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Future Treasures: Duskfall by Christopher Husberg

Future Treasures: Duskfall by Christopher Husberg

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Duskfall Christopher Husberg-smallI tend to like my fantasy dark and gritty. Arthurian fantasy, romantic fantasy, light-hearted comedy… I enjoy those as well, but in smaller doses. And when I’m shopping for a new series, my eye tends to gravitate towards those that promise high stakes, rich settings, complex characters, and diabolical villains.

Christopher Husberg’s debut fantasy novel Duskfall looks like it could fit the bill nicely. It’s the opening volume in The Chaos Queen Quintet (which I assume means there will be four more?) The next volume, Dark Immolation, will be released in June 2017. Duskfall is due in trade paperback from Titan this week.

There Are Daemons That Even Daemons Fear….

Pulled from the frozen waters of the Gulf of Nahl, stuck with arrows and near to death, Knot has no memory of who he was. But his dreams are dark, and he can kill a man with terrifying ease.

Winter, a tiellan woman whose people have long been oppressed by humans, is married to and abandoned by Knot on the same day, when robed assassins attack their wedding. Her nascent magical abilities will lead her to a deadly addiction — and phenomenal power.

And Cinzia, priestess and true believer, has returned to her home city to find that her own sister is leading a heretical rebellion. A rebellion that only the inquisition can crush… Their fates will intertwine, in a land where magic and demons are believed dead, but dark forces still vie for power.

Duskfall will be published by Titan Books on June 21, 2016. It is 560 pages, priced at $14.95 in trade paperback and $7.99 for the digital edition.

See all our coverage of the best upcoming fantasy here.

Zombie Plagues, Demon Hunters, and the Cyborg Tour de France: Catching Up With Tor.com

Zombie Plagues, Demon Hunters, and the Cyborg Tour de France: Catching Up With Tor.com

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The-Emperors-Railroad-small The Jewel and her Lapidary-small A Whisper of Southern Lights-small
Runtime Divya-small Infomocracy Malka Older-small Return of Souls-small

I think Tor.com‘s new line of premium novellas is a terrific idea. I really enjoy keeping on top of the latest in fantasy and SF (or, at least, the illusion that I’m keeping on top of the latest in fantasy and SF), but I just don’t have enough time to read all the novels I need to do that.

But the Tor.com novellas have allowed me to sample many of the top writers in the field, as well as new and emerging talents, in a marvelously satisfying way. I’m talking about folks like Michael R. Underwood, K. J. Parker, Mary Robinette Kowal, Tim Lebbon, Seanan McGuire, Kai Ashante Wilson, Paul Cornell, Alter S. Reiss, Nnedi Okorafor, Angela Slatter, Daniel Polansky, and many others. The novellas are quick, inexpensive reads… and so far, the quality has been top-notch. It doesn’t hurt that they also look terrific, and are highly collectible, either.

This is where some of the most exciting work in the industry is being done, and the critical buzz reflects that. The fledgling line has already been showered with accolades, award nominations, and even a Nebula Award… and it’s not even a year old!

Tor.com shows no signs of slowing down, releasing 2-3 new titles per month through the spring and summer. The six books above were published over the last nine weeks, and they’re some of the most interesting of the lot. They include their first full-length novel, Malka Older ‘s Infomocracy, sequels to previous popular Tor.com novellas (Tim Lebbon’s A Whisper of Southern Lights and Andy Remic’s Return of Souls), two debuts (S. B. Divya’s Runtime, and Infomocracy), a standalone novella from a 2016 Nebula nominee (Fran Wilde’s The Jewel and Her Lapidary), and the start of an exciting new science fantasy series from a popular Warhammer 40K author (Guy Haley’s The Emperor’s Railroad.)

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Vintage Treasures: Nine Hundred Grandmothers by R.A. Lafferty

Vintage Treasures: Nine Hundred Grandmothers by R.A. Lafferty

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Nine Hundred Grandmothers-small Nine Hundred Grandmothers-back-small Nine Hundred Grandmothers Ace 1982-small

R.A. Lafferty is one of the finest short story writers our genre has seen, and “Nine Hundred Grandmothers,” a compact masterpiece originally published in the February 1966 issue of IF magazine, is one of the best short stories ever written. The tale of an asteroid miner who can’t stop himself from asking the deep questions, and what happens when he comes across a strange and ancient race of aliens who remember how life began, it’s funny, thought provoking, and totally, totally unique. A description you could apply to much of Lafferty’s output, now that I think about it.

Nine Hundred Grandmothers, Lafferty’s first collection, was published as an original paperback in Terry Carr’s legendary Ace Science Fiction Special line in 1970, and it contained much of his finest work, including “Slow Tuesday Night,” “Snuffles,” and “Thus We Frustrate Charlemagne.” The front cover (above left) was by Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon; the back cover is above center. It was reprinted in paperback by Ace in January 1982 with a new cover by Charles Mikolaycak (above right). While the Ace Special edition was first, the 1982 paperback is actually the more rare of the two, and highly sought by collectors.

Here’s the blurb from the inside front cover of the 1970 edition, with brief but tantalizing descriptions of some of the stories within.

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John DeNardo on The Must-Read Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror in June

John DeNardo on The Must-Read Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror in June

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Infomocracy Malka Older-small League of Dragons-small Ninefox Gambit-small

Kirkus Reviews has become a lively place for SF and fantasy discussion, thanks primarily to the efforts of Andrew Liptak and John DeNardo, who have been producing weekly articles that look at the best in the genre, old and new. John has taken to doing a monthly survey of the most intriguing new titles in SF, fantasy and horror, and I find it invaluable. This month he highlights new books by Stephen King, Malka Older, Naomi Novik, Brenda Cooper, Anthony O’Neill, Charles Stross, and many others — including the first novel by acclaimed short story writer Yoon Ha Lee.

Here’s a sample of some of John’s top choices for the month.

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New Treasures: The Year’s Best Military & Adventure SF 2015, edited by David Afsharirad

New Treasures: The Year’s Best Military & Adventure SF 2015, edited by David Afsharirad

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The Year's Best Military & Adventure SF 2015-smallLast June Baen Books launched an intriguing new Best of the Year series, The Year’s Best Military SF and Space Opera, edited by David Afsharirad. It was a commercial and critical success, and I was pleased to see a second volume arrive this month. This year’s edition has a slightly tweaked title, The Year’s Best Military & Adventure SF 2015, but it’s still packed with the best military SF, space opera, and adventure SF stories from last year, culled from the top magazines and online venues. Here’s the complete Table of Contents.

Preface by David Afsharirad
Introduction by David Drake
“The Siege of Denver” by Brendan DuBois (Baen.com, December 2015)
“Save what You Can” by David Drake (Onward, Drake!)
“For the Love of Sylvia City” by Andrea M. Pawley (Clarkesworld, May 2015)
“The Wizard of the Trees” by Joe R. Lansdale (Old Venus)
“Helping Hand”by Claudine Griggs (Lightspeed, June 2015, Queers Destroy Science Fiction! Special Issue)
“Morrigan in Shadow” by Seth Dickinson (Clarkesworld, December 2015)
“Remembery Day” by Sarah Pinsker (Apex Magazine, issue 72)
“Gyre” by Brad R. Torgersen (Galaxy’s Edge, March 2015)
“Twilight on Olympus” by Eric Leif Davin (Galaxy’s Edge, March 2015)
“The Trouble with Telepaths” by Hank Davis (Onward, Drake!)
“This is the Way the Universe Ends: With a Bang” by Brian Dolton (The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, March/April 2015)
“The Tumbledowns of Cleopatra Abyss” by David Brin (Old Venus)

The Year’s Best Military & Adventure SF 2015 was published by Baen on June 7, 2016. It is 288 pages, priced at $16 in trade paperback and $8.99 for the digital edition. The cover is by Kurt Miller. Find all the details — and sample excerpts — at Baen.com.

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Future Treasures: Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan

Future Treasures: Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan

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Age of Myth Michael J. Sullivan-smallMichael J. Sullivan is the author of two popular adventure fantasy trilogies: Riyria Revelations (Theft of Swords, Rise of Empire, and Heir of Novron), and The Riyria Chronicles (The Crown Tower, The Rose and the Thorn, and The Death of Dulgath).

Now, in his US hardcover debut, Age of Myth, he kicks off his most ambitious project yet: a five-book epic of gods, men, and the powerful destiny that ties both together.

Since time immemorial, humans have worshiped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between men and those they thought were gods changes forever.

Now, only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer. Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom. And Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people.

The Age of Myth is over; the time of rebellion has begun.

Age of Myth will be published by Del Rey on June 28, 2016. It is 416 pages, priced at $26 in hardcover and $12.99 for the digital edition. The eye-catching cover is by Marc Simonetti.

See all of coverage of the best upcoming fantasy here.

Mighty Pirate Kingdoms, Weather Wizards, and Quarrelsome Ghosts: Sarah Avery’s The Imlen Brat

Mighty Pirate Kingdoms, Weather Wizards, and Quarrelsome Ghosts: Sarah Avery’s The Imlen Brat

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The Imlen Brat-small

To me, The Imlen Brat will always be the story that got away.

After I bought “The War of the Wheat Berry Year” from Sarah Avery (it appeared in Black Gate 15), I begged her to send me something new. She responded in spectacular fashion, with a dynamite novella called “The Imlen Bastard.” It was a marvelous tale of mighty pirate kingdoms, weather wizards, quarrelsome ghosts, secret magics, and deadly court intrigue, all seen through the eyes of an adopted daughter in an enemy royal house. I told Sarah I wanted to buy it, and happily set the wheels in motion to publish it.

Alas, it was not to be. BG 15 was our final issue, and I was forced to return all the fiction I was holding for future issues — including “The Imlen Bastard.” Scarcely three years later, Sarah won the Mythopoeic Award for her first book, Tales from Rugosa Coven, and the world finally began to realize that Sarah was  a major new talent. Her successful Kickstarter to self-publish the novella wrapped up late last year (see her blog post about it all, “Kickstarting a Belated Black Gate Story: The Imlen Bastard“), and the book, now known as The Imlen Brat, is inching closer to release. Last month Sarah shared the gorgeous final cover design (above), saying:

This morning the book designers sent me a proof of the cover design, and it looks like just the kind of book I’d pick up if I saw it on the bookstore shelf… As a thank-you for email list subscribers, I’m offering a free short story ebook, a spin-off about Stisele, the heroine of The Imlen Brat. For at least the next three years, this story will be available only to my list subscribers.

The Imlen Brat will be released later this summer. The cover art is by Kate Baylay, and the cover was designed by designforwriters.com. Click on the image above for a bigger version, and subscribe to Sarah’s e-mail list here to get the free 9,000-word story, “The Enemy in Snowmelt Season.”

Prowling and Howling Through the Moonlit Forests of Lycanthropia: Thomas McNulty’s Werewolves!

Prowling and Howling Through the Moonlit Forests of Lycanthropia: Thomas McNulty’s Werewolves!

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Werewolves! A Study of Lycanthropes in Film, Folklore and Literature-small Werewolves! A Study of Lycanthropes in Film, Folklore and Literature-back-small

Werewolves! A Study of Lycanthropes in Film, Folklore and Literature
By Thomas McNulty.
BearManor Media (215 pages, including Notes and Sources, Selected Werewolf Filmography, Bibliography, and Index; $19.95 in trade paperback, November 17, 2011)

Thomas McNulty’s Werewolves! is an insightful, informative and scholarly look at the legend and cinestory (film history) of werewolves.  Now, I consider myself a pretty fair hand when it comes to all things “lycanthropic,” but McNulty has me beat by a mile.  I learned about films I’d never heard of before, such as The Werewolf, a lost 1913 silent film; 1995’s Huntress: Spirit of the Night; and 2003’s Dark Wolf (which I have finally viewed and highly recommend.)

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Vintage Treasures: The Best of Clifford D. Simak, edited by Angus Wells

Vintage Treasures: The Best of Clifford D. Simak, edited by Angus Wells

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The Best of Clifford D Simak-small

Clifford D. Simak has been experiencing something of a renaissance recently, thanks chiefly to David W. Wixon, editor of the six-volume Complete Short Fiction of Clifford D. Simak from Open Road Media. That’s a delightful series, and it makes Simak’s previous collections largely superfluous. But nonetheless, I still find myself compelled to track down the last few missing titles to complete my Simak collection.

Right now, the most elusive is The Best of Clifford D. Simak, edited by Angus Wells. It was published in paperback by Sphere in 1975 with a knockout wraparound cover by Eddie Jones.

Simak had two Best Of collections in the US, Best Science Fiction Stories of Clifford D. Simak (Paperback Library, 1972) and Skirmish: The Great Short Fiction of Clifford D. Simak (Berkley, 1978). Those contain the classic tales you’d generally expect, including “Huddling Place,” “The Ghost of a Model T,” “All the Traps of Earth,” “Skirmish,” and his masterpiece “The Big Front Yard.”

Angus Wells’ The Best of Clifford D. Simak is a different beast. It skips all the stories I mentioned above, and contains instead an eclectic mix of stories, including a handful of his early pulp tales and two Hugo nominees, “The Thing in the Stone” and “The Autumn Land.” Needless to say, it’s highly prized among Simak collections — yours truly included.

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New Treasures: Who Killed Sherlock Holmes?, the Third Shadow Police Novel by Paul Cornell

New Treasures: Who Killed Sherlock Holmes?, the Third Shadow Police Novel by Paul Cornell

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London Falling Paul Cornell-small The Severed Streets-small Who Killed Sherlock Holmes-small

I bought a copy of Paul Cornell’s London Falling, the first novel in what was to become his Shadow Police series, shortly after it was released in 2013. It followed Detective Inspector James Quill and his team after they came into contact with a strange artifact and accidentally develop the Sight, enabling them to take on the otherworldly creatures secretly prowling London’s streets. I missed The Severed Streets, the second in the series, completely, so I was very grateful to receive a review copy of the third book, Who Killed Sherlock Holmes?, released in trade paperback by PAN on May 19. This series looks like a lot of fun, and I’ve already started a search for the middle book to complete the set.

The ghost of Sherlock Holmes is dead, but who will solve his murder?

The Great Detective’s ghost has walked London’s streets for an age, given shape by people’s memories. Now someone’s put a ceremonial dagger through his chest. But what’s the motive? And who — or what — could kill a ghost?

When policing London’s supernatural underworld, eliminating the impossible is not an option. DI James Quill and his detectives have learnt this the hard way. Gifted with the Sight, they’ll pursue a criminal genius — who’ll lure them into a Sherlockian maze of clues and evidence. The team also have their own demons to fight. They’ve been to Hell and back (literally) but now the unit is falling apart…

Paul Cornell’s most recent publication here in the US was the acclaimed novella Witches of Lychford, published by Tor.com.

Who Killed Sherlock Holmes? was published by Pan Books on May 19, 2016. It is 358 pages, priced at £8.99 (around $12.76 in the US).