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Tales Before Narnia edited by Douglas A. Anderson
In many respects, this seems like the collection that real SF/F aficionados -- and those who love the history of the twinned genres -- have been waiting for.
Shadowbridge by Gregory Frost
In the first place, the writing here is beautiful. Beyond beautiful. It’s sublime. And when critics think of fantasy novels, the first thing that jumps into mind is not prose that uplifts.
Dragon Harper by Anne & Todd McCaffrey
Almost anyone who has given McCaffrey a serious read understands her magic. The connections she weaves between her human and dragon -- as well as other animal -- characters moves far beyond charm into some primal place where we all understand what might be possible if all the circumstances were correct.
The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror edited by Ellen Datlow, Kelly Link and Gavin J Grant
Edited by three of the most respected names in the genre, the 2007 edition of The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror once again serves up a well-considered smorgasbord of genre delights.
From the Notebooks of Dr. Brain by Minister Faust
The premise is silly enough -- group therapy for some of the world’s superheroes. Minister Faust not only knows psychobabble and uses it well, he gets into the personalities of the various heroes and villains with exceptional wit and talent.
The Dark River by John Twelve Hawks
Middle installments of trilogies are notoriously difficult animals. Just ask George Lucas. In The Dark River, John Twelve Hawks struggles with the burden of his earlier success.
Rollback by Robert J. Sawyer
Rollback is a wholly satisfying story from a writer who’s gathered quite a number of awards throughout his career. Sawyer has a good sense of story and he tells this one well.
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Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman
Grossman’s debut tells the story of Dr. Impossible and the array of good guys determined to keep him from taking over the world. January's reviewer calls it a “a hugely enjoyable book.”
Hal Spacejock #3: Just Desserts by Simon Haynes
This is the third in what is likely to be a long-lasting series. There are no super-villains in breath-masks and no Dark Lords trying to take over the universe. All Hal wants, in this book, is a cup of coffee and a sweet snack, but it’s not to be.
We, Robots by Sue Lange
In We, Robots, Lange takes on a heavy science fiction theme, examining once again, what it is to be human. The story doesn't try to redefine the genre, but looks at the membrane that separates human and machine.
Red Spikes by Margo Lanagan
Black Juice, Margo Lanagan's first collection of short fantasy tales, was widely admired and awarded in the author's native Australia. January's reviewer thinks this new collection is every bit as good.
The Tale of the Miller's Daughter by JoSelle Vanderhooft
At just 65 pages, this is a very short book, but the author has the stuff. She tells a rich story and provides scenes of fear and terror and sorrow. You truly aren't sure it's going to end well as there are so many ways things could go wrong.
White Tiger by Kylie Chan
While the premise here is good and author Chan mostly does a good job of setting up her new trilogy. But while January's reviewer holds out high hopes for the series, she found this first volume somewhat bloated.
Crossover by Joel Shepherd
Crossover is an exciting story, a well-written adventure, and an impressive debut novel. In the first book of Joel Shepherd's trilogy, we meet Cassandra Kresnov, a highly developed, extremely convincing and expensive android-in-denial.
Mothers & Other Monsters by Maureen F. McHugh
Though some of the stories in Mothers & Other Monsters seem almost weirdly unfinished here, the writing is pure, simple and lovely. Maureen F. McHugh is a a captivating writer.
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