The World Between-Belva Rae Staples

The World Between


Belva Rae Staples

Tate Publishing, Mar 27 2012, $22.99

http://www.tatepublishing.com

ISBN: 9781617779633



Georgie O'Dell was eight years old when his elderly neighbor Miss MacAlpin began to tell him the tale of evil Alex Edgecomb, a boy with a dark soul. Instead of paling with his friends, Georgie is hooked on the story and visits next door frequently to hear more.



Young Alex hated everyone including his family but especially his sister. The wicked Alex tries to overthrow the kingdom of Kriterion. However, to Georgie’s delight, Alex's coup d’état fails. Unremorseful Alex awaits punishment for his murders of other children and additional atrocities. Georgie soon learns a stunning truth about his hostess; who has asked him to one day write her fable.



The first Kriterion Saga (see the sequel: Tide Walker) is a superb morality fantasy as the villain’s amoral actions impact his family, neighbors and the kingdom. The entertaining metafiction storyline will remind readers of Michael Ende’s Neverending Story; as Georgie learns that if he does not change his attitude and behavior towards others like his brother, he will be the next Alex. Fans will enjoy journeying with Georgie to The World Between.



Harriet Klausner

Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury-Edited by Sam Weller and Mort Castle

Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury


Edited by Sam Weller and Mort Castle

Morrow, Jul 10 2012, $15.99

ISBN 9780062122681



Paying homage to the late Ray Bradbury, twenty-six authors provide strong short entries honoring the recently deceased superstar whose career spanned decades and many of his works turned into many movies. Mr. Bradbury added a short thank you to his contributing “children” while acknowledging his “true papa” was originally Poe and then Wells and Verne. Neil Gaiman sets the tone with his whimsical “The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury” as the narrator knows all the stories but not the name of the author. With a nod to the short story “The Swan”, he met her too late as she is “The Girl In The Funeral Parlor” (by Sam Weller). “Something Wicked This Way Comes” to BFFs in “Conjure” by Alice Hoffman. The compilation pays homage to Mr. Bradbury; for instance, Dave Eggers’ “Who Kicks” to “A Sound of Thunder”; Bonnie Jo Campbell’s “The Tattoo” to “The Illustrated Man”; and Bayo Ojikutu’s “Reservation to my personal favorite Bradbury “Fahrenheit 451”. This is a fitting tribute to one of the great writers.



Harriet Klausner

War Maid’s Choice-David Weber

War Maid’s Choice


David Weber

Baen, Jul 3 2012, $26.00

ISBN 9781451638356



Hradani horse stealer Prince Bahzell Bahnakson met Sothoii leader Baron Tellian Bowmaster on the battlefield when the latter outnumbered him by 30 to 1. He persuaded his foe to surrender or die; Tellian chose discretion as he knew his opponent was the War God's Own. They became friends but the Sothoii are upset with what they perceive as cowardice. To add insult the gigantic Bahzell takes a Sothoii steed Walsharno and becomes the first Hradani to be recognized as a wind rider (see the Wind Rider’s Oath).



Bahzell and Tellian push a public works project to build a canal that connects the Sothoii city Derm with the Hradani city Hurgrum. The construction symbolizes to too many on both sides a new era of cooperation. However irate Sothoii deploy assassins targeting Tellian, Bahzell and other leaders of the new alliance made even more insulting by the Baron’s daughter Leanna choosing this Hradani animal; this group choses civil war. Meanwhile the Dark Gods led by Phrobus try for the fourth time to eliminate Bahzell who is the prime barrier from their taking over Norfressa, but this time they deploy powerful minion but miss the key opponent as they target Bahzell and Tellian; no one would suspect an aristocratic war maid and a one-eyed mare to stand in their way.



The latest Bahzell epic fantasy (see Wind Rider’s Oath, Oath of Swords and The War God's Own) is an engaging tale as David Weber enhances his world though it behooves newcomers to read the backlist entries to understand the social dynamics. Loaded with action and filled with fun but obvious twists as well as a once taboo romance (fuel for the purists), fans will enjoy the War Maid’s Choice.



Harriet Klausner

Fever Moon: The Fear Dorcha-Karen Marie Moning, David Lawrence, Al Rio (illustrator) and Cliff Richards (illustrator)

Fever Moon: The Fear Dorcha


Karen Marie Moning, David Lawrence, Al Rio (illustrator) and Cliff Richards (illustrator)

Del Rey, Jul 10 2012, $25.00

ISBN: 9780345525482



The Lord Master pulled down the Walls enabling the demonic Unseelie Fae to escape their 500,000 years of incarceration in a wasteland. They swamped Dublin leaving many humans dead and much of the city eradicated; the world has not fared any better. However, these malevolent Unseelie and their Quisling supporters made one major mistake in Ireland when they raped but failed to kill Mackayla “Mac” Lane, as she has become the most potent adversary the evil Fae face.



However though she has matured due to constant combat and has met twisted allies like Jericho Barrons and V’Lane, Mac has not encountered the deadliest Unseelie; a Fae that the Fae fear as the Fear Dorcha who has brutally hunted anyone in his path on several worlds including the genocide of humans, sometimes out in the open. He has come to Dublin to collect body parts from fifteen victims that will become him as he mutilates those in Mac’s circle with her being his final target. Mac, with her Spear of Destiny and Barrons, expects her existential existence will expire once this monster comes for her, but she plans to stand her ground against this invincible fighting machine.



This is a terrific graphic comic that apparently occurs just before Shadowfever. The adaptation by David Lawrence engages fans from the moment the vilest villain in the series to date arrives (hat in hand) in Temple Bar to collect body parts and never slows down as he closes in on Mac. The colorful illustrations by the late Al Rio and Cliff Richards enhance the “Fecking-A" superb storyline.



Harriet Klausner

The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires-Molly Harper

The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires


Molly Harper

Pocket, Jul 31 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9781451641837



In Half-Moon Hollow, Iris Scanlon runs Beeline a vampire day-time concierge business. Her clients ask her to take care of just about anything, which she does for a nice fee. Because of her variety of gopher tasks, Iris is an expert on vampirism, something she considers TMI especially for a church goer (at least on the Big days) like her.



She brings welcoming flowers and the contract to her newest client Mr. C Calix. Only he lies on the floor looking pale. He drank poisoned donated O blood. She refuses to give him her blood but provides him two tampered proof sealed bottles. Cal pleads with the daywalker to find him a hiding place while he works on who wants him dead-dead; Iris does for a fee. To her chagrin she is attracted to her acrimonious customer as Iris refuse to break her no fraternization rule.



Though the locale is the same as the Jane Jameson urban fantasy saga (see Nice Girls Don't Bite their Neighbors), The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires is a new offshoot series. This amusing romantic frolic stars a business minded human and an irritable vampire; who prove that only love can resolve the paradox of an irresistible force meeting an unmovable object.



Harriet Klausner

21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology-Christopher Golden

21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology


Christopher Golden

St. Martin's Griffin, Jul 17 2012, $15.99

ISBN: 9780312605841



This nineteen story anthology follows up on The New Dead with a solid collection based on the premise that death and resurrection is an everyday Z day occurrence. All the entries are well written with no clinkers, but only a few provide freshness (only so many ways you can walk the dead). The best tale is “How We Escaped Our Certain Fate” as Dan Chaon explores the zombie grief cycle starting with the perquisite of love. Exciting “Parasite” occurs in the Robopocalypse world of Daniel H. Wilson. Home, hearth and zombies are a major theme of several contributions like Chelsea Cain’s “Why Mothers Let Their Children Watch Television”, “All the Comforts of Home: A Beacon Story” by John Skipp and Cody Goodfellow, “Couch Potato” by Brian Keene and Mark Morris’s “Biters.” 21st Century Dead is an entertaining Zombie Anthology.



Harriet Klausner

The Unraveling of Wentwater-C.S. Lakin

The Unraveling of Wentwater


C.S. Lakin

Living Ink Books, Jul 16 2012, $14.99

http://www.amgpublishers.com

ISBN: 9780899578927



In Wentwater, village matriarch Arlynna begins the naming ceremony of the baby just born to Iris when Ursell the banished marsh witch arrives. Ursell proclaims that the unnamed infant will unravel Wentwater one thread at a time until by the time she is eighteen the village will be no more. Before leaving Ursell tells them to exile the mother and put the babe to death. The superstitious frightened villagers make the parents leave and with the babe inside set the cottage on fire.



All who were witness remain haunted by the incident. Now seventeen years later, Teralyn from the science-based Heights arrives at Wentwater with her lap harp to play at a festival. She meets Iris’ two sons Justyn who left for the Heights and Fromer who stayed in the village. She and Fromer fall in love, but an angry jealous Justyn make a deal with Ursell that leads to The Unraveling of Wentwater vanishing one word at a time; only Teralyn is capable of stitching it back one word at a time over seven years, but that final word is jarred from her reach.



The fourth Gates of Heaven fantasy (see The Land of Darkness and Map Across Time) is a terrific allegorical drama based on the premise that one needs to "Be careful with your words - they have consequences!" With a reverse Sleeping Beauty theme and biblical references on wisdom, passion and faith, fans will appreciate this timely tale of two siblings and the harpist, as sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can harm you too.



Harriet Klausner

An Officer’s Duty-Jean Johnson

An Officer’s Duty


Jean Johnson

Ace, Jul 31 2012. $7.99

ISBN: 9781937007690



Powerful Space Force Navy psychic Ia can slip in and out of the time streams and see centuries into the future. Knowing that three hundred years from now, a near invincible enemy enters the galaxy destroying everything in their hunt for energy, Ia finds only one time line in which the destruction of the Milky Way does not occur. Thus she enlisted in the military when she turned eighteen as the first step towards insuring the one positive outcome happens (see A Soldier’s Duty).



Ia returns to her home heavyworld Sanctuary in order to insure the safety of her family and makes sure her brother wins the lottery at a time when religious disputes begin to turn hostile. The money will be used to for Sanctuary to survive one of the wars in which her home world plays a pivotal role. Ia plays a role in a series of armed conflicts with her goal to save billions of lives if every step in the time stream happens. Ia is a part of the Blockade Patrol keeping the amphibian race the Saliks blocked up in their sector. However, she knows they plan to break through the blockade; she must prevent this from happening because if they succeed her efforts to follow that one time stream ends in the earliest stage.



Known for her romantic fantasies (see the Sons of Destiny), Jean Johnson continues to display the width of her talent with her second exciting Theirs Not to Reason Why military science fiction thriller. Fans of Honor Harrington will appreciate heroic Ia who gives up the life she wants and the man she loves to prevent a futuristic galactic wide catastrophe, which, if unimpeded, would occur after she is dead. Fast-paced with terrific battle scenes and deep characterizations, Ia brings a sense of urgency to this deep tale.



Harriet Klausner

The Coldest War-Ian Tregillis

The Coldest War


Ian Tregillis

Tor, Jul 17 2012, $25.99

ISBN 9780765321510



The Soviet Union is winning the Cold War against Great Britain. By 1963, only the warlocks keep the Soviets from annexing the British Isles; however it is just a matter of time before the superpower crosses the Channel as each time a British wizard dies, the power balance shifts in favor of the Soviets.



Meanwhile, twins Gretel and Klaus were once Nazi experiments who became Soviet research specimens. Now with Gretel using her precognitive skills, to guide them while Klaus uses his super strength to break impenetrable barriers, they escape. Their destination is British secret agent Raybould Marsh as she has visions of him. Marsh and mage Will Beauclerk are caught in Milkwood while the Eidolons threaten both sides in the Coldest War.



Though this ends up as a middle book with no conclusion, readers will appreciate this strong alternate historical fantasy. Ian Tregillis cleverly captures the Cold War paranoia and anything goes attitude including collateral damage (that Neocons apparently still cling too like a comforting blanket) with Marsh beginning to question whether the end ever justifies the means. Gretel makes the storyline work as her twisting plot deploys. Readers will enjoy the second Milkweed Triptych (see Bitter Seeds) as the world spins on its axis or does it.



Harriet Klausner

Goddess in the Middle-Stephanie Julian

Goddess in the Middle


Stephanie Julian

Sourcebooks, Jul 1 2012, $14.99

ISBN 9781402251535



Many, many centuries ago, Amity Monroe was Munthukh the Etruscan Goddess of Health. Now she lives in Pennsylvania working as a medical aesthetician in Reading Hospital. Amity learned a long time ago to avoid loving relationships as that always leads to hurt so she focuses on her job where she also uses her diminished deity powers to reduce a patent’s pain in order to enhance healing; but that always leaves her weakened at a time a when Charun the underworld god hunts the goddess population; sex refurbishes her strength.



She and her best friend trauma nurse Jill Doyle are at Kelly’s Corner where two Etruscan men want her. Werewolf-witch cousins Rom and Remy Caneglosi knows the demon who killed their family wants Amity. They are stunned when she comes over to them offering to buy them a drink and much more. As they team up to kill a demon, their attraction grows.



The third Forgotten Goddesses erotic romantic urban fantasy (see What A Goddess Wants and How to Worship a Goddess) is an exciting paranormal that works due to the vile villain. The sex scenes are well written and hot, but also unrealistic as danger stalks her. The three fascinating protagonists carry baggage as she knows love hurts and struggles with how far she has fallen while the cousins blame themselves for what happened to their family. Readers will enjoy this heated Etruscan triangle.



Harriet Klausner

Romeo Spikes-Joanne Reay

Romeo Spikes

Joanne Reay

Gallery, Aug 14 2012, $25.00

ISBN: 9781451674446



Once a leading neurophysicist, who researched molecular telomeres that control longevity, Dr. Agnus Day lost his mind when his daughter died. He vanished only to reappear in a coma at a horrible murder scene. Now he resides at Morphic Fields Penitentiary where he suffers from Geschwind syndrome, which leaves him out of control of his mind and body as he obsessively is compelled to write down the “violent, inhuman visions” that haunt him. He is unaware what he sees ties back to the Tormenta demons whose sustenance is devouring the predetermined life not used when a mortal commits suicide, which these beasts “encourage” in their human form.



Homicide Detective Alexis Bianco soon learns about the Tormenta and their adversarial human protectors the Chiro Scuro when she meets Lola who effortlessly places her in a chokehold to get her attention. At the same time these demons are extremely active in anticipation of the arrival of the dark messiah Mosca; while knowing that the arrival of their champion means the Sinistra angels’ Moera will follow. All will converge on Morphic Fields Penitentiary where a mad researcher sits on death row while his avaricious shrink sees fame and fortune.



This is an extremely complex opening act of the powerful paranormal thriller that grips readers from start to finish. In some ways the various organizations competing for top gun can prove confusing as there seems to be a Cecil B. De Mille size cast. Though a glossary or “family tree” would have helped, fans will appreciate this superb supernatural that brilliantly brings angels and demons into the contemporary world in which the good go insane, the bad are mortal protectors and the ugly are demons and often angels.



Harriet Klausner

In The House Of The Wicked-Thomas E. Sniegoski

In The House Of The Wicked


Thomas E. Sniegoski

Roc, Aug 7 2012, $15.00

ISBN: 9780451464569



Remiel the seraphim archangel fought on the Creator’s side in the civil war against Lucifer’s rebel army. Although his side won, he no longer could abide living in heaven after the atrocities that followed after brother fought brother to the death on the battlefield. Thus Remiel becomes Remy Chandler, Boston PI, and in love with a mortal woman who died leaving him a grieving widow who understands Lord Alfred Tennyson’s immortal words: “'Tis better to have loved and lost; Than never to have loved at all.”



Remy is also very fond of Ashley Berg who he treats like a beloved daughter. When she disappears, Remy vows to find her to bring her home. He learns a sorcerer kidnapped Ashley as an expendable pawn to bring the seraphim to him; he schemes to steal Remy’s power and life force in order to become an immortal. Remy is uninterested in the games of Algernon Stearns and Konrad Deacon who drained life forces immediately after Hiroshima; instead he would go to hell to rescue his Ashley, but at what cost as the ensuing battles could leave humanity extinct.



This is a powerful Remy Chandler urban fantasy (see A Hundred Words For Hate) as someone he trusts with his life is loyal to Lucifer; thus the Prince of Deceivers uses his mole to trick Remy into going down wrong paths (leading to twisting subplots). The exciting storyline effortlessly switches back to Deacon’s past in WWII and afterward enabling the readers to observe the odious antics of an evil individual planning his coup. House of the Wicked is a terrific fantasy that will thrill readers.



Harriet Klausner

Hunter and Fox-Philippa Ballantine

Hunter and Fox


Philippa Ballantine

PYR, Jun 26 2012, $17.95

ISBN 9781616146238



The Caisah massacred the Vaerli so long ago it has become almost a myth. However, the Caisah’s Hunter, Talyn knows better as she was once a proud member of the Vaerli before she sold her soul to the beast that murdered her people and still rules the world.



The Caisah’s mistress Kelanim fears Talyn’s influence on her lover so plots to destroy her “rival”. At the same time, Finn the teller of tales and Talyn meet. They are attracted to one another, which each realizes is unrealistic and dangerous. Meanwhile, Talyn’s lost brother Byre seeks a means to remove the curse on the Vaerli. Soon all will converge shaking the foundations throughout the Conhaero.



Although the theme of a ruthless vicious ruler and a small band of courageous opponents is an old fantasy theme, the constantly changing Conhaero landscape in which a mountain can become lake in an instant adds some freshness to an engaging storyline. Readers will have mixed feelings toward Talyn who regrets selling her soul to the devil in order to survive while Finn brings hope and secrets; and Caisah and Kelanim are stereotypical evil. Although much of the tale sets up the Ballantine mythos and realm, fans will enjoy this opening act while looking forward to future escapades in this shifting world.



Harriet Klausner

False Covenant-Ari Marmell

False Covenant


Ari Marmell

PYR, Jun 26 2012, $16.95

ISBN: 9781616146214



In Davillon, Adrienne Sati escaped the mean streets thanks to a benefactor only to return to the mean streets as a thief thanks to the minor God Olgun (not one of the revered 147) sharing her skull. Now known as Widdershins, she knows she was lucky to survive the serial killer nightmare over six months ago (see Thief's Covenant). She and her deity agree to go straight so they try to earn a living working at Genevieve's tavern.



While the pair fails at bar-keeping, malevolence hunts the nightlife of the city. Widdershins and Olgun return to what they are good at: thieving. However, they uncover a diabolical dark magic plot. The powerful Church distrusts her after the death of their Archbishop. The Guard distrusts her after what happened to Constable Henri Roubert. The Thieves' Guild distrusts her after she left them twice before. Only Guard Major Bouniard seems to be her ally but neither Widdershins nor Olgun trusts the orphan’s attraction to him. If they survive an irate noble who wants her dead; the mortal-deity combo has a night time engagement with an evil serial killer.



Widdershins returns in an exciting entertaining investigative fantasy in which the strong city presence anchors the otherworldly elements. Readers would assume the lead protagonist is schizophrenic, if not for the occasional magic, as she and her guest hold amusing satirical discussions on redemption, death and love. Though there is purposeful stereotyping of secondary players that sets the tone of the Church, the aristocracy, the Guard and the Guild; high school age and older fans will enjoy touring the underbelly of Davillon with the squabbling jocular hosts.



Harriet Klausner

Before I Wake-Rachel Vincent

Before I Wake


Rachel Vincent

Harlequin Teen, Jun 26 2012, $9.99

ISBN: 9780373210619



Twenty-nine days ago, sixteen years old Kaylee Cavanaugh the bean sidhe banshee’s final soul scream was for herself when she was stabbed to death by an incubus math teacher (see If I Die). She has become a reaper working in the reclamation department for Madeline collecting souls. Her boss brought her back hoping a banshee reaper can end the serial soul stealing of an unknown thief. Her dad knows she is dead and she has a new boyfriend Tod the two and a half years old dead reaper at her side as well as Styx the netherworld Pomeranian guard dog.



Now Kaylee faces her greatest challenge yet when she returns to high school pretending to be alive as her death was local headline news. Madeline assigns her to recapture a soul taken by a rogue reaper at the donut shop as a training exercise. Kaylee rushes to the donut shop where she meets Thane the reaper who killed her mom thirteen years ago. He wants Kaylee dead, and was sent to hell by Rod. Using her banshee skills, she takes the soul to Madeline and with seconds to spare makes it to Eastlake where her former boyfriend Nash is. Now she balances life at school with collecting souls and uncovering the identity of the soul thief who makes the war personal.



The latest Soul Screamers young adult urban fantasy (see My Soul to Keep and My Soul to Save) is a great entry with a stunning climax. Fast-paced from the moment Kaylee faces Thane over the soul of the donut shop owner, fans will appreciate this super entry as Rachel Vincent continues to shake up things in the world of Kaylee Cavanaugh.



Harriet Klausner

Love On The Run-Katherine Kerr

Love On The Run


Katherine Kerr

Daw, Aug 7 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780756407629



Across the multiverse, there are infinite earths. Nola O’Grady and her psychic family reside on the Level Four earth. Nola works for the top secret The Agency whose mission is to police the Chaos and stop it from entering the worlds. Her lover Ari Nathan is a double Israeli agent for Interpol and TWIXT (Trans-word Interpol X Teams) whose mission is border guard patrol of global crossing.



Both agencies are searching for the Peacock Angel Cult, on an unknown deviant world that is used as a base to spread the chaos to other worlds. Ari and Nola are working on a case involving Earth Three; a radioactive world in which technology is low level and radiation is at a poisonous high rate. The residents would do anything to escape to the any other level. The Axeman and Ash, who fought Nola on a previous caper, are running a scam that proves deadly to the native on Earth Three who want to get away but the freedom on Earth Six is just an illusion. Fourth Level Earth Nola and Ari team up to prevent the spread of the Chaos on Earh Six and bring order to this orb.



The latest Nola O'Grady dark urban fantasy (see License to Ensorcell and Water To Burn) contains several subplots focusing on Nola’s family as her relative is under siege from an abusive husband and her younger brother is in trouble for misusing his psychic skills. Though the Agency and TWIXT want the talented O’Grady brood on their respective teams, their entries detract from the prime exciting storyline starring Nola and Ari returning to Earth 3 (see Apocalypse To Go) to deal with a problem that could bring Chaos to the rest of Earths. Love On the Run is a fantastic work due to excellent characterizations, a fascinating who done it and a bit of romance. The quirky secondary cast adds humor to a dark storyline.



Harriet Klausner

Dark Companion-Marta Acosta

Dark Companion


Marta Acosta

Tor Teen, Jul 3 2012, $17.99

ISBN: 9780765329646



Since becoming an orphan a decade ago at the age of six, Jane Williams has bounced around the foster care system. She learned rather quickly to hide in plain sight and to work hard at escaping. When she turned sixteen, her diligence pays off when she receives a full scholarship including a cottage to attend prestigious Birch Grove High School. To her shock she is welcomed as a friend by the affluent students especially Mary Violet.



Jane is attracted to both sons Lucian and Jack of Headmistress Radcliffe. Street-wised Jane knows she is naïve when it comes to boys. Still she recognizes there is something dark inside both of them, but it is Lucien who she is willing to pay the piper to be with. However, Jane feels a need to know what happened to the previous scholarship student and why Jack loathes her



This is an engaging paranormal gothic thriller starring a unique protagonist and a strong cast. The taut storyline builds on the innocent female in peril as tension of mysterious happenings in an isolated boarding school mount. Although the heroine’s revelation about love seems abrupt, young adult fans will enjoy It Happened to Jane (Eyre).



Harriet Klausner

The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln-Stephen L. Carter

The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln


Stephen L. Carter

Knopf, Jul 10 2012, $26.95

ISBN: 9780307272638



In 1865, John Wilkes Booth, supported by several co-conspirators, enters the Ford Theater to kill President Lincoln. The assassin fails to murder Lincoln; though Vice President Andrew Johnson dies and Secretary of States William Seward is so severely injured he is unable to carry out his duty. Booth and his team are executed before they can be properly interrogated to determine who else was involved in their nefarious assassination plot.



Over the next couple of years, Lincoln pushes a Reconstruction agenda that faces strong opposition in Congress who prefers punishing the losers rather than bringing them back into the Union. In 1867, the House of Representatives led by Radical Republicans pass a bill of impeachment against Lincoln. The US Senate will try the President. He hires Dennard & McShane law firm to defend him. They, in turn, employ Abigail Canner, a young “dark nation” graduate of Oberlin College allegedly as a clerk but actually as image confection. She refuses to be an idle symbol so she begins her own inquiry in Washington City to uncover the identity of the rest of the Booth team.



This is an entertaining alternate history based on Lincoln not Johnson surviving and being impeached. The storyline captures the essence of Post-Civil War society through a strong cast especially the middle class heroine, and the politics of the era as his own party fails to heed his words of “A house divided against itself cannot stand” when the Republicans prefer punishment over Lincoln’s reconciliation; they use his war powers as the rationale to impeach. The thriller starts fast with the assassination attempt, but slows down for a while before reengaging the reader with the trial and with Canner’s investigation.



Harriet Klausner

The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln-Stephen L. Carter

The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln


Stephen L. Carter

Knopf, Jul 10 2012, $26.95

ISBN: 9780307272638



In 1865, John Wilkes Booth, supported by several co-conspirators, enters the Ford Theater to kill President Lincoln. The assassin fails to murder Lincoln; though Vice President Andrew Johnson dies and Secretary of States William Seward is so severely injured he is unable to carry out his duty. Booth and his team are executed before they can be properly interrogated to determine who else was involved in their nefarious assassination plot.



Over the next couple of years, Lincoln pushes a Reconstruction agenda that faces strong opposition in Congress who prefers punishing the losers rather than bringing them back into the Union. In 1867, the House of Representatives led by Radical Republicans pass a bill of impeachment against Lincoln. The US Senate will try the President. He hires Dennard & McShane law firm to defend him. They, in turn, employ Abigail Canner, a young “dark nation” graduate of Oberlin College allegedly as a clerk but actually as image confection. She refuses to be an idle symbol so she begins her own inquiry in Washington City to uncover the identity of the rest of the Booth team.



This is an entertaining alternate history based on Lincoln not Johnson surviving and being impeached. The storyline captures the essence of Post-Civil War society through a strong cast especially the middle class heroine, and the politics of the era as his own party fails to heed his words of “A house divided against itself cannot stand” when the Republicans prefer punishment over Lincoln’s reconciliation; they use his war powers as the rationale to impeach. The thriller starts fast with the assassination attempt, but slows down for a while before reengaging the reader with the trial and with Canner’s investigation.



Harriet Klausner

Dark Companion-Marta Acosta

Dark Companion


Marta Acosta

Tor Teen, Jul 3 2012, $17.99

ISBN: 9780765329646



Since becoming an orphan a decade ago at the age of six, Jane Williams has bounced around the foster care system. She learned rather quickly to hide in plain sight and to work hard at escaping. When she turned sixteen, her diligence pays off when she receives a full scholarship including a cottage to attend prestigious Birch Grove High School. To her shock she is welcomed as a friend by the affluent students especially Mary Violet.



Jane is attracted to both sons Lucian and Jack of Headmistress Radcliffe. Street-wised Jane knows she is naïve when it comes to boys. Still she recognizes there is something dark inside both of them, but it is Lucien who she is willing to pay the piper to be with. However, Jane feels a need to know what happened to the previous scholarship student and why Jack loathes her



This is an engaging paranormal gothic thriller starring a unique protagonist and a strong cast. The taut storyline builds on the innocent female in peril as tension of mysterious happenings in an isolated boarding school mount. Although the heroine’s revelation about love seems abrupt, young adult fans will enjoy It Happened to Jane (Eyre).



Harriet Klausner

Love On The Run-Katherine Kerr

Love On The Run


Katherine Kerr

Daw, Aug 7 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780756407629



Across the multiverse, there are infinite earths. Nola O’Grady and her psychic family reside on the Level Four earth. Nola works for the top secret The Agency whose mission is to police the Chaos and stop it from entering the worlds. Her lover Ari Nathan is a double Israeli agent for Interpol and TWIXT (Trans-word Interpol X Teams) whose mission is border guard patrol of global crossing.



Both agencies are searching for the Peacock Angel Cult, on an unknown deviant world that is used as a base to spread the chaos to other worlds. Ari and Nola are working on a case involving Earth Three; a radioactive world in which technology is low level and radiation is at a poisonous high rate. The residents would do anything to escape to the any other level. The Axeman and Ash, who fought Nola on a previous caper, are running a scam that proves deadly to the native on Earth Three who want to get away but the freedom on Earth Six is just an illusion. Fourth Level Earth Nola and Ari team up to prevent the spread of the Chaos on Earh Six and bring order to this orb.



The latest Nola O'Grady dark urban fantasy (see License to Ensorcell and Water To Burn) contains several subplots focusing on Nola’s family as her relative is under siege from an abusive husband and her younger brother is in trouble for misusing his psychic skills. Though the Agency and TWIXT want the talented O’Grady brood on their respective teams, their entries detract from the prime exciting storyline starring Nola and Ari returning to Earth 3 (see Apocalypse To Go) to deal with a problem that could bring Chaos to the rest of Earths. Love On the Run is a fantastic work due to excellent characterizations, a fascinating who done it and a bit of romance. The quirky secondary cast adds humor to a dark storyline.



Harriet Klausner

The Sacrifice Game-Brian D’Amato

The Sacrifice Game


Brian D’Amato

Dutton, July 5 2012, $29.99

ISBN: 9780525952411



In the present, the scientists sent math wizard ethnic Mayan Joachim “Jed” Carlos Xul Mixoc DeLanda back to 664 AD. His mission is to learn how his ancient ancestors deployed the divination game to predict the apocalypse on December 21, 2012 and to find a way to prevent the pandemic catastrophe from happening. The time travel did not go as planned when Jed ended up in the body of a volunteer sacrifice instead of that of the king (see Courts of the Sun).



However that landing proves beneficial in Jed’s mind as he understands why his host body agreed to die. As he learns more about the Mayan prediction, Jed agrees with his ancestors’ noble cause to end the world in order to end suffering; he agrees he must help it happen. However, his 2012 allies realize Jed turned traitor so he must be stopped from triggering the apocalypse.



Opening with a note from Jed to be read on December 21, 2012 in which he explains why he did it, the middle Mayan doomsday thriller is an exciting tale. Jed rationalizes why the end is justified based on what he learns about the Game and observes among the not so noble Mayan in the seventh century; his fascinating defection and betrayal seems like a Stockholm syndrome effect. The storyline slows down towards the middle with too much gruesome repetition of the feral aspects of the culture (better read on an empty stomach). Still fans will overall enjoy this dark tale as the doomsday countdown not only continues but is abetted by Jed.



Harriet Klausner

The Girl Who Heard Dragons- Anne McCaffrey

The Girl Who Heard Dragons


Anne McCaffrey

Tor, June 5 2012, $14.99

ISBN: 9780765333643



This is a reprint of a wonderful 1994 short story collection; only the title story occurs in Pern. "The Girl Who Heard Dragons" introduces readers to Aramina and her family on the run to keep her from being abused due to talent to communicate with dragons; to learn more about her fate read “The Renegades of Pern”. The space colonists find a planet seemingly abandoned for no obvious cause in "Velvet Fields". Combat Dr. Bardie Makem feels attracted to "A Sleeping Humpty Dumpty Beauty" comatose soldier. Humanity continues to expand across the planet leaving no room for large animals in the wild and consequently there are a dwindling few riders left in "The Quiet One." A woman offers "The Greatest Love" by wanting to carry her brother and sister-in-law’s fetus but charges of incest and adultery are filed against the trio and the Ob-gyn who performed the first such fertilization. During the Civil War, the Arab female slave protects a plantation’s residents horses included in "Zulei, Grace, Nimshi, and the Damnyankees." B&W drawings enhance the compilation that showcases the versatility of the late great Anne McCaffrey who wrote several other wonderful series besides Pern.



Harriet Klausner

The Great Hunt-Robert Jordan

The Great Hunt


Robert Jordan

Tor, June 5 2012, $15.99

ISBN: 9780765334343



The Dark One’s minion Trollocs and Myrddraal raid Fal Dara where the heroes who defended the Eye of the World are gathered. The evil horde free Darkfriend Padan Fain who before fleeing the border village absconds with the Horn of Valere which when blown brings legendary heroes to fight the user’s side and also takes Mat's soul-stealing dagger.



Lord Ingtar puts together a team to include the three male defenders of the Eye of the World (Rand, Perrin, and Mat) to retrieve the stolen relics. At the same time their female comrades Nynaeve and Egwene travel with the Amyrlin Seat Aes Sedai witch Siuan Sanche to Tar Valon to begin their training.



The reprint of the exciting second Wheel of Time fantasy is an action-packed thriller especially when the focus is on the quest to repossess the purloined Horn and dagger; the female training comes across as weaker sister distracting from the prime plot. The different people met on the journey enhance and expand the Jordon mythos while the five heroes of the Eye of the World seem to have lost their coming of age maturity they obtained during their previous harrowing adventures. Still overall this is an entertaining quest fantasy that sub-genre fans will appreciate.



Harriet Klausner

Mother Of Storms-John Barnes

Mother Of Storms


John Barnes

Tor, June 5 2012, $17.99

ISBN: 9780765332516



In 2028, the Siberian Commonwealth releases missiles on the ocean floor as part of a preemptive campaign to annex the Alaska Free State. The United Nations world government reacts in kind by deploying anti-matter weapons to destroy the Siberian Commonwealth missile sites. However, a horrendous second order effect occurs when billions of tons of methane is released from the ocean floor that heats the atmosphere to unrecorded temperatures in a Greenhouse Effect and leads to hurricanes off the scale with millions dead and coastlines eradicated.



While many struggles with the apocalyptic devastation; some see opportunity. USA President Brittany Lynn Hardshaw and her top advisor Harris Diem believe America can return to being the superpower it once was, but that means ignoring international catastrophe. Ultimate capitalists GateTech CEO John Klieg and his assistant Glinda Gray know they can make a fortune from the present and even more from future disasters. While meteorologists struggle with reporting the radically changed weather patterns and reporters investigate, earth’s only real hope to survive resides in space where astronaut Louie Tynan prefers to remain but works on a lunar landing to keep the sun’s rays from the planet until the orb can cool down.



This is a reprint of a 1994 thriller that holds up nicely as the Defense Department recognizes climate change as a major threat to national security. The cast is solid while the super-hurricane is the eye of the exciting storyline. Fast-paced even while rotating perspective, fans will relish this engaging novel; with part of the fun being able to rate how well John Barnes predicted scientific and technology advancements and new theories at the half way point between his original release and the date the world turned greenhouse.



Harriet Klausner

Year Zero-Rob Reid

Year Zero


Rob Reid

Del Rey, July 10 2012, $25.00

ISBN: 9780345534415



Music is the universal language except copyright law could leave those who illegally downloaded in exorbitant debt. Untalented ETs discover the joy of human music on earth. However, they soon receive a bill for millions in fees. The only way to make remittance is to eliminate the bill holders, which means destroy the Earth so no debt collector can call on them.



However, Frampton the mullah and Carly the nun think eradication is too radical because that would be the day the music died. They explain to music lawyer Nick Carter that they love human pop music since they found earth back in Year Zero (circa 1977). However, no one was aware of copyright laws that if enforced today would bankrupt the universe. They hire him to negotiate licensing before time runs out on planet earth.



This is an engaging amusing satire that lampoons the capitalism of the music universe and hardware-software providers. Nick is an intriguing hero who needs to remember that Dent and Prefect failed to save planet earth as they had seconds to hitch a ride while he has forty-eight hours to save planet earth. The shelf life appears limited due to ironically the engaging storyline’s strengths of absurdity, hyperbole and fun footnotes that seem destined (in some cases rather quickly) to become obsolete (sort of like the Cold War movie 1 2 3). Still Rob Reid provides a wonderfully jocular science fiction tale that mocks the music-internet industrial complex.



Harriet Klausner

Advent-James Treadwell

Advent


James Treadwell

Atria/Emily Bestler Books, July 3 2012, $26.00

ISBN: 9781451661644



In 1537, the world’s greatest magus Johannes Faust plans on his resurrection. He places a piece of his soul into a mirror and buries all magic inside a ring.



His school expels fifteen year old Gavin Stokes for insisting he sees ghosts. His parents are at the end of their rope after he rushes into their bedroom claiming Miss Grey said his mom was dead. Since they received a hand written note from Aunt Gwen, his mom and dad exile the troubled teen to Pendurra, the Cornish estate where Aunt Gwen the flighty wiccan is the housekeeper. At Pendurra, Gavin meets other people who claim to have seen paranormal essences; most have suffered from the ridicule of others. When he and his new friends find a box containing a mirror and a ring, they unwittingly release the return of magic onto an unsuspecting world.



Advent is a great urban fantasy that uses everyday items like flowers to show the return of magic. The cast is solid especially the teen protagonist who finds rusticating unhealthy as he has doubts as to whom he can trust. Rotating perspective though most of the action occurs in the present as the two subplots converge, fans will enjoy this good and evil struggle with the betting line on the bad guys (and gals).



Harriet Klausner

Stalking The Others-Jess Haines

Stalking The Others


Jess Haines

Zebra, Jul 3 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9781420124026



In New York, H&W Investigations operative Shiarra Waynest is depressed with recent events. She feels she has enough on her plate with her hunter’s belt turning her into something she does not want to be. However her unhappiness stems from feeling Deceived By Others; her cheating ex-boyfriend Chaz and his Sunstriker werewolf pack. Not only does she think they are a crime ring, but they murdered Jon Pradiz. Finally as she counts down the days to the Full Moon since being scratched by one of the Sunstriker Lycan mob, Shia fears she may turn into a rogue werewolf if she lives that long as she is Hunted by the Others.



Not one to hide and wait, Shia decides to assault the Sunstrikers. She turns to the White Hats for help. After her first kill, Shia better understands the hunter belt “resident” who persuades her that her enemy is vampiric club-owner Alec Royce.



The latest H&W Investigations urban fantasy (see and Taken by the Others) is an entertaining bloody thriller as the acrimonious heroine takes the war to her paranormal adversaries. The storyline is fast-paced and Shia’s angry attitude seems correct for what has happened to her; while the insight into the belt is intriguing. However, there is no climax as this is a set-up book.



Harriet Klausner

Secret of the Wolf-Cynthia Garner

Secret of the Wolf


Cynthia Garner

Forever, Jun 26 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780446585125



Temporary rifts between the human realm and that of the paranormal periodically occur. This enables alien entities to enter human hosts who become various supernatural creatures. These paranormasl have gained legal rights though the native earthlings resent these “parasites” leaving hostilities high.



The Council of Preternaturals serves as the governing board over the supernatural in order to keep the peace between their several species and with the humans. However, recently vicious assaults on humans have led to several mortal becoming werewolves. Human Police Detective Dante Macmillan and werewolf liaison to the Council Tori Joseph investigate. As they find clues, she fears she knows the identity of the rogue werewolf as someone very close to her heart; complicating her trepidations the cop also has become very close to her heart.



The second Warriors of the Rift romantic urban fantasy (see Kiss of the Vampire) is a fast-paced police procedural. Tori is a terrific individual torn between the two most important people in her life. Dante reciprocates her feelings without the anguish. Readers will appreciate the fascinating Garner mythos



Harriet Klausner

Midnight Lover-Donna Grant

Midnight Lover


Donna Grant

St. Martin's, June 26 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780312552497



Deirdre the evil Drough Druid killed Duncan Kerr and left the dead warrior’s brother Ian a mental cripple struggling to contain the blood thirsty god Farmire that resides inside him. Making it worse she sent him from 1603 to 2012 where he hid in a cave but now considers going to Macleod Castle as a voice in his head insists.



Since her Aunt Josie died five years ago, Danielle Buchanan the Druid has felt alone. When she finds a key in the snow, she knows her magic compulsively makes her return the object; this time the whispers tell her to head to MacLeod Castle. Wyrran attacks Dani, but Ian, sensing druid blood nearby, saves her life. Dani explains her obsession and Ian reluctantly agrees to accompany her. As she also teams up on his dangerous quest, they fall in love, but even meeting his seventeenth century comrades in arms does not abate the dreaded Deirdre scheme that seems imminent.



The latest Dark Warrior (see Midnight Masters) spin off thriller (from the fabulous Dark Sword saga) is a strong entry as trust issues complicate the good and evil war. Action-packed from the moment Ian rescues Dani and never slowing down, fans will appreciate this superb time travel urban fantasy starring two wonderful heroes and a strong support cast.



Harriet Klausner

Dark Destiny-M.J. Putney

Dark Destiny


M.J. Putney

St. Martin's Griffin, July 3 2012, $9.99

ISBN: 9780312622862



After helping with the Miracle of Dunkirk and subsequently rescuing Jewish scientist Dr. Weiss and his family in 1940 (see Dark Passage), Merlin’s Irregulars have no time to celebrate as one of them lord Justin Allard has a vision of a Napoleon invasion. The Team (Lady Victoria "Tory" Mansfield the mirror master, her boyfriend Lord Justin Allard the mage, Elspeth the healer and the two weather mages Lady Cynthia Stanton and Jack Rainsford) rush back to 1804 to thwart Napoleon’s plans but has little success in preventing a French invasion.



When the French land in Wales, Merlin’s Irregulars realize they need help so they turn to their friends and allies from the future Nick Rainsford and rookie telepath Rebecca Weiss for assistance. They hope Rebecca can get inside the Little Dictator’s head to change his mind about crossing the Channel. Time is running out on England as the Irregulars with Rebecca end up behind enemy lines amidst the Army of Boulogne.



The third Dark Mirror young adult historical fantasy is a super tale that digs deep into the impact on the key ensemble Irregulars by a society in which the upper class disdains magic while the peasants embrace it; as personal decisions made will change the status of some. The insightful story line as plenty of action, but also contains passive reflections on the effect of de facto prejudice by family members and religious fanatics on the Irregulars in 1804 England. M. J. Putney provides an engaging thought provoking thriller that her teen audience will relish as there is no dumbing down, but to the contrary treats fans as intelligent.



Harriet Klausner

Haven-Kay Hooper

Haven


Kay Hooper

Berkley, Jul 31 2012, $26.95

ISBN 9780425258743



Fifteen years ago Jessie Rayburn fled her hometown of Baron Hollow, North Carolina. She feels fortunate that she is part of the Haven cell as a psychic investigator. Her estranged sister Emma still lives in Baron Hollow, but recently has suffered from terrorizing nightmares, which she writes about in entries in her journal after waking up. The horrible dreams are different in many ways but share in common someone stalking a woman and ends with the female brutally murdered. Distraught Emma learns that there are no reported dead or missing women, which adds to her fears of falling asleep.



Jessie comes home to confront her adolescent traumas that have limited her abilities. She is shocked and concerned that Emma’s dormant psychic powers are arising. Feeling guilty for not being there for Emma, Jessie investigates her sibling’s nightmares that she thinks are psychic visions of a serial killer hunting the townsfolk. Meanwhile Haven investigator Nathan Navarro and other parties are in town seeking the serial killer.



The latest FBI Special Crimes Unit paranormal police procedural (see Blood Ties) is an exhilarating action-packed thriller from the sibling reunion to the final confrontation. Each sister is three dimensional but with different personalities; which makes the paranormal seem real. The support cast is strong and the serene town enhances the suspense though the going solo against a psychopath as many do seems more of a teen slasher movie rather than the usual teaming up against a malevolence. Still Kay Hooper provides a terrific paranormal thriller.



Harriet Klausner

Grave Memory-Kalayna Price

Grave Memory


Kalayna Price

Roc, Jul 3 2010, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451464590



Able to raise the dead to solve homicides that baffled the Nekros City police, Alex Craft the grave witch finds it ironic that the cops resent her success that they believe make them look inept. However, Alex is more concerned with the side effect of chatting with the dead and ponders whether someone who has known Death personally since she was five years old and whose main lover Fae Investigation Bureau agent Falin Andrews who is owned by the Fairy Winter Queen can have a love life.



Meanwhile Alex and her friend Rianna McBride, recently rescued from Faerie (see Grave Dance), open Tongues of the Dead Investigations. The pair and others watch as James Kingly commits suicide. However, his shade immediately claims to Alex that he was murdered. Alex investigates and learns her client vanished for three days just before his death; questioning him he says he has no recollection of disappearing or for that matter any of his activities prior to his dying; except witnessing someone else commit suicide. As the grave witch follows clues, she finds a string of suicides that make her fear she may be magically coaxed to kill herself.



The third Alex Craft Grave Witch urban fantasy (see Grave Memory) is a super investigative thriller that focuses on apparent suicides that increasingly prove to be homicides. Alex struggles with the concept that a shade cannot remember its last few days of life as this is a new phenomenon for her to chew on and that powerful magic has healthy contented people killing themselves. Readers will enjoy her inquiry into the unknown as the heroine knows whoever is behind this could add her life as one more dead bead on a growing string.



Harriet Klausner

Talulla Rising-Glen Duncan

Talulla Rising


Glen Duncan

Knopf, June 26 2012, $26.95

ISBN: 9780307595096



Tallula Demetriou and two hundred years Jake Marlowe fell in love. However, World Organization for the Control of Occult Phenomena (WOCOP) operatives killed The Last Werewolf, leaving Tallula a wealthy widow, but also pregnant though her species cannot reproduce. Grieving her loss, Talulla flees to a hunting lodge outside of Fairbanks to give birth in what she hopes is a safe environment.



Talulla births fraternal twins, but vampires kidnap Lorcan as he is born; their mission remaining steadfast when they chased her and her late mate; as they need werewolf blood to bring back to life their founding father, the most ancient vampire. Feeling guilty, Talulla, her other infant Zoë, her familiar and rogue WOCOP agents pursue the vamps.



As graphic as the first novel was (see The Last Werewolf) with Talulla turning into a gigantic monster devouring anything in her path once a month and the torture she receives while on her quest, this is an exhilarating Lycan thriller. Glen Duncan makes to clear that a Mr. (or Ms.) Hyde monster lurks inside everyone thriving to get out. Not to be read on a full stomach due to the queasy vividly graphic descriptions, fans who appreciate something different in their paranormal reading will enjoy the adventures of mama werewolf who even grizzlies fear going after her young.



Harriet Klausner

Blood Bath & Beyond-Michelle Rowen

Blood Bath & Beyond


Michelle Rowen

Obsidian, Aug 7 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451237644



In Toronto, Sarah Dearly was bitten by a vampire and consequently became one. She struggled to cope until she fortunately met six hundred years old Master Vampire Thierry de Bennicoeur. He would say that he is the fortunate one as he was contemplating suicide until they met as she has given him a reason to live. The instructor and the student are engaged.



The Ring, who oversees vampiric activity in to avoid human exposure, hires Thierry as a consultant. He and Sarah travel to Las Vegas to hunt a serial killing vampire. Thierry has had public arguments with Bernard; he threatens to kill him if he fails to turn over items that could harm their species and humans. When Bernard is murdered, Thierry is the only suspect. The Ring Enforcer Markus places Thierry under house arrest while he investigates the homicide. All the evidence affirms Thierry killed Bernard. Sarah begins an inquiry that fails to prove otherwise; so she busts her fiancé out of his jail; leaving both of them as fugitives from the Ring.



This is the first of a revised Immortality Bites urban fantasy series with a much darker suspense than the original chick lit tales.-The heroine is an independent modern day Canadian while her beloved is a Renaissance Era vamp struggling with her feistiness that he cherishes deadly but fearful that will end her undead life rather quickly. This is an engaging paranormal mystery that ensures the Rowen mythology seems real as a fledgling amateur sleuth and her experienced “elderly” partner search for a killer while eluding the Ring.



Harriet Klausner

Tide Walker-Belva Rae Staples

Tide Walker


Belva Rae Staples

CreateSpace, (May 14 2012, $20.95

ISBN: 9781475230277



George O’Dell is going through the papers of his beloved late mentor Miss MacAlpin when he finds manuscripts about Oceanus in Kriterion. George notices peculiar parallels to his life.



In underwater Oceanus, Serena the mermaid breaks one of her father King Neptune’s strictest taboos when she heard a human crying. She knew no contact with surface dwellers is allowed by her sire, but Serena could not ignore Captain Gabe drifting in a dory as he considers killing himself. She touches his head and knows him; and soon believes he is her true love. Neptune is irate at his daughter’s behavior. His rage causes an underwater earthquake that frees Lotan the leviathan who Neptune orders to kill Gabe. Meanwhile the leader of Kriterion, The Ancient Man is disgusted with Neptune’s overreaching reaction. He sends the angry hybrid human-fallen angel Tide Walker to punish Neptune.



The latest The Kriterion Saga (see The World Between) is a string oceanic fantasy starring a strong cast with difficult decisions to make between self-gratification and saving a kingdom. Action-packed from the moment Serena and Gabe meet, fans will appreciate this character driven sea thriller as anger, superego and obstinacy may topple a realm though redemption and caring of others may save the kingdom.



Harriet Klausner

No Going Back-Mark L. Van Name

No Going Back


Mark L. Van Name

Baen, May 29 2012, $22.00

ISBN: 9781451638103



Jon the hybrid nano-machine-human obsesses when it comes to keeping children safe. He knows he is a compulsive psychotic over this as he is the result of horrid experiments as a child on Aggro over a century ago. His “partner” Lobo the sentient assault shuttle knows Jon is insane when it comes to kids, but though he grumbles about their suicide rescue missions, he feels the same way as he was created by gruesome experiments on children.



The pair learns of ten abducted kids being sold to the highest bidders. Though Lobo objects to the poorly rushed plan filled with perilous unnecessary risks; the pair intercedes rescuing the youngsters, but not before a very wealthy patron sees Jon’s face. Jon knows he should execute this deviant, but does not while the pedophile vows vengeance.



Meanwhile Jon finds out his first love is dying. Over the grumbles of Lobo, he goes to say goodbye though he alters his appearance as he trusts no one since he believes there are plenty out there who would return him to being a lab rat as he still tries to conceal even from Lobo his essence of being a nano-machine-human.



This terrific Jon-Lobo entry is filled with the irony of readers knowing the half-human hero’s childhood (see Children No More) while almost no one else does; that is until now as Jon’s paranoia proves justified. Fast-paced from the onset even with Jon thinking about his past and filled with A Modest Proposal sarcasm that Jonathan Swift would appreciate, this is a fabulous science fiction thriller that series fans will enjoy as we learn more about Jon and Lobo’s history.



Harriet Klausner

The Sword & Sorcery Anthology-Edited by David G. Hartwell and Jacob Weisman

The Sword & Sorcery Anthology


Edited by David G. Hartwell and Jacob Weisman

Tachyon, Jun 1 2012, $15.95

ISBN 9781616960698



This entertaining twenty story collection contains entries starting in the 1930s from every decade since except the 1950s; including two tales never published before (“The Year of Three Monarchs” by Michael Swanwick and “Epistle from Lebanoi” by Michael Shea). . The entries represent a who’s who of fantasy though some of the contributions are at best loosely sword and sorcery (David Drake’s 1970s “The Barrow Troll” feels more like horror fantasy, but still is a super pre military sci fi work by the author). This engaging anthology is a terrific way to meet some of the best fantasists for those unfamiliar with their works and for retuning vets a chance to enjoy fun short stories. In the introduction David Drake makes the case that Robert E. Howard’s Conan success created S&S as a genre and deserves the opening act with “Tower of the Elephant”. The other 1930s contribution comes from the great C.L. Moore (see “Black God’s Kiss). Other famous authors included are Glen Cook’s 1980 Dread Empire tale (see “Soldier of an Empire Unacquainted with Defeat”), Fritz Leiber’s 1962 “The Unholy Grail" starring Fafhad and Grey Mouser, Michael Moorcock’s Elric (and Stormbringer) in “The Caravan of Forgotten Dreams, and the current top gun George R.R. Martin with his 2000 “Path of the Dagon”. Readers will appreciate this sting compilation.



Harriet Klausner

Precinct 13-Tate Hallaway

Precinct 13


Tate Hallaway

Berkley, Aug 7 2012, $15.00

ISBN: 9780425247792



As a child growing up in Chicago, Alex Conner’s parents thought she had a vivid imagination; claiming to see trolls under bridges, shapeshifters and other mythological beings. When her mother died and her father remarried, Alex believed her stepmother was a demon until she was brainwashed into believing she was insane and locked away.



After leaving the padded cell and graduating from college, Alex wins the election of Hughes County coroner/medical examiner based in Pierre, South Dakota. However, she freaks out fearing the insanity has returned when a corpse calmly stands up and leaves. Stunned and expecting to be fired at best and locked away again at worst, Alex tells her supervisor what happened. Her boss orders her to go to Precinct 13 where the police have psychic and magical skills. Instead of scorn, the cops recognize a peer as she can see the real essence instead of the glamour used to fool humans. They believe Alex is a necromancer paranormal like them. Feeling for the first time since her mom died that she belongs as she even has a lover Valentine the dragon-shifter. Alex investigates the missing body and a case involving crop rings and cattle mutilations



This enjoyable urban fantasy police procedural is a terrific investigative thriller starring a young woman who spent her life thinking she was delusional until she goes to the epicenter of eerie phenomena Hughes County, South Dakota. The paranormal species run the gamut but share in common hiding out in the open. Alex finally finds acceptance amongst the paranormal and even love after being caged by the normal as a schizoid. She makes the newest Hallaway mythos seem real.



Harriet Klausner

The Cryptos Conundrum -Chase Brandon

The Cryptos Conundrum


Chase Brandon

Forge, June 19 2012, $25.99

ISBN: 9780765318770



In 1916 twenty something Columbia Professor Dr. Jonathan S. Chalmers serves as an American volunteer in France. Currently the unit of this mathematician-engineer is in Verdun when the Germans release poison gas. Though his friend dies, he miraculously survives because an unknown entity saves his life though he wonders afterward if he suffered battle fatigue or a weird effect of the attack as apparitions don’t exist.



By December 7, 1941, Chalmers has a PhD in statistics from Harvard, a PhD in philosophical epistemology and astrophysics from Cornell as well as PhD in mathematics and engineering physics from Columbia. He once again enlists in the infantry as he did back in 1916. However, the OSA recruits Chalmers, who has not aged since he was twenty-six in Verdun. Soon he becomes a high ranking member at the OSS and the CIA where he works at the Covert Staging Compound Office of Strategic Assessments Davison K Task Force. With the help of Savantis Ga’Lawed, if the spirit exists as the genius believes he saved his life back in 1916; Chalmers creates worst-case scenarios involving human survival over several millennia based on past achievements.



The Cryptos Conundrum is a fascinating refreshing tale based on intriguing generational models. The star is brilliant though readers will wonder if what he sees and develops is the result of a mind destroyed by gas or the mentoring by an essence from beyond. At times too much history and speculation overwhelm this cerebral science fiction tale, still fans who appreciate something unique in their speculative fiction will want to set aside plenty of time to read Chase Brandon’s engaging epic.



Harriet Klausner

Alliance Forged-Kylie Griffin

Alliance Forged


Kylie Griffin

Berkley, Jul 3 2012, $15.00

ISBN: 9780425256015



Human Light Blade leader Kalan and his human/half demon Na’Chi wife Annika offer an alliance to her species. Desperate as only purebreds survive especially with the demonic Na’Reish horde hunting them down for genocidal extinction, the Na’Chi led by Varian the warrior accept.



The shaky pact collapses when Light Blade rebels, opposed to the agreement, assault a Na’Chi encampment. In the attack, Varian saves the life of Kalan’s blind sister Kymora the temple-elect of the goddess. They are attracted to each other, but the warrior trusts no one not of Na’Chi at a time when the Na’Reish prepares for war and the Light Blade rebels continue their hostilities.



The second Light Blade romantic military fantasy (see Vengeance Born) is a terrific thriller as the endless war between demon and humans is reaching a critical mass with the Na’Chi caught in the middle. The lead couple is a strong pairing of interracial attraction and doubts while the support cast enhance the internal human squabble. With an insightful look at racial intolerance in a time of long-term constant combat and security alert, fans will appreciate Kylie Griffin’s superb look at an Alliance Forged does not mean alliance accepted even with a common enemy on the march.



Harriet Klausner

1636: The Kremlin Games-Eric Flint, Gorg Huff, and Paula Goodlett

1636: The Kremlin Games


Eric Flint, Gorg Huff, and Paula Goodlett

Baen, Jun 5 2012, $25 (432p)

ISBN 9781451637762



Having survived being transported from twenty-first century West Virginia to seventeenth century Europe, Grantville comes out of the recent war (see 1635: The Eastern Front and 1636: The Saxon Uprising) feeling stronger. However, some of the heroic soldiers like auto mechanic Bernie Zeppi feel they no longer have a place in this new world order.



That changes when Russian aristocrat Vladimir Gorchacov comes to Grantville; he hires Bernie to bring the future to backward Russia where serfdom rules the country and imperial power schemes paralyze Moscow. Bernie expects a life of luxury until he faces the deaths of children from typhoid. As he brings technology to the Russians, Bernie also brings American futuristic concepts like human rights starting with freedom at a time in which war with Poland seems imminent.



The latest Ring of Fire alternate historical is an enjoyable thriller with a wonderful second order effect on Bernie and the Russians; he begins to respect and love a nation he thought was barbaric (based on American history books) while the Russians are amazed by his gizmos and activated to demand liberty and justice for all. Though at times overly philosophical as the action tarts in 1631 and evolves through subsequent years until part six is 1636, fans will enjoy a Mountaineer in Czar Romanov’s Kremlin.



Harriet Klausner

Cannibal Reign-Thomas Koloniar

Cannibal Reign


Thomas Koloniar

Harper, Jun 26 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780062025821



Green Beret Captain Jack Forrest learns that an NEO will crash into North America. The feds are hiding the information to avoid a panic. Jack and his four team unit begin preparation to hide in an abandoned Nebraska missile silo. They will bring with them selected men, women, children and Laddie the dog for a two year or so stay.



Astronomer Marty Chittenden locates an asteroid that will hit the earth in under ninety days. He visits Susan Denton who he loves unrequitedly about the near extinction event. They go to JPL to speak with Linda Creasey. When they realize the Feds know, he escapes. He heads to Idaho where retired astronomer Ester Thorn lives to tell her about Thor’s hammer.



When the NEO hits in Montana, the world is gone as darkness will remain for years to come. Many above ground become raging animals eating human flesh when the food supply dwindles. While Marty struggles to survive the surface horror, Forrest leads his survivors in side their underground "Noah's Ark".



There are several other subplots that enhance the final months before and a couple years after the impact though the two above are the prime segues. What makes Thomas Koloniar’s superb thriller work is the focus is on good people trying to survive in bad times without resorting to becoming vile beasts. Fans will appreciate Marty’s efforts to stay alive as an astronomer in a world he never imagined; while the underground community deals with social interactions including ennui. Putting aside the misleading sensationalist title (though cannibalism is rampant), this is an exhilarating tale of life before and after a NEO crash rivaling what happened to the dinosaurs.



Harriet Klausner

Tarnished-Karina Cooper

Tarnished


Karina Cooper

Avon, June 26 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780062127648



Cherry St. Croix knows high society considers her an undesirable due to her parents; a dead madman and a deceased mother. Being an outcast enables Cherry to earn a modest living as a collector bounty hunter, which in turn pays for her expensive habits.



Her occupation takes her to parts of London that her societal peers prefer to pretend do not exist or are home to riffraff. She delivers her current bounty to the Midnight Menagerie run by the mysterious Karkash Veil. There the Menagerie ringmaster Micajah Hawke welcomes her in his eerie way while her scientific pursuits above the drift lead to Cornelius Kerrigan Compton. However, neither man can rival the third male in her life, a killer she plans to collect the bounty on.



The first St. Croix Chronicles steampunk Victorian London is an engaging first person account of a young woman not fully part of any of the three worlds she traverses. The heroine is a terrific protagonist who takes readers on a tour of different London’s with the steam powered impoverished residing in smog and the steel stilted affluence above the filthy air. In some ways the city steals the show as Cherry stalks a killer stalking London.



Harriet Klausner

Night Seeker-Yasmine Galenorn

Night Seeker


Yasmine Galenorn

Berkley, July 3 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780425250327



Owl shifting Wind Witch Cicely Waters rescues her soul mate Fae Prince Grieve from the Indigo Court Fae Queen of Winter Myst (see Night Veil). However, her success comes with a cost greater than her biting fee she owed her instructor Fae Lannan Altos. The Summer Queen Lainule ended their alliance and the vampiric fae are raging and marching killing anyone in the path. Worse Grieve struggles with his mind as Myst still has a grip on him



A desperate Cicely leads an expedition to find the Summer Queen’s heartstone while the Winter Queen begins a nefarious avenging counter strike on the New Forest. For them to succeed, Cicely has to voluntarily change into something else regardless of the outcome to her.



The latest Indigo Court romantic fantasy (see Night Myst) is a complex tale as each of the lead protagonists are willing to die to insure their soul mate and others live. Their willingness to sacrifice reminded me of the Gift of the Magi by O’Henry only on a metaphysical otherworldly realm. Filled with action and plenty of lethal roadblocks, readers will enjoy trekking the dangerous Galenorn mythological world.



Harriet Klausner

Liquid Lies-Hanna Martine

Liquid Lies


Hanna Martine

Berkley, July 3 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780425257241



At San Francisco’s Embarcadero, the Company’s Gwen Carroway the Ofarian meets with a new client Yoshi the Primary who says his boss could not make it. She gives him magical Mendacia to help his octogenarian boss Mikatani conceal his amputated foot. However, Yoshi broke the contract betraying his employer and planned to abduct Gwen, but her hidden in water bodyguard griffin saves her. Though she knows better as he is a threat to her Secondary species, she foolishly lets Yoshi flee.



Afterward Yoshi grabs Gwen showing her video evidence he has of her and Griffin using water magic. He demands she keep him safe and half of what her firm takes from Mikatani. A drunken giant Primary intercedes. Reed Scott turns out sober. He breaks Yoshi’s leg and threatens his life before they leave. When he leaves her each knows they are attracted to one another. An avenging woman hires the Retriever to kidnap a target. Only one problem the abductor is Reed and the abductee is Gwen. As they fall in love, they team up to uncover a diabolical conspiracy that shakes both of them to their respective core.



The first Elementals romantic urban fantasy is an exhilarating extremely dark tale based on the unique premise of a pure capitalist species with magical skills for sale to the ultra-wealthy live as Secondary amongst the Primary humans. Filled with love and betrayal, sub-genre readers will relish this fresh thriller as the formula for magic that only the Company board knows proves a stunner.



Harriet Klausner

Heart of Steel-Meljean Brook

Heart of Steel


Meljean Brook

Berkley, July 3 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780425251041



When Archimedes Fox found a Leonardo da Vinci sketch, he ordered Yasmeen, captain of the Lady Corsair to give him a ride on her airship to the Ivory Coast; instead she tossed him off of her flying vessel into the zombie cesspool otherwise known as Venice (see The Iron Duke). As he struggles to survive as a human in zombie canals, he also plots to regain his stolen sketch from the mercenary who dropped him from the sky.



When Fox catches up to Yasmeen, he tries to win her love. She accepts him as her lover but no more than that as her heart of Steel regrets emotional attachments. However she loses the Lady Corsair and the sketch while he gets them entangled in civil war in Morocco as adversaries want them dead.



The latest Iron Seas Victorian steampunk fantasy is a fabulous thriller starring two adventurous rogues who seem to get into one perilous escapade after another. The key to this exhilarating trip inside the fully developed and expanding Brooks mythos is the romance for the most part takes a backseat to the dashing duo’s daring deeds (and misdeeds). Fans will enjoy Archimedes melting that Heart of Steel (though with justification neither trusts the other) during the small respites between precarious capers. Additionally there is a fun novella Tethered, starring Fox and Yasmeen.



Harriet Klausner

The Legend of Jig Dragonslayer-Jim C. Hines

The Legend of Jig Dragonslayer


Jim C. Hines

Daw, Jul 3 2012, $16.00

ISBN: 9780756407568



“Goblin Quest”. In the lairs and hiding places of the mountain, goblins live avoiding other residents. Jig the Goblin runt is on military patrol when he meets adventurers determined to find the Rod of Creation. Jig knows that Straum the Dragon guards the Rod. Expedition leader Prince Bariusforces Jig to take them to the mountain’s lower levels where the fight enemies and are betrayed while their quest changes.



“Goblin Hero”. Before his adventures with Straum the dragon, Jig the Goblin was picked on by everyone as the weakest of the weak. Now he is Jig the Dragonslayer and has the power to heal. The Goblin leader Kralk wants Jig dead so she sends him on a suicide mission to learn what is magical is killing the Ogres.



“Goblin War”. Jig the goblin has come a long way from the elast of the least to a psotion of respect amidst his craven slimy species. Trouble comes their as Billa the Blood, abetted bu Isa the Goddess, invades with an army of monsters. Jig’s God Shadowstar helps his worshippers.



This omnibus reprint of this adult fairy tale series stars the lowest member of the most scorned species considered weak cowards by others, but Jig proves his worth as the equal and more than those who before his adventures ridiculed his race and his race ridiculed him. He makes the Hines mythos works in this action-packed fantasy saga.



Harriet Klausner

A Hunger So Wild-Sylvia Day

A Hunger So Wild


Sylvia Day

Signet, Jul 3 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451237453



Elijah Reynolds is the alpha that other alphas bow to as the king of the hunt and ruler of sexual encounters. Vashti is the queen of the vampires who loathes the Lycan for murdering her Neshamia soulmate Charron. As the Wrath Virus spreads, Vash’s Fallen leader Syre in Virginia informs her that the Lycans have revolted from the seraphim control. Thinking that your enemy’s enemy is your ally though one must watch your back with this Fallen species, Syre sends his second in command Vash to forge an alliance with the Lycan rebel leader Elijah.



Though she feels the Lycans are despicable for more than just murdering her mate, Syre follows orders to arrange an alliance between her species and Elijah. He wants to kill Vash for her killing his friend, but holds his avenging need in check as a pact with the vampires is needed if they are to survive their rebellion. Both are stunned by an attraction beyond anything either has felt before. However, war is imminent with psyop activity already set in motion and with both lovers being critical leaders for their people each understands that he is Lycan and she is Vamp.



The entertaining second Renegade Angels urban romantic fantasy focuses on two fallen groups who took different paths once they fell from grace. The storyline is fast-paced with a wonderful spin (first established in A Touch of Crimson) as the “good” angels, no longer having their sacrificial Lycans to send on suicide missions, use the end of eternal victory to justify any means against their former brethren the Fallen.



Harriet Klausner

My Lady Mage-Alexis Morgan

My Lady Mage


Alexis Morgan

Signet, Jul 3 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451237446



Cruel Fagan uses evil magic to take control of Agathia following the death of his brother. His iron fist sends his desperate niece Lady Merewen to the nearby river to plead for the Warriors of the Mist to leave their resting places and save the people.



Though it has been many years since their return, the Lord and Lady of the River send Gideon and four companions to answer her call. As Lady Merewen faints at his feet, Gideon knows the cost of being her champion means going before the gods who condemned them to their river existence and pray they earned redemption. He also understands how bad the situation must be for his leaders to dispatch him and his teammates. However, the enemy has also summoned an abomination that has the Warriors of the Mist doubting success while their leader struggles to control his attraction to lady Merewen.



The first Warriors of the Mist romantic fantasy is an enjoyable tale starring a strong cast (including horses), but the otherworldly elements are left too vague. The romance is deftly handled to flow within the fast-paced storyline as the protagonists never lose sight of the mission. Filled with action from the moment Gideon and the others rise from the sea and never hitting the brakes, fans will anticipate the battle between the condemned good and the vilest evil.



Harriet Klausner

Blood Before Sunrise-Amanda Bonilla

Blood Before Sunrise


Amanda Bonilla

Signet, Jul 3 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451237460



A hundred years ago, Darian’s lover Azriel the immortal Shaede changed her into the gray shadowy walker that he is, but also informed her they were the last two of their species before he vanished without a trace. She became a skilled assassin, but her assignment to kill King Xander Peck stunned her as he was the ruler of the Shaede Nation. (see Shaedes of Gray).



Darian and her newly assigned Shaede guardian Raif search for Delilah the oracle who escaped led a coup and tried to kill her. Although it is like capturing the wind, they catch the insane rebellious oracle. Delilah implies that Raif’s missing daughter Brakae is not dead as most believe, but still lives. With her Jinn lover and former handler Tyler having her back, Darian seeks to reunite father and daughter at any cost. As she and Tyler begin to break apart over her obsession almost killing him and threatening much more, Darian dives deeper into the abyss while ignoring warnings.



The second superb Shaede Assassin urban fantasy continues the misadventures of the intrepid heroine who's out of control obstinacy to find Brakae without regard to dire consequences. Fast-paced and filled with double and triple crossings, fans will enjoy entering the Bonilla mythos where the Shaedes, oracles and other ilk seem real.



Harriet Klausner

Darkness Devours-Keri Arthur

Darkness Devours


Keri Arthur

Signet, Jun 26 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451237118



Hybrid Helki werewolf (her maternal side) Aedh (her paternal side) Australian Risa Jones can traverse the gray fields that separates the living from the dead and sees reapers who collect souls. Two years ago werewolf reporter Jak Talbott broke Risa’s heart when he courted her for a story that he enhanced with out-right lies. Risa has since been somewhat relationship-phobic choosing a fun but sterile liaison with Aedh Lucian.



Though she loathes Talbott for what he wrote about her mother, she needs his help. She explains that the Directorate of Other Races hunt the surviving leader John Nadler of a consortium that used the ley line intersection in Melbourne to attack her friends; she needs him to find this beast for her before he and his associates can manipulate time, reality or fate. Risa conceals her fears that they find the keys to open the portals to heaven as one has been discovered and used.



At almost the same time, in spite of an execution order to kill her; the Vampire Council asks Risa for help. Their Cazador cell and the Directorate failed to find the serial killing monster that is eating their species. The only link between the victims is they went to Dark Earth, an underground club in Brunswick. Her mission is to kill this beast.



The third entertaining Dark Angels urban fantasy (see Darkness Rising and Darkness Unbound) is an exciting thriller as the heroine works two dangerous fronts though Risa believes contact with Talbott is the biggest peril she faces. The storyline is fast-paced and filled with action. However, the overarching Key theme barely moved; while the beast devouring the vamps is well written and brings freshness to the mix.



Harriet Klausner

The Dog Stars-Peter Heller

The Dog Stars


Peter Heller

Knopf, August 7 2012, $24.95

ISBN: 9780307959942



In the not so distant future, a pandemic flu decimated the world’s population. Most of those who survived the initial outbreak succumbed to a fatal blood disease. On top of that a drought left most animal, bird and fish species extinct.



Forty-year old Hig watched his wife and friends die in the first outbreak. He has spent the last nine years in Erie by himself except for his loyal companion Jasper the dog. Hig and Jasper reside in an aircraft hangar with his sole human contact being cantankerous elderly recluse Bangley an expert on armaments. He does fly a Cessna in a tiny radius until he hears a radio transmission that gives him hope to chance a one way flight to the voice.



Hig keeps his stoic first person narration brief, which enhances the specter of his being alone except for his canine as he comes across as a sort of like a young man and the air version of Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea. The storyline is not linear as we learn though from mostly the survivalist dreamer what happened to the planet. As he dreams of a more fulfilling human life, Hig learns that “Look like nothing's gonna change; everything still remains the same” (Otis Redding’s Dock of the Bay) with criminals still out there yet like a throwback he still hopes and dreams.



Harriet Klausner

Shadow of Night-Deborah Harkness

Shadow of Night


Deborah Harkness

Viking, July 10 2012, $28.95

ISBN: 9780670023486



Vampiric genetic scientist Matthew de Clermont and Oxford historian but untrained witch Diana Bishop have married (see A Discovery of Witches). For a honeymoon, the newlyweds travel from a twenty-first century New York barn to sixteenth century Oxfordshire where they hope she can receive proper training in her craft and they can find the magical manuscript Ashmole 782, last seen in their century in the Bodleian library.



However, these are dangerous times for witches are burned at the stake and a twenty-first century female American professor fits the profile of witch rather than scholar. The pair meets his father and gets assistance from the top secret School of Night. However to solve the enigma of the Ashmole 782 before the paranormal species become extinct sends them on to the content heading to Prague.



Using a deep look at Elizabethan England as seen through the modern filter of the time travelers especially the historian, fans will appreciate this excellent, exciting middle fantasy in A Discovery of Witches saga. The storyline grips the audience from the moment the vampire and witch land five centuries in their past entangled together. Fans will relish touring the sixteenth century as Professor Deborah Harkness provides a fabulous alternate historical fantasy (the Bard will never be the same after this “double, double toil and trouble” role and Christopher Marlowe is a daemon).



Harriet Klausner

Changeling-Kelly Meding

Changeling


Kelly Meding

Pocket, Jun 26 20212, $7.99

ISBN: 9781451620931



The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Meta Human Control (MHC) section supervised the Ranger Corps MetaHumans whose prime assignment is to keep the evil Banes from terrorizing civilians. Fifteen years ago many of these superhuman operatives died in the MetaWars. Six months ago, wordspread that MHC had an extinction plan for the surviving MetaHumans.



In dead zoned Los Angeles, while the city still struggles with the aftermath of war, numerous human skins have been found. The horrified police ask the MetaHumans to investigate these gruesome homicides. Reporter Dahlia “Ember” Perkins is a recent MetaHuman who has rookie doubts that she can help her experienced superhero teammates especially against a foe who seems inhuman and non-Meta. When an assassin attempt misses her but hits one of her teammates and she remains a seemingly target, Dahlia realizes somehow she is linked to the grisly killer(s).



The second MetaWars urban fantasy (see Trance) is an entertaining thriller as superheroes struggle with their roles and responsibilities adversely impacting their civilian lives and with their fights against supervillains. Loaded with action and a well written whodunit, fans will relish this engaging entry as super-heroism means super-dud in one’s personal relationships.



Harriet Klausner

Orion and King Arthur-Ben Bova

Orion and King Arthur


Ben Bova

Tor, Jul 3 2012, $25.99

ISBN 9780765330178



Aten of the futuristic Creators sends his time traveling knight Orion to Britannia just after the Romans are gone. The archipelago is wrought with feral rivals with no regard for civilians as they seek to be the one high king.



In this bloody chaos, Orion squire to youthful Arthur tries to gently and clandestinely to mentor the monarch towards the greatness of the Camelot mythos. By doing so he defies Aten, who demands Arthur die before he becomes the legend. Aten’s peers all gleefully support his demystifying Arthur by an early death except Anya, who Orion loves.



Ben Bova fans will rejoice with the return of Orion and the Creators after a fifteen years absence. Fast-paced, Orion displays his mental independence that he logically concluded about his puppet masters in Orion Among the Stars as he risks his existence to save the path of human civilization. By doing so he adds to the Camelot legend. Although there is some awkward passages that disrupt the reading flow, fans of Orion and the Arthurian audience will enjoy the Orion and King Arthur.



Harriet Klausner

Beware the Ninja Weenies: And Other Warped and Creepy Tales-David Lubar

Beware the Ninja Weenies: And Other Warped and Creepy Tales


David Lubar

Starscape/Tor, June 5 2012, $15.99

ISBN: 9780765332134



These are thirty-two fun middle school ultra-short stories that live up to the title of weenies, warped and creepy to the delight of the upper elementary school aged audience. Henry is a whiz at winning Alien Waterfront but how well he will do when he faces real aliens in “Playing Solo.” Talk about cheesy, "Gorgonzola," smells and tastes as if a Gorgon is a key ingredient. Arlen shows off to his sister his ability to “Blowout” stars and other celestial objects when he blinks out the moon and several stars. Instead of heeding the sound advice to “Beware the Ninja Weenies”, the student finds them annoying and stupid until he meets a real ninja at school. It’s hard to enjoy "Smart Food" when the broccoli talks to you. All the entries are engaging shorts that young readers, their parents and weenie reviewers will enjoy; as long as we remember to never irritate the witch or the weenie guru (see (The Curse of the Campfire Weenies and Invasion of the Road Weenies) that is if you don’t want to end up a “Beastly” or in a what if file.



Harriet Klausner

When Darkness Hungers-J.K. Beck

When Darkness Hungers


J.K. Beck

Bantam, June 26 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780345525659



Vampiric companions Sergius and Derrick see war differently as the former wishes the killing would end while the latter sees the chaos as a time for easy dining as he did back in 1812 and is doing during the War Between The States. Needing to control his feral urges to kill, Serge, accompanied by Derrick, visits Evangeline, daughter of voodoo queen Marie Laveau, to asks for a remedy that will abate his bloodlust. Derrick goes on a rage and Serge loses control after exchanging insults with holier than thou Evangeline.



In the present, Serge resides in Hollywood with his need for blood kill; but he targets those predatory beasts who murder humans. FBI Agent Alexis Martin is in Southern California on a strange case of weird homicides that is also personal as she hunts the vampire who took her sister. When the Fed and the Vamp meet, they are attracted to one another and join forces as they stalk rogue killers while adversaries hunt them.



This Shadow Keepers romantic urban fantasy (see When Passion Lies, When Pleasure Rules and When Wicked Craves) is an exhilarating thriller with a fabulous late twist that will shock the audience who will not be ready for it though clues are throughout the storyline. The lead couple is a nice pairing of two hunters falling in love, which may lead to the deaths of both them.



Harriet Klausner