
Fate Of Worlds by Niven & Lerner
Conclusion to the "Worlds" series, and to Niven's Known Space, the Puppeteers are finally put on the spot for all their manipulations, and most people get a happy ending. I continue to be disgruntled at how much of the preexisting Known Space stories turned out to be based on lies, but I wasn't bored. Mildly recommended.Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines
A new series from the author of the "Princess" books, in this series magicians can pull things out of books, such as lightsabers, magic potions, and, occasionally, people. It's very fan-wanky, but not entirely in a bad way, and the details are well worked out. (Such as how some books can be "locked", so no one is getting their hands on the One Ring.) There's a female character who I started out having very mixed feelings about, but Hines actually managed to come up with an ending that calmed most of my irritation. Recommended.Pathfinder Tales: Blood Of The City by Robin D. Laws
A fantasy novel set in the gaming universe of Pathfinder, this is a solid story of a "cobblestone druid" who works for her family's private security organization in the fantasy city of Magnimar. It's entertaining, and does a good job of portraying D&D-style magic realistically. Recommended.The Worlds Of Frank Herbert
This is a nice collection of short stories, though they've got a lot of 1950s on 'em. Mildly recommended.New Avengers: Breakout by Alisa Kwitney
I've met the charming Ms. Kwitney at a couple Arisias, and this is her novelization of the first story arc of New Avengers, involving a breakout at the supervillain prison, and a trip to the Savage Land. More accurately, however, it's the story of how Hawkeye met Widow, and the ensuing fraught relationship. It's not exactly set in Marvel Comics continuity or Marvel Cinematic continuity, but that's probably for the best. Recommended.Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
This is the YA companion series to The Parasol Protectorate, set about one generation earlier. Our teenage heroine is sent off to finishing school, and quickly discovers that the school teaches stabbing, seduction, and ciphers in addition to the usual feminine graces. Assorted intrigue ensues. Oh, and the school is a zeppelin, of course. Recommended.Astounding Days by Arthur C. Clarke
A collection of articles about Clarke's relationship with Astounding Science Fiction. Interesting, and it manages to strike the right balance regarding Campbell (not too worshipful nor too hostile), but hardly vital.