AUTHOR INFORMATION: Brian Evenson is the author of eight novels and short story collections including “The Wavering Knife”, “Father of Lies” and “The Open Curtain” which was a finalist for the Edgar and International Horror Guild Awards. He is the recipient of both an O. Henry Award and an NEA Award, and is the director of Brown University’s Literary Arts Program.
ABOUT LAST DAYS: Still reeling from his brutal dismemberment, former undercover cop Kline is forcibly recruited to solve a murder inside a secret society of fundamentalist self-mutilators. As Kline becomes more deeply involved with the group, he begins to realize the stakes are higher than he previously thought. Armed only with his wits and a gift for self-preservation, Kline must navigate a gauntlet of lies, threats, and misinformation, discovering that his survival depends on an act of sheer will…
“Last Days” was first published in 2003 as a limited-edition novella titled “The Brotherhood of Mutilation”. Its success led Evenson to expand the story into a full-length novel.
FORMAT/INFO: Page count is 192 pages divided over two segments, The Brotherhood of Mutilation and Last Days, with the latter divided into three Parts and a number of chapters. Features an introduction by Peter Straub (The Talisman, Koko, Mr. X). Narration is in the third-person exclusively via the protagonist Kline. “Last Days” is self-contained although there could possibly be a sequel. February 1, 2009 marks the Paperback Publication of “Last Days” via new publisher Underland Press. Underland Press is also releasing a limited edition version of “Last Days” that will be limited to only 100 copies.
ANALYSIS: Essentially a cross between hard-boiled crime noir and surreal horror—think Charlie Huston meets Chuck Palahniuk by way of David Lynch—Brian Evenson’s “Last Days” is a shocking, violent, and unsettling short novel that rivals any of the other shocking, violent, and unsettling books that I’ve read over the past couple of years, including Warren Ellis’ “Crooked Little Vein”, Scott Sigler’s “Infected”, Scott Bakker’s “Neuropath”, Ramsey Campbell’s “The Grin of the Dark”, and Conrad Williams' “The Scalding Rooms”…
For pure shock value, look no further than the book’s protagonist Kline—a former undercover cop who was forced to cut off his own right hand, which he then cauterized himself using a hotplate before shooting “the so-called gentleman with the cleaver through the eye” . . . and that’s just Kline’s recent background history! The book itself is full of shocking moments from unexpected twists and betrayals to gruesome deaths and stomach-churning scenes of torture, mutilation and “self-preservation”.
Violence-wise, “Last Days” is unapologetically graphic and hard-hitting, so much so that by the time I finished reading the book, I was left feeling pretty numb. Definitely not for the squeamish…
Where “Last Days” really shines however, is just how creepy the book is overall. Basically from the very beginning of the novel when Kline is being plagued by strange phone calls by two men who admire his ‘amputation’, to the end of the book when the former detective is caught up in a vicious holy war between two cults who demonstrate their devotion to God by self-sacrificing body parts, “Last Days” is just plain bizarre. Even during the book’s normal moments, like when Kline is in a hospital and the police are investigating his case, there’s just a sense of wrongness. Of course this is what I loved about the book, because without this surreal quality, “Last Days” would just be another run-of-the-mill crime noir/revenge story. Instead, the book’s creepiness factor kept me riveted to the pages and left me begging for more…
Brian’s prose and characterization meanwhile, is a bit on the sparse side, but that suits the spartan nature of the book. Dialogue though is great, particularly the interactions between Ramse and Gouse:
“But which is more of a shock?” asked Ramse. “A man losing his fingers or a man losing his hand? Personally I prefer a system of minor and major amputations, according to which I’d be a 2/3.”
“I prefer by weight,” said Gous. “Weigh the lopped-off member I say.”
“But you see,” said Ramse, “bled or unbled? And doesn’t that give a certain advantage to the corpulent?”
“You develop standards,” said Gous. “Penalites and handicaps.”
Negatively, the book loses some of its steam between the end of ‘The Brotherhood of Mutilation’ segment and the beginning of the ‘Last Days’ segment, especially during the hospital and flashback scenes; and I thought the theme of Kline losing his humanity was a bit underdeveloped, but overall I had a blast reading Brian Evenson’s “Last Days”.
CONCLUSION: Due to its explicit violence and disturbing strangeness, Brian Evenson’s “Last Days” is probably not the kind of book that will enjoy mainstream commercial success. But, I could see it developing a cult following and for those readers brave enough to take the plunge, the short novel offers an incredibly demented and intensely unforgettable ride. Highly recommended, “Last Days” is a fantastic first offering from new publisher Underland Press…
ABOUT LAST DAYS: Still reeling from his brutal dismemberment, former undercover cop Kline is forcibly recruited to solve a murder inside a secret society of fundamentalist self-mutilators. As Kline becomes more deeply involved with the group, he begins to realize the stakes are higher than he previously thought. Armed only with his wits and a gift for self-preservation, Kline must navigate a gauntlet of lies, threats, and misinformation, discovering that his survival depends on an act of sheer will…
“Last Days” was first published in 2003 as a limited-edition novella titled “The Brotherhood of Mutilation”. Its success led Evenson to expand the story into a full-length novel.
FORMAT/INFO: Page count is 192 pages divided over two segments, The Brotherhood of Mutilation and Last Days, with the latter divided into three Parts and a number of chapters. Features an introduction by Peter Straub (The Talisman, Koko, Mr. X). Narration is in the third-person exclusively via the protagonist Kline. “Last Days” is self-contained although there could possibly be a sequel. February 1, 2009 marks the Paperback Publication of “Last Days” via new publisher Underland Press. Underland Press is also releasing a limited edition version of “Last Days” that will be limited to only 100 copies.
ANALYSIS: Essentially a cross between hard-boiled crime noir and surreal horror—think Charlie Huston meets Chuck Palahniuk by way of David Lynch—Brian Evenson’s “Last Days” is a shocking, violent, and unsettling short novel that rivals any of the other shocking, violent, and unsettling books that I’ve read over the past couple of years, including Warren Ellis’ “Crooked Little Vein”, Scott Sigler’s “Infected”, Scott Bakker’s “Neuropath”, Ramsey Campbell’s “The Grin of the Dark”, and Conrad Williams' “The Scalding Rooms”…
For pure shock value, look no further than the book’s protagonist Kline—a former undercover cop who was forced to cut off his own right hand, which he then cauterized himself using a hotplate before shooting “the so-called gentleman with the cleaver through the eye” . . . and that’s just Kline’s recent background history! The book itself is full of shocking moments from unexpected twists and betrayals to gruesome deaths and stomach-churning scenes of torture, mutilation and “self-preservation”.
Violence-wise, “Last Days” is unapologetically graphic and hard-hitting, so much so that by the time I finished reading the book, I was left feeling pretty numb. Definitely not for the squeamish…
Where “Last Days” really shines however, is just how creepy the book is overall. Basically from the very beginning of the novel when Kline is being plagued by strange phone calls by two men who admire his ‘amputation’, to the end of the book when the former detective is caught up in a vicious holy war between two cults who demonstrate their devotion to God by self-sacrificing body parts, “Last Days” is just plain bizarre. Even during the book’s normal moments, like when Kline is in a hospital and the police are investigating his case, there’s just a sense of wrongness. Of course this is what I loved about the book, because without this surreal quality, “Last Days” would just be another run-of-the-mill crime noir/revenge story. Instead, the book’s creepiness factor kept me riveted to the pages and left me begging for more…
Brian’s prose and characterization meanwhile, is a bit on the sparse side, but that suits the spartan nature of the book. Dialogue though is great, particularly the interactions between Ramse and Gouse:
“But which is more of a shock?” asked Ramse. “A man losing his fingers or a man losing his hand? Personally I prefer a system of minor and major amputations, according to which I’d be a 2/3.”
“I prefer by weight,” said Gous. “Weigh the lopped-off member I say.”
“But you see,” said Ramse, “bled or unbled? And doesn’t that give a certain advantage to the corpulent?”
“You develop standards,” said Gous. “Penalites and handicaps.”
Negatively, the book loses some of its steam between the end of ‘The Brotherhood of Mutilation’ segment and the beginning of the ‘Last Days’ segment, especially during the hospital and flashback scenes; and I thought the theme of Kline losing his humanity was a bit underdeveloped, but overall I had a blast reading Brian Evenson’s “Last Days”.
CONCLUSION: Due to its explicit violence and disturbing strangeness, Brian Evenson’s “Last Days” is probably not the kind of book that will enjoy mainstream commercial success. But, I could see it developing a cult following and for those readers brave enough to take the plunge, the short novel offers an incredibly demented and intensely unforgettable ride. Highly recommended, “Last Days” is a fantastic first offering from new publisher Underland Press…
3:01 AM | 
Posted by
Robert |
2008 FAVORITES:
“Memoirs of a Master Forger” by William Heaney. An elegant and touching novel that wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but all the better for it. A wonderful combination of literary sensibilities and an understanding of genre fiction that had the humanity and warmth I find lacking in what’s considered ‘proper’ literary fiction. A real gem of a book.
“Anathem” by Neal Stephenson. A book I’ve not yet finished but is fascinating me thus far and I think it’s only going to get better. Having recently read Dissolution, Anathem is one hell of a work; more realized and convincing a setting than the (very good) comparable historical novel. It’s a big book and the first 150 pages are largely scene setting so you have to persevere, but it’s a remarkable achievement that I’m really enjoying.
“Halting State” by Charles Stross. Sort of halfway between a Christopher Brookmeyer novel and a SF, it’s near future, thought-provoking at times and highly entertaining if you can get over the reasonably high level of geekery!
“Quite Ugly One Morning” by Christopher Brookmeyer. I’ve never read a Brookmeyer that wasn’t excellent—well-written, pacey, funny and filled with some of the best ranting tangents I’ve come across in a long time. Every single one is a treat.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009:
The books I’m most looking forward to reading are “The Painted Man” by Peter V. Brett and “Matter” by Iain M. Banks. Beyond that, I don’t know when Mark Chadbourn’s Elizabethan book is coming but that’s really going to be one to look out for.
ON THE HORIZON FOR TOM LLOYD:
“The Grave Thief”, book 3 in the Twilight Reign is published in the UK (Gollancz) at the very start of the year, while, confusingly, book 2—“The Twilight Herald”—is published in America (Pyr) in March, with “The Grave Thief” following towards the end of the year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After a degree in International Relations at Southampton University, Tom Lloyd went straight into publishing where he still works. The British novelist is currently writing the Twilight Reign fantasy series. For more information, please visit the author’s Official Website.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
“Memoirs of a Master Forger” by William Heaney. An elegant and touching novel that wasn’t quite what I was expecting, but all the better for it. A wonderful combination of literary sensibilities and an understanding of genre fiction that had the humanity and warmth I find lacking in what’s considered ‘proper’ literary fiction. A real gem of a book.
“Anathem” by Neal Stephenson. A book I’ve not yet finished but is fascinating me thus far and I think it’s only going to get better. Having recently read Dissolution, Anathem is one hell of a work; more realized and convincing a setting than the (very good) comparable historical novel. It’s a big book and the first 150 pages are largely scene setting so you have to persevere, but it’s a remarkable achievement that I’m really enjoying.
“Halting State” by Charles Stross. Sort of halfway between a Christopher Brookmeyer novel and a SF, it’s near future, thought-provoking at times and highly entertaining if you can get over the reasonably high level of geekery!
“Quite Ugly One Morning” by Christopher Brookmeyer. I’ve never read a Brookmeyer that wasn’t excellent—well-written, pacey, funny and filled with some of the best ranting tangents I’ve come across in a long time. Every single one is a treat.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009:
The books I’m most looking forward to reading are “The Painted Man” by Peter V. Brett and “Matter” by Iain M. Banks. Beyond that, I don’t know when Mark Chadbourn’s Elizabethan book is coming but that’s really going to be one to look out for.
ON THE HORIZON FOR TOM LLOYD:
“The Grave Thief”, book 3 in the Twilight Reign is published in the UK (Gollancz) at the very start of the year, while, confusingly, book 2—“The Twilight Herald”—is published in America (Pyr) in March, with “The Grave Thief” following towards the end of the year.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
After a degree in International Relations at Southampton University, Tom Lloyd went straight into publishing where he still works. The British novelist is currently writing the Twilight Reign fantasy series. For more information, please visit the author’s Official Website.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
Congratulations to Justine Greene (Florida), Ron Miller (Michigan), and Leigh Nichols (South Carolina) who were all randomly selected to win a SET of Simon R. Green’s new Nightside book “Just Another Judgement Day” and the “Mean Streets” anthology which includes new stories from Jim Butcher, Kat Richardson, Simon R. Green, and Thomas E. Sniegoski, all thanks to Roc/Ace Books!!! Both titles are officially released today, January 6, 2009.
In news, Matt Staggs created a video for James Morrow’s new novel “Shambling Towards” Hiroshima”. The video premiered on IO9 last week and can be viewed below:
“Shambling Towards Hiroshima” (Order HERE) will be published by Tachyon Publications on February 1, 2009 and is described as follows:
In the tradition of Godzilla as both a playful romp and a parable of the dawn of the nuclear era, this original satire blends the destruction of World War II with the halcyon pleasure of monster movies...
In the summer of 1945 war is reigning in the Pacific Rim, while in the U.S., Syms Thorley continues his life as a B-movie actor. But the U.S. Navy would like to use Thorley in their top-secret Knickerbocker Project, putting the finishing touches on the ultimate biological weapon: a breed of gigantic, fire-breathing, mutant iguanas. Thorley is to don a rubber suit that will transform him into the merciless Gorgantis and star in a film that simulates the destruction of a miniature Japan—if the demonstration succeeds, the Japanese will surrender, sparing thousands of lives; if it fails, the mutant lizards will be unleashed.
Godzilla devotees and history buffs alike will be fascinated by this conspiratorial secret history of a war, a weapon, and an unlikely hero who will have to give the most convincing performance of his life...
Moving on, Orbit Books—in partnership with a number of major ebook vendors—has launched an innovative promotion offering one ebook for sale each month at the introductory price of $1.00. At the end of the promotional month the cost of the ebook returns to its standard price and a new book will be offered at the discount. Details of the promotion are at http://www.onedollarorbit.com/
The promotion will include “The Way of Shadows” by debut author Brent Weeks, “Empress” by Karen Miller, as well as classics of science fiction such as “Use of Weapons” by Iain M. Banks.
VP and Publisher of Orbit Tim Holman said: “We believe that this promotion will give readers a great opportunity to discover new writers. Most of our consumer marketing has an online focus, and the digital marketplace offers the perfect platform for price-promotion initiatives such as this. It will be very exciting to see how effective it is. The range of titles chosen for the promotion includes a mix of frontlist and backlist, from both new and established authors, and we will be monitoring the performance of every title very closely.”
A list of titles that will be available at the discount price can be found at One Dollar Orbit.com. A digital version of this is available HERE.
In news, Matt Staggs created a video for James Morrow’s new novel “Shambling Towards” Hiroshima”. The video premiered on IO9 last week and can be viewed below:“Shambling Towards Hiroshima” (Order HERE) will be published by Tachyon Publications on February 1, 2009 and is described as follows:
In the tradition of Godzilla as both a playful romp and a parable of the dawn of the nuclear era, this original satire blends the destruction of World War II with the halcyon pleasure of monster movies...
In the summer of 1945 war is reigning in the Pacific Rim, while in the U.S., Syms Thorley continues his life as a B-movie actor. But the U.S. Navy would like to use Thorley in their top-secret Knickerbocker Project, putting the finishing touches on the ultimate biological weapon: a breed of gigantic, fire-breathing, mutant iguanas. Thorley is to don a rubber suit that will transform him into the merciless Gorgantis and star in a film that simulates the destruction of a miniature Japan—if the demonstration succeeds, the Japanese will surrender, sparing thousands of lives; if it fails, the mutant lizards will be unleashed.
Godzilla devotees and history buffs alike will be fascinated by this conspiratorial secret history of a war, a weapon, and an unlikely hero who will have to give the most convincing performance of his life...
Moving on, Orbit Books—in partnership with a number of major ebook vendors—has launched an innovative promotion offering one ebook for sale each month at the introductory price of $1.00. At the end of the promotional month the cost of the ebook returns to its standard price and a new book will be offered at the discount. Details of the promotion are at http://www.onedollarorbit.com/The promotion will include “The Way of Shadows” by debut author Brent Weeks, “Empress” by Karen Miller, as well as classics of science fiction such as “Use of Weapons” by Iain M. Banks.
VP and Publisher of Orbit Tim Holman said: “We believe that this promotion will give readers a great opportunity to discover new writers. Most of our consumer marketing has an online focus, and the digital marketplace offers the perfect platform for price-promotion initiatives such as this. It will be very exciting to see how effective it is. The range of titles chosen for the promotion includes a mix of frontlist and backlist, from both new and established authors, and we will be monitoring the performance of every title very closely.”
A list of titles that will be available at the discount price can be found at One Dollar Orbit.com. A digital version of this is available HERE.
2008 FAVORITES:
The books that I enjoyed the most this year were Michael Chabon's “The Yiddish Policemen's Union” (worth it, like anything by the man, for the heart-stopping beauty of his prose); Stephen King's “Duma King”, which may very well be one of the best things that he has ever written; Michael Marshall Smith's touching and evocative “The Servants”; and Adam Roberts' dazzling “Swiftly”.
In comics, I have been enthralled by Grant Morrison's characteristically knotty and uncompromising run on Batman and by Garth Ennis' wonderful revivification of Dan Dare which also, quite unexpectedly, turned out to be the most moving story that I read in 2008.
ON THE HORIZON FOR JONATHAN BARNES:
In 2009, HarperCollins will publish my second book, “The Domino Men”, in the USA (January 27, 2009), and I shall be hard at work on my third, as yet untitled, novel.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jonathan Barnes graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English literature, and is the author of the critically-acclaimed debut, “The Somnambulist”, and its sequel “The Domino Men”. Jonathan also reviews for the Times Literary Supplement. For more information, please read Fantasy Book Critic’s Interview with the author HERE.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
The books that I enjoyed the most this year were Michael Chabon's “The Yiddish Policemen's Union” (worth it, like anything by the man, for the heart-stopping beauty of his prose); Stephen King's “Duma King”, which may very well be one of the best things that he has ever written; Michael Marshall Smith's touching and evocative “The Servants”; and Adam Roberts' dazzling “Swiftly”.
In comics, I have been enthralled by Grant Morrison's characteristically knotty and uncompromising run on Batman and by Garth Ennis' wonderful revivification of Dan Dare which also, quite unexpectedly, turned out to be the most moving story that I read in 2008.
ON THE HORIZON FOR JONATHAN BARNES:
In 2009, HarperCollins will publish my second book, “The Domino Men”, in the USA (January 27, 2009), and I shall be hard at work on my third, as yet untitled, novel.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jonathan Barnes graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English literature, and is the author of the critically-acclaimed debut, “The Somnambulist”, and its sequel “The Domino Men”. Jonathan also reviews for the Times Literary Supplement. For more information, please read Fantasy Book Critic’s Interview with the author HERE.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
AUTHOR INFORMATION: Josh Bazell has a BA in writing from Brown University and a MD from Columbia University. He is currently a medical resident at the University of California (San Francisco) and is working on his second novel. “Beat the Reaper” is Josh’s first novel and has already sold in over twenty countries.
PLOT SUMMARY: Meet Peter Brown, a young Manhattan Catholic doctor with an unusual past that is just about to catch up with him. His morning begins with the quick disarming of a would-be mugger, followed by a steamy elevator encounter with a sexy young pharmaceutical rep, topped off by a visit with a new patient—and from there Peter’s day is going to get a whole lot worse and a whole lot weirder, because that patient knows Peter from his other life . . . when he had a different name and a very different job.
The only reason he’s a doctor now is thanks to the Witness Protection Program—and even that can’t protect him from the long reach of the New Jersey mob. Now he’s got to do whatever it takes to keep his patient alive so he can buy some time . . . and beat the reaper…
CLASSIFICATION: From the publisher: “Not only will Beat the Reaper be compared to Quentin Tarantino’s films, Grey’s Anatomy, and Chuck Palahniuk, it’s also the most original and entertaining debut thriller you’ll read this year and announces the arrival of a writer in the spirit of Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, Jeff Lindsay, and the aforementioned Chuck Palahniuk.” Let me just add that the medical parts of the book are reminiscent of a number of medical-themed television shows like ER, Scrubs, et cetera, while the crime noir/pulp fiction parts brought to mind Charlie Huston, Duane Swierczynski, A History of Violence and a little bit of Scott Sigler. There’s even some Michael Chabon in there as well :)
FORMAT/INFO: Page count is 320 pages divided over twenty-four chapters. Narration is in the first-person exclusively via the protagonist Peter Brown with the narrative alternating each chapter between the present and the past. The narrative is also frequently interjected with footnotes like Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.” “Beat the Reaper” is self-contained, but a sequel is already in the works and I can easily see an ongoing series starring Peter Brown.
January 7, 2009 marks the North American Hardcover publication of “Beat the Reaper” via Little, Brown and Company, while the UK version (see inset) will be released February 5, 2009 via William Heinemann Ltd (see inset).
ANALYSIS: From the moment I started reading “Beat the Reaper”—which opens with the protagonist Dr. Peter Brown brutally, efficiently and humorously taking out a mugger, and footnotes about the fibula and how removing it doesn’t really affect a person’s ability to walk—I knew I was in for a wild ride. And from there, things just get a whole lot crazier starting with a colorful cast of characters in Duke Mosby, Assman, Skinflick, Osteosarcoma Girl, and the incompetent Dr. Friendly.
Even crazier is the plot which jumps back and forth between the present-day and Peter’s current job as a first-year intern at Manhattan Catholic, and his past life when Peter Brown was actually known as Pietro Brnwa, aka “Bearclaw”, a noted hitman for the New Jersey mob. Of the latter, readers will get to learn about the protagonist’s grandparents getting killed by mobsters as part of an initiation ritual; Pietro ironically joining the mob himself; getting revenge against his grandparents’ murderers; becoming a hitman; finding—and losing—the love of his life Magdalena; being betrayed by his best friend; and entering the Witness Protection Program. All really good stuff—particularly a standout scene with man-eating sharks!—but what really takes the cake is what happens when Pietro’s past finally catches up with him in the hospital, and how far he’ll go to survive …
As for Pietro himself, he’s quite the interesting character, not just because of the life he’s led, but because of the way he thinks—at times, he offers some incredibly wise insights—his dark sense of humor, and the ironic twist that he’s a former hitman now turned doctor whose job is to save lives. And of course there’s his tough-guy, yet likeable narrative voice:
“Let me tell you about revenge. Particularly murderous revenge. It’s a bad idea. For one thing, it doesn’t last. The reason they tell you revenge is best served cold is not so you’ll take the time to get it right, but so you’ll spend longer on the fun part, which is the planning and the expectation. For another thing, even if you get away with it, murdering someone is bad for you. It murders something in yourself, and has all kinds of other consequences you can’t possibly foresee.”
On the flipside, “Beat the Reaper” does suffer from a few minor issues, which aren’t unexpected for a first novel. For one, the beginning of the book can be a bit confusing with all of the footnotes—which are sometimes funny and sometimes informational, but not always necessary—and the narrative jumping around between the past and the present. Secondly, the narrative structure can get a bit tiresome after several chapters. Granted, the setup does help build the novel’s suspense, but I thought Josh could have mixed things up a bit and also tightened up the plotting. Thirdly, there’s a lot of foreshadowing in the book, some of it really good and unexpected, and some of it not so good. Finally, because “Beat the Reaper” moves at such a breakneck pace, I thought the author cut a few corners like the development of Magdalena and Skinflick as characters and Pietro’s relationship to both, his life as a mobster hitman, and Pietro’s adjustment to the Witness Protection Program. I also thought Josh’s prose and dialogue could have used some work, but that’s something that will improve the more he writes. As to the rest, it’s just a few minor issues like I said, and they shouldn’t interfere with the reader’s enjoyment.
CONCLUSION: If not for Charlie Huston’s “The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death” and Duane Swierczynski’s “Severance Package”, Josh Bazell’s debut novel would be the best thriller I’ve read since starting Fantasy Book Critic. As it is, “Beat the Reaper” still ranks amongst the finest the genre has had to offer recently, and introduces a protagonist in Peter Brown who could potentially have the same kind of impact as Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter Morgan. In short, Josh Bazell is definitely a new author to watch and “Beat the Reaper” is a must read for anyone who likes their thrillers violent, wickedly funny, and shocking…
PLOT SUMMARY: Meet Peter Brown, a young Manhattan Catholic doctor with an unusual past that is just about to catch up with him. His morning begins with the quick disarming of a would-be mugger, followed by a steamy elevator encounter with a sexy young pharmaceutical rep, topped off by a visit with a new patient—and from there Peter’s day is going to get a whole lot worse and a whole lot weirder, because that patient knows Peter from his other life . . . when he had a different name and a very different job.
The only reason he’s a doctor now is thanks to the Witness Protection Program—and even that can’t protect him from the long reach of the New Jersey mob. Now he’s got to do whatever it takes to keep his patient alive so he can buy some time . . . and beat the reaper…
CLASSIFICATION: From the publisher: “Not only will Beat the Reaper be compared to Quentin Tarantino’s films, Grey’s Anatomy, and Chuck Palahniuk, it’s also the most original and entertaining debut thriller you’ll read this year and announces the arrival of a writer in the spirit of Elmore Leonard, Carl Hiaasen, Jeff Lindsay, and the aforementioned Chuck Palahniuk.” Let me just add that the medical parts of the book are reminiscent of a number of medical-themed television shows like ER, Scrubs, et cetera, while the crime noir/pulp fiction parts brought to mind Charlie Huston, Duane Swierczynski, A History of Violence and a little bit of Scott Sigler. There’s even some Michael Chabon in there as well :)
FORMAT/INFO: Page count is 320 pages divided over twenty-four chapters. Narration is in the first-person exclusively via the protagonist Peter Brown with the narrative alternating each chapter between the present and the past. The narrative is also frequently interjected with footnotes like Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.” “Beat the Reaper” is self-contained, but a sequel is already in the works and I can easily see an ongoing series starring Peter Brown.
January 7, 2009 marks the North American Hardcover publication of “Beat the Reaper” via Little, Brown and Company, while the UK version (see inset) will be released February 5, 2009 via William Heinemann Ltd (see inset).
ANALYSIS: From the moment I started reading “Beat the Reaper”—which opens with the protagonist Dr. Peter Brown brutally, efficiently and humorously taking out a mugger, and footnotes about the fibula and how removing it doesn’t really affect a person’s ability to walk—I knew I was in for a wild ride. And from there, things just get a whole lot crazier starting with a colorful cast of characters in Duke Mosby, Assman, Skinflick, Osteosarcoma Girl, and the incompetent Dr. Friendly.Even crazier is the plot which jumps back and forth between the present-day and Peter’s current job as a first-year intern at Manhattan Catholic, and his past life when Peter Brown was actually known as Pietro Brnwa, aka “Bearclaw”, a noted hitman for the New Jersey mob. Of the latter, readers will get to learn about the protagonist’s grandparents getting killed by mobsters as part of an initiation ritual; Pietro ironically joining the mob himself; getting revenge against his grandparents’ murderers; becoming a hitman; finding—and losing—the love of his life Magdalena; being betrayed by his best friend; and entering the Witness Protection Program. All really good stuff—particularly a standout scene with man-eating sharks!—but what really takes the cake is what happens when Pietro’s past finally catches up with him in the hospital, and how far he’ll go to survive …
As for Pietro himself, he’s quite the interesting character, not just because of the life he’s led, but because of the way he thinks—at times, he offers some incredibly wise insights—his dark sense of humor, and the ironic twist that he’s a former hitman now turned doctor whose job is to save lives. And of course there’s his tough-guy, yet likeable narrative voice:
“Let me tell you about revenge. Particularly murderous revenge. It’s a bad idea. For one thing, it doesn’t last. The reason they tell you revenge is best served cold is not so you’ll take the time to get it right, but so you’ll spend longer on the fun part, which is the planning and the expectation. For another thing, even if you get away with it, murdering someone is bad for you. It murders something in yourself, and has all kinds of other consequences you can’t possibly foresee.”
On the flipside, “Beat the Reaper” does suffer from a few minor issues, which aren’t unexpected for a first novel. For one, the beginning of the book can be a bit confusing with all of the footnotes—which are sometimes funny and sometimes informational, but not always necessary—and the narrative jumping around between the past and the present. Secondly, the narrative structure can get a bit tiresome after several chapters. Granted, the setup does help build the novel’s suspense, but I thought Josh could have mixed things up a bit and also tightened up the plotting. Thirdly, there’s a lot of foreshadowing in the book, some of it really good and unexpected, and some of it not so good. Finally, because “Beat the Reaper” moves at such a breakneck pace, I thought the author cut a few corners like the development of Magdalena and Skinflick as characters and Pietro’s relationship to both, his life as a mobster hitman, and Pietro’s adjustment to the Witness Protection Program. I also thought Josh’s prose and dialogue could have used some work, but that’s something that will improve the more he writes. As to the rest, it’s just a few minor issues like I said, and they shouldn’t interfere with the reader’s enjoyment.
CONCLUSION: If not for Charlie Huston’s “The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death” and Duane Swierczynski’s “Severance Package”, Josh Bazell’s debut novel would be the best thriller I’ve read since starting Fantasy Book Critic. As it is, “Beat the Reaper” still ranks amongst the finest the genre has had to offer recently, and introduces a protagonist in Peter Brown who could potentially have the same kind of impact as Jeff Lindsay’s Dexter Morgan. In short, Josh Bazell is definitely a new author to watch and “Beat the Reaper” is a must read for anyone who likes their thrillers violent, wickedly funny, and shocking…
2008 FAVORITES:
I find it rather difficult to remember what I read this past twelve months. I should really keep a reading journal or something—or blog about the books I’m reading more faithfully—so that I have a record of it. Without those tools and just scanning my much-abused brain, three titles come to mind. They each tickled me in different ways and have made the authors new favorites of mine:
“The Dreaming Void” by Peter F. Hamilton. I loved the scale of this, the variety of plotlines and engaging characters. It’s all well written. Just a smart as you could ask for. Some of the plotlines are hard sci-fi feeling; some are set on almost subsistence worlds and feel more like fantasy. Nothing is really resolved in the book, but with writing like this I’m happy to read on for a few more thousand pages. Definitely my kind of book.
“The Terror” by Dan Simmons. A great combination of dense historical material, gothic horror, complete misery, starvation, suffering, the worst of human nature and . . . a surprisingly satisfying conclusion. I really liked this book. Not for those that can’t… um, stomach… reading about cannibalism and scurvy.
“In the Courts of the Crimson Kings” by S.M. Stirling. I’d never read Stirling before, but after this one I certainly will. It was a little slow to start for me, and I almost stopped reading. So glad that I didn’t, though. At some point I realized I was really enjoying exploring a vastly and authentically alien world on Stirling’s imagined Mars. He’s got such creepy and ingenious details here. It really feels like a lesson on how an author can deal with imaginative foreignness. Also, make no mistake about it—this novel is action packed. Giant octopus like things, talking carnivorous birds, battles in air and desert. Good stuff.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009:
“The Temporal Void” by Peter F. Hamilton. Release Date: March 24, 2009 (US Debut). Published by Del Rey.
“Wildfire” by Sarah Micklem. Release Date: July 7, 2009. Published by Scribner.
“The Steel Remains” by Richard K. Morgan. Release Date: January 20, 2009 (US Debut). Published by Del Rey.
“The House of Discarded Dreams” by Ekaterina Sedia. Release Date: July 2009. Published by Prime Books. I’m actually reading and enjoying this right now.
“Anathem” by Neal Stephenson.
And hopefully…
“A Dance With Dragons” by George R.R. Martin. Published by Bantam Spectra (US).
“The Wise Man’s Fear” by Patrick Rothfuss. Published by DAW Books (US).
ON THE HORIZON FOR DAVID ANTHONY DURHAM:
I have another book coming out next year! The second Acacia novel—The Other Lands—should appear in September. The first book will roll out in a few more foreign languages, like Italian, Polish, Russian. And the movie prospects should work slowly forward. The end of 2008 saw the first draft of the Acacia screenplay completed, and it looks like Mike De Luca and Relativity Media are going to keep moving it forward. I’ve got a few other things planned as well, but they’re kinda secret.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
David Anthony Durham is the author of the fantasy novels Acacia: The War With The Mein and the forthcoming Acacia: The Other Lands. Before turning to fantasy, he wrote historical novels including Pride of Carthage, Walk Through Darkness and the award-winning Gabriel’s Story which has been optioned for film adaptation. For more information, please visit the author’s Official Website and Official Blog.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
I find it rather difficult to remember what I read this past twelve months. I should really keep a reading journal or something—or blog about the books I’m reading more faithfully—so that I have a record of it. Without those tools and just scanning my much-abused brain, three titles come to mind. They each tickled me in different ways and have made the authors new favorites of mine:
“The Dreaming Void” by Peter F. Hamilton. I loved the scale of this, the variety of plotlines and engaging characters. It’s all well written. Just a smart as you could ask for. Some of the plotlines are hard sci-fi feeling; some are set on almost subsistence worlds and feel more like fantasy. Nothing is really resolved in the book, but with writing like this I’m happy to read on for a few more thousand pages. Definitely my kind of book.
“The Terror” by Dan Simmons. A great combination of dense historical material, gothic horror, complete misery, starvation, suffering, the worst of human nature and . . . a surprisingly satisfying conclusion. I really liked this book. Not for those that can’t… um, stomach… reading about cannibalism and scurvy.
“In the Courts of the Crimson Kings” by S.M. Stirling. I’d never read Stirling before, but after this one I certainly will. It was a little slow to start for me, and I almost stopped reading. So glad that I didn’t, though. At some point I realized I was really enjoying exploring a vastly and authentically alien world on Stirling’s imagined Mars. He’s got such creepy and ingenious details here. It really feels like a lesson on how an author can deal with imaginative foreignness. Also, make no mistake about it—this novel is action packed. Giant octopus like things, talking carnivorous birds, battles in air and desert. Good stuff.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009:
“The Temporal Void” by Peter F. Hamilton. Release Date: March 24, 2009 (US Debut). Published by Del Rey.
“Wildfire” by Sarah Micklem. Release Date: July 7, 2009. Published by Scribner.
“The Steel Remains” by Richard K. Morgan. Release Date: January 20, 2009 (US Debut). Published by Del Rey.
“The House of Discarded Dreams” by Ekaterina Sedia. Release Date: July 2009. Published by Prime Books. I’m actually reading and enjoying this right now.
“Anathem” by Neal Stephenson.
And hopefully…
“A Dance With Dragons” by George R.R. Martin. Published by Bantam Spectra (US).
“The Wise Man’s Fear” by Patrick Rothfuss. Published by DAW Books (US).
ON THE HORIZON FOR DAVID ANTHONY DURHAM:
I have another book coming out next year! The second Acacia novel—The Other Lands—should appear in September. The first book will roll out in a few more foreign languages, like Italian, Polish, Russian. And the movie prospects should work slowly forward. The end of 2008 saw the first draft of the Acacia screenplay completed, and it looks like Mike De Luca and Relativity Media are going to keep moving it forward. I’ve got a few other things planned as well, but they’re kinda secret.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
David Anthony Durham is the author of the fantasy novels Acacia: The War With The Mein and the forthcoming Acacia: The Other Lands. Before turning to fantasy, he wrote historical novels including Pride of Carthage, Walk Through Darkness and the award-winning Gabriel’s Story which has been optioned for film adaptation. For more information, please visit the author’s Official Website and Official Blog.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
2008 FAVORITES:
Well, this year has been one of re-reads for me. Who'd have thought I'd actually have the time for going back on books? We seem to live in an age where we have to race through as many books as possible, and for me my reading experiences have been enhanced by digging deeper into some of my favourite books:
Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun sequence, which always blows me away with its depth and subtleties. It's such a fabulously constructed book, and made all the more easier when you read it with Google open next to you. I'm astounded by just how many layers there are to it.
Another re-read has been China Miéville's “Iron Council”—another sublime piece of hybrid-fantasy madness—which was much stronger and more potent the second time around.
In terms of mainstream fiction, there were a few other surprises for me—Ian McEwan's “On Chesil Beach” was a very moving novella. McEwan is a bit hit and miss for me, but this was a piece of fiction exactly the right size for what it was trying to achieve. Don DeLillo's “Mao II” was a fantastic read—I'm almost never disappointed by his prose. He's possibly my favourite mainstream writer—everyone should read Underworld!
Some good graphic novels too: Jonathan Lethem's “Omega: The Unknown” being the absolute highlight. Lethem has to be one of the coolest writers around at the moment.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009:
Well, I'm slobbering like a fanboy waiting for:
China Miéville's “The City & The City”, a non-Bas-Lag novel. His books made me want to write in the first place, several years ago, so I'll be elbowing people out of the queue to buy that.
And Robert Holdstock returns to Ryhope Wood for “Avilion”, I believe, for a sequel to “Mythago Wood”, which was one of my favourite fantasy books. It's a novel that is an actual meditation on the nature of fantasy itself, and features some sublime reworkings of English mythology. I really can't wait to go back there.
ON THE HORIZON FOR MARK CHARAN NEWTON:
In the middle of the year—ahem, Pimp My Book!—my new novel is coming out from Tor UK / Pan Macmillan. It's called “Nights of Villjamur”, and is the start of a new epic fantasy series called Legends of the Red Sun. It's kind of weird fiction—mixing genres up, fantasy, crime, horror, sf, and was inspired by Gene Wolfe and M John Harrison's Viriconium series. I'm stupid to try to take on those writers, I know, but hopefully people will like it...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mark Charan Newton is a twenty-seven-year old writer living in Nottingham, UK. His bibliography includes “The Reef” and the upcoming “Nights of Villjamur”. He also works for the SF and Fantasy publisher Solaris. For more information, please visit the author’s Official Website and Official Blog.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
Well, this year has been one of re-reads for me. Who'd have thought I'd actually have the time for going back on books? We seem to live in an age where we have to race through as many books as possible, and for me my reading experiences have been enhanced by digging deeper into some of my favourite books:
Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun sequence, which always blows me away with its depth and subtleties. It's such a fabulously constructed book, and made all the more easier when you read it with Google open next to you. I'm astounded by just how many layers there are to it.
Another re-read has been China Miéville's “Iron Council”—another sublime piece of hybrid-fantasy madness—which was much stronger and more potent the second time around.
In terms of mainstream fiction, there were a few other surprises for me—Ian McEwan's “On Chesil Beach” was a very moving novella. McEwan is a bit hit and miss for me, but this was a piece of fiction exactly the right size for what it was trying to achieve. Don DeLillo's “Mao II” was a fantastic read—I'm almost never disappointed by his prose. He's possibly my favourite mainstream writer—everyone should read Underworld!
Some good graphic novels too: Jonathan Lethem's “Omega: The Unknown” being the absolute highlight. Lethem has to be one of the coolest writers around at the moment.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2009:
Well, I'm slobbering like a fanboy waiting for:
China Miéville's “The City & The City”, a non-Bas-Lag novel. His books made me want to write in the first place, several years ago, so I'll be elbowing people out of the queue to buy that.
And Robert Holdstock returns to Ryhope Wood for “Avilion”, I believe, for a sequel to “Mythago Wood”, which was one of my favourite fantasy books. It's a novel that is an actual meditation on the nature of fantasy itself, and features some sublime reworkings of English mythology. I really can't wait to go back there.
ON THE HORIZON FOR MARK CHARAN NEWTON:
In the middle of the year—ahem, Pimp My Book!—my new novel is coming out from Tor UK / Pan Macmillan. It's called “Nights of Villjamur”, and is the start of a new epic fantasy series called Legends of the Red Sun. It's kind of weird fiction—mixing genres up, fantasy, crime, horror, sf, and was inspired by Gene Wolfe and M John Harrison's Viriconium series. I'm stupid to try to take on those writers, I know, but hopefully people will like it...
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mark Charan Newton is a twenty-seven-year old writer living in Nottingham, UK. His bibliography includes “The Reef” and the upcoming “Nights of Villjamur”. He also works for the SF and Fantasy publisher Solaris. For more information, please visit the author’s Official Website and Official Blog.
NOTE: For more author responses, please visit Fantasy Book Critic's 2008 Review/2009 Preview index HERE.
Welcome to the January 2009 edition of Fantasy Book Critic’s monthly Spotlight for Graphic Novels. Previous spotlights are listed at the end of this article. Please note that the following is not a comprehensive list of graphic novels released throughout the month, but rather a list of titles that I’m personally interested in or that I believe readers of speculative fiction might enjoy. Also, please be aware that unless specified all of the releases dates listed are taken from Amazon.com and that readers might be able to find the titles at an earlier date online or at your local comic book store:
“Pigeons From Hell” written by Joe R. Lansdale, illustrated by Nathan Fox, and colored by Dave Stewart. Release Date: January 1, 2009. Published by Dark Horse.
Master horror storyteller Joe R. Lansdale (Jonah Hex, Bubba Ho-Tep, Leather Maiden) throws his scathing wit and wild, otherworldly creations into the mix as he brings Robert E. Howard's classic tale of dark revenge to the present . . . and into the unwilling lives of the Blassenville mansion heirs, twin sisters Claire and Janet.
When Griswell fled the Blassenville estate those many years ago, he couldn't have imagined the grotesque horrors that would eclipse the ones he saw then but they're here, thanks to fiction legend Joe R. Lansdale, dazzling new comic-book artist Nathan Fox (DMZ), and multiple Eisner Award-winning color artist Dave Stewart (Conan, The Umbrella Academy). This fresh take on the classic Pigeons from Hell story delves deeper into the dark mansion's past while also digging up some fresh, imaginative demons, as Claire and Janet unknowingly bring their friends into an unearthly death trap…
Official Joe R. Landsale Website
Order “Pigeons From Hell” HERE (TFAW)
Read A Preview HERE
NOTE: The “Pigeons From Hell” Trade Paperback collects the entire four-issue miniseries and will be released by Amazon on February 10, 2009.
“Young Liars” written and illustrated by David Lapham. Release Date: January 1, 2009. Published by Vertigo Comics. From the Eisner Award-winning creator of “Stray Bullets” comes this rip-roaring, hardcore urban adventure comic…
At the core of “Young Liars” is the disturbing relationship between Danny Noonan, a habitual liar and crap guitar player from Texas, and Sadie Dawkins, the object of his desire. Sadie was a poor little rich girl until a bullet lodged in her brain turned her into an adrenaline junkie who only listens to Danny.
But who shot Sadie is only part of the mystery that drives “Young Liars”, from the twisted club scene of lower Manhattan to absurdist hijinx on the high seas. And from the hot shores of Ibiza to the haunted castles of Spain, Danny, Sadie and their entourage of losers will run from poorly disguised assassins, demented billionaires, and psychotic midgets—not to mention each other—in an absurd quest to get rich and famous. Or kill each other trying.
“Young Liars” will provide relentless action, suspense, sex and murder in the way that only David Lapham can deliver…
Official David Lapham Blog
Order “Young Liars” HERE
Download Issue #1 HERE
NOTE: The “Young Liars, Vol. 01: Daydream Believer” Trade Paperback collects issues #1-6 from the ongoing monthly series and features an introduction by rockstar and Eisner Award-winner Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy).
“Universal War One: Volume One” written and illustrated by Denis Bajram. Release Date: Jan 7, 2009. Published by Marvel Comics. The European bestseller is presented for the first time in English…
In the midst of a latent civil war between the core planets and outlying planetary settlements, an immense wall has cut our solar system in two. The black wall absorbs all light and matter, and it’s up to a band of soldiers facing courts martial to investigate the phenomenon. They’re the men and women of the Purgatory Squadron. For which crimes are they here? And can they work together long enough to stay alive once they enter the Wall?
Official Denis Bajram Website
Order “Universal War One” HERE
Read A Preview HERE
NOTE: “Universal War One: Volume One” Premiere Hardcover collects issues #1-3.
“Justice: Volume 3” written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, Illustrated by Doug Braithwaite and Alex Ross. Cover by Alex Ross. Release Date: January 13, 2008. Published by DC Comics.
The Justice League of America is reimagined by fan-favorite painter Alex Ross (JLA: Liberty and Justice, Kingdom Come) and writer Jim Krueger (Earth X, Universe X) with pencil art by Doug Braithwaite (Paradise X) painted by Ross in this fantastic and bestselling maxiseries…
The members of the fabled Justice League of America are about to learn they aren't the only ones who can band together toward a common goal. The greatest criminal masterminds of our time appear to be acting in concert—but with a surprising plan that seeks to achieve more good than the JLA ever could.
In this third volume—which collects Justice #9-12—the Super-Villains' plot to exploit the innocent thickens as the heroes discover that it may even affect their comrades, colleagues and co-combatants…
Official Alex Ross Website
Official Jim Krueger Website
Official Doug Braithwaite Website
Order “Justice: Volume 2” HERE
NOTE: This is the Trade Paperback version of “Justice: Volume 3”. The hardcover edition was released in October 2007.
“Frankenstein's Womb” written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Marek Oleksicki. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Avatar Press. “Frankenstein's Womb” is the newest addition to Warren Ellis' Apparat line of original graphic novels…
1816 was called 'The Year Without A Summer.' In the weird darkness of that July's volcanic winter, Mary Wollestonecraft Godwin began writing Frankenstein on the shore of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. But that is not where Frankenstein began. It began a few months earlier when—en route through Germany to Switzerland—Mary, her future husband Percy Shelley, and her stepsister Clair Clairmont, approached a strange castle.
Castle Frankenstein, some one hundred years earlier, had been home to Johann Conrad Dippel, whose experiments included the independent invention of nitroglycerin, a distillation of the elixir of life—and the transfer of a live soul into an awful accretion of human body parts. Mary never spoke of having entered the real Castle Frankenstein, stark on its hilltop south of Darmstadt. But she did. And she was never the same again—because something was haunting that tower, and Mary met it there…
Following up the huge successes of Crecy and Aetheric Mechanics, Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Crooked Little Vein) turns his spark of mad genius to bring us a fantastical tale in this all new original graphic novel illustrated in atmospheric perfection by newcomer Marek Oleksicki.
Official Warren Ellis Website
Order “Frankenstein's Womb” HERE
“The Courtyard” written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Jacen Burrows. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Avatar Press. The most celebrated writer in the industry, Alan Moore, teams up with brilliant artist Jacen Burrows, to unleash this timeless tale of Lovecraftian psychological horror…
FBI man Aldo Sax has an amazing service record with the FBI. His legendary skills at piecing together the most baffling of cases has gotten him assigned to what may be his most confusing case yet. Several murders—more like lethal dismemberments—from the most unlikely of suspects just don't add up. And what few leads there are, all point to The Courtyard.
Official Alan Moore Wikipedia Website
Order “The Courtyard” HERE
NOTE: Just in time for the sequel in 2009, Alan Moore's haunting masterpiece, “The Courtyard”, is available in color for the first time. This special collected edition of the series also features an introduction by Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, Punisher).
“Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 2” written by Laurell K. Hamilton and Jess Ruffner-Booth. Illustrated by Brett Booth and Ron Lim. Cover by Ron Lim. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Marvel Comics.
“Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 2” contains the exciting conclusion to the comic adaptation of New York Times-bestselling author Laurell. K. Hamilton’s first Anita Blake novel…
The hunt for the St. Louis’ vampire murderer continues, as Anita Blake finds herself trapped between Nikolaos, the malevolent Master Vampire who has coerced her into investigating the case; Edward, the assassin targeting Nikolaos, who wants Anita’s help locating his mark, willingly or otherwise; and the killer, who plans to eliminate Anita permanently before she identifies him. Can even the woman the undead dub the Executioner survive this case?
Official Laurell K. Hamilton Website
Official Ron Lim Website
Order “Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 2 TPB” HERE
NOTE: This Trade Paperback collects “Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures” issues #7-12. The hardcover edition was published in July 2008.
“American Jesus, Vol. 1: Chosen“American Jesus: Chosen” written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Peter Gross. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Image Comics. From the writer of “War Heroes”, “Kick Ass” and the hit Universal movie Wanted, comes the next Mark Millar graphic novel set to become a feature film…
” follows a twelve-year-old boy who suddenly discovers he's the returned Jesus Christ. He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk and perhaps even raise the dead. How will he deal with the destiny to lead the world in a conflict thousands of years in the making?
Official Mark Millar Wikipedia Website
Order “American Jesus: Chosen” HERE (TFWA)
“The Sword: Water” written by Joshua Luna and illustrated by Jonathan Luna. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Image Comics. “The Sword” by the Luna Brothers’ (Ultra, Girls, Spider-Woman: Origin) is a modern-day fantasy about a young woman who discovers a mysteriously powerful sword after her family is brutally murdered by three strangers.
In this second volume, Dara Brighton has discovered more information about the three powerful strangers who murdered her family. Armed with this knowledge and the sword, her first order of business is to find Zakros, the one who murdered her sister, and make him pay…
Official Luna Brothers Website
Order “The Sword: Water” HERE (TFWA)
Read the Full Issue of “The Sword” #1 HERE
NOTE: “The Sword, Vol. 02: Water” Trade Paperback collects issues #7-12.
“The Red Star: Sword of Lies” created by Christian Gossett. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Archangel Studios. The saga marches on in a beautiful oversized format that collects the first three Sword of Lies annuals into a massive, 200-page epic…
With unforgettable pencils by multiple Eisner-nominated Christian Gossett, and extraordinary digital painting by the world famous Weta Workshop New Zealand, this graphic novel resumes the adventures of the Skyfurnace Konstantinov, and takes readers back to the origin story of the world of The Red Star. This collector's must-have trade paperback chronicles the tragic romance between Imbohl, the father of the Revolution, and the Goddess Pravda, whose power led him to renowned glory...
Official Red Star Website
Order “The Red Star: Sword of Lies” HERE
“House of Mystery, Vol. 1: Room and Boredom” written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges and illustrated by Various Artists. Release Date: January 20, 2009. Published by Vertigo Comics.
Filled with peculiar, otherworldly characters from all walks of life, this series from Matthew Sturges (Jack of Fables) and Bill Willingham (Fables) focuses on five people trapped in the reality-warping House of Mystery, a supernatural bar where tales are the legal tender and only the finest storytellers are patrons. But how—and why—they're stuck inside is all just a little piece of the puzzle in this first volume…
Official Bill Willingham Website
Official Matthew Sturges Blog
Order “House of Mystery, Vol. 1: Room and Boredom” HERE
NOTE: The “House of Mystery, Vol. 01: Room and Boredom” Trade Paperback collects issues #1-5 from the all-new acclaimed series. Also includes bonus material.
“Ultimates 3 Volume 1: Sex, Lies & DVD“ written by Jeph Loeb. Illustrated by Joe Madureira and Christian Lichtner. Release Date: January 21, 2009. Published by Marvel Comics. The countdown to Ultimatum begins here—and when it's over, the Ultimate Universe will never be the same…
A year later, who are the Ultimates? After going through the tumultuous events of the past two volumes, the Ultimates find themselves operating out of Tony Stark's mansion in New York where, no longer working for S.H.I.E.L.D., they have to make it on their own. But a terrible secret is about to tear them apart and one of Earth's greatest heroes will die—and there'll be plenty of suspects. Plus new members, new adventures, and new secrets! All this and Ultimate Venom, too!
Join Eisner winner and Emmy-nominated writer Jeph Loeb (TV's Heroes, Fallen Son) and the superstar team of Joe Madureira & Christian Lichtner (Uncanny X-Men, Battle Chasers) as they take the Ultimates on their wildest ride yet…
Order “Ultimates 3 Volume 1: Sex, Lies & DVD“ HERE
Read A Preview HERE
NOTE: The “Ultimates 3 Volume 1: Sex, Lies & DVD“ Premiere Hardcover collects issues #1-5.
“Wonderlost” written by C.B. Cebulski. Illustrated by Various Artists. Cover by Travis Charest. Release Date: January 21, 2009. Published by Image Comics. One of the most critically-acclaimed and best reviewed books of the past year is now collected into a single volume for the first time…
Awkward kisses, nocturnal fumblings, broken hearts . . . ah, to be teenager in love! For most of us, these are things we'd prefer to forget, but in this autobrographical anthology, C.B. Cebulski shines the light on the romances of his past and shares some outrageous high school love stories.
It's Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets Mean Girls as we're taken to bonfires, backseats and bedrooms in these touching and sometimes tragic tales. Told in an open and honest style that has garnered the individual issues praise across the publishing world, these slice-of-life tales are sure take readers back to the more carefree times of their own youths...
“You could give this book to 10 people and each could come away with a different emotion after a trip down memory lane.” —Silver Bullet Comic Books
“As is the case with any good autobiographical comic, this book's greatest strength is the writer's honesty.” – Eye on Comics
“Sure, we all have those stories from our awkward years. And some of them might even be as entertaining as the ones Cebulski tells us here, but I can't imagine pulling them off as well as he does.” —Comic Book Resources
Official C.B. Cebulski Website
Order “Wonderlost” HERE
“Pax Romana” written and illustrated by Jonathan Hickman. Release Date: January 21, 2009. Published by Image Comics.
From the mind of comic book innovator Jonathan Hickman (The Nightly News, the upcoming Secret Warriors) comes the exhilarating time-traveling epic: “Pax Romana”. Featuring Jonathan’s unique sensibility, “Pax Romana” tells the tale of 5000 men sent on an impossible mission to change the past and save the future. Will they succeed, or will they fail?
Official Jonathan Hickman Website
Order “Pax Romana” HERE (TFWA)
“High Rollers” written by Gary Phillips. Illustrated by Sergio Carrera and Brett Weldele. Release Date: January 27, 2009. Published by Boom! Studios.
Chronicling the life of Cameron Quinn, a ruthless upstart out to make a name for himself, “High Rollers” is a tale of crime and destiny from critically acclaimed mystery novelist Gary Phillips (High Hand, Bangers). Here, Phillips shines a harsh light on the action and drama of the L.A. underworld with this inner-city spin on The Sopranos. “High Rollers” is a potent mix of American Gangster and The Wire, and should appeal to fans of Ed Brubaker's “Criminal”…
Official Gary Phillips Website
Order “High Rollers” HERE
NOTE: The “High Rollers” Trade Paperback collects issues #1-4.
“Cartoon Marriage: Adventures in Love and Matrimony by The New Yorker's Cartooning Couple” written and illustrated by Liza Donnelly and Michael Maslin. Release Date: January 27, 2009. Love and marriage are cleverly exposed in this deliciously witty collection of cartoons from married New Yorker cartoonists…
Husband and wife cartoonists share their own take on the funniest parts of relationships in this true-to-life, hilarious, and cleverly illustrated collection. Married for twenty years, Donnelly and Maslin show us the humor in every relationship from both the male and female perspectives in chapters like “I Do”, “Play with Me”, “Gifting and Getting”, “Ex Whatevers”, “Come Hither”, “Is It Worth It”, and “In Bed.”
From how they met (long, long ago at a New Yorker party) to how they keep their relationship fresh (a little healthy career competition never hurt anyone), Donnelly and Maslin say the things we wish we had about courtship, dating, marriage, sex, children—and everything in between.
With more than 200 cartoons and a series of original graphic narratives, “Cartoon Marriage” is perfect for newlyweds, long-marrieds, or anyone thinking (or NOT thinking) of taking the plunge…
Official Liza Donnelly Website
Official Michael Maslin Website
Order “Cartoon Marriage” HERE
Previous Spotlights:
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
“Pigeons From Hell” written by Joe R. Lansdale, illustrated by Nathan Fox, and colored by Dave Stewart. Release Date: January 1, 2009. Published by Dark Horse.Master horror storyteller Joe R. Lansdale (Jonah Hex, Bubba Ho-Tep, Leather Maiden) throws his scathing wit and wild, otherworldly creations into the mix as he brings Robert E. Howard's classic tale of dark revenge to the present . . . and into the unwilling lives of the Blassenville mansion heirs, twin sisters Claire and Janet.
When Griswell fled the Blassenville estate those many years ago, he couldn't have imagined the grotesque horrors that would eclipse the ones he saw then but they're here, thanks to fiction legend Joe R. Lansdale, dazzling new comic-book artist Nathan Fox (DMZ), and multiple Eisner Award-winning color artist Dave Stewart (Conan, The Umbrella Academy). This fresh take on the classic Pigeons from Hell story delves deeper into the dark mansion's past while also digging up some fresh, imaginative demons, as Claire and Janet unknowingly bring their friends into an unearthly death trap…
Official Joe R. Landsale Website
Order “Pigeons From Hell” HERE (TFAW)
Read A Preview HERE
NOTE: The “Pigeons From Hell” Trade Paperback collects the entire four-issue miniseries and will be released by Amazon on February 10, 2009.
“Young Liars” written and illustrated by David Lapham. Release Date: January 1, 2009. Published by Vertigo Comics. From the Eisner Award-winning creator of “Stray Bullets” comes this rip-roaring, hardcore urban adventure comic…At the core of “Young Liars” is the disturbing relationship between Danny Noonan, a habitual liar and crap guitar player from Texas, and Sadie Dawkins, the object of his desire. Sadie was a poor little rich girl until a bullet lodged in her brain turned her into an adrenaline junkie who only listens to Danny.
But who shot Sadie is only part of the mystery that drives “Young Liars”, from the twisted club scene of lower Manhattan to absurdist hijinx on the high seas. And from the hot shores of Ibiza to the haunted castles of Spain, Danny, Sadie and their entourage of losers will run from poorly disguised assassins, demented billionaires, and psychotic midgets—not to mention each other—in an absurd quest to get rich and famous. Or kill each other trying.
“Young Liars” will provide relentless action, suspense, sex and murder in the way that only David Lapham can deliver…
Official David Lapham Blog
Order “Young Liars” HERE
Download Issue #1 HERE
NOTE: The “Young Liars, Vol. 01: Daydream Believer” Trade Paperback collects issues #1-6 from the ongoing monthly series and features an introduction by rockstar and Eisner Award-winner Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy).
“Universal War One: Volume One” written and illustrated by Denis Bajram. Release Date: Jan 7, 2009. Published by Marvel Comics. The European bestseller is presented for the first time in English…In the midst of a latent civil war between the core planets and outlying planetary settlements, an immense wall has cut our solar system in two. The black wall absorbs all light and matter, and it’s up to a band of soldiers facing courts martial to investigate the phenomenon. They’re the men and women of the Purgatory Squadron. For which crimes are they here? And can they work together long enough to stay alive once they enter the Wall?
Official Denis Bajram Website
Order “Universal War One” HERE
Read A Preview HERE
NOTE: “Universal War One: Volume One” Premiere Hardcover collects issues #1-3.
“Justice: Volume 3” written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, Illustrated by Doug Braithwaite and Alex Ross. Cover by Alex Ross. Release Date: January 13, 2008. Published by DC Comics.The Justice League of America is reimagined by fan-favorite painter Alex Ross (JLA: Liberty and Justice, Kingdom Come) and writer Jim Krueger (Earth X, Universe X) with pencil art by Doug Braithwaite (Paradise X) painted by Ross in this fantastic and bestselling maxiseries…
The members of the fabled Justice League of America are about to learn they aren't the only ones who can band together toward a common goal. The greatest criminal masterminds of our time appear to be acting in concert—but with a surprising plan that seeks to achieve more good than the JLA ever could.
In this third volume—which collects Justice #9-12—the Super-Villains' plot to exploit the innocent thickens as the heroes discover that it may even affect their comrades, colleagues and co-combatants…
Official Alex Ross Website
Official Jim Krueger Website
Official Doug Braithwaite Website
Order “Justice: Volume 2” HERE
NOTE: This is the Trade Paperback version of “Justice: Volume 3”. The hardcover edition was released in October 2007.
“Frankenstein's Womb” written by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Marek Oleksicki. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Avatar Press. “Frankenstein's Womb” is the newest addition to Warren Ellis' Apparat line of original graphic novels…1816 was called 'The Year Without A Summer.' In the weird darkness of that July's volcanic winter, Mary Wollestonecraft Godwin began writing Frankenstein on the shore of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. But that is not where Frankenstein began. It began a few months earlier when—en route through Germany to Switzerland—Mary, her future husband Percy Shelley, and her stepsister Clair Clairmont, approached a strange castle.
Castle Frankenstein, some one hundred years earlier, had been home to Johann Conrad Dippel, whose experiments included the independent invention of nitroglycerin, a distillation of the elixir of life—and the transfer of a live soul into an awful accretion of human body parts. Mary never spoke of having entered the real Castle Frankenstein, stark on its hilltop south of Darmstadt. But she did. And she was never the same again—because something was haunting that tower, and Mary met it there…
Following up the huge successes of Crecy and Aetheric Mechanics, Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Crooked Little Vein) turns his spark of mad genius to bring us a fantastical tale in this all new original graphic novel illustrated in atmospheric perfection by newcomer Marek Oleksicki.
Official Warren Ellis Website
Order “Frankenstein's Womb” HERE
“The Courtyard” written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Jacen Burrows. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Avatar Press. The most celebrated writer in the industry, Alan Moore, teams up with brilliant artist Jacen Burrows, to unleash this timeless tale of Lovecraftian psychological horror…FBI man Aldo Sax has an amazing service record with the FBI. His legendary skills at piecing together the most baffling of cases has gotten him assigned to what may be his most confusing case yet. Several murders—more like lethal dismemberments—from the most unlikely of suspects just don't add up. And what few leads there are, all point to The Courtyard.
Official Alan Moore Wikipedia Website
Order “The Courtyard” HERE
NOTE: Just in time for the sequel in 2009, Alan Moore's haunting masterpiece, “The Courtyard”, is available in color for the first time. This special collected edition of the series also features an introduction by Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, Punisher).
“Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 2” written by Laurell K. Hamilton and Jess Ruffner-Booth. Illustrated by Brett Booth and Ron Lim. Cover by Ron Lim. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Marvel Comics.“Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 2” contains the exciting conclusion to the comic adaptation of New York Times-bestselling author Laurell. K. Hamilton’s first Anita Blake novel…
The hunt for the St. Louis’ vampire murderer continues, as Anita Blake finds herself trapped between Nikolaos, the malevolent Master Vampire who has coerced her into investigating the case; Edward, the assassin targeting Nikolaos, who wants Anita’s help locating his mark, willingly or otherwise; and the killer, who plans to eliminate Anita permanently before she identifies him. Can even the woman the undead dub the Executioner survive this case?
Official Laurell K. Hamilton Website
Official Ron Lim Website
Order “Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures Volume 2 TPB” HERE
NOTE: This Trade Paperback collects “Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures” issues #7-12. The hardcover edition was published in July 2008.
“American Jesus, Vol. 1: Chosen“American Jesus: Chosen” written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Peter Gross. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Image Comics. From the writer of “War Heroes”, “Kick Ass” and the hit Universal movie Wanted, comes the next Mark Millar graphic novel set to become a feature film…” follows a twelve-year-old boy who suddenly discovers he's the returned Jesus Christ. He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk and perhaps even raise the dead. How will he deal with the destiny to lead the world in a conflict thousands of years in the making?
Official Mark Millar Wikipedia Website
Order “American Jesus: Chosen” HERE (TFWA)
“The Sword: Water” written by Joshua Luna and illustrated by Jonathan Luna. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Image Comics. “The Sword” by the Luna Brothers’ (Ultra, Girls, Spider-Woman: Origin) is a modern-day fantasy about a young woman who discovers a mysteriously powerful sword after her family is brutally murdered by three strangers.In this second volume, Dara Brighton has discovered more information about the three powerful strangers who murdered her family. Armed with this knowledge and the sword, her first order of business is to find Zakros, the one who murdered her sister, and make him pay…
Official Luna Brothers Website
Order “The Sword: Water” HERE (TFWA)
Read the Full Issue of “The Sword” #1 HERE
NOTE: “The Sword, Vol. 02: Water” Trade Paperback collects issues #7-12.
“The Red Star: Sword of Lies” created by Christian Gossett. Release Date: January 14, 2009. Published by Archangel Studios. The saga marches on in a beautiful oversized format that collects the first three Sword of Lies annuals into a massive, 200-page epic…With unforgettable pencils by multiple Eisner-nominated Christian Gossett, and extraordinary digital painting by the world famous Weta Workshop New Zealand, this graphic novel resumes the adventures of the Skyfurnace Konstantinov, and takes readers back to the origin story of the world of The Red Star. This collector's must-have trade paperback chronicles the tragic romance between Imbohl, the father of the Revolution, and the Goddess Pravda, whose power led him to renowned glory...
Official Red Star Website
Order “The Red Star: Sword of Lies” HERE
“House of Mystery, Vol. 1: Room and Boredom” written by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges and illustrated by Various Artists. Release Date: January 20, 2009. Published by Vertigo Comics.Filled with peculiar, otherworldly characters from all walks of life, this series from Matthew Sturges (Jack of Fables) and Bill Willingham (Fables) focuses on five people trapped in the reality-warping House of Mystery, a supernatural bar where tales are the legal tender and only the finest storytellers are patrons. But how—and why—they're stuck inside is all just a little piece of the puzzle in this first volume…
Official Bill Willingham Website
Official Matthew Sturges Blog
Order “House of Mystery, Vol. 1: Room and Boredom” HERE
NOTE: The “House of Mystery, Vol. 01: Room and Boredom” Trade Paperback collects issues #1-5 from the all-new acclaimed series. Also includes bonus material.
“Ultimates 3 Volume 1: Sex, Lies & DVD“ written by Jeph Loeb. Illustrated by Joe Madureira and Christian Lichtner. Release Date: January 21, 2009. Published by Marvel Comics. The countdown to Ultimatum begins here—and when it's over, the Ultimate Universe will never be the same…A year later, who are the Ultimates? After going through the tumultuous events of the past two volumes, the Ultimates find themselves operating out of Tony Stark's mansion in New York where, no longer working for S.H.I.E.L.D., they have to make it on their own. But a terrible secret is about to tear them apart and one of Earth's greatest heroes will die—and there'll be plenty of suspects. Plus new members, new adventures, and new secrets! All this and Ultimate Venom, too!
Join Eisner winner and Emmy-nominated writer Jeph Loeb (TV's Heroes, Fallen Son) and the superstar team of Joe Madureira & Christian Lichtner (Uncanny X-Men, Battle Chasers) as they take the Ultimates on their wildest ride yet…
Order “Ultimates 3 Volume 1: Sex, Lies & DVD“ HERE
Read A Preview HERE
NOTE: The “Ultimates 3 Volume 1: Sex, Lies & DVD“ Premiere Hardcover collects issues #1-5.
“Wonderlost” written by C.B. Cebulski. Illustrated by Various Artists. Cover by Travis Charest. Release Date: January 21, 2009. Published by Image Comics. One of the most critically-acclaimed and best reviewed books of the past year is now collected into a single volume for the first time…Awkward kisses, nocturnal fumblings, broken hearts . . . ah, to be teenager in love! For most of us, these are things we'd prefer to forget, but in this autobrographical anthology, C.B. Cebulski shines the light on the romances of his past and shares some outrageous high school love stories.
It's Fast Times at Ridgemont High meets Mean Girls as we're taken to bonfires, backseats and bedrooms in these touching and sometimes tragic tales. Told in an open and honest style that has garnered the individual issues praise across the publishing world, these slice-of-life tales are sure take readers back to the more carefree times of their own youths...
“You could give this book to 10 people and each could come away with a different emotion after a trip down memory lane.” —Silver Bullet Comic Books
“As is the case with any good autobiographical comic, this book's greatest strength is the writer's honesty.” – Eye on Comics
“Sure, we all have those stories from our awkward years. And some of them might even be as entertaining as the ones Cebulski tells us here, but I can't imagine pulling them off as well as he does.” —Comic Book Resources
Official C.B. Cebulski Website
Order “Wonderlost” HERE
“Pax Romana” written and illustrated by Jonathan Hickman. Release Date: January 21, 2009. Published by Image Comics.From the mind of comic book innovator Jonathan Hickman (The Nightly News, the upcoming Secret Warriors) comes the exhilarating time-traveling epic: “Pax Romana”. Featuring Jonathan’s unique sensibility, “Pax Romana” tells the tale of 5000 men sent on an impossible mission to change the past and save the future. Will they succeed, or will they fail?
Official Jonathan Hickman Website
Order “Pax Romana” HERE (TFWA)
“High Rollers” written by Gary Phillips. Illustrated by Sergio Carrera and Brett Weldele. Release Date: January 27, 2009. Published by Boom! Studios.Chronicling the life of Cameron Quinn, a ruthless upstart out to make a name for himself, “High Rollers” is a tale of crime and destiny from critically acclaimed mystery novelist Gary Phillips (High Hand, Bangers). Here, Phillips shines a harsh light on the action and drama of the L.A. underworld with this inner-city spin on The Sopranos. “High Rollers” is a potent mix of American Gangster and The Wire, and should appeal to fans of Ed Brubaker's “Criminal”…
Official Gary Phillips Website
Order “High Rollers” HERE
NOTE: The “High Rollers” Trade Paperback collects issues #1-4.
“Cartoon Marriage: Adventures in Love and Matrimony by The New Yorker's Cartooning Couple” written and illustrated by Liza Donnelly and Michael Maslin. Release Date: January 27, 2009. Love and marriage are cleverly exposed in this deliciously witty collection of cartoons from married New Yorker cartoonists…Husband and wife cartoonists share their own take on the funniest parts of relationships in this true-to-life, hilarious, and cleverly illustrated collection. Married for twenty years, Donnelly and Maslin show us the humor in every relationship from both the male and female perspectives in chapters like “I Do”, “Play with Me”, “Gifting and Getting”, “Ex Whatevers”, “Come Hither”, “Is It Worth It”, and “In Bed.”
From how they met (long, long ago at a New Yorker party) to how they keep their relationship fresh (a little healthy career competition never hurt anyone), Donnelly and Maslin say the things we wish we had about courtship, dating, marriage, sex, children—and everything in between.
With more than 200 cartoons and a series of original graphic narratives, “Cartoon Marriage” is perfect for newlyweds, long-marrieds, or anyone thinking (or NOT thinking) of taking the plunge…
Official Liza Donnelly Website
Official Michael Maslin Website
Order “Cartoon Marriage” HERE
Previous Spotlights:
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
Congratulations to Dawfydd Kelly (UK), Antoinette McDermott (Pennsylvania) and Erma Hurtt (Ohio) who were all randomly selected to win a SIGNED COPY of Jasper Kent’s “Twelve” courtesy of Transword Books!!! “Twelve” was officially published January 1, 2009 and you can read Fantasy Book Critic’s review HERE.
Congratulations also to Mike Jackson (England), Brandy Holzapfel (South Dakota), Edward Valente (Massachusetts), Carrie Baird (Oregon) and Sharon Schwartz (New Jersey) who were all randomly selected to win a SET of MFW Curran's “The Secret War” and “The Hoard of Mhorrer”, thanks to Pan Macmillan New Writing!!! “The Hoard of Mhorrer” is the sequel to “The Secret War” and is officially released today!
Congratulations also to Mike Jackson (England), Brandy Holzapfel (South Dakota), Edward Valente (Massachusetts), Carrie Baird (Oregon) and Sharon Schwartz (New Jersey) who were all randomly selected to win a SET of MFW Curran's “The Secret War” and “The Hoard of Mhorrer”, thanks to Pan Macmillan New Writing!!! “The Hoard of Mhorrer” is the sequel to “The Secret War” and is officially released today!
AUTHOR INFORMATION: Jim C. Hines made his first professional fiction sale with the award-winning short story, “Blade of the Bunny”. Since then, his short fiction has appeared in Realms of Fantasy, Sword & Sorceress, Turn the Other Chick, and over thirty magazines. His first published novel was “Goblin Quest” followed by the sequels “Goblin Hero” and “Goblin War”.
PLOT SUMMARY: Not long after Cinderella—whose real name is Danielle de Glas—married Prince Armand Whiteshore, she is attacked by her stepsister Charlotte, who suddenly has all sorts of magic to call upon. And though Charlotte fails in the assassination attempt, she manages to escape.
Soon after, Danielle discovers a number of disturbing facts: Armand has been kidnapped and taken to the realm of the Fairies; Danielle is pregnant with his child; and the Queen has her very own Secret Service that consists of princesses Talia and Snow. Talia, otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty, is a martial arts master with fairy blessings that make her almost unbeatable while Snow (White, of course), is an expert at mirror magic and heavy-duty flirting.
Can the three princesses track down Armand and extract both the prince and themselves from the clutches of some of fantasyland’s most nefarious villains?
CLASSIFICATION: From the publisher: “What would happen if an author went back to the darker themes (Brothers Grimm) of the original fairy tales for his plots, and then crossed the Disney versions of the princesses Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White with Charlie’s Angels? What’s delivered is The Stepsister Scheme—a whole new take on what happened to Cinderella and her prince after the wedding. And with Jim C. Hines penning the tale readers can bet it won’t be ‘and they lived happily ever after’.”
FORMAT/INFO: Page count is 352 pages divided over fifteen chapters. Narration is in the third-person via Princess Danielle aka ‘Cinderella’. “The Stepsister Scheme” is mostly self-contained, but leaves a couple of threads unresolved and is obviously the start to a new series. January 6, 2009 marks the Mass Market Paperback Publication of “The Stepsister Scheme” via DAW Books. Cover art provided by Scott Fischer.
ANALYSIS: I have three younger sisters, so growing up I was exposed to a lot of Disney animated movies. Repeatedly. As a result, I’m quite familiar with the Disney versions of Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, although I much prefer the darker renditions found in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. So when I heard of the premise behind “The Stepsister Scheme” which seemed to embrace the ‘grimmer’ origins of Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty while making fun of the Disney versions, I couldn’t wait to get started. Plus, I’ve always wanted to read a Jim C. Hines book after hearing so much about his Goblin Quest trilogy. Unfortunately, “The Stepsister Scheme” wasn’t quite what I was hoping for…
On the surface, “The Stepsister Scheme” has a lot going for it. It’s fast-paced and action-packed, full of creative magic, strong female characters, and a ton of familiar fairy tale elements, both traditional and modern—curses, ghosts, magic swords, trolls, goblins, pixies, gnomes, flying horses, et cetera—that make the book a fun and entertaining read. But underneath the surface, “The Stepsister Scheme” comes up a bit short.
For starters, the novel was not nearly as funny or as witty as I was expecting it to be. In fact, the humorous moments sometimes seemed more detrimental than helpful, and the book perhaps would have been better off if the author had taken a strictly serious approach. That, or done the complete opposite and taken the full satire/parody route like The Princess Bride or Mike Resnick’s hilarious John Justin Mallory tales. Instead, the book offers a mix between the two that just wasn’t very effective.
Secondly, the characterization lacks depth with the three princesses imbued with their own personalities and specific traits, but not much else so that they are little more than two-dimensional stereotypes—Snow is cheerful and impetuous, Talia is stern and single-minded, and Danielle is compassionate and resourceful. The secondary players and villains are even less developed, which is a shame because Danielle’s stepsister, Charlotte, could have been one of the book’s more interesting characters.
Lastly, for all that “The Stepsister Scheme” does to reinvent the fairy tale and the ‘happily ever after’, the plot still ends up following a predictable path and even concludes on a happy note. That said, there is a twist towards the end of the book that promises darker times for the princesses, and the story does offer a few surprises along the way like the true mastermind behind the kidnapping. Thematically, Jim introduces a few adult topics into the fairy tale fold like murder, rape, Talia’s sexual orientation, and the consequences of using power, but these are presented more as afterthoughts rather than the powerful subject matter they could have been.
CONCLUSION: “The Stepsister Scheme” is one of those books that both impressed me and left me feeling disappointed. Of the former, the novel is fast-paced and entertaining—though not quite a page-turner—and will appeal to younger readers and anyone who enjoys fairy tales. As to the latter, I felt “The Stepsister Scheme” lacked substance in a couple of areas, and just thought that Mr. Hines could have done so much more with the book’s premise. All in all, “The Stepsister Scheme” is a solid start to a new series, but the sequels will have to be much better to hold my attention…
PLOT SUMMARY: Not long after Cinderella—whose real name is Danielle de Glas—married Prince Armand Whiteshore, she is attacked by her stepsister Charlotte, who suddenly has all sorts of magic to call upon. And though Charlotte fails in the assassination attempt, she manages to escape.
Soon after, Danielle discovers a number of disturbing facts: Armand has been kidnapped and taken to the realm of the Fairies; Danielle is pregnant with his child; and the Queen has her very own Secret Service that consists of princesses Talia and Snow. Talia, otherwise known as Sleeping Beauty, is a martial arts master with fairy blessings that make her almost unbeatable while Snow (White, of course), is an expert at mirror magic and heavy-duty flirting.
Can the three princesses track down Armand and extract both the prince and themselves from the clutches of some of fantasyland’s most nefarious villains?
CLASSIFICATION: From the publisher: “What would happen if an author went back to the darker themes (Brothers Grimm) of the original fairy tales for his plots, and then crossed the Disney versions of the princesses Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White with Charlie’s Angels? What’s delivered is The Stepsister Scheme—a whole new take on what happened to Cinderella and her prince after the wedding. And with Jim C. Hines penning the tale readers can bet it won’t be ‘and they lived happily ever after’.”
FORMAT/INFO: Page count is 352 pages divided over fifteen chapters. Narration is in the third-person via Princess Danielle aka ‘Cinderella’. “The Stepsister Scheme” is mostly self-contained, but leaves a couple of threads unresolved and is obviously the start to a new series. January 6, 2009 marks the Mass Market Paperback Publication of “The Stepsister Scheme” via DAW Books. Cover art provided by Scott Fischer.
ANALYSIS: I have three younger sisters, so growing up I was exposed to a lot of Disney animated movies. Repeatedly. As a result, I’m quite familiar with the Disney versions of Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, although I much prefer the darker renditions found in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. So when I heard of the premise behind “The Stepsister Scheme” which seemed to embrace the ‘grimmer’ origins of Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty while making fun of the Disney versions, I couldn’t wait to get started. Plus, I’ve always wanted to read a Jim C. Hines book after hearing so much about his Goblin Quest trilogy. Unfortunately, “The Stepsister Scheme” wasn’t quite what I was hoping for…
On the surface, “The Stepsister Scheme” has a lot going for it. It’s fast-paced and action-packed, full of creative magic, strong female characters, and a ton of familiar fairy tale elements, both traditional and modern—curses, ghosts, magic swords, trolls, goblins, pixies, gnomes, flying horses, et cetera—that make the book a fun and entertaining read. But underneath the surface, “The Stepsister Scheme” comes up a bit short.
For starters, the novel was not nearly as funny or as witty as I was expecting it to be. In fact, the humorous moments sometimes seemed more detrimental than helpful, and the book perhaps would have been better off if the author had taken a strictly serious approach. That, or done the complete opposite and taken the full satire/parody route like The Princess Bride or Mike Resnick’s hilarious John Justin Mallory tales. Instead, the book offers a mix between the two that just wasn’t very effective.
Secondly, the characterization lacks depth with the three princesses imbued with their own personalities and specific traits, but not much else so that they are little more than two-dimensional stereotypes—Snow is cheerful and impetuous, Talia is stern and single-minded, and Danielle is compassionate and resourceful. The secondary players and villains are even less developed, which is a shame because Danielle’s stepsister, Charlotte, could have been one of the book’s more interesting characters.
Lastly, for all that “The Stepsister Scheme” does to reinvent the fairy tale and the ‘happily ever after’, the plot still ends up following a predictable path and even concludes on a happy note. That said, there is a twist towards the end of the book that promises darker times for the princesses, and the story does offer a few surprises along the way like the true mastermind behind the kidnapping. Thematically, Jim introduces a few adult topics into the fairy tale fold like murder, rape, Talia’s sexual orientation, and the consequences of using power, but these are presented more as afterthoughts rather than the powerful subject matter they could have been.
CONCLUSION: “The Stepsister Scheme” is one of those books that both impressed me and left me feeling disappointed. Of the former, the novel is fast-paced and entertaining—though not quite a page-turner—and will appeal to younger readers and anyone who enjoys fairy tales. As to the latter, I felt “The Stepsister Scheme” lacked substance in a couple of areas, and just thought that Mr. Hines could have done so much more with the book’s premise. All in all, “The Stepsister Scheme” is a solid start to a new series, but the sequels will have to be much better to hold my attention…
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