Scenting the Dark and Other Stories by Mary Robinette Kowal
reviewed by Rich Horton
This collection is notable, compared to other first books, for its
brevity -- only 8 short stories, some 80 pages. This may be a wise choice -- start with something
of a taster, a sample. It's not that the author has used up all the good stuff either as two of those appearing in Rich's
year's best anthologies are included here. The book does represent her style and concerns very well. It's also
representative temporally -- a couple of her earliest stories are included, and a couple from 2009, including
one new to this book.
Absolute Promethea: Book One by Alan Moore
reviewed by Susan Dunman
College student Sophie Bangs has no idea what she's getting herself into as she wraps up research for her term paper
about a literary heroine named Promethea. Discovering that this enigmatic woman has appeared in poetry, comic books,
and urban legends since the 18th century, Sophie is convinced this is no coincidence and is determined to learn the
true identity of Promethea.
Queen Mab Courtesy by Bruce C. Davis
reviewed by John Enzinas
A "Queen Mab Courtesy" is when a favour is given and received and neither party has a full understanding of the
repercussions. It creates a web of guilt and obligation that ties the giver and receiver together for better
or, more frequently, for worse.
Tito, is a Denver Dwarf, suffering from a birth defect caused by a bioterrorism incident.
He falls in with a fixer named Charlemange Skeezer who is a trader of courtesies and has more than one Queen
Mab on his hands.
Blue Moon Rising: Part 2 by Simon R. Green
an audio review podcast by Fred Greenhalgh
The second part of this three-part adaptation picks up right where the first installment ends, so
you'll need to listen to the first segment to understand what's going on here. The first scene
re-introduces us to Julia, who, as usual, is sticking her nose where no other princess would ever dare.
Angel Time by Anne Rice
an audiobook review by Gil T. Wilson
Anne Rice is best known for her Vampire Chronicles, including the most popular, Interview with the Vampire. But
any Rice fan knows she's written more than just tales of vampires, so it should be no surprise that her latest novel is about
angels. What is surprising is how she explores the topic by telling a story of an angel who "hires" a modern-day contract killer
to defend the Jews of 13th century Norwich, England.
Star Wars: No Prisoners by Karen Traviss
an audiobook review by Sarah Trowbridge
Captain Rex is back -- the clone squad leader who distinguished himself in the first
Clone Wars novel. Anakin Skywalker has decided to take a brief break from combat to
visit his secret wife, Padmé Amidala. He leaves Ahsoka, his young Padawan, in Rex's care. Summoned
to the newly refitted Republic assault cruiser Leveler, helmed by Captain Gilad Pellaeon, Rex, Ahsoka,
and six untried new clone troopers go for what is meant to be a three-day routine training exercise.
The Demon Apostle, Part 1: The Demon Wars by R.A. Salvatore
an audiobook review by Gil T. Wilson
Continuing on with R.A. Salvatore's Demon Wars saga, this installment begins book three of the
seven book series. Once again, the magical production skills of GraphicAudio seamlessly transport you back
into the world of Corona. Elbryan Wyndon, the Nightbird, travels north to take back the Timberlands with the
help of Bradwarden the Centaur and Belli'mar Juraviel the elf, while Pony moves south to the city of
Palmaris for reasons of her own.
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Son of Retro Pulp Tales edited by Joe R. Lansdale and Keith Lansdale
reviewed by Mario Guslandi
A sequel to the acclaimed Retro Pulp Tales, this new anthology, where Joe Lansdale teams with his son Keith
to edit more stories in the old pulp tradition, assembles eleven brand new pieces of imaginative and thrilling
fiction aimed to entertain, astonish and, most of all, make us forget for a while the dullness of daily
life. While it may be beneath the scope of great literature (the purpose of which is supposedly also to educate
and to elicit lofty thoughts and feelings), but it is one of the main properties of good fiction.
Across the Wall by Garth Nix
reviewed by Nathan Brazil
Subtitled "A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories" this is a collection of short fiction, from the best-selling author
of The Abhorsen Trilogy. The title is misleading,
as the Abhorsen herself never actually appears and no one crosses the Wall into the Old Kingdom. In fact, only the first
story "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case" is set in the same world as Sabriel. In total, there are
thirteen unconnected works here and most demonstrate why Nix is the recipient of such critical acclaim.
Scuzzworms by Ella Mack
reviewed by John Enzinas
A scientific detective novel, it begins with the arrival of the main character on
the research station. She has been hired as an Ethnobiologist, someone who looks at the interactions of creatures
and attempts to understand what drives them. She is also a very angry person and carries a chip on her shoulder
that the slightest breeze could disturb.
Thankfully on a orbital station, the breezes are few and far between.
Tom Strong by Alan Moore
reviewed by Susan Dunman
Heroes can be so complicated these days. Their motives are smudged in ever darker shades of grey while their angst-ridden
lives seem less than rewarding. Are you ready for a hero without all that emotional baggage? Then look no further than
Tom Strong. Tom Strong has what it takes to
keep the citizens of Millennium City safe from an assorted menagerie of villains.
Nexus Graphica
a column by Rick Klaw and Mark London Williams
Another long, fast, strange and lively year, Rick Klaw and Mark London Williams complete
their round-up of work that struck them most profoundly, left the most lasting impressions.
As Rick noted last time, in Part I, neither of them carry the conceit that this list is an
objective "absolute best." Which is to say, there were doubtless other projects -- comics, graphic
novels, web comics, etc. -- worthy of making the countdown.
But theirs is comprised of the stuff they've actually read.
News Spotlight -- Genre Books and Media
a column by Sandy Auden
December is traditionally a time for looking back and reflecting on the changes
of the last twelve months. For John Lenahan, magician, comedian and actor, there's been
the release of his debut novel Shadowmagic; for comic artist and writer Dave West there's
been success with his first complete webcomic and first graphic novel of collected
stories; and for authors Len Maynard and Mick Sims, they've signed with an agent and
they're dipping their writing toes into adventure thrillers for the first time.
Babylon 5.1
TV reviews by Rick Norwood
Time magazine picked Battlestar Galactica as one of the ten best television series of
2009, and the Dollhouse episode "Briar Rose" as one of the best episodes. But for these shows and others,
the number of viewers fell off rapidly as episodes aired. There are a lot of people who want
to watch good science fiction, but television isn't giving them what they want.
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