What are we waiting for in 2011 in the sci-fi and fantasy section at the ABC? Well, there are a couple of biggies coming our way. One of the big new titles is the third book in The Genteleman Bastard Sequence: The Republic of Thieves by fantasy writer Scott Lynch, will hit our stores in the second half of February. Another big one, with a whopping 932 pages (that is aproximately half a tree!), is A Wise Man’s Fear, the second installment of The Kingkiller Chronicle, by one of our favorite authors – Patrick Rothfuss.

Typically for the sci-fi and fantasy department, these two big titles are parts of a series. But probably the biggest new title of them all is a book you can read without having to read another book in the series, and that is Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson. This one will be released on July 11th. This is a major epic thriller which has already been optioned by Steven Spielberg and slated to be in the cinemas in 2013. What is it about, you might ask? Robots of course!

Twenty years from now, an unprecedented high-level artificial intelligence known as Archos comes online and kills its creator. This first act of betrayal leads Archos to gain control over the global network of computers, machines and technology that regulate everything from transportation, utilities, defense, and communication. In the early months, sporadic glitches are noticed by a handful of unconnected humans, but most of them are unaware of the growing rebellion until it is far too late. In the span of fifteen minutes, at a moment known later in history as Zero Hour, every mechanical device in the world rebels against humanity, setting off the ‘Robot War’ that both decimates and unites humankind…

If you don’t want to wait until July and are looking for a good book right now, try I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (written with a bit of help from Jobie Hughes and the infamous James Frey). Nine children have left the war-ravaged planet Lorien and taken refuge on Earth with their adult teachers. Here, each child develops powers called Legacies, which help them fight the evil Mogadarians, who want them dead and must kill the children in order. They just got Number Three. Now they are after Number Four.  The movie will be out next year.

Or what about the first book in The Hunger Games series? You’ve probably heard the buzz about these juvenile dystopian fiction stories, in which children must fight to the death to prove the power of the government in a televised game show.  Stephen King is a fan. Obviously there’s going to be a movie. And what about the horrormeister himself, who just published four brilliant novellas/long stories under the name Full Dark, No Stars. Chills and thrills aplenty.

Which sci-fi and fantasy books are you looking forward to in 2011?