Barlowe's Inferno, Wayne Barlowe (Morpheus International 11/98) Taking a page from Dante (or more possibly, Doré), Barlowe uses his unique facility for creating unearthly creatures to bring to life his personal vision of Hell, a haunting series of darkly atmospheric images of demons, dark magics, and eternal torments.

The Fantastic Art of Beksinski, Zdzislaw Beksinski (Morpheus International 11/98) The little-known art of this Polish painter is deservedly showcased in this collection of primarily "fantastic realist" works in a style that suggests a surreal combination of H.R. Giger and the darker Michael Whelan, with touches of various old masters.

The Last Dragonlord, Joanne Bertin (Tor 12/98) An entertaining fantasy with a little bit of everything: dragons, shapechangers, intrigue, adventure, and yes, soul-mate-seeking romance. A colorful and impressive first novel.

Lovecraft Remembered, Peter Cannon, ed. (Arkham House 12/98) Early reminiscences by those who knew or admired Lovecraft, many only previously published in obscure amateur journals, are now gathered together in one volume, along with some early criticism, making this an invaluable first-hand source for students of Lovecraft.

Nanotech, Jack Dann & Gardner Dozois, eds. (Ace 12/98) The hottest technology on the horizon, nanotech gets a thorough exploration in this theme anthology from authors including Paul di Filippo, Greg Bear, Nancy Kress, and Greg Egan.

Dreaming Down-Under, Jack Dann & Janeen Webb, eds. (Voyager Australia 11/98) After Harlan Ellison declared this the "Golden Age of Australian SF," the editors did their best to make this original anthology the Aussie equivalent of Dangerous Visions, with 31 original stories by Australian authors writing "on the wild side".

The Good Old Stuff, Gardner Dozois, ed. (St. Martin's 12/98) Dozois presents his choice of sixteen classic stories of "adventure SF in the Grand Tradition," dating from 1948 to 1975, by an impressive set of authors including A.E. van Vogt, Jack Vance, Ursula K. Le Guin, and James Tiptree, Jr.

The Princess Bride, William Goldman (Ballantine 12/98) The 25th-Anniversary edition of this classic humorous fantasy adds "the first chapter of the long-lost sequel", plus some truly entertaining comments by Goldman about making the movie, as well as his problems with Morgenstern's estate.

The Invisible Country, Paul J. McAuley (Avon Eos 12/98) The possibilities of biotechnology and social change are explored in nine provocative hard-SF stories with vivid settings that range from an alternate Renaissance Italy, through a number set in the world of his Fairyland, and on to a far-future world at the edge of the galaxy.

Mission Child, Maureen F. McHugh (Avon Eos 12/98) A young woman's world is shaken drastically by the arrival of offworlders from the long-forgotten homeworld, Earth. An evocative portrait of a woman's -- and a world's -- search for identity.

Rules of Engagement, Elizabeth Moon (Baen 12/98) This entertaining second military space adventure featuring Esmay Suiza (in the same world as the "Heris Serrano" novels) turns into a harrowing feminist dystopian novel when a high-ranking politician's daughter is captured by the violently repressive New Texas Militia.

Portrait of Jennie, Robert Nathan (Tachyon 12/98) A Depression-era artist keeps meeting a girl who is unstuck in time, in this classic short fantasy novel, first published in 1939, and finally returned to print, hailed as inspirational in new introductions by Peter S. Beagle and Sean Stewart.

Windows of the Imagination, Darrell Schweitzer (Borgo 11/98) This non-fiction collection reprints interesting reviews, articles on fantasy, literature, Lovecraft, and more, by a notable critic.

Distraction, Bruce Sterling (Bantam Spectra 12/98) A political spin doctor flees the chaos of Washington DC in 2044, and teams with a neurologist to spread some revolutionary ideas, only to run into some serious opposition. A darkly humorous look at what might happen if US systems collapsed the way Russia's did.

The High House, James Stoddard (Warner Aspect 12/98) A powerful first novel, this high fantasy account of a magical house that connects and protects many worlds is a deliberate and fitting tribute to Lin Carter and the classic fantasy series he edited.

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume XIV, David Wolverton, ed. (Bridge 10/98) The contest anthology returns with the latest crop of promising new writers and artists to watch for.