Ahmed, Saladin : Throne of the Crescent Moon
(DAW 978-0-7564-0778-0, $7.99, 304pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Mon 31 Dec 2012
• Crescent Moon Kingdoms #1

(First edition: DAW, February 2012)

Fantasy novel, the author’s first novel and first book in the “Crescent Moon Kingdoms” series, set in a quasi–Middle Eastern city.
• The author’s site has this description with a Chapter One excerpt and a map.
• Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review: “Unobtrusive hints of backstory contribute to the sense that this novel is part of a larger ongoing tale, and the Arab-influenced setting is full of vibrant description, characters, and religious expressions that will delight readers weary of pseudo-European epics.”

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Buckell, Tobias S. : Arctic Rising
(Tor 978-0-7653-5873-8, $7.99, 352pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Mon 24 Dec 2012

(First edition: Tor, February 2012)

Near-future SF novel in which global warming has exposed oil reserves under the melted Arctic ice cap, while the Gaia Corporation tries to reverse warming by introducing thousands of floating mirrors into the atmosphere.
• Tor’s site has this description with quotes from reviews and the latest Facebook and Twitter posts.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides a preview.
• The Publishers Weekly review concluded, “The story moves swiftly … even as Buckell raises the stakes unbelievably high. Eyebrows may also be raised unbelievably high at the libertarian free-trade ice island at the North Pole, but as a character points out, it does give a nice new meaning for ‘breakaway republics.'”

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Coates, Deborah : Wide Open
(Tor 978-0-7653-2899-1, $14.99, 320pp, trade paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 15 Jan 2013

(First edition: Tor, March 2012)

Fantasy novel, the author’s first novel, about a woman who returns from duty in Afghanistan to her home in South Dakota, where she encounters the ghost of her sister.
• Tor’s site has this description with blurbs from Patricia Briggs and others.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides an excerpt.
• The Publishers Weekly review called it a “refreshingly original dark fantasy debut”.

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Correia, Larry : Spellbound
(Baen 978-1-4516-3859-2, $7.99, 656pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 25 Dec 2012
• Grimnoir Chronicles #2

(First edition: Baen, November 2011)

Alternate history fantasy novel, second in a series following Hard Magic (May 2011), about an ex-con hired by the Bureau of Investigation for his magical talent.
• Baen’s site has this description with links to several chapters.

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Dashner, James : The Death Cure
(Delacorte 978-0-385-73878-1, $9.99, 352pp, trade paperback, January 2013, cover art Philip Straub)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 8 Jan 2013
• Maze Runner #3

(First edition: Delacorte Press, October 2011)

Young adult SF novel, third in the “Maze Runner” trilogy following The Maze Runner (2009) and The Scorch Trials (2010), about a global organization called WICKED formed to fight problems of the surviving nations.
• Parent publisher Random House’s site has this description with a preview function.

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Haldeman, Joe : Earthbound
(Ace 978-1937007836, $7.99, 272pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Mon 24 Dec 2012
• Marsbound #3

(First edition: Ace, December 2011)

SF novel, third in a trilogy following Marsbound (2008) and Starbound (2010).
• In this book humanity tries to regain its access to space travel.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides a preview.
• Russell Letson’s review from Locus Magazine comments, “This tour of an unraveling society puts Earthbound squarely in the tradition of postapocalyptic novels, a tradition that seems to be having a mini-revival lately…”

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Hendee, Barb, & J.C. Hendee : Between Their Worlds
(Penguin/Roc 978-0-451-46472-9, $7.99, 480pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Mon 31 Dec 2012
• Noble Dead #10

(First edition: Penguin/Roc, January 2012)

Fantasy novel, ninth in the “Noble Dead” series following Dhampire, Thief of Lives, Sister of the Dead, Traitor to the Blood, and Rebel Fay, In Shade and Shadow, Child of a Dead God, Through Stone and Sea, and Of Truth and Beasts, about a half-vampire vampire-hunter and her half-elf partner.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides a preview.
• The series site NobleDead.com has this list of titles, indicating this book as the first in the third series, a link to a description, and a link to several excerpts.

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Herbert, Brian, & Kevin J. Anderson : Sisterhood of Dune
(Tor 978-0-7653-6261-2, $9.99, 736pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Mon 24 Dec 2012
• Dune #11

(First edition: Tor, January 2012)

SF novel, the eleventh collaboration by Brian Herbert, son of original Dune author Frank Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson.
• This book is first in a new trilogy that add addresses the formation of the Dune universe.
• Tor’s site has this description with an audio excerpt.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides a text preview.
• The Publishers Weekly review said the book “zips along faster than light.”

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Kowal, Mary Robinette : Glamour in Glass
(Tor 978-0-7653-2561-7, $14.99, 336pp, trade paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 15 Jan 2013
• Shades #2

(First edition: Tor, April 2012)

Fantasy novel, sequel to the author’s first novel Shades of Milk and Honey (2010), set in a Regency England where the manipulation of glamour is considered essential for a lady of quality.
• Tor’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• The author’s site has this page for the book with links to a sample chapter and images from the book.
• The Publishers Weekly review concluded, “While Kowal’s focus shifts somewhat abruptly from magical-scientific exploration to espionage adventure, the setting and the intricate techniques of glamour manipulation continue to intrigue, and the thoughtful portrayal of the difficulties of Jane and Vincent’s affectionately nontraditional partnership is thoroughly engaging.”

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Pratchett, Terry : Snuff
(Harper 978-0-06-221886-5, $9.99, 480pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Wed 26 Dec 2012
• Discworld #39

(First edition: Harper, October 2011)

Fantasy novel, latest in the author’s popular Discworld series, following I Shall Wear Midnight (2010).
• Harper’s site has this description with a preview function.
• Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review, calling it a “lively outing, complete with sly shout-outs to Jane Austen and gritty police procedurals.”
• Faren Miller’s review last year in Locus Magazine said, “While not officially YA, Snuff revels in jokes about snot, poo, and pee to an extent that should delight most boys, exasperate the more finicky sort of girls, and dismay some grannies (if their last name’s not Weatherwax). But it’s all in good fun, and — along with the increasingly fast-paced, perilous adventures that sweep up Vimes once he catches the attention of a true villain — it helps keep the novel’s elements of tragedy from diverting Entertainment to the solemn service of Message.”

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Rawn, Melanie : Touchstone
(Tor 978-0-7653-6347-3, $7.99, 464pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Mon 24 Dec 2012
• Glass Thorns #1

(First edition: Tor, February 2012)

Fantasy novel, first in a series, about a magical theater group run by the son of aristocrats determined to reach high society with his talents.
• Tor’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides a preview.
• The Publishers Weekly review concluded, “This strong, heartfelt, and familiar performer’s tale is full of astonishing promise, powerful but co-dependent friendships, insecurity, and addiction, and it will appeal to fantasy fans and theater lovers alike.”

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Salyards, Jeff : Scourge of the Betrayer
(Night Shade Books 978-1597804516, $14.99, 320pp, trade paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 8 Jan 2013
• Bloodsounder’s Arc #1

(First edition: Night Shade Books, May 2012)

Military fantasy novel, the author’s first novel and first of a series, about a young scribe hired to chronicle the exploits of a band or warriors.
• Night Shade’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides a preview.

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Scalzi, John : Redshirts
(Tor 978-0-7653-3479-4, $14.99, 320pp, trade paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 15 Jan 2013

(First edition: Tor, June 2012)

SF novel, subtitled “A Novel with Three Codas”, about an ensign on a starship who gradually realizes that Away Missions are deadly to the lowest ranking crew members.
• Tor’s site has this description with an excerpt.
• Adrienne Martini’s review last year in Locus Magazine said, “Redshirts gets all metafictional, too, but subtly, while it ponders the meaning of existence. … Without these hints at larger ideas, Redshirts would be a pleasant diversion. With them, it becomes something more interesting to dive into and engage with.”

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West, Michelle : Skirmish
(DAW 978-0-7564-0777-3, $8.99, 752pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Mon 31 Dec 2012
• The House Wars #4

(First edition: DAW, January 2012)

Fantasy novel, fourth in “The House Wars” series following The Hidden City (2008), City of Night (2009), and House Name (2011) about a city besieged by worshippers of the Lord of the Hells.
• The publisher’s site has this description.
• Amazon’s “Look Inside” function provides a preview.
• The Publishers Weekly review noted a change in emphasis: “West capably handles the shift, which almost feels like a change in genre, but for fans who liked the House War series as ‘mannerpunk’ more than epic fantasy, that may not be enough.”

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Zahn, Timothy : Cobra Gamble
(Baen 978-1-4516-3860-8, $7.99, 448pp, mass market paperback, January 2013)
• Nominal Publication Date: Tue 25 Dec 2012
• Cobra War #3

(First edition: Baen, January 2012)

Military SF novel, third in a trilogy following Cobra Alliance (2009) and Cobra Guardian (2011), about nano-tech enhanced warriors built to defend humanity against aliens called Trofts.
• Baen’s site has this description with links to several chapters.

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