Release Date: 06/08/15
Publisher: Robinson
SYNOPSIS:
A captivating collection of original science fiction and fantasy stories based on the same alternate world premise: a collection of documents that have been suppressed by the Vatican and hidden away for years, in some cases centuries, are revealed when the vaults are thrown open by a reforming pope.
In this alternate reality, Pope John Paul (I) does not die a month after his accession in 1978; instead he lives on for over 30 years to become the most reforming pope of all time. In addition to relaxing the rules on birth control and priestly celibacy he also opens up the most secret parts of the Vatican Library to scholars . . .
In the Vatican's deepest vaults, documents are discovered which shed new light on world history, containing information which, if true, would cause many parts of accepted history to have to be rewritten. These include not just the undercover involvement of the Catholic Church in world affairs, but documented accounts of what really happened in historical conundrums, the real lives of saints and popes, miracles, magic, angels and even alien encounters.
REVIEW:
Compendiums are a cracking way to try authors that you may not have had the time or the money to pick up before. This title from the Mammoth series bring a whole host of top talent together such as Storm Constantine alongside Mary Gentle as well as Sarah Ash to name a few.
Each tale is solid in its worn right and when woven together as if it with scholarly notes all round makes it something unique. All round a book that I had a lot of fun with and an ideal title for that brief escape with whether it’s a lunch break or journey time, you really won’t be disappointed. Magic.
Release Date: 18/09/14
Publisher: Robinson Publishing
SYNOPSIS:
From the editor of The Mammoth Book of Steampunk, this anthology of steam-powered short stories, dirigibles aloft, retro-tech wonders, and astounding adventure will set clockwork-loving hearts hammering with delight. Longtime steampunk fans: prepare to gleefully grab your goggles to read these remarkable stories! Newcomers: prepare to become fans of this popular genre involving both the past and present-entertainingly and provocatively re-thought, re-invented, and re-evaluated. With stories by K.W. Jeter, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Ken Liu, Cherie Priest, Carrie Vaughn, and many others.
Full list of contributors: Christopher Barzak; Tobias Buckell; C. S. E. Cooney; Aliette de Bodard; Lisa L. Hannett; Samantha Henderson; K. W. Jeter; Caitlin R. Kiernan; Jay Lake; Ken Liu; Alex Dally MacFarlane; Tony Pi; Cherie Priest; Cat Rambo; Chris Roberson; Margaret Ronald; Sofia Samatar; Gord Sellar; Nisi Shawl; Benjanun Sriduangkaew; E. Caterine Tobler; Genevieve Valentine; Carrie Vaughn; AC Wise; Jonathan Wood.
REVIEW:
OK, as most know I’m a huge fan of compendium titles and whilst you tend to get quite a few for other genres, Steampunk has often been one where readers have to make a hard choice between individual books without the knowledge of whether they like the authors writing style or not.
What this title does is give you the chance to sample so many authors (some from outside the Steampunk genre) and gives you a whole host of tales that you can delve into when you want something to read during either travel time or during a lunch break. As a reader I love to have any chance to escape from the real world and give myself over fully to fantasy.
Thank you Robinson for a cracking steampunk offering and one that is full of cracking prose and of course so many heroes that I love to spend time with. Magic.
Release Date: 20/11/14
Publisher: Stephen Jones
SYNOPSIS:
Human Reanimation Virus (HRV) has spread around the globe and most of the major cities have fallen or been destroyed. As a new race of intelligent zombies rise to power, the remaining pockets of human resistance make a last, desperate stand in the ruins of a world on the brink of unimaginable change. With the final pieces of the epic puzzle falling into place, a centuries-old Endgame is revealed through a series of interconnected documents - emails, articles, reports, diaries and eyewitness accounts - as past and future hang in the balance. In this third and final volume of the original best-selling Zombie Apocalypse! trilogy, Thomas Moreby's plan for world domination is finally revealed in all its mad glory, as the very fabric of time and space is ripped apart and history itself is about to be changed forever ...
REVIEW:
Sadly a book that whilst being the third and final part of Stephen’s series was one that completely failed to deliver on the titles synopsis promise from the publisher. It was sadly flat, spent way too much time filling itself with unnecessary filler which when backed with an incredibly slow pace as well as unanswered questions all round left me feeling heavily disappointed. Not a book that I’d recommend to anyone and if you have to read it, borrow it from either the library or wait for it to appear in the pound shop to save yourself a few quid.
Release Date: 24/10/13
Publisher: Robinson Publishing
SYNOPSIS:
For nearly twenty-five years The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror has been the world's leading annual anthology dedicated solely to showcasing the best in contemporary horror fiction. Comprising the most outstanding new short fiction by both contemporary masters of horror and exciting newcomers, this multiple award-winning series also offers an overview of the year in horror, a comprehensive necrology of recent obituaries, and an indispensable directory of contact details for dedicated horror fans and writers. The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror remains the world's leading annual anthology dedicated solely to presenting the best in contemporary horror fiction.
REVIEW:
To be honest whilst I’m a fan of Horror and love the idea of a compendium bringing the best of the genre to the fore, I felt a little let down with this book as the New Wave of Horror is not really to my own personal taste. Its too safe, it tends to rely on a singular pay off line and all round really doesn’t put a chill down my spine.
Don’t get me wrong, the book does have some spectacular pieces within but when I’m not getting that chill then I feel a little let down. All round the pieces within will more than please a fair few readers as the stories are to the point, great for travel and of course give the reader a great way to kill some travel time but for me its just a so so title.
Release Date: 03/09/13
Publisher: Robinson Publishing
SYNOPSIS:
Life is quiet for Alex Verus. Amazing. With a flat full of friends (and the occasional fish), and business booming, why not enjoy the humdrum here and now? But of course that's too good to be true. In a sudden and cruel pincer movement of fate, Alex finds himself fighting a sinister and powerful gang as well as his own demons - for the same crime. Held hostage by the choices of his past, Alex's future is now in jeopardy ...
REVIEW:
Short stories are a wonderful addition to any reader’s collection. Firstly because you get to pay out for authors that you already know and love, and secondly because, for that price you’ll get to try some authors that you’ve either not had the money for or worried about risking your hard earned cash on.
They’re a great addition to the a readers bookshelf and this one brings great talent such as Christopher Priest, Fritz Leiber, Robert Silverberg and a great many others/ All round a great read and one that I had a lot of fun with all in. Definitely worth the time as well as the money and a good way to lose a lunch break or to while away that journey time with your own selection of time travel tales.
