2008-05-12T06:23:47Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1 Movable Type Copyright (c) 2008 2008-05-12T06:23:47Z 2008-05-12T13:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.531 2008-05-12T13:00:00Z

Reynolds manages space opera that does not read like farce.

Dan Hartland book review Reynolds manages space opera that does not read like farce. 2008-05-09T08:09:16Z 2008-05-09T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.529 2008-05-09T08:00:00Z

We're not dealing with some damn metaphor or allegory. The things that happened, really happened. But what they mean, well, that's anyone's guess, and therein, I think, lies the novel's wonder.

Michael Levy We're not dealing with some damn metaphor or allegory. The things that happened, really happened. But what they mean, well, that's anyone's guess, and therein, I think, lies the novel's wonder. 2008-05-07T23:41:02Z 2008-05-07T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.532 2008-05-07T08:00:00Z

Concluding volumes of epic fantasy trilogies are expected to contain an action-filled payoff and, for the most part, Last Argument of Kings fulfills this expectation.

Larry Nolen book review Last Argument of Kings fulfills this expectation.]]> 2008-05-05T09:04:12Z 2008-05-05T13:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.528 2008-05-05T13:00:00Z

Kincaid displays a flexible, proportionate style and—like David Langford, who provides the introduction to this volume—he is erudite, demotic, and not afraid to put the boot in when necessary.

Martin Lewis book review Kincaid displays a flexible, proportionate style and—like David Langford, who provides the introduction to this volume—he is erudite, demotic, and not afraid to put the boot in when necessary. 2008-05-02T08:05:43Z 2008-05-02T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.526 2008-05-02T08:00:00Z

At this point the story starts to read like a collaboration between Terry Pratchett and Vlad the Impaler, with additional dialog by H. P. Lovecraft, as the two men head out into the streets of London and proceed to kill everyone in sight.

Lisa Goldstein book review At this point the story starts to read like a collaboration between Terry Pratchett and Vlad the Impaler, with additional dialog by H. P. Lovecraft, as the two men head out into the streets of London and proceed to kill everyone in sight. 2008-04-30T08:53:05Z 2008-04-30T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.525 2008-04-30T08:00:00Z

What should win?

Abigail Nussbaum book review shortlist overview What should win? 2008-04-30T08:53:45Z 2008-04-28T13:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.524 2008-04-28T13:00:00Z

No matter what your definition of science fiction, there is almost certainly at least one book on the 2008 Clarke shortlist that won't meet it.

Abigail Nussbaum book review shortlist overview No matter what your definition of science fiction, there is almost certainly at least one book on the 2008 Clarke shortlist that won't meet it. 2008-04-27T22:26:06Z 2008-04-25T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.523 2008-04-25T08:00:00Z

Occasionally, the net is cast slightly too narrow, by which I mean that the gap between the galaxy-spanning presence of God and this tiny desert world seems simply too vast to match the two together; but in the novel's second half it's very easy not to care about such things as you sit back and simply allow yourself to be carried along for the ride.

R. J. Burgess book review Occasionally, the net is cast slightly too narrow, by which I mean that the gap between the galaxy-spanning presence of God and this tiny desert world seems simply too vast to match the two together; but in the novel's second half it's very easy not to care about such things as you sit back and simply allow yourself to be carried along for the ride. 2008-04-27T22:31:05Z 2008-04-23T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.522 2008-04-23T08:00:00Z

Delightful is the word for Juliet Marillier's Wildwood Dancing and Cybele's Secret, the first two books in what promises to be a compelling historical fantasy series for young adults.

Hannah Strom-Martin Wildwood Dancing and Cybele's Secret, the first two books in what promises to be a compelling historical fantasy series for young adults. ]]> 2008-04-21T11:48:55Z 2008-04-21T13:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.521 2008-04-21T13:00:00Z

Any imaginative child (between the ages of say, 10 and 14, depending on the kid) should find stories here to enjoy. There is a wide variety of styles and sub-genres on display, and also plenty of recommendations for what to read next.

Karen Burnham book review Any imaginative child (between the ages of say, 10 and 14, depending on the kid) should find stories here to enjoy. There is a wide variety of styles and sub-genres on display, and also plenty of recommendations for what to read next. 2008-04-18T08:00:04Z 2008-04-18T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.520 2008-04-18T08:00:00Z

Bangkok Haunts is a fast read, but one that stays in the mind long afterward, plaguing the senses with the smell of curries, or the flashing lights of Soi Cowboy, or the startling sadness of silent Khmer guards.

Jason Erik Lundberg book review Bangkok Haunts is a fast read, but one that stays in the mind long afterward, plaguing the senses with the smell of curries, or the flashing lights of Soi Cowboy, or the startling sadness of silent Khmer guards. ]]> 2008-04-16T08:03:36Z 2008-04-16T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.519 2008-04-16T08:00:00Z

More obviously than his earlier works, The Sacred Book of the Werewolf demonstrates Pelevin's unease with Russia's increasingly authoritarian political system.

Michael Froggatt book review The Sacred Book of the Werewolf demonstrates Pelevin's unease with Russia's increasingly authoritarian political system.]]> 2008-05-11T22:01:40Z 2008-04-14T13:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.518 2008-04-14T13:00:00Z

It’s been a long time in real-world politics since the last Culture novel. As I followed the adventures of the princess, and her brothers, I wondered what new corrective the story would deliver, so as not to give comfort to the war-mongers of the twenty-first century.

Gwyneth Jones book review It’s been a long time in real-world politics since the last Culture novel. As I followed the adventures of the princess, and her brothers, I wondered what new corrective the story would deliver, so as not to give comfort to the war-mongers of the twenty-first century. 2008-04-11T14:20:43Z 2008-04-11T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.517 2008-04-11T08:00:00Z

The contents of Worshipping Small Gods are drawn from a relatively short period (2002—2005, plus one story from 1996), and while some of the stories are quite strong, others feel like the same story, or at least a very similar story, recycled and repackaged. Fortunately, however, the gems are worth rooting around for.

Richard Larson book review Worshipping Small Gods are drawn from a relatively short period (2002—2005, plus one story from 1996), and while some of the stories are quite strong, others feel like the same story, or at least a very similar story, recycled and repackaged. Fortunately, however, the gems are worth rooting around for.]]> 2008-04-11T11:01:42Z 2008-04-09T08:00:00Z tag:www.strangehorizons.com,2008:/reviews/1.516 2008-04-09T08:00:00Z

First the basics—we're dealing with a very grim secondary universe here. Magic is present, but relatively low key and rarely fun. There were literal dragons once, but they're all dead. In general most people have it bloody awful.

Michael Levy book review First the basics—we're dealing with a very grim secondary universe here. Magic is present, but relatively low key and rarely fun. There were literal dragons once, but they're all dead. In general most people have it bloody awful.