Crossover

CROSSOVER

by Joel Shepherd

Meet Cassandra Kresnov. Soldier. Lover. Fighter. Deeply passionate. Completely artificial.

Cassandra is a synthetic person, created by the League to fight in an interstellar war against the more powerful, conservative Federation.

An experimental design, Cassandra is more intelligent, more creative, and far more dangerous than any that have preceded her. But with her intellect comes questions, and a moral awakening. She deserts the League and heads incognito into the space of her former enemy, the Federation, in search of a new life.

She settles on Callay, amidst its enormous, decadent capital metropolis of Tanusha, where the concerns of the war are literally and figuratively so many light-years away. But Cassandra soon discovers that even in Tanusha, the powerful entities of this bloody conflict have wound their tentacles. Many in the League and the Federation have cause to want her dead, and Cassandra’s history, inevitably, catches up with her.

Cassandra finds herself at the mercy of a society whose values preclude her own right even to exist. But her presence in Tanusha reveals other fault lines, and when Federal agents attempt to assassinate the Callayan president, she finds herself thrust into the service of her former enemies, using her lethal skills to attempt to protect Callay from forces beyond their ability to control. As she struggles for survival in a new world, Cassandra must forge friendships with old enemies, while attempting to confront the most disturbing and deadly realities of her own existence.

I really enjoyed this. Highly recommended.

The Strain

THE STRAIN

by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

They have always been here. Vampires. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come.

In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In one month, the country.

In two months–the world.

A Boeing 777 arrives at JFK and is on its way across the tarmac, when it suddenly stops dead. All window shades are pulled down. All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quiet. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds makes his blood run cold.

In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, a former professor and survivor of the Holocaust named Abraham Setrakian knows something is happening. And he knows the time has come, that a war is brewing . . .

So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected New York begins to spill out into the streets. Eph, who is joined by Setrakian and a motley crew of fighters, must now find a way to stop the contagion and save his city–a city that includes his wife and son–before it is too late.

This was a pretty good read. Not really scary but nicely paced. It has an interesting premise, though overall I feel the novel promised slightly more than it delivered. In particular the characters might have benefited from a little more exploration. It’s a nice set up for book two of the trilogy though and I expect I’ll stick with it to see what happens next.

Cast in Shadow

CAST IN SHADOW

by Michelle Sagara

Seven years ago Kaylin fled the crime-riddled streets of Nightshade, knowing that something was after her. Children were being murdered — and all had the same odd markings that mysteriously appeared on her own skin . . .

Since then, she’s learned to read, she’s learned to fight and she’s become one of the vaunted Hawks who patrol and police the City of Elantra. Alongside the winged Aerians and immortal Barrani, she’s made a place for herself, far from the mean streets of her birth.

But children are once again dying, and a dark and familiar pattern is emerging, Kaylin is ordered back into Nightshade with a partner she knows she can’t trust, a Dragon lord for a companion and a device to contain her powers — powers that no other human has. Her task is simple — find the killer, stop the murders . . . and survive the attentions of those who claim to be her allies!

Cast in Shadow is a fantasy action novel, with some intrigue and hints of romance. It’s written in a straightforward, easy to access style that, it could be argued, lacks a degree of subtlety but is an enjoyable and fast-paced read all the same.

Its characters are likeable and engaging, though at times their actions, particularly those of the heroine, Kaylin Neya, come across as somewhat immature. That said, in many ways this adds to their charm.

The plot is interesting and keeps you turning pages wanting to know what’s going to happen.

This isn’t Tolkien but it kept me entertained from start to finish. So all-in-all I’d have to say it was a pretty good read.

The Steel Remains

THE STEEL REMAINS

by Richard Morgan

Ringil Eskiath, hero to anyone who doesn’t know him, and a corrupt degenerate to whoever does, wielder of the kiriath blade Ravensfriend and scarred hero of Gallows Gap. With the war long over and with nothing left to fight for Ringil lives in exile nursing his rage. But now a family member has come calling with an offer he can’t refuse, a job only he can do, and a final chance to crank himself up to the same pitch of fury that sustained him like a drug all those years ago. And the truth is, he really doesn’t have anything much better to do in what remains of his hollowed-out life.

The lady kir-Archeth Indamaninarmal, abandoned kiriath half-breed, and last remaining advisor to the Yhelteth Empire on the abandoned kiriath technology she only half-way understands herself. She barely survived the war against the Scaled Folk, she has no family, no friends and no faith in the useless son of the ruling dynasty she supposedly owes allegiance to. The Empire’s legacy is being squandered and she can’t even remember why she cared one way or  the other. But now a terrifying and apparently sorcerous enemy is threatening the Empire’s borders and Archeth is chosen to find out what is happening.

And then there’s Egar. Egar the steppe nomad, Egar the Barbarian – or at least he would be, if he could just forget what it was like to fight for the reputedly decadent but really quite civilised Yhelteth Empire, what it was like to bring down a dragon single-handed in the war against the Scaled Folk – and end up an imperial citizen for his trouble. Egar the Dragonbane came back home to his people in triumph. Years later, though, the triumph is wearing a little thin; he can’t settle.But out on the steppe, something very unpleasant is coming to call, and if he wants to survive, he’s going to have to run long before he can fight…

I really enjoyed Richard Morgan’s first embarkation into Fantasy and am very much looking forward to a sequel.

With its gritty style and cast of jaded heroes, including a homosexual, a lesbian half-breed and a steppe barabrian who longs for civilization and its comforts, there’s been much talk about this novel ’breaking cliches’ but look past all that and it’s simply a darn good read.

The characters are intriguing, as is their history and the world they inhabit. I particularly enjoyed Lady Archeth’s story and what we learned of the departed Kiriath and their legacy.

From what I can tell The Steel Remains has had a somewhat mixed reception but I would highly recommend it.

Spirit Gate

SPIRIT GATE

by Kate Elliott

In a world torn apart by warfare and betrayal, a new darkness has risen.

For centuries the Guardians ruled the Hundred, but these unearthly beings have faded from human sight. Only the reeves, patrolling on enormous eagles, still represent the Guardians’ power. But there is a corruption in the land that not even they can control, and fanatics are devastating villages, towns, and cities in a drive to annihilate all who oppose them. No one knows who leads them or why.

Outlanders Anji and Mai are on the run with a company of dedicated Qin warriors, when they meet an unusual reeve. Together they can take on the devouring horde; and they must make the attempt, or the land will certainly be lost. But a young woman sworn to the Goddess holds the ultimate key…

This first installment in Kate Elliott’s new epic series, “Crossroads”, paves the way for subsequent volumes. It was an enjoyable read and was interesting enough that I made it through the whole 640 pages! Though it was a little slow going in places.

There’s definitely a sense that this story is settling in for the long-haul as it meanders between the various characters and their travels. In fact, by the end of the book the central threat has yet to be revealed. One assumes that, as the series continues, all will be made clear but I would have welcomed the emergence of an adversary that was a little less shadowy and undefined.

That said, the pages are populated with diverse and engaging characters and cultures and I was sufficiently hooked that I’ve already bought Shadow Gate, the second installment. It’s got great potential.

The covers are really nice too.

No Present Like Time

NO PRESENT LIKE TIME 

by Steph Swainston

It has been five years since the Insects last swarmed in the Fourlands. Their insatiable hunger left countless dead and the land devastated. Reconstruction proceeds under the watchful eyes of the immortal Circle but, increasingly, many are finding its pace too slow.

For Jant, the Emperor’s winged messenger, events are moving ever faster. A brilliant newcomer has joined the Circle, displacing him from his rightful position as centre of attention. He thinks his wife may be having an affair with the world’s strongest man, and an inhabited island has been discovered three months’ sail from the Fourlands (which is obviously impossible).

What’s worse, the Emperor has commanded that Jant join the small group of immortals who will travel as an embassy to the new land. Just perfect for a man terrified of ships and the sea. And he increasingly suspects that he’s a pawn in an ancient political game.

It’d be enough to drive anyone to drugs…

The sequel to ‘The Year of Our War’ doesn’t disappoint. I really enjoyed it.

In fact I think it was a better book than its predecessor; which is lofty praise indeed.

Highly recommended.

The Year of Our War

THE YEAR OF OUR WAR 

by Steph Swainston

Jant is the Messenger, one of The Circle, a cadre of fifty immortals who serve the Emperor. He is the only immortal, indeed the only man alive, who can fly.

The Emperor is seeking to protect mankind from the hordes of giant insects who have plagued the land for centuries, overwhelming towns with their beautiful nests, eating everything and everyone in their path. But he must also contend with the rivalries and petty squabblings of his chosen immortals. These are squabbles that will soon spill over into open civil war.

Wow! I’m not sure where to start with this one. To be honest my journey through The Year of Our War was far from certain. Early on I faltered and nearly gave up but I persevered and by the end I loved it.

I think the issue for me was that there are three distinct themes to the story and I experienced widely differing engagement with each:

The main theme, which I lapped up, focuses on a seemingy endless war with an implacable insect horde (reminiscent of Starship Troopers). It has immortal heroes, political intrigue (both between the various immortals and between immortals and mortals seeking immortality), vivid battle scenes, great characters … I could go on and on. 

Interwoven with this a second theme focuses on Jant, the main character’s, drug induced trips to an alternate world known as the Shift, which I found all rather surreal. I think my engagement with these parts of the story was inversely proportional to how weird things were in the Shift at the time. I’m afraid, though undeniably humorous, Fibre-Tooth Tigers, Problemmings and Laardvarks did nothing for me.

The third theme focused on flashbacks to Jant’s past, prior to his becoming immortal. To be honest I didn’t find these all that interesting. 

Taken as a whole however The Year of Our War is a strong debut from Steph Swainston, it’s original, crammed with good ideas, and for the most part well-paced and very well-written. For me persevering definitely proved worthwhile so I’d have to recommend it.

I very much look forward to the sequel, No Present Like Time, and reading more of Comet, Lightning and Mist’s adventures in the Fourlands.

The Black Angel

THE BLACK ANGEL 

by John Connolly

A young woman goes missing from the streets of New York. Those who have taken her believe that nobody cares about her, and that no one will come looking for her.

They are wrong.

She is ‘blood’ to the killer Louis, the man who stands at the right hand of private detective Charlie Parker, and Louis will tear apart anyone who stands in the way of his attempts to find her.

…

Black Magic Woman

BLACK MAGIC WOMAN 

by Justin Gustainis

Supernatural investigator Quincey Morris and his partner, white witch Libby Chastain, are called in to help free a desperate family from a deadly curse that appears to date back to the Salem Witch Trials. To release the family from danger they must find the root of the curse, a black witch with a terrible grudge that holds the family in her power.

The pursuit takes them to the mysterious underworlds of Boston, San Francisco, New Orleans and New York, stalking a prey that is determined to stay hidden. After surviving a series of terrifying attempts on their lives, the two find themselves drawn inexorably towards Salem itself – and the very heart of darkness.

This was a pretty enjoyable read. I’ll certainly be keeping my eye out for the sequel.

Although if it turns out that it’s just “a Quincey Morris supernatural investigation”, as this first novel was billed, I’ll be much less interested. Since for me it was Quincey’s partner, white witch Libby Chastain, who stole the show. For some reason I never really engaged with the Quincey character. He seemed somewhat flat and uninteresting, but Libby made up for that in spades.

Aside from this the story, though nothing earth-shattering, is well-written and flows smoothly. It never drags and your attention is held until the end.

All in all I was well entertained.

Soon I Will Be Invincible

SOON I WILL BE INVINCIBLE

by Austin Grossman

Doctor Impossible – evil genius, mad scientist, diabolical time-traveller, world dominator in waiting – has just broken out of prison. Again. After twelve thwarted plots (doomsday devices, mass mind-control, robot armies, insect armies, alien invasions, etc.) he’s not about to be foiled again.

Fatale, a patchwork woman of skin and alloy built by the NSA to be the next generation of warfare, is suddenly given the chance every superhero dreams of: to join The Champions, the once famous group of beautiful, young superheroes who have been newly reunited to stop Doctor Impossible. Fatale becomes part of the team – but with its greatest hero missing, the members struggle with their damaged pasts as they come together in the face of unthinkable evil…

This was the best book I’ve read in a while. Amusing, entertaining, thought-provoking, superb.

Austin Grossman presents us with a witty and insightful take on the superhero genre. From start to finish it’s packed with different perspectives on conventional comic book tropes and I thoroughly enjoyed every single page.

Familiar costumed stereotypes, both heroes and villains, are presented as real people with real problems, hopes, fears and hang-ups. We get a rare view of what goes on inside their heads and see them in a new light.

If like me you have memories of playing superhero RPGs and/or reading comic books when you were younger, this novel is not to be missed.

Highly recommended. I very much hope there’s going to be a sequel.