Old Bat's Belfry

State of the Blog Address

2009-09-23T21:49:00.003-04:00

I know I sorta disappeared all of a sudden but it was not really by choice. I am, however, still alive and kicking.

The sad truth is that I am paying the price for good, clean (and cheap) country living. Back here off the beaten track I do not have high speed internet as even an remote option. A few miles east or north I would have cable but once you cross the county line, it is like all signs of civilization just stop.

Well this wasn't much of a problem for awhile. My dialup, while slow, wasn't that bad. Until one day, after a thunderstorm, I started connecting at 9.6 kbps.

Now for those who have only read about dialup, here is a fact for you. The phone company is in no way responsible for the speed of your connection. As long as you have an active connection with no audible noise, their job is done.

So, I switched lines. This gave me a slower speed then I had previously (around 48 instead of 53) but still usable.

This lasted for awhile then those speeds went to (pardon my french) hell too. Now I connect at 28.8 which is barely enough to load one webpage, much less the 5-6 I need to do proper linkage and research on a review. And you do not want to know how long it takes me to load up something like Facebook or a graphic intense author's webpage.

I had hoped for a miracle restoration of my previous speeds (stranger things have happened!) but obviously I forgot to factor in my usual amount of luck, or lack thereof.

So what should take me a hour, maybe 2, to post, now takes hours and hours of frustrating page load times and honestly, when I caught myself yelling at the dog for no reason other then the fact that I couldn't get a vital page to load, I decided to give it a rest.

I won't claim to be gone completely. You never know, they might get cable in here one day or maybe the right trees will fall over so I can get a satellite dish but until then I am just SoL.

I do miss you guys though....

The Third Sign: The Chronicles of Klune by Gregory A. Wilson (Review)

2009-06-19T15:30:00.000-04:00

A Fantasy Book Review

By Gregory A. Wilson

Genre: Epic Fantasy
ISBN: 1594147655
Publisher: Five Star (ME) (June 17, 2009)
Hardcover: 352 pages
Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Publisher's Blurb:

Calen Gollnet lives in a tumultuous world. Surrounded by hostile forces bent on its destruction, his country Klune has been free for ten years, having thrown off the yoke of oppression thanks to a small group of heroes known as the Covenant; but the cost of this freedom was great, and the nation's liberty is becoming tenuous. The Covenant is broken, and Klune is now kept safe only because of a treaty struck between the human king and a race of honorable but xenophobic mercenaries known as arlics who have patrolled Klune's borders for the past decade. But the treaty is due to expire, and both the arlics and humans are restless, each claiming that they have been weakened by their dependence on the other.

As negotiations between the two sides break down and dark armies gather while politics bogs down the governors of city and country, Calen flees from the army attacking his home city, unaware that there is more to fear than mortal warriors; the appearance of the horrifying Soul Wall and other omens point to the fulfillment of the Prophecy of Return, in which it is said that three signs will signal the return of a great evil. The first two signs have come to pass, but the prophecy is obscure on its final prediction: the tide of the conflict may be changed by the third sign, but no one knows what that sign is, or whom it will favor.

The Third Sign is pretty typical epic fare. You have a band of diverse characters off to save the world from destruction or die trying. You have a prophecy driving events, an obvious evil force bent on world domination with an obscure greater evil force waiting in the wings. In other words, this is exactly the type of book that I enjoy.

This is the perfect book for those days where you are not in the mood for gritty or deeply emotional but just want a good story. The pace is even, and the world building is interesting without being overly complicated. The characters engineer just enough sympathy to make you care what happens to them, without becoming emotionally involved. Even the line between "good" and "evil" is fairly clear and although there are times when you question which side who is on. This is the type of book that while you might find that you can easily put it down and go to bed, you really do not want to.

There are things that give this book an unique flavor. The Arlics are an interesting race with alot of possibility. There is plenty of internal conflict to balance out the external conflict. I personally like internal conflict; it gives the characters more depth. Actually, balance is the watchword for this story. All of the elements that drive this tale are so well balanced it is amazing. You have just the right dose of everything to keep the story moving right along, without any aspect overwhelming another. I honestly cannot bring to mind another book that accomplishes this so well. Reading this book for me was like spending time with a good friend, comfortable but interesting. In addition, once you are done, you consider the time well spent.

Good, traditional epic adventure, something that you do not find much of these days with authors trying to push outside of the genre box. Not that unusual and different is a bad thing but sometimes I just want to read good old-fashioned epic fantasy and this book fits that bill beautifully. Engaging, easy to get into and simply a good read. I look forward to the remainder of the series.

Ratings, Reviews, Similar Reads, Buy Books

Shelfari Rating - None Yet

Librarything Rating (None Yet)

Amazon Rating (None Yet)

What Should I Read Next?

Kindle: No

Ebook: No

Buy Book: B&N - Powells - Abe Books

Amazon: US - Canada - UK

Other Reviews:
SFF World
Author's Web Presence
Website, Twitter, Blog, Redroom

Spotlight - Santa Olivia by Jaqueline Carey

2009-05-29T12:35:00.001-04:00

Fantasy Showcase

Santa Olivia
Paperback: 352 pages - ISBN: 044619817X
Grand Central Publishing; (May 29, 2009)

By Jacqueline Carey

Lushly written with rich and vivid characters, SANTA OLIVIA is Jacqueline Carey's take on comic book superheroes and the classic werewolf myth.

Loup Garron was born and raised in Santa Olivia, an isolated, disenfranchised town next to a US military base inside a DMZ buffer zone between Texas and Mexico. A fugitive "Wolf-Man" who had a love affair with a local woman, Loup's father was one of a group of men genetically-manipulated and used by the US government as a weapon. The "Wolf-Men" were engineered to have superhuman strength, speed, sensory capability, stamina, and a total lack of fear, and Loup, named for and sharing her father's wolf-like qualities, is marked as an outsider.

After her mother dies, Loup goes to live among the misfit orphans at the parish church, where they seethe from the injustices visited upon the locals by the soldiers. Eventually, the orphans find an outlet for their frustrations: They form a vigilante group to support Loup Garron who, costumed as their patron saint, Santa Olivia, uses her special abilities to avenge the town.

Aware that she could lose her freedom, and possibly her life, Loup is determined to fight to redress the wrongs her community has suffered. And like the reincarnation of their patron saint, she will bring hope to all of Santa Olivia.

Read an Excerpt

Buy: US - Canada - UK - Kindle - Audio CD - Ebook, BooksonBoard

Reviews: Fantasy Cafe - The Book Smugglers

Interview: SciFi Guy

Author Info: Website - Facebook - MySpace - Yahoo Group

My Notes:

I received this book from the wonderful folks at Wonderlands (thanks!) and I tried to get into it but it just was not my thing. This is no reflection on the book, it is a direct result of my own personal tastes. So instead of a review I am doing a release day showcase for those of you who love Urban Fantasy.

Interview - Alma Alexander - Author of Worldweavers and The Secrets of Jin-Shei

2009-05-28T00:01:00.003-04:00

(Wacky Interview Series)

In case you missed the first interviews in this series, here is the deal...

I read alot of author interviews and they are good, informative, and interesting but rarely tell me all that much about an author's personality. I often find myself thinking, "Well that's all good and everything but I want to know more about the real live person behind the book!"

So, I decided to conduct a "fun" interview; something that will give my readers a good laugh and be fun for the authors. You will not find serious questions covering books, publishing, writing or future plans. Instead you will get a chance to see how they react to a bunch of crazy questions and scenarios.

This time around I asked Alma Alexander, author of the Worldweaver Series (which I reviewed and loved) if she would consent to do one of these. She said it sounded like fun! So, I sent her the 10 wacky questions, plus the 2 bonus substitutes and like those before her, she answered all 12! And in record time too, I barely blinked and she sent them back all answered and ready to go. So here for your reading pleasure is a look inside of the mind of Alma Alexander...

1) Which magical power would you like to have and why?

The power to grant wishes. No, I don't want to be a genie and be summoned into servitude by someone rubbing a silly old lamp - I'm me, and I meet some other human being, and that other human being has a dream which they know can never come true. Oh, how I'd love to be able to wave a wand and fix that! The catch is, *I* get to pick which dreams get made to come true. No three wishes stuff. The wishee may never know what really happened.

2) What would you do if you had a time machine?

Go back in time and spend just one more day with my grandparents - my grandrather, the poet, who taught me to love language, and my grandmother, who taught me about the power of unconditional love. They've both been gone for two decades or more, and I still miss them fiercely.

3) What was your funniest/most interesting encounter with a fan?

I don't know if I would call them FANS, exactly, but I had a clutch of teenage boys, armed with serious note-taking equipment, file purposefully into a reading of "The Secrets of Jin Shei" which was (a) an "adult" book, not YA in any way shape or form and (b) very much not a teenage boy book. I wondered what they were doing there. About two minutes into my reading, the lot of them got up and fled for their lives, from all the girl-cooties that were obviously flooding their sub-conscious. I don't know what they expected to find - possibly "jin shei" sounded like some weird new form of martial arts and they were expecting a demonstration on the spot...

4) If you had a chance to spend some time with one mythical being, what would it be and why?

If I could be quite, QUITE certain that I wouldn't be barbeque, I'd love to go for a dragon-back ride. I'm a little like Tolkien, when he said that when he was young he 'desired dragons with a profound desire'. One does rather hope that they WERE real once upon a time.

5) If aliens landed in your backyard, what is the first thing you would ask them?

"What KEPT you? I've been waiting for you all my life..."

6) What quirky habit do you have that often gets you teased by your peers or family?

I am a coffee addict. People who know me well ALWAYS make allowances for coffee stops, no matter what other plans are afoot. If I'm cranky, my husband wants to know if I've had a coffee fix recently - and if I growl that I have not, makes immediate contingency plans for it.

7) What did you want to be when you grew up?

Me. {g}

And always, always, always... a writer.

8) If you could be reincarnated as an animal, what would you be and why?

A cat, owned by someone like me. Why? Do you KNOW how spoiled my cats are...?

9.) My readers want to know what you had for breakfast. Not sure why exactly...

Oatmeal. With raisins. And brown sugar.

10) Why in the world did you consent to doing this wacky interview? I mean there is not one question here about your books, your writing or your future plans!

Because sometimes the past is the past and the future is unknown and right now is all you get, and it's a gift. That's why they call it the present.

Occasionally I need to be reminded of that...

Bonus Questions!

11) Who is your favorite comedian or cartoon character and why?

Not too long ago, on a business trip that involved getting to the airport from my hotel at oh-dark-hundred, I was up early finishing last minute packing... and watching the cartoon channel. I had honestly FORGOTTEN how much fun Tom and Jerry were. I almost missed my plane.

12) How would you describe your sense of humor?

I'm a punaholic. I love word-play. I love love love clever stuff. Slapstick, not so much (although good farce may apply). Some things that have tickled my funny bone: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Three Men In A Boat, certain episodes of MASH, Danny Kaye's "The Court Jester" and "Walter Mitty" (oh, heck, as far as the latter goes, ANY Thurber...) The Once and Future King.

Draw your own conclusions.

Thanks Alma for consenting to do this interview!

Be sure to look for Alma Alexander's YA series, Worldweavers, next time you are in the mood to buy a unique and fun read.

You can connect with Alma Alexander on her Facebook Page where if you hurry, you might just catch a cool giveaway!

You can find more info on her books at Alma's website.

You can also read my reviews and find other useful links here: Worldweavers Series

Other Wacky Interviews

Spotlight - Ryel Mirai Series by Carolyn Kephart

2009-05-25T02:00:00.001-04:00

Fantasy Showcase

Wysard: Ryel Mirai: Book 1
Paperback: 188 pages - ISBN: 1563151448
Sterlinghouse Publisher; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)

By Carolyn Kephart

For a dozen years—almost half his existence—Ryel Mirai has dwelt in the fog-clad citadel of Markul, learning the Art from his kinsman Edris. His life has been one of rigorous self-denial and discipline, and his studies have been hard, perilous, and seemingly to no purpose. But Edris' mysterious death forces Ryel to comprehend the real truth of his own origins, and the part he must play in the World outside Markul's grim walls. A great and cruel power in the Art, Dagar, dwells in the wraithworld of the Void, seeking to return and wreak vengeance on the World that loathed and feared him when he lived centuries before. Dagar has enlisted the aid of Ryel's unruly rival in the Art, Lord Michael Essern in whose blood runs daimon-bane, to find the long-lost spell that will free him from the Void. But to escape the shadow-realm, Dagar requires a human form in which to embody his spiritual essence—his rai—and the form he lusts for is none other than Ryel's.

Lured by Dagar's wiles, Ryel returns to the World, embroiling himself in all its dangers, joys, and temptations. He soon realizes that he has the chance to discover the Spell of Joining first, thereby forever thwarting Dagar's machinations and bringing Edris, also imprisoned in the Void, back to life again. Great as the young wysard's hopes are, however, the dangers are greater still, for Dagar's minions are powerful and many. But Ryel discovers that he has strong allies to help him in his cause, and finds that he may well gain all that he wishes...although perhaps not as he wished it.

Read an Excerpt

Buy: US - Canada - UK - Kindle

Lord Brother: Ryel Mirai: Book 2
Paperback: 185 pages - ISBN: 1563152770
Sterlinghouse Publisher (January 7, 2002)

In the quest begun in WYSARD, Ryel forsook the mist-enwrapped towers of Markul and returned to his steppes homeland, and from there was drawn to great Almancar, a place of beauty, corruption, and peril. In LORD BROTHER, Ryel's nemesis Dagar draws the young wysard even deeper into danger. Compelled Northward, Ryel becomes equivocally allied with Lord Michael’s elder brother, the Count Palatine Yvain. As Commander of the Sword Brotherhood, a cult sworn to the Goddess of War, Yvain Essern is the keeper of secrets crucial to the wysard's quest, but the price Ryel must pay for that information proves terribly high.

When fast-closing circles of fate bring him to the sea’s edge, the wysard finds answers to many mysteries; but war ravages Almancar, now gripped in a reign of terror. Far off in Markul’s tower of the dead, Edris’ body awaits its imperishable life essence, that will be re-instilled by the joining-spell; but can that spell truly be found? And if found, put in the right hands? And once there, be made to succeed? Or will the victory go to Michael—Ryel’s cruel rival, and Lord Brother?

Read an Excerpt

Buy: US - Canada - UK - Kindle

Author Info: Website - Blog - Goodreads

Interview - Tim Byrd - author of Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom

2009-05-22T23:08:00.009-04:00

(Wacky Interview Series)

In case you missed the first interviews in this series, here is the deal...

I read alot of author interviews and they are good, informative, and interesting but rarely tell me all that much about an author's personality. I often find myself thinking, "Well that's all good and everything but I want to know more about the real live person behind the book!"

So, I decided to conduct a "fun" interview; something that will give my readers a good laugh and be fun for the authors. You will not find serious questions covering books, publishing, writing or future plans. Instead you will get a chance to see how they react to a bunch of crazy questions and scenarios.

This time, I got a volunteer! That is right, ~~some poor sap~~ the exceptionally wonderful author of Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom actually ASKED if he could do this. So, snickering manically, I sent him 10 wacky questions, plus 2 bonus substitutes in case he didn't like or want to answer one of the original 10, and he answered all 12! So here for your reading pleasure is a look inside of the mind of Tim Byrd...

1) Which magical power would you like to have and why?

Oh, that’s easy. Shapeshifting, so I could become any animal I chose, and communicate with the other animals. No more hefting a 50 lb. backpack to go explore the deep wilderness, I could instead lope on wolf paws. No more bulky SCUBA gear to see the wonders of the depths, I could instead zoom down with the fins of a dolphin. No more waiting to go through ridiculous security measures at the airport to touch the sky, instead I could soar on the wings of a hawk.

I would of course maintain my personality and intelligence in all forms, and in human form would possess the best pheromones ever, making me movie-star desirable to all women.

2) What would you do if you had a time machine?

My mother was killed in a car wreck on Christmas Eve when I was only a year and a half old. I’d go back and save her. Whatever changes that caused, whatever havoc it might wreak with spacetime, that’d be fine. I’d grow up with my mom.

3) What was your funniest/most interesting encounter with a fan?

Well, I haven’t had many yet, so that’s easy. My first reading was at a local elementary school (4^th and 5^th graders). One boy wanted me to sign his book to “Cheez-it.”

There was a mom helping me out, and she kept asking him “Are you sure you want that? Are you sure that’s going to be okay with your mother?” He insisted it was fine, that it was his nickname.

As I signed, this girl who was also waiting with her book looked him right in the eye and said flatly, “You are so going to regret doing this in a few years.”

4) If you had a chance to spend some time with one mythical being, what would it be and why?

Angelina Jolie. And the whole world knows why.

Oh, okay. A real mythical being, oxymoronic as that sounds...

I’m tempted to say Aphrodite, but that’s really the same as saying Angelina Jolie, I think. So I’m going to have to say Calliope, the muse of epic poetry. The more time I spend with her, especially actually with her, the happier I’ll be and the more writing I’ll get done. She did a great job with Homer, after all.

5) If aliens landed in your backyard, what is the first thing you would ask them?

“¿Habla Inglés?” Then I’d ask if they had green cards, and if not, tell them they’d better hide quick before Lou Dobbs sees them.

6) What quirky habit do you have that often gets you teased by your peers or family?

Well, being a writer, and not having to report anywhere to do my job, I am routinely derelict about shaving. So I maintain varying levels of scruffiness, sometimes all the way up to what many call a beard, but I deny that, telling them it’s not, it’s just a really deep five o’clock shadow. I don’t like beards. They itch and they’re soup magnets.

7) What did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer. Always. There was usually an additional career thrown in (zoologist, archaeologist, astrophysicist, ninja...), but writing was always the primary. The only secondary one I actually accomplished was ninja.

8) If you could be reincarnated as an animal, what would you be and why?

A wolf. They’re soulful, intelligent creatures with deep, loyal relationships. That’s important to me in this life, so I’d like to think I’ll have a chance at it in the next.

9.) My readers want to know what you had for breakfast. Not sure why exactly...

Funny you’d ask that. I moved into my current home a year ago, and never got around to getting a toaster. Until last night. So this morning was my new toaster’s exciting first time, and I had toast and eggs. And coffee. Way too much coffee.

10) Why in the world did you consent to doing this wacky interview? I mean there is not one question here about your books, your writing or your future plans!

I’m not quite sure. I think I took a wrong turn at Albuquerque.

It’s nice though. Takes a bit more brain power than the usual questions we authors get

Bonus Questions!

11) Who is your favorite comedian or cartoon character and why?

Bugs Bunny. I love tricksters, in myth, in fiction, and especially in cartoons, and Bugs is the greatest trickster of all time. (Hopefully Coyote didn’t hear me say that).

12) How would you describe your sense of humor?

Whimsical but edgy. I have a big heart, but my sword is very sharp.

Thanks Tim for volunteering to do this interview!

Be sure to look for Tim Byrd's new novel:

Doc Wilde and The Frogs of Doom

Which was released on May 14th, 2009!

You can find more info on the book at Tim's website:
Tim Byrd

You can also read my review and find other useful links here:
Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom by Tim Byrd (Review)

Other Wacky Interviews

Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom by Tim Byrd (Review)

2009-05-21T23:35:00.005-04:00

A Fantasy Book Review

By Tim Byrd

Genre: Fantasy, Pulp Fiction, Monsters, YA
Reading level: Ages 10+
ISBN: 0399247831
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 14, 2009)
Hardcover: 224 pages
Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Publisher's Blurb:

There is never a dull moment when it comes to Doc Wilde and his family of swashbuckling explorers. Brian and Wren have been trained from an early age to keep up with their worldfamous father. With their driver Declan mac Coul and their butler Phineas Bartlett in tow, there is no obstacle they can’t overcome, no evil they can’t defeat, including mutant frogs from another dimension.

The fun with this book starts with the front cover and does not stop until the very last page!

First off, I have a confession to make. I had to look up the definition of Pulp Fiction. As a result you will not find me making comparisons to Doc Savage or H.P. Lovecraft as other reviewers have done. (I am familiar with Indiana Jones though, I am not that far gone...yet.) Instead I was reminded more of Batman (the series), and Professor Gadget - with kids. I even got a mental nudge from Land of the Lost, only replace the dinosaurs with giant frogs. Moral of this ramble? I am obviously not much of a pulp fiction fan but I did not need to be in order to have alot of fun reading this tale.

There is more then just nonstop action and adventure in this story, though it has those in spades, it is also educational. There are explanations for everything from nanotechnology to meditation techniques. This book was written for the 10+ age group and while I agree that some of the educational portions of the book (I loved those by the way) might be lost on younger kids, I still kept having the same vision. I kept seeing myself reading this book to my grandkids, who are 5 and 6 years old. Not them reading it themselves mind you, but me reading it to them, a few chapters at a time, explaining things myself if needed. They might not understand some of the more technical aspects but it would not matter, they would LOVE the story! And, possibly learn a few things along the way. This book would be perfect for bedtime reading, the chapters are short and there are plenty of cliffhanger chapter endings to keep them begging for "just one more chapter...pleeeese..." You may find that you have a hard time putting it down yourself!

I read this book one night when I had just finished a book and it was to late to write up the review for it, and I did not want to start the next book until I had. It was perfect. Fast paced, fun, entertaining and even I learned a few things in the process. There was also a touching family quality to the whole thing that was priceless. It was one of those rare books that leaves you feeling really good once it is done. What a great story and a great way to end my day.

Ratings, Reviews, Similar Reads, Buy Books

Shelfari Rating - None Yet

Librarything Rating (None Yet)

Amazon Rating 4.5 of 5 Stars
(4 Customer Reviews)

LibraryThing Recommendations
What Should I Read Next?

Kindle: Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom

Ebook: Ereadable

Buy Book: B&N - Powells - Abe Books

Amazon: US - Canada - UK

Other Reviews:
Bookgasm - Monsters and Critics - Fantasy Debut
Author's Web Presence
Website, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Myspace, BloggerFree Fiction
"DEAD FOLKS," A FREE Short Story by Tim Byrd

The Fantasy Book Showcase Idea...

2009-05-17T11:45:00.000-04:00

I've had an epiphany. Not a real epiphany mind you, but one of those "You are truly an idiot because everybody in the book blogging world already knows this", sleep apnea induced epiphany.

You know the type right?

What do you mean "Nope, only you have those Mulluane..."

Ok, ok, can't blame a gal from trying not to look completely stupid right?

Anyway, this revelation was born from guilt, which is always a powerful motivator. This guilt was multilayered, as all really good guilt should be.

The first layer is all the cool books I keep finding on my doorstep sent by authors and publishers. You see the problem is, there are alot of them and I am but one person. I'm reading as fast as I normally do, which is pretty fast, but proving to be not fast enough.

The next layer of guilt is that some of these wonderful books are just not something I enjoy. I am not adverse to trying new things, and as a rule I will atleast attempt to read them, but those efforts sometimes fail. Not because they aren't wonderful books, but only because they do not appeal to my tastes. But, folks took the time and expense to send them to me so....you guessed it....I feel guilty.

Then there are all the really cool books I have purchased that I want to read, or reread because I want to share my love of them with Fantasy lovers anywhere. Believe me when I tell you that it is hard sometimes to make myself read and review a book that has an impending release date when I am really in the mood to read something else. But, if I do that, it makes me....yep....feel guilty.

I could go into the lack of interesting post ideas I have failed to come up with for this blog, but one can handle only so much guilt in one post.....

Sense a pattern here?

Anyway, one night, the type filled with mutterings of "I must go to sleep" mixed with lots of tossing and turning, it came to me. There is more then one way to promote a book!

Duh... (I tried head-pillow at this point but it just didn't have the same effect as head-desk.)

Why not just showcase them, one book or series at a time, in a post with blurbs, excerpts, author info...the whole nine yards. I mean half the battle is bringing good books to your attention right? You can't read them if you don't know they exist.

This will greatly relieve some of the self-imposed pressure I feel when faced with this huge TBR pile, will serve my readers by letting you know what is out here (past, present and future books) plus I'll be giving you links to go and discover more info if the book looks interesting to you.

Yes I know, this is something everybody else already does I just got around to realizing WHY they do it.

This does not mean that I won't be reviewing the books, though in some cases this will be the case, it means that I don't have to review them like...yesterday.

So, what do you think?

Good idea Mulluane, about time you thought of it!

Stupid idea Mulluane, you really need to get more sleep.

Or, the ever popular

We don't care one way or the other Mulluane, afterall it is YOUR guilt, not ours. Besides, we like the sporadic post frequency of this blog because it doesn't load up our feed reader...

And of course if you have a better idea, I am open to that too.

P.S. If you don't respond to this post it will make you feel guilty....

Lamplighter: Monster Blood Tattoo: Book 2 by D. M. Cornish (Review)

2009-05-15T00:39:00.001-04:00

A Fantasy Book Review

By D. M. Cornish

Genre: Fantasy, Coming of Age, Monsters, YA
Reading level: Ages 12+
ISBN: 0399246398
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 1, 2008)
Hardcover: 476 pages
Read an Excerpt

Publisher's Blurb:

Orphan Rossamünd Bookchild has been sworn into the Emperor’s service—his duty is to light the lamps along the Emperor’s highways and protect travelers from the ferocious bogles that live in the wild. But he’s found it no easier to fit in with the lamplighters than he did with the foundlings—always too small and too meek—and his loneliness continues no matter how hard he tries to succeed.
But when a haughty young girl, a member of a suspiciously regarded society of all-women teratologists— monster hunters—is forced upon the lamplighters for training, Rossamünd is no longer the most despised soul around. As Rossamünd begins to make new friends in the dangerous world of the Half-Continent, he also seems to make more enemies, finding himself pushed toward a destiny that he could never have imagined.

When I first received this book from Putnam (thanks guys), I stared at it in stunned disbelief. The book was HUGE! I mean seriously, what 12 year old is going to look at a book this size and feel brave enough to take it on. I am an adult and I was pretty intimidated by it.

(*Note* I know it says 476 pages for the hardcover at Amazon but the paperback in the UK, which just came out this month, says 736 pages.)

Then I started reading, and reading, and reading, and suddenly...I was done. And, it really had not felt like I had just blown through a 700-page book.

There are several reasons for this phenomenon. For one, it had not been that long since I had read and loved Foundling, so I was able to easily slip back into D. M. Cornish's vivid world. Secondly, the viewpoint is all Rossamünd, no jumps in PoV at all. This makes it much easier to follow along with events as they unfold. Thirdly, the pace is nice and even, with a good mix of both external and internal conflict to keep the story moving right along. The result was a 700+-page book that immersed me so deeply in the story that I could have kept on happily reading even if it had been 1000 pages long.

So we have a vivid world, even pacing, single PoV, what else was great about this book? Well, to add to the aforementioned attributes there are interesting and likable characters, thought provoking situations and a blurred line between good and evil. I like blurred lines. Those are the ones where you question right and wrong, good and bad, intent verses deed. One thing that struck me after reading this book - which centers on a fight between humans and monsters - was the fact that it is so unclear who the real monsters are. I mean the "humans" surgically and chemically alter themselves in order to fight the "monsters" in essence becoming the very thing they are fighting. Atleast in appearance if not in deed. You have the "monsters" who in some cases (not all) show more kindness, honor and compassion then the "humans.” Then we have Rossamünd who has one foot planted firmly on each side of the fence, unable to completely shake off the prejudices of a lifetime of training that teaches that all "monsters" were evil and must be killed. There are some nicely incorporated lessons here regarding prejudice, narrow-mindedness, and misconception if one notices them. And if not, well there is still pure entertainment with plenty of action, adventure, mystery and possibly a budding romance, when Rossamünd matures enough to recognize that fact.

There is plenty to love about this book and the series so far. Aside from all of the wonderful qualities I have already listed there are great illustrations, done by D.M. Cornish, sprinkled throughout the book and an extensive glossary (110 pages) in the back in case you lose track of all the unusual terminology. There are also some things that concern me given the recommended reading age of 12+. Some readers (by no means all) are going to be put off by the extensive world building. Most of the words and terms are explained as they are used, and if not, well you can look them up. However, needing to look them up ruins the flow of the story and may, I fear, cause some readers to lose interest if they find themselves having to frequently flip to the back. There is also a certain amount of predictability but in this case, that may be a benefit to a YA reader, especially one who just wants to enjoy an adventure tale instead of spending time figuring out subtle plot points.

This is a YA targeted book so content is not an issue. Some violence, some cruelty, but nothing over the top. This is a true trilogy however. These books are not, nor were they intended to be, standalones. Each book feeds right into the next and this installment reads just like the middle of a story. There is alot going on but it picks up right where book one leaves off and does not appear to have a set goal to achieve before it suddenly ends. We will have to wait until May of 2010 to get a satisfactory conclusion to this tale. A long wait I know but if the first two books are any indication, one well worth waiting for.

Reservations aside, I loved this book as much as I loved Foundling. Rossamünd continues to mature as he tries to come to terms with the fact that the things he has been taught do not exactly match the things he sees for himself. I enjoyed watching his struggles with the concepts of right and wrong, good and evil, and the things one is forced to do in the name of duty and honor, all while just trying to fit in. Great story and I look forward to seeing where D. M. Cornish takes it.

Ratings, Reviews, Similar Reads, Buy Books

Shelfari Rating 4+/5

Librarything Rating 4.03/5

Amazon Rating 4+ out of 5 stars<
(18 Customer Reviews)

LibraryThing Recommendations
What Should I Read Next?

Kindle: No

Ebook: No

Audio Download: Audible.com

Buy Book: B&N - Powells - Abe Books

Amazon: US Canada UK

Read an Interview with D. M. Cornish From:
Book Browse - Book Club
Other Reviews:
Bookspotcentral - SF Site - SF Reader
Author's Web Presence
Website, Myspace, Blogger

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 05/09

2009-05-09T23:25:00.002-04:00

The dates listed are the ending dates of the contest/giveaway if one is listed at all, some are left open until the contest giver decides to close them. Entries struck through, you missed it! If you have time, check left sidebar on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards during the week to see the list as I update it daily, that way you won't miss any! Dates in red, you better hurry and enter!

More SFF Twitter Lists! Publishers, Characters, Ezines and Magazines.

2009-05-07T11:15:00.009-04:00

First up is Publishers, both major and small press.

Note: Not all of these are genre specific. Some publish a wide range of fiction and non-fiction works.

Updated 05/18!
New additions in red

@EosBooks
@simonschuster
@VoyagerBooks
@PenguinTeen
@PicadorUSA
@penguinusa
@PenguinCanada
@GrandCentralPub
@simonsayskids
@simonschusterUK
@AtriaBooks
@HarperCollinsCa
@harpercollins
@harperstudio
@harperteen
@DelReyBooks
@suvudu
@randomhouse
@littlebrown
@morriganbooks
@spectra_authors
@torforgeauthors
@bantamspectra
@torbooks
@tordotcom
@orbitbooks
@PenguinBooks
@bantamdell
@WheatmarkBooks
@QueeredFiction
@TTApress
@NewDirections
@GraywolfPress
@Pocket_Books
@MedallionPress
@SilverDolphin
@RogueBlades
@angryrobotbooks
@Pyr_Books
@ApexBookCompany
@DCComics
@Marvel
@EchelonPress
@HollyridgePress
@subpress
@VoyagerBooks
@ThomasNelson
@planetstoriesTM
@Dark_Regions
@Guy_Henderson (Dark Regions Press)
@Chris_Morey (Dark Regions Press)

Secondly we have a few ezines, and magazines. I've never been a big magazine or ezine fan so the list is short. Just a few I have run across in my travels through the Twitterverse.

@dropsofcrimson
@fantasyezine
@TTApress
@SFXmagazine
@resaliens
@clarkesworld
@estellazine
@BlackGateDotCom
@Outshine
@gudmagazine
@mbranesf
@strangehorizons
@BrainHarvest
@BlackOnline

Last list is just for fun. Again it is a short list but these are authors, fans etc. who are twittering as SFF characters. Now some of these stay in character and even live within ongoing stories, others are authors who tweet as themselves, but they setup the account in the character's name instead of their own.

@darthvader
@MisterStuffins
@erecrex
@Gaven_Morren
@MarlaMason
@rathacat
@ekhi (Via @johnottinger via @ApexBookCompany)

As always, input is welcome and appreciated. For example, I know there are more Fantasy/ Science Fiction character twitter accounts but finding them is not easy, especially since I am not a huge Sci-fi or Urban Fantasy fan.

Eventually, these lists will only be maintained on the Squidoo page (http://www.squidoo.com/TwitterSciFiandFantasy) as it is much easier to keep up and current. Blog pages get pretty much forgotten within days as new content grabs our attention. BUT....I will keep updating the blog posts, especially the authors and bloggers lists since they contain more then just the twitter link. (Facebook, webpage, blog, and forum link if I can find one.) So if you are doing research on an author or blogger, those will still be the best place to look.

Original Full Lists

SFF and a Few Other Book Review Bloggers on Twitter

Where Does Your Favorite SFF Author Hang Out?

You might also check out:

26 Places for Fiction on Twitter (and Some Related Sites) - Grasping for the Wind

Twitter Fiction - Shelia Ruth

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 05/02

2009-05-02T23:45:00.001-04:00

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/25

2009-04-25T23:45:00.003-04:00

The dates listed are the ending dates of the contest/giveaway if one is listed at all, some are left open until the contest giver decides to close them. Entries struck through, you missed it! If you have time, check left sidebar on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards to see the list as I update it daily, that way you won't miss any! Dates in red, you better hurry and enter!

SFF and a Few Other Book Review Bloggers on Twitter

2009-04-24T23:35:00.023-04:00

This list will hopefully be of benefit to my fellow bloggers even though I am sure most of you are following these folks already. Twitter has been an amazing tool for networking within the book blogging community. We ask each other questions, get and give advice, bounce ideas off each other and share opinions. That is when we aren't just discussing what we had for lunch....

It would also be an awesome tool to network and keep in touch with our blog readers, so if you don't blog but do twitter I'd love a follow and I'm sure the others on this list would too! As with the author list, if I miss anybody let me know and I'll update. As the title suggests, this is not exclusively SFF but includes twittering book reviewers who do a mix of genres that include SFF, paranormal and horror reviews plus a few who specialize in children's books. Website/blog links are included so you can see if they are someone you'd be interested in following.

Note: I have moved the twitter portions of my social media lists to Squidoo for easier maintenance, and because it allows people to add to the lists themselves. This will also enable you to keep track of all of the lists on one page. If you are interested in venues other than twitter such as blogs or facebook, you will still need to check the original lists.

If you like this list, don't forget to check out
SFF authors on Twitter

Updated 05/22 - Updates are in red - Added facebook(FB) links

Twitter - Blog/Website - Facebook

@accidentalbard - The Accidental Bard

@adribbleofink - A Dribble of Ink - Aidan Moher(FB)

@authorsbooks - Authors-Books.com

@BittenbyBooks - Bitten by Books

@bloggeratf - ONLY THE BEST SCI-FI/FANTASY

@book_blog - Book-Blog

@bookgasm - Bookgasm

@bookgeeks - Bookgeeks

@booksmugglers - The Book Smugglers

@bossfan2000 - Fantasy Book News & Reviews - Jeff Cunningham(FB)

@BreeniBooks - Breeni Books

@BSCreview - Bookspotcentral

@confuzzledbooks - Confuzzled Books

@crotchetyoldfan - The Crotchety Old Fan

@DarqueReviews - Darque Reviews

@DaveBrendon - Dave Brendon's Fantasy & Sci-fi Weblog

@deepeight - Enter the Octopus

@EternalCow - AzureScape

@fabiofernandes - Post-Weird Thoughts

@FanLit - Fantasy Literature - FantasyLiterature Net(FB)

@fantasybookcrit - Fantasy Book Critic

@fantasycafe - Fantasy Cafe - Kristen Murphy(FB)

@FantasyDreamer - Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings

@fantasyislove - Fantasy is Love

@fantasysf - Fantasy SF Blog

@genrereviewer - Genre Reviews

@graemesfantasyb - Graeme's Fantasy Book Review - Graeme Flory(FB)

@HagelRat - Un:Bound

@iambrimful - Brimful Curiosities

@jennsbookshelf - Jenn's Bookshelf

@jo_scrawls - Ink and Paper

@JohnAnealio - Sci Fi Songs - John Anealio(FB)

@johnottinger - Grasping for the Wind - John Ottinger III(FB)

@katiebabs - Babbling about Books

@kaysbookshelf - Kay's Bookshelf

@librarydad - Library Dad

@loudlibrarian - The Loud Librarian

@markchitty - Walker of Worlds - Mark Chitty(FB)

@MentatJack - MentatJack

@MihaiDarkWolf - Dark Wolf's Fantasy Reviews - Mihai Adascalitei(FB)

@Mulluane - Dragons, Heroes and Wizards - Shari Mulluane

@myfriendamy - My Friend Amy

@nethspace - Neth Space - Ken Neth(FB)

@nextread - Next Read - Gavin Pugh(FB)

@NightOwlRomance - Night Owl Romance

@PrinceJvstin - Blog, Jvstin Style

@readersrespite - A Reader's Respite

@robertmckay - Fantasy is Love

@RoSF - Realms of Speculative Fiction

@ScarletCorset - The Scarlet Corset - Scarlet Corset (FB)

@SciFiScanner - SciFi Scanner

@ScifiWatch - SciFi Watch

@scifiwire - Sci Fi Wire

@sfsignal - SF Signal - John DeNardo(FB)

@shaunduke - The World in the Satin Bag - Shaun Duke(FB)

@SheilaRuth - Wands and Worlds - Sheila Ruth(FB)

@SQT72 - Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin' News & Reviews - Theresa Lucas Sqt(FB)

@tdfangirl - The Discriminating Fangirl

@TiaNevitt - Fantasy Debut - Tia Nevitt(FB)

@TezMillerOz - Tez Says

@TheGenreFiles - The Genre Files

@TheSciFiChick - SciFiChick

@Truscifi - True Science Fiction

@urbanfantasy - Urban Fantasy

@wellreadchild - The Well-Read Child

Honorable Mention

@ediFanoB - The World's Best SFF Book Blogging Fan!

April Books in the Mail Appreciation Post

2009-04-24T01:40:00.002-04:00

It is Spring - finally - and my reading speed has dropped dramatically. Because of this I have a stack of books staring at me that need to atleast be acknowledged. These are all books that have been sent to me by authors and publishers and to show my appreciation (and so you kind folks do not think that I have forgotten about you), I decided to showcase them all in a post.

Before I get started I do want to throw in a disclaimer of sorts. I am not promising that I will review all of these. I may, and yet I may not, but irregardless I want to thank the folks who took the time and expense to send them to me by listing them here for your viewing pleasure.

Lamplighter by D. M. Cornish (Putnam Juvenile: May 1, 2008)

Rossamund Bookchild has successfully negotiated the treacherous route to High Vesting. But even within the sturdy walls of the great city, he is far from safe. For the path to becoming a Lamplighter is fraught with dangers - and not just from the dread monsters who lurk in the wilds. Rossamund will need all his wits to survive his training. And he must watch his back too, for enemies from his past are never far behind. Stunning in scope and rich in detail, alive with memorable heroes and villains and brimming with new and original science and magics, D.M. Cornish's tale of scolds, scourges, smugglers and shrewds will thrill and captivate, and leave the reader desperate for more.

Gift of the Unmage by Alma Alexander (HarperTeen: March 13, 2007)

Who knew you'd be a true weaver? Great things have been expected of Thea, the seventh child of two seventh children. Now, with Cheveyo, a mage, Thea has begun to weave herself a new magical identity, infused with elements of the original worlds. But back home, Thea keeps her abilities hidden and attends the Wandless Academy, the one school on Earth for those who have no apparent magical talent. It is there that Thea realizes that her enemies are hungrier and more dangerous than she knew. What's more, her greatest strength may be the powerlessness she has resisted for so long.

Spellspam by Alma Alexander (HarperTeen; February 10, 2009)

What do you get when ordinary e-mail spam becomes infused with magic? Spellspam—and it's not supposed to exist. As far as Thea and her friends know, computers are meant to be inert vehicles for storing magic spells, not magical processors themselves. But all that seems to have changed as students at Wandless Academy find themselves the victim of practical jokes—with magical consequences—simply by opening an e-mail. Now the spellspams are getting worse, and it's possible there's someone behind them who is not just bent on stirring up trouble but has a much scarier and more wide-reaching agenda. Until now, Thea has been the only person she's ever met who can reach through the computer using magic. But someone else is out there, and even her friends can't help her track down the source of the spellspam before it gets much, much worse.

Cybermage by Alma Alexander (HarperTeen: February 10, 2009)

This year at the Wandless Academy feels all wrong to Thea. Her best friend, Magpie, will barely give her the time of day. Ben's been moody and dismissive. Since when did Tess have a boyfriend? And why is Humphrey May, agent for the Federal Bureau of Magic, lurking around the Academy? Thea is out of sorts—in all ways, magical and otherwise—and that's before she discovers she's an elemental mage, a category of magician so rare that only four others are known to exist. Now the Federal Bureau of Magic needs Thea's help to unlock the mysterious white cube—the same cube found over the summer in the professor's house, the same cube the dangerous Alphiri are still after. To stay ahead of the Alphiri and the wiles of the FBM, Thea needs her friends—all of them. From a world woven with magic and suspense comes Alma Alexander's Cybermage, the final installment of the richly invented Worldweavers trilogy.

The Frogs of Doom by Tim Byrd (Putnam Juvenile: May 14, 2009)

There is never a dull moment when it comes to Doc Wilde and his family of swashbuckling explorers. Brian and Wren have been trained from an early age to keep up with their worldfamous father. With their driver Declan mac Coul and their butler Phineas Bartlett in tow, there is no obstacle they can’t overcome, no evil they can’t defeat, including mutant frogs from another dimension.

With an over-the-top nod to classic pulp adventure series, Tim Byrd has created a rip-roaring ride. Buckle your seat belt, and hold on tight!

The Adventures of Corwyn by Chad Corrie (Aspirations Media; illustrated edition edition: May 13, 2008)

SEE THE WORLD OF TRALODREN® THROUGH THE EYES OF A BARD!

Get ready to see The World of Tralodren® in a whole new light as this anthology showcases Corwyn Danther, “Famed Bard of the Midlands”, and the various exploits which have him getting into all sorts of situations. Not only do these tales show and explain more of this fascinating fantasy setting, but also reveal what goes on in Tralodren™ when there aren’t epic struggles afoot with the planet hanging in the balance.

Whether if it’s the frozen Crown of the World or a simple village resting in the Grasslands of Gondad, Corwyn explores, experiences and explains part of the mysteries, horrors and beauty he encounters– all to the reader’s enjoyment. These stories and assorted appendices should prove entertaining to anyone familiar with The World of Tralodren®, and/or serve as a great starting point for those who wish to experience it for the first time.

Welcome to The World of Tralodren®, a place rich in history, faith, and tales of adventure of which these stories are but a handful of many.

Roland of the High Craigs: Evil Arises by B. R. Stateham (Booklocker.com, Inc. October 20, 2008)

On a certain distant planet two species of intelligent sapiens exist. One is human, the other a bipedal humaniod with the skin like that of snakes. Snakes who have two opposing colors arranged in unique patterns. These unique combinations of colors indicate both an individual and a clan affiliation. The combination of, say, green and yellow would indicate one clan and red and black would indicate another. This species is referred to as 'dragon.' For over a thousand years dragon and man have fought each other. Powers known and unknown, both in their world and in the supernatural world, vie to bring the final confrontation between the to its ultimate end---one or the other must destroy his nemesis if it expects to survive.

In the midst of this titantic struggle a warrior-monk-wizard by the name of Roland of the High Crags is asked by a dying dragon lord to rescue his only surviving heir, a seven year old dragon princess. The child is a Pearl Princess, the last of the five Pearl Princesses dragon prophecy said would be born to the dragon. This Fifth Sister, as she is called, is destined to grow up and unit all of dragonkind together under her banners and lead them against humanity.

The warrior-wizard knows what his monastic training expects him to do---kill the child and thwart dragon prophecy. He does just the opposite. He agrees to save the child and whisk her off to safety where he will train her natural powers in the 'Netherworld' (the supernatural) and hone her into a dragon prophecy-killing weapon. Maybe.

Prophecy of Kings Trilogy by David Burrows (David Burrows; 1st edition: September 4, 2008)

Fate brings four men together. Kaplyn, Lars, Lomar and Vastra. These are good, strong personalities; Kaplyn is noble; Lars a rough diamond while Vastra provides the sinister element - the character you do not know if you can trust or not. Lomar is an Alvalan and his people know that demons will soon cross the divide. He has an uncommonly strong link with his shaol, a type of guardian spirit, and he can foresee future events.

The tale takes them on a journey through the magical ruins of Tanel into a nightmare tower, a labyrinth of tunnels protected by spells, and from there through the majestic forest realm of Gilfillan where the forest's defences nearly destroys the small party. In a cavern, deep in the heart of a mountain they find an ancient magic that could help them to find the Eldric.
Unwittingly though they start a chain of events that nearly destroys their own world. A collision of magic tears apart the fabric between the worlds allowing the shade of a dead emperor to cross. A choice has to be made, to confront the evil of Trosgarth with a dragon leading the army or to face the enemy alone and vulnerable, for Kaplyn dare not trust dragons.
In an uncertain future, Priests of Ryoch unleash the power of their shaol, becoming omnipotent warriors. Krell tribes gather, death knights are resurrected while grakyn rule the air. Thrace is besieged and alone for betrayal has turned Allund against them. The enemy acquire the power Kaplyn and the others have found and with it they can open a gateway to Hell....

The Third Sign by Gregory A. Wilson (Five Star (ME): June 17, 2009)

Calen Gollnet lives in a tumultuous world. Surrounded by hostile forces bent on its destruction, his country Klune has been free for ten years, having thrown off the yoke of oppression thanks to a small group of heroes known as the Covenant; but the cost of this freedom was great, and the nation's liberty is becoming tenuous. The Covenant is broken, and Klune is now kept safe only because of a treaty struck between the human king and a race of honorable but xenophobic mercenaries known as arlics who have patrolled Klune's borders for the past decade. But the treaty is due to expire, and both the arlics and humans are restless, each claiming that they have been weakened by their dependence on the other.

As negotiations between the two sides break down and dark armies gather while politics bogs down the governors of city and country, Calen flees from the army attacking his home city, unaware that there is more to fear than mortal warriors; the appearance of the horrifying Soul Wall and other omens point to the fulfillment of the Prophecy of Return, in which it is said that three signs will signal the return of a great evil. The first two signs have come to pass, but the prophecy is obscure on its final prediction: the tide of the conflict may be changed by the third sign, but no one knows what that sign is, or whom it will favor.

The Third Sign is an epic fantasy, in the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert Jordan, whose unique combination of suspense, mystery, political intrigue and sword and sorcery will draw readers in as they search with the characters for the answer to the most important question: what is The Third Sign?

*Note* Links take you to the book/author's website

The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V. S. Redick: The Chathrand Voyage: Book 1 (Review)

2009-04-22T15:45:00.004-04:00

Robert V.S. Redick

Genre: Epic Fantasy, 13+
ISBN: 0345508831
Publisher: Del Rey (April 28, 2009)
Hardcover: 464 pages
Excerpt (PDF)

Publisher's Blurb

The Imperial Merchant Ship Chathrand is the last of her kind. Six hundred years old, the secrets of her construction long forgotten, the massive vessel dwarfs every other sailing craft in the world. It is a palace with sails, a floating outpost of the Empire of Arqual. And it is on its most vital mission yet: to deliver a young woman whose marriage will seal the peace between Arqual and its mortal enemy, the secretive Mzithrin Empire. But the young woman in question-Thasha, the daughter of the Arquali ambassador-has no intention of going meekly to the altar. For the ship's true mission is not peace but war-a war that threatens to unleash an ancient, all-consuming evil.

As the dark conspiracy at the heart of the voyage unfurls, Pazel Pathkendle, a lowly tarboy with an uncanny gift, will find himself in an unlikely alliance with Thasha and her protectors: Hercól, a valet who is more than he appears; Dri, the queen of a race of tiny stowaways who have their own plans for the great ship; and Ramachni, a powerful sorcerer from another world. Arrayed against them are the Chathrand's brutal captain, Nilus Rose; the Emperor's spymaster and chief assassin, Sandor Ott; and the enigmatic Dr. Chadfallow, a longtime friend to Pazel's family whose kind words may hide a vicious betrayal.

As the Chathrand navigates treacherous waters to complete its mission, Pazel, Thasha, and their allies-including a singularly heroic rat-must also navigate a treacherous web of intrigue to uncover the secret of the legendary Red Wolf.

I seem to be stuck in a mixed feelings rut here lately and sadly, this novel falls neatly into that category. This book just did not work for me. Now notice, I said ME. Judging by the rave reviews elsewhere, I am in a minority on this. I mean Terry Brooks loved it and who am I to argue with Terry Brooks!

Why it did not work for me. Straight away, I was annoyed by the amount of telling and the slow start. I tend to really enjoy books where I can live in the story. It is not the characters experiencing events; it is me experiencing things through them. I never got that degree of immersion from this tale. Now telling can work, I have seen it done, but this time it kept me on the outside of things instead of pulling me in. I felt that the novel could have been so much more then it was. However, there are aspects that are interesting and I was never tempted to just put it back down.

Now in defense of the story telling style I suspect it was by design. Right up front you are told about the major story plot. The mystery then revolves around who is on what side of the conspiracy and what their motivations are. Because of this, it makes sense that you would not be allowed to get but so deep into the heads of the characters. Neat way of doing things, just not one that I am particularly fond of.

What I did like. I loved the concept of the story, I enjoyed the mystery, the strange and wonderful creatures and races and while I never felt "in touch" with the characters, they were still fun to watch. The action does eventually pick up and you never really know exactly who the good people are. The twists and turns were delightful, and the world building was detailed and full of wonderful things. This book also has another thing going for it. It is very readable by all ages. This is not one of those harsh, gritty, overly dark novels that are so popular lately but one that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

See what I mean by mixed feelings?

Plot, mystery, and intrigue lovers who enjoy unique worlds full of wonderfully imagined creatures and races, that range from giants to people so small they are almost invisible, are going to enjoy this book. Die-hard character lovers like me will still find plenty to like. In addition, if you love large sailing ships and the nautical lifestyle, you are going to adore this tale. It might not have been the total immersion that I was looking for but it is still alot of fun to read and it did contain one element I have a definite fondness for, sentient animals! There is a unique spin on these critters that I do not think has been fully explained yet. Actually, the book is full of unique spins on fantasy tropes; it is one of its charms. I do want to add one more note, this book does read like the start of a series. It is not a standalone with a conclusive ending.

Conclusion. While it did not blow me away, I cannot say that it turned me off either. Likely any perceived faults lie solely in my tastes and not due to any lack of quality in either the writing or the story. Fun read with plenty of promise offered by a debut author who will be worth watching for years to come.

Ratings, Reviews, Similar Reads, Buy Books

Shelfari Rating 2/5

Librarything Rating 3.4/5

Amazon Rating 3+ out of 5 stars
(7 Customer Reviews)

Similar Reads from Librarything
Or What Should I Read Next?

Kindle: No

Ebook: No

Buy Book: B&N - Powells - Abe Books

Amazon: US Canada UK

Read an Interview with Robert V.S. Redick From:
The Book Swede
Other Reviews: (Some with mild spoilers but more plot detail)
Fantasy Book Critic - The Wertzone - Fantasy Debut - Terry Brooks
Author's Web Presence:
Blog

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/18

2009-04-18T22:57:00.002-04:00

The dates listed are the ending dates of the contest/giveaway if one is listed at all, some are left open until the contest giver decides to close them. Entries struck through, you missed it! If you have time, check left sidebar on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards to see the list as I update it daily, that way you won't miss any! Dates in red, you better hurry and enter!

* Giveaway! 'Courage & Honour' and 'The Killing Ground' (Graham McNeill) (04/26) All

* Guest Post! Welcome Ann Aguirre! (04/18) All

* Interview and Contest with Author Christine Rose (04/18) US and Canada

* Win a copy of Max Frei's THE STRANGER (??) All

* Guest Author and Giveaway: Angie Fox on Inspiration and Influences (04/18) All

* Contest: Silver Phoenix (04/22) US

* Giveaway: Swiftly - Adam Roberts (05/01) South Africa

* Giveaway! AUDIO BOOK "White Night" by Jim Butcher (Read by James Marsters) (04/29) All

* Interview and Contest with Author S.J. Day (04/20) US|CAN|UK|AUS

* GIVEAWAY: Caprica on DVD (04/21) US

* Walkabout: Giveaway (04/18) All

* Win a copy of Jacqueline Carey's SANTA OLIVIA (??) All

* Win A Copy Of Jim Butcher’s Turn Coat Here! (04/20) All

* Guest post & Book Giveaway with Jocelynn Drake (04/27) All

* Interview and Contest with Author Annaliese Evans (04/17) All

* Other Earths Giveaway! (05/08) All

* Win a copy of THE BEST OF GENE WOLFE (??) All

* Giveaways! 'The Born Queen' and 'Shadow of the Scorpion' (04/19)

Where Does Your Favorite SFF Author Hang Out?

2009-04-17T00:01:00.029-04:00

In this world of Social Media your favorite author may be more accessible then you think. With the "experts" extolling the virtue of Blogs, Twitter and Facebook for getting you "noticed" more and more authors are setting up accounts. However finding them can be a lesson in futility as the search options for these venues are often limited. So, I am going to start a list, but to do it right I will need your help.

Below will be a clickable table of some authors and where they can be found. It is a very limited list and mainly focused on Twitter because I think it is the coolest thing out here. (I mean seriously, how cool is it to chat with an author in realtime about what he/she had for lunch?) Now I know about some through the research I do on every author I review, while others I have discovered through word of mouth. (Little birdies tell me...) Urban Fantasy authors, for example, I will need help with since I am not familiar with who they are. Science Fiction authors also though some will be present. (I mean, even I know who Tobias Buckell is!)

So, back to how you can help. Add to my list! Comment, or email me (I have email info hidden somewhere on this blog). You give me the info, I'll add it to the table and together we will come up with the best ever SFF author Blog, Twitter and Facebook list in the known universe! (Who wouldn't want to be a part of that!)

This is just a start. I have an evil plan to dominate the world of lists and if this one flies I'll follow it up with a Publishers, Agents, and SFF bloggers list. (Notice this thing I seem to have about doing things as a series?)

I do want to restrict this to SFF because that is the focus of my blogs. If you want to take this idea and run with it for other genres (Horror, Thriller, Romance for example) let me know and I'll add the info/link to it in a separate post. Something like, if you want the best Horror list - Zombies, Vampires and Werewolves has one ongoing here (Link.) Anyway, on to my genre selective but very interesting list!

Note: I have moved the twitter portion of this list to Squidoo for easier maintenance, and because it allows people to add to the lists themselves. If you want to find authors in other venues you will still need to check back here. The Squidoo list only covers Twitter but does include ALL of the twitter lists in one place.

Updated 05/23/09!
Since list is getting really long I put them in alphabetical order. This however will make it difficult to tell which are new entries. So I'll add an "added" date next to the new name. After a week the date will go poof!

Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Authors on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and Forums

Author	Facebook	Blog	Twitter	Forum
Kevin J. Anderson	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Catherine Asaro	Yes	No	Yes	No
Elizabeth Bear	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Clare Bell	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Peter V. Brett	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Tobias Buckell	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Tim Byrd (Added 05/22)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
David B. Coe	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Eoin Colfer	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cory Doctorow	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Diane Duane	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Warren Ellis	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jennifer Fallon	No	Yes	Yes	No
David Farland	No	No	Yes	Yes
Gregory Frost	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Neil Gaiman	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
P J Haarsma	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Chris Howard	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Alison Goodman	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Steven Gould	No	Yes	Yes	No
Susan Gourley/Kelley	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
A. J. Hartley	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Simon Haynes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Stephen Hunt	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
J. V. Jones	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ellen Kushner	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Holly Lisle	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tom Lloyd	No	Yes	No	Yes
JM McDermott	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (as Badducky)
Sarah Monette	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Brandon Mull	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pati Nagle	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Vera Nazarian	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Terry Pratchett	No	No	Yes	Yes
Patrick Rothfuss	Yes	Yes	No	No
Michelle Sagara (West)	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Brandon Sanderson	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
John Scalzi	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Karl Schroeder	No	Yes	Yes	No
Erik Scott de Bie	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
William Shunn	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Michael A Stackpole	No	Yes	Yes	No
Matthew Sturges	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Judith Tarr	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Brent Weeks	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jaye Wells	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Wil Wheaton	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Urban Fantasy Authors on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and Forums

Author	Facebook	Blog	Twitter	Forum
Ann Aguirre	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Toni Andrews	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Kelley Armstrong	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Jedediah Berry	Yes	No	Yes	No
Holly Black	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Jenna Black	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Alex Bledsoe	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Rachel Caine	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
S. J. Day	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Leopoldo Gout	Yes	Yes	No	No
Laurel K. Hamilton	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mark Henry	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Sherrilyn Kenyon	Yes	Yes	yes	Yes
Caitlin Kittredge	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Suzanne McLeod	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Richelle Mead	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Justine Musk	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Patti O’Shea	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Tim (T.A.) Pratt	No	Yes	Yes	No
Jeri-Smith Ready	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Lilith Saintcrow	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Lisa Shearin	No	Yes	Yes	No
Janni Lee Simner	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Nalini Singh Added 05/23	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Maggie Stiefvater	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

Ok so maybe Wil Wheaton doesn't technically belong on there but it is Wesley Crusher from Star Trek! And he did write some books....

*Disclaimer* As with anything on the internet, in some cases it is impossible to tell if the person behind the name is real or a fraud. I try my best to confirm the validity of these links but I can not guarantee them. Facebook is by far the worse. Take for example, Brent Weeks. When I looked up that name I came up with 4-5 entries. If I can not determine which one is the one I am looking for, I'll err on the side of listing none. (Very few have the info I am looking for in their profile. Sometimes all I have to go on is place of residence and their photo.) For example, Brent Weeks was kind enough to let me know on Twitter that one of those profiles on Facebook is really his....now I am trying to get him to tell me which one!

If I can't find a profile I am sure of but I do find a page I'll link to that instead. Alot of authors control or are atleast active on their pages. I am also going to add a forum column. Now forums are problematic also. Some authors are very active in their forums, others are not. I am not going to have the time to determine which is the case so you will have to visit the forums and discover this for yourself. Oh and one other thing, I'll lump Sci-fi and Fantasy authors together, mainly because alot of them crossover in their writing, but if you are giving me a tip to an Urban Fantasy author, let me know because I am going to group them separately for you die-hard Urban Fantasy fans. And, one other thing, a No in the column does not mean it does not exist, it means I did not find it. Corrections are not only welcome but encouraged!

SFF Articles and Link Love 04/15

2009-04-15T22:26:00.003-04:00

I haven't done one of these for awhile so it is a big list. Some go back to last couple of days of March and there are some April Fool's posts mixed in there too. In order of oldest to newest....

1.) Tor announces The Gathering Storm, Book Twelve of Robert Jordan’s legendary Wheel of Time® fantasy series
Tor.com

2.) Urban Fantasy, Paranormal and SF&F Book Releases for April 2009
SciFiGuy.ca

3.) Hate-Mail Fun
Paperback Writer

4.)Fantasy Book Critic: SPOTLIGHT: Books of April 2009
Fantasy Book Critic

5.) The New Venture
Paperback Writer

6.) Science Fiction and Fantasy Books Coming in May 2009
Sci-Fi Fan Letter

7.) Shocking Split Rocks Comics World: Alan Moore Abandoned by His Beard
Tor.com

8.) Troll Nation Protests Against Derogatory Internet Slang
Tor.com

9.) Enter the Dream Test, Win $10,000
The Scribd Blog

10.) Schindler’s List found in Australia
Bookspotcentral

11.) Mind Meld Summons You—“What are the ‘Forgotten Books’ of science fiction/fantasy/horror?”
The Galaxy Express

12.) Sub Ops
Paperback Writer

13.) Want to illustrate children's books?
My Favourite Books

14.) Why You Should Consider Digital Downloads
With Intent to Commit Horror

15.) Contest Alert: Explore The Solar System Classroom Challenge (05/01/09-12/31/09)
AuthorsNow!

16.) Amazon Pricing Problem: Beware
Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary

17.) Chuck Palahniuk Launches Design Contest
mediabistro.com: GalleyCat

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/11

2009-04-11T23:45:00.002-04:00

The dates listed are the ending dates of the contest/giveaway if one is listed at all, some are left open until the contest giver decides to close them. Entries struck through, you missed it! If you have time, check left sidebar on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards to see the list as I update it daily, that way you won't miss any! Dates in red, you better hurry and enter!

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/04

2009-04-04T23:45:00.004-04:00

The dates listed are the ending dates of the contest/giveaway if one is listed at all, some are left open until the contest giver decides to close them. Entries struck through, you missed it! If you have time, check left sidebar on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards to see the list as I update it daily, that way you won't miss any! Dates in red, you better hurry and enter!

Odds and Ends of Blog Promotion and Social Media

2009-04-04T00:01:00.003-04:00

As some of you already know who follow me on Facebook and Twitter, I love fooling around with Social Media venues. Not only does it help to keep me in touch with the real world (I spend 90% of my time alone) but it is a great way to promote a blog or website. I thought that just for the heck of it I'd run down a few of them here and give my thoughts. I also want suggestions on how to better use any you are familiar with because I am reasonably sure that I am not using them to maximum potential. (If you don't run a blog or website this is still a great list of resources where you can meet people that share your interests. If you are like me and nobody understands why you read that stuff....you know how much fun it is to find out how not alone you really are!) This is not going to be a discussion of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) which a whole other can of worms. This is all about connecting with "people" not bots.

Twitter. This is my favorite hands down. Now I am lucky. I use Firefox as my main browser and so I can use Twitkit, an unobtrusive sidebar addon that sits quietly on my screen and allows me see the twitter stream all day long. Granted it has no search, and not much in the way of filtering, but it easy to see, use and doesn't get in the way of whatever else I am doing. Twitter is incredible, I watch literary agents, major authors, my fellow bloggers, SEO experts, and major publishers all discuss, in 140 characters or less, their areas of expertise. It is educational and fun! There are tons and tons of apps that you can explore for grouping and tracking tweets but I just use Google feed reader. I track the ones I do not want to miss and pay attention to the rest if I happen to be watching the stream.

Facebook. This is one I do not feel that I am using to its full potential. Reports say that Facebook is driving tons of traffic to blogs but near as I can tell, I am not getting any of it. Instead I am saving rainforests, plus giving and receiving virtual books, candy and other gifts. There are 1001 fun apps to play with and if you are not careful, you can waste a load of time here. It is a great way to keep track of publishers and some of your favorite authors though.

Goodreads. This has to be the best book community out here. There are tons of authors, book groups, book reviews and it is all very active. I frequently get friend requests from authors and there are more book discussions, groups and events then even I can keep track of. I have gotten some traffic from there as well. I post snippets of my reviews with a link back to the full review. Fair warning though. The link is No Follow. Any traffic you get will be direct, search engines do not pick up a review posted on Goodreads. Cataloging your library here is unlimited and free which is another thing to recommend it. There is also a monthly list of ARC giveaways to check out.

LibraryThing. This is a close second to Goodreads. It does have a few drawbacks. It doesn't seem to have as many active authors, you can only catalog 200 books without paying for it plus discussions, groups and events do not appear to be as lively. There are advantages however. As far as cataloging goes, the format is more professional. The Early Readers program is extensive and the database itself is huge! I also do review snippets here and like goodreads, they are No Follow.

Shelfari. This is sadly way down the list. They do not allow links at all in reviews, It is a pretty site but takes me forever to load it (I am on dialup) and while it has a few active discussion groups they pale in comparison to goodreads and librarything.

Ning.com. There are 4 Ning social networks I follow. Wonderlands, Book Blogs, BittenbyBooks - The Blood Bank and David Gemmell Legend Awards. All are very active, full of discussions, groups, great places to open communication with authors and other bloggers and you get your own page and blog. Of the 4, I think Book Blogs is the most active and Hatchette has a group there specifically for offering book giveaways that you can host on your blog. Aside from checking in to see what is the current hot topic, I use the blogs once a month to post a review roundup. Plus, you can easily setup your own network!

Forums. I try to watch a dozen or so forums (List of my Favorites). The bloggers forum sadly failed to garner any interest but there are plenty of active forums devoted to the SFF community. This is another great way to promote your blog or just meet new people and offer advice or discuss your favorite author/book. There are more then a few where major authors are active and will jump into conversations themselves. I do not actively promote my blogs in these. I do include them in my signature, profile and if there is a forum set aside just for that purpose, I'll list them there. Trick here is to just be active, join discussions, make well reasoned arguments, give good advice and folks will check you out by following those links.

Squidoo. I just discovered this one (Thanks Shelia Ruth) and it looks like alot of fun. If you love playing with modules and widgets, have content that doesn't quite work on your blog and want to contribute to charity (though you don't have to) this is worth a look. I played around with it the other day and created a page that lists all the books I have reviewed, then allows you to vote up your favorite. This is something I can not do on a blog! The page shows up in search engines amazingly fast too. I have not explored its full potential yet but I see some fun possibilities.

Various Social Feed Readers. MyBlogLog, Friendfeed, and Bloglines (I am sure there are plenty of others) allow you to subscribe to your favorite feeds, (including your own) then people can subscribe to you and view your feeds. Most also offer statistics for your blog traffic. Great place for finding new blogs and maybe promoting your own but I can't say I've gotten alot of traffic from these. Every little bit helps though right?

Blog Directories. I am listed on a few of these. Here Be (Book) Reviews which includes a feed of your blog, BookFizz which also includes a feed, Midwest Book Review, Bloggeries and Condron to name a few. Condron drives the most traffic and is actually really fun to use. When you pull it up and hit start, it begins to scroll through its blog directory. Each blog loads up on the screen for a few seconds (you can set the interval) then loads up the next. See one you like, stop it, check it out, bookmark or subscribe to it, then restart the scroll.

Bookmark Networks. These are kind of like the social feed readers except that they target specific posts. Again you can build your own catalog of bookmarks, people can subscribe to you and view the posts you felt worth noting. Stumble, Delicious, Digg and Yahoo Buzz are some examples. Aside from bookmark sharing with subscribers, your bookmarks are added to directories depending on how you tag the post. Then folks who are looking for quality posts on, for example, writing, will check out what you bookmarked. There are a few rules that I follow when it comes to using these. I seldom bookmark my own posts and then more to get my blog into the system then any other reason. If you constantly bookmark your own stuff, people will notice this over time and stop taking anything you bookmark seriously. I only bookmark exceptional (in my opinion) posts. Again this engineers trust in your opinion and is more likely to get you some followers. Followers are likely to check your profile, profile leads to a visit to your blog. I do not bookmark the same blog or website over and over. Same deal, folks are looking for good, fresh, unique content and if you only bookmark posts from your favorite people, you defeat the whole purpose of the system. Occasionally is nice though, I've had a single stumble generate over 100 visits within a matter of 2-3 hours. Now these are by no means any kind of official rules but I have tested these scenarios and found them to be true.

Question and Answer Sites. When I first started my blog this is the method I used to get it off the ground. Yahoo, Askville, and Answerbag are examples. Yahoo is hands down the most active of these. Basic idea is to establish yourself as somebody who knows what they are talking about. Give answers to questions, include relevant links, get votes as best answer and traffic will flood in. There is one hard fast rule that Yahoo imposes. You can NOT link to your site unless it is relevant to the answer. For example, if somebody asks about a specific book that I have reviewed, I can link to it. If the question is general, or something you can answer but has nothing to do with your blog content, including a link to your blog is considered spam and you will be banned. Either way, if your answers impress folks they will check your profile and your blog or website will be listed there. I no longer have the time to do this but I still get traffic from answers I provided almost a year ago that people discover by using a search.

Blog Comments. Same principle as forums. Comment on other's blogs, make well reasoned arguments, comments, advice or opinions. Do not pimp your blog! If people like what you have to say, they will click on your username and take it from there. Plus, the blog owner is likely to appreciate it and might even include you on their blog roll. Now I admit, this is one thing I do not do nearly enough. Problem for me is that I track over 200 blogs a day in my Google reader and I don't click through on interesting posts nearly as often as I should. Instead I star/share the ones I like and put them all in a link love post later. I also have google reader set up so shared items are fed to facebook and twitter. Which is all cool and shows my support and love for my fellow bloggers but I really should comment more.....bad Mulluane, bad!

A Few Others. These are some I know about but have not explored fully. Book-Networks (Social book Network), Elftown (Fantasy Art Community), Entrecard (Blog Directory) and PeopleBrowser (Social Feed Sharing).

*Suggestions*
If you use feedburner and blogger, enable comments on your feeds. For busy folks (and those of us on slow connections) this makes commenting much easier and faster. One click opens up the comment page for that post, bypassing the slower loading main page. May seem stupid but I know I am much more likely to take the time to comment if I can do so quickly and easily.

I also suggest using full feeds. Granted you would much rather see visits directly to your site so people can take advantage of all the cool stuff you populate your sidebars with but people who use feed readers are not likely to do that anyway. Ultimately they miss out on all the excellent content you took the time to create because they just skim over your feed and move on to the next. The fact of the matter is, once search engines, blog rolls, social media and directories drive traffic to your site a portion of those people will then subscribe in a feed reader. Thereafter, those folks are more likely just to view your content in the reader without coming back to your site. (Unless you give them a compelling reason to do so.) Personally, my subscriber count means as much if not more to me then daily traffic numbers. Subscribers tell me that people like my content and intend to keep coming back for more. Daily traffic tells me how well my SEO is working and prove that I am getting my blogs noticed, but are no guarantee that the visitor will ever come back again.

Subscribe to your own feeds, both in readers and by email. Use several of the more popular email providers since your feed is going to be formatted differently in each one. There is nothing worse then a messed up feed and unless you get lucky and somebody takes the time to tell you, you'll never know that it is screwed up. A good looking feed is just as important as a good looking page. Same principle as making sure your pages render correctly in different browsers, but lets not go there. That discussion will lead me to vent about how much I hate IE.....

Lastly, never underestimate the power of a well written profile. (Something I really need to give some more thought to myself). The majority of the venues I listed provide a place for you to include a profile and that is usually the gateway to your blog or website. If the profile doesn't interest them, chances are they won't think your website will either.

Conclusion. Your results may vary. Some of these venues require alot of attention, others require a well thought out setup then maintain themselves with little or no effort on your part. The key I think is all in what you enjoy. If you love surfing and think you can contribute to the bookmark sites, then go for it. If you have very little time but read alot of feeds, take some time to set up the social feed reader sites. After that they take care of themselves unless you want to add or delete an active feed from them. If you love discussions, join forums, ning.com rings or the book catalog sites. If you have no time at all request listings on directory sites. If you want to show off your knowledge or share your passions use Facebook, Twitter, leave comments or answer some questions. If you are like me and you love creating pages and fooling around with all sorts of cool widgets and modules, without the need for any coding expertise, then play around with Squidoo. In other words, there are plenty of fun ways to promote your blog, meet new people, converse with authors and publishers and share your passion for books, without it seeming like a full time job! And of course, if you are truly insane and have no life you can play around with them all. You will find yourself sticking with only the ones you enjoy anyway once it is all said and done.

One more word of warning though. Do not spend so much time on blog promotion that your blog content suffers. Without quality content, none of this will help. You not only want to draw people in, you want them to stay and keep coming back for more.

If there are any methods or venues that you use that are not listed here, please share them in the comments! If you have an insight on how to better utilize what has been listed, well please share that too. One thing that I have learned from all of this is that the SFF community is flat out awesome and it never ceases to amaze me how much we help and support each other. Look forward to your comments, hope some of this will prove to be useful and happy blogging!

The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicle, Day 1 by Patrick Rothfuss (Review)

2009-04-02T16:45:00.002-04:00

A Fantasy Series Book Review

Patrick Rothfuss

Genre: Epic Fantasy, 13+
ISBN: 0756405890
Publisher: DAW Trade (April 7, 2009)
Paperback: 672 pages
Excerpt
Podcast

Author’s Overview:

My name is Kvothe, pronounced nearly the same as "quothe." Names are important as they tell you a great deal about a person. I've had more names than anyone has a right to. The Adem call me Maedre. Which, depending on how it's spoken, can mean The Flame, The Thunder, or The Broken Tree.

"The Flame" is obvious if you've ever seen me. I have red hair, bright. If I had been born a couple of hundred years ago I would probably have been burned as a demon. I keep it short but it's unruly. When left to its own devices, it sticks up and makes me look as if I have been set afire.

"The Thunder" I attribute to a strong baritone and a great deal of stage training at an early age.

I've never thought of "The Broken Tree" as very significant. Although in retrospect, I suppose it could be considered at least partially prophetic.

My first mentor called me E'lir because I was clever and I knew it. My first real lover called me Dulator because she liked the sound of it. I have been called Shadicar, Lightfinger, and Six-String. I have been called Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the Arcane, and Kvothe Kingkiller. I have earned those names. Bought and paid for them.

But I was brought up as Kvothe. My father once told me it meant "to know."

I have, of course, been called many other things. Most of them uncouth, although very few were unearned.

I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.

You may have heard of me.

So begins the tale of Kvothe—from his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a difficult and dangerous school of magic. In these pages you will come to know Kvothe as a notorious magician, an accomplished thief, a masterful musician, and an infamous assassin. But The Name of the Wind is so much more—for the story it tells reveals the truth behind Kvothe's legend.

I can see why this book has received so much praise, it is evil! Evil you ask. How in the world is it evil? Well, I will tell you. It sucked me right into the book, transported me into another world, and held me captive there for over 700 pages. I forgot to eat, I forgot to sleep, I fell behind on my housework, and my cat is no longer speaking to me, (we all know how much they love being ignored!) And, I loved every minute of it. This book also drives home why I hate starting a series until all of the books are in print. Now I have this irritating itch that I am not going to be able to scratch until this trilogy is complete.

This is the life story of a man who is either a hero or the worse villain you will ever meet, depending on who is telling the story. This is also a story about a man who has given up on living, but before he dies, he wants a record of the real story of his life. He tells this tale to Chronicler, a traveling scribe and collector of stories. Told in first person by Kvothe, he begins his story with his life as an inquisitive young boy and carries it through until he 15-16 years old. There are a few asides, pieces of occurrences that are happening in the present, but for the most part, the book centers on Kvothe's tale. It is a fascinating story to say the least.

Several things strike me as I contemplate the feelings I have about The Name of the Wind. One thing I noticed I mentioned previously but I want to expand on it. The immersion is total. Imagine if you will, a typical medieval style tavern, three men sitting at a table, one of them telling the story of his life... Now forget it... Every single time the story stops due to some present time distraction, customers coming in and the like, I felt like somebody threw cold water on me. And this was not a jolt into the events occurring in MY life, this was a jolt back to what occurring in the book itself. It amazed me every time it happened. I will say one thing, I am glad for those infrequent interruptions, otherwise I would have never been able to find a good stopping point so I could do things like eat and sleep. (Granted I still did not do much of either until this book was finished.)

Now if you have not figured this out already, the pacing in this book is as smooth as silk, the characters are both vivid and real, the world is well drawn and even the magic system, though complicated, is meticulously crafted. There is a priceless unrequited love interest, hints that dark times are upon them, a protagonist with an indomitable will, staunch friends, and bitter rivals. Content wise, this book will easily appeal to teens as well as adults. Might send a few wrong signals about what is acceptable behavior for a 15 year old but more on that later.

Now that I have gushed and bubbled all over the place, let me be fair and point out the few insignificant flaws I did not enjoy so much. The big one was the cliffhanger ending. To be fair, there was not any other way for the story to end. The whole trilogy will take the space of three days, or atleast Kvothe's telling of his story will, and this book is only day one. My other gripe is how easily everything comes to Kvothe. Granted he has plenty of other challenges to keep him busy, but when it comes to learning things, he is every teacher's dream pupil. The final minor complaint is that he never really feels true to his age. I kept forgetting, repeatedly, that he was still in his middle teens. As a result, it was always a shock when his age is brought into play. For example, maybe it was common back in those days for a 15 year old to sit around a tavern with the older boys getting drunk and discussing their love lives (or lack thereof) but it just did not feel right to me. Minor but irritating at times.

This is an extremely easy to read, character driven fantasy that should please fantasy fans for generations to come. It is also one of those books that you will read, reread and pick up for another look later on with the same pleasure you experienced the first go round. That, for me, is the highest praise I can ever give a book. The phrase "a gift that just keeps on giving" comes to mind. I am in awe of Patrick Rothfuss and have a feeling that I will continue to be so for many years to come.

Note: For those of you who enjoy trade editions, one is being released in just a few days, on April 7th. My version is the mass paperback but the purchasing links are for the new version. Enjoy!

Ratings, Reviews, Similar Reads, Buy Books

Shelfari Rating 4.5/5

Librarything Rating 4.41/5

Amazon Rating 3+ out of 5 stars
(452 Customer Reviews)

Similar Reads from Librarything
Or What Should I Read Next?

Kindle: The Name of the Wind

Ebook: Fictionwise

Audio CD: The Name of the Wind (KingKiller Chronicles)

Buy Book: B&N - Powells - Abe Books

Amazon: US Canada UK

Awards
ALA Reading List - Best Fantasy 2008, Alex Award 2008, Quill Awards (2007), Publisher's Weekly Best Books of the Year (2007) - Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror
Read an Interview with Patrick Rothfuss From: OF Blog of the Fallen
Part One - Part Two
Other Reviews: (Some with mild spoilers but more plot detail)
A Dribble of Ink - Book Spot Central - Grasping for the Wind
Author's Web Presence
Website - Blog - Goodreads - Facebook

SFF Articles and Link Love 03/29

2009-03-29T19:36:00.002-04:00

Note: Read the four WoT articles in order (6, 7, 8, 9) to see how the story unfolded, it is kinda funny really :>)

1.) Help NASA name the next Mars rover
SFScope

2.) Full to the Brim - Kid's Book Giveaway List (3/27/09)
Brimful Curiosities

3.) Calling All Amateur Scientists: Project Budburst Wants You
Book View Cafe Blog

4.) International SF Blog
Spiral Galaxy Reviewing Laboratory

5.) Comedy Central's new series blends sword-and-sorcery with comedy
SFScope

6.) What's up with AMoL?
Brandon Sanderson

7.) The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan?
Suvudu

8.) More News on AMoL
Brandon Sanderson

9.) Just a quick WoT-related note...
tor.com

10.) MIND MELD: The Funniest Writers in the History of SF/F
SF Signal

11.) News: "Fictionwise Launches Free eReader E-book App for Blackberry"
Bookbrowse News About Books, Authors, and Book-Related Topics

12.) News: Prometheus Finalists are Announced!
Tor/Forge's Blog

13.) Harlequin Teen to be new imprint aimed at teen readers
SFScope

14.) 95 Recently-Free SF/F Stories
SF Signal

15.) 2009 MindFlights Cover Art Contest
The Sword Review Magazine of Fantasy, Science Fiction and More

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 03/28

2009-03-28T23:45:00.001-04:00

The dates listed are the ending dates of the contest/giveaway if one is listed at all, some are left open until the contest giver decides to close them. Entries struck through, you missed it! If you have time, check left sidebar on Dragons, Heroes and Wizards to see the list as I update it daily, that way you won't miss any! Dates in red, you better hurry and enter!

Old Bat's Belfry

State of the Blog Address

The Third Sign: The Chronicles of Klune by Gregory A. Wilson (Review)

A Fantasy Book Review

By Gregory A. Wilson

Genre: Epic FantasyISBN: 1594147655Publisher: Five Star (ME) (June 17, 2009)Hardcover: 352 pagesRead an Excerpt (PDF)

Spotlight - Santa Olivia by Jaqueline Carey

Fantasy Showcase

Interview - Alma Alexander - Author of Worldweavers and The Secrets of Jin-Shei

(Wacky Interview Series)

Spotlight - Ryel Mirai Series by Carolyn Kephart

Fantasy Showcase

Interview - Tim Byrd - author of Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom

(Wacky Interview Series)

Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom by Tim Byrd (Review)

A Fantasy Book Review

By Tim Byrd

Genre: Fantasy, Pulp Fiction, Monsters, YAReading level: Ages 10+ISBN: 0399247831Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 14, 2009)Hardcover: 224 pagesRead an Excerpt (PDF)

The Fantasy Book Showcase Idea...

Lamplighter: Monster Blood Tattoo: Book 2 by D. M. Cornish (Review)

A Fantasy Book Review

By D. M. Cornish

Genre: Fantasy, Coming of Age, Monsters, YAReading level: Ages 12+ISBN: 0399246398Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 1, 2008) Hardcover: 476 pages Read an Excerpt

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 05/09

More SFF Twitter Lists! Publishers, Characters, Ezines and Magazines.

Updated 05/18!New additions in red

Original Full Lists

You might also check out:

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 05/02

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/25

SFF and a Few Other Book Review Bloggers on Twitter

April Books in the Mail Appreciation Post

The Red Wolf Conspiracy by Robert V. S. Redick: The Chathrand Voyage: Book 1 (Review)

Genre: Epic Fantasy, 13+ISBN: 0345508831Publisher: Del Rey (April 28, 2009)Hardcover: 464 pagesExcerpt (PDF)

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/18

Where Does Your Favorite SFF Author Hang Out?

Updated 05/23/09!Since list is getting really long I put them in alphabetical order. This however will make it difficult to tell which are new entries. So I'll add an "added" date next to the new name. After a week the date will go poof!

Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Authors on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and Forums

Urban Fantasy Authors on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and Forums

SFF Articles and Link Love 04/15

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/11

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 04/04

Odds and Ends of Blog Promotion and Social Media

The Name of the Wind: The Kingkiller Chronicle, Day 1 by Patrick Rothfuss (Review)

A Fantasy Series Book Review

Genre: Epic Fantasy, 13+ISBN: 0756405890Publisher: DAW Trade (April 7, 2009)Paperback: 672 pagesExcerptPodcast

SFF Articles and Link Love 03/29

Weekly Book Giveaway Roundup 03/28

Genre: Epic Fantasy
ISBN: 1594147655
Publisher: Five Star (ME) (June 17, 2009)
Hardcover: 352 pages
Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Genre: Fantasy, Pulp Fiction, Monsters, YA
Reading level: Ages 10+
ISBN: 0399247831
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 14, 2009)
Hardcover: 224 pages
Read an Excerpt (PDF)

Genre: Fantasy, Coming of Age, Monsters, YA
Reading level: Ages 12+
ISBN: 0399246398
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 1, 2008)
Hardcover: 476 pages
Read an Excerpt

Updated 05/18!
New additions in red

Genre: Epic Fantasy, 13+
ISBN: 0345508831
Publisher: Del Rey (April 28, 2009)
Hardcover: 464 pages
Excerpt (PDF)

Updated 05/23/09!
Since list is getting really long I put them in alphabetical order. This however will make it difficult to tell which are new entries. So I'll add an "added" date next to the new name. After a week the date will go poof!

Genre: Epic Fantasy, 13+
ISBN: 0756405890
Publisher: DAW Trade (April 7, 2009)
Paperback: 672 pages
Excerpt
Podcast