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Fallin’ Through the Cracks

Although American publishers have no problem churning out movie novelizations on time and en masse, some great genre literature is falling through the cracks, getting too little publicity or attention to garner the widespread praise it rightfully deserves. Enter me: by scouring the internet and doing pretty much what the rest of you SF, fantasy, and horror lovers do (listening to word-of-mouth from trusted friends and family), I’ve tried to hunt down these overlooked novels and bring them to your attention. I’ll be the first to admit that I know too little about what’s out there, but with the support of your e-mails and advice you’ve made me more adept at offering coverage of novels and series that truly deserve it… even when their own publishers don’t! 

Happy Tuesday all you Maniac readers and welcome to this week’s edition of the Buzz. From Games Workshop to Bantam Books and Subterranean Press we’ve got a well-rounded batch of new genre lit hitting the shelves this week. 

Black Library publisher Marc Gascoigne puts his editorial prowess to use in the hardcover release The Art of Warhammer with Nick Kyme and takes the reigns of the paperback anthology Tales of the Old World with fellow editor Christian Dunn. 

Just in time to celebrate William Shakespeare’s 443^rd birthday (jesus, that’s ridiculous) Kage Baker debuts another time-traveling yarn revolving around A Midsummer Night’s Dream, cyborgs, and a third-century pope in the Subterranean hardback release of Rude Mechanicals. 

While you probably won’t be able to miss Daniel Josephs’ novelization of the new FF4 flick, RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, at your local Borders or Barnes and Noble, Malazan fans will have to hunt high and low for Steven Erikson’s latest. 

The Bonehunters, the sixth installment in Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series, follows last week’s hardcover and paperback debut of the fifth volume, Midnight Tides through Tor Books. It’s by no means uncommon for publishers to schedule a series’ paperback release of the previous volume before the next hardcover hits the press, yet this high fantasy epic is pinned between geographic spheres.  

While Canadian and UK fans can get this new release with relative ease (through its original publisher of Bantam Books), us fans across the pond in the lower segment of North America will have to wait a staggering eight months before the American edition of The Bonehunters sees the light of day. In an age of decaying media copyrights, lightning-fast downloads, and instant gratification for any and every desire, you would think that such gross publication delays would be a thing of the past, right? I can’t help imagining that somewhere in Canada Steven Erikson is commiserating with CLUB DREAD’s Coconut Pete; “Do you think Eddie Money has to deal with this shit?!” 

J.K. Rowling fans would be up in arms and brandishing torches if The Deathly Hallows took eight months to make its trans-Atlantic trek. So what’s the deal? Unfortunately Erikson’s masterpiece of a series stands just on the cusp of full-fledged genre popularity. Despite being lauded as one of the best contemporary epics, it still hasn’t gained enough ground for a simultaneous UK and US release. Luckily there is a solution: for those who can’t wait until Tor picks up the slack and releases the US paperback this upcoming December, look for The Bonehunters through Amazon’s list of independent sellers. Meager though they are for this title, hopefully one of them will be able to fulfill your Malazan fix.   
 

Other books to check out: The Way to Glory & The Rosetta Codex 
 
 

New in Hardcover: 
 

Night’s Dark Masters: A Guide to Vampires, Green Ronin (Games Workshop) 

In the dark of the night the Vampire rules supreme. Masters of dark necromantic acts, terrible treachery and violent combat the Vampires of the Old World make ideal antagonists for would be heroes. Within this tome is contained all manner of truth and lies about these powerful beings. Learn of their bloody origins, murderous wars and secret plans for the Old World. Packed with information about the Vampire bloodlines, their culture, necromantic powers and deadly weaknesses, this book is a must for any player hoping to hunt these masters of undead. Gm's too, will find dark delight in this detailed sourcebook, for contained within is information on Vampires as enemies, allies and patrons, as well as a disturbing adventure in the region of Sylvania. 
 

The Art of Warhammer, Marc Gascoigne & Nick Kyme (Games Workshop) 

This full-colour book is packed with some of the very best pieces of fantasy art produced throughout Games Workshop's long and illustrious history. Focusing on the grim world of Warhammer, this landmark collection is a must for all fans of Games Workshop and fantasy art. 
 

The Shadows Kith and Kin, Joe R. Lansdale (Subterranean Press) 

The endlessly inventive mind of Joe R. Lansdale whips up yet another batch of stories to amaze, surprise, and entertain you. His new offering covers a lot of territory, producing what may be his best short story collection yet. One tale concerns an East Texas mule race in the early 1900s that proves to be an unexpected turning point and learning experience for the main character, a lifelong loser. It also chronicles the unusual circumstances of the race, which include a friendship between a rare white mule that can run like the wind, and his friend, a loyal, spotted pig. Another tale drops us into the disturbed mind of a mass murderer and his friendship with the shadows. Two other stories reintroduce us to the supernatural adventures of Reverend Rains, the flawed hero from Lansdale's cult favorite novel, Dead in the West. Here ghouls prowl and werewolves howl. There's a poetic collaboration with Melissa Mia Hall about the nature of loneliness and loss that echoes back to science fiction stories of an earlier time, as well as a famous, award winning novella reprinted here for the first time in several years about a clutch of unusual crime solvers.

Read about a world where the dead almost rule, and venture into an alternate universe that is the background for perhaps the strangest tale of all, an adventure concerning an earnest and horny steam shovel named Bill, and his challenge to do the right thing at all costs. It's the usual wild and crowd pleasing display of what has become a subgenre of modern literature as only Joe R. Lansdale can present it: Tales Lansdalien. Welcome to his world. 
 

Rude Mechanicals, Kage Baker (Subterranean Press) 

The year is 1934, the scene is a Wood Near Athens—temporarily relocated to the environs of the Hollywood Bowl, as German theater impresario Max Reinhardt attempts to stage his famous production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Fortunately for Reinhardt, he has immortal assistance in the person of Literature Specialist Lewis, a cyborg working undercover for Dr. Zeus Incorporated, masters of time travel. Lewis is tasked with preserving Reinhardt's promptbooks for future Company profits at auction. Unfortunately for Reinhardt, there are complications... For Joseph, Lewis's fellow cyborg, is on the case as well, attempting to salvage a botched mission of his own. It involves the lost treasure of the Cahuenga Pass, a missing diamond, a third-century pope, burglary, disguises, car chases, and a legendary Hollywood party spot. All of which interact, more or less disastrously, with Lewis's mission and Reinhardt's Shakespearean extravaganza. Will the show go on? 
 

 
New in Paperback: 
 

The Bonehunters, Steven Erikson (Bantam Books) 

The Seven Cities Rebellion has been crushed. Sha’ik is dead. One last rebel force remains, holed up in the city of Y’Ghatan and under the fanatical command of Leoman of the Flails. The prospect of laying siege to this ancient fortress makes the battle-weary Malaz 14th Army uneasy. For it was here that the Empire’s greatest champion Dassem Ultor was slain and a tide of Malazan blood spilled. A place of foreboding, its smell is of death… But elsewhere, agents of a far greater conflict have made their opening moves. The Crippled God has been granted a place in the pantheon, a schism threatens and sides must be chosen. Whatever each god decides, the ground rules have changed, irrevocably, terrifyingly, and the first blood spilled will be in the mortal world. A world which contains a host of characters, familiar and new, including Heboric Ghost Hands, the god-possessed Apsalar, Cutter, once a thief now a killer, the extraordinary warrior called Karsa Orlong and the two wanderers Icarium and Mappo — each searching for such a fate as they might fashion with their own hands, guided by their own will. If only the gods would leave them alone. But now that knives have been unsheathed, the gods are disinclined to be kind. There shall be war, war in the heavens. And the prize? Nothing less than existence itself … Here is the stunning new chapter in Steven Erikson’s magnificent Malazan Book of the Fallen series — hailed as an epic of the imagination and acknowledged as a fantasy classic in the making. 
 

The Way to Glory, David Drake (Baen Books) 

Violence racks Cinnabar. The fleets of the tyrannical Alliance are on the move, and at home class riots threaten to rip apart not only society but the Republic of Cinnabar Navy. Lt. Daniel Leary has earned promotion, but the needs of the Republic and the RCN require that he serve under an officer whose paranoia has already led him to execute crewmen out of hand. Signals Officer Adele Mundy has repeatedly proved her skills and loyalty as Cinnabar's most accomplished intelligence agent, but now elements within the Republic want to draw her into a conspiracy like the one that led to her parent's massacre. Leary and Mundy battle their way from riot-torn streets to spies in an outlying base and an anarchic planet where violence is the only law, but if they succeed at every stage, one test still remains: a space battle against an overwhelming Alliance force. Even for Daniel Leary it will be a difficult fight to win, and almost impossible to survive. 
 

Thraxas and the Sorcerers, Martin Scott (Baen Books) 

In the enchanted city of Turai, the royal family is corrupt, the politicians can be bought, and the civic guards have better things to do than guarding. Thraxas may look unprepossessing, being overweight and not quite overbrained, and more interested in pursuit of his next glass of beer than pursuit of justice, but if you're in trouble in Turai this portly private eye is probably your only hope. Turai is no stranger to death in all its forms-except that now a new silent and insidious variety of death has entered the city, and no one knows who will die next. It's obviously magical, but the sorcerers haven't a clue. Thraxas hasn't a clue, either, but he has an even more pressing shortage of funds, and if stopping the unseen, unknown silent killer is what it takes to fatten up his wallet, he'll take the job. But will he solve the mystery, or join the dance himself? A novel set in the Thraxas series. 
 

Thief With No Shadow, Emily Glee (Solaris Books) 

Melke is a wraith, which means she has the ability to walk unseen. After being forced to steal a necklace, she is hunted down by the victim of the crime, Bastian sal Vere. He explains that the necklace was strung with tears, and that without it, Bastian cannot break the curse that is destroying his family. He orders Melke to regain the necklace, in exchange for her brother to be healed. But she had given the necklace to the salamanders, the fire breathing creatures that live underground. She must risk her own life. Meanwhile, Bastian becomes involved in solving a brutal murder of a young pregnant girl in the town of Theirry. This is a strong character-based fantasy, full of romantic tension and gritty storylines. 
 

The Lasgun Wedding, Will McDermott (Games Workshop) 

When the ruler of the massive hive city of Necromunda falls dead, Kal Jerico is coerced into taking his place. But with assassins taking pot shots at him from all sides and forced into marrying a Spire noble, Kal begins to suspect there may be more to his rapid ascension than first appeared. Will Kal triumph and discover the root of the conspiracy or will he end up dead, or worse, married! A novel set in the Necromunda series. 
 

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Daniel Josephs (Simon & Schuster Publishing) 

Adventurers. Celebrities. Family. They are the Fantastic Four, the world's greatest Super Hero team: scientific genius Reed Richards, with the ability to stretch and contort his body into any shape imaginable; the beautiful Susan Storm, who can render herself invisible and create and project powerful force fields; Sue's brother, Johnny Storm, who can engulf his body in flames and take flight at will; and Ben Grimm, whose freakish transmutation turns him into an orange-colored, rock-like, superhumanly strong creature. Now the Fantastic Four meet their greatest challenge yet, as an enigmatic, intergalactic herald comes to Earth—to prepare it for destruction. As the mysterious alien being races around the globe, wreaking havoc and leaving utter chaos in its wake, Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben must find a way to confront this devastating force... even as a new threat looms in the surprising return of their mortal enemy, Victor Von Doom, who harbors his own deadly machinations for them all... 
 

Saturn Returns, Sean Williams (Penguin Group USA) 

In the forty-third millennium of human history, Imre Bergamasc awakens after two hundred years to the realization that he has been the victim of an elaborate murder plot-a plot that also destroyed the intergalactic transport milieu known as the Continuum. But now that Imre has been reborn, he will stop at nothing to help bring forth the rebirth of the galaxy. 
 

Tales of the Old World, Marc Gascoigne & Christian Dunn (Games Workshop) 

Repeating the winning formula established by Let the Galaxy Burn, this bumper anthology unites classic short stories with brand-new tales. An attractive package that will appeal to Warhammer fans and all lovers of great fantasy fiction. 
 

A Fate Worse Than Dragons, John Moore (Penguin Group USA) 

In an attempt to win the hand of Princess Gloria in marriage, Sir Terry slays a dragon… only to discover he's killed the dragon in a neighboring kingdom and inadvertently earned the devotion of the wrong princess. And everyone knows that getting stuck with the wrong girl is truly a fate worse than dragons. 
 

The Great Pulp Heroes, Don Hutchison (Book Republic Press) 

Here is an affectionate look back at the outsized heroes who once occupied the imagination of millions of loyal readers-The Shadow, Tarzan, Doc Savage, Captain Future, The Spider, Zorro. They were the original super guys, godfathers and inspiration to the likes of Superman, Batman and James Bond. Fascinating and informative, THE GREAT PULP HEROES is a lively and entertaining history of those fabulous characters, of the gaudy, glorious magazines that spawned them, and of the amazing wordsmiths who churned out their monthly adventures. 
 

The White Isle, Darrell Schweitzer (Wildside Press) 

Darrell Schweitzer's first novel is a powerful tale of Prince Evnos of Iankoros, who seeks to reclaim his bride from the God of Death. Rich with strange sorceries, grim mythologies, and hostile gods, this is a tale of heroism and horror, seeming triumph and subsequent tragedy, and strange turns of fate which none of the characters could possible foresee. It is a modern classic reminiscent of E.R. Eddison, Clark Ashton Smith, and Lord Dunsany ... and yet uniquely the author's own. A novel set in the Weird Tales series, illustrated by Stephen Fabian. 
 

Twelve Steps From Darkness, Karen E. Taylor (Juno Books) 

Something's not quite right about the neighborhood of Woodland Heights. Five years ago, six children disappeared in this suburban heaven. When Laura Wagner moves into a house that had been vacant for most of those five years, odd things begin to happen. Not that Laura, a divorced mother of two, notices. Addicted to alcohol and prescription drugs Laura is oblivious to almost everything. But when she returns home clean and sober after a forced rehabilitation, she realizes there's something very wrong. A wicked spirit begins to prey upon her friends, even her children, avid to spread its evil message of death and despair. Laura's new life and new romance with Mike, the officer who arrested her are in jeopardy. She must learn to control her own inner demons before she can subdue the malevolent forces threatening to break free. 
 

The Rosetta Codex, Richard Paul Russo (Penguin Group USA) 

Cale Alexandros was five years old when his family's starship was attacked en route to Morningstar, the lone outpost of civilization on a savage planet. Cale escaped, only to be picked from the wreckage by nomads. He endured life as a slave until a sympathetic trader freed him, but Cale never forgot what happened in the desert wastes… in a strange, ancient temple, when he found a book with strange metal pages and cryptic writings. When he finally reaches Morningstar, he realizes the true importance of his discovery. The book is a key to understanding alien languages. But it also holds a secret that some people will do anything to control. 
 

Chapter War, Ben Counter (Games Workshop) 

Having stabilised their gene-seed, and brought a halt to their mutation, the Soul Drinkers start rebuilding their Chapter with new recruits. But the recruits have their own ideas… rather than protect the Imperium, they wish to wage war against it. With the Imperial forces and the Inquisition closing in on the renegade Chapter, can Sarpedon rally his troops to face the true enemy? A novel in the Warhammer: Soul Drinkers series. 
 

Best New Paranormal Romance 2, Ed. by Paula Guran (Juno Books) 

An annual anthology of outstanding stories of love and wonder are compiled and honored as the best of the year. Enchanting and enchanted lovers, magical romance, dark desires, otherworldly sensations, ethereal encounters, paranormal thrills, sensual spells, supernatural suspense, sizzling speculations... Highly imaginative short fiction and novellas from the best fantasy romance writers. 
 

Red Lightning, John Varley (Penguin Group USA) 

The son of one of the first men to fly to Mars and back, Ray Garcia- Strickland, is now a disgruntled Martian, tired of the Red Planet's overdevelopment and the gravity dependent tourist Earthies. But that doesn't stop him from fearing the worst when Earth is struck by an unknown object, causing a massive tsunami. Living high on his father's glory was okay, but now Ray must literally come down to Earth-and solve one of its greatest mysteries. 
 
 

New in Audiobook: 
 

Dragons of the Dwarven Depths, Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (Brilliance Audio Abridged) 

The Companions are back in the first volume that features an untold story from the War of the Lance. The beloved heroes return: Tanis, Raistlin and Caramon, Sturm Brightblade, Tasslehoff, and Flint Fireforge. Old friends, such as Riverwind and Goldmoon and Laurana travel with them. Old enemies are here too, as the companions encounter new adventures and new dangers in the very beginning months of the War of the Lance. This book starts with the celebration of a wedding. The companions believe they have slain the evil Dragon Highlord Verminaard. They have rescued the refugees from Pax Tharkas and taken them to a valley in the Kharolis mountains. After they are attacked by the Dragon Armies, Tanis and Flint are sent to search for the long lost dwarven kingdom of Thorbardin, hoping to persuade the dwarves to give the refugees shelter for winter. Each of the other companions face their own trials. Raistlin remembers that, according to tales of old, the key to Thorbardin lies in the haunted fortress known as Skullcap. The others want nothing to do with this accursed place, but Raistlin feels strangely drawn to the ruins, and he persuades a reluctant Caramon to accompany him there. Sturm becomes obsessed with finding the legendary Hammer of Kharas, and his obsession nearly plunges the party into disaster. Riverwind, now chieftain of his tribe, is made the reluctant leader of the refugees and worries that he is not suited for the task. Tika Waylan must decide if she has the courage to undertake a perilous journey to save those she loves from certain death, while Tanis Half-Elven wrestles with his faith in the newly returned gods. It is the dwarf, Flint Fireforge, who faces the most crucial test. As the heroes race against time to save the lives of the innocents dependent on them, Flint is forced to make a difficult choice, one on which the future of mankind may rest. And the only one he can depend on for help is the happy-go-lucky kender, Tasslehoff Burrfoot. For a time, it seems they have found a safe haven in the dwarven kingdom, only to discover there is no safe place anywhere in this world, as the Queen of Darkness and her dragons set the land aflame. Narrated by Sandra Burr. 
 
 

Alright that’s it for this week’s edition of the Buzz. Be sure to check back next Tuesday for all the latest news on current sci fi, fantasy, and horror book releases. Keep your suggestions coming! PFerrara.mania@gmail.com.