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Friday, June 29, 2007

SPOTLIGHT: Books of July

I had a lot of fun with the SPOTLIGHT: Books of June feature that I recently did, and from the response that I received, it seems like a lot of readers enjoyed the article as well. So, I’m back for more, and this time I have to give props to Calibander (Westeros forum) for the invaluable help that he provided on the July Spotlight as well as future spotlights. So, thank you Calibander and thank you to any readers who check out the article. And as before, I apologize for any novels that I may have overlooked. (NOTE: Unless stated otherwise, all release dates are for the US):

Renegade’s Magic” by Robin Hobb. UK Release Date: July 2, 2007. While not quite on the same level as George R. R. Martin or Robert Jordan, Robin Hobb is a prominent name in the fantasy genre and much beloved by readers everywhere, myself included. So, even though the reception has been mixed towards The Soldier Son Trilogy, I’m sure that won’t stop too many readers from picking up the book, which promises to be another emotionally powerful, elegantly written addition to Ms. Hobb’s fabulous collection…
Official Robin Hobb Website
Order “Renegade’s MagicHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE
Read Aidan Moher's Interview with Ms. Hobb HERE
Note: According to EOS Book’s publicist, the book is set to go on sale here in the US on January 29, 2008 and will be a February title.

The Judas Strain” by James Rollins. Release Date: July 2, 2007. For some, you may already be familiar with Mr. Rollins who writes fantasy under the pen name James Clemens (The Banned & the Banished, the Godslayer Chronicles). As James Rollins, the author produces contemporary, action-adventure thrillers with a dash of the supernatural. His latest novels have focused on the Sigma Force team and “The Judas Strain” continues that trend with a flesh-eating plague, cryptograms and Marco Polo...
Official James Rollins Website
Order “The Judas StrainHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE

Deepwood” by Jennifer Roberson. Release Date: July 3, 2007. Since the mid-Eighties Ms. Roberson has established herself as a popular voice in fantasy fiction, including the 8-volume epic Chronicles of the Cheysuli, the Sword-Dancer saga featuring Tiger & Del and “The Golden Key” collaboration with Melanie Rawn & Kate Elliott. Currently, Ms. Roberson has created a fascinating new fantasy series that started with 2006’s “Karavans” and continues in the impressive follow-up “Deepwood”…
Official Jennifer Roberson Website
Order “DeepwoodHERE
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s Review of “Deepwood
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s Interview with Ms. Roberson

Shift” by Chris Dolley. Release Date. July 3, 2007. Blending sci-fi, mystery and serial killer thrills, “Shift” revolves around a murderer with multiple personality disorder who seemingly possesses the ability to travel through higher dimensional space. Sounds like an interesting genre-buster from up-and-coming author Chris Dolley, who started out as a computer programmer (founded Randomberry Games), and whose past works include the Sara Ann Freed Memorial Award-shortlisted “An Unsafe Pair of Hands” + “Resonance”.
Official Chris Dolley Website
Chris Dolley’s LiveJournal
Order “ShiftHERE
Read Sample Chapters HERE

Hilldiggers” by Neal Asher. UK Release Date: July 6, 2007. Set in the same universe as Mr. Asher’s Polity books, though after the events in “The Skinner”, which took place many years following the Ian Cormac adventures, “Hilldiggers” is an epic, politically driven space opera that solidifies Neal Asher – author of “Gridlinked”, “The Line of Polity”, “Brass Man”, “Polity Agent”, “Cowl”, “The Skinner”, “Prador Moon”, “The Voyage of Sable Keech”, etc. – as one of science fiction literature’s brightest voices…
Official Neal Asher Website
Neal Asher’s Blog
Order “HilldiggersHERE
Read Fantasy Book Critic's Review of "Hilldiggers"
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s Interview with Neal Asher

The Dark River” by John Twelve Hawks. Release Date: July 10, 2007. In 2005, the enigmatic author John Twelve Hawks burst onto the scene with his critically-acclaimed, New York Times Bestselling debut “The Traveler”, a gripping “urban fantasy/techno thriller” that struck a chord with its chillingly familiar world inspired by the modern technology that monitors our lives. Two years later, Mr. Hawks returns with the much anticipated sequel to “The Traveler”, “The Dark River” – volume two of the Fourth Realm Trilogy
Official John Twelve Hawks Website
Order “The Dark RiverHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE
Read Mr. Hawk’s Interview with Gabe Chouinard via FantasyBookSpot HERE

The Wanderer’s Tale” by David Bilsborough. Release Date: July 10, 2007. “A major new acquisition for the Tor fantasy list”, David Bilsborough’s debut “The Wanderer’s Tale”, is the beginning of an epic fantasy series in the vein of Tolkien with many more 'Annals' planned for the world. Right now, opinions on the book vary greatly from good to not so good. For more information, check out an interview with Mr. Bilsborough HERE courtesy of Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist, and read SFF World’s review of “The Wanderer’s TaleHERE.
Official Tor-Forge Website
Order “The Wanderer’s Tale" HERE
Read An Excerpt HERE


The Devil You Know” by Mike Carey. Release Date: July 10, 2007. A celebrated comic book writer known for his work on
Marvel’s Ultimate Fantastic Four and X-Men, “Hellblazer” & the Eisner Award-nominated “Lucifer” from the DC imprint Vertigo, and such Neil Gaiman-related projects as “Sandman Presents” & “Neverwhere”, Mr. Carey jumps into the world of novel fiction with his debut “The Devil You Know”, a new breed of supernatural thriller that promises to be the first of many Felix Castor adventures…
Official Mike Carey Website
Orbit’s Mike Carey Website
Order “The Devil You Know” (US Version) HERE
Read An Excerpt HERE

Mary Modern” by Camille Deangelis. Release Date: July 10, 2007. Combining elements of gothic romance, suspense, fantasy and sci-fi that borrows from Mary Shelley’sFrankenstein”, “Mary Modern” is an ambitious and stimulating work of literary fiction by first-time novelist Camille Deangelis that deals with such provocative issues as genetics and cloning. In short, “Mary Modern” looks to be a captivating debut that has been on my radar for some time now, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy…
Official Camille Deangelis Website
Order “Mary ModernHERE
Read the Prologue HERE

Territory” by Emma Bull. Release Date: July 10, 2007. Reimagining the legendary tale of Tombstone, which made famous such individuals as Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday, “Territory” is the latest novel by author Emma Bull, winner of the Locus Award for her debut “War for the Oaks”, with subsequent works including “Falcon”, the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-finalist “Bone Dance”, “Finder”, and “Freedom & Necessity” with Steven Brust. A book that is part Western and part fantasy…count me in!
Emma Bull’s LiveJournal
Order “TerritoryHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE

Hurricane Moon” by Alexis Glynn Latner. Release Date: July 18, 2007. After publishing numerous science fiction, fantasy and horror short stories since 1990, Ms. Latner will finally release her first full-length novel “Hurricane Moon”, “a story of planetary colonization, full of danger, romance and interpersonal conflict…” Early word seems to be quite positive – check out reviews by Don D’Ammassa HERE and Publishers Weekly HERE – and it looks like “Hurricane Moon” is another book that I’ll be adding to my reading list…
Official Alexis Glynn Latner Website
Official Pyr Books Website
Order “Hurricane MoonHERE
Read Sample Chapters HERE

Slaves of the Shinar” by Justin Allen. Release Date: July 19, 2007. “Slaves of the Shinar is the story of a land consumed by war, of a people trying to survive, and of two men in the middle of it all, redefining themselves and their futures. Set against the chaotic and bloody backdrop of the Middle East's first great war, this fantasy epic – part Homer, part Tolkien, part R. Scott Bakker – brings us into a gritty, realistic world where destiny is foretold by gods, and death is never more than a sword-stroke away.” I couldn’t have described it any better…
Official Overlook Press Website
Order “Slaves of the ShinarHERE

The Da-Da-De-Da-Da Code” by Robert Rankin. UK Release Date: July 19, 2007. “Robert Rankin, the world's Master of Far Fetched Fiction, takes us on a roller coaster ride in his brand-new bestseller, which focuses on the biggest conspiracy theory in the world, ever…you will find the music of the angels – and the music of the devil. Aliens, flying saucers from hell, the Multiverse, the Illuminati…they're all here, wrapped into a plot that will leave Dan Brown fans breathless…” Supposedly a riff on “The Da Vinci Code”, this looks like a lot of fun.
Official Robert Rankin Fan Club
Official Orion / Gollancz Website
Order “The Da-Da-De-Da-Da CodeHERE

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J. K. Rowling. Release Date: July 21, 2007. So what’s there left to say about the seventh and concluding volume in the Harry Potter series? Not much really, just a bunch of questions. Is Dumbledore really dead? Whose side is Snape on? How will Harry finally triumph over Voldemort? Will Harry ever find love & happiness? What about Ron and Hermione's relationship: is it real? And finally, will this truly be the last Harry Potter book ever? We’ll just have to wait and see…
Official J. K. Rowling Website
MuggleNet – The Ultimate Harry Potter Website
Order “Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsHERE (US) + HERE (UK)

Crooked Little Vein” by Warren Ellis. Release Date: July 24, 2007. Following in the footsteps of Neil Gaiman, Mike Carey, etc., Warren Ellis is the latest comic book writer – Planetary, Transmetropolitan, Global Frequency, newuniversal, Ultimate FF, Iron Man, etc. – making the leap to novels and his debut is “packed with action, adventure, and a wild cast of characters that are sure to appease not only hardcore comic fans, but a whole new slew of mystery readers waiting for a surprisingly surreal treat that infuses the madness of the graphic-novel world.”
Official Warren Ellis Website
Warren Ellis’ LiveJournal
Order “Crooked Little VeinHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE

Red Seas Under Red Skies” by Scott Lynch. Release Date: July 31, 2007. “In his highly acclaimed debut, “The Lies of Locke Lamora”, Scott Lynch took readers on an adrenaline-fueled adventure with a band of daring thieves led by con artist extraordinaire Locke Lamora. Now Lynch brings back his outrageous hero for a caper so death-defying, nothing short of a miracle will pull it off.” After delivering one of the best fantasy debuts of 2006, Mr. Lynch now aims to deliver one of the best fantasy novels of 2007 period…
Official Scott Lynch Website
Scott Lynch’s LiveJournal
Order “Red Seas Under Red SkiesHERE (US Version)
Read An Excerpt HERE
Read Advance Reviews of “Red Seas Under Red Skies” via SFF World, Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist, Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review, The Neth Space

Merciless” by Richard Montanari. Release Date: July 31, 2007. Already released in the UK (April 2007) under the title “Broken Angels” (also the name of a Richard K. Morgan novel), “Merciless” is the latest offering from the international bestselling Richard Montanari, a novelist and screenwriter whose acclaimed books include the OLMA-winning “Deviant Way”, “The Violent Hour”, “Kiss of Evil”, “The Rosary Girls” and “The Skin Gods”. Expect a spine-tingling suspense thriller about a twisted killer inspired by fairytales…
Official Richard Montanari Website
Order “MercilessHERE
Watch the “MercilessPromo Video HERE

Set the Seas On Fire” by Chris Roberson. Release Date: July 31, 2007. Author of many short stories & novels, Mr. Roberson is also a co-founder of the writers’ collective Clockwork Storybook and owner/operator of the indie publisher MonkeyBrain Books (Michael Moorcock, Alan Moore, Jeff VanderMeer). “Set the Seas On Fire” is an expanded version of the novel originally released in 2001 (Clockwork Storybook) and can be described as “Horatio Hornblower meets Lovecraft, a fabulous and unique melding of historical sea-faring fiction with horror/fantasy elements…”
Official Chris Roberson Website
Official Solaris Books Website
Order “Set the Seas On FireHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE

Settling Accounts: In at the Death” by Harry Turtledove. Release Date: July 31, 2007. While Mr. Turtledove’s material spans many genres including sci-fi & fantasy, the highly prolific writer is mainly known for his historical fiction works, which includes the Videssos books, the Worldwar & Colonization series, the Hellenic Traders series, War Between the Provinces, and the Timeline-191 series. With “In at the Death”, Mr. Turtledove closes the epic Southern Victory saga in an exciting & satisfactory manner…
Official Harry Turtledove
Order “Settling Accounts: In at the DeathHERE

Killing the Rabbit” by Alison Goodman. Release Date: July 31, 2007. Alison Goodman, an Aussie author of “Singing the Dogstar Blues”, which won the Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel, was shortlisted for the 1999 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, and listed as an American Library Association Best Young Adult Book of 2004, is currently completing a new YA fantasy duology. In the meantime, “Killing the Rabbit” is a “dark and wickedly comic new thriller that follows a young indie filmmaker on her way to fame, fortune, and a shoot-out to the death…”
Official Alison Goodman Website
Alison Goodman’s LiveJournal
Order “Killing the RabbitHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE

The Sea Change” by Patricia Bray. Release Date: July 31, 2007. After starting out writing historical novels, Patricia Bray decided to embrace her love for fantasy and released The Sword of Change trilogy, which included “Devlin’s Luck”, winner of the 2003 Compton Crook Award for Best First Novel in SF/Fantasy. Ms. Bray is currently working on her second fantasy series, The Chronicles of Josan, which tells the story of a scholar who is unwillingly swept into a treacherous world of political intrigue & magic… “The Sea Change” is volume two of The Chronicles of Josan.
Official Patricia Bray Website
Patricia Bray’s LiveJournal
Order “The Sea ChangeHERE
Read An Excerpt HERE

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great job and a good theme. And thanks for the mention.

Aidan Moher said...

Ditto what tom said!

It looks like you spent a lot of time pulling this all together! It just goes to show me how much I have to read this summer!

Thanks for the link to my interview, as well!

~Aidan
A Dribble of Ink

Robert said...

You're both more than welcome and I'm glad you like the feature. Already working on the one for August...

Katie said...

Are you going to read Territory? I just finished it and it is REALLY, really fantastic.

Robert said...

Katie, at some point I plan on reading it. I usually try to review books before their release date, so if I miss that then I move on to the next book on my list. I'm expecting November/December to slow down and I hope to catch up on a lot of stuff that I've missed including the final Harry Potter book!

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