The Very Best of Charles de Lint
a contest
All of the finest stories of this popular pioneer of urban fantasy and creator of the
mythical city of Newford have been chosen by the author -- and his fans -- and gathered in
this collection. To celebrate, we decided to have a contest.
You can win a copy of The Very Best of Charles de Lint, published by Tachyon Publications,
which will be sent to you post-paid. All you need to do is to answer five questions.
Clementine by Cherie Priest
reviewed by Jason Erik Lundberg
Cherie Priest's entry into the world of steampunk has been spectacular and explosive, qualities that match the
protagonists of her new short novel Clementine. The book proceeds from the events in its incredible
predecessor Boneshaker, following a minor character in that novel, Captain Croggon Beauregard Hainey,
an escaped slave on the hunt for those who have stolen his (previously stolen) airship, the Free Crow.
Stories edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio
reviewed by Mario Guslandi
Here we have twenty-seven new tales by renowned authors (and storytellers) such as Joyce Carol Oates,
Roddy Doyle, Peter Straub, Joe R. Lansdale, Chick Palahniuk, Gene Wolfe, Jonathan Carroll, Michael Moorcock,
and each of the two editors Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio. They provide twenty-seven stories, ranging from the
fantastic to the horrific, from pulp fiction to fantasy.
Star Wars: Darth Bane - Dynasty of Evil by Drew Karpyshyn
reviewed by David Maddox
Darth Bane, the first and only true Dark Lord of the Sith, has acquired much knowledge, power and strength over the
decades. But the Dark Side energy that feeds his thirst for control is slowly destroying his battered frame. As he
continues to lose faith in his apprentice, Darth Zannah, Bane finds he must look for either a new apprentice, or
a way to prolong his life…
City of Souls and Cheat the Grave by Vicki Pettersson
reviewed by Michael M Jones
The secret war between the Zodiac troops of Shadow and Light continues unabated, with Las Vegas as both battlefield
and prize. As always, stuck right in the middle is Joanna Archer, whose uniquely mixed heritage casts her as a
prophesied agent of change and destiny.
Transformed into the exact likeness of her murdered socialite sister Olivia, she's living under the noses of
her greatest enemies, one step away from discovery at all times.
Kraken by China Miéville
reviewed by Alma A. Hromic
China Miéville continues to be a word wizard of the first order. He doesn't ever use just any word where
the perfect word will do, and every time reading a Miéville novel will expand your vocabulary exponentially.
He is also a gifted observer and he is capable of sketching out things without dwelling on them, but in such a way
that readers still find those things haunting their dreams days after they have put the finished novel down
and had thought that they were done with it.
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
reviewed by Dan Shade
Tally is in school. Learning seems to be the primary task for Uglies whereas having fun and partying is for
Pretties. Tally is a pro at sneaking out at night to cross the river and spy on the Pretty life style. She
travels via her hoverboard upon which she is fairly skilled. Tally has some pretty (no
pun intended) exciting adventures among the Pretties before she meets Shay.
The Amazing, Incredible, Shrinking Colossal, Bikini-Crazed Creature From the Public Domain by E. Mitchell
reviewed by John Enzinas
The book is the story of a scientist in lust who travels through the plots of various science fiction movies that are now
out of copyright. Normally John loves this kind of thing; a farcical mash-up playing with the tropes of classic science
fiction cinema.
The Not Quite Right Reverend Cletus J. Diggs & the Currently Accepted Habits of Nature by David Niall Wilson
an audiobook review by Susan Dunman
Not much happens in the backwater town of Old Mill, North Carolina. It's so quiet that Jasper, the local air-conditioner
repairman, decides to let his customers swelter just one more day while he goes fishing. But on his arrival at his
favorite fishing hole, Jasper discovers a partially submerged body in the middle of his fishing spot. The upper
torso and head are hidden under the dark water and Jasper has no desire to see what lies beneath.
The Tramp by L. Ron Hubbard
an audio review podcast by Gil T. Wilson
"The Tramp" was originally published in three parts in Astounding Science Fiction. Appearing
in the September, October and November issues during 1938, it is the only story in this audio
release. The action begins when a small-town sheriff shoots an escaping vagrant, Doughface Jack,
in the head. The local doctor works frantically to save Jack's life, relying on unconventional
surgery which involves sewing the two halves of Jack's brain together and replacing the top
of his skull with a silver bowl.
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The Good, The Bad, And The Uncanny by Simon R. Green
reviewed by Michael M Jones
Things never slow down in the Nightside, the secret black heart of London where it's always the darkest part of the
night and the shadows have teeth. And as always, where there's trouble, there's John Taylor, private detective and
all-around go-to guy when things get weird. His latest job's unusual, even by his standards: escort the elf known
as Lord Screech across the Nightside.
Providing transportation for this little outing is Ms. Fate, the Nightside's very own transvestite superheroine.
The Extra by Michael Shea
reviewed by Seamus Sweeney
One of the most abused clichés of reviewing a thriller is to describe it a "ride" -- or sometimes
a "roller-coaster ride" or "roller-coaster." This is ne book that merits the tag, it is
a fun blend of many speculative fiction subgenres -- the near future dystopia, the reality TV show satire,
the hunt for "the most dangerous game" of them all -- man. Added to the mix is a witty send-up of the pomposity
and greed of the movie world.
New Arrivals
compiled by Neil Walsh
This time we're looking at the latest from Greg Egan, Laurell K. Hamilton, Whitley Streiber, David Weber, Harry Turtledove, Kelley Armstrong, and many others. Enjoy!
New Audiobooks
compiled by Susan Dunman
Recent audiobook releases received by SF Site include works by
Paolo Bacigalupi, Charles de Lint, R.A. Salvatore, Ray Bradbury, Robert Sheckley and Lois McMaster Bujold.
At times it's more convenient (and enjoyable) to hear the latest in science fiction and fantasy.
Watching the Future
a column by Derek Johnson
As Derek writes, Christopher Nolan's Inception has grossed over $165 million in United States domestic
ticket sales. While not exactly the same level of success as his previous movie -- The Dark Knight grossed $351
million after its first two weeks -- it nonetheless bodes well for Nolan, who took what could have been an
incomprehensible, self-indulgent mess and managed to find a successful blend of art-house indie flick and
crowd-pleasing blockbuster. It may not be perfect but at least it managed to be one of the summer's top tier
movies without asking its audience not to check its brain at the door.
News Spotlight -- Genre Books and Media
a column by Sandy Auden
Sometimes a cup of coffee can change your life. For actor and general entrepreneur Todd Stashwick
(Supernatural, Heroes) and comic writer/artist Dennis Calero (Heroes,
Wolverine) a simple caffeine break together resulted in the launch of a brand new web comic
called Devil Inside.
Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
The current season of Doctor Who came to a satisfactorily mind-blowing end,
with the threat that the universe would be, not just destroyed, but caused never to have
existed at all. The Doctor faces down all of the villains he has ever encountered
armed, as usual, with nothing more than his wits.
Inception
a movie review by Rick Norwood
Critical reaction has been mixed. Some critics didn't understand it, others didn't like having to think
so hard, others sincerely believe that the only purpose of art is to reveal human character, and that
cleverness detracts from the purity of film. And some critics liked it.
Nexus Graphica
a column by Rick Klaw and Mark London Williams
It's time for Mark London Williams to write again of Comic Con, and his double-foray (which sounds kinky
though was, alas, anything but) into Con territories this year...
He has been going to the Con for twenty years now -- and covering them regularly here
for three. And it strikes him that much of what the
Con has become is summed up here in a quote from Peter Hall (not the British
director, one assumes!), writing for Cinematical...
Restoring Harmony by Joëlle Anthony
reviewed by Dan Shade
Sixteen-Year-Old Molly McClure must save her family in 2041. After severe oil shortages, the government
has seized all remaining oil. This and the previous shortages have resulted in extreme poverty worldwide. Many
large corporations and small businesses have failed. This life-changing event is referred to as the Collapse. Money
still has value, there just isn't very much to go around and has lost much of its value. Most economic
transactions are the result of the barter system.
Elric in the Dream Realms by Michael Moorcock
reviewed by Sandra Scholes
Elric of Melniboné is a sorcerer, prince of a fallen kingdom, despoiler of women and sometime
physically weak figure, if not for the herbs he consumes to keep him alert and ready to do battle later. It would be
easy to hate such an individual, but Elric is not intentionally cruel, and constantly in mourning for
Cymoril, his wife who just happens to be the only woman he has ever truly loved.
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