Spell Games
T.A. Pratt
Bantam, Mar 3 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553591361
Jason Mason comes to the town of Felport where his sister Marla is the chief sorcerer. She has mixed feelings about her roguish sibling as she expects he will run a scam. He plans to pull a con on mega-billionaire Cam-Cam Compton, who believes in magic and wants to learn how to use it. Jason ask Marla what Cam-Cam would interest him that he would pay a fortune for and she says a vial of Borrichius spore that does not exist. A waiter overhearing them calls the sorceress Nicolette who thrives on chaos; she sends a courier to find the mycronancer Bulliard who should be interested in them. The courier finds his target only to find Bulliard in thrall to the Mycelium, an underground mushroom god. Nicolette knows that if Bulliard comes to Felport, chose will follow to her euphoria.
While coping poorly with her brother as she doubts she should trust him, Marla also works with apprentice Bradley Bowman, who she believes is a worthy successor to her. Jason ropes Marla’s consigliore into his con. Rondeau, who is a psychic parasite that took over the mind and body of the person he lives inside of, finds the graft an exciting experience. However when Bulliard and his cronies arrive, chaos ensues; leaving a heartbroken Marla to clean up the mess caused by those she loves who betrayed her.
The latest Mason urban fantasy affirms that in a relatively short time, T.A Pratt has become a sub-genre star. Fans will find it fascinating as Marla introduces Bradley to the top sorcerers in town; as each teaches him a little bit of magic. He is like a younger brother to her whom once he learns to control his power will be a perfect successor to her. Readers will admire the heroine, but adore her innocent apprentice while also hoping her sibling will mend their estranged relationship, which she tries to do by assisting him on his scam. Like its predecessors (see DEAD REIGN, BLOOD ENGINES and POISON SLEEP) SPELL GAMES casts a magical enchantment on the readers to finish it in one sitting
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Living with Ghosts-Kari Sperring
Living with Ghosts
Kari Sperring
Daw, Mar 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780756405427
The Kingdom of Merafi was founded on blood between the elementals and the first ruler. Magic fails to work here for the most part and ghosts are stars of stories to scare children. Yet an aristocrat sees the ghost of his late brother-in-law and a foreigner has the ghost of the man who killed the relative constantly with him. The queen is dying and her heir prince is only twelve years old. She hopes to have a more stable relationship with the Tarnaroqui who would love to conquer Merafi.
Gracielis, an exiled Tarnaroqui, is bound to the sorceress Quenfrida; he spies for her on items she feels is significant. He is the first to notice the things in the mists that should not be there as they enter the borders of Merafi. Lunedith is a vassal state of Merafi and its Prince Kendan is in the royal city paying homage to the queen; he plans to free his nation from Merafi rule when the time is right, which he believes is soon. He allies himself with Quenfrida to break the pact with the ancient powers. Creatures rise from the mists harming people; the river rises over it embankment adding more death and disease and enabling the creatures to break free of the mists killing incessantly while plague spreads across the capital. Gracielis, who failed as an assassin, is helped by allies, as they try to bring the river under control before the realm turns into Quenfrida’s dark vision.
This is an enthralling fantasy that contains horror elements interwoven into the story line. Gracielis believes he is a weak loser, which is how Quenfrida sees him too; however, when the realm is in peril, he finds courage to make decisions that counter his master’s wishes as he sounds the alarm of what is inside the mists. He is a complex individual with a failed past; a conflicting present as a spy for the sorceress and an advisor to one of the queen’s spymasters. This reviewer predicts Kari Sperring will have quite a future as a renowned fantasist.
Harriet Klausner
Kari Sperring
Daw, Mar 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780756405427
The Kingdom of Merafi was founded on blood between the elementals and the first ruler. Magic fails to work here for the most part and ghosts are stars of stories to scare children. Yet an aristocrat sees the ghost of his late brother-in-law and a foreigner has the ghost of the man who killed the relative constantly with him. The queen is dying and her heir prince is only twelve years old. She hopes to have a more stable relationship with the Tarnaroqui who would love to conquer Merafi.
Gracielis, an exiled Tarnaroqui, is bound to the sorceress Quenfrida; he spies for her on items she feels is significant. He is the first to notice the things in the mists that should not be there as they enter the borders of Merafi. Lunedith is a vassal state of Merafi and its Prince Kendan is in the royal city paying homage to the queen; he plans to free his nation from Merafi rule when the time is right, which he believes is soon. He allies himself with Quenfrida to break the pact with the ancient powers. Creatures rise from the mists harming people; the river rises over it embankment adding more death and disease and enabling the creatures to break free of the mists killing incessantly while plague spreads across the capital. Gracielis, who failed as an assassin, is helped by allies, as they try to bring the river under control before the realm turns into Quenfrida’s dark vision.
This is an enthralling fantasy that contains horror elements interwoven into the story line. Gracielis believes he is a weak loser, which is how Quenfrida sees him too; however, when the realm is in peril, he finds courage to make decisions that counter his master’s wishes as he sounds the alarm of what is inside the mists. He is a complex individual with a failed past; a conflicting present as a spy for the sorceress and an advisor to one of the queen’s spymasters. This reviewer predicts Kari Sperring will have quite a future as a renowned fantasist.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, January 2, 2009
White Witch, Black Curse-Kim Harrison
White Witch, Black Curse
Kim Harrison
Eos, Feb 24 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780061138010
Although she has nightmares over what she will ultimately learn, Rachel Morgan continues her inquiry into the murder of her vampire boyfriend Kisten (see FOR A FEW DEMONS MORE). As she remains resolute she knows much of her fear comes from not remembering what happened just before her significant other died. She is also frustrated as neither her mundane hunting skills nor her witchcraft abilities have enabled her to achieve her objective (see THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS).
While the witch struggles with the lack of progress in her investigation, a banshee family assaults the Hollows. As always the bitterness and distrust between humans and Inderland lead to more hostility. However there is a rare but common agreement that Rachel and her demons are behind the troubles.
The superb seventh Rachel Morgan fantasy contains a radically different feel to the story line as there is less action than in previous tales, especially the last two, and more depth into the souls of what motivates key characters. The poignant look is not just with Rachel; though the audience understands her trepidations yet need to solve the whodunit. Filled with the profound reflective musings of the cast, this is a must read for fans of the Morgan saga as WHITE WITCH, BLACK CURSE resolves key threads especially the big one from the previous entries and begins a new major twist.
Harriet Klausner
Kim Harrison
Eos, Feb 24 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780061138010
Although she has nightmares over what she will ultimately learn, Rachel Morgan continues her inquiry into the murder of her vampire boyfriend Kisten (see FOR A FEW DEMONS MORE). As she remains resolute she knows much of her fear comes from not remembering what happened just before her significant other died. She is also frustrated as neither her mundane hunting skills nor her witchcraft abilities have enabled her to achieve her objective (see THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS).
While the witch struggles with the lack of progress in her investigation, a banshee family assaults the Hollows. As always the bitterness and distrust between humans and Inderland lead to more hostility. However there is a rare but common agreement that Rachel and her demons are behind the troubles.
The superb seventh Rachel Morgan fantasy contains a radically different feel to the story line as there is less action than in previous tales, especially the last two, and more depth into the souls of what motivates key characters. The poignant look is not just with Rachel; though the audience understands her trepidations yet need to solve the whodunit. Filled with the profound reflective musings of the cast, this is a must read for fans of the Morgan saga as WHITE WITCH, BLACK CURSE resolves key threads especially the big one from the previous entries and begins a new major twist.
Harriet Klausner
The Swan Maiden-Jules Watson
The Swan Maiden
Jules Watson
Bantam, Feb 24 2009, $12.00
ISBN: 9780553384642
In Erin, Deirdre at her birth is blessed with a beauty that is legendary even as a newborn. However, she is also cursed that her beauty will lead to civil war and the destruction of the kingdom of Ulster and consequently the downfall of King Conor. Chief Druid Cathbad upon hearing of the prophesy pleads with his monarch to either kill the baby or exile her. Fascinated by what Deirdre will be, Conor hides her in a remote forest in the province of Ulaid; the child is raised by foster-parents Connacht and Mumu and taught by Druid Levarcham the art of magic and nature.
Years pass and Deidre has gown into the most beautiful woman in the kingdom; perhaps the world. Conor wants her, but she is the captive of three rebellious Red Branch sibling warriors. Naisi the eldest hates the aging monarch and to his chagrin falls in love with his captive. He wants to take her away from Ulaid as his wife, but his younger brothers Ardan and Ainnle disagree. Besides Deirdre may love him back but has doubts about leaving her druidic forest. The final stage of the prophecy of Deirdre has begun
This retelling of the Irish mythological equivalent of Helen of Troy is a terrific saga that brings to life the Ancient Celtic period. The cast is solid especially the king, Naisi, and the title character. Although the detail into Celtic Erin can slow down the story line and move it more to a historical than a mythos, readers will enjoy the Irish rendition of “the face that launched a thousand ships”.
Harriet Klausner
Jules Watson
Bantam, Feb 24 2009, $12.00
ISBN: 9780553384642
In Erin, Deirdre at her birth is blessed with a beauty that is legendary even as a newborn. However, she is also cursed that her beauty will lead to civil war and the destruction of the kingdom of Ulster and consequently the downfall of King Conor. Chief Druid Cathbad upon hearing of the prophesy pleads with his monarch to either kill the baby or exile her. Fascinated by what Deirdre will be, Conor hides her in a remote forest in the province of Ulaid; the child is raised by foster-parents Connacht and Mumu and taught by Druid Levarcham the art of magic and nature.
Years pass and Deidre has gown into the most beautiful woman in the kingdom; perhaps the world. Conor wants her, but she is the captive of three rebellious Red Branch sibling warriors. Naisi the eldest hates the aging monarch and to his chagrin falls in love with his captive. He wants to take her away from Ulaid as his wife, but his younger brothers Ardan and Ainnle disagree. Besides Deirdre may love him back but has doubts about leaving her druidic forest. The final stage of the prophecy of Deirdre has begun
This retelling of the Irish mythological equivalent of Helen of Troy is a terrific saga that brings to life the Ancient Celtic period. The cast is solid especially the king, Naisi, and the title character. Although the detail into Celtic Erin can slow down the story line and move it more to a historical than a mythos, readers will enjoy the Irish rendition of “the face that launched a thousand ships”.
Harriet Klausner
40 Years-Bernd Struben
40 Years
Bernd Struben
Srider Nolan, Dec 2008, $9.95
www. Sridernolanmedia.com
ISBN: 1932045023
They are born, raised and educated for war. Kept in stasis until a mission occurs, the Augmented Combat Personnel (ACP) genetically enhanced soldiers know they are awaken only for conquest. They are humanity’s advanced soldiers in the twelve-century old competition against the Pfrianx to dominate habitable planets not yet conquered by either. The ACP understands he will cleanse an orb of its opposition inhabitants killing millions for the greater good of mankind; they are humane compared to their rivals who simply eradicate entire worlds while the ACP transfer survivors to remote hostile sectors on the conquered planet.
ACP Captain Brink D’Mar awakens knowing instantly his mission is to subdue a planet; this time 40 years beyond the most outer human controlled rock, a military combat deployment mobilization outpost. D’Mar follows the standard operating rules of engagement by offering the local populace of New Columbus (as the humans call it) a chance to surrender. However the native Borell reject the concept as it has no connotation in their language. As the death toll mounts, D’Mar begins to consider adoption of the Pfrlanx ethnic cleansing methodology as he must complete the mission, but to his shock finds pandemic genocide abhoring, a thought not in his upbringing.
This is an intriguing military science fiction tale that looks closely at the ethics of war especially colonization through conquest. D’Mar and his peers face a moral quandary as the Borells seem easy to defeat, but they never give up; willing to die instead. Although he knows none of the brass is near enough to witness any atrocities, the hero struggles with the awakening of ethics as he either destroys the entire populace or what else can he do. Well written and fast-paced, fans will relish this fine outer space saga starring a genetically engineered person who does not blink at the death of a million people as his moral slate was kept shallow and limited to standard operating procedures until the conflict 40 years away from his superiors awaken his conscience.
Harriet Klausner
Bernd Struben
Srider Nolan, Dec 2008, $9.95
www. Sridernolanmedia.com
ISBN: 1932045023
They are born, raised and educated for war. Kept in stasis until a mission occurs, the Augmented Combat Personnel (ACP) genetically enhanced soldiers know they are awaken only for conquest. They are humanity’s advanced soldiers in the twelve-century old competition against the Pfrianx to dominate habitable planets not yet conquered by either. The ACP understands he will cleanse an orb of its opposition inhabitants killing millions for the greater good of mankind; they are humane compared to their rivals who simply eradicate entire worlds while the ACP transfer survivors to remote hostile sectors on the conquered planet.
ACP Captain Brink D’Mar awakens knowing instantly his mission is to subdue a planet; this time 40 years beyond the most outer human controlled rock, a military combat deployment mobilization outpost. D’Mar follows the standard operating rules of engagement by offering the local populace of New Columbus (as the humans call it) a chance to surrender. However the native Borell reject the concept as it has no connotation in their language. As the death toll mounts, D’Mar begins to consider adoption of the Pfrlanx ethnic cleansing methodology as he must complete the mission, but to his shock finds pandemic genocide abhoring, a thought not in his upbringing.
This is an intriguing military science fiction tale that looks closely at the ethics of war especially colonization through conquest. D’Mar and his peers face a moral quandary as the Borells seem easy to defeat, but they never give up; willing to die instead. Although he knows none of the brass is near enough to witness any atrocities, the hero struggles with the awakening of ethics as he either destroys the entire populace or what else can he do. Well written and fast-paced, fans will relish this fine outer space saga starring a genetically engineered person who does not blink at the death of a million people as his moral slate was kept shallow and limited to standard operating procedures until the conflict 40 years away from his superiors awaken his conscience.
Harriet Klausner
Crimson-Gord Rollo
Crimson
Gord Rollo
Leisure, Mar 2009, $7.99
ISBN:9780843961959
In 1967 after his father deserted him and his mother, Jonathon Page and his mom Mary moved onto a farm that her husband owned in Dunnville, Ontario. Johnny makes three friends (Tom, Peter and David). The trio knows about the tragedy that occurred a decade ago in the house currently occupied by their new buddy and his mom. They tell Johnny that in 1955 Jacob Harrison butchered his entire family and was caught when he also killed a co-worker. They fear the house, but go there anyway to play with Johnny.
During their exploration in the field, the ten year old boys find steps that lead to a bomb shelter where they meet the creature that had been stuck in the well. He removes a ring and throws it at the boys. David picks it up but then gives it to Johnny who puts it on his finger. From that moment on, the creature haunts the quartet in their dreams. One of them falls out his window after an encounter with the creature. Nine years later, the town is rocked by a series of murders and one of the surviving tweeners is one of the dead. The creature frames David who is sent to prison where he believes he is safe.
The creature has the power to send giant spiders and animate a scarecrow so the teens, who feared it as ten year olds remain even more frightened than before. He plays with the minds working on their biggest fears to break their spirit. Although the creature is left too much to the reader’s imagination, fans of Bentley Little and Brian Keene will enjoy Gord Rollo’s cutting edge, dark and scarey small Canadian town horror thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Gord Rollo
Leisure, Mar 2009, $7.99
ISBN:9780843961959
In 1967 after his father deserted him and his mother, Jonathon Page and his mom Mary moved onto a farm that her husband owned in Dunnville, Ontario. Johnny makes three friends (Tom, Peter and David). The trio knows about the tragedy that occurred a decade ago in the house currently occupied by their new buddy and his mom. They tell Johnny that in 1955 Jacob Harrison butchered his entire family and was caught when he also killed a co-worker. They fear the house, but go there anyway to play with Johnny.
During their exploration in the field, the ten year old boys find steps that lead to a bomb shelter where they meet the creature that had been stuck in the well. He removes a ring and throws it at the boys. David picks it up but then gives it to Johnny who puts it on his finger. From that moment on, the creature haunts the quartet in their dreams. One of them falls out his window after an encounter with the creature. Nine years later, the town is rocked by a series of murders and one of the surviving tweeners is one of the dead. The creature frames David who is sent to prison where he believes he is safe.
The creature has the power to send giant spiders and animate a scarecrow so the teens, who feared it as ten year olds remain even more frightened than before. He plays with the minds working on their biggest fears to break their spirit. Although the creature is left too much to the reader’s imagination, fans of Bentley Little and Brian Keene will enjoy Gord Rollo’s cutting edge, dark and scarey small Canadian town horror thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Incredible Origins of the Onyx Sun-Christopher Mahoney
The Incredible Origins of the Onyx Sun
Christopher Mahoney
Pariah Publishing, Mar 11 2009, $19.99
ISBN: 0979520258
Zack Goodspeed is the “normal’ American boy. He is a normal ten year old living with Mr. and Mrs. Normal Parents in a normal suburb. Everything about Zack is simply normal. That is except for his grandfather Fyodor, who, is simply is not normal.
Zack’s normal life began to change two years ago due to his abnormal grandfather and an airplane wing in the garbage can, but it is this summer that he turns abnormal. Fyodor’s big moment was back in the fourth grade at a school science fair when his entry, a small rock, turned out to be the greatest energy source ever created, the Onyx Sun.
Zack discovers his grandfather’s discovery and uses it to fuel a rocket ship. He flies to the moon, drives giant robots like his parents drive cars, and befriends Max the girl. However, his delightful adventures into abnormality need to be placed on hold as Dr. Machval plans to harness the power of the Onyx Sun to destroy the earth; only Zack and his new friends stand in the way of the planet’s extinction, but earth’s champion failed just before his moon flight to stand up to neighborhood bullies who took his baseball from him.
This is an excellent middle school science fiction thriller starring an intriguing tweener hero who only has to save the world. The story line is action-packed and filled with twists including friendly encouragement at the end to change the text on line. Zack is terrific role model as he and his grandfather encourage students to be all they can be, not to fear math or science as each can be a fun puzzling adventure, and its great to be eccentrically “not normal”. Young adults will enjoy flying in space to the moon, riding giant robots and saving the earth alongside of Zack and his friends.
Christopher Mahoney
Pariah Publishing, Mar 11 2009, $19.99
ISBN: 0979520258
Zack Goodspeed is the “normal’ American boy. He is a normal ten year old living with Mr. and Mrs. Normal Parents in a normal suburb. Everything about Zack is simply normal. That is except for his grandfather Fyodor, who, is simply is not normal.
Zack’s normal life began to change two years ago due to his abnormal grandfather and an airplane wing in the garbage can, but it is this summer that he turns abnormal. Fyodor’s big moment was back in the fourth grade at a school science fair when his entry, a small rock, turned out to be the greatest energy source ever created, the Onyx Sun.
Zack discovers his grandfather’s discovery and uses it to fuel a rocket ship. He flies to the moon, drives giant robots like his parents drive cars, and befriends Max the girl. However, his delightful adventures into abnormality need to be placed on hold as Dr. Machval plans to harness the power of the Onyx Sun to destroy the earth; only Zack and his new friends stand in the way of the planet’s extinction, but earth’s champion failed just before his moon flight to stand up to neighborhood bullies who took his baseball from him.
This is an excellent middle school science fiction thriller starring an intriguing tweener hero who only has to save the world. The story line is action-packed and filled with twists including friendly encouragement at the end to change the text on line. Zack is terrific role model as he and his grandfather encourage students to be all they can be, not to fear math or science as each can be a fun puzzling adventure, and its great to be eccentrically “not normal”. Young adults will enjoy flying in space to the moon, riding giant robots and saving the earth alongside of Zack and his friends.
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