Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Best Fiction of 2012: Science Fiction & Fantasy (page 2)


Cover art for CALIBAN'S WAR
FICTION
Released: June 1, 2012

"Independently intelligible but best appreciated after volume one--and with a huge surprise twist in the last sentence. "
Part two of the topnotch space opera begun with Leviathan Wakes (2011), from Corey (aka Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE KILLING MOON
FICTION
Released: May 1, 2012

"Tends toward the claustrophobic at times, but superior and fulfilling."
New ancient Egypt–flavored fantasy from the New York resident author of The Broken Kingdoms (2010, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for RANGE OF GHOSTS
FICTION
Released: March 27, 2012

"Gripping, perfectly balanced and highly recommended."
Beginning of a new historical-fantasy trilogy, set in the same Mongol Khanate–style universe as the short novel Bone and Jewel Creatures (2010). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SCAR
FICTION
Released: Feb. 28, 2012

"A truly spellbinding work even audiences jaded by standard U.S./U.K. fantasy will devour. Kudos to the publishers for taking the plunge--but what took them so long?"
First English translation of a work written in Russian in 1997, from an award-winning Ukrainian husband-and-wife team now resident in Moscow. Read full book review >
Cover art for EXPEDITION TO THE MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON
FICTION
Released: Jan. 24, 2012

"Enthralling, dizzying and as impressive as they come."
Third entry (The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man, 2011, etc.) in Spain-resident Englishman Hodder's time-travel/alternate-reality/steampunk saga; though originally billed as a trilogy, the ending here leaves considerable scope for further augmentation. Read full book review >
Cover art for CITY OF THE LOST
FICTION
Released: Jan. 3, 2012

"A head-shakingly perfect blend of zombie schlock, deadpan wit, startling profanity, desperate improvisation and inventive brilliance."
A remarkable debut, LA noir with eye-bulging refinements, from a poet and short-story writer who says of himself: "As a writer he strives to be a hack. Hacks get paid. He's not sure if hacks talk about themselves in the third person, though. That might just be a side effect of his meds." Read full book review >