Kitty and the Midnight Hour

First of all, I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of the horror/dark urban fantasy sub-genres. I don't hink I've read books containing werewolves and vampires (Pratchett notwithstanding) since the old TSR Ravenloft books.

I didn't know what to expect when I elected to read this book. Because of its cover, I had preconceived misconceptions. But I'm currently reading Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought (taking notes, etc), which means that I couldn't bring it at work. Needing something to read during my lunch breaks, and since Time Warner sent me a review copy of the novel, I went for it. I wanted something "light," something that wouldn't take me weeks to finish. To all ends and purposes, Carrie Vaughn's Kitty and the Midnight Hour appeared to be just what the doctor ordered. Plus, the book was released earlier this month, so what the heck?

To tell the truth, I wasn't expecting much more than something to kill time. Well, I'm happy to report that I've enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected. Kitty and the Midnight Hour is a very entertaining novel!

The narrative flows extremely well. The dialogues are pretty good. The pace is crisp, keeping you turning those pages. The premise, which on the blurb seemed a little lame, turns out to be original and a lot of fun.

The characterizations are well-done, with Kitty coming out as a strong, three-dimensional characters. In fact, it's Kitty's character which really draws you into this story.

Although a "dark" tale, Vaughn's witty sense of humor shines through Kitty's character, bringing a certain balance between the lighter and the darker sides of this horror story.

And there is much more depth to this story than I first anticipated. Vaughn uses the fact that Kitty hosts a radio show offering late-night advice to men and women who are supernaturally disadvantaged to reveal a ton of information on werewolves and vampires. Hence, we learn much concerning werewolves' packs and how they function. The same can be said pertaining to vampires' families.

So what exactly is this book about, you ask? Well, I'm not about to include spoilers in this book review. Let's just say that Kitty, a werewolf in the closet, finds herself in the middle of a power struggle within her pack. Moreover, the head of the city's vampire family appears to want her dead. She soon finds herself facing a bounty hunter, and her expertise is required to solve a number of strange and violent homicides. As Kitty's radio show's popularity continues to skyrocket, more and more people are drawn to Elijah Smith and his Church of the Pure Faith. They supposedly possess the secret to cure werewolves and vampires, and bring them back fully on the side of humanity. Meanwhile, the US government is also taking a growing interest in the paranormal.

As I said, a very entertaining book. I will certainly read Kitty's upcoming adventures!

The final verdict: 8/10

Win a free hardcover set of THE PRINCE OF NOTHING trilogy

Hi guys!

It's unbelievable, I know! After Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman in October, I was lucky enough to announce that we had two new contests under way, one for Tad Williams' Shadowplay and one for Steven Erikson's The Bonehunters.

Well, I have just received word that The Overlook Press has given me the "go ahead" to organize my R. Scott Bakker contest. In the beginning, the prize was to be a copy of The Thousandfold Thought. Which, everyone would agree, was a neat enough prize. But Overlook has decided to set the bar a little higher, granting the winner a complete hardcover set of The Prince of Nothing trilogy. Hence, the lucky winner will received The Darkness that Comes Before, The Warrior-Prophet, and The Thousandfold Thought! Now that's something!;-)

All you have to do to register is to leave your name and full mailing address in an email that you will send to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com. Please make sure that the header reads "BAKKER." But remove the No-spam addition. And if you haven't registered for the Tad Williams or the Steven Erikson contest, please do the same but with the header "SHADOWPLAY" or "THE BONEHUNTERS." One name will be randomly drawn, sent to the publisher, and a while later the books will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to Overlook for accepting to do this! Once again, this contest is open to all, regardless of where you are from.

Good luck to all the participants!

P. S. I'm halfway through The Thousandfold Thought and it's great so far!:-)

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (November 22nd)

In hardcover:

George R. R. Martin's A Feast for Crows makes an impressive debut, holding the number 1 spot on the NYT list.

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is still selling very well. Although it's down 2 spots, it finishes its fifth week on the bestseller list at number 8.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes drops 1 position, ending its seventh week on the prestigious list at number 18.

R. A. Salvatore's Promise of the Witch-King continues to drop, down 2 spots this week, finishing its third week on the list at number 22.

Nothing to report in paperback. . .

THUD!

Okay, I'll be the first to admit it. I can be a fairly stupid person when I put my mind to it. At least that's how I feel, having now finished my very first Terry Pratchett novel. Go ahead, throw rocks at me! You are certainly entitled. I've been an avid reader of the genre for two decades now, as many well know. So how come I have never read a Discworld book before now? It's a legitimate question, that's true. Unfortunately, I have no satisfying answer to offer you.

Living in Canada, where we can get Pratchett's novels since the beginning (one of the joys of being a member of the Commonwealth!), I've seen the Discworld novels every time I go to a bookstore. For some reason, I harbored doubts that fantasy and comedy could particularly go well together. After all, when I needed a laugh, there was always Seinfeld. Having read Thud!, I realize the immensity of my error of judgement. Over the years, I have witnessed how popular the author became. The first time I traveled to London, I noticed that he had more shelf space than Jordan and Tolkien put together. Still, I was reticent to pick up on of his books.

When Thud! debuted at number 4 on the NYT bestseller list, certain critics claimed that it was about time American fantasy readers realized just how good Terry Pratchett was. In light of such acclaim, I finally decided that the time had come for me to jump on the bandwagon.

The narrative flows flawlessly, and the dialogues are great and bring a smile on your face at every turn.:-) Pratchett's sharp wit and delightful humor surpass those of both Neal Stephenson and Neil Gaiman, two of my favorites in those departments.

With Discworld being such an enormous series, I was afraid that I would have difficulty getting into the story. Yet that was not the case. Although a lot is alluded to, new readers like me can read Thud! as a stand-alone novel without missing a beat. The dynamic prose keeps you turning those pages, following the wild adventures of a bunch of hilarious characters.

I now understand why Pratchett has garnered so much praise over the years. And believe me, it is well-deserved. Although humorous, there is a much deeper side to the author's work. Most jokes and observations often act as a mirror to our own world. Hidden underneath one of the most entertaining book I've read this year is an insightful social commentary.

And the author's jab at The Da Vinci Code, as Vimes and company must solve the riddle of a painting that supposedly conceals the true secret of the Koom Valley battle, was a nice touch to a wonderful tale.

I am now -- and forever will be -- a fan of Terry Pratchett and the Discworld universe! Yes, it took me a long time to face the truth. But I am now a believer! And I now have 29 Discworld novels to read and enjoy! By the way, can anyone tell me how a series which has reached its 30th volume can still be this good!?!

If you haven't read it yet, put Thud! on that Christmas present list! The other Discworld books will certainly be on mine!;-)

The final verdict: 9/10

Win a free copy of Steven Erikson's THE BONEHUNTERS

Hi guys!

Wow! After Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman last month, here we go again! Barely two days ago, I announced a new contest in which the lucky winner will receive a free copy of Tad Williams' Shadowplay from the publisher. And I just got word that Transworld agreed to hook up one happy winner with a copy of Steven Erikson's The Bonehunter. The book will be released on March 1st, 2006.

All you have to do to register is to leave your name and full mailing address in an email that you will send to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com. Please remove the No-spam addition and make sure that the header reads "BONEHUNTERS." And if you haven't registered for the Tad Williams contest, please do the same but with the header "SHADOWPLAY." One name will be randomly drawn, sent to the publisher, and a while later the book will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to Transworld for accepting to do this! Once again, this contest is open to all, regardless of where you are from.

Good luck to all the participants!

Accepting Questions for a Steven Erikson Interview

Hi guys!

I just got word from my contact at Transworld, and she will be happy to arrange an interview with Steven Erikson for me!;-) Lucky me, I know!

As always, feel free to sumbit the questions you would like me to ask the author. I will select a number of questions from the fans to add to the interview.

Remember that your comments and observations are always appreciated. . .:-)

Oh, and by the way, I should be able to announce that The Bonehunter contest tonight! So get ready to register!

Pat

Win a free copy of Tad Williams' Shadowplay

Hi guys!

Well, since the Robin Hobb and Neil Gaiman contests were a lot of fun to put together, here we go again!;-) I've just received the confirmation by email that I had the "go ahead" to do this.

In collaboration with Penguin Books USA, I'm organizing a little contest in which the lucky winner will receive a free copy of Tad Williams' Shadowplay from the publisher. There is no official release date at the moment, although Penguin Books believe that it will be in spring/summer 2006. You can already read an excerpt at www.shadowmarch.com.

All you have to do to register is to leave your name and full mailing address in an email that you will send to reviews@(NO-SPAM)gryphonwoodpress.com. I should have thought about that for the previous ones, since a lot of people were uncomfortable with the thought of leaving their names and email addresses in the comment section. By acting thus, it will keep everyone's identity private -- as it should be. Please remove the No-spam addition and make sure that the header reads "SHADOWPLAY." One name will be randomly drawn, sent to the publisher, and a while later the book will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to Penguin Books USA for accepting to do this! Once again, this contest is open to all, regardless of where you are from.

Good luck to all the participants!

P. S. I'm hammering out the details to set up another such contest for R. Scott Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought. In addition, I'm in the process of doing the same for Steven Erikson's The Bonehunters. So stay tuned!

Scepters

This third volume in Modesitt's The Corean Chronicles proved to live up to the promise generated by the first two books of the trilogy. Scepters is indeed a very neat finale.

Once again, what may appear to be not too complicated at first turns out to be a multilayered tale. And the author certainly takes his sweet time, gradually revealing those intriguing details to the readers.

As was the case with its predecessors, the first half of the book suffers from a somewhat slow pace. For fans of Modesitt's works, this is no big deal. Indeed, they are aware that the best is yet to come. But, as I stated in my previous book reviews, new readers may find the rhythm to be sluggish at times. The first part of Scepters follows Alucius, now promoted to a higher rank and given command of a combined force of Northern and Southern Guards. Hence, for quite a while this novel is more martial fantasy, with military battles, strategy, etc.

The worldbuilding reaches another level in this book. We learn a lot more about the ifrits and their insidious influence, as well as the Ancient Ones who toppled the Duarchy. All is not as it seems on the world of Corus, and an unseen threat menaces all its inhabitants and the world itself. Even Alucius doesn't quite know how to react to those disturbing discoveries.

The characters remain three-dimensional. Our reluctant hero continues to attempt to survive, so he can return home to the stead. Wendra, now pregnant with his child, plays a larger role in this one.

All the storylines converge toward a climax that is quite interesting. Unfortunately, the author sets up the ending in a way that will make it almost impossible for sequels.

Nicely written, with great dialogues -- as always. And with L. E. Modesitt, jr.'s patented sound effects to boot!

As are most of Modesitt's works, this trilogy is for thoughtful readers. This is not the equivalent of a big budget production, to be appreciated by every dumb ass out there. In one of its reviews, Starlog wrote, "Legacies is for people who enjoy a leisurely reading experience, want to see their characters grow and like to fill in the blanks themselves rather than have the author do it for them. . ." I could not have said it better myself. . .:-)

So if you wish to try something different, something intelligent, not particularly fast-paced but in no way boring, then I'd recommend picking up The Corean Chronicles. This trilogy certainly makes a nice addition to any fantasy collection. So think about adding it to that Christmas present list!;-)

The final verdict: 8/10

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

In hardcover:

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is still going strong. Dropping a single spot, the novel ended its fourth week on the NYT list at number 6.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes slips 3 positions, finishing its sixth week on the bestseller list at number 17.

R. A. Salvatore's Promise of the Witch-King drops 5 spots, ending its second week on the prestigious list at number 20.

In paperback:

Stephen King's The Dark Tower debuts at number 34.

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

In hardcover:

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams is still selling well. Down 3 positions from last week, this latest volume of The Wheel of Time series finishes its third week on the NYT list at number 5.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes is down 4 spots, ending its fifth week on the bestseller list at number 14.

R. A. Salvatore's Promise of the Witch-King debuts at number 15.

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys drops down 12 positions, finishing its sixth week on the NYT list at number 34.

Nothing to report in paperback. . .

Darknesses

This second volume of The Corean Chronicles more than lives up to the expectations generated by its predecessor. Indeed, Darknesses is yet another strong offering by L. E. Modesitt, jr.

I love how everything which appears to be simple at face value turns out to be multilayered. Once more, that characterizations are of the first order, imbued with that human touch I alluded to in my previous book review. The worldbuilding is also quite interesting. The author refrained from revealing much about his new universe in Legacies. But Darknesses reveals many secrets, showing just how much depth this new series possesses.

Understandably, Alucius takes center stage again. Events continue to prevent him from returning to his wife and family. Our reluctant hero just tries to remain alive long enough to reclaim his life of a simple herder. But those very survival skills will make him a hero in the eyes of many others.

Like in the first volume, the pace is a bit slow at the beginning. But things take a dramatic turn for the better about halfway through. From that point on, secrets from the past are disclosed, and we learn a lot more about the fallen Duarchy and what caused the Cataclysm.

As always, Mr. Modesitt manages to create a very strong and vivid backdrop. And as is his trademark, somehow he succeeds at maintaining those individual storylines and demonstrates how much they influence the world at large.

There are a multitude of military encounters, as well as a number of magical confrontations, which should satisfy most battle lovers.

And the fact that characters must always pay a heavy price for every achievement imbues the numerous storylines with more credibility than is currently the norm in the market. Which makes L. E. Modesitt, jr.'s novels so different -- and so special!

The final verdict: 8/10

Feel free to comment. . .:-)

Hi guys!

Well, it safe to say that this little weblog has taken a life of its own.:-) What began as a simple experiment has reached proportions that I never could have envisioned. With over 15, 000 visitors from 57 different countries, who have perused over 29, 000 pages since February, I have to concede that this goes beyond my wildest dreams!;-) So let me first thank each and everyone of you, who take the time to visit and read what I post every week or so. It means a lot to me.

I just wanted to remind you all that I always welcome your comments. So please feel free to state your opinion when I write a book review or article. It often permits potential readers to consider more than one opinion before deciding whether to buy/read the book which has been reviewed. And the more one hears about a novel (good or bad), the better in the long run.

Okay, so what started as a little place where I would post my thoughts on the books I read has grown into something that never ceases to amaze me. And if you have any suggestions, feel free to leave me a comment. What would you like to see more of, etc? I'm sure that everyone would like more chances to win free books, but alas I have no control over that. The last contest was a lot of fun, and I hope I can do it all over again in the near future. But the publicity and online marketing departments of the big publishers make the decision, not me.

I guess I just wanted all of you to know that I always welcome your thoughts and opinions.:-) Once again, many thanks for your support.

I will try to keep up the good work!

Patrick

Book Reviews so far. . .

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

Patrick

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)

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

In hardcover:

Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams still ranks high, finishing its second week on the NYT list at number 2.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes drops 4 positions, ending at number 10. The book has remained on the bestseller list for 4 weeks.

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys slips 3 spots, finishing its fifth week on the list at number 22.

Terry Brooks' High Druid of Shannara: Straken is down 4 positions, ending at number 29. This latest Shannara offering has been on the NYT list for 7 weeks.

Terry Pratchett's Thud! drops 4 spots, finishing its sixth week on the prestigious list at number 35.

In paperback:

Troy Denning's Star Wars: The Unseen Queen is back on the NYT list, returning at number 35.

The Bloodline of the Holy Grail

If you believe that Dan Brown came up with the theories found in The Da Vinci Code, then you are sadly mistaken. More than two decades ago, The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail made controversial speculations pertaining to a Messianic lineage. Having been granted access to European Sovereign and Nobel archives, and to chivalric and church repositories, Laurence Gardner's The Bloodline of the Holy Grail begins where the previous book ended.

Based on his research, Gardner gives us a detailed account of the supposedly authentic line of succession of the Blood Royal (from the sons of Jesus and his brother James). The author also shines some light on the ruthless attempts by various religious authorities to suppress the truth.

This book should appeal to anyone who has enjoyed Brown's controversial novel. But The Bloodline of the Holy Grail is more thesis than novel, thus it doesn't always read that easily. There are over 140 pages of notes and references, genealogical charts, bibliography, etc.

This book goes back in time, tracing the origins of the bloodline. Following in Jesus' footsteps, Gardner studies the Messiah, the Apostles, the crucifixion, and what occurred next. The author then elaborates on Paul's mythological view of Jesus. Understandably, Mary Magdalene plays an important role in this book, and so does Joseph of Arimathea. The rise of the Roman Church is studies as well.

We then follow the bloodline through the Pendragons, the legend of King Arthur, the Crusader Knights, the persecution of the Templars, the Kingdom of the Scots, the Age of Chivalry, the Inquisition, etc. All in all, a fascinating book to read.

If you have an open mind, this thought-provoking book is an interesting read. If you are a die-hard Christian, don't bother picking this one up. . .

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (October 25th)

In hardcover:

With a reported 89, 000 copies sold in the first 4 days following its release, Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams debuts at number 1. Which is not surprising, since this newest The Wheel of Time volume is the fourth one to debut at number 1 on the NYT list.

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes drops 3 spots, ending its third week on the list at number 6.

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys is down 6 positions, finishing the week at number 19. This marks the book's fourth week on the prestigious list.

Terry Brooks hangs in there, with High Druid of Shannara: Straken dropping 2 spots to finish the week at number 25. This marks the 6th week the novel has been on the NYT list.

Terry Pratchett's Thud! continues to go down, dropping 6 positions to end its fifth week on the list at number 31.

Legacies

I've been a fan of L. E. Modesitt, jr. for well over a decade. The Saga of Recluce remains one of my favorite series, and I also enjoyed the author's The Spellsong Cycle for its originality. Hence, I was eager to discover his latest series, The Corean Chronicles. I was hoping that this new trilogy would be accessible enough to allow new readers to discover the writer who is, in my humble opinion at least, fantasy's best-kept secret. Hopefully the secret's out!;-)

The premise of the story is nothing new: Millennia in the past, a magical disaster caused the downfall of a great civilization, thus ending a golden age. Corus is now a world of contending countries. Much has been forgotten about magic and the past, although remnants remain. And a number of elusive mystical creatures still exist, though most are considered legends. Pretty simple, you say? But Mr. Modesitt never leaves anything simple. His books comprise what I would call "intelligent" fantasy. Superb characterizations, worldbuilding of the first order, and a human touch that is second only to Robin Hobb's (who is without peers in this aspect) are hallmarks of a majority of his novels.

At the heart of Legacies lies Alucius, who is another one of Modesitt's strong three-dimensional characters. Another hero who's no hero -- just someone doing the best he can to stay alive and regain his freedom. The author always manages to pull this off, even after all these years. The supporting cast offers a number of interesting men and women. But this is Alucius' tale.

The pace is a bit slow, however. Especially at the beginning, as we watch the young protagonist grow up. There is a lot of military action, so fans of battle scenes should be satisfied. Even if the rhythm is slow, never is it sluggish. We gradually learn more about the world and its societies through Alucius' eyes, which keeps us turning those pages. That and a few glimpses of the ertswhile Duarchy which fell during the Cataclysm.

The narrative flows very well, and the dialogues are perfect. Honestly, I expected no less from this talented writer.

I truly liked the setting. Like R. Scott Bakker and Robin Hobb, Modesitt elected to forgo the habitual medieval European environment, thus creating something fresh. Magic plays a very minor role in a world that is close to industrialization. Firearms are the weapon of choice used by all.

The storylines are interesting, although Legacies seems to offer just a brief glimpse of what this series is meant to become. There is a lot more to Alucius than meets the eye; that is more than a little obvious. And it does appear that Modesitt has a lot more in store for the rest of the series.

The various societies found throughout the continent are certainly at odds on many levels. It will be more than a little interesting to see how it all plays out. I am always amazed by how Modesitt can create such a solid backdrop (as he did with the Recluce volumes) while maintaining the individual storylines and show how much they can affect the world around them. Those storylines always have a high level of credibility, because the characters actually pay a price for everything they achieve.

The pace could well be a factor for some readers not accustomed to the author's style. Otherwise, Legacies is a solid introduction to what could be a very good series. I remember saying the same about The Magic of Recluce. . .:-)

Fantasy fans looking for something different should add this one to their "books to read" pile.

The final verdict: 7,5/10

Here are your winners!

Well, it's now official!

The winner of Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing is Candy U.

And the winner of Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys is Ned Light.

Congratulations to you both, my friends!:-)

Stay tuned for more!

Contest Winners

I just wished to inform everyone that the two contest winners have been notified. In order to claim their prize, they have one week to respond with their contact information. Otherwise, runner-ups will get their hands on a copy of Hobb's Shaman's Crossing and Gaiman's Anansi Boys.

As soon as I hear from them, I will announce the names of both winners. Their contact info will be forwarded to HarperCollins, and the publisher will ship the books directly to them.

As I've already mentioned on a number of message boards, I attempting to interest publishers in doing more contests. I'm currently working on the details of another contest in collaboration with Penguin Books Canada, with the prize being a couple of copies of Bakker's The Thousandfold Thought.

So stay tuned for more! And thanks to all who participated!;-)

The new issue of Gryphonwood

Just forgot to mention that the new issue of this independent magazine is now available online at www.gryphonwoodpress.com. So if anyone is interested in reading fantasy short stories, etc, that's the place to visit.:-) By the way, they are always looking for new talent and contributors. . .

The Other Fantasy message board

Hi guys!:-)

Just wanted to invite everyone to join us at the OF Board on www.wotmania.com. Yes, it is probably the biggest Robert Jordan website on the net, but the Other Fantasy message board discusses everything that is not Jordan (My review of Knife of Dreams was cut!). Interestingly enough, most people there don't even like the author. It takes a minute to register, and then you're in!

You'll find a lively community of well-read guys and gals, all with a very broad range of topics. So what are you waiting for!?! Give it a shot. You probably won't be disappointed. Just based on the recommendations I got from those guys in the last few months, well it makes it more than worth my while.:-)

There is only one requirement: You have to love fantasy/scifi, whatever the form!;-)

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (October 18th)

In hardcover:

Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes drops two spots to finish it's second week on the NYT list at number 3.

Neil Gaiman's excellent Anansi Boys is down 5 positions, ending the week at number 13. The novel has been on the bestseller list for 3 weeks.

Terry Brooks' High Druid of Shannara: Straken continues to drop, down 7 spots to finish its fifth week on the NYT list at number 23.

Terry Pratchett's Thud! is down 6 positions, ending the week at number 25. This marks the book's fourth week on the list.

In paperback:

Troy Denning's Star Wars: The Unseen Queen drops 6 spots to finish its second week on the bestseller list at number 28.

Knife of Dreams

Let me begin by saying that I'm a fan of The Wheel of Time. And I've been one since 1991. So I certainly have a bias when it comes to Robert Jordan's series. I will agree that the last few volumes are not as great as the initial six volumes, those which established The Wheel of Time as the most popular fantasy series in the world (other than Harry Potter, of course). In recent years, many readers started to doubt that Jordan could pull this off. And a multitude of haters began to appear on message boards, mud-slinging Jordan and his work at every opportunity. Be that as it may, for my money WoT is still the best fantasy series on the market.

Although a big fan, I will be the first to admit that the pace of the last three volumes doesn't compare with the others. But having finished Knife of Dreams, it is now apparent that Jordan had to set many pieces on the board before he could make his move. In any event, my opinion is that The Path of Daggers is the only novel that left things to be desired. It is now evident that A Crown of Swords, The Path of Daggers, Winter's Heart and Crossroads of Twilight were transition books tying up the storylines of first six volumes with that of the last two volumes.

Readers will be glad to learn that the pace of Knife of Dreams takes an abrupt turn for the better. A sense of urgency permeates every plotline. Tarmon Gai'don is coming soon. There is no longer any doubt about it. Those who were blaming Jordan for stagnating storylines will see that things are rapidly going downhill now.

Without the shadow of a doubt, Knife of Dreams is the best WoT novel since Lord of Chaos. Several main and secondary plotlines converge toward the Last Battle. We witness the resolution of a number of them, some that have begun in The Eye of the World. One in particular (which has been hinted at in the very first book) truly blew my mind. Jordan is really moving forward now, and series is gaining momentum with every chapter. Those who have been keeping tabs of Min's viewings, Egwene's dreams, and the Prophecies of the Dragon will realize that many of them are being fulfilled in this book.

I don't wish to include "true" spoilers in this book review, but everything I say here could be perceived as one. So don't read the following if you are afraid that you might discover anything you shouldn't before you've read the book. So what plotlines are converging toward Tarmon Gai'don, you ask? Here are a number of them:

The Children of the Light seemed to lack direction since Pedron Niall's murder. Having sworn fealty to the Seanchan invaders, many Whitecloaks are not happy about that. And many are willing to forget both law and custom, if only someone will lead them to ride for the Light in the Last Battle.

Rodel Ituralde sets events in motion that will, or so he hopes, bring the Seanchan armies after him and into the deadly trap he has set for them.

Terrible tidings from Seanchan threaten to shake the Empire to its very core. Suroth, who is still searching for the Daughter of the Nine Moons, is presented with an unexpected opportunity which could have grave repercussions on both side of the Aryth Ocean. All she needs is to kill someone. . .

The Red Ajah secretly plans to deal with the Asha'man, unbeknownst to the Amyrlin Seat. But will the M'Hael let them set foot in the Black Tower?

The Black Ajah continues to foment discord to break the White Tower from within. But more and more Black sisters are found and forced to swear new oaths on the Oath Rod.

Perrin plans to rescue Faile and the others from the Shaido Aiel. And in the town of Malden, he will set in motion a bold plan that requires an agreement with the damned Seanchan to succeed. Perrin has not played such an important role in a book since The Fires of Heaven.

Betrayed at the end of the last book, Egwene is returned to the White Tower, but not the way she expected. She soon discovers that dissension threatens to break the Aes Sedai apart. Elaida doesn't have the full support of the Ajah. Shielded and drugged, Egwene nevertheless forbids any rescue attempt by the rebels massed before Tar Valon.

With their Amyrlin Seat captured, there are troubles among the rebels, as Lelaine and Romanda fight for leadership. One sister will return to Tar Valon with the hope to make the White Tower whole again. But she is not received the way she expected she would be.

At a Forsaken meeting, Moridin reveals that a Chosen thought dead appears to have resurfaced. The Nae'Blis orders them not to kill the Dragon Reborn. But Mat and Perrin must die. It becomes obvious that both have very important roles to play in the struggle to come.

There is discord among the Shaido. Sevanna continues to speak for the dead clan chief Couladin. But if a new clan chief returns from Rhuidean, her leadership of the clan will come to an end.

Mat continues to court Tuon. But he soon realizes that the High Lady is no easy catch. He finally understands what Aludra is planning. He also learns that the Seanchan version of the Prophecies of the Dragon proclaims that finding the one who blew the Horn of Valere is as important as finding the Dragon Reborn. The damane foretelling pertaining to Tuon is finally revealed.

Thom reveals the content of Moiraine's letter to Mat, thus revealing a secret that we have been waiting for for years.

Pregnant with Rand's children, Elayne can no longer channel the One Power as she used to. Still, she must attempt to secure the Lion Throne and bring order back to the city of Caemlyn. No easy feat, especially since that there are powerful enemies she is not even aware of. Meanwhile, Kinswomen continue to be murdered.

Aviendha discovers that she possesses a new Talent. But she is separated from Elayne when Rand sends the Wise Ones and the Aiel to Arad Doman.

Rand barely escapes death at the hands of his enemies. After a battle with one of the Forsaken, he realizes that the presence of Logain, Cadsuane, Nyanaeve and Alivia doesn't guarantee that he will reach the Last Battle alive. Lews Therin continues his fall into madness, seemingly bringing Rand down with him. Revelations are made pertaining to what he learned from the Aelfinn.

Loial must address the Great Stump, for he is the bearer of secrets he must keep even from the Dragon Reborn. But he promises to be at Rand's side at Tarmon Gai'don.

Major developments between Nynaeve and Lan. Very satisfying indeed!

Troubling news reach the Atha'an Miere, but the Coramoor has need of them. Logain warns them that the Last Battle is approaching.

The rebel Aes Sedai receive an unexpected offer from the Dragon Reborn, an offer they can't refuse. As the identity of the murderer in the camp is finally revealed, Halima and Delana disappear.

We finally discover where the original sisters of the Black Ajah, those who left the White Tower in The Dragon Reborn, are located and what they are doing.

And this is just a glimpse of what Knife of Dreams has to offer. It's the most satisfying WoT novel in years. With enough revelations, action, battle scenes, resolution, etc, to make any reader happy. If this book doesn't reconcile the doubters with The Wheel of Time, nothing will. As for the haters, well. . .;-)

The final verdict: 10/10

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (October 11th)

In hardcover:

Technically not fantasy but close enough, Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes debuts at number 1.

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys is down 7 spots, ending the week at number 8. This is the book's second week on the NYT list.

Terry Brooks' High Druid of Shannara: Straken continues to drop, down 2 spots from last week, finishing at number 16. This marks the novel's fourth week on the list.

Terry Pratchett's Thud! drops 4 positions, ending at number 19. This book has been on the NYT list for 3 weeks.

In paperback:

Troy Denning's Star Wars: The Unseen Queen debuts at number 22.

Win a free copy of Neil Gaiman's ANANSI BOYS

Hi there!

In collaboration with HarperCollins, I'm organizing a little contest in which the lucky winner will receive a free copy of Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys from the publisher. All you have to do to register is to leave your name and email address in the comment section. One name will be randomly drawn, and the winner will be contacted so that he or she may forward me their mailing address. And a few days later, the book will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to HarperCollins for accepting to do this!

Good luck to all the participants!

Win a free copy of Robin Hobb's SHAMAN'S CROSSING

Hi there!

In collaboration with HarperCollins, I'm organizing a little contest in which the lucky winner will receive a free copy of Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing from the publisher. All you have to do to register is to leave your name and email address in the comment section. One name will be randomly drawn, and the winner will be contacted so that he or she may forward me their mailing address. And a few days later, the book will be delivered to your doorstep!;-)

Yes, it's that easy!!! Many thanks again to HarperCollins for accepting to do this!

Good luck to all the participants!

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (October 4th)

In hardcover:

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys makes an incredibly impressive debut, holding the number 1 position of the NYT list.

Terry Pratchett's Thud! is down 11 positions, finishing the week at number 15. The book has been on the list for 2 weeks.

Terry Brooks' High Druid of Shannara: Straken is down 3 spots, ending the week at number 14. This latest Shannara novel has been on the bestseller list for 3 weeks.

In paperback:

Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is up 5 spots, finishing the week at number 23. This marks the novel's third week on the NYT list.

INDEX

Since there is an ever-growing number of people who visit these parts, and since no one wants to waste time perusing every post I've written thus far, here is a little index of what's been happening since the beginning of the year.:-)

JANUARY

- The Book of Words trilogy (J. V. Jones): Book review (My very first. . . And worst!)
- Children of Amarid (David B. Coe): Book review
- The Outlanders (David B. Coe): Book review
- La Crème de la Crème (part 1): A list of my all-time favourites
- Eagle-Sage (David B. Coe): Book review

FEBRUARY

- Fall from Grace: David Eddings article
- Shadowmarch (Tad Williams): Book review
- Things that make you go hmmm. . .: Terry Goodkind article
- La Crème de la Crème (part 2): A list of my all-time favourites
- Ship of Magic (Robin Hobb): Book review
- Close but no cigar: A list of runner-ups that almost made it to my all-time favourites' list
- Mad Ship (Robin Hobb): Book review
- Around the World: Budget traveling article
- Ship of Destiny (Robin Hobb): Book review

MARCH

- Top 5 Ongoing Fantasy Series: Poll results
- The Runes of the Earth (Stephen R. Donaldson): Book review
- Europe's Low-Cost Airlines: Budget traveling article
- Favourite Fantasy Authors of All Time: Poll results
- Tad Williams Interview: Interview
- The Silences of Home (Caitlin Sweet): Book review
- Best Fantasy Series of All Time: Poll results
- Hostels around Europe: Budget traveling article
- Quicksilver (Neal Stephenson): Book review

APRIL

- L. E. Modesitt, jr. Interview: Interview
- So you want to be a book reviewer?: Article
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Matthew Stover): Book review
- Favourite Fantasy/Scifi Characters of All Time: Poll results
- The Confusion (Neal Stephenson): Book review
- Amazon's synopsis for Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams: Synopsis
- The System of the World (Neal Stephenson): Book review
- Darth Vader's Blog

MAY

- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Soundtrack review
- The Darkness that Comes Before (R. Scott Bakker): Book review
- Check them out!: Websites of interest
- Best Fantasy Artists: Poll results
- Best Fantasy/Scifi Stand-Alone Novels: Poll results
- The Warrior-Prophet (R. Scott Bakker): Book review
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Movie review
- Fool's Errand (Robin Hobb): Book review
- The Contiki Experience: Budget traveling article
- Golden Fool (Robin Hobb): Book review
- R. Scott Bakker Interview: Link

JUNE

- Fool's Fate (Robin Hobb): Book review
- The Great Ladies of Fantasy: Poll results
- It's Only Temporary (Eric Shapiro): Book review
- In the King's Service (Katherine Kurtz): Book review
- Tad Williams Interview: Link
- The Curse of Chalion (Lois McMaster Bujold): Book review
- Paladin of Souls (Lois McMaster Bujold): Book review

JULY

- Robin Hobb Interview: Interview
- The Years of Rice and Salt (Kim Stanley Robinson): Book review
- Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman): Book review

AUGUST

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

SEPTEMBER

- Dune: The Machine Crusade (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson): Book review
- Dune: The Battle of Corrin (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson): Book review
- Robin Hobb Interviews: Link
- Raymond E. Feist Interview: Link
- Shaman's Crossing (Robin Hobb): Book review

OCTOBER

- One Palestine, Complete (Tom Segev): Book review
- Anansi Boys (Neil Gaiman): Book review

Anansi Boys

This is the story of what happens to someone when his father (who just so happens to be the trickster spider-god Anansi) doesn't have the decency to die appropriately. When Fat Charlie's father drops dead on a karaoke stage in Florida, holding on to the ample bosom of a tourist from Michigan, he will in effect ruin Fat Charlie's life.

And if that wasn't enough -- and God knows that it is more than enough for poor Charles -- Fat Charlie is also reunited with the mysterious twin brother he never knew he had, who will find several ways to mess things up and inadvertently make Fat Charlie's life miserable.

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys is quite a treat to read. The pace is just perfect, with relatively short chapters that beg you to read just another one before your bedtime.

What gives this novel all its flavour is Gaiman's witty sense of humour. Pretty similar in style to that of Neal Stephenson, but with a story that is much more accessible. Indeed, anyone could read Anansi Boys and enjoy the ride. For me, Gaiman's sarcastic and ironic humour made me laugh out loud a number of times.

There is an endearing cast of characters, all of them more colorful than the other. The dialogues are great. Nothing is overdone. Everything speeds the story along, keeping you turning those pages.

As appear to be the case with each of Gaiman's novels, the imagery is arresting. If this author ever teamed up with Tim Burton to make a movie, it would probably be incredible!

The only shortcoming of this novel is that you reach the ending too rapidly. I wish it could have been longer. But the pace would like have suffered from that. . .

All in all, a truly wonderful read. Anansi Boys could well be the most fun you'll have reading this year! Definitely a book to buy!

The final verdict: 9/10

One Palestine, Complete

Although I'm a relatively big political guy, this weblog was never meant to be political. Hence, I never thought that I would one day review a political book at some point. But this one pertains to a reality we see on the evening news basically every day. Which was, in the end, what compelled me to share this book with you.

The book in question is Tom Segev's One Palestine, Complete. In a nutshell, it's a history of the Arabs and the Jews under the British Mandate (1917-1948). I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever asked the question, "How did it all begin?"

At the beginning, Palestine was a rather remote region of the Ottoman Empire. Following World War I, the British took control of the country. Both Arabs and Jews wished for independence, and both sides assumed that they would gain it under British sponsorship. And yet, just before the conquest of the country, His Magesty's Government announced, in the infamous Belfour Declaration, that it viewed with favour the aspiration of the Zionist Jews to establish a "national home" for the Jewish people in Palestine.

The book tracks the rise of both national movements and their inexorable advance toward inevitable confrontation. It contains a wealth of information and is really insightful.

Drawing on a vast number of archival material, private letters and personal diaries, the pace of the novel is at times very sluggish. It could have been a good hundred pages shorter.

Regardless of your political position in regard to this conflict, I believe that it makes for interesting reading. Definitely not for everyone, but a good book all the same.

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (September 27th)

In hardcover:

Terry Pratchett's Thud! debuts quite impressively at number 4.

Terry Brooks' High Druid of Shannara: Straken drops 6 spots, finishing the week at number 11. This newest Shannara novel has spent 2 weeks on the NYT list.

In paperback:

Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is up 5 positions, ending the week at number 28. The novel has been on the prestigious list for 2 weeks.

And just a side note to mention that Raymond E. Feist's Flight of the Nighthawks made an incredible debut on the London Times bestseller list, climbing up to number 8. Interestingly enough, Feist has recently been a lot more popular abroad than in North America.

Shaman's Crossing

For the first time since Assassin's Apprentice was published, there are a lot of mixed reviews for this new Robin Hobb novel. And in light of all this, many readers appear reticent to pick up the first volume of the Soldier Son trilogy. If you have been reading my book reviews for a while, you are aware that I've harbored doubts concerning some of Hobb's works in the past. And she has proven me wrong each and every time. Hence, regardless of the aforementioned mixed reviews, I read Shaman's Crossing with an open mind. Having learned my lesson, I will never again doubt Robin Hobb's ability to rise to the occasion when she releases a new book.

One of the most interesting aspect of this novel is the setting. Indeed, the habitual medieval European environment is replaced by a setting that resembles the late 1700s North America. Firearms and technology are thus part of the every day life. And that change of scenery is very, very refreshing.

The prose is above and beyond what is currently the norm in the market today. The narrative flows truly well, which adds a little something to the reading experience.

Once again, the characterizations are of the first order. That deeply involved humanity, for which Hobb has always been known, is present on basically every page of Shaman's Crossing. Every single character populating this tale is three-dimensional. And respecting the author's trademark, the remain true to themselves.

I've read several reviews complaning that Nevare is nothing like Fitz. Which, in my humble opinion, is unfair. A character such as Fitz is a special something that rarely occurs. Some very successful writers have incredible writing careers without ever creating such an amazing character. I'm persuaded that Fitz will remain a crowd favourite for many years to come. So it's really unfair to ask Nevare to fill his shoes. This soldier's son undergoes massive character growth in this first volume, and he is a very interesting character in his own right.

The worldbuilding is much more impressive than that of previous series. There is a whole lot going on, both in the narrative and behind the scenes. And somehow, I feel that this book barely scratches the surface. Hobb offers us a few tantalizing glimpses of the Plainsmen and their culture; the mysterious and magical Specks; the clash between old nobility and the new battle lords; the growing rift between the king and the nobility; the repercussions of Gernia's eastern conquests; the aftermath of the war with Landsing, etc. It's too early to tell, but this could well be Robin Hobb's most ambitious work to date.

The main problem with Shaman's Crossing is the pace. Not that it's too slow or sluggish, far from it. It has more to do with the fact that 2/3 of the novel chronicles Nevare's youth and his cadet life at the Academy. We do learn a lot about the main character and his fellow cadets, but it's true that there is little action.

As is often the case with trilogies, the first volume is inevitably the introduction to a larger tale. Yet more than half of Shaman's Crossing feels like an introduction to the introduction. And I will admit that perhaps the military life at the Academy might have been overdone at times. Having said that, I will also say that I've enjoyed every moment of it. But like a lot of readers, I would have liked to learn more about what was going on in the rest of the world.

The novel nevertheless contains a number of powerful scenes, chief among those that which gave the book its title and cover art. Dewara proved to be a fascinating character.

Analyzing this book as a whole, I get the feeling that Mrs. Hobb has been laying a LOT of groundwork for the rest of the series. There is a vast amount of information passed on to readers. The authors goes to great lengths to impart knowledge on the history of the land and its cultures, on the political system that governs Gernia, on the social structure, etc. As was the case with the Liveship Traders, the emancipation of women appears to be a concept that will continue to have a certain importance in the story. In addition, Shaman's Crossing is imbued with a spiritual dimension which was absent in her previous works. And everything seems to hint that environmental issues will likely play a major role in this trilogy.

All in all, a very interesting and refreshing debut to what could be Robin Hobb's most ambitious series yet. I will eagerly await the release of its sequel!

The final verdict: 8/10

New Raymond E. Feist Interview

Here is a link to a brand new Raymond E. Feist interview. Some of you may remember that the author accepted questions from fans earlier this summer. Well, I have just been notified that the Q&A is now available online.

As always, the interview is very interesting. And I was glad to see that a few of my own questions made it to the final version!;-)

Check it out: http://hallofworlds.net/forum/index.php?s=68df1bd121c98480bc4309d02c3d58b0&showtopic=1305

Dune: The Battle of Corrin

Rarely has a series, which showed so much promise in its first volume, fallen so short in subsequent installments. If I could sum up Dune: The Battle of Corrin with one word, it would have to be "lame." I wasn't expecting much after the lackluster performance offered by Herbert and Anderson in Dune: The Machine Crusade. But even with such low expectations, the novel disappointed on basically every level.

As far as the prose is concerned, the authors keep repeating themselves at every turn, which makes for a very sluggish pace.

The characters and dialogues, which clearly went downhill in the last volume, are downright insipid in this one. To say that most characters are cardboard cutouts is actually a compliment. I don't believe there is a single three-dimensional character in this book.

But the most disappointing aspect of this book/series is the fact that it fails miserably in its attempt to shine some light on concepts which played such an important role in the original Dune series. To begin with, we realize that several concepts introduced in this trilogy are, in the end, invariably useless in the bigger scheme of things. The Titans, the cymeks, the Cogitors; the authors simply get rid of them.

The plotlines pertaining to the Zensunnis and Arrakis, which were initially interesting, lose all their appeal. We don't learn much about those who'll one day become the dreaded Fremen. The Battle of Corrin, arguably the momentous event which set in motion the events that will converge in Dune, is extremely lame. Nothing grand about that confrontation, which somehow became legendary.

The birth of the Bene Gesserit, the creation of House Corrino, the very first Mentat, Harkonnen's betrayal and his subsequent fall into infamy, the first Guild Navigator, the clash between Atreides and Harkonnen, the fall of the thinking machines, the Cult of Serena; nothing is remotely good or interesting enough to save this novel or the series as a whole.

Overall, a very unimpressive conclusion to a very deficient trilogy. And in light of all this, I can't quite believe that this duo will go forward and tackle a project of such magnitude as the one that Dune 7 represents. If Frank Herbert indeed left copious notes behind at the moment of his death, publish the notes. That's it! It is almost sacrilegious that the final chapter of the Dune saga will be written by Herbert and Anderson. . .:-(

The final verdict: 6,5/10

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

In hardcover:

Terry Brooks' High Druid of Shannara: Straken debuts at number 5.

Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing debuts at number 33.

And just a side note to mention that Raymond E. Feist's Flight of the Nighthawks has now reached number 6 on Amazon UK.

In paperback:

Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell debuts at number 33.

Yet Another Robin Hobb Interview

Here is a link to another interview, this one on the French website www.rivages-maudits.com. Have no fear, however. The interview is both in its original English version and the French translation. Again, very interesting stuff!:-)

Here is the link: http://www.rivages-maudits.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1399

By the way, I am currently reading Hobb's Shaman's Crossing, so expect a book review soon.

New Robin Hobb Interview

My friend Jay has had the privilege to do an interview with Robin Hobb. Here is the link to it:

http://www.fantasybookspot.com/?q=node/view/278

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

Nothing to report in hardcover. . .

In paperback:

R. A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms: The Two Swords debuts at number 35.

Terry Goodkind's New Book

Most of you know that I don't particularly hold Mr. Goodkind in my heart. But since the author has legions of fans, I just wanted to inform you that the newest volume of The Sword of Truth series will be released on March 20th 2006.

The novel will be titled Phantom, and it will be a -- supposedly -- direct sequel to Chainfire.

That should satisfy some people. . .;-)

New Poll: The Changing of the Guard???

Hi guys!

I've been asked this question throughout the summer, and in all sincerity, I cannot provide an answer or even an opinion. A lot of readers have been asking me who is the heir apparent in the fantasy genre.

With J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series coming to a close in the next volume, no one knows if this writer will ever attain even a fraction of the success that Harry and co. has generated. But Rowling is in a class of her own. . .

Come next month, we will only have a single volume left to complete the titanic The Wheel of Time series. And again, even though Robert Jordan has already signed with Tor Books for his new series, will he ever top the bestseller lists like he's been doing for more than a decade? And with Goodkind's The Sword of Truth (thankfully) coming to an end with the release of the next two volumes, who will be the next big thing???

At the moment, both George R. R. Martin and Robin Hobb seem quite secure in their position. But as with Jordan, can Martin ever hope to create another series like A Song of Ice and Fire?

Can authors like Terry Brooks, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Stephen R. Donaldson, Raymond E. Feist, and David Eddings return to their former glory?

A lot of people would be temped to mention the name of Steven Erikson. But although an extremely gifted author, he has not yet generated an appeal that has reached most fantasy readers. Aficionados venerate his work, but the masses have not yet caught up with the buzz. R. Scott Bakker? China Miéville? Both are very good writers, but are not always accessible for the regular fantasy fan.

Guy Gavriel Kay? Tad Williams? Greg Keyes? J. V. Jones? David Farland?

Who knows??? Do you believe that we will see a changing of the guard, such as the one that took place in the early 90s? Or do you believe that both Jordan and Goodkind will continue to make regular appearances on the NYT bestseller list? Is there an heir apparent, after all?

Let's see what you guys come up with!:-) As always, I will be posting this on the usual message boards. . .

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

Nothing to report in hardcover. . .

In paperback:

Troy Denning's Star Wars: The Joiner King drops one spot, ending the week at number 33. This is the novel's third week on the list.

Harry Potter Mania

The sixth title, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, set a new world record for a first printing, with 10.8 million copies hitting stores on July 16, 2005.

JK Rowling's new Harry Potter book sold an astonishing 6.9 million copies in America in its first 24 hours - averaging better than 250,000 sales per hour and smashing the US record held by the previous Potter release. Sales for the sixth instalment of Rowling's fantasy series easily outpaced those for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which came out in 2003 and sold five million copies in the first 24 hours. Acknowledging that some shops quickly ran out of books two years ago, Scholastic has already increased the print run for the latest Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince from 10.8 million copies to 13.5 million.

British publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. sold more than 2 million copies in the first 24 hours, also a record.

More recent numbers are not yet available. But they are sure to be astounding. Add to that the fact that translated versions will be released during the fall, and this latest Potter installment could well shatter Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code enormous sales.

Dune: The Machine Crusade

In my last book review, I commented that it had taken me quite some time to finally give this second trilogy of prequels a chance because the previous series left a lot to be desired. The Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson duo was, in my humble opinion, not up to the task of tackling an enormous project such as Dune. Hence, you can imagine my surprise when I realized that Dune: The Butlerian Jihad more than lived up to the hype. I even went as far as to claim that the book would have made Frank Herbert proud. . .

Thus impressed by the first volume, I was eager to read its sequel. Unfortunately, Dune: The Machine Crusade is a major disappointment. How, after writing a very good opening chapter in this saga, the authors could come up with such a letdown, such a lackluster effort, I'll never know.

Other than seeing a number of plotlines that will ultimately converge in Dune, this book basically falls short on ever level.

The characterizations are, for the most part, mediocre. Vorian Atreides, Xaver Harkonnen, Serena Butler, Iblis Ginjo, characters that were so interesting in the previous novel, become cardboard characters with absolutely no depth. The new concepts such as Omnius, Erasmus, the Titans, the Cogitors, etc, lose all their appeal. The potential was definitely there, but poor execution by the writers precludes anything good from emerging from those ideas.

Like the characterizations, the dialogues go nowhere. And since you don't believe in the characters, the whole "religious" aspect of the Butlerian Jihad doesn't fly too high. And since that "holy war" is the driving force of this series, you can imagine what negative repercussions this has on the tale. There is an expression: "All killer, no filler." Well, Dune: The Machine Crusade is just filler. Nothing special at all. . .

The events chronicled in this novel span a period of more than a decade, which makes for a very sluggish pace in various portions of the story.

The only aspect of this tale which continues to be interesting is the revelations that shows how the Zensunnis and the Zenshiites will become the fearsome Fremen of Arrakis.

All in all, quite a disappointment. Probably as bad as Dune: House Corrino. I will read the final volume, but will have absolutely no expectations. . .

The final verdict: 7/10

Katrina: Before and After

Katrina and the destruction the hurricane has wrought in New Orleans the other regions in the south of the USA continue to appear on every newscast. And understandably, given the immensity of the damages and human suffering, it will likely be the case for weeks to come.

Sarah, one of my readers, used to live in New Orleans. She has been posting updates on her blog concerning that ordeal. Hence, if you wish to read a firsthand account of those events, prior and following the hurricane, you can log on to www.jedisluzer.blogspot.com.

Who knows? Maybe reading such blog entries will encourage more people to help and donate money to support that cause.

As for you Sarah, although we have never met, my thoughts are with you. . .:-)

Please make a donation. . .

Hi guys!

In light of everything that has occurred in New Orleans and other locations in the south of the USA, I believe that no one should remain indifferent to such a fate. As I did like year for the tsunami victims, again this year I have donated money to help the hurricane victims. They sorely need our aid.

Please make a donation at either www.redcross.org or www.redcross.ca. And remember that there are no small donations. . . Every penny is important.

Patrick

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (August 30th)

In hardcover:

David and Leigh Eddings' Crystal Gorge debuts at number 31.

In paperback:

Troy Denning's Star Wars: The Joiner King drops one position, ending the week at number 32. The novel has been on the bestseller list for two weeks.

As for J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the book still holds the number 1 spot on the USA Today bestseller list.

Dune 7

Here is something I just found out on www.dunenovels.com:

"Frank Herbert left a detailed and expansive outline for "Dune 7," which wraps up many storylines introduced in the original six Dune Chronicles, plus the story will finish numerous loose ends from the six prequels written by Brian and Kevin. In breaking down the outline to begin writing, Brian and Kevin realized the novel would be close to 1500 pages long; therefore, they are dividing the story into two volumes, to be titled HUNTERS OF DUNE and SANDWORMS OF DUNE (titles suggested by Frank Herbert).

Brian and Kevin are working on the final outline and chapter breakdown and intend to write both volumes together, beginning in March. Tentative plans are to release HUNTERS in fall 2006 and SANDWORMS in fall 2007. Brian and Kevin have completed THE ROAD TO DUNE, which will be available in September 2005."

Hmmm, I'm not sure how I feel about this. There have been rumours pertaining to this for years now, but I did not know that everything was ready to get under way. . . It's one thing to write prequels to please fans by allowing them to return to the Dune universe. But it's quite another to tackle the final project of a man who is probably one of the most gifted speculative fiction author who has ever lived.

And no matter how good these books turn out to be, they can never hope to measure up to Frank Herbert's previous works. Hence, although I'm incredibly eager to know exactly how the story ends (since both Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune were great novels), I don't believe that these two last Dune novels can live up to the hype. . . And satisfy the legions of fans who have been waiting for this for more than 2 decades.

Dune: The Butlerian Jihad

Frank Herbert was undoubtedly one of the most prolific creative minds to ever see the light. To say that the man was a genius would be like saying that Harvard and Oxford are good schools. It doesn't begin to do justice to the man and the talented writer he was. The Dune saga will indubitably be considered the monument of science fiction for years to come. And if anything ever surpasses Dune, I just wish to be alive to read it.:-)

In their previous effort, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson fell short on several levels. Although entertaining, Dune: House Atreides, Dune: House Harkonnen, and Dune: House Corrino never came close to capturing the essence of the original Dune novels. It was neat to return to Herbert's universe and characters, but the books themselves left a lot to be desired.

Which explains why it took me so long to give Dune: The Butlerian Jihad a chance. And what a pleasant surprise to discover that this one more than lives up to the hype. This compelling story about humanity struggling for freedom would certainly have made Frank Herbert proud. With this book, the authors have managed to capture much of the essence of the original Dune series. And that is quite a feat.

Dune: The Butlerian Jihad is, in my humble opinion, the perfect starting point for any newcomers interested in the Dune saga. It is much more accessible than the original series, which could generate interest in a younger fan base that has not yet read the classic novel. And for aficionados, it is quite a treat to see the plotlines that will ultimately converge in Dune.

This book goes back in time: 10, 000 years prior to the events chronicled in Dune. As the title implies, The main story revolves around humanity's rebellion against the thinking machines' tyranny. And it's a multi-layered epic saga which should satisfy most readers.

The characterizations are at times brilliant and at times lacking. First and foremost, this novel is a tale of men and women, making this a character-driven storyline. And as such, the characterizations are well-developed and interesting, at least for the most part. We are introduced to a host of characters whose actions will set in motion the events that will lead to Dune, millennia later. The tables are turned on both Vorian Atreides and Xavier Harkonnen, and it's kind of neat to see an Atreides and a Harkonnen with different roles. Serena Butler plays an immense role, and I was totally taken by surprise by the incident which will mark the starting point of the jihad. Norma Cenva and Tio Holtzman are scientists who are taking science beyond new horizons. Tuk Keedair is a Tlulaxa slaver and flesh merchant who makes an interesting discovery. Omnius, the computer evermind, and Erasmus, the free-thinking robot, provide some insight pertaining to the thinking machines' social structure and agenda. Iblis Ginjo will, without realizing it at first, create the spark that will change humanity forever. And on Arrakis, a young outcast will become the legendary Selim Wormrider.

New concepts such as the evermind, the cymeks, the Cogitors, the Sorceresses of Rossak, the Titans, etc, give another dimension to this tale. And the revelations concerning the Zensunnis and the Zenshiites give us a bit of insight concerning the people who will one day become the fearsome Fremen. And we finally discover what atrocious role the atomic warheads stockpiled on numerous worlds for centuries played in the war against the thinking machines. And just how enormous the price to pay turned out to be. . .

The worldbuilding is interesting enough. But it is often overdone, which prevents many planets and systems to be quite as fascinating as they could be.

All in all, a terrific novel and a very good addition to the Dune saga. I will eagerly read the two sequels.

The final verdict: 9/10

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (August 23rd)

Nothing to report in hardcover. . .

In paperback:

Troy Denning Star Wars: The Joiner King debuts at number 31.

On another note, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince still holds the number 1 position on the USA Today bestseller list.

Rent-a-Midget

A friend of mine called me to tell me about this website. . . Unbelievable! It's so ridiculous that I can't even comment on it. . .:-)

Check it out at www.rent-a-midget.com

Hero by Nature

I don't normally do movie reviews. People frequently ask me why, and I'm forced to reply that I'm just not the right person for such a gig. Many of my friends would tell you that it's invariably because I find something wrong with every movie I see. As for me, I would simply tell you that it's indubitably because I am demanding. And in all honesty, the truth probably falls somewhere in between.:-)

Short films are generally not my cup of tea. Some are just plain bad. Some are just too odd. You need to have someone explaining every little detail, and then have another person explain the explanation.;-) And a lot of it gets lost in the translation. It's a bit like Modern Art!

By now, most of you are aware that I will shamelessly plug anything that really touched me, or anything that I really liked. Hell, it's my website and I can do what I want!;-) Which explains why I'm doing this movie review. I was invited to the wrap party of the short film Hero by Nature. A good friend of mine, Géraldine Macagno, co-produced it, so I was more than happy to accept the invitation. She had told me a lot concerning the filming and everything which surrounded the production, but very little about the story itself. Hence, I was curious to see the final product.

Hero by Nature was written and produced by Luke Bélanger, and directed by Roger Cantin. Starring in this short film are, among other actors, Frédérick De Grandpré, Laurent-Cristophe De Ruelle and Joe McComber. The soundtrack was composed by Pierre Marchand, whose music truly captures the essence of the story. The music definitely adds layers and textures of emotions, giving another dimension to this short film.

Given what I knew, I was expecting this short film to be of a certain quality. But I never would have thought that it would be this good. Every facet that comprise this movie was well-planned and well-executed. A lot of hard work went into this production; that much is obvious. But I also have a feeling that everyone went the extra mile to give this short film a very special feeling.

Hero by Nature is probably what I would call a social drama. The Oka crisis, which pitted the population of the city of Oka and the surrounding region against the Native Americans, is the backdrop for this story. This is still a very touchy subject in the province of Québec and in the rest of Canada, but the script just brushes over it to set the tone.

The two main themes, at least according to yours truly, appear to be intolerance and hope. It's a short film, which means that it's relatively brief -- about 15 minutes. And the most satisfying aspect of this movie is that it's not a second too long. The timing, the pace, the rhythm deliver the emotions and the message of hope the creators obviously attempt to convey to the public.

I truly enjoyed it. This short film doesn't preach, which was my biggest fear. It's done with a very humane touch, something that really grabs hold of you and makes you wonder. The image quality is excellent, as is the sound. All in all, a very, very nice movie.

I know that Hero by Nature will be competing in different film festivals during the next few months. And since I'm now read by people from over 30 different countries, it's the least I can do to try to spread the word around and to get the ball rolling.:-) You can check Viking Film's website at www.vikingfilm.com/hero/ And if Hero by Nature can be seen during a festival in a town near you, give it a shot. I'm persuaded that you will not be disappointed.

I would like to congratulate everyone who helped bring this short film to the screen for a job more than well-done. And I wish you all continued success. If Hero by Nature is any indication, the potential is definitely there.:-)

Knife of Dreams Review from Dragonmount

Just found this review on wotmania.com and dragonmount.com. . . As a big WoT fan, I have to admit that I'm eagerly awaiting the release of this new RJ book! And with such a review, I just can't wait to get my hands on it!;-)

Patrick
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Knife of Dreams: spoiler-free review

Posted by: Jason on Monday, August 22nd, 2005I have copy and pasted by review below. But if you pass this link around, please link to:http://www.dragonmount.com/Books/Knife_of_Dreams/review.php. Thanks!

Standard Disclaimer: This "spoiler-free" review will not give away specific plot elements, but it will likely hint at a few things. Also, by the very nature of the fact that I'm going to talk about the book, I can't exactly hide some things which some die hard fans consider spoilers. (You know who you are). By reading this, you're going to find out who's in the books. But overall, I'm not going to ruin anything.

Introduction

Well once again, here we are, waiting for the new Robert Jordan book to come out. I think it would be an understatement to say that anticipation amongst fans for Knife of Dreams is really high, and a lot of people are still grumbling after Crossroads of Twilight.

Before I get into Knife of Dreams, though, I should remind you that a lot of you didn't agree with my review of Crossroads. I said CoT wasn't all that bad, and if you look at the big picture, it's actually enjoyable. Some of you thought I was nuts, but many of you seemed to agree with me on my other New Spring review. So maybe we're not all that far apart.Anyway, I don't think it will matter this time. You're going to love this book as much as I did.

Time is running out. No doubt about it: The Dark One is breaking free. Oh, he isn't free yet of course. But he's getting there. Remember all those weevils in CoT? Remember those "scary" but harmless ghosts? They're all back, but the weevils aren't so rare, and the ghosts aren't so harmless. Even the infamous wind from the opening of chapter one is (as many of you already know), touched with ash and not just a gentle breeze.

Practically every chapter gives us signs that something isn't right in the world anymore. The stakes are higher, time is running out, and the heroes -- as well as Jordan -- know it. The result: stuff happens. Better yet: stuff finishes.I was surprised when the first plot thread was completed. I thought to myself, "Will I ever read about this person again? Could it actually be possible that I've read their entire story now?" I stopped thinking that to myself by the time Jordan wrapped up his 4th or 5th plot line.

Then more story lines got wrapped up, at least to the extent where I don't need to hear about a certain character again without feeling cheated. All of the major plot lines advance. Some are completed. (Have fun with that statement on the message boards). Lots of smaller plot lines are resolved or brought near conclusion. I haven't done a full count, but a few days after the book's released I'm sure every website will have a tally going.

One particuarly refreshing thing I noticed in this novel, more so than the other most recent novels in the series, was how Jordan introduces new elements: people / items / places / stories, whatever, and then resolves them completely in the same book. Also, remember all those chapters in previous books that you read where you wondered who this person was and why were you reading about him or her? Knife of Dreams answers a lot of those. Sometimes in very big or surprising ways. More than one tiny character suddenly bumps into a much bigger character and, well, things happen.

Even when the pacing slowed down, RJ suddenly hits us with some interesting tidbit. Little snacks for the long ride, with the promise of a big dinner coming up.So, stuff happens. But is it any good?

In the words of Grandpa from The Princess Bride: "Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love...!" It's all there. All of it, and more. And not just at the end of the novel. The middle of the book is packed with stuff. I can honestly say, without hyperbole, that this novel is the most focused, most action-packed book in the latter half of the series. This book contains more death and dying than any other WoT novel. Talk about a body count! Not to mention a lot of answers to questions we've been asking for a while.(That little chill that may have just run down your spine, or the excited giggle that you let escape, was how I felt several times when RJ delivered some long over-due answers or shared a particuarly good action sequence.)

But despite all the Deathgates, zomaran, and bolt cranks, the best parts of this book center on the main characters finally reaching what is probably (or will be) the pinnacle of their destinies. To Emma, the webmaster of the official Nynaeve fan club: your heroine might have played out her biggest plot point by helping to cleanse saidin, but she stole the show in this book with one particular chapter about half-way through. All of you will know which chapter it is. After that powerful, emotional chapter, I had to put the book down for a while. Sign me up for Emma's club.All good stories are filled with iconic moments. They're those moments that are so good that they stick with you and are often all you remember years later when the details of the books fade. Moments like Rand taking Callandor, Mat hanging from the Tree of Life, Dumai's Wells, and Elayne putting on her 5th robe in as many pages. (Okay, kidding about that last one. You get the picture). Knife of Dreams has several of those iconic moments. The above mentioned Nynaeve moment, a certain vision coming true, a critical change in Rand, and yes, even Egwene's special tea. (That's not a joke). All of them are iconic moments in my mind. Not too big, however. You can tell that even now Robert Jordan is holding onto his best cards for the final novel. The biggest battles and encounters are yet to come. The end of the novel is not as abrupt as CoT, but it was just enough to whet my appetite for the last book.Boiling it downKnife of Dreams is a strong, strong addition to the series. It is not, however, all action and secrets revealed. Like the rest of the novels, the narrative is long and conservatively paced. It wouldn't be Robert Jordan if we didn't get every detail of armor, every insight into the situation, and yes, a description of every dress in the room. It's his style and you probably would not have made it this far if you didn't enjoy it on some level by now. Also, although I understand that the sub-plots need to happen, but I confess I wish there was more of Rand in particular. Don't get me wrong: he's in this book (way more than he was in CoT), he does a lot of stuff, gets in trouble doing it of course, and all the things that Rand normally does. But oh how I wish we had just a little more time with him.

Fortunately, Jordan cleared up enough plots in this novel that I'm guessing we're going to see an abundance for al'Thor in the final novel. I mean, we've got to, right?As every chapter reminds us, the Last Battle is coming. Plots are burned away, minor characters fade, and long kept secrets are revealed. All eyes are turning towards the same direction, and the question is being asked: Who rides for Tarmon Gai'don?

After reading Knife of Dreams, easily the most enjoyable overall book in the series in years, I am absolutely certain that I'll ride with Robert Jordan into the final Wheel of Time novel.

The Amber Spyglass

Sadly, I have to admit that I'm a little disappointed by this novel. It's not that The Amber Spyglass is a bad book. Far from it, to tell the truth. And yet, it doesn't live up to the expectations generated by its predecessors. The story falls short on certain levels, which prevented me from enjoying this book as much as I would have wanted.

Given the size of this one, I believed that The Amber Spyglass would continue to explore those concepts which, in the previous volumes, seemed to hint at a definite moral complexity. The theological and philosophical aspects, a bit more present in The Subtle Knife, are once more a part of the tale. But unfortunately, the author fails to elaborate on several issues, such as the Church and everything that surrounds it and its power in every world, Mrs. Coulter and her powers, Lord Asriel, etc. Incidently, every secret which I hoped would be revealed in this last volume remained hidden or half disclosed. That was a major disappointment for me.

As was the case with both The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, the imagery was arresting. But the worldbuilding could have been much better. Pullman basically had carte blanche to create whatever his imagination fancied, so I was hoping for far more interesting worlds and universes. . .

The characterizations and dialogues are much better in this novel. Will and Lyra continue to be a well-balanced duo. But other characters, such as Dr. Malone and Father Gomez, were not fully realized.

The ending was anti-climatic, but I expected as much from a YA book. Volume 2 of His Dark Materials was too short. I'm of the opinion that The Amber Spyglass was a bit too long. The pace is at times sluggish.

All in all, a nice enough series. Yet it certainly doesn't live up to all the hype which has surrounded it since its initial release.

The final verdict: 7/10

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (August 16th)

Once more, nothing to report. . .

Meanwhile, J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Hlaf-Blood Prince still holds the number 1 position on the USA Today bestseller list.

And Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams has just appeard at the number 21 spot on the amazon.com bestseller list, although it won't be out till October 11th. Jordan answers a few stupid questions on their site, if anyone is interested. But don't rush there in the hope of learning anything of value. . .;-)

The Subtle Knife

As mentioned in my previous book review, altough not a bad book, The Golden Compass undeniably remained a YA novel. But I had heard so much concerning Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials that I kept telling myself that there had to be more to this than what I first glimpsed in the opening chapter of this trilogy.

So I gave The Subtle Knife a chance, and I'm sure glad I did so. While its predecessor was definitely aimed at a younger audience, this one can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. There were a number of hints which appeared to point toward a moral complexity to this story in The Golden Compass. And I'm quite pleased that the author has been laying the groundwork pertaining to those by exploring concepts such as the unending conflict between Church and Science. The theological and philosophical aspects of this second volume give another dimension to what is shaping up to be a very good fantasy tale.

The worldbuilding is much better in The Subtle Knife. Now that the portal is open, we are exposed to a number of worlds. And since there are countless parallel universes linked by various doorways, I have a feeling that we might see more of them in the next volume. As was the case with The Golden Compass, the imagery is once more arresting.

The dialogues are better than in the first book. Definitely not as juvenile, which was a bit of a relief. Lyra is finally experiencing "character growth," which does her a world of good.

The characterizations have also improved. The addition of Will as a main character was perfect. Lyra was always some sort of brat, but Will is a child who was forced by circumstances to grow up too rapidly. Hence, they form a somewhat well-balanced team together. And Lyra becomes more mature as the story progresses. Secrets are revealed about Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel. Those secrets, along with the revelation of the great confrontation which is brewing, perfectly set the stage for The Amber Spyglass. We are also introduced to a number of new characters, such as Dr. Malone, who continue to give more depth to this story.

I felt that this novel was too short. It gives us a few glimpses of the depth of Pullman's work, but not enough. I can only hope that the final volume will live up to the expectations generated by The Subtle Knife.

The final verdict: 7,5/10

This week's New York Times Bestsellers (August 2nd)

Once again, nothing to report this week. . .

Although still number 1 on the USA Today bestseller list, J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince has yet to make an appearance on the NYT list. . . That's a little odd considering that no book in the world sold more than this one in the last few weeks.

INDEX

Since there is an ever-growing number of people who visit these parts, and since no one wants to waste time perusing every post I've written thus far, here is a little index of what's been happening since the beginning of the year.:-) I have to admit that I am more than a little overwhelmed by the numbers. Since February 15th, over 21, 000 visitors checked things out, from more than 30 different countries, exploring more than 21, 500 pages!:-) Thank you all!!!

JANUARY

- The Book of Words trilogy (J. V. Jones): Book review (My very first. . . And worst!)
- Children of Amarid (David B. Coe): Book review
- The Outlanders (David B. Coe): Book review
- La Crème de la Crème (part 1): A list of my all-time favourites
- Eagle-Sage (David B. Coe): Book review

FEBRUARY

- Fall from Grace: David Eddings article
- Shadowmarch (Tad Williams): Book review
- Things that make you go hmmm. . .: Terry Goodkind article
- La Crème de la Crème (part 2): A list of my all-time favourites
- Ship of Magic (Robin Hobb): Book review
- Close but no cigar: A list of runner-ups that almost made it to my all-time favourites' list
- Mad Ship (Robin Hobb): Book review
- Around the World: Budget traveling article
- Ship of Destiny (Robin Hobb): Book review

MARCH

- Top 5 Ongoing Fantasy Series: Poll results
- The Runes of the Earth (Stephen R. Donaldson): Book review
- Europe's Low-Cost Airlines: Budget traveling article
- Favourite Fantasy Authors of All Time: Poll results
- Tad Williams Interview: Interview
- The Silences of Home (Caitlin Sweet): Book review
- Best Fantasy Series of All Time: Poll results
- Hostels around Europe: Budget traveling article
- Quicksilver (Neal Stephenson): Book review

APRIL

- L. E. Modesitt, jr. Interview: Interview
- So you want to be a book reviewer?: Article
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Matthew Stover): Book review
- Favourite Fantasy/Scifi Characters of All Time: Poll results
- The Confusion (Neal Stephenson): Book review
- Amazon's synopsis for Robert Jordan's Knife of Dreams: Synopsis
- The System of the World (Neal Stephenson): Book review
- Darth Vader's Blog

MAY

- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Soundtrack review
- The Darkness that Comes Before (R. Scott Bakker): Book review
- Check them out!: Websites of interest
- Best Fantasy Artists: Poll results
- Best Fantasy/Scifi Stand-Alone Novels: Poll results
- The Warrior-Prophet (R. Scott Bakker): Book review
- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith: Movie review
- Fool's Errand (Robin Hobb): Book review
- The Contiki Experience: Budget traveling article
- Golden Fool (Robin Hobb): Book review
- R. Scott Bakker Interview: Link

JUNE

- Fool's Fate (Robin Hobb): Book review
- The Great Ladies of Fantasy: Poll results
- It's Only Temporary (Eric Shapiro): Book review
- In the King's Service (Katherine Kurtz): Book review
- Tad Williams Interview: Link
- The Curse of Chalion (Lois McMaster Bujold): Book review
- Paladin of Souls (Lois McMaster Bujold): Book review

JULY

- Robin Hobb Interview: Interview
- The Years of Rice and Salt (Kim Stanley Robinson): Book review
- Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman): Book review

AUGUST

- The Golden Compass (Philip Pullman): Book review

The Golden Compass

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy has been sitting on my shelves for many years now. Not totally forgotten, but not a priority for me to read, either. Indeed, I have way too many books that are patiently awaiting my attention. But as I wait for the arrival of Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing from HarperCollins, I wished to read something light. Hence, I finally decided to give this series a chance.

Pullman's series has garnered much acclaim, and deservedly so. But although quite entertaining, The Golden Compass remains a Young Adult novel. Which means that if you are not young at heart, you should perhaps consider skipping this book. Having said that, however, there are many hints pointing toward a moral complexity to this tale, which may or may not be explored in the two sequels. But the Church's involvement could give another dimension to this series. In any case, this novel's ending promises a lot of things to come.

The worldbuilding is all right, if a little juvenile. Yet, considering the book's intended readership, that was to be expected. The imagery is at times arresting, making The Golden Compass a visual and colorful story.

As was expected, the dialogues are rather juvenile as well. But the narrative, much to my surprise, is not. Pullman's prose is impeccable, and the narrative flows extremely well. The pace is crisp and quick.

The characterizations are better than I expected, although they are often too cute. But there is a lot more to the Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel characters, and hopefully the author will delve a little deeper into their lives in the subsequent volumes.

As I mentioned, concepts such as the Church, the Magisterium, the Oblation Board, the strong bond between children and their daemons, etc, could give a lot more depth to this series. I can only hope that we learn more about these things in The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.

All in all, a good read for a younger audience. This could be the perfect series to introduce youngsters to the fantasy genre, although it is not as accessible as Harry Potter. And the fact that the heroine is a young girl makes The Golden Compass a book that can be enjoyed by both boys and girls of all ages.

This novel was as light as I expected. But it did offer a few unexpected surprise that will make me read the sequel.

The final verdict: 7/10