[bksvol-discuss] Fw: Fantasy September 2008
- From: "Amber Wallenstein" <amber.wallens@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:56:56 -0400
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.
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