Volume 19, Issue 4 August / September 2009 ConNotations FREE The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society

A Conversation with Featured Inside Paul Cornell Regular Features Special Features by Lee Whiteside SF Tube Talk An Conversation with All the latest news about Paul Cornell This issue, we’re talking with Paul Scienc Fiction TV shows by Lee Whiteside Cornell, writer of the Doctor Who by Lee Whiteside episodes Father’s Day, Human Hokey Smoke! Nature, and The Family of Blood, Gamers Corner It’s the very nearly 50th recent novel “British Summertime” New and Reviews from Anniversary of Rocky the Flying and writer for several current and the gaming world Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose upcoming series for Marvel Comics. By Shane Shellenbarger Videophile & Around the Dial Reviews of genre releases An Amercan in New Zealand Lee: Some people may see you as an on DVD and current TV shows by Jeffrey Lu overnight sensation, you’ve gotten a lot of acclaim for the Captain Britain Screening Room Kinuko C. Craft – comic and your Doctor Who episodes Reviews of current theatrical releases An Appreciation of Cover Art have been well received. You’ve by Chris Paige actually been writing TV and novels Musical Notes for how many years now? The latest news of Filk and Filkers Plus Paul: Let’s see, I think 1990, was my first professional sale, so we’re Pre-Con News CASFS Business Report coming up on 20 years. Tidbits about upcoming conventions FYI ConClusion News and tidbits of interest to fans L: What was your first sale? © Lee Whiteside News and Reviews P: I won a BBC writing competition of Genre conventions Club Listings and got a short science fiction play on P: I think it was seven across the New BBC 2 just about the same time I started In Our Book and Missing line. That was a very Convention List & writing short comedy sketches and just Reviews of New SF/F Books Generic Registration Form wonderful time; actually, I still look about the same time I got the commission back at the New Adventures with great to write Timewyrm: Revelation. [One of Musty Tomes fondness. the first Doctor Who New Adventures Reviews of Classic Genre books novels] Those three things were spread L: As part of that, you created a new CHECK OUR WEB SITE AT out about a year. companion for the Doctor... P: Yes, Bernice Summerfield, whose www.casfs.org/ConNotations/Index-CN.html L: You sold a number of Doctor Who novels for the Virgin New Adventure line. ( Continued on page 4 ) FOR UP TO DATE INFO AND MOVIE REVIEWS BETWEEN ISSUES

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Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 1 Pick up your copy of ConNotations at the following locations In This Issue Who Is Who This Issue News & Reviews Managing Editor: Stephanie Bannon BOOK STORES COMIC STORES Assistant to the Editor: Gary Swaty SF Tube Talk 3 Graphics Editor: Craig L. Dyer Bent Cover Bookstore All About Comics Pre-Con News 6 Film & Video Editors: Len Berger & 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85029 5060 N. Central, Phoenix, AZ Musical Notes 6 Craig L Dyer ConClusion 7 (602) 942-5932 (602) 277-0757 Promotions Directors: Len Berger, FYI 8 Richard Bolinski, Craig L Dyer Book Exchange Ash Avenue Comics & Books Screening Room 9 Advertising: Catherine Book 4320 N. Miller Road #F, Scottsdale, AZ 810 S. Ash, Tempe, AZ (480) 858-9447 Videophile 11 Proof Readers: Catherine Book, Bob 85251 (480)990-8380 Atomic Comics Gamers Corner 11 LaPierre & Gary Swaty Musty Tomes 12 Reporters: Craig L Dyer, Jeffrey Lu Book Gallery 1120 S. Country Club, Ste. 105, Mesa, AZ In Our Book (Book Reviews) 14 Staff Writers: Pam Allen, Nadine 3643 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix AZ 85210 (480) 649-0807 CASFS Business Report 23 Armstrong, Stephanie L Bannon, Catherine 85018 (602)468-0400 4537 E. Cactus, Phoenix AZ 85032 Book, Shane Bryner, Craig L. Dyer, M.L. Fringe, Michael Griffin, Bob LaPierre, 50 W. Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201 Special Features (602) 923-0733 A Conversation with Paul Cornell Jeffrey Lu, Christina Paige, Shane (480) 835-0757 10215 N. 28th Dr, #A1, Phoenix, AZ 85051 by Lee Whiteside 1 Shellenbarger, Gary Swaty, Tom Tuerff, Book Krazy Lee Whiteside, Randall Whitlock (602)395-1066 An American in New Zealand Contributors: 1601E Bell #4-5, Phoenix , AZ 85022 3155 W. Chandler Blvd #5, Chandler AZ by Jeffrey Lu 6 Layout & Design: Stephanie L. Bannon Kinuko C Craft: An Apprciation Keeper of the Mailing List: (602)867-1018 85226 (480)940-6061 of Cover Art Craig L. 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Page 2 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 Horne. Also announced by ABC for mid- and extremist religious leader, Michael working on the pilot script. SF Tube Talk season is a new series remake with “V”, Hogan is Myka Bering’s father, Warren, True Blood continues to do well on HBO TV News & Previews taking the story of a subtle alien invasion who receives a dangerous object in the and we’ve got information on the five and updating it for the 21st century. mail, and Mark Sheppard is Mr. Valda, episodes airing in August. First up is By Lee Whiteside Morenna Baccarin is Anna, the leader of the representative of The Regents, who Release Me, where Sam is in an unenvi- We’re entering the end of summer and the the Visitors, while Elizabeth Mitchell is oversee the warehouse. able predicament courtesy of Maryann beginning of fall with the remaining Erica Evans, Morris Chestnut is Ryan SyFy has announced casting for their and her minions while Sookie is impris- summer runs still ongoing and the new Nichols, Joel Gretsch is Father Jack upcoming miniseries. Alice, a oned with Hugo in the Fellowship of the fall season about to be launched in Landry, Lourdes Benedicto is Valerie reimagining of Alice in Wonderland, will Sun church and reaches out to Bill (who September. Here’s a rundown of what’s Stevens, Logan Huffman is Tyler Evans, star Kathy Bates as the Queen of Hearts, is being obsessively detained by Lorena) new and returning over the next couple of Laura Vandervoort is Lisa, and Scott Tim Curry as Dodo, with Caterina for help. In Timebomb, Eric visits the months as well as a few bits of news Wolf is Chad Decker. Scorsone as Alice, Colm Meany as the captive Sookie to do his master’s bidding farther down the road. CBS doesn’t have any new genre shows King of Hearts, Matt Frewer as the while Sam makes a gruesome discovery For the new fall season, NBC kicks in its lineup, however it has picked up White Knight and Zak Santiago as 10 of at Merlotte’s and finds himself in hot things off with the return of Heroes on Medium after NBC dropped it and will Clubs. According to SyFy, the movie water. In I Will Rise Up, a wounded Eric September 21, now in the first hour of air it on Friday nights between Ghost focuses on Alice Hamilton, an indepen- plays Sookie for a sucker and ends up prime time. The next volume is titled Whisperer and Numb3rs, all three of dent twentysomething who finds herself getting inside her head, Sam has been “Redemption” and will follow all of the which return on September 25th. on the other side of a looking glass. She jailed and is looking for a way to escape characters as they attempt to return to a FOX has surprised most everyone by is trapped in an outlandish city of towers and avoid capture by Maryann while normal life. According to Tim Kring renewing Dollhouse for a second season and casinos built out of playing cards Sookie and Jason bond over their recent “One of the big issues we’ll be exploring and it will return to its second hour of under the rule of a Queen who isn’t adventures. New World in My View sees is how should a person with abilities live prime time slot on Friday nights begin- happy to see Alice turn up. For the Sookie, Bill and Jason finally return to his or her life. Should they try to assimi- ning September 25th. Fringe has also Riverworld miniseries, Tahmoh Penikett Bon Temps and find it turned upside late by hiding their abilities, or should been picked up and will take over the stars as Matt Ellman, an American war down by Maryann, who Bill finds is they live more honestly, exposing their second hour slot on Thursdays beginning correspondent who wakes up on the immune to traditional vampire tech- powers to the world?” The season opens September 17th. New on FOX in mid- Riverworld. He was killed with his niques. With all hell breaking loose, with Claire in college, Peter is working to season will be Human Target, the second fiancé, Jessie (Laura Vandervoort), and Jason rescues Sam, for the moment... In save people one at a time, and “Nathan” series to be based on the DC comics he attempts to reunite with her as he Frenzy, as the crisis in Bon Temps is is learning more about himself every day. property about a private security agent, travels the river. Also starring are careening out of control, Bill seeks out Matt will attempt to live a normal life Christopher Chance, who hires himself Jeananne Goossen as a female samurai the advice of Sophie-Anne, the Vampire with the guilt of what he did to Sylar, and out as protection for those in danger, warrior Tomoe, Mark Deklin as Samuel Queen of Louisiana, but must exercise Noah will work with Angela Petrelli and making himself the target. Mark Valley Clemens, and Alan Cumming as the patience before she gives him critical other to create a new Company that will is Chance, Chi McBride is his business mysterious Caretaker. SyFy has also information. Meanwhile, Sookie and be about people, and also figuring out partner, Winston, and Jackie Earle announced they are developing a new Lafayette find that protecting Tara from who this new organization is that is Haley is Chance’s hired gun, Guerrero. Alien Nation series with Tim Minnear ( Cont’d on page 4 ) recruiting those with abilities for more The CW is attempting to jump on the nefarious uses. New cast members Twilight bandwagon with The Vampire include Robert Knepper as the season’s Diaries, which will pair up with Super- new main villain, Samual, who is natural on Thursday nights, moving described as a “Jim Jones” type, Smallville to Friday nights. Vampire Madeline Zima as Claire’s edgy college Diaries is based on a series of books by roommate, and Ray Park appearing in a L.J. Smith and features Nina Dobrev as multiple episode arc. And that’s all we’ll Elena Gilbert, Paul Wesley as the ageless have from NBC this fall as Chuck will vampire Stefan Salvatore, Ian return sometime in mid-season and Somerhalder as Stefan’s evil vampire Medium has moved to NBC. For the brother Damon, and Steven R. McQueen rest of the summer, NBC will continue as Elena’s brother, Jeremy. Smallville, airing Merlin on Sunday nights and The while moving to Friday nights, will Listener on Thursday nights. continue to slowly document Clark’s ABC will have two new genre shows this turning into Superman. New villains fall, Flash Forward, and Eastwick. appearing this season include John Flash Forward, based on the Robert J. Corben/Metallo (Brian Austin Green), Sawyer novel, debuts on Thursday Sept and Kryptonian Zod (Blue Callum). 24th. When everyone in the world blacks Rumors are that the ninth season of out and sees an event from their future, Smallville with be the last, with it leading the stage is set for an ongoing drama into something new with the big red “S” about people trying to either make that very prominent. future happen or prevent it. The series is SciFi made the transition to SyFy in early produced by David S. Goyer and July, debuting Warehouse 13 to strong Brannon Braga and will star Brian numbers for the debut episode. The O’Byrne (Aaron Stark), Christine series looks to be a good place for other Woods (Janis Hawk), John Cho SyFy and former SciFi actors to guest (Demetri Noh), Jack Davenport (Lloyd star. Coming up on the show will be Joe Simcoe) and Zachary Knighton as Flanigan as the wealthy Jeff Weaver, Bryce Varley. Airing on Wednesdays this who is involved with the disappearance fall will be Eastwick, based on The of a mysterious sculpture, Erica Cerra Witches of Eastwick novel by John and Niall Matter who play Jillian and Updike with Rebecca Romijn as Roxie Gary Whitman, a couple whose luck turns Torcoletti, Lindsay Price as Joanna to the better after they find a luck- Frankel, Jamie Ray Newman as Kat inducing artifact, Joe Morton will be Gardener, and Paul Gross as Darryl Van John Hill, a charismatic prison inmate

Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk ( Cont’d from page 3 ) social problems including a threatened have a short story in every ongoing non- thought of my feelings first. It was very, revolution of the vampire underworld as theme anthology series. All three of very sweet of him. Not that I was herself is more difficult than they well as being exposed for what they are. them. That’s something I’m really anything but ecstatic when I heard the anticipated; a desperate Sam turns to an The six episode first series is currently getting into. Especially since two of news that they were bringing back Doctor unlikely source for assistance; and Jessica airing on BBC America on Saturday them are in a series and I love SF short Who. tests Hoyt’s allegiance to Maxine. After nights and the BBC has picked it up for a story series. Back in the day when you’d that is the season finale which promises second series. go from collection to collection and L: You wrote the online animated 9th lots of action as well as setting things in The Mob (film producers, not gangsters) magazine to magazine and you’d find Doctor story “Scream of the Shalka”. motion for a third season. have started filming the next Discworld something by Poul Anderson or by P: Who was canonical, not that there was The big news that came out after deadline miniseries, Going Postal, to air in the UK Heinlein that was in the same world. any such thing as canon in Doctor Who, last issue is that BBC America now has on Sky TV next Easter. Richard Coyle That’s something I’m really keen on for about a minute. Doctor Who the rights to (at least for the (Best known as Jeff on Coupling) leads doing. I’m in the midst of a new novel David Tennant remaining specials with ). the cast as Moist Von Lipwig, a con man and I do generally regard myself as a L: You then got to do the Doctor Who The Next Doctor They aired specials and rescued from execution by Lord Vetinari novelist who has really lucked out in episodes, starting with Father’s Day and Planet of the Dead in June and July and (Charles Dance) and put in charge of the comics and is really enjoying it there and then Human Nature, which was based on are planning to screen the remaining Ankh-Morpork postal service. Also who sometimes sticks his toe into TV and one of your novels, turning the 7th episodes shortly after they air on the BBC starring are David Suchet as Reacher does Doctor Who whenever he’s asked. Doctor into the 10th Doctor and Ace into in the UK. Next up for The Doctor is Gilt, Claire Foy as Golem-Rights He’s always available for selection. Martha. How difficult was it to go back Waters of Mars , likely airing sometime in Activist Adora Belle Dearheart, Steve to the original material and adapt for the the Fall. The story is set on Mars (duh!) Pemberton as Drumknott, Andrew Sachs L: When Doctor Who came back, before new series? Lindsay Duncan and will feature as the as “Junior” Postman Groat and Tamsin you got involved, what were your P: Originally I started out much further guest star, playing Adelaide, who is in Greig as Miss Cripslock. Filming is feelings about how it would work out? from the source material in that I felt charge of the Mars base. Following that taking place in Budapest, Hungary, where P: The way it was announced to me was we’d done the romance with the 10th will be two more specials, airing around arrangements have been made for any the way in which I was kind of recruited. Doctor with The Girl in the Fireplace. So Christmas and New Years in the UK that Discworld fans who can make their way It was Russell calling me up and saying I started originally with a pitch that began David Tennant will be the end of the era there to possibly appear as extras (which “We’re bringing Doctor Who back!” So with John Smith married to Joan Redfern Russell T. Davies and the end of the era. was much easier to do in the first two there was only a millisecond between and unraveled it from there. But Russell Bernard Cribbins will be along for the miniseries, which were filmed in the knowing about it and being on it. Bless kept saying “get back to the novel, we ride as Wilfred Mott, Donna Noble’s UK). Jon Jones will be directing from a Him. Of course I was ecstatic. Of want to adapt the novel.” So what we Jacqueline King grandfather as well as , script by Bev Doyle and Richard Kurti course, it was the measure of the man that ended up with was a fairly straight Donna’s mother Sylvia as well as based on the Terry Pratchett novel. his call to me to say that he was terribly adaptation of the book, which I’m quite Catherine Tate as Donna. Various other While the novel the miniseries is based sorry that there wouldn’t be any more pleased with. I’m very pleased with how guest stars have been rumored as well, on came much further along in the Richard E. Grant animations happening. well it was received. but not officially announced. Those that Discworld series, it is much more of a He thinks of other people a lot and he ( Cont’d on page 5 ) have been spotted during filming include stand-alone novel and producers feel it is John Barrowman, John Simms, more accessible to a general audience. Elisabeth Sladen, Billie Piper, and RandomCon 2010 Camille Coduri. Following that will be +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ the dawn of the Steven Moffat era with We had so much fun this year that we plan Matt Smith as The Doctor and Scottish A Conversation ( Cont’d from page 1 ) to do it all over again in 2010! actress Karen Gillan will be the new adventures continue to this very day. companion for Smith’s Doctor. Karen She’s taken on an entire life of her own, July 9-11, 2010 previously appeared on Doctor Who as which was an unexpected and wonderful The Grace Inn, 10831 S 51st St the Soothsayer in The Fires of Pompeii thing. and she indicated “‘I am absolutely over Phoenix, AZ 85044 the moon at being chosen to play the L: Do you feel sad that you haven’t been Doctor’s new companion. The show is able to do much with the character lately. There will be a great line up of game events for next year, as well as such a massive phenomenon that I can’t P: She’s been in great hands and I’ve guests, consuite and a dealer room plus we hope to add some new quite believe I am going to be a part of been getting involved with her now and events, like a Used Game Auction and a “Game Widows” activity Steven it.” According to producer again. I’ve been recently talking with area..... all while keeping our low $25 at the door price! Moffat “‘We saw some amazing ac- John Ainsworth about the range and we tresses for this part, but when Karen came may get back to me putting in some more through the door the game was up. content soon, and he’s very open to that. Membership prices will be Funny, and clever, and gorgeous, and It’s a very lovely hands-on, hands-off $15 through December 31, 2009, sexy. Or Scottish, which is the quick way approach and I feel I’ve got the best of $20 From January 1 to June 30, 2010 of saying it. A generation of little girls both worlds with it. and $25 at the door. will want to be her. And a generation of little boys will want them to be her too.’ L: With TV, you first got involved with BBC America screened the Torchwood Pay via Paypal on our web site writing the medical drama Casualty. or you can mail a check or money to: Children of Earth series at the end of July P: I wrote something like six Casualty and may have repeats of it soon. New on episodes and I look back on them with RandomCon the channel is Being Human, which stars great fondness. We had a lot of budget PO Box 67457 Russell Tovey as George (a werewolf), back in those days to tell proper para- Phoenix AZ 85082 Aidan Turner as Michael (a vampire) medic stories. That was great fun and I and Lenora Crichlow as Annie (a ghost). met a good group of folk back then, many If you are interested in volunteering or are interested in running a game All three of them share a house. George of whom I’m still in touch with writing- and Michael work as hospital porters and please contatc us at [email protected] There are discounted wise. It was a real education in televi- memberships available for game masters and some staff positions. If work to overcome their respective life sion. issues while Annie longs for her fiancé your game group is interested in participating as a group please contact (who owns the house) and resolution to L: You’ve been writing short stories and us for details on our donation policy for participating groups. her murder. Along the way, they also novels for a while now. have to deal with vampire and werewolf P: At the moment, I’m very pleased to Check our web site at www.randomcon.org for updates. Page 4 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 A Conversation ( Cont’d from page 4 ) fictional characters. It was just a joy to Monsters.” It’s The Sweeny do Buffy the Since the interview, Marvel has decided write that and do a self aware FF book Vampire Slayer. That’s very satisfying. to end Captain Britain and MI13, but L: With the new regime coming in, do and find an area where they hadn’t been Really, at the moment I’m really manag- Paul is currently working on three you have any ideas ready to write for the before. My favorite Fantastic Four is ing to do it all and I’m having the most different comics (which haven’t been new Doctor coming up. them as explorers and this gave them a tremendous creative time right now. I’m announced at press time) and had this to P: I’m always available for selection with whole new thing to explore. just finding my way through all sorts of say when the cancellation was announced Doctor Who and I just hope I get to play. things all which I want to do. There are on his blog: L: With Captain Britain you’ve been worse problems in the world. I can’t be L: You’ve recently started doing some bringing back characters that have been too upset with where I am right now. “I’ve enjoyed writing a monthly comic comics for Marvel, starting with the dormant for a time. You’ve bought Blade more than almost anything else I’ve done Wisdom miniseries. in and now have him in a relationship L: Through all this you’ve been meeting as a writer. I’ve enjoyed collaborating P: I’m really pleased with working for with Spitfire. and working with some of the people you with all these talented people. I’ve Marvel. They’re a tremendously satisfy- P: I really like the ability to bring back were fans of. particularly enjoyed becoming one of the ing company to be a part of. It’s another old Marvel U.K. characters that people P: It’s been a pleasure to meet people like gang at Marvel. Please don’t desert us as of these childhood dreams come true for forgot in tiny cameos. Certainly my core Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman. The we approach our ending. I see it as the me. I wanted to do Doctor Who and I cast I’m incredibly invested in. I’m very wonderful thing about this business, last three episodes of our last season. So wanted to write for Marvel Comics. At attached to all of these people which especially about this genre, is that the Old tell your friends, see if they want to catch the moment, Captain Britain is a source doesn’t mean I won’t hurt them terribly, Guard, generally, are only to pleased to up, and please join us for an ending of tremendous joy for me. I’ve having to because that’s my job. shake hands with people who appreciate where, as I think you saw last issue, deliver a script every four weeks and I’m their work, who enjoyed what they did literally anything can happen.” getting these tremendous pages of L: You’re also starting up another Marvel back in the day. Although I think Alan or Leonard Kirk artwork in my inbox. It’s Series.. Neil wouldn’t enjoy being referred to as Paul posts regularly on his blog at sort of the backbone of my writing life P: Which is the Young Avengers: Dark the Old Guard. It’s just joy after joy for www.paulcornell.com and will be now; which is a terrific discipline and a Reign, which is following on from Alan me at the moment, I couldn’t be happier. attending WorldCon, FenCon in Dallas in terrific thing to be doing. We’ve had our Heinberg’s wonderful Young Avengers September, and Gallfirey One in Los moments of infamy as with the Gordon series. We’ll be doing five issues of that. L: Is there anything you’d like to do that Angeles next February. Marvel Comics Brown appearance, which I was very It’s confronting the Young Avengers with you haven’t done yet. has trade collections for the Wisdom pleased with, it got an enormous amount another group of young - are they heroes, P: I’d like to just get to the end of my list miniseries and two volumes so far of of media attention in Great Britain. The are they villains - group of young heroes of current things without having to put Captain Britain and MI13. title continues to sell very well in Britain which perhaps haven’t gotten the wonder- anything aside or drop anything. Once and moderately well in the States. We ful commitment and discipline that the I’ve done that, I’m sure I’ll find some- keep going and we’re having a fabulous Young Avengers brought to their roles. thing to do next. I feel I’m on my way to time. We’ve got this wonderful unit of So are they mentors, are they gonna fight, a body of work, then. At the moment, I me, the editor Nick Lowe, and the artist, are they gonna get involved with these think my body of work is unfocused and Leonard Kirk, who make decisions really guys? It’s kind of showing our heroes this year, hopefully, I’ll put a signature on quickly and can turn things around that things could have been a lot worse what I do. incredibly swiftly. Assuming you want to for them. That’s been really exciting to zoom off in another direction, you’ll have do. I love Mark Brooks’ artwork and it’s an answer within a day. Which, com- a pleasure to work with him again. pared to the way television works, is really satisfying. L: You’ve got a really good L: Aside from when you started Captain working relationship with Britain in the middle of the Skrull Marvel and have other things in Invasion... the works. P: The Skrull Invasion was my own stuff. P: We’ve got three really nice I was delighted to be part of Secret things I can’t tell anybody about Invasion. The sales boost it gave us, the at the moment. fact that it gave us a solid raison d’etre for the team at the start. You really want L: Back to TV, you recently did a an editor to come along and say “here is a Primeval episode and you’ve got big ingredient that everyone else is doing your own show in development. that will bring attention to your book and P: It’s a BBC three horror show. that you can use to form the story I’ve got a creator’s credit. James around.” That’s really useful, because Moran is writing the second otherwise the blank sheet of paper is script and I’ve got the pilot sometimes terrifying. Marvel editorial script. We’re with one of the have been nothing but supportive and major indies and we’re going to wonderful. see if BBC 3 wants to buy it. They’ve been making good signs L: You also did a short Fantastic Four about it. If that goes, I’ll be miniseries, True Story, where they went providing plots for the season into the Land of Fiction. I’m really looking forward to it. P: I’m very pleased with that. That was It’s going to be a really good just out of editor Tom Brevold asking me show. It’s called Pulse. I do if I had any Fantastic Four ideas. I had a think in talking about shows that mad Fantastic Four idea and he went may or may not happen, there with it, which was absolutely wonderful. seems to be something super- It’s the Fantastic Four journey into the naturally wrong about doing so. Land of Fiction where Ben Grimm encounters the sisters from Sense and P: I’m in the middle of a novel, Sensibility, and Ivanhoe and various other my third novel. Which is called, at the moment, “Cops and Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 5 RPG from Steve Jackson Games as well An American in New Pre-Con News as the Thud! board game. We’ll have a Musical Notes dealers room with books, jewelry, Zealand Filk.com – Online Radio North American Discworld Convention costumes and more, an art show with a Part 6: Bay of Plenty Pre-Con News variety of science fiction and fantasy art, by Jeffrey Lu Filk.com is an online radio a hospitality suite where members can program that plays filk music 24-7. It The North American Discworld hang out during the convention, and a The Bay of Plenty was the original contains a Filk History and Commentary Convention is almost upon us and we’ve Costume Dungeon where fans can get stopping point for Captain Cook, an page with contributions from professional got a lot of stuff planned and in the works help from members of the Southwest English explorer of New Zealand, and his musicians and filkers; there’s website for members. It is looking likely that we Costumer’s Guild with their costumes. crew to replenish supplies. When I was history, contact information, and links to will reach our planned membership cap Don’t forget to check out there, I was walking through a park. purchase MP3 downloads or CDs when of 900 before the convention, so we are www.nadwcon.org for more details, There were monuments dedicated to available. not planning to have memberships including how to register for the conven- Captain Cook’s visit as well a park for This web radio program can be available at the door. The convention is tion, reserve banquet tickets, and get your visitors like me. th listened to for free, if you can tolerate the taking place Friday, September 4 very own official North American I looked at one statue of Captain Cook frequent commercial interruptions, or you through Monday, September 7th at the Discworld Convention merchandise. and saw Latin words ascribed. Someone Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in downtown can subscribe for uninterrupted play. The told me that it was something about him site was created and is run by Eric Gerds Tempe, Arizona. Our Guest of Honor is LepreCon 35 Pre-Con News traveling around the world. Sir Terry Pratchett, creator and writer of under his company of DAG Productions. Taking my time, I trod a trail through When the home page pops up, click on the Discworld series of novels. Our This year, Leprecon, Inc. is hosting a plush forest and saw plenty of wildlife the Filk Radio option on the right, third Toastmistress is Esther M. Friesner, who two big events this year, Westercon 62 especially birds. I sat at a Maori made from the top to activate actual airplay. is best known for the humorous antholo- (aka FiestaCon) and the North American “picnic” table. Eric typically programs a 25 gies she has edited, such as Chicks in Discworld Convention. With those two There were plenty of thoughts as I hour-plus sequence which changes each Chain Mail and the recently released events happening, it was decided not to look out the bay. week, with the more popular songs Witch Way to the Mall? Other guests hold a regular LepreCon convention this *Who would have thought that the getting more frequent air time. One neat include Diane Duane (author of the year and do it as a fan gathering/ Polynesians in New Zealand differ from feature is the option for subscribers to Young Wizards series of novels as well as relaxacon in the fall. It will be held the Polynesians in Hawaii? vote on songs, giving either a Thumbs Up many Star Trek novels), Peter Morwood weekend of October 2-4, 2009 at the *Why would Captain Cook be killed or Thumbs Down for each track. His (writer of The Horse Lords series and Phoenix Marriott Mesa in Mesa, Arizona. in Hawaii and not at here at Bay of programming includes mini-themes and other novels), Bernard Pearson (the The plan is to have a fun and relaxing Plenty? featured artists, such as LA Discworld Cunning Articifer), Terry’s UK weekend with a small amount of pro- *What is the Polynesian’s culture? Filkharmonics, Blake Hodgetts, or Echo’s agent Colin Smythe, plus Terry’s U.S. gramming during the day and maybe How did they survive on these islands? Children. Leslie Fish is so prolific, that editors Jennifer Brehl and Anne Hoppe. some in the evening. We’ll be set up for *Who and/or what is Maori? some of her songs are always in play. We’re expecting some other authors to the weekend in the Sedona Suite with *Who is Captain Cook? Prior to the opening of the new Star Trek take part, including Sarah A. Hoyt, snacks and sodas where people can hang *Where is a place that serves Maori film, Eric Gerds lined up a truly remark- Daniel M. Hoyt, and some of our local out. We’ve got a $99 per night (plus tax) food? able collection of Trek songs. This was authors as well. rate for the weekend at the hotel if you *Why is there no gift shop at this followed by a week of tech humor that Events planned for the convention want to hang out at the hotel all weekend. park? will, of course, center around the had me in hysterics, with songs by Tom As I left, I knew I wanted to come Smith (“Tech Support for Dad,”) and The Discworld and Terry Pratchett. Terry will back. I came to this place with more take part in several panels, will do several Arrogant Worms, among others. That questions than answers to the Bay of same week, another feature was Fellow- autographing sessions (there will be Plenty. limitations on the number of signatures ship! The Musical, a cheerfully irreverent tribute to The Lord of the Rings. My with no personalization), a reading, and Next: Part 7-Third Blunder in three several kaffeklatches. Programming will favorite song from that cycle was the one sections: Section One- Climbing Hobbit where Boromir and Frodo become start around noon on Friday, September Town’s LOTR Bilbo Baggin’s Birthday 4th and continue until Closing Ceremo- dueling counter-tenors. For Memorial Tree ( Cont’d on page 7 ) nies in the late afternoon on Monday, September 7th. Events and activities will include Opening Ceremonies, a Seam- stress Guild Party, the Maskerade, a Charity Auction to benefit The Alzheimer’s Research Trust and the Orangutan Foundation, a game of Holy Wood Squares, a Bande With Rocks In challenge, the Gala Banquet (the theme of which is “A Night at the Rhoxie”), a modern dance, and regency dancing. Discussion panels will cover Discworld specific topics as well as general discus- sion panels on writing and editing including a writing workshop/seminar with Diane Duane and Peter Morwood. We will be screening the recent BBC Documentary “Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimer’s” and the Discworld TV adaptations: animated Wyrd Sisters and Soul Music, and the live action Hogfather and The Colour of Magic and may have a preview of the next miniseries, Going Postal. We’re looking to have some gaming going on with the Discworld Page 6 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 Musical (Cont’d from page 6 ) Gallardo, who did the cover art for fantasy by Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Day, Gerds selected songs about war, Smith, Lord Dunsany, and Peter S. warriors, loss, and family, including the Beagle. haunting “Valkerie” from the CD Sirens More recently, Craft has illustrated by S.J. Tucker. The following week the children’s books, including the exquisite themes were Pirates and Harry Potter. Cupid & Psyche, 1996; Pegasus, 1998; Muppet songs, Heather Alexander’s “YO and Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, HO,” S.J. Tucker’s fantastic “Wendy 1994; all by Morrow Junior Books; and trilogy,” “Hey There, Hermione” by anything written by Patricia A. McKillip. Insane Ian, the pun-laden “You’ve Got Odds are, if you ever bought a fantasy Hogwarts” by Robert Lund, “Just a Boy book just for the cover any time in the Named Harry,” by Dave Weingart, Duane last 20 years, it was a Craft illustration. Elms’ “Dawson’s Christian” and Women of Enchantment is a 2009 “Dawson’s Concom” by Jordin Kare were calendar of her prints. I hope that there just a few of the offerings aired that will be a 2010 calendar offering as well. week. He even located several songs In 2008, Kinuko Craft was elected about Blake’s Seven. You rule, Eric! into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Gerds provides a fine mix of new, out Fame. Previously she had won numerous of print, rare, and familiar filk, leavened awards, from the Society of Illustrators, with songs from folk music and parody. Spectrum, The ASFA Chesley Awards, The sound quality is good, and he’s and other organizations. However, she usually adroit at balancing the moods, so has not yet won a Hugo, and I am that neither ose nor any one theme or wondering, for heaven’s sake, why not? performer overwhelms. Just look at The Queen of Icemark, with I have been able to hear tracks from its red-gold haired heroine holding tapes I lost decades ago and never hoped helmet and sword, cast into relief by a to enjoy again. snow leopard and black stallion, with a The only problem is that, if you are fantastic army of beasts in the back- supposed to be working while you listen, ground; or The Transformation of productivity may be adversely affected. – Angarred, the jaguar-maiden drinking Chris Paige from a pool of water; or McKillip’s Od ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Magic, with its gypsy caravan, goddess of Phoenix Filk Circle animals, and unmasked heroine cradled Radio Shows Made at FiestaCon by a crescent moon; or Winter Rose, with can be heard at fell nightriders under a blazing comet, an www.phoenixfilkcircle.org intricate border of rose vines and ivy, and Listen to: a crowned princess, her face offset by a Under The Stars, Cloudburst and attended and showed how advantageous snowy owl and a red rose shedding its ConClusion good programming can be. Timeline petals. Juliet Marillier’s young adult FiestaCon Notes The Hugo Awards were a theme of fantasy novels, Wildwood Dancing, 2007, numerous panels as well, Nominated ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ and Cybele’s Secret, 2008, are two of editor Stanley Schmidt hosted “Authors Craft’s newer works. I looked up the This year’s Westercon in Tempe was Vs. Editors;” John Hertz of Los Angeles, Kinuko C. Craft – Hugo winners for 2005, the year Od well attended, both with respect to An Appreciation of Cover Art also nominated, had fanzines on display, Magic was published, and for 2007. Jim quantity and quality. Working as a dealer lead panels on Hugo nomination catego- Burns does close-ups of chesty, wasp- limited my roaming; to thoroughly ries, and directed the Regency Dancing. “‘Her beauty makes the heart ache so waisted females in hard, bright colors; strangely that it cannot stand to be cured appreciate the event, I would have had to Ladies, if ever you have the opportunity Donato Giancola actually did fine work, of its pain.’” - Ray Aldridge, “The Beauty pull a bit of Monkey King magic and to dance with Mr. Hertz, avail yourselves Addict” especially for Name of the Winds, but I transform strands of hair into alternative of it. He makes a remarkable partner. consider it a discredit to fandom that selves. Gary Swaty was in charge of filk For about 30 years now, one of the Craft didn’t even make the five nominee The Starfleet fan base made a good panels, thematic circles, and concerts. absolutely great cover artists of fantasy cutoff for either 2007 or 2008. showing, with a party Saturday night and Mark Horning’s debut CD, Space and literature has been Kinuko Y. Craft. Sheri What can you do if you wish to see donations of vintage Trek posters to the Freedom, arrived just in time. Joe Tepper fans know her artwork from original works? FenCon VI, which will Barry Bard Memorial Previews. I also got Bethancourt filled the room to overflow- Tepper’s earlier work: the Marianne be held in Dallas, September 18-20, a chance to see some of the Star Trek ing. Other performers present were Tom trilogy; The Revenants, with its flying 2009, has a powerful draw with GoH New Voyages: “World Enough and Time” Tuerff, Wyllow Ravenscroft, Marilyn sphinx, veiled Bedouin, griffin and Lois McMaster Bujold. Coincidentally, starring George Takei and “Of Gods and Miller, and Lynn Gold. One of my th weaver; and the Mavin Manyshaped 4 Wall Gallery is hosting a Kinuko Y. Men” in which Uhuru finally gets her favorite panels was the “Filk As a trilogy, part of the nine books of the True Craft Retrospective that same month. own storyline. I’m sorry I missed “To Pressure Valve.” I’d like to see this one Game world. SF writers whose books Now that’s my idea of a working example Serve Al My Days” with Walter Koenig. offered again, for while examples of have borne Craft book jackets include of serendipity. So if you wish to see Not only did I always like the Chekov strong emotion were discussed and sung, Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, Orson Scott beauty up close and in the paint, you have character, he was wonderful on Babylon we didn’t directly address the need for Card, C. S. Lewis, Glenn Cook, Ursula an extraordinary opportunity this year. Five as Bester of PsiCorps. intellect to have expression too, to LeGuin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Robin True art transforms the viewer, and Fans of the 1632 Universe were in celebrate knowledge, to be whimsical or McKinley, Brian Aldiss, Katherine Kurtz, original paintings carry something of the luck. Not only were Eric Flint (the tale- eccentric. I consider Nancy Louise Tanith Lee, Andre Norton, and Marion essence of the maker and of the Muse. spinner) and Virginia deMarce (the Freeman’s song “Leather Pants of Evil” a Zimmer Bradley. I voted for the Hugos this year, in part historian) on numerous panels discussing prime example of intelligent playfulness. Craft’s style is reminiscent of the Pre- because I take my SF seriously, and in all things 1632-ish, Rick Boatright hosted Friday morning I noticed fen working Raphaelites crossed with Leonardo part because I want to be able to make a panel on Weird Tech – how the enter- out in the athletic room and joined their DaVinci and the great cover artist of nominations for the 2009 awards. Guess prising Down-timers will be able to run conversation. Two of them turned out to – Chris Ballantine Books’ heyday: Gervasio who will be my Pro Artist pick. computers and air conditioners using be the authors of The Unincorporated Paige water and steam. These panels were well- ( Cont’d on page 8 ) Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 7 th ConClusion ( Cont’d from page 7 ) August 18, 2009 - The Furies of “Hazards” by Mike Resnick New Rock Wall opened Feb 16 , Calderon by Jim Butcher “In Between” by R.A. MacAvoy climbers aged 8 and above Man, reviewed in an earlier issue of September 15, 2009 - Too Many And too many more to mention…. “U2: A Digital Dome Experience” show ConNotations, Dani and Eytan Kollin. Magicians by Randall Garrett times on website. The brothers are a study in contrast October 20, 2009 - The Graveyard Book Wildside Press Girls aged 11-17 can learn math and united by consanguinity. Any convention by Neil Gaiman “The Labyrinth” by Catherynne M. science in a series of workshops. scheduling an “Evolution, Creative November 17, 2009 - The Lightning Valente Materials Science Workshops Design, and Noodletarianism” type panel Thief by Rick Riordan “Circus of the Grand Design” by Robert These workshops provide fun hands-on should recruit these guys. One is an December 15, 2009 - Quarter Share by Freeman experiences to help participants agnostic and the other abides by his Nathan Lowell “Beyond the Black River” by Robert E. understand how materials scientists tradition of faith, and both have the Howard manipulate the properties of various strongest respect for civil conduct. So BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS “Harp, Pipe and Symphony” by Paul materials to create the products that we they play well with others, and they know DiFilippo use in our everyday life. each other so well that they improvise Fantasy/Sci-Fi Discussion Group Check website for dates and topics. beautifully off each other’s verbal riffs. 4th Wed, 7pm GAMING EVENTS Human Computer Interface-History and The Masquerade had only seven Borders, Glendale Future,” Aug entries, but the displays were exquisite, DRAWN TO COMICS “Mars, What’s New” (part II), Aug 15 and people appreciative of costumes and Path of the Craft Discussion group Heroclix. “Illusions and Illusionists” Sep 4 needlework crowded around the contes- discusses Neopagan theories inspired by Tuesdays 4pm-7pm. Saturdays, 3pm-6pm “Ending age-related disease”, Sep 18 tants after the show. both fiction and non-fiction books Star Wars Miniatures. FiestaCon put together a very strong about magic, nature, mythology, and Fridays 7:30pm-11pm, Sundays, 1 – 4pm CHALLENGER SPACE CENTER, program for young fen, with a playroom, spirituality longest-running pagan book PEORIA costuming and piratical panels, and a group in Phoenix. GAME DEPOT rockets workshop. The Gaming Room 4th Saturday of the month at 6pm HeroClix & MechWarrior - Stargazing. Starlab Planetarium. was also a kid-friendly place, and Mario Borders, Phoenix Camelback Wednesdays, 530pm Check website for dates and times Super Smash Brothers, or whatever it’s Magic, The Gathering - The Space Place is a 2-hour interactive called, was popular with every kid who Manga Bookclub Thursdays, 6pm-9pm program for little ones with big wields a toggle-stick. 1st Tuesdays, 7pm Monsterpocalypse. imaginations! Designed for children ages I didn’t get to as many of the science Borders, Chandler Wednedays, 5pm 3 through 6, the program features age- panels as I intended, but “Tesla: The Real Flames of War Fridays, 10am-8pm appropriate activities designed to teach Man” by Gilbert Rau was a fascinating Web of Avalon discussion group preschoolers about our planet and solar presentation, and it put me in a position Aug 3, 2pm IMPERIAL OUTPOST GAMES system. Call for reservations. Neptune: to appreciate Warehouse 13 when it Barnes & Noble, Desert Ridge Boardgames & Demo Nite - Apr 13-14, 930am-1130am. Pluto: May debuted. Thursdays, 6pm 11-12, 930am-1130am. Saturday night almost everyone AUTHOR SIGNINGS Federation Commander - ASU Meteorite Exhibit gathered by the poolside or flocked to 2nd Saturdays, noon Columbia Shuttle Memorial Display windows with a good view to watch the Poisoned Pen Bookstore RPG - 1st & 3rd Sundays Iridium Satellite Model fireworks display. It turns out that Tempe Diana Gabaldon, Sep 22, 6pm Lowell Observatory Display is famous for its fireworks, and justly so. Brandon Sanderson, Nov 16, 7pm SAMURAI COMICS Journey Thru the Space Program Dazzling fountains of silver, gold, red, (check website for correct store location) Atlantis Space Shuttle Model blue, white and green, spears and spheres SPECIAL BOOK RELEASES Yugioh Tournament, Sundays, noon and concentric rings of light kept us (Phx), Sat, noon (west valley) MOON SOCIETY MEETING entranced for the better part of an hour. This listing is to introduce you to smaller Anime Club, Sundays, noon There was so very, very much more, publishing houses that offer exclusive or Magic, The Gathering, Friday, 6p at both 3 PM at orders Book Store, 1361 S. Alma but I will end by saying that all back limited edition books that you wouldn’t be locations, & Tues, 6pm (west valley) School Rd. (Alma School and Southern) issues of ConNotations were snatched up able to find at your local chain bookstore. Pokemon, Saturday, 2pm (Phx), Sundays, Mesa. . For more info contact Craig appreciatively by out of town fen. – 2pm (west valley) Porterat [email protected] Chris Paige Borderlands Press “The Vampire Trilogy” by Whitley SPAZDOG COMICS PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, Strieber Star Wars Miniatures. Thursdays, 5pm TUCSON FYI Heroclix Tournaments, Fridays, 7pm Cemetary Dance Publications CASFS Book Discussion Pokemon League, Saturdays, 3pm New Volunteer Orientation. Jun 13, July “Halloweenland” by Al Sarrantonio Magic, The Gathering. Saturdays, 4pm 11, 930am “The Girl on the Glider” by Brian Keene th Bent Cover Books Marvel Comics 70 Anniversary Party, Night Wings. One Saturday a month, the Aug 11, 6pm-10pm center is open in the evening. Aug 29, 12428 N. 28th Drive, Phoenix PS Publishing 5pm-9pm 3rd Tuesdays, 7pm, in the Coffee Bar “Val/Orson” by Marly Youmans Sponsored by Central Arizona SCIENCE EVENTS Science Sundays: how to build and fly “The Babylonian Trilogy” by Sebastien rockets, Aug 30, 11am-3pm Speculative Fiction Society (CASFS) Doubinsky email questions to [email protected] ASU Titan Missile Museum Tours. “Starfall” by Stephen Baxter Reservations only Science lectures and news: http:// The only publicly accessible Titan II Come do some face-to-face interaction PYR Publishing asunews.asu.edu/news/science missile site in the nation. Tour the with your fellow readers and SF/Fantasy “The Blade Itself” by Joe Abercrombie fans! Haven’t read the book? Don’t underground missile site. See the 3-ton “The Crown Rose” by Fiona Avery ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER blast doors, 8’ thick silo walls and an worry, there’s no quiz or anything. You Genetopia” by Keith Brooke can use the rest of us as your personal actual Titan II missile in the launch duct. Saturday Science Classes for ages 6-10 Visit the launch control center, experience book reviewers to see if it’s something Subterranean Press begins on Aug 29 with the principle of a simulated launch, and more. Top to you’d like. We start out with the book “Songs of the Dying Earth” stories in discussion, but the conversation can go catapults. Check website for dates and Bottom Tours: June 9,20,27. More dates honor of Jack Vance: Dan Simmons, Neil topics. avail on website. anywhere. The get-together is held in the Gaiman, Robert Silverberg, Mike coffee shop of Bent Cover Books near Lego Castle Adventure Exhibit, May Resnick, Kage Baker, et al. 24-Sep 7 28th Drive and Cactus Road in Phoenix. “The Onion Girl” by Charles de Lint We welcome potential new friends. (Cont’d on page 9) Page 8 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 the ultimate hit for the team, fake death Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint) ( Cont’d from page 8 ) FYI Screening Room plus garbage truck equals tragedy. The gets his share of the ladies, perhaps due SETI Institute’s Weekly ending looks like it could be from Danger to a love potion. Harry Potter’s lady G-Force Mouse vs the Transformers. interests are on a lower key than Ron’s. Science Radio Program Harry Potter and the Half Blood The movie is cute, entertaining, and We are also shown several more Mondays, avail as podcast Prince ultimately life affirming. The 3D is great memories involving Tom Riddle which http://radio.seti.org and the Disney method eliminates the http://podcast.seti.org headaches I used to get from the glasses. G-Force I really liked this and will spend my own OTHER GENRE-RELATED EVENTS Starring: Bill Nighy, Will Arnett, Zach money to see it again! Galifianakis Five stars out of five ~~ Bob LaPierre BARNES & NOBLE, DESERT RIDGE Director: Hoyt Yeatman Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, Running Time: 89 minutes Harry Potter and the Half Blood Author Event, Oct 10, 2pm Rated: PG Prince Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Starring: Daniel Radcliff, Michael BOOKMANS, PHOENIX Films, Walt Disney Pictures Gambon, Emma Watson, Rupert Arizona Browncoats Shindig. Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Grint, Alan Richman, Tom Fenton 1st Saturday, 7pm Motion Pictures Director: David Yates Scimitar-Talon is a group of people Release Date: July 24th, 2009 Runtime: 153 minutes wanting to enjoy recreating portions of In Disney Digital 3D Rated: PG the middle ages prior to 1600 AD. Classes Release Date: July 15th, 2009 on Medieval Arts and Sciences.. 1st Our story begins with an upcoming Reviewed by: Len Berger Saturdays, 130pm-230pm inspection of a top secret FBI laboratory. (ConNotations Film Editor) Across Plus Anime Club. Sundays, 6pm Ben (Zach Galifianakis) is worried that Harry Potter and the Half Blood BOOKMANS, GRANT RD, TUCSON Prince opens with evil lurking in the Free Tarot Readings with Pandora, clouds of a thunderstorm. Death Eaters Wednesdays, 6pm descend onto Diagon Alley and kidnap are quite revealing and play an important the wand maker. The wand maker’s shop part to understanding Lord Voldemort’s BORDERS AVONDALE is destroyed. For good measure they longevity. Metaphysical Wednesdays Discussion cause a bridge to collapse as they leave – This installment is somewhat short on Wednesdays, 7pm darn, those Death Eaters just need a bit of the action sequences that we have come love. to expect in any Harry Potter film (yes BORDERS, PARADISE VALLEY Professor Dumbledore (played by there is a Quidditch match – what would Metaphysical Fridays, 7pm Michael Gambon) requests Harry Potters a Harry Potter film be without one?). help in finding material that might assist Character development becomes more CAN’T STOP THE SERENITY in winning the war against Lord important as we near the end of the (see website list below) Voldemort. Harry Potter (played by series. Showing in Tucson on Sep 17, 630pm at Daniel Radcliff) does his usual best at The film is a bit slow and covers the The Loft Cinema portraying “the chosen one.” Drago love interests of the characters a bit too Showing in Phoenix on Sep 19, 1pm at Malvoy (played by Tom Fenton) is quite much. However, Harry Potter and the MADCAP Theatres in Tempe distant from reality throughout the film. Half Blood Prince is still a film worth He was chosen for a dastardly deed but seeing. LOFT THEATRE, TUCSON appears to have some trouble dealing without results his research will be shut The film is rated PG for some vio- Screenings of movies, many SF genre. with it. On the other hand Professor down. So he sends his team into action. lence and dark scenes. Check website for times and listings. Snape (played by Alan Rickman) is on Team leader Darwin the Guinea Pig Harry Potter and the Half Blood the dark side and swears an oath to Prince is rated “B”. Check the web sites for confirmation, (voiced by Sam protect Mr. Malvoy at all costs. location and more information. Rockwell) infiltrates Game Depot, 480-966-4727 billionaire Sabre’s (Bill http://www.azbrowncoats.org /csts Nighy) home looking http://www.azchallenger.org for information on his http://azscience.org secret plans to conquer http://www.barnesandnoble.com the world [Sabrestorm]. http://beyond.asu.edu After several close calls http://www.bookmans.com he and his team [Guniea http://www.borderlandspress.com/ Pigs Juarez (Penelope http://www.borders.com Cruz) and Blaster http://www.cemeterydance.com (Tracy Morgan), Mole http://www.drawntocomics.com Speckles (Nicolas http://www.loftcinema.com/showtimes Cage), and Fly Mooch http://madcaptheaters.com/ (Dee Bradley Baker)] http://www.pimaair.org escape with the files. http://www.poisonedpen.com The inspection goes http://www.pyrsf.com/catalog.html terribly wrong when the http://www.samuraicomics.com files recovered are not http://www.seti.org what they needed. The http://www.spazdogcomics.com/ lab is shut down and the http://www.subterraneanpress.com/ team is trapped in a pet http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/ shop. They all manage http://www.wildsidepress.com/ to escape in one way or another with one taking Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 9 Hey, Rocky, watch me pull a The first vocalists were June Foray, late, animation had already begun. On the about a week, Ward’s health took a turn Paul Frees, William Conrad, and Bill recommendation of Bill Scott, Ward gave for the worse and he charged Kay with rabbit outta my hat!” Scott. all of the artwork to Hollywood artists, selling the series on his own. The flight It’s the very nearly Later to join the team were Edward Sam Clayberger and Roy Morita. The two encountered terrible weather; Ward 50th Anniversary of Rocky the Everett Horton, Hans Conried, Charlie UPA designers along with editor Skip became so nervous his life flashed before Ruggles, Walter Tetley, and the legendary Craig worked on the Rocky pilot in their his eyes three times, and the plane made Flying Squirrel and Daws Butler. Of his fellow actor, Daws spare time, with Craig dubbing the an emergency landing in Salt Lake City. Bullwinkle J. Moose, Pt. 2 Butler said this, “To me, Bill Scott was finished film at TV Recorders. Key turned Ramona Ward drove from Berkeley to By Shane Shellenbarger one of the most talented actors in town. his attention to lining up sponsors for the bring her husband home. Ward was boy scout-in-squirrels clothing and his hospitalized for a month, he became muddled moose companion. Canada Dry agoraphobic, his food had to be brought As you recall from last time our ginger ale company show early interest. In to his apartment, and he only left his intrepid heroes, Jay Ward and Bill Scott, addition to Rocky, Ward began work on home at night to retrieve his mail. It took had begun the storyboards for Rocky the marionette show named “Carrots and the him years to recover from what was later Flying Squirrel and by Christmas 1957, King” about the adventures of a red- discovered to be a nervous breakdown, he they were complete. With the above-the- headed eight-year-old boy and Mr. Waldo never fully regained his health, and he line work moving along, Jay Ward turned Wadsworth, an unemployed ham actor had many relapses to the day he died. to his old college chum, Leonard Key, to who pronounces himself a king after he Ward, Kay, and Scott wouldn’t realize for sell the pilot. In addition to role as discovers the deed to a lost mine. Unfor- some time that Ward’s health was the pitchman for the series, Key turned his tunately, nothing ever came of the project. least of their worries. attention the economics of affordable By the end of March 1958, Rocky the Comeback next time for the episode animation. He gathered information on Flying Squirrel was an officially com- entitled “Tokyo Tojo Tragedy” or “Runaway” or animation creation outside pleted pilot and both Canada Dry and “Mexico City Morass.” the United States. The two cheapest locals another sponsor, Cocoa Marsh (a choco- This is the end of Part 2. Part 3 will were Mexico and Japan. Key and a late marshmallow drink) had seen the film continue in the next ConNotations. partner were able to broker a deal with His dialects, his characters, the top of his and loved it. Several deals were proposed Tokyo-based Tojo Studios in which the voice, the bottom of his voice . . . I had one of which was an outright buy of sixty- below-the-line budget would allow them tremendous respect for him as an actor, five episode at $3500 per, but Ward to create four-minute cartoons for $800 and we loved to work together. I’d like to wanted a percentage ownership. By this per. Writing, storyboards, layouts, model give him credit as a person, as well as time, a second film pilot had been sheets, and sound tracks would be being a terrific actor, comedian, and completed: Jam Session, which show- handled Stateside. Supervision would writer. He had it all.” cased jazz artists of the day. In late June, consist of a U.S. director, a couple Len Key recommended artists Al Ward headed to New York with a print. animators, and layout artists who would Shean and Fred Charrow to Ward for the The plan was for Len Kay and Ward to fly to Japan. Ward began gathering writers supervisory work in Japan, but it was too sell the series based on the pilot. After and voice talent.

Page 10 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 oriented Micah has a dream conversation Rome, albeit the Rome of 64 AD which Videophile & with her dead lover. The innkeeper, who means they get caught up in the intrigues Gamer’s Corner may be related to Mrs. Robinson (just a of Nero’s court. hunch), reads auras. DVD Special Features include Around the Dial My Monster - John Wick There was also a nifty incidental commentaries with cast and crew, “The Publisher: John Wick Presents! soundtrack, with “Disturbia” and Eric making of” featurette for “The Rescue $5.00 Warehouse 13 Satie piano music. I give the show top and The Romans” and assorted other little ratings. May it air long, and prosper. – tidbits. Being Human Every child worries about monsters at Chris Paige While much is made of the current Doctor Who: The Rescue / The Romans some point. Under the bed, in the closet, incarnation of the Doctor, it is entertain- The Tale of the Mighty Knights behind the curtains, you name it. That’s Being Human - Complete Series 1 ing to go back and see where it all started. because they have fears that they can 2 Entertain, 345 minutes, TV-14 Highly recommended ~~ Stephanie L Warehouse 13 only name by calling them ‘monsters’. L24.99 (US$40.80) Bannon (Tuesdays on SyFy) One of the best ways to exorcize those or Saturdays on BBC America starting demons is to make the child feel unafraid July 25 The Sci-Fi Channel’s new series is The Tale of the Mighty Knights of the monsters. That’s where My tailor-made for those of us who: 1) loved (A Star Trek Funk Musical) Monster comes in. Being Human is a delightful drama- the X-Files when it was a funny show, Nickelodeon, 97 minutes, NR My Monster is best described as a comedy from the BBC. While I pur- and 2) can’t get enough Eureka episodes. DVD $16.99 child’s first role-playing game. Designed chased this DVD from the UK it is worth Warehouse 13 is the place you see at for the 5 - 10 age bracket, it takes noting that BBC America began airing the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s the One of the new Backyardigans DVDs conventional role-playing systems and this series on July 25 and there will place where all government-acquired is a collection of three shows called The cheerfully tosses them out the window. probably be a US DVD release later in artifacts wind up. But they first have to Tale of the Mighty Knights. The series, For character creation, there are no dice the year. be acquired, and that can be dangerous which plays on Noggin or the Nickel- to roll, nor points to allocate. The method The series takes us into the lives of work. Two FBI agents are assigned to the odeon channels, is about five colorful is simple: In the first four pages of the Mitchell and George, two hospital porters South Dakota location to be the new animal-neighbors who use their imagina- book, the child draws and colors their who decide to share a flat. This seems all procurers. tion to have musical adventures in their monster, picking what prominent monster rather humdrum and normal until you In the oft’ imitated tradition of male- shared backyard, until hunger drives them features it has, such as claws, fur, take into account the fact that Mitchell is female professional pairings started by indoors for a snack. The title episode is a tentacles, as well as various aspects of its a vampire and George is a werewolf and The X-Files, the male is: 1) dark-haired, rock-opera with Uniqua and Tyrone as imaginary life. Then the rest of the rules what they both really want is to live 2) eccentric, and 3) out of favor with the knights set to guard a hatching egg. The require one, maybe two six-sided dice. normal human lives. This becomes even powers that be; while the female is: 1) a storyline is one that has been used over The last two pages are designed for more complicated when they learn the gorgeous red-head, 2) logical, and 3) by and over in Dora the Explorer and the parents, of course. It outlines how house they have rented is haunted by the book. There is a formidable director (shudder!) Barney books, but humor, best to run a game such as this for Annie, the ghost of the landlord’s of the clandestine department – Mrs. Austin as the Grabbing Goblin, and Tasha children, emphasizing that there’s no girlfriend. Complicating matters are such Frederick – and a curator of the myster- as the Flighty Fairy help redeem the need to fuss over continuity. If the things as a vampire conspiracy to turn the ies, Artie Nielsen, wonderfully played by predictable plot. One of the songs is children are on the high seas with their whole world into vampires, the return of Saul Rubinek, like a Yiddish Willy clearly influenced by Queen’s “Bohemian kids and attendant monsters one minute, George’s “maker” and his attempts to Wonka. An old photograph shows the Rhapsody,” and there is a lot of electric and on the moon the next, that’s okay, so have a girlfriend and, of yes, Annie’s ageless Mrs. Frederick and a young Artie, guitar, as well as eggy puns. Much more long as they’re having fun. discovery that she was murdered. Things who glosses over his own presence in the original is the second episode, “Blazing Finally, it discusses the topic of ‘bad wrap up neatly in the last episode with picture. This and a few other expressions Paddles,” with lyrics and music by monsters’. Monsters turn bad when they just enough questions left that there is hint at tragedies and disappointments in Rodney Stringfellow and Douglas don’t get enough snuggles and they cause room for a second series, which the BBC his past that I hope future shows reveal. Wieselman. Pablo the Ping Pong Bandit trouble. If, as a parent, one is concerned has already commissioned. Of course, the artifacts are the real stars had captured all the paddles in Ping Pong with the kids deciding to let the monster The DVD unfortunately does not of the show. The 2 hour pilot contains the Mesa, and even Sheriff Uniqua is no do ‘bad’ things, then you use the monster include the pilot episode, which had some electric car designed by Edison for Henry match for him until she goes into the as a lesson-giver, explaining that doing casting differences and was a somewhat Ford, who refused to market it; Pandora’s desert, finds a paddle-shaped cactus pad, that would make them a Bad Monster and more gothic feel. The series can be Box; a teleporting tea-kettle that either and practices in the midst of a hail storm. they don’t want to become that. enjoyed without that but it will be grants your wish or gives you a ferret if The score is set to raj music (think And should the child decide that interesting to see if BBC America starts your wish is impossible; Tesla’s stun gun; Bollywood), and the musical numbers are certain facets of their monster have with the pilot or ignores it. - Recom- Farnsworth’s communicators; a football delightful. changed, or they wish to make a second mended ~~ Stephanie L Bannon that travels around the world; Flight 22 Then there’s “Garbage Trek,” with monster, all the parent will need to do is from the Bermuda Triangle; Houdini’s sound effects from the original Star Trek go to the link provided in the grown-up Doctor Who: The Rescue / The Romans wallet; and – Spoiler Alert! – by the end and 70s funk music for the songs and section and download the blank page so BBC Warner, 146 minutes, NR of the episode, a portrait of Lucretia dances. Yes, the Enterprise is now a that the child can add to it, no need for DVD $34.98 Borgia and the hair comb that channels garbage scow – sorry, Scotty. When the additional purchases. her personality. imagination sequence began I burst out So for those that want to introduce their These episodes, numbers 11 and 12, This pilot was full of imagination, laughing, remembering “The Trouble children to role-playing, this is a quick, feature the original Doctor, William great writing, and zinger-laced dialogue with Tribbles” and how Scotty threw the simple and most importantly, fun method Hartnell. that advanced character development. first punch when his honor, his izzat, was to do that, for both child and grown-up. The Rescue finds our travelers When Artie is trying to get his new agents offended. I hope the shades of James Once your little monster has a monster of arriving on the planet Dido in the late to feel welcome he says, “I made cook- Doohan and Gene Roddenberry get a their own, the path to role-playing has 25th Century. They find a crashed ies,” to which Pete replies, “Oooh!” while smile out of this one. ~~ Chris Paige begun! spaceship from Earth whose occupants Micah says, “I don’t eat sugar.” But every -Jon Kelley are living in fear of a creature called time she gets profoundly upset, she gulps Snag of the Dark Ones down sweets. Koquillion. This is a two-part story One of the best features of the show is mainly used to introduce the new com- open acknowledgement of the validity of panion, Vicki, who replaced the Doctor’s hunches and intuition. All the main granddaughter Susan who left at the end characters have some form of extra- of the previous season. sensory perception. Pete is the intuitive of The next episode is The Romans in the field team, but observant, detail- which our time travelers go on holiday in (Cont’d on page 12 ) Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 11 ( Cont’d from page 11 ) readers and dark sci-fi war readers. ~~ tale style, was that he was embraced into Speaking of exotic: ‘Annals of Gamer’s Jeffrey Lu the fold while neither a cheerleader or Klepsis’ is about a planet ruled by “pirate Sacred doomsayer or critic - at least, not an royalty.” All current fans of pirates Gold Edition Warhammer 40,000 Horus Heresy obvious critic or doomsayer. A devout should enjoy this, although there are no Ascaron Entertainment Galaxy In Flames Catholic, he often wrote of how the cutlass battles aboard sailing ships (there $9.99 by Graham Ben Counter apocalypse on Earth could come to pass, is a teleporting sailing ship). Klepsis is Black Library Publication, $7.99, 407 with the religion aside. the pirate planet of the four suns and The second version of Sacred just pages. In ‘Fourth Mansions,’ newspaperman seventeen planets with humans on them. came out so the first edition was made Freddy Foley has a hunch that a reclusive Apocalypse approaches according to the available in a jewel box. The game is a Warmaster Horus commands different rich man is a secret immortal. The machinations of the Doomsday Equation. lot of fun, if fairly simple. There isn’t legions of Space Marines to land on a investigation uncovers a society of In the meantime, a visiting historian much chance to advance your magic rebellious world, Isstvan III. They will returnees whose spirits reclaim bodies, to marries a princess, goes to a barbecued items, the quests are straightforward, and successfully defeat the enemy. Yet, wreak suffering upon the world. They are whale festival, gets caught in a popular the side quests are simple and occasion- Horus’s hand in betrayal is shown as he gearing up for their grand finale, to rebellion and palace coup. And there’re ally advance your character without ordered virus bombs on his own men. plunge the world into total chaos. They pirate ghosts who ring bells in their direct changes. I particularly like having Little will Horus knows that his plan for do this periodically, to keep civilizations towers of the old castle. Yarrrr. prices lowered after doing some of the destroying all legions loyal to the from progressing to higher levels, the ‘And Walk Now Gently Through the side quests. Emperor will go awry. spiritual fourth mansions and beyond. Fire’ is exceptional since it is post- Deaths return you to the location of This is the third book of the Horus Now a secret society of watchers drafts apocalyptic. Civilization wound down not your last completed major quest so you Heresy series. Foley into the fight against them. Foley with a bang but a drug-addled whimper, might want to remember to save often. I Scary. Realistic when plans go south. maintains telepathic contact with some and the world has depopulated. On the save every quest completion, major or Good reading. Recommended for allies, and also has precognition, giving Dakota plains, Judy Thatcher and her two minor, and whenever I arrive in a new Warhammer 40,000 readers and dark sci- this novel somewhat of a science fiction kids wander, in psychic contact with their town. Choosing your class also chooses fi war readers. ~~ Jeffrey Lu basis. The other novels in this review herd of feral cattle. She is one of ‘The your race, and that is important as you are have similar psi threads to keep them on Twelve’ leaders of the dispersed Christian limited to items compatible with your Warhammer 40,000 Horus Heresy The the scifi-almost-religious-fantasy borders. churches. The word “Christian” never race and sometimes with your class. So Flight of The Eisenstein ‘Arrive at Easterwine’ is subtitled, appears in this story but the intent is far I’ve only played six of the possible by James Swallow ‘The Autobiography of a Ktistec Ma- clear: the people are called “Queer Fish.” nine classes/races. Each has pluses and Black Library Publication, $7.99, 407 chine.’ The Ktistec is a sentient computer Lafferty’s point is that even if the world minuses and so far, I like the various pages. named Epikt, created by a team of “ends”, religion will survive and renew options and am looking forward to the eccentrics working for a private founda- the world. This is a 31-page story in an Dwarven weaponry for my next play Death Guard Space Marine Captain tion, the Institute for Impure Science. anthology on the theme of biology and through. Garro witnessed Horus’s betrayal of some Two of their great projects have already religion. Of course some of Lafferty’s The experience system runs fairly of Emperor’s Legions at Isstvan Ill. He failed: Thin Water and the Love Essence. people have a few psi powers to cope simple, you need about a hundred will command and seize a ship to bring Now, a third and ultimate project of the with the world. This story isn’t tall-tale monster kills for your first increase and news of Horus being a traitor to the team is to find the shape of the universe humor, but it’s as lyrical. by twentieth level and thereafter you need Emperor. Garro will face not only and set up a liaison with it. Epikt suc- ‘Apocalypses’ consists of two about one thousand per level. You have Horus’s battle forces but also the prob- ceeds, Easterwine is arrived at, and the unrelated novelettes. ‘Where Have You certain items and they offer the chance to lems of traveling through the “warp.” He project is another failure. Given all that is Been, Sandaliotis?’ is about a new have resistance to differing types of will also have to meet and convince found out, does it matter by then? landmass that appears off the coast of damage. From what I’ve seen, your Horus’s equal, Rogal Dorn, leader of the ‘The Devil is Dead’ is a widely Corsica, triggering a frenzy of real estate priories should be first - physical, second Space Marine Imperial Fists about rambling tale of Finnegan versus speculation in the world economy. When - poison, third - fire. Horus’s sudden change. Will Garro get Papadiabolous. Fantastic things some- the land proves illusive and vanishes, the I’m enjoying it enough that I am his message to the Emperor in time? times occur, though it’s set in the mun- residents must scramble for safety. Not to playing as soon as I turn this article in, This is the fourth book of the Horus dane modern world. Halfway through, the mention the economic consequences, but and I will buy the Sacred II as soon as I Heresy series. story seems to reach a climax and then how believable is it that the world’s can. Great hardships. Liked it. Recom- change course. Finnegan had been sailing economy could be wrecked by real estate 4 Stars out of 5 mended for Warhammer 40,000 readers on a yacht with Papa Devil and his speculation? Maybe Lafferty was just too See you next time. and dark sci-fi war readers. ~~ Jeffrey cohorts, and then they try to overthrow a silly to be indulged sometimes, and that Bob LaPierre Lu third world nation. Finnegan steals their was just a side issue. The main storyline money and spends the second half of the is about secret agent-detective Warhammer 40,000 Horus Heresy novel fleeing, enjoying himself, or Constantine Quiche trying to save the False Gods Musty Tomes occasionally attacking those cohorts. It world from a 300-mile long antimatter by Graham McNeill seems to ramble, bringing in hints of bomb in the sky, possibly connected to Black Library Publication, $7.99, 406 MASTER OF THE TALL-TALE APOCALYPSE: plots to destroy humanity, recessive Sandaliotis. James Bond on Atlantis? pages. R.A. LAFFERTY Neanderthal bloodlines, and a final The other novelette is ‘The Three Fourth Mansions, 1969, Ace Books confrontation at the end. True to his Armageddons of Enniscorthy Sweeny.’ Horus, the Warmaster, is critically Arrive at Easterwine, 1971, Ballantine trickster name, Finnegan is about to give It is about a man whose darkest operas injured. He is near death. His loyal Books us a final ending but we’ll never know. If become the tragedies of world history. He forces are aiding him into an alien culture The Devil is Dead, 1971, Avon Books the world didn’t end then, I guess he won caused both world wars and the Great that might save him. Yet, Horus will have And Walk Now Gently Through the that round. No he didn’t; it was the poem Depression. Will his unfinished work to battle visions that might influence his Fire and Other Science Fiction Stories, Miss Doll threw into the crack in the cause World War Three? Mathematician destiny with the Emperor of Mankind. edited by Roger Elwood, 1972, Chilton ground on the last page. Makes sense? Elton Quartermass is trying to stop him. Will he be turned by Chaos? By his own Apocalypses, 1977, Pinnacle Books Read it to enjoy it, not for any linear plot. Again, maybe this story is just too silly. pride? Or something more sinister? Annals of Klepsis, 1983, Ace Books The most colorful characters you will Who could believe that opera would have This is the second book of the Horus never meet put in the briefest of cameos, an influence towards world war? Heresy series. In one sense, you can consider science walking out of the folk motif catalog and Both stories cite Fortean paranormal Definitely worth reading. This book fiction as the reducto ad absurdum of the mixing in traces of the most mythic story effects and eccentric mathematics, in explained one of the beginnings of belief in endless progress. Sometimes that sidelines. The constant decoration of Lafferty’s mix of power-beyond-mundane Warhammer 40,000 universe at its core. reduction comes to glory, or sometimes it these characters and unfollowed plots science. Such traits kept him in the Recommended for Warhammer 40,000 comes to disaster. What made Lafferty gives an exotic sense to it all. science fiction fold while making his such a unique writer, apart from his tall- ( Cont’d on page 13 ) Page 12 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 ( Cont’d from page 12 ) tally conscious society. There is also a plays. So feel free to disagree my ton Grays, will be conducting the rescue Musty planet-wide weapons ban in place. impression of this book. ~~ Randy operation in the Zahedan section of Iran. analogies of the spiritual crises in the Silk’s idyllic tropic island existence is Lindsay With little intelligence on what they will world. What is apocalypse but the disrupted when his “contracted”, the be facing they rush forward to rescue the ultimate spiritual crisis? In the real world, futuristic term for a spouse, is killed. Warbots hostages before too many more of the it has a physical expression too. Lafferty Working for Off-world Quarantine, which By G. Harry Stine hostages can be tortured to death. This was a master at showing both sides of the holds visitors to Earth until they can be Pinnacle Books, $4.50, 476pp hurried approach results in all of the crisis, in a charming and often humorous declared plague-free, she is killed by expected problems developing during the style, yet with the deadliest purpose. ~~ Depard King when she refuses to give Warbots takes a hard look at the future mission: not enough troops, not enough M.L. Fringe him what he wants. of warfare, namely the increasing use of equipment, and component failure of the And what is it that Depard wants? We drones on the battlefield. The use of man- equipment they do have. All of it adds up A Time of Changes don’t know and don’t really find out until guided machines to take the fight to the to a mission that will test Capt. Carson’s Robert Silverberg almost the end of the book. However, it enemy without exposing our own troops leadership skills to the limit. Orb Trade Paperback, $14.95; 304 pp. entails chasing Silk around in the hopes to weapons fire is examined in this piece Interestingly, the Zahedan troops have of getting it. of fiction. Can the soldier’s presence ever a religious intolerance of technology, This is a re-release of Silverberg’s Perry relies heavily on futuristic slang really be removed out of harm’s way? with most of them relying on bows and attempt at writing about a society that has to establish the setting. If you like the And if you read this book you can find swords for their weaponry. This, in a way, attempted to remove all thoughts of self. language to put you in the proper mood, out what Mr. Stine thought about it. sets up a man vs. machine scenario, or at People were not supposed to think or then this will appeal to you. He is also Orient Express Flight Seven is least a match against high-tech and low- speak of the first person and indeed to good at providing visuals for his scenes. hijacked by terrorists out of Iran. One- tech approaches to war. You’ll have to use the words I or me was foulness in the His writing is mentally graphic; making it hundred and seventy hostages are held in read the book if you want to find out how extreme. While he was largely successful, easy to picture what is going on. an undisclosed location for an exorbitant those match ups turn out. I found much to be implausible. If you If there is a theme for this story it ransom of $10 million dollars each. The Overall, I enjoyed seeing the robotic were to remove the self as an acceptable would have to be: Sex Conquers All. Imam has threatened to torture a hostage infantry in action and Stine work with the topic/subject then substituting the use of There appears to be no motivation and no to death each day that his demands are themes he has chosen. My only complaint “one” should be just as objectionable. frame of mind which will allow the not met. And to show that he’s serious he is that I didn’t feel that there was a real The story is a bit dry and while some characters of this story to resist an starts with victim number one. resolution with the villains of the story, exposition about the character is neces- invitation for sex. The only character not Captain Curt Carson leads the robot who are free to plan their evil plans in sary, I think telling his life story was a primarily driven by, or at least easily infantry company of Carson’s Compan- future books. But then, that could be a little too much. I had to start this book distracted by, sex is Depard and he ions. This branch of the military link into good thing too; how good would Star seven times before I could finally get substitutes it with violent urges for the futuristic war-machines and direct Wars have been if they got rid of Vader in through it. He has written better stuff and revenge. them in battle conditions. Being able to the first film? should have had them reprint one of I thought the book had a few weak instantly switch between units allows G. Harry Stine is known as the father them. points, but none of them may affect your them to control multiple combat robots at of model rocketry. He founded the NAR. I cannot recommend reading this ability to enjoy reading Spindoc. The first once. Even though this advanced technol- There are several books in the Warbot unless you are one of his most die-hard of these being Silk as the main character. ogy has taken them physically off the series, and he also wrote Science Fiction fans (and maybe not even then). Although I didn’t do a word count, it battlefield, it has not removed soldiers under the pseudonym of Lee Correy. .5 out of 5 stars ~~ Bob LaPierre seemed as if he receives the least amount from the possibility of death. Having a Under his own name he wrote a regular of page time in the story. Which may be robot destroyed out from under you science column for Astounding / Analog. Spindoc for the best as he has no real goal or creates enough system shock to kill a ~~ Randy Lindsay by Steve Perry motivation in the story; he is mainly there person. Even worse, it leaves some in a Ace, $4.99, 262pp to be acted upon by the other two permanent vegetative state. characters in the story. Carson’s Companions are in the Silk is a spindoc. It’s his job to take Secondly, it felt as if Perry had half a middle of military training exercises unfavorable events related to the Port of story here. The first half of the book spins when the call comes in for them to Maui and spin it in a way to make his its wheels without getting very far. There assemble. This provides us an opportu- employer look good, or at least not are plenty of scenes with the characters nity to see them at work under ideal responsible for any tragedy that develops moving around and giving us their inner conditions and against other robotic units. in their area of responsibility. We call monologue, but precious little interaction. I really enjoyed this part of the book. them lawyers and politicians, but appar- The story didn’t really start moving until However, their situation will be far ently in the future it represents a respect- nearly half-way through when Depard’s from ideal. Their regiment, the Washing- able job. and Zia’s goals collide. It wasn’t until Depard King is a freelance agent. He then that the story grabbed my attention. is older and used to work for Terran Then there is the matter of the title Security; at least, until he was fired. Now and this is a minor point, to be sure. he is pursuing something that will allow When I read the back cover I expected him to retire in style. our illustrious spindoctor to be using his Zia Re’lanj is an off-worlder spy. She media skills to some great effect against is looking to intercept a package. In this the forces of evil. But alas, he did not. case the package is another off-worlder For all the difference it made to the story that has fled to Earth. His home planet he could have been a cleaning technician. wants him back. She is to find him and But who’s going to buy a sci-fi book return him to E2 alive, or kill him and called Janitor? hide the body where no one can find it On the plus side, the book has an again. exciting finish. I enjoyed the two spies The vast majority of the story takes trying to outwit one another and all of the place on Earth in the year 2118. It is action that ensues as a result of it. considered overpopulated with six and a Perry is the author of fifty plus books, half billion residents. A previous plague including two Aliens books which I has wiped out a large number of the thoroughly enjoyed. He also has an animal species. The toxic atmosphere of impressive amount of writing credits in the past has created a more environmen- graphic novels, television, and screen- Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 13 careful precautions in place when they Of course there is more to the kidnap- monster virus infect the computer base, In Our Book might have to intermingle (disasters, ping than just political maneuvering or just as a plague is carried up from the emergencies, etc.) simple blackmail. The novel escalates in catacombs. Now they are truly isolated, Darkborn But of course, this is a tale about a compelling manner as it rushes to the unless Killer can turn his skills to by Alison Sinclair when something changes. There is end (there will be two more books of practical use against a binary enemy; and ROC, $15, 348pp actually a third set of life forms that course). I didn’t want to put it down. The they’ll die in droves unless the alcoholic remain from the hellacious mage war and setting is fascinating—a mixture of doctor climbs out of his bottle. This is refreshingly different. they are called the Shadowborn who are Victorian-flavored fantasy with a little The huge surprise of Enclave is the And I so didn’t expect it. From the usually deformed misanthropes. And who soupcon of steampunk. There is elegance author. Kit Reed is not the 26-year-old cover I thought the novel was going to are usually contained by the Borders. and parties and people who lead double marine I expected to see after reading deal with creatures of the night: vam- This arrangement is all beginning to lives. Besides Balthasar, Telmaine Hearne five chapters and flipping to the bio-pic pires, werewolves, what-have-you. fall apart. and the intriguing Baron Ishmael di on the dust jacket, but a New England So wrong. Sinclair’s tale starts when a kind- Studier (a man working for the reigning lady with parchment skin and eyes that In the world Sinclair has created hearted Darkborn physician Dr. Balthasar Darkborn Duke in charge of a sort of are a Venn diagram of sharp and wise. (called Imogene’s Land) there are two Hearne takes in a high-class woman secret service) develop into complex, She must have picked up her street slang kinds of people: those that can tolerate about to give birth. She is affianced to a intense characters. from her students. She has previously daylight, the Lightborn and those that can high born lord—and these children This tale is well-written and clever been nominated for both the World only tolerate the night, the Darkborn. (twins) are not his. and more than worth the price. My only Fantasy Award and the James Tiptree They were once the same people but 500 And the story really gets rolling when caveat is it took me quite a number of Award. ~~ Chris Paige. or so years previously there was this a couple of days later the doctor is beaten pages to pick up the rhythm of the story outrageous mage war— and the survivors to within an inch of his life by thugs who and I was confused at first by the The Spy Who Haunted Me were Cursed. So half the people can only are looking for the babies—children “sonning” the characters did. by Simon R. Green come out at night and the other half can Balthasar thinks are Sighted—and able to Now I am just sorry I have to wait Penguin, $24.95, 400 pp only tolerate daylight. If either goes out live in a Darkborn world. The mother until 2010 to read the next book. ~~ Sue when they shouldn’t; they are reduced to drugged him and disappeared. The Martin This is the third book in the Secret ash. And this includes mingling inside babies, according to his plan, were taken History series of novels that follow the buildings lighted or not. by Balthasar’s sister (also a physician) Enclave adventures of Eddie Drood, aka Shaman Both have eyes. But one set of people and hidden. by Kit Reed Bond. Eddie is a member of the Drood have an extra bundle of nerves around Balthasar’s wife Telmaine (who was Tor Books, $25.95, 366 pp family, which is more an agency than a their (sightless) eyes that allow them to out in the country with their two daugh- family. The family takes care of threats “sonn” (a kind of very refined sonar, I ters) comes home just as the assailants are What begins as a ferocious satire that can potentially harm humans and are assume). leaving. And one of their daughters is becomes a tribute to resiliency and the hated by the underworld. . And the twain don’t meet. They live kidnapped to be used as leverage against spirit of Semper Fi. Sargent Whitemore is Eddie was a field agent in London side-by-side (uneasily) and even have Balthasar. a marine veteran of numerous wars in a who is now in charge of the entire Drood time when many people truly believe it’s family. the end of days. Part guardian, part con In this installment, the greatest spy in man, and in search of personal redemp- the world is dying and has set up a tion, Sarge has started a school for the contest to see who will become heir to all notorious children of the rich and famous. his secrets. Eddie is one of six contestants Ostensibly, this isolated enclave on chosen by Alexander King to solve the Mount Clothos will be a Noah’s Ark to greatest mysteries of the world, from the keep these precious darlings safe through Loch Ness monster to Roswell, and he is the world’s death throes; but Sarge knows playing to learn a very important secret... that some parents will pay any price to the identity of the traitor in the Drood get certain embarrassing offspring out of family. the public eye. “Killer” Stade a 12-year- This book stands alone well but I will old hacker who used explosives to off be looking for the first two in the series. one of his teachers – he never told And yes, this title and the others, are a anyone that the creep was a pederast. parody of James Bond titles. ~~ Teddy’s a younger-son European prince Stephanie L Bannon who has grand mal seizures that cast a dangerous shadow on the royal blood. Storm From The Shadows Zander/Alexandra Birch is an unhappy by David Weber trannie. Sylvie and her posse are the Baen Books, $27.00, 755 pp girls who are famous for being infamous, and with references to hotel fortunes, This monstrous creation partially movie roles, scandals, multiple marriages overlaps the action in At All Costs and and shaved heads, it’s fairly obvious who fills in some things not described in that served as inspiration for these characters. book. The reader who has read that book 100 kids are herded onto a mountaintop needs to be aware of this or confusion into a fortified former monastery, with no will ensue. Readers of the series will find access to the internet, or outside commu- the new volume of considerable interest. nications of any kind. New readers who have not been over- Except Killer figures Sarge has to exposed to Weber will enjoy it hugely. have a private link to the outside world, Michelle Henke, newly returned from and he is determined to find it; and the being prisoner of war in the Republic of last Benedictine resident on the mountain Haven, is assigned to command the never mentions what killed all the former Manticoran forces in the Talbott Cluster monks; and Sarge recruited all his which is now part of the newly created permanent staff from the ranks of the Star Empire of Manticore. The story desperate, and not all of them are reliable. covers in excruciating complex detail Killer and Teddy inadvertently let a ( Cont’d on page 15 ) Page 14 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 14 ) will. He is another caretaker of animals, in spite of the pain it brought Corinne. group locates Montoya, drug cartel man dealing with the wild ones while Abra She left him and was running an antique who is behind it all. Even Soldana joins how Henke acts to prevents the Solarians tends to the domesticated. Red also shop in Mexico City. Chance comes to their vigilante expedition into Mexico. from expanding their influence in the monitors the supernatural boundaries, so her and asks her to help find his mother The story is well-paced and holds cluster. The story is quite gripping, the when a Bear Spirit gets disturbed by a who has been taken away by persons your attention from beginning to end. characters well-developed and interest- new upscale housing development, Red is unknown. Corrine agrees because she Recommended. I hope she writes more ing. Reviewing it well was difficult the first to notice – but by no means the knows and loves his Korean mother, Yi with this character. She has another because of the number of characters and last. Abra has her own run-ins with Bruin, Min-chin. The hunt begins with Corinne’s Sirantha Jax/Grimspace novel coming out the complexity of the action. Suffice to and it nearly costs her life. handling of Min’s pewter pocket Buddha in October. ~~ Gary L. Swaty say that readers who have enjoyed But Bruin is pleasant and civil which she left behind at the scene of her watching Weber steal from history and compared to Abra’s not-quite-ex husband disappearance. Deathwish borrow the names of authors and fans for Hunter and his paramour, Magda. Both The story is rich with many interest- by Rob Thurman characters will love this book. Recom- are werewolves – Hunter had turned Abra ing characters. The mad fanatical mur- Roc, $7.99, 336 pp Gary L. Swaty mended. ~~ after being turned and claimed by Magda. derer who Chance and Corinne had sent They are mean and manipulative, and go to prison arrived to help saying he had The previous books in this series are Angels’ Blood to extreme lengths to sabotage Abra’s been sent by God to aid them in destroy- Nightlife, Moonshine, and Madhouse, but by Nalini Singh relationship with Red. The fact that Abra ing great evil. Chuch, a retired Arms don’t let not having read them stop you Penguin, $7.99, 368 pp is going into heat for the first time since dealer, and Eva his wife help them. from picking up Deathwish. Thurman her changeover makes her very suscep- Soldana, a local Loredo cop joins their does a fine job of bringing a new reader Ms. Singh has what seems to be a tible. It also makes her irresistible to most group. An aristocratic British psychic up to speed and or into the know/now. completely new theory on the creation of males – and a few females. She makes an based in London does out-of-body This was my first Thurman novel; it Vampires. She puts a fresh idea out into a ill-timed visit to Manhattan to confer with scouting for them. won’t be my last. Everything from the market which is sadly in need of new a friend and starts a full-scale phero- First they take out an enemy sorcerer Dedication to the About the Author got a ideas. This said, I have to go on to say mone-driven riot. who ensorcels Eva and Chuch and the ( Cont’d on page 16 ) that at first it seemed as if this were going Abra is trying to sort through her to be just another story about a vampire- ambivalent relationships with her lover, hunting, tuffer-than-nails woman who can her husband, and her boss while the take on the world with only a small blade Manitou spirits are reclaiming their old in hand and win. However, the story territory. Townsfolk who used to worry eventually “got” me, so instead of tossing about mongrel pups now find their the book in disgust, I finished it. I’m glad ornamental lap dogs evolving into full- I did. Now, if you are married to the idea throated wolves, while housecats are that Angels are ethereal creatures full of becoming cougars and pumas. It comes grace and above worldly concerns, this is to a showdown between the arcane NOT the book for you. These Angels powers of the Manitou and the mere have Substance. There were some weirdness of shapechangers, an empath, expected plot twists, but the ending took the three grey sisters of Greek mythology, a turn that I was not expecting, which is and a sheriff with a significant tattoo on always nice. I do appreciate a book I am his forehead who likes to impersonate not able to completely predict. All-in-all, John Wayne. this book gets high recommendations Action-packed as this book is, from both myself and my Mother. ~~ primarily it is a story about Changes. Nyki Robertson Abra is a very different person by the end of the book. That in itself makes this an Moon Burn uncommonly satisfying, gratifying book by Alisa Sheckley to read. I also liked that so many of the Ballantine Books, $15.00, 358 pp secondary characters, including Abra’s mother and her friend Lilliana, are fully Moon Burn Witty, funny, and sexy, is as interesting as the protagonists. a winning, arrr-rousing example of furry The reader learns a wealth of informa- The better to fantasy. It’s a sequel to tion about wolves in the course of reading Hold You some , but unlike sequels, it this adventuresome romp, as well as a never leaves you at a loss, because the thing or two about entities most of us author gives a good précis in the first only encounter in fairy tales. Sheckley’s chapter or so, before digging deeply into skill as a writer is such that you wonder if the new story. maybe they are more than merely Abra Barrow is a veterinarian and a fictional… Strongly recommended. ~~ recently turned lycanthrope, living in Chris Paige Northside, a small town outlying New York City. Northside is a good place for Blue Diablo a lycanthrope; it is situated on a super- By Ann Aguirre natural fault line, so the inhabitants don’t Roc, $6.99, 316 pp turn a hair at shape-shifters or other uncanny manifestations. On the other Ann Aguirre, author of Grimspace, hand, they do get upset when their prize has ventured into new territory. I would dogs breed with wolves – or worse, call it a novel of magic and the occult coyotes. So there’s enough work to keep involving as it does spells, curses, an animal doctor very busy. Finding, out of body experiences etc. Whereas Abra’s transformations are Corinne Solomon is a Finder. Given an controlled by phases of the moon, her object she can experience traumatic lover Red Mallin is a true shape-shifter, events associated with them. Her Ex- able to morph into a wolf more or less at Lover, Chance, had exploited this talent Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 15 fantasy will have a new protagonist and novelization of a comic event? The Turning Tide: In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 15 ) setting: a Las Vegas bar owner named The book has adequately captured the A Novel of Crosspointe firm grip on my attention. Trixa Iktomi. Trick of the Light looks to flavor of the comics but it serves to point By Diana Pharaoh Francis Cal and Nikos Leandros are half- be a good mix of Trickster and apocalyp- out the flaws in the comic as well. From Roc, $7.99, 399 pp brothers who run a detective and body- tic storytelling, from this trickster-author. the minor a “cop killer” from Gotham not guard agency in Manhattan, where With luck, we’ll get to review it in the being arrested when she asked for This is the third novel of Crosspointe. vampires, werewolves, ratmen, peris and next issue. ~~ Chris Paige assistance from the authorities in Me- In this, we find Crosspointe threatened pucks are commonplace. Their best friend tropolis, to the major, a costumed super- more by misguided skulduggery from is none other than Robin Goodfellow, Flight into Darkness: hero flying to the other side of the within. King William, in an effort to who considers it a lucrative art form to Book Two of the Alchymist’s Legacy universe in days/hours (it doesn’t really counter the very real external threats, teach humans to not be gullible in matters by Sarah Ash say). I don’t mind setting aside my makes Machiavellian decisions which of used car sales or games of poker. Bantam Spectra, $24, 432 pp disbelief for a good story but there are divide Prince Ryland and Shaye who Niko’s girlfriend is a vampire named limits, I expect the story to follow its own have always supported the monarchy. Promise; Cal has broken up with his A riveting, full-bodied end to a tale rules and not ignore them when they are Additionally, Shaye’s Uncle Nicholas and girlfriend Georgina, partly because he really begun four books ago in the first inconvenient. the King’s Chancellor are plotting to hopes the separation will protect her, book of the Tears of Artamon trilogy, I was glad to see some of the minor overthrow the King and place the partly because a psychic girlfriend can be “Lord of Snow and Shadow.” This was, characters get more attention and some Chancellor on the thrown. disconcerting; but he has a friends-with- as they say, a rousing finish, a compelling better fleshing out. However, I think the This novel has Romance (Shaye and benefits relationship with Delilah, a string of increasingly intense events that handling of Mary Marvel borders on Fairlie: Captain Plusby and Nia) and Evil werewolf who works as a bouncer. lead to a very satisfying finish. And overkill. There seemed to be a point made Skullduggery with the King’s effort to Cal is only half-human, the result of a actually, a really charming romance. with all the class of toilet humor in transform Fairlie into that rarest of breeding experiment on the part of the The novel focuses on singer Celestine church. Yes in reality power corrupts, but Magical Workers, the Magical-Compass monstrous Auphe, who are like the de Joyeuse and her companion/accompa- in the DC universe it has been shown Maker. This involves exposing her to creatures out of Alien with the ability to nist Jagu de Rustephan who are secretly repeatedly that that isn’t true there. Mary dangerous magical forces which more gate between worlds, intent on making agents of the Commanderie of Francia. Marvel didn’t need to be so abused by the often than not turn a person into a Earth their buffet table. Unfortunately for Caught up in the machinations of empires writers. mindless monster. Cal, nobody, not even the werewolf and plans of their own, their story starts 1.5 out of 5 stars ~~ Bob LaPierre The assignment goes to Ryland who mafia, likes the Auphe, and a half-Auphe as these two go all the way to the far agrees to obey the King’s command in is about as popular as a carrier of Ebola. north of the Rossiyan Empire to retrieve Skinwalker spite of his lifelong friendship with Unfortunately for the Auphe, Cal and the staff of St. Sergius in hopes it will by Faith Hunter Fairlie and Shaye. The Fat is in the Fire. Niko are very good at taking out mon- prevent the Drakhaouls (demons in Roc, $7.99, 320 pp The deed is done and Shaye rebels and sters, so good in fact that the Auphe are dragon form who can hosted by humans escapes the King’s Magical containment on the verge of extinction. The remaining strong enough) from sweeping out the Jane Yellowrock hunts rogue vam- and seeks Fairlie. Before it is over, the Auphe now have a double-agenda: claim Realm of Shadows and destroying both pires for a living. She has been hired by Magicars’ fortress is destroyed, the King Cal as one of their own, and destroy all the world of the living and the dead. Katherine Fonteneau, madam of Katie’s is dead and much work must be done to his ties to the human world by killing It’s a big order and just the beginning Ladies and one of the oldest vampires in save the Kingdom. Recommended. ~~ anyone close to him. of tons of treachery and deception, horror New Orleans, to hunt down the rogue Gary L. Swaty But even when you are fighting for and finally hope in their struggles and vampire that has been terrorizing New your life, you still need to eat and pay the travels to fix what went so horribly Orleans by eating and killing tourists, MythOS rent. wrong in the Tears of Artamon trilogy. cops and vampires. Jane has a secret of by Kelly McCullough What starts out as a simple bodyguard Ash’s writing is so vivid and strong her own - she is a skinwalker with the Ace Books, $7.99, 304 pp job turns into a deadly triangle, like a and I love her characters. We really get to ability to change into any animal she classic film noir. Promise got them the know Celestine and Jagu—and discover wants she uses her talents as a skinwalker If you are tired of vampires, job, but she and the artist they are the depths of their personalities. Loads of to track the vampires. But her past is a werewolves, and empowered females guarding, a vampire named Seamus, have secrets and surprising connections mystery to her as she remembers little of behaving badly in pseudo-historical a history; and while for Promise that between disparate people are revealed. her life before she walked out of the settings, you might be pleasantly sur- history is firmly in the past tense, Seamus And what I liked best of all is that the mountains at age 12, naked and unable to prised, delighted even, by MythOS, a sees it as progressive, and Niko as an conclusion is gratifying after having read speak or understand English. New hacker’s take on Greek and Norse obstacle. Now Cal wants to protect his the four other books. Orleans will be a revelation to Jane as she mythology. This is one for the gamers, brother from more than just murderous This was a great series. I am hoping learns that not all vampires are bad and computer nerds, and mythology fen. And Auphe, and which is the worse threat, the author will find more stories to tell us finds clues to her past. that’s all of us, isn’t it? One way or Seamus or Promise: violence or betrayal? about this fascinating world. ~~ Sue This was a good quick read. The another? There’s lots more, including a Martin characters are interesting, even the The protagonist, Ravirn, usually guardian of the Amazon forests who peripheral ones such as Tom, Katie’s inhabits and hacks in a universe where shows up in Manhattan, but I really don’t Countdown blood servant and Leo, the blood master the Greek myths are the One True Reality want to spoil the surprises. I strongly by Greg Cox of New Orleans. They are fully-fleshed – in fact, he is a descendant of Lachesis, recommend Deathwish, for its blend of Ace Trade Paperback, $15.00, 336 pp characters with hints of mysteries in all one of the three Fates. For reasons that snarky dialogue, martial arts, complex their pasts. I look forward to the next remain inscrutable, the goddess Neces- plotting, and supernatural cast of charac- Well, first I’d like to say I mostly installment in the series in which we will, sity, who the Greeks, by the way, referred ters. The action is told from two perspec- enjoyed the book, that said - I did find a hopefully, learn more about Jane, Katie to as ‘harsh necessity’ (ανανκηshares a tives, as Cal and Niko alternate narra- number of problems that made it hard for and Molly, Jane’s witch friend as well as root with anguish and angst), has sent tives. They have very different view- me to completely immerse myself in it. vampire and other supernatural creatures Ravirn to an alternate Norse reality. points and voices, and there are things The first was time, maybe I missed the and their origins. Recommended ~~ Seeing how several Greek deities want that one brother either cannot or will not day when DC explained how people Stephanie L Bannon Ravirn dead, Necessity might be doing say, but the other does. My only com- could fly at multiples of the speed of light him a favor. On the other hand, she may plaint is that Thurman’s narrative voice is off Earth but be limited to below the be throwing him to the wolves. Or, occasionally repetitive. speed of sound on Earth. And time in possibly, she sent him to disrupt the The author brings the story arc to a another manner, how come we can have a predeterminism of Norse mythology with thoroughly satisfying conclusion, whether novelization of a movie that comes out its inevitable progression to Ragnarok, this means an end to the series or simply simultaneously with the movie but we the last battle in which the gods them- a hiatus; either way, the next Thurman have to wait almost a year for the ( Cont’d on page 17 ) Page 16 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 16 ) Bring Down the Sun by Judith Tarr selves, and all their champions, (living, TOR Books, $14.95, 220pp dead, and undead), everybody dies a final time. In any case, Ravirn finds himself This semi-historical fantasy from Ms. petitioned by both opposing sides, by Tarr deals with the mother of Alexander Odin and by Loki, Order and Chaos the Great. personified, to do something to avert their A young, high-ranking priestess from doom. Epiros follows her destiny and after a Ravirn had slept through most of his dance full of symbolism and ritual, mythology classes, so he is at a loss until marries Philip of Macedon (becoming he realizes that these deities have their one of several wives—history said she counterparts in the familiar ones of home. was his fourth wife). And she is no At the same time, he is perceptive enough ordinary woman, but one with great to realize that the differences may be inherent energy/powers. Powers she has even more significant than the similarities only been roughly trained to use for a between, say, Zeus and Thor, or Ares and Goddess who is vaguely named the Tyr. Ravirn is especially intrigued by Mother in a landscape that is faintly local differences in primal chaos, the stuff Greek. Two snakes are her constant from which all existence derives, and the companions, yet they do little except programming languages of computer symbolize the goddess’ favor. This networks that the Aesir employ. Chaos is woman also goes through three names: the direct source of his power, as well as Polyxena, Myrtale and finally, Olympias. his regenerative abilities, and Ravirn The tale is thin and full of generali- finds himself much more vulnerable in ties. I am a huge fan of Tarr’s novels and this new reality. Then the operating was disappointed with this compact story. system poses a serious challenge to his She tells us a lot but with not enough hacking skills. The most important detail. Even the book’s big confrontation variable is that in his world, AIs give at the end with the witches of Thessaly computer systems a soul, complete with had only moderate tension. I hate saying personality, while the MimirNet is the this but this was a bland, uninteresting sole – and soulless – functioning system book and I was grateful it was short. ~~ in the nine worlds of Norse reality. Sue Martin The supporting cast of characters is fantastic. The Fury Tisiphone accompa- In The Stormy Red Sky nies Ravirn, and his sidekick is a net- By David Drake computer systems - or starships. Torres A Grey Moon Over China goblin named Melchior. Like Ravirn, Baen Books, $25.00, 378 pp wants out, bad. Trouble is, while a torus by Thomas A. Day both Tisiphone and Melchior find their has been built in the vicinity of Venus Tor Books, $24.95, 411 pp powers are muted in the Norse alternate This is the seventh book in the that could theoretically propel a space- reality, where they meet the afore- Lieutenant Leary series. Leary has been ship across light-years in hours, the This is a tough but ultimately very mentioned gods, plus Loki’s sons: the given command of the misconfigured project was left unfinished, owing to lack rewarding blend of dystopic vision, hard Fenris wolf and the Midgard Serpent, and cruiser Milton and sent on a milk run of just about every essential resource. So (technological) and soft (psychological) Odin’s ravens, Thought and Memory – delivering an ambassador to the friendly there’s no exit torus, and no destination. SF, apocalyptic quotations, and innova- Ravirn’s counterparts. McCullough has a government of The Hedgemony in the Torres shares his find first with fellow tive ways for things to go wrong, wrong, fresh take on all the gods and Veil Cluster. But a change of government Tech cadre, and then, carefully, with wrong. ‘monsters.’Additionally, he brings Tyr’s is in effect and the new government is not world powers in exchange for materials Mr. Day has an extraordinary back- severed hand to life a la Thing from The friendly. Major skullduggery is afoot. The to build exploration drones, an exit torus, ground; according to his bioblurb he’s Addams Family. Hedgemony is in bed with Cinnabars and other equipment. Mutual betrayal is been a night cargo pilot, a senior manager Can Ravirn the Trickster introduce an main foe, The Alliance. Leary must act the name of the game. The body count is in aerospace industry, and a software element of Lucretian swerve to the Norse fast on several fronts to avert the destruc- in the tens of thousands before Torres’ developer for artificial intelligence. It myths, or will he get devoured by the tion of his beloved Republic of Cinnabar. team and an uneasy consortium of takes at least three of his main characters Midgard Serpent, killed by Tyr, caught by The formulaic pattern of this series colonists blast off for the Holtzein to represent the range of his experiences. Odin’s Wild Hunt, or die in a systems could cause it to be dull reading were it system. One of the few people Torres His writing style is a bit like Heinlein at crash while he’s hacking the net? not for the complex characters developed truly respects, Patel Madhu, tries to warn his darkest (think Farnham’s Freehold I enjoyed this book so much; I for the stories and the excellent writing. him that they will be taking with them the without the weird Freudian stuff); while promptly bought its predecessors: Chief among the characters are Daniel very horrors Torres hopes to escape. The his recourse to depth psychology is WebMage, Cybermancy, and CodeSpell, Leary himself and his Signals Officer, last transmission they hear from Earth is reminiscent of Ursula LeGuin. Not a bad which explain how Ravirn got to be so Adele Mundy. So instead of just having by the BBC, informing them of the total combination. very unpopular with his home gods. ~~ an excellent fun adventure story, you get destruction of the Amazon basin by fire The protagonist is Eduardo Torres, Chris Paige wonderful character interaction as well. and the projected collapse of a self- who in 2027 is an 18-year-old warrant Leary ends up righting wrongs done sustaining atmosphere. The announcer officer, conscripted at age 14 by what’s on a secret colony and in the process goes on to say, “We look upon the left of the United States and trained in the acquiring the troops he needs to foil the departing Enterprise spacecraft and the Technical Warfare School for dirty ops. Alliance Forces. The story is a quick fun regional fleets in their wake, … and China is the dominant world power. Earth read. I recommend it highly. ~~ Gary L. understand that they may carry with them is a place of desertification, drought, Swaty not only humankind’s great dream of famine, wars, and floods, and a popula- adventure, but our very seed as well. It is tion of 7 billion. During a sweep and for that reason alone, and for none other, seize mission on an island in the Pacific, that I now wish them Godspeed.” Torres finds and steals an invention, a This one has the potential for broad battery that can run for decades and base appeal. There’s lots of technology power vehicles, planes, hospitals, ( Cont’d on page 18 ) Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 17 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 17 ) has some unusual clientele as well as Haight Ashbury district and begins to 1942 and speculative science, including self- some really special merchandise. Throw slowly put down roots; but someone with by Robert Conroy modifying intelligent machines that were in a renegade sorcerer, some dragons on her power cannot go unnoticed. First Ballantine Books, $15.00, 358 pp not programmed with Asimov’s Laws of the hunt, a leprechaun shop assistant and Aidan Rhodes, male witch, shows up in Robotics, plenty of military action, rival the everyday entanglements of love, her shop and gifts her with a familiar, Alternative history usually diverges at planetary colonies, suspense, sabotage, relationships and family squabbles and Oscar (not a cat - this witch is allergic to a set point and keeps diverging, becom- well-plotted character conflicts and you have a delightful mix that will keep cats). Then, on a visit to purchase some ing more and more unlike our timeline. In evolutions, and hope that transcends you turning page after page, eager to see vintage clothing Lily and her client both 1942, Conroy posits that Admiral despair. what happens next. While this is listed as hear the demon, La Llorona, a child Nagumo follows up the original air strike In the back of my mind, I kept a standalone novel I can only hope Ms disappears, a handsome reporter, Max on Pearl Harbor with a raid that takes out contrasting this book with its antipodal Huff relents and brings us more adven- Carmichael, shows up looking to debunk the U.S. planes and oil storage tanks – as opposite number, Escape Velocity by tures with Alysha and her family. Highly all things magical only to run smack dab Yamamoto indeed ordered. The Japanese Christopher Stasheff. In both stories, a recommended ~~ Stephanie L Bannon into real magic, there is a murder, fleet, with its carriers, planes, and pilots, splinter group colonizes a distant system inheritance, suspicious police officers, proceed to conquer the Hawaiian islands. in defiance of global resistance. But Truancy Origins voodoo, ghosts, brides, an attempt to save But then our ‘actual’ timeline, or perhaps whereas Stasheff’s colonists are cheerful by Isamu Fukui the missing child and vanquish the demon the author’s patriotism, at once deter- SCA members and fen, Day’s characters Tor Books, $17.95, 375 pp and, oh yes, learning to make friends and mined and determining, reasserts itself are borderline psychopaths or desperate making sure her business is successful. and orchestrates a return to historical people with PTSD. And yet, some of The author, Isamu Fukui, is an 18- Ms Blackwell has presented a homeostasis and an American victory in these complex survivors find, or make, a year-old senior at Stuyvesant High in wonderful start to what is obviously the Pacific. better world than the one they escape, NYC; already he is a better writer than going to be a series. I sat down to read a Several factors sabotage the initial with the help, not of a deus ex machina, many professionals two and three times few chapters while dinner cooked and triumph of the Japanese military force. but machinae ex deus. When you’re his age. Truancy Origins is the prequel read the book in one sitting. The charac- The historically accurate ones include the ready to put aside childish things, pick up for Fukui’s first book, Truancy, which he ters, even the supporting cast, are all code of bushido, a kind of hubristic A Grey Moon Over China. ~~ Chris wrote when he himself was 15. His interesting and while the story stands well honor, that lead the highly trained and Paige books are a revenge commentary on on its own there are secrets hinted at irreplaceable pilots to die with their plutocracies, school systems and teenage concerning Lily, Aidan and Max that I planes because they refused to wear Terribly Twisted Tales existence. hope we will learn more about in the next parachutes – even in defiance of direct Edited by Jean Rabe Illegitimate twin boys, Umasi and book, A Cast Off Coven. I can only hope orders. On the fictional side, a heroic and Martin H. Greenberg Zen, are deposited on the figurative that it is published sooner than its June army captain named Jake Novacek leads Daw Fantasy, $7.99, 303pp doorstep of the Mayor of Education City 2010 proposed date. Highly recom- a guerilla resistance force of military by their half-sister, who hates the very mended ~~ Stephanie L Bannon irregulars, Hawaiian natives and Japanese Eighteen short stories, eighteen twists fact of their existence. The Mayor is paid Americans. He contrives to communicate on traditional fairy tales, and for the first off to raise them as his own, keep them Faery Moon with US forces on the mainland, arrang- time in reviewing I can say honestly there out of the way, and out of trouble. But by P.R. Frost ing for supplies and personnel, eventually isn’t a dud in the bunch. Some few are trouble just won’t leave the brothers Daw, $24.95, 353pp staging a multi-pronged uprising that difficult to recognize immediately, others alone and they respond in kind. reverses the fortunes of war. His work is are minor twists on very well-known At age 15, Umasi is the bookworm Faery Moon is a continuation of the made easier in several ways: the govern- tales. My absolute favorite is the final whom bullies love to corner and fellow- Tess Noncoire series of urban fantasies. ing Japanese quickly lapse into self- story, inserting Sherlock Holmes into the students despise as a “suck-up.” Zen is Tess Noncoire is a bestselling writer indulgent behavior; and the more brutal story of Red Riding Hood. his opposite: popular, charismatic, a and a Celestial Blade Warrior guarding ones, who clearly never read Machiavelli, They are truly tales, most of them dangerous fighter and indifferent student. our world from demons from other arouse the hatred of the entire native around ten or so pages, the longest about The turning point comes in Chapter 6, dimensions. Her readers don’t know her population, provoking them to rebellion. thirty. The writers have taken the time to when Umasi challenges their teacher’s adventures are biographically based. Her Along with all the action, there is an make you think, the results are often pronouncements in class, after she partner in the fight to save humankind is emerging love story between Jake and a unexpected, frequently sad but, never informs her students that albino children a strange, gay, cigar-smoking rude, crude young widow. Her harrowing experiences wrong. The endings fit these new are unsuited for academics, and therefore and cunning imp named Scrap who is show the face of that war from the versions of beloved tales, and I, for one, unfit to live. By his defiance, Umasi gains devoted to Tess., and turns into the woman’s perspective. Another love story am glad they were written. The only unlooked-for status with his classmates, celestial blade as needed to save the happens on the mainland between a problem with their brevity is you cannot and he begins to realize the depths of his world. young officer, Jamie Priest, the sole really speak of the individual stories fury with the system and the lengths he Tess is at a writers’ conference in Las survivor of the battleship Pennsylvania, without giving away the premise. will go to in order to effect a change. Vegas. She talks mom into coming along and Sue Dunnigan, part of the San Diego Suffice it to say, I liked the takes on, Both brothers end up in full-throttle to help getting over the shock of finding team who monitors the Japanese coded the Little Match Girl, Pinocchio, rebellion, but in opposite ways, and her new husband [now deceased ] was a transmissions. There is also a despicable Androcles and the Lion, and of course, violence flares throughout Education City Demon with a capitol D. traitor, a supply sergeant who had been Little Red Riding Hood. as Truant students and adult Enforcers In Vegas they find the big show in embezzling funds before the war, and 5 out of 5 stars ~~ Bob LaPierre fight turf wars to control minds and town stars fairies - real ones enslaved and who the Japanese suborn as a double- hearts. ~~ Chris Paige. dying. Unless they can be returned to agent. In fiction, at least, poetic justice is The Enchantment Emporium their homeland , their homeland may die possible. In real life, this type of guy too by Tanya Huff Secondhand Spirits as well. Meanwhile, the energy leaking often becomes a Pentagon fixture, a Penguin, $24.99, 368 pp by Juliet Blackwell from Faerie is unbalancing the other lobbyist, or a CEO. Penguin, $6.99, 313 pp dimensions. Oh well, fighting demons As with any really good alternative Alysha Gale has just been laid off and vampires beats writers block on most history, actual historical personages and from her museum job when she learns she Lily Ivory is a natural witch who is days events are scattered throughout, and has inherited her grandmother’s junk uncomfortable with her power and thus Tess’ world is fun, full of action and actual political pressures are described. store in Calgary. It seems straightforward has spent most of her life moving from conflicts. And highly addictive. I love One of the mini-storylines is Roosevelt’s enough until you factor in her unusual place to place, never putting down roots my urban fantasy and this one will have failing health, and the genuine horror his family - the women could best be called or getting close to people until one day in me tracking the rest to fill out my military advisors feel at the prospect of witches, the men have some unusual a bar in Hong Kong a parrot named collection. If you like Mercedes Lackey him dying and leaving vice-president powers and the aunties oversee the entire Barnabas told her to move to San and Ann McCaffrey, here is an author Henry A. Wallace in charge. They may family; so, with that in mind, it is hardly Francisco. Lily goes to San Francisco and you will want to collect.. See ya at the not like their Democratic president much, surprising her grandmother’s junk shop opens a vintage clothing store in the bookstore. ~~ Pam Allan (Cont’d on page 19 ) Page 18 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 In Our Book (Cont’d from page 18) most unusual heroic rat as the navigate dialogue interrupted by action, that the worlds.” And the Caruthers sisters are the treacherous waters of intrigue, book is like a Buffy episode on speed. Guardians (natch) who frequently take on but Wallace, who admires Stalin, would Here we have Epic Fantasy. With Readers need to be comfortable with a dragons with attitudes. And of course be their worst nightmare. Another story Lilipution warriors, sentient rats, and data blitzkrieg. ~~ Chris Paige these particular dragons morph into thread details an investigation into the archetypal Evil on a seven deck floating handsome, sleek human males. failure of the Mark 14 torpedoes to palace. It is an entertaining fast-paced Dragons Prefer Blondes: “Dragons Prefer Blondes” focuses on detonate. Thousands of navy personnel, high –seas adventure, part fantasy, part A Caruthers Sisters Novel one sister, Alex, an A Class party planner and millions of dollars’ worth of subma- political intrigue, with a smattering of by Candace Havens; Berkeley; $14; and world-wide night club owner. She’s rines and destroyers were lost because coming-of-age tale. What more can you 306pp hounded by the paparazzi because of her they did not perform as advertised. Some ask from an adventure that brings back wealth, popularity and front-page- nice detective and scientific work the classic to an innovative fantasy? I This is one in a series of novels about hugging ability. And she’s a high fashion happens here. scent award nominations and a new stat the demon-kicking Caruthers sisters. As babe, too. (There is plenty of brand-name Most WWII fiction focuses on the on the fantasy horizon. Love that the first sentence of the Prologue says: dropping throughout the book). One of Atlantic front. Conroy has done an rat.……. ~~ Pam Allan. “Guardians protect earth from other excellent bit of work presenting the (Cont’d on page 20 ) Pacific side. ~~ Chris Paige Phantasm Storm Front (Dresden Files Series #1) by Phaedra Weldon by Jim Butcher, Ardian Syaf (Illustra- Ace Books, $15.00, tor), Mark Powers (Adapted by) 360 pp Del Rey, $22.95, 122pp Phantasm is not so This is a beautiful illustrated graphic much a novel as an novel of the first story in the Dresden installment. It opens Files series by Jim Butcher. For those with the resolution of unfamiliar with the series, Harry Dresden one cliff-hanger and is a wizard that the cops sometimes call ends with a new one, on when a crime seems to involve magic. with a great deal of In Storm Front, Harry has been called supernatural activity in upon to help investigate a brutal double between. murder that could only have been Zoe Martinique can accomplished using black magic. He also travel across the planes takes a private case looking for a missing when she goes out-of- husband. As these two seemingly unre- body as a Wraith. Just lated cases are investigated we learn more when she needs her about Harry, magic, the supernatural powers the most, she universe and the depths that people will has lost them, and only sink to in order to get what they want. a traumatic experience, This is a wonderful, hardcover like, say, dying, will graphic novel in what I hope will become bring her powers back. an adaptation of the entire Dresden Files Zoe is willing to series. It as if Ardian Syaf, the illustrator, endure almost anything looked into my mind and made real the to save her mother visions I had while reading the book. I from the Abysmal highly recommend the series by Jim Plane, so she plays an Butcher and this wonderful illustrated existential game of adaptation. ~~ Stephanie L Bannon dodge and attack with various entities and The Red Wolf Conspiracy agencies who take an by Robert V.S. Redick unhealthy interest in Del Rey, $26.00. 445 pp her. But it is hard to avoid or get a grip on The Red Wolf Conspiracy is a debut the enemy within, novel and book one of the Chathrand when a disembodied Trilogy. enemy takes up The Imperial Merchant Ship residence in her. As for Chathrand is the last of her kind, the her own dark side, secrets of her construction long forgotten. well, that’s a whole Its vital mission to seal a peace between other order of confron- Arqual and its mortal enemy, the Mzithrin tation. Empire. The offering of Thasha, the Phaedra Weldon is Ambassador’s daughter in marriage seals a young author, raised the treaty. Thasha has no plans to wed. in the time of sound The true mission is a war that will bytes, texting, and unleash an all-consuming evil. twitter. Her writing As the dark conspiracy unfurls, a style is a product of lowly tarboy with an uncanny gift finds these influences. So himself as an ally of Thasha and her much is going on, so protectors against the captain, the many characters are Emperor’s assassin, and the enigmatic Dr. introduced on the fly, Chadfellow.. To complete the mission and so many explana- will take everything they have including a tions are imbedded in Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 19 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 19 ) A Boeing 777 lands on a runway at Guide that includes research activities Wow! This is a well written, tightly- JFK, and stops dead on the Tarmac. The and discussion questions. It’s good to see plotted, character-driven book. The world the sub plots involves her helping a “poor shades are down and communication science fiction juvenilia on the market is so clearly drawn, the reader becomes little rich girl” with a heart of gold (of can’t be established. With the entire crew again. – Chris Paige part of it, and you can’t put it down. This course) plan the wedding of the decade to and passengers dead or nearly so, The is a must-have for lovers of fantasy. This the awesome Lord Huffington. The ups CDC gets an immediate call. Quarantine The Hidden City critic will be watching for succeeding and downs with the changes of plans are is established. But only an aged pawnbro- by Michelle West volumes to snatch. This is deserving of a rather fun. ker in Spanish Harlem knows the answer Daw, $8.99, 754 pp World Fantasy nomination. Go get it, But the heart of the story is Alex (and to the threat to mankind; if anyone will you’ll get more than your money’s worth her sisters) trying to stop a flood of nasty believe him Eventually Dr. Eph The Hidden City is the first novel of ~~ Pam Allan dragons from another dimension taking Goodwinter does but the battle is on. The House Wars, by the author of the Sun over the earth. And to complicate things, A top of the line thriller you won’t Sword and Sacred Hunt series. Burning Skies a dragon lord (met in another novel) want to put down, and by the end, We begin the story of the battle for by David J. Williams named Ginjin has decided that Alex will sleeping may not be an option. But if you control of the most powerful ruling house Ballantine, $15.00, 398 pp, make him a perfect wife. like vampires deadly and powerful, you in the Essalieyan Empire, House Terafin So fighting an influx of what could will love this one. Get the plastic [and and with the introduction of a remarkable Burning Skies is the Sequel to The technically be her in-laws could make Garlic] out. Looks like an epic and young girl Jay Markers. Jay is an orphan Mirrored Heavens. things a bit touchy. movies await. ~~ Pam Allan living under a bridge when she is rescued Her life as a US counterintelligence Action is everywhere peppered with from this existence by reclusive Rate. agent is in tatters, her mission betrayed, fun and snarky dialogue. Locales and The Comet’s Curse Nursed back to health, Jay attaches her memories suspect. The Autumn Rain fashion change with lightning speed. And by Dom Testa herself to Rate till she can pay her debt. insurgency is not defeated. They are out Alex gets in trouble a lot. There is Tor Books, $16.95, 236 pp Driven by visions she can’t control, she to rule all humanity. Now it’s up to her to romance for our heroine in the heart of begins to rescue other children, forming a jack into the systems of the enemy to win this tale—Alex falls for the gorgeous, With The Comet’s Curse, Dom Testa den in Rate’s home. Rate walks a more this impossible war. Claire Haskell must buff Jake. He’s in charge of the Caruthers has started a series aimed at adolescents, dangerous path. The demons that once be ready for the Rain’s next move, but the security team and worries about her complete with a website brought down the empire are stirring true enemy is one step ahead. safety constantly—with good reason. www.ClubGalahad.com (He also again, targeting any who might warn This is hard Science Fiction, a wild I enjoyed this enough to keep an eye initiated The Big Brain Club, “which against them. Rate, who treads the hidden cyberthriller that is fast-paced action out for the rest of the books. This one was encourages kids to overcome the peer ways beneath the city, and Jay whose personified. It is also one of the scariest tasty and swift. ~~ Sue Martin pressure to dumb down.”) The premise of talent as a seer without training become noir look at the future I’ve read made the Galahad books is that the tail of the target, and the only hope, for the more so by its inherent plausibility. For Comet Bhaktul interpenetrates Earth’s Empire. hard SF lovers it is a must, and for horror Winter Duty atmosphere and infects the human by E.E. Knight population with a wasting, debilitating, Roc, $24.92, 352 pages and 100% fatal disease. However, it only ( Cont’d on page 21 ) infects adults. Winter Duty is the latest installment in Many people react badly; many resign the Vampire Earth series. themselves to death and extinction; Dr. It is the year 2076 and earth is under Wallace Zimmer proposes a dual solution. the control of the Kurians, an alien race Continue trying to find a cure for of vampires that came to earth over 50 Bhaktul’s Disease, but simultaneously years earlier. Some pockets of humans design and equip a spaceship as a lifeboat resist the invasion and these novels are for humanity, to send away 250 teenagers the tale of their resistance. to colonize a new world. Major David Valentine, our hero, is Enough scientists, world leaders, and having a bad time of it right now. Winter families agree with Zimmer to launch is raging, allies are pulling out of the Project Galahad, but opposition persists, freedom struggle and as his forces retreat lead by Zimmer’s colleague Tyler from a disastrous defeat he has to contend Scofield. Even so, a world-wide selection with both the Kurians decision to process gathers hundreds of pre-teens for exterminate the entire region and the an intense educational program. By the headhunters that kidnap entire villages to time the spaceship is ready for departure, sell to the Kurians. the teenagers have the equivalent of This is not a cheerful series but it is a advanced degrees in almost every subject compelling look at a bleak future and the under the sun. After much debate, it is various, very human ways, in which resolved to let an AI computer see to the humanity deals with its fate. The charac- actual running of the spaceship. This ters are interesting and you end each decision is made to free up time for the novel with a desire to know “What busy colonists, and to take off some of happens next?” Recommended ~~ the strain of responsibility; but it creates Stephanie L Bannon an opportunity for sabotage, and the project has implacable, bitter foes. The Strain By the time the threat is discovered, by Guillermo del Toro the ship has launched and the teens are on and Chuck Hogan their own. Triana Martell, Gap, Bon, William Morrow, $26.99, 401 pp Lita, and Channy have to save their ship, their AI program, and each other. The Strain is a collaboration between But what of the saboteur left undis- Film Director del Toro [Pan’s Labyrinth] covered, and nasty surprises behind? That and Chuck Hogan, author of the Prince of is only one of several questions that go Thieves. It is the first book of a projected unanswered – for now. A preview of the trilogy. sequel is included, along with a Reader’s Page 20 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 In Our Book ( Cont’d from page 20 ) Kethani that catapults her into a world hidden Want action, magic, character-driven by Eric Brown from mortals where the lines between plotting that carries you deep into the lovers worth the read despite the lack of Solaris, $7.99, 427 pp good and evil blur, and the cost of saving events? This is fantasy at its best. The the supernatural horrors. Man can do it sin city may be her soul. book is a got-to-have-it. Go for it . ~~ by himself to himself. Enjoy ~~ Pam Kethani is by the Author of Necropath City Of Souls is a non-stop action/ Pam Allan Allan and Xenopath. paranormal romance kick-ass continua- When a mysterious alien race makes tion of a series hot as Midhaven. It will Wireleless Sins and Shadows contact with the human race, they bring keep you up past your bedtime just by Charles Stross by Lyn Benedict the gift of eternal life. The gift will watching the imaginative ways the Ace, $24.95, 352pp Ace, $7.99, 357pp change the course of humanity forever, character changes. If you are into the sub- and the lives of a small village are a genre, grab your wallet. You’ll have to Wireless is a book of short stories by Sins and Shadows is a Shadows microcosm of the earth. Do the Kethani have it. ~~ Pam Allan the Hugo award winning Author of Inquiries novel. have a hidden agenda? Will the human ground breaking novels Accelarando, Sylvie Lightner lives in a world where race choose to evolve or turn in on itself Dragonseed Halting State, and Saturn’s Children. magic and hell are just around the corner. in the face of the gift? by James Maxey Rather than write a synopsis of each As a P.I., she specializes in the weird and This is not an action thriller, but a Solaris, $7.99, 549pp story, I will simply say there is something unbelievable. superb introspective novel that examines for everyone in every story from the When one of her employees is the consequences of first contact, and the Dragonseed is a novel of The Dragon innovative and exciting mind of Stross. murdered in front of her, she has had choices mankind might face meeting an Age. Following their victory against the Science Fiction Revue says he may be enough. When she goes to close the shop, alien race. This may well be a literary Ragnar’s army, is now arming for the the most exciting writer of Science fiction she finds that wanting and doing are classic with a Science Fiction bent. I counter attack. Trouble lays ready as the today. That is an understatement. He different things, and when a god wants to expect to see it on college reading list, in young human woman, Jandra finds fires well-drawn characters into fusion hire you, “no” is not an option more than one major. A must for a herself under the control of Jazz. And a with ideas that won’t let you put his story Tracked by government agents, her thoughtful fan’s library. ~~ Pam Allan face from the past makes an unwelcome down. Get the cards out. The future of enemies, and the Furies, she must dig return. Here is another book you can’t put science of Science fiction has been deeper into the labyrinth of evil deeds Norse Code down. Characters, both human and sighted. ~~ Pam Allan and immortal powers to save the world as by Greg van Eekhout dragon and porcine are fully drawn in a she knows it. Ballantine, $7.99, 292pp war of intrigue and danger with a Benedict has another twist on the dark charismatic religious leader of convert or supernatural thriller. Interesting charac- Norse Code is a debut novel by a die. Spirituality, poetic dragons, and ters, engrossing magic where even the published short story author. magic. gods get involved and some interesting The NorseCode genome project was plot twists that makes for a fast-paced designed to identify descendants of Odin. read. Enjoy a fun read from a writer One person they found was Kathy worth watching. ~~ Pam Allan Castillo, a murdered MBA student brought back from the dead to be a House of Suns valkyrie in the Norse gods Army. Given a by Alastair Reynolds sword, and a new name, she was given Ace, $26,95, 473pp the job to recruit soldiers for the war between the gods at the end of the This is the tenth novel by the author world....and to kill those who refused to of The Perfect. fight. Six million years ago, Abigal Mist has other plans, saving her Genetian created 1000 clones of herself murdered sister from Helheim (Hell for called shatterlings and sent them out into the Norse.). She needs the help of the galaxy to observe and record the rise Hermod, a Norse god with troubles of his and fall of civilizations. The clones gather own. They find themselves drafted into every two thousand years to exchange another cause, saving the world of man or news and memories. Midgard. And they said it couldn’t be Two of the clones have fallen in love done. As Ragnarok descends, the world as forbidden to the shatterlings and have in its death throes, monsters rising, the been reluctant to attend the thirty-second valkyrie and the god go forth with reunion for fear of censure. swords swinging. Van Eekhout combines They discover the bulk of their line myth, gods and monsters with the chills has been wiped out by a massive attack, of endless winter. Mad Max meets the ice and as they gather the few survivors, they age must find out who and why the enemy is Or is it California? What it is, is a for the remainder to survive. wildly inventive fascinating modern/ This redefines the epic novel by scope mythic fantasy you won’t want to put into a mind-boggling thriller. Inventive, down. ENJOY, I did. ~~ Pam Allan CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE vibrant and fascinating, it is also a gripping, thoughtful intelligent drama the City of Souls FICTION SOCIETY reader can’t put down. The world of the by Vicki Pettersson future is fully drawn with believable EOS, $7.99m 352pp characters you can relate to and care about. This is Reynolds best novel to City of Souls is the fourth “sign of the date. You are going to have to have it for zodiac.” your library …Enjoy ~~ Pam Allan Warrior, avenger, superhero, Joanna Archer has found her place among the agents battling the Shadow as she struggles to conquer the darkness within. A war is raging for Las Vegas, one Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 21 AZCorsairs “Founded in 1971,as a branch of enced players. Visit http://www.warhorn.net/ THE PHOENIX FANTASY FILM SOCI- Club Listings the Society for Creative Anachronisms, or gathering, to see what we have coming up. If ETY A Phoenix based club interest-ed in the ACROSS PLUS - So you live in North SCA, our primary focus is 16th – 18th century you have any questions email us at entire realm of SF, Fantasy and Horror film. European culturee and the pirate lifestyle of PFFS has been in existence for 30 years, Phoenix and are interested in anime? Well [email protected] there is a club out there available for you the time. The Corsairs will extend pirate meeting every 6 weeks in member’s homes. people. portrayals as far back as Phoenician, Roman Dues are $10 per year. Membership includes Across Plus is a social club that discuses Era or to future Space, Science Fiction genre, THE JEDI KNIGHTS (Founded 1977) newsletters, an annual film awards and anime, video games, manga, other animation, and more publicly recognizable Hollywood Meetings are the 3rd Sunday of each month. various outings. For information, contact and the Japanese culture. We meet at styled pirate. Corsair membership is largely For more information call Carol Alves, PFFS, P.O. Box 34023, Phoenix, AZ 85067 or Bookman’s on 19th Ave and Northern on volunteer-oriented, gathered together for fun Publicity, (760)244-9593 or write Jedi call David Storck at (602) 274_7404, e-mail: and while helping others out. [email protected]. Sundays at 7:00pm until 9:00pm. Knights, c/o Carol Alves 8038 “I” Street, In general, we explore anime, manga, and Hesperia CA, 92345-7066. other styles of animation, creative educative Members of the Arizona Corsairs are, much RAGE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST A demonstrations, participate in interactive like their historical counterparts, masters of Live Action Theatre Troupe based out of the discussions, attend local Arizona conventions, their own destiny. Creation of characters, LEPRECON, INC. One of the two Phoenix ASU campus in Tempe, AZ. It is dedicated to and make cosplay. complete with backstory with correlation to area corporations that put on yearly conven- the game Werewolf: The Apocalypse by We are willing to gain any new members out history, period costume, and emulation of tions. Best described as SF/F generalists with White Wolf publishing. Contact Mike there who are interested. Our members are pirate traditions and arts, rests on each McLaughlin at (602)461-5842 or write 1730 performer, creating varied storylines and a main thrust into SF/F art. Guests are W Emelita Place #2025, Mesa AZ 85202- very friendly, respectful, and fun. We welcome. The meetings are quarterly on the welcome any and all. deep, interesting characters. 3144 or [email protected] For more information, contact Todd Miles at For more information, please contact Captaim second Saturday of February, May, August & [email protected] Max - Ambassador, AZCorsairs November unless otherwise notified. August RAW GAMES (Role-players & [email protected] 602-799-6184" is the annual meeting where board positions Wargamers, Inc.) Role-players & ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renais- are deter-mined. For more information, write Wargamers, Inc. is the Valley’s oldest role- BASFA Local Tucson science fiction group playing and wargaming club. Currently sance recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, PO Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every that puts on TusCon. Contact us at PO Box meeting at 8159 W. Weldon in Phoenix every 2528, Tucson AZ 85702-2528 or Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email Sunday from 12noon-5pm (except during Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto [email protected] Webpage: Park. All are welcome. Free. [email protected] conventions and other special events). Open our website at http://home.earthlink.net/ www.leprecon.org to new members - call (623) 849-9515. AERIAL MIRAGE JUGGLERS. Meets ~basfa/ MIB The Men in Black is the official global SHIELD OF ALMOR The Shield of Almor Wednesday 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th organization of field operatives for Steve Avenue, south of Encanto. No dues, everyone CENTRAL ARIZONA SPECULATIVE is a RPGA club located in the greater Phoenix FICTION SOCIETY, INC. (CASFS) The Jackson Games. We attend local conventions area. If you are interested in Living Greyhawk welcome. All levels skill exchange in many to demonstrate and promote products of Steve areas of object manipulation Dave Davis non-profit corporation that puts on catch one of our meetings the 1st Sunday of CopperCon conventions, SmurfCons, Jackson Games. We also schedule demos in every month at Imperial Outpost Games , 602-955-9446; local gaming stores as well as community or Ron Harvey , 480- HexaCons, occasional regional cons, and (www.imperialoutpost.com) in Glendale. If publishes Con-Notations. Best described as service events. If you have a gaming store, you are interested in Living Arcanis or Living 775-4690 for more info or impromptu convention, or community service that you juggling sessions. SF/F generalists with a strong bent towards Spycraft catch us on the 3rd Sunday of every literary SF/F. Guests welcome - meets at 8pm would like to have official Steve Jackson month also at Imperial Outpost Games. The on the last Friday of each month in January Games representation at, please contact the Shield of Almor hosts RPGA events at the ARIZONA LANBASHERS LEAGUE A MIB Arizona Cell collaboration of computer gaming enthusiasts, thru September and the second Friday in local Phoenix conventions. For more October, November and December at JB’s Leader at [email protected]. We are also information visit us at the Arizona LANbashers League throws recruiting new MIBs in some areas of quarterly LANparty events. Between parties, Restaurant, 1818 W Montebello in Phoenix, games.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZ_RPG/ or AZ. For information: write PO Box 62613, Arizona. If you’re interested, contact us. You you can sign up for games at support is given to local groups who wish to can find additional information about the advertise their own gatherings. We have no Phoenix, AZ 85082-2613 or email www.nyrond.org. Or you can just stop by the [email protected] Web www.casfs.org Arizona MIB at our website http:// 1st Sunday of the month. Meeting starts at set genre of games and play anything from members.cox.net/mib.6361/ strategy games to first-person shooters to 10am. Hope to see you there. driving/flying simulations. No annual *****C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of Fellowship and Trades is Phoenix based MVD GHOSTCHASERS—The MVD THE SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE membership is required and admission to an Ghostchasers are a paranormal team event ranges from $5-$15. See our webpage Reenactment group specializing in the ANACHRONISM The kingdom of Atenveldt western European renaissance. We research established in 1995. This band of ghost doth lie in the state of Arizona. Within the fair for current events. Email: hunters conducts regular investigations of [email protected] Web: lifestyles and trades concurrent with the kingdom can be found six Baronies: Celtic Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. haunted, historical locations throughout Atenveldt, Mons Tonitrus, Twin Moons, www.lanparty.com/all/ VoiceMail: 602-306- Arizona. They also research and investigate 9339 We emphasize Scots, Irish or Welsh crafts and SunDragon, Tir Ysgithr and Ered Sul. For do Celtic re-enactment. We open participation “house call” hauntings for the public. The more information on any of these or for MVD Ghostchasers lead Spirit Photo ARIZONA PARANORMAL to anyone with an interest in period crafting general information on contact the Kingdom and entertainment. Demonstrations occur at Workshops/Tours to various haunted locations Seneschal. Email: [email protected] INVESTIGATIONS We are a highly across Arizona. These workshops give ghost trained, non-profit paranormal investigation the Highland Games, Scarborough Fair, and Web www.atenveldt.com the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Web page hunters, paranormal team members and folks group, registered with the state of Arizona, wanting to learn the art of ghost hunting a providing service to Arizona and the http://www.crofters.org We meet in Tempe at SOUTHWEST COSTUMER’S GUILD The the Pyle Adult Center SW corner of Rural and chance to work and learn techniques together. Southwest Costumers Guild is a loose Southwest since 1994. Having served the The MVD Ghostchasers team are guest public for 12 years, we are one of the oldest, Southern on the 2nd Saturday of every month, organization of persons interested in all facets phone number (480)350-5211. The Board speakers at many venues and have appeared of historical, cultural, science fiction, fantasy, most respected paranormal investigation on TV news reports and the subject of several groups in Arizona. We are primarily science meeting will be at 2:00 pm with the General and humor costume. Members are often seen meeting starting at 2:30 pm. newspaper stories. For more information on stage and behind the scenes at local and based and don’t go on an investigation contact: looking for ghosts, we go looking for regional Science Fiction Convention THE DARK ONES (Dark-wunz) n. 1) An MVD Ghostchasers—Debe Branning, masquerades. They meet on the last Sunday of answers. There is never a charge for an Director—480-969-4049 Web page: investigation. Contact us at by e-mail at organization formed for the expression and each month at various members’ homes in the exploration of various cultural themes www.mvdghostchasers.com or greater Phoenix area. For details. Southwest [email protected] or [email protected] visit our website at: http:// including, but not limited to, the Dark Ages Costumers Guild, PO Box 39504, Phoenix, www.arizonaparanormalinvestigations.com/ and the Renaissance through forms of art AZ 85609 or Randall Whitlock at including, but not limited to, painting, ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION [email protected] or drawing, writing, photography, spoken word, CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month www.southwestcostumersguild.org THE AWAY TEAM: The Away Team, is a (except Dec.) in Fullerton. The meetings are general sci-fi appreciation group that meets and acts of characterization. 2) a member of this organization. 3) Information available at built around guest speakers. We’ve had SPACE ACCESS SOCIETY Space Access once a month for discussion of various sci-fi authors such as Octavia Butler and Greg news regarding several mediums to include: www.darkones.org Society’s sole purpose is to promote radically Benford. Non-members are welcome. For cheaper access to space, ASAP. We think it’s television, movies, video, books, comics, details of current events and location see our magazines, collecting, and so forth. The THE EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND possible within ten years, with a little luck STEEL, INC. The Empire of Chivalry and website www.ocsfc.org or email and a lot of hard work. Join us and help us meetings are comprised of news, review and [email protected] comment, BBS/computer news and help, Steel specializes in the general recreation of make it happen! SAS membership is $30 for meeting new members, video presentations, the culture of the Middle Ages including all of one year, which gets you emailed Space the Art Forms, Events (Feasts, Tournaments, PAReX is a non profit organization dedicated Access Updates the instant they pass final games, and socializing fun! Food and drinks to building and promoting Autonomous are provided, via a $3 munchie fee (per Ceremonies and Wars) and Combat Arts edit, plus discounts on our annual conference covering the years of 800AD up to 1650AD robotics. The club has been in existance since on the technology, politics, and business of meeting) to compensate the host. (No other 1998. Meetings are currently conducted twice fees are involved.) The electronic home of the and any location within Europe or its explored radically cheaper space transportation, territories. For more information contact a month at two different Phoenix, Arizona featuring leading players in the field. Email Away Team, is the Lightspeed Space Station locations, http://www.parex.org/ BBS at (520) 325-6674.... Member ages for Leonard Byrd (Tucson) (520)742-2432 Web: us at: [email protected] www.galandor.org meetings.shtml. Club dues are on an annual Web page: www.space-access.org/ the group range from 13-40-something with basis: Regular members $20 Student members both male and female members. Other $15 Of course visitors are always welcome activities include null-modem link gamefests, A GATHERING OF PLAYERS- Find Your SUPERSTITION SPACEMODELING Adventure because we know you will eventually become SOCIETY is Arizona’s club for builders of group theater movie viewings, convention a member anyway Web page: http:// trips and more. Have sci-fi fun in a relaxed, Our club is running into our sixth year. Join model and high-power rockets and those who us for games and adventure set in the www.parex.org/ E-mail Contact: love to see them fly. Launches are held on the low-structure environment. NO RUBBER [email protected] EARS ALLOWED!! For questions, you can Dungeons and Dragons realm. We offer second Saturday morning of each month in call the BBS, or write to: LSS c/o R. Martin; Living Forgotten Realms and Pathfinder Rainbow Valley. SSS hosts the annual G. 2522 N. Sparkman Blvd.; Tucson, AZ 85716 Society. We welcome both new and experi- ( Cont’d on page 23 ) Page 22 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4 In an effort to expand membership the USS ( Cont’d from page 22 ) CASFS Business Report Club Listings Leonidas has assisted in the formation of a Convention Harry Stine Memorial Rocket Launch every High School Star Trek club called the CopperCon 30/2010: Chairman Mark October. Visit www.sssrocketry.org for STARFLEET Science and Tactical Academy. Boniece –A Media Con is planned. membership information, directions to the Students participate in a wide range of Listings launches and meetings, and to read the activities with the hope that they will become Looking for hotel and guests. First monthly newsletter, “Newton’s Minutes.” interested in Star Trek and join STARFLEET Bubonicon 41 (August 28-30, 2009) committee meeting scheduled for July as officers. Albuquerque NM at the Albuquerque 19th. TARDIS is a Phoenix-based General SF/ The USS Leonidas has a crew of 30. Starfleet Grand Airport Hotel (formerly the CASFS Shed inventory – Completed on Fantasy Fan Club, specializing in Interna- Science and Tactical Academy has 52 cadets. Wyndham), 2910 Yale Blvd SE, Albu- June 17th. Now we know what we have tional media SF/Fantasy since 1983. TARDIS Members age from 14-65 years old. Average querque, NM 87106. Guests Michael meets every two weeks at different locations age is 20-25. and will have an accurate list for use by around the valley. Activities include watching Club meeting locations vary due to scheduled Cassutt, Carrie Vaughn, Patti Peri our event departments. videos, discussions, parties, games, and away missions and such, but usually meet in a Charlifu. 2009 Membership Rates: $36 through August 8, 2009, and then $41.00 CASFS Book Social -- Discussed Tarzan occasional outings with more to come now classroom at Apache Junction High School. Of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs in that Doctor Who is returning from hiatus. Membership with Starfleet International is At the Door for adults (do not mail any Many members maintain an active presence at required. www.sfi.org Upon joining memberships after August 8, please). May and Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett conventions. You can contact us at 2243 W STARFLEET a member is a Cadet. Upon Youths 14-17 Years of Age $18.00 for the in June. We will discuss The Legion of Wagon Wheel Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85021, Voice passing the Officer’s Training School Exam at Whole Weekend Address all mail & Space by Jack Williamson July 26th at the Mail at (602) 864-0901, E-mail TARDIS- the Online Academy, the member becomes a memberships to: NMSF Conference, PO Bent Cover. Be There! [email protected] or visit us at http:// Commissioned Officer aboard the Leonidas. Box 37257, Albuquerque, NM 87176 Financial Planning Committee – Much members.cox.net/tardisaz/tardis.html The chapter does not have dues as of yet. The http://bubonicon.com/ dues to be a member of STARFLEET progress has been made in revising the TEKWAR FAN CLUB Sanctioned by the International are $15 a year. North American Discworld Convention Financial Procedures. Two or three series’ production companies and the USA No newsletter, but members do receive an (Sept 4-7, 2009) Tempe Mission Palms, meetings needed to finish refinements and Network! It is THE information conduit activities E-mail update. No web site yet. Tempe, AZ. 60 East Fifth Street, Tempe, make the binding policies clear, consistent between the fans and the series! Fan club Contact : Jonathan Krieger, 480-677-0269, Arizona 85281 Guests: Terry Pratchett, membership will bring you the following 1) [email protected] and understandable. Diane Duane, Peter Morwood, Esther M. Minutes Backlog – Susan Uttke has subscription to the info filled Tek Informer Friesner and Bernard Pearson. Member- newsletter; 2) official TekWar Fan Club USS STORMBRINGER The Stormbringer is ships $80 thru 3/31/09, more later. Phone: turned over her minutes from last year in membership card and kit. Membership is by a correspondence Star Trek fan club chapter both paper and electronic format [July regular mail only and the newsletter and of Starfleet, Intl. based out of Tucson AZ. 480-945-6890 Write: NADWCon, c/o materials will not be reproduced electroni- The chapter was commissioned as the USS Leprecon, Inc., PO Box 26665 Tempe, 2007 to June 2008]. Gary Swaty’s cally. To join the action and initiate your Stormbringer NCC-74213, attached to AZ 85285, Email: [email protected] minutes are current. Gary’s task now is to annual membership, make check or money Division 31, Starfleet Covert Operations, on Web: www.nadwcon.org open The Big Scary Box and check the order out for $12.50 to: Official TekWar Fan 10/31/98. As of 11/29/98 there were 32 minutes of past secretaries and see where FenCon VI (Sep 18-20 2009) Crowne Club (Membership section), 2522 N members. There are no dues other than the we stand there. Sparkman Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716-2417 $15 for joining Star-fleet Intl.. Members are Plaza North Dallas, Addison TX. scattered world wide but the primary clusters Guests: Lois McMaster Bujold, Carla RandomCon – CASFS’s involvement T.H.E.M. is ASU’s science fiction and are in Tucson, AZ and Plano, TX. They don’t Ulbrich, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Kurt with RandomCon is complete. We fantasy club. Weekly meetings are held on the meet on a regular basis since they are a Miller; Toastmaster: Paul Cornell. provided the hotel contract for their Arizona State University campus, with dates correspondence chapter. Their web site is: Website: http://www.fencon.org/ convention. RandomCon lost money as and places to be announced after the semester http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/9505/ expected for a first year convention. It starts. For more information, Email and their contact/CO is Capt. Dave Pitts, World Fantasy Convention (Oct 29 - [email protected] Web [email protected] Nov 1 ’09) The Fairmont Hotel, San will recur on July 8-11, 2010. The www.themonline.org Jose, CA. Guests to be announced. WesternSFA donated $100.00 to CASFS WESTERN SCIENCE FICTION ASSO- Website: http:// in thanks despite the loss. Donations were TUCSON FAN ALLIANCE E-Mail Address CIATION (WesternSFA) A non-profit www.worldfantasy2009.org/ also made to other groups who helped. is [email protected] or corporation that sponsors AniZona, the Elections -- Mark Boniece was elected [email protected] ConRunners seminars, Across Plus Anime Saboten-Con Club and sponsored the 2004 Westercon. (Oct 30-Nov 1, 2009) President of CASFS; Gary Swaty, Vice UNITED FEDERATION OF PHOENIX A Dedicated primarily to educational activities Hilton Phoenix East/Mesa, 1011 West President; Gary Swaty, Secretary, Holmes Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210. The Phoenix area Star Trek and general SciFi fan relating to literature, music, and visual and Stephanie Bannon Treasurer. Elected to club. We are a social club that meets every performing arts, especially in the genres of special Saboten-Con room rate is $109 two weeks at various locations around the Anime, science fiction, fantasy, costuming, for a single/double or junior suite. the Board were Kevin McAllonan, Nyki Phoenix area. The UFP has been meeting for gaming and science. Applicants for member- Guests: Vic Mignogna with more to Robertson and Bob LaPierre. Elected to over 30 years of continuous activity. Dues are ship in WesternSFA must be sponsored by a come. Tickets: $35 Membership capped fill the last six months of the resigning $15/per year prorated when you join; no current active WesternSFA member. Dues are at 1500. For more info Michael Contos’ Board Seat was Mark restrictions. Membership includes member- $10 yearly plus a $5 non-refundable applica- www.sabotencon.com Boniece. (Continuing Board Members are ship roster and monthly newsletter. Come to tion fee. General Meetings are held on the any two meetings at no obligation. For first Friday of February, May, August and TusCon 36 (November 13-15, 2009) Randall Whitlock and Susan Uttke). Nyki information, write the UFP at PO Box 37224, November, check our website for meeting Hotel Tucson City Center, Tucson, AZ. Robertson was elected as Chairperson of Phoenix, AZ 85069, or call Jim Strait at (602) location Guests are welcome. For more info GoH: Weston Ochse; Toastmaster Ed CopperCon 31/2011. Stephanie Bannon is 242-9203. Web page: http://www.U-F-P.org contact Craig Dyer at WesternSFA, PO Box Bryant. Website: http:// her Banker. or Email to [email protected] 67457, Phoenix AZ 85082 Email: home.earthlink.net/~basfa/ . [email protected] Webpage: USS LEONIDAS The Leonidas is a member www.westernsfa.org of Region IV of STARFLEET International. The chapter is an opportunity for those that Z-PHILES are the ariZona x-PHILES. We share a love of Star Trek to have fun and help maintain a mailing list for news and get- the community at the same time. The togethers of fans of the X-Files living in Leonidas stresses uniforms or other costumes Arizona. We get together in both the Phoenix What is CASFS? to have the ability to participate actively in and Tucson areas. To subscribe, send an What is really behind putting on a various events as they present themselves but empty message to z-philes- convention? What are the funds raised by a they are not required. [email protected] convention used for? Why not attend a Generic Convention Registration Form meeting and find out? We’re the sponsor of ConNotations, CopperCons, HexaCons, SmerfCons and other conventions. We are Name:______a charitable, non-profit organization that exists to further science fiction, fantasy Badge Name:______and science fields in Arizona. CASFS currently meets at the JB’s Restaurant at Address:______1818 W Montebello in Phoenix The meetings begin at 8PM and are held on the City/State/ZIP:______last Friday of the month Jan. through Sept. and on the second Friday of the month Oct Phone:______Email:______through Dec. Everyone is invited to attend Enclosed is $______for ______memberships for two meetings as a guest (non-member). Membership rates are $12/year plus an ______convention. initial $3 application fee and rates are pro- rated for the amount of the year remaining. (See individual convention listing for mailing address) For more info: Webpage: www.casfs.org More info on __ Masquerade __Art Show __Volunteer __ Other Email: [email protected] Volume 19 Issue 4 ConNotations Page 23 Page 24 ConNotations Volume 19 Issue 4