Sci-Fi Fan Letter Issue 5

World’s Biggest Bookstore’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Newsletter Issue 5 January 2007

Feature Article
“Marvelous! I enjoyed every moment of it.” This is the endorsement Frank Herbert, author of Dune, gave the Sword of Shannara. Have you ever wondered whether authors actually read the books they endorse? Are they like sports figures and actors, paid for saying something good about the book whether they like it or not?
I asked Terry Brooks whether he reads every book he endorses. His answer, yes. Nor does he endorse every book that comes his way. He has a set of criteria it must meet before he will put his name to it. The book must appeal to the audience that reads his novels. It must not include things his readers would not like to see in his books (excessive swearing or graphic sex or violence). Because he is in demand as a famous author he only endorses published books (so don’t send him your manuscript hoping for a foot in the publishing door that way). However, he does do endorsements for new authors to help them get along in the business, realizing that there’s as much luck involved in publishing as everything else, and that we often create our own luck.
So the next time you see a blurb on a book with your favourite author’s name on the bottom, pay attention to it. It’s their honest opinion of the book in question.
-Jessica Strider
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Star Wars Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
By: Drew Karpyshyn
A longer time ago in a galaxy far away the Sith Wars raged. There were not two Sith at this time but legions of them were spread across the galaxy intent on destroying the Jedi. Out of the conflict comes Darth Bane, a Sith whose power has grown immensely in a short amount of time.
Intent on destroying the Brotherhood of Darkness, which he sees as an abomination of the Sith order, Bane believes that there should only ever be two Sith, one to embody the power and the other to crave it.
Path of Destruction contains a quest for Sith holocrons, lightsaber duels, and treachery at a level that has rarely been seen in previous Star Wars novels.
-DG-88
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Beka Cooper: Terrier
By: Tamora Pierce
In a time where wealth had the power and the under privileged did not matter, one girl arose to take a stand and use everything in her power to help those who were forgotten. Beka Cooper is a young cadet in the Provost’s Guard with a secret ability that helps her communicate with the lost souls of those who have died.
Beka is paired with Mattes and Clary, famed veterans of the Provost Guard within the Lower City, the most dangerous part of town. Mattes and Clary discover Beka’s ability, and through listening to the lost souls of the Lower City they uncover a big mystery that not even the Provost Guard could stop. Through Beka’s communications with the lost souls, she is able to help the Provost Guard solve the worst crimes that have happened.
Tamora Pierce uses a first person perspective and a journal style that makes Beka’s adventures realistic and enduring.
-Sheila
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Plague of Memory
By: S. L. Viehl
Fans of Viehl’s Stardoc space opera series will be glad to know that book 7 has arrived. Heavily dependent on the other books, the story continues where Rebel Ice left off, with Jarn now ‘inhabiting’ Cherijo’s body. (And if you can’t remember what an ensleg is, you should review Rebel Ice before picking up this book.)
The real joy of Plague of Memory is discovering more of what happened in the earlier books from Reever’s point of view, finally showing his motivations for his actions. Maggie also makes a reappearance as Jarn is called to the Hsktskt home world to stop a plague that is making them suicidal. She joins forces with her Hsktskt namesake ChoVa, to discover a cure before the plague, or rebels intent on bringing down the Hsktskt government, destroy everything.
A fun foray into the further reaches of space.
-Jessica Strider
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Dhampir
By: Barb and J.C. Hendee
Aptly described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets The Lord of the Rings, Barb and J.C. Hendee’s Noble Dead series is drawing lots of attention.
Magiere and Leesil, two opportunistic ‘vampire hunters’ who don’t believe in the existence of vampires, decide to retire and run a seaside inn. Unfortunately for them, the city is home to a trio of vampires who have been warned that the hunters are coming, and who refuse to become prey.
As they battle the noble dead, they discover that Magiere is a Dhampir. If only they knew what that meant.
A well realized fantasy world, intelligent characters and smart writing make this an excellent read.
-Jessica Strider
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Coming in February
Hardcover:
Deliverer - C.J. Cherryh
Weavers of War - David B. Coe
Lord of the Silent Kingdom - Glen Cook
Echoes of an Alien Sky - James P. Hogan
New Moon’s Arms - Nalo Hopkinson
By Slanderous Tongues - Mercedes Lackey and Roberta Gellis
Elysium Commission - L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Command Decision - Elizabeth Moon
Beyond the Gap - Harry Turtledove

Trade Paperback:
War Hammer: The Founding - Dan Abnett
Star Trek: Obsidian Alliances - Peter David +
Memory and Dream - Charles de Lint
Ink: the book of all hours - Hal Duncan
Night Rising - Chris Marie Green
Fair Folk - Marvin Kaye
Space Wolf - William King
Long Twilight - Keith Laumer
Plot to Save Socrates - Paul Levinson
Grania - Morgan Llywelyn
Star Trek: Glass Empires - David Mack
Armageddon Rag - George Martin
Every Inch a King - Harry Turtledove
Lurulu - Jack Vance
Pound of Flesh - Susan Wright

Mass Market:
War Hammer: Warpsword - Dan Abnett
Star Wars: Exile - Aaron Allston
Forgotten Realms: Halls of Stormweather - Ed. Philip Athens
Mechwarrior: Dragon Rising - Ilsa J. Bick
Blood Bound - Patricia Briggs
Shapers of Darkness - David B. Coe
Shadows in the Starlight - Elaine Cunningham
Under Cover of Darkness - Julie Czerneda
Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace - MaryJanice Davidson and Anthony Alongi
Unshapely Things - Mark Del Franco
Crusader - Sara Douglass
Children of Chaos - Dave Duncan
A Mankind Witch - Dave Freer
Myth Hunters - Christopher Golden
War Hammer: Eldar Prophecy - C.S. Goto
Dark fall - Dean Koontz
Bedlam’s Edge - Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edgehill
Moonstruck - Edward M. Lerner
Star Trek: The Good that Men Do - Andy Mangels and Michael Martin
Robotech: Invid Invasion - Jack McKinney
Robotech: Southern Cross - Jack McKinney
Scent of Shadows - Vicki Petterson
Batman: Fear Itself - Michael Reaves
Well of Stars - Robert Reed
Watch on the Rhine - John Ringo and Tom Kratman
Night of the Daemon - Aaron Rosenberg
Sacrifice of the Widow - Lisa Smedman
King’s Blood - Judith Tarr
Obsidian Key - Eldon Thompson
Alternate Generals III - Harry Tutledove
In High Places - Harry Turtledove
Blue Noon - Scott Westerfeld
To Serve and Submit - Susan Wright
Eberron: Flight of the Dying Sun - Rich Wulf