The Stone Maiden by Susan King
reviewed by Catherine Asaro
This is a lyrical novel set in 12th century Scotland, a tale of Celtic clans and Norman knights
intertwined with the legend of an ancient maiden whose spirit has been trapped in a stone pillar for 700
years. With grace and style, the author weaves together the threads of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction.
The Lost Steersman by Rosemary Kirstein
reviewed by Sherwood Smith
There are numerous books published as science fiction, containing sturdy SF tropes such as hyperdrives, sexy tech, futureworld
societies, that really arise out of a fantasy dreamworld. The author is one of those rarities whose books are marketed as
fantasy, and contain such sturdy fantasy tropes as wizards, magic, and low tech levels that are nevertheless built on a science fictional substrate.
What's more, they are very good stories.
A Cold Summer Night by Trystam Kith
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
The Sheriff of Nottingham, Hugh deSteny, feels his blood chill when he is told of bodies found in a crofter's hut in
Sherwood Forest. The bodies were completely drained of blood, no wounds save for four small puncture holes, not a drop spilled
anywhere in evidence. On the crusades, he saw and fought monsters capable of this, and fears greatly for the safety of his
people. His investigations put him within the reach of
Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, who slake their thirst, not for gold, but for blood, on all who are foolish enough to come near.
The Glasswright's Test by Mindy L. Klasky
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
Rani Trader is trying to enjoy the life she's found. We're privy to her relationship with her lover, the handsome Tovin, her place
as the sponsor of a troop of Players that he happens to head, her acceptance that her love for the King Halaravilli will never
happen, that he belongs to someone else, that she will never truly be a glasswright. She wonders why the king has been trying to
contact her. Berylina Thunderspear, the princess Hal was supposed to wed, wants
to go on a pilgrimage to the holy land where the prophet of their religion was born.
The Glasswrights' Progress by Mindy L. Klasky
reviewed by Steven H Silver
In this sequel to The Glasswrights' Apprentice, we are introduced to the world beyond the
walls from the first page, when Rani and Bashi leave the city to go hawking. We explore
the expansionist kingdom of Amanthia, which has its own complex social structure based on a mixture
of castes and guilds which look to astronomical signs to determine the totem to which a person belongs.
The Glasswrights' Apprentice by Mindy L. Klasky
reviewed by Steven H Silver
Although this novel serves as a cultural tour, it is not the
raison d'etre of the novel. The author includes a Byzantine plot which is only set in motion with the murder of
Prince Tuvashanoran. In Rani's attempts to secure her safety and find her family, she discovers that the Prince's
death is tied to a cabal which is intent on eradicating the caste system which permeates every aspect of society.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
reviewed by Lela Olszewski
Klause looks at conflicts in ways true to the nature of her novel's werewolves
but they also remain true to the nature of teenagers.
Geek Confidential by Rick Klaw
reviewed by Neil Walsh
Neil has long suspected that Rick Klaw may be an unscrupulous pretender.
He's never met him, but Neil has serious doubts that he is a bona fide geek. Every
conventional definition of the word "geek" carries with it strong
connotations of social unacceptability, due largely to behavioural factors,
often involving obsessive interest in a narrow field. Neil feels that a geek is someone who shows up to
his cousin's wedding wearing a Star Trek uniform.
King of the Nine Hells by Dean Klein
reviewed by Sandra Scholes
A gravedigger works late into the night during the Dark Ages, creating a book using papyrus pages bound to a tree
which it is believed to be used by a sorcerer. When he has completed it, he gains enough power to serve the
leader of a powerful Scottish family.
Hundreds of years later, a man attends a book sale away from London, where he finds a very ancient book, its
binding giving it away instantly. Not knowing why he has done it, he steals the book, but what he doesn't
know is that the book is one that is possessed.
Reassuring Tales by T.E.D. Klein
reviewed by Mario Guslandi
Mainly known for his cult novel The Ceremonies and his mythical collection Dark Gods, T.E.D. Klein is certainly one
of the less prolific authors of dark fiction, much to the dismay of his many admirers who are constantly in waiting for new material.
If you're one of them, this new volume will probably leave you frustrated.
The Silver Spoon by Stacey Klemstein
reviewed by Alisa McCune
No one knows when the Observers originally arrived on Earth, but their unveiling was an event not to be forgotten. Somewhere
in the world, nuclear warheads were launched, escalating into war. Everyone was glued to the television with announcers
giving us 20 minutes until the end of the world. Then they appeared on TV with an offer no one would refuse -- "We will save
Earth from destruction if you allow us to study mankind." The Observers got what they requested with no resistance.
Karel Čapek. Life and Work by Ivan Klíma
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
This biography of Karel Čapek summarizes the life and works of one the premier Czech authors of
the 20th century, and after Franz Kafka probably the best
known. While known to most English readers as a writer of science-fiction and creator of the term "robot", Čapek was
really a mainstream writer who employed science-fictional themes to expose the foibles of contemporary society, to
promulgate his anti-fascist/pro-democratic rhetoric, and to outline his pragmatic and relativist philosophy.
Five Forbidden Things by Dora Knez
reviewed by Trent Walters
This falls somewhere in the middle of the "dangerous" chapbook spectrum
though, thankfully, a little more toward the dangerous end. No classics as yet, but a small cult following
seems imminent. The majority of her fiction bucks the standard formula.
Instead of character development and change, she focuses on the minute qualities of writing, like metaphor, structural
artifice and the aesthetics of language.
Black Blossom by Boban Kneževic
reviewed by William Thompson
It's uncommon to discover a contemporary novel that successfully captures the tone and spirit of early epic legend or
literature, such as the Eddas or Le Chanson de Roland, while at the same time couching itself within a postmodern
aesthetic. At least two recent and notable efforts -- Gene Wolfe's The Wizard Knight and
John Wright's Everness -- that while admirable in their display of postmodern approach to an earlier tradition,
fail to entirely attain the identity they are in part reinventing and emulating. The same cannot be said
for this novel.
Prehistoric Humans in Film and Television by Michael Klossner
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
When reviewing reference works, one can rarely hope to compete with the author in terms of knowledge of the field,
so saying that there are no obvious omissions or errors
isn't saying much. One must judge the work on its ease of use, readability, the quality of its
indexes and bibliographies, how clearly the scope is defined and the completeness of the survey of said scope, along with
the probity of the author's commentary and inclusion of other expert's views -- on these fronts, this book
delivers the goods.
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Death Storm by Anne Knight
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
Though it contains a few science fictional elements (well, okay,
one: recombinant DNA), this novel is more in the tradition of the
paranormal thriller, a type made popular by Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
In post-Soviet Russia, Irina Doraskaya is a possession as valuable
as gold to the gangsters who have kidnapped her -- she is the product of a
Soviet program to breed telekinetic psychics.
Humpty Dumpty: AN OVAL by Damon Knight
reviewed by James Seidman
It is a story that exists on several
different levels of meaning. If you try this oddly stimulating
book, James suggests that you budget enough time to read it twice slowly.
What Rough Beast by H.R. Knight
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
A scoundrel has come to town and he's just the sort Harry Houdini lived to expose. This Victorian Era John Edwards
claims to be able to put the bereaved in touch with their deceased relatives, provided the bereaved can enrich
Maxmillian Cairo's existence on this plane. Debunking such frauds was of special interest to both Houdini
and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and they expect no problems with exposing this con man's tricks before he can bilk
anymore vulnerable clients.
Supernatural Companion Season 1 and Season 2 by Nicholas Knight
reviewed by Sandy Auden
Supernatural is a happy coincidence of good story telling, powerful performances and exceptional crew combining
together to deliver scary episodes that are fun and intriguing all at the same time. Its success has finally been recognised
and the merchandising wagon has started rolling with the coverage of its first two seasons.
The Astonished Eye by Tracy Knight
reviewed by William Thompson
Following the vicissitudes of two visitors to a small, rural town in downstate Illinois,
both arrive in Elderton seeking similar if not immediately associated goals. Jeffrey Sprague is a runaway, a recidivist
reject of the foster care system, searching desperately for "a new life role: the good kid, the one
people liked, the one who belonged. Ben Savitch, on the other
hand, is a cynical, wise-to-the-world reporter working for the tabloid, The Astonished
Eye. Following the lead of a UFO crashing somewhere in the vicinity, he returns to the town
of his birth, assuming, even though he has not been back since age six, that his childhood connection
just might open doors of information that might otherwise remain closed to an outsider.
Alien vs. Alien by Gini Koch
reviewed by Michael M Jones
Presented, for your consideration: Kitty Katt-Martini and her husband, Jeff. She's a rock-and-roll loving girl from Earth;
he's an Armani-clad hunk hailing from Alpha Centauri, rocking the superhuman abilities and with something of a jealous
streak. They're in charge of the American Centaurian Diplomatic Corp, a thinly-veiled attempt to pass Jeff and his fellow A-Cs
off as a very exclusive religious/ethnic group with full representation in Washington, D.C. They're married with a brand new
baby girl, and their life is abso-freaking-lutely insane.
Touched By An Alien, Alien Tango and Alien in the Family by Gini Koch
reviewed by Michael M Jones
When marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt instinctively, against all odds, kills a superhuman monster with
nothing more than a pen, she's almost immediately dragged into a world of bizarre adventure unlike any she ever
imagined. She's spirited away by a group of Armani-clad hotties who work for an agency so secret, it's literally
out of this world.
Little Winged One by Will Kosh
reviewed by Sandra Scholes
Alida Beretta is a teenager living in a Colorado town and to everyone she is just a normal
everyday teenager, but for one thing, a pair of bird's wings that have fully grown from her back. Alida has
friends, though society does not accept people like her, winged ones who have the ability to fly and feel as
free as a bird. She has to accept the prejudice from others as she's spotted flying around.
Extremities by Kathe Koja
reviewed by S. Kay Elmore
In Kathe Koja's world, there is the potential for horror in every
situation. Here, she proves it with 17 lush and startling
visions. Each story explores an extreme state of being:
obsession, grief, survivors guilt, insanity, death, and what
seems to be Koja's favorite subject, artistic expression.
The Unincorporated Man by Dani Kollin & Eytan Kollin
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
Justin Cord, a multi-billionaire from our own time, used his wealth to develop a working cryogenic
suspension device. When he is taken ill, he uses the device to freeze himself and is revived three hundred years
later in a world where governments hardly exist and society is run almost entirely by corporations. Even
individuals in this new society are incorporated, and most people spend most of their lives trying to acquire
enough of their own stock to have control over their own economic lives.
Kings of the High Frontier by Victor Koman
reviewed by Neil Walsh
In this important science fiction work, which should be read by everyone who
has ever dreamt of space travel, the author tackles many difficult questions
about who owns space. Originally published online, this is the first
non-print novel to win the Prometheus award.
Dykstra's War by Jeffery D. Kooistra
reviewed by Peter D. Tillman
James Dykstra is the greatest scientific genius of the 21st century, but at 126 years of age, he's starting to slow
down. Until the mysterious Phinons attack a human ship out in the Oort. A wrecked alien ship hints at a possible FTL
drive... and the Phinons seem to have some curious blind spots.
Sole Survivor by Dean R. Koontz
reviewed by Rodger Turner
Joe Carpenter still agonizes over the death of his wife and daughter a year after
their plane crashed. He can't work, he's let his friends fall by the wayside, his
grief is almost palpable. One day, he is contacted by someone who can put him in
touch with a survivor who walked away from the crash and who knows why the plane went down.
Is he interested? You betcha. Thereby hangs the tale.
Ticktock by Dean R. Koontz
reviewed by Rodger Turner
Tommy Phan was having a bad evening. During a rain-soaked joyride in his new 'Vette, his mom
had guilted him into feeling badly that he wasn't a doctor (he's a mystery novelist), he didn't
come home to dinner (he ate burgers and fries and flirted with the waitress) and
he hadn't married a Vietnamese girl (he
liked blondes). Arriving at home, he finds a rag doll on his doorstep. Taking it inside, he soon
finds himself being terrorized by a small demon (hidden inside the doll) intent upon devouring Tommy.
Fear Nothing by Dean Koontz
reviewed by Rodger Turner
Rodger felt that, despite it being a non-stop thrill ride,
the book is more about family and friendship than anything else.
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