Imagine Me and You
Billy Mernit
Shaye Areheart (Crown), Apr 2008, $23.00
ISBN: 0307395375

In Los Angeles screenwriter and instructor Jordan is upset that his wife Isabella left him, but not worried about her returning to him as he has developed the perfect plan. His scheme is simply to build on his spouse’s jealousies, which will have her running home ASAP.

Since Jordon knows he cannot actually cheat, he must create a girlfriend; as a screenwriter he figures on writing a character for the script. He models his imaginative girlfriend after a former student Naomi. After he begins placing evidence of a lover, Naomi shows-up. There is one problem with her; no one besides Jordan sees or hears her. Confused by Naomi pushing Jordan to come clean with what he really wants and struggling with keeping his web of lies from imploding, Jordan assumes nothing can get worse; however this is not a Hollywood script as his wife and the real Naomi come to town.

Although the story line gets overwhelmed at times by the overkill of advanced screenwriting 401, IMAGINE ME AND YOU is an amusing tale that lampoons Hollywood stereotypes especially the romantic comedy images. Jordan is a fascinating lead character as he struggles between make believe and reality leading to the three women (the two Naomi’s and Isabella) in and out and maybe in or out of his life. He simply lives life as the star of a romantic comedy in which Cary Grant plays him and Katherine Hepburn plays Isabella with him getting the girl at the end. Overall fun to read in spite of too much insider screenwriting slowing down the plot, Billy Mernit satirizes the romantic comedy.

Harriet Klausner

The Immortal Prince
Jennifer Fallon
Tor, May 2008, $27.95
ISBN 9780765316820

In Lebec, royal spymaster Declan Hawkes directs noted ancient Amyranthan lore historian Arkady “Ice Duchess” Desean to question mass murderer Lord Cayal, who miraculously somehow survived a hanging. Declan expects Arkday to prove the dangerous psychopath is delusional with his insane claims of immortality. Bored with his current life cycle and ergo seeking freshness Caval expected his head to be sliced off so that when a new one grew in he would have no memories of his previous life.

Intrigued by the scholar’s energy, he provides her with fascinating information on the legendary Tide Lords who supposedly created the human-animal half-breeds Crasii slaves. The Tide Lords ebb and flow in power reaching their apex every thousand years only to self destruct into squabbles and ultimately myth until the cycle renews. The last time they were at the pinnacle of power was a millennium ago when the great Cataclysm devastated the ancient world and the Tide Lords. Meanwhile Declan also serendipitously abets the rebel halfbreed engineered Crasii while also insuring the secret Cabal remains diligent to defeat the Tide Lords when they return.

The first Tide Lords tale, THE IMMORTAL PRINCE is a fascinating fantasy due to the strong cast in which readers get inside their heads. Fans know Cayal desired decapitation because he believed a new head would grow in containing a blank slate to refresh him; Arkday realizes the ruler expects her pregant but her spouse is gay and she is from the lower class; Caval is Machiavellan working behind the scnes to keep humans safe from when the next high tide occurs; finally the Cassii represented by an imprisoned canine-human is outraged and angry by their inhuman treatment. Although much of the novel is introducing the players and the newest Fallon realm, fans of the author will enjoy the opening of a new fantasy saga.

Harriet Klausner

Infected
Scott Sigler
Crown, Apr 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 9780307406101

The country is stunned as law abiding ethical citizens suddenly turn into homicidal mass murderers. The first reaction in DC beyond presidential and congressional anger, fear and survival is alien terrorism so the CIA is assigned the lead with an assist from CDC since the symptoms of the killers are scratchy blue triangular irritations on their skin.

CIA agent Dew Phillips leads the inquiry with CDC epidemiologist Margaret Montoya as his scientific advisor. They soon believe that alien terrorism is extremely accurate as Margaret studying the corpses of these deranged killers finds each commonly hosted a parasite never seen before and apparently not of this earth. Then they meet a live subject, former football player Perry Dawsey, who is at war with the aliens inside his body demanding he feed them while he demands they leave him.

Modernizing and combining the INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS with the LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Scott Sigler provides an exhilarating horror thriller that grips the audience the moment the first maniacal mass murder occurs and never slows down as the Feds struggle to prevent a deadly parasitical alien invasion. Fast-paced, INFECTED never decelerates as time is running out on mankind with Peter the last Hail Mary hope.

Harriet Klausner

Ink Exchange
Melissa Marr
Harperteen, May 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780061214684

Leslie’s life is totally out of control ever since her mother abandoned the family. Her father turned to alcohol to numb his pain and his gambling debts force his seventeen years old daughter to work as a waitress to pay the bills. Her brother is a druggie who stays calm when he is high on marijuana; all other drugs and abstinence make him violent. To pay for his habit he offers his sister to his druggie pals.

In Faery all is peaceful, which is dangerous for the Dark Court because they feed off of the darker emotions like hate, anger, and fear. Leslie goes into a tattoo parlor and selects a very special design that is run by a half-fey. She choose one and an INK EXCHANGE between her and Irial will occur once it is completed. He will then use her as a conduit to feed the darker emotions from humans and faeries to the whole of the Dark Court. Leslie does not realize that the exchange works both ways and Irial feels more for her then the any other human. She must find the strength to become totally independent or Faery will suck the life out of her.

MIDNIGHT INK, the sequel to WICKEDLY LOVELY and VIRAL FAERY, focuses on a world in which the morality on the paranormal plane differs from those on the mortal realm. The Dark Court is not evil, but they think differently and being true to their genetic make-up see humans as sustenance; in fact other courts are much more ruthless not caring about collateral damage. Leslies has choices to make just like any teen, but her are more magical in nature as Melissa Marr writes a wonderful young adult fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

Iron Angel
Alan Campbell
Bantam, May 2008, $25.00
ISBN 9780553384178

Considered impregnable and thus invincible, war came to the city held over a bottomless abyss by chains, Deepgate. Shockingly a betrayal has led to the defeat of the unconquerable as most of the suspension chains have been broken and the toxic fumes previously deployed to keep the barbarians away from the city are now oozing from the fiery edifices. Symbolizing the collapse is the Temple of Church leader Presbyter Sypes who precariously hangs upside down deep into the abyss on the brink of falling. The conquering Spine rules the city with an iron fist.

However, the Gods who resided there are outraged and desperate. They begin a counter offensive against their former equals and now apparent superiors, traitorous Gods, to regain the city even if it means the end of mortal existence. Their weapons for divine retaliation are the angel Dill and traitorous assassin Rachel Hael, whose actions caused much of the destruction. However, they are both prisoners of the Spine yet they remain the hope of the Heavenly residents especially as it is obvious to all that the god Ulcis must have died during the combat for he would never have left open the portal at the bottom of the abyss that leads from Hell to the earth.

The second Deepgate Codex Volume is an interesting gory fantasy that has the middle book feel of setting up for the finish. The story line is extremely vivid as the audience will breathe the toxins, see the infernos, and feel vertigo from the swaying city’s few functioning chains. However, no one, not even the chosen two, seems to step forth to carry the novel; thus that sense of IRON ANGEL being the transitory tale in a trilogy. Still fans of SCAR NIGHT will appreciate Alan Campbell’s deep look at what has happened to Deepgate since the war of the gods erupted.

Harriet Klausner

In the Courts of the Crimson Kings
S.M. Stirling
Tor, Mar 2008, $24.95
ISBN 9780765314895

On Mars, the U.S. Aerospace Force assigns archeologist Jeremy Wainman to explore the recently found lost city of Rema-Dza. When Jeremy meets Martian native mercenary Teyud za-Zhalt, he falls in love. However, he quickly realizes who she is; Teyud is the missing heir to the long gone Crimson Dynasty that once rurled much of the Red Planet.

When they learn of a scheme to steal the Ruby Throne and much more, they team up to prevent it. Soon Jeremy and Teyud are fleeing for their lives as they are under serious attack from airships. If they are to survive and win her the throne of the Emperor Tollamune they will need to locate the missing invisible crown of the first emperor.

Moving from the Venus of THE SKY PEOPLE to paying homage to the Mars of Ray Bradbury, S.M. Stirling provides enjoyable alien-earthling encounters of the first through third kinds. The story line is action-packed only slowing down for nanoseconds in order to lampoon know it all scientists drawing conclusions without supporting data, rigid military officers fighting the last war fought on a different planet, and decider politicians not interested in the facts. Those latter satirical sidebars are amusing and right on with their caricatures, but also distracts from an otherwise delightful visit to the very angry Red Planet.

Harriet Klausner

Immortal
Traci L. Slatton
Delta, Jan 29 2008
ISBN: 978-0385339742

In Florence, Italy Luca Bastardo was abandoned as an infant. He survived the mean streets by begging for his meals. However, he was still a preadolescent when a vicious merchant abducted him turning him into a sex slave with no hope of escape.

However, in spite of his captivity, Luca discovers the worlds of art and alchemy and as he studies them with a deep intensity he also begins to look into religion and philosophy. He meets Giotto and they become close friends. He meets other artists over the decades until over a century since Giotto died he befriends da Vinci. Luca is no ordinary street urchin as the powerful malevolent Silvano family knows and blackmails him into cooperating. They have information about his parents that if provided to the Inquisition would result in Luca being burned at the stakes.

IMMORTAL is a complex tale as the lead protagonist makes what he considers universal truths based on his experiences in his two centuries of life especially his interactions with artists, scientists, church leaders and politicians; yet the one question he is dying to know eludes him: the origin of his life. Luca is the center to this strong historical fiction that sweeps the audience through the late medieval Plague into the Renaissance.

Harriet Klausner

In a Time of Treason
David Keck
Tor, Feb 2008, $25.95
ISBN 9780765313218

As he does periodically, King Ragnal demands his liegemen come to his court to pledge their fealty to him. Among the nobles arriving to vow their dying loyalty to the monarch are Lord Lamoric and his vassal Durand Col. The latter hides his love of his liege’s wife from everyone even the target of his affection although he sees her from afar with longing everyday they are home, which is more frequent than ever as they have no money for travel. Still they must journey to the king’s court or face his wrath at a time when rebellion especially in the north seems imminent.

The pair arrives at the king’s court late to their euphoria as those who came on time reside in Ragnal’s dungeon or in a coffin. The king believes traitors exist among those pledging to him so he is purging them. Col escapes, but finds his enemy the Duke of Yrlac has set him up to die having already begin an incursion into his neighbor’s land that of Lamoric.

More a historical fiction with some underlying fantasy elements, the sequel to IN THE EYE OF HEAVEN is a fabulous thriller because like its predecessor Col makes the man on the run scenario seem genuine. As a knight errant with no prospects and no super powers he is human, which makes the fantasy seem genuine. For instance Col struggles as much from fleas as he does against his enemy. Although the climax is a cliffhanger leaving IN A TIME FOR TREASON without any closure as it ends up setting up the next tale, fans will appreciate David Keck’s fabulous saga.

Harriet Klausner

Inside Straight
George R.R. Martin (Editor)
Tor, Feb 2008, $24.95
ISBN 9780765317810

Although his grandfather will never forgive him as he was part of the age of chivalry before JFK and Jetboy died; Jonathan Hive and twenty-seven extraordinary marvelous superheroes (that word is used loosely) sign onto a survivor reality TV show. In actuality, the chosen 28 have never been heroic, but each has a superhuman skill. These “aces” will initially belong to one of four “suits” while competing in staged contests as only LA-LA land could dream up with losers voted off the show until the greatest American Hero is left standing.

However, as the weeks go by those left standing are stunned by appalling sickening events in the Middle East. There inane games look pathetic when compared to those without superpowers risking their lives. Stunningly several including Jonathan whose grandfather is probably smiling, leave the set to become real American Heroes not just Hollywood Heroes even knowing they may die in their endeavor.

The latest round of the Wild Cards thrillers starts a new saga in which several authors (
Daniel Abraham, Melinda M. Snodgrass, Carrie Vaughan, Michael Cassutt, Caroline Spector, John Jos. Miller, George R. R. Martin, Ian Tregillis and S. L. Farrell) contribute. The well written tale reads smooth (a trademark of the previous entries) in spite of the numerous contributors while satirizing reality TV and world affairs. INSIDE STRAIGHT entertains the audience but also asks readers to ponder two key points. First who is a hero reminds us of Charles Barkley’s “I am not a role model. Parents should be the role models”; in this case soldiers are the heroes. Second that with great power comes greater responsibly beyond “Bring em on” bravado from a safe house or Hollywood set. This is an excellent exciting and thought provoking royal flush as the whole is greater than the individual sums.

Harriet Klausner

Inferno
Ellen Datlow (editor)
Tor. Dec 2007, $25.95
ISBN: 9780765315588

Editor Ellen Datlow sets the stage for what she demanded of her twenty contributors in the Introduction to her first nonthemed new tales anthology. She directed her chosen author to shock the audience into a psychosomatic fear so that the reader sleeps fitfully with the lights on ultra bright or seek company to pretend their fright is under control. The entries for the most part provide “the reader with a frisson of shock, or a moment of dread so powerful it might cause the reader outright physical discomfort … or to linger in the reader’s consciousness…long after the final word is read.” No story is bad with most being excellent and meeting the Datlow bar using a creepy atmospheres will scare the sense of safe security out of everyone even Michael Chertoff. Fans of Elizabeth Bear will want to read “Inelastic Collisions” as she implies what may be coming in her Great Bear constellation. Others like Christopher Fowler’s homage to the 1960s “The Uninvited” and “Ghorla” by Mark Samuels will resonate with older readers. With a virtual who’s who, INFERNO is a strong short story horror collection that shows why this genre is so suited to the format, but needs a warning label that our electricity bills are going to exponentially rise.

Harriet Klausner