Cape Storm, by Rachel Caine (Roc, 2009)

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There’s a killer storm coming, and it’s headed right for Miami. To lure it away and prevent unimaginable destruction, Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin and her new husband, the djinn David, have amassed a small army of Weather Wardens and allies, and commandeered a cruise liner. Their goal: draw it away from land, and try to take the hurricane apart where no one will be hurt. And then find where the renegade Warden, Bad Bob Biringanine, has holed up with an army of his own, and shut them down for good. No problem, right? Wrong. Major problems. For starters, Joanne’s been infected with a Demon Mark, which is progressively seducing and corrupting her, a process which can only be slowed, not stopped. For another, Bad Bob has access to a substance which utterly destroys djinn. For a third, there are strange, unearthly things hiding on the cruise ship, wearing stolen bodies and waiting for the right moment to strike. And for last, the hurricane refuses to be stopped. When Joanne fails and falls to the dark side, she’ll discover just how bad things can get. What will success cost her and her allies this time, and is it too late? Some wounds never heal….

We’re now eight books into what Caine has described as a nine book storyline, and while Joanne and the others have been through a lot already, this book pushes the limits once again, and alters the status quo in a way that may or may not be recoverable. We’ve seen Joanne die and come back, lose her memory and regain it, become a djinn and return to human, so it’s anyone’s guess as to how these latest changes will stick. It’s interesting all the same to watch the author put her cast through the wringer, even as she invents new and interesting ways to ramp up the tension and the stakes. And believe me, things get pretty intense here.

I doubt many people are going to be leaping on at this point without having read one or more pf the previous releases, but Caine makes it easy to get caught up to speed, providing a quick summary of the major events that have shaped the series thus far. It’s not an ideal jumping-on point, but it’s passable. As for fans who’ve kept up with things all along, they’re bound to be satisfied with this entry. It takes everything we’ve learned to date, and kicks it up a notch. I’m both anxious to see how the series (or at least the overarching plotline) wraps up, and sad to know the end is almost within sight. Cape Storm is another excellent entry in a series that’s been consistently enjoyable all along.

Bone Crossed, by Patricia Briggs (Ace, 2009)

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Poor Mercy Thompson. She just can’t catch a break. She’s still recovering from the horrific series of events chronicled in the previous book (Iron Kissed), which led to her being drugged and raped by a now-very-dead sleazebag, when the twisted schemes of the local vampires come right down on her head. Marsilia, the local Vampire-in-charge, is losing her grip, and people are looking to overthrow her. Stefan, one of Mercy’s best friends, is one of the few vampires truly loyal to Marsilia and powerful enough to make a difference one way or the other. When Stefan turns up, a blackened husk, tortured and starving, in Mercy’s living room, it’s a sign that something’s going on. What’s soon revealed is a Byzantine scheme of betrayal, emotional blackmail, and understated violence, with Mercy right in the middle. Meanwhile, a request from an old friend to investigate a haunted house brings Mercy to the attention of another frighteningly-powerful vampire, one whose own kind have nicknamed “The Monster.” What’s an auto mechanic with the power to turn into a coyote to do? Survive, that’s what.

With each book in the series, Briggs has expanded our understanding of the world Mercy Thompson inhabits, one full of werewolves, vampires, fae, ghosts and shapeshifters. In Bone Crossed, we get some revealing looks at the bizarre abilities vampires manifest, see more of Mercy’s own untapped abilities, and in one gleefully chaotic scene, a rather telling look at how the Fae fit into the picture. To heck with the complicated plots of the vampires, or the dominance games of the werewolves, I’m all for seeing more of the enigmatic Uncle Mike and his bar full of Fae, especially since we get some not-so-subtle hints about his own true nature.

That thought aside, there’s no denying that Briggs has hit her stride in terms of tormenting her heroine, even as Mercy continues to heal, emotionally and psychically, from previous trauma. Her relationship with the local werewolf alpha, Adam, solidifies, and her relationship with his pack likewise takes on a more formalized status. It’s good to see this concrete sense of growth and change; Mercy’s definitely on a journey of some sort, and it’s fun watching her muddle through.

There’s a somewhat insular feel to this book, however. With the werewolves and vampires either just coming out of the supernatural world, or on the brink of doing so, it seems as though there’d be more of a reaction. Unfortunately, Mercy’s so caught up in her personal problems and those of her friends, that we see very little of the greater world, which is a shame. Briggs has set up a potentially fascinating scenario, and I’d love to see her follow through with the emergence of the hidden supernatural into the public eye. We’ve seen some hints and glimpses so far, especially with the way the Fae have been handled, but there’s more to be told.

All in all, Bone Crossed is a satisfying read, and a thoroughly enjoyable installment in Mercy Thompson’s world. With this, the fourth book, arriving in hardcover (whereas the first three were paperback), and the protagonist also headlining her own comic book miniseries, there’s no doubt that this werecoyote mechanic is here to stay for an extended period of time. I’ll be interested to see where things go from here.

Black and White, by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge (Ballantine Spectra, 2009)

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Once they were the best of friends. Now they’re implacable enemies. Joannie “Jet” Greene is a certified hero who uses her powers over shadow and darkness to protect New Chicago. Callie “Iridium” Bradford has used her powers over light to control the underworld of Wreck City, one of New Chicago’s nastiest sectors. They know each other far too well, and for five years, they’ve been at odds. However, all of their previous encounters were just warm-ups compared to what’s about to happen.

Told in alternating chapters, the narrative bouncing between the past and present, the intertwined stories of Jet and Iridium unfold. Their days at the Academy are revealed, exploring how their friendship was forged and broken, detailing the tragic and traumatic moments that turned one woman into a hero, the other into a villain. Meanwhile, in the present, they pursue individual goals which nevertheless overlap and affect one another. Jet’s on the trail of a missing reporter, one who holds the key to a conspiracy that threatens to undermine the very foundation of her daily existence. Iridium has a plan to bring down the support structure which keeps the heroes of the Squadron functioning. But how does the rabidly anti-extrahuman Everyman organization fit into things? As Jet and Iridium work towards their goals, one thing becomes clear: there’s something rotten at the heart of the Academy, and whatever happens will affect every extrahuman alive … and threaten the entire world. Jet and Iridium are about to discover that nothing as as simple as it seems, and it can’t be measured in terms of black and white.

Black and White is a stunning superhero story built on a science fiction framework. Kessler and Kittredge do an excellent job of fleshing out Jet and Iridium’s world, showing us how the existence of superpowered individuals have affected its development over the next century or so, touching upon everything from technology to pop culture. We don’t get to see a lot in regards to normal society, the focus logically falling on how superhumans function, whether it’s their education and training, crime and punishment/rehabilitation, or day-to-day existence. However, enough hints are dropped to suggest that it’s not the happiest of societies, and that an underlying discomfort between human and extrahuman threatens to erupt into something far worse.

Of course, the worldbuilding wouldn’t mean much without the characters to inhabit it, and that’s where Jet and Iridium and all the others come in. From the start, we get to see how these two damaged individuals, each one a product of their society, form a tentative friendship that ultimately devolves into the enmity of the present. They’re believably flawed, both doing things for what they see as the right reasons, even when their actions prove to have unpleasant consequences. The supporting cast is just as fleshed out, from the enigmatic Night to the noble Samson to the quirky Frostbite to the arrogant Hornblower, all of whom have their roles to play throughout the course of the story. The addition of Bruce Hunter as Jet’s sexy assistant, and Taser as a vigilante who teams up with Iridium, injects a certain interesting tension into things; Jet struggles with long-sublimated physical desires, and Iridium wrestles with trust issues.

The plot is fascinatingly layered, with the authors leaping between past and present to drop story seeds and watch them grow. There’s so much happening, and it all ties together, making for a compelling exploration into the secrets at the heart of this society. There’s something corrupt and dark hidden in the depths of the extrahuman world, and watching it all unfold changes the nature of things considerably. Toss in some well-executed action scenes, and you pretty much have an ideal comic book in novel format. It’s going to be a long wait until the next installment of this series.

Bad to the Bone, by Jeri Smith-Ready (Pocket Books, 2009)

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Baltimore residents are all tuning in to WVMP. Not because of its fabulously eclectic range of music, but because of its hot, highly-publicized new gimmick: its DJs are all vampires, playing the music that was hot when they were mortal. ’40s blues, ’50s rockabilly, ’60s psychedelic rock, ’70s reggae, ’80s punk/Goth, and ’90s Generation X/grunge, all represented by bloodsucking creatures of the night. It’s a hell of an attention-getter, and the public eats it up with a spoon, keeping WVMP independent when the soul-crushing conglomerates are on the prowl for more stations to play their conformist crap. But it’s all just a gimmick … right?

Wrong. WVMP’s new marketing manager, ex-con artist Ciara Griffin, has gone Purloined Letter, relying on the public’s disbelief in the supernatural to hide her vampire allies in plain sight. So far, so good. The station’s doing fine, she’s taking business classes, and she’s even settling into a relationship with Shane, the ’90s-era DJ. Not bad for a girl who used to fear commitment, and always plan for a quick escape.

Unfortunately, not everything is copasetic. Religious nutjobs have erected a pirate radio transmitter of their own, solely to interfere with WVMP’s broadcasting, replacing ’80s vamp Regina’s show with Bible-thumping fire and brimstone. A reporter for Rolling Stone is looking for the perfect story, and he’s getting too close to the WVMP vampires for Ciara’s comfort. A vampire dog of unknown origin has adopted Ciara, and her landlord is anti-pets – who knows how he’ll feel about a dog that knocks down doors when it’s time for walkies? Oh, and an anti-vampire cult may be behind some of the above problems. Poor Ciara. Can she protect her vampire friends from discovery, keep the station on the air, maintain her romance with Shane, keep her blood in her veins where it belongs, and still keep her grades up? Here’s a hint:

“November 12. I get my ethics midterm back: an F+. My complete lack of morals is now on my permanent record.”

Once again, Jeri Smith-Ready really knows how to rock and roll, with her clever take on the vampire mythos. The idea that they’re mentally tied to the era in which they were originally alive, and the radio station allows these vampires to keep their sanity and stability, while hiding in plain sight? Awesome. You can’t ask for a better nighttime job than that of graveyard shift disc jockey. Letting a “reformed” con artist handle the station’s marketing and business affairs, and giving her free rein to pursue whatever wacky ideas will keep them afloat? More awesome. Dexter the giant, lovable vampire dog? Oh yeah. The set-up and execution lend themselves well to an entertaining, fast-paced, toothsome tale wrapped around an eclectic playlist of six decades’ worth of hot music.

It’s a measure of my fondness for, and my belief in, Ciara that I actually believe she’d have done just as well without the mysterious anti-holy vampire-healing qualities of her blood. She’s a great character, quick-witted and resourceful and clever, and she doesn’t need that little ‘extra’ to make her otherwise special. Now admittedly, those anti-holy qualities are a major plot point in several parts of the story, but part of me wishes she’d stayed normal. Well, as normal as a con artist-turned-college student-turned-marketing manager dating a grunge rock vampire gets.

That objection aside, and really, it’s a hollow one at best, I don’t have any real complaints. Smith-Ready has found her unique interpretation of a world where vampires exist in secret, where equally shadowy organizations work to either control/manage/protect or destroy/exploit them, and where music can save the day, and it works for me. So fire up your favorite playlist (or use Smith-Ready’s suggested playlist instead), kick back, and enjoy Bad to the Bone.

At Grave's End, by Jeaniene Frost (Avon, 2009)

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As usual, Cat Crawford has problems. Her mother disapproves of her vampire lover, Bones. Her father is an evil scumbag who deserves a long, slow, painful death. Her identity has been exposed to the vampires she hunts for the government, and now they’re hunting her in return. And most annoying of all, Bones has gotten himself involved in some heavy-duty vampire politics, with Cat at his side, and things are about to get monumentally, memorably messy. Is Cat about to suffer a tragedy even she can’t recover from?

There’s a traitor amongst her circle of friends and allies, and if she can’t figure out who’s selling her down the river, there’ll be Hell to pay. But is it Vlad, the charming basis for the most infamous vampire novel of all time, or Doc, who made a name for himself in the Old West, or Annette, who used to care for Bones in her own way? Or is it Tate, the soldier-turned-vampire, who’s never made a secret of his hatred for Bones? There’s no shortage of suspects, and time is running out, even as an ancient vampire plans bloody vengeance. . . .

At Grave’s End continues the adventures of Cat Crawford, half-vampire who hunts renegade bloodsuckers, and Bones, the full vampire who won her heart and taught her how to embrace her nature. As their romance thrives and blazes, they have to deal with all sorts of threats, leading to a nonstop series of action-packed incidents. We get to see even more of the vampire world and its politics here, and it’s never dull. Jeaniene Frost tosses in a few amusing cameos, historical figures turned immortal creatures of the night, and it adds some nice additional color to the atmosphere. As always, the action scenes are dynamic and easy to visualize, and the physical moments between Cat and Bones practically sizzle with passion.

This is a series that never fails to engage and entertain, and At Grave’s End is another treat for those who like vampire-centric urban fantasy. And once again, I have to give a special mention to the gorgeous, eye-catching cover by Thomas Egner, which tells a story in its own right.

A Flash of Hex, by Jes Battis (Ace, 2009)

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Life is never dull for Tess Corday, part of Vancouver’s Occult Special Investigation team. She and her partner Derrick have just been called in to investigate a ritual slaying, a horrible crime that defies nature through the use of blood magic. Unfortunately, it’s just one in a series of increasingly-nasty killings taking place in several cities, and things are going to get much worse before they’re done. The victims are all children of powerful mage families, and the pressure to solve this case is coming from all angles, both political and societal. Something about this case is striking close to home for Tess, and as she gets to the bottom of a centuries-old mystery, she’ll learn things about herself, her past, and her family she never dreamed possible. She’ll push herself to the breaking point, and sorely test the patience of her superiors, all to get the job done. To save those she cares about, it might even be worth it. Of course, it doesn’t help that she’s been ordered to seek out the help of necromancer Lucien Agrado … the one man Tess has serious feelings for, the one relationship absolutely forbidden her by the nature of her job. Awkward? You bet. Good luck with this one, Tess.

Where do I start with describing the many ways in which A Flash of Hex, like its predecessor, Night Child, is awesome? For one thing, the cast inhabiting this world is both eclectic and believable, fully fleshed-out with complex personalities and rich interplay. Tess herself has formed an odd family unit, consisting of her partner Derrick (who’s as out and proud about his sexuality as he’s closeted about being a telepath) and Mia, the teenager (and potential vampire) they gained custody of following a previous case. As unlikely a group as they are, there’s enough heart and spirit in their dealings with one another to sell it as a perfectly natural thing. Mia, it should be noted, is smart and sassy, stealing the show with every scene and every comment she makes. This helps to provide a great deal of the tension-breaking humor that threads through this book’s otherwise dark storyline. A new and welcome addition to the cast is Miles Sedgwick, an out-of-town consultant with some unusual talents of his own, and a knack for lighting Derrick’s fires. And of course there’s Lucien, who’s a pretty good guy for a necromancer, and so very clearly the man for Tess, job restrictions notwithstanding.

It’s not all about the characterization and emotional interaction here. The plot’s intense, clever, and multi-layered, the sort of storyline that’ll keep readers guessing until the very end. It takes some unexpected turns along the way, never quite letting the reader get too complacent. It’s pretty dark at times – Battis isn’t afraid to get down and dirty and visceral when the occasion calls for it – but we never quite lose sight of the light, or what the characters are fighting for. Add in the clever application of semi-real world science and forensics, and you have the perfect melding of urban fantasy and CSI. The urban fantasy field benefits quite nicely from books with this level of intelligence and soul to them. A Flash of Hex is even better than the first in the series, which set a high bar all on its own. I also have to award bonus points for the positive way Battis works in queer elements, including gay and trans characters. This is one series I can’t get enough of.

The Turning Tide, by Diana Pharaoh Francis (Roc, 2009)

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In Crosspointe, there’s no odder group of friends than the trio of Ryland, Shaye, and Fairlie. Ryland, son of Crosspointe’s king, has spent a lifetime trying to live up to his father’s expectations, and would do anything for king and country. Sheye, scion of the powerful Weverton family, is a majicar, capable of weaving magic to great effect. However, he’s no friend of the crown or what it represents. Fairlie has dedicated her life to shaping metal and creating works of art. And even as she achieves her life’s dream of becoming a master in the Metalsguild, she realizes her heart may have room for more than just metal, when Sheye finally admits his love for her.

And then they are betrayed, the trio’s friendship irrevocably destroyed. The king has ordered his son to commit an unthinkable, unforgivable crime in service to Crosspointe, and that one act sets off a chain of cataclysmic events that will reshape Crosspointe forever. The crown needs a majicar capable of shaping the deadly sylveth into compasses, in order to let ships safely navigate the Inland Sea and maintain the web of trade and treaties. But to create such a majicar, someone must be transformed, torn apart and reshaped by sylveth itself. That someone would never be human again. And sources indicate that Fairlie might just be the perfect candidate. But Ryland could never have predicted the consequences that arise as a result of imprisoning Sheye and transforming Fairlie. Now all of Crosspointe will pay in blood and tears, and it’s anyone’s guess as to what’ll be left standing afterwards.

Wow. Diana Pharaoh Francis really kicks over the apple cart in this, the third book of the Crosspointe series. Here we see the desperate lengths to which some people will go in order to achieve their supposedly noble ends, and we see the true cost of politics in Crosspointe. We see how people act with what they consider to be the best of intentions, knowing full well what they’ll endure as a result, and it’s not pretty. We see what some will do for love, and others for revenge, and it’s some pretty powerful storytelling. I was already a fan of the Crosspointe setting; it’s memorable and unique, with its nautical bent, political entanglements and pseudo-Victorian trappings, and we get to see even more of its darker side here. Likewise, the insights we’re granted into the true nature of majicars, sylveth, and the local gods really help to flesh out aspects previously left vague.

Just like in previous books of the series, Francis isn’t afraid to put her characters through the wringer, subjecting them to some intense experiences and trials by fire. I really found myself rooting for Fairlie and Sheye as, together and separately, they dealt with the problems at hand. Of course, there are some pretty cool and strange supporting characters present, one of whom ties this book in to events from The Black Ship. The more we see, the more it’s evident that the world of Crosspointe isn’t quite as easy to explain or understand as originally assumed. No, we’ve seen a small portion of a larger and wilder world. After what happens here, it’s clear that Francis has some big plans for her world, and I can’t wait to see what sort of consequences ripple out in books to come. Kudos to the author for creating an original fantasy setting, and using it to tell a series of stand-alone books that nevertheless build upon one another. It’s neither episodic nor epic, if that makes sense, and it comes as a breath of fresh air. With The Turning Tide, as with the other Crosspointe books, you’re getting a deftly-woven mixture of adventure, intrigue, magic and romance, and it’s hard to ask for much more. Don’t let the tide go out on this one.

The Mermaid's Madness, by Jim C. Hines (DAW, 2009)

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Once upon a time, there were three very special princesses. Each one inspired a fairy tale, and in each case, the facts were either exaggerated or outright fabricated. Even so, there remains an element of truth to Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Cinderella. There was a princess who slept for a hundred years, only to be awoken by a prince. There was a princess who fought for her life against a wicked stepmother driven mad with vanity. There was a commoner who fell in love at a ball, rescued from her dreary existence by a prince. But these are not your everyday average ordinary Disney Princesses. Sleeping Beauty is Talia, whose fairy gifts grant her great skills at combat. Snow White is a powerful sorceress, specializing in mirror magic. And Cinderella is Danielle, whose own skills with a magical sword are nothing to scoff at. And now the true story of another fairy tale heroine can be revealed, as they investigate the mystery of The Mermaid’s Madness.

It all starts during routine tribute and trade negotiations, when a band of merfolk unexpectedly attack Danielle’s mother-in-law, Queen Beatrice, grievously wounding her. With that act, the undersea peoples have declared war on the surface, and only Talia, Snow, and Danielle have what it takes to fight the murderous merfolk and save the queen’s life. But their journey will take them over the seas and into profound dangers of all sorts. Learn the fate of the mermaid and her prince, of the sea witch who played such an important part in the whole matter, and why there’s no happily ever after for this particular tale. It’s not what you think. Meanwhile, Snow is learning new ways to use her magical powers, but will she follow the same road as her evil stepmother did? And what’s bugging Talia? The answers all lie within….

In this sequel to The Stepsister Scheme, Hines once again brilliantly remixes fairy tale elements with a modern action/adventure sensibility, as if the Brothers Grimm had been allowed to watch a Charlie’s Angels marathon. The Mermaid’s Madness is fast-paced, energetic, exciting and amazingly fun. Magic, mayhem and adventure combine for a thoroughly satisfying tale. As before, Hines isn’t afraid to put his own personal spin on the characters and stories contained within, drawing inspiration both from the older, darker versions and the more popular, well-known variations. His merfolk are properly alien, given their status as creatures of two realms, both familiar and unsettlingly different.

Of course, the main characters are all sorts of fun, each in their own way, and they work well as a team. (Though that may change thanks to some uncomfortable revelations brought up along the way, here.) I can’t help but root for Talia, whose crush on Snow is obvious to everyone but Snow herself, and whose sexuality, understated as it is, still makes her something of a rarety in the genre. It doesn’t hurt that she kicks ass and takes names with no shortage of style. I look forward to the next in the series, Red Hood’s Revenge, which will apparently focus more on Talia and her homeland.

I have no complaints about The Mermaid’s Madness. This is a spectacular take on fairy tales that I wish I’d thought of first, the literary equivalent of Kingdom Hearts, a fusion of styles that comes off as refreshing, playful, and thoughtful. Hines has a winner. And once again, kudoes to Scott Fischer for his elegant, evocative cover design.

The Stepsister Scheme, by Jim C. Hines (DAW, 2009)

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Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Cinderella. Some stuff happened involving an evil stepmother, some nasty stepsisters, a glass slipper, and a prince. Cinderella and her prince fell in love, were married, and lived happily ever af-. . . .

Not so fast.

The story’s not over. Not by a long shot.

Shortly after their marriage, Cinderella, better known as Princess Danielle Whiteshore, is unexpectedly visited by one of her stepsisters, who promptly tries to kill her. After being saved by one of the palace servants, Danielle learns that her beloved Prince Armand has been kidnapped by her stepsisters, Stacia and Charlotte, who’ve gone from bullying losers to magic-wielding menaces. And there’s more: Danielle’s pregnant. Oh, she’s not going to stand for this. Luckily, she has allies. It turns out that her mother-in-law, Queen Beatrice, has a few tricks up her royal sleeve.

Enter Princess Talia Malak-el-Dahshat, who was once upon a time known as Sleeping Beauty, and Princess Ermillina Curtana, better known as Snow White. Talia’s a warrior like no other, courtesy of those fairy blessings she received as a baby, and Snow’s a master of mirror magic, thanks to her own now-deceased mother’s teachings. They serve Queen Beatrice as her agents, handling all sorts of exotic problems. Now Danielle, who has an affinity for animals, must join with Talia and Snow to track down the evil stepsisters and the missing Prince. But when their search takes them into the treacherous, magical depths of Fairytown, they discover who’s really behind their problems of late, and it may be more than even these three talented young women can handle. In this fairy tale, all bets are off.

In The Stepsister Scheme, Jim Hines brilliantly remixes and reimagines three of the most popular fairy tale heroines of all time, recasting them as action heroines and secret agents in a world of magic, treachery, intrigue and adventure. These aren’t damsels in distress by any means, but strong-willed, competent, self-sufficient women capable of overcoming all sorts of problems. Hines doesn’t shy away from the earlier, darker, bloodier versions of the tales, either. These stepsisters suffered mutilation for the opportunity to wear a glass slipper, the seven dwarves aren’t what you’d expect, and Talia has had enough sleep to last a dozen lifetimes.

The plot is fast-paced and exciting, as Hines takes our heroines from the palace to the wilderness, from the capricious Fairy courts to the sunless depths of a magical realm, with ogres, trolls, goblins and much more to act as deterrents. There’s strange magics and sharply-executed combat, and some genuine bonding between the three princesses along the way, and hopeless odds to be overcome. In short, this is one hell of a book. I’m a sucker for retold fairy tales, and Hines has found a new and interesting interpretation that lends itself to some grand stories. (Knowing that a future installment is called Red Hood’s Revenge becomes a whole lot cooler once you know that “the Lady of the Red Hood is one of the most feared assassins this side of Adenkar.” Frankly, this book manages to push a lot of my “Wow, what a great idea” buttons, and it does it with style and enthusiasm. It’s been rightly compared to a fairy tale equivalent of Charlie’s Angels, and I’d have to agree with that wholeheartedly. (Queen Beatrice even mentions taking in “three extraordinary girls” at one point.)

Once again, Jim C. Hines proves that he’s not just another fantasy author, and hopefully The Stepsister Scheme is the first of many stories exploring this new setting. I can’t wait for the next installment. As a final note, this book has an excellent cover by noted artist Scott Fischer, who does a superb job of portraying the three princesses as comic book/action heroines. I don’t gush over covers often, but this one gets high marks from me. Mark my words, this is a fantasy adventure worth checking out.

Eyes Like Leaves, by Charles de Lint (Subterranean Press, 2009)

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It all begins with a dream, a long-awaited summoning that calls the tree-wizard Tarn into action after ages of quiet waiting. Compelled by the god known as Hafarl the Summerlord to seek out those with the Summerlord’s blood in their veins, Tarn begins an epic journey. Joined by the untrained Summerborn Carrie and a number of other allies as their paths cross, Tarn struggles to fulfill his mission. Unfortunately, magic is dying in the Green Isles as the Icelord’s power spreads and his servants, the monstrous stormborn, sweep across the land. As they battle all manner of foul creatures, Carrie and Tarn also learn more about their own powers and heritage, and how they’re connected to a war between the gods themselves. And what role does the mysterious Puretongue, Tarn’s mentor and one of the greatest tree-wizards ever to live, have to play in this story? The balance of nature and the very future of the Green Isles hangs in the balance. What sacrifices will be made to save the day?

Eyes Like Leaves is very much a historical artifact, a “lost novel” from the earliest days of de Lint’s career. Written in 1980, his fourth novel, it was slated to come out at a time when de lint stood at a crossroads: publish this book and forever be marked as a “secondary world” fantasy author, or go with Yarrow and solidify his role as a “contemporary” fantasy author (what we tend to call urban fantasy today). As the bookshelves will show, Charles de Lint decided that his heart and talents lay in the modern world, and he’s pretty much been known as an urban fantasy author (one of the first and best of the genre as we know it). We’ve been richer for it ever since. With the recent interest in his older works, as collected in previous Subterranean volumes, he decided that now was as good a time as any to unearth this long-lost work and let it see the light of day. But have the better part of thirty years been kind to this particular book? I’m not so sure.

Let me say right out that as a fantasy novel goes, Eyes Like Leaves is pretty good. As a de Lint novel, however, it’s … not his best. It’s very pretty, well-written with gorgeous imagery and an eye for detail that has always been one of his hallmarks. You can practically hear the music running through the storyline, and very few people do Celtic-inspired, Tolkienesque high fantasy quite as well as Charles de Lint. It’s very much a product of its time, as the author himself admits in the preface, hewing to the standards and attitudes of the time where fantasy was concerned. But what was typical back then comes off as dated and quaint when compared to the progress, changes, and evolution in the field in the thirty years since. This is definitely old-school quest fantasy, with characters who go from Point A to Point B in order to facilitate an climatic battle between Good and Evil.

Unfortunately, not only does it suffer for being a time-lost representative of a previous generation of fantasy, it suffers from being one of de Lint’s earliest books. It lacks the complex interpersonal relations and complex emotional depths of his Newford novels, and the characters don’t have that certain spark that brings Jilly Coppercorn or Christy Riddell (to name two) to life. The resonance just isn’t there, for all that they move through beautiful scenery and fight deadly monsters in harrowing combat.

I’ve long been a fan of Charles de Lint; his Newford stories rank among my favorites, and I’ve always held him up as one of the great urban fantasy writers, for all that the field has been overrun by badass women in leather pants and wisecracking private detectives. His ability to infuse the modern world with quiet magic, artistic sensibilities and genuine emotion has always made his works a joy to read. However, Eyes Like Leaves hails from a time when he was still honing his craft, like a journeyman on the road to becoming a master (or grand master). While it’s bound to appeal to completionists and diehard fans, it’s hard to get excited about this book otherwise. Take it for what it is: a long-lost curiosity standing out as an example of what fantasy was like once upon a time. There’s plenty to love here, but I’m thankful de Lint choose the path he did nonetheless.