Endangered Species by Gene Wolfe
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
Readers who are familiar with the author through his novels, especially the connected series of novels that make up works
like The Book of the Long Sun will find many of the themes that loom large in those works present in many
of the stories in this collection. There is the love of language, the religious imagery, the mingling of physics
and engineering with myth and legend, and the re-casting of classic story forms into the stuff of science fiction and fantasy.
The Silences of Home by Caitlin Sweet
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
One can never really go home again. Lanara, a young queenswoman can't go home because
the great queen she thought she knew has proven to be a sham and this has led to her best friend's death. Nellyn, a
member of an quasi-amphibian race is shunned Amish-like when he leaves then returns to his riverine community devoted
to the status quo. Aldron a teller of the Alilan race, is banished for using his special telling powers, and dies
miserably in a foreign land trying to undo his work.
Talon of the Silver Hawk by Raymond E. Feist
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
The book starts with Talon, a young boy on the edge of manhood in a nation not unlike the Apache. The only
survivor of a genocide, as far as he knows, Talon is taken under the
protective wing of those allied with the Conclave of Shadows. He grows to manhood and, through a series of events, takes
on an new identity, that of the man known as Talwin Hawkins.
Sister of the Dead by Barb & J.C. Hendee
reviewed by Alisa McCune
Leesil, half-elf and half-human, has just found out that his elvish mother, Nein'a, is still alive.
He believed his parents were executed after he deserted employment as an assassin to a powerful lord. He has vowed to find her.
Magiere seeks to find out why she was created. Her mother, Magelia was impregnated by a Noble Dead
and died shortly after Magiere's birth.
Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
Rick offers his thoughts on what to watch on TV in April, what series are finishing for the season
along with which ones are being singled out for their quality during the 2004-2005 season.
British Fantasy Awards
compiled by Rodger Turner
The British Weird Fantasy Society began in 1971 as an off-shoot of the British Science Fiction Association. The "Weird"
was soon dropped and the BFS was born. Dedicated to the promotion of all that is best in the Fantasy and Horror genres,
the BFS won the Special Award: Non-Professional at the World Fantasy Awards in 2000.
The membership of the BFS votes for the annual British Fantasy Awards.
Human Resource by Pierce Askegren
reviewed by Michael M Jones
When Erik Morrison is transferred by his company to Villanueva Base, a corporation-controlled city which acts as
the center of civilization for the Moon, he understands that it's both a last-ditch effort to redeem his dying career,
and a chance to make his mark on things. His bosses at EnTek have a mission for him, but aren't clear about spelling
it out. As a result, Erik's forced to do some investigating and stone-overturning.
The Treasured One by David and Leigh Eddings
reviewed by Steve Lazarowitz
The Vlagh, the evil insect queen, sends her workers out from the Waste
to find food. This means invading the more prosperous lands outside the Waste in the land of Dhrall, overseen by four gods,
two sisters and two brothers. These brothers and sisters are part of a cycle with four other gods, who are all
asleep. Dahlaine, the dominant god for this cycle, decided to wake the others up early.
A Pointer To Perfection: an interview with the 2002 Arthur C. Clarke Award Nominees
conducted by Sandy Auden
Being on the shortlist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award is one of the most prestigious places an author could find themselves. Each
year, the Award shortlist exists as a pointer to quality science fiction and fantasy novels and some satisfying stories. So what
are the must-reads of 2002?
The Pretender
a give-away contest
The Pretender is the story of Jarod, a boy-genius taken from his family as a child. Jarod possesses the ability to
quickly learn and impersonate different jobs and occupations. His abductors, a facility simply known as The Centre, tested
his abilities through various simulations. But after years of these performances, Jarod becomes wise to the fact that these
simulations aren't being used to help people. Knowing this, Jarod breaks free from his captors and sets out
to find his family.
Read the contents, answer the questions, win a DVD. Easy, eh?
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A Conversation With Kim Harrison
An interview with Alisa McCune
On inspiration:
"I know a lot of writers find inspiration from other's works, but my muse lives in music, not the printed
page. I'm a firm believer in outlines and will not write anything but the last chapter without one. Having said
that, I have to admit that I never keep to it, and it's letting my characters take over and direct the plotlines
that keep me interested."
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead by Kim Harrison
reviewed by Alisa McCune
Rachel is back with a vengeance along with Jenks, her pixie sidekick, and Ivy, the living vamp. The story begins about a
month after the conclusion of Dead Witch Walking. Rachel is still struggling to earn her half of expenses at the
church with Ivy. On the surface her new case appears simple -- Sara Jane's warlock boyfriend has disappeared. Normally, the police
force for supernaturals would handle the case, but they have a 72-hour waiting period. Rachel jumps at the chance to be involved.
The Green And The Gray by Timothy Zahn
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
It begins at night, in Riverside Park on the edge of Manhattan Island, where a small group has gathered for a ceremony. They
are of two distinct racial types, one being dark-haired and olive-skinned, while the others are shorter and built like
wrestlers. The groups have come to seal a deadly bargain, intended to stop an old war reigniting. The price, is the life of
a 12-year-old girl named Melantha Green.
The Making of Thylacon
an article by Steve Lazarowitz
Thylacon is the 44th annual National Australian Science Fiction convention; the first convention Steve will be attending since
moving to Tasmania. He has attended many in the US, including a couple of
World Cons, but this is the first time he has seen how a con is put together.
By Any Other Name by Spider Robinson
reviewed by Kit O'Connell
He is best known to many science fiction readers for his Callahan's Crosstime Saloon series
(which has spawned everything from conventions to Usenet newsgroups), or his recent efforts with Robert A. Heinlein's estate, and much
less for his equally impressive body of non-Callahanian work. Although quite gifted with futuristic ideas, humorous science
fiction, and bad puns, his skill with creating well-rounded human characters and his warm regard for human life (even as he
is destroying it or bemoaning its stupidity in his writing) is what has truly carried his career and created a loyal following.
The Crazy Years by Spider Robinson
reviewed by Kit O'Connell
From 1996 until 2004, Spider Robinson, born an American but (eventually) a citizen of his adopted Canadian home,
wrote editorials for The Globe and Mail; the series was called The Crazy Years. Rarely has a science fiction writer been
afforded such a regular opportunity to hold forth on issues of importance and Robinson took great advantage of it
during his tenure. With apparently almost free reign when it came to the topic of each essay, they range from the evils
of the drug war to loving paeans to the underappreciated wonders of his favourite country.
Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology by W. Haden Blackman
reviewed by David Maddox
Lightsabers, Ion Cannons and Wookie bow casters may be second nature to Star Wars fans, but what about Plasma
Cannons, Amphistaffs and Vonduun-Crab-Shell-Plated Armor? All these bizarre pieces of technology and more are there for the
learning in this compendium of weapons and technology.
The Twentieth Century by Albert Robida
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
As pointed out by P. Willems in his lengthy and rather erudite introduction, and John Clute in his Excessive
Candour column, this is an important work of early science fiction. Important in that the author, as possibly the first dedicated science fiction
illustrator, gives us something part ways between a mere illustrated novel and a graphic novel, with illustrations that go far beyond depicting the
mere text, adding visual information and details which expand one's view of the world he creates.
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