Buzz on some new books

[elvet]

Here's a few mini reviews I found in Entertainment weekly. I know these are just becomming available, but does anyone have comments on the authors and their other books?

In the Eye of Heaven David Keck

When young Durand loses a chance to inherit a village, he travels across an enchanted world as a knight-errant, dodging a villainous lord's scheming.
Culture Clash
Durand is assailed by living corpses possessed by lost souls. Can you say zombies?
Genre Mash
Straight Arthurian mythology, though a prophetic spirit named the Traveler recalls The Lord of the Rings' walking trees.
Lowdown
Though breaking no new ground, Keck creates fantastical drama from solid formula. Grade: B


Proven Guilty Jim Butcher

Supernatural creatures disguised as horror-movie monsters attack a splatter-flick convention in Chicago, so the White Council of wizards enlists the help of disgraced spell caster Harry Dresden.
Culture Clash
Cops and wizards wield swords, hellfire, and Bob the Talking Skull to invade the mean Faerie Queen's fortress.
Genre Mash
Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Philip Marlowe.
Lowdown
A fast and furious adventure, with winking nods to Bugs Bunny and John Carpenter. Grade: B+

The Stolen Child Kieth Donahue

Forever-young forest pixies abduct Henry Day, a runaway boy, and turn him into one of their own — while a replacement changeling becomes a piano prodigy.
Culture Clash
Changeling ''Henry'' must remember to grow himself up (literally), and original Henry struggles to let go of his human past.
Genre Mash
Magic realism plus coming-of-age yarn plus Proustian memoir.
Lowdown
An ingenious, spirited allegory for adolescent angst, aging, the purpose of art, etc., that digs deep. Grade: A

 

[Jay]

In the Eye of Heaven David Keck

I started reading this, and for a book that was the subject of a bit of buzz as a possibly worthy addition to the sparse collection of top notch epic fantasy efforts, I'm (at this point) unimpressed. By no means should that be taken as an opinion on the books as a whole, however, I'm just not too enthused about the way that Keck turns a phrase. Very early right now, as somebody else at FBS has on this one, so I put it down for the moment. More when I get done.

Proven Guilty Jim Butcher

I received it a couple of weeks ago, but I intend on diving into Butcher from the beginning when I do.


The book everyone needs to be getting is Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora out June 1.

 

[elvet]

The book everyone needs to be getting is Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora out June 1

I also heard about this one through EW. It came highly recommended too.

EW is one of my favorite mags. Now that I'm reading more Fantasy, any book reviews from that genre catch my eye. Then I come to the forums to garner some info on the authors.

 

[Jay]

I also heard about this one through EW. It came highly recommended too.

I thought it was brilliant, and I have been waiting for like 8 months for others to read it so I can see what others feel about it!

 

[Brys]

In the Eye of Heaven seems very controversial - the sample chapter's nothing special, but not bad enough to discount it immediately. Stego has a very negative opinion of it (worse than Newcomb), though I've seen a couple of positive reviews and it was recommended by Erikson. I'll wait for your judgement Jay.

 

[Jay]

Stego has a very negative opinion of it (worse than Newcomb)

I have read enough to confirm that the rest of the book could be pages smeared with manure and it would be better than Newcomb.