John Joseph Adams, ed., The Mad Scientist’s Guide to World Domination
(Tor Feb 2013)

This (mostly) original anthology provides a range of takes on the Mad Scientist trope from authors including Theodora Goss, Austin Grossman, Harry Turtledove, Seanan McGuire, Naomi Novik, Genevieve Valentine, and more. It’s ‘‘a really interesting anthology that gives us a number of perspectives, mostly funny but also often thoughtful, on this most clichéd trope of adventure fiction.’’ [Karen Burnham]

 




Poul Anderson, The Collected Short Works of Poul Anderson, Volume 5: The Door to Anywhere
(NESFA Press Feb 2013)

The ongoing series of the SF Grand Master’s short fiction continues with this collection of 21 stories, including some set in the popular Dominic Flandry, Hokas, Nicholas van Rijn, Stephen Matuchek & Virginia Graylock, and Time Patrol worlds.

 




Robert Jackson Bennett, American Elsewhere
(Orbit US Feb 2013)

The Shirley Jackson Award-winning author gives us another atmospheric vision of America’s dark side, as a retired cop moves to the small, idyllic town of Wink NM – a place that’s literally too good to be true.

 




C. Robert Cargill, Dreams and Shadows
(Harper Voyager Mar 2013)

The screenwriter and critic’s debut novel runs the gamut from the comic to the tragic, taking place partly in magical worlds and partly in our contemporary one, with an ‘‘eclectic approach to fantasy, mingling the domains of Faerie, Djinn, and angels with modern Austin TX, for a book about changelings and worlds only a ‘veil’ apart.’’ [Faren Miller]

 




Robin Hobb, The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince
(Subterranean Press Mar 2013)

This novella set in the Farseer fantasy series tells the truth behind a legend from the earliest days of the world’s history, about a headstrong queen-to-be, her maid, and a bastard child. ‘‘This is a tale of intrigues, resentments, and magics in a court small enough for matters to boil over into anger, then tragedy.’’ [Faren Miller]

 




Caitlín Kiernan, writing as Kathleen Tierney, Blood Oranges
(Roc Feb 2013)

The celebrated author of dark fiction takes a pseudonymous diversion into the ‘‘paranormal romance’’ genre, or at least a satire of same, with tongue firmly in cheek (and claws fully extended). This begins a series about junkie monster hunter Siobhan Quinn, who has a bad night and becomes both a vampire and a werewolf, bringing her to the attention of even scarier forces than usual. ‘‘It’s a lot of fun, and it will be interesting to see if it can ironically enjoy some of the successes of the very genre it subverts.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]

 




Nancy Kress, Flash Point
(Viking Nov 2012)

Kress’s latest foray into YA SF follows a desperate teenager who signs up to appear on a cutting-edge reality show, hoping to make enough money to support her struggling family – only to find the show is actually a rigged and potentially deadly game.

 




Karen Lord, The Best of All Possible Worlds
(Ballantine Del Rey Feb 2013)

This follow-up to the author’s debut fantasy Redemption in Indigo is part anthropological SF in the tradition of Le Guin, and part romance. ‘‘I don’t think I’ve quite seen anything like this combination in SF – a light romantic comedy in the shadow of a tragic apocalypse – but it ends up working better than you think it will…. [Lord’s] graceful prose, ingratiating characters, and palpable love of SF knit it all together in a satisfying – and adventurous – departure from expectations.’’ [Gary K. Wolfe]

 




Evie Manieri, Blood’s Pride
(Tor Feb 2013)

This debut novel (published last year in the UK) begins the Shattered Pillars fantasy series, set in a quasi-medieval world where cultures reminiscent of Viking raiders and desert nomads clash over the fate of both individuals and civilizations, all amid strange magic and customs. ‘‘It’s a remarkable feat for a newcomer, and leaves me eager for the sequel, Fortune’s Blight.’’ [Faren Miller]

 




Tim Pratt, Antiquities and Tangibles and Other Stories
(Merry Blacksmith Feb 2013)

This new collection gathers 23 recent stories – three original – from the Hugo Award-winning author (and Locus senior editor). Includes Sturgeon Memorial Award finalist ‘‘Her Voice in a Bottle’’ and Stoker Award nominee ‘‘The Dude Who Collected Lovecraft’’ (with Nick Mamatas).

 




Neal Stephenson, Greg Bear & Mark Teppo, et al, The Mongoliad: Book Three
(47North Feb 2013)

This concluding volume in the epic alternate history Foreworld Saga chronicles the final clash between the freedom fighters of Europe and the Khan’s brutal invading Mongol army, with the meticulous medieval detail and sword-swinging adventure readers have come to adore.

 




Catherynne M. Valente, Six-Gun Snow White
(Subterranean Press Mar 2013)

This wild west fairy tale reinvents the classic story in a milieu rich in Native American mythology. ‘‘Valente rips the beating heart out of the old versions of the story, dissects it to see how it works, jams it back into this new tale, and gives it a jolt of juice to bring it back to life…. a vital marvel.’’ [Faren Miller]