It took some effort this year, but we finally managed to put together a decent-sized order of books to bring along for our vacation. In case we’re not alone in suffering a shortage of ideas for what to read, we figured we’d share a few of the titles we’re picking up as well as some of the books we’ve either read recently or will be picking up as soon as they’re released.
Dreamsongs
Collecting a massive body of George’s short fiction, from the very beginning of his career to the present, Dreamsongs also includes fascinating autobiographical introductions to each chronological section. Some of GRRM’s most acclaimed fiction is here—there are those who’ll tell you that there was no finer short story writer in the SF/F genre during the 1970’s—and should not be passed up by any serious fans of his work. The US two-volume edition is not actually out yet, but the UK single-volume edition is available and the content is the same.
Kushiel’s Justice
The fifth book in Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Legacy series is the second book featuring Melisande’s son Imriel as the narrator. In this book he finds himself embarking on a tempestuous affair with his royal cousin Sidonie. A worse match could probably not be found in all of Terre d’Ange, and both Imriel and Sidonie are forced to choose duty over love, thus violating Blessed Elua’s precept.
Ysabel
Guy Gavriel Kay’s latest novel is a departure from his earlier works in that it is set in contemporary France, but other than that this is a gorgeous book that bears the typical Kay hallmarks of wonderful prose, thorough research and careful, meaningful writing.
Red Seas Under Red Skies
Last summer we read the first of Scott Lynch’s novels about Locke Lamora, The Lies of Locke Lamora. Elio (and most of the ASoIaF board with him) found it highly entertaining, and naturally he’ll be getting the second part as soon as it comes out towards the end of June.
Maledicte
This debut novel by Lane Robins is one that we have placed an order for and plan to bring with us on our vacation but that we have yet to read. From the reviews we have seen, it sounds like it could be something that will appeal to fans of Jacqueline Carey and Sarah Monette, in which case we’re quite likely to enjoy it.
The Serpent and the Rose
The name on the cover of this book is Kathleen Bryan, and rather than being the name of a first-time author this happens to be a pseudonym for Judith Tarr, who has a long list of excellent fantasy, historical fantasy and more-or-less pure historicals under her belt. This book is more or less a pure fantasy, though the setting is heavily influenced by medieval France, and it is definitely one of the stronger books that Tarr has produced for a while. In particular, its more likely to have a wider appeal since the element of romance is not as dominant as it has been in some of her other recent novels. The writing is, as always, very polished and elegant.
Age of Bronze
This is one that we just can’t keep from recommending on a regular basis. Eric Shanower’s Age of Bronze is an ambitious, award-winning graphic novel adaptation of the Iliad. Shanower is an excellent writer-artist and his thorough research and painstaking attention to detail makes this a superb adaptation that is a must for anyone with the slightest interest in the Iliad and/or the Greek Bronze Age.
Artesia
Mark Smylie’s magnum opus is an original fantasy creation that draws inspiration from Greek mythology and the ancient world, the Middle Ages, and modern fantasy. But for fans of GRRM, the most important inspiration is doubtless the fact that Smylie has cited A Game of Thrones as a favorite novel. Brutal violence, plate-armored warfare, sex, intrigues, gods and goddesses, enchantments—they’re all there in the Artesia series. Following a woman whose destiny will shake the world, the series unfolds by beginning with a dispute in a backwater region which will lead, progressively, towards more massive conflicts that will decide the fates of kingdoms and empires. Smylie’s prose is often tinged with something Shakespearian, but the artfulness of his brush (it’s all water-colored) and the vividness of his imagination will win fans. The work has been nominated for numerous awards, all well-deserved, and Smylie’s gone on to create an acclaimed publishing business and roleplaying game.