Daniel Cann profile

With striking imagery and Smith’s incredible imagination, this is a dramatic and exciting slice of sci-fi. Very ambitious in scope and lengthy at over 500 pages, this will reward its readership with a thoroughly entertaining, multi-layered story with compelling heroines and anti-heroes.

The stories are cleverly interwoven, with recurring characters, unexpected developments, action, mystery and politics. The vivid city of Narkang takes centre stage, promising intrigue and a hidden history, as well as danger lurking in its shadowy streets. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection, finishing it in two separate sittings. I am certain this will please existing fans, whilst adding new converts – this is fantasy storytelling at its finest.

Apart from the central character of Jillan, there are plenty of well-drawn and multi-layered characters, all wrestling with their own problems and demons. It is hefty at 466 pages, but thanks to its rich tapestry of characters and incident there is never a dull moment.

I am a big fan of thrillers and action adventure, therefore probably not within the expected readership demographic for Poison. Yet I was thoroughly entertained and loved its irreverence and boldness. This is an engrossing, intriguing and fun new take on an old story.

Higgins passion for history, espionage and science fiction all shine through. The chapters are short and entertaining, but it does end rather abruptly. I found the first half of the book the strongest with Higgins’ descriptions of a police state, with its mean streets and aura of fear and uncertainty palpable. The final half was weaker and seemed a little rushed. Overall though this was a highly enjoyable and creative slice of fiction.

It is not my favourite Newman novel, but Jago and its powerful and disturbing images lingered in my mind long after I had finally put it down.

Howey cranks up the suspense and tension, making this one of the most gripping and profound sci-fi novels I have read. All I can say is get a copy and read it before it hits the big screen.

Once finished I thought that I had read another highly creative and inventive story which suffered slightly from the padding I mentioned earlier. A slick Tim Powers thriller would really be something to behold. But I am sure this will please his fans and add many new ones.

With no clunky exposition or scene setting, this starts fast and does not let up. Blending two beloved characters in this way, providing readers with a thrilling adventure, is quite an achievement. Fans of vampires and crime fiction will thoroughly enjoy this.

What more could you ask for? Dracula meets the Giallo murder mystery and Bond! There is even a 1968 set novella Aquarius as an added bonus. This will chill and amuse the reader, transporting you to a bygone era of cinema and culture. Unmissable.

This novel was brilliant, imaginative, thrilling, horrific and inventive. The Martians of course are the star attraction: they are truly repellent and terrifying. The threat level posed to earth is excellently conveyed, the suspense is cranked right up as the drama unfolds.

As far as a debut goes, this is one of the better that I have read so far. I was pleased with how everything was just enough; the descriptions and actions of the inhabitants of the House of Darkling could have been overdone but this was reined in and just enough to keep up the curiosity. The book is well written and reads away easily. Although Michael Boccacino tries to steer you in the book, there was no force pushing me, and did not at all feel limited in indulging me into the book.

Sadly, the last part feels like a homage to King Kong or Godzilla. That said, the overall effect is satisfying – the science is spot-on, thanks to the authors first-hand experience – and most importantly, the fiction entertains... Not a bad debut novel at all.

When Michael Crawford discovers his bride brutally murdered in their wedding bed, he is forced to flee not only to prove his innocence, but to avoid the deadly embrace of a vampire who has claimed him as her true bridegroom. Joining forces with Byron, Keats, and Shelley in a desperate journey that criss-crosses Europe, Crawford desperately seeks his freedom from this vengeful lover who haunts his dreams and will not rest until she destroys all that he cherishes. Told in the guise of a secret history, this long-awaited tale of passion and terror is finally back in print after over 20 years.

"This is an excellent novel and fully deserves the plaudits it already has, and it should enjoy new fans and a wider readership this second time around." Fantasy Book Review

Newman has once again produced a fantastically entertaining and fulfilling re-imagining of popular fictional characters, putting them into adventures of his own imagining, whilst succeeding in being both reverential as well as mischievous.

My overall impression is this is a strong ghost-come-vampire novel, which should appease existing Powers fans, but might confuse newcomers. Perhaps when I read the prequel ‘The Stress of Her Regard’ (released in September) I will have a greater appreciation and understanding of this one.

If you like Holmes you will enjoy this no matter what the setting. This is deftly handled and despite all the madness and chaos surrounding Holmes et al, Adams never loses sight of his main characters traits and he avoids compromising Conan Doyle’s original vision just to fit his own. This is a must read for all fans of adventure and fantasy literature.

Ultimately, this is the strongest entry in the series so far and if Zimmer can learn to trust his audiences to fill in the gaps and use their imaginations more often, he will produce much tauter, sharper and streamlined adventures. This is another highly engaging and entertaining epic and you can see the upward trajectory of the series in terms of quality. The only sad thing is I have a twelve month wait for the fourth one!

With its compelling cast of characters, gripping plot, twists, gore and a showdown between New York mobsters and sea monsters you cannot accuse this one of being pedestrian! The tone here is a knowing one, amused, mischievous almost saying I know this is all far-fetched but hey let’s have a great time together! Conspiracy theorists, fans of science fiction and horror will all love this and the “Legacy of Gods” series is off to the strongest of starts.

Once again Gamber has constructed a novel with care and executed it with precision. With themes as far ranging as deception, prejudice, misunderstanding, redemption and forgiveness this is certain to appeal to children and adults of all ages. Magic!

Cinema of Shadows is an excellently crafted and constructed tale where something monstrous and unworldly exists in quiet rural Indiana. West has proved he is an extremely accomplished horror author and I very much look forward to his next project.

Shrewsbury has succeeded in writing an exciting fantasy novel with some truly shocking incidents (one in particular is shall we say stomach churning!) This is unapologetically violent, shocking and very funny and in this universe an age gap of 667 years is not a bar to a physical relationship!

This is essentially a story about a battle without boundaries, the characterization is a little thin as is the book itself and I would have liked more as it was such an interesting concept. That in itself is not a problem as this is the first in a trilogy, so I will be eagerly anticipating the second chapter in the ongoing struggle.

This new edition is definitely worth the investment, not only does it contain the ‘writers cut’ (if you will) of the original story but also so many added bonuses, annotations, notes and other projects offering the reader fascinating glimpses inside the creative mind of Newman who has to be one of the premier horror writers of today.

Let’s make one thing clear: this is not a jolly little story about quaint dwarves getting into fun scrapes but rather a very dark, mature story about the value in learning from life’s harsh lessons. Without a doubt Adams has hit that writers sweet spot with this entry and The Fall of Dorkhun is by far the best so far. Not to be missed!

This is the second in ‘The Brotherhood of Dwarves’ series and Crushaw, Molgheon, and Vishghu have liberated the Slithsythe Plantation, and now, they must make their way to safe lands before being caught and returned to certain bondage. Across the orc lands, they and Roskin recruit and train an army of freed slaves, for between them and freedom are thousands of well-armed, well-trained orc warriors.

The novel is short and sharp but always entertaining even if it does end rather abruptly. The main purpose of this entry seems to be in setting the scene: introducing characters as well as the history and geography that I am sure we will get to know much better. It’s a good opening effort and I will be looking out for the sequels and hope they will give us a little more depth to what is a promising start.

It’s still very good and ticks all the right boxes. Hemry’s many fans will be satisfied with this latest effort but I hope the next time we encounter Sinclair and friends the case is a little more out of the ordinary.

It all builds nicely to a gripping finale in the courtroom where the outcome is uncertain and the stakes are high. For my money Hemry has managed again to provide the reader with an absorbing and intelligent science fiction drama in an all too plausible future. I for one will be keeping a look out for his next novel.

This is the perfect vehicle to see the logic and reason of Holmes pitted against the supernatural and unknown. Adams is another author in the non-Conan Doyle canon who has managed to perfectly blend fact with fiction to create an exciting and engaging new adventure. An excellently researched debut novel and above all a fun romp which is all a Sherlock Holmes fan can ask for.

Here is a novel set ‘in the mists of ancient times’ and sees an aging legendary warrior in Gorias La Gaul who has spent centuries battling monsters of lore. Shrewsbury’s novel takes place where demonic forces known as Nephilum walk the earth and dragons are creatures of reality not myth. On a journey to discover the whereabouts of an estranged relative caught in the shadow of necromancy Gorias’ path crosses with familiar enemies, some who enjoy supernatural powers and abilities.

Horowitz has managed to be both thrilling and inventive and has taken Holmes and Watson to places they have never been to before. I really hope this is not a one-off project because this far exceeded my expectations and Horowitz has masterfully created an adventure worthy of Conan Doyle with a very dark and unexpected twist.

I must admit this is the first time I have come across Shrewsbury’s work and found his writing style hugely enjoyable. He has managed to create a deeply flawed character, who despite his violent and direct nature, we cannot help but warm to. They may not be for the squeamish or faint-hearted but these short stories should please fans and non-fans alike. I am certainly going to give the novel ‘Thrall’ a try based on these shorts.

All of these short stories are a nice introduction for those unfamiliar with Zimmer’s work. If you want to test the water before committing to the two epic series of novels then these offer a little background and insight into their worlds. Conversely if you are already a fan then these provide fascinating additional insight as well as new characters and new lands. Taken as a whole these short stories reminded me just why Zimmer is a favourite fantasy writer of mine as well as an author to look out for.

On the eve of D-Day, a British secret agent with unique powers goes behind Nazi lines...

Michael Gallatin is a British spy with a peculiar talent: the ability to transform himself into a wolf. Although his work in North Africa helped the Allies win the continent in the early days of World War II, he quit the service when a German spy shot his lover in her bed. Now, three years later, the army asks him to end his retirement and parachute into occupied Paris. A mysterious German plan called the Iron Fist threatens the D-Day invasion, and the Nazi in charge is the spy who betrayed Michael’s lover. The werewolf goes to France for king and country, hoping for a chance at bloody vengeance.

"This novel kept me hooked throughout and it works on both levels as a wartime thriller and horror story. McCammon has the same prose style as James Bond creator Ian Fleming so everything is given a vivid immediacy. It so easily could have entered the realms of farce but McCammon’s execution and literary skill ensures that this is a first rate thriller with a nicely handled twist. I highly recommend adding this original thrill-fest to your Kindle collection." Fantasy Book Review

I found myself eagerly racing to the stories (and series) conclusion and I can state with confidence that this entry is the final pay off that fans of Stark were hoping for. Once again Hemry shows just why he is such a revered writer of military science fiction.

This is a feasible distant future with Stark having to organise and improvise as he attempts to hold all the different factions together. By the novels end the battle lines have been drawn for a big final confrontation. I cannot wait.

Faceless bureaucrats deciding the fates of thousands sent into danger a long way from home will certainly resonate with a contemporary readership. If Bernard Cornwell gave literature Napoleonic soldier Richard Sharpe, then John G. Hemry has succeeded in giving us a noble warrior of the future in Ethan Stark.

This is a cerebral adventure that is packed with incident, seeing diverse people untied out of necessity and mutual need. Factor in a vastly advanced and unknown alien race to make contact with and you have all the ingredients in place for a well-crafted, suspenseful and satisfying read. I am sure that this will further please Campbell’s legion of fans and leave them wanting more.

This reads like ‘Horatio Hornblower in Space’ and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only minor criticism was that after a hundred year conflict it is stretching it a little by having no other intelligent gifted tacticians like Geary out there. Overall this is strong solid sci fi that packs a mighty punch and I will be adding Jack Campbell to my list of ‘must read’ authors.

The young Verne and his best friend Andre Nemo stow away on a ship bound for the high seas, but Jules' father catches Jules and forces him to come home in total disgrace. Nemo goes on to have all the adventures, battling pirates, fighting sea monsters, being shipwrecked, ballooning across Africa etc. Jules eventually turns these real life tales of his friend into his popular novels.

"This hugely ambitious project takes the reader behind Jules Verne’s enigmatic, mysterious loner Captain Nemo (called Andre Nemo here). Anderson provides us with an exhilarating tale that spans a lifetime from childhood dreams and fantasies with friends Jules Verne (a masterstroke by Anderson) and Caroline Aronnax, to life on the high seas and adulthood." Fantasy Book Review

If ‘Crown of Vengeance’ was about the exiles then this entry is very much about the inhabitants of Ave, particularly their struggle for freedom. Hefty at over 700 pages long, but ultimately rewarding, this epic and ambitious Fantasy adventure will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading of bravery and heroism in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. I am certain that this entry will continue to enthral its fans. Bring on book three!

This, the third episode in the Rising Dawn Saga sees the stakes get raised higher. The quotes preceding the novel from historical figures are a chilling introduction to what one can expect from this outing. The story picks up with Friedrich continuing his journey into the Abyss with powerful Avatar Enki. Their quest takes them to the edge of Hell itself. Meanwhile martial law is declared across the UCAS and there is a terrifying outbreak of a deadly virus that will affect the entire world with millions of lives threatened. War with the East ensues and a new technology known as Living ID is forced on the population.

The computer age has arrived a century ahead of time with Charles Babbage's perfection of his Analytical Engine. The Industrial Revolution, supercharged by the development of steam-driven cybernetic Engines, is in full and drastic swing. Great Britain, with her calculating-cannons, steam dreadnoughts, machine-guns and information technology, prepares to better the world's lot...

"This collaborative effort from William Gibson and Bruce Sterling (the only to date) is a prime example of the ‘Steampunk’ genre and a bold imaginative ‘alternate history’ novel. It is set in London in 1855 where the computer age has arrived a century ahead of time with the great steam-driven (Charles) Babbage Engines powering the Industrial Revolution. Thanks to this huge leap in technology Great Britain with her calculating-cannons, steam dreadnoughts, machine-guns and information technology bestrides the globe like an unopposed colossus." Fantasy Book Review

This adventure is set in the spring of 1912 and sees a now retired Sherlock Holmes living a quiet life in Sussex bee keeping. He is now 58 years old and as faithful companion and chronicler Watson notes ‘the receding hair on his temples was flecked with grey.’

This sees the world’s most famous consulting detective Sherlock Holmes in New York City before he met Dr Watson. In one of his earliest cases, Holmes who is travelling with an acting troupe is joined by the future President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. These allies are both in their twenties and it is years before either has attained greatness. Side by side they must solve a most complicated case that could herald the death of the American Dream.

I enjoyed Drake’s almost ‘Rashomon’ like shifts in character perspective where the same events are seen from different eyes. Everyone is taken out of their comfort zone and everything they think they know gets challenged. ‘Mortals & Deities’ is mysterious, atmospheric and foreboding and will have readers on the edge of their seats!

Put simply this is a skilfully woven, incident packed, superior fantasy drama. Themes such as courage, resolve and honour all reverberate in this novel where the age-old argument of fate versus making your own luck is adeptly tackled.

Zimmer manages to keep things riveting whether he is describing a land dispute or a battle for the entire world. There are lots of different threads to this story but Zimmer weaves it all with his usual storytelling guile and expertise. This is an enjoyable bridge to the next edition in the series.

In the ‘Further Adventures’ series ‘Berserker’ author Fred Saberhagen tries his hand at writing a story worthy of the world’s most famous fictional detective: Sherlock Holmes. It is 1903 and wealthy British Aristocrat Ambrose Altamont hires Holmes to expose two suspect psychics. During the ensuing séance Altamont’s deceased daughter Louisa reappears as a vampire and Holmes vanishes. With time running out Holmes’ loyal friend and colleague Doctor John Watson feels he has no choice but to summon the only person who may be able to help, Holmes’ vampire cousin, Prince Dracula.

From screenwriter, film director and comic-book writer David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Ghost Rider) and television producer, screenwriter and author Michael Cassutt (The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone) comes this sci-fi novel: Heaven’s Shadow. In 2016 amateur astrologers spot an object in the sky, literally over the South Pole. An object one hundred kilometres across and heading towards Earth… As the Near Earth Object (NEO) approaches two manned spaceships operated by NASA and the Russian – Indian –Brazilian Coalition race to be the first to land on the unexplored surface. What both crews eventually encounter on this NEO is a discovery that will change humanity forever.

This is a cleverly plotted story which makes it very clear that our lives and their outcomes are all about the choices we ultimately make. It is also a very human story with the cost of war made all too apparent. The descriptions of the people and places are vivid and the city of Bar-Khos is a character in itself.

The underdog versus a ruling elite is something that we can all relate to no matter what world you are from and there are plenty of parallels with our own history and culture to keep the reader on their toes. This reads like a modern day C.S. Lewis and Zimmer manages to pull it all off with great aplomb. I cannot wait to read the next in the series.

There is plenty of soaring action, drama, humour as well as a deeper message behind the thrill-fest about tolerance, understanding and peaceful coexistence. If you liked the BBC series ‘Merlin’ the film ‘Dragonheart’ and the book and film ‘Eragon’ then this is a must read. ‘Redheart’ will appeal to all ages and is a great read right up to its final unexpected twist ending.

It is 1888 and Queen Victoria has remarried, taking as her new consort Vlad Tepes, the Wallachian Prince infamously known as Count Dracula. Peppered with familiar characters from Victorian history and fiction, the novel tells the story of vampire Geneviève Dieudonné and Charles Beauregard of the Diogenes Club as they strive to solve the mystery of the Ripper murders. Anno Dracula is a rich and panoramic tale, combining horror, politics, mystery and romance to create a unique and compelling alternate history. Acclaimed novelist Kim Newman explores the darkest depths of a reinvented Victorian London. This brand-new edition of the bestselling novel contains unique bonus material, including a new afterword from Kim Newman, annotations, articles and alternate endings to the original novel.

"Kim Newman's Anno Dracula is back in print, and we must celebrate. It was the first mash-up of literature, history and vampires, and now, in a world in which vampires are everywhere, it's still the best, and its bite is just as sharp. Compulsory reading, commentary, and mindgame: glorious." Neil Gaiman

"The book succeeds not just as horror but also as a thriller and detective novel combining politics, romance and history. Newman has produced an excellently crafted, well-plotted, fast-paced, sure-footed, incident-packed and macabre thrill fest." Fantasy Book Review

The Exodus Gate is a sometimes tough but ultimately gratifying read, a book that Fantasy Book Review recommends for lovers of thoughtful-fantasy. It is also a book with an ending that is near-prophetic, written as it was before the world’s economic meltdown.