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.

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.

Stephen Deas. The Adamantine Palace. London, Gollancz, 2009.

Dragons once preyed upon humans. Now, their savage instincts are subdued by the daily ingestion of an alchemical potion. Thus reduced, they're bred as mounts for the military, and have become, "highly valued tokens in the diplomatic power plays that underpin the rule of the competing aristocratic houses." That is, until Queen Shezira's "perfect white" goes missing, and the elixir wears off. Suddenly, "the dragon can think."

Mr Deas has, in my opinion, created the most terrifyingly natural and malign dragons to have ever graced the page. Being aware furthermore that hard core fans are always avid for more detail concerning their favourite beasts, he has divided his book into four sections. Each commences with a title piece which chronicles the protocols and payments involved in acquiring a dragon. An appealing bonus.