Just Arrived, 3/29/10
Posted on March 29, 2010 Posted by John Scalzi 19 Comments
And here’s what publishers have sent me recently:
* Kraken, by China Mieville (Tor UK/Del Rey (US): This was sent along by China’s UK publisher, and bless them for it; I’ve been hankering after it for a while, since I’m a big sloppy fan of China’s writing. This book features mysteriously disappearing cephalopods, squid cults, crime bosses and, of course, very possibly the end of the world. Because if you’ve got squid cults, can the end of the world really be that far behind? No. Not at all. China’s having a good year; his previous book The City and The City was deservedly nominated for the Nebula, and the buzz on this one is pretty strong. Folks in the UK get this on May 7; here in the US, we have to wait until the end of June. Well. You have to wait until the end of June. Bwa ha ha hah ha!
* Farlander, by Col Buchanan (Tor UK): Also sent along by the Tor UK folks. In a fantasy world, an apprentice assassin and his master pit themselves against powerful forces, and naturally the fate of nations hang in the balance. Like they do. This debut novel is already out in the UK; it’s apparently been sold in the US but I don’t have a release date for it here.
* The Poison Throne, by Celine Kiernan (Orbit): A young woman returns to the court of an increasingly mad king and finds herself thrown into palace intrigue, which include a missing prince and a reluctant replacement heir. This first installment in a fantasy trilogy got a starred review in Publishers Weekly and is out now.
* Sisters Red, by Jackson Pearce (Little, Brown): I don’t generally quote the press releases for books, but this is a snappy little synopsis: “What if instead of a basket of treats, Little Red Riding Hood carried an ax — and wasn’t afraid to use it?” Well, if nothing else, it does call into question what plans she had for her grandmother. This fable revision (featuring two ax-wielding little red riding hoods for the price of one) is out in June.
* Death Most Definite, by Trent Jamieson (Orbit): First book in a new series featuring a fellow named Steven de Selby. His job? Death’s assistant! Hey! Death wants a vente half-caf latte! Although this book isn’t about that, it about what happens when Death goes missing, and de Selby has to deal with the after-effects. Out in August.
Hmm, Death Most Definite sure sounds like Terry Pratchett’s Grim Reaper. But in a world with 187,243 novels about “young X has a strange talent, and while he/she’s been worthless up to now, guess what, he/she is the only one who can save the world” there should be room.
Let me know how you like Poison Throne. Celine and I have the same agent.
Unfortunately, unlike Celine, I haven’t sent her anything in a while.
(Whistles past graveyard.)
The title+author alone sold me on the China Mieville story… End of June? Bleh!
So you’re saying the Kraken will be … released?
Thanks a lot! I was blissfully unaware that there was a new China book coming out, and that it looks to be fantastically weird and awesome. Now this is going to be the longest spring, ever!
Oh, if you haven’t checked out his Looking for Jake collection, it was awesome. For somebody with such inventiveness and versatility, the short story collection format worked very well. I still shudder just thinking about The Ball Room.
This book features mysteriously disappearing cephalopods, squid cults, crime bosses and, of course, very possibly the end of the world.
Well, there goes that subplot to my current novel. Which is kind of a relief, as I was having trouble figuring out how I was going to build to that.
Yum, more Mieville!
Awesome, I’m also am becoming a huge fan of Mieville. Can’t wait.
I’m also am? Jesus.
Echoes Tim H. Shades (pun intended!) of “Mort” by Sir Terry.
China wrote a book with squid cults! I must order this immediately.
Can’t wait to read Kraken, although I’m going to try and get my hands on the US cover, which conveys same menace with typography. (one of the few times I like the US cover more than the UK one)
I’m pretty sure I’ve read at least three books where Death goes missing or on holiday and his apprentice or assistant has to take over. Weird.
“Well. You have to wait until the end of June. Bwa ha ha hah ha!”
Mean.
If you keep that sort of taunting up, John, the villagers of Whateverland are going to storm the castle of Scalzi, the Darke Prince, with torches and pitchforks! ;-)
Hah! Scalzi, I’ve already read KRAKEN. I’m going to email and tweet spoilers your way.
Beware the tentacles.
Bill
Folks in the UK get this on May 7; here in the US, we have to wait until the end of June.
not so: amazon.co.uk will happily deliver to US addresses. :)
I’m sorry, but I just bust out laughing at the very word Kraken anymore. It was beyond silly the first time around and Liam Neeson bellowing “Release the Kraken!” is just too much.
Wonder if Bruce Schneier knows about this.