Time again for my Sunday San Francisco Chronicle column. In the latest installment, I cover three books by new writers: “Pandemonium” by Daryl Gregory, Andrew Davidson’s “The Gargoyle” and “The Gone-Away World” by Nick Harkaway.

Gregory’s book seemed the most successful of the bunch. Great concept, solid execution. I especially appreciated the alternate-world Phil Dick and cameos by a disguised Tim and Serena Powers.

“The Gargoyle” does a few things really well but can’t pull together its multitude of plot strands. “The Gone-Away World” is alternately exhilarating and exasperating. I’m still not sure whether it really works but am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Tags: horror, reviews, science fiction

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