Here’s a quick preview of the novels I’m most looking forward to in January 2012. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the exciting or noteworthy books coming out in January, but they’re the ones that have piqued my interest the most at the moment.
For a month-by-month list of other books I’m looking forward to in 2012, check out the “2012 Releases” page, which I’ll continue updating as time goes by and publishing schedules are released.
The longer I’ve been reviewing books, the more novels I find that I really want to read but end up not having the time for.
This year, like last year, also saw another decline in thriller and non-genre fiction reviews: I was either finishing my PhD or recovering from the final push, so needed a real escape from the real world and politics, which means I avoided some of my normally must-read authors (David Baldacci, John Sandford, to name but two). I’ll try to get some more read in January, but that’s a pretty busy month as well for big new releases (in anticipation but also page-count)…
This year there have been a lot of books that were highly anticipated that I just couldn’t get around to (see the link-gaps on the “2011 Releases” page and you’ll see what I mean, and that list is by no means exhaustive). Most of them I have already, either sitting on my TBR pile or on my Kindle, which just makes it more frustrating.
In lieu of timely reviews, though, I thought I’d give a quick shout-out (with synopses and a few comments) for some of the ones that got away in 2011. Only, given the number of books I neglected, it’s not really that ‘quick’ a post…
Despite the Christmas holidays, there are still a few comics released today to sate the voracious appetites of comic addicts. And they’re pretty good titles, too – some more of DC’s New 52 get their fourth issue, for example (I’ll be reviewing them when I get back to New York late January) and far more besides. Here’s just a small selection of the comics published today that I could get my hands on in time for a review.
Reviewed Herein: The Cape #1-3, Irredeemable #32, & Incorruptible #25
What if the greatest superhero switched sides?
Writer: Mark Waid | Artists: Peter Krause
What if the world's greatest hero decided to become the world's greatest villain? When the Plutonian, the world's greatest hero, snaps and turns into the world's greatest villain, only his former teammates have a chance at stopping his rampage. But while on the run from the world’s most powerful and angry being, will these former teammates discover his secrets in time? How did he come to this? What became of the hope and promise once inside him? What happens to the world when its savior betrays it? What makes a hero IRREDEEMABLE?
I’d been considering this title for a long time, and when I finally managed to try it out, it was this mega-edition. I really liked the idea behind the series – it seemed so simple and yet innovative at the same time. After reading this book, I quickly realised that all the hype about the series is completely justified. The story is gripping, original, moving and superbly rendered. This exceeded my already high expectations. This was a very difficult review to write, as I really just wanted to say, “This is incredible. Buy it.”
The Horus Heresy continues…
As the Horus Heresy divides the Imperium, Corax and his few remaining Raven Guard escape the massacre at Isstvan V. Tending to their wounds, the bloodied Space Marines endeavour to replenish their numbers and return to the fray, taking the fight to the traitor Warmaster.
Distraught at the crippling blow dealt to his Legion, Corax returns to Terra to seek the aid of his father – the Emperor of Mankind. Granted access to ancient secrets, Corax begins to rebuild the Raven Guard, planning his revenge against his treacherous brother Primarchs. But not all his remaining warriors are who they appear to be… the mysterious Alpha Legion have infiltrated the survivors and plan to destroy the Raven Guard before they can rebuild and threaten Horus’s plans.
The Horus Heresy series is one of the best collaborative sci-fi series currently being published, in my opinion. All of the authors working on it bring their A-game, producing some of their best fiction. Deliverance Lost is Gav Thorpe’s first novel for the series, and it is excellent. Like some of the other, more-recent Heresy novels, it offers something new and takes a slightly different approach to the fictional time and setting. Deliverance Lost is great – nuanced, tense and action-packed. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope you and your families all have a wonderful day, and that Santa brings you all the books you wanted.
Speaking of books as gifts, did anyone get anything particularly interesting? Feel free to share in the comments-thread.
A superb, mystic fantasy debut
Exiled exorcist Lucian Negru deserted his lover in Hell in exchange for saving his sister Catarina's soul, but Catarina doesn't want salvation. She wants Lucian to help her fulfill her dark covenant with the Fallen Angels by using his power to open the Hell Gates. Catarina intends to lead the Fallen’s hordes out of Hell and into the parallel dimension of Woerld, Heaven’s frontline of defense between Earth and Hell.
When Lucian refuses to help his sister, she imprisons and cripples him, but Lucian learns that Rachael, the lover he betrayed and abandoned in Hell, is dying from a demonic possession. Determined to rescue Rachael from the demon he unleashed on her soul, Lucian flees his sister, but Catarina’s wrath isn’t so easy to escape. In the end, she will force him once more to choose between losing Rachael or opening the Hell Gates so the Fallen’s hordes may overrun Earth, their last obstacle before reaching Heaven’s Gates.
It took me a little while to get to Miserere, but after hearing quite a few good things about the novel, I decided it was high time that I gave it a try. Another of Night Shade Books’ New Voices releases, this is a dark, brooding tale of redemption with an original setting and engaging characters.
A magic new title
Writer: Chris Roberson | Artist: Rich Ellis
Memorial is the story of Em, a young woman who arrives at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, with no memory of her past. A year later, she has rebuilt her life, only to find her existence thrown into turmoil after she inherits a magical shop. The kind that appears in an alley one instance and disappears the next.
This debut issue has been quite highly anticipated by many comic readers, myself included, and I was very glad when I finally got my hands on a copy. It didn’t disappoint. That being said, it’s rather difficult to think of how to write about it without spoiling or describing everything.
It’s mostly setting the scene, so there are revelations aplenty, as well as some needed exposition (all dressed up perfectly as story and in some great artwork). The writing is tight and brisk, with some nice touches sprinkled throughout for anyone with an interest in classic fables, fantasy, and other literary allusions, only with a few original twists. The characters are shaping up in interesting ways, even though many of them will need some time before they are properly fleshed out (Em does, after all, have no memory).
Memorial is a series that has a lot of potential, and I’ll be watching it closely. At only 22 pages, this first issue is a tantalising glimpse into a new and interesting fantasy setting. Some people might have wanted more from a first issue, but my interest has been piqued enough for me to come back to it next time.
Recommended.
Visit IDW’s special Memorial website for more information and features.
A Holy Warrior, the Anti-Christ and a corrupt Church
Writer: Ron Marz | Artist: Nelson Blake II & David Marquez
The Magdalena has been the official protector and warrior of the Catholic Church for over two thousand years, sworn to defend the Faith with the Spear of Destiny against all manner of supernatural threats.
However, Patience, the latest Magdalena, has seen through the hypocrisy of her masters and struck out on her own. When her old mentor comes to her with a mission to kill the Anti-Christ, will she be able to resist the call?
I knew nothing of this title when I saw it available on NetGalley, but it sounded interesting and appealed to my taste in supernatural thrillers and the like. It’s a pretty interesting and enjoyable graphic novel, well-written, with a strong protagonist and plenty of action.
This week’s comics brought to you in the themes of Reformation and Reanimation!
This week I bring you reformed supervillains, a zombie apocalypse in New York City, a deadly movie theatre, and a fairy tale Christmas like no other… A nice eclectic mix, I think you’ll agree?
Reviewed herein: Incorruptible Vol.01, Key of Z #1-3, The Theater #1-3, Grimm Fairy Tales Holiday Special 2011
