ALTERNATE URBAN FANTASY: Vampire Empire 1: Greyfriar - Clay and Susan Griffith

Release Date: 15/11/10

SYNOPSIS:

In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once-great cities were shrouded by the gray empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.

It is now 2020 and a bloody reckoning is coming.

Princess Adele is heir to the Empire of Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to a man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is the Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires from deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans

Vampire Empire: The Greyfriar is the first book in a trilogy of high adventure and alternate history. Combining rousing pulp action with steampunk style, Vampire Empire brings epic political themes to life within a story of heartbreaking romance, sacrifice, and heroism.


REVIEW:

To be honest I love a book that tries something a little different to the norm and these two authors have clearly thought their vampire physiology through from what makes them tick to how their bodies cope with their environments. Its cleverly done and whilst we’re lead to believe that they’re a sub genus of the human genome they’re different enough to create a fear and loathing amongst most humans, especially after the war in their alternate 19th Century.

The characters are fresh and believable, the dialogue snappy, however whilst the majority are clearly well thought out, Adele however, principle female lead and future Empire Leader feels a little too unpredictable as you get a feel for her to do one thing and she goes in completely the other direction with no real consistency to her choices.

It is not a bad title and all in it was readable but I can’t help but feel that things haven’t currently been fully thought out/discovered by the authors, so much so that if they don’t quite think things through quickly parts of future titles could well get away from them and lead to a hodgepodge mishmash that may well put the final nail in this worlds coffin.

NEWS: Deja Review

Hail Mighty Readers,
Here's this months round up of previously reviewed titles that have either been released in PB format or have undergone new binding/artwork. (Covers in review may differ from current incarnation.)

This month you'll find:
01/04/11 HOBB, Robin - The Rain Wild Chronicles 2: Dragon Haven
07/04/11 CANAVAN, Trudi - The Ambassador's Mission
07/04/11 DEAS, Stephen - The Thief-Takers Apprentice
07/04/11 McLEOD, Ken - The Restoration Game
14/04/11 BLACK, Holly - The White Cat
14/04/11 SYKES, Sam - Tome of the Undergate
28/04/11 CHADBOURN, Mark - The Sword of Albion
28/04/11 SCOTT, Rob - 15 Miles


If we've missed one please let us know,


Gareth

HISTORICAL URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: Tomes of the Dead: The Viking Dead - Toby Venables

Release Date: 12/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

976 AD – Northern Europe. BjÓlf and the viking crew of the ship Hrafn flee up an unknown river after a bitter battle, only to find themselves in a bleak land of pestilence. The dead don’t lie down, but become what the villagers call draugr – the undead – returning to feed on the flesh of their kin. Terrible stories are told of a dark castle in a hidden fjord, and of black ships that come raiding with invincible draugr berserkers. And no sooner has BjÓlf resolved to leave, than the black ships appear... Now stranded, his men cursed by the contagion of walking death, BjÓlf has one choice: fight his way through a forest teeming with zombies, invade the castle and find the secret of the horrific condition – or submit to an eternity of shambling, soulless undeath!


REVIEW:

Fans of the undead and the gory hack and slash combat are going to love this new addition from Abaddon as the undead rise to shamble along against the sea wolves in this outing from the imagination from Toby Venables. It’s well written, the characters are battle hardened but perhaps not quite expecting exactly what happens within. Add to this a well thought out story arc, great prose and more than a few twists for the reader to get their teeth into and you know that it is going to be something different to a lot of the titles out there.

All in, this book was a lot of fun to read and whilst some of the more modern set titles within the Tomes of the Dead series go for thought provoking, this one is unashamedly a battle to the death against the undead hordes as the Raiders may well find that they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. Great fun.

FACTUAL REVIEW: The Red Sweet Wine of Youth: The Brave and Brief Lives of the War Poets - Nicholas Murray

Release Date: 03/02/11

SYNOPSIS:

The poetry that emerged from the trenches of WWI is a remarkable body of work, at once political manifesto and literary beacon for the twentieth century. In this passionate recreation of the lives of the greatest poets to come out of the conflict, Nicholas Murray brilliantly reveals the men themselves as well as the struggle of the artist to live fully and to bear witness in the annihilating squalor of battle. Bringing into sharp focus the human detail of each life, using journals, letters and literary archives, Murray brings to life the men's indissoluble comradeship, their complex sexual mores and their extraordinary courage. Poignant, vivid and unfailingly intelligent, Nicholas Murray's study offers new and finely tuned insight into the - often devastatingly brief - lives of a remarkable generation of men.


REVIEW:

When I was originally introduced to War Poetry it was a subject that soon became dear to my heart, I loved the brutal reality and to hear the words of men who lived and died in the First World War getting their point across to a reader many years into the future as they struggled for sanity amid a world gone mad.

Whilst I can recall quite a lot about a number of their poems I really didin’t get to know them that well as human beings, so when this title by Nicholas Murray landed it was both a blessing and a relief that I could finally get an idea as to what drove not only these men but also an idea as to the world that they came from. It’s beautifully told, the fallen have been brought back for the modern reader and it’s a title that will be treasured for a long time on my shelving. Finally add to this an authoritive voice that will appeal to both fans of English Literature and those of history and it’s a cross genre title that will help flesh out one of the most inhumane times in recent history.

INTERVIEW: Mark Chadbourn

Famed for his modern interpretation of the Celtic World which he blends with his own take on fantasy, we felt that it was high time that we had a chat with Mark.

Having tracked him down during a Pagan Ceremony (don't mention the sheep...) we had a chance to find out Comics, Sword Play and above all else how he goes about plotting his diabolically fiendish titles...

Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?

Mark Chadbourn: Nobody likes to glamourise themselves and what they do more than writers. That sense that writing is an "affliction" allows them to buy in to the illusion that they are some kind of tortured artists, gifted and cursed by God in equal measure. The truth is, writers have a particular skill, like professional football players, and if they're clever and diligent they can make money out of it. They no more *have* to write than football players *have* to kick the ball around. The proof is when writers get very successful; a lot of them choose to do anything but write for most of the time. Don't get me wrong - it is very hard work and lonely, and only the most driven can entertain the idea of a career with words. But I do believe that storytelling is inherent. It can't be taught in any of the many creative writing classes available across the world, whatever they might say in their advertising.


FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?

MC: Pretty much as soon as I could write. I loved stories - books, comics, TV, films and I was writing short tales all the way through primary school. I always had a sense that you could do this for a living and I was never deterred by all the many, many teachers telling me this wasn't a career option for someone from my working class background. My mother instilled in me the belief that I could do anything I wanted to do, and I think that's the greatest gift any parent can give a child. There are more than enough people in the world telling you what you *can't* do.


FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?

MC: I think that if you can tell a story you can write anything. Telling the story, as I mentioned, is the key. It's not about the writing - that's the paint job on the structure. So if you can tell a story with the brevity that fits the short form, you can then develop the skills to add the complexity necessary for a novel. I used to be a journalist, which is essentially narrative non-fiction. I've written short stories, novellas and novels. I've written comics, TV series and movies. It's all storytelling - you just need to develop a different skillset for each form. That's where those writing classes and books come in. You can learn form easily enough.


FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?

MC: For a start, I wouldn't persuade them. No book is for everyone, and it doesn't matter how much blather and hard-sell I spout, if my world-view doesn't match the potential buyer's world-view, it's not going to happen. But taking the spirit of your question, I'd say my books find the magic in everyday life and in people's everyday lives, and we could all do with more of that. How would I define the novel? It's historical fantasy, rich in the real detail of Elizabethan times, but with a thick seam of the otherworldly running right through the centre of it. I'm interested in the point where reality meets fantasy, and what that collision says about the two opposing sides.


FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?

MC: The Scar-Crow Men is: a thrilling story of high adventure, magic and romance encompassing the real-life mystery surrounding the murder of playwright Christopher Marlowe.


FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?

MC: These days when time is at a premium I tend to read broadly rather than focusing on one particular author. I'd rather have a rich variety of takes on life rather than one in-depth perspective. I read a lot of non-fiction, a lot of cutting edge science and historical research. Authors I hugely admire include John Crowley, Umberto Eco and Mark Z Danielewski. I used to be a huge Stephen King fan, but haven't been able to get into much of his stuff from the last fifteen years or so. Past influences include Ray Bradbury, Alan Garner, Michael Moorcock and the Weird Tales authors from the thirties.


FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?

MC: I use "tentpoles", in that I know how the story begins and ends and I know the main turning points along the way, but I leave a lot of space for the unconscious to add all the really interesting detail. The unconscious does all the heavy lifting. I tend to know my characters as strangers before I start writing, but they don't come alive until the story is well underway. Then I go back and re-write.


FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?

MC: I'm a screenwriter in the other half of my professional life, and I love movies so I watch a vast amount of films and the better TV. Exercise is important because it really helps with the creative process so I run five miles a day, or go to the gym, or cycle, and I do yoga. I'm learning chi gung. I have a deep interest in current affairs, probably developed from my days as a journalist, and I'm a very political animal so I tend to get involved in issues that are close to my heart. Books I've read recently include Colin Wilson's Mysteries, which is a mind-opening philosophical take on what life means, and Danielewski's House of Leaves which is a post-modern horror story, and much better than that description allows.


FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?

MC: I still read comics, and probably too many of them.


FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)

MC: No pets, although I always had dogs as a kid.


FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?

MC: Robert, Earl of Launceston. He's a hugely damaged sociopath who struggles to connect emotionally with the world around him while his friends try to stop him slaughtering anyone who crosses his path so he can see what they look like on the inside. He's one of the good guys. I like people who are damaged. The flaws - why they develop, how people cope with them - are endlessly fascinating. And I like the contrast between sardonic, aristocratic aloofness and sheer bloody butchery.


FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?

MC: Well, I am a scholar, wit, rake, swordfighter, and Byronic adventurer so exactly the same, I would say.


FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

MC: I'm interested in philosophy, psychology, environmentalism, science and the occult and aspects of all those things find their way into my stories. I soak up vast amounts of information and then spread it around. As mentioned, I love films so I think, and have been told, there's a cinematic feel to my writing.


FT: Where do you get your idea's from?

MC: The unconscious, which is a huge bubbling cauldron of everything I've ever done, read, seen and thought about, and every person I've ever met.


FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?

MC: I work very hard to ensure I don't get writers block. It's very easy to burn out when you're writing professionally and you need to put as much effort into the downtime as you do into the work. That means constantly searching for inspiration, continually attempting to switch off the mind, always looking for new experiences. Those are the sources of creativity. I run, watch films, listen to music, but most importantly get out and mingle in the world. The worst thing a writer can do is lock themselves away in their room, permanently writing stories. The raw material for those stories come from life's experiences. Ergo, you have to keep having as many experiences as you can.


FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?

MC: Sometimes I write at night, which is when I feel the stories come most easily. But writers who just wait for the muse to come are frankly lazy. You have to be disciplined. Stephen King always said writing was a muscle you have to exercise, and like all exercise, you have to make yourself do it. I write every week day. I always write on a laptop so I can move around. Sometimes I work at home, sometimes in a cafe or a pub, or the park or the garden in summer. Variety keeps it interesting and stops it seeming like a job. Why would you turn your back on going into an office, only to work in one room, like an office?


FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?

MC: I find it difficult to write in silence, unless I'm tackling a screenplay and need to hear the voices in my head. I have music on all the time, on earphones. I have very eclectic tastes, but mainly try to listen to something new rather than replaying old favourites - although they have their place. This year I've been listening to the Inception soundtrack a lot, which I think is a phenomenal piece of work by Hans Zimmer, but I've also been enjoying work by Villagers, Laura Marling, Apartment, Civic Twilight, Sunbears!, the XX and Zero 7. You can see what I've been listening to on my page on last.fm


FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?

MC: That the hard part was getting published. The hard part is staying published. Every writer needs to keep convincing their editors and publishers to keep investing in them. You can never sit back and coast.


FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?

MC: Writing is the science of living. More than science itself, it's the way we make sense of life and the universe around us.


FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?

MC: It will be called The Devil's Looking Glass. It has Elizabethan spies, mysterious islands, pirates, a trip to the New World and the resolution of a major mystery from the last two books.


FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?

MC: Just checking my history: BBC News, Facebook, Newsarama.com, Marvel Masterworks, Huffington Post.


FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.

MC: No classes, no instructions. I learned a lot from my work as a journalist - brevity, the importance of tough self-editing, discipline, the power of words...


FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?

MC: I feel slightly guilty about answering this when I know how much some aspiring writers go through. The first short story I ever submitted was published by a national newsstand magazine, Fear, and won me their annual best new writer award. On the back of that I got an agent. The first novel I submitted was accepted by the first publisher it went to - Piatkus - and I moved straight on to a larger publisher - Gollancz - for my second novel. I never had to face up to the barrage of criticism and rejection - though having said that, having been a journalist I'm exceptionally thick-skinned and I'm sure I wouldn't have let it deter me.


FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

MC: The best aspects: you get to live in worlds of your own making, you get to live in your head, you get to investigate anything that takes your fancy, you follow your own rhythms and your own dreams, you work when you feel like it, you do not have to put up with people you don't like on a daily basis, you don't have to put up with idiots telling you what to do, you don't have to feel like you're wasting away the most valuable hours of your life, you get to have fun continually, you get to be stimulated and inspired, you get paid for something you'd do for free, you get to mix with interesting, creative people, you get to walk in the sun when you feel like it, you get to stay in the pub the whole day if you like, you get to go on holidays and call them research trips, you get to read books and call it research, ditto films and TV programmes, you get a platform, you get to shout at stupid politicians and they listen, you get to help people and pass on your knowledge. The worst aspects: you have to make your own coffee.

FANTASY REVIEW: Sword of Albion 2: The Scar Crow Men - Mark Chadbourn

Release Date: 28/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

1593. Queen Elizabeth’s trusted spymaster Walsingham has been dead for two years. And as plague sweeps through the streets and stews of London, so suspicion and mistrust sweep through the court and government. No one feels safe. Even the celebrated swordsman, adventurer and philanderer, Will Swyfte, is not immune and must watch his back.

It is when his best friend and colleague, the playwright Christopher Marlowe, is killed in a pub brawl that Will decides he must act. The murder has all the hallmarks of an assassination. But in going in search of Kit's killer, he discovers that there are those in positions of power and influence who are not what they seem…

Against a backcloth of growing paranoia and terror, Will detects the malign machinations of England’s hidden enemy, the Unseelie Court. Now friendless and with these devils at his back, the country’s greatest spy may find that even his vaunted skills are no match for the supernatural powers arrayed against him. The choice is simple: uncover the true nature and intention of this vile conspiracy – or face the executioner’s axe…


REVIEW:

Fans of the Fae and the battles against them will absolutely adore this, the second novel in the Sword of Albion series by Mark Chadbourn. The character as usual are rounded, they have emotional aspects that can win out over sense and perhaps best of all it’s a story of revenge, loss and discovery.

What Mark also brings to the table is decent prose, great dialogue and a great sense of pace that allows the reader to follow the twists and turns and regain their breath in the lulls to prepare for the next impressive action sequence. All in a great addition to the series and one that you really have to try if you love a different type of fantasy. Great stuff.

GUEST BLOG: Anthony Riches on Making the promotional Webcast.

‘Make a video’, they said. ‘Wow’, I thought, that’s a first! Well, not a first in terms of being in front of the camera, I’ve done short films for the projects I’ve managed – oh yeah, riveting stuff – but I’ve never previously got on camera waffling on about the stuff that I write. What fun, I thought!

The first problem was the script. My initial draft was more Simon Scharma than Simon Scarrow, but once I knew what it was that the publicity types at Hodder Towers were after – short, pithy and laden with violence (‘…or your three defining characteristics’, my long suffering wife muttered) – it was easy enough.

Then we had to work out the venue. ‘Housesteads?’, I offered hopefully, dreaming of a day or two on the Wall. Publishing economics intervened, and after a protracted hunt we came up with Porchester Castle close to Portsmouth, a rather lovely old Roman fort built as part of the Saxon Shore defences and then taken over by the Normans, who built a compact little castle in one corner and used the cohort sized fort walls as the outer defence.

And so the day dawned, cold, misty and with a touch of drizzle in the air – and with a deluge predicted. I collected my secret weapon, Roman clothes horse (and author) Russell Whitfield from his place in West London and we headed for Portsmouth. The film crew were nicely on time, and with the weather getting murkier by the moment we set about it, First up was a piece with Russ in my full auxiliary soldier kit (as you can see from the picture) explaining the weapons and armour, during which the precipitation hardened from mizzle to drizzle (and no, younger reader, before you post to ask, there were neither shizzle nor indeed nizzle involved). Once he’d finished exhausting himself waving my sword around – well those things are really heavy, right, and no way is Russ fat – we set to with my piece to camera.

Three problems now raised their heads. The first was the rain, which was now working itself up into a precipitatory frenzy, and quickly notched itself up from drizzle to full NATO standard wetness. The rain drops were bouncing off Russ’s armoured head and my own pink skull with equal force, although the helmet made a nicer plinking sound then my skin, and necessitated frequent stops to wipe the lenses clean, something I suppose anyone who films web content should be ready to do at any time. The second problem was my idiocy, and complete inability to remember my script (even when it was being fed to me in bite sized chunks). Suffice to say that whatever words make it into the final cut will bear only a passing resemblance to what I wrote originally. Note to self: learn your fricking lines!

But it was the third problem that put the tin lid on the morning’s entertainment. Think back to when you were a six year old primary school kid. If you’d gone to visit a boring old castle, only to come across a man wearing the full Roman soldier kit, wouldn’t you have been excited? And just a little bit noisy in your excitement? I know I would, and I’m much older than six… So, multiply that by about 30, all shouting ‘Look! A Roman soldier!’ (full marks for recognition, they must all have watched Gladiator at some point) and the noise was something like standing in a crowded club at two in the morning. Or at least that’s what Russ told me later - I’m too old and staid for nocturnal entertainment, and anyway my wife has forbidden me from chasing women as a) there’s no way I’m going to catch any of them and b) I clearly wouldn’t have a clue what to do if I did manage to trip one up. The only solution was for him to (at least semi-willingly) head off round the castle with the kids in hot pursuit, like the Benny
Hill chase scenes we all enjoyed do much in the 70’s. If you’re too young to remember, have a look on YouTube, and marvel at how easily entertained we all were in those days.

The ruse worked, and we were left to complete my laboured line delivery in the teeth of what was now surely a force eight gale, under which provocation the crew stayed remarkably chipper despite my frequent fluffs. That’s ‘fluffs’ and not ‘fluffing’, all you budding Sun journos. All that was left was to drink a life saving cup of coffee in the only piece of shelter in the whole castle, the gatehouse (nice stone ceiling), at which point the kids hove into view again. ‘Look, ANOTHER Roman soldier!’ Aren’t kids brilliant!

So, learnings? One: pick a venue with potential for filming inside as well as open to the elements. Two: learn your blooming lines. I’m still kicking myself, despite all the justified excuses about a busy week and a low IQ. Three: take a Roman soldier with you. They’re indispensable for diverting the attention of primary school kids.

Thanks Russ.

p.s. If you want to see Russ and I in full on ‘author and Roman soldier’ mode, we’ll be doing a signing in Bishops Stortford Waterstones from 12.00 on Saturday the 30th of April, and we’ll both be happy to sign books, chat about whatever interests you and, in Russ’s case, run round the store with a gang of six year olds in hot pursuit. See you there?

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Empire 3: Fortress of Spears - Anthony Riches

Release Date: 28/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

In the enthralling third volume of Empire, Anthony Riches takes the legions deep into north Britannia, where the survivors of the rebellion still hope for revenge. The Romans have vanquished the rebel alliance, leaving Calgus, Lord of the Northern Tribes, the prisoner of the chieftains he once led. But the new Roman leader will not let them rest. He forms an audacious plan to capture Dinpaladyr, the Selgovaes' fortress of spears, and return it to the hands of a trusted ally. Marcus Aquila - burning for revenge on an enemy army that has killed one of his best friends - is part of the select group of infantry chosen to go north with the Petriana cavalry and take the fort before the rebel army can reach it. He believes his disguise as Centurion Corvus of the 2nd Tungrians is still holding. But he is just a few days ahead of two of the emperor's agents, sent from Rome to kill him. Pitiless assassins who know his real name, and too much about his friends.


REVIEW:

To be honest I absolutely love a title that takes me on a journey especially when I get to march alongside the ancestors and those who have gone before. Here in the third offering in his Empire series, Anthony returns to the Tungrians as the Legion marches to finish the natives uprising for once and for all. As usual it’s got great action sequences, emotional conflict and some seriously apt prose as the battle gets down and dirty with men dying for each inch of ground. Back that up with great prose alongside an author who plays for keeps and you know that there will be some heavy losses with friends from previous excursions falling by the wayside. Finally, if you want entertainment, battles and action sequences then this title will definitely fulfil the brief for you and a great addition for fans of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.

NEWS: David Gemmell Legend Award Finalists Announced

Hail Mighty Readers,
Well you voted in your thousands and for those lucky enough to have attended Eastercon you'll already know who made it. For those of us with the Bank Holiday Blues here is how it played out in Alphabetical Order:

Legend Award - Best Fantasy Novel
BRETT, Peter V - The Desert Spear (Voyager)
HEITZ, Markus - War the Dwarves (Orbit UK/US)
JORDAN, Robert and SANDERSON, Brandon - Wheel of Time: Towers of Midnight (Orbit UK/Tor US)
PEVEL, Pierre - The Alchemist in the Shadows (Gollancz)
SANDERSON, Brandon - The Way of Kings (Gollancz/Tor US)
WEEKS, Brent - The Black Prism (Orbit UK/US)

Morningstar Award - Best Debut
CHARLTON, Blake - Spellwright (Tor US)
HINKS, Darius - Warrior Priest (The Black Library)
JEMISIN, N.K. - The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Orbit UK/US)
PEHOV, Alexey - Shadow Prowler (Tor US)
VICTORIA, Mary - Tymon’s Flight (Harper Collins Australia)

Ravenheart Award - Best Fantasy Art Cover
EINARSDOTTIR, Olof Erla - Power & Majesty (Harper Collins Australia)
LOCKWOOD, Todd - The Ragged Man (Pyr)
NIELSEN, Cliff - The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (Orbit)
SULLIVAN, Jon - Shadow King (The Black Library)
VICTORIA, Frank - Tymon’s Flight (HarperCollins Australia)

Congratulations to all the shortlist and we wish you the best of luck. Voting opens Monday 2nd May 2011,


Gareth

INTERVIEW: David Hewson

If you're a fan of the mystery thriller, then at some point you've probably sat down and enjoyed a David Hewson title.

With the new Nic Costa title released today in the US, we thought it was high time to talk to this extraordinary author to discover a few mysteries of our own.

Here we chatted to David about the day job, must own titles and his listener, Eddie...

Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?

David Hewson: I think there's definitely an obsessional aspect to writing. If you can choose not to write then you probably don't have it in you to be a writer.


FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?

DH: When I realised how much I loved books.


FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?

DH: Short stories are very different to novels. Some writers excel at them and struggle with the structural issues of the longer form. So I definitely disagree with that principle, though I can't say my own work proves or disproves either way.


FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?

DH: Being English I'm socially averse to selling anything so I’d probably mumble about only being there for a present for my auntie, make an excuse and leave.


FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?

DH: Cultural literary mysteries for readers with a penchant for dark deeds in beautiful places.


FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?

DH: Robert Graves, Robert Aickman and Jorge Luis Borges are writers I return to from time to time, but their output's been a bit sparse of late.


FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?

DH: I have a general idea of where the narrative is going but the characters usually tell me I'm wrong halfway through. I don't profile them, I let them appear on the page.


FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?

DH: Reading and writing are pretty relaxing really. Current book: Scourge and Fire by Lauro Martines about the Florentine friar Savonarola. I read a lot of non-fiction.


FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?

DH: Never suffered from guilt about any pleasures.


FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)

DH: An argumentative wire fox terrier called Eddie who is taken for a walk/story conference every morning. His key trait is he's a very good listener. He's not appeared in a book yet.


FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?

DH: Mina Gabriel, a precocious 17-year-old with a secret. Very interesting trying to get into the head of someone who's treated as a child but is a lot more mature than most people notice.


FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?

DH: Nothing like Nic Costa - he's much nicer than I am .


FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

DH: None really, though I like travel, art, food and Italy, all of which come through in the books.


FT: Where do you get your idea's from?

DH: Life.


FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?

DH: No more than plumbers encounter plumber's block. Some days you don't feel like working. It passes.


FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?

DH: I regard this is a full-time job. So I work 8-6 Monday to Friday and do other things at weekends.


FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?

DH: The idea of writing to music horrifies me. I don't allow anything to interrupt the working day, except a brief nap after lunch.


FT: What misconceptions, if any, did you have about the writing and publishing field when you were first getting started?

DH: That it would be easy once the first book was out of the way.Truth is every book is 'new' and a challenge.


FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?

DH: A workout for the imagination. Fiction is a way of producing fairy tales for adults, stories that expand on and occasionally explain the mundane thing called 'reality' and make it more palatable.


FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?

DH: Set in Venice in February during the carnival. Spent a lot of time there during 2010. February in Venice is very cold.


FT: What are the last five internet sites that you've visited?

DH: BBC New, Times Online, bank account, own web site and Expedia


FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.

DH: No - just read books.


FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?

DH: Persistence and a thick skin


FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

DH: Best: you don't have to wear a tie. Worst: it takes an unconscionable amount of time for a finished book to appear, so that when it does I've already written the next one and that's what's in my head.

THRILLER REVIEW: Nic Costa 9: The Fallen Angel - David Hewson

Release Date: 04/02/11

SYNOPSIS:

When the sins of the past echo the crimes of the present - Detective Nic Costa faces his hardest case yet

When British academic Malise Gabriel falls to his death from a Rome apartment, detective Nic Costa rapidly comes to realize that there is much more to the accident than he had first thought. It also becomes apparent that Malise’s family – mysterious and tragic daughter Mina, stoic wife Cecilia and troubled son Robert – may be keeping vital information hidden.

Nic becomes obsessed with the case, and is especially intrigued by Mina’s story which seems to be linked with the sixteenth century-legend of a young Italian noblewoman, Beatrice Cenci.

As the investigation deepens, Rome’s dark and seedy side is uncovered, revealing a web of deceit, treachery and corruption. Costa realizes that the key to the truth lies with the Gabriels. Why are they so unwilling to co-operate, and who, or what, is the reason for their silence?


REVIEW:

As a fan of David’s writing, I always love the chance to embark on a new investigation with his characters. Here, in my opinion is one of David’s best titles to date as Nic Costa takes on a modern death with some ancient secrets. As usual its beautifully researched with an almost photographical descriptiveness that could soon make Rome a city to visit. Add to this a wonderfully creative plot outline, some great character interaction which when finished off with David’s own unique spin, makes this a title that is hard to put down. All in a most satisfactory read and one that may leave you checking the house before switching off your light.

FANTASY REVIEW: Warhammer Fantasy: Time of Legends: A Sundering Novel 3: Caledor - Gav Thorpe

Release Date: 26/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

Ulthuan is burning. Its peoples are scattered, its lands in ruin. Under the iron fist of the Witch King dark elves sack and pillage. His desire is nothing short of total domination and the utter extinction of the high elves. Skies blacken with the wings of dragons and smoke occludes the sun. Daemons crawl from their hell-pits, hungering for souls. Through the fires of civil war, a general becomes a king. Prince Caledor takes up the Phoenix Crown and with it the hopes of all of Ulthuan. Though it is a burden unwished for, he is the last heroic thread that can unite the realm of the true asur. Darkness closes, filled with the screams of war. Dead elves soak the land in blood, anointing a spell of unbinding, a cataclysm intended to end the very world.


REVIEW:

The final part in the Age of Legends Sundering series and one that really has set up for an explosive conclusion as the Elves bring it all together for the war that will last millennia as they each seek dominance within their own realms. It is well written, the tale crafted with the blood of the fallen and it’s a civil war on a scale that neither side will relinquish or give quarter for. Definitely a seriously good release in the series and one that is quite fitting for its conclusion. That said, my favourite still has to be Shadow King but this one definitely hits the spot and is a title that many fans will find satisfactory for their bloodthirsty needs especially when the politics as well as xenophobia hits the fan in this no holds barred battle for supremacy.

ARTS AND CRAFTS REVIEW: Stitch with Love - Mandy Shaw

Release Date: 26/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

Today's newest and most popular needlecraft, stitchery, is an ingenious combination of good old fashioned embroidery, modern quirkiness and contemporary projects. Mandy Shaw's unmistakeable style provides a gorgeous collection of stitches and projects, all in natural fabrics in the stylish cream and red colour palette. It includes a perfect introduction to eleven simple stitches, with step-by-step instruction for both right and left handers. It allows the crafter to create stunning gifts and home accessories which are personal and unique, and also leaving room for inspiration and creativity.


REVIEW:

Arts and crafts is a wonderful thing to be able to do and when you’re looking for projects it can, at times, feel a little daunting. This title by David and Charles takes the reader through a number of easy to follow stitches and also presents them with a host of small projects that can make wonderful gifts for friends and relatives that don’t cost the earth to either make or in time. Add to this patterns, easy to follow steps and a number of great projects including some Christmas themed ones and if you can get them into it, a great way to help keep children occupied as well as to learn skills that will last a lifetime.

FACTUAL REVIEW; Nightmare Movies - Kim Newman

Release Date: 18/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

Now over twenty years old, the original edition of Nightmare Movies has retained its place as a true classic of cult film criticism. In this new edition, Kim Newman brings his seminal work completely up to date, both reassessing his earlier evaluations and adding a second part that analyses the last two decades of horror films with all the wit, intelligence and insight for which he is known. Since the publication of the first edition, horror has been on a gradual upswing and has gained a new and stronger hold over the film industry. Newman negotiates his way through a vast back catalogue of horror and charts the on-screen progress of our collective fears and bogeymen, from the low-budget slasher movies of the 1960s, through to the slick releases of the 2000s. Nightmare Movies is an invaluable companion that not only provides a newly updated history of the darker side of film but also acts as a truly entertaining guide with which to explore the less well-trodden paths of horror and rediscover the classics with a newly instructed eye.


REVIEW:

As a huge fan of Horror movies I’m always interested in the history of the genre. This is what Kim has presented in this, the 20th Anniversary print of the original script which has been added to as well as modified over the years. Whilst this isn’t a fictional title by any way shape or means as some may think with it having the Kim Newman name on the cover, it is a title that is not only authoritive but one that’s been created with a love of the genre. Ideal material for fans of horror as well as anyone studying Film and Media to degree level.

Add to this great subject matter, at the very least one or two chapters that will appeal to any film reader (my personal favourites included: Vampires and Other Stereotypes, Cannibal Zombie Gut Crunchers and Shoot ‘em in the Head) and when you wrap it up in a talent as huge as Kim’s this is a title that many people will love to have on their coffee table for its friendly accessible manner. Great stuff.

STEAMPUNK REVIEW: Infernal Devices and Morlock Night - KW Jeter

Release Date: 07/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

WHEN GEORGE'S FATHER DIED, HE LEFT GEORGE HIS WATCHMAKER SHOP - AND MORE. But George has little talent for watches and other infernal devices. When someone tries to steal an old device from the premises, George finds himself embroiled in a mystery of time travel, music and sexual intrigue. The classic steampunk tale from the master of the genre. With a new introduction by the author, and an afterword by Jeff Vandermeer.


REVIEW:

If you want a title for the Steampunk world then you really have to try KW Jeter. Not only thought of by some as the father of the genre but one who takes a hell of a lot to beat as the descriptive work of the scenes really can be imagined by the reader from the dark, dank alley’s to the magnificent cathedrals. Add to this a great lead character that readers can not only associate with but sympathise alongside which when backed by a masterful storytelling style that fits right into the other Victorian authors out there makes this a title that is not only hard to put down but nigh impossible.

Finally add to this a fairly unique authorly voice as well as mysterious coincidences and you really have a great title to sit back and enjoy the ride with. Magical.



Release Date: 07/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

What unfurls wonderfully within this second expedition with KW is a title that starts straight after Well’s Time Machine, and brings the Morlocks to Victorian England. Whilst I absolutely loved the very idea of this there were numerous problems that needed to be overcome but to be honest felt ignored rather than considered. However whilst the first tile was a real joy, this one took a step into the ridiculous when KW introduced Merlin and Arthur which left me not only a little flummoxed but also wondering what would happen next.

Sadly I was disappointed with this title as I felt that the author tried to cram too many idea’s into one singular title but whilst it did annoy you get some wonderful extra’s as well with the authors writing style alongside his weird and wonderful London. All in an OK Steampunk title but I’d suggest that you pick up and stick with Infernal Devices as its far superior on not only the writing but on the believability scale.


REVIEW:

If you want a title for the Steampunk world then you really have to try KW Jeter. Not only thought of by some as the father of the genre but one who takes a hell of a lot to beat as the descriptive work of the scenes really can be imagined by the reader from the dark, dank alley’s to the magnificent cathedrals. Add to this a great lead character that readers can not only associate with but sympathise alongside which when backed by a masterful storytelling style that fits right into the other Victorian authors out there makes this a title that is not only hard to put down but nigh impossible.

Finally add to this a fairly unique authorly voice as well as mysterious coincidences and you really have a great title to sit back and enjoy the ride with. Magical.

FANTASY REVIEW: A Song of Ice and Fire 1: Game of Thrones - George RR Martin

Release Date: 01/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

The first volume in the hugely popular and highly acclaimed epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire. There is passion here, and misery and charm, grandeur and squalor, tragedy, nobility and courage. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, starring Sean Bean. Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun. It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plot, lusts and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men! all will play the Game of Thrones. Winter is coming!


REVIEW:

With the forthcoming TV series about to hit our screens and the latest escapades being released in July, we thought that it was high time to take a walk back down the deep dark roads of the origins of the epic Songs of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. As you’ve probably heard it is huge in all respects, it has a great cast, an author who plays for keeps and at times, one throw of the die is all you get before you have to pay the piper. It’s a dangerous game and with everyone seeking an advantage to gain them the upper hand it’s turned a kingdom against itself as everyone vies for the top position. Why anyone would want to be king beats me but at the rate it’s all going I’m going to be surprised if there is either much left of the kingdom or the people to rule over by the end. The Nobility in themselves are going to be pretty much wiped out and it can only begin again with most of the remaining upper classes being interrelated in future years so that everyone will have claim to the throne.

It’s definitely got a lot of things going for it and when you have an author who really loves to demonstrate that you don’t know much about what is going on until he lets slip a fact like it’s a drop of water to a dying man, then you know that the whims of the gods and characters are all that are keeping them from death.

On the downside front it’s the waiting time between titles with A Game of Thrones being originally released last century (1996) and we’re only now hitting book five (A Dance with Dragons which is purportedly being released in July 2011.) All in, if you want a huge cast of characters, great epic adventure, a superior writing style, then you have to give GRRM his due. He certain knows how to deliver. If you want your books quick, then either wait for the series conclusion and start then or perhaps find another author who’s a tad more regular.

FANTASY REVIEW: Shadows of the Apt 6: The Sea Watch - Adrian Tchaikovsky

Release Date: 04/02/11

SYNOPSIS:

A shadow is falling over Collegium. Despite the tenuous peace, Stenwold Maker knows that the Empire will return for his city. Even as he tries to prepare for the resurgence of the black and gold, a hidden threat is steadily working against his people. Ships that sail from Collegium's harbour are being attacked, sunk by pirates. Some just go missing ...Lulled by the spread of lies and false promises Stenwold's allies are falling away from him. He faces betrayal on every side, and the Empire is just waiting for the first sign of weakness to strike. But the Empire is not the only power that has its eyes on Collegium. And even the Wasp-kinden may be powerful enough to stave off the forces massing in the darkness and turning hungry eyes towards Stenwold's city.


REVIEW:

If you’re after an epic series that has regular publishing schedule, guaranteed great plot lines and written with not only pleasurable prose but great dialogue then you really have to pick up Adrian’s Shadow of the Apt series. In this, the sixth book in the series, things get even more hair raising as we return to the tale of Stenwold as he makes preparations for the continuation of the war with the Wasp Empire.

As usual the writing is crisp, the story spellbinding and with continued success of an author learning new tricks as he creates its definitely a series that will keep you glued to the last page. With the release of Heirs of the Blade in October, it’s not that long a wait and a great time to get into this cracking series with the first title Empire of Black and Gold.

NEWS: Gladiatrix is back

Hail Mighty Readers,
As you may recall we reviewed a book by Russell Whitfield called Gladiatrix a while ago. With the second due out shortly, our spies deep within the bowels of the Colessium have let us know about this trailer.

To find out more go here:
Roma Victrix


Gareth

CUISINE REVIEW: The Skinny French Kitchen - Harry Eastwood

Release Date: 17/03/11

SYNOPSIS:

Harry Eastwood has taken on the challenge of a lifetime: marrying her love of classic French cookery with a desire to maintain her waistline. The Skinny French Kitchen is the result of Harry's year spent tasting, testing and tweaking the great French classics in her tiny Parisian kitchen up seven flights of stairs. Every recipe has been slimmed down to a fraction of its usual calorie cost without robbing it of flavour or its French character. From light and delightful Tarte aux Pommes and Mousse au Chocolat to irresistible Coq au Vin Blanc and Croque Monsieur, Harry has proved once again that fat and flavour don't always go hand in hand ...


REVIEW:

French Cuisine is all about big hearty meals with the family that balances flavours with good quality ingredients with meal times being an experience rather than just a fuelling stop. It has some wonderful classics which have translated well to the British Palette and whilst some of the national dishes may not be to everyone’s taste you’ve got to admit that it’s a way of life that we really should adopt more.

However with everyone being more health conscious it’s always a good thing to find some of the classics that manage to not only keep the big taste but also maintain the subtlety of flavours that cut down on the calories within. Harry has done not just an admirable job but has created a truly masterful classic. Yes if you want your haute cuisine and food you need GPS just to find on the plate you can stick with Ramsey, but for real meat on the bones, generous helpings and of course a lot of time lavished upon it you have to go for good hearty dishes. Harry’s look at the way of life and tastes are brought across lovingly and that’s really what good food is about, having people to share your experience and whilst the cooking times and preparation can feel like a chore, if you really want to do something special, it’s to the dishes contained within like Boeuf Bourguignon that you have to turn with a wonderful selection of veggies cooked to bring out their flavour and characters that you should seek out.

Add to this some great ideas for combo’s with easy to follow instructions alongside practical advice and it’s the book that no kitchen can be without which makes this title a great all-rounder and one that will be used time and again within my own household.

CRIME REVIEW: Drawing Conclussions - Donna Leon

Release Date: 07/04/11

SYNOPSIS:

When a young woman returns from holiday to find her elderly neighbour dead, she immediately alerts the police. Commissario Brunetti is called to the scene but, though there are signs of a struggle, it seems the woman has simply suffered a fatal heart attack. Vice-Questore Patta is eager to dismiss the case as a death from natural causes, but Brunetti believes there is more to it than that. His suspicions are further aroused when the medical examiner finds faint bruising around the victim's neck and shoulders, indicating that someone might have grabbed and shaken her. Could this have caused her heart attack? Was someone threatening her? Conversations with the woman's son, her upstairs neighbour, and the nun in charge of the old-age home where she volunteered, do little to satisfy Brunetti's nagging curiosity. With the help of Inspector Vianello and the ever-resourceful Signorina Elettra, Brunetti is determined to get to the truth and find some measure of justice. Insightful and emotionally powerful, Drawing Conclusions reaffirms Donna Leon's status as one of the masters of literary crime fiction.


REVIEW:

I love books that take me not only on a journey but almost scenically through a place I’ve never been to before. That is perhaps what I have to say is Donna Leon’s main strength in this crime novel as it plays out in Venice. The tale has some great characterisation with the principle player, Commissario Guido Brunetti whose deductions as well as thought proses are almost Doylesque within this title. Back that up with a wonderful descriptive prose, some clever behind the scenes sleight of hand as well as an overall arc that will keep the reader glued to the last page.

My only real criticism of this title is that it feels that it’s rounded up a little too nicely and a little to quickly in the final few pages. All in a good solid piece of writing and one that really made this crime title worth the effort.

INTERVIEW: Ben Aaronovitch

After the release of his first book, Rivers of London (Midnight Riot in the US), Ben could have sat on his laurels and released the second title next year, yet three months later he’s back and he’s hitting harder than ever with his second title in the Peter Grant series, Moon over Soho.

Here we had the chance to chat to him about writing, monsters who demand royalties and musical mood lists…

Falcata Times: Writing is said to be something that people are afflicted with rather than gifted and that it's something you have to do rather than want. What is your opinion of this statement and how true is it to you?

Ben Aaronovitch: If you can't make it pay then writing is a definite affliction, if you can make it pay then it's a wonderful indoor job with no heavy manual labour.


FT: When did you realise that you wanted to be a writer?

BA: I didn't want to be a writer I wanted to be SFX designer (this is pre-CGI) but I'm colour blind and have terrible craft skills. So I started writing as an alternative way of putting the images in my head out into the world.


FT: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV?

BA: If you can write you can write anything if you can't write then the length
is irrelevant.


FT: If someone were to enter a bookshop, how would you persuade them to try your novel over someone else's and how would you define it?

BA: I would bribe them with money.


FT: How would you "sell" your book in 20 words or less?

BA: Buy this book or you might just wake up with a horses head in your bed!


FT: Who is a must have on your bookshelf and whose latest release will find you on the bookshops doorstep waiting for it to open?

BA: I have a hardback list of which currently Hamilton, Pratchett and Bujold are on + some non fiction.


FT: When you sit down and write do you know how the story will end or do you just let the pen take you? ie Do you develop character profiles and outlines for your novels before writing them or do you let your idea's develop as you write?

BA: I generally have a vague idea about what will happen the character outlines tend to get written as when they are needed.


FT: What do you do to relax and what have you read recently?

BA: I don't relax I procrastinate (there's a difference). Currently reading N.K. Jemisin's 'The Broken Kingdoms' before that it was mostly research books.


FT: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?

BA: Not going to tell you.


FT: Lots of writers tend to have pets. What do you have and what are their key traits (and do they appear in your novel in certain character attributes?)

BA: I have an Evil Monster Boy (my son) but he doesn't appear in my work because then he'd demand royalties.


FT: Which character within your latest book was the most fun to write and why?

BA: Apart from Peter Grant? That's a difficult question - Beverley Brook but also Molly.


FT: How similar to your principle protagonist are you?

BA: Not that similar we have some things in common, we're both Londoners and we both went to the same school but he's so much younger than me that there's this whole generational shift between us.


FT: What hobbies do you have and how do they influence your work?

BA: I don't have hobbies really, apart from the reading.


FT: Where do you get your idea's from?

BA: I steal them mostly.


FT: Do you ever encounter writers block and if so how do you overcome it?

BA: I have a tendency to faf about and procrastinate but it's not really writer's block as such.


FT: Certain authors are renowned for writing at what many would call uncivilised times. When do you write and how do the others in your household feel about it?

BA: I get up at 06:30 in the morning during the winter and 05:00 in the summer this allows me to get a good 2-3 hours of procrastination in before I start to write around 9:00


FT: Sometimes pieces of music seem to influence certain scenes within novels, do you have a soundtrack for your tale or is it a case of writing in silence with perhaps the odd musical break in-between scenes?

BA: I have mood lists on iTunes, action scenes, sad scenes, happy scenes etc, they're also tailored to match the tone of each book.


FT: If music be the food of love, what do you think writing is and please explain your answer?

BA: Writing is the stuff of life, if god existed he/she/it would be a writer.


FT: What can you tell us about the next novel?

BA: It's called Moon Over Soho and follows the adventures of Peter Grant as he investigates the mysterious deaths of London jazz musicians.


FT: Did you ever take any writing classes or specific instructions to learn the craft? If so please let us know which ones.

BA: I took the McKee 'Story' class (for script writing) which I recommend.

If you want to write a novel I recommend 'How Not To Write a Novel' by Sandra Newman & Mittelmark - read that, write novel, submit novel repeat until published.

I personally question the utility of workshops but just because they don't work for me doesn't mean they wont work for you.


FT: How did you get past the initial barriers of criticism and rejection?

BA: I ignored them.

I lie, I noted the fuckers down on my shit list and then I ignored them.

One day I shall return to that list and extract my revenge... bwahahahaha!


FT: In your opinion, what are the best and worst aspects of writing for a living?

BA: If you can make it pay then it's easy work that you do from home and an unparalleled opportunity to inflict your own fantasies onto an unsuspecting public.

You can check out our review of Ben's Rivers of London here.