Release Week: Returns to Ringworld and Shannara

Release Week: Returns to Ringworld and Shannara

Posted on 2012-08-21 at 19:54 by Sam

The release week of Tuesday August 21 brings another chapter to two classic series, one sf and one fantasy, along with an intriguing horror title.

Fate of Worlds: Return from the Ringworld By Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner, Narrated by Tom Weiner for Blackstone Audio — Series: Ringworld, Book 5 — Length:9 hrs and 54 mins —”The explosive finale to the Ringworld and the Fleet of Worlds series… For decades, the spacefaring species of known space have battled over the largest artifact - and grandest prize - in the galaxy: the all-but-limitless resources and technology of the Ringworld. Now, without warning, the Ringworld has vanished, leaving behind three rival war fleets.”

Wards of Faerie: The Dark Legacy of Shannara By Terry Brooks, Narrated by Rosalyn Landor for Random House Audio (Random House) — Length:14 hrs and 25 mins — “Seven years after the conclusion of the High Druid of Shannara trilogy, New York Times best-selling author Terry Brooks at last revisits one of the most popular eras in the legendary epic fantasy series that has spellbound listeners for more than three decades. When the world was young, and its name was Faerie, the power of magic ruled - and the Elfstones warded the race of Elves and their lands, keeping evil at bay. But when an Elven girl fell hopelessly in love with a Darkling boy of the Void, he carried away more than her heart. Thousands of years later, tumultuous times are upon the world now known as the Four Lands. Users of magic are in conflict with proponents of science. Elves have distanced their society from the other races. The dwindling Druid order and its teachings are threatened with extinction. A sinister politician has used treachery and murder to rise as prime minister of the mighty Federation. Meanwhile, poring through a long-forgotten diary, the young Druid Aphenglow Elessedil has stumbled upon the secret account of an Elven girl’s heartbreak and the shocking truth about the vanished Elfstones. But never has a little knowledge been so very dangerous - as Aphenglow quickly learns when she’s set upon by assassins.”

ALSO OUT TUESDAY:

• Horror: The Devil in Silver By Victor LaValle, Narrated by Victor LaValle for Dreamscape Media — Length:13 hrs and 48 mins — LaValle takes on “the haunted house” story, though this house is a budget-strapped mental institution…
  
• Fable: Edge of the World By Christie Golden, Narrated by Jon Smith for Random House Audio — Length:7 hrs and 5 mins — “The official prequel novel to the Xbox 360 videogame Fable:™ The Journey. It’s been almost a decade since the events of Fable 3, when the Hero vanquished the threat across the sea and claimed his throne. As king he led Albion to an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity. But on the night of his wedding to his new queen, ominous word arrives: The darkness has returned.”
• Battle Station: Star Force, Book 5 By B. V. Larson, Narrated by Mark Boyett for Audible Frontiers — Length:11 hrs and 43 mins
• Lure of the Dead: The Last Apprentice, Book 10 By Joseph Delaney and Patrick Arrasmith, Narrated by Christopher Evan Welch for Harper Audio — Series: Last Apprentice, Book 10 — Length:7 hrs and 16 mins
• A World of Talent and Other Stories By Philip K. Dick, Narrated by William Coon for Eloquent Voice — Length:4 hrs and 14 mins
• Teen: Such Wicked Intent: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein By Kenneth Oppel, Narrated by Luke Daniels for Brilliance Audio — Length:8 hrs and 15 mins
• Teen: The Rise of Nine By Pittacus Lore, Narrated by Neil Kaplan, Devon Sorvari, and Marisol Ramirez — Series: The Lorien Legacies, Book 3 — Length:10 hrs and 8 mins
• Non-Genre: Lionel Asbo: State of England By Martin Amis, Narrated by Alex Jennings for AudioGO (Knopf in print/e-book) — Length:9 hrs and 45 mins — One which is only on my radar via Lev Grossman’s TIME column on books: “A savage, funny, and mysteriously poignant saga by a renowned author at the height of his powers. Lionel Asbo, a terrifying yet weirdly loyal thug (self-named after England’s notorious Anti-Social Behaviour Order), has always looked out for his ward and nephew, the orphaned Desmond Pepperdine.  He provides him with fatherly career advice (always carry a knife, for example) and is determined they should share the joys of pit bulls (fed with lots of Tabasco sauce), Internet porn, and all manner of more serious criminality.  Des, on the other hand, desires nothing more than books to read and a girl to love (and to protect a family secret that could be the death of him).  But just as he begins to lead a gentler, healthier life, his uncle—once again in a London prison—wins £140 million in the lottery and upon his release hires a public relations firm and begins dating a cannily ambitious topless model and “poet.”  Strangely, however, Lionel’s true nature remains uncompromised while his problems, and therefore also Desmond’s, seem only to multiply.”

EARLIER THIS WEEK:

• Space Cadet By Robert A Heinlein, Narrated by David Baker for Full Cast Audio — Length:7 hrs and 37 mins — a full cast performance of the classic Heinlein juvenile; the first “real book” I remember reading (thanks dad!)
  
• Short: Total Recall By Philip K. Dick, Narrated by Phil Gigante for Brilliance Audio — Length:59 mins — I remember this being titled “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” but I suppose a second movie based on the story tips the balance in marketing’s favor
  
• Doctor Who: Wheel of Ice By Stephen Baxter, Narrated by David Troughton for AudioGO — Length:9 hrs and 48 mins — There are a lot of Dr. Who tie-in novels out there, and I don’t take notice to them too often. But here’s one from the impeccably pedigreed sf author Stephen Baxter. Hm…
• Mystery/Thriller: The Magician’s Tale: A Kay Farrow Novel By William Bayer, Narrated by Talmadge Ragan for Crossroad Press — Length:14 hrs and 12 mins
• Mystery/Thriller: Syndrome E By Franck Thilliez, translated by Mark Polizzotti, Narrated by Gildart Jackson — Length:13 hrs and 18 mins
• Teen: The Brass Dragon By Marion Zimmer Bradley, Narrated by Michael Spence — Length:4 hrs and 46 mins

SEEN BUT NOT HEARD:

• Collection: Report from Planet Midnight by Nalo Hopkinson (PM Press Outspoken Authors series, Aug 15)
• The Rising: A Department 19 Novel (Department Nineteen) by Will Hill (Razorbill, Aug 16)
• YR: Gustav Gloom and the People Taker by Adam-Troy Castro (Penguin/Grosset & Dunlap, August 16) — “Enter an exciting new world of shadows from Hugo Award nominee Adam-Troy Castro. Meet Gustav Gloom.”
• Collection: Birds and Birthdays by Christopher Barzak (Aqueduct Press, Aug 20)
• Collection: How to Traverse Terra Incognita by Dean Francis Alfar (Flipside Publishing, Aug 21) — Philippines writer Alfar’s new collection
• Ghost Key by Trish J. MacGregor (Tor, Aug 21, 2012)
• Black Bottle by Anthony Huso (Tor, Aug 21, 2012)
• Hidden Things: A Novel by Doyce Testerman (Harper Voyager, Aug 21)
• Genocidal Organ by Project Itoh (VIZ Media LLC/Haikasoru, Aug 21)
• The Unincorporated Future by Dani Kollin & Eytan Kollin (Tor Books) — concludes series of The Unincorporated Man (2009), The Unincorporated War (2010), and The Unincorporated Woman (2011)
• The Manual of Aeronautics: An Illustrated Guide to the Leviathan Series by Scott Westerfeld (Simon Pulse, Aug 21)
• Anthology: Walrus Tales edited by Kevin Donihe (Eraserhead Press, July 4, 2012) — “Featuring stories by Bentley Little, John Skipp, Carlton Mellick III, Nick Mamatas, Alan M. Clark, Mykle Hansen, Rhys Hughes, Violet LeVoit, Ekaterina Sedia, Andersen Prunty, Bradley Sands, Gina Ranalli, Mo Ali and more.”

LATER THIS WEEK:

• A Guile of Dragons by James Enge (Pyr, listed as August 24 but already shipping and on shelves) — “It’s dwarves versus dragons in this origin story for Enge’s signature character, Morlock Ambrosius! Before history began, the dwarves of Thrymhaiam fought against the dragons as the Longest War raged in the deep roads beneath the Northhold. Now the dragons have returned, allied with the dead kings of Cor and backed by the masked gods of Fate and Chaos.”
• Reaper (Lightbringer #2), by K.D. McEntire (August 24, Pyr)
• Dusk Watchman (The Twilight Reign, Book Five) by Tom Lloyd (Pyr, Aug 24, 2012) — no audio news

NEXT WEEK (Aug 28):

• The Spark by Susan Jane Bigelow (Candlemark & Gleam, August 28) — book three after 2011’s well-received Unbroken and January’s Fly Info Fire from this high quality small press
• Anthology: Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron edited by Jonathan Strahan (Aug 28, 2012)
• Mockingbird by Chuck Wendig (Angry Robot)
• Death of Light by Peter Crowther (Angry Robot, Aug 28, 2012)
• Devil Said Bang: A Sandman Slim Novel by Richard Kadrey (Harper Voyager)
• Breakdown by Katherine Amt Hanna (47North)
• Seven Wonders by Adam Christopher (Angry Robot, Aug 28, 2012)
• Sanctuary (The Outcast Chronicles #3), by Rowena Cory Daniells (August 28, Solaris)
• Cold Fire (Spiritwalker #2) by Kate Elliott (Orbit, Aug 28)
• Ghost of a Dream by Simon R. Green (Ace, Aug 28)
• Ghost Spin by Chris Moriarty (Spectra, Aug 28, 2012)
• Death Warmed Over (Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I.) by Kevin J. Anderson (Kensington, Brilliance Audio, Aug 28)
• Endgame (A Sirantha Jax novel) by Ann Aguirre (Ace, Aug 28)
• Soul Trade by Caitlin Kittredge (St. Martin’s, Aug 28)
• The Shattered Vine: Book Three of The Vineart War by Laura Anne Gilman (Pocket Books, Aug 28)
• The Dragons of Winter (The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica #6), by James A. Owens (August 28, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
• Vanquished (Crusade #3), by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie (August 28, Simon Pulse)
• Wrayth (Book of the Order #3), by Phillippa Ballantine (August 28, Ace)
• Bloodstar (Star Corpsman: Book One) by Ian Douglas (Harper Voyager, August 28)
• The Corpse-Rat King by Lee Battersby (Angry Robot, Angry Robot on Brilliance Audio, Aug 28)
• Taken (An Alex Verus Novel) by Benedict Jacka (Ace, Aug 28)
• Every Day by David Levithan (Knopf Books for Young Readers, Listening Library, Aug 28) — “Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.”
• Anthology: Foretold: 14 Tales of Prophecy and Prediction edited by Carrie Ryan (Delacorte Books for Young Readers, Aug 28)
• Heir of Novron by Michael J. Sullivan (Orbit, January 2012) — the third volume (collecting books 5 and 6) of Sullivan’s Riyria Revelations is due in audio from Recorded Books on September 1
• Legion, by Brandon Sanderson (August 31, Subterranean)
• Collection: No Sharks in the Med and Other Stories by Brian Lumley (Subterranean, Aug 31)
• Teen: Zeuglodonby James Blaylock (Subterranean Press, Aug 31) — “set in the world envisioned in James Blaylock’s The Digging Leviathan”
• Clockwork Angels by Kevin J. Anderson, read by Neal Peart for Brilliance Audio (Sep 1) — Peart reading the novelization by Anderson for Peart’s concurrently releasing Rush album
• Collection: Near + Far by Cat Rambo (Hydra House, September 1, 2012)

TWO WEEKS (Sep 4):

• Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (FS&G, September 4) — “Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.”
• The Kingmakers by Clay and Susan Griffith (Pyr, September 4) — the conclusion of their Vampire Empire series which began with 2010’s The Greyfriar and 2011’s The Rift Walker — book one came to audio earlier this year from Buzzy Multimedia, read by James Marsters, and the remaining books will be coming along eventually
• The Fractal Prince by Hannu Rajaniemi (Tor UK, Sep 4, 2012) — Tor US release in October
  
• Punk: An Aesthetic by Jon Savage, William Gibson, Linder Sterling and Johan Kugelberg (Rizzoli, Sep 4, 2012) — this “heavily illustrated” book is not a good match for audio, but it’s on my list anyway, well, because Gibson. So there.
• Teen: Origin by Jessica Khoury (Razorbill, Sep 4)
• Teen: Blackwood by Gwenda Bond (Strange Chemistry, Sep 4)
• Ashes of Honor (October Daye, #6) by Seanan McGuire (Brilliance Audio, September 6, 2012)

THREE WEEKS (Sep 11):

• The Blinding Knife (Lightbringer, #2) by Brent Weeks (Orbit, September 11)
• YA/YR: The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan (Knopf, Sep 11, 2012)

FOUR WEEKS (Sep 18):

• The Forge of Darkness by Steven Erikson (Tor, Sep 18)  — begins a new trilogy “that takes place millennia before the events of the Malazan Book of the Fallen and introduces readers to Kurald Galain, the warren of Darkness.”
• Midst Toil and Tribulation (Safehold) by David Weber (Tor, Sep 18)
• Collection: Beautiful Sorrows by Mercedes M. Yardley (Shock Totem Press, Sep 22)

FIVE WEEKS (Sep 25):

• Alchemystic by Anton Strout (Ace, Sep 25) — Book One of The Spellmason Chronicles — “Alexandra Belarus is a struggling artist living in New York City, even though her family is rich in real estate, including a towering Gothic Gramercy Park building built by her great-great-grandfather. But the truth of her bloodline is revealed when she is attacked on the street and saved by an inhumanly powerful winged figure.”
• Bad Glass by Richard E. Gropp (Del Rey, Sep 25) — winner of the Del Rey/Suvudu Writing Contest from the author of the powerful 2011 short story “Filling up the Void”

Posted in regular, Release Week | Tagged edward m lerner, larry niven, release week, ringworld, shannara, terry brooks, victor lavalle, wards of faerie