The Department of Magic

The Department of Magic

by Rod Kierkegaard Jr Edition: Paperback

Price: $12.99

 

 

Clunky but entertaining, February 11, 2012

This review is from: The Department of Magic (Paperback)

This novel is in the maybe silly but OK category. The clunky part is "everything but the kitchen sink" approach to the paranormal reality used in the plot. The degree of bloodshed among the protagonists is a little off-putting. Not a waste of money or time, just not a defining moment in this sub-genre.

The Wolf Gift

by Anne Rice Edition: Hardcover

 

 

Anne Rice is a major author, but..., February 27, 2012

This review is from: The Wolf Gift (Hardcover)

The Wolf Gift is a wonderful take on the werewolf mythos and I was really hoping that it would be the resurgence of the wonder and horror of Ms. Rice's writing talents. However the last six chapters were an absolute drag on the rest of the very well written novel. Not that I didn't want the information provided but the expositive nature of the origin of werewolves was as dry a history as any I've struggled through. Meld the history in or do a flashback but don't lecture me.

The Fourth Wall

by Walter Jon Williams Edition: Paperback

 

Another great SF novel from an author who defines the field!, February 11, 2012

This review is from: The Fourth Wall (Paperback)

I am a prepub reviewer for science fiction publishers. In preparing this review, as I looked back over the body of work that has comprised this author's career, I was struck by how many of his novels I have read and enjoyed over the thirty-plus years that he has been writing. The only reason that I had never given him the praise he deserves, is that the breadth of his writings in the field has obscured his contribution to the readers of this genre.
This latest novel is a continuation of This Is Not a Game (Dagmar Shaw), Orbit, 2009. It follows a washed-up child actor's encounter with Dagmar's Great Big Idea company and the augmented reality games (ARGs). The humanity of his characters or the exploration of the possiblities of database mining that underpin this book would, either one, make it worth reading. Together they provide a healthy swig of the best SF has to offer!

Titles I've Read, Are Reading,or Have Stacked Up in My Kindle to Read

I have the singular pleasure of receiving prepub e-galleys from any number of publishers. I'm a (very?) fast reader but recently have been getting more than I can handle. So here is what's in the line up:

 

THE MASTER OF VERONA David Blixt May 25, 2012 AuthorBuzz

HER MAJESTY'S WILL David Blixt May 25, 2012 AuthorBuzz

King's Man and Thief (Chronicles of Verrold Duology) Christie Golden  TKA Distribution December 2011

Advent James Treadwell  Simon and Schuster Inc., Atria Books July 03, 2012

Existence David Brin Tor/Forge Tor Books June 19, 2012

Hellenic Immortal Gene Doucette May 03, 2012  Smith Publicity --The Writer’s  Coffee Shop

Wake of the Bloody Angel Alex Bledsoe J uly 03, 2012 Tor/Forge Tor Books

 Bride of the Rat God Barbara Hambly March 29, 2011 Open Road Open Road

Mechanique Genevieve Valentine May 10, 2011 Prime Books

Blackbirds Chuck Wendig April 23, 2012 Angry Robot Angry Robot

 Strangeness and Charm Mike Shevdon Angry Robot Angry Robot May 29, 2012

 Immortal Gene Doucette  Smith Publicity --The Writer’s Coffee Shop March 08, 2012

Dreamers of the Grail Dale Geraldson Stone Ring Press Bookmasters October 01, 2011

Railsea

The Science Fiction Gods must have been smiling on the day of China Mieville's birth. This top-notch author of King Rat, Un Lun Dun, Perdido Street Station, The City & The City, Kraken, & Embassytown sets yet another star in the SF heavens. Railsea is offered as a juvenile book, but the only thing that to my eye requires a younger reader is the premise of the world in which this story takes place. It is extreme in its stretching of our willing suspension of disbelief. It is as far as Michael Moorcock or Cordwainer Smith ever stretched it, but without removing the humanness of the tale. I recommend it to everyone who enjoys a good yarn.