New books that are out

[narf poit chez BOOM]

I just finished reading 'A Mankind Witch' over on Webscriptions. It's a good adventure novel with an evil witch, villianous plots, deposed princesses, various strange creatures, and an interesting collection of heroes. No new ground here, but it's all well done. Don't ask me where the title comes from; although it does refer to the book, I have no clue how they got that particular arrangement of words.

Also out, although not on Baen's front page, is C.J.Cherryh's 'The Paladin', with a female hero who remains just as outstanding as the first time I read it. (Although I havn't got all the way through the re-read, yet)

Unlike so many other writers, Cherryh doesn't cut her hero any breaks, like an anachronistic society or unrealistic physical strength. Taizu makes it on guts, wits and skill and in the process moves into that special catagory of heroes. I don't know what it's called, but I do know one when I see one.

As an interesting note, nearly the whole story is told from the point of view of her male mentor (who is only enlightened by the standards of his society) but the focus almost never even shifts from Taizu. Not an easy novel to read, but one that sticks with you.