#102 Fables Encyclopedia by Bill Willingham, Jess Nevins, Mark Buckingham

This is for someone who is a fan of the Fables series. I've enjoyed the comic series and some of the spin offs and this was a great index to all the characters that have been brought to life in the pages of the comic. You find out which ones came whole cloth out of the writer's mind and what was based off of a fairy tale. As I was reading this I could see someone using it for writing a paper on fairy tales and needing a good cross reference for some of the lesser known characters. The short asides from the creator and artists that are dropped throughout the book were fun to read and there are some hints about what might show up in future issues.



Digital copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss.

#103 Old Mars by George R.R. Martin (Editor), Gardner R. Dozois (Editor)

A collection of stories based on the old ideas of Mars. The ERB's version of Mars and some of the stories hit the mark square on. In fact a few of them have people travel to Mars using ways that have a nod to John Carter. The collection had that pulpy feel to it and it was a lot of fun to read. Some great stories in here and some ok ones but not a single clunker in the collection at all. I won't be surprised if a story from the collection gets some critical nods but I doubt it will be one of my favorites.  A good book to give to someone wishing for the books they don't write anymore.


Digital copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss

#104 Parasite by Mira Grant

The first book in a duology set in the near future where most medical problems are solved by ingesting a genetically modified tapeworm. Sal is a miracle of this, after having a horrible accident and in a coma she survives but has lost all her memories of her previous life and has to relearn everything, walking language and taking care of herself. She is learning about herself at the same time the SymboGen is constantly studying her to find out what happened and how they can make money from it. Of course this is a science gone wrong story and the founder of the company took shortcuts with results no one fully expected. As the story progresses Sal comes to find out that not everyone is looking out for her which seems to be the worst coming of age story for her especially since she only has six years of experience to fall back on.  A good read and now I have to sit and wait for the the next one.


Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss