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This week in new hardcovers: New hardcovers from Harry Turtledove, Tracy Hickman, Peter F. Hamilton, and more.
by Tracy Hickman
The Annals of Drakis: Book 3. "It appears that an ancient prophecy is about to be fulfilled as the human named Drakis—formerly one of countless warrior-slaves to the elves of the Rhonas Empire—returns from his quest in the North. Flying into the rebel camp with his surviving companions on the backs of the legendary dragons that were once humankind's most powerful allies, Drakis is hailed as the champion of all the slave races. But it is not a prophecy that drives Drakis in his war against the elves and their emperor. Rather it is his burning desire for revenge against the cruel ruler whom Drakis believes has stolen any chance he has for finding peace. And this hatred will set Drakis and his rebel army on a path that may not only bring down the emperor, but Drakis and his entire world as well." DAW Hardcover, 368 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Harry Turtledove
The War That Came Early. "In Harry Turtledove’s mesmerizing alternate history of World War II, the choices of men and fate have changed history. Now it is the winter of 1941. As the Germans, with England and France on their side, slam deep into Russia, Stalin’s terrible machine fights for its life. But the agreements of world leaders do not touch the hearts of soldiers. The war between Germany and Russia is rocked by men with the courage to aim their guns in a new direction. England is the first to be shaken. Following the suspicious death of Winston Churchill, with his staunch anti-Nazi views, a small cabal begins to imagine the unthinkable in a nation long famous for respecting the rule of law. With civil liberties hanging by a thread, a conspiracy forms against the powers that be. What will this daring plan mean for the European war as a whole?" Del Rey, 432 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Peter F. Hamilton
"Peter F. Hamilton has earned both critical acclaim and a devoted following for such interstellar epics as The Night's Dawn Trilogy and Fallen Dragon. He has also created a small but memorable body of shorter fiction as compelling and carefully crafted as his longer, more characteristic work. Manhattan in Reverse, Hamilton's first collection since A Second Chance at Eden appeared in 1998, is a genuine publishing event, offering seven compact examples of their author's imaginative range and sheer narrative virtuosity. The opening novella, 'Watching Trees Grow,' is an enthralling, multi-layered account of a murder investigation that encompasses hundreds of years, a multitude of worlds, and an astonishing array of technological advances. 'If at First...' is a witty, wholly original take on the theory--and unexpected consequences--of time travel. 'The Forever Kitten' is a marvel of compression that addresses one possible application of a nascent rejuvenation technology. The title story brings back Paula Myo, the detective heroine of Hamilton's Commonwealth novels. In this never-before-published novella, which takes place in the aftermath of Judas Unchained, Paula travels to the frontier planet of Menard, where she brings her puzzle-solving skills to bear on an escalating conflict between the planet's 'non-sentient' inhabitants and the hordes of newly arrived settlers." Subterranean, 272 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Mike Resnick
"In his long and storied career, Mike Resnick has won all of science fiction's most prestigious awards. He has won the Nebula, the Hugo, and numerous readers' awards. He has won the Japanese Hugo, as well as major awards in Spain, France, Poland and Croatia. The Incarceration of Captain Nebula and Other Lost Futures focuses on Mike's most recent award-winners and nominees with the exception of heartbreaking 'The Last Dog,' Mike s very first award-winning short story and his multi-award-winning classic 'Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge.' From examinations of life and death to questions of eternity, Mike's short fiction explores the range of the human experience--even though his characters include dogs, robots and aliens." Subterranean, 288 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Mike Raicht, Brian Smith, Charles Paul Wilson III
"As Allied forces fight the enemy on Europe's war-torn beaches, another battle begins in a child's bedroom in Brooklyn when the nightmarish Boogeyman snatches a boy and takes him to the realm of The Dark. The child's playthings, led by the toy soldier known as the Colonel, band together to stage a daring rescue. On their perilous mission they will confront the boy's bitter and forgotten toys, as well as betrayal in their own ranks. The Stuff of Legend is a haunting and ultimately redemptive tale of loyalty, camaraderie, and perseverance. This hardcover collection brings together the first two volumes of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel The Stuff of Legend (The Dark and The Jungle) in one beautiful, 260-page edition. The book also contains never-before-printed character sketches and artwork by series artist and Russ Manning Award nominee, Charles Paul Wilson III." Th3rd World Studios, 260 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Jonathan Carroll
"Always better known as a novelist--readers first experienced Carroll s elegant, eloquent, wondrous, terrible and often surreal fiction in his classic debut The Land of Laughs, which he followed with Bones of the Moon, Sleeping in Flame, A Child Across the Sky, and others--Carroll has also created a compelling and deeply moving body of short fiction. Perhaps more eclectic and slant-wise than some of his novels, stories like World Fantasy Award winning 'Friend's Best Man' and Pushcart Prize and Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire honouree 'Home on the Rain' stand amongst his very best work." Subterranean, 600 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Philip K. Dick
The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick, Book 3. "Upon the Dull Earth is the third installment of a uniform, five-volume edition of The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick. This generous collection contains 22 stories and novellas written in 1953 and 1954, along with extensive--and valuable--story notes. Included here are a number of bona fide PKD classics, among them the title story, the brilliantly conceived account of a bizarre, ultimately catastrophic resurrection, 'The Father-Thing,' in which a young boy comes to realize that his once familiar father has somehow changed, and 'The Golden Man' (filmed in 2007 as 'Next'), which tells the tale of a golden skinned mutant who may represent the future direction of the human race. These and all the other stories in this important and necessary book offer a wide range of literary and intellectual pleasures. At the same time, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the continuing development of this iconic--and hugely influential--figure." Subterranean, 432 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Jamie Smart
Doctor Who. "Where is the Doctor? The time travelling Time Lord could be anywhere in time and space in these incredibly detailed intergalactic images. Search through the Cybermen, dig through the Daleks, and ogle the Ood to find the Doctor and his friends!" PENGUIN GROUP, 40 pages, Jul 31.More »
by Vienna Von Schwarz
"Steampunk explores this fascinating counterculture, transporting the reader on an eclectic odyssey into a weird and wonderful world of dirigibles, vaudeville and steam-powered ray guns. It celebrates the lives of steampunk’s heroes and villains who are as diverse as they are pioneering. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Ada Lovelace, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Aleister Crowley sit alongside body snatchers Burke and Hare and fashionistas Lady Gaga and Alexander Mcqueen, creating a spellbinding mix of science fiction, Victorian fact and contemporary kookiness. Conceived as a reaction against throwaway ‘chav’ culture, steampunk provides artists, innovators and techno geeks with an opportunity to indulge their love of all things high-tech whilst rejecting disposable materials like plastic in favor of brass, wood and glass. Steampunk enthusiasts combine technofetishism with a Victorian aesthetic to create whimsical heirlooms such as Dr Grymm’s eyepod, a fully working iPod with mechanical eyeball control and gramophone clock, or Dr Evermore’s incredible Forevertron, the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world." Chartwell Books, Inc., 192 pages, Aug 1.More »
by Patricia C. Wrede
Frontier Magic. "Eff is an unlucky thirteenth child...but also the seventh daughter in her family. Her twin brother, Lan, is a powerful double seventh son. Her life at the edge of the Great Barrier Spell is different from anyone else's that she knows. When the government forms an expedition to map the Far West, Eff has the opportunity to travel farther than anyone in the world. With Lan, William, Professor Torgeson, Wash, and Professor Ochiba, Eff finds that nothing on the wild frontier is as they expected. There are strange findings in their research, a long prarie winter spent in too-close quarters, and more new species, magical and otherwise, dangerous and benign, than they ever expected to find. And then spring comes, and the explorers realize how tenuous life near the Great Barrier Spell may be if they don't find a way to stop a magical flood in a hurry. Eff's unique way of viewing magic has saved the settlers time and again, but this time all of Columbia is at stake if she should fail." Scholastic Press, 384 pages, Aug 1.More »
by Frank Frazetta, J. David Sopurlock
"John Buscema has been called one of the finest comic artists who ever put pen to paper. His work for Marvel Comics on The Avengers, Thor, The Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer are all classics, highly regarded by fans from around the world. The same is true for his definitive rendition of Conan the Barbarian – Buscema breathed life into Robert E. Howard’s legendary creation in a manner that has rarely been rivaled. IDW is proud to announce the first American publication of John Buscema: Comics & Drawings, a special edition of the fine art catalog created for the most extensive exhibition of Buscema’s art ever staged. Weighing in at nearly 300-pages, this gorgeous hardcover book is a dream come true for fans of the visual mastery of John Buscema, an artist who’s ilk we are unlikely to see again." Vanguard Productions, 134 pages, Aug 1.More »
by Tom Pollock
Skyscraper Throne 1. "Hidden under the surface of everyday London is a city of monsters and miracles, where wild train spirits stampede over the tracks and glass-skinned dancers with glowing veins light the streets. When a devastating betrayal drives her from her home, graffiti artist Beth Bradley stumbles into the secret city, where she finds Filius Viae, London's ragged crown prince, just when he needs someone most. An ancient enemy has returned to the darkness under St Paul's Cathedral, bent on reigniting a centuries-old war, and Beth and Fil find themselves in a desperate race through a bizarre urban wonderland, searching for a way to save the city they both love. The City's Son is the first book of The Skyscraper Throne trilogy: a story about family, friends and monsters, and how you can't always tell which is which." Jo Fletcher Books, 422 pages, Aug 2.More »
This week in new hardcovers: New hardcovers from Harry Turtledove, Tracy Hickman, Peter F. Hamilton, and more.
Blood of the Emperor
by Tracy Hickman
The Annals of Drakis: Book 3. "It appears that an ancient prophecy is about to be fulfilled as the human named Drakis—formerly one of countless warrior-slaves to the elves of the Rhonas Empire—returns from his quest in the North. Flying into the rebel camp with his surviving companions on the backs of the legendary dragons that were once humankind's most powerful allies, Drakis is hailed as the champion of all the slave races. But it is not a prophecy that drives Drakis in his war against the elves and their emperor. Rather it is his burning desire for revenge against the cruel ruler whom Drakis believes has stolen any chance he has for finding peace. And this hatred will set Drakis and his rebel army on a path that may not only bring down the emperor, but Drakis and his entire world as well." DAW Hardcover, 368 pages, Jul 31.More »
Coup d'Etat
by Harry Turtledove
The War That Came Early. "In Harry Turtledove’s mesmerizing alternate history of World War II, the choices of men and fate have changed history. Now it is the winter of 1941. As the Germans, with England and France on their side, slam deep into Russia, Stalin’s terrible machine fights for its life. But the agreements of world leaders do not touch the hearts of soldiers. The war between Germany and Russia is rocked by men with the courage to aim their guns in a new direction. England is the first to be shaken. Following the suspicious death of Winston Churchill, with his staunch anti-Nazi views, a small cabal begins to imagine the unthinkable in a nation long famous for respecting the rule of law. With civil liberties hanging by a thread, a conspiracy forms against the powers that be. What will this daring plan mean for the European war as a whole?" Del Rey, 432 pages, Jul 31.More »
Manhattan in Reverse
by Peter F. Hamilton
"Peter F. Hamilton has earned both critical acclaim and a devoted following for such interstellar epics as The Night's Dawn Trilogy and Fallen Dragon. He has also created a small but memorable body of shorter fiction as compelling and carefully crafted as his longer, more characteristic work. Manhattan in Reverse, Hamilton's first collection since A Second Chance at Eden appeared in 1998, is a genuine publishing event, offering seven compact examples of their author's imaginative range and sheer narrative virtuosity. The opening novella, 'Watching Trees Grow,' is an enthralling, multi-layered account of a murder investigation that encompasses hundreds of years, a multitude of worlds, and an astonishing array of technological advances. 'If at First...' is a witty, wholly original take on the theory--and unexpected consequences--of time travel. 'The Forever Kitten' is a marvel of compression that addresses one possible application of a nascent rejuvenation technology. The title story brings back Paula Myo, the detective heroine of Hamilton's Commonwealth novels. In this never-before-published novella, which takes place in the aftermath of Judas Unchained, Paula travels to the frontier planet of Menard, where she brings her puzzle-solving skills to bear on an escalating conflict between the planet's 'non-sentient' inhabitants and the hordes of newly arrived settlers." Subterranean, 272 pages, Jul 31.More »
The Incarceration of Captain Nebula and Other Lost Futures
by Mike Resnick
"In his long and storied career, Mike Resnick has won all of science fiction's most prestigious awards. He has won the Nebula, the Hugo, and numerous readers' awards. He has won the Japanese Hugo, as well as major awards in Spain, France, Poland and Croatia. The Incarceration of Captain Nebula and Other Lost Futures focuses on Mike's most recent award-winners and nominees with the exception of heartbreaking 'The Last Dog,' Mike s very first award-winning short story and his multi-award-winning classic 'Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge.' From examinations of life and death to questions of eternity, Mike's short fiction explores the range of the human experience--even though his characters include dogs, robots and aliens." Subterranean, 288 pages, Jul 31.More »
The Stuff of Legend: Omnibus One
by Mike Raicht, Brian Smith, Charles Paul Wilson III
"As Allied forces fight the enemy on Europe's war-torn beaches, another battle begins in a child's bedroom in Brooklyn when the nightmarish Boogeyman snatches a boy and takes him to the realm of The Dark. The child's playthings, led by the toy soldier known as the Colonel, band together to stage a daring rescue. On their perilous mission they will confront the boy's bitter and forgotten toys, as well as betrayal in their own ranks. The Stuff of Legend is a haunting and ultimately redemptive tale of loyalty, camaraderie, and perseverance. This hardcover collection brings together the first two volumes of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel The Stuff of Legend (The Dark and The Jungle) in one beautiful, 260-page edition. The book also contains never-before-printed character sketches and artwork by series artist and Russ Manning Award nominee, Charles Paul Wilson III." Th3rd World Studios, 260 pages, Jul 31.More »
The Woman Who Married a Cloud: The Collected Short Stories of Jonathan Carroll
by Jonathan Carroll
"Always better known as a novelist--readers first experienced Carroll s elegant, eloquent, wondrous, terrible and often surreal fiction in his classic debut The Land of Laughs, which he followed with Bones of the Moon, Sleeping in Flame, A Child Across the Sky, and others--Carroll has also created a compelling and deeply moving body of short fiction. Perhaps more eclectic and slant-wise than some of his novels, stories like World Fantasy Award winning 'Friend's Best Man' and Pushcart Prize and Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire honouree 'Home on the Rain' stand amongst his very best work." Subterranean, 600 pages, Jul 31.More »
Upon the Dull Earth
by Philip K. Dick
The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick, Book 3. "Upon the Dull Earth is the third installment of a uniform, five-volume edition of The Collected Stories of Philip K. Dick. This generous collection contains 22 stories and novellas written in 1953 and 1954, along with extensive--and valuable--story notes. Included here are a number of bona fide PKD classics, among them the title story, the brilliantly conceived account of a bizarre, ultimately catastrophic resurrection, 'The Father-Thing,' in which a young boy comes to realize that his once familiar father has somehow changed, and 'The Golden Man' (filmed in 2007 as 'Next'), which tells the tale of a golden skinned mutant who may represent the future direction of the human race. These and all the other stories in this important and necessary book offer a wide range of literary and intellectual pleasures. At the same time, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the continuing development of this iconic--and hugely influential--figure." Subterranean, 432 pages, Jul 31.More »
Where's the Doctor?
by Jamie Smart
Doctor Who. "Where is the Doctor? The time travelling Time Lord could be anywhere in time and space in these incredibly detailed intergalactic images. Search through the Cybermen, dig through the Daleks, and ogle the Ood to find the Doctor and his friends!" PENGUIN GROUP, 40 pages, Jul 31.More »
Steampunk: A Complete Guide to Victorian Techno-Fetishism
by Vienna Von Schwarz
"Steampunk explores this fascinating counterculture, transporting the reader on an eclectic odyssey into a weird and wonderful world of dirigibles, vaudeville and steam-powered ray guns. It celebrates the lives of steampunk’s heroes and villains who are as diverse as they are pioneering. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Ada Lovelace, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Aleister Crowley sit alongside body snatchers Burke and Hare and fashionistas Lady Gaga and Alexander Mcqueen, creating a spellbinding mix of science fiction, Victorian fact and contemporary kookiness. Conceived as a reaction against throwaway ‘chav’ culture, steampunk provides artists, innovators and techno geeks with an opportunity to indulge their love of all things high-tech whilst rejecting disposable materials like plastic in favor of brass, wood and glass. Steampunk enthusiasts combine technofetishism with a Victorian aesthetic to create whimsical heirlooms such as Dr Grymm’s eyepod, a fully working iPod with mechanical eyeball control and gramophone clock, or Dr Evermore’s incredible Forevertron, the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world." Chartwell Books, Inc., 192 pages, Aug 1.More »
The Far West
by Patricia C. Wrede
Frontier Magic. "Eff is an unlucky thirteenth child...but also the seventh daughter in her family. Her twin brother, Lan, is a powerful double seventh son. Her life at the edge of the Great Barrier Spell is different from anyone else's that she knows. When the government forms an expedition to map the Far West, Eff has the opportunity to travel farther than anyone in the world. With Lan, William, Professor Torgeson, Wash, and Professor Ochiba, Eff finds that nothing on the wild frontier is as they expected. There are strange findings in their research, a long prarie winter spent in too-close quarters, and more new species, magical and otherwise, dangerous and benign, than they ever expected to find. And then spring comes, and the explorers realize how tenuous life near the Great Barrier Spell may be if they don't find a way to stop a magical flood in a hurry. Eff's unique way of viewing magic has saved the settlers time and again, but this time all of Columbia is at stake if she should fail." Scholastic Press, 384 pages, Aug 1.More »
The Frazetta Sketchbook
by Frank Frazetta, J. David Sopurlock
"John Buscema has been called one of the finest comic artists who ever put pen to paper. His work for Marvel Comics on The Avengers, Thor, The Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer are all classics, highly regarded by fans from around the world. The same is true for his definitive rendition of Conan the Barbarian – Buscema breathed life into Robert E. Howard’s legendary creation in a manner that has rarely been rivaled. IDW is proud to announce the first American publication of John Buscema: Comics & Drawings, a special edition of the fine art catalog created for the most extensive exhibition of Buscema’s art ever staged. Weighing in at nearly 300-pages, this gorgeous hardcover book is a dream come true for fans of the visual mastery of John Buscema, an artist who’s ilk we are unlikely to see again." Vanguard Productions, 134 pages, Aug 1.More »
City's Son
by Tom Pollock
Skyscraper Throne 1. "Hidden under the surface of everyday London is a city of monsters and miracles, where wild train spirits stampede over the tracks and glass-skinned dancers with glowing veins light the streets. When a devastating betrayal drives her from her home, graffiti artist Beth Bradley stumbles into the secret city, where she finds Filius Viae, London's ragged crown prince, just when he needs someone most. An ancient enemy has returned to the darkness under St Paul's Cathedral, bent on reigniting a centuries-old war, and Beth and Fil find themselves in a desperate race through a bizarre urban wonderland, searching for a way to save the city they both love. The City's Son is the first book of The Skyscraper Throne trilogy: a story about family, friends and monsters, and how you can't always tell which is which." Jo Fletcher Books, 422 pages, Aug 2.More »