Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
ArmadilloCon plus MUST-READ Science Fiction Fantasy Books
Shanna's Road Journal / September 22, 2010

At the end of August, I headed to Austin for ArmadilloCon. One of the must-see panels for book lovers was the annual “What You Should Have Read” panel, which included reviewers, a bookseller and an editor talking about the year’s must-read books. Editor Anne Sowards of Ace and Roc books mentioned some recent or upcoming books from her list. There’s a new series that Anne said is like the work of Jim Butcher. K.A. Stewart‘s A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS is a fun, quick read about a champion who helps people win their souls back after selling them. The publisher is also re-releasing Patricia Briggs‘s first book, MASQUES, which has been out of print for a while. Then in November, the sequel, WOLFSBANE, will be released. This marks a return to traditional fantasy for Briggs, who is currently known for her urban fantasy. One release that really excited Anne was the recent re-release of one of her childhood favorites, ARIEL, by Steven R. Boyett. Its long-awaited sequel, ELEGY BEACH will be released in paperback in October. She called these “gritty and realistic” apocalyptic fantasies. Martin Wagner of SFReviews.net said there were two essential books this year. One was UNDER HEAVEN…

Fresh Pick | WWW: WAKE by Robert J. Sawyer
Fresh Pick / September 19, 2010

WWW #1 April 2010 On Sale: March 30, 2010 Featuring: Caitlin Decter 352 pages ISBN: 044101853X EAN: 9780441018536 Paperback $7.99 Add to Wish List Science Fiction Buy at Amazon.com The author, Robert J. Sawyer, will be at FenCon, A Fan-Operated Science Fiction and Fantasy Literary and Filk Convention in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area, on Sunday, September 18th. Www: Wake by Robert J. Sawyer A Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author joins Ace with a stunning new science fiction epic. Caitlin Decter is young, pretty, feisty, a genius at math — and blind. Still, she can surf the net with the best of them, following its complex paths clearly in her mind. When a Japanese researcher develops a new signal-processing implant that might give her sight, she jumps at the chance, flying to Tokyo for the operation. But Caitlin’s brain long ago co-opted her primary visual cortex to help her navigate online. Once the implant is activated, instead of seeing reality, the landscape of the World Wide Web explodes into her consciousness, spreading out all around her in a riot of colors and shapes. While exploring this amazing realm, she discovers something — some other — lurking in the background. And it’s…

Fresh Pick | WWW: WATCH by Robert J. Sawyer
Fresh Pick / June 1, 2010

WWW #2 April 2010 On Sale: April 6, 2010 Featuring: Caitlin Decter 368 pages ISBN: 0441018181 EAN: 9780441018185 Hardcover $24.95 Add to Wish List Science Fiction, Thriller Techno Buy at Amazon.com WWW: Watch by Robert J. Sawyer Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer continues his “wildly though- provoking” science fiction saga of a sentient World Wide Web. One of the foremost science fiction writers of our generation(SF Site) comes to Ace with a trilogy of the Web’s awakening. Caitlin Decter is young, pretty, feisty, a genius at math-and blind. Still, she can surf the net with the best of them, following its complex paths clearly in her mind. But Caitlin’s brain long ago co-opted her primary visual cortex to help her navigate online. So when she receives an implant to restore her sight, instead of seeing reality, the landscape of the World Wide Web explodes into her consciousness, spreading out all around her in a riot of colors and shapes. While exploring this amazing realm, she discovers something-some other-lurking in the background. And it’s getting more and more intelligent with each passing day. Previous Picks