The Fabulous Beast by Garry Kilworth
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
This is a collection of short stories described by the publisher as a set of beautifully crafted tales of the
imagination by a writer who was smitten by the magic of the speculative short story at the age of twelve, and has remained under
its spell ever since. An introduction loaded with promise, but does it add up to five beans?
Chimes at Midnight by Seanan McGuire
reviewed by Katherine Petersen
October "Toby" Daye knew it was too good to be true when things in her life started to settle down. Then changelings, dead from
an overdose from a drug called goblin fruit start appearing in San Francisco. A pleasure drug for the fae, goblin fruit wreaks
havoc on changelings, giving them an instant addiction that can never be quenched. Toby takes the problem to the Queen of the Mists,
who hates her passionately, and she gets a decree of exile for her trouble. This means Toby has three days to somehow
overturn the queen's decision, get goblin fruit off the streets and likely have to save her own life in the process.
The Year's Best Science Fiction: Thirtieth Annual Collection edited by Gardner Dozois
reviewed by Sandra Scholes
Long running compilation books of the best science fiction writing don't come any better than this. The anthology
has the very best SF authors explore new worlds with many different settings and outcomes and raises several questions
about what is out there in the universe, the truths of aliens, and the reality of these tales as the award-winning authors write
about them. Many well-known authors try to answer the questions that are on all our minds on the universe and those deep, dark parts.
Year's Best SF 17 edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
reviewed by D. Douglas Fratz
All of those who love short science fiction look forward each year to the release of the two senior annual best-of-the-year
anthologies by Gardner Dozois and David G. Hartwell/Kathryn Cramer, the latter of which is now only the slightly smaller
of the two. For the record, the Hartwell and Cramer volume this year has only four stories of its 24 that are also
included in the Dozois -- although as usual there are many other authors who have different stories chosen for each -- and
perusing both remains essential for all serious SF readers.
The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Four edited by Ellen Datlow
reviewed by Mario Guslandi
The anthology has assembled eighteen stories that appeared in original anthologies, collections and magazines during 2011.
They include "Roots and All" by Brian Hodge, an extraordinary, insightful tale where the strength of brotherly
love and the nostalgia for a long gone past get imbued with supernatural horror and Leah Bobet's "Stay," a creepy,
atmospheric piece revisiting the myth of the Wendigo.
The Fifth Science Fiction Megapack: 25 Modern and Classic Science Fiction Stories edited by John Betancourt
reviewed by Cyd Athens
The 5th volume in the Science Fiction Megapack ebook series presents 25 tales of
high adventure through other worlds and times, including two award winners: Avram Davidson's Hugo-winning story, "Or All the Seas
with Oysters," and Gardner Dozois's "The Peacemaker," which won a Nebula Award, and several
nominees: Nebula Award finalist "The Eichmann Variations," by George Zebrowski; Hugo finalist "Code Three," by Rick
Raphael; and,"May Be Some Time," by Brenda Clough, which was both a Hugo and a Nebula finalist.
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The Year's Best Science Fiction: by Volume
compiled by Rodger Turner
In 1984, Gardner Dozois gathered together what he thought was the best short science fiction of the previous year. He
scrutinized as many of the magazines, collections and anthologies published in 1983 that he could get his hands on and
chose those which he felt best represented the science fiction field. Jim Frenkel published it as part of his Bluejay
Books line (for three years) and it has been produced every year since then (by St. Martins's Press).
Volume 30 has been added to the lists compiled by author, by title and by volume.
New Arrivals
compiled by Neil Walsh
A short list this time, but with some great stuff, including the latest from Terry Goodkind, Richard Kadrey, Elspeth Cooper, Stephen Deas, Jon Steele, and a Doctor Who novel.
Nexus Graphica
a column by Rick Klaw and Mark London Williams
After a rare set of back-to-back guest columnists (thanks to Claude Lalumière
and Gary Phillips for their superior pinch hitting), Rick Klaw returns with a
selection of nothing but reviews of recent reads. He takes a look at
Steve Ditko's Monsters, Vol. 2: Konga, In the Days of the Mob, Robocop Volume 1
and Fashion Beast.
The Videssos Cycle, Volume I by Harry Turtledove
reviewed by Steven H Silver
The first two novels of the Videssos Cycle (The Misplaced Legion and An Emperor for the Legion)
have been collected in an omnibus volume, offering a new generation of fans an introduction to the history-based fantasy with which
Harry Turtledove initially built his name. The basic premise of the series has a Republican Roman legion shunted from Gaul to a land in
which magic works and the political culture is reminiscent of the Byzantine Empire into which Rome would eventually evolve.
Total Recall by Philip K. Dick
reviewed by David Maddox
Philip K. Dick is a definitive master of the short story format. His ability to create a cohesive future world and society by
having his characters perform common tasks in these worlds without resorting to long explanations and expository dialogue is second
to none. Total Recall is a recent collection of twenty-five of Dick's best short stories and
released as a tie-in for the Colin Farrell film.
Jupiter, Issue 36, April 2012 and Jupiter, Issue 37, July 2012
reviewed by Rich Horton
The moons of Jupiter for the 36th and 37th issues of Jupiter, are Sponde and Kale. Sponde's cover, a robot
or someone in space armor, is by Australian writer David Conyers, who is also associated with the Irish
magazine Albedo One. Kale's cover, by Sam Mardon, also involves space armor: as a man is shown outside
an exploding spaceship. Both enjoyable enough illustrations, and both representative of the somewhat old-fashioned and
very much pure SF orientation of the magazine.
Werewolves of Wisconsin and Other American Myths, Monsters and Ghosts by Andy Fish
reviewed by Sandra Scholes
When people think of the United States, they think of all the good bits: writers, artists, musicians, and places like Mount
Rushmore, and landmarks like The Statue of Liberty, but in this graphic novel of tales, writer and artist, Andy Fish
explores the darker side of its history with the ghosts and monsters hidden around every corner.
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