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Limited Edition Neverwhere Edition

For Neil Gaiman fans this will be some good news. Subterranean Press have just notified us that copies of the “Signed Limited Edition of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere” are “en route to our warehouse.”

The edition, which will be limited to 1,000 copies, will be signed by Neil Gaiman, found in a hand-bound rich midnight blue cloth slipcase, gold stamped case and spine and feature a map of the London Underground on the endpapers of the book. The book is 7” by 10” and includes a special introduction by the author.

On top of all of that this limited edition will include “The Neverwhere Files” – behind the scenes papers from Neil Gaiman that will give a great insight into the evolution of Neverwhere.

But as they say, you better move fast, as they only have 19 out of the original 200 that are unreserved.

Check out the buy page at Subterranean Press here, and enhance your Neil Gaiman library today.

Posted: March 11th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: Neil Gaiman

Fantasy news round-up – January/February 2010

Fantasy authors donate towards the Haiti appeal
Harry Potter author JK Rowling donated a full UK edition set of her books, as well as a handwritten card, to Helping Haiti Heal. These rare items join more than 100 special gifts, including a signed book by author Neil Gaiman, five dedicated books by Sir Terry Pratchett, and original conception art from the film Where the Wild Things Are.

And… The Daily Mail “newspaper” grudgingly apologises to JK Rowling
”On January 17 we reported the recent purchase of a property by author J. K. Rowling. We wrongly alleged that she offered an extra £300,000 for the seller to leave within two weeks so she could hold a Christmas party and that she viewed only two rooms before deciding to buy the property. We apologise to Ms Rowling for any embarrassment caused.” announced the sulky press release.

Graveyard Book movie is dead for now
Neil Gaiman’s young adult novel, The Graveyard Book, which won a Newbery Medal and a Hugo award looks set to remain solely in the written word for the foreseeable future. The film adaptation that was to be written and directed by Neil Jordan (The Brave One, The Crying Game and Interview with the Vampire) has fallen apart on the financing front.

Harry Potter fans bid for Quidditch league
Students at the University of Nottingham want to establish a British Quidditch league based on the JK Rowling stories. The sport is already popular in universities in the United States but has yet to be taken seriously in this country. In the Harry Potter books the trainee wizards fly on broomsticks. In reality the Nottingham students hold a broom between their legs and throw a ball with their free arm.

Fantasy authors battle it out on live online role-playing game
Fantasy authors Peter V. Brett, Ari Marmell, and Diana Rowland go head-to-head in a live online role-playing game session. The two-hour session, hosted by Suvudu.com, features a real-time adventure illustrated with artwork, and featuring characters from the King of RPGs graphic novel series.

New Line Cinema push back Hobbit release date
New Line’s efforts to get “The Hobbit” on the big screen have been hobbled again. Studio officials confirm that the film, which had been slated to premiere in December 2011, won’t hit theatres until the end of 2012 at the earliest. The two-part prequel to New Line’s mega-successful “Lord of the Rings” franchise has Peter Jackson signed on to produce and Guillermo del Toro enlisted to direct. Production had previously been delayed by haggling between author J.R.R. Tolkien’s estate and New Line over “Lord of the Rings” profits. This latest delay, however, has to do with financing for “The Hobbit,” which unlike “LOTR,” will not be paid for via foreign pre-sales. Rather, for “The Hobbit,” New Line shares financing rights with MGM/UA, which purchased its rights back in 1969 and could sell them soon as part of a larger restructuring. In short, “The Hobbit’s” production financing situation probably won’t become clear until MGM’s situation is sorted out later this year.

Posted: February 5th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: JK Rowling, Latest News, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Name of the Wind author organizes charity drive

Patrick Rothfuss, author of the fantasy novel The Name of the Wind,  is proving that you don’t have to be wealthy to be a philanthropist. Rothfuss has organized a charity drive through his blog to benefit needy families around the world.

Last year, the 36-year-old Wisconsin writer expected to raise a few thousand dollars when he began his first fundraiser aimed at giving farm animals to poor people. He impetuously promised to match all contributions. It cost him $53,000 and nearly wiped out his savings.

This year, Subterranean Press, one of his publishers, has pledged to match the first $10,000; Rothfuss has promised to match half the money raised after that. “I’m still matching 50 percent of all donations,” he tells fans on his blog. “Do your worst.”

The money that Rothfuss collects goes to Heifer International, an Arkansas-based charity that gives cows, goats and other assistance to hungry families in 23 states and 51 countries.

So far, this year’s drive has raised more than $96,000, which means Rothfuss is already on the hook for at least another $43,000. The campaign ends Jan. 15.

Rothfuss offers donors a chance to win prizes, including more than 1,000 fantasy books. Some are first editions, and many are signed by their authors, including Neil Gaiman, Brandon Sanderson and Rothfuss. Other prizes include a piece of a meteorite and a guitar donated by Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti.

Fantasy Book Review would like to wish Rothfuss’s wonderful charity drive all the success in the world. 

Patrick Rothfuss had the good fortune to be born in Wisconsin where long winters and lack of cable television brought about a love of reading and writing. His mother read to him as a child, and his father taught him to build things. If you are looking for the roots of his storytelling, look there.

Posted: January 13th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Brandon Sanderson, Latest News, Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman to Appear at World Financial Center on January 16

The World Financial Center roster of performances for 2010 has been announced. Performances take place in the World Financial Center in lower Manhattan.

A special performance on January 16 will feature Neil Gaiman narrating Peter and the Wolf. Other offerings will include New York Classical Theatre’s production of Hamlet that will be presented as a promenade, with audiences following the action throughout the downtown complex, as well as Fascinating Rhythms – Gershwin and Joplin, performed by the New York Opera Society, and Hudson River Pageant, a performance art event directed by theatrical pageant director Felicia Young.

Source: Theater Mania

For further information, visit www.worldfinancialcenter.com. 

Neil Gaiman is one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama.

Neil Gaiman was the creator/writer of monthly cult DC Comics horror-weird series, Sandman, which won nine Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, including the award for best writer four times, and three Harvey Awards. Sandman #19 took the 1991 World Fantasy Award for best short story, making it the first comic ever to be awarded a literary award.

Posted: December 22nd, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Neil Gaiman

Get your loved one Neil Gaiman perfume for Christmas!

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is a cult perfumery known for their Gothic-inspired scents. They have recently introduced an expansive collection of Neil Gaiman scents, inspired by his books. 100% of proceeds will go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, and the collection is approved by the author himself.

From The Graveyard Book, try The Lady on the Grey (sandalwood, white amber, tobacco flower, orris); from American Gods try Mad Sweeney (whiskey and oak) or Mr. Ibis (papyrus, vanilla flower, musk, sandalwood); or from Anansi Boys you may be interested in Mr. Nancy (sugar cookies, bay run, tobacco, lime). All scents are meant to be unisex and are vegan (except for honey scents).

Neil Gaiman is one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama.

• American Gods book review
• Neverwhere book review
• The Graveyard Book review
• Marvel 1602 review

Posted: December 1st, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Neil Gaiman

Film adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens could still happen

Last week Joseph McCabe of FEARnet.com caught up with Terry Gilliam and the filmmaking Python told him that his long-in-development adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s dark fantasy novel Good Omens isn’t dead in the water yet. Apparently, it’s just resting.
“It’s still sitting out there. It needs a lot of money though. It’s a very different story. Admittedly, there’s an angel and the Devil, but it’s very different. And it’s better to find somebody who wants to take charge of that project. One of the things is that and another project got mired in costs. And now it’s very hard to get those things moving, because they’ve got a price tag on them before you even begin now. So one day, if somebody is interested, it’s waiting.” (FEARnet.com)

Book synopsis
Taking a cynical look at the horror genre, this book features Crowley and Aziraphale, two friends who attempt to prevent the prophesised Armageddon. When the Antichrist is born they divert him from his original home at the American Embassy to Tadfield, where he grows into an unkempt individual.

Posted: November 19th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

Tender Morsels our pick to win the World Fantasy Award

Last month we ran a story on the nominations for the World Fantasy Award. Unfortunately, we do not have the time to read and review all the entrants, but we thought that we should at least cover the five nominations for best novel. So which book do we here at Fantasy Book Review believe should win the prestigious award? Read on to find out.

Before we start, here are the nominations:

• The House of the Stag, Kage Baker
• The Shadow Year, Jeffrey Ford
• The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman
• Pandemonium, Daryl Gregory
• Tender Morsels, Margo Lanagan

Harrison Holtz, of The Ostentatious Ogre, reviewed Kage Baker’s The House of the Stag and said that “The House of the Stag by Kage Baker knocked me out with its one two combination of humour and world building. The House of the Stag was an unexpected surprise for me and one that I hope many others will take the time to search out along with its predecessor The Anvil of the World.”

The House of the Stag rating – 9/10

Jim Eaton read and reviewed Jeffrey Ford’s The Shadow Year and Daryl Gregory’s Pandemonium. Of The Shadow Year he said “What the Shadow Year has that King and Sebold don’t in their tales is a rich, enveloping sense of subtext. And for me, who has long since fled screaming from Shea and his Shannarigans in search of an author’s mind at work, subtext is king. I don’t know what category Jeffrey Ford’s novel falls into, but I’m fairly certain he doesn’t care, and readers shouldn’t either, because this is a damned good read. Enjoy.”

The Shadow Year rating – 9/10

Of Pandemonium Jim was rather less enthusiastic saying “I didn’t love this book. That’s not to say it doesn’t have merit. It does. It also doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read it. And while I can’t fully recommend his first book, I believe it would be a absolute crime if he were to chose not to – carefully and patiently – write a second one. I would very much like to read it.”

Pandemonium rating – 7/10

Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book has already won the 2009 Hugo Award, the Newbery Medal and he even narrated the tale himself and received an Audie for his troubles. It must be classed as the favourite to add the World Fantasy Award to its already impressive list of awards but when Indra reviewed The Graveyard Book and she thought that “the story flowed well with recognised Gaiman humour and a touch of the macabre,” but found that “there is a slightly hollow feel left after reading it though, possibly due to a loose end situation.”

The Graveyard Book rating – 8/10

That just leaves Margo Lanagan’s controversial re-working of the tale of Snow-white and Rose-red. Floresiensis reviewed this and found that it was “a book that shows just how violent and unforgiving the real world can be; a powerful book that’s pages could turn a child into an adult.” He went on to say that:
“If you remove all the fuss surrounding the novel you will find that Lanagan has, using the barest framework of the Grimm brothers Snow-white and Rose-red, woven a beautiful and at times brutal fairy tale for the modern age.”

Tender Morsels rating – 9.5/10

So, we believe that Tender Morsels is the pick of the bunch but feel that Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book is most likely to scoop the award. The winner will be announced at the World Fantasy Convention 2009 in San Jose, California ( the weekend beginning October 29) and Fantasy Book Review would like to wish all the nominees the very best of luck.

Posted: September 26th, 2009
Author: Floresiensis
Categories: Awards, Margo Lanagan, Neil Gaiman

Booktrust Teenage Prize shortlist announced

The Booktrust Teenage Prize was first launched in 2003 to recognise and celebrate contemporary fiction written for teenagers. Previous winners include Marcus Sedgwick’s My Swordhand is Singing, Sarah Singleton’s Century. The 2008 award went to Patrick Ness for The Knife of Never Letting Go.

The shortlist for the 2009 prize was announced on September 21. The winning author will receive a cheque for £2,500 and a trophy at a ceremony in London on 18 November.

Auslander by Paul Dowswell (Bloomsbury)
‘Auslander is a superlative, at times almost agonisingly compelling, piece of historical fiction … The climactic escape to freedom is pure muck-sweat tension’ The Financial Times

‘An exceptional novel, persuasive in its details, with an utterly compelling story and powerful message’ Waterstones Books Quarterly

‘A breakthrough into the top league for Dowswell, a hugely impressive thriller set during the Second World War … There will be many adults sneakily borrowing this from their children’ The Bookseller

‘Doswell is one of the best new writers of historical fiction for children [Auslander] steps outside the victim culture of novels such as those by Morris Gleitzman and comes close to classics such as ‘The Silver Sword’. Admirers of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ should look at this novel as a model of imaginative sympathy’ The Times

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Bloomsbury)
Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts.

There are dangers and adventures for Bod in the graveyard. But it is in the land of the living that real danger lurks for it is there that the man Jack lives and he has already killed Bod’s family.

A deliciously dark masterwork by bestselling author Neil Gaiman.

‘If asked to put The Graveyard Book into a genre, I’d have to say: this is a Neil Gaiman book. It’s in the Genre of Excellence’ Fortean Times

‘It is probably the best children’s book published in 2008’ Learning Support

‘A novel that is a captivating piece of work, light as fresh grave dirt, haunting as the inscription on a tombstone’ Financial Times

Ostrich Boys by Keith Gray (Definitions)
Left despondent after the funeral of their friend Ross, three friends – Kenny, Sim and Blake – steal Ross’ ashes and embark on an epic journey in search of a more fitting memorial. Described as a ‘modern classic’ (Jake Hope, The Bookseller), this tale explores deep friendship and devastating loss. 

‘Reminiscent of On the Road and Catcher in the Rye . . . a profound work, instantly worthy of the label "modern classic"’ Bookseller

‘This is an excellent teenage read which has four boys as the central characters. One of them, Ross, has just been killed in a cycling accident but the other three are determined to give him an appropriate send-off. Upset by the seemingly heartless cremation service for their lost friend, they steal his ashes and set off on an ill-prepared journey to a tiny village in Scotland called Ross that they had always promised to visit. As their haphazard progress north continues, the surviving trio are forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about their friendships, both with each other and their lost companion.’ Philip Daws, Waterstone’s Bury St. Edmunds

The Ant Colony by Jenny Valentine (HarperCollins)
An irresistible new novel from Guardian-award-winning novelist, Jenny Valentine. Number 33 Georgiana Street houses many people and yet seems home to none. To runaway Sam it is a place to disappear. To Bohemia, it’s just another blip between crises, as her mum ricochets off the latest boyfriend. Old Isobel acts like she owns the place, even though it actually belongs to Steve in the basement, who is always looking to squeeze in yet another tenant. Life there is a kind of ordered chaos. Like ants, they scurry about their business, crossing paths, following their own tracks, no questions asked. But it doesn’t take much to upset the balance. Dig deep enough and you’ll find that everyone has something to hide!

‘Once again Jenny Valentine proves she can connect with her readers. She exhibits strong characters who each have a story to tell and through excellent dialogue, creates tension and intrigue. I love the way her stories move forwards, constantly twisting and turning through family dramas yet with good slaps of humour at regular intervals. This is a very human story about young people coping with the toughness of growing up.’ Patricia Outram, Waterstone’s Amsterdam 

The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant (Puffin)
Intrigue and eerie mystery lie at the heart of Grant’s captivating debut novel, which entwines ancient German folklore with contemporary life-changing tragedy. The disappearance of ten-year-old Katharina reduces the small German town of Bad Munstereifel to panic. Only young Pia is determined to discover the truth.   

‘Lightness of touch, neatness of phrase and talent for observation enliven the darkness of the material.’ The Sunday Times, April 19, 2009

‘Pia is ten years old. Known as ‘the girl whose grandmother exploded’, she wishes for things to go back to normal, like before her Oma died. Then Katharina Linden, a girl from Pia’s school, disappears during a busy town carnival. No one knows where she went, if she was taken or by whom… but one thing is certain, the small German town will never be ‘normal’ again. A brilliant thriller which keeps you engrossed to the end.’ Andrea Richards, Waterstone’s Brentford

The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (Walker)
Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor’s new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode… The Ask and the Answer is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure.

‘Ness is a young writer of exciting quality and unpredictability.’ The Times

Posted: September 24th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Awards, Neil Gaiman

The winners of the 2009 British Fantasy Awards are…

The British Fantasy Awards have been in existence for almost as many years as the British Fantasy Society itself. In 1971 Ramsey Campbell suggested the Society present an award in honour of the recently deceased August Derleth – an award which this year went to Memoirs of a Master Forger by William Heaney. The 2009 winners in full are:

Best Novel (The August Derleth Fantasy Award)

• Memoirs of a Master Forger, by William Heaney/Graham Joyce

Best Novella

• The Reach of Children, by Tim Lebbon

Best Short Fiction

• Do You See, by Sarah Pinborough, from Myth-Understandings, ed. by Ian Whates

Best Collection

• Bull Running for Girls, by Allyson Bird

Best Anthology

• The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 19, ed. Stephen Jones

The PS Publishing Best Small Press Award

• Elastic Press, run by Andrew Hook

Best Non-Fiction

• Basil Copper: A Life in Books, by Basil Copper, ed. Stephen Jones

Best Magazine/Periodical

• Postscripts, ed. Peter Crowther and Nick Gevers

Best Artist

• Vincent Chong

Best Comic/Graphic Novel

• Locke and Key, by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Best Television

• Doctor Who, head writer Russell T. Davies

Best Film

• The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan

The Sydney J. Bounds Award for Best Newcomer

• Joseph D’Lacey, for Meat

The Karl Edward Wagner Award

• Hayao Miyazaki

The Best Novel award has, over the years, gone to some of the biggest names in the fantasy genre. In the early to mid seventies Michael Moorcock ruled supreme, winning four times with The Knight of the Swords, The King of the Swords, The Sword and the Stallion and The Hollow Lands. 1979 saw Stephen Donaldson’s The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever scoop the award. Two authors whose names appear regularly are Stephen King (1982, Cujo; 1987; It; 1999, Bag of Bones; 2005, The Dark Tower VII) and Graham Joyce (1996, Requiem; 1997, The Tooth Fairy; 2000, Indigo).

The turn of the century saw China Mieville (2001, Perdido Street; 2003, The Scar) win in two of the first three years. Other notable winners are Neil Gaiman (2006, Anansi Boys) and Tim Lebbon (2007, Dusk).

If you are interested in seeing what competition the eventual winners had to overcome to win their prestigious awards then here is the full list of nominees:

Best Novel

• Memoirs of a Master Forger (William Heaney/Graham Joyce)
• Midnight Man (Simon Clark)
• Rain Dogs (Gary McMahon)
• The Graveyard Book (Neil Gaiman)
• The Victoria Vanishes (Christopher Fowler)
• Thieving Fear (Ramsey Campbell)

Best Small Press Award

• Elastic Press (Andrew Hook)
• Newcon Press (Ian Whates)
• Pendragon Press (Chris Teague)
• Screaming Dreams (Steve Upham)
• TTA Press (Andy Cox)

Best Collection

• Bull Running for Girls (Allyson Bird)
• Glyphotech (Mark Samuels)
• How To Make Monsters (Gary McMahon)
• Islington Crocodiles (Paul Meloy)
• Just After Sunset (Stephen King)

Best Novella

• Cold Stone Calling (Simon Clark)
• Gunpowder (Joe Hill)
• Heads (Gary McMahon)
• We Fade To Grey, Ed. Gary McMahon
• Just After Sunset (Stephen King)
• The Narrows (Simon Bestwick)

Best Short Fiction

• All Mouth (Paul Meloy
• Do You See (Sarah Pinborough
• Pinholes in Black Muslin (Simon Strantzas)
• The Caul Bearer (Allyson Bird)
• The Tobacconist’s Concession (John Travis)
• The Vague (Paul Meloy)
• Winter Journey (Joel Lane)

Best Comic / Graphic Novel

• 30 Days of Night: Beyond Barrow
• All-Star Superman (Grant Morrison / Frank Quitely)
• Buffy Season Eight Vol. 3: Wolves at the Gate (Joss Whedon & Drew Goddard / Georges Jeanty)
• Comic Book Tattoo Tales Inspired by Tori Amos (Ed, Rantz A. Hoseley & Tori Amos / Various)
• Hellblazer: Fear Machine (Jamie Delano)
• Hellblazer: The Laughing Magician (Andy Diggle / Leonardo Manco & Daniel Zezelj)
• Locke and Key (Joe Hill/Gabriel Rodriguez)
• The Girly Comic Book 1 (Ed, Selina Lock)
• The New Avengers: Illuminati (Brian Bendis & Brian Reed / Jim Cheung)

Best Artist

• Dave McKean (The Graveyard Book)
• Edward Miller (Vault of Deeds)
• Lee Thompson (The Land at the End of the Working Day)
• Les Edwards (Various)
• Vincent Chong (Various)

Best Non-Fiction

• Basil Copper: A Life in Books (Basil Copper, Ed, Stephen Jones)
• Doctor Who: The Writer’s Tale (Russell T. Davies and Benjamin Cook)
• journal.neilgaiman.com (Neil Gaiman)
• Mutant Popcorn (Nick Lowe)
• What Is It We Do When We Read Science Fiction (Paul Kincaid)

Best Magazine

• Black Static (Andy Cox)
• Interzone (Andy Cox)
• Midnight Street (Trevor Denyer)
• Postscripts (Peter Crowther & Nick Gevers)
• SFX (Dave Bradley)

Best Television

• Battlestar Galactica (NBC)
• Dead Set (Zeppotron/Channel 4)
• Dexter (Clyde Phillips Productions)
• Doctor Who (BBC Wales)
• Supernatural (Warner Bros TV)

Best Film

• Cloverfield (Matt Reeves)
• Iron Man (Jon Favreau)
• The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan)
• The Mist (Frank Darabont)
• The Orphanage (Juan Antonio Bayona)

Posted: September 24th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Awards, Graphic Novels, Neil Gaiman, Stephen Donaldson

Best selling sci-fi/fantasy audio-books – September 2009 – Audible.co.uk

September 2009 sees Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series still maintaining a stranglehold on the top 10 sci-fi/fantasy audio-book downloads, as listed by Audible.co.uk.

Fantasy Book Review favourite Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (Susanna Clarke), read by Simon Prebble, is still performing well (we were so impressed we interviewed Mr Prebble and asked him all about it).  Two new entries are The Hobbit and Good Omens. Most will be familiar with the highly enjoyable BBC Adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit but this version is read by Martin Shaw, the narrator who did such a fine job on The Silmarillion. He has once again proven that his dulcet tones are perfectly suited to Tolkien’s prose. Good Omens marked a collaboration between Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman; it is a very amusing novel read here by Stephen Briggs.

Here is the top 10:

1. The Time Traveler’s Wife (Unabridged) Audrey Niffenegger
2. The Strain: Book One of the Strain Trilogy (Unabridged)
3. Twilight: The Twilight Saga, Book 1 (Unabridged)
4. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (Unabridged)
5. New Moon: The Twilight Saga, Book 2 (Unabridged)
6. Dune (Unabridged)
7. Breaking Dawn: The Twilight Saga, Book 4 (Unabridged)
8. Eclipse: The Twilight Saga, Book 3 (Unabridged)
9. The Hobbit
10. Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (Unabridged)

The title that really caught our eye was Guillermo del Toro’s The Stain. Although not what you might class as fantasy – it’s more horror -  the synopsis is captivating and this could well be our next download. It is narrated by Ron Perlman of Hellboy fame. Here is the blurb:

A plane lands at JFK and mysteriously ‘goes dark’, stopping in the middle of the runway for no apparent reason, all lights off, all doors sealed. The pilots cannot be raised.

When the hatch above the wing finally clicks open, it quickly becomes clear that everyone on board is dead – although there is no sign of any trauma or struggle. Ephraim Goodweather and his team from the Center for Disease Control must work quickly to establish the cause of this strange occurrence before panic spreads.

The first thing they discover is that four of the victims are actually still alive. But that’s the only good news. And when all 200 corpses disappear from various morgues around the city on the same night, things very rapidly get worse. Soon Eph and a small band of helpers will find themselves battling to protect not only their own loved ones, but the whole city, against an ancient threat to humanity.

Pretty good eh?

Audible.co.uk have over 30,000 titles from classics to crime, sci-fi to languages, self-help, biographies, comedy and more. From their offices in Chiswick they search far and wide for the best audio-books available.

Check back in October when we will see if Twilight still rules the audio-world!

Posted: September 7th, 2009
Author: Lee
Categories: Audio-books, Neil Gaiman, Stephenie Meyer, Susanna Clarke, Terry Pratchett