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STEPHEN KING'S UNDER THE DOME out now on audio CD (see below for details)
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GAIL CARRIGER: SOULLESS (Orbit PB)
Alexia Tarabotti is labouring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead.
Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social
etiquette. Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia
accidentally kills the vampire - and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud,
messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With
unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems
to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to
London's high society? Or will her soulless ability to negate supernatural
powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy,
and do they have treacle tart? SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian
London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking. Who'd have thought it? Victorian England populated by vamps, weres, and other supernatural beings? This is highly original and terrific fun - reminiscent of Jane Austen for its take on manners and conventions, but a new, exciting voice in urban fantasy lifts it above the crowd. The sense of fun is sustained throughout - doesn't take itself too seriously, is a delight to read, and you can't
help but fall in love with the heroine. Breathtakingly good.
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Everything stops for Weeks...
 BRENT WEEKS: THE BLACK PRISM (Lightbringer Trilogy Volume 1 Orbit HB)
The start of a brand new trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author of THE WAY OF SHADOWS. Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all
that preserves a tenuous peace. But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly
how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals. But
when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put
him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret
that could tear his world apart.
There are a handful of authors for whom I will automatically shelve everything else I'm reading in order to concentrate on a new book. At Books Monthly I regularly receive upwards of 100 books every month and often have four or five titles on the go at the same time. This
week, the extraordinary new book from Brent Weeks, THE BLACK PRISM, arrived, and I had no hesitation in putting aside those five other titles, some of which I was enjoying immensely, to pick up this huge book and to start reading it. Brent has achieved the seemingly impossible - the first totally original fantasy novel for many, many years. I described the NIGHT ANGEL trilogy as probably one of the best fantasy series of the decade, but I'm going to have to revise that opinion. As good as it was (and it was outstandingly
good), THE BLACK PRISM is in a class of its own, and outshines just about every fantasy title I've read since LORD OF THE RINGS was unleashed on an unsuspecting public in the 1950s. It is a triumph. The fantasy element is truly astonishing, the characters are brilliant, the dialogue is as natural as you could possibly want it to be. This is an outstanding book, given very special treatment by Orbit in a handsome hardback version that will take pride of place on my shelf, and I hope the publishers maintain this
standard of publication for the remaining two titles in the trilogy. And when book two appears, I'll once again drop everything to read it - it's really that good! Click on the banner below to visit the official Brent Weeks site and learn more about this extraordinary author.
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STEPHEN KING: THE BATTLE OF JERICHO HILL (Marvel Comics HB)
A bold new story featuring Roland Deschain and his beleaguered ka-tet on the run following the complete destruction of their beloved city of Gilead! And when
such as gilead falls, the pillars of reality itself - the six beams holding all
of existance together - begins to crumble. The satanic plan of the Crimson King
to return all of existance to the primal state of chaos is nigh. Plus, just in
time for the fun, it's the return of master storyteller Jae Lee to the role of
penciler! Don't miss it! Collects Dark Tower: The Battle of Jericho Hill
#1-5. This volume was kindly supplied for review by Diamond Book Distribution, for which many thanks indeed.
This is the final part of the first set of graphic novels based on Stephen King's blockbuster bestseller THE DARK TOWER, although there is mention of new stories to come. The beauty of this book is that it fills in gaps, illustrates the story of Roland's background. Added to that the unique atmosphere created
by artist Jae Lee and you have a collectors' item that's as essential to a King fan as anything actually written by the great man himself. Stunning, beautiful, essential...
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STEPHEN KING: THE STAND - SOUL SURVIVORS (Marvel Comics HB)
M-O-O-N spells the start of the third volume of Marvel's critically acclaimed adaptation of Stephen King's horror epic. Nick Andros has hit the road and
teamed up with the child-like Tom Cullen. After the horrors of Captain Trips, a
bike trip through Oklahoma and Nebraska sounds like fun, right? Except it's
tornado season, True Believers, and not everyone Nick and Tom meet is on the
side of the angels. Hell hath no fury like Julie Lawry, another survivor of the
plague... Collects The Stand: Soul Survivors #1-5. This volume was kindly supplied for review by Diamond Book Distribution, for which many thanks indeed.
Graphic novelisations of Stephen King works are coming thick and fast. Last month I reviewed TITAN BOOKS's first volume of THE TALISMAN, and this month the third fantastic volume of the graphic version of THE STAND, probably King's most popular work (although I personally favour
THE DARK TOWER). The artwoork in this book is superlative, and realises the characters exactly as I envisioned them, rather than as they were portrayed in the TV movie (now available as a DVD). Fran, in particular, is perfect, and the whole package is simply sublime.
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 UNDER THE DOME by STEPHEN KING (Hodder Audio CD)
Under the Dome is the story of the small town of Chester's Mill, Maine which is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. In Under the Dome, Stephen King has produced another riveting masterpiece. The end of every chapter hooks you into the next, drawing you inside a psychological drama that is so rich, you don't read it, you live it.The normal rules of society are suddenly changed and when food, electricity and water run short, the community begins to crumble. As a new and more sinister social order develops, Dale Barbara, Iraq veteran, teams up with a handful of intrepid citizens to fight against the corruption that is sweeping through the town and to try to discover the source of the Dome before it is too late . . . This audio CD version contains 30 CDs running for around 37 hours, and is read by RAUL ESPARZA, who has appeared in three of the Batman movies. Published by Hodder and with an astonishing list price (according to Amazon) of £9.99. I did notice a small mistake on the box, which states that many of King's short stories and novels have been made into films, including STAND BY ME, RITA HAYWORTH, and THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. In fact, SHAWSHANK was based on the short story RITA HAYWORTH AND THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION... but that aside, this is a terrific reading by Esparza, who does the voices to perfection. From the opening music, and the announcer's statement that this is STEPHEN KING's UNDER THE DOME, you know you're in for a great experience - 37 hours of the reading of a novel that has surely reestatblished King's credentials as the world's number one bestseller. A brilliant package, a brilliant reading, and an utterly brilliant story!
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CELINE KIERNAN: THE CROWDED SHADOWS - Book 2 of the MOORHAWKE TRILOGY (Orbit PB)
Wynter Moorehawke has fled the dangers of court for bandit-infested forests, seeking exiled prince Alberon. But more than just thieves lurk in these shadows. Every tyrant and zealot who has ever threatened the kingdom is sending emissaries to meet Alberon, whose motivations seem unclear. Razi and
Christopher had also set out to track Alberon, and find Wynter as enemies close in. With a savage wolf clan on their heels, they must seek sanctuary with the nomadic Merron. But this leaves them enmeshed in a net of sinister black magics and forbidden ritual. Their safety and the kingdom's future will depend on a web of alliances and hostilities. And Alberon and his war machine sit at its heart. Second volume in the Moorhawke trilogy, and equally as good
as the first. It was wonderful catching up with the characters. Kiernan has an assured future in pure fantasy. This is great.
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STEVEN ERIKSON: THE TALES OF BAUCHELAIN AND KORBAL BROACH Vol. 1 (Bantam Press HB)
"Blood Follows" - In the port city of Lamentable Moll, a diabolical killer stalks the streets and panic grips the citizens like a fever. As Emancipor Reese's legendary ill luck would have it, his previous employer is the unknown killer's latest victim. But two strangers have come to
town, and they have posted in Fishmonger's Round a note, reeking of death-warded magic, requesting the services of a manservant. "The Lees Of Laughter's End" - After their blissful sojourn in Lamentable Moll, the sorcerers Bauchelain and Korbal Broach - along with their manservant, Emancipor Reese - set out on the open seas aboard the sturdy ship Suncurl. Alas, there's more baggage in the hold than meets the beady eyes of the crew, and unseemly terrors awaken. For Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, and Emancipor
Reese, it is just one more night on the high seas, on a journey without end. "The Healthy Dead" - The city of Quaint's zeal for goodness can be catastrophic, and no one knows this better than Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, two stalwart champions of all things bad. The homicidal necromancers - and their substance-addled manservant, Emancipor Reese - find themselves ensnared in a scheme to bring goodness into utter ruination. Sometimes you must bring down civilization...in the name of civilization. The legendary Malazan Empire has a huge following, and fans will welcome this latest addition to the series. Erikson is now a much respected elder of the fantasy genre. Terrific.
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BECCA FITZPATRICK: CRESCENDO (Simon and Schuster HB)
Nora should know better than to think her life can return to normal after falling in love with a fallen angel. And Nora's life isn't normal - her dad was murdered, and the facts about his death just don't add up. Now Nora's own life is in imminent danger. Are she and Patch strong enough for the
battle ahead? Strictly speaking this should be on the Children's Books page, but it's pure fantasy, and handled really well. Follow up the phenomenally good HUSH, HUSH, this is a brilliant read, full of characters you can believe in. I can't fault it.
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BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #1: NIGHT OF THE LIVING RERUN; COYOTE MOON; PORTAL THROUGH TIME (Simon and Schuster PB)
As long as there have been vampires, there has been the Slayer. One girl in all the world, to find them where they gather and to stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their numbers...Night of the Living Rerun ~ As if real life wasn't already overflowing with vampire-staking, Buffy is
now dreaming about slaying! Night after night, it's the same thing...What could it mean? When Xander and Giles start acting like they have ancient alter egos, Buffy begins to realise what's going on. Can Buffy prevent the Master from escaping his supernatural prison before Sunnydale becomes history! Coyote Moon ~ The seedy carnival looks like just the thing to give Buffy and her friends, Xander and Willow, a break from staking bloodsuckers. Some greasy food, a few cheap thrills - what more could a Slayer ask
for? But then Buffy senses something evil behind this carnival. Could it be connected to the corpses that are turning up around Sunnydale. Can Buffy find out what's going on in time to save her friends? Or has the Slayer become the prey? Portal of Time ~ The Master, Buffy's nemesis, may be gone, but he is by no means forgotten. One of his devotees has set out to alter the past, killing off Slayers in order to change the future. With the Slayer line extinguished, there will be no Buffy. And without Buffy, no one
will be able to prevent him as he resurrects The Master. Having opened a portal through time he is about to send his minions into the past to murder the most influential Slayers in history. Buffy is forced to follow them through the portal in a race against time and evil. But the problem is...you can't change the past without altering the present... The series was amazingly successful and breathed new life into the vampire genre. Now the slayer is back,
beautifully repackaged. Five of you will be lucky enough to have won a copy of this amazing first book in the series, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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DAVID WELLINGTON: CURSED - A WEREWOLF'S TALE (Piatkus PB)
With many of the Werewolf titles now moving more into Urban territory here David Wellington, takes the reader to the wilds on an adventure that is not all that it seems. Definitely a different take on the Werewolf myth as our principle protagonist is about to discover when the world she thought
of as black and white is more shades of grey than she could imagine. It is well written, the character reachable by the reader and above all else it's the backstory that really makes this offering. It's got action, its got adventure but perhaps most of all its got humanity about it. Whilst this won't please very supernatural reader out there its different enough to find a firm base with a large number of readers out there that want something a little different to the norm. We'll
have to coin a new term for this one - rural fantasy! A brilliant and unique take on the werewolf genre that's thoroughly enjoyable!
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ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT (Orbit PB)
It is the time of the Great Depression. The dustbowl has turned the western skies red and thousands leave their homes seeking a better life. Marcus Connelly seeks not a life, but a death - a death for the mysterious scarred man who murdered his daughter. And soon he learns that he is not alone.
Countless others have lost someone to the scarred man. They band together to track him, but as they get closer, Connelly begins to suspect that the man they are hunting is more than human. It is said that he who hunts monsters should take care lest he thereby become a monster, and as the chase becomes increasingly desperate, the scarred man's pursuers are forced to choose between what is right and what is necessary. Having come so far and lost so much, Connelly must decide just how much more he is willing to
sacrifice to have his revenge. I raved about this last year when it was first published in hardback. Now there is absolutely no excuse - go out and get it, it's brilliant!
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TERRY BROOKS: BEARERS OF THE BLACK STAFF (Legends of Shannara Book One)(Orbit HB)
Five hundred years have passed since the devastating demon-led war that almost exterminated humankind. Those who escaped the carnage were led to sanctuary by the boy saviour known as Hawk: the gypsy morph. But now, the unimaginable has come to pass: the cocoon of protective magic surrounding the
valley has vanished. When Sider Ament, last surviving Knight of the Word, detects unknown predators stalking the valley, and Trackers from the human village of Glensk Wood, find two of their own gruesomely killed, there can be no doubt: the once safe haven of generations has been laid bare. Together, the young Trackers, the aging Knight, and a daring Elf princess race to spread word of the encroaching danger. But suspicion and hostility among their countrymen threaten to doom their efforts from within, while
beyond the breached borders, a ruthless Troll army masses for invasion. Standing firm between the two, the last wielder of the black staff and its awesome magic must find a successor to carry on the fight against the cresting new wave of evil. The legendary Terry Brooks and the Legends of Shannara - awesomely good.
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DAVID FARLAND: CHAOSBOUND - A Runelords Novel (Orbit PB)
The world of the Runelords is drastically changed. It has been magically combined with a parallel world, causing widespread destruction and chaos. Lands have sunk below the sea and elsewhere mountains have risen from it. Thousands have died, and humankind faces extinction. Borenson and Myrrima
must journey to save their realm from total devastation, but the landscape is not all that has been altered. In the change, Borenson has merged with a monstrous creature from another world, Aaath Ulber. Not only is he transformed physically, but his behaviour also begins to evolve - he is becoming a berserker warrior. And as the dark rulers of this new world play a byzantine game of politics, this warrior is now the most significant pawn in that game. Assured
return to form for Farland with this Runelords title - cracking pace and sympathetic characters...
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KATE ELLIOTT: COLD MAGIC (Orbit PB)
As they approach adulthood, Cat Barahal and her cousin Bee think they understand the society they live in and their place within it. At a select academy they study new airship technologies and the dawning Industrial Revolution, but magical forces still rule. And the cousins are about to discover
the full ruthlessness of this rule. Drawn into a labyrinth of politics involving blood and old feuds, Cat is betrayed by her family and forced to marry a powerful Cold Mage. As she is carried away to live a new life, fresh dangers threaten her every move and secrets form a language she cannot read. At least, not yet. But both cousins carry their own hidden gifts and these will shape great changes to come. For in the depths of this treacherous world, the Wild Hunt stirs in darkness and dragons are waking from
their sleep. Superfantasy at its very highest level. Terrific.
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