REVIEW: Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: DAW (5 Nov 2009)
ISBN-10: 0756405718
ISBN-13: 978-0756405717
Reviewer: Cara
Copy: Bought online

From the back of the book:
The world of Faerie never disappeared: it merely went into hiding, continuing to exist parallel to our own. Secrecy is the key to Faerie’s survival – but no secret can be kept forever, and when the fae and mortal worlds collide, changelings are born. Half-human, half-fae, outsiders from birth, these second-class children of Faerie spend their lives fighting for the respect of their immortal relations. Or, in the case of October “Toby” Daye, rejecting it completely. After getting burned by both sides of her heritage, Toby has denied the fae world, retreating into a “normal” life. Unfortunately for her, Faerie has other ideas.

The murder of Countess Evening Winterrose, one of the secret regents of the San Francisco Bay Area, pulls Toby back into the fae world. Unable to resist Evening’s dying curse, which binds her to investigate, Toby is forced to resume her old position as knight errant to the Duke of Shadowed Hills and begin renewing old alliances that may prove her only hope of solving the mystery… before the curse catches up with her.

Rosemary and Rue is the first in a promising new Urban Fantasy series from Seanan McGuire, newly announced winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (Hugo Awards, 2010). Instead of the usual vampire or werewolf type novels in this sub-genre, this features the world of Faerie which exists parallel with our own world. As I love anything related to the Sidhe and similar Celtic mythology I was immediately attracted to this book. Knowing, from the cover blurb, that it was also a murder-mystery increased it’s appeal.

October “Toby” Daye is a half-human, half-Daoine Sidhe changeling. Looked down upon as a half-breed by the Sidhe and obliged to hide her Faerie features from humans, Toby has some issues with her identity. Events some 14 years prior to the main storyline (told in the Prologue) have led her to reject her Faerie heritage and hide away in the human world of San Francisco, living a lonely nocturnal existence as a supermarket. The brutal murder of the Countess Evening Winterrose of Goldengreen pulls Toby back into Faerie as she is bound by a powerful spell to investigate her friend’s death. This forces Toby to renew her alliances in the world of Faerie and resume her former career as a private investigator, something she had hoped to avoid.

From the outset we are thrust into the hidden world of Faerie and Seanan McGuire has created a detailed society, complete with its own traditions and culture which draws heavily from existing Celtic mythology. There are varying ‘races’ in Faerie, the Daoine Sidhe being the aristocracy and rule fiefdoms within San Francisco from their ‘knowes’, under the overall control of the Queen. We also encounter Cait Sidhe (cat shapeshifters), Undines (water spirits), Selkies and Kitsune, amongst others. The worldbuilding is excellent and, for me, enhanced the murder-mystery plot, giving it a additional dimension.

Toby’s investigation into the murder of Evening Winterrose was very well done – I didn’t guess who was behind the killing at all, though with hindsight there were several clues along the way. It served as an excellent introduction to several characters who I suspect will feature heavily in future novels in this series. Toby is a liege of the Duke of Shadowed Hills, Sylvester Torquill and his wife, Luna, is an endearing and sympathetic character. Their daughter, Rayseline is married to Connor, a Selkie who has some possible romantic history with Toby. My favourite of all is Tybalt, King of the Cait Sidhe, whose disdain for Toby is very apparent, yet he also seems to care for her wellbeing. Although only a minor role in Rosemary and Rue, my guess is that we will see a lot more of Tybalt in future novels.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rosemary and Rue and Toby is a strong, yet troubled lead. The quality of writing and style is better than many current urban fantasy offerings and Seanan McGuire shows much promise as a writer to watch, this view being supported by her recently receiving the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (Hugo Awards, 2010) As the first in a series, much of the book was setting the scene and providing us with basic history of the various characters and locations as well as introducing us to the hidden world of Faerie, it’s culture and mythology. I have now ordered the next two October Daye books and look forward to reading more of her adventures and exploring the world of Faerie further.

Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Style: 8

Rating: 8/10

2010 Hugo Award Winners

Presented at: Aussiecon 4, Melbourne, Australia, September 2-6, 2010

Toastmaster: Garth Nix

Base design: Nick Stathopoulos with laser etching by Lewis Morley and incorporating the Aussiecon 4 logo by Grant Gittus

Awards Administration: Vincent Docherty, Kate Kligman

Best Novel: TIE: The City & The City, China Miéville (Del Rey; Macmillan UK); The Windup Girl, Paolo Bacigalupi (Night Shade)

Best Novella: “Palimpsest”, Charles Stross (Wireless; Ace, Orbit)

Best Novelette: “The Island”, Peter Watts (The New Space Opera 2; Eos)

Best Short Story: “Bridesicle”, Will McIntosh (Asimov’s 1/09)

Best Related Book: This is Me, Jack Vance! (Or, More Properly, This is “I”), Jack Vance (Subterranean)

Best Graphic Story: Girl Genius, Volume 9: Agatha Heterodyne and the Heirs of the Storm Written by Kaja and Phil Foglio; Art by Phil Foglio; Colours by Cheyenne Wright (Airship Entertainment)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form: Moon Screenplay by Nathan Parker; Story by Duncan Jones; Directed by Duncan Jones (Liberty Films)

Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form: Doctor Who: “The Waters of Mars” Written by Russell T Davies & Phil Ford; Directed by Graeme Harper (BBC Wales)

Best Editor Long Form: Patrick Nielsen Hayden

Best Editor Short Form: Ellen Datlow

Best Professional Artist: Shaun Tan

Best Semiprozine: Clarkesworld edited by Neil Clarke, Sean Wallace, & Cheryl Morgan

Best Fan Writer: Frederik Pohl

Best Fanzine: StarShipSofa edited by Tony C. Smith

Best Fan Artist: Brad W. Foster

And the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (presented by Dell Magazines): Seanan McGuire

Congratulations to all winners and nominees from Speculative Book Review.

REVIEW: Flood by Stephen Baxter

Flood by Stephen Baxter
Publishing Information: Hardback; 490 pages
Publisher: Roc; 05 May 2009
ISBN 10: 0451462718
ISBN 13: 9780451462718
Book 1 in a series
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Inside the book: "Four hostages are rescued from a group of religious extremists in Barcelona. After five years of being held captive together, they make a vow to always watch out for one another. But they never expected this...

The world they have returned to has been transformed by water-and the water is rising. As it continues to flow from the earth's mantle, entire countries disappear. High ground becomes a precious commodity. And finally, the dreadful truth is revealed: before fifty years have passed, there will be nowhere left to run..."

While the polar ice caps melting and raising to engulf many coastal towns and villages is nothing new to science and science fiction, Baxter's Flood goes in an new direction with the idea that water trapped in the mantle of the Earth is far greater than we imagined and that it surpasses the water we currently have in the oceans.

Flood starts us off with a lot water having already rising past scientific expectations as our protagonists are hostages that are released during the first chapter. Conveniently, most of the individuals being held are crucial to the catastrophic events that are happening around the world. 

Not long after their release things go from bad to worse as London is hit by a powerful storm that it never recovers from. The setting in Flood switches constantly as the players move to stay ahead of the water surges. There is lots of talk about the various land masses and when they are engulfed by the water. 

The characters in Flood are interesting as they have a lot of interaction with one another and their environment but some situations take an act of faith to believe. The character of Kristie really bothered me as she gets into an argument with her mother knowing full well that disaster is a constant and refuses to speak or visit with her. Going so far as to deep six her satellite phone. I know that in a global disaster I would want my family to communicate with at all times. Her actions were such a disappointment I lost all interest in her and when she was up against nature rooted for nature. So, there were times in the novel where people's actions did not add up. I would have also liked to have learned more about civilization in general. As the Earth's livable habitats quickly disappear there should have been more wars and riots. While a few were mentioned in passing, humanity seemed to go on without much panic which I would think would be the exact opposite of how we would react. Especially considering how Baxter told us that the majority of countries had their governments break down early in the catastrophe.

Another issue I had with the Flood was that splinter groups and nut jobs that retreated to the hills acted far to rational and friendly when they encountered refugees. The refugees were quickly brought in and cared for or allowed to leave without being hassled or eliminated. As resources become scarce more military and militia action would have been expected and was not really represented in the novel.


As land and therefore trees are swallowed by the oncoming tide of water, oxygen would have also become scarce, while plankton may create oxygen, I don't think that it would have been sufficient for the human population that was on Earth. Especially when you consider all of the manufacturing and other construction that was taking place in the final years that take place in the novel. While some may be able to survive the depleted oxygen in the world I doubt the many survivors that were depicted in the book would have been able to function as well as they did in Flood.

While reading Flood I could not help but think that at times the story was dragging on and that a few minor scenes could have been removed from the novel. Another issue that I had with the book is that the afterword in the back of the book claims that there were maps for the story but, I never found any maps. Had Flood contained maps for each section of the book it would have added to the impact of the book. I kept trying to find out what happened to my hometown of Seattle and it was never mentioned. There were a few times where the Northwest Territories, Oregon, and Idaho were mentioned, but as Washington state is a coastal state I never learned of its fate. In a global disaster book, every reader wants to know what happens to their residence and Flood never got around to tell me about my state or hometown. 

The plot of Flood is interesting, while I think that the water under the mantle is a threat, I highly doubt it would lead to anything such as this, but it does make for one heck of a story. Flood leaves us with several unanswered questions that will probably be answered in the sequel Ark. I will more than likely read the sequel once I find some space to put it on my shelf. Flood had a lot of flaws, but for all the issues that did not add up, the premise and where the story seems to be going is enough for me to continue to stay with the author and the series. 


Plot  8
Characters  8
Style  7


Overall  7.5/10

REVIEW: The Uncrowned King by Rowena Cory Daniells

The Uncrowned King by Rowena Cory Daniells
Publishing Information: Paperback; 448 pages
Publisher: Solaris (5 Aug 2010 - UK, 27 Jul 2010 - US & CA)
ISBN 10: 1907519041
ISBN 13: 978-1907519048
Series: 2nd book of King Rolen's Kin
Copies: Provided by the publisher (Yagiz); Out of pocket (Tyson)
Reviewers: Yagiz and Tyson

Thirteen year old Piro watches powerless as her father’s enemies march on his castle. A traitor whispers poison in the King’s ear, undermining his trust in her brother, Byren.

Determined to prove his loyalty, Byren races across the path of the advancing army, towards the Abbey. Somehow, he must get there in time to convince the Abbot to send his warriors to defend the castle.

Meanwhile, the youngest of King Rolen’s sons, Fyn, has barely begun his training as an Abbey mystic, but he wakes in a cold sweat, haunted by dreams of betrayal...

Yagiz

Solaris did a great job in publishing King Rolen's Kin books back to back with only 4 weeks of waiting time in between installments (The King's Bastard: 8 July 2010, The Uncrowned King: 5 Aug 2010, The Usurper: 2 Sep 2010 in the UK). Therefore, if the reader likes The King's Bastard, as I think most of you would, you don't have to wait long before the next book becomes available in your favorite bookshop. There's also no need to worry about the ever-slipping publishing dates.

The story and the events of The Uncrowned King continues from the same point corresponding to the end of The King's Bastard. It is obvious that the installments are not meant to be read as standalones, which is also confirmed by the very close release dates. It feels like a one big continuous story that is broken into three pieces.

The Uncrowned King is considerably shorter than the first volume. Without the introductory type of chapters, it comes across like a faster and more action-packed book. However the plot has less twists and turns that surprise the reader. During our chats with Tyson, we both agreed that the most intriguing character of the book was Lord Dunstany. Without giving any spoilers, let's say that his motives are not clear so we are in for some surprises in the last installment of the series.

Usually it is easy to get disappointed with the second book of a trilogy as the excitement of the beginning and the curiosity of the conclusion are not there. But Daniells delivers a strong second book that is as enjoyable as the first one. If you liked The King's Bastard, this book won't disappoint you. And at the end, I am sure you will want to order your copy of The Usurper.

Plot: 8
Characters: 7
Style: 8

Overall: 8/10

Tyson

The second book in the King Rolen's Kin series is a quick and fast read. I really enjoyed book one and The Uncrowned King picks up right were the first book leaves off and it hits the ground at a sprint.

With the first book out of the way and the plot set up, The Uncrowned King has a chance to settle down and tell a story. We have a few new developments for some of our main characters that I do not really want to spoil but it does have a nod to A Song of Ice and Fire to a certain degree. We also gain more insight into the enemy. There is political intrigue at every turn.

My favorite character in this novel was Lord Dunstany. His motivation is unclear and just where he fits in the "Game of Thrones" is unknown. He seems to be much more than our average magic welder and he seems to have a better understanding of what is going on more then anyone else in the novel. Every time he was in a scene in the book he surprised me with his ability to command and delve into the truth of the matter and glean information that no one else in the room could. He will be the one I watch when the series comes to a close in the next installment.

I was expecting the book to be similar to most second installments in a trilogy with everything looking bleak and as dark as possible but by the end of The Uncrowned King there is light at the end of the tunnel for many of the players. That does not mean all is well, but there is hope for some. A lot has yet to be resolved and I look forward to seeing how that comes about. Daniells has managed to create a light version of A Song of Ice and Fire. Lots of political intrigue, constant backstabbing, large packs of wolves, a kingdom and realm in turmoil, and limited magic in a snow covered world. Best of all, the trilogy is complete so you don't have to wait the better part of a decade for things to come to a close. The Uncrowned King and the opening book in the series, The King's Bastard have their flaws. But it is a series that does what it is suppose to do - entertain you. It is a light read that looks to be coming to a spectacular close. Stay tune as we will bring you the review for the final book in the series soon, The Upsurper.

Plot: 7.5
Characters: 9
Style: 8

Overall: 7.5/10

Free eBook Arkfall by Carolyn Ives Gilman

Phoenix Picks’ September’s Free EBook is Carolyn Ives Gilman’s outstanding novella, Arkfall.

Arkfall was nominated for the Nebula this year (but lost out to The Women of Nell Gwynne’s by Kage Baker).

Carolyn Gilman is a not a prolific author, but nearly everything she writes get outstanding reviews. Her novel Halfway Human is an outstanding study of gender issues and her novellette, The Honeycrafters won the Nebula in 1993.

Stephen Leigh, who’s book Dark Water’s Embrace was our free ebook of the month for August is a fan of her works as well.

The Coupon Code for September is 9991426. Instructions and download link at:www.PPickings.com.

The new book will be available from September 2 (not September 1) through September 30th.

REVIEW: The Twilight Herald, by Tom Lloyd

The Twilight Herald, by Tom Lloyd
Format: Paperback, 503
Publisher: Pyr, ©2009
ISBN: 978-1-59102-733-1
Series: The Twilight Reign - Book 2
Copy: out of pocket
Reviewer: PeterWilliam

Back of the book: Lord Bahl is dead and the young white-eye, Isak, stands in his place; less than a year after being plucked from obscurity and poverty, the charismatic new Lord of the Farlan finds himself unprepared to deal with the attempt on his life that now spells war, and the possibility of rebellion waiting for him at home.

Now the eyes of the Land turn to the minor city of Scree, which could soon be obliterated as the new Lord of the Farlan flexes his powers. Scree is suffering under an unnatural summer drought and is surrounded by volatile mercenary armies that may be its only salvation.

This is a strange sanctuary for a fugitive abbot to flee to, but he is only the first of many to be drawn there. Kings and princes, lords and monsters - all walk the sun-scorched streets.

As elite soldiers clash after dark and actors perform cruel and subversive plays that work their way into the hearts of the audience, the city begins to tear itself apart - yet even chaos can be scripted.

There is a malevolent will at work in Scree, one that has a lesson for the entire Land: nations can be manipulated, prophecies perverted, and Gods denied.

Nothing lies beyond the reach of a shadow, and no matter how great a man's power, there are some things he cannot be protected from.

After having truly enjoyed book one, a better than average debut, book two is as much a pleasant surprise as the first was. The Twilight Herald expanded, in many ways, upon the foundations established in The Stormcaller.

The voice and narrative of the tale remains third-person, as much such tales are and Lloyd's style remains relaxed, if not cavalier. The down side to that is that it becomes difficult to take the darker and more brooding elements seriously.

That having been said, the cast of characters grows mildly, while the book's POVs expand heavily. The various regions, plot lines, characters and agendas reveals a surprising jump in scope. If you like, think of it as Lalazan - Malazan's little brother.

After book one, the reader should be readily familiar with Isak, a young, white-eyed wagon rat, elevated by the Gods to the position of Krann among the Farland nation. A white-eye (stronger, larger, greater longevity, powerful instrinsic and instinctive magical ability) cannot viability interbreed with your garden variety human being, although they are created by garden variety human beings, although the occurence is rare enough. Unfortunately, a white-eyed child spells death for the mother as they are physically large enough to kill the woman in labor. The various gods of Lloyd's realm select young white-eye candidates to become heir to the throne (i.e. Krann), while the current ruler reigns. Book one is exclusively about Isak, the Krann of Farland. At the end of book one, Isak becomes Lord of the Farlan and it is here that book two begins.

However, book two reveals to us the white-eye leader of the south - Kastan Styrax. White-eyes can, however, produce viable offspring among themselves. Styrax has a son of his own who serves as his Krann. Styrax is an experienced ruler, conqueror and planner. Styrax has long planned, flawlessly it would seem, for all he now attempts. While he appears equal to any task, someone or something has taken great pains, of colossal effort, to possess his son. Can the brutal Styrax save his son? If so, will it be worth having saved whatever creature remains as his son?

Morgien, the 'man of many spirits,' knows more than is revealed. Having invited many other souls in to share existence with his own, Morgien has come to understand many things others dare not inquire after, including the true nature of possession.

Zhia Vukotic has seen it all, literally. Having been doomed by the Gods, along with her brothers, to walk the earth without aging, yet being perpetually held sane and overpoweringly sympathetic to the suffering of mortals. It is a curse that burns, literally as well as figuratively - the Vukotics are vampires. Zhia remembers a time when she was mortal and loved. She was the consort to the last true king and, coincidentally, most powerful ruler to have ever lived.

King Emin of Narkang, rules a region of half-breeds cast off by the tribes of men, fashions many things of his own - his kingdom being perhaps the easiest. The King of Narkang has already acquired knowledge of things deeper than most dare and, yet still, delves ever deeper.

The ghost of the last true king, Aryn Bwr, is anything but peaceful. In an age where the stories about the savage, brutal and barbaric elves streaming forth from the Wastes are treated like poorly aged fiction, the ghost of their most fierce member, the last true king, wanders aimlessly while once again seeking power.

And what of the gods who have placed all of this into motion several millenia ago? They are in hiding, or so it would appear. What should happen to the gods if their believers are turned? Will they only become a shortened scream that has no voice? Azaer, a shadow worshipped by some, certainly thinks so and means to find out. And so a cult of the shadow grows, quietly and slowly, in power. In fact, many thousands of years ago, it is said that a shadow spoke to Aryn Bwr and handed him twelve weapons of power. In those days - the days of the Great Wars - gods died, or so the legends say. In fact, the legends say gods died horribly.

The significant, but measured increase in backstory, characters and plot threads truly adds weight to this series. Thus far, each book has had a naturally resolved ending. However, each ending seems to remind the reader that winning numerous battles is no guarantee of winning the war or enjoying the victory if you did.

As of this review (typed on 8/26/2010), the fourth book - The Ragged Man - has just been released. It is a read that is eagerly anticipated.

Characters - 9
Plot - 10
Style - 7

Overall: 9/10

Book Challenge

Not long ago Seak from Seak's Stamp of Approval and Only the Best Sci Fi/Fantasy gave PeterWilliam and I the ultimatum to read a novel by an author we have never heard of or by the cover alone. PW and I are not ones to shy away from a challenge so we took it upon ourselves to each find a book that would fit the criteria for Seak's trial.

While PeterWilliam's choice was a lot older and mysterious compared to my own. He also had the benefit many exceptional used bookstores that he could peruse to find his choice.

Shadows on the Glass by Ian Irvine

An ancient war closed the Way between the Worlds, leaving the four human races of Aachim, Faellem, Charon, and Santhenar to inhabit a single realm. Thousands of years later, Llian the Chronicler discovers an ancient and dangerous secret, while a young woman gifted with magic embarks on a search for a powerful artifact. Irvine's series opener promises a grand-scale epic fantasy that features a pair of unusual heroes and a complex world rich in history and variety.

PeterWilliam stated that he picked the novel due to the fact that there were runes running along the edge of the cover. (Mmmm, runes. Milk please)



The Last Stormlord by Glenda Larke

Shale is the lowest of the low-an outcast from a poor village in the heart of the desert. In the desert water is life, and currency, and Shale has none. But he has a secret. It's the one thing that keeps him alive and may save all the cities of the Quartern in the days to come. If it doesn't get him killed first...

Terelle is a slave fleeing a life as a courtesan. She finds shelter in the home of an elderly painter but as she learns the strange and powerful secrets of his art she fears she may have traded a life of servitude for something far more perilous...

The Stormlord is dying in his tower and there is no one, by accident or design, to take his place. He brings the rain from the distant seas to his people. Without a Stormlord, the cities of the Quartern will wither and die.

Their civilization is at the brink of disaster. If Shale and Terelle can find a way to save themselves, they may just save them all. Water is life and the wells are running dry...

I picked this one because my mom sent it to me thinking that I would enjoy it.

Seak's choice is also a good one.....

Flight to the Savage Empire by Jean Lorrah and Winston Howlett

"Bloodlust! In the Aventine Empire, gladiator games still slake the multitudes' undying thirst for blood. Magister Astra hated the games - with her telepathic powers, she felt the warriors' agonies as her own. But the Master had once again sent her there to tend the wounded: it was a punishment - but for what? Even her strongest Reading couldn't tell her. Not until an unexpected death and an exotic, mind-bending drug brought her into the path of the ex-slave warrior Zanos did Astra begin to understand the web of deceit, greed, and vengeance that would send them both in a desperate - Flight To the Savage Empire."


In the coming days and possibly weeks we will be posting our reviews of the challenge issued by Seak and Seak himself will be posting his review.

Since all three of us have gone out on a limb we now are challenging our readers to go out there and find a book from an author you have never heard of or have heard of but know virtually nothing about them and give that author a chance. You just might find a new series to read and at the very worst you have something to complain about to your friends and families.  Best of luck and good hunting

Also, if you have not stopped by and checked out these other great sites, please do and check out the books they chose for the Book Challenge:

Simcha - http://blog.42scifi-fantasy.com/

Melissa - http://melissa-melsworld.blogspot.com/

Amanda - http://floor-to-ceiling-books.blogspot.com/

Seak - http://onlythebestscfi.blogspot.com/