The idea of scooting back in time to alter some catalytic
historical tragedy is a standard sci-fi plot device, a wad of gum chewed over
by dozens of different writers throughout the years. Arguably, none of these scribes
packed a chomp quite as mighty as that of Stephen King, who now makes his own
statement on the subgenre with his latest novel 11/22/63 (Scribner). Can King’s
recent winning streak carry over and freshen up a truly tired old saw like the
meddling, idealistic time traveler out to hijack the past?
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It’s been over seven years since the second installment of
Clive Barker’s critically acclaimed children’s series ABARAT, and the wait was
well worth it.
So, I think the Porcelain Doll intends to be horror, but even after reading it, I am not exactly sure.
BearManor Fiction’s DRACULA MEETS JACK THE RIPPER &
OTHER REVISIONIST HISTORIES, by Michael B. Druxman (pictured), is a dreary compilation of
stories featuring history’s most written about (and written about, and written
about…) characters.
Harper Voyager’s FEAST: HARVEST OF DREAMS, by Merri
Destefano (pictured), is a book you don’t want to finish. The story is
fast-paced and the characters are likable, but more than anything else, the
setting is a place you don’t wish to leave. 
With WORLD WAR Z soon to become a Brad Pitt movie, THE
WALKING DEAD a hit on prime-time cable and Jane Austen mashups flying off
shelves, are the undead beginning to get a bit stale? Maybe not. Although
technically not a zombie novel—monster bites don’t infect victims, they just
hurt really bad—Matthew Costello’s VACATION (Thomas Dunne Books) adds a new
twist to the genre.
Stephen King isn’t short on plaudits for his many diverse
achievements, but fans with short memories may have forgotten that the author
was an early adopter and champion of on-line publishing. Over cries of “fad” from
many in print media, King years ago lent name-brand credibility to the e-book
by releasing his unfinished novel THE PLANT and short tale RIDING THE BULLET as on-line exclusives. King’s story UR made its debut in glowing liquid crystal,
and he recently granted visitors to his website a number of free downloadable
chapters from an early version of UNDER THE DOME called THE CANNIBALS. That
fearless, forward mindset earned King a 2000 Time magazine cover and feature
article praising his vision, so it’s no surprise to see King continuing his
Internet infatuation, with his new e-novella MILE 81 (Simon & Schuster)
speeding across unwary computer screens everywhere.
EVERYONE POOPS. EVERYONE USES MATH. And now, thanks to writer/illustrator Ken Tanaka, EVERYBODY DIES...