A Quick Comment on the Gemmell Award Shortlists, and One of the Nominees. Sort of…

This post is a bit of a break from the norm for me. I’m also not really sure what it’s meant to do. It’s a bit waffley, for which I apologise only slightly, and in not entirely a heartfelt manner. Fiction awards mean very little to me, being neither author, editor, publisher, nor agent. (At least, not yet…) This means I have never (to my recollection) written a post of any worth/note about shortlists or winners.

Award lists tend to pass me by without comment or thought. Invariably, this is because there aren’t any books featured that I’ve read – or, if there is, it is one that didn’t leave much of an impression one way or another. This year has been a bit different, however. For example, Kameron Hurley’s God’s War has been cropping up on a few shortlists, and it’s a book I rather enjoyed. So that made a nice change.

The shortlists for the Gemmell Awards were announced today at Eastercon. In a real break from the norm, the shortlist for the Legend Award (best fantasy) features not only five authors I have read, but also a book I feel particularly strongly about. So I thought I’d write a quick blog post about it. The book in question is Peter V. Brett’s The Daylight War, the third in his Demon Cycle series.

Upcoming: “The Broken Eye” by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

I have been abysmally slow, keeping up-to-date with Brent Weeks’s Lightbringer series. I read and loved The Black Prism, but for some reason I haven’t managed to get around to The Blinded Knife. Earlier this week, Orbit Books (Brent’s publisher in both the UK and US) unveiled the artwork for the third novel in the series, The Broken Eye. And it’s awesome. Here it is…

The overall design is by the incredible Lauren Panepinto; the Illustration is by Silas Manhood; and the Photography (figure) is by Shirley Green.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a synopsis. The author announced in May that the first draft was complete.

Also on CR: Reviews of Way of Shadows, Shadow’s Edge & Beyond the Shadows, and Perfect Shadow

Upcoming Paperback: “The Black Prism” by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

This isn’t an entirely new release, of course (I reviewed The Black Prism back in September 2010), but with the paperback release, Orbit have commissioned an excellent new cover for the first novel in the Lightbringer series. The new artwork matches the style of The Blinding Knife, the sequel. Here’s the synopsis, in case you missed the book’s release the first time around:

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace.

But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals. But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he’s willing to pay protect a secret that could tear his world apart.

The Blinding Knife is out now in hardcover, also from Orbit (both US and UK). The trade paperback edition of The Black Prism will be released July 23, 2013.

The Blinding Knife is inching up my TBR mountain quite rapidly, so expect it to feature on here sometime in the (hopefully) near future.

The Rise of “Mini-eBooks” (or “Short Stories”, as we usually call them…)

On USA Today yesterday, Craig Wilson published a story about “mini ebooks”, which are “being served up this summer as bite-size appetizers for the main course to follow”. I wasn’t aware that this was particularly news-worthy, having seen plenty of these short stories and prequel minis released over the past couple of years. Also, Amazon’s been releasing it’s Kindle Singles for a long time, so there’s more evidence that it’s not a new idea.

They are, however, clearly on the rise. Wilson picks up on three – a new Rizzoli & Isles short from Tess Gerritsen (John Doe UK/US), an early Jack Reacher story from Lee Child (Deep Down UK/US) and a new Walt Longmire story from Craig Johnson (Divorce Horse).

I am entirely in agreement with Johnson, who said these eBook shorts were “a good way of providing a bridge between books,” and also Wilson’s support for them:

“[They are] an opportunity to feed a voracious, digitally savvy public no longer willing to wait between books. The public appears willing to plop down a couple of bucks for a teaser before paying $25 for the real deal.”

Even excusing the impatience-born appeal, I think they really serve best as tasters for new readers – which is why I’ve bought both of Child’s eBook short stories – Deep Down and last year’s Second Son (I’ve never read a Reacher novel, and to this day I have no idea why not…). I’m not sure if I’ll buy Gerritsen’s, as I have the first full-length novel in the Rizzoli & Isles series, and John Doe isn’t a prequel.

In the SFF genre, I’m not aware of too many examples, but off the top of my head T.C. McCarthy’s Somewhere it Snows, Brad Beaulieu & Steve Gaskell’s Strata, Nick Harkaway’s Edie Investigates, Brent Weeks’s Perfect Shadow, and Orbit Books’s Short Fiction initiative, which now has 22 titles (sadly still only available in the US, except for Perfect Shadow).

I would certainly be interested to read more short stories from other authors I already know and like, so I definitely see this as a win-win for eReading fans.

The real issue, I suppose, would be more about whether or not the short fiction should be series prequel, a continuation, or something entirely unrelated to the author’s next full-length release. I personally would like a mix of all three.

How do other people feel about this?

***

CORRECTION: Orbit Short Fiction initiative HAS rolled out for UK customers! Just go to the website, and each title has a handy list of vendors. Hurrah! This is great news! I really want seven of them…

Breaking News! The Way Of Shadows gets Manga Adaptation

Ok, so it’s not really breaking news, as Brent Weeks already announced it on his website on Friday. Nevertheless! This is news for me! And it’s very good news, I think, so just wanted to share a quick mention on the blog.

Here’s what the man himself had to say about the deal:

I’m so happy I can FINALLY share this! This afternoon, at their annual San Diego Comic-Con panel, Yen Press announced their upcoming adaptation of The Way of Shadows. The Way of Shadows graphic novel will be a single-volume adaptation, and is slated for release in 2013.

Yen Press is a leader in the field of graphic novels, having adapted works like Witch & Wizard by James Patterson and Gail Carriger’s Soulless among many others…

I’ve already been discussing artists with Kurt whom we believe will bring a unique and bold vision to The Way of Shadows. I’ll announce who we’ve contracted and release samples of their art as I am able to do so.

I’m a huge fan of Weeks’s writing, and can’t wait to check out the adaptation.

Also on CR: Reviews of Way of Shadows, Shadow’s Edge & Beyond the Shadows, Perfect Shadow, Black Prism

[Writing this post, I also realised I’ve never interview Brent… I will have to rectify this…]

Artwork: THE BLINDING KNIFE by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

It’s done the rounds around the biblio-net, but I really wanted to share the cover for Brent Weeks’s next novel, The Blinding Knife, on here as well. I love Weeks’s novels – his Night Angel trilogy was one of the first fantasy trilogies I reviewed on the blog, it’s prequel novella was superb, and The Black Prism (book one in this latest series) I thought was also superb, with a pretty great, original magic system to boot.

Isn’t it awesome? Certainly eye-catching, and I like the colours in the sky, and the fact that it has a semi-Roman aesthetic. I don’t really know why. It’s probably the columns. I like columns. (*Cough* Uh, paging Dr. Freud…). Massive kudos to Lauren Panepinto & the Orbit art team who worked on this.

The Blinding Knife will be published by Orbit in September 2012.

The synopsis is below. [after the break. Warning: Contains a major spoiler for The Black Prism]:

Upcoming Paperback Releases (Orbit, Black Library)

Three novels that I particularly liked when they came out in earlier editions (two in hardback, one previously unavailable in the UK) are coming up for their paperback releases, so I thought I’d just offer a single post with links to the reviews I’ve written for them already – they’re all great, so I strongly recommend you check them out:

“Perfect Shadow” by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

Discover the origins of Durzo Blint in this novella set in the world of Brent Weeks’ New York Times-bestselling Night Angel Trilogy.

Gaelan Starfire is a farmer, happy to be a husband and a father; a careful, quiet, simple man. He’s also an immortal, peerless in the arts of war. Over the centuries, he’s worn many faces to hide his gift, but he is a man ill-fit for obscurity, and all too often he’s become a hero, his very names passing into legend: Acaelus Thorne, Yric the Black, Hrothan Steelbender, Tal Drakkan, Rebus Nimble.But when Gaelan must take a job hunting down the world’s finest assassins for the beautiful courtesan-and-crimelord Gwinvere Kirena, what he finds may destroy everything he’s ever believed in.

Brent Weeks’s Night Angel series was one of the first fantasy series I reviewed on CR, and I loved it. To return to this world a couple years later, and learn more of the master-assassin Blint is wonderful, and Weeks shows once again just how good a writer he is.

2010: A Retrospective – Fantasy & Sci-Fi

I know every blog, magazine and newspaper does one of these, but because 2010 was quite a bumper year for reading, I thought I’d offer a quick run-down of my favourites. I’m not going to reiterate why I thought these books were the best of the year – instead, I’m just going take this as an opportunity to link to the reviews I already posted during the year. And last year was quite busy.

Not only was there a considerable increase in posting (in part thanks to Alyssa joining the reviewing team), but I’ve also been able to get so many books read (including non-fiction, I’ve read 109 books in 2010). Thinking about this post, however, I realise how much my reading habits are changing – I have read and enjoyed far more fantasy novels than thrillers, which makes this the first year I’ve had difficulty coming up with the ‘Best Thrillers’ selection (which I posted earlier today). Also, given the wealth of fantasy novels I’ve read this year, whittling them down to just ten was impossible, so I’ve mentioned all the ones that really stood out (in no particular order).

 

Chris Wooding, The Black Lung Captain (Gollancz)

(I should to take this opportunity to say another big “Thank You!” to Alyssa for giving me this novel. I loved it!)

Col Buchanan, Farlander (Tor)

Kevin J. Anderson, The Map Of All Things (Orbit)

Daniel Abraham, Shadow & Betrayal (Orbit)

Blake Charlton, Spellwright (Harper/Voyager)

Brent Weeks, The Black Prism (Orbit)

N.K. Jemisin, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms & The Broken Kingdoms (Orbit)

Graham McNeill, A Thousand Sons / James Swallow, Nemesis / Aaron Dembski-Bowden, The First Heretic

(Black Library)

MD Lachlan, Wolfsangel (Gollancz)

Lachlan was also kind enough to answer a few questions for me, and his was the first interview we’ve done on the site.

Ari Marmell, The Conqueror’s Shadow (Gollancz)

In addition to the review, Marmell agreed to do a short interview, which can be found here.

(As I mentioned at the end of the Lachlan interview, I’ll be trying to get as many short interviews with authors as possible – either with authors whose books have been reviewed on the site, or exciting upcoming authors, if at all possible.)

There are many more fantasy novels, and a couple more sci-fi novels that could easily have made the cut (for example, Sam Sykes’s Tome of the Undergates, Amanda Downum’s The Bone Palace, and CL Werner’s Wulfrik). But, in order to keep the post as short as possible, and to properly highlight the best of a very good year, I shall leave it at that. Feel free to use the comments to add your own. There are, as with every year, a number of novels I was unable to read. I will catch up on those that were missed, where possible and time permitting.

Anyway. It is time to start looking to the present, and 2011 looks like it will be a very good year for readers of every genre. Keep checking back for more reviews, interviews, artwork, and asides!

Upcoming: “Among Thieves”, by Douglas Hulick (Tor)

I wrote a post a little while back highlighting some upcoming books from Tor/Macmillan that had caught my attention, one of which was Douglas Hulick’s Among Thieves, the first in his Tales of the Kin series.

At the time, I only had the synopsis:

Among Thieves follows the morally ambiguous Drothe. He’s a Nose, an informant who finds and takes care of trouble inside the criminal organization he's a part of.

When his boss sends him to Ten Ways to track down who's been leaning on his organization's people, Drothe discovers hints of a much bigger mystery. Someone is trying to stir up trouble between the lower-level criminal gangs. And there's a book rumoured to contain forbidden Imperial magic that a lot of very dangerous people seem to be looking for - including two very powerful crime bosses known as the Gray Princes. When Drothe discovers the book, he finds himself holding a bit of swag that can bring down emperors, shatter the criminal underworld, and unlock forbidden magic…

Now, however, the artwork has been revealed! And here it is, for your viewing pleasure:

Personally, I think it’s pretty cool. Sure, it has many of the elements that have come to define almost all new fantasy novels (man in shadows, a sword, dark tones, and even – for those who’ve read and liked Stuff White People Like – a fancy, flowing scarf), but I really like it.

If the cover is not enough to whet your appetite, here’s what bestselling author Brent Weeks (a favourite of mine) had to say about the novel:

“Among Thieves is an unalloyed pleasure: a fast-moving, funny, twisting tale in an evocative setting with great characters. The kind of story that reminds you why you love to read. This book may just give you that feeling you had the first time you read Rothfuss or Abercrombie: Oh hell yeah, there’s new talent in the game. Read this book. No really, read this book.”

For me, this is one of the most eagerly anticipated novels of 2011 (along with the sequel to Col Buchanan’s Farlander).

I wonder who I could bribe for an early copy…

“The Black Prism”, by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

The first instalment of The Lightbringer series

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals.

But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he’s willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.

The Black Prism is an epic story of leadership, warring nations, Machiavellian politics, and magic. A lot happens in the novel, however, which makes it somewhat difficult to review without spoiling a number of plot twists and revelations. I shall try to do so without any major spoilers.

Gavin is the Prism and nominal head of the Chromeria – the world’s magic school and guild, not to mention the most powerful political entity. The setting is a Mediterranean-style geography (the Chromeria, home of the Prism, is stretched over a small handful of islands), and the technologies and fashions match a 1600s-type time period. What differentiates it most definitely from our own world, however, is the magic system.

To discuss The Black Prism without mentioning the magic system would be folly – magic is a huge, integral part of the world Weeks has created. This seemed overwhelming to begin with, and was a bit more difficult to get used to: the fantasy novels I favour tend to have a smaller reliance on magic. However, as the story progressed, it became impossible to ignore the sheer level inventiveness on display here, which is truly impressive. Weeks has covered all the bases, and seems to have thought of everything related to the magic system he has created. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear just how integral magic is to the world, how it works, how varied it can be, and the layers of politics involved in its use.

The way in which magic effects its users is interesting, if also a little sad. As Gavin explains to Kip:

“When you draft, it changes your body, and your body interprets that change as damage – it heals what it can, but it’s always a losing battle, like aging. Most male drafters make it to forty. Women average fifty.”

Considering the intricacy of the world, its magic, and politics, Weeks does a great job of sprinkling details throughout the narrative, without either overwhelming us or leaving us adrift for too long. It never feels like an ‘info dump’ or excessive exposition (Kip’s newcomer-status allows for other characters to teach him – and therefore us – background, aspects of magic and its use). This allows the plot to rattle along at a fair clip – to the extent where, even though I could feel myself sinking into the story, it didn’t feel like I was reading a 600+ page behemoth-of-a-novel. I read The Black Prism over the course of a week, and each time I was able to sit down with it, I would stay up well into the night reading, oblivious to the time (the last three nights, the book kept me awake well past 4am).

If I had one criticism, however, it would be that for a little while after starting the novel, I could have done with just a bit more exposition to explain a few key elements of the world and magic that feature prominently from the very beginning of the novel. I quickly got over this, however, and became dazzled by Weeks’s world-building, the displays of magic and the ways Gavin is (and, to a lesser extent, others are) able to use it.

As can be expected from Weeks, his characters are all complex and well-crafted, each with an added quirkiness about them that differentiates his creations from many other fantasy authors. This lent itself well to some witty dialogue and amusing scenes between the main characters – particularly whenever Kip spends any time with a female (he has the always-amusing knack for being totally tactless and bumbling around women).

Kip’s world is turned upside down when a provincial king’s army decimates his home. He fights his way through King Garadul’s blockade, only to be caught – and rescued by Gavin, who has come to the region to investigate growing rumblings of revolution, new religion, and treason. It’s during his flight that Kip discovers his drafting capabilities (each time they seem brought on by stress and fear, an unconscious defence mechanism). Kip is an interesting choice for a protagonists: basically, he’s the fat kid who gets picked last in gym class, only with the nascent ability to draft magic. He has a very low opinion of himself, too (in no small part because of the considerable disappointment his junkie mother expresses), and this self-loathing is expressed frequently throughout the novel:

“what could he do? Face soldiers? If there was one, there might be ten, and if ten, maybe a hundred. Kip was no fighter, he was a child. He was fat, weak. ONE man would be one man too many.”

What’s most strange about Kip, however, is that he sometimes does or says things that should, as far as I could tell, be completely out of character (talking back to people, insulting them, not engaging his brain before saying certain things), which made it a little more difficult to get a bead on him. He develops well over the the course of the novel, however, and he certainly ends up endearing himself to the reader. Kip is an outsider, finding his way in a new, complicated and frequently dangerous world.

It should be noted here that the backdrop of the events of the novel is important. Fifteen years before, the False Prism’s War decimated Kip’s country; and pitted those supporting Gavin and those supporting his brother, Dazen (who shares Gavin’s prismatic talents). Resentments and biases remain, creating tension and conflict throughout the world.

“King Garadul hadn’t fought in that war, but he was aping the worst practices of it - on his own people.”

Gavin, the other prominent perspective we get the story through, is an equally complex character. Knowing his life is coming to an end, he is anxious about fulfilling his self-imposed great purposes. When he hears of his son, his world is rocked as it brings to light other, deeper and potentially more dangerous secrets, complicating his relationship with his colleagues and, most importantly, Karris – a member of the Prism’s elite bodyguard, and also a former lover. Of both Gavin and Dazen… Weeks has managed to inject a brilliant human story into the fantastical world he has created and, while the author does sometimes give a little too much description of the magic (at times confusing me of what was actually happening), kept this central to the story.

Perhaps the best explanation of this novel and its central themes (the synopsis is rather vague) is from a Powell’s article, written by the author himself:

“The Black Prism is a story about two brothers who respect and fear and admire and contend with and shape each other. In other words, it’s a story of normal brothers — who happen to be in extraordinary circumstances.”

As the story unfolds, Weeks gives the reader more information and back-story, filling in blanks and increasing our knowledge and understanding of Gavin and Dazen – their relationship, rivalries, connections, upbringing, and so forth. It is in this that the author manages to keep readers guessing and second-guessing our loyalties and presuppositions of which is the ‘good’ brother.

I came to this novel with extremely high expectations, and it would be fair to say that these expectations were met. The Black Prism is a different novel to the author’s excellent Night Angel Trilogy – in fact, it’s different to anything else I’ve ever read – so it would be difficult to offer a detailed comparison for those who are familiar with that series. Weeks’s writing is far more assured, and the humour is just as good and well-used (not too much, not too little, perfectly placed to not detract from the predominant, uncertain atmosphere).

Weeks’s style is excellent, and there’s clear evidence of his impressive imagination and inventiveness throughout the novel. The dialogue is great (witty, intelligent, brisk); his characters are complex, realistic, and likeable; and the story is highly imaginative and original, while also comfortably classic in feel. The last few chapters offer some clues as to what we can expect from the second book in the series, and one thing is absolutely certain: Weeks has raised the bar, jumped over it, and is looking higher still.

Utterly engrossing, The Black Prism is very highly recommended. Quirky and original, this is brilliant, epic fantasy.

For Fans of: Daniel Abraham, Scott Lynch, Brian Ruckley, George R.R. Martin, J.R.R. Tolkien, Kevin J. Anderson, Patrick Rothfuss, Adrian Tchaikovsky, N.K. Jemisin, Richard Morgan, Tom Lloyd

(Latest) Incoming!

Another post to highlight some highly anticipated, upcoming reviews for the site. I’ll let the synopses do the talking, and have scribbled some initial thoughts after each. There are a couple here that will be reviewed immediately (see, once again my carefully considered plans have been thrown out the window…), with the others also edging higher up the schedule:

2010 is really shaping up to be an excellent year for books.

Stephen Deas, “The Thief-Taker’s Apprentice” (Gollancz)

The beginning of a new fantasy trilogy

Berren has lived in the city all his life. He has made his way as a thief, paying a little of what he earns to the Fagin like master of their band. But there is a twist to this tale of a thief.

One day Berren goes to watch an execution of three thieves. He watches as the thief-taker takes his reward and decides to try and steal the prize. He fails. The young thief is taken. But the thief-taker spots something in Berren. And the boy reminds him of someone as well. Berren becomes his apprentice… And is introduced to a world of shadows, deceit and corruption behind the streets he thought he knew.

Full of richly observed life in a teeming fantasy city, a hectic progression of fights, flights and fancies and charting the fall of a boy into the dark world of political plotting and murder this marks the beginning of a new fantasy series for all lovers of fantasy - from fans of Kristin Cashore to Brent Weeks.

This will be my first novel by the author, and I’m quite looking forward to it. The premise sounds interesting and somewhere in the same genre/vein as Brent Weeks’s Night Angel Trilogy, which I loved. I have the author’s first novel, The Adamantine Palace, yet I’ve never found the time to dive into it – on my shelf-of-books-yet-unread, it’s situated next to Patrick Rothfuss’s In The Name of the Wind, Sam Sykes’s Tome of the Undergates, MD Lachlan’s Wolfsangel, and Joe Abercrombie’s First Law Trilogy (all series/books I feel bad for not having starting or read yet). I’ll be reviewing this book next, so expect a review within a week.

I should also point out that Mr Deas himself actually sent this to me (signed), so a huge thank you for that!

Brent Weeks, “The Black Prism” (Orbit)

The highly anticipated start to a new series

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace.

But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals.

To say I’ve been looking forward to this would be a big understatement. The Night Angel Trilogy was brilliant, and I devoured each volume as soon as I could get my hands on them. I selected the whole trilogy as my best read of 2008. I told everyone about it. I even bought the trilogy for a friend.

So, there’s a lot of anticipation for The Black Prism. I’m anxious that it might not meet my ludicrously high expectations, but I can’t wait to start it. I’ll review this immediately after Thief-Taker’s Apprentice, so hopefully by the end of next week (or there about). Fingers crossed…

Gail Carriger, “Soulless” (Orbit)

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural?

Alexia Tarabotti is labouring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she’s a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire — and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible.

Can she figure out what is actually happening to London’s high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

Soulless is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Alyssa’s already reading this one, so the review should be forthcoming. She seems to be enjoying it a great deal, and initial feedback is that it’s funny, original, but a tad predictable in the love-interest aspect of the novel.

I think I’ll probably pinch it back after she’s finished with it, so I can give it a try – the premise of this novel sounds pretty quirky and interesting, as do the second and third in the series.

Robert Jackson Bennett, “Mr. Shivers” (Orbit)

Historical horror?

It is the time of the Great Depression. Thousands have left their homes looking for a better life, a new life. But Marcus Connelly is not one of them. He searches for one thing, and one thing only: Revenge.

Because out there, riding the rails, stalking the camps, is the scarred vagrant who murdered Connelly’s daughter.

One man must face a dark truth and answer the question – how much is he willing to sacrifice for his satisfaction?

I’m not entirely sure what genre this book falls into, but I’ve read one review of it, a while back, which made it sounds really interesting and original. I’m interested in reading something set in this time period, too, as it’s not one I’ve come across too often.

Expect it to be reviewed relatively soon, but probably not in time for its publication date.

Scott Westerfeld, “Behemoth” (Simon & Schuster)

Steampunk sequel to the critically-acclaimed Leviathan

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead.

I’ve not read Leviathan, but both of my review-minions Emma and Alyssa have, and they both loved it. The lovely peeps at Simon & Schuster sent through an ARC for Behemoth, and Alyssa’s nabbed it already for a review (she has really quick hands…). My general consumption of steampunk is actually, thusfar, nil – somehow, I’ve managed to not read a single novel in the genre, despite its growing popularity. I have recently purchased the eBook of Cherie Priest’s Boneshaker, though, and I’ll be trying to get reviewed soon (ah, plans grown from the best of intentions…).

Having flicked through the Behemoth ARC, I’m intrigued by the premise and also the world Westerfeld has come up with (steampunk alternative history). The internal illustrations (by Keith Thompson) are also great, but I’m not sure how that would effect my reading of the novel: it might feel a little bit like being told how to imagine the story and the world… Anyway, everyone I know who’s read the first in the series, as I mentioned, has loved it, so I’m going to try to give it a read as well at some point. Maybe after I finish my PhD.

*    *    *

And on the non-fiction side of things…

Jay Dobyns, “No Angel” (Canongate/Random House)

An ATF agent goes undercover with the Hell’s Angels

The first federal agent to infiltrate the inner circle of the outlaw Hells Angels Motorcycle Club, and the inside story of the 21-month operation that almost cost him his family, his sanity, and his life.

Getting shot in the chest as a rookie agent, bartering for machine guns, throttling down the highway at 100 mph, and responding to a full-scale, bloody riot between the Hells Angels and their rivals, the Mongols – these are just a few of the high-adrenaline experiences Dobyns recounts in this action-packed true story.

Dobyns leaves no stone of his harrowing journey unturned. At runs and clubhouses, between rides and riots, Dobyns befriends bad-ass bikers, meth-fueled “old ladies”, gun fetishists, psycho-killer ex-cons, and even some of the “Filthy Few” – the elite of the Hells Angels who’ve committed extreme violence on behalf of their club. Eventually, at parties staged behind heavily armed security, he meets legendary club members such as Chuck Zito, Johnny Angel, and the godfather of all bikers, Ralph “Sonny” Barger. To blend in with them, he gets full-arm ink; to win their respect, he vows to prove himself a stone-cold killer.

Hardest of all is leading a double life, which has him torn between his devotion to his wife and children, and his pledge to become the first federal agent ever to be “fully patched” into the Angels’ near-impregnable ranks. His act is so convincing that he comes within a hairsbreadth of losing himself. Eventually, he realizes that just as he’s been infiltrating the Hells Angels, they’ve been infiltrating him. And just as they’re not all bad, he’s not all good.

This has been described as the new Donnie Brasco and the most in-depth account of the world of Bikers since Hunter Thompson’s seminal work, Hell’s Angels (which I might also review one day). As this isn’t fiction, it’ll actually be reviewed on the other (sadly less active) site, but I thought I’d include it in this list – I consider it among my reading-for-pleasure books, and one that might hold wider interest for general readers.

I’ve been watching Sons of Anarchy, which is utterly brilliant and has put me in the mood to learn/read/watch more about bikers and their culture, so I ordered this book on the strength of a Newsweek excerpt I remember reading a couple years ago, when the hardback edition was released in the US.

The TV show has really got under my skin, and all I want to do at the moment is buy a motorbike, put on my leather jacket and shades, and cruise along a sun-drenched US highway… (I’m a PhD student – if we’re not working, we’re fantasising about things that are far more interesting and exciting than our research…)

*     *     *

So, that’s the latest taste of things to come on the website. Hope you come back to check out the reviews when they’re up.

And one more for Mr. Weeks (Orbit)

It would appear that Brent Weeks’ The Black Prism has had a re-design. While I had no problem with the original cover (it matched the style of his Night Angel Trilogy), the new cover artwork is a lot more atmospheric and, now that we know a little bit more about what the novel’s actually about, it seems to match better.

The original, leaked artwork:

And the newer, slightly Prince of Persia-esque artwork:

And here’s the synopsis:

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals.

But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he’s willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.

I must admit to not being 100% sure about having the protagonist named Gavin, as it seems a little… I don’t know… not entirely heroic. I’m sure I’ll get used to it, though. (What a terrible bias to have…)

Thanks to the excellent A Dribble of Ink for posting about this – otherwise, I wouldn’t have known about it. I have since found the original post on Orbit’s website. Although I do disagree with Adrian – I like this cover quite a bit. It’s simple, and more in keeping with the UK market (as far as I can tell). It’s clear, though, that we have different tastes when it comes to cover artwork, as I personally don’t like the new artwork for Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings, which is done in the US style.

Brent Weeks Returns (Well, Soon-ish)

Brent Weeks stormed onto the fantasy market last year with his Night Angel Trilogy (reviews here and here), which were in our top-ten best novels of 2008. So, this released cover image of his next book (perhaps tentative) is very exciting, if samey:

“Shadow’s Edge” & “Beyond The Shadows”, by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

Fantasy’s best newcomer dazzles again with two more impeccable novels.

The final two installments in Brent Weeks’ exquisite Night Angel Trilogy arrive, and prove that he is a new master of the fantasy genre . While no review can truly do this series justice, here’s my humble attempt:

Having been completely blown away by The Way of Shadows, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the conclusion to the fantasy series. And in these two novels, Weeks has not only built on the superb world he’s created, but exhibited exceptional skill as a master storyteller.

Shadow’s Edge picks up about a week after the close of TWOS, as Kylar, Elene and Uly (the secret daughter of Kylar’s master Durzo and Cenaria’s head Madam, Momma K) prepare to leave their now-occupied city. They hope to start a new life together in Caernarvon, a city that is positively tame compared to the brutal districts of Cenaria. Many of the characters who survived The Way of Shadows make an appearance here, though not always in the situations one might imagine. The novel can be split into two parts; the first comprised of Kylar and Elene’s attempts at normalcy, struggling with the issues that effect most young couples (complicated, of course, by their unusual upbringings). We also find Kylar still struggling with himself, trying to find a balance between the man he is and the man Elene wants him to be; should he give up his nature to pursue a peaceful family life, or should he give in to his flair for destruction, embracing his identity as the Night Angel? In the second part of the novel, Kylar gives in to his destiny, accepting a contract to rescue his best friend, Logan Gyre, who he believed dead at the hands of the Godking, the tyrant who decimated Cenaria’s defences and ruling class. Logan has been existing in The Hole, the worst jail imaginable, struggling to stay alive amongst the worst Cenaria has to offer. We also get a shocking cliffhanger ending that will force you to buy the final installment of the series…

Beyond the Shadows follows briskly on from the events of Shadow’s Edge, in the wake of Cenaria’s resumption of control of their city. The situation in Midcyru is coming to a boiling point. As the Godking’s armies are sent into retreat, other forces converge on Cenaria’s battered citizenry and threadbare army. Khalidor is thrown into civil war as the Godking’s vicious heirs try to wrest control for themselves, eventually falling into the hands of an unsuspected heir. Kylar continues to come to terms with his new immortality and its newly-discovered horrific costs, as well as the exhilarating boost in power that each death seems to bring him. His ultimate goal is still to install Logan on Cenaria’s throne, which is rightfully his but has been usurped by a power-hungry and Machiavellian new queen, using any and all means available to him, regardless of whether or not Logan’s morality can deal with the consequences. Culminating in an enormous battle (involving seven armies), Beyond the Shadows is a tour-de-force of fantasy, a true masterpiece that brings this series to an exceptional, explosive and in some ways surprising (though completely satisfying) close.

Throughout both of these novels, Weeks shows himself to be a writer of exceptional skill. Exhibiting a Talent for plotting, he reveals and introduces threads to the overall story that sometimes might appear unrelated to the main plot, only to be pulled together superbly at just the right moment, as myriad characters meet or collide, moving the plot along. The reader is kept guessing throughout, as it’s never obvious what twist the tale will take. Weeks manages to juggle the various groups of characters and story arcs beautifully, using the various strands to expand our knowledge and understanding of Midcyru – specifically its politics and magic – without getting bogged down with pace-shattering exposition.

With both volumes, I was hooked from the very first page. As with The Way of Shadows, they simply refused to relinquish their grip – I was consistently up until the wee hours, unwilling to leave this new world. There’s a word often ascribed to new computer games, “immersive”; the experience of reading this series could easily also deserve such a description, as the reader is swept up in the tale. Despite my desire to discover what happens to the cast, I also never wanted the story to end. With such compelling characters and story-telling, coupled with Weeks’ fast-paced and action-packed sequences, it’s nigh-on impossible to put these books down.

With prose that occasionally border on lyrical (in a good way), The Night Angel Trilogy is a delight and pleasure to read. Unforgettable characters, an intriguing new fantasy world, awesome action, a twisting plot and broad scope (the entire series covers well over 10 years of Kylar’s life), and superior story-telling make this easily one of the best fantasy series… well, ever.

Addictive, phenomenal, essential. Brent Weeks is clearly one of fantasy’s new masters, and the Night Angel Trilogy is easily my pick for best of the year.

For fans of: Alan Campbell, Scott Lynch, Joe Abercrombie, Patrick Rothfuss, Richard Morgan

"The Way Of Shadows", by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

The start of something truly fantastic

Fantasy fiction has undertaken a shift in tone and style in recent years. It's darker, more realistic (oddly), and the characters are less polished, more flawed and human. The fairy-tale feel of older fantasy fiction has been purged from much the genre's new writing, and the world is better for it. Brent Weeks' new series not only fits perfectly into this new genre, but it surpasses much of what's already available.

The Way Of Shadows follows the struggles of Azoth (who later changes his name to Kylar Stern), as he attempts to escape his life as a guild rat. Life on the streets is hard, dirty, brutal and dark. Weeks is able to portray the fear and desperation his character lives through brilliantly, in some cases revealing only enough to let our imaginations conjure up the most horrible scenarios (Rat's treatment of Azoth's friends Jarl and Doll Girl, for example). This is not a novel for young children.

Azoth, tired of the terror and brutality of being a guild rat, manages to escape his life on the street by pursuing an apprenticeship with Durzo Blint, the most accomplished and skilled, of Cenaria's magically-gifted assassins (or "wetboy"). Azoth must learn the ways of a killer, separating his emotions from the orders and whims of those in control of the purse-strings - be it the Sa'Kage crime-lords or the political class in the city, living by Blunt's rules or suffering the deadly consequences.

The Way Of Shadows manages to avoid most of the pitfalls that usually weaken debut novels, such as excessive exposition that can tiresomely slow a story. Weeks has managed to not succumbed to this, using a number of excellent tricks to introduce us to the environment and the host of characters that make up Cenaria's various social strata - his best are through Blint's and Azoth's hunting/scouting trips, which give us insight into the politics and culture of the upper classes without interrupting the flow or atmosphere. If I have one personal complaint, though, it's that Weeks' has used the overly common fantasy trope of having names bisected by apostrophes.

The plot contains some classic elements: the coming of age, triumph over adversity, and character transformation, all done to a very high standard. There is also the internal struggles that define Azoth and Durzo, each of whom has his own issues with the life they've chosen. Azoth is unable to relinquish his attachments to others, despite it being necessary to be accepted into this new world of "wetboys" - who aren't just mere assassins, but magic-wielding killing artists. He often finds himself in a struggle between his training and his own morals, unable at first to fully relinquish his attachment to life and the innocent. While Durzo, on the other hand, most skilled of all wetboys, vehemently opposes personal relationships as a result of a tragedy in his past. It feels at first that there are a large number of plot threads to juggle, and it's not immediately apparent how they will link up, but Weeks manages to tie them all up deftly, making everything fall into place - an attempted coup, which affects all the characters differently.

At almost 650 pages (plus insightful bonus interviews, etc., after the novel proper), this is a pretty heft tome. But, like Scott Lynch and Alan Campbell (two others of the best of the new breed of fantasy authors), Weeks manages, with fluid prose and tight plotting, to keep the reader entertained and engrossed throughout: there's plenty of action, complex characters, occasional well-placed humour, and a twisting plot that will keep you guessing almost to the end and hooked until the very last word.

In The Way of Shadows, Weeks has created a vivid new world full of political intrigue, individual struggle, a dark and gritty complexity, and superb characters. Thankfully, books two and three will also be out this year (6th November and 4th December), so there's no need to wait too long to continue reading about the exploits of Azoth/Kylar Stern.

Solid, extremely well written, and deftly plotted, The Way Of Shadows is a promising debut from a talented new voice in urban fantasy fiction.

For Fans of: Scott Lynch, Alan Campbell, Richard Morgan, Patrick Rothfuss, and Joe Abercrombie