[bksvol-discuss] Fw: Fantasy November 2008
- From: "Amber Wallenstein" <amber.wallens@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:44:04 -0500
"The fate of this man or that man was less than a drop, although it was a
sparkling one, in the great blue motion of the sunlit sea."
~ from T.H. White's The Once and Future King
New and Recently Released!
Lord Tophet: A Shadowbridge novel - by Gregory Frost
Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine Books
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 7/29/2008
ISBN: 9780345497598
ISBN-10: 0345497597
Fantasy. In a world where city-like bridges (called "spans") traverse a vast
ocean, Leodora is a talented storyteller and shadow-puppeteer. Because women
are barred from the profession, Leodora dresses in boy's clothing and calls
herself Jax. One day, while performing on the span of Colemaigne, she is
spirited
away to a strange realm called Edgeworld. Upon her return, she angers
soul-devouring god Lord Tophet by breaking the curse he has placed upon
Colemaigne.
In revenge, he orders his agents to apprehend "Jax," and Leodora finds herself
on the run. This novel by Gregory Frost is the sequel to his critically
acclaimed Shadowbridge, so be sure to read that book first.
First Chapter
Pandemonium - by Daryl Gregory
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 8/26/2008
ISBN: 9780345501165
ISBN-10: 0345501160
Alternate History. In an alternate world where demonic possession is
commonplace (yet hardly understood), Del Pierce plays host to the Hellion, a
destructive
entity that has lived in his head since childhood. Things could be worse: other
demons include Kamikaze, who causes spectacular suicides, and Truth, who
kills liars. Still, Del is fed up with the situation and embarks on a quest to
get rid of the Hellion once and for all. His search for answers turns into
a race against time as the Hellion begins to exert greater control. Then, he
discovers that he may have the power to end demonic possession forever. This
highly original debut novel will keep you on the edge of your seat.
First Chapter
The Bell at Sealey Head - by Patricia A. McKillip
Publisher: Ace Books
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 9/2/2008
ISBN: 9780441016303
ISBN-10: 0441016308
Mystery Fantasy. In the tiny seaside town of Sealey Head, mystery and
enchantment exist side-by-side. Each evening at sunset, an unseen bell rings
out and,
in nearby Aislinn House, doors open to reveal a fairytale castle, complete with
princesses and knights. As ailing Lady Eglantyne, the aged mistress of
Aislinn House, nears the end of her life, the question of inheritance comes up.
Enter Miranda Beryl, Lady Eglantyne's long lost grand-niece, who is
eager-perhaps
too eager-to make Aislinn House her home. Is there another reason she's come?
World Fantasy Award-winner Patricia McKillip presents a magical mystery that
is sure to delight readers.
The Hero of Ages - by Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 10/14/2008
ISBN: 9780765316899
ISBN-10: 0765316897
High Fantasy. In this 3rd and final installment of the Sanderson's popular
Mistborn trilogy (after The Final Empire and The Well of Ascension), emperor
Elend Venture and his wife Vin are up against an evil spirit called Ruin, which
threatens the existence of the entire kingdom. Fortunately, the duo's Mistborn
powers enable them to use ingested metal particles to enhance their mental and
physical abilities. But allomancy isn't enough to defeat the forces of Ruin
unless Venture and Vin can locate a secret weapon: a supply of the super-metal
atium hidden by the last emperor. Between complex characters and a compelling
plot, Hero of Ages is a riveting read.
Focus on: Swordplay
The Sword of Shannara - Terry Brooks; illustrated by the Brothers Hildebrant
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 5/1/1995
ISBN: 9780345314253
ISBN-10: 0345314255
Epic Fantasy. In the millennia since the "Great Wars," when nuclear holocaust
devastated Earth, humankind has mutated into four races--Men, Dwarves, Gnomes,
and Trolls--while Elves, who went into hiding thousands of years ago, have
begun to come out of seclusion. Technology is lost, but magic has taken its
place. When Half-Elven Shea Ohmsford encounters Allanon, the last of the
Druids, he learns that the dreaded Warlock Lord has returned to the land--and
that he's after Shea, the only one capable of wielding the Sword of Shannara.
The problem is, the Warlock Lord has the sword. Can Shea retrieve it and
defeat his enemy? Be sure to read this book, originally published in 1977 and
the 1st book in the Shannara series.
First Chapter
The Privilege of the Sword - by Ellen Kushner
Publisher: Small Beer Press
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 10/22/2006
ISBN: 9781931520201
ISBN-10: 1931520208
Fantasy of Manners. Lady Katherine Samantha Campion Talbert is a well
brought-up young woman, so imagine her surprise when she is shipped off to live
with
her uncle, the so-called Mad Duke of Tremontaigne, whose scandalous reputation
has society tongues wagging. She's even more surprised when the Duke reveals
his plans for her: she is to become a swordswoman, trained by her uncle's
favorite lover, the blind master swordsman Richard St. Vier. Her newly acquired
skills come in handy when she's faced with treachery on all sides. With plenty
of action and the return of characters from Ellen Kushner's earlier book,
Swordspoint, this novel is sure to please newcomers and fans alike.
A Game of Thrones - by George R.R. Martin
Publisher: Bantam Books
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 8/1/1996
ISBN: 9780553103540
ISBN-10: 0553103547
Heroic Fantasy. This exciting 1st entry in George R.R. Martin's fantasy series,
A Song of Fire and Ice, has it all: complex characters in a fully realized
world, battle and espionage, derring-do and dastardly deeds. Winter has come to
the Seven Kingdoms, and with seasons that last for decades, there's no
end in sight. As a host of rivals vie for the realm's throne, incumbent ruler
Robert Baratheon summons Ned Stark of Winterfell to help him maintain peace
and stability. Ned has his work cut out for him-especially after the
power-hungry Lannister family murders Baratheon and throws Ned in jail. Can Ned
right
the wrongs that have been perpetrated? Read this book-and its sequels-to find
out.
First Chapter
The Once and Future King - by T. H. White
Publisher: Putnam
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 6/1/1958
ISBN: 9780399105975
ISBN-10: 0399105972
Classic. Based loosely on Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, this retelling
of Arthurian legend traces the mythical king's life from boyhood to sovereignty,
and features well-known elements of the original tales, including the sword
Excalibur, the Knights of the Round Table, and the quest for the Holy Grail.
Author T.H. White adds to the narrative by fleshing out familiar
figures-including Arthur himself and his mentor, the backward-aging Merlyn, who
gets younger
as his protégé grows older. Originally published in 1958, this book (the first
part of which inspired the Disney film The Sword in the Stone) has delighted
generations of readers.
Graphic Novels
The Sandman: Endless Nights - by Neil Gaiman
Publisher: DC Comics
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 9/1/2004
ISBN: 9781401201135
ISBN-10: 140120113X
Mythic Fantasy. Fans of Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel series will rejoice
at these seven lavishly illustrated stories, each tale featuring one of
the Endless--a group of alliteratively named siblings who represent abstract
concepts, such as Destiny, Despair, and Desire. But it's not just for die-hard
fans: anyone who appreciates top-notch storytelling and lush artwork will enjoy
this Bram Stoker Award-winning collection, with each chapter rendered by
a different artist, including P. Craig Russell and Barron Storey. Publishers
Weekly says this book is an excellent opportunity "for Gaiman's prose readers
to see his visions turned into lush, dramatic images."
Castle Waiting - by Linda Medley; with an introduction by Jane Yolen
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 5/30/2006
ISBN: 9781560977476
ISBN-10: 1560977477
Fairy Tale Fantasy. Described by Publishers Weekly as a "modern, feminist
Chaucer for happy people," Linda Medley's Eisner Award-winning graphic novel
takes
classic fairy tales and puts a whole new spin on them. After the prince awakens
Sleeping Beauty with a kiss, he carries her off, leaving her ramshackle
castle empty.well, almost empty. Three ladies-in-waiting--Patience, Prudence,
and Plenty--decide to stay on and are soon joined by new companions. Lady
Jain, pregnant and fleeing her abusive husband, joins horse-headed knight Sir
Destrier and bearded nun Sister Peace as they tell their stories. Superb
writing and elegant artwork combine to create an absorbing fantasy world.
Bone: One Volume Edition - by Jeff Smith
Publisher: Cartoon Books
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 7/28/2004
ISBN: 9781888963144
ISBN-10: 188896314X
Heroic Fantasy. After being run out of their hometown of Boneville, three
cousins--average guy Fone Bone, scheming Phoncible P. "Phoney" Bone, and
dimwitted
Smiley Bone--are chased by a swarm of locusts across a vast desert into a
mysterious valley threatened by an ancient evil. Rescued by Thorn and Gran'ma
Ben, the trio decides to repay the favor by helping them in their fight for
freedom. Publishers Weekly calls Bone "a Chuck Jones version of The Lord of
the Rings." This humorous, heartwarming, suspenseful, and wholly one-of-a-kind
saga will tickle your funny bone and keep you turning the pages.
Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall - by Bill Willingham; illustrated by Esao
Andrews and others
Publisher: Vertigo
Check Library Catalog
Pub Date: 10/30/2006
ISBN: 9781401203672
ISBN-10: 1401203671
Fairy Tale Fantasy. Driven out of their homeland by the mysterious Adversary, a
group of folkloric characters called "Fables" make their home in the New
York City enclave of Fabletown, where they attempt to blend in with ordinary
humans. In this prequel to Bill Willingham's critically acclaimed series,
Snow White journeys to the lands of the Arabian Fables, where the Adversary has
not yet gained a foothold. Her purpose is to enlist allies, but when the
Sultan imprisons her, she becomes a kind of Scheherazade, revealing the
histories of the individual Fables. If you're a Fables fan, you'll love reading
about your favorite characters; if you're new to the series, this is a great
place to start!
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