The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff

Out this week from Titan Books (£7.99): The Enchantment Emporium by Tanya Huff. This is the first volume of a new urban fantasy series from the author of The Blood Books.

“The Gale family can change the world with the charms they cast, and they like to keep this in the family. Alysha Gale is tired of having all her aunts try to run her life, both personally and magically. So when the letter from her Gran arrives willing her a ‘junk’ shop in Calgary, Alysha jumps at the chance. It isn't until she gets there that she realizes her customers are fey. And no one told her there's trouble brewing in Calgary – trouble so big that even calling in the family may not save the day...”

The Casebook of Newbury & Hobbes by George Mann

The Casebook of Newbury & Hobbes by George Mann comes out later this month from Titan (7.99):

“A collection of short stories detailing the supernatural steampunk adventures of detective duo, Sir Maurice Newbury and Miss Veronica Hobbes in dark and dangerous Victorian London. Along with Chief Inspector Bainbridge, Newbury & Hobbes will face plague revenants, murderous peers, mechanical beasts, tentacled leviathans, reanimated pygmies, and an encounter with Sherlock Holmes.”

It’s great to see another short-story collection appearing from a mainstream publisher.

The Stuff of Nightmares by James Lovegrove

More Sherlock Holmes: James Lovegrove’s Sherlock Holmes: The Stuff of Nightmares is due out from Titan at the end of the month (£7.99).

“It’s the autumn of 1890, and a spate of bombings has hit London. The newspapers are full of fevered speculation about anarchists, anti-monarchists and Fenians. But one man suspects an even more sinister hand behind the violence. Sherlock Holmes believes Professor Moriarty is orchestrating a nationwide campaign of terror, but to what end?

At the same time, a bizarrely garbed figure has been spotted on the rooftops and in the grimy back alleys of the capital. He moves with the extraordinary agility of a latter-day Spring-heeled Jack. He possesses weaponry and armour of unprecedented sophistication. He is known only by the name Baron Cauchemar, and he appears to be a scourge of crime and villainy. But is this masked man truly the force for good that he seems? Is he connected somehow to the bombings? Holmes and his faithful companion Dr Watson are about to embark on one of their strangest and most exhilarating adventures yet.”

Joyland by Stephen King: book review

Joyland by Stephen King. Titan/ Hard Case Crime £7.99

Reviewed by Peter Coleborn

I haven’t read a Stephen King novel in a long time, just short stories and novellas, which I rather enjoy. And to be honest, I’m often deterred by the size of some of his novels – The Dome, for instance. Thus getting my hands on Joyland, at a mere 280 or so pages, should’ve been a delight. Well, was it? In a word: yes!

However, the first 60-80 pages are mostly scene setting, and the story proper doesn’t start until then. That’s when Devin’s character – the narrator – blossoms. That’s when the relationships with his friends and co-workers at Joyland come into their own. That’s when the story of the murdered Linda Gray (killed in the 1960s) really begins to impinge on Devin’s life.

Devin Jones takes a job at Joyland in the summer of 1973. Joyland is a fairground, with rides and stalls and a ghost train, and a fortune-teller who does, in fact, have some psychic abilities. And in the House of Horrors: that’s where the ghost of Linda Gray is sometimes seen. He also encounters another psychic, this time a crippled 12-year old boy called Mike, and his mother Annie.

Devin becomes fixated on the murder of Linda Gray and soon discovers that there are other murdered girls, a connection that the police had missed. Needless to say, the story of Linda Gray becomes entwined with Devin losing his girlfriend and his growing relationship with Mike and, especially, Annie. And it all builds up the expected climax as a tropical storm heads towards Joyland.

Because those early pages were written in such an easy-going, engaging style it soon didn’t matter that they were mainly exposition for the following narrative. In truth they become essential background reading and once your engagement in the story kicks in you, the reader, will be hooked, and drawn into the delights – and horrors – of Joyland.

Although published as part of Titan’s crime line, Joyland could easily be read as a supernatural tale. Stephen King is a past-master at story telling. He’s a bard who is able to build dark and frightening worlds, spinning yarns that net in the audience. A thoroughly satisfying read, however you interpret it.

Joyland by Stephen King

Stephen King’s Joyland is now available from Titan’s Hard Case Crime imprint (£7.99). “Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement park in 1973, Joyland tells the story of the summer in which college student Devin Jones comes to work in a fairground and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever.”

This is a paperback book – with a fabulous cover – but Titan also published Joyland in two limited editions but these sold out pretty quickly, sadly.

Crossed volume 4. Graphic novel review

Crossed (volume four) by Garth Ennis, Jamie Delano, Jacen Burrows and Leandro Rizzo (Avatar $24.99/ Titan Books £18.99)

Reviewed by Peter Coleborn

Volume four of Crossed collects two stories, “Badlands” and “Homo Superior” – and this is the first time I’ve come across the comic. First off I have to own up: I don’t much like zombies and their stories. To me, they are one-trick ponies. And Crossed is about zombies – or zombie-like beings: out to kill anyone not converted and, more often than not, eat them.

“Badlands” is written by Garth Ennis and drawn by Jacen Burrows. It’s set in the wilds of Scotland and follows a small troop of survivors – one of whom may or may not be a member of the Royal family – as they flee from the Crossed, looking for sanctuary. Do they make it? I’m not telling. Despite my reservations about zombies, I have to say that this tale worked quite well, and I liked the way that Ennis recognised that in order to survive the humans have to make some harsh decisions. Ennis also includes a nice little scene of black humour when the group argue amongst themselves – to go this way or that way and getting no where. The artwork is fine if appearing a little static at times. The artist enjoys depicting gore – as does Rizzo in the next story.

“Homo Superior”, by Jamie Delano (story) and Leandro Rizzo (art) is the longer story of the two. Here, the events are back in the USA where we follow the adventures of a couple of cyclists in one thread, and a family of survivalists in the second. Needless to say, their paths cross with the inevitable intrusion of the zombies and its bloody consequences. And again, do the humans survive? An added problem is that one of them is pregnant and needs to find somewhere safe to give birth to the next level of Homo sapiens. Like Burrows, Rizzo’s art is more than adequate for the tale; and in “Homo Superior” we also get much nudity and sex.

New books from Titan

Titan Books has announced a range of attractive books, in time for the Christmas market. Here’s just a sample:

Prometheus: The Art of the Film by Mark Salisbury (£24.99): “As the only book to directly tie in to the film, this lavish title created such a demand from fans that the book was re-printed three times prior to its publication! Prometheus: The Art of the Film offers fans the opportunity to delve deeper into this epic science-fiction production. The lavish hardback includes newly revealed production art, exclusive interviews, extraordinary behind-the-scenes material and an introduction by legendary director Ridley Scott.”

Jaws- Memories From Martha’s Vineyard by Matt Taylor (£34.99): “For the first time ever, these behind-the-scenes photographs taken by residents of the island during the filming of Jaws, have been compiled into a virtual treasure trove of Jaws rarities. With a Foreword by director Steven Spielberg, interviews with production designer Joe Alves, screenwriter Carl Gottlieb, location casting director Shari Rhodes and much more, this book provides an unprecedented all-access pass to the creation of some of the most memorable and terrifying scenes in film history.”

Dinosaur Art: The World’s Greatest Paleoart (various artists) edited by Steve White (£29.99): “Featuring ten of the most prominent artists working today, Dinosaur Art: The World’s Greatest Paleoart is a blend of breathtaking artwork and cutting edge science that set the planetology blogs and science pages buzzing earlier this year!” “Bringing to life a lost world as seen through the eyes and informed imaginations of some of the greatest contemporary natural science illustrators in one volume.” –Terryl Whitlach, scientific illustrator, known for her creature designs for Star Wars.

Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration by Scott Tracey Griffin (£24.99): “Celebrating one hundred years of Tarzan, Titan Books presents the only official commemorative illustrated history of this worldwide phenomenon. In Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration, acclaimed Edgar Rice Burroughs expert Scott Tracy Griffin explores the 24 original novels and the many varied appearances on stage, screen and in print.”

Tales From Development Hell: The Greatest Movies Never Made? by David Hughes (£9.99): “A compulsively readable journey into the area of film-making where all writers, directors and stars fear to tread: Development Hell… This in-depth tour of tinsel-town’s unmade, takes in everything from Darren Aronofsky’s Batman starring Clint Eastwood, to a John Boorman version of The Lord of the Rings featuring the Beatles. Hughes interviews the writers and directors involved to investigate these fascinating lost projects and many more.”

The Art of Assassin’s Creed III by Andy McVittie (£24.99): “Assassin’s Creed is one of the most highly-praised, beautiful and action-packed game franchises ever created and Assassin’s Creed III sees the franchise step into a brand new era, with a new assassin in a revolutionary world. Packed with never-before-seen concept art and artists’ commentary throughout, The Art of Assassin’s Creed III is an exclusive hardback title exploring the vision and development of the game, Assassin’s Creed III.”

Supernatural: Rite of Passage by John Passarella

Supernatural: Rite of Passsage by John Passarella (Titan £6.99) is based on the CW TV series, set during season seven.

“After Sam and Dean Winchester lost their mother to a mysterious supernatural force as young children, their father taught them how to hunt and destroy the paranormal evil that exists in the dark corners of America. Following their father’s demonic death, they discovered that they are descended from a long line of hunters and chose to continue their mission.

Laurel Hill, New Jersey, is beginning to look like one of the unluckiest places on Earth when an escalating series of accidents and outbreaks hit the town. But Sam and Dean suspect it’s more than just bad luck. Along with Bobby Singer, the brothers soon realize that a mysterious figure is at the centre of the chaos. When they uncover a connection between the stranger and three teenage boys at the local high school who are experiencing some unusual growing pains, they know they will need far more than good luck to prevent an all-out disaster.”

Fable: Edge of the World by Christie Golden

Fable: Edge of the World by Christie Golden (Titan £6.99) is based on Microsoft’s X-Box 360 game.

“Seven years have passed since the Monarch assumed the throne of Albion. When an ancient, malevolent force threatens the land, heroes old and new launch a crusade to stem the tide of corruption. As war erupts in faraway realms, evil also lurks within Albion.”

The Games by Ted Kosmatka

The Games by Ted Kosmatka is now available from Titan (£7.99):

“In a future where the most popular Olympic event is a bloody gladiator competition that pits genetically engineered life forms in a fight to the death, Dr. Silas Williams is the brilliant geneticist tasked with creating the US entrant. Desperate to win, his superiors engage an experimental supercomputer to design a highly specialized killing machine, its genome never before seen on earth. When the creature demonstrates inexplicable strength, speed, and — most disquietingly — intelligence, Silas calls in Dr. Vidonia João, an expert in extraterrestrial biology. As the contest approaches, the pair race to understand the horror wrought by the computer’s cold logic, and their scientific curiosity soon gives way to sheer terror.”

Sherlock Holmes and the Army of Dr Moreau

Since Titan is about to publish a new Sherlock Holmes adventure, Sherlock Holmes: The Army of Doctor Moreau by Guy Adams, I thought I’d reprint a review of an earlier volume in the new series (originally posted on the BFS website in October 2011).

The Army of Doctor Moreau: “Following the trail of several corpses seemingly killed by wild animals, Holmes and Watson stumble upon the experiments of Doctor Moreau.  Moreau, through vivisection and crude genetic engineering is creating animal hybrids, determined to prove the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin. In his laboratory, hidden among the opium dens of Rotherhithe, Moreau is building an army of 'beast men'.”

Sherlock Holmes: The Breath of God by Guy Adams. Titan £7.99

Reviewed by Peter Coleborn

Titan Books is publishing new titles featuring the famous and infamous creations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, including Kim Newman’s Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D’Urbervilles and this novel by Guy Adams. Beginning The Breath of God, I was struck by how many memories it brought back, of a time long ago when I devoured the stories of Sherlock Holmes. That was an auspicious start.

Dr Silence seeks the expertise of London’s greatest detective, telling Holmes a tall tale. Holmes at the time seems to be suffering from ennui, with no case able to stretch his logical mind. Silence’s story does. And pretty soon Holmes and Watson are off on an adventure that involves murder, mayhem and the supernatural (or is it?).

With characters named Carnacki, Karswell, Crowley, Silence … it’s rather obvious in which direction the author takes this novel. And maybe certain readers of the Conan Doyle stories will be taken aback by the inexplicable, preferring the more rational explanations, not the supernatural. Nevertheless, readers steeped in the tales of Hope Hodgson and James et al, as well as Conan Doyle, will find themselves fully engaged in this book.

I won’t call this a pastiche since that has negative overtones. This is a homage that treats with respect the characters Adams has borrowed. Personally, I prefer Holmes in the short story format but other than that nitpick, this is well written, engrossing and effective.

Lost Fleet: Invincible by Jack Campbell

“The war-weary Alliance First Fleet, commanded by Admiral John ‘Black Jack’ Geary, is scores of light-years from human-controlled space. After narrowly escaping the deadly enigma race they were sent to evaluate, the fleet is facing a second, even more hostile, alien species in an unknown star system. Geary is determined to make it home before danger can strike humanity again. To fight his way out of the alien trap, all he has to do is hold the fleet together, despite everything that threatens to break it apart.”

To discover more, read The Lost Fleet – Beyond the Frontier: Invincible  by Jack Campbell (Titan £7.99)

Legacy of Blood by T S Church

“The city of Varrock is at breaking point, people are fleeing from the country into the already-full city and riots are breaking out as the government struggles to keep order. Meanwhile Gar’rth struggles with his dark destiny, Theodore chases a holy relic, Kara prepares for war. As the friends continue to fight against evil, Zamorak’s power continues to rise, bringing with it the walking dead...”

Legacy of Blood by T S Church is the third RuneScape novel, out later this month from Titan (£7.99). The books are based on the on-line game.

The Art of Luke Chueh

The Art of Luke Cheuh, is described as being “Like a cuddly Trojan horse, Cheuh’s work is pretty on the outside, but nice and macabre on the inside,” by Entertainment weekly.

The first book from acclaimed pop surrealist artist Luke Chueh, The Art of Luke Chueh (Titan Books, out this month) presents Chueh's bold and unusual art – employing minimal colour schemes, simple animal characters, and a seemingly endless list of ill-fated situations.

Chueh has enjoyed success in the Lowbrow and Pop Surrealist art movements, and has risen to the forefront of the art scene in LA. Some of Chueh's characters have been recreated as a line of toys, and he also designed the cover for Fall Out Boy’s album Folie a Deux.

Joyland by Stephen King

Hard Case Crime, the award-winning pulp-styled crime novel imprint published by Titan Books, will publish Joyland, a new novel by Stephen King, in June 2013. Set in a small-town North Carolina amusement, Joyland is set in the summer of 1973 when college student Devin Jones comes to work as a carnie and confronts the legacy of a vicious murder, the fate of a dying child, and the ways both will change his life forever.

Joyland is a never-previously- published novel.

Wings to the Kingdom by Cherie Priest

A new Eden Moore supernatural novel has been published by Titan (£7.99): Wings to the Kingdom by Cherie Priest.

“Eden Moore can see dead people, or rather, she can see ghosts. However, when reports emerge of silent spectres in ragged uniforms appearing on the fields at of Chickamauga, Georgia — America’s oldest military park — terrifying tourists and park rangers alike, Eden is not interested, preferring to let a team of celebrity ghost hunters answer the spirits’ plea. Why do the ghostly soldiers march again? The apparitions need an intermediary, someone who can speak to them, and for them. Eventually reluctant medium, Eden, is drawn to the heart of the unearthly mystery.”

The Other Log of Phileas Fogg

Philip Jose Farmer is one of the greatest science-fiction writers of the 20th century. And now Titan Books presents brand-new editions of Farmer's classic Wold Newton and Grandmaster series.

Beginning with The Other Log of Phileas Fogg (published this month) from Farmer's Wold Newton series, each edition will contain bonus material from well-known Farmer experts, as well as new covers, introductions and annotations.

“When a powerful teleportation device falls into enemy hands, secret agent Fogg must embark on a daring global dash to save his once-immortal race from certain annihilation. Fogg encounters his deadly rival, the infamous Captain Nemo, also known as James Moriarty. “

The Cabin in the Woods

Joss Whedon and Tim Lebbon: what’s not to love?

By now you’ve probably been to the picture house and seen The Cabin in the Woods. And now you can read the novelisation by Tim Lebbon, based on the screenplay by Whedon and Drew Goddard (Titan Books £6.99).

“Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen. If you think you know the story, think again.” Whedon described the film as a “straight-up, balls-out, really terrifying horror movie.” I imagine the novel is no less…

Joss Whedon is perhaps best know as the man who created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which in turn created its own shadows. Tim Lebbon is the critically acclaimed writer of Dusk, Fallen and Echo City.

Plague Town by Dana Fredsti

“In the small university town of Redwood Grove, people are succumbing to a lethal strain of flu. They are dying—but not for long. Ashley Parker and her boyfriend are attacked by these shambling, rotting creatures that crave human flesh. Their lives will never be the same again.

When she awakes Ashley discovers that she is a ‘wild card’ — immune to the virus — and is recruited by a shadowy paramilitary organization that offers her the chance to fight back. As the town falls to ever-growing numbers of the infected, Ashley and her team fight to contain the outbreak — but will they be enough?”

Plague Town (an Ashley Parker novel), by Dana Fredsti, is published by Titan in April.

Black Wings of Cthulhu

If you missed out on the PS edition, you’ll be pleased to learn that Titan Books is coming to the rescue with Black Wings of Cthulhu, edited by S T Joshi (due in March at £8.99). Subtitled “Twenty-one Tales of Lovecraftian Horror”, you know exactly what to expect. The 21 contributors in this anthology include: Laird Barron, Ramsey Campbell, Caitlin R Kiernan, Norman Partridge, Nicholas Royle, Darrell Schweitzer, David J Schow, Michael Shea, Michael Marshall Smith and Brian Stableford.

The book includes an introduction by S T Joshi, who is considered to be one of the foremost authorities on H P Lovecraft and is the author of the award-winning H P Lovecraft: A Life.

An added bonus: Black Wings volume two is also scheduled. HPL fans will be delighted.