The Amber Wizard

Since it made very little sense to run a contest on a forthcoming fantasy novel without its book review, it was decided that the review needed to be posted now instead of closer to the book's release date. . .

I met David Forbes on the message boards at www.sffworld.com. Before long, I agreed to review his upcoming fantasy novel. Published by HarperCollins, The Amber Wizard will be published at the end of March. Knowing how hard it can be for new writers to receive some exposure, I promised Forbes that -- if I found his book to my liking -- I would do my best to spread the word around.

The worlbuilding is superior to that of a majority of fantasy series out there. And the funny thing is that Forbes only offers us a glimpse of his universe. Yet there are numerous hints which indicate that there is definitely more depth to Osseria than what we discover within the pages of The Amber Wizard. The author possesses a fine eye for details, which is another feather in his cap. And during the Sundering and Dian's Stair scenes, the imagery is akin to that of Stephen R. Donaldson's classic Covenant books.

When one reads the work of a new author, you always attempt to figure out which writers he or she reminds you of. Oddly enough, I was unable to do just that with Forbes. Not that his writing is alien or exotic; it's just that I could not put my finger on anyone in particular. However, at least at the beginning of the tale, The Amber Wizard feels a lot like Tad Williams' Shadowmarch.

The characterizations are adequate. I get the feeling that the author played it safe, and that we'll learn a little more about the different characters in the sequels. Although there are a lot of hints pertaining to things to come, there is little character growth in this book. The only negative aspect of the characterizations would have to be that the siblings' rivalry is rather cliché. With the overachieving older brother doing everything he can to please a demanding father; the younger brother attempting to emulate the eldest, but never quite able to reach that level; the beautiful, smart, perceptive older sister -- the bitch; and the younger sister -- their father's favorite, she is not as good-looking, but extremely intelligent. Now, that doesn't take anything away from the story, yet I thought it was a little too easy.

The pace is brisk enough, at times too fast for my taste. It certainly keeps you turning those pages. On the other hand, I felt that Forbes should have dwelled a little more on a number of sequences. Especially those concerning the period of time two characters spent at Hethnost, where they study to become wizards. Well, almost overnight, it seems, it looks as though they have become veterans.For those readers who enjoy a lot of action, there are enough battle scenes to satisfy everyone!

Another facet of The Amber Wizard which should please fantasy fans is the fact that it's a self-contained story. Although the opening chapter of a much larger tale, it reads as a stand-alone book.

As far as shortcomings are concerned, there is nothing major to report. The only aspect which I found annoying at times was the numerous "Perry Mason" scenes, where characters just sit down to discuss what just occurred. I am acutely aware that this was done to make sure that everything was clear in the reader's mind. But in my opinion, they were irrelevant. The storylines are engaging, the plotlines are interesting, the pace is good; I felt that they should let the story tell itself instead of trying to explain every little thing, especially since it did not require any clarification. Those scenes simply broke the rhythm of the novel. As a reader, I wanted to learn what happened next, not to dwell on what had just taken place to make sure I understood what was going on. My only other complaint would have to be that the characters think too much. The narrative always elaborates on their mindsets. So it was more or less nonpertinent to have them "think" direct thoughts (in italic) afterward, when the narrative had just demonstrated how they felt. I felt that the author should elect to go with one or the other, but not the two together. My personal preference would have to be the narrative, which I found relatively fluid throughout the novel.

Forbes closes the show with an unexpected -- and quite satisfying -- ending. For the last hundred pages or so, I thought I could see the ending coming from a mile away. But the author has a few tricks up his sleeve, and he totally misdirected me. And I am now curious to read the sequel.

Newcomer David Forbes offers us a solid effort. Indeed, The Amber Wizard makes a fine addition to any fantasy collection. Plus, the fact that it's being released in paperback makes purchasing it affordable to all readers. To learn more, check out www.davidforbes.net.

Like Brandon Sanderson last year, David Forbes shows a lot of potential, and could well become one of the bright new voices in the fantasy genre. And there is never too many of those! He is definitely someone to keep an eye on. . .

The final verdict: 7.5/10

Win a free copy of David Forbes' THE AMBER WIZARD

Just got word from my contact at HarperCollins, and they are giving me the "go ahead" to set up yet another contest. This time, we have a copy of David Forbes' The Amber Wizard up for grabs. As I mentioned in my previous post, my review of this novel will appear on the blog in the near future. Meanwhile, you can visit www.davidforbes.net, where you can read the prologue and the first chapter.

With The Amber Wizard, the author offers us a solid effort. Like Brandon Sanderson last year, David Forbes shows a lot of potential, and could well become one of the bright new voices in the fantasy genre. Which is why I'm happy to have the opportunity to help generate some interest for his upcoming fantasy novel.

As usual, the rules are quite simple. Just register be sending your full email address at reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com (get rid of the No-Spam thing). The header must read "THE AMBER WIZARD" or your email will be deleted. Once the name of the winner is announced, he or she will have the novel delivered right to their doorstep! It doesn't get easier than that!;-)

Good luck to all the participants!

What's new. . .

Hi guys!

Here is a little update concerning what's going on with me. First of all, I have accepted Dag's offer and I am now a member of the staff at www.sffworld.com. If you have never been there, you should check it out! As the name implies, it's a website that caters to all your fantasy and science fiction needs!;-) We don't exactly know what it is that I'll do for now, but we are definitely interested in working together. Many of my upcoming interviews will be done in collaboration with them from now on.

Speaking of interviews, I have part 2 of that Steven Erikson interview coming up. I should also be receiving Brandon Sanderson's answers to an email interview we did in the near future. I have emailed my questions to Naomi Novik yesterday, so this is another Q&A that will see the light soon. And Transworld is checking out Paul Kearney's availability for an interview. In addition, I have queried Time Warner Books about the possibility to do one with David Eddings, and HarperCollins for something with Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Keep your fingers crossed!;-)

Some are wondering why my book review of David Forbes' The Amber Wizard has yet to appear on the blog. It's not that it's a bad book. Quite the contrary, I thought it was a good read. It's just that both the author and HarperCollins would prefer for the review to appear online closer to the book's release date. We are still waiting for HC to see exactly when I will post it. . .

On a different note, www.elbakin.net, after translating my R. Scott Bakker interview into French, are about to do the same with my Steven Erikson Q&A. As I said before, if anyone here is interested in translating my interviews in foreign languages, I'm always happy to grant permission. Just email me and we'll swing it!:-)

That's about it for now. . . Oh yes, many of you will be pleased to learn that I have finally begun Steven Erikson's Gardens of the Moon! Sitting on my shelves for more than 5 years, it was about time for me to get down to it, I know!

Have a good one!

Win a free copy of Paul Kearney's THE MARK OF RAN

Yep, we have a new contest!:-)

Transworld has kindly accepted to hook up 4 lucky winners with a copy of Paul Kearney's The Mark of Ran. As always, registration is easy. Just send your full mailing address to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com (removing the No-Spam thing, of course). Make sure the header reads "The Mark of Ran," otherwise your email will simply be deleted.

The names of the winners will be announced in about two weeks' time. At which point, those four lucky guys and gals will have the book delievered right at their doorstep!;-)

Good luck to all the participants! And this time around, since people from so many different fantasy message boards visit the blog, please include your nickname. That way, when I announce the name of the winners I can also know where they hang out, and other people will actually recognize them.

Best of luck to all of you! And stay tuned for more!

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (January 24th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows drops 5 positions, finishing its tenth week on the NYT list at number 27.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is down 3 spots, ending its 14th week on the bestseller list at number 28.

In paperback:

Troy Denning's The Swarm War goes down 11 positions, finishing its third week on the prestigious list at number 34.

Terry Goodkind's PHANTOM won't be released until next summer. . .

Tor Books has just notified me that Terry Goodkind's new book, Phantom, initially scheduled to be released in March, won't come out until July 2006.

There will be a contest for a free copy of the novel, but unfortunately for the fans, it will have to wait a while. . .

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (January 17th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows climbs up 3 spots, ending its 9th week on the NYT list at number 22.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is down 5 positions, finishing its 13th week on the bestseller list at number 25.

In paperback:

Troy Denning's The Swarm War is down 7 spots, ending its second week on the NYT list at number 23.

Submit your questions for yet another Steven Erikson interview!

Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you!;-)

Steven Erikson has agreed to do another interview with me! Okay, so I am acutely aware that numerous fans out there will want to kill me because of this good fortune I have. Which is why this interview will be comprised mostly of questions from Erikson's readers. And God knows they are legions! The stats concerning the first Q&A are ample evidence of that fact!:-)

As always, I will post about this on the message boards I frequent. So you can post your questions there, or you can do it here in the comment section. I will select the best questions (please refrain from questions that will automatically get us a RAFO), and they will be forwarded to the author.

I'll probably make the selection in about a week, so put your mind to this!

Prologue and first chapter of David Forbes' THE AMBER WIZARD

Hi there!

I'm currently reading David Forbes' The Amber Wizard, a fantasy novel published by HarperCollins which will be released later this spring. If you hang out at malazanempire.com and sffworld.com, you have probably heard about it by now.

Anyway, if you are interested in a sneek peak, you can visit Forbes' website at www.davidforbes.net, where you'll find the prologue and the first chapter of the book.

I will write my book review as soon as I'm done reading The Amber Wizard, of course. But if you want a taste, check out the website and find out for yourself!

Children of the Serpent Gate

After reading the previous two volumes of The Tears of Artamon trilogy, I was curious to see how it would all end. Although the series suffers from a number of shortcomings, there were enough positive aspects to maintain my interest.

Unfortunately, Children of the Serpent Gate is not the sort of climax I was eager for. Far from it, actually. . .

The worldbuilding remains what I consider the best facet of this tale. The Eastern European environment continues to be a welcome change from what is the norm in the current fantasy market.

Once more, Ash writes a smooth narrative. But the pace is a factor in this book. Some portions of the story are extremely sluggish, making it a chore to go through a number of chapters. And then, paradoxically, some scenes are incredibly rushed, especially toward the end.

As was the case with both Lord of Snow and Shadow and Prisoner of the Ironsea Tower, the characterizations are again what kills it for me. Juvenile for the most part, they make me feel like this trilogy should be aimed at a younger crowd. And the same can be said concerning the dialogues.

I was very much looking forward to certain storylines, especially the ones pertaining to the Darkhaouls and the children who are linked to them. For some reson, those plotlines fell well short of my expectations. Everything that had to do with Francia and the Commanderie showed a lot of potential, but in the end did not show as much depth as I expected.

The politicking has been a bit clumsy so far throughout the series, and that remains a bit of a problem in this book as well. Realism is an issue in several instances.

And I felt that the "all is well that ends well" sort of ending was lackluster. The fact that the scenes leading to the finale are rushed and lack substance doesn't help matters. Sadly, it doesn't bring the series to what I feel like is a satisfying close.

The Tears of Artamon showed some promise. Yet it doesn't live up to that promise, at least not in every facet of the story. Still, it is good and interesting enough to please young fantasy fans, especially those readers relatively new to the genre.

The final verdict: 6.5/10

The Historian contest winners!

The names of the winners have finally been drawn. Which means that those three guys and gal will now receive a copy of the NYT bestseller in the near future!

The winners are:

David Forbes, from Mechanicsburg, PA.
Anna Chernyshenko, from Staten Island, NY.
Phillip Denton, from Dandridge, TN.

Many thanks to Time Warner Book. Without their support, this contest would not have been possible. And thanks to all the participants!

I'm hammering out the details concerning a number of other contests, so stay tuned for more!;-)

The Christian Guide to Fantasy

Sad but true, this is no joke. Larry back on wotmania.com brought this website to my attention. It does at times raise a few interesting viewpoints. Some find it amusing, others deem it pathetic. Take a look for yourself and I'll let you decide. . .

The thing which did it for me was the "Christian Morality" meter. It rates every series as harmless, good, dangerous, etc.

Has it come down to this? Have Christians become so insecure about their own faith that they feel the need to come up with a website such as this??? If so, then the Lord have mercy. . .

Check it out: www.christianfantasy.net

Another good blog to check out for fantasy book reviews

I discovered this one by hanging out at www.sffworld.com. Rob is an admin and a book reviewer there. I've read a number of his reviews, and I think it's worth having a look every once in a while!;-)

You can find his blog here: http://blogorob.blogspot.com

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (January 10th)

In hardcover:

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is on the rise, up one spot to end its 12th week on the NYT list at number 20.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader is also on the rise, up 2 positions to finish its sixth week on the bestseller list at number 21.

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows is down 3 spots, ending its 8th week on the prestigious list at number 25.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is down 3 positions, finishing its 14th week on the NYT list at number 35.

In paperback:

A new Star Wars novel, Troy Denning's The Swarm War, debuts at number 16.

Terry Goodkind's Chainfire is on the decline, dropping 11 spots and ending its fifth week on the bestseller list at number 34.

More books to win!

Jay, over at fantasybookspot.com, has set up a new contest.

The first place winner will receive all 3 books of the Erevis Cale trilogy, Twilight Falling, Dawn of Night and the recently released Midnight's Mask all autographed by Paul S. Kemp.

I have never read any of Kemp's novels, but Jay assures me that they are great. And picky reader that he is, I'm inclined to believe him!;-)

So if anyone is interested, just log on to www.fantasybookspot.com.

Prisoner of the Ironsea Tower

I was curious to read the second volume of The Tears of Artamon, if only to discover if the tale indeed had more depth than what a first glance had revealed. And not surprisingly, Prisoner of the Ironsea Tower contains evidence that that's the case.

The narrative is, once more, rather smooth. It makes this book an easy read. The dialogues, however, often leave a lot to be desired. Not all, mind you, but many of them. Especially everything that has to do with Emperor Eugene, Malusha, Astasia, and a few others. I'll elaborate a little more on that when I focus on the characterizations.

One thing about Sarah Ash, she can definitely write an evocative narrative. Once again, the imagery is at times arresting.

The pace is very similar to that of its predecessor. The rhythm of a number of scenes can be sluggish, while other scenes seem rushed to some extent. But overall, the pace is fluid enough not to be an issue.

The worldbuilding continues to be interesting, revealing yet more depth to this story.We learn more about Francia and its inhabitants. I have a feeling that the Francian Commanderie will play a major role in the final volume. The author also introduces us to the volcanic land of Ty Nagar, where the Serpent Gate is situated.

New storylines enrich the existing plotlines. The addition of the two mysterious Francian characters, especially, hints at many things to come. I particularly enjoyed Ash's take on the dragons, distancing herself from the traditional mold. We discover a lot more concerning the Drakhaouls and their origin. Secrets pertaining to the Tears of Artamon are also revealed. And Sarah Ash manages to keep you turning those pages with a few unanticipated surprises.

Unfortunately, as was the case with Lord of Snow and Shadows, you can see some of the plot twists coming from a mile away. And on the downside, the ending is easily predicted far in advance.

The novel's main shortcoming remains the characterizations. In my previous book review I stated that they were clumsy at times. I now realize that I was wrong in my assumption. The characterizations are not clumsy, they are juvenile. And I don't mean this in a derogatory way. It's just that Ash's characterizations remind me of those of authors such as R. A. Salvatore, J. V. Jones, and Elizabeth Haydon. Hence, fans of those writers could well enjoy this series. But it's a far cry from Robin Hobb's subtle human touch which makes her characters so special.

In conclusion, I'm persuaded that this trilogy could be highly successful if it was marketed toward a younger audience. God knows there are legions of teenagers purchasing fantasy novels! Truth to tell, it might not be greeted with the same sort of enthusiasm by aficionados of the genre and fans of such authors as Martin, Erikson, Miéville, Bakker, Jordan, Hobb, etc. I feel it's just not complex and ambitious enough. . .

The final verdict: 7/10

If you wish to translate my interviews. . .

Hi guys!

I have just been asked by a reader if I would permit him to translate my R. Scott Bakker interview so he could post it on a French website. This has also happened in the past. My Robin Hobb interview was translated into French and German, and my Tad Williams was translated in German and Italian.

By perusing the blog's stats this morning, I've realized that the Steven Erikson interview has been around the globe many times over!;-) Thank you all for that! In any event, readers have posted about it on several foreign websites and message boards. And I just wanted everyone to know that if you are interested in translating it so that people whose understanding of the English language is not that good can enjoy it, then just get in touch with me and we'll set it up!:-)

The same thing goes for the interviews I did in 2005:

David B. Coe
Tad Williams
L. E. Modesitt, jr.
Robin Hobb
R. Scott Bakker

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (January 3rd)

In hardcover:

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is down 3 spots, ending its 11th week on the NYT list at number 21.

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows drops down 2 positions, finishing its seventh week on the bestseller list at number 22.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader maintains its position, ending its fifth week on the prestigious list at number 23.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is down 5 spots, finishing its 13th week on the charts at number 32.

In paperback:

Terry Goodkind's Chainfire continues to do well, up 2 positions to end its fourth week at number 23.

Another opportunity for fans to win a copy of Erikson's THE BONEHUNTERS

Just saw this on malazanempire.com.

If anyone is interested, just click on the link here: http://www.malazanempire.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3852

Best of luck!;-)

2005 Pimp of the Year!

Well, I'm definitely movin' on up in the world!;-)

My polls, posts, book reviews, and contests have earned me the coveted wotmania.com Other Fantasy Pimp of the Year award! Thanks to everyone who has voted for me!

The Other Fantasy message board is a cool place to check out. Give it a shot: www.wotmania.com

And I just want everyone to know that I'll keep on pimpin' throughout 2006!:-)

Win a free copy of Elizabeth Kostova's THE HISTORIAN

Hi there!

Here's the first -- and hopefully not the last -- contest of the year! In collaboration with Time Warner Books, we now have 3 copies of Elizabeth Kostova's NYT bestseller, The Historian, up for grabs!

Most of you know the drill by now.:-) Simply send an email (remove the No-Spam addition) containing your full mailing address at reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com, with the header "HISTORIAN." The name of the lucky winners will be drawn in about two weeks. At which time, the pertinent information will be forwarded to Time Warner Books. As always, the novel will be delivered right to their doorstep!

Just before the Holidays, I was working hard trying to set up other contests for you guys. Publishers get back on track tomorrow morning, so hopefully I'll have some good news in that regard in the near future.

Good luck to all the participants!;-)

New Steven Erikson Interview

Here is the interview everyone has been waiting for!:-)

Enjoy!


Dear Mr. Erikson, Let me start by thanking you for being gracious enough to take some precious time off your indubitably busy schedule to answer these questions. But with the imminent release of THE BONEHUNTERS, know that your fans are extremely excited about this chance to hear from you in person.

- Is there a character that you particularly enjoy/enjoyed writing? Why is that? By the same token, is there a character that you absolutely don't like writing about? For what reason?

For me it's important that I enjoy the characters I write about, or rather, those whose points of view I am using. I need there to be something intrinsically interesting in them. Often it's nothing obvious, either. In real life, people don't tell you what their character is -- it's revealed, in increments, through what they say and what they do. In that sense, character is subtle, and I certainly try to make it so in my fiction. So, I'll have either a full history of the character I am using, or just its bones if that person is 'new' to the series. By bones I mean there's a sense of their history, but not all the details are fleshed out -- that comes as I write them at the first draft stage -- so I try to start with the same feel of mystery that exists with every new person each of us meets in real life. Anyway, I don't not like writing about any characters, even the despicable ones. As for favourites, again it's a subtle thing with me, as each character delivers something different. For Karsa Orlong, for example, it's his barrelling through things, both verbally and physically, and often in ways that undermine the cliches regards 'barbarians' or, even more pleasing (for me), undermines the genre's conventions. On a quieter side, I did enjoy writing both Apsalar and Scillara in The Bonehunters: that they are thematic opposites with romantic ties to one character in particular only makes it more fascinating.

I'll never pound anyone over the head with characterisation -- turns out there's some of my readers who'd rather I did just that. Oh well.

- What do you feel is your strength as a writer/storyteller?

Yikes. Setting things up then doing the unexpected, I suppose. With well-buried motivations among many of the major players in the series, I think I can continue to surprise readers. There's a few of those instances in The Bonehunters, including what I'll call an inverted double-bind stick-the-knife-in reversal thing (think the phrase will catch on?), that's clearly set up one way only to ... well, don't want to give too much away here.

Years ago, when I was learning the craft of fiction at university workshops in Victoria and Iowa, I observed a peculiar aversion to certain elements of narrative fiction; principally, plot and drama. Neither, it seemed, belonged in serious literature. This was the era of kitchen-sink stories and Carver wannabes. Plot was for genre; better the characters did nothing and talked a lot but talked about nothing while doing it, all of which was supposed to lead to some profound epiphany but mostly led to blank looks from others in the class. As for drama, well, drama was out. This was also the time of the ascendancy of the Cynical School of Fiction. Wherein we were taught that true drama doesn't exist, and any attempt at drama in fiction was in fact /melodrama/. In other words, because the world was the way it was, and fiction was its truest reflection, there was no such thing as 'earned emotion' -- nothing hard and heavy in fiction was in fact honest. Why? Because it was hard and heavy, of course. So there I was, quietly railing against such notions and writing 'serious' fiction that had people actually doing things and had things actually happen and they were often hard and heavy and the response was as you'd expect. The only loud kudos came when I wrote flat out comedy, probably because my comedy was of a cynical, sarcastic nature. Only what I was laughing at was not always what everyone else was laughing at.

One might say I fell into genre writing in order to use both plot and drama, and there might be some truth in that. It's hard to be analytical about such things. After all, I love reading Homer and Homer's full of drama. Nasty, brutal drama. It may also be a case of wrong place, wrong time. Which is probably the most likely, so I'll stop now.

- What author makes you shake your head in admiration?

Lots and lots. John Gardner, Gustav Hasford, Mark Helprin, Atwood (no, just kidding on the last one. I shake my head all right, just not in admiration), some Doris Lessing. In fantasy, I think Robin Hobb is a very clever, very subtle writer. Alas, I'm not reading much fantasy these days, although I enoyed Tim Lebbon's new one and I'm very interesting in how reviewers will take David Keck's first novel..

- Prior to its American release, Tor Books allowed you to take care of a number of inconsistencies found within GARDENS OF THE MOON. Are there any plans to do the same with the UK version?

None of which I am aware. There weren't many -- one big gender correction, though -- but the rest was pretty minor.

- Now that many purists and aficionados consider you one of the best fantasy authors in the world, is there added pressure when it comes down to writing a new addition to the series?

If there's pressure, it's to do with time management -- the edit of The Bonehunters especially involved a lot of back and forth, given its length -- which meant I had to drop everything else at that time. Some other manuscripts needed some editing as well, then TOR sent me on a signing/reading junket down the US West Coast which while fun took five days out of my writing schedule. That kinda pressure, sure.

The other kind, dealing with the expectations of readers, the answer is no, not at all. The thing's mapped out so I know what I'm doing (I hope that simply relieves your readers rather than coming across as boastful -- really, I do know what I'm doing!) and I can see the light at the tunnel's end. As mentioned earlier, I'm fairly certain I will surprise readers with future events, with enough twists and turns to keep them reading.

- What would you say was the hardest part of the entire process involved in the writing of the Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen? Each new addition reveals yet more depth to a series which has shown just how rich and complex it truly is. What was the spark that generated the idea which drove you to write the series in the first place?

The first question: the hardest part was twofold. One was finding a publisher. The second was convincing myself that writing the series really has been as easy as it has seemed and continues to seem -- I mean, it should be hard, right? The plot-lines and arcs are so folded and interwoven you could make a trampoline out of them strong enough to handle a plummeting bus. And yet it all arrives, timely and satisfying (to me) with nary a wayward step. It feels uncanny, Patrick. I wasn't drawn to halt once in the entire writing of Midnight Tides, for example. Not even a half-hour's pause. At times I felt like a spectator to the whole creation process. Pretty much the same for The Bonehunters and now Reaper's Gale. It just flows. Scary.

The second question: oh the sparks were all negative things, frustrations at the genre's confounding predictability. Wanting to write something in fantasy I myself would like to read (and not just me, but Cam as well -- the one reader who stays in my head as I write). Wanting to kick the tropes around, wanting to get rid of that endless quasi-medieval class-conscious blueblood crap. Wanting a fantasy world as multicultural as this one (the preponderance of white-skinned heroes and blonde princesses ... man, what century is this?). Wanting a fantasy world with a history beyond the Dark Lord of three hundred years ago who's found a rock that will help him rise again and do, oh, bad things; a world with geology and geography, etc.

Sure, there's some good stuff out there, but it wasn't enough. Maybe still isn't.

- If you could go back in time, what advice would you give the younger Steven Erikson concerning his writing career?

Find the secret potion that would de-complicate Gardens of the Moon. It must exist. Problem was/is, I don't see anything confusing in it. Wish I could, wish I did. The world was as full for me then as it is now -- and to write a history the way I wanted to, well, I still haven't got an answer. Poor young Steven Erikson -- sorry, mate, you're on your own.

- Is a World Fantasy Award something you covet?

Not really. It'd be nice, eventually, but I don't toss and turn at night chewing on it. Having been a judge ... well, never mind that -- the system does not really allow for books in a series (barring the > first one). It would be nice to see a special category for series, though.

- What's the progress report pertaining to REAPER'S GALE? Is it likely that the book will be released a year following THE BONEHUNTERS?

From my own standpoint, progress is just fine. The first half of a novel (for me) always takes longer than the second half. It's where everything is set up, after all. The second half is the pay-off -- which means more action (drama?), which is always quicker to write. I'm at that halfway point right now in Reaper's Gale, so the pace is just about right.

To a large extent, however, my pace and completion date do not relate much to release dates. The Bonehunters was done last spring, after all. Mysterious arcana is involved in the publishing house when it determines release dates. Outa my hands.

- What extensive research did the writing of the Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen entail?

Nothing specific to the series. Research is something I do for fun, and the subject matter is all over the place. Quantum and post-quantum physics, the life and times of Ghengis Khan, Seahenge, bronze-age Ithaca, Lakota religion, modern war, ancient war, primatology, paleoanthropology, paleontology, terraforming planets, biology, the Crusades, cargo cults, the Templars, politics, literary criticism -- those in the last six or so months, I guess. Odd details will stay with me and will on occasion manifest in what I'm writing, or give me a new way of seeing something. Filling out an entire world, and all its cultures, is one of the things I enjoy the most, but it's also the most challenging. I don't want any close cultural ties between the Malazan ethos and our own -- our own including the canon of fantasy writing past and present. At the same time, the unavoidable reality exists that archetypes will cross over -- as part of our nature there's no escaping them, especially when writing stuff with a tragic flavour.

One of my early worries in devising a long series was the recognition that, over the years spent writing it, my perspective would change. I thought that would be a problem, as the thematic elements in later books would 'outdate' those of the early ones. I've since stopped worrying -- in some respects it's inevitable, and it's what assures me I won't be continually rewriting the same story -- just as characters evolve, so too should the writer. Interests flower then die away and that's just the way it is. I see that evolution now as a positive force.

Back to the question. The 'research' was part of my schooling and subsequent field work. That field work was exclusively archaeological, not anthropological. But I found that anthropology is like sociology and psychology -- observable all around you, no matter where you are. And the archaeology took me places I would not have otherwise ventured into, which gave me more to observe in an 'anthropological' way (three months with a crew of seven people in the wilderness pretty much runs the gamut of the human condition, and that's no lie).

- The series has garnered what can best be described as a cult following. However, many doubt that it will ever become "mainstream." With that in mind, how rewarding is it to realize how successful the series has been and continues to be to this day?

It certainly seems the case that people either hate the series or love it; and even among the latter there's little concensus in what works for them and what doesn't. That part is somewhat baffling, I admit. The range of opinions among my readers often leaves my jaw hanging, and I'm finding I have to be careful of visiting the fan site too often -- some things I read can be a real downer. Writing is an isolated activity, and there are times when being isolated is precisely what the writer needs. With the internet providing both quick, potentially interactive feedback, and a forum for speculation, criticism and so on, it has the power to both enliven the writer and take the wind out of his or her sails. Now, that is entirely legitimate and I would never want the fans to curtail their opinions -- the discipline issue is with me, not them, and is one of the main reasons I have become a far less frequent visitor.

That said, reader feedback is important -- especially in catching errors of detail and continuity and the like. They don't miss a thing. Animals! I wouldn't have it any other way, though.

- I am aware that at least GARDENS OF THE MOON has been translated in French. How many foreign sales have you been able to secure so far?

For a time there all these books would arrive at my door -- Polish, Czech, Greek, Dutch, German, etc. Not one or two copies, but ten, twenty -- I had no idea what to do with them. Anyway, I'm not sure how many foreign rights have been sold, nor all the languages concerned. But man, some of the covers!

- What's the progress reports on the upcoming novellas? Anything new you wish to share with your fans? Something to wet their appetite. . .

Well, I'm due to deliver Pete Crowther (PS Publishing) another Bauchelain/Korbal Broach novella this year (2006); and he has also asked me for a short story with the same characters and I just might oblige him (it's very hard to say 'no' to Pete -- he's too nice, damn him). When I started writing, it was short stories exclusively. Certainly one of the hardest forms of narrative -- my hat's off to all those writers whittling away with short stories. And I find I am looking forward to tackling one after all these years.

- You have been acknowledged as one of the best writers in the genre? Where do you think you stand in the fantasy field?

Beside the poppies.I don't really know and don't think much about it, I'm afraid. Sorry!

- The fact that there is a website dedicated to your work is an indication that interaction with your readers is important to you as an author. I know that you haven't had the chance to do so in a while, but how special is it to have the chance to interact directly with your fans?

Ah, see my comments above.

- Without giving anything away, what can you tell us of THE BONEHUNTERS? Are you satisfied with the way the book turned out? Anything you wish to share pertaining to REAPER'S GALE?

The Bonehunters is big. Didn't feel it at the time, but then I toggled the word count. The rebellion in Seven Cities needed wrapping up and that is what the novel does, more or less. Some of its story lines tie Midnight Tides a little closer to the others; and Reaper's Gale will tighten that weave considerably.

There's plenty of imperial stuff in The Bonehunters -- politics and how legends can be reworked, reshaped, to suit the present. Don't want to give too much away, but there may be a few screams of outrage on occasion....

- It took many years for you to find an American publisher. In the past, you have claimed that the concensus was that the books were too complex for US audiences. Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that the series was probably too vast in scope for most publishers?

Not a claim. I was told that to my face. Same for my agents. I don't recall hearing any concerns about the length of the series. A lot of long series originated in the States, so I don't think that was ever an issue.

- Are you surprised by what little support you receive from the Canadian media? You and R. Scott Bakker rank among the best fantasy authors out there, yet both of you Canucks appear to get very little recognition in your own country.

Surprised? No. I had good reasons for packing up my manuscripts and moving to the UK. If I elaborate on this subject, Patrick, you're looking at another fifty thousand words, easy. Canada's an odd country. It seems to like having maybe ten 'big' writers around at any one time -- and some of those are only 'big' because people in some other country liked them enough for a few shortlistings on awards. And that is the 'literary' side. Regards all us genre hacks, not a chance. Mind you, it doesn't help when other Canadian writers of fantasy and sf diss the genres in interviews ('I write /speculative/ fiction'). Yeah, well, all fiction is speculative....

- Are you perplexed by the fact that Tor Books doesn't market you more aggressively? The immense success of such writers as Robert Jordan and George R. R. Martin demonstrates that there is a market for series vast in scope and quality. But it seems that Tor hasn't been making much noise about your books so far.

I'm easy on all that. Less time on the road for me means more time to write! Tor's doing fine by my regard.

- As an archaeologist and an anthropologist, do you think that you influence your novels in a manner that an "ordinary" writer can't quite match?

I don't know any ordinary writers, to be honest. We're all strangely twisted. In any case, those disciplines aren't secret code -- there are more books coming out on those subjects for the layperson than ever before (I should know, I buy most of them). I'd imagine it would be essential for any writer seeking to create a new world or culture to do some groundwork before plunging in. Keeping in mind that all the humanities have theoretical underpinnings that wobble loose on occasion, forcing new paradigms in the field -- and there's a ripple effect -- so that something in, say, paleobotony can change the archaeogical take on prehistoric cultures dwelling close to glaciers, for example; which in turn alters views on the first peopling of the New World, which can then flip a hundred years of entrenched dogma on its ass. And the telling of all that in turn reveals something about human psychology and the tribal characteristics of academia, including racism, sexism and intellectual fascism.

I just read a great example of this by the way. Some human footprints were found in Mexico, in a bed of solidified volcanic ash. Initially dated at thirteen or so thousand years old. Well, that seemed a bit early for some people (see above note on dogma), so a second team was sent there to take a look. They observed the prints, confirmed that indeed they were made when the ash was mud; then proceeded to use potassium-argon dating on the volcanic material. And came up with a fixed date of 1.3 million years. Their conclusion? 'Those aren't footprints.'

My old highschool debating teacher would howl at that one. Anyway, the disciplines are motile, which is a very good thing as Martha Stewart would say. So, for research purposes, take it all with a pound of salt.

And here are a few questions submitted by your numerous fans. Several of them have encouraged me to remind you to make more regular appearances at www. malazanempire.com!

- Any solid news concerning an RPG adaption of the Malazan Empire?

Yes. No. A florida-based OGL paper-based rpg company (PCI) has expressed interest and the matter's sitting with my agent right now. Has been for some time, actually. Same for the Dabel Brothers doing a graphic novel of Gardens of the Moon.

- Any chance of publishing a world map ahead of the Encyclopedia to satisfy the geography junkies out there?

We're all over the map on that one. I've since learned to make no bold promises. It does exist. A few people have seen it.

- Reading the books, one gets the impression that the Empire knew something big was coming and planned for it accordingly (i.e. Laseen taking over, Kel and Dancer ascending, inversion of the ranks, making sure that the Master of the Deck was Malazan -- even though it ended up being luck that it even happened -- forming alliances with powerful beings, etc...). Would you be willing to shed some light on just how much the Empire knew in advance? Not anything big, just some tidbits. . .

Ah now, that's a central plot-line in the series. But for clarification, the 'empire' knew nothing -- the emperor and his scary cohort might be another matter. As for Laseen, well, she's a little busy these days....

- Will the mysterious Assail continent be visited in any of the next four books?

Nope. Not from me, that is.

- Have we met Fisher Kel Tath already in the series and if not, will we ?

No, we haven't met him. I've thought about his making an appearance, but I would need to talk with Cam about that, since Fisher's tale is fairly integral with one of Cam's planned novels in the Malazan world.

- Will we get a firm timeline for the Malazan Empire, aside from the chronology for the world as a whole?

I suppose when we get around to finalising the Encyclopedia, we'll end up having to creep into that funhouse.

Well, thanks again for accepting to do this. I wish you continued success, and wish you the best for the release of THE BONEHUNTERS.

Thanks, Patrick.

Cheers,

Steve

2005 INDEX

Hi guys!

Let me begin by wishing you all a Happy New Year!:-) 2005 was a particularly crazy year for this blog. What was only supposed to be a temporary experiment turned out to be something quite special to me. Thanks to you all!

Here is the year in numbers: The blog has attracted 18, 819 visitors from 75 different countries, who have perused a total of 34, 447 pages! This is unreal!

There has been book reviews, articles, bestseller lists, contests, etc. And hopefully we can still maintain this cadence in 2006!

Since more and more people seem to be discovering this blog of mine, I've decided to write a list of last year's book reviews. That seems to be the main reason why people lurk around here. . .;-)

Patrick

2005 BOOK REVIEWS

JANUARY

- Children of Amarid (David B. Coe)
- The Outlanders (David B. Coe)
- Eagle-Sage (David B. Coe)

FEBRUARY

- Shadowmarch (Tad Williams)
- Ship of Magic (Robin Hobb)
- Mad Ship (Robin Hobb)
- Ship of Destiny (Robin Hobb)

MARCH

- The Runes of the Earth (Stephen R. Donaldson)
- The Silences of Home (Caitlin Sweet)
- Quicksilver (Neal Stephenson)

APRIL

- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Matthew Stover)
- The Confusion (Neal Stephenson)
- The System of the World (Neal Stephenson)

MAY

- The Darkness that Comes Before (R. Scott Bakker)
- The Warrior-Prophet (R. Scott Bakker)
- Fool's Errand (Robin Hobb)
- Golden Fool (Robin Hobb)

JUNE

- Fool's Fate (Robin Hobb)
- It's Only Temporary (Eric Shapiro)
- In the King's Service (Katherine Kurtz)
- The Curse of Chalion (Lois McMaster Bujold)
- Paladin of Souls (Lois McMaster Bujold)

JULY

- The Years of Rice and Salt (Kim Stanley Robinson)
- Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman)

AUGUST

- The Golden Compass (Philip Pullman)
- The Subtle Knife (Philip Pullman)
- The Amber Spyglass (Philip Pullman)
- Dune: The Butlerian Jihad (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)

SEPTEMBER

- Dune: The Machine Crusade (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)
- Dune: The Battle of Corrin (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson)
- Shaman's Crossing (Robin Hobb)

OCTOBER

- One Palestine, Complete (Tom Segev)
- Anansi Boys (Neil Gaiman)
- Knife of Dreams (Robert Jordan)
- Legacies (L. E. Modesitt, jr.)
- Bloodline of the Holy Grail (Laurence Gardner)

NOVEMBER

- Darknesses (L. E. Modesitt, jr.)
- Scepters (L. E. Modesitt, jr.)
- Thud! (Terry Pratchett)
- Kitty and the Midnight Hour (Carrie Vaughn)

DECEMBER

- The Thousandfold Thought (R. Scott Bakker)
- The Radioactive redhead (John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem)
- Giants of the Frost (Kim Wilkins)- Elantris (Brandon Sanderson)
- Lord of Snow and Shadows (Sarah Ash)

The Malazan contest winner!

Hey there!

Boy, was there interest for this one! When I initially discussed doing this with Erikson's publicist, I never would have thought that this contest would be so popular!

Finally, I have drawn the name of the luck winner: Christian Foster, fromTockwith, York, UK. As winner, the first five volumes of the Malazan series will be delivered right to his door!

Many thanks to Transworld for accepting to do this. I can never say it enough: Without their support, contests such as this one would never see the light.

Thanks to all the participants. May good fortune smile upon you next time! As I said before, I am on the verge of announcing a new contest next week, as well as working on one or two others. So stay tuned for more!

And for those who are wondering when the name of the winner of a copy of Tad Williams' Shadowplay will be announced, along with Penguin Books we've decided to wait until the release date is closer. Which means that everyone can still register for that contest! Just send your contact info at reviews@gryphonwoodpress.com, with the "SHADOWPLAY" header.

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (December 28th)

In hardcover:

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams continues to hang in there, maintaining its position at number 18. The latest volume of The Wheel of Time has been on the NYT list for ten consecutive weeks.

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows is down 5 positions, finishing its sixth week on the bestseller list at number 20.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader continues to slip, down 4 spots and ending its fourth week on the prestigious list at number 23.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes drops 2 positions, finishing its 12th week on the list at number 27.

In paperback:

Terry Goodkind's Chainfire is down 2 spots, ending its third week on the NYT list at number 25.

Lord of Snow and Shadows

As was the case with Brandon Sanderson's Elantris, I've had my eyes on Sarah Ash's The Tears of Artamon trilogy for quite some time. Every time I'd enter a bookstore, inevitably I would be drawn to those novels. Hence, I was very happy when Transworld offered to send me review copies of all three volumes. Lord of Snow and Shadows is the first book in the trilogy.

Having never read anything by Ash, I didn't know what to expect from this novel. And I'm pleased to report that it's a good read. Not a work that stands out, but a nice read nonetheless.

The worldbuilding is interesting. Honestly, it's probably the best aspect of the book. The setting appears to be somewhat similar to Eastern Europe. But it's not set in the traditional medieval environment. Technology has evolved and plays a role in this tale. Which means that Lord of Snow and Shadows is no sword & sorcery tale. Magical arts and alchemy are also part of the story, but not quite openly. Indeed, mystery shrouds anything even remotely associated with magic. The imagery is at times fascinating, especially with everything that has to do with the technologically advanced kingdom of Tielen.

The narrative is smooth enough to make this book an easy read. Having said that, there are a number of scenes where things drag. And by the same token, there are a few scenes in which I thought that things had been rushed. But overall, the pace flows relatively well.

In my opinion, this novel's weakness lies in the characterizations. One facet of this story which may put off readers is the fact that the main character, Gavril, is a wimp. I understand that Ash wanted to create an anti-hero, and she certainly did. But I fear that she may have taken it a bit too far. Fortunately, in the end, Gavril comes around -- although not in a manner that may be satisfactory, especially to male readers. Also, there are a number of clichés with this cast of characters. But show me a fantasy story that doesn't have any. In any event, a number of clumsy characterizations doesn't take too much away from the quality of this book.

Even if you can see particular plot twists coming from a mile away, Sarah Ash comes up with a few storylines that offer unexpected surprises. I was quite pleased by the fact that the author brings this novel to a close with a satisfying ending.

Moreover, Ash demonstrates that underneath what might appear to be a simple enough fantasy tale, this series could well be something that hides more depth than what is visible at face value.

Lord of Snow and Shadows could well be the starting point of a promising trilogy.

The final verdict: 7/10

The ELANTRIS contest winner

Hi guys!

Just wanted to announce that the name of the lucky winner has finally been drawn. It's Roshan Sadanani, from Charlotte, USA. Expect a copy of the book to be delivered right to your door!;-)

Many thanks to Tor Books for accepting to support this contest. Without them, this would never have been possible.

The Malazan contest winner will be announced before the end of the week, so stay tuned. In addition, there is another contest on the way, coming to you in early January. I'm also trying to have a copy of Goodkind's PHANTOM up for grabs, but I don't know yet if I can make it happen. I'll let you know. . .

New R. Scott Bakker Interview

As promised, here it is!:-) A Q&A with R. Scott Bakker is always interesting, as you'll see!

-----------------------------
Dear Mr. Bakker,

Let me start by thanking you for being gracious enough to take some precious time off your indubitably busy schedule to answer these questions. But with the imminent release of The Thousandfold Thought, know that your fans are extremely excited about this chance to hear from you in person.

- Given the complexity of many of your characterizations, is there a character that you particularly enjoy/enjoyed writing? Why is that? By the same token, is there a character that you absolutely don't like writing about? For what reason?

There’s no one I really dislike writing - it’s more a matter of each posing their own peculiar challenges at particular points. Kellhus is typically the most difficult, simply because it’s hard to convincingly portray someone that damn smart. Others, like Cnaiur, oscillate between extreme difficulty and writing themselves. I had expected he would be the most difficult (after Kellhus of course) to write in The Thousandfold Thought, but thanks to the Melvins and Lustmord, he ended up writing himself. Conphas is easily my favourite. Sometimes I laugh my ass off while writing his sections.

- What do you feel is your strength as a writer/storyteller?

This question is hard because I still feel I have so much to learn. I think my strength is that I set explicit challenges for myself - extreme challenges in some cases. For every scene, I always ask myself what I want my words to do. Most times I fall short of my goals, sometimes I satisfy them, and every once in awhile - like the scene I call ‘Esmenet’s Song’ in The Thousandfold Thought - I sit back and think, ‘There’s no way I wrote that...’

- What author makes you shake your head in admiration? Many fantasy authors don't read much inside the genre. Is it the case with you?

I used to read everything, years and years ago, but the deeper I wandered into university, the more and more I became addicted to ‘primary texts.’ I lost the ability to read for pleasure’s sake, but I think I’m on the slow road to recovery. In the genre, I probably admire George R R Martin the most, not only for his story-telling skills, but because his books made me realize that my little hobby - writing complex fantasy - could very well strike a chord with readers. Reading him was a revelation of sorts. Most recently, I finished Mark Danielewski’s House of Leaves, which, meta-fictional wanking and meta-wanking aside, is nothing short of brilliant.

- Many purists, epic fantasy aficionados, and critics now consider you one of the best fantasy authors in the world. Is there added pressure when it comes down to writing a new addition to the series?

Finding it. Difficult. To breathe...

This is crazy. Are you serious?

Well first off, you should know that I don’t write fantasy - only hacks write fantasy. My books are about the triumph of the human spirit which just happen to have everything you would find in The Wheel of Time...

Look. See the damage you’ve done?

Seriously though, I have found myself freaking out on occasion. I wouldn’t say I’m the most psychologically robust person in the world. I feel like an imposter answering questions like this, and I get chilled by the shadow of the giant shoe some part of me knows is about to drop. I’ve suffered a few instances of depersonalization and derealization... The jargon helps.

But when a story ‘clicks’ for me - I’m not sure how else to explain it - the old priorities reassert themselves, or so it seems. The big temptation, I think, when you start garnering critical acclaim, is to start writing for your critics, which can have disastrous consequences. You write for your readers. It’s not as simple as that, but it’s where I hang my hat.

- In addition, The Thousandfold Thought sets the bar rather high. Will you approach writing The Aspect-Emperor differently now that your writing skills have reached (in my opinion at least) a new level of quality?

Thanks, Pat. I think my writing has gotten stronger with each book, and I’m hoping to put these new skills to work in The Aspect-Emperor. I’m excited by the prospect, primarily because the canvas is so much bigger - so much more (please don’t groan) Tolkienesque. The story is still the same as when I conceived it some twenty years ago, but where I used to despair of being able to do it justice (after so long, the plot of The Second Apocalypse has become something of a religious fetish in my mind) I now feel I have the tools that I need.

But when I reflect on The Prince of Nothing, I sometimes worry. Despite all the flaws, all the ways it makes me cringe, it seems like a kind of monument to me, like something truly iconic. It has a peculiar magic, like a spell an author can only hope to cast once in his or her lifetime. That’s the way it seems.

Pretty melodramatic, huh?

- What would you say was the hardest part of the entire process involved in the writing of the THE PRINCE OF NOTHING? Each new addition reveals yet more depth to a series which has shown just how rich and complex it truly is. What was the spark that generated the idea which drove you to write the series in the first place?

I could go on and on about the complexities. I just spent so much time layering things into the world and story - it almost feels geological when I think about it. The framework arose from my attempt to ‘make good’ on all the work I put into my D&D campaigns back in the eighties. The story proper grew around the character of Kellhus, who arose from the biggest revelation I suffered in my first year of university back in 1986: the realization that belief systems are more a product of social function than of ‘truth.’

Standing inside a given belief system, canonical claims always seem ‘obviously true,’ so much so that we reflexively use them as the yardstick of other belief systems, while remaining utterly oblivious to the fact that others are doing the exact same thing with the same depth of conviction. We seem to forget that having conviction, no matter how soulful or meaningful or redemptive, is as much an indicator of deception as it is of accuracy. Ignorance is invisible, after all. Thanks to psychological mechanisms like confirmation bias, fundamental attribution error and self-exceptionalism, we’re quite content with the embarrassing notion that we somehow just ‘lucked into’ the one true belief system. And why not, when it’s the only yardstick we have? Everything else has to come up short. Outsiders are judged and found wanting.

When you consider the pivotal role belief plays in action and the ways social systems depend on the repetition of interrelated actions to exist (if everyone starting doing different things all at once - like NYC transit workers deciding to fart in front of the TV rather than going to work - society would collapse) then you can see that the primary function of belief systems is to conserve actions, not to be ‘true.’ This is why social systems collapse when belief in them collapses, which is arguably what happened in the old Soviet Union.

Given things like this, I asked myself what a martial artist who used the functionality of belief as well as his sword and his hands would look like, and I came up with Kellhus.

- Given the choice, would you take a New York Times bestseller, or a World Fantasy Award? Why, exactly?

The New York Times bestseller, because then I could buy a World Fantasy Award - maybe two or three of them. I would like to move out of this grungy little apartment, buy a flat screen HDTV, and it would be nice to own a car with a CD player, but aside from that my primary interest is in being read. My goal is to challenge as many people as I can possibly challenge: I really believe we’re entering a phase of history where we’ll need as much conceptual flexibility as we can get. And if I can pass on a few philosophical stretching exercises, then I will have been part of the solution I think.

I would be lying if I didn’t say I was curious about the prospect of winning awards - yes, I was vain enough to think I had a shot - but when The Darkness that Comes Before didn’t even make the list for the Sunburst Awards here in Canada... well. My agent even warned me: epic fantasy doesn’t win refereed awards. I’d like to chalk it up to the perennial inferiority complex we fantasists have. It sometimes seems that the awards go to those who bring fantastic elements to a literary format, and of course I’m trying to do the exact opposite. But that’s likely just a flattering rationale.

Maybe my stuff just isn’t good enough.

Either way, life is about honour, not honours. So the cliche goes.

- What's the progress report pertaining to NEUROPATH? What can you tell us about the premise of the story? Anything new you wish to share with your fans? Something to whet their appetite. . .

I’m working on the rewrites as we speak, and I should have something for my agent to shop around by February. In many ways, I’m doing the same thing I did with The Prince of Nothing: I’m embracing the genre, telling a classic psychothriller tale, in order to explore its significance from the inside out.

I got a good vibe about this book.

- What extensive research did the writing of the THE PRINCE OF NOTHING entail?

It wasn’t so much a matter of doing specific research - like I’ve been doing for Neuropath, for example - as the result of twenty years being a student and an information junkie. I seem to be a little bit interested in everything. Outside of philosophy, I’m as shallow as an ice rink, but I’m at least as broad as the blue line.

- The series has garnered what can best be described as a cult following. However, many doubt that it will ever become "mainstream." With that in mind, how rewarding is it to realize how successful the series has been and continues to be to this day?

It probably is too challenging to go mainstream in a manner analogous to Martin or Jordan. All I know is that it has already exceeded my initially pessimistic expectations. I have regrets, especially about the difficulties with The Darkness that Comes Before, primarily because I know they are largely the result of my immersion in the world and my inexperience as a storyteller. But the fact is I’m paying my rent, all of my publishers are very happy with the numbers, and those people who love the books, really do love them. Hoping for more is understandable, but expecting more would be presumptuous and self-defeating. I started working in the fields when I was nine years old. I put myself through university by working midnights at a grocery store - fourteen years I spent there. Drudgery was my middle name. Right now my life is slack - I know it, and I’m not about to second-guess it.

- I am aware that The Darkness that Comes Before has been translated in French. How many foreign sales have you been able to secure so far?

Hmm. So far it’s also being translated into Spanish, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. Not bad for a newbie, I think!

- The fact that you have your own forum on the internet is an indication that interaction with your readers is important to you as an author. How special is it to have the chance to interact directly with your fans?

It’s very cool, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say it was a mixed bag, because it is. The web is a precarious place for an author to be. Say you knew that two people were whispering about you in the next room. What would you do? Ignore them and continue cleaning your toe jam, or hold your breath and try to hear what they’re saying. I think it’s human nature to do the latter, even though there’s something unhealthy about doing it. The web is a big whisper, and once you strain your ears to listen, it becomes very hard to stop. For me, anyway, it tends to become a kind of psychic noise pollution, and it interferes with the clarity that is so integral to my writing. The problem is that the more I log on the more I succumb to a morbid curiosity for the vox populi - even though afterward it feels like sticking myself with pins.

Some people really don’t like me.

On the other hand, however, the actual interaction is absolutely priceless - there’s no better way to work out your thoughts on a topic than to debate them on a web forum. Then there’s the desire to give back to those who actually spent a part of their lives - because that’s what money is: what we get for surrendering part of our lives to assembly lines, kitchens, highways, or whatever your occupation happens to be - to share your thoughts and your stories. And the web is the perfect way to do this, even if you find yourself saying RAFO over and over again, and your readers keep pointing out inconsistencies that you missed, or factual mistakes that you made, or seem to think your imaginative excesses offer clues to your sex life or psyche or...

Which is to say, keep you honest!

- Are you surprised by what little support you receive from the Canadian media? You and Steven Erikson rank among the best fantasy authors out there, yet both of you Canucks appear to get very little recognition in your own country.

Don’t get me started. It all comes back to the pigeonhole. We have a brain you can fit into a shoebox in a universe so big it defeats the speed of light. As a result, we constantly simplify things by using evaluative tags - things that identify, interpret, and dismiss all at once. ‘Epic fantasy,’ unfortunately, is one of those tags. And despite my early hopes and considerable literary hubris, my work has not managed to shine through.

Thanks to Penguin, I have received some attention here and there, and I sometimes wish I could pull it together enough to manage what Rob Sawyer has accomplished in terms of homegrown media exposure. Part of the problem, I sometimes think, is that here in Canada the literary culture has a powerful nationalistic subtext - not surprising when you consider overwhelming influence of American mass culture - which has led to an almost academic inwardness. The only way to get onto the conveyor belt is to write about Canada, which I have yet to do.

If I ever become commercially successful, I imagine things will change. Canadians love Canadians who manage to beat the Americans at their own game. Failing that, I suppose I could try breast implants or talking out of my butt. Worked for Pamela Anderson and Jim Carey.

- Having read The Thousandfold Thought, I've been telling everyone who will listen to me that it just might be the best fantasy novel that will see the light in 2006. For the benefit of those who have not read it, and without revealing too much, what would you like to tell your fans about it?

I thank you for that, Pat. Word of mouth has been the primary engine for The Prince of Nothing from the start. All I can tell you is what I hoped to accomplish. I wanted to create a world as deep and as consistent as Middle-earth, but as unsentimental and as gritty as the real thing. I wanted to write something that was truly epic and truly fantastic, something religiously faithful to the genre, and yet utterly unlike anything fans have read before. I wanted to tell a story that, when completed, left readers of all stripes feeling as though they had climbed something, even if the full dimensions of the structure escaped them.

The Thousandfold Thought is the summit.

- Some readers have commented on the fact that there is an inordinate amount of semen in the series. Is there a reason for that?

I read somewhere that the average man produces enough ejaculate to fill a bath-tub over the course of his lifetime. By my own estimates, the books contain a small fraction of that - a quart or so at most. So those readers are quite mistaken...

Semen was magical to our ancestors, though it has become quite taboo for us. Think of the Old Testament, which certainly spills a lot of ink about ‘seed.’ The word itself comes to us via old French from the Latin word for seed. Suggestively, the ancient Greek word, s‘ma, meant sign or token or signal. It belongs to a nexus of meanings that are conceptually crucial, I think. But most importantly, it is the visible link between generations, the rope that binds each of us both to the generations that have come before and to our shared animality. When you think of this in the context of Esmenet, who is the perspectival focal point for most of the references, I think you’ll quickly see that my use of the word is far from gratuitous.

- Throughout the trilogy, you have shown your desire to take your tale on the path less traveled. The Mideastern setting, as well as the religious and philosophical aspects, are great examples of how you took epic fantasy on a different path. Was it something that you truly wanted to work on, or did it just happen that way?

I think it just happened that way. I wanted something literate and cosmopolitan, so the Hellenistic Eastern Mediterranean just became the associative quarry where I cut most of my stone.

- Were you surprised that Penguin Books Canada, a publisher not particularly known for producing much works in the fantasy genre, gave you your first opportunity?

I certainly never expected it, but when you consider that they first published Guy Kay’s Fionavar Tapestry it makes sense. They’re actually something of a powerhouse when it comes to Canadian SF&F.

- Since there was no glossary in The Warrior-Prophet, I was a bit shocked to see such a comprehensive glossary in The Thousandfold Thought. Was it difficult to get your publishers to go along with the idea?

Not at all, though they did ask me to keep it as concise as I could. It was part of the plan from the very beginning. A tip of the hat to The Return of the King.

Either that or plain old thievery.

- Will we continue to learn more about the Consult and the Inchoroi from Seswatha's dreams, or will there be more information given in the next series?

There will be much, much more information. As I think I mentioned earlier, a larger part of the world, especially when it comes to the Sranc and the Nonmen, will come into the narrative spotlight. I get giddy just thinking about it!

- Speaking of the next series, what can you tell us about The Aspect-Emperor?

As those who frequent the Three Seas Forum know, I’m pretty paranoid when it comes to potential spoilers. I’m one of those people who covers their ears and sings nonsense when people even mention something I want to read or see. All I’ll say is that it begins approximately 20 years after the conclusion of The Thousandfold Thought.

- Do you have any details concerning a possible upcoming book tour to promote the release of your new novel? Fans are curious to know if you'll be stopping by in their home towns.

Not at the moment. I know I’ll be flying out to Calgary and Vancouver, but not much else.

- Honestly, do you believe that the fantasy genre will ever come to be recognized as veritable literature? Truth be told, in my opinion there has never been this many good books/series as we have right now, and yet there is still very little respect (not to say none) associated with the genre.

If I have my way.

I have some pretty insane ambitions and rapping the insular knuckles of the literary mainstream is one of them. Let them kneel at our pew for a change. To bring commercial genres to the literary mainstream is to use genre as a literary resource for literary readers. To bring literature to commercial genre is to use literature as a resource for popular readers. I’m not interested in singing to choir. I want to write for people who could be potentially offended by what I have to say. I want to start discussions, not rehash them or string them along. The irony, of course, is that this is what literature is supposed to do. Span perspectives, not entrench them. Somewhere along the line, we’ve lost sight of this.

I’m convinced that the division between the commercial and the literary is an artificial one, and that universities are the primary institutional culprit, not the media corporations (which is not to let them off the hook). The same firewalls that provide academic communities the freedom to explore what they will has produced standards of artistic merit drastically removed from those with only their socialization in popular culture to draw on. Isolate any conversation long enough, and it will eventually become esoteric to the point of general unintelligibility. Far from being the heights of contemporary culture, universities have become vacuums, sucking up the individuals with the talent and sensitivity that mass culture so desperately needs, using institutional pressures to rewire their priorities and tastes (just try, without embarrassment, arguing the virtues of epic fantasy in an English literature class), and putting them to work for the also-trained, where everyone can collectively bitch and moan about the commodification of culture and cretinization of the masses. They rob us with one hand, then dare wag their finger with the other. "Look how poor you are."

There’s lots of bullets that need to be bitten, I think. Pass the ammo.

Well, thanks again for accepting to do this. I wish you continued success, and wish you the best for the release of The Thousandfold Thought.

Thank you, Pat. It’s been a pleasure.

The THUD! contest winner

Hi guys!

I just wanted to let you know that the name of the winner has been drawn. It's Robert Morgan, from Edinburgh, Scotland. He will receive a copy of Terry Pratchett's Thud!

Once again, many thanks to Transworld for accepting to do this. Without their support, this contest would not have been possible.

Thanks to all the participants! Perhaps you'll be lucky and win the Erikson or Sanderson contests!:-) The winners will be drawn later this week.

So stay tuned for more!

Year-End Awards

Hi there!

Well, having read 45 books this year, I thought it would be interesting to come up with my own year-end awards!:-) Feel free to leave a comment, whether you agree or not. Everything is based on the novels/series I've read in 2005.

Here are the categories:

Most Promising New Voice:

- Brandon Sanderson, author of Elantris

Most Ambitious Project:

- Neal Stephenson, for his The Baroque Cycle
- Kim Stanley Robinson, for his thought-provoking The Years of Rice and Salt

A Jewel in the Rough:

- The LonTobyn Chronicles (Children of Amarid, The Outlanders, Eagle-Sage) by David B. Coe

Greatest Comeback:

- Stephen R. Donaldson, for The Runes of the Earth

Unexpected Surprise:

- Kitty and the Midnight Hour, by Carrie Vaughn

Most Accessible Author:

- Robin Hobb

Don't Believe the Hype:

- The Curse of Chalion, by Lois McMaster Bujold
- Paladin of Souls, by Lois McMaster Bujold

The Sky's the Limit:

- R. Scott Bakker

Most Entertaining Read:

- Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman
- Thud!, by Terry Pratchett

Most Underrated Book:

- Shaman's Crossing, by Robin Hobb
- The Runes of the Earth, by Stephen R. Donaldson

Most Hyped Novel:

- Knife of Dreams, by Robert Jordan
- A Feast for Crows, by George R. R. Martin

Most Disappointing Books/Series:

- Legends of Dune, by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
- His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman

Best Finish:

- The Tousandfold Thought, by R. Scott Bakker
- Fool's Fate, by Robin Hobb

Worst Finish:

- The Battle of Corrin, by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Best Series:

- The Tawny Man, by Robin Hobb
- The Baroque Cycle, by Neal Stephenson
- The Prince of Nothing, by R. Scott Bakker

Fantasy's Best-Kept Secret:

- L. E. Modesitt, jr.

Favourite Books:

- Knife of Dreams, by Robert Jordan
- Fool's Fate, by Robin Hobb
- The Thousandfold Thought, by R. Scott Bakker

Happy Holidays!!!

Hi guys!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Hopefully you will all have a great time during the Holidays!;-)

The names of the winners of the Pratchett, Erikson and Sanderson contests will be drawn this week, so stay tuned because you might win some books!:-) I may not be Santa, but I do my best!

Also, early in January I'll be announcing yet another contest, this time the prize being another very popular novel. Be sure to stick around for that.

And I personally wanted to thank you all for being there, and for making this weblog what it has now become. Without you guys tuning in, I could never have done it. So many thanks to you!

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (December 20th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows is on the decline, dropping 5 spots to end its fifth week on the NYT list at number 15.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is down 4 positions, finishing its ninth week at number 18.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader drops down 8 spots, ending its third week on the bestseller list at number 19.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is also on the decline, going down 6 positions to finish its eleventh week on the NYT list a number 25.

In paperback:

Terry Goodkind's Chainfire is up 5 spots, ending its second week on the prestigious list at number 23.

More free books to win!!!

Well, here we go again!

Returning from work, I got two great news via email. The first came from Tor Books' publicity department. They gave me the "go ahead" to set up a contest in collaboration with them. Which means that there is now a copy of Brandon Sanderson's Elantris up for grabs! For those who are interested, I have just written my book review on Elantris. So check it out, if you haven't already!;-)

For those who wish to participate, send your full mailing address to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com, with the header "ELANTRIS." Be sure to remove the no-spam addition. The winner will be announced in January. He or she will have a copy of the novel delivered right to their door!

Second great news -- and even more exciting -- came from one of my contacts at Transworld. When we set up the Erikson contest for The Bonehunters, I suggested that we could also do a contest in which the prize would be a complete set of the first 5 volumes of the series. I thought that it could be a good way to generate some interest with those fantasy readers who, for a variety of reasons, had not yet picked up one of Erikson's novels.

So what it boils down to is this: I have a set of the Malazan saga up for grabs! That means that the lucky winner will receive Gardens of the Moon, Deadhouse Gates, Memories of Ice, House of Chains, and Midnight Tides! Believe me when I tell you that it doesn't really get better than this!;-) For those who wish to participate, send your contact info to the aforementioned email address, but with the header "MALAZAN."

Good luck to all the participants!

P. S. By the way, feel free to let me know what upcoming fantasy/scifi novels you would like to have a chance to win. Setting up those contests can be a little time-consuming. But if I know that there is a lot of interest pertaining to a particular book, I can try to pull some strings in order to see if I can make it happen!:-)

Elantris

This novel had been staring at me every time I entered a bookstore. I would pick it up, read the blurb, and think that it sounded pretty interesting. I posted about it on numerous message boards. Like me, most people had seen Elantris but had not bought it. After a while, readers' reviews began to surface and the consensus was definitely good.

I contacted Brandon Sanderson via his website to see if he could possibly get me a review copy. By the way, the author is very nice and quite accessible. You can check him out at www.brandonsanderson.com. And between the two of us, we managed to get Tor Books to hook me up with a copy.

Having finished Elantris, I can now tell you that it is indeed a good novel. There is a lot to enjoy, and only a little not to love about this fine tale.

Sanderson reminds me a lot of David Eddings and J. V. Jones, at least in terms of style and for the dialogues. Steering clear from the now popular "darker" fantasy tales which are rapidly becoming the norm in today's market, Elantris is a relatively "light" fantasy.

Let's begin with all that is good about this book. For those of us who can still appreciate this sort of thing, the prose is above and beyond what I have come to expect nowadays. The novel is truly well-written. The narrative flows extremely well, and the pace is brisk enough to keep you turning those pages.

Elantris being a stand-alone novel, the story is more or less self-contained. This will indubitably please all those readers who have grown tired of long, unending series. But Sanderson leaves enough things up in the air, hence leaving the door open for a possible sequel.

I found the worldbuilding to be quite interesting, and the city of Elantris itself to be fascinating. Too bad we don't learn more about it. This novel may not resound with as much depth as Guy Gavriel Kay's stand-alone books. Yet there is still a richness of details that we don't often see in stand-alone works. I think that Sanderson did a great job with the limitations associated with any self-contained story. The religious aspect are well-defined and so are the different societies, if a little less. . .

I have to admit that the ending packs a powerful punch, bringing this book to a very satisfying end. It was nice to see the different storylines converge to a climax like this. It proves that Brandon Sanderson not only knows how to spin a good yarn, but how to end it with an exclamation point.

Elantris is a character-driven book. There is no question about that. And although I enjoyed it, I found that the characterizations at times left some things to be desired. Like many Eddings and Jones' characters, the main characters were always to quick to catch on on some secrets, etc. It's all a little too easy for my taste at times, and that made me grit my teeth. Sarene, especially, who singlehandedly puts the king in his place, alters the way the aristocracy views the world, and defies a man bent on toppling a kingdom and a religion. Don't get me wrong. The characters are fun, witty, and there is a lot of humour in this book. It's just that I believe that a little darker, grittier aspect would have been more appropriate in some instances.

In the end, what makes Elantris so special is the fact that it's so accessible. This is a book that basically anyone who likes a good fantasy epic can enjoy. And the fact that it is a stand-alone novel makes it even more appealing. This book was more popular than expected in hardcover. And I'm persuaded that it will be a huge success when it is released in paperback.

Keep an eye on Brandon Sanderson, for he just might be one of the bright new voices in the fantasy genre. And if it's not too late, you can also add Elantris on your Christmas present list!:-)

The final verdict: 7,5/10

The new issue of Gryphonwood is out!

You can see the online version here: www.gryphonwoodpress.com

As always, it contains a bunch of fantasy short stories and other related material. Plus, you get a couple of my book reviews from this fall, as well as the interview I did with Robin Hobb last summer!:-)

Check it out!

Win a free copy of Terry Pratchett's THUD!

Yes, here we go again! In collaboration with Transworld, a copy of Pratchett's latest is now up for grabs!:-) And the great thing is that the winner will have the book delivered right to his or her door!

You know the drill by now. To register, just send an email containing your full mailing address to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com, with the header "THUD!" Just remove the No-spam addition. Yes, it's that simple!

The name of the lucky winner will be drawn right after the Holidays. Once again, this contest if open to all. Good luck to all the participants!

The Bonehunters Contest Winner!

Hi guys!

I just wanted to let you all know that the name of the big winner has finally been drawn! It's Joseph Coeshaw, from Avon, UK. Thanks to all the participants, and there were many!

Many thanks to Transworld for graciously accepting to do this with me. Without their support, this contest would not have been possible!

Stay tuned for more!;-)

Pat

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (December 13th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows slips one spot, ending its fourth week on the NYT list at number 10.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader maintains its position, remaining at number 11 for its second week on the prestigious list.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams also maintains its position, ending its 8th week on the NYT list at number 14.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is down 3 spots, finishing its tenth week on the bestseller list at number 19.

In paperback:

Terry Goodkind's Chainfire debuts at number 28.

Giants of the Frost

Time Warner Books sent me this book as part of the same package which contained Kitty and the Midnight Hour. And since I rather enjoyed that novel, I elected to give Kim Wilkins' Giants of the Frost a shot. The book will be released soon, so what the heck. And again, I was rewarded with a very interesting and enjoyable read.

As I've mentioned before, I'm not a big fan of the dark urban fantasy sub-genre. Having said that, following a major epic like Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought, Wilkins' book was a welcome change.

I truly had no expectations regarding this novel. I had never heard of the author, to tell the truth. Hopefully more and more people will now check her out! Time Warner also sent me her first novel, The Autumn Castle, which I will definitely read.

This tale revolves around one of the oldest clichés in storytelling: forbidden love. This is something that could push potential readers away. But Wilkins does a very good job, and she tackles that cliché in a very adroit manner.

The characterizations are at times wonderful, at times okay, and at times lacking in substance. The main character, Victoria Scott, is drawn in minute details. As far as three-dimensional characters go, you can't ask for anything better than that. Unfortunately, most of the "legendary" characters, those who live in Asgard, are not as well-drawn. Loki, in particular, left a lot to be desired.

The worldbuilding is particularly interesting. There is a rich blend of Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore that is at times fascinating.

The premise of the story is quite engaging. Victoria, fleeing her mother and another failed marriage, takes a job as a scientist on an isolated island in the Sea of Norway. There, away from her problems, she hopes to complete her doctoral thesis. But she soon discovers that there are a number of mythic tales and rumors associated with the island. And more frightening than the island's mysteries is the fact that everything is hauntingly familiar. Then, a stranger appears on the almost-deserted island, turning her life upside down. To her dismay, she learns that their destinies are connected, dating back to a conflict centuries old.

Well-written, well-paced for the most part, Giants of the Frost is a fine novel. If you are looking for something a little different, give this Kim Wilkins offering a chance. You can also visit her website at www.kimwilkins.com.

The final verdict: 7,5/10

The Prince of Nothing contest winner

Hi guys!

Well, the name of the lucky winner has just been drawn! And it's Dave Northeast, from Oshawa, Canada.

As promised, he will receive a hardcover set of The Prince of Nothing trilogy, which includes The Darkness That Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, and of course The Thousandfold Thought.

Many thanks to Overlook for not only helping me to set this up, but for the greatest prize so far! I would also like to thank all the participants. Stay tuned for more!;-)

By the way, the Erikson contest winner will be drawn next week! It could be you!:-)

Pat

R. Scott Bakker Interview on the way!

Hey there!

Just received word from Scott, and he's interested in doing an interview. The only thing is that he's going on vacation for the next couple of weeks. So the interview will take place in January.

Which means that early in 2006, we'll have a Q&A with the man who wrote what just might be the best fantasy novel of the coming year!

Stay tuned!

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (December 6th)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows slips a little, but manages to remain in the top 10. The book ended its third week on the NYT list at number 9.

James Luceno's The Rise of Darth Vader debuts at number 11.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is hanging in there, dropping 3 positions to finish its seventh week on the bestseller list at number 14.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is up 4 spots, rising to number 16 for its ninth week on the NYT list.

Nothing to report in paperback. . .

The Radioactive Redhead

I received this book as part of a package from Penguin Books. I had never heard of both John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem. But the premise of the story appeared funny enough, and I could use something "light" to read. So I decided to give The Radioactive Redhead a shot.

And once more, I was rewarded with a very entertaining read. This book would be perfect for the beach, the airport, or the plane. Not too long, with a narrative that flows well, it makes for a quick read. Even better, it will get at least a smile, a smirk, a laugh or a chuckle per chapter!

The Radioactive Redhead is a scifi novel that doesn't take itself too seriously. So don't expect worldbuilding of the first order, resounding depth, or deeply realized characters. This is futuristic pulp for readers who wish to enjoy the ride. And it is a fun ride!

Zachary Nixon Johnson is the last private investigator on Earth. Somehow, if that's possible, this character is sort of a cross between James Bond and Kramer. Helping him is his Artificial Intelligence sidekick HARV. The problem is, this AI wishes to experiment and elects to go through a sex change, becoming the female HARA. Zach thought that HARV could be an annoying pain in the butt, so he is quite unprepared for what comes next.

On his way to accept a contract, Zach is attacked by droid assassins. He barely manages to survive, only to find out that an entertainment network is attempting to kill him as part of a new reality show Let's kill Zach.

To add to his problems, Zach unwittingly becomes the bodyguard of Sexy Sprockets, a teen superstar. Sexy, on her farewell tour, has been receiving death threats from a terrorist organization known as PATA: People Against Talentless Acts.

Hence, trying to survive the reality show episodes, work out some domestic problems with his girlfriend, save Sexy's life and career, live with his new sidekick, all makes for an entertaining read!

This novel will certainly never win a Nobel Prize. But if you are looking for something funny to read this Holiday season, The Radioactive Redhead is definitely for you.

The final verdict: 7/10

The Thousandfold Thought

Understandably, it was with great eagerness that I wanted to sink my teeth into this book, the last volume of The Prince of Nothing trilogy. Although very sluggish in rhythm at times, The Warrior-Prophet had the sort of ending that set the stage for so much more. Hence, the question was whether or not Bakker could close the show with a flourish.

Believe me when I tell you that The Thousandfold Thought doesn't disappoint! Simply put, it's brilliant!

As was the case with its predecessors, it is an intelligent work, in every run of the mill. This novel, in my humble opinion, will satisfy purists and aficionados in a manner that will certainly make you beg for more.:-) Again, the psychological, philosophical, and religious aspects of this grand epic will undoubtedly prevent this incredible trilogy from ever becoming mainstream. Yet now, more than ever, I'm convinced that this state of affairs will allow The Prince of Nothing and its sequels to retain their uniqueness in the fantasy genre. Which, in the end, is probably priceless.

Bakker's original Mideastern setting continues to be fascinating, as well as a breath of fresh air compared to what is currently on the market. Once more, the worldbuilding is of the first order. It's pure delight to be drawn into this richly detailed universe. In addition, The Thousandfold Thought contains an encyclopedic glossary, a good portion of which I read during my lunch break today. Over 100 pages of pertinent information! I have to admit that I'm more than a little surprised that his publishers elected to include such a detailed glossary. Indeed, it has to be the most comprehensive one since the appendices found within the one-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings.

The most enjoyable facet of this novel is the fact that R. Scott Bakker turns everything around, demonstrating just how good a storyteller he can be. So expect the unexpected. And throughout the entire tale, everything resounds with a depth which we rarely encounter in today's fantasy market.

In The Darkness that Comes Before and The Warrior-Prophet, it was the tapestry woven by the characters and their actions that kept me turning those pages. The Prince of Nothing is populated by a cast of deeply realized characters. And nowhere is it more apparent than in The Thousandfold Thought.

If you believe that you know where Bakker is going with everyone, then you are sadly mistaken. The storylines take various unanticipated twists and turns, surprising the readers on more than one occasion. The characterizations, which were so impressive in the first volume, didn't progress as much in the second one. However, there is evident character growth in this one, enough to please even the most demanding fans.

As impossible as it may sound, just about every character has a role to play in the outcome of the Holy War. And you better buckle up, for Bakker has a lot in store for Achamian, Esmenet, Kellhus, Conphas, Maithanet, Proyas, and all the others. They are all, in different degrees, important.

Another fascinating aspect of this book turns out to be the many revelations pertaining to the Apocalypse, the Consult, the Inchoroi, the Nonmen, the No-God, the Gnosis, the Cishaurim, etc. The glossary also contains a wealth of information concerning these things and a lot more.

Bakker maintains that almost poetic way he has with battle narrative. There is a certain sense of wonder with the way the author depicts battle scenes. And with the battle of Shimeh comprising about 100 pages of this final volume, fans of action should be more than satisfied!

As for the meeting between Kellhus and Moënghus, I will say nothing. This book review will not contain any spoilers. Read the book if you wish to find out! One thing is for sure, the last 2 chapters of The Thousandfold Thought set the stage for the upcoming series. And I just can't wait to get my hands on it!

As for the mechanical aspects of the novel, the prose is impeccable. The narrative is concise and flows seamlessly. The dialogues are genuine. And the pace is crisp. To tell the truth, I can't really find any negative comment to offer. It's that damn good! And the author manages to cap it all off with the sort of ending that's well worth re-reading a time or two.

The Thousandfold Thought will -- at least until a new contender makes its presence known -- be the book to beat this year. Having set the bar rather high, Bakker may have written what could possibly be the best fantasy novel to be released in 2006. This book deserves the highest possible recommendation. This saga is definitely a "must read" work.

So pre-order it, or buy it as soon as it becomes available. It will be released in hardcover by Overlook and in trade paperback by Penguin Books Canada.

The final verdict: 9,5/10