Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
In his column this month, Rick's commentary on SF television includes Merlin written by David Stevens and Peter Barnes and the X-Files episode, Gethsemane by Chris Carter.

Masque by F. Paul Wilson and Matthew J. Costello
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
An idle question -- "If you could be anyone in the world, who would you be?" -- turns deadly serious. Enter the world of Masque where one segment of the population can do just that: transform their bodies into virtually anything or anyone.

Tanya Huff Reading List
compiled by Rodger Turner
With the release of a new novel, Summon the Keeper, in May, Rodger compiled this page on the work of Tanya Huff. There, you'll find a profile of her novels and a list of her short fiction.

Carnivores of Light and Darkness by Alan Dean Foster
reviewed by Todd Richmond
The unlikely trio of characters and their adventures through the Unstable Lands provide plenty of variety to this first book of a new series, gently pulling the reader along on the journey. Todd is looking forward to following the further exploits of Etjole the Catechist in the next book.

Homebody by Orson Scott Card
reviewed by Marc Goldstein
Call it a ghost story or a gothic romance, one thing is certain about this novel: it is not science fiction. One of the most celebrated SF authors of the last twenty years, Card has a passion for characterization and spirituality that makes him exceptional in any genre. In this novel, he skillfully builds the paranoia and suspense, cranking it up to fever pitch for the breathless finalé.

Inhuman Beings by Jerry Jay Carroll
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
There is absolutely no reason why this dizzy blend of pulp SF and hardboiled mystery should work, but it does -- wonderfully. The narrative blazes, the reader doesn't have time to question what's happening. Carroll invests even his most impossible situations with a crazily consistent logic. The book's punch is aided by a tight, lean prose style.

The Family Tree by Sheri S. Tepper
reviewed by S. Kay Elmore
Mysterious neighbors, hidden libraries, great enigmas, scientific discoveries and a deranged killer all entwine to forge a story about friendship, trust and sacrifice in the face of environmental madness.

The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells
reviewed by Wayne MacLaurin
Mix some Sherlock Holmes with a heavy dose of Steven Brust's Jhereg and you'll have some idea of what to expect from The Death of the Necromancer. Wayne's already cast his vote on this book for most exciting new fantasy novel of the summer!

The Magic Circle by Katherine Neville
reviewed by Margo MacDonald
Margo found this book to be undeniably a grand adventure, wrapped in amazing characters and even more amazing tales. It is a whirlwind of history and mysticism combined with fabulous storytelling which manages to entertain, inform and activate the imagination.

Star Trek: New Frontier: Fire on High by Peter David
reviewed by Alexander von Thorn
A new Star Trek novel by Peter David is always a good bet, and this one meets the standard for strong writing that he has shown in past efforts.

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
When was the last time you really felt the wonder and magic of a fairy tale? If your answer evokes wistful sighs and memories of growth charts, it's time to get back in the land of make-believe -- and no matter what your age, here is the book that can bring that sense of enchantment back.

Editor's Choice
short fiction reviews by David A. Truesdale
In his column, David looks at the April 1998 and the May 1998 issues of The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. His choices from the April issue are "So Many Miles to the Heart of a Child" by Richard Bowes and "Mother Grasshopper" by Michael Swanwick. From the May issue, he chose "The Questing Mind" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

Heartfire by Orson Scott Card
reviewed by Steven H Silver
Steven feels that this long-awaited fifth book sets the Alvin Maker series back on the right track. An overriding theme to Heartfire is Card's examination of the degradation of people. By looking for their heartfires, Alvin's wife Peggy discovers the vastly different circumstances of the enslaved peoples she is struggling to free.

Mid-May New Arrivals
compiled by John O'Neill
What, is it summer already? Easy to miss the passage of seasons, when distractions keep arriving from such luminaries as Terry Pratchett, Melissa Scott, J. Gregory Keyes, Kara Dalkey, Patricia Anthony, R. A. Salvatore, K. W. Jeter, Brian Lumley, Richard Calder, Andre Norton & Lyn McConchie, Christopher Stasheff, Anne McCaffrey and Margaret Ball, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Laurell K. Hamilton, Steven Utley, Keith Allen Daniels, James Blish, Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens, and many others.

Return to the Nightmare Country an interview with Stephen Gallagher
by David Mathew
A decade later, Stephen Gallagher has returned to horror fiction. He has adapted his novel, Oktober, for television -- three one-hour episodes for ITV in the UK. David talked to him while the episodes were being filmed earlier this year.

Wolves of the Gods by Allan Cole
reviewed by Wayne MacLaurin
Book Two of the Timura Trilogy: Timura is on a quest for Syrapis, the legendary home of the great demon-wizard Asper. There are some terrific supporting characters and a couple of absolutely wonderful scenes -- including a reappearance of Methydia's Circus of Miracles.

Fire Angels by Jane Routley
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
Strange creatures and stranger characters. Mystical locales. Enviable abilities. Compelling situations. It never occurs to doubt the possibility of this tale, only to hurry to learn the fate of the people and places between the covers.

Godzilla
reviewed by Thomas Myer
Not impressed, Thomas couldn't help but root for the lizard. In Texas, he feels that anything that demolishes New York City in an effort to lay 200 eggs in the middle of it deserves a resounding ovation.

The Official Godzilla Compendium by J.D. Lees and Marc Cerasini
reviewed by Marc Goldstein
Filling the book with trivia that will appeal to both serious scholars and neophytes alike, the authors take particular glee in busting a few pet-peeve misconceptions about the big guy. His skin is gray, not green, they assert with comic exasperation.

Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
reviewed by Steven H Silver
In a reprise review to coincide with the paperback release, Steven wonders what is the author of Practical Demonkeeping and Bloodsucking Fiends up to now?

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
reviewed by Lela Olszewski
In a reprise review to coincide with the paperback release, Lela found this book to be full of unique worlds, fascinating characters, emotionally powerful writing, touches of humour, and a delightful subversiveness. This is young adult fantasy in the same vein as Lord of the Rings and Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea Trilogy.