Books Received 12/20/07
Inferno
Editor: Ellen Datlow
Book Description: As stated in her introduction to Inferno, Ellen Datlow asked her favorite authors for stories that would ‘provide the reader with a frisson of shock, or a moment of dread so powerful it might cause the reader outright physical discomfort; or a sensation of fear so palpable that the reader feels compelled to turn on the bright lights and play music or seek the company of others to dispel the fear.’Mission accomplished. Datlow has produced a collection filled with some of the most powerful voices in the field: Pat Cadigan, Terry Dowling, Jeffrey Ford, Christopher Fowler, Glen Hirshberg, K. W. Jeter, Joyce Carol Oates, and Lucius Shepard, to name a few. Each author approaches fear in a different way, but all of the stories’ characters toil within their own hell. An aptly titled anthology, Inferno will scare the pants off readers and further secure Ellen Datlow’s standing as a preeminent editor of modern horror.
Shadow Gate
Author: Kate Elliott
Book Description: The captivating, bestselling Spirit Gate swept readers into the turbulent world of the Hundred, where the peace and order of life under the protection of the immortal Guardians has given way to chaos and violence. In the face of a vast horde of marauders led by a rogue Guardian, the bravery and resourcefullness of a lone eagle-reeve and others who risk their lives for the common good have prevented death and destruction from overwhelming the Hundred. | Now in Shadow Gate, the enthralling sequel, the source of corruption of the Guardians is still a mystery to the mortals who fight to withstand the forces that have turned against them. And when three new Guardians emerge, a struggle begins among the immortals, with nothing less at stake than the future of the land and its gods. | With all the color, excitement, and narrative power that have made Kate Elliott an enormously popular writer, Shadow Gate weaves a powerful spell of action, romance, and magic that will entrance legions of fans.
Mmmm…crème de la crème
Wastelands received a rave review from Beam Me Up, a radio show/podcast that focuses, as you might imagine from the name, on SF and fantasy. Here’s a snippet:
I know if you’re like me you view "theme" books with a bit of skepticism. Assembling a collection of any size with only one "type" of story can be daunting. I have often found many of these types of books containing one or a few really top notch stories and the rest relegated to filler. Collections like Ellison’s Dangerous Visions is a shining example of how to do it right. Is Wastelands in that league? Not quite, but DAMN close. […] The tales in Wastelands are the crème de la crème of this genre and for that matter science fiction as a whole.
Damn near as good as the most critically-acclaimed genre anthology, like, ever? I’ll take it!
I’m told the review will also be a part of this weekend’s podcast, which you can listen to (and subscribe to) here.
links for 2007-12-19
Wastelands Officially on Sale!
Looks like Wastelands *is* officially on sale. Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Powell’s Books are all indicating they have it in stock, and Night Shade confirmed to me that the distributor shipped out all their pre-orders.
Go forth and purchase! And hey, if anyone sees it out in the wild, could you snap a photo for me? If you do, please post it to Flickr and tag it with "Wastelands" [make that "wastelandsjja"–there’s LOTS of other stuff tagged "wastelands"]. I’ve got an image of the cover here to start off the tag group. Add to it when you spy a copy!
Update: Tania offers proof that the book is not only out, but her pre-ordered copy already arrived in Alaska.
Wastelands on Sale?
Amazon.com is indicating that they have stock of Wastelands already, though I haven’t seen copies of it yet. But if they really do have it in stock already, let me tell you, it’ll make a wonderful holiday gift.
"The Quest for Creeping Charlie" by James Powell
James Powell, whose story "The Quest for Creeping Charlie" appears in the January 2008 issue of F&SF, said in an interview that the story is about a man who sets out to find a creature called the megamensalopes. "In the early 1950s in Toronto George Muir, a university student, finds this quotation in a book: ‘When asked to name the smartest of all the animals an ancient wise man replied, "Surely the megamensalopes, because they have avoided discovery by man."’ Then and there Muir decides that he will set out on a quest to find the megamensalopes," Powell said.
Muir joins the Toronto branch of the Explorers Club and pores over maps of the remote corners of the world where he believes the creatures must exist. "Then he has a revelation. Perhaps the creatures needed to live close to man where they could learn from him while, at the same time, avoiding discovery. Perhaps they were right there in Toronto," Powell said. "So he begins his search closer to home, using all his free time to find the creatures. He decides they graze on the common ground ivy Canadians call Creeping Charlie and because ‘megamensalope’ is too much of a mouthful and because we are what we eat he names his quarry ‘Creeping Charlie.’ His search costs him his marriage and his life in more ways that one."
NPR…at last!
The NPR piece I’m quoted in is available now (after a delay of a day), though it’s only about a minute of me (if that), and you can actually read the prose version of the piece on the NPR website.
Overall, I’m kind of disappointed. I mean, I wasn’t promised a large segment or anything, but I guess I just thought that our conversation went to more interesting places than what was quoted. I expect any of you who were looking forward to listening to it will be disappointed too.
And Christ, what an awful, awful voice I have.
But hopefully it’ll be good exposure for the book. I already got an email from someone who heard the show. It was someone I’d corresponded with a while back, not a stranger, but still.
Bumped!
Looks like my segment got bumped again from All Things Considered. There’s a note on the page, though, promising it will air tomorrow:
COMING UP:
Dec. 16 · A 1950s novella gets its fourth big-screen adaptation with I Am Legend. Neda Ulaby talks to the original story’s fans and the film’s creators to find out why the apocalypse just keeps on coming.
Books Received 12/15/07
Child of a Dead God
Authors: Barb Hendee & J.C. Hendee
Book Description: For years, Magiere and Leesil have sought a long-forgotten artifact, even though its purpose has been shrouded in mystery. All Magiere knows is that she must keep the orb from falling into the hands of a murdering Noble Dead, her half-brother Welstiel. And now, dreams of a castle locked in ice lead her south, on a journey that has become nothing less than an obsession. | Accompanying Magiere and Leesil are the sage Wynn, their canine protector Chap, and two elven assassins-turned-guardians who must fight their distrust of this sister of the dead. For forces more powerful than they are rallying around Magiere, arming her for the conflict to come. Because finding the orb may be just the beginning of the challenges that await her…
Breath and Bone
Author: Carol Berg
Book Description: As the land of Navronne sinks deeper into civil war and perilous winter, everyone wants to get their hands on the rebellious sorcerer Valen-a murderous priestess, a prince who steals dead men’s eyes, and even the Danae guardians, whose magic nurtures the earth and whose attention could prove the most costly of all. | Addicted to an enchantment that turns pain into pleasure-and bound by oaths he refuses to abandon-Valen risks body and soul to rescue one child, seek justice for another, and bring the dying land its rightful king. Yet no one is who they seem, and Valen’s search for healing grace leads him from Harrower dungeons to alien shores. Only at the heart of the world does he discover the glorious, terrible price of the land’s redemption-and his own.
The Vacant Throne
Author: Joshua Palmatier
Book Description: Ruled by the Mistress of the Skewed Throne, the city of Amenkor has just survived a devastating invasion, paying a terrible price both in the loss of lives and destruction in the city itself. Yet perhaps the most crucial loss is the throne of Amenkor-the true seat of power in every sense-now totally drained of the magic, knowledge, life force, and memories of previous rulers. The city’s only hope lies with its sometime ally, the city of Venitte, home to the throne that is twin in power to Amenkor’s, the two created at the same time by a magic that no one can now duplicate.
The Escapement
Author: K. J. Parker
Book Description: The engineer Ziani Vaatzes engineered a war to be reunited with his family. The deaths were regrettable, but he had no choice. Duke Valens dragged his people into the war to save the life of one woman – a woman whose husband he then killed. He regrets the evil he’s done, but he, equally, had no choice. Secretary Psellus never wanted to rule the Republic, or fight a desperate siege for its survival. As a man of considerable intelligence, he knows that he has a role to play – and little choice but to accept it. The machine has been built. All that remains is to set it in motion.
Amulet
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Book Description: After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals. | Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.