The Science Fiction Poetry Handbook by Suzette Haden Elgin
reviewed by Chris Przybyszewski
The Handbook offers readers a ubiquitously practical guide beginning with poetry basics (surprisingly
hard to find in much contemporary analysis), advanced poetics (e.g., graphic, phonological, lexical, and syntactic
patterns), and then the 'rough and ready' world of the professional writer who markets and sells his/her work.
Ray Bradbury: The Life of Fiction by Jonathan R. Eller and William F. Touponce
reviewed by David Soyka
While the title implies a biography, this is rather an exhaustive -- both in terms of detail as well as
reader endurance -- scholarly examination of the Bradbury opus that seems to have collected every possible minutia that even
die-hard fans might find themselves not caring too much about. In other words, this is a work intended for an academic
audience, the type of people who actually read footnotes and care to know about such things as
the line edits between an author's first drafts and subsequent revisions.
Son of Brainbox edited by Steve Eller
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
After the influenza pandemic, there was a place for horror. After the Holocaust, there was a place for
horror. And we have seen already that after the tragedies of that September morning, there is a place for
horror. It is only our definition that shifts. Here, in this time of changing perceptions and withering beliefs
about what we thought was common ground to all of us, the stories behind these stories are suddenly
more important than ever before. Perhaps because they sensed that significance, the authors of
this anthology have reached deep to get at the truth, often so deep the pain is apparent in every word.
The Novels of Jaran by Kate Elliott
reviewed by Todd Richmond
At four volumes and over 2,250 pages, this series may seem daunting -- but it's certainly worth reading. The saga sweeps across the galaxy, involving war, romance, intrigue and treachery.
The Jaran series is truly an epic masterpiece, conveying a story of the
dreams of conquest and rebellion by a pair of charismatic men and the woman who is linked to
them both.
King's Dragon by Kate Elliott
reviewed by Katharine Mills
Katharine found this novel a mixed experience overall. Elliott's prose
balances nicely between the archaic and the overly contemporary, and she pays attention to her
characters. However, the hefty creaking of her backdrop was often intrusive.
Shatterday by Harlan Ellison
reviewed by Paul Kincaid
The problem with reading a collection by Harlan Ellison is the introductions. Pages of them, not just to the book, but to each
individual story. These are remarkable creations, constructing a character who is aggressive,
self-aggrandising, self-deprecating, vain. It doesn't take long to become tired of the way any stranger who doesn't
immediately understand the Ellison ego in its every weird contortion is casually labelled a "feep."
Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
In 1967, The editor sought to shake up the science fiction universe with the publication of this anthology. In
many ways, he succeeded. Different ways of telling stories were introduced, writers who might otherwise have escaped the attention
of the hardcore SF reader gained a reputation and an audience. But what was its long-term influence? Is
science fiction different now than it would have been without this ambitious anthology? The publication
of a 35th Anniversary Edition brings with it not only the chance to remember a milestone of the field, but also to take a look
at how science fiction has changed in the thirty-five years since it was first published.
The Essential Ellison: A 50 Year Retrospective by Harlan Ellison, edited by Terry Dowling with Richard Delap and Gil Lamont
reviewed by Jayme Lynn Blaschke
It is a curious phenomenon, being unable to discuss the prose without discussing the author. But
such is the author's unique position -- the shadow he casts is a very large one indeed. The
influence he has had on modern genre, direct or indirect, is immeasurable. To that extent, the title of
this book is a straightforward case of truth-in-packaging: It is essential, essential for
aspiring writers, veterans of the field, editors, fans... anyone with a desire for a thorough
appreciation and understanding of SF.
Edgeworks 4 by Harlan Ellison
reviewed by Wayne MacLaurin
Whether you're already an Ellison fan just looking for a great addition to your
collection, or you're wondering what all the fuss is about, the
Edgeworks series is a great way to discover (or rediscover)
the remarkable talent that is Harlan Ellison.
Slippage by Harlan Ellison
reviewed by Thomas Myer
Good news and bad. Thomas found the stories are Grade-A premium quality,
filled with words both unusual and delightful.
But he also thinks these stories mark no departure for Ellison.
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Cold Streets by P.N. Elrod
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
Jack Fleming figures the case will be easy. He'll use his vampire abilities to become mist, attaching himself to the suitcase filled with
the ransom for Vivian Gladwell's daughter, Sarah. He'll follow the money, overpower the kidnappers, take the girl home. He's right. He
does all this with great ease, finishing up by using his hypnotic powers to whammy the men into confessing. This is where things go
downhill. It works on all of them, except Hurley Dugan, their leader, who now suspects Jack's true nature. Soon, Dugan will try
Lady Crymsyn by P.N. Elrod
reviewed by Hank Luttrell
At one time, Jack Fleming would have been styled as a vampire detective, as he sometimes teamed up with a pal who is a
private investigator. With this volume of the series, he seems to be headed in the direction of being a vampire
gangster. He steadfastly maintains that he isn't a criminal, but he's likely in denial.
Against the Giants by Ru Emerson
reviewed by John O'Neill
The memory of tracking hill giants through the timber maze of the Steading
or the first encounter with the Drow deep in the Fire Giant's lair, is a powerful inducement to pick up this
book. They're all here -- the Frost Giant Jarl, the two-headed ettin guard, the imprisoned Titan giantess who aids
the party, even Eclavdra the Drow high priestess, mastermind of the whole plot.
Xena Warrior Princess: Go Quest, Young Man by Ru Emerson
reviewed by Pat Caven
The first book in a new Xena trilogy, it introduces the reader to the "arc"
plotline: Joxor is bedazzled into joining a quest to save Helen of Troy and bring her back into the
arms of her obsessive husband -- Xena's old enemy Menelaus.
Arslan by M.J. Engh
reviewed by Harriet Klausner
When the name General Arslan is first mentioned on American TV, no one has
heard of him and very few people can locate his nation, Turkiston. Not long
after, he decides to begin his plan to save the planet from the spiral of
corruption and destruction that its leaders seem to desire. After becoming
the Deputy Command in Chief of the US armed forces, people recognize him as
the conqueror of North America -- without a drop of blood spilled.
The Sea Came in at Midnight by Steve Erickson
reviewed by David Soyka
This is an intriguing and highly inventive novel. It's not going to be
shelved in the same place as Tolkien. Kafka, Borges, and Garcia
Marquez, yes, for this is the type of fiction that is often called
"experimental" -- although, were it not for the connotations of fairies and
sorcerers, fantasy is what it is.
The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach
reviewed by Charlene Brusso
The novel opens on a subsistence-culture desert planet where the most respected industry is the construction of intricate carpets
woven of human hair. So detailed, so fine is the weaving, that each maker can only produce one carpet in his lifetime. The hairs
themselves come from the bodies of his wives, chosen for the silkiness and shade of their tresses.
Mnemosyne's Kiss by Peter J. Evans
reviewed by Donna McMahon
Cassandra Lannigan wakes up in a Nairobi hospital and realizes that she's extremely
lucky. Two months ago, doctors tell her, somebody put a bullet through the back of her head and only the miracles
of medical nanotech saved her. Unfortunately, science could not entirely rebuild her damaged brain. Cassandra
cannot remember who she is, what she was doing in Nairobi or why assassins are still trying to kill her.
In Deepspace Shadows by Kendall Evans
reviewed by Amal El-Mohtar
It isn't quite a play, it isn't quite a poem. It showcases a cast of artificially intelligent robots of different shapes and
sizes, created by humans and placed aboard a spaceship, called The TransAtlantic Tortoise,
sent out to find new, habitable worlds. The ship is also intelligent but, at the play's opening, it has mysteriously
stopped communicating with the crew. We follow Gael-all-of-metal, the dog-shaped captain, as he reflects on and tests
the boundaries of his programming, encourages mutiny aboard his ship and discovers love with another crewmate.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Baron Munchausen
a game review by Don Bassingthwaite
Wax your moustache or tighten your bodice, and call the potboy for another round of
drinks. The year is 17__ and Baron Munchausen is tired of being pressed into relating the tales of
his remarkable adventures for unappreciative hosts. To free himself from such mundane demands, he has created his own
roleplaying game.
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