This really sucks. . .:-(

I was meaning to post about this last week, but those dreaded final Bar exams got in the way.

Sadly, this is bad news to Paul Kearney and his fans. Considering the amount of shit available on the shelves of the fantasy/science fiction sections in bookstores around the world, it defies comprehension that a talented author such as Kearney now finds himself without a publisher on both sides of the Atlantic.

This is a message he posted on his website a few days back. You can read it and the readers' replies here:

I've been pretty remiss about visiting the site of late, for which I apologise heartily to you all. Things have been rather busy as regards the future of the Sea Beggars series. I'm sorry to say that sales of both books have not been brilliant, both in the UK and the US, and so both the UK and US publishers have decided to pull the plug on the series. In the conventional sense, there will be no more books...

I'm completely gutted by this decision, as are both my editors, but these days the bean counters have the final say. Both books got excellent reviews everywhere, and Forsaken garnered me the best reviews of my life - but good reviews do not put money in the pockets of the publisher.

That said, my US agent is still in discussions with a different publisher about bringing out the last two books in the series, though it's a long shot. I'm considering publishing the third book for free, here on the site, chapter by chapter - just to get it out there. I'd very much like to hear any input from you guys on the matter. I'd hate to see the series just disappear down a hole.

Having said that, I am (hardly surprisingly!) somewhat disgusted with the whole publishing business at the moment, and will almost certainly take a complete break from writing for a while - perhaps for good. I have had an idea for a reality/fantasy novel set in postwar Europe which my old editor would be keen to publish, but I'm thinking it might just be best to make a clean break and set up in some other kind of work. It doesn't come easy - I've been a professional writer for sixteen years now - but it says much for my sheer disgust as the business of publishing as it is conducted these days.

I'd like to thank everyone who has turned up on this site and made an input - I greatly appreciate them all, and thank you all for your kind words.

Best of luck to you, Paul. I'm sure that another publisher will pick up The Sea Beggars.

Win a book a month for a year from Orbit!

Most Europeans readers are well acquainted with Orbit, probably the most popular SFF imprint in the UK. The good news is that Orbit is crossing the pond and will be launching here in North America next fall. Part of the Hachette Book Group USA, the first American editions of Orbit titles will see the light in September. One of the main titles part of this inaugural launching will be Brian Ruckley's Winterbirth, which made my Top 10 of 2006. Pretty nifty cover, by the way!;-)

To promote the coming of this new imprint in the USA, the folks at Orbit came up with a very cool contest. One lucky winner will receive a book a month for an entire year! For more information, check out www.orbitbooks.net.

The contest is open to US residents only, and all you need to do is fill out this form.

As the date of the official launching approaches, I'll have more news for you. Needless to say, I'll be working in collaboration with Alex and the rest of the Orbit crew to help them spread the word about new authors and titles. So expect to hear more about this new fantasy and science fiction publisher!:-)

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (May 15th)

In hardcover:

J. R. R. Tolkien's The Children of Húrin is down one position, ending its third week on the bestseller list at number 3. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Charlaine Harris' All Together Dead debuts at number 6. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Kelley Armstrong's Nu Humans Involved debuts at number 14. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Jim Butcher's White Night is down eight spots, finishing its fifth week on the charts at number 24. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

In paperback:

Cormac McCarthy's The Road maintains its position at number 1. The book has spent five weeks on the NYT list. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five is up six spots, finishing its fourth week on the prestigious list at number 29. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Additional review sites/blogs

Every week I receive emails from people inquiring about trustworthy book review sites and blogs. As crazy as it sounds, I still find it extremely shocking when they tell me that they consider this blog as one of the most reliable SFF book review venues out there.

I'm always at a loss, not knowing exactly what I should be telling them. My response is more or less the same every time. I tell them to check out my links and visit the blogs of interest I have there. I also suggest that they should become members or simply lurk on message boards such as wotmania.com and asoiaf.westeros.org, where knowledgeable and well-read online communities make it easy to "discover" new authors/novels/series.

Truth to tell, I've been steering by those stars for years now, and it permitted me to discover authors such as R. Scott Bakker, Hal Duncan, Steven Erikson, Naomi Novik, Brandon Sanderson, and many more.

So what about you guys? Are there any websites/blogs that you visit assiduously for fantasy/science fiction/speculative fiction book reviews? If so, feel free to post about it in the comment section. Perhaps, between all of us, we can come up with an extensive list of quality review venues.

Go ahead: Pimp thy favorite site!;-)

Night of Knives

Hi guys,

With Esslemont's debut set to hit the bookstores in just a couple of weeks, I decided to reprint my review from last summer. Since there are more and more Malazan converts and since the traffic on this blog has more than doubled since last year, I thought it would be the perfect way to give Night of Knives some exposure. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Those were my thoughts:

As a recent Malazan convert, I was eager to sink my teeth into Ian Cameron Esslemont's first novel set in the universe he created with Steven Erikson. Having savored and enjoyed all six volumes of The Malazan Book of the Fallen, I was now ready to discover what Night of Knives had to offer.

Let it be said that Esslemont certainly selected the perfect setting for his first book. By choosing to recount the tale of the night when Surly, the Imperial Regent, plans to assassinate the Emperor, Kellanved, and Dancer to seize the throne, well the author couldn't possibly go wrong. Of all the characters which Steven Erikson has introduced in his series thus far, Shadowthrone and Cotillion remain mysterious favorites to many people. Hence, an opportunity to witness what occurred on the night they ascended was extremely interesting.

As the entire tale takes place during a single night -- during the Shadow Moon -- the rhythm of the novel is quite sharp. It's also chaotic in a way that is reminiscent of Gardens of the Moon. Don't let the length of the book fool you. Night of Knives is as long as it needs to be.

Some will probably disagree with me, but I believe that one must read the previous Malazan volumes to fully appreciate Night of Knives. As for me, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much, had I not read all the way to The Bonehunters. I've seen threads on message boards with people asking if Night of Knives is a good starting point for the Malazan series. No, it's not! One requires an understanding of the depth of the universe, its characters, and the myriad plotlines which form this unbelievable tapestry, before one can really appreciate all that Night of Knives has to offer.

The story is seen through the eyes of two main POV characters. The first, Kiska, is a young girl dying to find a way to leave Malaz Island. Needless to say, she'll get a lot more than she bargained for on the night of the Shadow Moon. Hopefully we'll learn more about her character in future novels. If you've read The Bonehunters, you are aware that she is now one of Tayschrenn's two most trusted bodyguards.

The second POV character is Temper, a grizzled and battle-hardened veteran of many campaigns. Running away from a past he cannot forget, he settled in the backwater that is Malaz Island, hoping to fade from everyone's memory. Yet the upcoming convergence will force him to take an active role once more. As a former member of the celebrated Sword of the Empire, he fought alongside Dassem Ultor. And through him, we discover what truly happened at the siege of Y'Ghatan. Not surprisingly, there is more to Temper than meets the eye. That much was made clear by Night of Knives and The Bonehunters.

We also learn more about the enigmatic Tayschrenn, which was a pleasant surprise and which helps us understand his neutral stance in The Bonehunters. It allows us to shine some light on some of his actions/inactions in both Gardens of the Moon and Memories of Ice. Add to that a few secrets about Edgewalker and the Shadow Realm, and you have a wonderful mix indeed!
However, even though Night of Knives provides a couple of answers, it raises yet more questions. But I wouldn't have it any other way. This novel is the perfect Malazan companion book. Roll on Return of the Crimson Guard, which will likely demonstrate just how good an author Esslemont truly is.

A very satisfying read for any fan of The Malazan Book of the Fallen.

The final verdict: 8/10

RITE contest winner!

Hi there!

One lucky bastard will get his hands on a signed copy of Rite, thanks to Tad Williams' generosity! For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

The winner is:

- Joseph Potanza, Buffalo, New York, USA

Thanks to all the participants!;-)

The J. R. R. Tolkien contest winner!

The name of our winner has been drawn. That lucky person will receive a copy of Tolkien's The Children of Húrin, compliments of HarperCollins. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

The winners is:

Greg Anderson, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Thanks to all the participants!

Jacqueline Carey stops George R. R. Martin with a shocking 7th round TKO victory

LAS VEGAS: It was supposed to be yet another voluntary title defense for the undisputed champion of the world, George "The Smash" Martin. No big deal for the man who has made 61 consecutive defenses of his title, ever since crushing Neil Gaiman in the spring of 2006 to claim the three belts that mark him as the undisputed champ. Martin made his entrance to the roar of a partisan crowd at the MGM Grand this afternoon, strutting his stuff, golden teeth flashing in the spolight.

Experts and aficionados opined that Martin was stepping in the ring too rapidly after winning a narrow decison against Canadian contender Steven "The Terror of the North" Erikson just a few weeks ago. Especially given the fact that a lucrative showdown against number 1-ranked challenger and heir apparent Scott "Sweetness" Lynch was just around the corner.

His opponent, Jacqueline "S&M" Carey, was a 17-1 underdog for this title bout. Still, a panoply of Hollywood stars and celebrities sat at ringside, eager for the slugfest to get underway, while the rest of the stands were filled with GRRM fans confident that the champ would make short work of his opponent.

In a rare display of violence, the challenger threw caution to the wind and came out swinging. Martin, evidently taken aback by his opponent's unanticipated offensive, tried to smother the smaller Carey. A viscious uppercut sent him to the canvas for the first time at 1:06 minute of the opening round. Gamely, the champion beat the count and attempted to neutralize Carey's attacks by haymakers of his own. However, having drawn first blood, Carey was hungry for more and a three-punch combination floored Martin again with 20 seconds to go in the round.

Carey was ruthless, pressing the attack with ferocious temerity, battering Martin with savage combinations to the head and the body. Shell-shocked, the champ was knocked down again in the second and fourth round. Shortly after the opening bell of the fifth round, a wild left hook opened a deep cut over the champion's right eye.

Astonishingly, George R. R. Martin was never in the fight. The bell saved him from what seemed to be a sure knockdown at the end of the sixth round. The seventh round had not reached its one-minute mark when the referee stopped the fight. Carey had the champ at her mercy in one corner, and she was punching with reckless abandon, sensing her opportunity. Seeing Martin powerless to contain that barrage of punches, the referee had no choice but to bring this bout to a halt.

Everyone, from the thousands in attendance to the HBO telecast commentators, was stunned. Jacqueline Carey was exuberant, claiming the WBA, WBC and IBF title belts with an impressive TKO victory. "I knew I could do it," she said simply, beaming as she was presented the belts that now mark her as the undisputed champion of the world.

Martin, for his part, promised to be back with A Dance with Dragons. "You haven't seen the last of me," he told reporters at the post-fight press conference. "Those belts have my name on them."

Watching the fight from the front row, Scott Lynch saw his hopes of a multi-million dollar showdown against the man who helped put him on the map evaporate. Asked if he feared the new champion, the usually famboyant boxer replied, "You take all the top contenders in the division, you line them up, and I'll knock them out!"

Apprised of his brash declaration, Carey appeared unimpressed. "I'll teach that hippie a thing or three," she said with a grin. Still, with a title fight against Lynch looming on the horizon, Carey's reign could be short-lived. And yet, for the time being, she is the champ.

WBO champion, Terry "The Almighty" Goodkind was clearly disgusted by the quality of the spectacle. When asked about Martin, Carey and Lynch, the Yeard mocked his peers. "A bunch of commie cunts, every last one of them!" As is habitually his wont, the WBO title-holder was elusive when asked if he would relinquish the belt of that fledging boxing association and face the true champion.

Jacqueline Carey stops George R. R. Martin in the seventh round -- one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport.

***With the highest number of registrations in the history of the blog, GRRM reigned supreme with the giveaway that saw one lucky young lady win a full set of signed ASOIAF hardcovers. Well folks, with this autographed Kushiel's Justice contest, Jacqueline Carey has just beaten him. Nearly 400 registrations on the day of the announcement -- I've never seen anything like it! And this afternoon, the total of registrations has surpassed that of the GRRM contest of last year. So we have a new champion!;-)

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (May 8th)

In hardcover:

J. R. R. Tolkien's The Children of Húrin drops down one position, ending its second week on the bestseller list at number 2. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Jim Butcher's White Night is down five spots, finishing its fourth week on the charts at number 16. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Kim Harrison's For a Few Demons More is down six positions, ending its sixth week on the NYT list at number 34. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

In paperback:

Cormac McCarthy's The Road maintains its position at the top of the prestigious list. This week marks its fourth week on the bestseller list. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five is down eighteen spots, finishing its third week on the charts at number 35. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA (signed limited edition)

I just received an email alert concerning Subterranean Press' limited edition of Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora. Both amazon.com and amazon.ca offer the book at 37% off, which truly brings down the price on this collector's item.

As I mentioned before, Bill at Subterranean Press sent me an ARC of this gorgeous edition of Lynch's debut. If you're a fan of the author, this is perhaps the cheapest way for you to get your hands on this limited edition. For more info on this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Win a signed copy of Jacqueline Carey's KUSHIEL'S JUSTICE

Hi guys!

Thanks to Warner Books, I have five autographed copies of Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Justice up for grabs! For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

The rules are the same as usual. First off, you need to send an email at reviews@(no-spam)gryphonwood.net with the header "JUSTICE." Remember to remove the "no spam" thingy.

Second, your email must contain your full mailing address (that's snail mail!), otherwise your message will be deleted.

Lastly, multiple entries will disqualify whoever sends them. And please include your screen name and the message boards that you frequent using it, if you do hang out on a particular MB.

Good luck to all the participants!:-)

REAPER'S GALE is out!;-)

Yes, the wait for most people is finally over!:-)

You can now get your hands on what could well be the fantasy book of the year! Steven Erikson's Reaper's Gale has been showing up in bookstores since last week, but today is the official release date. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

What are you waiting for!?! Go read it!;-)

Brasyl

Brasyl was one of this year's most anticipated reads for me.

With River of Gods (Canada, USA, Europe), Ian McDonald raised the bar rather high, and I was wondering if the author could come up with something as good. It never occurred to me that McDonald could write a better novel. And yet, somehow, he did!

Brasyl is a mesmerizing ensemble of three different tales. On takes place in Rio de Janeiro in 2006, as an ambitious reality tv producer finds herself in the middle of a conflict that could unravel reality itself. The second story takes place in Sao Paulo in 2032, as a man is thrust into the dangerous universe of quantum computing and he'll never be the same again. The third storyline occurs in Brazil in 1732, as a Jesuit Father is sent to bring back a rogue priest to face the justice of the religious order.

I was astonished to see the tale unfold, to see how McDonald yet again captures the essence of a country and its people and weaves it in a myriad of ways throughout the novel. The author paints a vivid picture of South America's largest country, depicting the past, the present, and the possible future of Brazil in a manner that makes everything come alive as you read on. Every plotline is tied to the others. Indeed, everything is linked together across time and the fabric of reality, thanks to quantum physics and the multiverse that surrounds our existence.

The worldbuilding is "top notch." Ian McDonald deserves kudos for his brilliant depiction of Brazil during three different epochs. As always, the author's eye for exquisite details adds another dimension to a book that's already head and shoulder above the competition.

Of the three main characters (one for each era), Father Luis Quinn steals the show. Funny how a Jesuit priest from the 18th century should become the star of a thought-provoking scifi masterpiece! The supporting cast consists of a few interesting characters, chief among those Dr. Robert Falcon.

You'll be amazed to see how the various plotlines come together to form a dazzling whole. This book blew my mind even more than River of Gods. Seriously, I didn't want it to end!

Brasyl deserves the highest possible recommendation. It will surely be one of the best -- if not the best -- science fiction novels of 2007.

Without the shadow of a doubt, Brasyl is one of the books to read this year!

The final verdict: 9/10

For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe

Coming Soon

Hi guys!

Things are pretty hectic around here, what with my final Bar exams coming up. Taking a break from studying, I thought I'd let you know what you can expect on the Hotlist in the near future. I just finished Ian McDonald's Brasyl (Canada, USA, Europe), which will probably be the science fiction novel of 2007. If not, it will end up very near the top!;-) My review should go live soon.

Book Reviews:

Upcoming reviews will include Scott Lynch's Red Seas under Red Skies (Canada, USA, Europe), Steven Erikson's The Lees of Laughter's End, Richard Morgan's Black Man/Thirteen (Canada, USA, Europe), David Bilsborough's The Wanderer's Tale (Canada, USA, Europe), which some believe could be the fantasy debut of the year, and James Barclay's Cry of the Newborn (Canada, Europe).

In addition, Voyager Books are sending me page proofs of Robin Hobb's Renegade's Magic (Europe), so I should also sink my teeth into this one before its release date!:-)

Interviews:

My latest interview with Steven Erikson will be posted as soon as the author gets back to me with his answers.

Interviews with Greg Keyes, Peter F. Hamilton and Katherine Kurtz will see the light, eventually!;-) The questions have been sent, so we wait. . .

As soon as I'm done with Red Seas under Red Skies, I'll be doing a Q&A with Scott Lynch. The same can be said of Robin Hobb, who has agreed to do yet another interview with me! Provided I enjoy The Wanderer's Tale, there should be a Q&A with David Bilsborough. The same with James Barclay.

I always have additional projects cooking up, which means that there will be more. Stay tuned for that!:-)

Giveaways:

Early next week, I'll be announcing a contest for signed copies of Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Justice (Canada, USA).

Del Rey Books have agreed to supply a copy of Richard Morgan's Thirteen for a giveaway. I'm trying to get the UK edition as well.

I haven't received confirmation just yet, but I'm confident that a Scott Lynch contest for Red Seas under Red Skies will see the light in the coming weeks.

I will have copies of Robin Hobb's Renegade's Magic up for grabs, so keep your eyes peeled for that one!

I'm also trying to set up something for David Bilsborough's The Wanderer's Tale. Other than that, you'll have to wait and see!;-)

That's about it for now. . .

Win a copy of Sean Williams' THE HANGING MOUNTAINS

Hi there!

Thanks to the kind folks at Pyr, I have three copies of Sean Williams' latest, The Hanging Mountains, up for grabs. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe. It's the third volume in the Books of the Cataclysm series, sequel to The Crooked Letter and The Blood Debt.

The rules are the same as usual. First off, you need to send an email at reviews@(no-spam)gryphonwood.net with the header "HANGING." Remember to remove the "no spam" thingy.

Second, your email must contain your full mailing address (that's snail mail!), otherwise your message will be deleted.

Lastly, multiple entries will disqualify whoever sends them. And please include your screen name and the message boards that you frequent using it, if you do hang out on a particular MB.

Good luck to all the participants!

Win an autographed copy of Tad Williams' RITE

Hi there,

First of all, I wish to thank Tad for sending me those copies of Rite on his own dime. This Subterranean Press limited edition is sold out, making this signed copy of Rite a veritable collector's item. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

The rules are the same as usual. First off, you need to send an email at reviews@(no-spam)gryphonwood.net with the header "RITE." Remember to remove the "no spam" thingy.

Second, your email must contain your full mailing address (that's snail mail!), otherwise your message will be deleted.

Lastly, multiple entries will disqualify whoever sends them. And please include your screen name and the message boards that you frequent using it, if you do hang out on a particular MB.

Good luck to all the participants!

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (May 1st)

In hardcover:

J. R. R. Tolkien's The Children of Hùrin debuts strongly at number 1. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Jim Butcher's White Night is down four spots, finishing its third week on the NYT list at number 11. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Kim Harrison's For a few Demons More is down six positions, ending its fifth week on the charts at number 28. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Raymond E. Feist's Into a Dark Realm slips down three spots, finishing its fourth week on the bestseller list at number 31. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box is down six positions, ending its ninth week on the NYT list at number 32. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

In paperback:

Cormac McCarthy's The Road is up one spot, reclaiming the number 1 position on the prestigious bestseller list on its fourth week. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five is down one position, finishing its second week on the charts at number 17. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

Gordon Dahlquist contest winner!

The name of our winner has been drawn. Thanks to Bill at Subterranean Press, he will receive copy number 1 of the limited edition of Gordon Dahlquist's The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

The winner is:

Ken Fergason, from Chandler, Arizona, USA (kcf on wotmania.com, malazanempire.com, asoiaf.westeros.org, and many more!)

Thanks to all the participants!:-)

Win a copy of Ian Cameron Esslemont's NIGHT OF KNIVES

Yes, the Malazan bonanza continues!;-)

Don't despair, Erikson's Reaper's Gale (Canada, USA, Europe) will be available in a few more days! As for the interview, I'm expecting Steven's answers any day now.

Thanks to the good folks at Transworld, I have five copies of Ian Cameron Esslemont's Night of Knives for you to win. For more info about this title: Canada, USA, Europe.

The rules are the same as usual. First off, you need to send an email at reviews@(no-spam)gryphonwood.net with the header "NIGHT." Remember to remove the "no spam" thingy.

Second, your email must contain your full mailing address (that's snail mail!), otherwise your message will be deleted.

Lastly, multiple entries will disqualify whoever sends them. And please include your screen name and the message boards that you frequent using it, if you do hang out on a particular MB.

Good luck to all the participants!

Quote of the day

Place had been cleaned out, although there'd been some foodstocks in the cold-rooms. Not a drop of wine or ale, the final proof, as far as she was concerned, that this foreign empire was a mess and useless besides and pretty much worth destroying down to its very last brick.

- SERGEANT HELLIAN (her thoughts on the Empire of Lether), Steven Erikson's Reaper's Gale