Previous SFF Author: Jay Posey
Magic’s Promise by Mercedes Lackey
Magic’s Promise is the second book in Mercedes Lackey’s THE LAST HERALD MAGE trilogy. This review is likely to spoil some of the first book’s plot, so be warned.
It’s been several years since the horrid events that took place at the end of the Magic’s Pawn. Vanyel is now the most powerful Herald-Mage on the planet and he’s been traveling all around the realm helping to fight a war with one of Valdemar’s neighbors.
May 20th, 2014. Kat Hooper´s rating: 2 | Mercedes Lackey | Audio | SFF Reviews | 5 comments |
The Ganymede Takeover by Philip K. Dick
When I read Henry Kuttner and C.L. Moore‘s 1946 novella Chessboard Planet some years back, the thought occurred to me that this story is a must-read for all fans of cult author Philip K. Dick. In the story, the United States is in the midst of a decades-long war with the European union and is in big trouble, because scientists working for the enemy have come up with a formula employing “variable constants” that can completely preempt reality.
May 20th, 2014. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4 | Philip K. Dick | Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 7 comments |
Magic’s Pawn by Mercedes Lackey
Vanyel Ashkevron is miserable at home. His father, one of the lords of Valdemar, wants him to be a warrior like the other boys in the family, but Vanyel, who’s more interested in clothes and music, wants to be a bard. After getting beat up by the armsmaster, Vanyel is sent to be fostered by his Aunt Savil who trains Valdemar’s Herald-Mages. At first he is terrified, but soon he realizes that he is finally free to discover the truths about himself. He experiences love and tragedy and,
May 19th, 2014. Kat Hooper´s rating: 2 | Mercedes Lackey | Audio | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |
Earthlight by Arthur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke is one of the most influential writers of science fiction. His quiet optimism, faith in science, and ability to tell straightforward but intriguing tales endeared him to a generation of fans that continues to this day. Earthlight, his sixth published novel, follows directly on the heels of his successful Childhood’s End, and though rather simplistic in presentation, adheres to the author’s style in perfect fashion.
Earthlight is the story of Bertram Sadler,
May 19th, 2014. Jesse Hudson and Kat Hooper´s rating: 3 | Arthur C. Clarke | SFF Reviews | no comments |
The Legion of Space by Jack Williamson
The Legion of Space, the opening salvo of a tetralogy that Jack Williamson wrote over a nearly 50-year period, was initially released as a six-part serial in the April-September 1934 issues of Astounding Stories. (This was some years before the publication changed its name to Astounding Science-Fiction, in March 1938, and, with the guidance of newly ensconced editor John W. Campbell, Jr, became the most influential magazine in sci-fi history.) It was ultimately given the hardcover novel treatment in 1947.
May 17th, 2014. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4 | Jack Williamson | SFF Reviews | 5 comments |
Green Lantern Vol. 4: Dark Days (The New 52) by Robert Venditti
Venditti has one of the most difficult jobs a writer can get in writing monthly comics: Taking over a title that has just finished a long successful run by another author. Green Lantern was written by Geoff Johns from 2004-2013. And, though I’ve never been a huge Green Lantern fan, I read that series because Johns is a great writer. Because of Johns, I know enough about Green Lantern’s character to be interested in what he’s up to now,
May 16th, 2014. Brad Hawley´s rating: 3 | Comics | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
Seraph of the End (Vol 1): Vampire Reign by Takaya Kagami
Seraph of the End is an exciting shonen manga with some creepy post-apocalyptic elements combined with the vampire genre. This is the third vampire book I’ve reviewed in the past few weeks, and I’ve never been drawn to vampire stories to begin with. I do enjoy many vampire stories — from Dracula to a few by Rice, and I love Buffy — but I don’t actively seek them out.
May 16th, 2014. Brad Hawley´s rating: 3.5 | Comics | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Skraelings: Clashes in the Old Arctic by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley
Skraelings: Clashes in the Old Arctic, by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, is a Middle Grade book that despite some problems has a winning charm to it.
Set in, well, the old Arctic, at a time when the Inuit were just entering a land, the story is both a coming-of-age tale and a clash of cultures narrative. The coming-of-age belongs to a young Inuit hunter named Kannujaq. The culture clash involves the new-to-this-land Inuit,
May 16th, 2014. Bill Capossere´s rating: 3.5 | Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley | Children | SFF Reviews | no comments |
It’s award season in Science Fiction and Fantasy Land, with the 49th annual Nebula Awards Weekend starting TODAY (Terry and I will be attending), and the Hugos coming up in August. The Hugo slate wins the Everyone’s-in-a-Froth award for the nomination of the entire WHEEL OF TIME series in the best novel category, a nomination which is allowed by the World Science Fiction Society, but leaves people saying, “Wha—hunh?”
We’ve got all the short-listed novels reviewed (links below), but we want to know what you think. Have you read them? Which books do you think will win?
May 15th, 2014. Marion Deeds | Giveaway!, Thoughtful Thursday | 17 comments |
Talus and the Frozen King by Graham Edwards
If Jean Auel and Arthur Conan Doyle had collaborated, the result might have been Talus, the bard detective at the center of Graham Edwards’ novel, Talus and the Frozen King. Set in northern Europe during the Neolithic period, Talus and his companion Watson, umm, I mean Bran, stumble across an island village mourning the sudden death of their king. It takes only a few pages for Talus to throw everything into chaos with his Quincy-like revelation (yes,
May 15th, 2014. Bill Capossere´s rating: 3 | Graham Edwards | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
Previous SFF Author: Jay Posey
Do it! One of the best things I've read in recent years.
This reminds me. I want to read Addie LaRue.
We’re in total agreement David!
I felt just the same. The prose and character work was excellent. The larger story was unsatisfying, especially compared to…
Hmmm. I think I'll pass.