Book-o-sphere Round–up: 7 March Edition

The Book-o-sphere Round–up is back after a weeks hiatus so this will probably turn into a long one!

link: PETRONA: My Euro Crime book reviews for February – and awards

As March is now a week old, it is more than time to round up my reviews during the past month at Euro Crime, and of these to select a “book of the month” for February.

If I had to choose from the covers I’d go with either the cruel stars of the night or Woman With Birthmark. Anyone read any Nesser or Eriksson?

link: Between Two Books: Cover Art: Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay

I think this is the first time I’ve been very disappointed with the cover of a book by Guy Gavriel Kay. I can’t help but asking myself “Why?”. Why did they have to make it look almost like a Paranormal book? Is it just an attempt to seduce a different demographic than the first cover has been appealing to? *sigh* The old cover looks so much nicer:

I think the new one is great and better than the old one but would like the cover model to be less ‘real’.

link: Euro Crime: Dizzying Cover Theme

I was just updating the database with upcoming titles, including Quintin Jardine’s new book, A Rush of Blood published in June and the cover’s slightly familiar…

Hmmm The Redeemer is a bit less realistic but either is disturbing.

link: Review: The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston « King of the Nerds!!!

The Mystic Art of Erasing All Signs of Death is an exciting read with dialogue every bit as chill inducing and thrilling as the action. For all its gross out moments and laugh out loud bits of witty dialogue it is a surprisingly intimate tale, a metaphor in long form, of one man’s attempt to rediscover life amidst the wreckage of death. I can’t recommend this book highly enough! Great read from a talented author.

I really wish this would get an official UK release!

link: Falcata Times: CRIME REVIEW: Twisted Wing – Ruth Newman

A debut that really made me sit up and pay attention to the author, who’s crime novel twists the reader round her little finger with clever devises and a plot line that not only interests but keeps you fascinated regardless of what is being perpetrated on the page.

I know last time there was a comment on Falcata Times’ reviews but I keep reading them as they always have some books listed that I missed.

NAYU’S READING CORNER is making her way through The Keys to the Kingdom series :

Mister Monday by Garth Nix
Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix
Drowned Wednesday by Garth Nix
Sir Thursday by Garth Nix
Lady Friday by Garth Nix

Sigh, another series I’ve been putting on the back burner for so long it’s charred! Loved the Old Kingdom series and very excited that Clariel: The Lost Abhorsen might be out this year!

link: Euro Crime: Trailer – The Man from Beijing

We had a bit of a cover discussion recently about Henning Mankell’s The Man from Beijing, with most favouring the UK edition over the US. I’ve now found the US trailer which I like though the music seems familiar:

I will get to Mankell on my EuroCrime journey at some point I’m sure!

link: REVIEW | The Bookman by Lavie Tidhar (Angry Robot) ~ Mad Hatter’s Bookshelf & Book Review

The Bookman is a bit of a departure for Tidhar as he generally goes for something a bit edgier and weirder than Steampunk. Don’t get me wrong there is still plenty of weird going on and The Bookman is probably the most out there Steampunk novel I’ve yet read.

This was my first Amber review this year – but worth reading for it’s ‘out thereness’

And

link: Dark Wolf’s Fantasy Reviews: Interview with Lavie Tidhar

M(DW): Your latest published work is the steampunk novel, “The Bookman”, released by Angry Robot Books. What inspired the writing of “The Bookman”? What attracts you toward steampunk and why a choice for it in writing this novel?

LT: The Bookman is really my sort of love letter to steampunk. It was me sitting down with no other agenda than to write the sort of book I’d like to read. I’ve loved steampunk since I first picked up a copy of Tim Powers’ On Stranger Tides, years ago. The Victorian era – and the way it shaped our own modern world – is just so fascinating. So playing in the same sandbox just proved too much of a temptation

Great interview by Dark Wolf!

link: Book Chick City > Where Stories Are Made: Tim Waggoner

I began seriously pursuing a writing career twenty-eight years ago, and for a good portion of that time I wrote in a home office. But for the last few years, I’ve found it more difficult to write at home for several reasons. For one, I currently live in a two-bedroom apartment, so I don’t have a home office. When I do write at home, I set up my laptop on the dining table, right by the patio door, with an effectively distracting view of the outside world.

This is one of those features you just want to steal! Great insight into the mysteries of a writers life!

link: Speculative Horizons: Book review: Apartment 16

While fantasy has gone from strength to strength in recent years, horror has gone the opposite way: the genre stagnated and then began to decline. While the genre’s established authors – such as Stephen King and James Herbert – were still writing horror, there was a serious lack of new talent to drive the genre forwards. Yet 2010 might just be the year that the horror genre shows that there’s life in it yet. And Adam Nevill might just be the author to do it.

I’m slowly getting back into horror through Joe Hill and I’m reading Florence & Giles today which is more Gothic and Zombies Edited by Christopher Golden is coming and George A Romero is writing fiction in the form of The Living Dead: A Novel.

James has great (if you discount Twelve ) so I’m more eager to read this one than I was before and I wanted to read it then!

link: NextRead Magazine Open For Submissions | Only The Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy

NextRead Magazine, run by Gav at NextRead is open for submissions. This mad genius is taking short stories and creating liquid gold.

link: Temple Library Reviews: [News] Gav to run a Magazine

There was a dash of lightning. Nobody knew what happened, but an idea rose. Gav from NextRead decided that he needs to run a magazine and now this idea is reality

Thanks both and everyone else who has given it a plug!

I’ve mostly been getting great support for the Magazine from my fellow bloggers I’m really hoping that I can live up to expectations – but that’s for the writers to determine. They have a high bar to pass!

link: Stomping on Yeti: Authors Worth Watching, Spotlight 3 of 5

This week’s group features a pair of genre-aware fantasy writers, a hard SF prodigy, an Australian rising star, and a puppeteer responsible for some of the best short fiction I’ve ever read.

Out of these i’m most excited by Hannu Rajaniemi’s The Quantum Thief:

Jean le Flambeur is a post-human criminal, mind burglar, confidence artist and trickster. His origins are shrouded in mystery, but his exploits are known throughout the Heterarchy – from breaking into the vast Zeusbrains of the Inner System to steal their thoughts, to stealing rare Earth antiques from the aristocrats of the Moving Cities of Mars. Except that Jean made one mistake. Now he is condemned to play endless variations of a game-theoretic riddle in the vast virtual jail of the Axelrod Archons – the Dilemma Prison – against countless copies of himself. Jean’s routine of death, defection and cooperation is upset by the arrival of Mieli and her spidership, Perhonen. She offers him a chance to win back his freedom and the powers of his old self – in exchange for finishing the one heist he never quite managed

Though Sam Sykes comes a close second

link: My Favourite Books: Witchfinder : Dawn of the Demontide – William Hussey

Witchfinder sports some wonderfully dark imagery and a cast of ruthless, utterly creepy antagonists set against a likeable, balanced main character and his mismatched friends. Even better is that the bad guys are allowed to be Bad- self serving, sworn to the forces of darkness and addicted to their demon-granted powers, it’s refreshing to see them acting accordingly and justifying the epithet of ‘evil’.

Liz has been talking this one up alot and it’s now firmly on the radar!

link: bookgasm > Long Time Coming

Robert Goddard writes the kind of mysteries and thrillers you can get lost in. Seriously! His novels are often so full of plot twists, interconnected events and characters that you literally risk getting lost. But just as often, you’ll find it worth the effort for the rewards offered. LONG TIME COMING is a perfect case in point. It jumps back and forth across a span of three decades, with secondary characters showing up in almost every chapter. But once taken in, you’ll find, almost to your amazement, that it is increasingly difficult to stop reading until you alearn what happens next.

Ah thrillers…. they are coming to blog in some form. Too many wonderful genres to enjoy!!

link: Dark Wolf’s Fantasy Reviews: Cover art – “Valisar Trilogy” (La Trilogie Valisar) by Fiona McIntosh

It is official, I’ve become addicted of the French cover artwork. And how can I not be since there is not a single month without a book cover illustration that leaves me speechless.

Right where is that French for Beginners handbook? Wow!

link: Enchanted Glass, by Diana Wynne Jones | Bookgeeks

Enchanted Glass is another excellent children’s fantasy book from Diana Wynne Jones featuring her trademark elements of magical unreality, peculiar characters and the struggle of good against evil. Wynne Jones is truly gifted at adding magic to the mundane and some of the most wonderful elements of Enchanted Glass are found in the small struggles that the characters engage in, whether they be battles over pianos or problematic vegetables.

I’d want to read Enchanted Glass from that last line of this quote – it’s how people act in the ordinary world that often makes them extra ordinary I think.

link: Speculative Horizons: The City and the City tops the SF Site’s Readers’ Choice poll for 2009

The SF Site has revealed the first of two Best-of-2009 lists, this one having been decided by the website’s readers.

The full list can be found here. The City & The City and Yellow Blue Tibia are on the list for this month as I’m hoping to get the BSFA award winner predicted before it’s announced or as least say who I want to win.

I have a half read copy of The Quiet War sitting on my shelves – I just couldn’t get into it – all that training at the beginning isn’t that interesting. Get with the action! Will have another go though as it and Gardens of the Sun have been getting great reviews.

I’m thinking of tackling some of larger books and I’m looking at Galileo’s Dream for it’s Sept paperback release. If I start now I might make it!

link: Coming Soon … « Torque Control

Later this month, or possibly in early April, BSFA members should find a copy of this dropping through their letterbox

Maybe next month I’ll join… this month has been mad in train tickets and car MOTs- I’ve stretched the budget into a new form of mathematics!

link: Walker of Worlds: Cover Art & Synopsis | Guardians of Paradise by Jaine Fenn (Gollancz)

I really like this cover – it’s clearly sci-fi and has that optiomistic feel to it. I’ve yet to read any of Jaine’s work, but I’ve got Principles of Angels sitting on the stack at home. Time to get around to it methinks!

I met Jayne and she’s lovely – she must have been working on this one at the time. Publishing is a slow burn but then you get highlights like this! A great cover!

link: Fantasy Book Critic: “Farlander” by Col Buchanan (Reviewed by Liviu Suciu)

However at some point Farlander pulled the rug from under my expectations and made me reassess all that came before and it remains to be seen how that will pay off. But if anything, this major readjustment of expectations made me very eager to read the next installment which became a big time asap since I am truly curious to see where the story goes from here.

Some great reviews coming for this book including, if the gods will, it one from me

link: Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review: Author Interview! Col Buchanan

I had a great time reading ‘Farlander’ and it seemed like the only way forward was to run some questions past Col for the blog. The man himself was very obliging! Here’s what Col Buchanan had to say for himself…

Graeme so needs to do more interviews!

link: Unbound!: London Macabre – Steven Savile

Finally I get to review this. Ok it’s a little premature but it is finished and I am so happy to be able to talk about it properly.

and

link: Unbound!: Steven Savile – London Macabre (Part Deux)

Happy March, folks! Hagelrat’s already gone on at length about Steven Savile’s London Macabre, giving it a final review a few days ago, as well as providing little gasps and squeals as she read each portion Steven sent over to her. Having now read it myself, I’ll add just a few points from outside the box, so to speak.

Unbound! has been giving this unpublished book a plug – should we bloggers be doing more of this?? I think if we find a book we love maybe we should.

link: Civilian Reader: And one more for Mr. Weeks (Orbit)

I must admit to not being 100% sure about having the protagonist named Gavin, as it seems a little… I don’t know… not entirely heroic. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, though. (What a terrible bias to have…)

Oi!! It is too!!! This is a marmite cover. I think I like it…

link: Review – Horns, Joe Hill « Dazed Rambling

Horns proved to be one of those rare novels with the ability to reach up and grab my attention and interest with ease. I was hooked from the very first chapter–half a page and two paragraphs–and though the book’s grip slackened a couple times as it progressed, it sure as Hell did not let go.

A wonderful 2nd novel in my opinion looking foward to his next one

link: Civilian Reader: Coming soon(ish) from Orbit Books

Ok, so I know that’s way in the future, but saw this cover on Amazon UK, so thought I’d share it:

Check Civilian Reader for the full description but some great books and great covers.

link: GUEST POST | Exclusive Deleted Scene from Blake Charlton’s Spellwright ~ Mad Hatter’s Bookshelf & Book Review

he has given us a piece that was excised from the final book as a special treat along with the story of why it just didn’t fit into Spellwright’s final form. Mr. Charlton also made the selection available in audio format as he is a big proponent of audio performances, especially for his fellow dyslexics out there. Also be sure to stop by his blog where is is making more audio selections available. Enjoy!

I’m slowing finding more and more time to listen to audio books and I’ve just swapped from music to The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (from Audible.co.uk) now that I’ve been reminded I can blog and listen at the same time!

link: Temple Library Reviews: [Interview] Blake Charlton author of Spellwright

Why: I have been hearing about ‘Spellwright’ for ages [well, since August] and then Blake has been an excellent and friendly chap, who has been a Twitter buddy. His blog is bizarre in the good sense and his writing is enchanting. And he is a doctor. Is that not a reason enough. Behold the funny interview that suddenly became serious.

More Spellwright love!

link: Temple Library Reviews: [Review] ‘Spellwright’ by Blake Charlton

Verdict: [A++] I am quite biased, when talking about this book. It appealed to me on so many levels to a point, where even if there are serious issues with ‘Spellwright’, I would never spot them. Charlton has converted a life-long fan in me and I am recommending ‘Spellwright’ left and right to everyone. Certainly a superior book and a promising debut, which most likely will result in a healthy and long-lived career.

Harry says that like it is a bad thing! I have simple criteria for reading and making me enjoy myself overrides mostly everything else

link: Book Chick City > Men of Urban Fantasy

This is a week long event, which focuses on male authors in a genre that is predominately written by women. I have some fantastic guests, lots book reviews, as well as awesome contests!

I’ve got to write mine – I’m talking about Jim Butcher and Harry Dreden though I’m also wondering about mentioning Mike Carey’s Felix Castor…. dilemma!!

Speaking of dilemmas…

link: Walker of Worlds: SFF Book Releases for March 2010

There are 107 titles listed below for release in March – more than enough choice for anyone! Some titles that I am looking forward to and would like to read are:

Books that are calling to me include:

1. EVE: The Burning Life by Hjalti Danielsson
2. This Is Not a Game by Walter Jon Williams (great book -my review)
3. Terminal World by Alastair Reynolds
4. Xeelee: An Omnibus by Stephen Baxter
5. METRO 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky
6. The Third God by Ricardo Pinto
7. The Mystery of Grace by Charles de Lint
8. Spellwright by Blake Charlton (UK Release – 27 May 2010)
9. Farlander by Col Buchanan
10. The Last Stormlord: Book 1 of the Stormlord trilogy by Glenda Larke
11. Oath of Fealty: Paladin’s Legacy: Book One by Elizabeth Moon
12. The Midnight Mayor: A Matthew Swift Novel by Kate Griffin
13. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
14. Avilion by Robert Holdstock (great book -my review)
15. Destroyer of Worlds by Mark Chadbourn
16. King Maker by Maurice Broaddus

Wow! That’s only one pass! These are mostly UK releases thankfully. Any you fancy?

link: Stomping on Yeti: YetiStomper Picks for March

Just my luck that March offers an absurd amount of good books to check out, regardless of which subgenre you are looking for.

This are US centric but allows me to mention Changless and the fact that Gail Carriger’s Soulless is coming to the UK!! So excited! I can also mention The Sorcerer’s House – Gene Wolfe. Now that’s a book that I need in the UK.

link: The Wertzone: New cover art for Peter F. Hamilton’s COMMONWEALTH SAGA

hilst the artwork is good, I can’t hep but feel the artwork is misleading. Whilst there is military action in the duology, it is a fairly small part of the story. In addition, the artwork looks more near-future military SF than galaxy-spanning space opera in the late 24th Century, and might have been a better fit for Hamilton’s near-future Greg Mandel trilogy.

I wasn’t really keen on Pandora’s Star until Adam’s post which points out that both covers fit together – haven’t read the contents so can’t comment on the fit of the covers but they look as good as the ones before and it’s always nice to see a re-jack.

Though saying that I saw the new Anne Rice covers the other day – Queen of the Damned looked horrid. The old ones where so much nicer!

link: Walker of Worlds: Cover Art & Synopsis | The Evolutionary Void by Peter F Hamilton (Macmillan)

Peter F Hamilton’s The Evolutionary Void, due from Macmillan in September this year, is my most eagerly anticipated book this year and I have been waiting for this cover for a long time. I like it. I like it a lot. An aerial shot of Makkathran was always going to be good, and while this is not quite what I have in my head when reading, it looks and feels right – Steve Stone has done a great job.

I’ve read The Dream Void breaking my own self imposed ban on long books and I loved it. I need a reading clone….

link: The new look is coming along | The Blog

My books are getting a new look both in the UK and the US this year. Below you can see what the paperback of The Blue Demon will look like when it appears in the UK in September.

Some more pretty covers.

link: Maskerade by Terry Pratchett | BookieMonster

I’m currently reading Maskerade by Terry Pratchett, I don’t think I’ll do a full review but just had to say – is this possibly the funniest Discworld book of them all? It’s truly hilarious. From the very first page:

It’s rare i’ll reread anything but Pratchett is one of those rare authors that you can enjoy endlessly. The Witches is also my favourite thread in Discworld

link: Fantasy Book Critic: Spotlight on March Books

This month Robert Thompson provided most of the book titles with additions by Cindy Hannikman, Liviu Suciu and Mihir Wanchoo. We are featuring 66 books.

Overloaded yet??

How about adding:

“City of the Snakes” by Darren Shan. UK Release Date: March 4, 2010.
Lord Sunday” By Garth Nix. Release Date: March 16, 2010
“Thirteen Years Later” by Jasper Kent. UK Release Date: March 18, 2010. (though I’m only mentioning it for the Twelve fans – I’m sure I could use it as kindling…lol)
“A Matter of Blood: The Dog-faced Gods Trilogy” by Sarah Pinborough. March 25, 2010. (I’m reading this one this month!!)
“The Age of Zeus” by James Lovegrove. Release Date: March 30, 2010. (Everyone in the US needs to read this! And UK too)

link: PETRONA: Book review: The Missing by Jane Casey

thoroughly enjoyed Jane Casey’s debut novel, The Missing. The story is told from the perspective of Sarah, a young English teacher whose brother Charlie disappeared from the family garden almost 20 years ago. Sarah was in the garden at the time, but half-asleep, so can’t remember exactly what happened. Part of the novel tells the story of the impact of this event on Sarah and her parents. Gradually, we come to see the full effects of the devastation wrought on all three of them – as individuals, as a family, and as the rest of the community in their Surrey commuter town perceives them.

Crime stories are most powerful when they show the community and the families and how they affect the crime and it’s aftermath. Sounds great.

link: Floor to Ceiling Books: Female Characters in Fantasy Literature

In conclusion, I would say that we cannot apply a sweeping generalization and say that all female characters suffer from a lack of realism in fantasy literature – but I would state that women are struggling in comparison to their male counterparts. I would welcome your thoughts – please leave a comment!

Some great comments too. Haven’t thought about this if I’m honest but then I’m really bad at my male to female writer ratio when reading

link: Walker of Worlds: Cover Art | Version 43 by Philip Palmer (Orbit)

I can see that Orbit have chosen a direction for Palmer’s books and I think it’s quite a nice style for this book, although until reading the blurb I wasn’t convinced of it. The plastic toy image is definitely something different and one that worked very well for Red Claw, I’m just not 100% sure it works here, at least not as an instantly recognisable sci-fi cover.

I love it! I’m sorry but I do!

link: Civilian Reader: “Farlander”, by Col Buchanan (Tor)

To be honest, this is a really difficult review to write. I started to love this novel very quickly, finding myself swept up by Buchanan’s prose and the story, becoming immersed in the tale each and every time I picked up the book (it was only due to other commitments that I didn’t read this in one or two sittings).

Reading in one or two sittings?? I wish I could do that. I have an inner five year old that can’t sit still that long I swear! Another great review of Farlander though!

And I think that’s more than enough for now! And hasn’t everyone been busy.

Did you manage to make it to the end? I’m exhausted!