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

Joe R. Lansdale, Alastair Reynolds (photo: Barbera Bella), and Michael J. Sullivan

Reviews of Joe R. Lansdale’s forthcoming collection HAP AND LEONARD have started coming in. This time from Wayne C. Rogers at MATT MOLGAARD’S HORROR NOVEL REVIEWS.

Okay, I managed to snag an advance copy of Hap and Leonard from the publisher, which couldn’t have come at a better time for me.  I mean most of these stories made me laugh.  One made me cry.  So, here’s a short review of the book that is basically an introduction to the new television series of Hap and Leonard. 

This review is of the collection, and for those who can’t seem to get enough of the boys (that includes yours truly), this is a definite must for their library.  Now, I’d already read most of the stories in this collection.  Subterranean Press published the three novellas as stand-alone stories (Veil’s Visit, Hyenas, and Dead Aim).  I caught some of the short stories in various publications over the years.  There were a few stories, however, that were new to me such as Death by Chili, Not Our Kind, and Bent Twig.  All the others, I read for a second time and enjoyed them just as much.  As Mr. Lansdale might say, “This was more fun than rolling down a hill with a bunch of armadillos.”

Let me say this, all of the stories are great!

Period.  End of discussion.

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Rating: 5/5

BOOKS BY PROXY continues their impromptu novella season with Alastair Reynolds’ great SLOW BULLETS. 

Having never read any work by Reynolds, SLOW BULLETS seemed like the perfect opportunity to dip my toe in the water and get a taste of what this prolific author is all about. This is a novella which reads like a memoir, has all the vision of a science fiction epic, and is crammed full of mystery and danger, leaving me in more than a little need of another Reynolds fix.

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In one short story, Reynolds manages to create a universe saturated with history; wars, conflict and religious feuds have had an indelible effect on the lives of those on board ship, and culture is made apparent through snippets of art and poetry which permeate the narrative. SLOW BULLETS stays clear of the hard science and presents a tense and plausible situation with little straying from the main narrative. spurring on the action and allowing the tale to unfold. This is a short, sharp and exciting read which appears to have a whole novel lurking beyond its pages.

Alastair Reynolds has certainly proven himself to be a skilled storyteller; his writing manages to conjure up almost an entire Universe in surprisingly few pages and I was hooked from start to finish. I would perhaps have preferred a more climactic and action packed conclusion – this novella certainly has the potential to be a full-length novel – but the conclusion was ultimately satisfying and the writing was fast-paced and exciting throughout.

If you’re looking for an exciting and suspenseful science-fiction novella to slot into the busy holiday season then SLOW BULLETS is an excellent place to start. This might have been my first foray into the writings of Alastair Reynolds, but it certainly won’t be my last!

MIGHTYTHORJRS was very excited about getting a copy of Michael J. Sullivan’s HOLLOW WORLD.

Book Haul from the past week. Did a little shopping the past week or so and picked up some great books. I have been wanting to read this book for a while now. Looks like some awesome stuff. Can’t wait to read and review!

For more info on HAP AND LEONARD, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Elizabeth Story

For more info about SLOW BULLETS, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover art by Thomas Canty

Design by Elizabeth Story

For information on HOLLOW WORLD, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan