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.
Stargate SG-1 by Ashley McConnell
reviewed by Todd Richmond
Stargate SG-1 isn't up to its task. If you've seen the movie or the
TV show, there's little point in reading this book. If you
haven't seen the show, you'd be better off trying to find the series on your local cable
channels or renting the film from your local video store.
First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women by Eric McCormack
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
Wanna see to what levels horror literature can be taken? McCormack's novel
is reminiscent in some ways of the works of E.F. Benson -- an atmospheric
British-style ghost story with a hefty dose of more graphic horror.
The King Of Ice Cream by Robert Wayne McCoy
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
There are some highly entertaining ideas here, such as the Codices of Smoke,
the object of one character's search. It is the last book of the damned, a dangerous, supernatural tome, which is on Church
of Rome's list of books to be burned without ever being opened. Then there are the Paladins; special individuals trained to
combat fallen angels, and by so doing implement the Word of God.
Brasyl by Ian McDonald
reviewed by Stuart Carter
Only one third of Brasyl, set in Sao Paulo in 2032, appears to be
the straightforward extrapolative science fiction that River Of Gods was. There are two other narratives:
one following Marcelina Hoffman, a producer of trash TV, living a thoroughly modern life in the Rio of 2006, and
one following her seeming antithesis, Father Luis Quinn, an Irish Jesuit priest on a Heart Of Darkness-style voyage across
an appalling Brazil of 1732.
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Ares Express by Ian McDonald
reviewed by Rich Horton
This is a long, adventure-filled, extravagantly colourful, often funny, quite moving, highly imaginative,
excellently written, story, set on a glorious Mars built partly of sharp-edged Kim Stanley Robinson-style extrapolation, but mostly
of lush, loving, Ray Bradbury-style semi-SF, semi-Fantasy, Martian dreams. The author has visited this Mars before -- it's the
setting of his first novel, Desolation Road, and indeed his first published story, "The Catharine Wheel", is set in a
slightly different version of this setting, and even shares some characters with Ares Express.
Sacrifice of Fools by Ian McDonald
reviewed by Rodger Turner
The Shians have landed. In exchange for technology, Earth has ceded them
enclaves. Ex-criminal Andy Gillespie has become one of the liaison folk
who are there to ease the Shian transition to life on Earth. (He is so
alienated from his own contemporaries that the Shians seem like family.) On his way
to a Shian celebration, Andy finds himself the chief suspect in the barbaric
mutilation and murder of five Shian. To save himself, he decides to track down the true culprits.
Merlin's Gift by Ian McDowell
reviewed by Stephen M. Davis
Ian McDowell has put a real twist on the Arthurian legend, telling the story
from the point-of-view of Mordred -- but a Mordred you may not recognize.
This is the sort of book that would be outright foolishness if it weren't
all managed so deftly by the author. Stephen was most impressed!
The Gospel According to Star Wars by John C. McDowell
reviewed by Steve Lazarowitz
The author draws parallels to the Bible from all six of
the Star Wars movies and even some of the existing literature. The problem is, this can be done for any religion,
or any philosophy. Pulling out things that match a preconception is no trick. In fact, looking to establish any theological or
philosophical treatise when entering a body of work is easy, because you'll always find something.
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.
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