News and Covers Tchaikovsky and Buchanon

First, I hear people are already getting limited, numbered ARCs of Wise Man's Fear [US] [UK] (Kingkiller Chronicle Day 2) by Patrick Rothfuss. Consider me extremely jealous. But mostly I'm just happy that it is in fact a reality.

Love this one:
Not so much of a fan here outside of the background:


Not a huge fan of models dressed up medievally on my covers. Thoughts?

Some Books in the Mail

Here's another couple in the mail from the nice people at Tor. I mentioned last week that I'm copying (somewhat) The Speculative Scotsman's form in rating each book as his review priority.

Note: All blurbs from Goodreads unless otherwise specified.

Towers of Midnight (Wheel of Time Book 13)
by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson [US] [UK]

3 out of 5
(There's a few in between I haven't read yet)

The Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One’s prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unraveling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight.

The sun has begun to set upon the Third Age.

Perrin Aybara is now hunted by specters from his past: Whitecloaks, a slayer of wolves, and the responsibilities of leadership. All the while, an unseen foe is slowly pulling a noose tight around his neck. To prevail, he must seek answers in Tel’aran’rhiod and find a way—at long last—to master the wolf within him or lose himself to it forever.

Meanwhile, Matrim Cauthon prepares for the most difficult challenge of his life. The creatures beyond the stone gateways—the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn—have confused him, taunted him, and left him hanged, his memory stuffed with bits and pieces of other men’s lives. He had hoped that his last confrontation with them would be the end of it, but the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. The time is coming when he will again have to dance with the Snakes and the Foxes, playing a game that cannot be won. The Tower of Ghenjei awaits, and its secrets will reveal the fate of a friend long lost.

Songs of the Dying Earth
Edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois [US] [UK]

3 out of 5
(Looks cool, but never read Vance)

Today, in order to honor the magnificent career of Jack Vance, one unparalleled in achievement and impact, GEORGE R.R. MARTIN and GARDNER DOZOIS, with the full cooperation of Jack Vance, his family, and his agents, suggest a Jack Vance tribute anthology called Songs of the Dying Earth, to encourage the best of today's fantasy writers to return to the unique and evocative milieu of The Dying Earth, from which they and so many others have drawn so much inspiration, to create their own brand-new adventures in the world of Jack Vance s greatest novel.

Half a century ago, Jack Vance created the world of the Dying Earth, and fantasy has never been the same. Now, for the first time ever, Jack has agreed to open this bizarre and darkly beautiful world to other fantasists, to play in as their very own. To say that other fantasy writers are excited by this prospect is a gross understatement; one has told us that he'd crawl through broken glass for the chance to write for the anthology, another that he'd gladly give up his right arm for the privilege that's the kind of regard in which Jack Vance and The Dying Earth are held by generations of his peers.

Passion Play
by Beth Bernobich [US] [UK]

4 out of 5
(Promising)

The daughter of one of Melnek’s more prominent merchants, Ilse Zhalina has lived most of her life surrounded by the trappings of wealth and privilege. She has wanted for nothing and many would consider her lot a most happy one. But there are dark secrets even in the best of families and Isle and the women in her family have learned that to be beautiful and silent is the best way to survive.

However, when Ilse fianlly meets the colleague of her father’s selected to marry her, she realizes that this man would lock in her a gilded cage. In her soul, she knows he is far crueler and more deadly than her father could ever be.

Ilse chooses to run from this life. Her choice will have devastating consequences and she will never be the same.

But she will meet Raul Kosenmark, a man of mystery who is the master of one of the land’s most notorious pleasure houses…and who is, as Ilse discovers, a puppetmaster of a different sort altogether. Together they will embark on a journey that will reshape their world.

Lush fantasy. Wild magic. Political intrigue and the games of seduction and treachery to gain control of a kingdom. PASSION PLAY is all of these and more. It is the journey of a woman who must conquer her passions in order to win all that she desires.

Reviews - Supernatural: The Unholy Cause by Joe Schrieber and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Here are a couple reviews I've put up at Only the Best, but that I've been slacking on getting up here:

Review of Supernatural: The Unholy Cause by Joe Schreiber

"(Scene: The 90210ers are at school when the new kid shows up. He wants to fit in but doesn't quite know what to say and just happened to have read Supernatural: The Unholy Cause the night before.)

New kid (blurting out the first thing on his mind): So, have you ever heard of this Supernatural thing, it's kind of like the Dresden Files except the main people are much prettier...

Annie: Oh...um...I think I've like heard of the TV show like... Never heard of these Bresnan Files, is it like the X-Files?

Dixon: Yeah dude, that's like my favorite show and like I watch it all the time. It's about demons and ghosts and like all kinds of creepy cool stuff.

Naomi (the mean one): It's like the worst ever and you guys are all like dumb. Why would you like ever watch such trash?

New kid: Well, I technically didn't watch anything, I read the book by Joe Schreiber...um...like.

Annie, Dixon, Naomi (uncomprehending): A book? Sick... (all turn and walk away)"

Audiobook review of Suzanne Collins' Mockingjay (Hunger Games book 3)

Well, if you read speculative fiction at all, you've probably already read this series and moved on. If you are one of the few who haven't, it's not a bad series. The characters are likable, the situations are made realistic, the story is straight-forward and fast-paced, and it's even thought-provoking at times. It is told in first person, of which I know some aren't the biggest of fans, but overall Recommended.

Enjoy!

Some Books in the Mail

I always like it when others do posts like this so here goes another attempt. I thought I'd also borrow The Speculative Scotsman's rating system for review priority.

Note: All blurbs from Goodreads unless otherwise specified.

Hawkwood and the Kings [US] [UK], Century of the Soldier [US] [UK] Omnibuses

by Paul Kearney

5 out of 5
(Loved The Ten Thousand)

In a land torn by religious war and chaos, rogue mariner Richard Hawkwood leads an expedition to find a lost continent where safe haven may be found. But before the explorers find sanctuary-they must first survive the journey.

The Elephant Tree

by RD Ronald [US] [UK]

4 out of 5
(Promising)

Reminiscent of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, this debut novel, The Elephant Tree challenges the reader's sense of morality with shocking plot twists and vivid characters.

Mark Fallon is an overworked detective investigating a spate of attacks at a string of high profile city center nightclubs. Scott is a dejected 24 year old struggling to make ends meet working for his brother and supplementing his income with a small-scale drug dealing operation. Angela is an attractive 23 year old, raised by her father, a career criminal and small time drug dealer who supplies Scott with cannabis.

This is a chilling tale spanning a few months in the lives of Scott and Angela, where realizations about the present combine with shocking revelations from the past leading to an apocalyptic climax where they no longer know whom they can trust.

Nyphron Rising [US] [UK], Emerald Storm [US] [UK], Wintertide [US] [UK]

by Michael J. Sullivan

5 out of 5
(Can't wait to continue this great series)

Books 3 through 5 of Riyria Revelations. Here's the blurb for book 1, Crown Conspiracy:

THEY KILLED THE KING. THEY PINNED IT ON TWO MEN. THEY CHOSE POORLY.
Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles until they become the unwitting scapegoats to the murder of the king. Sentenced to death, they have only one way out…and so begins this epic tale of treachery and adventure, sword fighting and magic, myth and legend.

Betrayer of Worlds

by Larry Niven and Edward M. Lerner [US] [UK]

3 out of 5
(Ringworld is supposed to be good, but therein lies the problem)

Since fleeing the supernova chain reaction at the galactic core, the cowardly Puppeteers of the Fleet of Worlds have just barely survived one crisis after another. The rebellion of their human slaves. The relentless questing of the species of Known Space. The spectacular rise of the starfish-like Gw’oth. The onslaught of the genocidal Pak.

Now fresh disaster looms, as though past crises have returned and converged. Who can possibly save the Fleet this time?

This is the first in a series which is the prequel to Larry Niven's Ringworld series.

Marysvale

by Jared Southwick [US] [UK]

4 out of 5
(Promising)

An action-packed story filled with monsters and tyrants, heroes and heroines.

John Casey was ten years old when his mother was murdered...and ten when his father hid the truth from him. Without that knowledge, he has no idea of the enemies that lie in wait.

Now grown up, John lives a solitary life, in a world enslaved by ignorance and superstition, when anyone unusual is treated with distrust and even killed...and John has some very unusual gifts. When he is accused of witchcraft, John does the ony thing he's ever done - Run! That is, until he meets Jane, who lives in the bleak, imprisoned town of Marysvale. Life outside the safety of the town walls means certain death from the brutal monsters that hunt there. However, life inside, under the rule of a tyrannical leader, means no life at all.

As the love between John and Jane grows, the dangers of Marysvale unfold; and for the first time in his life, John discovers that there is something worth dying for.

Review - State of Decay by James Knapp

This looks to be a spin on the zombie theme in a dystopian society. I think I have to read this. Alec's review is up at Only the Best.

HBO's Game of Thrones - 10 Minutes!

Enjoy!



This is mostly new with a couple of the other videos/interviews showing up, but I'll take anything I can get.

Press Release: Dream of Legends by Steven Zimmer

For Immediate Release
November 23, 2010

Seventh Star Press is proud to announce the release of DREAM OF LEGENDS,
the second book in the epic fantasy Fires in Eden Series from Stephen
Zimmer.

Now available for pre-order in a specially priced limited edition
hardcover and trade paperback, DREAM OF LEGENDS continues the adventures
begun in CROWN OF VENGEANCE, when it was released in fall of 2009.

DREAM OF LEGENDS journeys forward with several characters from the modern
world, who discover that finding themselves in the fantastical lands of
Ave was just the beginning. The assault upon the Kingdom of Saxany and
the tribes of the Five Realms ignites, as the eyes of The Unifier turn
southward, across the seas towards faraway Midragard. Within this
maelstrom, some find themselves on a path of discovery, to uncover powers
that lie within, while others must brave perilous journeys, to seek out
the things said to exist only in the faded mists of myth and legend. Epic
battles, plot twists, and new environments abound in DREAM OF LEGENDS.

Book Two of the Fires in Eden Series, DREAM OF LEGENDS is immersive, epic
fantasy, for those who love to explore richly developed fantasy worlds
alongside an ensemble of intriguing, diverse characters. Readers of the
great epic fantasy authors such as Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin, and
J.R.R. Tolkien will find a wondrous trove of adventure, characters, and
depth in this next step of the Fires in Eden series.

Working with Stephen for the first time, and taking on the editorial reins
of the Fires in Eden Series to keep the dedicated yearly release schedule
on course, was Karen Leet.

"Working with Stephen has been a joy. He is totally professional about his
work, meets deadlines and edits cheerfully," Karen commented. "He makes
editing easy for me, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know his
characters, who now seem to me like actual people with genuine depth. His
plotlines stride across the pages on swift, sure feet and sweep the reader
along with them."

“Having Karen as my editor on DREAM OF LEGENDS was a wonderful experience.
She did a meticulous analysis of Crown of Vengeance to ensure full
continuity of tone and style with the new book. I am fortunate to be
working with two excellent editors on my two series. The new book is
loaded with action, and there are some very big revelations in regards to
the full series,” Stephen said. “DREAM OF LEGENDS builds strongly upon
the foundation set in place by Crown of Vengeance, keeping storylines
tight while introducing many new and exciting elements. I am confident
that readers who enjoyed the first book are going to be elated with this
new installment of the series.”

Continuing one of the most extensive collaborations between an artist and
an author in the fantasy sphere, a brand new set of illustrations and
cover art were created for DREAM OF LEGENDS by fantasy artist Matthew
Perry. With the two Rising Dawn Saga books and the two Fires in Eden
books, a growing body of over 50 full page illustrations have been created
by Matthew for Stephen’s literary work.

In addition to writing two active epic-scale fantasy series, The Rising
Dawn Saga and the Fires in Eden Series, Stephen also saw his first foray
into the steampunk genre published a couple of months ago with “In the
Mountain Skies”, which was included in the Dreams of Steam Anthology
(Editor Kimberly Richardson, Kerlak Publishing). Stephen is also a
screenwriter and director in the world of film, with a new fantasy short
film on the horizon in early 2011, “Swordbearer”, which features
professional wrestler Al Snow, and is based on the H. David Blalock novel
Ascendant (Sam’s Dot Publishing).

By the third week of December, DREAM OF LEGENDS will be available in
hardcover, trade paperback, and several eBook formats, for owners of the
Kindle, the iPad, the Nook, Sony eReaders, and other compatible electronic
reading devices.

Already maintaining one of the most active year-round appearance schedules
of any fantasy author, Stephen will be hitting the road extensively in
2011 in support of the Fires in Eden Series, the Rising Dawn Saga, and the
“Swordbearer” short film. The third book in the Rising Dawn Saga is
slated for summer of 2011, and the next Fires in Eden Book for December of
2011.

Updates and additional information can be obtained at the official site
for Seventh Star Press, at www.seventhstarpress.com , or at the author's
site at www.stephenzimmer.com



Plus, here're some really great illustrations: