Fan Art Up
Fan Art Up is a weekly feature hosted by Tabitha at Not Yet Read. Details here. Each week I see if I have a book doodle or just a random doodle to place here. This week I’m reading Moon’s Artifice. Just one quick sketch for this one. Check out Not Yet Read to see some real art!!
Anyways, you need people of intelligence on this sort of… mission… quest… thing.
Every Thursday Nathan hosts Tough Travelling over at the Fantasy Review Barn. This week we’re going tough travelling through the tropes of: Quest Objects
QUEST OBJECTS can be various, but are quite strictly defined by the Rules. They are:
1. Material Objects. Cups, jewels, orbs, rings, scepters, stones, and swords.
2. Places. Hidden Kingdomes, islands, old ruined cities, stones, temples, valleys and fountains.
3. Persons. Apprentices, hardship, princes.
4. Knowledge. Usually for birthright or magic or both.
Don’t forget to check everyone’s links out as it’s a really great way of finding new unknown books – and, join in yourself, that way you can add to our tbr!! All welcome.
Without further ado my choices this week are:
Mr Shivers by Robert Bennett. This is an unusual, dark and creepy book set during the time of the Great Depression. We follow the exploits of Marcus Connelley as he traverses the country in search of a mysterious scarred man who murdered his daughter. He is joined in this by a number of other people who have suffered similar losses at the hands of this strange character. A compelling gothic story, part horror, part thriller that explores the depths that a person will go to in order to catch a monster. Is the killer really a human?? Not sure if this entirely fits, although it does involve a band of characters in search of one person?
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. A fantastic and imaginative tale set in the future where the inhabitants spend most of their lives in a virtual universe. The main protagonist is Wade Watts who is looking for the legendary golden egg and secret fortune of the now deceased creator of the Oasis that people now spend the majority of their lives playing inside. Many people have abandoned the search for the egg and accompanying fortune but a few gamers persist in direct competition with the suits from a huge corporation who are also searching for the loot!
Feast of Souls by Celia Friedman. The story focuses on magic and the price paid for it’s use. We are introduced to Khamal who wants to become the the first female magister ever. She is ambitious and due to her upbringing hard and stony. Her quest is for knowledge and in particular the greater knowledge of the magic open to her. Flawed characters and an interesting magic system that operates different between the sexes.
The Painted Man by Peter Brett. A fascinating fantasy world that comes alive with demons as the last rays of sunshine set for the evening. Kept at bay by wards, the nature of which is mostly lost to the people, these demons come in many forms such as rock demons. The main protagonist for the first book follows Arlen in his quest for knowledge of the lost wards and hopes to become a master in their use.
The Sandman, Dolls House, Vol 2 by Neil Gaiman – in which Dream, following his escape from captivity goes in search of his lost possessions. The recovery of these items takes more than one volume but this was a great addition – particularly the Serial Convention.
Honourable Mentions
Harry Potter – couldn’t resist the search for horcruxes
Lord of the Rings – the quest of all time.
The Hobbit – a double quest for the dwarves and Bilbo – search for the Arken stone and a quest to reclaim their lost home from Smaug
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson – Jasnah’s search for the hidden city of the Shattered plains
Sanderson…
6 August 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Events, Brandon Sanderson, Waterstone's Deansgate
That’s right – just one word – that’s all you need!!
Last night with my pal Jenny (Wondrous Reads) I attended a book event in Watersone’s (Manchester) where Brandon Sanderson was chatting, answering questions, providing readings and giving away upcoming teasers and spoilers. This was brilliant – plus we had chance for a book signing as well.
I must say that Brandon Sanderson is one enthusiastic guy about his books. You could be forgiven for thinking there might be a little chink in his armour, maybe he’s forgotten the odd thing – I mean, there are quite a LOT of books and they’re not exactly skimpy on the page count. But, nope, you’d be wrong – he is totally immersed, energetic and keen to talk about them. He could be a really great actor, in which case I would be wrong in thinking that here is a bloke who comes across as really liking his fans. Of course, we are buying his books so I don’t suppose he’s going to sit and sneer at us but he just seemed so genuine. Even after signing huge quantities of books he still chatted with every person who stood in line for the signing, asking each one if they had extra questions, taking time for pictures – even when he was signing sometimes 8 or more books at a time! PATIENCE!
I’m not going to make this verbatim as it could just become too wieldy. I apologise upfront if I misrepresent anything here – particularly if I have the future book releases muddled – feel free to correct me. And, be warned that there could be spoilers in the text below so read with caution (I don’t think there are but …).
We started off with Mr Sanderson telling how he still felt so surprised to find himself in his current position (with fans no less) when it seemed like only a short while ago he was practically trying to push his books on unsuspecting would be buyers as they entered a book shop where he’d set up a small station selling his books – apparently it took 12 books (13 if you count his high school one) before he actually got published.
There were a number of questions. I won’t recreate them here but give a quick synopsis.
In terms of writing processes and in particular putting characters through tough times he said that it’s difficult. You become attached to them. When you start it’s a bit like being a director casting a role. You outline your character and write them into a chapter to see how they work out. For that matter Vin from the Mistborn series started her story as a man, morphing into an Artful Dodger type character before winding up as the girl we all now love. Sometimes you like a character but maybe not for the particular book which you’re currently writing – so you put them to one side. And, sometimes you have a genuine ‘ah hah’ moment where your character develops more than you anticipated as you give them the freedom to grow. This of course can help the plot and also prevents the characters from becoming wooden. In terms of the tough times he sometimes puts his characters through – for example Bridge No.4 – well, he thinks of a situation which would maybe involve life and death (being interested in mediaeval siege warfare helps with that) and from there he goes to the emotions that such situations will create in the characters. It’s tough to write such scenes with character’s you have feelings for – but if it makes you as a writer have strong emotion then it will hopefully create strong emotions in your readers alike.
As you’ll know if you’ve read any Sanderson, Gods and spirituality usually play a role. In order for the religion in his books to work he has to embrace more than one viewpoint. Otherwise you don’t have the full picture. You have to see using ‘other’s eyes and use 5 or 6 different sets of feelings and thoughts in order to give a rounded feel. In terms of this Sanderson mentioned how one of his favourite books – (which I think was Dragonsbane) helped him to look at his own mum differently or more to the point see events through her viewpoint. He was given the book in high school. It contains a character who makes tough choices when she becomes a mum and eventually chooses to not pursue her fantastic magical abilities. His own mum, an accountant made a similar choice in terms of her career and he said it was when finally reading Dragonsbane that he realised the choices his own mother had faced. Right there – a different viewpoint.
In terms of magic systems – Mr Sanderson looks for something that makes him stretch, something that makes him really think – he looks at something and thinks if this happens, or if this changes, if I change one piece of physics how does that impact upon everything else. Sometimes that works and sometimes he just has to start writing and see how things pan out!
In terms of future books – he has a plan – to eventually write a book that will link them all together – in that respect, yes, they’re all set in the same universe, sometimes characters are referenced or flit in and out, and there are secrets and easter eggs buried within. Of course that ‘joiny’ up book is a long way off. In the meantime, in order not to face potential readers with an epic 25 book series – he writes other smaller novels such as The Emperor’s Soul (which, coincidentally is bloody awesome!) which give people a flavour of his style and writing. He has a cunning plan people and he’s not afraid to implement it.
On top of all this – and there were more Q&A – we had a reading from a short story where the magic system is based on bacteria. A person is infected and in order to keep the person alive to spread the disease the bacteria gives the host magical abilities. On top of this we were also treated to a reading from a potential novella about Jasnah! Exciting stuff to keep us WOR fans going in between books. I must admit that I SO WANTED a reading about Kaladin – I was still very happy though, I think Kaladin and Syl are my favourite characters in the story so far but I do love Jasnah as well!
I think I’m right in saying the next Stormlight archive book is due out 2016 with a Mistborn book next Autumn and a Steelheart book maybe Jan 2015. There was more info but I’ve waxed lyrical for long enough so if you want more info check out Mr Sanderson’s blog!
In which I give you fantasy not to be missed!
5 August 2014
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Fantasy, The Broke and the Bookish, Top Ten Tuesday
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic:
Top Ten Books I’d Give To Readers Who Have Never Read X:
Well, if you’ve read this blog before you’ll probably realise I focus fairly strongly on fantasy with a sprinkling of sci-fi and a little horror, mystery and history. So, for my ten choices this week I’m going for books from fantasy to give you an idea how you can read many different styles whilst getting your fantasy fix (let’s face it, I never miss a chance to bang on the fantasy drum). This may seem like a bit of a cheat because I do have more than one example for each description but I do only have 10 descriptions!!
Fantasy:
- Children: Something to read to your children (not too young though – particularly if they don’t like spiders!!): The Hobbit by JRTolkien
- For the YA: I’m going to go with Harry Potter by JK Rowling, this is a series that a young person can get their teeth into and grow up with. The series becomes progressively darker and the school setting means that a YA audience can easily relate.
- If you want stories with a fairytale feeling: The Graveyard Book, Stardust, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman – BUT not all of Gaiman’s work is a light read so be careful what you pick up!! Or, Sarah Pinborough who recently wrote three short books that were fairytale retellings – Poison, Charm and Beauty. They depict a different side to Disney’s princesses and although fairytale style are definitely adult books.
- If you want alternative history: there are a few examples for this but, some are a bit deep if you’re new to fantasy and don’t want to move straight to epic – the major series that has turned people’s opinions on their head in terms of fantasy is the Game of Throne series by GRRMartin which is not so much alternative history but does have a mediaeval setting (that being said – this is fairly epic to say the least!). There is Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. This is a very indepth venture set during Napoleonic times. Alternatively, the series written by Jasper Kent (The Danilov Quintet) which is an alternative Russian history with Vampires otherwise known as Vorodalak – starts in Napoleonic times and works up to early 1900s. If you want an alternative Victorian history then a bit of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate might not go amiss – steampunk with a bit of spice. Otherwise you could just opt for Bram Stoker’s Dracula which is a classic.
- Light and whimsical, only bordering slightly on fantasy: I would suggest two authors for this – Joanne Harris (Chocolat, Coastliners or Blackberry Wine) or Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic, The River King. or The Museum of Extraordinary Things).
- Grimdark – well, this is very popular in fantasy at the moment and maybe not for everyone. However, I love Mark Lawrence’s Prince/King and Emperor of Thorns. This series is dark and even more so because of the age of Jorg at the state of the story. But, in spite of this Lawrence’s writing and plotting is second to none. The vision he has for the whole series is nothing short of breathtaking. If you want to try something a little lighter but set in the same world then ML has started a new trilogy starting with Prince of Fools – this is set in the same world as the Broken Empire (Thorn) books but has a different feel completely with two very enjoyable characters – I can’t deny that the ending gets a little bit more heavy BUT I think by then you’ll be totally invested in the main characters.
- Military based, I recently read Django Wexler’s Thousand Names – this is alternative military, apparently known as ‘flintlock’ (thanks to Mogsy for letting me in on that secret!) which apparently means based during the musket era. I really enjoyed this book, it is fairly in depth to be honest but for people who want to go easy on the fantasy element it’s very lightly done. If you fancy something a little bit different then All You Need is KIll is very short, quick and enjoyable – set in the future with battles against aliens but the central character, who dies at the start of the story (that isn’t a spoiler) then comes back to relive the day over and over – groundhog style.
- Something a bit more romantic: – The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Involving a bit of jumping back and forward in time this is a good series (although I haven’t read all of them). If you want something a bit more, ahem, spicy, then Karen Chance or Christine Feehan maybe (so I’m told…..!).
- Detective based: Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files – this is one of those series that has a world living in parallel to the everyday mundane world. It involves a wizard called Harry who also acts as a private investigator and assists the police with ‘supernatural, cases. A very entertaining series so far.
- Classic:: I had to do it – I never miss an opportunity! It would be rude not to mention Lord of the Rings by JRTolkien and this way I start and finish the piece with him. However for other classic fantasy – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Christmas Carol, Frankenstein – the list could very easily go on and then on some more!
Now, if you were going to dip your toe in the fantasy pond do you think you might be tempted by one of the above?????
The Hunt for Pierre Jnr by David M Henley
Just finished reading the Hunt for Pierre Jnr which was an intelligent and thought provoking sci fi/political thriller based approximately 150 years into the future.
Global warming and the resulting famine plus other catastrophes known as the Second Dark Age have changed the world as we know it and the surviving population live under huge protective domes. This futuristic world is now also populated by psionics – people with psychic, telekinetic or telepathic abilities. I’m not 100% sure why these abilities have developed in certain people, maybe some sort of fallout or mutation following warfare – but, those with such abilities are generally feared by the majority. As a result they are collected, forcibly, as soon as their abilities manifest and placed on islands where their abilities cannot be used to the detriment of the rest of the population.
At the start of the story we are introduced to Peter Lazarus. Peter is a psis who has succeeded in not only escaping from captivity but remaining under the radar and evading re-capture. However, he now willingly gives himself over to the Services (armed military). The reason being to assist with the hunt for Pierre Jnr. Pierre is almost a folklore figure. He’s only 8 years old and his psychic powers are unmatched. Very few people have seen him but those that have encountered him are rarely left unharmed. He is greatly feared.
The world that Henley has created is a much more intense version of that which we are familiar with. The population are linked into the internet (known as the weave) on a virtually constant basis streaming information (using a symbiot that is attached). The Will of the people controls the democratic process with government’s being overthrown or placed in power based on popularity statistics. It’s an interesting concept that leads to political manoeuvering and corruption. At the start of the novel the current government has been in power for a number of years and peace has reigned. As the hunt for Pierre begins however events take a turn for the worse. The authorities, underestimating the threat and not really knowing what they’re going up against force a situation that results in massive destruction of one of the central regions and involves the deaths of over 2,000 people. The government is immediately replaced with a more aggressive one – the main character (or Prime) being Ryu – that has already proven it’s track record of hunting and capturing psis. And so the gauntlet is down.
The style of writing is very much dialogue led and is interesting in that along with regular dialogue there is the stream of conversation that comes through the syms and also the narration being held by psis using telepathy. We are introduced to a number of seemingly random people along the way which usually served to provide background to the world and people. The main psis characters are Peter Lazarus and Tamsin Grey who after a brief spell of working together end up on opposing sides. Their main foe is Ryu – the Prime. Not really such a nice character, assisted by his slightly creepy brother. What I liked here is that it’s very difficult to know just how reliable the characters are. There is always the threat that one or more of them have been ‘tampered’ with without their knowledge and are operating as somebody else’s puppet.
I won’t really go into plot. Yes, there’s a hunt for Pierre and there seems to be a race against two sides to pick up other psis in between times. War is brewing and it’s time for everyone to pick a team.
The main thrust of the story revolves around fear and prejudice. The psis are undoubtedly treated in a harsh manner because of their abilities – are they ever really given a chance to prove themselves? Not really. Is it likely that they will all wish to use their abilities to harm regular people? Who knows. Basically the fear and suspicion that most people have of the unknown is enough to force the situation and their fears are undoubtedly worked on! There are definitely different levels of puppetry going on here.
In terms of criticisms – I had very little to be honest. The only thing I would mention is that this is not a self contained novel and ends unresolved, a platform for the next in series.
Otherwise a thought provoking and fast paced read. I look forward to seeing where this goes next.
My thanks to the publishers for providing a copy for review. The above is my own opinion.
