Son of Darkness by Josepha Sherman
reviewed by Alexander von Thorn
A prince of the Unseelie Court abandons his world to hide in the realm of mortals. A demon of death and disease strikes people down at random. A dark hunter sends his spellbound minions to sacrifice their lives. A fanatic cult dabbles in occult mysteries. Nothing too unusual in the days and nights of New York City.

Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
In his column, Rick's commentary on SF television includes an episode of Babylon 5, "Thirdspace," by J. Michael Straczynski and the Star Trek: Voyager episode, "Demons," story by Andre Bormanis and teleplay by Kenneth Biller.

Mid-July New Arrivals
compiled by John O'Neill
Every two weeks we take inventory of the latest review copies we've received, jot down a few notes, and fire up the scanner -- and the result is our New Arrivals column, your own online book club. Who needs Oprah Winfrey when the SF Site gives you all the recommendations you need? Exciting new authors this issue include Sean Stewart, Howard Waldrop, Ben Bova, Bernard Cornwell, Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris, Laura Resnick, Nancy Kress, Michael Marshall Smith, Charles Sheffield, Linda Nagata, William C. Dietz, Jan Clark, Kate Forsyth, John Bellairs, and over forty others.

Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff
reviewed by Margo MacDonald
Having a hole to Hell in your basement isn't so bad. You get to heat your house for free, and be entertained by Hell's frustrated attempts at stand-up comedy. If you want to have a good chuckle and keep yourself amused while sitting on the beach, then pick up this gem of a book.

Finity's End by C.J. Cherryh
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
Over the course of the last two decades, Cherryh's Merchanter universe has grown into one of the great future histories of science fiction. The combination of realistic portrayals of large-scale power politics and intensely driven characters, make it impossible to judge the characters in simplistic, good or bad terms. This is especially true in this novel.

Imprinting by Terry McGarry & This Impatient Ape by Steven Utley
reviewed by S. Kay Elmore
Kay speculates that it's hard to not be intimidated by poetry. But the authors of both books are approachable, sprinkling their poems with wit, humour and insight. Both of these books are not the least bit difficult, nor are they intimidating in any sense.

The New Adventures of Abraham Lincoln by Scott McCloud and U.S. by Steve Darnall and Alex Ross
reviewed by Glen Engel-Cox
The Fourth of July sees sales events promising independence from high prices and former president look-alikes leading marching bands to spectacular fireworks displays. Education and introspection take a backseat to marketing and entertainment. Which is why two new graphic novels dealing with the American national identity are welcome breezes of fresh air amidst the lingering stench of stale gunpowder.

Perry Rhodan Magazine
reviewed by Mark Shainblum
At last! The return of a good old-fashioned, honest-to-God pulp magazine. Perry Rhodan is a space opera series which has been in continuous German publication since the early 1960s. After several forays into the North American paperback book market throughout the 60s and 70s, Perry Rhodan is finally back. It's been relaunched in an accessible, affordable newsprint format -- a pulp magazine, in other words.

Factoring Humanity by Robert J. Sawyer
reviewed by Rodger Turner
Robert J. Sawyer writes interesting characters, fast-paced plotting science threaded elegantly into the prose yet simply put to let Rodger understand it -- he can do it all with grace and style. He does it again in this novel. And he's found a way to make the format of technology as important as the content.

The Centurion's Empire by Sean McMullen
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
Suppose a person were to travel centuries forward at a time, in nothing more than their own body. Vitellan Bavalius is making the long journey from 71 AD to the 21st century alone -- with a few interesting stops along the way...

The Compass of the Soul by Sean Russell
reviewed by Rodger Turner
This novel and and its companion, Beneath the Vaulted Hills, are just the sort of books that can sweep you away from your day-to-day life and catapult you into that mental cabin in the woods, that imaginary home overlooking the sea, that dream sailboat cruising the waterways.

Full Tide of Night by J. R. Dunn
reviewed by Kim Fawcett
This novel is not always easy reading. It's a book that sometimes hurts, because it reminds us of what we are capable of at our best and at our worst. But, while painful, reminders of this sort should never be unwelcome.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
What is the deepest fear? Is it to be alone? Is it to be isolated in a crowd? Or is it to be persecuted without ever learning the reason why? What if this were your existence? Could you survive and how would you know if you had? These are questions at the the heart of this novel.

Darwinia by Robert Charles Wilson
reviewed by Neil Walsh
Sometimes in an alternate history novel the author merely explores the question of "What if?" Here, the author explores not only "What if?" but also "How come?" and "What now?" We see an alternate history as well as the causes and ramifications of it. Here we get to see how and why history jumped its rails.

Silk by Caitlín R. Kiernan
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
Call it "gothic horror," but don't even think of grouping it in your mind with Dracula, haunted castles and things that come out only in the absence of light. This is something far more terrifying than that. Junkies, incestuous psychotics, and sadists wait behind every turn of the page. Surviving them will make you stronger... if you survive.

Children of Amarid by David B. Coe
reviewed by Stephen M. Davis
The central conflict revolves around a pre-invasion scorched earth operation launched by a powerful war-lord. Mercenaries with awesome weapons are wandering around impersonating mages, hoping to cripple the rulers by sowing mistrust amongst the people and it appears there is a traitor...

The Blending by Sharon Green
reviewed by Robert Francis
The Blending series (so far 3 of possibly 5 volumes) tells a tale of power, corruption, and talent of an unusual nature. The proper Blending of Talents to control Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit can provide almost unimaginable power. Finding that ideal combination to defend against the Enemy is paramount, although many say the Enemy is long overdue. Perhaps too long overdue...

All the Other Things I Really Need to Know I Learned from Watching Star Trek: The Next Generation by Dave Marinaccio
reviewed by Alexander von Thorn
If the 179 episodes of ST:TNG form the Torah of our age, then this book is the Talmud, the commentary which elaborates on the parables and explains their relevance to our day-to-day lives. The Next Generation role-models are guided by principles which are at least as relevant and helpful in the 21st century as in the 24th.

Donnerjack by Roger Zelazny and Jane Lindskold
reviewed by Neil Walsh
In a reprise review to coincide with the paperback release, Neil takes a look at one of the two novels Zelazny was working on at the time of his death a few years ago. It is a return to the themes and ideals of some of Zelazny's greatest works, such as Lord of Light and Creatures of Light and Darkness.

The Demon Awakens by R.A. Salvatore
reviewed by Wayne MacLaurin
In a reprise review to coincide with the paperback release, Wayne looks at a stand-alone novel from one of his favourites, the ex-TSR author of the very popular Dark Elf saga.