| Fantasy May 2006 |
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This month we have a few historical fantasies, a new book from David Drake, and several books featuring magical creatures. There's also a special section devoted to Sword and Sorcery that will introduce you to this oft-maligned subgenre that you just may find you enjoy to the hilt. |
| New and recently released! |
| The Blackgloom Bounty - by Jon F. Baxley |
| Publisher: Five Star |
| Pub Date: 04/05/2006 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 1594144516 |
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Sword and Sorcery. Arthurian fans who like fast-paced fantasies, especially those set in Medieval Britain, should grab this one. Two of Merlin's former apprentices clash (one has turned evil and cursed the other), but a down-on-his-luck Scotsman and his lady love help the good apprentice on his quest to destroy the other. The first ten chapters of this book were originally an ebook called The Scythian Stone, but the author added even more chapters chock full of adventure and humor for this print version. Note to Sword and Sorcery aficionados: see the special S&S section of this newsletter! | |
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| The Stolen Child - by Keith Donohue |
| Publisher: Nan A. Talese/Doubleday |
| Pub Date: 05/09/2006 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 0385516169 |
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Historical Fantasy. Set in the American suburbs of the mid-20th century, this book features two boys (one of them a changeling) linked by circumstances who must deal with incredible life changing events. Stolen from his family, Henry Day is given the name Aniday by the changelings, ageless and magical beings, who replace him with another child. The new "Henry Day" is an extraordinary pianist, but he is haunted by persistent memories of a life in another place and is utterly bored by suburbia. A great first novel that Kirkus Reviews calls "sparkling." | |
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| The Fortress of Glass: The First Volume of the Crown of the Isles - by David Drake |
| Publisher: Tor Books |
| Pub Date: 04/18/2006 |
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| ISBN: 076531259X |
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Heroic Fantasy. Fantasy fans of David Drake rejoice!: this is the 1st in a new fantasy trilogy and 7th in his Lord of the Isles series (after Master of the Cauldron)--though readers needn't have read the first six to enjoy this one. Prince Garric and his companions journey to various kingdoms of the Isles to help solidify his succession to the throne. But in the land of First Atara the Prince is separated from his companions and his kingdoms when he is magically taken to another world. Adding to Garric's troubles are a king who comes back from the dead and the supernatural Green Woman from the Fortress of Glass. | |
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| The Sword of Straw - by Amanda Hemingway |
| Publisher: Del Rey Books |
| Pub Date: 03/28/2006 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 0345460804 |
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Fantasy. This is the 2nd in the Sangreal trilogy, after The Greenstone Grail, but readers can easily start here. Teenage English boarding school student Nathan Ward is after a holy relic, a sword. He journeys via his dreams to a desolate realm inhabited by an dying king and his daughter. Their land is cursed by a special sword that many want, even though obtaining it may be fatal. As the king nears death, his only hope for his land and his own life is young Nathan. Both adults and teens should find much to like here; Publishers Weekly calls it "charming and sometimes cheeky." | |
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| Wolf Hunting - by Jane Lindskold |
| Publisher: Tor Books |
| Pub Date: 04/04/2006 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 0765312883 |
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Fantasy. Firekeeper, who was raised by intelligent wolves, and Blind Seer, her sentient wolf companion, try to help out an old friend in this 5th book in the series (after Wolf Captured). Truth, a soothsayer/jaguar, needs Firekeeper's help--Truth is hearing voices, including one that tells her that only Firekeeper can save her. The friends must journey to other lands to identify who is corrupting Truth's mind by utilizing forbidden ancient magic. Publishers Weekly calls this a "a quick and enjoyable read." | |
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| His Majesty's Dragon - by Naomi Novik |
| Publisher: Del Rey Books |
| Pub Date: 03/28/2006 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 0345481283 |
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Historical Fantasy. The Napoleonic Wars--with dragons! Captain Will Laurence of the HMS Reliant captures a French ship carrying a soon-be-to-hatched dragon egg. After the egg hatches, Will is swept into an unexpected kinship with the intelligent reptile. Soon the two switch military branches and join the elite Aerial Corps where they must battle both resentment by Corp members and the powerful dragon-borne forces of Napoleon Bonaparte. Publishers Weekly calls this book "delightful" and Booklist says it is "superbly written." And there's more, the next two books in the Temeraire series, Throne of Jade and Black Powder War, are also available in the U.S. this spring! | |
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| Focus on: Sword and Sorcery |
| Sword and Sorcery can be described as an action-adventure story told in a low-technology fantastic setting; for instance, Robert E. Howard's Conan stories are S&S classics. Other frequently mentioned classic authors are Fritz Leiber (who is credited with coming up with the subgenre's name) and Michael Moorcock (check out his Elric books). But no matter how you define this misunderstood subgenre that has often been dismissed as low-grade, there is much appeal in these books: sharp heroes, amazing and dangerous adventures, exotic lands, and fast-paced plots. If you want to see for yourself what the deal is, here are some examples of this swashbuckling member of the fantasy family. En garde! |
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| Belgarath the Sorcerer - by David and Leigh Eddings |
| Publisher: Ballantine Books |
| Pub Date: 06/01/1996 |
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| ISBN: 0345403959 |
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This prequel to both the bestselling Belgariad and Malloreon sagas features a familiar character, Belgarath the Sorcerer, and can be read either before or after either of those series. Here we trace the early life of Belgarath, when gods and humans mingle, and Belgarath is a follower of the god Aldur. After another god literally cracks the world, Aldur gathers together his disciples, including Belgarath, to prepare for a lengthy battle. Booklist calls this a "rousing precursor." S&S fans who enjoy this one should read the 2nd prequel, Polgara the Sorceress, which features Belgarath's daughter. | |
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| A Mankind Witch - by Dave Freer |
| Publisher: Baen Books |
| Pub Date: 07/01/2005 |
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| ISBN: 0743499131 |
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In an alternate 16th century world where magic thrives and Norway is pagan, a princess is missing. But not too many people are concerned about her well-being since they believe her absence indicates she is guilty of the stealing a priceless artifact from Odin's temple. Did she? Only an ex-corsair/slave who refuses to believe in magic, but does believe in the princess, and some duty-bound soldiers go after her. Publishers Weekly's starred review calls this "a feast for sword and sorcery fans." 3rd in the Heirs of Alexandria series after This Rough Magic, but it can be enjoyed on its own. | |
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| A Wizard of Earthsea - by Ursula K. Le Guin |
| Publisher: Bantam Books |
| Pub Date: 09/28/2004 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 0553383043 |
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This book was originally published in 1968, and if you haven't read it yet, you may want to move it to the top of your to-be-read pile just so you'll be in the know. Sparrowhawk, a reckless young boy, grows up while attempting to learn and control magic, first by apprenticing with a master wizard and then by going away to school. He eventually learns his true name is Ged and begins to understand the power of names and language, but he also accidentally unleashes some evil on the world (whoops!). Both teens and adults love this classic book, the 1st in the Earthsea series by award-winning Le Guin. | |
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| The Highwayman: A Novel of Corona - by R.A. Salvatore |
| Publisher: CDS Books |
| Pub Date: 03/01/2004 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 1593150164 |
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Set in Corona, the same place the author's DemonWars books occur (The Demon Awakens is the 1st in that series), this book shows us that land in an earlier time--a time when it is unsafe to travel the roads of Corona unless you are the Highwayman! Some of the most fun here is meeting this great new character. Will he use his powers for good or evil? Where'd he get that fabulous sword? And just who exactly is he? A nice take on a S&S hero that you won't likely forget. Publishers Weekly calls the book a "carnival of treachery and medieval feudalism." | |
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| The Wizard Lord - by Lawrence Watt-Evans |
| Publisher: Tor Books |
| Pub Date: 03/07/2006 |
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| ISBN: 0765310260 |
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This new book by Watt-Evans, the 1st in his Annals of the Chosen series, will have fans of old school S&S champing at the bit. Breaker, having just accepted the position of Swordsman, is now one of the eight Chosen. He thinks of it as an easy job since the Chosen haven't had much to do recently; their job is to oversee the Wizard Lord and watch for signs of corruption, and, if need be, remove him from power by any means necessary. All has been quiet, but now the Wizard Lord is behaving strangely. What to do? The 2nd, Winterhome, is currently being written. | |
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| The Knight - by Gene Wolfe |
| Publisher: Tor Books |
| Pub Date: 01/01/2004 |
Check library catalog |
| ISBN: 0765309890 |
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Gene Wolfe, an award-winning master of fantasy and science fiction, gives us this fabulous 1st of a two part epic (the 2nd is The Wizard). Modern day teenager Able is drawn into a magical realm of seven worlds where he finds himself in the body of a grown man--one who happens to be a warrior of heroic proportions. Able, who still thinks like a teenager, embarks on a quest to find his destined sword and become a knight, encountering romance, magic, and adventure along the way. Publishers Weekly says that Wolfe "doesn't just rearrange the clichés of sword and sorcery fiction; he recreates the genre." | |
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| Still looking for the right book? Contact your librarian. |
| If you have any questions about NextReads or would like pricing information, contact your EBSCO sales representative at 1-800-653-2726. |
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