February 2012 releases

Two newcomers to the scene this month with the release of Throne of he Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed and The Scar by Sergey and Marina Dyachenko (which I'm currently reading and enjoying so far even if I feel that the prose is somewhat a little lost in translation...). Ari Marmell present its second Widdershins Adventure and Robin Hobb is back again with her third novel in the Rain Wilds Chronicles.  For the US, The Order of the Scales by Stephen Deas (my review) is also released by Roc on February 7th.

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Throne of the Crescent Moon

Saladin Ahmed

February 7th

The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, home to djenn and ghuls, holy warriors and heretics, are at the boiling point of a power struggle between the iron- fisted Khalif and the mysterious master thief known as the Falcon Prince. In the midst of this brewing rebellion a series of brutal supernatural murders strikes at the heart of the Kingdoms. It is up to a handful of heroes to learn the truth behind these killings. Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, "the last real ghul hunter in the great city of Dhamsawaat," just wants a quiet cup of tea. Three score and more years old, he has grown weary of hunting monsters and saving lives, and is more than ready to retire from his dangerous and demanding vocation. But when an old flame's family is murdered, Adoulla is drawn back to the hunter's path. Raseed bas Raseed, Adoulla's young assistant, is a hidebound holy warrior whose prowess is matched only by his piety. But even as Raseed's sword is tested by ghuls and manjackals, his soul is tested when he and Adoulla cross paths with the tribeswoman Zamia. Zamia Badawi, Protector of the Band, has been gifted with the near- mythical power of the lion-shape, but shunned by her people for daring to take up a man's title. She lives only to avenge her father's death. Until she learns that Adoulla and his allies also hunt her father's killer. Until she meets Raseed. When they learn that the murders and the Falcon Prince's brewing revolution are connected, the companions must race against time-and struggle against their own misgivings-to save the life of a vicious despot. In so doing they discover a plot for the Throne of the Crescent Moon that threatens to turn Dhamsawaat, and the world itself, into a blood-soaked ruin.

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City of Dragons

Robin Hobb

February 7th

Once, dragons ruled the Rain Wilds, tended by privileged human servants known as Elderlings. But a series of cataclysmic eruptions nearly drove these magnificent creatures to extinction. Born weak and deformed, the last of their kind had one hope for survival: to return to their ancient city of Kelsingra. Accompanied by a disparate crew of untested young keepers, the dragons embarked on a harsh journey into the unknown along the toxic Rain Wild River. Battling starvation, a hostile climate, and treacherous enemies, dragons and humans began to forge magical connections, bonds that have wrought astonishing transformations for them all. And though Kelsingra is finally near, their odyssey has only begun. 

Because of the swollen waters of the Rain Wild River, the lost city can be reached only by flight—a test of endurance and skill beyond the stunted dragons’ strength. Venturing across the swift-running river in tiny boats, the dragon scholar Alise and a handful of keepers discover a world far different from anything they have ever known or imagined. Immense, ornate structures of black stone veined with silver and lifelike stone statues line the silent, eerily empty streets. Yet what are the whispers they hear, the shadows of voices and bursts of light that flutter and are gone? And why do they feel as if eyes are watching them?  

The dragons must plumb the depths of their ancestral memories to help them take flight and unlock the secrets buried in Kelsingra. But enemies driven by greed and dark desires are approaching. Time is running out, not only for the dragons but for their human keepers as well.

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Thief's Covenant

Ari Marmell

February 14th

Once she was Adrienne Satti. An orphan of Davillon, she had somehow escaped destitution and climbed to the ranks of the city’s aristocracy in a rags-to-riches story straight from an ancient fairy tale. Until one horrid night, when a conspiracy of forces—human and other—stole it all away in a flurry of blood and murder. 

Today she is Widdershins, a thief making her way through Davillon’s underbelly with a sharp blade, a sharper wit, and the mystical aid of Olgun, a foreign god with no other worshippers but Widdershins herself. It’s not a great life, certainly nothing compared to the one she once had, but it’s hers.  

But now, in the midst of Davillon’s political turmoil, an array of hands are once again rising up against her, prepared to tear down all that she’s built. The City Guard wants her in prison. Members of her own Guild want her dead. And something horrid, something dark, something ancient is reaching out for her, a past that refuses to let her go. Widdershins and Olgun are going to find answers, and justice, for what happened to her—but only if those who almost destroyed her in those years gone by don’t finish the job first

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The Scar

Sergey and Marina Dyachenko

February 28th

Reaching far beyond sword and sorcery, The Scar is a story of two people torn by disaster, their descent into despair, and their reemergence through love and courage. Sergey and Marina Dyachenko mix dramatic scenes with romance, action and wit, in a style both direct and lyrical. Written with a sure artistic hand, The Scar is the story of a man driven by his own feverish demons to find redemption and the woman who just might save him.  

Egert is a brash, confident member of the elite guards and an egotistical philanderer. But after he kills an innocent student in a duel, a mysterious man known as “The Wanderer” challenges Egert and slashes his face with his sword, leaving Egert with a scar that comes to symbolize his cowardice. Unable to end his suffering by his own hand, Egert embarks on an odyssey to undo the curse and the horrible damage he has caused, which can only be repaired by a painful journey down a long and harrowing path. Toria, the woman whose fiancé Egert killed, hates Egert, and is saddened and numb, but comes to forgive the drastically changed Egert. 

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Game of Thrones Season 2 - Shadow trailer

Looks promising!

AFR Top List - Fantasy Cities

It is time again for a little list!  Fantasy authors spend a great deal of time building the original worlds in which they set their story and characters.  Among the list of elements of importance in this world building is the cities themselves. For some writers, it actually becomes alive, almost like a character. Moreover, I noticed that the name of the city has a lot to do with it. Picking from all the novels I have read so far, a couple of them came easily to my mind for obvious reasons, as you will see.  Some of them do not come as a surprise but they remain fabulous. 

Without more rambling, I present to you the list of cities in Fantasy that captivated my imagination the most (in no particular order...)!  What would be yours?

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Darujhistan
Malazan Book of the Fallen series - Steven Erikson

From the Encyclopedia Malazica:

Darujhistan is located in central Genebackis, on the southern coast of Lake Azur near to where the River Maiten meets the lake. To the east are the Gadrobi Hills and to the south is the Dwelling Plain. It is a city of roughly 300 000 people, mainly of Daru or Gadrobi heritage.

Beneath Darujhistan are caverns containing natural gas. The city is known for using the gas for public lighting, leading to its title as the City of Blue Fire. The gas is also used in industrial applications, such as blacksmithery. The gas is monitored and controlled by a secretive group called the Grayfaces. Publicly, the Grayfaces can be seen wandering the streets to light and douse the street lamps, though they are always covered by grey robes and do not speak.

Darujhistan is relatively remote from most of Genebackis. The closest cities are Saltoan, to the east beyond the Gadrobi Hills, and Pale, north of Lake Azur. Since this remoteness has kept Darujhistan peaceful, the city does not have a standing army and usually expresses neutrality in most international affairs.

Darujhistan is not simply the location where some extraordinary events occur; it is also the home of several interesting locales where mighty figures discuss the latest gossip beside the invasion of their city as if nothing could really affect it. The city, mostly notorious for its blue flames is the host of many memorable moments in the Malazan saga, predominantly taking place at K'rul's Bar or the Phoenix Inn.  While much of the action of several of Erikson's novels use Darujhistan as a setting, it's made even more intriguing because of the way the illustrious mage Kruppe describe her as a character.

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Minas Tirith
Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien

Minas Anor - the Tower of the Sun - was established as a stronghold by Anarion, son of Elendil, and over time it became the greatest city in Gondor. As the threat from Mordor increased, the City was renamed Minas Tirith - the Tower of Guard. During the War of the Ring, Sauron's forces besieged Minas Tirith and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields was fought outside its walls. After the downfall of Sauron, Aragorn was crowned before the gates of Minas Tirith and the banner of the Kings of Gondor flew over the City once more.

This one needs no presentation and you could even say that it is an easy choice. However, even after reading so many Fantasy novels since LOTR, I still marvel at the city. Standing proud in the face of Mordor, it looks like the ultimate defensible fortress you could wish for with several layers of walls going up the mountain. Wouldn't it be great to walk past the White Tree of Gondor toward the lookout to behold the Pelennor Fields!

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Menzoberranzan
Forgotten Realms world (R.A Salvatore's Drizzt novels)

In the darkness of the Underdark lies Menzoberranzan. A swift and certain death awaits those foolish enough to enter the dreaded city of the drow. Menzoberranzan is chaos, death, torture, vengeance and endless lust for power and illusionary respect based on fear. Menzoberranzan is a drow city in all its might and terror. 

There is only one reason for Menzoberranzan's foul existence: Lolth, a malevolent goddess of chaos. The whole of the chaotic city obeys the will of Lolth, often treacherous, always evil. The drow's hearts are as black as their pitch-black skin. 

There is no place for love, compassion or trust in drow-vocabulary. They are perceived as weaknesses untolerated by their unmerciful goddess. Friendship in drow-society is based on mutual benefits, on common cause. Still, whenever and however a drow is granted with a potential opportunity to murder, a drow rarely lets it pass unused. It is all about the pleasure of Lolth, which grants a status, an illusionary ranking taken away by the power-hungry drow at the first sight of potential weakness. There is no place for the weak in Menzoberranzan. 

Few have entered the mirage of beauty that is Menzoberranzan, and fewer still have ever escaped the horror of it. Still, the illusionary beauty of the city and its wicked citizens is breathtaking, many have been betrayed by the magnificent lights and statues that form Menzoberranzan's facade, and all of them have been slain without mercy and without hope. The cold beauty of Menzoberranzan is far too inadequate to fill the hollow and empty hearts of drow-elves, one of the most feared races in all the world. 

However, there are some sole survivors that have emerged from the dark depths of Menzoberranzan to oppose the cold might of Lolth, and have prevailed. Many of them are trapped in the drow-city, gnawed by their cruel cousins' malevolence, but strong in their hearts, nonetheless. But there are some true victors that have escaped the clutches of Lolth and her minions, have abandoned their crooked ways and run, run from the darkness that is Menzoberranzan, forever.  

One of those brave hearts is Drizzt Do'Urden, son of Zaknafein Do'Urden, who ran away toward the light of the day, toward happiness and love, never looking back. And he found light, happiness and love, something that the drow are too blind to see. They see only wrath, despair and hatred.  

Such is Menzoberranzan, The City of Chaos.

The drow are one of the most mythic races in the D&D universe.  The city of Menzoberranzan is actively involved in the creation of their legend. I have experienced this Underdark city through the eyes of Drizzt and it left a dreadful but astonishing impressions.  Its originality is almost unmatched.

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Villjamur
Legends of the Red Sun - Mark Charan Newton

The ancient city of Villjamur is the capital of the Jamur Empire at the heart of the Boreal Archipelago.

In my review of Nights of Villjamur, I mentioned that the author was trying too much to make us love the city by the way of his characters.  After reading the Book of Transformation, I have to reassert this sentiment.  At the start of the book, I realized that I missed the city. It is not due simply to its grand Gothic-like architecture but rather to the feelings that the streets of Villjamur evoke, the plazas, bridges and different agglomerations that are part of the city or under-city. Villjamur is literally at the heart of the realistic and picturesque noir atmosphere Newton created.

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Tar Valon / White Tower
A Wheel of Time - Robert Jordan

Tar Valon (pronounced: TAHR VAH-lon) is a city located on an island on the River Erinin, within sight of Dragonmount. It is the center of Aes Sedai power and is also the second largest, most populous city in the Westlands. Tar Valon also controls a small amount of territory directly adjacent to it, although it does not have as much land as it did before the War of the Hundred Years. Tar Valon is ruled by the Amyrlin Seat, although the day-to-day bureaucracy is handled by a council of Aes Sedai sisters and civil administrators. The city is notable as the only place where Aes Sedai have wielded officialized administrative power since the War of the Hundred Years. The population of the city in 1000 NE is roughly 500,000. It has remained independent of outside control for its entire existence, although it has suffered several major sieges and even direct assaults.

Simply by being the seat of the White Tower, the city status becomes legendary for the readers.  Following Rand's quest, you cannot say that you do not feel some wonderment when thinking about the fabled White Tower. I know that in this case, most of the action concerning Tar Valon is concentrated about the White Tower itself but overall, standing on the edge of Dragonmount, it would be quite a sight to behold.

New poll - Anthologies

In my concise review of Goats of Glory by Steven Erikson, I mentioned that it was the first time I read a short story from a Fantasy anthology (Swords and Dark Magic...).  I found it interesting but not enough to make me go through the whole book without going back to the novel I was reading (at least so far).  I received one comment stating that I should read it in its entirety and threat myself.  I will probably do so if I find another story more compelling but in the meantime, I would ask your opinion to assert whether I'm alone in feeling a certain reserve toward this particular type of book.

There are many differences between full-length Fantasy novels and a short story but a book that contains a collection of original tales from a crowd of authors from the same genre should be interesting simply by its definition. At least, I think that is why I bought this anthology.  However, buying a book simply for that fact may not be enough, I am not sure that short fiction is for everyone and that every author is apt enough to write a good one.

If you have read an anthology recently, I would like to have your input on it and for the poll, the question is quite simple:

Do you read anthologies?

-Yes
-No

Updates - Lynch, GoT, Fultz, Williams & Sprunk

Some interesting tidbits surfaced this last week or so. Here's a wrap-up :

Republic of Thieves status update

Courtesy of Neth, at his space, there is now more information about the release of the highly awaited third novel in the Gentleman Bastards Sequence, The Republic of Thieves. Even though Scott is still coping with his problems, it seems that the book will see the light of day this Autumn.  Great!

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Game of Thrones Season 2 air date confirmed

HBO confirmed that the first episode of the second season of Game of Thrones will be airing on Sunday April 1st.  Bring on the clash of kings!!!

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Jon Sprunk's Shadow's Master final cover art

Lou Anders from Pyr posted on my blog that the previous cover art (posted below) unveiled for Jon Sprunk third novel, Shadow's Master was not the final art.  I believe that the final result is much better. Still the infamous hooded figure but with Michael Komarck doing the work, you can't get it wrong!

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John R. Fultz - Seven Princes excerpt

Seven Princes seems to be one of the novels to look for in January of 2012 and it received good reviews so far in addition to the nice vibe coming from the community.  I looked online and found that there is an excerpt available on the publisher's website, here you go.

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Mazarkis Williams -  The Emperor's Knife excerpt

I did the same search for The Emperor's Knife by Mazarkis Williams, another Fantasy debut that looks promising and I found this excerpt posted by SF Signal.  Good reading!

Have a nice week!

Goats of Glory - Short review

The shortest Sci-Fi story ever written is probably Knock by Frederic Brown:

The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door...

Recently, it came to my mind after reading one of the first short stories I have read since a long time.  Last year, I picked up the anthology Swords & Dark Magic edited by Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders, homage to the sword and sorcery sub-genre.  With several Fantasy authors of note, I was intrigued. Lately I told myself that I could read them from time to time instead of going through the whole book in one read and write a short review. Moreover, I'm still not sure if I'll read them all.  Then, I can't really review short fiction like a full-length novel.

Not being accustomed to shorts, I asked myself whether I knew what is making up a great short story.  From what I remember of my student era (without enumerating all the elements), generally speaking, a short story should be the psychological evolution of a central character who's living a significant change with an unexpected ending (or denouement), a new development. That's all good but in the end, it should be a fun and surprising read. It really takes different skills for an author to bring up a good short story. Now, to the review itself, a tale of swords and dark magic by Steven Erikson:

Goats of Glory is the story of several soldiers coming up from the front who are spending the night is an almost abandoned town with an old keep and only enough citizens to fill a common room. On the recommendation of the innkeeper, they venture into the demon haunted keep, where the unexpected awaits them.  Although there's a reference at some point to a piece of world building from the Malazan world, the knowledge of the author's work is not necessary.

Erikson was able to create a great atmosphere in so few pages.  The town, the inn, the keep and most especially the underkeep where demons wait all feel picturesque.  There's a good deal of magic involved and swords are at the rendezvous. However, the action revolves simply around the fighting of demons by the soldiers, which is still kind of 'glorious'. Their relationship is characteristic to the Malazan marines and some other characters are interesting but the climax falls flat.

I think that Goats of Glory could have been a nice chapter in one of Erikson's novel.  Therefore, as a short in itself, I was not impressed, surprised or stunned by the originality of the story.  This is still an interesting read, atmospheric (great setting) and engrossing enough to be worth mentioning. Ultimately, it was a faithful piece of sword and sorcery.

When I've read more of the tales, I'll be able to recommend the anthology or not.

Goats of Glory review score: 7 / 10

Enjoy!

The Fantasy reader definition and last poll

So, are you asking yourself where do we stand now with the statistically non significant definition of the Fantasy reader roaming about the blog who answered my polls? Sure you are!  Do you fit in?  Here you go:

The Fantasy readers :

• like to read epigraphs at the start of a chapter
• are a minority who also listen to audiobooks
• were introduced to the genre by Tolkien's work
• prefer series over stand alone novels
• like to have maps included in their books
• have bought at least one book for the cover alone
• do not finish all the books they pick up
• don't read extract before reading a novel
• have a backlog of at least 25 to 50 books
• read 25 to 40 books a year
• like completely original but simple names for their characters
• read only one novel at a time
• don't think they should diversify their reading habits from the usual genre
• already read e-books and if they don't it's because of the loss of physical book feeling
• are not influenced by author quotes when buying a book
• would like to see their favorite author write a sequel instead of a new idea
• read the same novel more than once on occasions
• would mostly like to see The First Law series by Joe Abercrombie made for TV
• don't wait for a series to be completed to start reading it
• don't watch book trailers
• are not embarrassed of reading Fantasy publicly
• are also reading YA novels
• think that the prodigal youngsters in Fantasy are too young

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As you can see from the last poll, 62% of the respondents think that the prodigal youngsters in Fantasy are too young.  Is is a trend?  I don't think so but it's common enough.  Maybe the authors ought to give their characters a little more time to grow hair on their face before making them mighty fighters, thinkers and strategists. Anyway, as I said when I asked the question, it depends on the author's skills and the particular situations these youngsters are put in.

New maps - Esslemont & Fultz

New maps!  They have been added to the index.

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For the Malazan world, coming from Ian C. Esslemont next novel, Orb, Sceptre, Throne, comes South Genabackis.

Thanks to Adam at the Wertzone, the Genabackis continent map is now complete.

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This month, Seven Princes by John R. Fultz will be released. Here's the map for the world created by the author :

Weeks' Night Angel omnibus cover

Orbit Books unveiled the cover art for the new trade paperback omnibus of the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks.  I also posted the cover for the previous omnibus edition in hardcover by SFBC. The cover with Kylar was evocative enough but the simplicity of the new one is nice.  Which one do you prefer?

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Best of 2011

For a third year, I will share with you my best moments in the year in several categories. I have mentioned a couple of times that 2011 was a great year in Fantasy so I will leave it at that.  Some might be surprised by the lack of A Dance with Dragons but if you read my review, you'll understand that even though I liked the book, I was also a bit disappointed.  Here's to 2011!

Best from the past ...(2010 / 2009)

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Best novel

The Heroes

Joe Abercrombie

Review

2011 was an amazing year in term of big names releases. One of them, even if it wasn't the most awaited of them all (with the dance of dragons making an appearance), was ahead of the crowd for me.  The Heroes is the best you can get in one of the new trends of Fantasy that is usually labelled with term like grittiness, violence, black humour and even brutality. Why is it so?  Simply put, aside from the style, it's a well-woven character driven story (with an amazing cast) set in a condensed period of time, in the midst of a battle where unlikely heroes become the legends of the day. Moreover, the author is stepping up his game when the pressure to deliver again and again must be a concern. Here's an extract of my review :

In conclusion, don't forget that it's a novel by Joe Abercrombie. If you don't like realistic descriptions of bloody warfare creating a lot of gore, dirty talk and moral ambiguity in a fascinating tale about a dubiously necessary battle fought by would-be heroes who come short of their goals, don't pick the book but realize that you're missing something. In this unforgiving story, you're not only getting juicy meat on the bone but also a nice layer of tasty fat!

Runners-up for best novel

The Wise Man's Fear

Patrick Rothfuss

Review

Even though I really liked The Name of the Wind, I wasn't totally mesmerized by it. Some portions of the book were dragging the pace down.  However, The Wise Man's Fear is almost everything I expected and more from Rothfuss (I remember that I couldn't put it down). Kvothe is more interesting than ever.  The world built by the author is vivid, the credit going to his writing skills.  Here's a glimpse of my review: 

Taking all this into consideration, something came to my mind in trying to resume why I like this novel so much.  I think that it's mostly because it shows through the author's writing that he had fun writing it.  And so did I, reading it. This novel was polished and the time to write it was worth it.

The Crippled God

Steven Erikson

Review

The Malazan Book of the Fallen is probably one of the biggest projects undertaken in Fantasy.  The decalogy is over and although I'm glad that it's actually complete, I yearn for more from Erikson's and Esslemont's world. The final novel was not the best of the series (Memories of Ice will remain my favorite) but it was close enough.  The conclusion for the dearest sappers the Fantasy world has ever seen is a delight.  After that much pages, story arcs and characters, I'm still amazed at what Erikson pulled off with this ultimate book.  From my review:

If you're into intelligent, sometimes philosophical, often war centered, surprising and complex series that gets completed in due time, where you will find a score of great characters among a huge cast, one of the most amazing magic system and a large scale world, you really have to pick up the Malazan Book of the Fallen. And even though you might struggle in some passages, you'll probably end up being quite satisfied that you went through the ten books.

***

Best new author / Fantasy debut

Douglas Hulick

Among Thieves

Among Thieves came as a surprise this year.  With so many great new voices in Fantasy these days, I think that Hulick was the one who was really able to stand out.  With a book set in an empire controlled dark world with godlike intrigues where a thief/spy tries to make a difference, to emerge from the crowd you need to have something special. Aside from the very interesting cant, the fabulously written first person perspective of Drothe, combined with a great story is testament enough of Hulick's talent. An extract from my review? Sure :

Among Thieves' story is a blast; it's a furious ride from an ordinary day job for a thief of Drothe's experience to becoming a key player in schemes endangering the whole Kin and the empire itself. The whole book plays out in only a couple of days for the hero or I should say the heroic anti-hero. The only interludes or slowing in pace are when he gets knocked out, which is still kind of often. 

Drothe's a funny realist and cunning swindler and the chosen perspective by the author, the first person, is what the character deserves. He may not be as cynical as Croaker or making as much witty remarks as Eddie LaCrosse but he is his own star and makes the tale more than entertaining.

Runner-up for best new author / debut

Mark Lawrence

Prince of Thorns

Mark Lawrence's novel, Prince of Thorns, generated a lot of talk simply because of the age of his main character and the violence he perpetrates. I found that these elements were actually well integrated in a twisted and intense tale, creating a page turner without mercy. I expect great things to come from Lawrence. Here's a bit of what I have observed about his writing :

The narrative Mark composed for his book is furious, sometimes frenetic, sometimes resolute. The action is fast and constant, without having a break-neck pace but with a satisfying dose of flashbacks to explain the coming of this harbinger of death seeking power. The plot is moving at a stupendously perfect rhythm, without being too descriptive and skipping the going from point A to point B when it's not essential, this being actually an achievement since it could be seen as carelessness toward the 'complete' telling of the story to the reader but it's not. Jorg being the way he is, he deserves a writer who can get into the action and synthesize.

***

Most beautiful map

Mir'aj

In the Shadow of Swords by Val Gunn

created by Chris Gonzalez

Index of maps

Runner-up for most beautiful map

The City of Avel

Spellbound by Blake Charlton

created by Rhys Davies

Index of maps

***

Most beautiful cover

The Scar

Sergey and Marina Dyachenko

Cover art by Unkown

Runners-up for most beautiful cover

The Winds of Khalakovo

Bradley P. Beaulieu

Cover art by Adam Paquette

***

Kick ass moment of the year

Even though my list of kick ass moments is not in great expansion, I still have a favorite this year.

Kick ass moment #11

Steven Erikson

The Crippled God

***

Best genre blog
 (in my humble opinion)

In 2011 again, two new bloggers caught my eyes, Civilian Reader and Staffer's Musings.  The two guys behind these blogs are doing quite a good work, you should give them a try if don't already follow them. They are also very talkative on Twitter!

Civilian Reader

Stefan

http://civilian-reader.blogspot.com/

Staffer's Musings

Justin Landon

http://staffersmusings.blogspot.com/

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Bonus time!

Best cover art with an infamous hooded assassin

Perfect Shadow (Sub Press limited edition)

Brent Weeks

Cover art by Raymond Swanland

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Best audiobook narration

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

Narrated by Nick Podehl

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Best novel I read this year that came out before 2011

Red Seas Under Red Skies

Scott Lynch

Since The Republic of Thieves was rumored to be released in 2011 (when the year started), I wanted to be able to pick it up as soon as possible. So, I had to read Red Seas Under Red Skies, the follow-up to the great debut of Scott Lynch, The Lies of Locke Lamora. I enjoyed the ride and I was glad to confirm that Lynch still delivered after a debut so special. An extract from my review:

If you have a knack for pirates, fell in love with Locke and Jean in Lynch first novel and look forward to a Sword and Sorcery (should say Sword and Deception since there's not much sorcery) tale, you will get a blast again with Red Seas Under Red Skies. I felt various emotions while reading and was glad for several grins, some heartfelt scenes and a good dose of action. For the newcomers, I would strongly recommend to start with The Lies of Locke Lamora. It may not be a stupendous evolution for the author versus his debut but it's engaging enough to keep the appetite up for the Gentlemen Bastard sequence.

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Coming up in 2012

2011 will be a hard year to beat in Fantasy, at least in the release of big titles. However, looking at the list of novels I'm looking forward to in 2012, I will admit that we're in for another great year (and we will add more and more titles to the to-read pile).  Here's my spotlight for 2012.  More books will be added each month as part of my releases posts.

Enjoy!

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JANUARY

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Seven Princes
John R. Fulz

It is an Age of Legends. Under the watchful eye of the Giants, the kingdoms of Men rose to power. Now, the Giant-King has slain the last of the Serpents and ushered in an era of untold peace and prosperity. Where a fire-blackened desert once stood, golden cities flourish in verdant fields. It is an Age of Heroes. But the realms of Man face a new threat-- an ancient sorcerer slaughters the rightful King of Yaskatha before the unbelieving eyes of his son, young Prince D'zan. With the Giant-King lost to a mysterious doom, it seems that no one has the power to stop the coming storm. It is an Age of War. The fugitive Prince seeks allies across the realms of Men and Giants to liberate his father's stolen kingdom. Six foreign Princes are tied to his fate. Only one thing is certain: War is coming. SEVEN PRINCES. Some will seek glory. Some will seek vengeance. All will be legends.

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Orb, Sceptre, Throne
Ian C. Esslemont

Darujhistan, city of dreams, city of blue flames, is peaceful at last; its citizens free to return to politicking, bickering, trading and, above all, enjoying the good things in life. Yet there are those who will not allow the past to remain buried. A scholar digging in the plains stumbles across an ancient sealed vault. The merchant Humble Measure schemes to drive out the remaining Malazan invaders. And the surviving agents of a long-lost power are stirring, for they sense change and so, opportunity. While, as ever at the centre of everything, a thief in a red waistcoat and of rotund proportions walks the streets, juggling in one hand custard pastries, and in the other the fate of the city itself.

Far to the south, fragments of the titanic Moon's Spawn have crashed into the Rivan Sea creating a series of isles... and a fortune hunter's dream. A Malazan veteran calling himself 'Red' ventures out to try his luck -- and perhaps say goodbye to old friends. But there he finds far more than he'd bargained for as the rush to claim the Spawn's treasures descends into a mad scramble of chaos and bloodshed. For powers from across the world have gathered here, searching for the legendary Throne of Night. The impact of these events are far reaching, it seems. On an unremarkable island off the coast of Genabackis, a people who had turned their backs upon all such strivings now lift their masked faces towards the mainland and recall the ancient prophesy of a return.

And what about the ex-Claw of the Malazan Empire who now walks the uttermost edge of creation? His mission -- the success or failure of which the Queen of Dreams saw long ago -- is destined to shape far more than anyone could have ever imagined.

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Heir of Novron
Michael J. Sullivan

The New Empire intends to mark its victory over the Nationalists with a bloody celebration. On the high holiday of Wintertide, the Witch of Melengar will be burned and the Heir of Novron executed. On that same day the Empress faces a forced marriage, with a fatal accident soon follow. The New Empire is confident in the totality of its triumph but there's just one problem-Royce and Hadrian have finally found the true Heir of Novron---and they have their own holiday plans. When author Michael J. Sullivan self-published the first books of his Riyria Revelations series online, they rapidly became ebook bestsellers. Now, Orbit is pleased to present the complete series for the first time in bookstores everywhere. Heir of Novron is the final volume of The Riyria Revelations and includes "Wintertide" and ---available for the first time--- the final volume, "Percepliquis." BOOKS IN THE RIYRIA REVELATIONS Theft of Swords (The Crown Conspiracy & Avempartha) Rise of Empire (Nyphron Rising & The Emerald Storm) Heir of Novron (Wintertide & Percepliquis)

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Giant Thief
David Tallerman

Meet Easie Demasco, rogue, thieving swine and total charmer. 

He's a sneak thief and a con man, but even the wicked cannot rest when their land is invaded by an army of mercenaries commanding an unstoppable weapon, magically-enslaved giants. 

Only, well, he's somehow managed to make off not only with the warlord's treasure, but also the special stone that controls the giants. Which means he now has an entire army on his tail.

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February

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The Scar
Sergey and Marina Dyachenko

Reaching far beyond sword and sorcery, The Scar is a story of two people torn by disaster, their descent into despair, and their reemergence through love and courage. Sergey and Marina Dyachenko mix dramatic scenes with romance, action and wit, in a style both direct and lyrical. Written with a sure artistic hand, The Scar is the story of a man driven by his own feverish demons to find redemption and the woman who just might save him.  

Egert is a brash, confident member of the elite guards and an egotistical philanderer. But after he kills an innocent student in a duel, a mysterious man known as “The Wanderer” challenges Egert and slashes his face with his sword, leaving Egert with a scar that comes to symbolize his cowardice. Unable to end his suffering by his own hand, Egert embarks on an odyssey to undo the curse and the horrible damage he has caused, which can only be repaired by a painful journey down a long and harrowing path. Toria, the woman whose fiancé Egert killed, hates Egert, and is saddened and numb, but comes to forgive the drastically changed Egert. 

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Throne of the Crescent Moon
Saladin Ahmed

The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, home to djenn and ghuls, holy warriors and heretics, are at the boiling point of a power struggle between the iron- fisted Khalif and the mysterious master thief known as the Falcon Prince. In the midst of this brewing rebellion a series of brutal supernatural murders strikes at the heart of the Kingdoms. It is up to a handful of heroes to learn the truth behind these killings. Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, "the last real ghul hunter in the great city of Dhamsawaat," just wants a quiet cup of tea. Three score and more years old, he has grown weary of hunting monsters and saving lives, and is more than ready to retire from his dangerous and demanding vocation. But when an old flame's family is murdered, Adoulla is drawn back to the hunter's path. Raseed bas Raseed, Adoulla's young assistant, is a hidebound holy warrior whose prowess is matched only by his piety. But even as Raseed's sword is tested by ghuls and manjackals, his soul is tested when he and Adoulla cross paths with the tribeswoman Zamia. Zamia Badawi, Protector of the Band, has been gifted with the near- mythical power of the lion-shape, but shunned by her people for daring to take up a man's title. She lives only to avenge her father's death. Until she learns that Adoulla and his allies also hunt her father's killer. Until she meets Raseed. When they learn that the murders and the Falcon Prince's brewing revolution are connected, the companions must race against time-and struggle against their own misgivings-to save the life of a vicious despot. In so doing they discover a plot for the Throne of the Crescent Moon that threatens to turn Dhamsawaat, and the world itself, into a blood-soaked ruin.

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March

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Shadow's Master

Jon Sprunk

The northern wastes. . . .  

A land of death and shadow where only the strongest survive. Yet that is where Caim must go to follow the mystery at the heart of his life. Armed only with his knives and his companions, he plunges into a world of eternal night where the sun is never seen and every hand is turned against him.  

Caim has buried his father’s sword and found some measure of peace, but deep in the north an unfathomable power lays waiting. To succeed on this mission, Caim will have to more than just survive. He must face the Shadow’s Master.

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April

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Straits of Galahesh
Bradley P. Beaulieu

West of the Grand Duchy of Anuskaya lies the Empire of Yrstanla, the Motherland. The Empire has lived at peace with Anuskaya for generations, but with political turmoil brewing and the wasting disease still rampant, opportunists from the mainland have begun to set their sights on the Grand Duchy, seeking to expand their empire. Five years have passed since Prince Nikandr, heir to the scepter of Khalakovo, was tasked with finding Nasim, the child prodigy behind a deadly summoning that led to a grand clash between the armies of man and elder elemental spirits. Today, that boy has grown into a young man driven to understand his past - and the darkness from which Nikandr awakened him. Nikandr's lover, Atiana, has become a Matra, casting her spirit forth to explore, influence, and protect the Grand Duchy. But when the Al-Aqim, long thought lost to the past, return to the islands and threaten to bring about indaraqiram - a change that means certain destruction for both the Landed and the Landless - bitter enemies must become allies and stand against their horrific plans. 

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May

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The King's Blood
Daniel Abraham

War casts its shadow over the lands that the dragons once ruled. Only the courage of a young woman with the mind of a gambler and loyalty to no one stands between hope and universal darkness.

The high and powerful will fall, the despised and broken shall rise up, and everything will be remade. And quietly, almost beneath the notice of anyone, an old, broken-hearted warrior and an apostate priest will begin a terrible journey with an impossible goal: destroy a Goddess before she eats the world.

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The Black Mausoleum
Stephen Deas

Two years have passed since the events of the Order of the Scales. Across the realms, dragons are still hatching. Hatching, and hatching free. Skorl is an Ember, a soldier trained from birth to fight dragons. He is a living weapon, one-shot only, saturated with enough dragon-poison to bring down a monster all on his own. Misanthrope, violent and a drunk, to fulfil his purpose and slay a dragon, means to be eaten. Now Skorl has a choice: he can hang for his crimes, or he can go with the last of the Adamantine Men, fighting against an enemy he was born to face. Rat is an Outsider. He's on the run and he's stumbled onto something that's going to make him rich beyond all his dreams. It's just a shame that the end of the world has started without him. Kataros is an alchemist, one of the order responsible for keeping the dragons in check. One of the order that has just failed, and disastrously so. Two men, one woman. One chance to save the world from a storm of dragons ...

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The Killing Moon
N.K. Jemisin

In the city-state of Gujaareh, peace is the only law. Along its ancient stone streets, where time is marked by the river’s floods, there is no crime or violence. Within the city’s colored shadows, priests of the dream-goddess harvest the wild power of the sleeping mind as magic, using it to heal, soothe… and kill.

But when corruption blooms at the heart of Gujaareh’s great temple, Ehiru — most famous of the city’s Gatherers — cannot defeat it alone. With the aid of his cold-eyed apprentice and a beautiful foreign spy, he must thwart a conspiracy whose roots lie in his own past. And to prevent the unleashing of deadly forbidden magic, he must somehow defeat a Gatherer’s most terrifying nemesis: the Reaper

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June

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The Republic of Thieves
Scott Lynch

Having pulled off the greatest heist of their career, Locke and his trusted partner in thievery, Jean, have escaped with a tidy fortune. But Locke's body is paying the price. Poisoned by an enemy from his past, he is slowly dying. And no physiker or alchemist can help him. Yet just as the end is near, a mysterious Bondsmagi offers Locke an opportunity that will either save him - or finish him off once and for all.  

Magi political elections are imminent, and the factions are in need of a pawn. If Locke agrees to play the role, sorcery will be used to purge the venom from his body - though the process will be so excruciating he may well wish for death. Locke is opposed, but two factors cause his will to crumble: Jean's imploring - and the Bondsmagi's mention of a woman from Locke's past . . . Sabetha. The love of his life. His equal in skill and wit. And now his greatest rival.  

Locke was smitten with Sabetha from his first glimpse of her as a young fellow-orphan and thief-in-training. But after a tumultuous courtship, Sabetha broke away. Now they will reunite in yet another clash of wills. For faced with his one and only match in both love and trickery, Locke must choose whether to fight Sabetha - or to woo her. It is a decision on which both their lives may depend.

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The Skybound Sea
Sam Sykes

After the misadventures of the first two books Lenk and his companions must finally turn away from fighting each other and for their own survival and look to saving the entire human race. A terrible demon has risen from beneath the sea and where it came from thousands could follow. And all the while an alien race is planning the extinction of humanity.

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Sworn in Steel
Douglas Hulick

It’s been three months since Drothe killed a legend, burned down a portion of the imperial capital, and unexpectedly elevated himself into the ranks of the criminal elite. Now, as the newest Gray Prince in the underworld, he’s learning just how good he used to have it.  

With barely the beginnings of an organization to his name, Drothe is already being called out by other Gray Princes. And to make matters worse, when one dies, all signs point to Drothe as wielding the knife. As members of the Kin begin choosing sides – mostly against him – for what looks to be another impending war, Drothe is approached by a man who not only has the solution to Drothe’s most pressing problem, but an offer of redemption. The only problem is the offer isn’t for him.  

Now Drothe finds himself on the way to the Despotate of Djan, the empire’s long-standing enemy, with an offer to make and a price on his head. And the grains of sand in the hour glass are running out, fast . . .

***

The Shadowed Sun
N.K. Jemisin

Gujaareh, the city of dreams, suffers under the imperial rule of the Kisuati Protectorate. A city where the only law was peace now knows violence and oppression. And nightmares: a mysterious and deadly plague haunts the citizens of Gujaareh, dooming the infected to die screaming in their sleep. Trapped between dark dreams and cruel overlords, the people yearn to rise up -- but Gujaareh has known peace for too long. 

Someone must show them the way. 

Hope lies with two outcasts: the first woman ever allowed to join the dream goddess'' priesthood, and an exiled prince who longs to reclaim his birthright. Together, they must resist the Kisuati occupation and uncover the source of the killing dreams... before Gujaareh is lost forever

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(cover is a work in progress)

The Black Captain
Miles Cameron

The Traitor’s Son is the story of a mercenary knight and his men in a world full of trials, battles and danger. Accepting a commission to protect a small community against the savage creatures besieging them, the knight is quick to realise he and his men need help. 

The King is the only one who can provide it. But why should the King answer the call, when he has his own battles to fight? And why is the wayward knight so reluctant to request his aid in the first place?

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July

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Dusk Watchman
Tom Lloyd

The final reckoning has come. The future of the Land will be decided now, written in the blood of men.  

After his pyrrhic victory at Moorview, King Emin learns the truth about the child Ruhen. Powerless to act, he must mourn his friends and watch his enemy promise a new age of peace to the beleaguered peoples of the Land. While the remaining Menin troops seek revenge, daemons freely walk the Land, and Ruhen’s power grows, a glimmer of hope remains.  

One final, desperate chance for victory remains and failure has become unimaginable. The fanatical rulers of Vanach hide a secret at the heart of their nation; a weapon so terrible only a dead man could wield it and only a madman would try, but without it Narkang will be obliterated. The past year has taken a grave toll and Ruhen’s millennia-old plans are about to bear terrible fruit. There can be only one outcome if he continues unchecked: total dominion over the Gods themselves.

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Shaprs
K.J. Parker

For the first time in nearly forty years, an uneasy truce has been called between two neighboring kingdoms. The war has been long and brutal, fought over the usual things: resources, land, money... 

Now, there is a chance for peace. Diplomatic talks have begun and with them, the games of skill and chance. Two teams of fencers represent their nations at this pivotal moment. 

When the future of the world lies balanced on the point of a rapier, one misstep could mean ruin for all.

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The Unholy Consult
R. Scott Bakker

The gripping conclusion to the majestic Aspect-Emperor series.

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Wake of the Bloody Angel
Alex Bledsoe

Twenty years ago, a barmaid in a harbor town fell for a young sailor who turned pirate to make his fortune.  But what truly became of Black Edward Tew remains a mystery, one that just has fallen into the lap of freelance sword jockey Eddie LaCrosse.  

For years, Eddie has kept his office above Angelina’s tavern, so when Angelina herself asks him to find out what happened to the dashing pirate who stole her heart years ago, he can hardly say no–even though the trail is two decades old.  Some say Black Edward and his ship, the Bloody Angel, went to bottom of the sea, taking with it  a king’s fortune in treasure.  Others say he rules a wealthy, secret pirate kingdom.  And a few believe he still sails under a ghostly flag, with a crew of the damned.  

To find the truth, and earn his twenty-five gold pieces a day, Eddie must take to sea in the company of a sexy former pirate queen in search of the infamous Black Edward Tew . . . and his even more legendary treasure.

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August

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Forge of Darkness
Steven Erikson

The first novel in a series set in Kharkanas, starring Anomander Rake.

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King of Thorns
Mark Lawrence

The Broken Empire burns with the fires of a hundred battles as lords and petty kings battle for the all-throne. The long road to avenge the slaughter of his mother and brother has shown Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath the hidden hands behind this endless war. He saw the game and vowed to sweep the board. First though he must gather his own pieces, learn the rules of play, and discover how to break them.  

A six nation army, twenty thousand strong, marches toward Jorg's gates, led by a champion beloved of the people. Every decent man prays this shining hero will unite the empire and heal its wounds. Every omen says he will. Every good king knows to bend the knee in the face of overwhelming odds, if only to save their people and their lands. But King Jorg is not a good king.  

Faced by an enemy many times his strength Jorg knows that he cannot win a fair fight. But playing fair was never part of Jorg’s game plan.

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Black Bottle
Anthony Huso

Tabloids sold in the Duchy of Stonehold claim that the High King, Caliph Howl, has been raised from the dead. His consort, Sena Iilool, both blamed and celebrated for this act, finds that a macabre cult has sprung up around her. 

As the news spreads, Stonehold—long considered unimportant—comes to the attention of the emperors in the southern countries. They have learned that the seed of Sena’s immense power lies in an occult book, and they are eager to claim it for their own. 

Desperate to protect his people from the southern threat, Caliph is drawn into a summit of the world’s leaders despite the knowledge that it is a trap. As Sena’s bizarre actions threaten to unravel the summit, Caliph watches her slip through his fingers into madness. 

But is it really madness? Sena is playing a dangerous game of strategy and deceit as she attempts to outwit a force that has spent millennia preparing for this day. Caliph is the only connection left to her former life, but it’s his blood that Sena needs to see her plans through to their explosive finish. 

Dark and rich, epic in scope, Anthony Huso has crafted a fantasy like no other, teeming with unthinkable horrors and stylish wonders.

***

The Time of Contempt
Andrzej Sapkoski

A coup in the Mages Guild ends with the Guild being weakened, and Geralt being badly wounded. Ciri is teleported to a remote desert in Nilfgaard dominion. The war between Nilfgaard and the Northern Kingdoms begins, resulting in a series of quick and stunning victories for Nilfgaard. Within weeks, Aedirn, Rivia and Lyria all fall to Nilfgaard, the Redanian king Visimir is killed, which removes Redania from the battlefield and Temeria and Kaedwen agree to an armistice with Nilfgaard.

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The Night of the Swarm
Robert V.S. Redick

The struggle to prevent the sorcerer Arunis from destroying the world with the Nilstone reaches its thunderous conclusion.

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A Guile of Dragons
James Enge

It's dwarves versus dragons in this origin story for Enge's signature character, Morlock Ambrosius! 

Before history began, the dwarves of Thrymhaiam fought against the dragons as the Longest War raged in the deep roads beneath the Northhold. Now the dragons have returned, allied with the dead kings of Cor and backed by the masked gods of Fate and Chaos. 

The dwarves are cut off from the Graith of Guardians in the south. Their defenders are taken prisoner or corrupted by dragonspells. The weight of guarding the Northhold now rests on the crooked shoulders of a traitor's son, Morlock syr Theorn (also called Ambrosius). 

But his wounded mind has learned a dark secret in the hidden ways under the mountains. Regin and Fafnir were brothers, and the Longest War can never be over. . . .

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A Memory of Light
Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
November (tentative)

Conclusion to the Wheel of Time series

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Legend of the Red Sun book 4
Mark Charan Newton
Summer 2012

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The Air War
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Summer 2012

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The Blinding Knife
Brent Weeks
Fall 2012

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A Red Country
Joe Abercrombie
Summer/Fall 2012

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The Daylight War
Peter V. Brett

Pushed back to 2013