The Book Sense 76
-- The Children's 76
-- Category Top 10s

Wayfarer Redemption, The
by Douglass, Sara
"Move over Robert Jordan; Sara Douglass has arrived from Australia and Wayfarer Redemption is awesome! Her worlds, characters, and creatures are so real you can feel them creeping up your spine. A man and woman from different worlds are trying to find the truth of their people's past in order to save the future. Wayfarer leaves you breathless and ready for Book Two." - Bonnie Olesh, Fifth Avenue Books, El Centro, CA

Dune: House Harkonnen
by Herbert, Brian and Kevin J. Anderson
"The second of the prequels done by Frank Herbert's son with writer Kevin Anderson reveals all the details leading up to Dune. Fans of Dune will love this book! Packed with all that made the original Dune a hit for the father, son Brian seems destined to take his place." - Drew Needham, Scott's Bookstore, Mt. Vernon, WA

Science Fiction of the 20th Century: An Illustrated History
by Robinson, Frank M.
This received both the Hugo Award and the Locus Award for best SF-related nonfiction. It deserves it! Eye-catching design and layout showcase memorabilia and classic cover art. A respected, longtime genre editor has assembled stories of the editors, authors, and artists who made the future seem reachable. I love this book." - Solena Rawdah, Annie Bloom's Books, Portland, OR

Perdido Street Station
by Mieville, China
"This is the most literary, imaginative and intense piece of work in the science fiction/fantasy field that I've read in years! This is a rare and exceptional book, and like Jonathan Lethem and Neal Stephenson, both who began writing in the science fiction genre, this author is going places." - Lois Powers, The Toadstool Bookshop, Milford, NH

Marrow
by Reed, Robert
"Now in paperback, this is a modern SF classic with everything SF is supposed to be. It is vast in canvas: an intergalactic, eons-old spaceship that is as large as Jupiter; there's mystery: a planet is found at the core of this ship that no one knew had existed; and there's adventure: plenty of that, as the recent inhabitants explore this hidden planet." - Mark Stevens, Science Fiction and Mystery Bookshop, Atlanta, GA

War for the Oaks
by Bull, Emma
"There was no force powerful enough to ever get me to share my treasured paperback copy of this 1987 book. This novel is what all other urban fantasy aspires to be. But now, thanks to the editors at Tor, War for the Oaks has been reissued in a trade paperback with a brief introduction from the author, as well as a bonus appendix with bits of a screenplay adaptation." - Maryelizabeth Hart, Mysterious Galaxy Books, San Diego, CA

Curse of Chalion, The
by Bujold, Lois McMaster
"Bujold's second foray into the world of high fantasy is beautifully written. There's an enthralling story line, a wonderful male character, political machinations, and great adventure. One of those books you wish would never come to an end." - Maria Perry, Flights of Fantasy Books & Games, Loudonville, NY

Bone Doll's Twin, The
by Flewelling, Lynn
"Lynn is the best thing that could have happened to the fantasy genre. The rightful heir to a kingdom is a daughter born to the King's half sister. Black magic is used to disguise her as a boy until she can claim her rightful place. But the use of dark magic has its price as well; is it worth it? You will have to see yourself!" - Claudia Wohlfeil, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

Chronoliths, The
by Wilson, Robert Charles
"Wilson is emerging as H.G. Wells' literary descendant. Here he presents the coming of the chronoliths, structures with inscriptions dated 20 years into the future. The story propels itself along at a breakneck pace to a wonderful climax, and it confirms Wilson's place as the new master of the science fantasy. Long may he reign." - Rick Whitten-Klaw, Book People, Austin, TX

Last Hero, The
by Pratchett, Terry
"Pratchett's Discworld fantasies have always been favorites here, and The Last Hero is being greeted with shrieks of joy. How could you not love a fable about Cohen the Barbarian, an aging conqueror who's ready to give old age a hearty thwack with his axe?" -Chris Aylott, The Space-Crime Continuum, Northampton, MA

• Interview

Further reading:

• The Book Sense 76
• Science Fiction & Fantasy Rediscoveries -- as recommended by independent booksellers with Book Sense.
• Nebula Award Winners

Look at these top science fiction authors we've interviewed (or who have written something especially for us!):

Sean Stewart, Michael Moorcock, Ray Bradbury, Molly Gloss, Maureen McHugh, Lewis Shiner, Connie Willis, Nalo Hopkinson, Jeffrey Ford, and Karen Joy Fowler.

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