New and Recently Released! Speak to the Devil - by Dave Duncan Publisher: Tor Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/25/2010 ISBN-13: 9780765323477 ISBN-10: 0765323478 Historical Fantasy. In the land of Jorgary, powerful men secretly harness the magic of human Speakers to communicate with otherworldly Voices--while publicly condemning the art. The Magnus family is known for producing Speakers, which is why the king summons Anton Magnus to the palace, promising him high rank and riches if he successfully carries out a dangerous mission. Anton does not actually possess Speaker powers, but that doesn't stop him from accepting the offer. If you enjoyed the historical setting of the Venice Trilogy and the derring-do of the King's Blades books, don't miss this 1st installment of author Dave Duncan's new series, which is set in an alternate 15th-century Europe. From Hell with Love: A Secret Histories Novel - by Simon R. Green Publisher: Roc Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/01/2010 ISBN-13: 9780451463326 ISBN-10: 0451463323 Urban Fantasy. It's business as usual for Eddie Drood in this follow-up to The Spy Who Haunted Me. As a member of the dysfunctional family that protects humanity from supernatural menaces, Eddie must once again avert a doomsday scenario. But things get complicated when the Drood family Matriarch is murdered and Eddie and his witch girlfriend Molly Metcalf become the prime suspects. As Eddie knows from experience, you don't want to get on his family's bad side--but can he solve the mystery and clear his name? From Hell with Love is the 4th book in Simon R. Green's Secret Histories series, which combines James Bond-style action with paranormal investigation. If you're new to the series, begin with The Man with the Golden Torc. Nights of Villjamur - by Mark Charan Newton Publisher: Ballantine Books Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/29/2010 ISBN-13: 9780345520845 ISBN-10: 034552084X Epic Fantasy. As the sun begins to dim and an ice age descends upon the Archipelago, refugees--both human and nonhuman--flee to the ancient stronghold of Villjamur, the "Sanctuary City" that serves as the capital of the Jamur Empire. But the real danger lies within Villjamur's walls, as the untimely death of the Emperor, the murder of a prominent politician, and a conspiracy of cultists threaten to plunge the city into chaos. The sprawling noir-tinged landscape of Villjamur will appeal to fans of China Miéville's New Crobuzon books, while the political machinations of the city's elite and ensuing military conflicts may interest fans of Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series. First Chapter Who Fears Death - by Nnedi Okorafor Publisher: DAW Books Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/01/2010 ISBN-13: 9780756406172 ISBN-10: 075640617X Science Fantasy. The sorceress Onyesonwu (whose name means "who fears death") is an Ewu--the daughter of an Okeke woman who was raped by a Nuru soldier. An outcast because of her origins as well as her unusual magical powers, Onyesonwu nevertheless may be the prophesied savior of her mother's people, who are being systematically exterminated by the Nuru. Set in a post-apocalyptic Africa, this intense novel alludes to real-life events (such as the ongoing Darfur conflict) and explores controversial issues, including racism, genocide, and female genital mutiliation. Library Journal calls this debut novel "dystopian fantasy at its very best." Focus on: Asia The Secrets of Jin-shei - by Alma Alexander Publisher: HarperCollins Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2005 ISBN-13: 9780060750589 ISBN-10: 0060750588 Historical Fantasy. In the land of Syai, a group of eight girls form a jin-shei sisterhood, pledging lifelong vows of loyalty to one another. The girls--a poet, a warrior, a scholar-alchemist, a sage, a traveller, an imperial guardsman's daughter, a healer, and an empress--come from different backgrounds, yet their destinies are inextricably bound for good or ill. Set in a fully realized fantasy version of ancient China (one in which women play prominent roles in society), this character-driven story contains adventure, magic, political intrigue, warfare, and romance. First Chapter Dragon in Chains - by Daniel Fox Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine Books Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/27/2009 ISBN-13: 9780345503053 ISBN-10: 0345503058 Historical Fantasy. The strait that separates the island of Taishu and a mainland empire beset by civil war is inhabited by a sleeping Dragon-in-Chains, which--if awakened--will bring death and destruction upon humanity. After Pirate Captain Li Ton slaughters the monks who secure the dragon through magic, it falls to apprentice scribe (and pirate captive) Han to prevent the creature from escaping its bonds. But as the recently deposed Emperor Chien retreats to Taishu to plan his final battle, neither physical nor magical chains may be enough to hold back the dragon. Dragon in Chains is the 1st book in Daniel Fox's Moshui, the Books of Water and Stone series, followed by Jade Man's Skin. First Chapter The Fox Woman - by Kij Johnson Publisher: Tor Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 12/01/2000 ISBN-13: 9780312875596 ISBN-10: 0312875592 Mythic Fantasy. Based on a ninth-century Japanese fairy tale, this novel by the author of Fudoki depicts an animal-to-human metamorphosis. When young fox Kitsune falls in love with Kaya no Yoshifuji, a married nobleman who's fallen out of favor at the Emperor's court, she uses her family's magic to transform herself into a beautiful woman, hoping to win Yoshifuji's heart. The ensuing love triangle is told from the perspectives of its participants. If you enjoyed the dreamlike imagery and feudal Japanese setting of Catherynne M. Valente's Yume no Hon: The Book of Dreams, try The Fox Woman. First Chapter Thirteen Orphans - by Jane Lindskold Publisher: Tor Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/11/2008 ISBN-13: 9780765317001 ISBN-10: 0765317001 Contemporary Fantasy. When her father becomes the victim of a magical attack, college student Brenda Morris discovers that, thanks to her Chinese ancestry, she has magical powers tied to the Chinese Zodiac. As a member of the Thirteen Orphans--magicians who can take the form of Zodiac animals--Brenda learns about the World of Smoke and Shadows, the place "east of the sun and west of the moon" from which her ancestors were exiled. With otherworldly beings now hot on her trail, Brenda must embrace her own history--and her destiny. Thirteen Orphans is the 1st volume of Jane Lindskold's Breaking the Wall series, followed by Nine Gates and Five Odd Honors. __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 5370 (20100816) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com