It's here!

The postperson delivered my hardback yesterday afternoon, so I am now up to my elbows in Malazany goodness. Joy!

Micro Review: Sixty Days and Counting by Kim Stanley Robinson

Book Three of the Science in the Capital Series

Publisher's Synopsis

By the time Phil Chase is elected president, the world’s climate is far on its way to irreversible change. Food scarcity, housing shortages, diminishing medical care, and vanishing species are just some of the consequences. The erratic winter the Washington, D.C., area is experiencing is another grim reminder of a global weather pattern gone haywire: bone-chilling cold one day, balmy weather the next.

But the president-elect remains optimistic and doesn’t intend to give up without a fight. A maverick in every sense of the word, Chase starts organizing the most ambitious plan to save the world from disaster since FDR–and assembling a team of top scientists and advisers to implement it.

For Charlie Quibler, this means reentering the political fray full-time and giving up full-time care of his young son, Joe. For Frank Vanderwal, hampered by a brain injury, it means trying to protect the woman he loves from a vengeful ex and a rogue “black ops” agency not even the president can control–a task for which neither Frank’s work at the National Science Foundation nor his study of Tibetan Buddhism can prepare him.

In a world where time is running out as quickly as its natural resources, where surveillance is almost total and freedom nearly nonexistent, the forecast for the Chase administration looks darker each passing day. For as the last–and most terrible–of natural disasters looms on the horizon, it will take a miracle to stop the clock . . . the kind of miracle that only dedicated men and women can bring about.

MY REVIEW

The Science in the Capital series marks Kim Stanley Robinson's best work so far (for an author with the Mars Trilogy and The Years of Rice and Salt under his belt - that is saying something).

Sixty Days and Counting, picks up after the election of Phil Chase as President of the United States of America. All of the major characters from the previous books return - the Quibblers, Frank Vanderwahl etc.

The novel has the same engaging mix of smart science and excellent characterizations that has been the hallmark of the series. The portrayal of Frank Vanderwahl in particular, sticks with the reader and the conclusion of his story arc is very satisfying.

In contrast with the previous two books, which focused on the dramatic effects of abrupt climate change, Sixty Days and Counting has a much more optimistic tone, as the new President and his administration start to tackle abrupt climate change head on. Don't get me wrong, the hugely damaging impact of abrupt climate change is still felt heavily in this novel, but in Sixty Days and Counting if feels like the human race may actually have a chance of rising to the challenge.

Sixty Days and Counting also has a much better pace than the other two novels in the series and feels more focused.

All in all, Sixty Days and Counting is a worthy conclusion to this series, which should be required reading for every climate change denier on the planet (particularly conservative politicians in the Western world).

9 out of 10.

The 30 Book Challenge

Lately I have been worrying that I have not be getting enough reading done.

So I thought I would adapt the '50 book challenge' internet meme that seems to turn up on most blogs sooner or later. I am setting myself the challenge of reading 30 books between now and the end of the year. Hopefully, by making myself post an update on my progress every few weeks, it will encourage me to stick with the challenge.

So here is my list so far:

1. Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien.
2. Sixty Days and Counting by Kim Stanley Robinson (in progress).

SF/F Writers Who Blog

This post is rather self explanatory, the good folks over at SF Signal maintain a very useful resource - a list of Speculative Fiction authors who blog. You can find it here.

It's coming!

Amazon UK just shipped my hardback of Reaper's Gale and it has an ETA of 16th to 22nd of May. I can't wait!

You learn something new everyday PART 1...

Retroactive continuity – commonly contracted to the portmanteau word retcon – refers to new information later added to "historical" material or deliberately changing previously established facts in a work of serial fiction. The change itself is referred to as a retcon, and the act of writing and publishing a retcon is called "retconning".

Source: Wikipedia

Via: this thread at the A Song of Ice and Fire forums

Mirco Review: The Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien

Here goes for one of the review formats that I want to trial on the blog. The micro review - a review of a book in approximately 150 words. Hopefully the format will force me to convey my ideas in as concise a way as possible, in the hope that they are easier to understand. So...

The Children of Hurin by JRR Tolkien
Edited by Christopher Tolkien, Illustrations by Alan Lee.

The synopsis from the Publisher, Harper Collins' website:

Painstakingly restored from Tolkien’s manuscripts and presented for the first time as a fully continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of The Children of Hurin will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, eagles and Orcs, and the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

Turin is born into a Middle-earth crushed by the recent victory of the Dark Lord, Morgoth, and his monstrous army. The greatest warriors among Elves and Men have perished and Turin’s father, Hurin, has been captured. For his defiance, Hurin’s entire family is cursed by Morgoth to be brought down into darkness and despair.

But, like his father, Turin refuses to be cowed by Morgoth and as he grows so does the legend of the deadly hero. In a land overrun with marauding Orcs, Turin gathers to him a band of outlaws and gradually they begin to turn the tide in the war for supremacy of Middle-earth.

Then Morgoth unleashes his greatest weapon: Glaurung, Mightiest of Dragons, and he proves an unstoppable foe. As the Dragon carves a fiery swathe through Middle-earth there remains only one man who can slay him, but to do that he will first have to confront his destiny.

The Children of Hurin was one of three Great Tales begun by J.R.R. Tolkien as he recovered from the horrors of the First World War, and he worked on refining and improving it for the rest of his life. This tragic tale of adventure, heroism, suffering and love stands as one of the finest expressions of his skills as a storyteller and the narrative is as powerful as anything contained within The Lord of the Rings. Painstakingly reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien from his father’s manuscripts, it can finally be enjoyed as the author originally intended.

MY REVIEW

It is fantastic to be back in Middle Earth and Tolkien's work can still weave a spell over the reader. The Children of Hurin has all that readers have come to expect from a work by Tolkien – great battles and landscapes, epic figures and a stirring (if in this case, rather tragic) story.

However, it also suffers from some of the negatives that can be associated with Tolkien’s work. Such as poorly drawn characters that are little more than sketches. The Children of Hurin also suffers from a wildly varying pace and tone.

Tolkien is Tolkien however. He is the father of the epic fantasy genre (If not its master anymore? I think the likes of Martin, Erikson and Bakker could challenge for that title). I would recommend The Children of Hurin to not only those who enjoyed any of Tolkien’s previous work but fans of the epic fantasy sub-genre of speculative fiction in general.

7 out of 10.

...159 words. Not bad. Any feedback on this review format (or the review itself) would be most welcome - feel free to leave some in the comments to this post.

Next Culture novel by Ian M Banks - Matter

Big Dumb Object reports that the next Culture novel by Ian M Banks is currently titled 'Matter' and is due out in February (in the UK at least).

Source: Big Dumb Object
Via: SF Signal

Night of Knives - 15/6/2007 in Australia

Did you think that was all the Malazany goodness we had to look forward to? Random House are also listing the release of the hardback of Night of Knives - the new Malazan novel from series co-creator Ian C. Esslemont as June 15, 2007. No word yet on whether or not we can expect a large format trade paperback release.

Here is the synopsis:

It gave the Empire its name, but the tiny island and city of Malaz is now a sleepy, seedy back-water port. However this night things are a little different. This night its residents are bustling about, barring doors and shuttering windows. Because this night a once-in-a-generation Shadow Moon is due and threatens the good citizens of Malaz with demon hounds and other, darker, beings...

And it was also prophesied that on this night the Emperor Kellanved, missing for all these years, will return. As factions within the greater Empire battle over the imperial throne, the Shadow Moon summons a far more alien and ancient presence for an all-out assault upon the island. Indeed the cataclysmic events that happen this night will determine the fate of the Malaz and of the entire world beyond.

Again, if you see either book out in the wild before the release date let us know in a comment on the blog.

Hopefully I can line up reviews of both of these new Malazan novels for Speculative Dispatches.

Reaper's Gale - 1/6/2007 in Australia

Random House are listing the release date for the trade paperback of the seventh book in Steven Erikson's acclaimed Malazan Book of the Fallen series for June 1, 2007 in Australia.

Here is the synopsis:

All is not well in the Letherii Empire. Rhulad Sengar, the Emperor of a Thousand Deaths, spirals into madness, surrounded by sycophants and agents of his Machiavellian chancellor, while the Letherii secret police conduct a campaign of terror against its own people. The Errant, once a farseeing god, is suddenly blind to the future. Conspiracies seethe throughout the palace, as the empire - driven by the corrupt and self-interested - edges ever-closer to all-out war with the neighbouring kingdoms. And the great Edur fleet - its warriors selected from countless peoples - draws ever closer. Amongst them are Karsa Orlong and Icarium Lifestealer - each destined to cross blades with the emperor himself. That yet more blood is to be spilled is inevitable... Against this backdrop, a band of fugitives seek a way out of the empire, but one of them, Fear Sengar must find the soul of Scabandari Bloodeye. It is his hope that it might help halt the Tiste Edur, and so save his brother, the emperor. Yet, travelling with them is Scabandari's most ancient foe: Silchas Ruin, brother of Anomander Rake. And his motives are anything but certain - for the wounds he carries on his back, made by the blades of Scabandari, are still fresh. Fate decrees that there is to be a reckoning, for such bloodshed cannot go unanswered - and it will be a reckoning on an unimaginable scale...
A brutal, harrowing novel of war, intrigue and dark, uncontrollable magic, this is epic fantasy at its most imaginative, storytelling at its most thrilling.

I can't wait!

If you see Reaper's Gale out in the wild before the release date drop us a comment here at the blog and let us know.

For more information about Erickson's Malazan Book of the Fallen visit the semi-official forums here.

Repost - Review: Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

ABOUT: Fat Charlie Nancy is a man who is easily embarrassed. Despite this, he has managed to achieve something resembling a normal life. A Job with a boss he thinks he doesn’t really like and a fiancée with a mother he knows he definitely doesn’t like.

Fat Charlie’s greatest source of embarrassment though is his father, even more so when he dies of a heart attack at the beginning of a karaoke performance.

After the funeral, Fat Charlie learns that his father was in fact, the trickster God Anansi, and that he has a brother he knew nothing about, Spider.

His brother Spider inherited his father’s abilities, and when Spider turns up at Fat Charlie’s place in London, Fat Charlie’s life quickly spins totally out of control.

FOR: - The strongest attraction of Anansi Boys is a story that sparkles with charm, imagination and character. It is well structured and paced and Gaiman has inserted more than a few twists along the way to surprise and shock the reader.

- Gaiman’s characters are engaging and for the most part, likeable (except for Grahame Coats, who at times is downright creepy!). Fat Charlie is the nervous everyman that we can all relate too, and his brother Spider is like the cool kid at highschool we all wanted to be like. The supporting cast of characters are equally well realised and a clear evolution can be seen in every character’s path throughout the novel.

- The portrayal of families and relationships lies at the heart of Anansi Boys and it is something that Gaiman has done very well. I had to wince at some of the embarrassing memories of my own family that the novel evoked!

- Anansi Boys brims with humour. From gentle word plays and slapstick to laugh out loud moments (the line about the menopausal mafia comes to mind). More often, laugh out loud moments than anything else, as Fat Charlie tries to fix the mess he finds himself in.

AGAINST: - At times the humour could get a tad excessive and I was left hoping that there would be a little bit more meat on the bones (A cliché to make Grahame Coats proud!). At other times the humour could be a little hit and miss.

- Will I be the only one who felt a little disappointed by the ending? It seemed to tie things together a little too well. After all the mayhem that Fat Charlie and Spider endure, I guess I was expecting it to be a little bit more of a mess. Then again, the ending definitely suited the tone of the book.

VERDICT: A highly entertaining, intelligent, imaginative and witty book. It is well worth looking out for.

SCORE: 8 out of 10.

OTHER OPINIONS: Sf Reviews.net, Emerald City and Sf Site.


AUTHOR’S WEBSITE: Neil Gaiman's website (including an excellent web journal), can be found here.

What are you consuming this weekend?

So everyone, the blessed time known as the weekend is upon us once again. What are you all consuming this weekend?

Personally, I am planning on finishing Children of Hurin and moving on to Sixty Days and Counting, playing my new obsession Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and revisiting a few old friends - either Crackdown, Oblivion and Gears - whichever takes my fancy. Throw in a few episodes of Dr Who, House of Flying Daggers, Casino Royale and a nice long walk (if the rain lets me) and my weekend is planned!


So what are you consuming this weekend?

2007 Locus Awards

The 2007 Locus Award Nominees have been announced. In the major categories:

Best Science Fiction Novel

Blindsight, Peter Watts (Tor)
Carnival, Elizabeth Bear (Bantam Spectra)
Farthing, Jo Walton (Tor)
Glasshouse, Charles Stross (Orbit; Ace)
Rainbows End, Vernor Vinge (Tor)

Best Fantasy Novel

The Jennifer Morgue, Charles Stross (Golden Gryphon Press; Ace)
The Last Witchfinder, James Morrow (Morrow)
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner (Bantam Spectra)
Soldier of Sidon, Gene Wolfe (Tor)
Three Days to Never, Tim Powers (Subterranean Press; Morrow)

Best First Novel

Crystal Rain, Tobias S. Buckell (Tor)
The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, Gordon Dahlquist (Bantam; Viking UK)
The Green Glass Sea, Ellen Klages (Viking)
The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch (Gollancz; Bantam Spectra)
Temeraire: His Majesty’s Dragon/Throne of Jade/Black Powder, Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Voyager); as Temeraire: In the Service of the King (SFBC)

Best Young Adult Book

The Keys to the Kingdom: Sir Thursday, Garth Nix (Allen & Unwin; The Chicken House)
Magic Lessons, Justine Larbalestier (Penguin/Razorbill)
Spirits That Walk in Shadow, Nina Kiriki Hoffman (Viking)
Voices, Ursula K. Le Guin (Orion Children’s; Harcourt)
Wintersmith, Terry Pratchett (Doubleday UK; HarperTempest)

Best Novella

“Botch Town”, Jeffrey Ford (The Empire of Ice Cream)
“Lord Weary’s Empire”, Michael Swanwick (Asimov’s 12/06)
“Map of Dreams”, M. Rickert (Map of Dreams)
“The Mars Girl”, Joe Haldeman (Escape from Earth)
“Missile Gap”, Charles Stross (One Million A.D.)

Best Novelette

“I, Row-Boat”, Cory Doctorow (Flurb 1, Fall ‘06)
“The Night Whiskey”, Jeffrey Ford (Salon Fantastique)
“Pol Pot’s Beautiful Daughter (Fantasy)”, Geoff Ryman (F&SF 10-11/06)
“The Singularity Needs Women!”, Paul Di Filippo (Forbidden Planets [Crowther])
“When Sysadmins Ruled the Earth”, Cory Doctorow (Baen’s Universe 8/06)

Best Short Story

“How to Talk to Girls at Parties”, Neil Gaiman (Fragile Things)
“In the Abyss of Time”, Stephen Baxter (Asimov’s 8/06)
“Nano Comes to Clifford Falls”, Nancy Kress (Asimov’s 7/06)
“Sob in the Silence”, Gene Wolfe (Strange Birds)
“Tin Marsh”, Michael Swanwick (Asimov’s 8/06)

Best Anthology

One Million A.D., Gardner Dozois, ed. (SFBC)
Salon Fantastique, Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling, eds. (Thunder’s Mouth Press)
The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror: Nineteenth Annual Collection, Ellen Datlow, Kelly Link & Gavin Grant, eds. (St. Martin’s)
The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Third Annual Collection, Gardner Dozois, ed. (St. Martin’s)
Year’s Best SF 11, David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer, eds. (Eos)

Best Collection

The Best of Philip José Farmer, Philip José Farmer (Subterranean Press)
The Empire of Ice Cream, Jeffrey Ford (Golden Gryphon Press)
Fragile Things, Neil Gaiman (Morrow; Headline Review)
Galactic North, Alastair Reynolds (Gollancz)
The Ladies of Grace Adieu and other stories, Susanna Clarke (Bloomsbury)

Best Editor

Jim Baen
Ellen Datlow
Gardner Dozois
David G. Hartwell
Gordon Van Gelder

Best Artist

Bob Eggleton
Donato Giancola
John Picacio
Charles Vess
Michael Whelan

Personally, I think the most interesting category is best first novel. I would have a hard time choosing between Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series and Scott Lynch’s Lies of Locke Lamora. The results are announced in mid June. Via SFSignal.