Tachyon tidbits featuring Joe R. Lansdale, Peter S. Beagle, Jacob Weisman, Patricia A. McKillip, and Bruce Sterling

The latest reviews and mentions of Tachyon titles and authors from around the web.

Joe R. Lansdale (photo: Karen Lansdale), Jacob Weisman and Peter S. Beagle (Jill Roberts), Patricia A. McKillip (photo: Stephen Gold/Wikimedia Commons), and Bruce Sterling


At GINGER NUTS OF HORROR, Bob McLeod includes Joe R. Lansdale’s HAP AND LEONARD: BLOOD AND LEMONADE in his top books of the year.

There is no denying that Joe Lansdale is a master of storytelling and the latest Hap and Leonard novel is a triumphant return to the world of these two hapless heroes.  Written as a prequel to their very first adventure Lansdale gives us an emotionally charged insight into what makes the two of them tick.

“At times this is a hard book to read, due to its cultural setting, Lansdale has captured the sociopolitical zeitgeist of the era perfectly.  A period where racism was rampant and times were excruciating for Black people and those who didn’t fit in with the general feeling towards them.  Be warned the use of the N-word is utilised many times in this book, but it is never used for shock value, it drives the story to such an extent it almost feels as though your soul is taking a beating as you read it.  BLOOD AND LEMONADE is an emotionally compelling tale  which puts the reader through an emotional whirlwind in a way that only a great writer such as Lansdale can do.  


Angela Matano for CAMPUS CIRCLE recommends Peter S. Beagle and Jacob Weisman’s THE NEW VOICES OF FANTASY as a book for every stocking.

If your idea of fantasy begins and ends with Hobbits or Mothers of Dragons, you’re missing out on a vibrant part of literature. Peter S. Beagle has assembled a collection of stories from the hottest young writers in THE NEW VOICES OF FANTASY, including modern classics from Ursula Vernon, Usman T. Malik, Kelly Sandoval and more.

In the same piece, Matano also suggests collections from Charlie Jane Anders and THE NEW VOICES OF FANTASY contributor Ben Loory.

Ben Loory returns with his unique brand of short short stories in “Tales of Falling and Flying.” These deceptively simple, absurdist fables and surreal allegories add up to an emotional punch.

“Six Months, Three Days, Five Others” collects six stories from “All the Birds in the Sky” author Charlie Jane Anders, who explores philosophical “what-ifs” with doses of whimsy and quirky humor, while grounding it all with relatable characters.


In a five star review, LOOKING GLASS READS praises Patricia A. McKillip’s World Fantasy Award-winner THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD 

Patricia McKillip’s novel THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD was republished by Tachyon Publications. This World Fantasy Award winning novel is a true treasure, a book that is most definitely worth reading.

I have never read prose quite as lyrical as McKillip’s. The language is incredibly descriptive without being overly dense. It is fairy-tale like, adding to the air of magic within the novel. There isn’t a paragraph, a line, a word, that is unnecessary. Despite all of her works having this to at least some extent, this is probably the tightest prose I have read in one of her novels.

I always admired Patricia McKillip’s book. But this is, by far, the best of her work I have read. THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD is a book that will delight any fantasy reader. Take a chance on this book. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

LOOKING FOR A GOOD BOOK reviews Bruce Sterling’s Sidewise Award-nominated PIRATE UTOPIA.

The last third of the book (or so) is an interview with Sterling who gives a brief account of the real history of Fiume.  I enjoyed this and it had me doing a quick Google search of my own to learn a little more.

Perhaps the best part of the book is the beautiful art by John Coulthart, who captures the Art Deco/war years style to lead off the chapters and divisions of the book. The art alone is worth checking out this book.

Looking for a good book? Pirate Utopia by Bruce Sterling is a short book about some idealizing ‘pirates’ in the 1920’s who take over and develop their own country. Buy it for the art and enjoy the story.

For more info about HAP AND LEONARD: BLOOD AND LEMONADE, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Elizabeth Story

For more info about THE NEW VOICES OF FANTASY, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover art by Camille André

Cover design by Elizabeth Story

For more info about THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Thomas Canty

For more info on PIRATE UTOPIA, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover and images by John Coulthart