Book-o-sphere Round-up: 24 January Edition

It’s been a busy week on the blogs this week so I’d better get started but I’m going to try and be little more rounded in my Round-up featuring some books that I don’t like the sound of as well as ones I do.

to thine own self be true…when reviewing

link: bean there, read that: to thine own self be true…when reviewing

This is never truer than my own review of Hyddenworld: Spring and that was a review I really didn’t want to write.

link: Ubiquitous Absence: Review – Elfsorrow

I just finished Elfsorrow this evening. It certainly got me out of the doldrums from having finished Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun. It also left me heart-broken. Don’t bother looking for clarification on that point, it would involve spoiling the tale for you.

Blurb: The rivalry between the four colleges of magic has brought misery and war to Balaia. But through it all the Elves have lived their ancient, secret lives. From their homeland in the southern continent of Calaius they have watched human dynasties come and go, aloof and untouched. Until now. Suddenly, elves are dying in their thousands, seemingly struck down at random. The elven mage Ilkar is uniquely placed to find the cause of this plague and put an end to it. For Ilkar is one of The Raven: a tiny mercenary band of warriors and mages, bound together by a vow stronger than blood. Over many years their prowess has become legendary. But even heroes, like elves, are mortal…

Always interesting when someone finishes a book and get’s shaken by it. James Barclay is a man on the hit-list I need to pick up something by him. Maybe this is the one?

link: Stomping on Yeti: Call for Comments: Reviewing Serial Books…

I just finished Kay Kenyon’s Bright of the Sky. I’m currently crafting a review but I don’t feel like I can define my enjoyment of the book until I read the subsequent volumes. While some serial books can be read purely as independent volumes, this is not one of those books.

So my question for you is:

When reviewing books that don’t have enough individual plot resolution to be considered stand-alone, what are the most important elements to consider in your review?

I have done a few sequential reviews reviewing one book after another but never waited until I’ve finished a series – I think it makes it harder if you have to wait a year for the next one. Better just to review as you go? Or would you like to see whole series reviewed in one go?

link: Falcata Times: GUEST BLOG: Crossing Genres, Like Stepping-Stones in a Stream – Lavie Tidhar

Steampunk, I wrote back in 2005 (in “Some Notes Towards A Working Definition of Steampunk”, published in Apex Digest), “is to a large extent a cross-genre phenomenon.” And I qualified that by saying that steampunk tells stories “which discard the somewhat superficial distinction between “science fiction”, “fantasy” and “horror” (not to mention crime, historical fiction or romance).” Which I suppose is why I love steampunk.

Most fiction is cross-over – why can’t we just admit it

link: Paperback Reader: Shades of Grey

As well as immensely absorbing storyline and many laughs, Shades of Grey also contains moments of intense pathos; the last few chapters of the novel left me feeling unsettled yet also excited for the sequels and the last page had my heart in my mouth. For those who enjoy their Dystopias with a heart (think The Hunger Games) then read Shades of Grey; I also recommend it unreservedly to those who may not have been impressed by The Eyre Affair (I wasn’t blown away by the debut but adored the remainder of the series), new to Fforde readers who enjoy witty original fiction and those readers who think they don’t enjoy sci-fi.

Strangely Shades of Grey isn’t getting that much buzz around the old blogs. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not…

link: IT’S A CRIME! (OR A MYSTERY…): TV Book Club – Episode 1

There were some viewers this programme was bound to attract: existing avid readers. Many of these have book blogs and are also on twitter. Immediately after the programme the consensus of opinion on twitter was that the programme was disappointing. Most cited the lack of time devoted to the week’s selected book. Indeed, having watched the episode online twice, the balance was as follows:

Discussion with guest

Chris Evans about his book 8.5 mins
Cecelia Ahearne revisited 1.5 mins
Wordplay based on a book & a comedian 3.5 mins
Sarah Waters film 3 mins
Discussion on Sarah Waters’s novel 3.5 mins

Lots of people come to NR via searches for Richard and Judy’s Bookclub that I mention one a while a go. So it was interesting to see the reaction to TV Book Club. I think I’ll spent my 30minutes reading.

link: Anthology Review: Warriors, edited by GRRM | Only The Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Warriors, the highly anticipated anthology edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois will hit shelves in March. Mr. Martin best describes the anthology: “You will find warriors of every shape, size, and color in this pages, warriors from every epoch of human history, from yesterday and today and tomorrow and worlds that never were. Some of the stories will make you sad, some will make you laugh, many will keep you on the edge of your sear.” Indeed, Mr. Martin is right on point with his overall description – I found warriors to be a true wonder in both its diversity and talent. The masterful explorations of the warrior archetype will delight fans of any genre, and are sure to titillate even the most hardened veterans of speculative fiction.

Nice to see some short fiction getting reviewed something I’m really bad at doing!

link: Neth Space: Review: Sleepless by Charlie Huston

Oh the end – I wish I could talk about it in detail without spoiling. It is either absolutely brilliant or stunningly wrong. Or perhaps both. I’ve thought on it for days and still haven’t decided, but I think I’ve come to accept that it fits the world that Huston has built.

OK, gotta read this one now!

link: The Speculative Scotsman: Book Review: The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Angel’s Game is metafiction at its very best, but never does that reductive label threaten to overwhelm the rip-roaring experience readers will have with it. Zafon’s latest narrative is thoughtful, mysterious and impossibly fun – if it doesn’t quite reach the dizzying heights of The Shadow of The Wind, it’s only because some summits can only be scaled once.

Sorry, but it just doesn’t grab me….

link: Stomping on Yeti: Covering Covers: Lesser Demons by Norman Partridge

SubPress does at lot of work with Vincent Chong and it’s easy to see why. I love the contrast present in this cover. The bright orange in the title font really stands out against the fade-to-black border that surrounds this curiously lonely farmhouse. It especially emphasizes the “demons” portion of the title which is tied ever so subtlely to the mysterious house by a dusty path.

Gotta love the cover! Never heard of the writer though

link: Falcata Times: FANTASY REVIEW: Naamah’s Kiss – Jacqueline Carey

Whenever an author has had great success with previous novels in a series its always going to be difficult to start a new character as well as sequence of events off as the people who’ve bought the novels previously generally demand more of what turned them onto the authors work in the first place.

I have this one in the pile right near the top and will be going in cold – I wonder if that will make a difference?

link: Falcata Times: FANTASY REVIEW: Heart’s Blood – Juliet Marillier

Whilst some of this offering is a tad predictable its the authors talent to add a touch of the whimsy to her work that will have you demanding more. A great novel from an author who really knows her craft.

I’m making a conscious effort to make sure I feature female writers I’m interested in – that’s not to say I’m dragging in books I don’t like the sound of. And Marillier has been on the list for a while.

link: The 2010 Edgar Award Nominees – Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind

Mystery Writers of America is proud to announce on the 201st anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, its Nominees for the 2010 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, honoring the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television published or produced in 2009. The Edgar® Awards will be presented to thewinners at our 64th Gala Banquet, April 29, 2010 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York City.

Jo Nesbø is on the list for Best Novel.

link: Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review: ‘The Mall of Cthulhu’ – Seamus Cooper (Nightshade Books)

Sometimes a book title hits the nail squarely on the head in terms of it catching my eye and getting me to pick it up straight away. It could be a book about… well… anything. If the title does it’s job properly then it doesn’t matter, I’m up for giving it a few pages at least!

I want to read it now just from the cover.

link: Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review: Author News!

Gary McMahon’s Pretty Little Dead Things and its sequel promise an astonishing mix of David Peace and modern Japanese horror cinema to create a truly unique fusion of intense writing and sheer terror.

Don’t like terror in books – I have a very vivid emotional imagination.

link: Seven Bites of Tender Morsels « Torque Control

is it possible to return to life from unspeakable trauma? Answering that question without seeming patronising is a tricky needle to thread, but I’d say Lanagan manages it much more than not; and that if you’re looking for a guide to living in the world, you could do worse than look at Tender Morsels.

Interesting thoughts on a controversial book, I’m looking at you Daily Mail.

link: Dark Wolf’s Fantasy Reviews: “Kell’s Legend” by Andy Remic

“Kell’s Legend” is a worthy praise offered to its source of inspiration, fully packed with action and fighting scenes and flavored with an amount of violence and gore that will put even some of the horror novels to shame. The pages fly past the reader, because Andy Remic sets a very fast rhythm from the first chapter of the novel. Speaking of chapters, each one of them ends in a peak of action teasing my curiosity to the point that I could hardly resist not to jump over pages just to find out the conclusion of that action sequence. And that is the case with the end of the novel as well, the final page leaving the characters frozen in a battle scene until the next novel of the series will put them into motion.

Lots of battle scenes. Oh

link: New Cover Unveiled for The Red Wolf Conspiracy ~ Mad Hatter’s Bookshelf & Book Review

The mass market edition of The Red Wolf Conspiracy will be released next week. Redick’s publisher Del Rey has opted to change from the great art used on the hardcover to something a bit more commecial.

It’s rare for me to have a softspot for American covers but this is one such book.

link: Afterthoughts: Bequest by Anna Shevchenko | RobAroundBooks

So on the face of it a political thriller that promises archival searching and document interpretation as a main feature has got to sound a little on the tedious side right? Well actually Bequest turns out to be nowhere near as dull as it may sound. Visits to the archives are certainly a prominent feature of the novel – an integral part of the story as one might expect – but Shevchenko has this incredible knack of making even a ‘jog along’ to the dusty archives of the Bank of England et al sound almost like a trip to Disneyland (well if you are an archive loving researcher that is ).

I have a thing against historical books in general unless they are Victorian. Or so it seems when I make unconscious reading choices. Actually this sounds much better than I first thought. The power of a review.

link: Bookshelf of the Week: Pete’s Delicious Discovery | RobAroundBooks

Now while you can normally thank me and my Web crawling efforts for the finds featured on Bookshelf the Week, this week I have to give all the discovery credit to my good Twitter friend, Peter Weller. “This might interest you,” tweeted Pete in a message one day. Interest me Pete?!? This is probably as orgasmic as bookshelves can get. I mean dual-level with a character-oozing spiral staircase leading up to the upper level? It’s immoral just how sexy this bookish ensemble is.

I’m with Rob. I want!

link: Adventures in Reading: Best American Fantasy 2

The range of fiction in Best American Fantasy 2 is impressive, but perhaps no story demonstrates just how varied the fiction here can be is Matt Bell’s “Mario’s Three Lives”. This story harkens back to the childhood of every reader within a couple of years of thirty who played Nintendo in their childhood. Yes, it’s that Mario. This rather short story is far more moving than one would think and it perfectly encapsulates what the “Best American Fantasy” really means.

If I had a choice I’d read single author collections based around the same universe or world. I tend to struggle with single author mixed story collections and find multi-author ones the hardest. So much variety that needs a brain reset between stories. Going to try a Zombies: an undead anthology and see if a mixed theme one keeps me going.

link: The Books of 2009 « Torque Control

This is, unfortunately, a somewhat more abbreviated account than I had originally intended. Plan A was to do a complete run-down of everything I read in 2009, trying to get some sense of how my part of the elephant felt. Plan B is a top ten list. Well, a top ten list and some stats.

Niall is slow to the end of year party but a brilliant post and worth waiting for. Some great books mentioned.

link: Speculative Horizons: Adrian Tchaikovsky announces UK book signings

Shadows of the Apt author Adrian Tchaikovsky has announced that he will be signing copies of his books on the following dates:

Weekend of the 5th February – SFX Weekender convention, at which I will be signing books, either at a pre-arranged time or just mug me as and when the opportunity arises. Mid-panel is probably not recommended.

Saturday 13th February – signing around lunchtime (figure 1.00pm start in all likelihood) at Waterstones, Broad Street, Reading (not the one in the Oracle). (Waterstones, 89a Broad Street, Reading, RG1 2AP, 0118 958 1270)

Saturday 20th February – signing at 11.00am in Garforth Book Shop, Main Street, Garforth (15 Main Street, Garforth, Leeds – 0113 286 3534) and then:

Saturday 20th February (again) – signing at 3.00pm at Travelling Man, Leeds (32 Central Road Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DE, 0113 242 7227)

Sorry James couldn’t see how to link it best so I just borrowed the lot.

link: Speculative Horizons: So…what’s going to be the ‘hot’ fantasy debut of 2010?

Every year there’s one debut fantasy novel that garners more online hype/buzz than all the others: The Lies of Locke Lamora in 2006, The Name of the Wind in 2007, The Painted Man in 2008 (though some might argue Brent Weeks’ The Way of Shadows was equally hyped) and Nights of Villjamur in 2009. This then raises the inevitable question – what debut is going to be the ‘hot’ release of 2010?

All five have had some sort of hype. Some publisher based and some reader based. For reader based it has to be The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and from the opening page I’m v. excited by it. Publisher based it’s The Left Hand of God, which isn’t doing that much for me. I’ve enjoyed the opening to Tome of the Undergates and that has a lot of potential to be very hot. Waiting to see some more about Farlander – can’t remember seeing any reviews yet. And Spellwright I have a feeling isn’t going to be hot but good none the less.

link: Book Chick City – Changes & News!

As you may remember, I ran a survey Nov/Dec last year and I have been brainstorming with my hubby about what I can do to make Book Chick City better in 2010. There have been a few changes and lots of tweaking to the blog after mulling over all your suggestions and lots of new ideas too.

and

link: Book Chick City

Book Chick City’s Regular Features

and
link: Book Chick City

Here you will find details and dates of all events hosted here at Book Chick City, whether it be author interviews, guest posts or special events. (may be subject to change).

I hope people appreciate how much effort and time goes on behind the scenes in book blogs. And Book Chick City is one of the most energetic I know.

ink: Angry Robot Review: Obsidian and Blood Book 1: Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard « DaveBrendon’s Fantasy & SciFi Weblog

All in all, Aliette’s Servant of the Underworld is an incredibly strong and promising debut, showing her talents at full effect – she can create amazing, believable worlds; her characters are solid and relatable, and she knows how to do interesting magic, great action and creepiness in spades.

I’m looking forward to this one – I didn’t review any Angry Robot books last year so going to make up for it this year. And I’ve promised reviews of this and the The Bookman so they are coming very soon.

link: Bloggin’ ’bout Books: Pirate Latitudes: Even Crichton’s Gotta Do Better Than This

Even without reading previous Crichton books, I’m pretty sure this isn’t his best work. I’ll shelve my disappointment in Pirate Latitudes and move on – to Sphere, perhaps? Or maybe I’ll find some old episodes of ER to watch, although I admit my fascination with the show has always been more about Clooney than Crichton …

Ah, I wondered why it had dropped off the radar….

link: Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review: ‘Horns’ – Joe Hill (Gollancz)

Hill takes great relish in getting right under his character’s skin and peeling it back to show the rotten core that lurks in all of us, a core that we like to pretend isn’t there even though it is. The previously untold confessions that the reader comes across are the real moments of horror in ‘Horns’. The window into people’s souls has never had the curtains drawn so wide onto scenes so disturbing, especially when the confessions come from people you wouldn’t normally look twice at. Ig’s predicament is horrifying enough but these moments hit harder because you know, deep down, that you already have the same kind of thoughts…

Yep, reading it now…

link: Falcata Times: FACTUAL REVIEW: How to be a Super Reader – Ron Cole

Using unique exercises, you will learn to mentally process multiple words at a glance, thus increasing reading speed, comprehension and accuracy. The results are quick, sustainable and grow over time with minimal effort.

I bet it doesn’t work but I want it anyway!

link: Floor to Ceiling Books: 2010 – A Very Good Year (Incoming Books!)

Okay, so James over at Speculative Horizons has listed his top 5 potentially hot fantasy debuts. It’s a great list, and I’m hoping to get my hands on all of them through any means necessary before long. It got me to thinking that this year is shaping up to be pretty good on all fronts for 2010 – we have several very entertaining debuts on their way, and, in addition, some of the fantasy greats (and some of the fantasy probably-going-to-be-greats and, heck, some of the fantasy great-only-to-me) are also releasing books this year. Here is the lowdown on ten of the books I will definitely be picking up before the end of the year (with, no doubt, more and more and more to be added with every read of my favourite blogs!)

From that list I’m excited by The Midnight Mayor, The Desert Spear, City of Ruin, and Wolfangel. All very exciting!

link: Nayu’s Reading Corner: Captured by Neil Cross

I hear about murderers and kidnappers from the media. I sometimes hear about them in books. I’ve never been in the head of such nutters before. Captured allowed me to do this.

Ummm – not sure I want to read it no… scary.

link: PETRONA: A few paperbacks for 2010

There were a few glitches in my renewal, partly to do with the snow, but order now seems to be restored. In the first issue of 2010 (8 Jan), there are various previews and selections of the books that will be on sale in paperback in the UK this year. I’ll mention a few here for those who still have not spent their Christmas book tokens.

And boy are there a few! All crime and all worth checking out as Maxine has great taste.

link: The Speculative Scotsman: Book Review: Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

Monza’s harrowing hunt never quite takes a backseat, but persistence is pivotal: Best Served Cold is at its bloody best when the cost of all the killing finally catches up with its cast. From that point on, Abercrombie’s visceral fantasy lurches to life like a corpse long consigned to oblivion suddenly reanimated and stuck full of uppers. The stakes are raised, the pace picks up, tensions escalate to breaking point and of course, the body count increases exponentially.

Do I have the stomach for Mr Abercrombie… haven’t found out yet.

link: Nayu’s Reading Corner: Meteorite Strike by A G Taylor

Already emotionally hooked to the characters and the catastrophic disaster, following Sarah as she seeks refuge from the dust storm bringing sickness to all with Robert and Daniel had me eagerly turning over each page. Little by little Daniel performs stranger actions, which accumulate in a showdown between himself and Sarah. The result of the showdown was unexpected, and given all that they had already gone through made sense. Sarah wants to protect her little brother, but he doesn’t quite understand that people aren’t always who they make out to be.

I’m going to have to think about if I want to introduce more YA on the blog. Only because I’m not the intended audience and unless it has cross-over potential then I’d have to think about it in terms of it’s core audience or make it out to be something it’s not… at least that my reservation about featuring YA books.

link: Nayu’s Reading Corner: ARC Reading Pile: The Definitive List

I’m going to create a permanent link somewhere on my blog for this post. It will have the exact order I’ll be reading the ARC’s. This will change as more books arrive.

There is no way on this earth that you’d get me doing this – tried and it made my brain melt and it very mechanical and picking the next book because it’s there and not because you really fancy it or at least you have made a conscious decision that it needs to come next. It seems a little disconnected. Good luck though!

Wow. That’s a post and a bit!

Anything caught your eye?