* Acosta, Marta : Dark Companion
(Tor Teen 978-0-7653-2964-6, $17.99, 368pp, hardcover, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012

Young adult fantasy novel about an orphaned girl uncovering sinister goings-on at a prestigious boarding school.
• Tor’s site has a description, excerpt, and blurbs, a couple comparing it to Jane Eyre.
• The Publishers Weekly review notes the book’s well-drawn characters, and concludes, “Their strengths are masked somewhat by all the genre apparatus around them, but even so, Acosta’s story is an impressive contender in the crowded YA paranormal field.”

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* Bledsoe, Alex : Wake of the Bloody Angel
(Tor 978-0-7653-2745-1, $14.99, 320pp, trade paperback, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Eddie LaCrosse #4

Sword-and-sorcery detective novel, fourth in a series following The Sword-Edged Blonde (2007), Burn Me Deadly (2009), and Dark Jenny (2011), about detective Eddie LaCrosse.
• Tor’s website has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “There’s more swordplay and action than actual detection, and the supernatural elements are downplayed, but the lead’s sardonic narrative voice will amply entertain readers who like their urban fantasies on the lighter side.”

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* Bova, Ben : Orion and King Arthur
(Tor 978-0-7653-3017-8, $25.99, 464pp, hardcover, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Orion #6

SF novel, sixth in a series about a time-traveling agent for godlike Creators, following Orion (1984), Vengeance of Orion (1988), Orion in the Dying Time (1990), Orion and the Conqueror (1994), and Orion Among the Stars (1995).
• In this book Orion is sent to guide a young Arthur to future greatness.
• Tor’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Originally created as an audiobook, this historical adventure includes several redundant sections that feel awkward in print, but it’s still a rip-roaring good story that draws from a more grounded version of the Arthurian mythos to good effect.”

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* Dozois, Gardner, ed. : The Year’s Best Science Fiction: Twenty-ninth Annual Collection
(St. Martin’s Griffin 978-1-250-00355-3, $21.99, trade paperback, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012

Anthology of 35 stories first published in 2011, with a long “Summation: 2011”, and 8 pages of ‘honorable mentions’ at the end.
• Stories include Paul McAuley’s “The Choice”, which just won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award, two stories that won Nebula Awards, Geoff Ryman’s “What We Found” and Kij Johnson’s “The Man Who Bridged the Mist”, and Catherynne M. Valente’s “Silently and Very Fast”, which won a Locus Award, plus stories by Michael Swanwick, Peter S. Beagle, Robert Reed, Maureen F. McHugh, Pat Cadigan, and many others.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides the table of contents and portions of Dozois’ introduction.
• Gary K. Wolfe reviewed it in detail in the June issue of Locus Magazine.

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* Goyer, David S., & Michael Cassutt : Heaven’s War
(Ace 978-0-441-02092-8, $25.95, 416pp, hardcover, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Heaven’s War #2

SF novel, second in a trilogy following Heaven’s Shadow (2011), about an enormous asteroid approaching the sun that is guided by aliens seeking humanity’s help.
• In this book groups of humans from Houston and Bangalore are transported into the interior of the asteroid, as it begins moving away from Earth.
• The publisher’s site has this letter from the authors about the background and inspiration for the first book, and an excerpt from it.

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* Hoffman, Nina Kiriki : Permeable Borders
(Fairwood Press 978-1-933846-32-3, $16.99, 282pp, trade paperback, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Sun 1 Jul 2012

Collection of 16 stories, one original to this book.
• SF Signal has the table of contents.
• Fairwood Press’ site has this description with blurbs and quotes from reviews.
• Publishers Weekly gives it a starred review: “Hoffman’s skills shine at short lengths, and this collection of perfect, gemlike stories would complement any library.”

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* Jackson, D. B. : Thieftaker
(Tor 978-0-7653-2761-1, $24.99, 336pp, hardcover, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Thieftaker Chronicles #1

Historical fantasy, first of a series, about a conjurer in pre-revolutionary Boston who casts spells to solve crimes.
• Tor’s site has a description and excerpt.
• The author’s site has a bio, blog, samples, and historical background.
• The Publishers Weekly review reveals Jackson to be a pseudonym of David B. Coe, and concludes, “Though Jackson’s detailed attention to period language and Latin spell-casting is hampered by the tale’s modern hard-boiled tone, he has produced a noteworthy series opener.”

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* Jacobs, John Hornor : This Dark Earth
(Simon & Schuster/Gallery 978-1-4516-6666-3, $15, 352pp, trade paperback, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012

Horror novel set in a small Arkansas town during a zombie epidemic, about a 14-year-old boy whose mother runs the town’s ruling council.
• The publisher’s site has this description with a “Browse Inside” function.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “This smart addition to the zombie genre is heroic and strangely hopeful, championing the unyielding human drive for justice and civilization.”

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* Locke, Kate : God Save the Queen
(Orbit 978-0-316-19612-3, $16.99, 352pp, hardcover, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• The Immortal Empire #1

Steampunk fantasy novel, first of a series, in which Queen Victoria and other London aristocrats have become vampires and werewolves and are still alive in 2012.
• Orbit’s blog has this post by the author about the genesis of the book.
• The Publishers Weekly review says, “Locke’s writing is smart and fast-paced, full of sharp dialogue and vivid detail. This stylish, original story is perfectly suited to a wonderfully constructed world.”
• Carolyn Cushman reviewed it in the June issue of Locus Magazine: “Despite her Aristocratic connections, Alexandra has a delightfully hard-boiled attitude that carries her through a bunch of violent encounters; add a hunky werewolf with some serious attitude of his own and this is a fun adventure all round…”

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* Monk, Devon : Tin Swift
(Roc 978-0-451-46453-8, $15, 384pp, trade paperback, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Age of Steam #2

Steampunk fantasy novel, second in a series following Dead Iron (2011), about bounty hunter and werewolf Cedar Hunt in search of the Holder, a device that would open a door between this world to the realm of the Strange.
• The author’s site has this page for the book with a link to an excerpt.

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* Price, Kalayna : Grave Memory
(Roc 978-0-451-46459-0, $7.99, 384pp, mass market paperback, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Alex Craft #3

Urban fantasy novel, third in a series following Grave Witch (2010) and Grave Dance (2011), about Alex Craft, a police consultant who can communicate with the dead.
• The author’s site has this page for the series with descriptions and excerpts from the first two books.

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* Rowland, Diana : Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues
(DAW 978-0-7564-0750-6, $7.99, 320pp, mass market paperback, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Zombies #2

Humorous zombie novel, second in a series following My Life as a White Trash Zombie (2011),
• The author’s site has a brief description.
• Amazon’s page has a Chapter 1 excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review of the first book remarked on the “hilarious mix of the horrific and mundane aspects of zombie life.”

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* Scott, Melissa : Point of Knives
(Lethe Press 978-1-59021-381-0, $13, 122pp, trade paperback, July 2012, cover art Ben Baldwin)
• Nominal Publication Date: Sun 1 Jul 2012
• Astreiant #3

Fantasy, subtitled “A Novella of Astreiant”, set between earlier novels Point of Hopes (1995) and Point of Dreams (2001), both written with Lisa A. Barnett.
• This book concerns a murder mystery that kindles the romance between Adjunct Point Nicolas Rathe and ex-soldier Philip Eslingen.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “Primarily an intriguing pseudo-police procedural, this fantasy also serves as a satisfying romantic story, with strong world building and great characterization that will leave readers wanting more.”

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* Spencer, Wen : Elfhome
(Baen 978-1451637830, $24, 384pp, hardcover, July 2012, cover art Clyde Caldwell)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Elfhome #3

Fantasy novel, third in a series following Tinker (2003) and Wolf Who Rules (2006), in which near-future Pittsburgh borders the land of the elves.
• Baen’s site has a description and links to several chapters.
• The Publishers Weekly review of the first book, Tinker, said “Furious action, including a memorable car chase, good characterization, playful eroticism and well-developed folklore all help lift this well above the fantasy average.”

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* Stross, Charles : The Apocalypse Codex
(Ace 978-1-937007-46-1, $25.95, 336pp, hardcover, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Laundry Files #4

Fantasy novel, fourth in the author’s “Laundry Files” sequence following The Atrocity Archives (2004), The Jennifer Morgue (2006), and The Fuller Memorandum (2010), about British secret service agent Bob Howard battling Lovecraftian horrors.
• Stross’ blog has a couple recent posts pointing to excerpts.
• The Publishers Weekly review concludes, “…the new characters and setting allow Stross additional opportunities for political and technological snark in the midst of this solid spy/horror story.”

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* Weber, David : War Maid’s Choice
(Baen 978-1-4516-3835-6, $26, 608pp, hardcover, July 2012, cover by Dominic Harman)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012
• Bahzell #4

Fantasy novel in the series following Oath of Swords (1995), The War God’s Own (1998), and Wind Rider’s Oath (2004), featuring Bahzell of the Hradani.
• Baen’s site has this description with links to excerpts.
• The Publishers Weekly review is mixed: “Weber’s impressive realm-building skills are in top form, but fans of his previous Bahzell novels may find the pacing a bit sluggish and the plot twists not exactly unexpected.”

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* Wells, Dan : The Hollow City
(Tor 978-0-7653-3170-0, $25.99, 336pp, hardcover, July 2012)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 3 Jul 2012

Stand-alone thriller about a paranoid schizophrenic who realizes some of his delusions may be real.
• Tor’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review calls the protagonist “the ultimate unreliable narrator”, and concludes, “Wells has created an intense, uncanny protagonist who’s trapped in an eerie world where denying the insane and otherworldly truth means death.”

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