Long post about books
Aug. 18th, 2010 10:22 pmThis is a post about books I haven't read yet, but am looking forward to anyway. Their publication dates range from last week; to early 2011.
I'm going to cut this for length:
This should be approximately in order of publication. Not exactly, though.
Out of the Dark, David Weber -- James Nicoll says this reads like earlier Weber, not the current stuff. That's a very good sign. It's not in any of his existing series; that's also good.
Kill the Dead, Richard Kadrey -- sequel to the very very violent fantasy-thriller _Sandman Slim_. There's a place for violent retribution -- books and media.
Betrayer of Worlds, Larry Niven and Edward Lerner -- book four or so in the continuing sanctioned fanfic about the Ringworld and the Puppeteers. Books one and two were readable only by drooling fans, but I thought the quality trend was upwards, and book three was actually decent. I hope the trend continues monotonically.
Discord's Apple, Carrie Vaughn -- an author I'm liking more and more. Fantasy.
An Artificial Night, Seanan McGuire -- book three of urban fantasy mystery concerning fae folk in San Francisco. I liked her SF zombie novel, _Feed_, too.
Game of Cages, Harry Connolly -- sequel to _Child of Fire_, an excellent urban fantasy involving a secret cabal of magicians trying to keep amateurs out of the game.
The Technician, Neal Asher -- more alien ultraviolence in the SF Polity universe. When your friendly local AI overlord says it's time to evacuate, it really is time.
Blameless, Gail Carriger -- book three of the Parasol Protectorate, in which Victorian England plus some steampunk technology coincides with werewolves, insect-like vampires, and the soulless protagonist.
The Fall, Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan -- book two of vampires invading NYC.
The Evolutionary Void, Peter Hamilton -- book three of an SF trilogy with a much better psionics-medieval fantasy buried inside it.
The Truth of Valor, Tanya Huff -- book five or so of excellent milSF with a story arc and a female protagonist.
I Shall Wear Midnight, Terry Pratchett -- well, it's Pratchett, ennit?
The Quantum Thief, Rajaniemi, Hannu -- first US publication, Charlie Stross liked it a lot.
Surface Detail, Iain M. Banks -- a new Culture novel. What's not to like?
Mr. Monster, Dan Wells -- sequel to the [spoiler] serial killer novel _I Am Not a Serial Killer_.
Hull Zero Three, Greg Bear -- mostly because it's time to see what Bear is up to.
CryoBurn, Lois McMaster Bujold -- well, it's Bujold, ennit?
Gilden Latten Bones, Glen Cook -- should be a fantasy PI novel, number eleven or so.
The Broken Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin -- sequel to the astoundingly great fantasy novel _The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms_
Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch -- he wrote a great Doctor Who novel set in Banks' Culture.
Listener, Warren Ellis -- I have no idea what it will be like, but I expect profanity and entertainment.
Deep State, Walter Jon Williams -- sequel to _This is Not a Game_, and is the name in slight homage to Stross's _Halting State_?
Daybreak Zero, John Barnes -- expected to be a sequel to _Directive 51_, which had a massive twist which I will not spoil.
The Republic of Thieves, Scott Lynch -- the return of Locke Lamora. Let's see if he gets back on track.
The Wise Man's Fear, Patrick Rothfuss -- sequel to the astoundingly great fantasy novel _The Name of the Wind_.
I'm going to cut this for length:
This should be approximately in order of publication. Not exactly, though.
Out of the Dark, David Weber -- James Nicoll says this reads like earlier Weber, not the current stuff. That's a very good sign. It's not in any of his existing series; that's also good.
Kill the Dead, Richard Kadrey -- sequel to the very very violent fantasy-thriller _Sandman Slim_. There's a place for violent retribution -- books and media.
Betrayer of Worlds, Larry Niven and Edward Lerner -- book four or so in the continuing sanctioned fanfic about the Ringworld and the Puppeteers. Books one and two were readable only by drooling fans, but I thought the quality trend was upwards, and book three was actually decent. I hope the trend continues monotonically.
Discord's Apple, Carrie Vaughn -- an author I'm liking more and more. Fantasy.
An Artificial Night, Seanan McGuire -- book three of urban fantasy mystery concerning fae folk in San Francisco. I liked her SF zombie novel, _Feed_, too.
Game of Cages, Harry Connolly -- sequel to _Child of Fire_, an excellent urban fantasy involving a secret cabal of magicians trying to keep amateurs out of the game.
The Technician, Neal Asher -- more alien ultraviolence in the SF Polity universe. When your friendly local AI overlord says it's time to evacuate, it really is time.
Blameless, Gail Carriger -- book three of the Parasol Protectorate, in which Victorian England plus some steampunk technology coincides with werewolves, insect-like vampires, and the soulless protagonist.
The Fall, Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan -- book two of vampires invading NYC.
The Evolutionary Void, Peter Hamilton -- book three of an SF trilogy with a much better psionics-medieval fantasy buried inside it.
The Truth of Valor, Tanya Huff -- book five or so of excellent milSF with a story arc and a female protagonist.
I Shall Wear Midnight, Terry Pratchett -- well, it's Pratchett, ennit?
The Quantum Thief, Rajaniemi, Hannu -- first US publication, Charlie Stross liked it a lot.
Surface Detail, Iain M. Banks -- a new Culture novel. What's not to like?
Mr. Monster, Dan Wells -- sequel to the [spoiler] serial killer novel _I Am Not a Serial Killer_.
Hull Zero Three, Greg Bear -- mostly because it's time to see what Bear is up to.
CryoBurn, Lois McMaster Bujold -- well, it's Bujold, ennit?
Gilden Latten Bones, Glen Cook -- should be a fantasy PI novel, number eleven or so.
The Broken Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin -- sequel to the astoundingly great fantasy novel _The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms_
Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch -- he wrote a great Doctor Who novel set in Banks' Culture.
Listener, Warren Ellis -- I have no idea what it will be like, but I expect profanity and entertainment.
Deep State, Walter Jon Williams -- sequel to _This is Not a Game_, and is the name in slight homage to Stross's _Halting State_?
Daybreak Zero, John Barnes -- expected to be a sequel to _Directive 51_, which had a massive twist which I will not spoil.
The Republic of Thieves, Scott Lynch -- the return of Locke Lamora. Let's see if he gets back on track.
The Wise Man's Fear, Patrick Rothfuss -- sequel to the astoundingly great fantasy novel _The Name of the Wind_.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-08-19 05:41 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-08-19 05:54 pm (UTC)