Yet another reason for people to fangirl (or -boy!) Olivia Judson. My previous reason, of course, was Dr. Tatiana's Sex Guide for All Creation, one of the most fabulously awesome biology books ever written, not to mention the source for many fun ideas about how to write alien-sex.
(Oh, and if your curious about the accuracy of her science in the above-linked book, fear not - her science is good, realism is never sacrificed for humor, and, if you want more academic references than me on that subject (for which I wouldn't blame you in the slightest), no less than Richard Dawkins gave the book a glowing off-hand reference in his Ancestor's Tale. I admit it - I squee'd.)
No luck on Merlin - alas, there was a misunderstanding, and the ones we borrowed turned out to be the ones we've already seen. I'll catch up eventually, though!
(Oh, and if your curious about the accuracy of her science in the above-linked book, fear not - her science is good, realism is never sacrificed for humor, and, if you want more academic references than me on that subject (for which I wouldn't blame you in the slightest), no less than Richard Dawkins gave the book a glowing off-hand reference in his Ancestor's Tale. I admit it - I squee'd.)
No luck on Merlin - alas, there was a misunderstanding, and the ones we borrowed turned out to be the ones we've already seen. I'll catch up eventually, though!