* Anthony, Piers : Pet Peeve
(Tor 0-765-30408-2, $24.95, 332pp, hardcover, October 2005, jacket art Darrell K. Sweet)

Humorous fantasy novel, 29th in the long-running, pun-filled "Xanth" series. This one concerns an abominable army of automatons that invades Xanth.
• Amazon has quotes from several reviews, including one by Lee Killough from Wichita Eagle: "No need for a warning label on these books, except one stating that your children may find them habit-forming and develop a life-time passion for reading and books."

|

* Ash, Sarah : Children of the Serpent Gate
(Bantam Spectra 0-553-38212-8, $23, 516pp, hardcover, October 2005, jacket illustration Stephen Youll)

Fantasy novel, final volume of the "Tears of Artamon" trilogy following Lord of Snow and Shadows (2003) and Prisoner of the Iron Tower (2004). It concerns rival quests for five priceless rubies, the Tears of Artamon, whose possession permits rule over the five princedoms in the Empire of Novaya Rossiya.
• Bantam's site has this description and an excerpt.
• The author's website, www.sarah-ash.com, also has an excerpt.
• Amazon has Publishers Weekly's starred review, from its August 15th issue -- "Lovers of big, complex fantasy sagas (think Robert Jordan or George R.R. Martin) will be well pleased." -- plus the Booklist review.

|

Ashley, Mike, ed. : The Mammoth Book of New Comic Fantasy
(SFBC 0-7394-5786-1, $12.5, 544pp, hardcover, August 2005, jacket art John Steven Gurney)
(First edition: Carroll & Graf, July 2005)

First hardcover edition of an anthology of 32 humorous fantasy stories, 8 of them original, first published in July both in the US and UK.
• Authors include Neil Gaiman, Adam Roberts, Tom Holt, David Langford, Damien Broderick, Robert Sheckley, Rhys Hughes, Esther Friesner, Paul Di Filippo, Cynthia Ward, Poul Anderson & Gordon R. Dickson, Ron Goulart, and Gary Jennings.
• Available exclusively from the Science Fiction Book Club, whose description of the book includes the complete table of contents.

|

* Block, Francesca Lia : Necklace of Kisses
(HarperCollins 0-06-077751-6, $21.95, 227pp, hardcover, August 2005)

Fantasy novel about Weetzie Bat, protagonist of the author's earlier YA series, and her boyfriend My Secret Agent Lover Man. As Weetzie turns 40, she embarks on a quest of self-healing.
• The HarperCollins site has this description -- "fans that have grown up with Weetzie Bat will be able to meet her in adulthood and find that life is still no less trying and no less full of wonder" -- and a chapter excerpt.
• The author's website has a bio, excerpts from reviews, etc.
• Amazon has PW's starred review: "But those just meeting Block's whimsical entourage and sparkling prose will also appreciate the book's message: that magic can be found in stolen moments and, in Dirk's words, though "love is a dangerous angel," it's well worth the risk."

|

* Chabon, Michael, ed. : The Best American Short Stories 2005
(Houghton Mifflin 0-618-42705-8, $14, 17+411pp, trade paperback, October 2005)

Anthology of 20 stories selected as the best of 2004 by this year's guest editor Michael Chabon, noted here for its inclusion of three genre stories: Kelly Link's "Stone Animals" (from Conjunctions), Cory Doctorow's "Anda's Game" (from Salon.com), and Tim Pratt's "Hart and Boot" (from Polyphony). Other authors include Thomas McGuane, Alice Munro, Edward P. Jones, Joyce Carol Oates, and George Saunders.
• There's a foreword by series editor Katrina Kenison, and an introduction by Chabon. Following the stories are Contributors' Notes, a list of "100 Other Distinguished Stories of 2004" (which include two by Carol Emshwiller and one each by Jonathan Lethem and Jeff VanderMeer), and a long list of American and Canadian magazines publishing short stories (which includes Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Argosy, Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, but not Analog, Asimov's, or Realms of Fantasy).
• The publisher has this description, with a complete table of contents.
• Amazon has the PW review, which says that "Chabon reaches out toward genre fiction ... in the lively latest volume of this venerable series".

|

* Chamberlin, Ann : Gloria: The Merlin and The Saint
(High Country Publishers 1-932158-61-8, $24.95, 450pp, hardcover, October 2005, cover art Henry Scheffer)

Historical fantasy novel about Joan of Arc, part of the "Joan of Arc Tapestries" whose earlier books were published by Tor (The Merlin of St. Gilles' Well, 1999, and The Merlin of the Oak Wood, 2001).
• The author's website has a section about the series, with an excerpt from the current book.
• Amazon has reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist; the former says the book "again mixes above-average medievalism and convoluted narrative"; the latter, "Well told and full of magic and romance, this volume clearly sets up its sequel..."

|

* Clegg, Douglas : The Priest of Blood
(Ace 0-441-01327-9, $19.95, 310pp, hardcover, October 2005, cover illustration Judy York)

Dark fantasy novel, first volume of "The Vampyricon", concerning a medieval soldier's conversion and journey to the vampire necropolis of Alkemara.
• Series website The Vampyricon, includes a description, background on legends, blurbs, and some 'treats'.
• Amazon has Publishers Weekly's starred review, from its August 29th issue: "the tale detours sharply from the well-plowed terrain of conventional vampire costume dramas into an undiscovered country entirely the author's own... This rich and symbol-laden blend of myth and history makes intense reading while it lays a solid foundation for later books in the series."

|

* Cyr, Heidi : X and Y and Other Like Stories
(RedJack 1-892619-08-3, $7, 180pp, trade paperback, September 2005, cover art Orr Marshall)

Collection of 16 short stories.
• There are no prior publication credits, but the Locus Index indicates that "Davey Machine" is from Space and Time #93 (2001) and "You Can Bury the Girl" is from Indigenous Fiction #2 (1999).
• The publisher's site has this description, with PDF excerpts of 3 of the stories, and ordering information.

|

* Einhorn, Edward : The Golem, Methuselah, and Shylock
(Theater 61 Press 0-9770197-0-5, $14.95, 195pp, trade paperback, September 2005, cover design Maxine, David)

Collection of plays about legendary Jewish figures: "Golem Stories", "The Living Methuselah", "A Shylock", and "One-Eyed Moses and the Churning Red Sea".
• There's also an introduction, and an appendix of "Facts about the Characters".
• The Untitled Theater website has this biography of Einhorn, who founded the theater in 1992. The site has this page about the book, with links to several excerpts.

|

* Einhorn, Edward : The Living House of Oz
(Hungry Tiger Press 1-929527-08-x, $27.95, 239pp, hardcover, October 2005, jacket art Eric Shanower)

YA fantasy novel set in L. Frank Baum's land of Oz; it concerns a 13-year-old boy growing up whose mother is arrested for witchcraft.
• Illustrations are by Eric Shawnower.
• The author wrote one previous Oz book, Paradox in Oz in 2000.
• The publisher has this page about the book, with a description and PDF excerpt. There are also a collector's edition ($49.95) and a deluxe limited edition ($250) available.

|

* Funke, Cornelia : Inkspell
(Scholastic/The Chicken House 0-439-55400-4, $19.99, 635pp, hardcover, October 2005, jacket art Carol Lawson)

YA fantasy novel, sequel to Inkheart (2003), about a girl whose father has the power to brings characters from books to life. In this book the girl finds herself and some of those characters read back into the story.
• Scholastic's site has this description and an excerpt.
• Amazon's own review by Paul Hughes notes the book is "the unplanned second installment in Cornelia Funke's beloved now-trilogy", while the School Library Journal review concludes "Expanding on the ideas behind Inkheart, Funke explores what might happen if authors try to change the world they have created. ... This is an involving story that will draw readers smoothly to its conclusion and leave them waiting for the final volume in this projected trilogy."

|

Gadd, Maxine, text by John Grant : Faeries and Other Fantastical Folk: The Faery Paintings of Maxine Gadd
(SFBC 0-904332-23-4, $19.99, 111pp, hardcover, October 2005)
(First edition: UK: Artists' and Photographers' Press, September 2005)

Art book of color faery paintings. This Book Club edition is boxed, has a padded velvet cover, and gilt edges.
• This is technically the first US edition -- a reprint of the September '05 UK edition. The publisher's US edition is due next February.
• The artist has this official website, with samples of artwork.
• The Book Club's site has this description.

|

* Kenner, Julie : Carpe Demon
(Berkley 0-425-20252-6, $12.95, 360pp, trade paperback, July 2005, cover illustration Mark Gerber)

Suburban fantasy novel subtitled "Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom", about a former demon-hunter trying to keep her past secret from her family.
• The PW review begins "What would happen if Buffy the Vampire Slayer got married, moved to the suburbs and became a stay-at-home mom?" and notes that film rights have been sold.
• The author's website has this page about the book, with quotes from reviews, a long excerpt, and suggested readers group questions.
• The book ranked on Locus Magazine's October issue Bestseller list.

|

* Morrell, David : Creepers
(CDS Books 1-59315-237-x, $24.95, 354pp, hardcover, September 2005, jacket design and illustration Larry Rostant)

Thriller about a group of urban explorers, aka creepers, who break into abandoned buildings with archaelogical care, and what happens when they enter a vacant 1901 hotel in Asbury Park NJ.
• The book has a website, creepers.feoamante.net, with news, a tour schedule, and a page about the Paragon Hotel.
• Amazon has reviews from PW and Booklist; the former calls it "a gripping story that demands to be read in a single sitting"; the latter, "An unabashedly entertaining thriller that has blockbuster movie written all over it."

|

* Niven, Larry, ed. : Man-Kzin Wars XI
(Baen 1-416-50906-2, $22, 371pp, hardcover, October 2005, cover art Stephen Hickman)

Anthology of six original stories in the ongoing series about the feline Kzin warriors battling the ape-like humans -- part of the 'Known Space' universe established by Niven's stories and novels in the late 1960s.
• Three of the stories are by Hal Colebatch, two are by Matthew Harrington, and one is by Larry Niven.
• Baen's site has this description with links to several excerpts.
• Amazon has the same description, and a reader review.

|

* Pike, Christopher : The Shaktra
(Tor 0-765-31099-6, $17.95, 334pp, hardcover, October 2005, jacket art Daniel Dos Santos)

Fantasy novel, second in the trilogy that began with Alosha (2004), about a teenaged girl who discovers she is a faerie princess. In this volume she searches for her missing mother, while a sinister being called the Shaktra threatens the elemental world.
• Amazon has the book description, and a reader review.
• The author has this fan webpage.
• SF Site ran this review of Alosha: "A fun read for any grown-up fantasy fan, this book is also an excellent gateway to introduce our favorite genre to younger readers who may not have discovered the joys of SF and fantasy."

|

* Renwick, Brett L. : Wired for Chaos
(Creation Books 1-84068-130-6, $15.95, 288pp, trade paperback, August 2005)

Cyberpunk SF novel about a virtual reality sports star implicated in his girlfriend's murder.
• The book's website, www.wiredforchaos.com, has a description -- "In the tradition of NEUROMANCER and SNOW CRASH we present, WIRED FOR CHAOS. It is badass science fiction, a thriller, a hard-boiled, kickass page-turner..." -- a biography of the author, a chapter excerpt, FAQs, and links.

|

* Ringo, John : Ghost
(Baen 0-7434-0905-4, $25, 403pp, hardcover, October 2005, cover art Kurt Miller)

Military techno-thriller about a former Navy SEAL who witnesses the kidnapping of a college coed by jihadists. It's first of a planned series.
• Baen's description includes "A fast-paced, highly-sexual, military-action thriller that ranges from a poison factory in the Mideast to the Florida Keys to Siberia...", and the page has links to several excerpts.
• Amazon has a number of disappointed reader reviews, plus a "warning from the author": "There is, no question, major sexual content in this novel. I had not originally intended to either publish the novel or publish it under my name. But I was persuaded to both. ... For those of my readers who don't like graphic sex, don't read the book. Seriously. I won't be offended. For those of you, however, who can handle it, the book is major kick butt and a nice smooth read. The series is going to be similar."
• PW likes it: "It's refreshing to find a successful popular writer who's not afraid to try something different, and the adventurous reader will find Ringo's latest insightful, exciting and outrageously funny."

|

* Snyder, Maria V. : Poison Study
(Luna Books 0-373-80230-7, $19.95, 361pp, hardcover, October 2005, cover by uncredited)

Romantic fantasy about a condemned woman who becomes a food taster for the ruler of Ixia.
• The publisher's site has this description, an excerpt, and "Valek's Tasting Notes from His Journal".
• Amazon has the Publishers Weekly review -- "Shivers, obsession, sleepless nights -- these are the results not of one of the milder poisons that novice food-taster Yelena must learn during her harrowing job training but of newcomer Snyder's riveting fantasy that unites the intelligent political focus of George R.R. Martin with a subtle yet potent romance." -- and mixed reader reviews.

|

+ Stewart, Paul, & Chris Riddell : Vox
(Random House/David Fickling Books 0-385-75080-3, $12.95, 385pp, hardcover, October 2005, cover illustration Chris Riddell) First US edition (UK: Doubleday UK, September 2003)

Sixth volume in the YA fantasy series "The Edgewood Chronicles" that began with Beyond the Deepwoods. These editions follow by a couple years those published in the UK, where two more in the series have already been published.
• Like the previous volume, The Last of the Sky Pirates, this one concerns Librarian Knight Rook Barkwater, this time battling a plan to take over Edgewater from tyrant Vox Verlix.
• The publisher's website www.edgechronicles.com has a creature guide, various games, maps, etc.
• Amazon has several enthusiastic reader reviews.

|

* Zahn, Timothy : Night Train to Rigel
(Tor 0-765-30716-2, $24.95, 349pp, hardcover, October 2005, jacket art Jim Burns)

SF novel about an Earth agent investigating a threat to the Twelve Empires while on an interstellar train ride to Rigel.
• Amazon has the Publishers Weekly review: "Seeing a new chunk of the truth fall into place about every hundred pages, [the agent] carries comic-strip action to dizzying extremes in this highballing romp. Situations predictable from tough-guy PI fiction and characters straight out of Dick Tracy (even though some wear chipmunk fur and others inhabit telepathic coral colonies) make this night train a juicily familiar joyride."
• Rich Horton reviewed the book for SF Site: "Zahn redeems some of the weaknesses of the beginning by the end, and I ended up a pleased, but not really thrilled, customer."

|

|