Met the old BoSS? Well, let me introduce you to the new BoSS - same as the old BoSS, more or less... except less is more. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
All caught up? Good. Let's get on with it, then.
The glut of gorgeous new books continues this week, and I couldn't be happier to see it thus. See, in a feat of near-superhuman strength, I managed to clear the decks of all the books I'd hoped to get through last week, so that this week, I'm free to start afresh without freaking out about all the lovelies I really should have read already.
Huzzah!
***
Leviathan Wakes
by James S. A. Corey
Vital Statistics
Published in the UK
on 02/06/11
by Orbit
Review Priority
5 (A Sure Thing)
The Blurb: Humanity has colonized the planets - interstellar travel is still beyond our reach, but the solar system has become a dense network of colonies. Yet there are tensions - the mineral-rich outer planets resent their dependence on Earth and Mars and the political and military clout they wield over the Belt and beyond.
Now, when Captain Jim Holden's ice miner stumbles across a derelict, abandoned ship, he uncovers a secret that threatens to throw the entire system into war. Attacked by a stealth ship belonging to the Mars fleet, Holden must find a way to uncover the motives behind the attack, stop a war and find the truth behind a vast conspiracy that threatens the entire human race.
A Scotsman's Thoughts: Speaking of lovelies, here's a one. Leviathan Wakes might look like straight-forward space opera from the outside - and perhaps that's exactly what it is - but two things suggest there's more to this story, each of which would be reason enough for me to expect greatness from Leviathan Wakes. Firstly, there's the George R. R. Martin quote, and in my experience the author of A Game of Thrones only tends to blurb worthwhile books. Foremostly, however, James S. A. Corey is actually - as is widely known at this point - a pseudonym for Daniel Abraham and Ty Frank.
So I'm in. :)
Dark Heart
by Darren J. Guest
Vital Statistics
Published in the UK
on 05/05/11
by Snow Books
Review Priority
3 (We'll See)
The Blurb: On Leo's sixteenth birthday, something bad happened, something so traumatic his mind fractured, and darkness filled the crack. Twenty years on and the crack is a canyon. The schizophrenic hallucination that once offered sympathy has taken to mocking him, and the memory of that long ago birthday claws at his darkest fears, overshadowing even the murder of his younger brother Davey.
But just when life can't get any worse... Leo dies. A demon returns after twenty years. An angel follows close behind.
A Scotsman's Thoughts: Some of you might recognise Darren from the comments, and what a pleasure it is to see he's made it onto bookstore shelves, too. Everyone wave him hello, and wish him and his book well!
I've only read the first chapter of Dark Heart as yet, but on that basis, in terms of its edginess and its feral sense of humour, I'd happily say this book brought one of my favourite horror novels of recent years to mind: namely Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box. More of that sort of class and Dark Heart: The Purgatory of Leo Stamp could be quite a treat.
Stands a Shadow
by Col Buchanan
Vital Statistics
Published in the UK
on 15/07/11
by Tor
Review Priority
4 (Pretty Bloody Likely)
The Blurb: Still grieving the death of her son, the Holy Matriarch of Mann has ordered her troops to embark on a mission to the Mercian Free Ports. Riding at the head of her army she plans to finally conquer the city of Bar-Khos, whose walls have kept them at bay for ten long years.
Ash has other plans for her. The old Rōshun warrior is determined that he will have vengeance for the crimes she has committed. But such a course of retribution is in direct opposition to everything he has lived for – this isn't a Rōshun vendetta – it’s personal.
While Ash battles with his conscience, Ché, the Matriarch’s personal Diplomat and assassin, is questioning his own path. Watching as the Mannian army slaughters their way across the world, he wonders whether he believes any of the doctrine he has been taught to follow.
As the battle for Bar-Khos intensifies, more and more lives are affected: Bahn who leaves all he loves in the city to try to protect it from the ravening Mannian empire, Bull the murderer who senses a chance to make things right, and Curl, the young prostitute who is determined to seek her own retribution on the field of battle.
When the two armies clash – all looks set to be decided. But it’s not sheer force that will win this battle. But the tormented determination of one man seeking redemption...
A Scotsman's Thoughts: Wait, what? I've been blurbed again! How about that?
Well, credit to Tor where it's due, because I didn't even adore Farlander. In fact, my review - here it is - was more negatively slanted than most that I recall reading... yet it did find some traction amongst the community, and it's refreshing to see Tor recognise as much.
Anyway. Here we have book two of The Heart of the World, and Stands a Shadow is certainly off to a great start as far as I'm concerned; what with the quote from TSS and one of the loveliest titles I've heard of in ages. As to the novel itself... well. We'll see, won't we? And soon, I should think.
On the Third Day
by Rhys Thomas
Vital Statistics
Published in the UK
on 08/07/11
by Doubleday
Review Priority
3 (We'll See)
The Blurb: Society is on the brink of collapse.
The Old World is vanishing, the New World is taking over. There are no rules. Not now that a deadly disease is spreading that causes its victims to turn violent. Previously loving people become murderous. No-one can tell who will turn and who will not.
A Scotsman's Thoughts: When my review copy of On The Third Day first arrived, I couldn't help but think to myself, with no small measure of pleasure: The Passage! Alas, the advance reviews on Amazon are not at all in agreement with my initial assessment. In fact, the consensus that's emerged thereabouts has quite quelled my aforementioned excitement.
That said, it wouldn't do to put too much faith in Harriet and the Klausnerites, now would it? So though I make no promises, if the first few chapters of Rhys Thomas' novel grab me, I'll certainly work up something On The Third Day-related for the blog.
Low Town
by Daniel Polansky
Vital Statistics
Published in the US
on 16/07/11
by Doubleday
Review Priority
4 (Pretty Bloody Likely)
The Blurb: In the forgotten back alleys and flophouses that lie in the shadows of Rigus, the finest city of the Thirteen Lands, you will find Low Town. It is an ugly place, and its champion is an ugly man. Disgraced intelligence agent. Forgotten war hero. Independent drug dealer. After a fall from grace five years ago, a man known as the Warden leads a life of crime, addicted to cheap violence and expensive drugs. Every day is a constant hustle to find new customers and protect his turf from lowlife competition like Tancred the Harelip and Ling Chi, the enigmatic crime lord of the heathens.
The Warden’s life of drugged iniquity is shaken by his discovery of a murdered child down a dead-end street... setting him on a collision course with the life he left behind. As a former agent with Black House - the secret police - he knows better than anyone that murder in Low Town is an everyday thing, the kind of crime that doesn’t get investigated. To protect his home, he will take part in a dangerous game of deception between underworld bosses and the psychotic head of Black House, but the truth is far darker than he imagines. In Low Town, no one can be trusted.
A Scotsman's Thoughts: So sort of... The City and the City meets, say... Equations of Life?
Well, alrighty then, if you're going to put it like that. Now give it here! :)
***
Of all this week's books received, Leviathan Wakes is the one I'm most excited to start - and yet, and yet... I've got a sneaking feeling that I might sooner save it for a later date. If not, it'll be a wait of at least a year before I can read another Daniel Abraham novel, and that's the opposite of a pretty thought.
You folks ever find yourselves doing something similar? Hoarding away a new book so you know there's something you'll very likely love waiting for you, for when you really need it?
I was really looking forward to Low Town, but I put it aside after the second page. It resorted to having the narrator look into a mirror and describe himself. Others may not have an issue with it or may not find it as off-putting, but I loathe it. To me, it is bad writing and just plain lazy.
ReplyDeleteI will probably attempt to read it sometime later, but I skipped over it in favor of a book that didn't manage to piss me off within a couple pages.
Leviathan Wakes sounds interesting...though I don't know if space opera is my thing. I'll be looking forward to your review.
ReplyDelete@James - Oh. Well, sad face; Low Town sounded right up my alley, too. Back down the tower of books TBR it goes...
ReplyDelete@Ryan - Well, to each his own, of course, but let me say this: my experience with the paranormal romance Daniel Abraham puts out as MLN Hanover (more on which in a few days) has convinced me that perhaps the genre has more to offer than I'd thought. And up until I read Hanover's short in Songs of Love and Death I'd have run a mile at the thought of paranormal romance - most urban fantasy, even. So if any book could change your mind about space opera, Ryan, I'd put good money on Leviathan Wakes being it.
ReplyDelete@Ryan - Oh, hey! You're the Battle Hymns guy! Good stuff; pleased to see we're already acquainted, in a way. I really like what you're doing over there, mate. :)
ReplyDeleteNot only, but also: here's to new Tool in 2011!
I can't wait for Leviathan Wakes; The Long Price was fantastic. And I certainly know what you mean with putting books aside. Actually, it's pretty rare for me to read a new release right when it arrives, no matter how much I've been waiting for it (the exception will be, I'm guessing, ADWD). I also try to space out books by authors I love to prevent overload and to make sure I don't run out too soon.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a good thing to hear another opinion on the Hannover books. I'm not THAT set against all UF, but I was nervous. Good to know that Abraham keeps the quality consistent.
Niall- Glad to hear you like Battle Hymns! Thanks for the kind words. I admit to being totally flattered to see you as a follower since I've been a fan of your blog for some time. I hope I can keep giving you reason to come back.
ReplyDeleteIt's kinda crazy but I don't think I've ever heard a bad word about Abraham yet, only good things. Despite the high praise, I've never read him myself. Looks like I need to remedy that pretty soon.
@James - I can see your point about the mirror, but I read an early copy of this book and LOVED it...recommend pushing past that part. It's the author's first book, after all ;)
ReplyDeleteHi, Niall,
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning Daniel Polansky's book. It's really great...looking forward to hearing what you think. Did you know it's being published by Hodder in the UK under a different title (THE STRAIGHT RAZOR CURE)? It comes out 18/8/2011, and in the US it's actually not out until 16/8/2011.
Best wishes,
Chris