Fantasy September 2008 "Being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be." ~ Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997) New and Recently Released! Ink and Steel: A Novel of the Promethean Age - by Elizabeth Bear Publisher: Roc Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/2008 ISBN: 9780451462091 ISBN-10: 0451462092 Historical Fantasy. In this prequel to Campbell-award winning author Elizabeth Bear's Promethean Age series, Elizabeth I occupies the English throne, while Queen Mab reigns in the parallel world of Fae. Helping to maintain the balance between these realms is a magical secret society called the Prometheus Club. Spy Kit Marley--better known as the poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe--is one of their members, but when he is murdered in the line of duty, young Will Shakespeare must take his place. There's only one problem: Will has no magical abilities. Therefore, it's up to Kit, miraculously restored by Faerie magic, to assist Will--while searching for the traitor who took his life. Jhegaala - by Steven Brust Publisher: Tor Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/8/2008 ISBN: 9780765301475 ISBN-10: 0765301474 Noir Fantasy. Imagine Raymond Chandler with elves, witches, and dragons and you'll have a sense of what makes the latest installment of Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos books such an entertaining read. Reeling from his recent divorce, Vlad flees to far-off Fenario to stay with relatives--with the criminal organization Jhereg hot on his trail! However, this is only the beginning of our hero's troubles. Arriving in the remote papermaking town of Burz, Vlad attemps to locate his Merss kinfolk, only to find them all brutally murdered. Sinister forces are at work in this sleepy burg, and Vlad is determined to solve the mystery--and get his revenge. Vicious Circle - by Mike Carey Publisher: Grand Central Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/28/2008 ISBN: 9780446580311 ISBN-10: 0446580317 Mystery Fantasy. Freelance exorcist Felix Castor, last seen in The Devil You Know, returns in this "deftly crafted, can't-turn-the-page-fast-enough read" (Kirkus Reviews). Working out of seedy offices in a near-future London populated by zombies, demons, and werewolves, Felix jumps at the chance for distraction when a young couple hires him to solve an unusual case: their daughter has been kidnapped--after her death in a terrible accident. Unfortunately, his new clients haven't been entirely honest with him. Aided by supernatural allies, Felix must discern the truth while confronting Hell's worst adversaries. Fans of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's Brimstone series will find much to enjoy in this book. Mage-Guard of Hamor - by L.E. Modesitt, Jr. Publisher: Tor Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/22/2008 ISBN: 9780765319272 ISBN-10: 0765319276 Epic Fantasy. Still as hotheaded as he is talented, apprentice mage-in-exile Rahl returns to the land of Recluce in this sequel to Natural Ordermage. Taking up a position as a mage-guard on the island of Hamor, where the government places strict controls on magic, Rahl receives training from older guard Taryl. Attesting to its popularity among readers, this is the 15th entry in Modesitt's intricately crafted series. However, if you're new to Recluce, don't let that deter you! Each novel is written as a stand-alone work, and since the series spans nearly 2,000 years of Reclusian history and features a different cast of characters in almost every book, you can jump in now and read the others later. Victory of Eagles: A Novel of Temeraire - by Naomi Novik Publisher: Del Rey Books Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/8/2008 ISBN: 9780345496881 ISBN-10: 0345496884 Historical Fantasy. When Napoleon mounts a full-scale invasion of Britain, the nation's only hope is Captain Will Laurence and his dragon comrade-in-arms Temeraire. Alas, Laurence, convicted on charges of treason, now languishes on a prison ship, while Temeraire has been exiled to Welsh breeding grounds. Following a daring escape, Laurence attempts to reunite with his dragon companion. Meanwhile, the brave Temeraire, believing his Laurence to be dead, decides to unite his fellow dragons in common cause against the enemy. Fans of Temeraire's thrilling adventures, of which this is number five, "will be richly rewarded," says Publishers Weekly. First Chapter The Veil of Gold - by Kim Wilkins Publisher: St. Martin's Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/22/2008 ISBN: 9780765320063 ISBN-10: 0765320061 Fairy Tale Fantasy. "Adult fairy tales don't come any better than this," says Publishers Weekly of this spellbinding take on Russian history and folklore. When modern-day enchantress Rosa discovers an ancient golden bear figurine hidden in the walls of a Russian bathhouse, she sets in motion a dangerous chain of events. As Rosa's lover, Daniel St. Clair, and Daniel's boss, Em Hayward, travel to Arkhangelsk to authenticate the figurine, the two are mysteriously transported to Skalzi, the Russian land of enchantment. While Daniel and Em must fight for survival among mythical creatures long since banished "across the veil," Rosa must use all her powers to search for the missing scholars and rescue them. Focus on: Princesses The Misted Cliffs - by Catherine Asaro Publisher: Luna Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/2005 ISBN: 9780373802265 ISBN-10: 0373802269 Romantic Fantasy. In order to seal a peace treaty between two feuding families, Mel Dawnfield, a gifted mage and heir to the throne of Harsdown, enters into a marriage of state with royal rival Cobalt the Dark. However, Cobalt is not the monster he is reputed to be, and Cobalt's expectations of a dull-witted, ugly bride are foiled by the beautiful and highly capable Mel, who is as talented with a sword as she is with a spell. Unfortunately, the truce between them does not extend to the rest of the country, and they must work together to prevent the outbreak of war. Booklist calls this novel "a convincing tale of geometry-based magic and romance between two flawed but heroic people." First Chapter The Crown Rose - by Fiona Avery Publisher: Pyr Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/5/2005 ISBN: 9781591023128 ISBN-10: 1591023122 Historical/Mythic Fantasy. In the year 1234, nine-year-old Princess Isabelle, younger sister to the future King Louis IX of France, knows that she is "destined to do great things." However, as a young woman, she faces considerable obstacles in achieving this destiny. After a mysterious stranger rescues her from a rabid dog, he then proceeds to show up at significant moments in her life, becoming first mentor and later soul mate as Isabelle comes to realize her potential. However, this man, who goes by the name of Jean Benariel, is more than he seems--and may be far older than he appears. History and legend artfully combine in this "superior historical fantasy" (Publishers Weekly). Deerskin - by Robin McKinley Publisher: Ace Books/Berkley Publishing Group Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/1/2005 ISBN: 9780441012398 ISBN-10: 0441012396 Fairy Tale Fantasy. By the time Princess Lissla Lissar turns seventeen, she has inherited her dead mother's exquisite beauty--so much so that her own father decides to marry her! Horrified, Princess Lissar flees and takes refuge in the forest. The Moon Goddess takes pity on the girl, taking away her traumatic memories and giving her a deerskin dress. However, when Lissar falls in love with kindly Prince Ossin, her memories start to return. Can she bring herself to tell her beloved about her past, and if she does, will he still love her? Vivid prose and "superlative characterization" (Booklist) distinguish this adult take on the lesser-known fairytale "Donkeyskin." A Princess of Roumania - by Paul Park Publisher: Tor Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 7/1/2005 ISBN: 9780765310965 ISBN-10: 0765310961 Fantasy. When Miranda Popescu was a little girl, her adoptive parents rescued her from a Romanian orphanage and brought her to a small town in Massachusetts. However, prior to this (and unbeknownst to her), Miranda was a princess in an alternate world called "Roumania." But all that changes when the mad Baroness Ceaucescu sends the now-teenaged Miranda back to her birthworld. With her two best friends in tow, Miranda must defeat the schemes of the Baroness and find her way home--although she's no longer sure where "home" might be. "Dashing adventure and delicious heartbreak" (Publishers Weekly) make author Park's intricate fantasy novel a delight. First Chapter Elantris - by Brandon Sanderson Publisher: Tor Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/1/2005 ISBN: 9780765311771 ISBN-10: 0765311771 Fantasy. Ten years after the fall of Elantris, the once-mighty capital of the kingdom of Arelon, its inhabitants are cursed with a wasting disease that suspends them between life and death. Upon her arrival in Arelon's new capital, Kae, where she is to enter into an arranged marriage, Princess Sarene learns that her betrothed, Prince Raoden, has been declared dead. In reality, Raoden is a prisoner in slime-covered Elantris. While Raoden attempts to liberate his fellow captives, Sarene--now declared regent in her "late" husband's stead--must learn to survive in a treacherous political climate. This impressive debut novel "offers something for everyone" (Publishers Weekly). The White Mare - by Jules Watson Publisher: Overlook Press Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/3/2005 ISBN: 9781585676200 ISBN-10: 1585676209 Celtic Fantasy. Ancient Alba (modern-day Scotland) is the setting for this "potent mix of historical fiction, druid-tinged fantasy, and romance" (Kirkus Reviews). Both a priestess and a princess, red-headed Rhian is the last of the royal family of the Epidii tribe and thus responsible for producing an heir. Given as a bride to the exiled Irish prince Eremon, Rhiann learns to put duty before desire for the sake of her people. Meanwhile, she realizes that the steadily encroaching Roman army is a threat to the Epidii way of life--and that unity between the constantly feuding tribes of Alba is the only way to survive. Fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon will find a similar blend of Celtic myth and magic to enjoy in this novel.