Wild Things They Don't Tell Us by Reg Presley
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
The book includes discussion of crop circles, UFOs, Egyptology, alchemy, religion, evolution
and creationism, among other subjects. The author touches upon many issues, without becoming bogged down in any one. Don't be
put off if you think you've heard it a million times before, because this book includes a little nugget of gold, or to be
more accurate, white gold. Like Fox Mulder, he wants to believe, and his enthusiasm is infectious.
The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
In a marketplace filled to overflowing with serial killers, FBI agents, and mysterious murders, the authors have
found a way to make their thrillers stand out. Start off with the unlikely heroine of Nora Kelly, not-too-successful archeologist and
employee of the New York Museum. Add a grisly cache of skeletons -- the victims of a serial killer who lived almost 100 years ago. And
polish the premise with a smooth, brilliant, uncanny Fed unlike any seen before, and you've got the making of one taut mystery.
Riptide by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
reviewed by Neil Walsh
Although it doesn't fall neatly into one of the SF&F sub-genres, it
nevertheless can be placed with some confidence into the broad spectrum
of speculative fiction. After all, who wouldn't be intrigued by one of the
world's greatest unsolved mysteries: the Oak Island treasure pit?
Reliquary by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
reviewed by Wayne MacLaurin
The premise is intriguing; a series of brutal murders lead to a
terrifying encounter deep beneath the streets of New York City.
Wayne is thankful to find himself stuck on a nice sunny freeway.
Secret Passages by Paul Preuss
reviewed by Kim Seidman
Kim has a hard look at a very hard science fiction mystery set in Greece -- one
with only superfical trappings of SF.
Nyarlathotep Cycle: Stories about the God of a Thousand Forms edited by Robert M. Price
reviewed by Stephen M. Davis
Stephen was pleased with the choice of stories. The inclusion
of some work by unknown authors was quite refreshing.
The Glamour by Christopher Priest
reviewed by Matthew Cheney
Richard Grey, a television cameraman for news programs, wakes up to
find himself in a hospital after having been injured by a car bomb explosion. He does not remember anything about the previous
few weeks of his life before the explosion, and is surprised when a visitor tells him she is his girlfriend, Susan. With hopes
that she can restore his memories for him, though, Grey lets her into (or back into) his life, and soon discovers that she has
(or thinks she has) the ability to be invisible.
Broken Angels by Richard Morgan,
The Separation by Christopher Priest and
The Tain by China Miéville
reviewed by David Soyka
While Tony Blair lines up behind the Bush administration in positing war with Iraq as a clear-cut case of good versus evil, some of his
countrymen provide persuasive commentary that such a dichotomy is never the case. War is only black and white in movies from the 40s; in
reality, it runs blood red, and its tributaries are not always so easily or clearly defined. Which isn't necessarily to say that war is
never unjustified or unavoidable; only that the "make-believe" needs to be sifted from the actuality in hopes of making reliance on it less likely.
Ironically, it is the purveyors of "make-believe" who articulate doubt upon this simplistic precept invoked by both sides in any
conflict. Although British writers Christopher Priest, Richard Morgan, and China Miéville may all be shelved together in the SF and
Fantasy aisle, each works in decidedly different sub-genres to provide compelling commentary on the considerable shades of gray between
the seeming dark and light.
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The Extremes by Christopher Priest
reviewed by Rich Horton
The author seems fascinated with reality, and how our consciousness creates our reality. As such, he could
hardly be expected to resist the temptation presented by a subject such as extremely realistic VR simulations.
The Prestige by Christopher Priest
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
Lisa discovered that
it isn't that every character in this novel is obsessed, only the
ones we get to know by name. One hundred years separate them,
but, it is the secrets of yesterday that join them.
Dating Secrets of the Dead by David Prill
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
Ah, the simple pleasures of small town life. That first, awkward date with the girl of your dreams. The excitement when
the carnival comes to town. Those endless days of waiting for the traveling spook show to roll back through
again. It's practically a Norman Rockwell painting... until this author gets ahold of it. Then, homespun and naïve
go crashing through the window as a whole new world sets up camp.
The House on Hound Hill by Maggie Prince
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
Sixteen-year-old Emily is miserable. Her parents are divorcing,
and she's moved to an ancient house in London. She hates her new
school, misses her friends, and is dismayed by the fact that her mother
seems to be attracted to the man next door. But there are worse things
than personal unhappiness, as she discovers when she senses something
terrible in her brother's room.
The Ant-Men of Tibet and Other Stories edited by David Pringle
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
This is not really a best-of anthology, more of a sampling of recent work by writers who have
come to be associated with Interzone. As such, it showcases a variety of material, both SF and
fantasy, and the quality varies as much as the content. Highlights include
Peter T. Garrat's "The Collectivization of Transylvania" putting the Dracula
legend to good use during the fall of communism in Romania and Keith Brooke's "The People of the Sea"
telling a tale of mermaids, fathers, and shifting time-lines.
Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction edited by Jeff Prucher
reviewed by Steven H Silver
Although some authors, such as Lester del Rey, wanted the academics to "get out of my Ghetto," many other authors, and fans, have
yearned for social respectability they have felt was long denied. They wanted a chance for science fiction to prove that it had
put that "Buck Rogers" stuff behind it and graduated to a serious literature, not only of ideas, but of characterization, plot,
and even relevance. While this book can't bestow any of those things on the
genre, it does demonstrate that academics are taking it seriously.
Brave New Words: The Oxford Dictionary of Science Fiction edited by Jeff Prucher
reviewed by Paul Kincaid
Science fiction is a language. Not just a vocabulary, all those funny words that can make newcomers to the genre run away screaming,
but a grammar, a syntax, a set of perspectives and attitudes entailed by the words and structure of the fiction that is simply
untranslatable to some readers. A dictionary, as lexicographers from Dr. Johnson down have discovered, doesn't just codify the
language, it can help to understand its structure and history. A dictionary of science fiction, therefore, seems like a worthwhile
and indeed timely enterprise.
The Shadow In The North by Philip Pullman
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
This book was originally published in a slightly different version back in 1986.
Almost 20 years later, its author is widely celebrated as being among the greatest writers of children's fiction working
today, and is best known for His Dark Materials trilogy. This early work shows that he achieved an early mastery
of his craft.
Count Karlstein by Philip Pullman
reviewed by Victoria Strauss
In fine and spooky style, this book brings together all the ingredients of
the best fairy tales: stalwart heroes, plucky heroines, fugitive
orphans, lost heirs, supernatural threats, and, of course, a happy ending.
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
reviewed by Lela Olszewski
In addition to unique worlds, fascinating characters, and emotionally powerful writing, the
book has a variety of other exemplary qualities. Lela enjoyed the touches of humor that help
relieve the tension generated by the character's almost constant flight from danger.
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