Science Fiction Book Club

Who's top dog this week? None other than THE GATHERING STORM by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, that's who! Hitting the #1 spot on the 11/5/09 New York Times bestseller list, TGS knocked off The Lost Symbol in the hyper-anticipated closing chapters of The Wheel of Time series. Here's what SFC member Ken has to say... about the book: "Like many, I was upset by the news of Robert Jordan's passing. Althought the last few books in the Wheel of Time dragged a bit, I was still anxious for a conclusion. Brandon Sanderson has done an incredible job of breathing life back into the characters and the story. If you've given up on the WOT series, you really need to come back, as Sanderson is doing a brilliant job of taking this epic tale to closure."Read More

Ok, so last night I was surfing the tube and came across no less than three shows about the next prophetic date, 12/21/2012. There's also the major motion picture 2012 due out any second now, as well as Michael Bay's take on the topic coming next year. So, 2012 - is it apocalypse or opportunity? New Agists seem to thin...k it's a time of hope, opportunity and change. And since it's pure speculation at this point, sci-fi folks are in their element, having a ball thinking of ways to destroy the world. No question tho, 2012 is the question to Life, the Universe, and Everything right now. Perhaps you want to find out more about the Mayans and their world; if so, take a look at this book. And if you haven't heard of 2012 yet, maybe you'll want to stay hiding under that rock until it passes on by...Read More

Newly discovered planets are wonderful, aren't they? They hold the promise of alien life, a vast wealth of natural resources, and the chance to make a big, fat, mondo epic as in the upcoming J Cameron film, Avatar. Think of RED CLAW as your personal discovery - it's a great read reminiscent of those golden age pulps ...with scientists & robots(!), sharp wit and a whole lot of action fun. The planet in question is New Amazon, which could be made habitable for us earthlings so a crew has been sent to terraform it. Only, New Amazon fights back, and boy does it have some nasty surprises in store! If he continues to write like this, I'll be following Philip Palmer's career for decades to come. -Rome QuezadaRead More

I wasn't sure what to think when I signed on to go to the Steampunk Haunted House in New York's Lower East Side last weekend. But I have to say, it rocked! Freaky visuals, bizarre creatures, creepy hybrids and one mean mother of a chimneysweep all made for an unforgettable Halloween! You know what took less convincing ...for my support? Scott Westerfeld's new novel, LEVIATHAN -- it's set in a steampunk Europe just as WWI is about to breat out. Plus, illustrations help give those essential alternate period details. -Rome QRead More

Bad news, everyone. Due to a printing error, the release of STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE VADER has been delayed indefinitely. It will not be available through sfbc, amazon or any other bookseller until it is rescheduled by Del Rey. It's unfortunate to say the least, it was one of the books I was really looking forward to ge...t in the club, very similar in format to the Star Wars Vault, only its all about the Vader. Click the link to get the official word from starwars.com. --Rome QRead More

Today's the day THE GATHERING STORM has landed! This is the book everyone's been talking about wondering how Brandon Sanderson was able to carry the Robert Jordan legacy. Is he insane for attempting such a bold feat? Does he have the writing chops to carry through to the end? Will he do no harm to the beloved Wheel of... Time? You can now find out - order your copy at sfbc.com, rush delivery available for quicker reading nerdvana! --Rome Q (ps-write a review on our site AFTER you've read the book please; and no spoilers would be very much appreciated! -thnx, RQ)Read More

Have you joined a conspiracy lately? I've got a good one for you today, coming via Robert V.S. Redick. THE RED WOLF CONSPIRACY is epic fantasy that feels fresh; probably from the ocean spray because this mother is set on the most wondrous ship to voyage through the high seas! Compelling characters, mysterious stowaway...s, an urgent mission, an old salt of a captain, and intricately crafted writing will take you on a wonderful, welcome adventure. Plus, the second book in the trilogy is coming out in February 2010 so you'll want to read this before THE RULING SEA comes out.

SFBC member Mike K likes it, saying ""Red Wolf Conspiracy" is not a saccharine kid's story...it has moments of violence and even terror...but there's a lot of wonder to it and some very likeable characters. Reddick's careful world-building reminds me a lot of Tad Williams..." Click the link to read the rest of the review and an excerpt on our site. -- Rome QRead More

It's a drab, dreary, cold & clammy New York City day, perfect snuggle-in-with-a-good-book kind of afternoon. If I weren't working right now, the book I'd be getting warm & toasty with is THE AUDRAN SEQUENCE by George Alec Effinger. A taut cyberpunk noir thriller set in a Middle Eastern city populated with unique charac...ters inspired by actual New Orleans denizens, this classic trilogy written in the 80s & early 90s feels as fresh today, nearly 20 years after the third book pubbed, as it did back in the day. Man, could Effinger write! --Rome QRead More

If you've read the first two books in our exclusive omnibus, DARK DAYS, (if you haven't, now would be a good time to catch up) then you know that Jocelynn Drake can twist a plot along with the best of them, and raise the stakes in her stories going full throttle with brave, brazen characters at the helm. The third book..., DAWNBREAKER, is out now, and the dawn brings new dangers for the creatures of the night...Read More