Is Abaddon’s Gate really just a Black Halo? A review of novels by James S.A. Corey and Sam Sykes

Posted on June 17 2013 by Justin | 2 Comments

Where do novels begin? Is it the protagonist? The plot? Some cool magic system? Or a world detail? It’s a silly question, because there is no right answer. And even if there was, it only matters insofar as it scratches a bad interviewer’s curiosity. But, it is interesting, and meaningful, to discuss which of those aspects make a novel sing. In the case of Abaddon’s Gate and Black Halo, novels by James S.A. Corey and Sam Sykes respectively, it’s the characters that give them soul. Continue reading →

50 Essential Epic Fantasies — Part Two

Posted on June 10 2013 by Justin | 39 Comments

Art by Michael Whelan

Click Here for Part I

Jared Shurin, Liz Bourke, Tansy Rayner Roberts, and I have challenged one another to write and compare our lists of “Essential” Epic Fantasies. The result is a multi-blogger liststravaganza! (For a previous challenge with SF, see here.)

The rules are as follows:

*No more than one book or series from each author. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien could go in for The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings series, but not both.
*No anthologies.
*You can only list books that you have read.
*Definitions of “essential”, “epic” and “fantasy” are left to personal interpretation.

I’m shamed to admit how white male heavy that third rule made my first 25. I *think* my second 25 has done better, although the whole thing is probably a sad commentary on the state of the epic fantasy field in the United States in 1980′s and 90′s. Sorry about that – as always, please leave feedback and suggested reading in the comments.

I’ve defined “essential” as whatever the hell I felt like. So, if you read this and can’t figure it out, then. . . try again? Or, maybe I’ll write a post when it’s all over to figure it out. Continue reading →

50 Essential Epic Fantases — Part One

Posted on June 7 2013 by Justin | 19 Comments

Art by Larry Elmore

The rules are as follows:

I’m shamed to admit how heavy that third rule makes my first 25 on white men. I *think* my second 25 will do better, although this is probably a sad commentary on the state of the epic fantasy field in the United States in 1980′s and 90′s. Sorry about that – as always, please leave feedback and suggested reading in the comments. Continue reading →

The Oathbreaker’s Shadow by Amy McCulloch

Posted on May 28 2013 by Justin | 2 Comments

oathbreakers shadow cover amy mccolloch

I’m going to say some stuff about ‘Young Adult’ fiction. Some of it’s going to be really wrong, but I’ll hedge by saying it’s my interpretation. Let’s try not to crucify me for it.

For me, what makes a book ‘Young Adult’ isn’t the age of its protagonist, simplicity of story, or basic themes. Instead, it requires some didactic aspect. For example, Paolo Bacigalupi’s Shipbreaker isn’t just a fucked-up coming of age story, but a teaching tool for conceptualizing climate change, as well as refining mores for peer group interactions. I would argue the weakest part of the novel is its plot and protagonist, both of which feel cookie-cutter. What makes it successful for young readers is what it imparts. Thusly, I would argue, until I’m blue in the face, that Raymond Feist’s Riftwar Saga or David Edding’s Belgariad are not ‘Young Adult’. I would prefer to call them fiction for all ages. In other words, they tell a story that’s easy to understand for young readers, but does absolutely nothing to recommend it as something that ought to be targeted to them. I make this distinction because Amy McCulloch’s The Oathbreakers Shadow is a ‘Young Adult’ novel, and a fine one at that. Continue reading →

Duck and Covers: The Masterworks’ Masterpieces

Posted on May 21 2013 by Justin | 7 Comments

aegypt john crowley

I’m going to present these covers largely un-editorialized. Well, less that usual. The truth is these gorgeous covers are as simple as they are intricate. They seem to capture some of the power of their underlying content, without reaching too far into the esoteric. Gollancz has really done an amazing job with these Fantasy Masterworks rereleases.

Also, I’m really glad there’s a publisher out there actively keeping these works alive.

What say you?

Love Minus Eighty by Will McIntosh

Posted on May 20 2013 by Justin | 3 Comments

Will McIntosh wrote a book about love and I’m wondering whether I’ll ever read another that does it better. Love Minus Eighty isn’t a romance. In fact, it’s often antithetical to that idea. Instead it’s a charming, frightening, and all together confusing (as only love can be) treatise on the nature of relationships, their unpredictability and capability for crippling despair.

Based on McIntosh’s Hugo Award winning short story, Bridesicles, Love Minus Eighty is set years in the future where cryogenics and life extension technology have reached the point that the only thing standing in the way of death is money. For the particularly beautiful and female, dying young means ending up in cryogenic dating farms where the creepiest rich men briefly resurrect them to determine how depraved they’ll be in exchange for another chance at life. It’s a horrific idea driven home by the character of Mira, who throughout the novel is killed and awakened untold times by curious ‘Johns’ (for lack of a better words). McIntosh calls these trapped souls bridesicles.

“. . . you’re at minus eighty degrees, thanks to your insurance, but full revival, especially when it involves extensive injury, is terribly costly. That’s where the dating services comes in–”

“I have a sister,” she interrupted. “Lynn.” Her jawed move so stiffly.

“Yes, a twin sister. Now, that would be interesting.” The man grinned, his eyebrows raised.

Into this horrifying milieu McIntosh gives us Rob, a materialistic boy-toy to a cyber-celebrity. After getting dumped during a broadcast, he accidentally kills a jogger who ends up a bridesicle (although only barely. . . Winter is a mere 8.6). Ridden with guilt he sells everything to visit her, seeking her forgiveness. There’s also Veronika, a dating coach who never seems to find time to date, and the aforementioned Mira, a gay woman accidentally placed in the heterosexual dating center near its inception. Rob, Veronika, Mira, and a host of other characters soon become caught up in finding a way to end the bridesicle program, while trying desperately to carve out some happiness for themselves. Continue reading →

The Flames of Shadam Khoreh and the Lays of Auskaya by Bradley P. Beaulieu

Posted on May 9 2013 by Justin | 7 Comments

The Winds of Khalakovo, the first installment in Bradley P. Beaulieu’s Lay of Anuskaya series, was raved about on this blog in 2011. I acquired the follow-up, The Straits of Galahesh, several months before it was released in 2012. Unfortunately, the first fifty pages felt impenetrable even after reading them a dozen different times. When Beaulieu announced the upcoming release of the final volume, The Flames of Shadam Khoreh, I committed myself to finishing the second novel in order to read the conclusion. Despite a long, arduous struggle through Straits of Galahesh that never really abated, I’m so pleased to call Flames of Shadam Khoreh a rousing success that exceeds all of the expectations placed on it by Beaulieu’s exceptional debut.

Beaulieu’s third book begins nearly two years after the events of Straits of Galahesh. War has moved from the islands to the mainland, and the Grand Duchy knows its time may be limited. The rifts between worlds grow ever wider, and Nikandr believes Nasim is the only one who can close them. I offer only the most basic of framework because to reveal more would result in endless paragraphs as to call Beaulieu’s narrative sprawling is a gross understatement. Before I go too far into what makes Flames of Shadam Khoreh a success, I think it’s important to couch it in terms of what came before.

Beginning in Winds of Khalakovo it was immediately apparent that Beaulieu and his editor, Ross Lockheart, were not terribly concerned with pace. Or perhaps it would be more fair to say both believed they had a Russian inspired Gone with the Wind in a second world fantasy. In many ways they did. Split into two ‘parts’, Winds of Khalakovo takes its time, developing first a romantic triangle between Nikandr, the series’ primary protagonist, his lover, and his future wife, before moving on to the larger conflict centered around a weakening of the barriers between the human and spirit worlds. This structure, one he employs in all three volumes, creates a misleading and difficult rise and fall to the narrative. False climaxes boost the reader to a natural conclusion, before it comes crashing down to another long build up. Continue reading →

Duck and Covers: Is the Baen art director taking side jobs?

Posted on May 8 2013 by Justin | 5 Comments

When you’re Baen, you know you have a bit of a reputation for ridiculous covers. Not just over sexed ones either, but classics like:

The covers below are not from Baen, a fact I find difficult to rationalize given the styles employed. Do you think Baen’s art director might be freelancing?

First up, young adult novel whose title I cannot decrypt. Is it Warriors? Thunder Rising? Dawn of Clans? I just don’t know! Let’s go with Bonus Scene Inside! Apparently this novel features cats that have powers to fracture the earth and appear in circles that hover above said fractures. Do you think these cats are weaving gateways? Watch out Egwene Al’vere!

Then we have Mike Resnick, and Pyr. I’m rather surprised with Pyr who are usually perfectly directed by the estimable Lou Anders. But, this dinosaur, raygun, mustache combo screams Will Smith’s Wild Wild West, which isn’t a comparison any sane consumer of fiction would want.

And now the coup de grâce. . .Garreth Powell’s Ack-Ack Macaque book two, Hive Monkey. It looks like S.H.I.E.L.D. played entirely by monkeys! And is that Mr. Belvedere next to the E?

I think it’s pretty clear Baen is spreading. I for one welcome my new animal loving overlord of ridiculous covers.

A Shambling Guide to Tao: How Plot Structure and Character Arc are Overrated

Posted on May 3 2013 by Justin | 3 Comments

Since the moment I finished Wesley Chu’s debut novel, The Lives of Tao, I called reading it ‘the most fun I’ve had this year.’ I wouldn’t call it the best novel, and maybe not even the best debut, but it’s one of those reads that puts a smile on my face that won’t go away. In reading Mur Lafferty’s ‘debut’ (I put that in quotes since it’s only a debut in that it’s her first novel published by a SFWA approved house) A Shambling Guide to New York City, I found myself less joyful despite nearly identical character arcs and plot structures. My responses to myself ranged from ‘well everyone’s mileage varies’ to ‘oh my God these two books are incredibly similar why do I love one and not the other?’ Considering that question is what this review is about.

Lives of Tao tells the story of out-of-shape IT technician Roen who hears a voice in his head that turns out to be an ancient alien life-form named Tao who’s hitching a ride. Turns out the aliens have been on Earth for a long time, with two opposing factions searching for a way off-planet. The Genjix would sacrifice humanity to accomplish it, and the Prophus wouldn’t. Roen, being lucky enough to get a Prophus, is now a secret agent in a war totally beyond him.

Compare it to Shambling Guide, starring out-of-work non-fiction editor, Zoe. Looking for work in New York City, Zoe takes a job to write an undead (or as they prefer to be called, coterie) guide to the city. Not to be put off by anything — especially not her blood drinking boss or death goddess coworker — Zoe ends up deep into the coterie lifestyle. Things take a turn for the worse and she’s soon caught in the middle of a battle between nether forces. Continue reading →

A Tor Heavy Group of Short Review

Posted on April 29 2013 by Justin | 4 Comments

Shattered Pillars by Elizabeth Bear

Remember when I made a bit of a stink that Range of Ghosts wasn’t nominated for a Hugo? I am even more vindicated by the exceptional quality of the sequel, Shattered Pillars. The new novel picks up right where Range of Ghosts left off with a disgraced horse lord and his wizard lover fighting against a fundamental religious megalomaniac.

There are times when Bear is a little unclear with her intent, or the inherent fuzziness of the magic raises an eyebrow, but couched in Bear’s gorgeous prose and confident voice everything comes off pitch perfect. I really can’t emphasize the point enough. Even when Shattered Pillars stumbles a bit with its pace or flow, there’s nothing that can derail my enjoyment because it’s just so well written. I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Bear’s, and I’ll be reading the next book in the series the second I get it. Highest Recommendation.

Continue reading →