News and reviews Round-up

Kaaron Warren certainly seems to be getting the attention she deserves. As well as being shortlisted for the Aurealis Award for Best Horror novel, her debut novel – Slights – is in the preliminary ballot round for Superior Achievement in a First Novel in this year’s Stoker Awards. Don’t forget that Kaaron’s second novel – Walking the Tree – is out now!

Now we discover that she’s one of the authors in a new book of short fiction – Tails of Wonder and Imagination (Night Shade, edited by Ellen Datlow). Pretty impressive, when you consider that co-contributors include Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, George R R Martin, Graham Joyce, Michael Marshall Smith and Tanith Lee!

Guy Adams’ debut for Angry Robot – The World House is starting to get a lot of love around the blogosphere. The first full review we’ve seen is at sciencefictionandfantasy.co.uk. They liked it!

The World House is a utterly original, quite crazy and simply brilliant piece of fiction. 5*****

Over at Free Thinking: A Journal of Popular Culture, Lavie Tidhar’s The Bookman is held under the microscope:

This is Tidhar’s first novel, though he has written much short fiction, and he has set himself quite a standard to live up to. A sequel is in the offing and I can hardly wait. I could write much more but I want you to discover this novel’s delights for yourself. Do I need to add that this is highly recommended? 5*****

Meanwhile, seven months after its UK release, and three months before its US publication, Lauren Beukes’ critically-acclaimed debut, Moxyland continues to delights and impress new readers.

Specusphere.com have this to say:

Her style is distinct, comprising short, almost staccato sentences that mimic the pace of the people and the society itself that seems to spin frenetically like a gerbil on a wheel… Beukes has done a fabulous job of world building, although it’s a world I’m glad I don’t inhabit!

I highly recommend this novel for fans of William Gibson and others who are fascinated by a talented new writer with a distinct style.

Those fine people over at Lateral Books have taken a look at Aliette de Bodard’s Servant of the Underworld:

I am finding it rather difficult to express my opinions of this novel without resorting to gushing like a schoolgirl about it… It is a book which is like a fresh breeze of crisp air.

Thankyou, Angry Robot. They’ve done a great job in unearthing some of the most exciting books of last year, and no doubt will be digging up some more future giants this year. I fully expect Ms De Bodard’s name to be huge.

I just can’t wait. Now, excuse me. I’m off to sacrifice something for Ms De Bodard’s continued success.

You know, I think they rather liked it!