The Well of Shades
Juliet Marillier
Tor, May 2007, $26.95
ISBN 0765309971

In the sixth-century, bard and king’s spy, Fortriu Faolan of the Uí Néill clan has been assigned three complex and difficult tasks. Pict King Bridei orders Faolan to locate a cleric Colmcille. For himself, Faolan needs to go home to Erin to make peace with his family whom he left behind a decade ago after they were all devastated with the death of his oldest brother. Finally the hardest task of all of all is that he owes his late friend Deord the courtesy of informing the man’s family that he died.

Faolan travels to Cloud Hill to deal with the most demanding of his chores, but finds an even more formidable task awaits him when he meets Deord’s indigent sixteen years old daughter, Eile and her infant. He puts his personal quest and that of his monarch on hold to escort the child and grandchild of his brother in arms back to the safety of King Bridei’s court. However, instead of returning to his mission, he and Eile become entangled in a scheme to destroy Bridei’s half-fey son, Derelei . Bridei’ enemies hope tis he beginning of the end of the ruler’s dream to unite the country under his rule.

Book Three of the exciting historical fantasy Bridei Chronicles (see THE DARK MIRROR and BLADE OF FORTRIU) is a terrific entry as the audience learns more about the pasts of Bridei and Faolan. The story line is fast-paced and will elate fans of the series yet newcomers will have no problem understanding the plot as it can stand alone. Readers will enjoy Faolan’s latest escapdes as he teams up with the teenage daughter of his late friend.

Harriet Klausner

Dreaming the Serpent Spear
Manda Scott
Delta, May 2007, $14.00
ISBN 038533835X

Two decades have passed since the Roman legion began their occupation of Britannia. Now in 60 AD, the local tribes finally have put aide their bickering to join as one in a revolt to send the conquerors off their island. However, though over five-thousand are ready for the war, the only leader who can rally the tribes is not.

Breaca of the Eceni, called Boudica the Warrior Queen by the Romans, recovers physically from a brutal whipping that the Romans gave her as a lesson to anyone fostering revolution. More difficult to Breaca is the gang rape of her daughter Graine by legionaries that has left her to doubt her abilities to protect her people since was unable to keep one person safe. She prefers to say no and heal her mental wounds, but also knows that no one else can rally the tribes so she agrees to lead the revolt. While the Romans make a rare tactical error by assaulting an Eceni stronghold Mona leaving them vulnerable for Breaca and the tribes attack on their island capital Camulodunum, which is burned to the ground. With much of the eastern side at war, the two armies will soon meet for a final confrontation that will decide who rules over Britannia.

The final Boudica Dreaming thriller (see DREAMING THE EAGLE, DREAMING THE BULL, and DREAMING THE HOUND) is a fabulous ancient historical fiction tale that keeps the suspense coming from start to finish although the winner of the war is known. The key is the heroine who suffers from what appears to be battle fatigue syndrome, but feels duty and responsibility calls her for her to lead her side. Manda Scott rules the sub-genre with her delightful intelligent Britannia saga.

Harriet Klausner

One with the Night
Susan Squires
St. Martin’s, Apr 2007, $6.99
ISBN 0312941021

In 1821 obstetrician and research scientist Dr. James Blundell takes his daughter Jane to Urquhart Valley, Scotland where he continues his work to find a cure for vampirism, a disease that his offspring suffers from having been infected by a blood sample in his laboratory. When a monster attacks the Blundells, vampire Callan Kilkenny comes to their rescue. Afterward, he asks James if he has found the cure, but the scientist explains he can kill the parasite, but has not found a way to save the human host too.

Jane helps Callan, injured in his recent fight to the death with the monster, inside their home. Though she has told her father almost everything about her needs including sipping blood like a lady from a cup, she hides from him her exponentially craving for sex that she has barely controlled until now. She hungers for Callan and he burns for her. As they fall in love, others having read of James’ research. They have come from as far way as Marrakech to steal his “elixir” with avaricious plans to use expendable vampiric pawns to gain even more deadly power.

Few writers combine a sensual romance within a supernatural thriller as well as Susan Squires consistently does. Her latest is a terrific Regency vampire romantic suspense starring two courageous heroes battling one hell of a meanie. The story line grips the audience from the opening birthing to the final confrontation between good and evil as sub-genre fans will wonder who will prove triumphant.

Harriet Klausner

The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss
Daw, Apr 2007, $24.95, 904 pp.
ISBN: 075640407X

As a child, Kvothe traveled with his parents from town to town as part of a troupe giving performances. His parents were quite talented, had the patronage of a lord, and stopped at only the best places. The troupe added Abertino who taught Kvothe much about his magic and was quite surprised how easily the lad picked up his lessons. After his mentor leaves the troupe, Kvothe decides to attend the University where he can obtain formal lessons in the use of magic. However his life is shattered after returning from a long solo walk to ponder his future; he finds everyone including his parents dead, killed by the Chandrian because his dad was collecting knowledge on them so that he could write a song about them.

A traumatized Kvothe heads for the big city where he becomes a homeless vagabond who is picked on by everyone who lives on the streets. Still he does what he must to stay alive until he finally reaches the University. Three days later he is moved into the Arcanum, the school of magic where he makes an enemy of an older student Ambrose, who makes Kvothe’s life miserable, which escalates until he jeopardizes the newcomer’s life. Kvothe has had enough and gets Ambrose in trouble with the school authorities. Some call him a hero; others a killer as his legend has just begun.

This is a complex enthralling “biographical” fantasy that will stun sub-genre fans with its vividness and depth as if Patrick Rothfuss has written numerous thrillers instead of his first. Kvothe’s youthful tale is told mostly by him as he ventures forth once his beloved parents and the rest of those in his “world” were murdered. Readers will appreciate this strong saga of a young hero’s salad days while looking forward to further escapades of Kvothe in “day two” of his story to the Chronicler.

Harriet Klausner

Down the Road: On the Last Day
Bowie Ibarra
Permuted Press, Jan 2007
ISBN: 0978970721

Nobody knows where or how it started, but people suddenly became ill from a plague and died only to be reanimated as zombies. These born again creatures have lostthe ability to logically plan with their only objective to eat the living. Anyone butchered by them turned. The plague spread exponentially around the country although some small human enclaves like Beauxville were able to close their borders after removing the zombies from within.

Desperate the United States invites UN troops onto its soil to help Homeland Security and local law enforcement cope with the crisis. People were ordered to go to FEMA camps and leave behind safe towns. Those who refused the marital law order were killed. Red La Rue and Alex Rich team up and head to Beeville, which they heard remains a safe independent town. However, near the outskirts of the town, they observe a UN unit preparing to mount a deadly assault.

Bowie Ibarra writes an intelligent paranormal thriller loaded with blood, and gore that enables the reader to understand fully how dangerous the zombies, the government, and human marauders have become in a world filled with malice and mayhem. The outside forces have their plans for America while those besieged by a power hungry government and hungry zombies struggle to stay free and live. DOWN THE ROAD: ON THE LAST DAY is a great Zombie saga that will have George Romero reconsider his epics

Harriet Klausner

Kingdom Come: The Final Victory
Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins
Tyndale, April 2007
ISBN: 0842360611

With Lucifer locked away for a thousand years, Jesus Christ’s reign over the inhabitants of the Earth for the next millennium begins. At the beginning it is a beautiful place where rivers of milk, wine, and purified water flow freely in Jerusalem. David is the prince who answers only to Christ and all the people are believers. Cameron and Chloe Williams run the Children of the Tribulation school that teaches all the youngsters who were alive at the Glorious Appearing to give their lives to Christ. Each person has until the 100th birthday to be saved otherwise they will die.

As the death of the non-believers rise, a cult comes into being, the Children of the Light who not only turn their back on Christ but worship Satan. They believe their children’s children will keep the faith so that when Satan is freed, their side will win. Kenny Bruce, the leader of the Millennium Force, doesn’t trust Qasin Marid who wants to not only be a member but an infiltrator. Kenny, Cameron and Chloe’s grandson believes he is behind all the bad things that are happening to him, making Kenny look like a false believer. Time will prove he is on the right side. Rafe, Mac, Tsion, Irene, and Chaim are rebuilding the infrastructure of the various countries while Abdullah is in Amman being a preacher to the COL. As time passes and the millennium kingdom ends, everyone is looking forward to be lifted up to heaven.

With the publication of KINGDOM COME, the tribulation series comes to a glorious end. Readers will enjoy seeing their favorite characters in the millennial kingdom and enjoy watching the children of the tribulation force take way to make of their parents. The descriptions of a hundred years of paradise are beautiful and makes one think earth should be like that. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins are marvelous storytellers who appeal to both secular and Christian audiences.

Harriet Klausner

Troy: Shield of Thunder
David Gemmell
Ballantine, Apr 2007, $25.95
ISBN: 0345477014

Helen resides inside the safe walls of Troy under the protection of her husband Menelaus. Her former lover Paris fumes helplessly outraged by his beloved being in the arms of another. Meanwhile using the rescuing of Helen as a ploy, King Agamemnon of Mycenae begins to gather armies and a thousand ships to sail across the Great Green Sea with plans to invade Ilium so he can loot and destroy the great city of Troy. King Priam of Troy prepares his city for the war by arranging a marriage between his son Hektor and Princess Andromache of Thebe as he anticipates the Greek siege that he feels he can outlast until his new marital ally arrives to help him; Priam also believes the Princess will one day bear the legendary Eagle Child monarch and so having her inside the walls adds to his confidence of survival.

Across the Great Green Sea men seeking to become heroes or running away from troubles merge under Agamemnon’s banner. However, strange bedfellows arise when Priam debases King Odysseus of Ithaka, who planned to remain out of the war. Insulted Odysseus leads his mighty military joining Agamemnon’s assault on Troy as the war ignites on the Plains of Ilium.

The second Troy thriller as did its precedent (see TROY: LORD OF THE SILVER BOW) pays homage to Homer, but also to talented author David Gemmell who passed away recently. Mr. Gemmell provides a deep look at the legendary figures involved in the tale of Helen of Troy as he gets behind the scenes to “expose” those who used her to launch the thousand ships. The tale remains true to its Ancient Greek roots, yet has a modern day feel to it as political intrigue and avarice become key motivators. As with the Lord of the Silver Bow, Shield of Thunder is a superb rendition of a classic that can be read without the first story, but clearly builds on the saga of Troy as Mr. Gemmell provides a fitting tribute as a great legends teller.

Harriet Klausner

Ancestor
Scott Sigler
Dragon Moon Press, Apr 2007
ISBN: 1896944736

The Novozyme Corporation was working on xeno transplantation by putting the human DNA of one animal to keep donor organs from rejecting what it thinks is a dangerous invader. A virus previously contained among pigs leaps species and eradicates all the humans inside the Novazyme compound. The US government vaporized the site and plans to do likewise to other locations working similar experimental design research starting with Grenada where a firm is working with DNA to recreate the original “Eve” of all mammals.

Dante Paglione, the chief of the project, has a CIA mole on his payroll so he learns about the eradication plan so he moves his secret labs, team and equipment from Baffin Island to Black Manitou Island in Lake Superior. There brilliant scientist Jian makes a breakthrough that enables the implant of a special embryo that grows in a fetus recreating the original ANCESTOR. There is only one slight problem when the ANCESTOR is reborn; this is not a cute little harmless creature. This is a deadly evil hunter/killer creature that will kill any animal including human in its path.

Readers who liked the book or movie Jurassic Park will enjoy ANCESTOR, a genetic experiment that succeeded too well as philanthropic good intentions pave the way to hell with murder and cover-up of the return of a species with no natural enemies still living. Scott Sigler shows what happens when corporate science ignores morality for profit only (though defining common morality is difficult as shown by the stem cell research). ANCESTOR is a cautionary thriller along the lines of Frankenstein warning readers that science without moral considerations is dangerous to all mankind.

Harriet Klausner

Night Life
Elizabeth Guest
Berkley, Apr 2007,
ISBN: 0425214826

He was a revered pharaoh, but was betrayed by those he held close to his heart. His benevolent reign and his life ended in assassination. Millennia pass; Adrian King, that former ruler of the Ancient Egypt, has returned to life, if one can call being a vampire living as a ritual brought him back from the dead. He struggles to contain his desire to become a blood drinker even as his present kingdom is vastly different from the Nile Empire he ruled over as instead he owns the Royal Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Egyptologist Christine Day is stunned with how authentic to the minute detail the Royal Palace emulates an Ancient Egypt palace. Adrian notices her and realizes she is the Beautiful One haunting his recent dreams. He desires her and feels obligated to tell the woman he believes is his soulmate the truth about his previous life. However, those who once killed Adrian the Pharaoh are also awake with an obsession to assassinate him again.

NIGHT LIFE is a superb second chance at life vampiric romance starring two wonderful protagonists who readers will adore and root for as they battle some evil adversaries. The story line is action-packed with the historical tidbits interwoven into the plot so cleverly and diligently that the audience will believe Adrian was indeed once a pharaoh. The irony of the come down from a major empire to ruling a Vegas hotel aside, fans of the sub-genre will appreciate this fine paranormal romantic suspense though the vampire elements seem less critical to Elizabeth Guest’s fine tale than most of the sub-genre entries.

Harriet Klausner

Into The Darkness
Delilah Devlin
Avon Red, Apr 2007, $13.95
ISBN: 0061161233

Following the murders of her parents, Natalie Lambert comes to New Orleans to uncover the identity of their killer. Instead, she is bitten by a creature of the night. To her chagrin, confusion and euphoria Natalie finds she has radically changed since the assault; for she craves sexual passion, an emotion she never felt before the nip on her neck. Other desires are almost as haunting as her sexual appetite. On the down side the animal kingdom has it in for her as she becomes a victim of attacking killer birds and locusts of biblical proportion.

NOPD Police Detective Rene Broussard rescues Natalie from another attack. However, he is unable to remain professionally attached as he cannot resist her lure. The next morning he finds himself in bed with this beauty and a hunger for her like nothing he ever felt before. She reciprocates his feelings as her vampire nature surfaces with his touch. However, one (make that numerous) bites, nips, and caresses, etc. later, the pairs knows they must fight against an evil that is using Hurricane Katrina as a cover to kill vampires especially easy marks like these two in love fledglings.

This is a terrific vampiric erotic romance starring a virgin vampire (making her a unique protagonist) and the cop who rescues her from various attacks and her new sexual cravings. The story line is hot from the first bite to the last bite while the police procedural elements take somewhat of a back seat to the vampiric lust and love of the lead duet. Fans of torrid paranormal romantic suspense will appreciate the two rookies hoping for an eternity of love while praying for surviving a lethal serial killer.

Harriet Klausner