Small Favor by Jim Butcher
reviewed by Michael M Jones
To say Harry Dresden leads a complicated life would be an understatement of the highest caliber. In fact, he's at his least comfortable when no one's trying to kill him, because it means he doesn't know who his current enemy is. But for a few months now, things have been quiet, almost blissfully so. Of course, that just means it's the calm before the storm, and in this case, a major storm's a-brewing. And this time, it involves one of the most dangerous people Harry has ever had the misfortune of dealing with.

The Word of God by Thomas M. Disch
reviewed by Rob Kane
Thomas Disch is God. Or rather merely a god, you're free to worship other deities of your choice as well. The book is both the of memoir of Disch the writer as well as Disch the god, with a little bit of fictional storytelling thrown in. It is really an odd little mixture; fun and clever but with a serious undertone.

Incandescence by Greg Egan
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
There are hard science fiction writers in the world, and then there's Greg Egan. At their best, his stories and novels combine near outrageous speculation with a rigorous grounding in scientific fact. Several of Egan's novels, including his latest, come complete with lists of research papers and reference sources intended to give the reader some background and insight into the ideas that spurred him to write. At the same time, he has adopted a minimalist approach to exposition inside the stories themselves.

Quark: The Complete Series
a DVD review by Rick Klaw
As children, Rick and his sister fought over the TV. During the 70s when they had only one TV, five channels, and no VCR, they raced home after school to claim the television. The sprint only served as the prelude to the inevitable pitched battle. Like some eternal time loop, the combat re-occurred every weekday. At 3 PM everyday, one channel showed Looney Tunes and another The Brady Bunch. His sister in her insanity, preferred the latter. For a brief, magical period in 1978, Friday nights matched the after school chaos. Quark, the comedic adventures of the eponymous intergalactic garbage man, ran opposite his sister's favorite show, the musical variety hellspawn Donny and Marie.

Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
Rick takes a look at writers -- J. Michael Straczinski, Joss Whedon, Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga and Tim Kring -- and how their visions of SF on TV has changed the small screen along with where they have continued to ply their trade.

The Great Secret by L. Ron Hubbard
Multicast performance featuring Bruce Boxleitner
an audio review podcast by Brian Price
The Great Secret is a collection of 4 short stories that are the stuff of 30s and 40s pulp fiction. L. Ron Hubbard was a master of the form and, in the next six years, Galaxy Audio plans to bring scores of these stories to life. This is one of the first science fiction titles in their planned series.
Click on the link to get the MP3 podcast file.

Batman: The Stone King by Alan Grant
A Multicast Production
an audio review podcast by Gil T. Wilson
A dam near Gotham City is about to burst and Batman has determined the dam cannot be saved but the citizens of Gotham city must be protected. Batman calls for the help from Justice League members to create a "safe dam break." After the turmoil when all the Justice League members are getting their breath and looking over the destruction created by the rushing waters, The Green Lantern notices a strange object. Uncovered by the erosion of the sudden rushing waters is a pyramid, not unlike those in Egypt.
Click on the link to get the MP3 podcast file. Or click on this link to read the audiobook review of Batman: The Stone King.

The Last Theorem by Arthur C. Clarke and Frederik Pohl
reviewed by Steven H Silver
The heart of the novel tells the story of Ranjit Subramanian, a Sri Lankan man who is fascinated by mathematical tricks and finds his muse in Fermat's Last Theorem, a riddle posited by Pierre de Fermat in 1637 and still unsolved. Aside from working on a solution to Fermat's riddle, Subramanian tends to drift through life, mostly supported by a few close friends. Even his resolution of Fermat's problem comes about because of events beyond his control.

Captain's Fury by Jim Butcher
an audiobook review by Gil T. Wilson
In this fourth book of the Codex Alera, Tavi's mysterious origin is discovered. It seems Tavi has more in store for his future than simply being a captain of the First Aleran Legion. The book is a pivot in which Tavi begins his transformation, as do many other characters in the series. The beginning of this story finds Tavi in charge of an attack on the raiding Canim, a race of wolf-like humanoids that have invaded Alera by crossing the sea. It turns out not to be an invasion,

The Final Sacrifice by Patricia Bray
reviewed by Tammy Moore
The war is over, the Empress is dead and the hero has risen to take her place. Only instead of enjoying the fruits of his endeavours, the Emperor Lucius is fighting the slow degeneration caused by the magical grafting of two souls into one body. Those two souls, Scholar-monk Josan and aristocrat Lucius, may have come to an uneasy truce, thwarting those who'd sought to use them as a political tool, but their alliance does little to slow the wasting of both body and soul that afflicts them.

Aurealis #40
reviewed by Rich Horton
Aurealis usually mixes SF and Fantasy fairly evenly, but this time around all the stories are Fantasy. The non-fiction includes and interesting science article from Patricia L. O'Neill -- here lamenting the failure of the future we have to live up to the future that SF promised us. (That is, this is another "what happened to my flying car?" article -- and nicely done, though O'Neill explicitly denies caring that her car doesn't fly.) Book reviews are by Keith Stevenson (SF) and Kate Forsyth (Fantasy).

Nexus Graphica
a column by Rick Klaw and Mark London Williams
It's hard to know what's meant by "rebel" anymore, when a pro-corporate Presidential candidate, whose supported nearly the entire agenda of his wealthy predecessor, can insist he's a "maverick." Or when a large computer corporation insists you can "think different" by, well, ponying up for their products. Or to put it another way, if there is a "rebellion," and it's not televised, will it simply be diffused in the numerous blog posts of the individual participants? Mark London Williams has some thoughts about Rebel Visions by writer/filmmaker Patrick Rosenkranz and what it was like growing up in the heady days of underground comix.

New Arrivals
compiled by Neil Walsh
Highlights from our most recent new arrivals include the latest from Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, Jim Butcher, Kelley Armstrong, Kelly Link, Matthew Stover, Steven Erikson, Fiona McIntosh, plus much more.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull by James Rollins
reviewed by David Maddox
Stalwart adventurous everyman, Indiana Jones explores mysterious jungles, battles angry natives, treks through treacherous temples and outwits ancient traps in the hopes of uncovering mysterious artifacts and ancient secrets. Armed only with a whip, a hat and his courage, he journeys through worlds that audiences and fans can only dream of. His adventures have spanned three feature films, video games, novels and many other elements of multi-media.

New Audiobooks
compiled by Susan Dunman
At times it's more convenient (and enjoyable) to hear the latest in science fiction and fantasy. Recent audiobook releases include works by Terry Pratchett, Arthur C. Clarke, Orson Scott Card, Philip K. Dick, Anne McCaffrey and Neil Gaiman.

Already Dead by Charlie Huston
an audiobook review by Jennifer McCann
If Anne Rice and Mickey Spillane had a baby, Joe Pitt would be that child. Charlie Huston brings a new twist on the classic vampire story. Part detective drama, part horror show, the story brings to "life" the tale of Joe Pitt, a semi-detective and full time heavy with a soft spot for kids. He struggles with his past as he works odd jobs and tries to stay out of the grasp of the Mafia-like vampire factions that rule Manhattan.

Wyrms by Orson Scott Card
an audiobook review by Sarah Trowbridge
Originally published in 1987, this is a quest story involving a teenage girl discovering the truth about her heritage and her birthright, and setting about the fulfillment of her destiny, as decreed by ancient prophecy. Patience learned at the age of five from her father, Lord Peace, that they are the rightful heirs to the throne: part of a long line of Heptarchs that once ruled the entire planet of Imakulata, and have held onto the realm of Korfu for the last thousand years.

Batman: The Stone King by Alan Grant
an audiobook review by Gil T. Wilson
A dam near Gotham City is about to burst and Batman has determined the dam cannot be saved but the citizens of Gotham city must be protected. Batman calls for the help from Justice League members to create a "safe dam break." After the turmoil when all the Justice League members are getting their breath and looking over the destruction created by the rushing waters, The Green Lantern notices a strange object. Uncovered by the erosion of the sudden rushing waters is a pyramid, not unlike those in Egypt.

Love in the Time of Fridges by Tim Scott
reviewed by Rob Kane
The story revolves around Huckleberry Lindbergh, an ex-cop from the city of New Seattle who returns to the city after an eight year absence to find that things are not as they seemed before. As he adjusts to this new city, he gets involved with a mysterious woman and a gang of talking, (semi-)intelligent fridges she is taking to safety. Or rather, a gang of fridges and a spin dryer. His involvement with the woman, Nena, gets him on the wrong side of the law as he helps unearth a vast conspiracy that threatens New Seattle.