Just Arrived, 2/11/10
Posted on February 11, 2010 Posted by John Scalzi 11 Comments
Noting that given the snowpack, it’s a miracle the UPS and FedEx people can make it up the driveway at all:
* The Boneshaker, by Kate Milford (Clarion Books): This is kind of an interesting thing, as Ms. Milford’s upcoming historical fantasy YA (pictured here on the right), is a mere definite article away from having the same title as Cherie Priest’s steampunk alt history (on the left). As the two books are in different categories (YA vs. adult SF), this might not normally make a huge difference, but there is the complicating factor that Cherie’s Boneshaker is selling like hotcakes and will almost certainly be on award ballots this year, so it’s not a book one wants to have a similar title to. Hopefully there won’t be too much market confusion, because Milford’s book looks like a lot of fun. And I’d note that Cherie’s totally cool with another Boneshaker being out there, which goes a bit of the way of explaining why Cherie herself is full of awesome. In any event, keep your brain open for this one when it hits in May.
* The Story of Cirrus Flux, by Matthew Skelton (Delacorte Press): In the late 18th century, an orphan with a unique object in his possession must escape the various nefarious folks trying to find him and take it from him. Out March 9.
* Empire in Black and Gold, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Pyr): The first in a new series which promises to meld epic fantasy with World War I. Between this and Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan, I’d say that World War I is the new black. March 23.
* Feed, by Mira Grant (Orbit): So the good news is that in 2014 we’ve cured cancer and the common cold. The bad news is… well, let’s just say that in exchange we’ve got an even nastier virus. What does it make people into? Please refer to the title. Oh my, yes. Out in May.
If you can get out to the local book store for a case of cluelessness they can get in with the days book haul.
Two other Orbit books that I am looking forward to are “Married with Zombies” and “Flip this Zombie” by Jesse Petersen. I always appreciate a new perspective on things, and these definitely seem different.
Is Empire in Black and Gold really WWI? I thought it was a sort of early industrial steampunk, with repeating crossbows and ornithopters and such, but set in an entirely fictional world. (Not that I would complain. I think WWI needs to be plumbed more.)
Oh wow….I got a copy of Empire in Black and Gold in September of last year. How’d I get it before Scalzi? I’m just this guy, you know?
While I am no real expert on WWI, I didn’t get a single hint that they were connected at all.
Oh, and while I am a fantasy fan, a complete disregard for physics WITHOUT using magic = Epic fail, to the EXTREME (sniping from a flying flapping-wing ornithopter with a bow and arrow? Not for me, sir…)
Feed sounds interesting.
I WANT your UPS driver (just don’t tell my husband).
Must be that whole “neither rain nor snow nor glom of nit” thing.
I just got Dragonfly Falling, the second Tchaikovsky book in that trilogy, yesterday. May have to crack these pretty soon. Just to see how gossamer insect wings can hold up full grown guys in plate mail.
I’ve read Boneshaker by Cherie Priest and thought it was great! I enjoyed it very much!! I’m looking forward to reading the Milford book of the same title. It sounds intresting. As for Ms. Priest, keep em coming!!!! I see a Hugo in your future!!
A proud member of the Who Dat! nation.
Allow me to drop some more awesome media in your lap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKeA3-n27t8
Don’t stop believin’. Seriously. Wait for it. Wait forrrr it.
There you go.
See? Wasn’t that worth it?
Ohhh, I just got the ARC for Milford’s The Boneshaker, too and I couldn’t put it down!!! Soooo… good!!!!