Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Reviews Available Now (page 7)


Showing

Cover art for SECRETS OF THE FIRE SEA
FICTION
Released: March 27, 2012

"A slow-starting murder mystery that rapidly turns hyper-complicated and explosive, though for many readers the series remains very much an acquired taste."
Another entry in Hunt's steampunk/what-all series (The Rise of the Iron Moon, 2011, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ADVANCE TEAM
FICTION
Released: March 27, 2012
by Will Pfeifer, illustrated by Germán Torres

"Come back, Alan Moore, all is forgiven."
Aliens-among-us yarn from veteran comics scripter Pfeifer (Amazons Attack!, 2007, etc.) and relative newcomer Torres. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE ISIS COLLAR
FICTION
Released: March 13, 2012

"Bears all the hallmarks of a rush job--overcrowded, underpowered and noisy; still, series fans will keep reading."
Another outing for fearless, supernaturally powered professional bodyguard Celia Graves (Demon Song, 2011, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for CHRYSANTHE
FICTION
Released: March 13, 2012

"Flashes of originality and gleams of insight aren't enough to redeem this ponderously verbose and occasionally awkward effort."
Second English-language fantasy (The Book of Knights, 1998) from French-Canadian writer Meynard. Read full book review >
Cover art for ILLUSION
FICTION
Released: March 6, 2012

"The physics are dubious, the story lightweight--but it's all good fun."
A time-traveling work of legerdemain by well-known Christian novelist Peretti (Piercing the Darkness, 2003, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for CRUCIBLE OF GOLD
FICTION
Released: March 6, 2012

"In some ways, a repeat of what's gone before, but despite that, thoughtful, good fun."
After a brief hiatus (Tongues of Serpents, 2010, etc.), Novik continues the globetrotting, alternate-Napoleonic-era adventures of Captain William Laurence and his Chinese Celestial dragon Temeraire. Read full book review >
Cover art for EMPEROR MOLLUSK VERSUS THE SINISTER BRAIN
FICTION
Released: March 5, 2012

"Some chuckles, no guffaws."
More fantasy humor from the author of Chasing the Moon (2011, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for SINGULARITY
FICTION
Released: March 1, 2012

"The rote battle scenes crowd out both ideas and characters."
The concluding chapter (Center of Gravity, 2011, etc.) in Douglas' Star Carrier military science-fiction trilogy wraps up the story with workmanlike efficiency but few thrills or surprises. Read full book review >
Cover art for SHADOW'S MASTER
FICTION
Released: March 1, 2012

"Series fans will dive right in; curious newcomers should begin at the beginning and avoid at least some of the confusion."
Third in the series (Shadow's Lure, 2011, etc.) in which knife-wielding, magic-powered assassin Caim Du'Vartha tries to figure out what's going on. Read full book review >
Cover art for EXOGENE
FICTION
Released: March 1, 2012

"This exciting and thoughtful story marks McCarthy as one of sci-fi's most promising new talents, and bodes well for the series' forthcoming third installment."
The second novel in McCarthy's Subterrene War series (Germline, 2011, etc.) is a standalone tale that encompasses theology and existentialism in its story of a genetically engineered warrior discovering her own path. Read full book review >
Cover art for TOUCHSTONE
FICTION
Released: Feb. 28, 2012

"Youthful melodrama without catharsis."
The play's the thing: new fantasy series about a magical theater company, from the author of The Golden Key (1996, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE RUINED CITY
FICTION
Released: Feb. 28, 2012

"Enjoyable, mostly, though even the most avid and forgiving fans will find it difficult not to be annoyed."
Sequel to The Traitor's Daughter (2011), Brandon's well-plotted, intriguingly peopled fantasy whose setting, along with magicians called "arcanists," resembles the medieval Italian city-state era. Read full book review >