A place to find out author interviews along with book reviews of thier works in the following genres:
science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, crime, horror, history, arts and crafts, hobby, true life, real life, autobiography, zombie, paranormal, demons, vampires, religion and spirituality, thriller, mystery, psychological thriller, spy tory, techno thriller, humour.
Hail Mighty Readers and Followers of the Calloused Thumbs, Our friends at Bethesda have let us know that the forthcoming Elder Scrolls Online will be released on the 4th April 2014. We're huge fans here at Falcata Times with Lady Eleanor planning on playing with her usual Orcish Brutality believing that if you smack it enough times its either dead or wasn't animated in the first place. I however will be using my favoured Khajits and hopefully that very sweet single hand crossbow (as seen in the trailer below.)
So prepare to get your new console of choice (Xbox One or PS4) and prepare for war. Hopefully one or both of us will see you on the battlefield, Gareth and Lady Eleanor
Release Date: 15/11/13 Publisher: Titan SYNOPSIS:
As his Aunt Marie is dying, homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms", who keep the balance between humanity and mythological creatures. As well as inheriting the "gift" from his aunt of being able to see the creatures' true forms, he also inherits useful artefacts, including the Book of Lore.
REVIEW:
Ah, as a fan of Grimm, I really wanted to get my hands on a copy of Aunt Maries book. I loved the way that it helped ease the principle character not only into his role but helped explain a lot of the things that go bump in the night. The artwork within is wonderful, fully descriptive and a great tie in with a cracking series. Add to this some great descriptions all accompanied with the various informations all round made this a great piece.
My only real gripe is that it should have been bound like the book in the series. Other than that though a great thing for any UF reader to enjoy.
Release Date: 25/10/13 Publisher: Warner Brothers Interactive SYNOPSIS:
Batman: Arkham Origins features an expanded Gotham City and introduces an original prequel storyline set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, the first two critically acclaimed games of the franchise.
Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals, the game showcases a young and unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, players will meet many important characters for the first time and forge key relationships.
REVIEW:
OK, so those following me on FB know that I was bad and was throwing cardboard batarangs around the house a few weeks back to get ready for Batman: Arkham Origins, and to be honest I had a hell of a lot of fun doing that. So when the new title landed I couldn’t wait to get started. Grabbing my utility belt (OK so its an army belt with a canteen on it as well as pouches for snackages) I was ready to start the latest (or from Batmans Perspective First, outing.)
It definitely was something that really catches the gamers attention from the wonderfully huge landscape to sound that just bursts forth with each thing that you do. The story is rich, has some great twists all following what many would think of as a simple premise of Batman Vs Assassins. It’s definitely something that I had a lot of fun relearning the skills for, loved the wicked little twists with also a tip of the proverbial hat to the origin of Joker.
It was rich, full of DC magic and to be honest its huge (so huge I’m still playing with over 60 hours logged.) Add to this cracking voice acting, a revamp of the Bat Cave as well as the chance to fly around the city with your grapnel, all round made this a lot of fun to sit back with. Add to the mix a good solid learning curve, some puzzles that will take lateral thinking to solve as well as the chance to savour it on the build-up to your own celebrations and it’s a title that I really do recommend to others. Can’t wait to see what Gotham has in store for me next. Great stuff.
Lady Eleanor is Falcata Times Mistress of Mayhem, be it in the Horror Genre or on the console, she gives it her all and loves to blow the hell out of anyone who gets in her way. You can often find her perusing the game sites to get the latest gossip on what’s arriving next or checking out the latest movie/book releases to see what grabs her attention.
In addition to this Lady Eleanor is a lifelong fan of pin up and in particular the Fetish Queen of the 50’s Bettie Page and whilst the name is an alias, its due more to her love of a song by the same title by the group Lindisfarne rather than her dominating presence when she lays down the law. (Artwork by Isis Sousa for Falcata Times)
Release Date: 22/10/13 Publisher: Taschen SYNOPSIS:
This is a cornerstone of modern fantasy...An exciting new compilation of Hans Christian Andersen's world-famous fairy tales. The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen presents the most famous Andersen stories, including classics such as The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, The Little Match Girl, and The Snow Queen, in a highly esteemed 1942 translation by Jean Hersholt with illustrations by outstanding artists of their eras. The book contains a sparkling and unexpected selection of beautiful artwork from the 1900s to the 1980s by legends of fantasy - the deeply influential Kay Nielsen and beloved Arthur Rackham, the distinctive talents of Swedish light Einar Nerman and Ukranian avant-gardist Georgy Narbut, the revered Czech visionary Josef Palecek, the eccentric Tom Seidmann-Freud (niece of Sigmund Freud), and the groundbreaking film animator Lotte Reiniger, as well as exciting discoveries. It also features historic and contemporary silhouettes throughout the book, which enrich the presentation of Andersen's tales in a one-of-a-kind format and make this a fresh addition to children's libraries as well as adult art book collections. In addition to the tales and illustrations, the book also contains an introduction to Andersen's legacy, brief historical introductions to each fairy tale, and extended artists' biographies in the appendix. For adults and children alike, this lovingly researched and designed edition shares the eternal magic of Andersen's tales, celebrating these tender, heartfelt stories that have entered both our collective imagination and literary cannon. It brings together the most famous Hans Christian Andersen tales in a one-of-a-kind design. It features illustrations by famous artists from Austria, Britain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, the Ukraine, and the United States in a unique format pairing one tale with one artist. It includes a highly-esteemed translation by Jean Hersholt accessible to readers of all ages. It contains dozens of all-new silhouettes specially commissioned for the book and well as vintage gems by fine artists. Following 22 fairy tales are featured in the book: The Princess and the Pea, The Nightingale, The Swineherd, The Old Man is Always Right, The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Darning Needle, Twelve by Mail, The Brave Tin Soldier, The Snow Queen, The Flea and the Professor, Thumbelina, The Sweethearts, Ole Lukoie, Five Peas in a Pod, The Ugly Duckling, Little Ida's Flowers, The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep, The Flying Trunk, The Little Match Girl, The Tinderbox, and The Pen and Inkstand.
REVIEW:
Having loved the Brother Grimm Fairy Tales that had been lovingly retranslated and illustrated last year, I really couldn’t wait to get my hands on one for Hans Christian Anderson, after all, with classic tales like The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid and my own favourite, the Ugly Duckling, I really wanted to have something that was not only beautiful to flick through but would enchant my nephews and niece when I sat down to read to them.
What Taschen has done with this is bring artwork from around the world, is bring a wonderful translation to the fore and give it not only a modern voice but also, by choosing a translation by a Hollywood/Radio Star, allowed the stories to be played out in full in a modern voice in, what I feel, is a manner for tales around the fireplace or to help wrap a child up in bed.
It’s beautiful, has a huge amount of stories within and knowing how much pleasure the Grimm title brought, this will certainly prove itself more than worth the money for such a book that will be lovingly passed down. Thank you Taschen.
There’s an idea that it’s the second book which is the most difficult. Much like the difficult second album, the second book is meant to be the one that solidifies you as someone to watch. Someone who is going to grow and get better throughout their career. You’re meant to be nervous about its publication. I wasn’t nervous, or concerned or anything other than wanting to get the book out. You see I self-published Crimes Against Magic back in April 2012 and it did okay. It didn’t set the world alight, but then I never assumed it would. As a first time, self-pubbed author, I was unknown and unproven and thus incredibly happy with the results.
Book 2, Born of Hatred, came out in Dec 2012. Once again I wasn’t really nervous or concerned that it wouldn’t be liked, I wrote the story I wanted to tell and people would like it or they wouldn’t. Then something weird happened. It did really, really well. So well, in fact, that I got an offer for a 3 book deal from 47North in Feb 2013. 47North re-launched books 1 and 2 in September and they both did very well once again. I hit the number 1 spot in 4 genres in several countries and managed to get in the top 100 best selling books in Canada and USA. I was, and still am, a happy man. By the time the books had been re-released I’d finished book 3 and was quite content with it. But as the launch date of next Feb edges ever closer something dawned on me: what if people don’t like it? It was a feeling I had when publishing both books 1 and 2, but for book 1 there were no expectations and book 2 was written so quickly after book 1 that there wasn’t time to really consider the idea that people might be waiting for it with their own expectations. Now I’ve had time to think about it, time to stew the idea that people have gained a measure of enjoyment from the previous books and expect the same, if not more, from book 3. People have told me that they’re looking forward to reading it, that they are, in some cases, exceptionally excited about the possibility of reading the insane ramblings in my head.
This was all new territory for me. People have e-mailed me in the past and said they liked my work, but the books were already out by then and book 3’s launch felt such a long way off. Now it doesn’t. Now it’s looming.
Fortunately, after talking to a few writer friends of mine, I came to the conclusion that all you can do is write what makes you happy. If you’re happy with the book, the chances are others will be too. I’m still nervous about book 3. For one thing it’s the first book where I have a publisher to impress, as well as readers. But instead of worrying about how it will be received, I’ve decided to get on with book 4. Because if there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to keep you busy, it’s writing another book. That way when book 3 finally arrives, I have a whole new story to worry myself about.
Release Date: 17/09/13 Publisher: 47 North SYNOPSIS: How do you keep the people you care about safe from enemies you can’t remember?
Ten years ago, Nate Garrett awoke on a cold warehouse floor with no memory of his past—a gun, a sword, and a piece of paper with his name on it the only clues to his identity. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his magical abilities to become a successful thief for hire.
But those who stole his memories aren’t done with him yet: when they cause a job to go bad and threaten a sixteen-year-old girl, Nate swears to protect her. With his enemies closing in and everyone he cares about now a target for their wrath, he must choose between the comfortable life he’s built for himself and his elusive past.
As the barrier holding his memories captive begins to crumble, Nate moves between modern-day London and fifteenth-century France, forced to confront his forgotten life in the hope of stopping an enemy he can’t remember.
REVIEW:
I’ve been hearing about this book for quite some time from quite a number of friends and because it was self published, I left it on a back burner. Oh what an error that was and was something that was picked up by publisher 47 North (the publishing arm of Amazon.)
What this book presents to the reader is a tale that takes place in the UK, bringing a story on not only an epic scale but a series that gives the reader the same sort of action as it present in Butchers Dresden Files. It has a great lead character in Nate, brings the darker seedier side of London to the fore and then takes the reader off into a world that is darker yet as old foes rear their head. Its cracking has all sorts of things there to grab your attention but throw in a memory block of the lead character that stops him remembering longer than 10 years previously all round sets this up as something special.
I really can’t wait for the second part to see what other surprises Steve has in store.
Release Date: 17/09/13 Publisher: 47 North SYNOPSIS:
There are some things even a centuries-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge…
When Nathan Garret’s friend seeks his help investigating a bloody serial killer, the pattern of horrific crimes leads to a creature of pure malevolence, born of hatred and dark magic. Even with all his powers, Nate fears he may be overmatched. But when evil targets those he cares about and he is confronted by dire threats both old and new, Nate must reveal a secret from his recently remembered past to remind his enemies why they should fear him once more.
Born of Hatred, set in modern London with historical flashbacks to America’s Old West, continues the dark urban fantasy of Crimes Against Magic, the acclaimed first book in the gritty and action-packed Hellequin Chronicles.
REVIEW:
The second Steve McHughs novel and whilst I wondered about the dreaded second book curse, I shouldn’t have as the characters within really helped not only further the story but allowed the reader to see how the principle hero has learned to adjust now that he has him memory returned.
As with the original, the author knows how to weave the reader with some wonderful sleight of hand, twist their point of view so that they’re never quite sure what to expect and then wraps it all up with a solid fast paced action thriller that is a pure joy to read. All round a cracking series and one that I took the time to read. Great stuff Steve and I can’t wait for the third outing.
Release Date: Unknown Currently Publisher: 47 North SYNOPSIS:
In late 15th century England, two young princes are given over by Merlin to the protection of their uncle, King Richard III. They soon vanish from sight, igniting tales of their demise at Richard’s hand and breeding unrest throughout the land.
Nathanial Garrett, also known as Hellequin, is sent to London to decipher fact from rumor and uncovers a plot to replace the king. But his investigation quickly becomes personal when he learns that an old nemesis is involved. He soon finds himself racing against time to rescue the boys before their fate, and the fate of all England, is sealed in blood.
Infamous Reign is a novella in the popular Hellequin Chronicles series, mixing gritty and action-packed historical fantasy with ancient mythology.
REVIEW:
A novella from Hellequin author Steve McHugh who brings a historical story to life with his own take. Its creative, has some cracking twists. Whilst this book stays completely in the past it brings the authors talent to the fore as he creates a short story that is not only fast paced but a cracking way for new readers to try a standalone tale to see if they’re ready to embark upon a cracking adventure.
All round a wonderful read and something that many people on journey time will find themselves lost within. Great stuff.
Release Date: 21/11/13 Publisher: Tor SYNOPSIS:
With the Haurstaf decimated, the Unmer have seized the palace at Awl. The Unmer Prince Paulus Marquetta discovers an ally in the blind girl Ianthe, albeit a dangerous one. She has the power to destroy his mind with a single thought. But Ianthe's friendship with the Unmer has made her dangerous enemies. The exiled Unmer lord, Argusto Conquillas is determined to challenge the prince and his followers -- and kill anyone who gets in his way. When the disgraced Gravedigger soldier Granger learns of his daughter's danger, he must use every scrap of his cunning to protect her. Even that may not be enough as the Unmer, in their quest to unlock the secrets of the universe, have made a bargain with a god ...a deal that threatens to destroy the world.
REVIEW:
The second book in the Gravedigger Chronicles (with the first being Sea of Ghosts) and to be honest I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to get as its been a while since I read the original. What happens within is a story that continues to expand the world created in the original with cracking characters and some wonderful twists that will keep you glued from one page to another.
Add to this some great prose that works wonderfully alongside some wonderful turns of phrase all round made this a book that I had a hard time putting down. Thank you Alan for a wonderful read and I know who to blame for a sleepless night now. LOL
Release Date: 21/11/13 Publisher: Tor SYNOPSIS:
Ex-spy 'Belle Boyd' is retired -- more or less. Retired from spying on the Confederacy anyway. Her short-lived marriage to a Union navy boy cast suspicion on those Southern loyalties, so her mid-forties found her unemployed, widowed and disgraced. Until her life-changing job offer from the staunchly Union Pinkerton Detective Agency. When she's required to assist Abraham Lincoln himself, she has to put any old loyalties firmly aside -- for a man she spied against twenty years ago. Lincoln's friend Gideon Bardsley, colleague and ex-slave, is targeted for assassination after the young inventor made a breakthrough. Fiddlehead, Bardsley's calculating engine, has proved the world is facing an extraordinary threat. Meaning it's not the time for civil war. Now Bardsley and Fiddlehead are in great danger as forces conspire to keep this potentially unifying secret, the war moving and the money flowing. With spies from both camps gunning for her, can even the notorious Belle Boyd hold the war-hawks at bay? Cherie Priest has been hailed as 'the High Priestess of Steampunk' - and you can see why in this latest wonderfully written adventure.
REVIEW:
History is not only fascinating to the reader but also can do a lot to inspire writers to create a unique hybrid in much the way the American Civil War has done for Cherie Priest, in this the sixth book in the Clockwork Chronicles series. Bringing just enough of the past to life with her own touch of mechanical mayhem to make this not only something unique but something that will appeal to a great many fantasy fans.
The prose is solid, the storyline has some wonderful twists and when you’ve backed it with characters that you just don’t want to lose all round makes this a great book to settle down with. Throw into the mix an author who has a clear love of the time so much so that the research and factual blends seamlessly with the fictional elements all round makes this a series that I’ll be sad to see end. Thank you Cherie.
Release Date: 24/10/13 Publisher: Red Fox SYNOPSIS:
Father Christmas is back, and this time he's had three helping of sprouts! As he tries to deliver the presents, his tummy rumbles, gurgles and groans, but Father Christmas knows he must keep it in - he doesn't want to wake anyone up! Will he come up Trumps?
REVIEW:
OK, yes I’m childish, yes I find bodily functions funny and yes I get a huge laugh from a number of books that Nicholas Allan has brought to the fore. Its entertaining, has a good solid storyline and to be honest is an ideal book for Grandad’s to read to Grandsons on perhaps the most difficult night of the year to get them to sleep.
Add to this some wonderfully colourful illustrations and it’s a whole heap of fun that will perhaps have the younger members of the family looking suspiciously at the Sprouts on Christmas morning. Magic.
Release Date: 05/12/13 Publisher: Solaris SYNOPSIS:
An incredible anthology of orginal short stories by an exciting list of writers including the bestselling author philip Reeve and the World Fantasy award-winning Lavie Tidhar.
Each step will lead you closer to your destination, but who, or what, can you expect to meet at journey’s end? Here are stories of misfits, spectral hitch-hikers, nightmare travel tales and the rogues, freaks and monsters to be found on the road. the critically acclaimed editor of Magic, End of The Line and House of Fear has brought together the contemporary masters and mistresses of the weird from around the globe in an anthology of travel tales like no other. Strap on your seatbelt, shoulder your backpack, or wait for that next ride... into darkness.
REVIEW:
Short Urban Fantasy stories are a joy for the modern commuter. It’s a great way to not only try authors you’ve either not heard of before or been unsure to try because of the tight finances and a wonderful way to have something a little different every few pages.
The stories within are wonderfully woven with each giving the reader something take away from their reading session. And whilst everyone will have their own favourite (my own was Adam Nevills) all round will generate something that you will love with each conclusion. All round a great piece of fun and definitely something to share with the house bookworm if they love UF. Magic.
Release Date: 05/12/13 Publisher: Bantam Press SYNOPSIS:
1984 - and it's an important time for the children of Ragley-on-the Forest school...Their school choir is to sing a carol in a church in York, and is actually going to be on television! Helping to keep his excited children, not to mention their parents, under control during these momentous events taxes jack and his staff to the limit. And at the same time, Jack has his own problems to deal with...
REVIEW:
Jack’s back with his wonderful fictional series based around School life. As with his other books it’s definitely something quirky, has some great phrases and is the type of book that not only makes you laugh but also gives the reader something that will brighten their reading time at this dark point of the year.
Add to this the fun nature of the piece, the wonderful sense of storytelling and of course characters that any reader can relate too and all round I was a more than happy reader. Great stuff.
Release Date: 21/11/13 Publisher: Arrow Books SYNOPSIS:
Detective Inspector January David doesn't love me. He loves his missing sister. He loves his job. But he doesn't love me. Not in the way he should. I am his wife. I amstillhis wife. And I will do anything for him. No matter what I have to sacrifice.
REVIEW:
Will Carver is an author that delivers a crime title that not only chills you to the marrow but also delivers a storyline that is hard to let go of. The characters are solid, fully believable and when the author throws situations their way, you can see the workings of their minds as they seek to find the answers to the crimes that they face.
Its definitely something that works wonderfully well and when you throw into the mix a darkly delicious thrill ride you know damn well that you’ve got a book that’s going to more than hit the spot. If you want a book to help you unwind after a hard couple of days, this is the title for you, although it may well effect your sleep as that reader niggle of “One more chapter” will become more than an acquaintance.
Release Date: 02/12/13 Publisher: Warner Home Video SYNOPSIS:
Zack Snyder directs this action adventure feature, produced by Christopher Nolan and based on the DC Comics hero. After being sent to Earth by his parents to prevent him from dying in the destruction of his home planet Krypton, an infant boy is taken in by Kansas farmer Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner) and his wife Martha (Diane Lane), who name the child Clark. Growing up Clark (Cooper Timberline/Dylan Sprayberry) begins to discover the true potential of the superpowers he possesses but with this comes a sense of responsibility. In his 20s Clark (Henry Cavill) gets a job as a newspaper reporter at 'The Daily Planet' where he meets and later becomes romantically involved with colleague Lois Lane (Amy Adams). When an evil force threatens the Earth and its inhabitants, Clark resumes his true identity as a superhero and fights to save the planet. Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe and Laurence Fishburne co-star.
REVIEW:
OK, I didn’t get chance to catch this title at the pictures, however when I first saw that the novelisation was being published by Titan I ordered that. And to be honest I was disappointed with it, so I really didn’t hold up great hopes for the film, and boy was I wrong.
What happens within this title is the regeneration of a hero for the modern viewer, gone in the surety of earlier Superman’s, he questions himself and his abilities with the death of a loved one challenging his every choice. Its well written, the casting working beautifully (although for me Terence Stamp will always be Zod) with an imaginative script bringing solid dialogue alongside character interaction.
Add to this flashbacks of Clark’s Childhood and all round it helped form a better picture for this new incarnation whose common sense and hard choices make him a new breed of hero for movie fans. Great stuff.
Release Date: 24/10/13 Publisher: Preface Publishing SYNOPSIS:
The third novel in the compelling Conquest series (1066: The Bloody Aftermath) from the author of Sworn Sword. Perfect for fans of Ben Kane. Autumn, 1071. The struggle for England has been long and brutal. Now, however, five years after the fateful Battle of Hastings, only a determined band of rebels in the Fens stand between King William and absolute conquest. Tancred, a proud and ambitious knight, is among the Normans marching to crush them. Once lauded for his exploits, his fame is now fading. Embittered by his dwindling fortunes and by the oath shackling him to his lord, he yearns for the chance to win back his reputation through spilling enemy blood. But as the Normans' attempts to assault the rebels' island stronghold meet with failure, the King grows increasingly desperate. With morale in camp failing, and the prospect of victory seeming ever more distant, Tancred's loyalty is put to the test as never before.
REVIEW:
Ah I love spending time with the English Rebels who fought against William the First, holding out against his conquering of the British nation and perhaps no other author out there is tackling it in quite the way that James Aitcheson is. The book is wonderfully addictive, leaving the read exhausted from their reading sessions as that infamous “just one more chapter” phrase will echo around many a readers house.
But what makes it so addictive? Well first of all James’ prose will lulls you into a false sense of security with its relative simplicity and when you add some cracking twists alongside an author’s unique writing style and cracking dialogue all round makes this something pretty special.
Release Date: 24/10/13 Publisher: Headline SYNOPSIS:
The new Richard Sharpe bursts onto the historical adventure scene in a brilliant, action-packed debut of Redcoat battle and bloodshed. 1854: The banks of the Alma River, Crimean Peninsular. The Redcoats stagger to a bloody halt. The men of the King's Royal Fusiliers are in terrible trouble, ducking and twisting as the storm of shot, shell and bullet tear through their ranks. Officer Jack Lark has to act immediately and decisively. His life and the success of the campaign depend on it. But does he have the mettle, the officer qualities that are the life blood of the British Army? From a poor background Lark has risen through the ranks by stealth and guile and now he faces the ultimate test...THE SCARLET THIEF introduces us to a formidable and compelling hero - brutally courageous, roguish, ambitious - in a historical novel as robust as it is thrillingly authentic by an author who brings history and battle vividly alive.
REVIEW:
I’ve heard quite a bit about Paul from friends of mine who are avid Historical Fiction fans. They promised an epic debut with characters that I’d love to spend time around with so many facets that I’d be hooked from the start to finish. So with all that promise I really couldn’t wait to see what would unfurl within.
Firstly for a debut novel it’s a cracking title. The characters within do stand on their own and whilst the history is cleverly woven within, it doesn’t feel like its treating the reader to a history lesson but weaves need to know within with ease. Add to this solid prose, high octane battle sequences and all round a tale that was a pure joy to read as every twist revealed itself. Definitely something for fans of well crafted battle sequences and something that will stay with you for quite some time. I’m just pleased I have the second to read straight away.
Release Date: 24/10/13 Publisher: Headline SYNOPSIS:
A riveting tale of battle and adventure in a brutal land, where loyalty and courage are constantly challenged and the enemy is never far away.
Jack Lark barely survived the Battle of the Alma. As the brutal fight raged, he discovered the true duty that came with the officer's commission he'd taken. In hospital, wounded, and with his stolen life left lying on the battlefield, he grasps a chance to prove himself a leader once more. Poor Captain Danbury is dead, but Jack will travel to his new regiment in India, under his name.
Jack soon finds more enemies, but this time they're on his own side. Exposed as a fraud, he's rescued by the chaplain's beautiful daughter, who has her own reasons to escape. They seek desperate refuge with the Maharajah of Sawadh, the charismatic leader whom the British Army must subdue. He sees Jack as a curiosity, but recognises a fellow military mind. In return for his safety, Jack must train the very army the British may soon have to fight...
REVIEW:
Ah the world of India is a dangerous one where politics and of course the machinations of officer rank vie against the sensibilities of the principle character which forces not only hard choices but ones he may later come to regret. As with the original novel the principle character is a joy to be around. I love his outlook, the way he comes across and of course his personal internal struggles against what he is to face.
Add to this solid combat, some great twists and dialogue that really helps bring the India of yesteryear to the modern reader all round gives you something special to enjoy. Great stuff.
I’ve always liked a touch of the fantastic in my fiction. When I was a kid, I read everything that I could get my hands on, but it was the stories that were a little bit out of this world that most grabbed my attention. Never was there a greater way to betray the reader, in my young mind, than to reveal with a twist at the end that the supernatural happenings were just something mundane after all. Outrage! No Scooby Doo unmaskings to explain away the mysteries for me – I wanted the real thing. Fantasy, science-fiction, stories of the supernatural... they all reach towards the same thing, the idea of something different and astounding that’s not found anywhere in our own lives. Fiction that could only ever exist as fiction. All stories draw you into someone else’s secret world, but there’s something special about visiting the ones built purely out of shared imagination. I love all stories of the impossible, the unbelievable, the never-true. Tales of worlds unlike our own, of things that don’t exist, of people not like us – and yet, in all the most important ways, exactly like us. If fiction is a mirror, then fantasy fiction is a funhouse mirror, distorting the image into something alien and strange, but still reflecting the essential truth of what it captures. You can see things about everyday life that you might never have seen if it wasn’t stretched into new shapes that forced you to look at it with fresh eyes, as if it was something never seen before. And that’s why I love urban fantasy. A whole genre that doesn’t just mirror the everyday in the fantastic, but tangles them together and sets them side by side: magic in the places we thought we already knew, secrets in the things we thought familiar. Shops selling magic spells between the restaurant and post office; wizards and werewolves rubbing shoulders with mechanics and accountants. Maybe the wizards and werewolves are the mechanics and accountants. Sometimes it’s a hidden world, discovered by a wrong turn – or perhaps a right one – down a street that looks like any other. A chance meeting, a whimsical purchase... passports into somewhere that’s been there all along, but concealed from those who don’t know where to look. We get to stumble into that secret world with the protagonist, see its wonders and its terrors through astonished eyes. But often I find myself thinking of the other stories that there might be to be told: the lives of those who’ve spent their whole existence with one foot in the everyday and one in the fantastic. Who owns that strange little back alley magic shop? What do they do outside of business hours? Maybe they have adventures of their own, seeking new goods for sale in dangerous locations, or staying up late in the night to hone the secrets of their craft. Maybe they just go home and curl up to watch Eastenders, catching up with friends and relatives who don’t have any clue what they do all day. Maybe they get on the internet, and update their Tumblr of wacky magic shop customer stories. ...And just how do you come to acquire a magic shop, anyway? I always wonder about the people on the edge of supernatural crime scenes. Who cleans up after the magical murder when everything’s all over? How much do they know? How much do they want to? And just what do the neighbours think about that necromancer who lives next door? How often have the animal control officers been sent out after werewolves? And if perhaps more of that world should bleed through into our own, no longer so separate, not so secret... well, what then? Who knows what inheritance law might look like in a world where the dead sometimes get up and walk; what the health and safety regulations are when it comes to magic portals. Maybe there are lending libraries of magical books, or support groups for people who’ve lost years of their lives when they were carried off by fairies. Maybe supermarkets have a line of werewolf snacks. (And I’ll just bet there was a major public relations minefield when someone went and stocked them in the pet aisle.) Anywhere the two worlds meet, the mundane becomes fantastic. The humdrum details of everyday lives become something strange and new to go exploring with new eyes.
And that’s what keeps me coming back to the worlds of urban fantasy. No matter how thoroughly things might have been explored, there’s always someone out there who can open the secret door and reveal a brand new world inside. Worlds within worlds...
Release Date: 30/06/13 Publisher: Black Library SYNOPSIS:
The goblin chieftain Skarsnik's name is known and feared throughout the Old World. When a greenskin horde threatens the borders of the Empire, the greatest military minds in Altdorf seek assistance from a most unlikely source - the disgraced poet Jeremiah Bickenstadt. Though long since consumed by madness, he claims to have spent a great deal of time in the company of the feared Warlord of the Eight Peaks, and can offer a unique insight into what it is that drives and motivates him. From humble beginnings, a monstrous legend is born.
REVIEW:
Ah the sneaky git finally gets his own book and to be honest I’m a huge fan of this guy. After all if you want a rampaging mob of greenskins, there’s really nothing better than having it all led by a Night Goblin with brains. As usual with Guy Haley, the book is well written, he gets around the difficultly of the language by using an intermediary and when you add great action sequences alongside a few shocking twists, it all works rather well.
Back this up with some wonderful turn of phrases, some crackingly imaginative sequences and all round I was a more than happy reader. Great to see one told from this point of view and here’s hoping that a few more non-human races get a crack at telling their tales. Magic.
Release Date: 10/10/13 Publisher: Ravenstone SYNOPSIS:
The Devil is retiring... but who's taking over? When teenage Pen inherits the job of caretaker for a London building with no doors and only a secret entrance from the caretaker's lodge – which she must never use – little does she know it will lead her into unbelievable danger. For Azmordis, also known as Satan, a spirit as old as time and as powerful as the Dark, Immortality is running out.
In the house with no front door, a group of teenagers are trapped in assorted dimensions of myth and history, undergoing the trials that will shape them to step into his cloven footwear – or destroy them. Assisted by only by an aspiring teenage chef called Gavin and Jinx, a young witch with more face-piercing than fae-power, Pen must try to stop the Devil's deadly game plan – before it's too late.
By turns very funny, very scary and always thrilling, this is an incredible return to YA for Siegel.
REVIEW:
This was a book that I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time, firstly because I love the premise and secondly as I know that it would be a cracking title for young and old readers alike from the relatively new press Ravenstone.
How did I know this, well I loved their first book Lupus Rex, so knew that it would be something different, something novel and of course something that would fill the readers imagination with something unique in its own right. What unfurls within the pages is a tale that at times is humorous, at times dark all backed up with a mysteriousness that can leave you wondering what exactly what is going to happen with the unpredictability leaving you quite often at the not only the edge of your seat but with that niggling book demon whispering about one more chapter before you turn the light off.
It has solid prose, some great twists and when you finally finish the last page, you’ll find it’s a book that you thoroughly enjoyed. Great stuff.
Release Date: 10/10/13 Publisher: Tor SYNOPSIS:
The monarchies of the Royal Vispasian Union have been bound together for two hundred years by laws maintained and enforced by the powerful Sun Chamber. As a result, nations have flourished but corruption, deprivation and murder will always find a way to thrive ...Receiving news of his father's death Sun Chamber Officer Lucan Drakenfeld is recalled home to the ancient city of Tryum and rapidly embroiled in a mystifying case. The King's sister has been found brutally murdered -- her beaten and bloody body discovered in a locked temple. With rumours of dark spirits and political assassination, Drakenfeld has his work cut out for him trying to separate superstition from certainty. His determination to find the killer quickly makes him a target as the underworld gangs of Tryum focus on this new threat to their power. Embarking on the biggest and most complex investigation of his career, Drakenfeld soon realises the evidence is leading him towards a motive that could ultimately bring darkness to the whole continent. The fate of the nations is in his hands.
REVIEW:
Mark has always been one of those authors who likes to leave the readers with questions rather than deliver a story that is a simple affair from A to B. He does so in such a way that you end up questioning what you’d have done in those circumstances which when blended with a fantasy element all round works very well.
As usual the prose is sharp, the pace ideal but for me it’s the depth of the characters that he brings to the fore that really sets this out from a fair few others, they’re believable, they have their own agenda’s and tend to see the world in shades of grey rather than a straight forward of black and white of a great many fantasy authors.
This works very well for Mark’s writing which when blended with his own unique twist and sense of wonder all round generates a tale that will stay with you long after the final page is turned, so much so that you’ll end up telling others about the book and the questions it raises. That is a sign of a great writer.
Release Date: 10/10/13 Publisher: Titan SYNOPSIS:
Janus Mikani and Celeste Ritsuko work all hours in the Criminal Investigation Division, keeping the citizens of Dorstaad safe. They're assigned a potentially volatile case where one misstep could end their careers. A ruthless killer is stalking the gaslit streets, weaving blood and magic in a lethal ritual that could mean the end of everything they hold dear...
REVIEW:
Ann was an author I first got to grips with when she originally released Grimspace. I fell in love with her characterisation; they jumped from the page into the readers imagination and helped make the pages fly by. They felt real, they had nuances and of course many facets that the reader couldn’t help but fall in love with.
So when I learned that she was writing an Urban Fantasy Steampunk title I couldn’t wait to see if the skills that she presented with her debut would carry on in this new title. Not only did this happen but as an author she has grown learning new skills with each new release so much so that I felt that there was nothing that I could really pick any problems with between the pages.
As with her original novel, here, the characters speak volumes, the world is imaginative, has humans with fae powers and of course brings a kick ass murder mystery to the fore for the principle players to delve into. It works on a great many levels and when you add cracking prose, to the mix alongside an author writing style that’s instantly identifiable as an Ann Aguirre, then all round I was a more than happy reader. Great stuff and definitely something that I’ll be adding to quite a few people’s Christmas Gift baskets.
Release Date: 26/11/13 Publisher: Orbit SYNOPSIS:
The towering vertical city of Mahala is on the brink of war with its neighbouring countries. It might be his worst nightmare, but Rojan and the few remaining pain-mages have been drafted in to help. The city needs power in whatever form they can get it - and fast. With alchemists readying a prototype electricity generator, and factories producing guns faster than ever, the city's best advantage is still the mages. Leading the alchemists is Rojan's sister, with a risky plan to help tap the mages' strength and overcome the armies marching towards them. With food in the city running out, and a battle approaching that no one is ready for, risky is the best they've got ...
REVIEW:
The second novel in this cracking fantasy series is one that not only grabbed my attention with the debut but also has managed in this, the second book to not only expand upon the world but also help the character grow so much so that the series feels like its about to take on a life of its own.
Add to this some great twists, solid prose and a reluctant hero all round makes this a cracking fantasy to purchase for any fan of the genre. The only downside, is if you haven’t already read the first I’d suggest that you do so and if you have, then I’d suggest a reread, not because you’ll have forgotten any of the details but it’s a pleasurable way to help you relax and get the most from this book. Great stuff.
Release Date: 12/11/13 Publisher: Take 2 Interactive SYNOPSIS:
Burial at Sea - Episode 1 is the first part of the story-driven downloadable content of BioShock Infinite, which was released on November 12th. This DLC puts the player in the perspective of Booker DeWitt in a new story, taking place in the city of Rapture right before its fall.
REVIEW:
Having loved playing Bioshock Infinite I couldn’t wait for the chance to return to spend time with Booker and Elizabeth so when this outing became available, with these two characters as well as returning to a familiar Rapture setting, I couldn’t wait to embark.
Whilst this follows its own plotline, please be aware that whilst you can play it without having played the full game first, this add on with have spoilers, so I urge you make sure you’ve finished the original first otherwise you may have elements spoilt. What this title does is bring the edgy horror elements into an enclosed environment which, as a player will find you sneaking round corners hoping to get the jump on villains as ammo is in short supply so a quick melee attack can be a lifesaver.
Its lots of fun, has great twists and of course with the storyline taking the reader on a great journey, this addition will keep you playing for a couple of hours leaving the reader not only on the hook but demanding the second part when the cliff-hanger ending finishes playing. Great stuff.
Release Date: 10/10/13 Publisher: Headline SYNOPSIS:
Fans of Dan Brown and Clive Cussler will love the thrilling new Jack Howard action adventure from Sunday Times bestseller David Gibbins. 1351 BC: Akhenaten the Sun-Pharaoh rules supreme in Egypt...until the day he casts off his crown and mysteriously disappears into the desert, his legacy seemingly swallowed up by the remote sands beneath the Great Pyramids of Giza. AD 1884: A British soldier serving in the Sudan stumbles upon an incredible discovery - a submerged temple containing evidence of a terrifying religion whose god was fed by human sacrifice. The soldier is on a mission to reach General Gordon before Khartoum falls. But he hides a secret of his own. Present day: Jack Howard and his team are excavating one of the most amazing underwater sites they have ever encountered, but dark forces are watching to see what they will find. Diving into the Nile, they enter a world three thousand years back in history, inhabited by a people who have sworn to guard the greatest secret of all time...
REVIEW:
A story that really didn’t deliver what I was expecting from the blurb and to be honest I was disappointed with the overall effect as it left me feeling cheated. The story was OK and whilst a lot of the tale did take the reader on a journey through time, the key part to the story felt rather short and without any real detail that I was looking forward to.
All round a book that I felt was lacking and perhaps not up to David’s usual high standards almost as if, because it was part of the Jack Howard series, as if it were expected to sell itself. A great shame for me.
Release Date: 24/10/13 Publisher: Hodder SYNOPSIS:
For seventy years they guarded the British Empire. Oblivion and Fogg, inseparable friends, bound together by a shared fate. Until one night in Berlin, in the aftermath of the Second World War, and a secret that tore them apart. But there must always be an account...and the past has a habit of catching up to the present. Now, recalled to the Retirement Bureau from which no one can retire, Fogg and Oblivion must face up to a past of terrible war and unacknowledged heroism, - a life of dusty corridors and secret rooms, of furtive meetings and blood-stained fields - to answer one last, impossible question: What makes a hero?
REVIEW:
To be honest this is a superhero novel that has all sorts of origin threads that have been explored in recent films such as Captain America and a few of the other Marvel titles. The fact that one of the witnesses in the trial is Stanley Martin Lieber (who for those in the know is Stan Lee) goes to show how deep an influence that Mr Lee has had on Lavie.
Its definitely a quirky book, something pretty unique and when it delves into the second world war as told from a superhero point of view really takes the reader into an uncomfortable world that will dig itself in deeper into the psyche.
Add to this solid prose, some cracking characters and of course an overall arc that really gets to the heart of the matter makes this a book that will stay with the reader for quite some time.
Release Date: 24/10/13 Publisher: Hammer SYNOPSIS:
Autumn 1940, World War Two, the Blitz. Bombs are raining down, destroying the cities of Britain. In London, children are being removed from their families and taken to the country for safety. Teacher Eve Parkins is in charge of one such group, and her destination is an empty and desolate house that appears to be sinking into the treacherous tidal marshes that surround it. EEL Marsh House - Far from home and with no alternative, Eve and the children move in. But soon it becomes apparent that there is someone else in the house; someone who is far deadlier than any number of German bombs...The Woman in Black.
REVIEW:
OK, I had high hopes for this book, after all I’ve had friends rave for years about the much loved Woman in Black by Susan Hill and as such hearing that there was an authorised sequel released gave me the chance to sit back and get that wonderful chill up the spine during the dark winter night reads that I had planned.
Unfortunately what I got was a title that fell far short of what I was expecting, it felt weak, the chill factor was missing and to be honest there weren’t any real twists that you couldn’t see coming from a mile off. It also felt poorly written when you compare against the original and to be honest I am left wondering if it was just a quick way to cash in on the success of what has gone before. A great shame to be honest.
Hail Mighty Readers, Today we have an exclusive extract from the wonderful "Behind the Sofa: Celebrity Memories of Dr Who - Edited by Steve Berry." (Out now and published by Gollancz with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Research UK.) The book is a wonderful addition to any Whovian's collection and with this weekend (23rd November 2013) seeing the 50th Anniversary Special Edition (The Day of the Doctor.) We couldn't think of anything better to feature to help prepare you for the weekend.
Kristin Hersh Songwriter, founder of US indie band, Throwing Muses "Wanted to be touched by a Weeping Angel The Doctor was my dad. Or my dad was the Doctor, I’m not sure which. They looked alike and people called Dad “Doctor” for what seemed to me to be flimsy reasons. So I figured those were our home movies with the monsters made out of stuff we found in the back of the garage and the cheap lasers. I knew we were poor and couldn’t afford the expensive lasers rich kids’ dads shot bubble wrap and mop-head monsters with.
My father had to use science to outwit evil garbage cans ’cos his weapons and spaceships were so crappy. But that made him cooler than the rich dads, cooler than the rich TV stars, cooler than real doctors who only seemed interested in listening to heartbeats. Peering into your life through a keyhole positioned on the outside is a striking thing to do. Science measures everything; it can’t help it. It measures your heartbeats — which’re pretty goddamn repetitive and therefore boring, no matter what gross love songs tell you — and it measures your wild adventures. The Doctor’s adventures are yours through this universal keyhole and you know it, whether you’re sitting on your couch or racing around, all tense and terrified. Weirdness is everywhere and it’s always about to kick in. It’s probably sitting in the back of your garage right now, waiting to strike: cool.
One little shift in your parameters like this, one little shift in your perception (like: right next to the shop on the corner is eternity and eternity is homemade!) means that our adventures only start with our heartbeats. Then they ooze into surrounding tissues and crawl out of our ears onto the couch, eventually body-slamming us within inches of our lives and sanity. And what saves you from facing your mortality? Morality, of course! Every time… that and a cheap old two-bit laser you taped together yesterday afternoon. Now we know the micro and the macro, the small picture and the big one. We’re all visible through the same keyhole, those of us with pounding hearts."
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.
