ranks
diminished. The science-fictional year 2003 could have been much worse for the science fiction
community in sheer numbers. While there were a few tragic surprises, the mortality
rate for 2003 was no higher than would normally be expected.
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Hybrids by Robert J. Sawyer
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
With this novel, the author completes his three-volume Neanderthal Parallax, a story of the opening
of a parallel world where Neanderthals out-lived Homo Sapiens, and of the people it brings together, most notably
the Neanderthal physicist Ponter Boddit and Mary Vaughan, a human geneticist who falls in love with him. It is also a story
that contrasts two very different cultures, and incorporates what are bound to be some discussion-provoking viewpoints on
justice, social engineering, and gender politics.
SF Site News
compiled by Steven H Silver
Every day, items of interest to you arrive in our email. Our bi-monthly format doesn't lend itself to daily updates.
However, this is a small inconvenience to our Contributing Editor Steven H Silver. His column
will fill you in on recent news in science fiction. We'll be updating the page as he sends in new items.
A Bowl of Fruit, A Whale In the Woods by Russel Like
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
Strange things are happening again in the Garden State, but now toss in an invasion of blue aliens. Take
a secret device, two slightly addled scientists, and a group of even more addle-pated humans, and you have the makings for the
end of the world. Too bad we have only this band of common-sense impaired heroes to save us.
Tales Before Tolkien edited by Douglas A. Anderson
reviewed by Hank Luttrell
There is no reason to think Tolkien ever read some of these stories. All of these stories were written before the publication of The Hobbit in
1937, by writers at least somewhat older than Tolkien. Some of these stories are similar to Tolkien's work, even where he may
not have been familiar with them; some were almost certainly unknown to Tolkien, and some were clearly influences. The editor
intends the anthology to depict the fantasy landscape before it began to be reshaped by Tolkien's work.
Wizard's Holiday by Diane Duane
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
Nita's little sister Dairine has decided that they both need a break from Earth. She signs them up for a student exchange
program without asking anyone for permission. When she's found out, her father grounds her, but after some thought decides
that Nita should still go, with her friend and partner in wizardry, Kit. Dairine can stay home and tend to the students,
fellow wizards from other worlds, while Kit and Nita enjoy a vacation on a planet that seems like paradise. Under the surface
of this paradise, though, Nita can sense something is wrong.
The Sundering by Walter Jon Williams
reviewed by Rich Horton
In this second of the Dread Empire's Fall, the story of the war as well as the personal stories of Martinez
and Sula are advanced but not resolved, as one might expect from a middle book. Both are responsible in part for some further
military successes, due to their brilliant tactical minds (and to fruitful collaboration). Their personal relationship takes
some steps forward as well, only to be impeded by mutual misunderstandings.
Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
Rick offers his thoughts on the rumours rampant surrounding SF TV. Read about Battlestar Galactica,
Star Trek Enterprise, Babylon 5 and other TV shows.
And he provides us with a list of what to watch in February.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer's Weekly Calendar 2004 edited by Karen J. Gould
reviewed by Charlene Brusso
Even if the first month is gone, you just might consider getting yourself -- or an aspiring writer you know -- one
of these calendars. Granted, like many other wirebound weekly calendars out there, it has got the basic 2 page/week format
in a 5x8 package: days of the week on the right, with US, Canadian, and UK holidays marked, and thematic material on the
left -- but it's the thematic material, of course, which makes this calendar worth considering.
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