In Neil Gaiman’s new book, The Sleeper and the Spindle, Sleeping Beauty gets woken by a Queen’s kiss. And there’s pictures so it did happen. Fictionally speaking. We also discuss The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan, and find out people are pleasantly surprised by the techno-thrilling coming of age fantasy that is Alif the Unseen.

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QUICK BURNS

Neil Gaiman's upcoming children's book, The Sleeper and the Spindle
Winners of the 2014 Aurora Awards for best Canadian SciFi

Mark wrote: "In partnership with Ideate Media, IDW Publishing is proud to announce that Dirk Gently will be appearing in his first-ever comic-book series in 2015, helping to prove the interconnectedness of all things, the precept by which Dirk Gently, Douglas Adams’ beloved fictional “holistic detective” lives. Written by Chris Ryall with art by Tony Akins. A cover for issue #1 is by Chew co-creator Rob Guillory."

PICKS
Book Discussion: The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan suggested by Vaughn.

Next time we'll discuss The Many-Coloured Land by Julian May suggested by Ralff Windwalker. Post your thoughts to the thread and we'll discuss more about them next time!

Find more upcoming releases at swordandlaser.com/calendar

BARE YOUR SWORD
Best use of Time Travel in a novel?
It's the end of the world as we know it

BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION
Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
AtU: Religion in AtU - Net Positive or Negative by Hack
AtU: The character of Vikram (spoilers) by Joanna
AtU: Finished and Pleasantly Surprised? by Buzz

ADDENDUMS
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From excitement about a new book in the Old Man's War series, to a rising demand for SciFi, things are looking up on the laser side. We also find out that Tom doesn't use a Kindle and Veronica's opinion on spiders.

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WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?
Tom: Yorkshire Gold Tea
Veronica: Hendricks Gin and Tonic

QUICK BURNS

Joanna: Next Old Man's War book from John Scalzi announced.
The End of All Things

SporadicReviews: Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy optioned for TV!

Joe Informatico: FOX has committed to a put pilot* for a TV series based on the DC Comics (former Vertigo imprint) version of Lucifer, Lord of Hell. Lucifer first appeared in the Neil Gaiman-written Sandman comics before later featuring in his own Vertigo series.

*I had to look this up. Apparently a ""put pilot"" means the network/channel agrees to air the pilot with substantial financial penalties to the development studio if they back out. This is generally a sure sign the network will pick up the pilot.

SporadicReviews pointed out Pyr books in a blog post wrote: "We’ve recently heard from independent booksellers that their customers are hungry for science fiction again, despite the predominance of fantasy over these last several years.

Paul: New Kindle Voyage looks cool.

PICKS

ShadowShow by Brad Strickland

Book Discussion:
Next time we'll discuss The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan Post your thoughts to the thread and we'll discuss more about them next time!

Find more upcoming releases at swordandlaser.com/calendar

BARE YOUR SWORD

Good books that are driven distinctly by outstanding dialogue?
What's with the giant spiders?
Peter V. Brett Calls Out DC Comics on Sexism

BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION

Kick Off Alif the Unseen by G. Willow Wilson
S&L Podcast - #112 - Interview with G. Willow Wilson! — Sword & Laser