Confessions of a Vampire’s Girlfriend
Katie MacAlister
NAL, $15.00
ISBN: 9780451232595
“Got Fangs? Oregonian teenager Francesca Ghetti is six feet tall and reads minds by touching objects. Her divorced mother is a witch who has dragged Fran to Hungary on a traveling show filled with freaks and geeks. Fran is almost run over by a motorcycle. The driver is a hunk who is actually taller than her, which is what freaks her out. She does not blink when she learns he is Benedikt Czerny, a Moravian Dark One over three centuries old, who believes she will save his soul. When Benedikt demands Fran and his sister stay home while he fights a demon; his American Amazonian prepares to kick demon butt and his if necessary.
“Circus of the Darned”. Teenage psychic Francesca has somewhat adapted to her abilities like summoning the dead and her abnormal lifestyle as a member of the touring Gothefaire. Even for Francesca used to the absurd being the norm, things are more out of control than usual starting with the twelve dead Vikings she brought back to life or her dating a motorcycle riding vampire who is almost three centuries her senior. While mom objects to his bad overbite with dental costs so high; Benedikt insists she is his life-mate, he needs to insure that his beloved GOT FANGS too. However the biggest problem in Francesca's mind is he is a night person and she has a curfew.
This reprints the two tongue-in-cheek young adult adventures of Francesca the Amazonian psychic written as Katie Maxwell. The cast in each tale, whether they are normal, supernatural, or hybrid in-betweeners, make for a fun time. However, this omnibus edition belongs to kick-butt Francesca whose action-packed escapades will be enjoyed by the targeted audience and long-toothed readers; while writing as Katie MacAlister has brought Francesca back in a delightful adult adventure (see In the Company of Vampires).Harriet Klausner
Mystic Witch
Mark All
ImaJinn, $14.00
www.imajinnbooks.com
ISBN: 9781933417707
In Atlanta, the funeral of Gram last week led Bailey Campbell to think back to the Incident that changed her family dynamics with the death of her father murdered by evil sorcerer Bern Emmerich over two decades ago. Her mother cut her off from her Gram and raised Bailey to live a normal life; void of magic. Nearing thirty, Gram’s odd will especially the coda has shaken Bailey’s soul.
At work late at night, something attacks her only bud Juan who screams for Bailey to run. Instead the Bailey Temper flares as she confronts faceless creatures. Apparently evil Emmerich has escaped captivity and is coming for the daughter who he blames for his two decade imprisonment in an alternate reality. His plan is to use her to bring his hell to her earth. Bailey obtains a mentor in warlock Frank Demming, who admits he has kept an eye on her over the years as he expected her to play a pivotal role when Emmerich returned. As she trains for the war of magic, she wonders if her teacher is her soul mate, ally or a perverted foe while Atlanta burns.
The Mystic Witch is an exciting character driven urban fantasy although the theme of the battle between the light and dark goes back to Beowulf. Fast-paced, the dark seems too powerful for the innocent light (loosely mindful of an adult version of the movie The Seeker) since the heroine even suffers from “homophobic” fear of the sight of blood. The key to this enjoyable winner take all thriller is the third party Demming as the audience ponders whether he is teaching his beloved student effective magical processes or if he is a sick pervert abusing her before allowing her adversary to use her. Harriet Klausner
Odd Is On Our Side
Fred Lentz, Dean Koontz and Queenie Chan (illustrator)
Del Rey, $10.99
ISBN: 9780345515605
Halloween in Pico Mundo, California has fry cook Odd Thomas concerned as he fears there is much more afoot than just trick or treaters. Something does not feel right; which is odd for a person who communicates with Elvis and helps restless spirits with their needs before they move onto their next resting spot.
As Odd struggles with his gut insisting that something evil is coming and his spiritual advisor Elvis unable to help him, he turns to girlfriend, Stormy Llewellyn. She encourages him with her at his side to investigate the horde of bodachs appearing; always an omen of a horrific event to come shortly.
The second graphic comic rendition of an Odd Thomas novel (See In Odd We Trust) is an engaging rendition but lacks the freshness of the original tales as fans already know what occurs to whom. Still the illustrations by Queenie Chan are fun to follow for readers who will compare her version to our imagination; as in my mind she captures Thomas’ essence and somewhat Stormy, but Elvis still needs to be found. The story line is entertaining but is no match to the novel while the addition of twenty odd additional pages following the story seems more like padding. The apparent targeted young newcomers will enjoy Odd is On Our Side. Harriet Klausner
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Press Release
TWILIGHT OF KERBEROS:
The Trials of Trass Kathra
by Mike Wild
20th January 2011 • £7.99 (UK), ISBN 978-1-907519-64-2
20th January 2011 • $9.99/$12.99 (US & CAN), ISBN 978-1-907519-65-9
Also Available as an eBook
“Child of Trass Kathra... welcome home!”
One year after Kali Hooper defeated the Pale Lord, Bastion Redigor lives on in the body of Jakub Freel. The mysterious entity known as the Hel’ss, meanwhile, moves closer to Twilight, welcomed as the herald of their ascension by the Final Faith. Only Kali and her friends know the deadly reality of what this will bring, but they have been declared outlaws, hunted by the Order of The Swords of Dawn.
So begins Kali’s penultimate adventure, a quest far beyond the Stormwall to the mystical Trass Kathra, the Island of the Lost. Here she will suffer the trials of the Four to discover the true nature of Twilight’s gods and her own shocking origin in the chaotic depths of the Thunderflux.
Kali Hooper is dead, and this is the beginning of the end...
“Unashamedly pulp, reminding me of the work of such genre
greats as Michael Moorcock and Edgar Rice Burroughs.”
– San Francisco Book Review on Engines of The Apocalypse
About the Series
Twilight of Kerberos was Abaddon’s fifth shared world, launching with Matthew Sprange’s Shadow Mage in February 2008. Rocked by war and religious schism, Twilight is a fantasy world like no other, a land girt by impassable mountains and impenetrable storms, dimly lit by a distant sun and dominated by great Kerberos, an azure gas giant that fills the sky...
Or is it? To some, Kerberos is a god. To others, another world. Its nature is a mystery, and uncovering its secrets – as, it is whispered, the Elder Races strove to do before they were wiped out – is sure to rock the world of Twilight to its core.
The series has featured four authors, following different central characters in an overarching plot: Matthew Sprange’s Lucius Kane, shadow mage and thief; Mike Wild’s Kali Hooper, adventuress and archaeologist; Jonathan Oliver’s Silus Morlader, a fisherman with a terrible heritage; and David McIntee’s one-off Gabriella DeZantez, holy warrior of the Final Faith. The Trials of Trass Kathra and the upcoming ninth book, The Wrath of Kerberos, weave the different stories together towards a thrilling conclusion in the tenth book, Children of the Pantheon, due out in 2012.
About the Author
Apart from dabbling occasionally in publishing and editing, Mike Wild has been a freelance writer for many years, by way of work as diverse as Doctor Who, Masters of the Universe and Starblazer. The Trials of Trass Kathra is his seventh novel.
For all press enquires please contact David Moore or Ben Smith
Phone 01865 792 201 • Email press@rebellion.co.uk
The Trials of Trass Kathra
by Mike Wild
20th January 2011 • £7.99 (UK), ISBN 978-1-907519-64-2
20th January 2011 • $9.99/$12.99 (US & CAN), ISBN 978-1-907519-65-9
Also Available as an eBook
“Child of Trass Kathra... welcome home!”
One year after Kali Hooper defeated the Pale Lord, Bastion Redigor lives on in the body of Jakub Freel. The mysterious entity known as the Hel’ss, meanwhile, moves closer to Twilight, welcomed as the herald of their ascension by the Final Faith. Only Kali and her friends know the deadly reality of what this will bring, but they have been declared outlaws, hunted by the Order of The Swords of Dawn.
So begins Kali’s penultimate adventure, a quest far beyond the Stormwall to the mystical Trass Kathra, the Island of the Lost. Here she will suffer the trials of the Four to discover the true nature of Twilight’s gods and her own shocking origin in the chaotic depths of the Thunderflux.
Kali Hooper is dead, and this is the beginning of the end...
“Unashamedly pulp, reminding me of the work of such genre
greats as Michael Moorcock and Edgar Rice Burroughs.”
– San Francisco Book Review on Engines of The Apocalypse
About the Series
Twilight of Kerberos was Abaddon’s fifth shared world, launching with Matthew Sprange’s Shadow Mage in February 2008. Rocked by war and religious schism, Twilight is a fantasy world like no other, a land girt by impassable mountains and impenetrable storms, dimly lit by a distant sun and dominated by great Kerberos, an azure gas giant that fills the sky...
Or is it? To some, Kerberos is a god. To others, another world. Its nature is a mystery, and uncovering its secrets – as, it is whispered, the Elder Races strove to do before they were wiped out – is sure to rock the world of Twilight to its core.
The series has featured four authors, following different central characters in an overarching plot: Matthew Sprange’s Lucius Kane, shadow mage and thief; Mike Wild’s Kali Hooper, adventuress and archaeologist; Jonathan Oliver’s Silus Morlader, a fisherman with a terrible heritage; and David McIntee’s one-off Gabriella DeZantez, holy warrior of the Final Faith. The Trials of Trass Kathra and the upcoming ninth book, The Wrath of Kerberos, weave the different stories together towards a thrilling conclusion in the tenth book, Children of the Pantheon, due out in 2012.
About the Author
Apart from dabbling occasionally in publishing and editing, Mike Wild has been a freelance writer for many years, by way of work as diverse as Doctor Who, Masters of the Universe and Starblazer. The Trials of Trass Kathra is his seventh novel.
For all press enquires please contact David Moore or Ben Smith
Phone 01865 792 201 • Email press@rebellion.co.uk
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Press Release
MALORY’S KNIGHTS OF ALBION:
The Black Chalice
by Steven Savile
17th March 2011 • £7.99 (UK), ISBN 978-1-907519-66-6
15th March 2011 • $9.99/$12.99 (US & CAN), ISBN 978-1-907519-67-3
Also Available as an eBook
“Lift the cup to your lips and drink of me. Finish what you began.”
Hear and attend the first tale of Thomas Malory’s The Second Book of King Arthur and his Noble Knights...
Son of a knight and aspirant to the Round Table, Alymere yearns to take his place in the world, and for a quest to prove his worth. He comes across the foul Devil’s Bible – said to have been written in one night by an insane hermit – which leads and drives him, by turns, to seek the unholy Black Chalice, the Devil’s own grail. On his quest he will face, and overcome, dire obstacles and cunning enemies, becoming a knight of renown; but the ultimate threat is to his very soul.
“Steven Savile’s prose is lovely, the story thoughtful, gripping, and even charming... one of the most seriously creepy pieces it has been my pleasure to read.”
– Charles de Lint on Remember Me Yesterday
About the Series
Uncovered in the parish church of St. Barbara and St. Christopher in the summer of 2006, the Salisbury Manuscript (British Library Add. MS 1138) is the only extant copy of Sir Thomas Malory’s The Seconde Boke of kyng Arthur and also His noble Knyghts, apparently written at Thomas Caxton’s request after Malory’s release from gaol. Deep controversy surrounds the book, which is claimed by some to be a contemporary forgery, possibly written by Caxton himself. In March 2010, Rebellion Publishing announced that it had secured exclusive rights to publish the modernisations of the stories...
www.abaddonbooks.com/downloads/NewsParody/ChaliceNews.htm
Abaddon’s eighth shared world, Malory’s Knights of Albion will regale our readers with totally original stories set in King Arthur’s time, exploring the stories of the less well-known knights – like loyal Sir Alymere – or telling previously-unknown events from the lives of beloved characters close to Britain’s greatest king.
With courage and courtesy close to its heart, the series promises to deliver the best of heroic, chivalric adventure, often with a dark or surprising twist.
About the Author
Steven Savile has written almost thirty novels and short story collections, including The Hollow Earth, Temple: Incarnations, Laughing Boy’s Shadow, Houdini’s Last Illusion, Angel Road, and the graphic novel Fragrance of You (with artist Robert Sammelin). He was a runner up in the 2000 British Fantasy Awards, a winner of a 2002 Writers of the Future Award, and nominated twice for the Scribe Award, in 2006 (for best novel adaptation) and the 2008 (for best young adult novel).
www.stevensavile.com
For all press enquires please contact David Moore
Phone 01865 792 201 • Email press@rebellion.co.uk
The Black Chalice
by Steven Savile
17th March 2011 • £7.99 (UK), ISBN 978-1-907519-66-6
15th March 2011 • $9.99/$12.99 (US & CAN), ISBN 978-1-907519-67-3
Also Available as an eBook
“Lift the cup to your lips and drink of me. Finish what you began.”
Hear and attend the first tale of Thomas Malory’s The Second Book of King Arthur and his Noble Knights...
Son of a knight and aspirant to the Round Table, Alymere yearns to take his place in the world, and for a quest to prove his worth. He comes across the foul Devil’s Bible – said to have been written in one night by an insane hermit – which leads and drives him, by turns, to seek the unholy Black Chalice, the Devil’s own grail. On his quest he will face, and overcome, dire obstacles and cunning enemies, becoming a knight of renown; but the ultimate threat is to his very soul.
“Steven Savile’s prose is lovely, the story thoughtful, gripping, and even charming... one of the most seriously creepy pieces it has been my pleasure to read.”
– Charles de Lint on Remember Me Yesterday
About the Series
Uncovered in the parish church of St. Barbara and St. Christopher in the summer of 2006, the Salisbury Manuscript (British Library Add. MS 1138) is the only extant copy of Sir Thomas Malory’s The Seconde Boke of kyng Arthur and also His noble Knyghts, apparently written at Thomas Caxton’s request after Malory’s release from gaol. Deep controversy surrounds the book, which is claimed by some to be a contemporary forgery, possibly written by Caxton himself. In March 2010, Rebellion Publishing announced that it had secured exclusive rights to publish the modernisations of the stories...
www.abaddonbooks.com/downloads/NewsParody/ChaliceNews.htm
Abaddon’s eighth shared world, Malory’s Knights of Albion will regale our readers with totally original stories set in King Arthur’s time, exploring the stories of the less well-known knights – like loyal Sir Alymere – or telling previously-unknown events from the lives of beloved characters close to Britain’s greatest king.
With courage and courtesy close to its heart, the series promises to deliver the best of heroic, chivalric adventure, often with a dark or surprising twist.
About the Author
Steven Savile has written almost thirty novels and short story collections, including The Hollow Earth, Temple: Incarnations, Laughing Boy’s Shadow, Houdini’s Last Illusion, Angel Road, and the graphic novel Fragrance of You (with artist Robert Sammelin). He was a runner up in the 2000 British Fantasy Awards, a winner of a 2002 Writers of the Future Award, and nominated twice for the Scribe Award, in 2006 (for best novel adaptation) and the 2008 (for best young adult novel).
www.stevensavile.com
For all press enquires please contact David Moore
Phone 01865 792 201 • Email press@rebellion.co.uk
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Some from Harriet
Bitten in Two
Jennifer Rardin
Orbit, Nov 8 2010, $13.99
ISBN: 9780316043786
Jaz Parks, her vampire lover Vayl, Cole and Bergman are on the road to Morocco. Their mission is to find an artifact that might enable Jaz to purge Brude the demon who shares her body though she muses hiking in Marrakech on her birthday is unfair.
In Morocco, the quest turns frighteningly strange when Vayl wakes up insisting it is 1777. His behavior has Jaz and their other compatriots believing the vampire has been cursed somehow to relive traumatic events from his long life. Scaring his team further is he never heard of Uma Thurman and does not recognize any of them as they are; for instance he believes his beloved Jaz is his middle-aged housekeeper Madame Berggia. To prevent a new tragedy and keep Vayl’s suddenly explosive temper from igniting, Jaz with the help of Cole and Bergman role pay the parts Vayl assigns them while trying to figure how to remove the curse.
The latest Jaz and company fantasy is a great thriller with a super twist with what has happened to Vayl, the CIA’s top operative. With plenty of trademark biting humor and non-stop action, fans of the saga will enjoy the current on the road show while newcomers will look for the backlist (see Bite Marks). After completing the tale, readers will park Jennifer Rardin’s enjoyable Bitten in Two on the keeper shelf. Harriet Klausner
The Bone Palace
Amanda Downum
Orbit, Dec 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780316069007
In 499 Ab Urbe Condita in the royal city of Erisin, corpses are not a rare occurrence; but a dead prostitute wearing the ring of deceased queen has no precedent. Police Inspector Khelsea Shar shows the Necromancer Agent of the Crown Isyllt Iskaldur the body of the whore who possessed a regal signet and had no violent marks. Reluctantly Isyllt investigates who magically murdered the woman, and how and why she had the ring. To her chagrin, the case leads to the tombs below the city where the revolting vile vrykoloi vampires reside in lightless lairs.
Her inquiry spins worse than she imagined even with the vrykoloi involved as Isyllt learns a truth she must conceal from her King. Apparently a dead sorceress plans to return to take the throne; and she has support from Isyllt’s former lover Kiril and the Crown Prince Ionais’ mistress Sevedra Severos; as well as unknowing dupes.
Staying at home in her second Necromancer’s Chronicles, Isyllt has once again moral selections to make as espionage, politics, insurgency and military merge with magic in a fascinating investigative fantasy. Isyllt is a great protagonist because of her moral fiber as she must select between choices that she abhors. Readers will relish her brisk adventures as home proves as harrowing as her stay in the Drowning City, but worse because it is home. Harriet Klausner
Wicked Highlander
Donna Grant
St. Martin’s, Nov 2 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312381240
The McLeod brothers (Fallon, Lucan and Quinn) were descendants from a cadre of warriors created by Druids to repel the Romans from Scotland and England. For three centuries the siblings hid from Deirdre who wants their magic. However in 1603, Lucan meets his soulmate (see Dangerous Highlander), but Quinn was captured by their enemy. Since Quinn’s imprisonment, his other sibling met his soulmate too (see Forbidden Highlander). Now free again, Quinn is the most volatile of the three brothers. He remains tormented by guilt as he has for centuries and his rage has taken its toll on his mind and his soul. Only his desire for true love keeps him from going totally over to the dark although each breath darkens his soul
Marcail has been raised by Druids. Their ancient magic flows freely through her blood. Quinn thinks she may be his soul savior as his heart belongs to her. However, Deirdre plans to use her as a lure to recapture Quinn and his McLeod growing family.
The third McLeod brother historical romantic fantasy is a fabulous finish to a strong entertaining saga. The story line is fast-paced as the villainous sets in motion her endgame in which she uses love to destroy her enemies and to re-enslave the siblings. The Scottish Highlands has rarely looked as beautiful and forbidden as they have in Donna grant’s wonderful early seventeenth century thriller. Harriet Klausner
Jennifer Rardin
Orbit, Nov 8 2010, $13.99
ISBN: 9780316043786
Jaz Parks, her vampire lover Vayl, Cole and Bergman are on the road to Morocco. Their mission is to find an artifact that might enable Jaz to purge Brude the demon who shares her body though she muses hiking in Marrakech on her birthday is unfair.
In Morocco, the quest turns frighteningly strange when Vayl wakes up insisting it is 1777. His behavior has Jaz and their other compatriots believing the vampire has been cursed somehow to relive traumatic events from his long life. Scaring his team further is he never heard of Uma Thurman and does not recognize any of them as they are; for instance he believes his beloved Jaz is his middle-aged housekeeper Madame Berggia. To prevent a new tragedy and keep Vayl’s suddenly explosive temper from igniting, Jaz with the help of Cole and Bergman role pay the parts Vayl assigns them while trying to figure how to remove the curse.
The latest Jaz and company fantasy is a great thriller with a super twist with what has happened to Vayl, the CIA’s top operative. With plenty of trademark biting humor and non-stop action, fans of the saga will enjoy the current on the road show while newcomers will look for the backlist (see Bite Marks). After completing the tale, readers will park Jennifer Rardin’s enjoyable Bitten in Two on the keeper shelf. Harriet Klausner
The Bone Palace
Amanda Downum
Orbit, Dec 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780316069007
In 499 Ab Urbe Condita in the royal city of Erisin, corpses are not a rare occurrence; but a dead prostitute wearing the ring of deceased queen has no precedent. Police Inspector Khelsea Shar shows the Necromancer Agent of the Crown Isyllt Iskaldur the body of the whore who possessed a regal signet and had no violent marks. Reluctantly Isyllt investigates who magically murdered the woman, and how and why she had the ring. To her chagrin, the case leads to the tombs below the city where the revolting vile vrykoloi vampires reside in lightless lairs.
Her inquiry spins worse than she imagined even with the vrykoloi involved as Isyllt learns a truth she must conceal from her King. Apparently a dead sorceress plans to return to take the throne; and she has support from Isyllt’s former lover Kiril and the Crown Prince Ionais’ mistress Sevedra Severos; as well as unknowing dupes.
Staying at home in her second Necromancer’s Chronicles, Isyllt has once again moral selections to make as espionage, politics, insurgency and military merge with magic in a fascinating investigative fantasy. Isyllt is a great protagonist because of her moral fiber as she must select between choices that she abhors. Readers will relish her brisk adventures as home proves as harrowing as her stay in the Drowning City, but worse because it is home. Harriet Klausner
Wicked Highlander
Donna Grant
St. Martin’s, Nov 2 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312381240
The McLeod brothers (Fallon, Lucan and Quinn) were descendants from a cadre of warriors created by Druids to repel the Romans from Scotland and England. For three centuries the siblings hid from Deirdre who wants their magic. However in 1603, Lucan meets his soulmate (see Dangerous Highlander), but Quinn was captured by their enemy. Since Quinn’s imprisonment, his other sibling met his soulmate too (see Forbidden Highlander). Now free again, Quinn is the most volatile of the three brothers. He remains tormented by guilt as he has for centuries and his rage has taken its toll on his mind and his soul. Only his desire for true love keeps him from going totally over to the dark although each breath darkens his soul
Marcail has been raised by Druids. Their ancient magic flows freely through her blood. Quinn thinks she may be his soul savior as his heart belongs to her. However, Deirdre plans to use her as a lure to recapture Quinn and his McLeod growing family.
The third McLeod brother historical romantic fantasy is a fabulous finish to a strong entertaining saga. The story line is fast-paced as the villainous sets in motion her endgame in which she uses love to destroy her enemies and to re-enslave the siblings. The Scottish Highlands has rarely looked as beautiful and forbidden as they have in Donna grant’s wonderful early seventeenth century thriller. Harriet Klausner
Monday, January 3, 2011
Reviews from Barry & Jim
HELLHOLE, Brian Herbert & Kevin J Anderson, Tor, $25.99, 544 pages, ISBN: 9780765322692, reviewed by Jim Brock.
The twenty planets of the Constellation are known as the Crown Jewels. They are controlled by noble families who are ruled by the dowager Diadem Michella Duchenet. The Constellation in turn controls and exploits 54 planets in a far away area of space known as the Deep Zone.
The foremost of the 54 is named Hallholme but is more and suitably known as Hellhole. It was to Hellhole that General Tiber Adolphus was exiled after his failed rebellion against the Constellation. And it is on Hellhole that Adolphus, his followers, and some of the dregs of Constellation society have learned to deal with the harshest of conditions. Not only has Adolphus been the driving force behind survival on Hellhole, he has been secretly developing and implementing a plan to establish the political and economic independence of the 54 and end the ever increasing amounts of tribute being paid to the Crown Jewels.
Herbert & Anderson mirror the vastness of space with the vastness in scope of this novel. Hellhole’s original inhabitants were destroyed when a massive asteroid struck the planet – except that they weren’t – and now they resurrect with multiple factions and perhaps hidden agendas. Not only is there conflict and intrigue between Adolphus and the Constellation, there is conflict and intrigue within the planetary groups. There is politics and murder and an ingenious system for space flight. This book is a veritable buffet of imaginative plots and impressive action. The authors weave a tapestry of action and excitement and grand adventure.
I don’t read a lot of science fiction these days but HELLHOLE was just too good to resist. I’m already looking forward to the continuation of the saga. // This is a March release but I wanted to let you know about it early so you could put it on your must have list. //
COZENED, Nicole Givens Kurtz, Parker Publishing, $12.95, 232 pages, ISBN: 9781600430640, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
After too long a wait, PI Cybil Lewis has returned in a new adventure. Cybil lives in a future that comes close to the reality that is entirely possible if we continue on the course we are headed.
This time out she is hired to find a blackmailer and a missing son for one of the major political families of the day. At the same time, she is involved with the death of a former lover whose family has a mixed agenda for her.
It is a plot filled with twists and turns that show politics has some really strange bedfellows and into what beds they fall makes for a very interesting scenario. Kurtz really shows her pacing and creative ability in this one.
COZENED means “to deceive, cheat or defraud someone”; be sure of one thing, the definition has a lot of meaning for the book, but not for the reader. It is a fulfilling, extremely enjoyable book. Nicole Givens Kurtz is a solid writer, always delivers and has yet to disappoint. If you aren’t already a fan, give this one a try and join her fanbase.
TEMPTING PROVIDENCE AND OTHER STORIES, Jonathan Thomas, Hippocampus Press, $20, 264 pages, ISBN: 9780984480203, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
Providence, the home to H. P. Lovecraft and his sense of eerie and dread, but would he recognize it today? Has it changed or is it still the home of sinister events? Thomas shows us here that whatever you think, it is still home to literary pleasures and uncommon stories.
Sometimes a backpacker might end up in a strange place, especially when he ends up wearing “Dead Men’s Shoes”. Justin is having a gallery show of his work and ends up following some of Lovecraft’s footsteps and finds out about “Tempting Providence”. In “A Different Kind of Heartworm” it seems that some secrets in a marriage are better to remain secrets. “The Lord of the Animals” shows how love of a pet can continue on.
Have you ever searched for an extremely rare album? Find out what happens to Craig as he finds the “Power of Midnight”. Other tales show that no matter what the locale, Providence is a state of mind and writing ability. Thomas shows that he has both and I look forward to his future offerings.
The twenty planets of the Constellation are known as the Crown Jewels. They are controlled by noble families who are ruled by the dowager Diadem Michella Duchenet. The Constellation in turn controls and exploits 54 planets in a far away area of space known as the Deep Zone.
The foremost of the 54 is named Hallholme but is more and suitably known as Hellhole. It was to Hellhole that General Tiber Adolphus was exiled after his failed rebellion against the Constellation. And it is on Hellhole that Adolphus, his followers, and some of the dregs of Constellation society have learned to deal with the harshest of conditions. Not only has Adolphus been the driving force behind survival on Hellhole, he has been secretly developing and implementing a plan to establish the political and economic independence of the 54 and end the ever increasing amounts of tribute being paid to the Crown Jewels.
Herbert & Anderson mirror the vastness of space with the vastness in scope of this novel. Hellhole’s original inhabitants were destroyed when a massive asteroid struck the planet – except that they weren’t – and now they resurrect with multiple factions and perhaps hidden agendas. Not only is there conflict and intrigue between Adolphus and the Constellation, there is conflict and intrigue within the planetary groups. There is politics and murder and an ingenious system for space flight. This book is a veritable buffet of imaginative plots and impressive action. The authors weave a tapestry of action and excitement and grand adventure.
I don’t read a lot of science fiction these days but HELLHOLE was just too good to resist. I’m already looking forward to the continuation of the saga. // This is a March release but I wanted to let you know about it early so you could put it on your must have list. //
COZENED, Nicole Givens Kurtz, Parker Publishing, $12.95, 232 pages, ISBN: 9781600430640, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
After too long a wait, PI Cybil Lewis has returned in a new adventure. Cybil lives in a future that comes close to the reality that is entirely possible if we continue on the course we are headed.
This time out she is hired to find a blackmailer and a missing son for one of the major political families of the day. At the same time, she is involved with the death of a former lover whose family has a mixed agenda for her.
It is a plot filled with twists and turns that show politics has some really strange bedfellows and into what beds they fall makes for a very interesting scenario. Kurtz really shows her pacing and creative ability in this one.
COZENED means “to deceive, cheat or defraud someone”; be sure of one thing, the definition has a lot of meaning for the book, but not for the reader. It is a fulfilling, extremely enjoyable book. Nicole Givens Kurtz is a solid writer, always delivers and has yet to disappoint. If you aren’t already a fan, give this one a try and join her fanbase.
TEMPTING PROVIDENCE AND OTHER STORIES, Jonathan Thomas, Hippocampus Press, $20, 264 pages, ISBN: 9780984480203, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
Providence, the home to H. P. Lovecraft and his sense of eerie and dread, but would he recognize it today? Has it changed or is it still the home of sinister events? Thomas shows us here that whatever you think, it is still home to literary pleasures and uncommon stories.
Sometimes a backpacker might end up in a strange place, especially when he ends up wearing “Dead Men’s Shoes”. Justin is having a gallery show of his work and ends up following some of Lovecraft’s footsteps and finds out about “Tempting Providence”. In “A Different Kind of Heartworm” it seems that some secrets in a marriage are better to remain secrets. “The Lord of the Animals” shows how love of a pet can continue on.
Have you ever searched for an extremely rare album? Find out what happens to Craig as he finds the “Power of Midnight”. Other tales show that no matter what the locale, Providence is a state of mind and writing ability. Thomas shows that he has both and I look forward to his future offerings.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Subject Seven by Jim Moore
SUBJECT SEVEN, James A. Moore, Razorbill, $9.99, 336 pages, ISBN: 9781595143044, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
This time out James A. Moore is taking us on a journey of discovery and adventure. It is a journey that reeks of paranoia and scientific research gone off the deep end. SUBJECT SEVEN is on a journey to discover who he is and what happened to the others that were part of his “litter” as it was.
As he discovers information about his origins, he wants to know more about himself and the “Other” that seems to share his memories and causes his blackouts. He does whatever necessary to obtain information; Moore leaves a lot of it to our imagination rather than filling in the details.
As Hunter, the normal side of the doppelganger, seeks the other members and arranges for them to meet, we discover the stories of Cody, Gene, Tina, and Kyrie. They have all experienced the blackouts and come to Boston to meet Joe Bronx, who promises to explain what is happening in their lives.
Moore continues the story with plenty of action as the parties behind their creation want to put their “failures” to rest. SUBJECT SEVEN is a powerful book that is a nice fit for Moore’s writing style and pacing. This will be a memorable series for him, it’s off to a fantastic start and I’m ready too see what happens next.
This time out James A. Moore is taking us on a journey of discovery and adventure. It is a journey that reeks of paranoia and scientific research gone off the deep end. SUBJECT SEVEN is on a journey to discover who he is and what happened to the others that were part of his “litter” as it was.
As he discovers information about his origins, he wants to know more about himself and the “Other” that seems to share his memories and causes his blackouts. He does whatever necessary to obtain information; Moore leaves a lot of it to our imagination rather than filling in the details.
As Hunter, the normal side of the doppelganger, seeks the other members and arranges for them to meet, we discover the stories of Cody, Gene, Tina, and Kyrie. They have all experienced the blackouts and come to Boston to meet Joe Bronx, who promises to explain what is happening in their lives.
Moore continues the story with plenty of action as the parties behind their creation want to put their “failures” to rest. SUBJECT SEVEN is a powerful book that is a nice fit for Moore’s writing style and pacing. This will be a memorable series for him, it’s off to a fantastic start and I’m ready too see what happens next.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Demon Trapper's Daughter
THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER, Jana Oliver, St Martin’s Griffin, $9.99, 352 Pages, ISBN: 9780312614782, reviewed by Barry Hunter.
If this is your first introduction to Jana Oliver, prepare to have your socks knocked off. If you are familiar with Jana’s previous work, prepare to have your socks knocked off. While this is marketed as a YA title, it is a great read for everyone. No matter what her topic is, Jana creates outstanding characters and makes them live and breathe. They become like friends and family and you really care for them.
This time out it’s Riley Blackthorne, a seventeen year old apprentice demon trapper living in the demon filled Atlanta of 2018. The economy has constantly gotten worse and Lucifer has increased his minions on Earth and it is up to Trappers Guild to eliminate them. Demons are ranked from one to five and come in all shapes, sizes and talents. Riley is apprenticed to her father and is dealing mostly with the small devils
As the book opens, Riley is after a biblio-demon in the library, when a problem arises and she goes before the Guild. Things go downhill from there. Her father is killed by a five and Beck, his other apprentice is injured.
Other problems come to pass as the demons appear to be working together, Holy Water is not working, and the demons all know Riley’s name. Riley must protect her father’s body from the Necros, go to school, fall in love and learn everything she can about her craft while facing obstacles at every turn.
This is a tremendous novel. It is also a memorable novel that should spawn a number of sequels. There are some books that stay with you and you always remember the first time you discovered them; THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER is one of those novels. It reminds me of the first time I read TWILIGHT and Jana Oliver should make demons the next big thing.
The Demon Trapper’s Daughter, Jana G. Oliver, St. Martin’s, Feb 1 2011, $9.99, ISBN: 9780312614782, reviewed by Harriet Klausner.
In 2018, Atlanta is like much of the country and the world in economic ruin. The residents follow the Golden Rule of do unto your neighbor before they do unto to you as survival is the only game in town. Adding to the misery index is Lucifer’s demonic minions are everywhere causing pain and suffering.
Seventeen year old Riley Blackthorne understands how miserable life has become. Her mother died from cancer while she and her dad Paul owe so much they have no chance of escaping their debts. However, like her father, Riley becomes a demon trapper joining the guild as an apprentice (while also attending school); as a way of bringing in income though from her hard childhood she always wanted to join her dad on the job. However, when a demon kills him, she has no choice but to keep working handling Grade One demons. However a Grade Five hellish killer attacks her as Lucifer targets Riley when she is most vulnerable while she grieves her loss.
This is a great opening urban fantasy as Jane G. Oliver deftly blends the creation of her mythos with non-stop action. The fast-paced story line starts at an incredible pace and never decelerates as the armchair audience needs to wear seatbelts. However, even with this faster than light speed, Atlanta and the heroine are fully developed while the support cast (a peer she romantically likes, her father, other trappers and demons) enhance the setting or the star. Readers will enjoy a joy ride around Atlanta escorted by The Demon Trapper’s Daughter.
If this is your first introduction to Jana Oliver, prepare to have your socks knocked off. If you are familiar with Jana’s previous work, prepare to have your socks knocked off. While this is marketed as a YA title, it is a great read for everyone. No matter what her topic is, Jana creates outstanding characters and makes them live and breathe. They become like friends and family and you really care for them.
This time out it’s Riley Blackthorne, a seventeen year old apprentice demon trapper living in the demon filled Atlanta of 2018. The economy has constantly gotten worse and Lucifer has increased his minions on Earth and it is up to Trappers Guild to eliminate them. Demons are ranked from one to five and come in all shapes, sizes and talents. Riley is apprenticed to her father and is dealing mostly with the small devils
As the book opens, Riley is after a biblio-demon in the library, when a problem arises and she goes before the Guild. Things go downhill from there. Her father is killed by a five and Beck, his other apprentice is injured.
Other problems come to pass as the demons appear to be working together, Holy Water is not working, and the demons all know Riley’s name. Riley must protect her father’s body from the Necros, go to school, fall in love and learn everything she can about her craft while facing obstacles at every turn.
This is a tremendous novel. It is also a memorable novel that should spawn a number of sequels. There are some books that stay with you and you always remember the first time you discovered them; THE DEMON TRAPPER’S DAUGHTER is one of those novels. It reminds me of the first time I read TWILIGHT and Jana Oliver should make demons the next big thing.
The Demon Trapper’s Daughter, Jana G. Oliver, St. Martin’s, Feb 1 2011, $9.99, ISBN: 9780312614782, reviewed by Harriet Klausner.
In 2018, Atlanta is like much of the country and the world in economic ruin. The residents follow the Golden Rule of do unto your neighbor before they do unto to you as survival is the only game in town. Adding to the misery index is Lucifer’s demonic minions are everywhere causing pain and suffering.
Seventeen year old Riley Blackthorne understands how miserable life has become. Her mother died from cancer while she and her dad Paul owe so much they have no chance of escaping their debts. However, like her father, Riley becomes a demon trapper joining the guild as an apprentice (while also attending school); as a way of bringing in income though from her hard childhood she always wanted to join her dad on the job. However, when a demon kills him, she has no choice but to keep working handling Grade One demons. However a Grade Five hellish killer attacks her as Lucifer targets Riley when she is most vulnerable while she grieves her loss.
This is a great opening urban fantasy as Jane G. Oliver deftly blends the creation of her mythos with non-stop action. The fast-paced story line starts at an incredible pace and never decelerates as the armchair audience needs to wear seatbelts. However, even with this faster than light speed, Atlanta and the heroine are fully developed while the support cast (a peer she romantically likes, her father, other trappers and demons) enhance the setting or the star. Readers will enjoy a joy ride around Atlanta escorted by The Demon Trapper’s Daughter.
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