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 SF Insite: Reviewer Rich Horton
takes us on a leisurely tour of the works of NESFA Press.
Letters:
We love letters. They make us think. They make us laugh. They make us sit up and take notice.
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Under Siege: Mark Shainblum comments on the audio version of the short story by George R.R. Martin.
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Tanya Huff Reading List: her newest book, Summon the Keeper
was a treat. Maybe you should try one of her others.
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Author & Fan Tribute Sites: we've built 26 pages of them (plus one for Mc).
Our Contents Page highlights reviews of
The Golden Globe by John Varley,
Lost Pages by Paul Di Filippo,
The Gilded Chain by Dave Duncan and
Bag of Bones by Stephen King.
SF Site Interviews: In past issues, we've interviewed Gregory Benford, Bruce Sterling and many others. If you missed any, here is an easy way to see which ones.
Conventions: we've updated our coverage to include listings broken down by date, by location and by category.
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Unfinished Tales by Mark Sumner
Mark Sumner, author of Devil's Tower and the Extreme
Zone series, is a man with a lot of creative
energy -- too much, it turns out. He's currently at work on an assortment
of new projects: novels, novellas, and short stories which he's shared with
the editors of the SF Site, and which we find fascinating.
With Mark's permission, we're offering you a look at the most
intriguing of these story excerpts. This issue we preview two of them.
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Angels on Fire by Nancy A. Collins
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
Lucy Bender's life is a mess. Her boyfriend has left her for a
woman with a trust fund, and the artists' collective that she's a part
of has voted her out. On the way up to the roof of her ratty apartment
building to contemplate whether to throw herself off, she stumbles over... an angel.
Krondor the Betrayal by Raymond E. Feist
reviewed by Wayne MacLaurin
It is a tale that takes place just after the Riftwar Saga.
The Brotherhood of the Dark Path once again threatens the Kingdom.
The story quickly becomes much more complex as seemingly
unconnected events in Krondor and elsewhere begin to reveal a
sinister plot.
Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
In his column, Rick's commentary on SF television includes an episode of
Babylon 5, "The Fall of Centauri Prime," by J. Michael Straczynski and a special episode of
Diagnosis Murder with George Takei, Walter Koenig, Wil Wheaton, Bill Mumy, Majel Barrett, and Grace Lee Whitney.
Raising Dragons by Jerdine Nolen
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
This book reaches out to welcome African-American
children into the wonderful territory of unrestrained imagination. With
vibrant colours and a beguiling story, it's quite possible that this fantastical situation
may exist only in a child's mind, but that is real enough for the very young.
Future on Ice edited by Orson Scott Card
reviewed by Rich Horton
This is quite legitimately an anthology which can stand on its own as
a "Best of the 80s," even though it was intended to be paired with
Future on Fire. No doubt, these aren't the very best 18 stories
from that decade, but on any given day, they'll do.
Forthcoming Books
compiled by John O'Neill
Part of the joy of reviewing books is the occasional glimpse at a future title or two.
And to share some of that fun with you, we've crafted a set of pages devoted to news and info
on forthcoming books -- including work from Dan Simmons, Neil Gaiman, John Barnes,
and many others. We think you'll find it very interesting.
Driving Blind by Ray Bradbury
reviewed by David Soyka
If you're a fan, you'll be as enchanted as you were when you
first picked-up Dandelion Wine and were transported to a place
in which the ordinary somehow became extraordinary, and it
didn't matter that the space travel of The Martian Chronicles
or the futuristic setting of Fahrenheit 451 were missing.
Going Postal edited by Gerard Daniel Houarner
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
SF, fantasy, and horror -- it's all there in
this anthology. The editor has gathered together the new names that
you will be seeing on book spines in all these genres for years to
come. Pay attention to the messages and the messengers; they're
going to be part of our lives for some time.
A Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan
reviewed by James Seidman
The author continues to showcase his stunning world building abilities
in this detailed story of a struggle between good and evil. The story
continues to develop its myriad threads and subplots, carrying the reader
inexorably toward an unpredictable conclusion.
Dragon Tempest by Don Callander
reviewed by Todd Richmond
In this, the third Dragon book, Tom Whitehead's very pregnant
wife is kidnapped. Tom, along with his Dragon Companion,
begins to search for them. A ransom note leads to a magical unmanned ship which
immediately sets sail as they step on board.
Bar Crawl of the Damned by William Morton
reviewed by Kristen Pederson
The art is well done in a clear, representational pen and ink style
that isn't too artsy. The comic follows the adventures of
Kurt, a big, round, terminally cheerful biker-leather-Punisher-t-shirt-wearing
werewolf with a frightening capacity for alcohol and Sean, a pasty and cadaverous
vampire with blank eyes and a slightly more bemused and confused expression.
Roads Not Taken: Tales of Alternate History edited by Gardner Dozois and Stanley Schmidt
reviewed by Mark Shainblum
This is a fine little anthology of American alternate history
stories, all but one originally published within the last 10
years. Mark was quite excited to be able to snag it for review.
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The Uncrowned King by Michelle West
reviewed by Alexander von Thorn
The author is a master of character and setting. The
city of Averalaan is no sketch or generic medieval background; it's
described with vivid color and with economy of language. The characters
leap to life quickly, in only a few lines of dialogue.
Beholder's Eye by Julie E. Czerneda
reviewed by James Seidman
An alien shapeshifter becomes closer and closer friends with a
human. Having few meaningful interactions with another species,
she is ill prepared for the consequences that friendship can bring.
Black Swan, White Raven edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
Georges approached this book with some preconceptions of what
a fairy tale should be -- what sort of a fairy tale anthology
doesn't have a single tale beginning with "once upon a time?"
He was expecting exactly what the editors of this anthology
were trying to avoid and recast in a modern context.
Mid-October Books
compiled by John O'Neill
Fantasy seems to have outweighed SF these last two weeks, with big new books from such names as Robert
Jordan, Terry Pratchett, Piers Anthony, Steven Brust, Jane Yolen and Gordon R. Dickson. If you're looking for
science fiction, however, don't fret -- some of the brightest new names in SF check in with
highly anticipated volumes, including Sarah Zettel, Maureen F McHugh, and Paul J. McAuley, as well
as more established folk such as K.W. Jeter, Pat Cadigan, and James White.
Green Rider by Kristen Britain
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
While running away, Karigan meets a rider with two black arrows in his back.
With his dying breath he binds her to an oath -- to deliver the message he carries.
He gives her his horse and his winged brooch, the emblem of the legendary messengers
of the King, and a warning: Beware the shadow man.
Project: Maldon by Chris Atack
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
This novel puts the bite on you right away and hangs on
like a %$@*& pit bull. The action moves with the force
of the best suspense or action novels on the market.
The Night Watch by Sean Stewart
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
Here, the people of this strange new world are the focus. Different
from us, but still unquestionably of us, the author's characters
live and breathe and hurt on these pages. If their ghosts are easier
to see, ours hold to the last shreds of life just as fiercely.
Departures by Harry Turtledove
reviewed by Steven H Silver
For readers who have not read any of the author's work, Steven recommends
this collection to get a feel for the wide range of stories
Turtledove has to offer. For people who only know him through his novel-length
work, Steven also recommends it to show how masterful Turtledove is when
it comes to writing short stories.
The Bestiary
a game supplement review by Don Bassingthwaite
Don feels The Bestiary is the best game product he's seen this
year. The layout is good, the writing is fantastic, the art
is great -- and most importantly, it's a useful game product.
Marvel Super Heroes Adventure Game
a game review by Don Bassingthwaite
Yes, you too can take the role of your favourite Marvel
super hero, defending law-abiding citizens from villainous
criminals, protecting Earth from cosmic menaces, and worrying
if maybe your costume shows off just a little bit too much muscle.
Deathtrap Dungeon
a game review by Steve Lazarowitz
Deathtrap Dungeon by Eidos Interactive is a game apart. Eidos
is responsible for the exceedingly popular Tomb Raider
series, and they have turned that game engine into an entertaining
swords-and-sorcery adventure that few competitors can match.
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