Angry Robot Books August 31 Releases

[JessHorsley]

Kell's Legend and Winter Song...

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Angry Robot Books, a somewhat new book imprint, boasts a solid variety of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror titles, and, as I'm a fan of darn near anything sci-fi, fantasy and horror, I thought it important to give readers a taste of two of the publisher's new releases, hitting book sellers today.

Andy Remic's Kell's Legend

As I've been a fan of Andy Remic's Combat K and Spiral book series, I thought it an interesting twist to see the hardcore sci-fi writer take on a new fantasy series. No doubt inspired by David Gemmell's Legend, Kell's Legend makes for a great introduction to a new fantasy world that'll impress both new and old fans alike with its intense action, blood-filled battles, and awesome characters.

Remic's homage to Gemmell in the creation of Kell, an aged, axe-wielding warrior with a history of battle and bloodshed looking for redemption wherever it's found, seems appropriate for the setting of this new series. The Army of Iron has invaded and it's up to a seemingly rag-tag band of former heroes - including Kell and the ex-sword champion Saark, to save the day. While some might find Kell to be too much of a blatant rip-off of Gemmell's Druss and no doubt Saark seems slightly reminiscent of other Gemmell characters, one in the know would ask "who better to imitate than arguably the greatest heroic fantasy writer of all time?"

The story sets the stage for the series well and, thanks to solid world building and great main characters, the all-around development of the
The Clockwork Vampires series seems off to a great start. Fans who pick this up can look forward to two new additions to the books series in 2011, Vampire Warlords and Soul Stealers.

Personally, I still prefer Remic's Combat K sci-fi series to this new fantasy jaunt, but that's just me. Fans of Gemmell and other heroic fantasy authors will appreciate the action and excitement available in Kell's Legend as it's no doubt top tier. With great characters, plenty of action and battles, and some of the coolest description of action around, Andy Remic's Kell's Legend is not to be missed...

Colin Harvey's Winter Song

Harvey's latest sci-fi yarn explores a number of previously explored and popular themes within the sci-fi community: the internal struggle of right and wrong, isolation, societal regression, and mythology among others. That said, the story is more a character study than an actioner, with the narrative following the tragic adventure of pilot, space explorer and scientist Karl Allman on a doomed space mission. Finding himself marooned on the remote planet Isheimur, a cold, desolate place populated by the remnants of human settlers who've been cut off from their space-faring brethren for hundreds of years, Allman (whose name is an obvious tout to his "everyman" quality) faces everything from wild beasts and tribal societies to the harshest weather around...it's no wonder the guy just wants to get home.

With his only goal of getting off the barbaric rock, Allman is forced to endure the primitive lifestyles of his rescuers as well as face off against baddies who are simply products of their environments. One thing Harvey does well is create an atmosphere of intensity and struggle and then develop the characters within this environment.

While I'm personally more a fan of military sci-fi Harvey's Winter Song, while not military in origin, does a great job of remaining suspenseful and tense. Likewise, his world building, character development, and somewhat existential examination of specific human characteristics all lend themselves to solid storytelling.

Overall, both Andy Remic's Kell's Legend and Colin Harvey's Winter Song are solid additions to the Angry Robot Books library. No doubt die-hard sci-fi and fantasy fans will find themselves a new favorite publisher with Angry Robot hitting shelves. Look for additional releases in the coming months and watch AngryRobotBooks.com for more information!

- Jess C. Horsley

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