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Urban Fantasy Top Pick

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    L.E. Modesitt Jr. has an awesome series with Imager. The first was brilliant, the second equally good, and it's great to see the third albeit in hardcover. [JG522] has Rhenn married with a talent which still puts him in danger. YAY! Top Pick!
    Mercedes Lackey has a completely charming world in the 500 Kingdoms. For a fresh take on classic fairytales, just read these. [JG526] has Rose trying to escape becoming a Sleeping Beauty.
    Naomi Novik [JG528] has a new Temeraire story set in Australia. YAY!
    K.E. Mills, aka Karen Miller, has a wonderfully entertaining Rogue Agent series, with fun, fiascos and serious adventure. There are elements of Harry Potter in this world, and the characters are engaging. [JG174] has Gerald in trouble again, but this time it isn't his fault. Not exactly.
    Kage Baker tells us how Eliss grows up in [JG513] a superb story. Top Pick!

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Urban Fantasy Notes

    Laurell K. Hamilton [JG106] a paperback release of the last Meredith Gentry story. It's very good. Though it doesn't advance the world much, spending time with Merry and her fabulous men is always worth doing.
    Linda Robertson has a deservedly faithful following for her Circle series. An interesting, determined heroine and some truly oddball characters make this a series worth waiting for. [JG163] has Seph in trouble with the fairies, but she still can't afford to kill the vampire. It's a good thing her werewolf lover is back.
    Kelly Meding [JG155] looks really interesting, dark and ominous, filled with shape-shifters and bounty hunters. I somehow missed the first in this series, but I'm getting it in right now.
    Carrie Vaughn [JG517] is a new story with magical artefacts and a comic writer discovering her father isn't the man she thought he was.
    C.E. Murphy's new Walker story is a good read. [JG160] has a solid story. Joanne at her best, fighting a new magical problem.
    Nicole Peeler is a breath of fresh air: a different heroine and vampires in trouble. [JG171] sees Jane, in trouble again, heading to Boston.
    Yasmine Galenorn [JG166] begins a new series. Dark magic is what Cicily is up against when she returns home. Fortunately she has her own magic.
    Meagan Hatfield [JG113] is the first in a new series about dragon shapeshifters. Sounds darn good to me.


    Jim Hines has a wonderful Princess series, filled with offbeat humour and females rescuing themselves. Who needs heroes? [JG168] is Red Riding Hood's story, but not as you've known it. I recommend you read [JG168A] first as it sets the series up beautifully.
    Kathryne Kennedy, who created the Relics of Merlin series, writes wonderful historical fantasy. [JG107] Dominic is half-elven. His father, the ruling elven Lord is quite mad, and cruel with it. Somehow Dominic must conquer England, cope with an unwilling wife, depose his father, and stay alive. Not simple. But extremely readable. An excellent read.
    Mercedes Lackey joins with her friend Rosemary Edgehill for a new Young Adult series. [JG523] is about a magical school edgier and more dangerous than Hogwarts.

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Science Fiction Top Picks

    David Weber [JG536] is (finally) an Honor Harrington story which is interesting, fast and (yay) finishes in a really good place.
    Eric Flint has a winning series with Ring of Fire. Within that series, the Grantville Gazettes add snippets of backstory and depth to the world. [JG178] is the paperback release of the latest 'newspaper' edition.
    Laura Reeve's Ariane Kedros series is extremely good, combining military SF with strong characters and a great story. [JG186] has Ariane getting alien technology implanted, which will make her life even more interesting.
    Charles Stross is an exciting writer, with a range of interests and writing works. [JG194] is a new collection of his stories; also [JG533] is an awesomely mysterious Landry Files story. Top Pick!
    Julie Czerneda is one the absolute best science fiction writers. [JG188] is third in her Stratification series. When Julie Czerneda was in New Zealand last year, she donated a pre-release copy of this to the SF Con auction, and Peter (bless him) bought it for me. Trust me: it's great. The series has aliens, mind powers and a very different biology. You need to read the series in order, so start with [JG188A]


    Greg Bear is one of the great classic SF writers. [JG189] has nanotech, artificial intelligence and a strong, complex storyline.
    Todd McCaffrey [JG531] is a new Pern adventure with fresh queens.
    Suzanne Collins [JG179] is a young adult with a difference. People die. The question is: can Katniss avoid being one of them?
    Mark L. Van Name [JG182] is a compilation of the first two Jon & Lobo stories, and I wouldn't normally bother listing it here. Unfortunately, it also contains a short story about his sister. Rotters! I'll pay the money to get the sister's story, since she's a shadow figure shaping Jon's past, but I have to tell you how much it grieves me.
    David Drake's Lt. Leary series is excellent military SF. Unfortunately some of the early ones are out of print, but they are all stand alone adventures and good reading. [JG180] Leary has to rein in a senator with vengeance and mayhem on his mind.
    Mike Ashley [JG190] showcases a collection of steampunk stories. If you've ever wondered exactly what steampunk is, take a look at these stories.

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FROSTBITTEN, Armstrong, Kelley
 - For Elena Michaels, being the world's only female werewolf has its advantages, such as having her pick of the Otherworld's most desirable males. She couldn't have picked a more dangerously sexy and undyingly loyal mate than Clayton Danvers, but now their bond will be put to the ultimate test. A werewolf more wolf than human and more unnatural than supernatural, a creature whose origins spring from ancient legend, is hunting human prey, and Elena and Clayton must track the predator deep into Alaska's frozen wilderness. The personal stakes are even higher. Either Clayton or Elena has been chosen to become the new Pack leader, and every wolf knows that there can be only one Alpha. The couple have always been equals in everything. Now, when their survival depends more than ever on perfect teamwork, will instinct allow one of them to lead and the other to follow? (Bantam)
    JG164    $23.90
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RED HOT FURY, MacKenzie, Kasey
 - As a Fury, Marissa Holloway belongs to an Arcane race that has avenged wrongdoing since time immemorial. As Boston's Chief Magical Investigator for the past five years, she's doing what she was born to: solving supernatural crimes. It's far from business as usual when the body of one of Riss's sister Furies washes up in Boston harbour. Riss discovers that the corpse's identity has been magically altered, but as soon as she reports her findings, she's suspended from her job. A human assassin makes an attempt on her life, and Riss starts to realise that someone may be trying to stir up strife between mortals and Arcanes. Without the support of the mortal PD, Riss turns to the one man she can trust to watch her back, shapeshifting Warhound Scott Murphy. Since Scott is also Riss' ex, she'll have to keep a tight leash on more than just the supernatural rage that feeds her power as they try to solve a murder, and stop a war. (Ace)
    JG169    $23.90
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DARK AND STORMY KNIGHTS, Elrod, P.N.; Editor
 - Urban fantasy readers will love this star-studded anthology headlined by four New York Times bestselling authors: Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews, Carrie Vaughn, and Vicki Pettersson. They're the last defenders of humanity, the lone wolf bad boys, and girls, who do dark deeds for the right reasons. Modern day knights who are sexy, funny, mad, bad and dangerous to know because they do what most of us only dream about, and get away with it. In this all-star collection, nine of today's hottest urban fantasy authors bring us original stories of supernatural, modern day knights that will have readers clamouring for more. (St. Martin's)
    JG515      Trade Paperback    $32.00
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BONDS OF JUSTICE, Singh, Nalini.
 - Psy-Changelings 09. New Zealand writer. Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him against Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy-dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be assigned is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councillor's closest advisors, and the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual of ways is a Psy on the verge of a catastrophic mental fracture. Sophia Russo is a Justice-Psy, cursed with the ability to retrieve memories from men and women so twisted even veteran cops keep their distance. Appointed as Max's liaison with the Psy, she finds herself fascinated by this human, her frozen heart threatening to thaw with forbidden emotion. Her mind filled with other people's nightmares, other people's evil, she's standing on the border between sanity and a silken darkness that urges her to take justice into her own hands, to become judge, jury, and executioner. (Berkley)
    JG98    $23.90
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IMAGER'S INTRIGUE, Modesitt, L.E., Jr.
 - Imager Portfolio 03.  In Imager, the first book of the Imager Portfolio, we met Rhennthyl, an apprentice portrait artist whose life was changed by a disastrous fire. But the blaze that took his master's life and destroyed his livelihood revealed a secret power previously dormant in Rhenn; the power of imaging, the ability to shape matter using thought. With some trouble, he adapts to the controlled life of an imager. By Imager's Challenge, Rhenn has become a liaison to the local law forces. He finds himself in direct conflict with both authorities and national politics as he tries to uphold the law and do his best by the people of his home city. Now, in Imager' Intrigue, Rhenn has come into his own. He has a wife and a young child, and a solid career as an imager. But he has made more than one enemy during his journey from apprentice painter to master imager, and even his great powers won't allow him to escape his past when he finds himself in direct conflict with local and national politics. (Tor)
    JG522      Hardcover    $53.00
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SLEEPING BEAUTY, Lackey, Mercedes
 - Five Hundred Kingdoms. Godmother Lily serves the Kingdom of Eltaria, which may be the most imperilled of all the Five Hundred Kingdoms. It has the misfortune of being small, rich, and surrounded with enemies. Governing it has been a constant juggling trick. Now The Tradition has decided to land the blow of making the King a widower, and his daughter the Fairest In The Land. This can only mean bad things for the King, the Princess Rosa, and above all, the Kingdom itself. (Luna)
    JG526      Hardcover    $47.00
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TONGUES OF SERPENTS, Novik, Naomi
 - Temeraire 06. Convicted of treason despite their heroic defense against Napoleon's invasion of England, Temeraire and Laurence, stripped of rank and standing, have been transported to the prison colony in distant Australia, where, it is hoped, they cannot further corrupt the British Aerial Corps with their dangerous notions of liberty for dragons. Temeraire and Laurence carry with them three dragon eggs intended to help establish a covert in the colony and destined to be handed over to such second-rate, undesirable officers as have been willing to accept so remote an assignment, including one former acquaintance, Captain Rankin, whose cruelty once cost a dragon its life. Nor is this the greatest difficulty that confronts the exiled dragon and rider. (Del Rey)
    JG528      Hardcover    $47.00
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WIZARD SQUARED, Mills, K.E.
 - Rogue Agent Trilogy 03. When the staff of Witches Incorporated receive a visitor from an alternate reality, they are shocked to learn that life in the parallel world next door is anything but a bed of roses, and it's all because of Gerald Dunwoody. At a crucial moment in time, their Gerald turned left, but the alternate reality Gerald turned right. Now the parallel world next door is in the grip of terror, staring down the barrel of a thaumaturgical war, a war that threatens to spill across the dimensions and plunge every reality into a nightmare. The only person who can stop a rogue wizard gone mad is another rogue wizard. What do you do when another rogue wizard can't be found? (Orbit)
    JG174    $23.90
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BIRD OF THE RIVER, Baker, Kage
 - In this new story set in the world of Anvil Of The World and House Of The Stag, two teenagers join the crew of a huge river barge after their addict mother is drowned. Eliss, the girl, becomes a sharp-eyed spotter of obstacles in the river for the barge, and more than that, one who perceives deeply. A young boy her age, Krelan, trained as a professional assassin, has come aboard, seeking the head of a dead nobleman, so that there might be a proper burial. The head proves as elusive as the real explanation behind the looting of cities, so he needs Eliss' help. Then there is the massive Captain of the barge, who can perform supernatural tricks, but prefers to stay in his cabin and drink. (Tor)
    JG513      Hardcover    $49.00
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MISSION OF HONOR, Weber, David
 - Honor Harrington 13. With CD-ROM. The Star Kingdom of Manticore and the Republic of Haven have been enemies for Honor Harrington's entire life. The millions who have already died may have been only a foretaste of the billions of casualties just over the horizon, and Honor sees it coming. She's prepared to do anything, risk anything, to stop it, and she has a plan that may finally bring an end to the Havenite Wars and give even the Solarian League pause. There are things not even Honor knows about. There are forces in play, hidden enemies in motion, all converging on the Star Kingdom of Manticore to crush the very life out of it, and Honor's worst nightmares fall short of the oncoming reality. (Baen)
    JG536    $51.00
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GRANTVILLE GAZETTE IV, Flint, Eric
 - Ring of Fire. After the West Virginia town of Grantville was unceremoniously hurled back through time to the 1630s, the 17th century would never be the same. On a more personal level, two young lovers celebrate Christmas in a strange land and time, a skilled blacksmith clashes with his guild, and a woman loses her husband in an industrial accident and decides to leave Grantville. Plus factual articles on the problems of beginning an oil industry, building a machine gun, or starting up the manufacture of textiles centuries ahead of their time. All this and more in a new and absolutely indispensable volume for the many followers of the 1632 series. (Baen)
    JG178    $23.90
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PATHFINDER, Reeve, Laura E.
 - Ariane Kedros 03. Wars may end, but vengeance is forever. Reserve Major Ariane Kedros needs a shot at redemption, and the mysterious aliens known as the Minoans need an extraordinary human pilot with a rejuv-stimulated metabolism like Ariane for a dangerous expedition to a distant solar system. There's a catch. The Minoans have to implant their technology in Ariane's body, and it might not be removable. Ariane is willing, but as she begins the perilous journey, there is an old enemy hiding within the exploration team who is determined to see them fail. (Roc)
    JG186    $23.90
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FULLER MEMORANDUM, Stross, Charles
 - Laundry Files. Bob Howard is taking a much needed break from the field to catch up on his filing in 'The Laundry's' archives when a top secret dossier known as The Fuller Memorandum vanishes, along with his boss, who the agency's executives believe stole the file. Determined to discover exactly what the memorandum contained, Bob runs afoul of Russian agents, ancient demons, and the apostles of a hideous faith, who have plans to raise a very unpleasant undead entity known as the Eater of Souls. (Ace)
    JG533      Hardcover    $47.00
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RIFT IN THE SKY, Czerneda, Julie E.
 - Stratification 03. Despite all good intentions, the lure of the Talent to move through space using the M'hir dimension is too much for the Om'ray of Cersi to resist. As the awareness of this talent spreads, all those Om'ray who are capable converge on the settlement at Sona. To prevent the disruption of the Agreement and the destruction that it would unleash, the M'hiray, as they now call themselves, agree to leave Cersi forever and try to establish their own haven within the Trade Pact worlds, only to learn that not everybody wants peace. (Daw)
    JG188    $23.90
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