Diana Gabaldon. An Echo In The Bone. London, Orion books, 2009.

Review by Jan Napier

Diana Gabaldon has a definite bent for passionate narration. Her gift makes the seventh book in her widely feted Outlander saga, a 'must have.' The perennial romance between Jamie Fraser, and his time travelling wife, Claire, is only one of four storylines explored within. The American revolution, in particular the two battles of Saratoga, acts as the catalyst which sees them converge.

Discerning readers are readily able to appreciate that an opus as wide ranging, and as factually specific as 'An Echo In The Bone,' (which traverses not only continents, but centuries as well), needs meticulous investigation, in order to be deemed acceptable by critic and reviewer alike. Part of what makes reading this book, such an intriguing experience, is the vast amount of research which the writer has undertaken in order to give this work of historical fiction its bona fides. The ease with which Gabaldon integrates actuality, and fictive deeds into a cohesive whole, are a tribute to her professional skills.

"Altar of Eden" by James Rollins, Orion Books, in all good bookstores January 2010

James Rollins, alter-ego of Jim Czajkowski  (from the copyright notice), has a background in veterinary science, and he brings that expertise to his new novel "Altar of Eden", mixing it up with a rollicking sense of adventure that's wrapped in a plot that just never lets go. Reading this book is like watching a relentless action movie that jumps from battle scene to battle scene, and it all rolls up with a conclusion that is rather Bond-esque - from the bumbling extras, through mad scientists and exploding helicopters, to the scarred epitome of evil that causes the heroine, Lorna Polk, so much trouble.

K.A. Bedford. Time Machines Repaired While U Wait. Fremantle Press,  Fremantle, 2009.

Review by Jan Napier

The Wellsian concept of time travel has been debated, explored, and expanded upon many times, but never before in such a compulsively readable format. From the opening statement onwards, I had the sense of being directly involved in a series of occurrences, which although weird — even eerie — contained commonplace incidents. This feeling was further accentuated by the book's setting within my city of birth, plus references to familiar locales. A bond was instantly forged.

K.A. Bedford's award winning novel has a plot as twisted as a Narwhale tusk. It also boasts more mysteries than an archaeological dig, includes enough criminal activity to keep aficionados of the oeuvre beguiled, and of course, there's Spider's selfless love for Molly to consider. Such a plethora of universal themes renders Time machines... user friendly to a widely divergent readership.

Ark
Stephen Baxter
ISBN 0575080590(978-057-508059-1)
RRP $35.00 October 2009
Gollancz Paperback (234 x 153)

If you've not read the previous novel in this series by Baxter, "Flood", don't panic. It's not necessary as a prerequisite. This new (released in October 2009) novel "Ark" stands alone, and it includes enough references back to previous events so that the story makes sense.

"Ark" is a end of the world novel writ large. Baxter brings his trademark style to the work, piling disaster on disaster, weaving it with human emotion and character, and leaving enough of the cast alive — despite the disasters — to allow the reader to identify with the events that unfold.