...well, Tanya Huff's new book, anyway. Today is the release of The Enchantment Emporium [Amazon]|[Mysterious Galaxies], the latest awesome adventure in awesome adventuring from Tanya Huff, the woman who basically woke up one day and said "hmmm, I think I'll create a genre." (Seriously, if you like books about vampires, or anything in the urban paranormal class of books, you should buy this book just to say thank you.) Better, she and I share a publisher, which means I had the opportunity to find out early just how awesome The Enchantment Emporium really is.
How awesome?
Damn awesome. I've been reading and loving Tanya's work for years, but I haven't enjoyed one of her books this much since Summon the Keeper (which I read about eight or nine times over the course of a single summer, because I loved it that much). The Gale family is enthralling, their mysteries just mysterious enough to keep me reading, and just clear enough not to become annoying. The language is gorgeous, and the story is a hell of a lot of fun. If I have any complaints, it's that this isn't a series yet, so I can't promise more. Then again, sometimes the best stories are the ones that stand all by themselves.
The Enchantment Emporium: because while we can't be absolutely certain WalMart is ripping holes in the fabric of space and time, who wants to take the chance?
Available now from a bookstore near you, assuming you live somewhere where there are actually bookstores. If not, it's available from Amazon and Mysterious Galaxies (here, have the links again: [Amazon]|[Mysterious Galaxies]), and there's even a Kindle edition if you live in an atmosphere hostile toward paper.
Is this a new/original series for her? I saw the cover art a while back, but hadn't investigated. Huff is an awesome author. I need to grab a copy of this one.
Brand new world, a lot of the same "feel" as the Keeper books—serious without being angsty, snappy without being overly flippant—and a really awesome central character.
Plus the chapter dingbat is a yo-yo, and it's hard to get much cooler than that.
You know, a long time ago, I was pretty good at yo-yo tricks. Juggling too. I should get back into practice. If nothing else, it would be a fun way to liven up slow panels :-)
Wait, seriously? I did not know that! (Obviously, since you just told me, but I'm expressing surprise and delight. Just work with me here.) I come from a carnie family. You break out the yo-yo, I'll make the funnel cakes, we can stun-and-sugar audiences into buying our complete works.
Strictly amateur-level. I can do a handful of yo-yo tricks*, keep the juggling clubs in the air long enough to make the 4-year-old laugh, stuff like that. Not ready for the flaming chainsaw of death though.
Mm ... funnel cakes. I like this plan :-)
---- *Rock the baby is fun. Whip the baby round and round is better.
I was wondering about that, since one of the blurbs or reviews mentioned "the Cousins" -- and wasn't there some group called that in the Keeper books? (I'm away from my books, so I'm working with what I laughingly call 'my memory'.)
I have a thing about protagonists with awesome families. Forget the brooding, lone hero who broods because his or her entire family was slaughtered*, I'll take Miles Vorkosigan with his parents, his cousin, his aunt, his clone-brother, the family retainers, etc., any day.
*Batman is an exception**
**Alfred is pretty cool though. And I feel he counts as family.
I have hundreds of books in my reading piles, but this one is going to vault over the others. I'm putting in my order now! I saw Tanya last weekend; wish the book had been out in time for immediate signing. Thanks for the alert, Seanan.
It landed today in the bookstore where I work. And I purchased it because I am "A Tanya Huff" junkie.
And no, you don't know me, but my partner and I are proud owners of the anthology "Ravens" and your cd "Pretty Girls and Dead Things". We're also fans of your kitties and their cat tree. Btw, my store *cough* B&N *cough* has orange octopus shaped cookies for sale and yes, it's that color orange too - probably a perfect match for the cat tree. I saw them for the first time a month ago and haven't stopped grinning.
Hooray for Barnes and Noble! I've really liked interacting with your store's book buyers and staff. :) Also, I support orange octopus cookies. They are relevant to my interests.
Grants Pass will be out in August, I believe (just missing San Diego, woe). And in case you didn't know, because I'm always in favor of making there be more shelf on my shelves, I have two other CDs, recorded in actual studios. ;)
June 2 2009, 14:36:21 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 14:38:49 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 14:38:29 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 14:39:45 UTC 8 years ago
Plus the chapter dingbat is a yo-yo, and it's hard to get much cooler than that.
June 2 2009, 14:42:25 UTC 8 years ago
I'm sold.
June 2 2009, 14:44:20 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 14:46:30 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 14:48:01 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 14:53:02 UTC 8 years ago
Mm ... funnel cakes. I like this plan :-)
----
*Rock the baby is fun. Whip the baby round and round is better.
June 2 2009, 19:52:05 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 21:47:33 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 16:08:30 UTC 8 years ago
*hugs*
June 2 2009, 17:13:59 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 16:50:40 UTC 8 years ago
I have a thing about protagonists with awesome families. Forget the brooding, lone hero who broods because his or her entire family was slaughtered*, I'll take Miles Vorkosigan with his parents, his cousin, his aunt, his clone-brother, the family retainers, etc., any day.
*Batman is an exception**
**Alfred is pretty cool though. And I feel he counts as family.
June 2 2009, 17:14:14 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 20:53:20 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 21:47:48 UTC 8 years ago
June 2 2009, 23:46:06 UTC 8 years ago
As if Confluence wasn't already made of win, given More Difficulties as the Filk Guest!! 8-)
June 3 2009, 13:42:52 UTC 8 years ago
June 4 2009, 02:04:17 UTC 8 years ago
June 8 2009, 19:23:34 UTC 8 years ago
June 3 2009, 00:24:44 UTC 8 years ago
And no, you don't know me, but my partner and I are proud owners of the anthology "Ravens" and your cd "Pretty Girls and Dead Things". We're also fans of your kitties and their cat tree. Btw, my store *cough* B&N *cough* has orange octopus shaped cookies for sale and yes, it's that color orange too - probably a perfect match for the cat tree. I saw them for the first time a month ago and haven't stopped grinning.
Now, I'm off to look for "Grants Pass".....
June 3 2009, 13:44:32 UTC 8 years ago
Grants Pass will be out in August, I believe (just missing San Diego, woe). And in case you didn't know, because I'm always in favor of making there be more shelf on my shelves, I have two other CDs, recorded in actual studios. ;)
Thanks for the tip about the cookies!