Space Station Mir

25. Necessary Evil by Ian Tregellis Publisher: Tor Release Date: April 2013 Ian Tregellis is one of my favorite new authors. The Coldest War hooked me with the first line, "Wizards do not age gracefully." The final book in the triptych, Necessary Evil , is no slouch either for poignant turns of phrase. The protagonist, given his own voice for the first time, summarizes the book poetically; "Who was I but a scarred and sweaty madman railing against the woman who twirled history around her fingers like so much yarn?" That woman, the "raven-haired demon," the "witch" with "wires in her braids," is Gretel, and she is not only the most fascinating character in Tregellis' triptych, but one of the most compelling villains in fiction. From the first time I learned of her incredible ability to read the future (more accurately, the lines of possible futures) and to shift it one way or another, I wanted to know more. In Necessary Evil...

To be honest, I've been swamped these past several months, between graduate school, my health, and my current summer job. And there have been packages filled with review books just sitting on the floor of my room. Since April. And I just opened them And man oh man, I wish I had opened them earlier. Remember when I raved about Ian Tregellis' The Coldest War ? On April 30 of this year, the final book in the trilogy, Necessary Evil , came out. And I have a copy. And, Tor, I wish I could have gotten you a review earlier, but I promise there will be one coming ASAP. I also received Tarnished by Rhiannon Held, a sequel to last year's Silver , and London Falling by Paul Cornell, which I've heard excellent things about. Cornell is a writer for Doctor Who. Dear Tor, A very belated thank-you from this swamped critic, whom you have nevertheless made very, very happy. I'll do my best to return the favor.* Sincerely, Space Station Mir *Don't w...