The Wonder by J.D. Beresford
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
First published in Britain in 1911, this was the first novel to deal fully with the
sociological implications of a vastly superior human amongst us. Since then,
numerous genre titles have appeared all following superhuman children in one way or another.
This story stands out by avoiding the sensationalism and paranoia of much of the
later works.
Prisoner of Haven by Nancy Varian Berberick
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
Dezra Majere visits Haven every year in order to collect supplies needed for the family's tavern. This year she takes her
sister-in-law Usha with her, knowing that the painter needs distraction from the troubles in her marriage. Usha knows that times are
getting harder in Haven. Dezra confirms it when she tells Usha that the supplies that they have come to gather -- hops,
wine, spirits -- are no longer available. Then the dragons attack, trapping everyone in the city.
Son of Avonar by Carol Berg
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
Life these past ten years has not been easy for Seri, once a duchess and now a peasant trying to fill her belly by gathering
dyestuffs and selling them. When she runs into a wild young man in the woods, naked and insane, she wisely runs away. Until
an old enemy shows up on her doorstep who demands to know if she has seen him. Despite her better judgment she goes back for
the young man. She soon discovers that he's capable of sorcery, an ability punishable by death by burning. Seri
knows this quite well. Her beloved husband was discovered to
be a sorcerer, and was burned at the stake. Her son was taken from her moments after his birth and killed.
Restoration by Carol Berg
reviewed by Donna McMahon
When the king of Azhakstan is murdered, enemies accuse his son, Aleksander, of treachery and drive him from his kingdom. But Seyonne,
former body slave to the prince, knows that Aleksander is the kingdom's best hope. So he leaves his quiet retreat in the countryside
and returns to Aleksander's service, following him into exile and using his growing magical powers to help the rightful king regain the throne.
Vintage: A Ghost Story by Steve Berman
reviewed by Sherwood Smith
One night while walking down a deserted highway in September, our protagonist sees a handsome boy who is
wearing a 50s costume, or is it a costume? We soon discover that he is the ghost of an athlete who met his death years
before, and the town has known about this ghost walking the highway since 1957. But for the first time, Josh, the ghost,
leaves the highway and follows someone, and even speaks to him.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall edited by Kate Bernheimer
reviewed by Alma A. Hromic
It is a delicate cordial, to be sipped and savoured, sampling and tasting and coming back again and again to a selection of
essays by such luminaries as Ursula K. Le Guin, Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, Terry Windling, Midori Snyder, Fay Weldon, Julia
Alvarez and Joyce Carol Oates amongst others. It is a rich celebration of the most ancient kind of story ever told -- the
fairy tale -- seen with the feminine eye.
The Last Dragonlord by Joanne Bertin
reviewed by Todd Richmond
This first novel is filled with a richness of detail that makes you want to know more.
Linden Rathan, the main character comes alive in the book: you feel his joy and his pain, his
sense of compassion and anger but, most of the time, you get the feeling that he is just a lonely
man, searching for companionship and comfort.
Best of the Web 2000
reviewed by Trent Walters
The Web is in dire need of a critical foundation, lest it risk no one taking it seriously. The Preditors and
Editors website has attempted to settle that with a poll based on popular vote. It's excellent in idea, valiant in
the attempt and much needed to dredge through the sludge of written Web material, but the present system is flawed.
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
You've probably seen this novel included in every SF Top 10 List
published. 45 years have passed since it was first published and it's
yet to be knocked out of the masters' circle. That's a pretty impressive
statement. Bester's classic has the stuff to back it up. Gully Foyle is not
exactly one of the good guys, but he's your hero for this trip. Foyle's life
has never been easy, but as the novel opens he is in about the worst
predicament of his life -- stranded in space, alone, with little or no
chance of rescue.
The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester
reviewed by Todd Richmond
It takes place in a future where a small percentage of the population has developed telepathic
powers. Called peepers, they have revolutionized business, government, and, most importantly, law enforcement. In fact,
no act of premeditated murder has been committed in more than 70
years. So Lincoln Polwell is somewhat astonished to be summoned to a popular
socialite's home to investigate both a murder and a disappearance.
A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon Bestwick
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
A few years ago, the author came to everyone's attention with "Graven" in Darkness Rising One: Night's Soft Pains. This beautiful,
unique tale presents a relationship readers can instantly identify with and mourn; a universal experience of love's strains and
lasting power. How fitting that "Graven" graces the author's first collection, a debut guaranteed to start him on the road
to well-deserved literary fame. No longer will he remain a precious secret shared by a select circle of fans; after this,
everyone is going to be watching his career blossom.
Chaos and Amber by John Gregory Betancourt
reviewed by Steve Lazarowitz
Admittedly, this second book of the new series reminded Steve more of the second Amber series, than the first but, aside from
that, it's eminently entertaining. The main character is Oberon, son of Dworkin, who was raised on a shadow world, in complete
ignorance of his true heritage. It answers some of the questions raised in Dawn of Amber and leaves a few others in its wake.
Roger Zelazny's The Dawn of Amber by John Gregory Betancourt
reviewed by Alma A. Hromic
The novel chronicles the adventures of Oberon, whom we know from Zelazny's books to have been a much-married and very fecund
King of Amber. The story begins with one Alma's own personal Literary Cardinal Sins -- the Dream Sequence. This is a
fantasy -- more, it is a fantasy rooted in Zelazny, and Zelazny's imagination could be extremely strange.
Double Helix: Infection by John Gregory Betancourt
reviewed by Todd Richmond
Jean-Luc Picard, in his first year as Captain of the Enterprise, is
sent to Archaria III, where a raging epidemic is sweeping the planet. It's a
particularly nasty disease that only strikes down individuals with mixed
genetic backgrounds. (Perhaps you'll want to take a moment to think of which
Enterprise crew members are at risk...)
Shapestone by James Bibby
reviewed by Lisa Brunetta
Marauding orcs, a novice magician, an attractive damsel in distress, the
Guild of Assassins, incompetent officers of the law nipping off for a pint
during working hours, and a rollicking, hilarious adventure set in a
sprawling metropolis with numerous pubs and back alleys. Does this sound
familiar to you? It will if you're a fan of Terry Pratchett's
Discworld novels -- but in that case you should enjoy this
book, too.
Axis of Time Trilogy by John Birmingham
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
It's a tale sprawling across several years, beginning with a catastrophic accident that tears a hole in time,
throwing an international fleet from 2021 back to 1942. The uptimers emerge at night, slap bang in the middle of the US
task force heading toward Midway Atoll. A major problem is a side effect of the unexpected time travel which causes most
of the future crew to arrive unconscious, or barely functional. Sensing the danger, their computer controlled Combat
Intelligence acts in defence when elements of the '42 fleet attack, quickly leading to all guns blazing on both sides.
Axis of Time Trilogy by John Birmingham
reviewed by Peter D. Tillman
A naval task force from 2021 is diverted to 1942 by a DARPA teleportation experiment gone spectacularly wrong. In the confusion of the transition,
the moderns sink most of Admiral Spruance's fleet, enroute to the Battle of Midway.
The trilogy goes on to re-fight WW2, and to show once again that the oldest cliché can look fresh
in the hands of a good writer with a new approach.
The Shadow Chaser by Dylan Birtolo
reviewed by David Hebblethwaite
Darien Yost wakes one evening, having passed out, with a ravenous appetite and no memory of what happened. Is his friend
Ellen right that this is a hangover? Is it, as government agent Michael Olson suggests, the result of some contamination in
the area? Or could it be something else entirely? Events suggest the last, when a mysterious and beautiful woman named
Alyssa invades Darien's dreams and then turns up in reality -- and when Olson's men make an attempt on his life...
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Operation Vampyr by David Bishop
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
Subtitled 'Fiends of the Eastern Front,' this is the first in a new series, combining WWII
military action with the supernatural. Set in 1941 it features the adventures of the brothers Vollmer, not a circus
troupe but three German soldiers battling their way across Russia. These Germans have a unique ally,
the 1st Rumanian Mountain Troop. As the brothers' adventures progress and intertwine, we find out just what makes
the Rumanians so feared by the retreating Russians, and so dangerous to the Fatherland.
Blue Kansas Sky by Michael Bishop
reviewed by Steven H Silver
He has written some of the best speculative fiction of the last 20 years,
ranging from the gritty Minor League baseball novel Brittle Innings
to the romantic anthropological novel Ancient of Days. The author's
writing has never fully managed to find the audience it deserves. This is
his 5th collection. If there is justice in the world, it will introduce his
work to a wider readership.
Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
reviewed by Charlene Brusso
This book is companion to the popular fantasy series The Spiderwick Chronicles, but
you don't need to have read the Chronicles, to enjoy this gorgeous tome.
The opening chapters contain all manner of helpful information for those seeking to explore the world of fantastical
creatures. For example, fairies like milk and are drawn to it; they like lukewarm the best. And for getting rid of them, a
bag of salt is likewise handy.
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
reviewed by Charlene Brusso
The series opens with the Grace family, moving into their great aunt Lucinda's
decrepit old Victorian house. Mom tries to put a hopeful spin on things, but the Grace children -- daughter Mallory, the oldest,
and twins Simon and Jared (our narrator) -- are not happy campers. Aunt Lucinda's house is full of cobwebs and creaky old furniture,
untrustworthy electricity, and a strange scrabbling in the walls.
While investigating the noises, Jared discovers a secret room full of pilfered knick-knacks. This is home to the
grumpy household brownie Thimbletack, who doesn't want outsiders in his house.
Dark Side of the Moon by J. Carson Black
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
The author continues to ignore the common wisdom of writing: debut novels are supposed to be rough and uncertain,
fledgling steps into the genre, sophomore efforts stumble coming out of the gate. Right? Wrong. Starting with a
spectacular debut that was one of the best novels of 2005, she follows up with a second volume in the Laura Cardinal
series that may, in fact, be even better than the first. With a record like that, she is a force to be reckoned
with and an author to keep an eye on.
Darkness on the Edge of Town by J. Carson Black
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
There ought to be a law that novels should not be this well-plotted, assured, and addictive. It just ain't right. It
may be the complex, compelling characters, the vivid, out-of-the-way settings, or the constant tension the author
weaves into the story, but once you started reading you'll move faster and faster, with
no way to stop until the breathtaking ending. Forget sleep, because you won't have time for such trivialities; you're
here to read.
Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Weapons and Technology by W. Haden Blackman
reviewed by David Maddox
Lightsabers, Ion Cannons and Wookie bow casters may be second nature to Star Wars fans, but what about Plasma
Cannons, Amphistaffs and Vonduun-Crab-Shell-Plated Armor? All these bizarre pieces of technology and more are there for the
learning in this compendium of weapons and technology.
Killing Frost by Dan L. Blake
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
It reads like a late-night movie. Yes, there are flaws,
but the action moves so fast that you aren't going to have time to dwell on
them. Yes, you know it's a school night, but you are going to stay up
until you finish it. And, yes, you'd be really surprised to hear it
mentioned at an awards show.
Voices of Vision by Jayme Lynn Blaschke
reviewed by Steven H Silver
This collection of interviews run the gamut of the field, including authors and editors and comic book writers. From recently
published authors such as Patricia Anthony to stalwarts of the field such as Jack Williamson, these interviews give a
broad look, not just at the history of the field, but at the breadth of topics which can be covered, and the manner in
which they can be covered, under the rubric of science fiction.
In For a Penny by James P. Blaylock
reviewed by John Berlyne
What a treat! This new collection of James P. Blaylock short stories will be welcome news to the many worldwide fans of this writer, particularly in
light of the fact that it has been four long years since we last had the pleasure of a Blaylock novel.
The author is clearly still very active in the short fiction market and, as illustrated by
this new collection, is right at the top of his game.
The most enduring qualities of his work is that it is, and should be, required re-reading. Like a painting by an acknowledged
master, this is work that can be viewed time and time again, with each visitation revealing something new and hugely rewarding.
The Rainy Season by James P. Blaylock
reviewed by Rodger Turner
James P. Blaylock brings us another of his modern gothic tales. He captures
the creepy elegance of place, not in the setting of castles and moors but
rather in a neo-Victorian farmhouse and an avocado ranch in Southern
California. This novel provides us with a mixture of the mundane and the
supernatural, woven together with a smart degree of wit and acuity.
Winter Tides by James P. Blaylock
reviewed by Rodger Turner
For Rodger, the sheer maliciousness
with which one of the characters goes through life
has made this book one of Blaylock's most
intriguing to date.
In This World or Another by James Blish
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
This is a very strong collection of stories. Most people may connect the author with the original Star Trek,
and while he did some great work there, he is really so much more. This collection is a great tribute to one of the masters of the SF genre.
A Case Of Conscience by James Blish
reviewed by Martin Lewis
A contact team of four scientists have been sent to decide whether to open
up Lithia to Earth. This decision is complicated by the fact that Lithia is
inhabited by intelligent, civilized aliens with the appearance of 12-foot
high reptilian kangaroos. Michelis believes the planet should be opened up
so Earth can benefit from contact with the peaceful, unified Lithians;
Carver believes the planet's high quantity of lithium makes it ideal for
turning into a bomb factory; Agronski is undecided, flitting between both
views; Ruiz-Sanchez, a priest as well as a biologist, believes Lithia should
be placed in permanent quarantine because it is a creation of the devil.
The Seedling Stars by James Blish
reviewed by Rich Horton
The central theme uniting the stories of this episodic novel is that humanity will colonize other planets not by adapting the environment
of those planets to men (terraforming), nor by avoiding the environment of other planets (living in domes, say),
but by adapting men to alien environments. By so doing, man will "seed" the stars.
Representing some of the author's very best work, he takes a striking idea and develops
it fully, in the best tradition of pure SF.
The Fear Planet and Other Unusual Destinations by Robert Bloch
reviewed by Steven H Silver
This collection is part of a series of previously unreprinted Robert Bloch
stories. It begs the question "why?" If Bloch himself did not see the value in reprinting these stories after they provided him
with initial payment, why would a publisher and editor think they have value at this late date? One part of the answer is
for the collectors, but another part of the answer is to compare the stories to chocolate. Any chocolate is better than no
Hell on Earth by Robert Bloch
reviewed by Georges T. Dodds
This collection presents 4 novellas from the author's pre-Psycho but
post-Lovecraftian era. They are down and dirty pulp literature, ranging from humorous fantasy to
occult and noir horror. While his works aren't the sorts
of things one would reread to find the intricate plotting and meaning of a Tolkien, they are very entertaining,
suspenseful and fun to read.
Story Time by Edward Bloor
reviewed by Matthew Hughes
It is set in a corrupt US county where the school board and the local government are so firmly under the sway of one greedy family
that they allow them to shanghai public school students into the fee-charging Whittaker Magnet School, where the concept
of "teaching to the test" goes reductio ad absurdum and then keeps right on going. The brightest kids on the county sit in
rows in the basement of the Whittaker Library, taking test after test.
Unfortunately for all, some of the books in the old library are haunted by nasty ghosts.
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