There's a wonderful review of Irons in the Fire, Juliet McKenna's latest and greatest epic fantasy novel:
One of the great pleasures of Juliet McKenna's novels—to date, the five-volume Tales of Einarinn (1999-2002) and the Aldabreshin Compass quartet (2003-2006)—is the sense that they are set in a pre-modern world not simply because that is how genre fantasy is done, but because the author has a very clear understanding of how a pre-modern world works, and has stories to tell that (with a magical twist) emerge from it naturally. Characters and nations, institutions and trade routes, folklore and theatre productions: all are expressions of the societies and cultures around them, which in turn are born of a complex, dynamic past. This is fantasy, in other words, with a strong sense of both place and history, one in which the world emerges from the lived experience of its varied characters, rather than grand vistas of description.
Irons in the Fire, the first in a new series from a new publisher for McKenna, is a typically rich, robust and unsentimental effort, which sees revolution brewing in Einarinn.
Read more at Strange Horizons.
SFF Ethics Blog
Andy Remic dropped us a line about a new all-star multi-author blog called SFF Ethics.
"Our mission is to celebrate everything positive, funky and exciting in the Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror Universe!
The SFFE is a core platform, a hub of authors who have banded together with the aim of celebrating all that is positive in genre fiction. We aim to leave cynicism and negativity at the door, and concentrate on what makes us smile, what entertains us, and what brings light and joy to our SF, fantasy and horror universe.That's not to say there is no place for criticism--- there's plenty bad in the world. However, this little digital corner is a place for positive progression, somewhere you will (hopefully) come if you want to smile."
You can check out the blog here.
"Our mission is to celebrate everything positive, funky and exciting in the Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror Universe!
The SFFE is a core platform, a hub of authors who have banded together with the aim of celebrating all that is positive in genre fiction. We aim to leave cynicism and negativity at the door, and concentrate on what makes us smile, what entertains us, and what brings light and joy to our SF, fantasy and horror universe.That's not to say there is no place for criticism--- there's plenty bad in the world. However, this little digital corner is a place for positive progression, somewhere you will (hopefully) come if you want to smile."
You can check out the blog here.
Dragon Age Fan Site
James Maxey dropped us a line to tell us about a new Dragon Age fan site.
"Dragons!
Lots and lots of dragons; that's what prompted me to pick this book up and I'm glad I did. Werewolves, wolves and dragons are huge selling points for me. If a book contains one of them, you can be pretty sure that I've at least picked it up, even if I haven't bought it.
In this lens we're going to have a close look at the books Bitterwood and DragonForge written by James Maxey. I'll tell you what I liked, what I didn't like, as well as provide you with a brief overview of both books.
Not only that, but we'll also take a closer look at the author, James Maxey. I'll provide you with some links to his blog and website and go one-on-one with him in an exclusive interview.
If you're looking for an in-depth review, you don't want to miss out on this lens. Keep on reading and you won't be disappointed."
"Dragons!
Lots and lots of dragons; that's what prompted me to pick this book up and I'm glad I did. Werewolves, wolves and dragons are huge selling points for me. If a book contains one of them, you can be pretty sure that I've at least picked it up, even if I haven't bought it.
In this lens we're going to have a close look at the books Bitterwood and DragonForge written by James Maxey. I'll tell you what I liked, what I didn't like, as well as provide you with a brief overview of both books.
Not only that, but we'll also take a closer look at the author, James Maxey. I'll provide you with some links to his blog and website and go one-on-one with him in an exclusive interview.
If you're looking for an in-depth review, you don't want to miss out on this lens. Keep on reading and you won't be disappointed."
Eric Brown Reviews
The blog of the Science Fiction Society of Northern New Jersey has a lot of love for Eric Brown. First they reviewed Eric Brown's Helix.
Helix combines both concepts with a superb sense of character and story that are hallmarks of the Eric Brown style of science fiction. The characters, whether human or alien, are real and honest: just plain folks who do not seem forced, archetypical, or unrealistic. Much like Kethani, Helix explores more than just the normal tropes of science fiction, it turns the genre on and kicks it up a few notches. At once a bold human interest story and an action adventure story, Helix has something for every reader.
And they've also given a wonderful review of Kéthani:
"430 pages of deep thought, philosophy, and high concept science fiction await you if you pick up Eric Brown's Kethani, and if that sort of thing appeals to you as much as it did to me, then I highly recommend that you grab a copy and gobble it up."
Helix combines both concepts with a superb sense of character and story that are hallmarks of the Eric Brown style of science fiction. The characters, whether human or alien, are real and honest: just plain folks who do not seem forced, archetypical, or unrealistic. Much like Kethani, Helix explores more than just the normal tropes of science fiction, it turns the genre on and kicks it up a few notches. At once a bold human interest story and an action adventure story, Helix has something for every reader.
And they've also given a wonderful review of Kéthani:
"430 pages of deep thought, philosophy, and high concept science fiction await you if you pick up Eric Brown's Kethani, and if that sort of thing appeals to you as much as it did to me, then I highly recommend that you grab a copy and gobble it up."
Sidewise Award Nominations
The finalists for the 2008 Sidewise Awards - the world's premier Alternate History fiction prize - have just been announced and Chris Roberson's The Dragon's Nine Sons is up for the long-form Alternate History crown while three stories from Lou Anders' Sideways in Crime make the list in the short-form category. Even our own George Mann got in on the act with a nod for his novel The Affinity Bridge on the long-form shortlist. Full details can be found here.
The winners will be announced at the 67th World Science Fiction Convention in Montreal which takes place from 6-10 August 2009.
Congratulations to all the nominees – 2008 was a strong year for Alternate History fiction and everyone on either shortlist would be a worthy winner.
The winners will be announced at the 67th World Science Fiction Convention in Montreal which takes place from 6-10 August 2009.
Congratulations to all the nominees – 2008 was a strong year for Alternate History fiction and everyone on either shortlist would be a worthy winner.
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