Hail Mighty Readers and those of the Calloused hands,
Our friends at THQ have let us know that they've uploaded a development video for Darksiders 2 (out later this year) to whet you appetite. If like us you can't wait to play as Death and charge against the hordes against your fellow Horseman Brother, then this will hopefully go some way to act as a balm on your gamers soul.Have fun and remember to keep tuned to see further developments.Gareth
Release Date: 18/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
One hundred and fifty years from now, in a world where Africa is the dominant technological and economic power, and where crime, war, disease and poverty have been banished to history, Geoffrey Akinya wants only one thing: to be left in peace, so that he can continue his studies into the elephants of the Amboseli basin. But Geoffrey's family, the vast Akinya business empire, has other plans. After the death of Eunice, Geoffrey's grandmother, erstwhile space explorer and entrepreneur, something awkward has come to light on the Moon, and Geoffrey is tasked - well, blackmailed, really - to go up there and make sure the family's name stays suitably unblemished. But little does Geoffrey realise - or anyone else in the family, for that matter - what he's about to unravel. Eunice's ashes have already have been scattered in sight of Kilimanjaro. But the secrets she died with are about to come back out into the open, and they could change everything. Or shatter this near-utopia into shards ...
REVIEW:
OK do you like a book with a huge scope? A title that will grab you, shake you up and throw all sorts of twists and turns so that your view is like Escher’s Relativity? Well search no longer as this new title in a cracking new series by Alastair Reynolds hits not only the shops but the readers minds in such a way that you’ll be confused as you wend your way through.
It’s clever, it has an almost mind blowing scope and when you add to the mix an author who knows what they’re doing with sleight of hand, it’s a title that will stay with you long after the final page is turned. Finally add to this the makings for a trilogy to be long remembered and it’s clear why this author is high up on most fans lists of must buys. Great stuff all in and a real treat although for me, it’s going to be a long wait for book two.
Friend of the blog, Julie Campbell is on a whirlwind blog tour and we were lucky enough to grab some of her time as its all about her new book available on Amazon (in the US, UK) as either an E-Book or a hardcopy.
So without further ado, we give you OWGer (one of the Kelley Armstrong Forum writers) Julie Campbell to take you on a journey with a different twist in its tail...Gareth, thank you for having me here today for my blog tour. My novella, Doc, Vampire-Hunting Dog is about a Border Collie who… hunts vampires. Bet you didn’t see that coming. Well, the second part anyway. You may not have guessed Border Collie unless you’ve already seen the cover. Then the breed of the MC is kind of obvious. Border Collies aren’t exactly known for being the most blood thirsty of breeds. Normally people think of Babe, the movie about a pig who herds sheep like the dogs do. They are cute, smart and a little grumpy with sheep sometimes, but not hunters.Well, that’s true. But they do have that pretty cool eye. The Border Collie eye was developed early in the breeds history and they use it to control the sheep (and vampires). Yes, they literally stare at the sheep. It’s an intense gaze, and if you’ve ever had it turned on you, it can be intimidating. You can actually feel it even when you don’t know the dog is looking at you. They are also super smart. This is the blessing and curse of the breed. I won’t get on my soapbox here, but let me tell you, most people aren’t prepared to deal with a smart dog that might as well be a perpetual energy machine.To me Border Collies make the perfect vampire-hunting dog. They’re smart enough, intense enough, loyal enough, and boy do they love to have a job and work with their human partner to get it done.So what does my vampire-hunting dog in training do while I’m writing? A lot of the time she sits right under my feet. Sometimes I’ll come up for air and find I’m surrounded by her toys and she’s staring at me, hoping I’ll throw them. Sometimes she goes and sleeps on the couch. Poor dog. It’s a huge challenge to live with a Border Collie, especially since I also work 40+ hours a week out of the home, and write as much as I can. I have to keep her exercised and mentally occupied. If I lived on a farm she’d be outside working all day, every day, because that’s what BC’s do. They go and go and go. Since she’s a companion dog, I have to dedicate large amounts of time to doing things with her. I trail ride with her and my horse, play a lot of fetch, do a dog sport called flyball and we do herding. It’s kind of like having a kid… all her lessons and spending time with her. It’s wonderful though because a happy active BC means a happy active author – at least in my case.Kira is my inspiration for Doc. Even Doc’s love for his lazy chair… Kira loves to sit in my lazy chair. So do the cats actually. Sometimes they even let me sit in it. She’s had a huge impact on this novella. I hope, if you decide to read it, that you’ll be able to see the real Border Collie behind the fictional one.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
One winter's afternoon, voice coach Sonia opens the door of her beautiful riverside home to fifteen-year-old Jez, the nephew of a family friend. He's come to borrow some music. Sonia invites him in and soon decides that she isn't going to let him leave.
As Sonia's desire to keep Jez hidden and protected from the outside world becomes all the more overpowering, she is haunted by memories of an intense teenage relationship, which gradually reveal a terrifying truth. The River House, Sonia's home since childhood, holds secrets within its walls. And outside, on the shores of the Thames, new ones are coming in on the tide...
REVIEW:
I love new authors, so this one when it landed (earlier today) was something that I was surprised at when I started as it became a novel that hooked me in from the beginning with beautifully rounded characters, wonderful plot line and a deeper hint of mystery to be uncovered as you watched the pages fly by.
Add to this a great authorly style where the prose and pace are of a high standard which when backed with a writer who is clearly out to impress and it’s going to be a tough crime debut to beat in 2012. This year really has started out highly and I really can’t wait to see what Penny hits back with next.
Release Date: 01/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Allie Beckstrom knows that there's a price to pay for using magic ...She's suffered her fair share of migraines and gaps in her memory during her time working as a Hound, tracing spells back to their casters. But now Allie's been visibly marked by magic with a mysterious iridescent tattoo. She's not only lost all memory of how she got it, but also of the man that she's supposedly fallen in love with. Oh, and as usual, she's completely broke. So when the criminal magic enforcement division of the police asks her to consult on a missing person's case, things start to look up. At first, it seems to be a fairly straightforward way of earning some money - but like most things in Allie's life it soon turns into a dangerous mix of underworld criminals, ghosts and blood magic. This time Allie is going to discover it takes more than magic to survive...
REVIEW:
OK, I love a good Urban Fantasy story and when you add a price into the mix for the use of the characters magic it has extra danger for the use of power, however coming into this series with the second book, I was left wondering for quite a while what I’d missed in the previous as it kept being alluded to throughout.
Don’t get me wrong, I did have fun with this title, but I felt that something was missing for me as a reader as I hadn’t gotten to know the character prior to the consequences that seem to have affected her in the end of the previous story which left me wondering about her associations alongside having to figure the world and her role out in greater detail. The writing is crisp, the character was interesting but without the background I felt I was on the backfoot from the beginning. I’ll reread this book when I’ve read the original story Magic in the Bone.
Release Date: 15/09/11
SYNOPSIS:
Elizabeth Woodville, The White Queen (2009), Margaret Beaufort, The Red Queen (2010), and Jacquetta, Lady Rivers, The Rivers Woman (2011) are the subjects of the first three novels in Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War series, and of the three biographical essays in this book. Philippa Gregory and two historians, leading experts in their field who helped Philippa to research the novels, tell the extraordinary 'true' stories of the life of these women who until now have been largely forgotten by history, their background and times, highlighting questions which are raised in the fiction and illuminating the novels. With a foreword by Philippa Gregory - in which Philippa writes revealingly about the differences between history and fiction and examines the gaps in the historical record - and beautifully illustrated with rare portraits, The Women of the Cousins' War is an exciting new addition to the Philippa Gregory oeuvre.
REVIEW:
Knowing Philippa’s name from the historical fiction part of the bookshop, I had high hopes for this, the factual representation of the female characters to which the current series pertains. What unfortunately happens is a presented title that is a little higgledy-piggledy with no real background and some of the facts that for me were quite important missed out almost as if they weren’t important when in a factual historical document lineage and wills can shape the future of all. Add to this that there isn’t a lot of detail known and perhaps it’s a title that would have been best to leave well enough alone and stick to historical fiction where a certain amount of leeway is acceptable and where for me, the Philippa’s talents lie.
Release Date: 15/09/11
SYNOPSIS:
Jacquetta, daughter of the Count of Luxembourg and kinswoman to half the royalty of Europe, was married to the great Englishman John, Duke of Bedford, uncle to Henry VI. Widowed at the age of nineteen she took the extraordinary risk of marrying a gentleman of her house-hold for love, and then carved out a life for herself as Queen Margaret of Anjou's close friend and a Lancaster supporter - until the day that her daughter Elizabeth Woodville fell in love and married the rival king Edward IV. Of all the little-known but important women of the period, her dramatic story is the most neglected. With her links to Melusina, and to the founder of the house of Luxembourg, together with her reputation for making magic, she is the most haunting of heroines.
REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of Philippa’s since I originally read her story, The Other Queen, which not only enchanted me but gave me all the things that I look for in a story, a character I want to spend time with, emotional involvement and of course a setting where no matter how much you wished for a different outcome you know what will happen in the end.
Yet sadly for me, the currently series set in the Cousin’s War really isn’t giving me what I want. There isn’t enough available material for the author to utilise to help bring it altogether (a fact that Philippa admits as most of the historical texts are about the male lineage rather than dealing with the female) and with the same timeline told from various points of view, the reader will feel that they keep reading the same thing in each title. Add to this, that for me, this book about Jacquetta should have been released before the White Queen to get the full effect and I was left feeling a little cheated, especially when I wanted the author to delve into the characters emotions about her husband and son’s beheading which was completely ignored.
That said, the authors writing style is there, its gripping with decent pace, but with no real substance to help back it up (a fact backed up sadly with the Cousins War Historical Title) it felt that it floundered pretty early on. All in, I’ll read a few more of Philippa’s titles but unless they head more towards the factual and documented which will allow her to present the principle character to a modern audience then I won’t be staying with her for much longer.
Release Date: 23/12/11
SYNOPSIS:
A mystical killer stalks the halls of the White Spire, the heart of templar power in the mighty Orlesian Empire. To prove his innocence, Adrian reluctantly embarks on a journey into the western wastelands that will not only reveal much more than he bargained for but change the fate of his fellow mages forever.
REVIEW:
If you’re a fan of the games or the previous two titles this new book is an absolute corker as it starts shortly after the end of the first game. It’s well written, the prose top notch and David Gaider really does give the reader what they want in this imaginative as well as dangerous world.
Add to this great pace, a wonderful control of the lulls as well as peaks of combat which when blended with an authorly voice that gives the reader exactly what they want which will more than entertain, although to be honest you have to expect perhaps a change or two to the outline from the game as some of your choices you made will have given you differing results. Still, that said, a satisfactory read and one that I really enjoyed, so much so that a complete replay will be in action shortly.
Release Date: 03/10/11
SYNOPSIS:
Even in the twenty-first century, the undead walk among us...Before Twilight and True Blood, vampires haunted the nineteenth century, when brilliant writers indulged their bloodthirsty imaginations, culminating in Bram Stoker's legendary 1897 novel, Dracula. Acclaimed author and anthologist Michael Sims brings together the finest vampire stories of the Victorian era in a unique collection that highlights their cultural variety. Beginning with the supposedly true accounts that captivated Byron and Shelley, the stories range from Aleksei Tolstoy's tale of a vampire family to Fitz James O'Brien's invisible monster to Mary Elizabeth Braddon's rich and sinister widow, Good Lady Ducayne. Sims also includes a nineteenth-century travel tour of Transylvanian superstitions, and finishes the collection with Stoker's own Dracula's Guest - a chapter omitted from his landmark novel. Vampires captivated Victorian society, and these wonderful stories demonstrate how Romantic and Victorian writers refined the raw ore of peasant superstition into a whole vampire mythology of aristocratic decadence and innocence betrayed.
REVIEW:
If you’re a firm fan of many of the modern vampire stories, you really have to read these as they’re just as frightening and eerie as the modern counterparts. They have something for everyone from masters of the genre whether you want the calculating vampire or a lonely vamp or even a good old fashioned noble undead you’ve got some in here as well.
Add to this solid writing, a whole host of talent, great prose alongside dialogue and this is true value for money for any fan of the living dead. A cracking read and a wonderful addition to anyone shelves.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Mike Zetterberg lives with his wife Ylva and their daughter in a house just outside Helsingborg. One evening, Ylva isn't home as expected after work. Mike passes it off as a drink with a work friend, but when she's still missing the next day, he starts to worry.
As Mike battles suspicion from the police and his own despair, he is unaware that Ylva is still alive, just a stone's throw from his own home. Ylva has been drawn into a twisted plot of revenge and tragedy that leads back into her and her abductors' shared past…
REVIEW:
When you’ve never read an author before the reader usually suffers from one of two reactions (or rather I do to be honest.) First of all that thrill of excitement at not knowing what to expect and secondly that cold chill down your back that says, but what if it doesn’t live up to my expectations and for me wastes my time and money? So which is this title going to do? And with such an early launch for the new year, is it a book that they hope will do well or just tacked in to get the season off to a start when people may spend without realising what they’re getting.
All of which are pertinent questions and of course I’ll do my best to answer them. First of all, this book by Hans is a story of firstly the human spirit and the strength that it can demonstrate when evil things are thrust their way, not by way of a creature but by way of the evil that others do unto us and for me, it’s a story of crime.
Its cunningly crafted, it’s addictive and the way that the pages meld you really can’t find a convenient place to put the book down for the night as you promise yourself just a few more pages. Add to this solid characterisation and people that you can believe in, great prose and of course a storyline that really will keep you gripped as you follow the actions and reactions as they unfurl. Finally add to this an author who likes to add some sleight of hand (you’ll find this out towards the books culmination) and a wicked twist or two that will leave you wanting more. Cracking all round and a great way to start the new year.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The first novel in a bold and fast-paced new urban fantasy series starring Jayné Heller, a young college student who inherits a string of houses across the world, several bank accounts, and a very unconventional business from her murdered uncle. And it turns out Uncle Eric has been fighting to rid the world of supernatural riders - demons, vampires, werewolves and all sorts of other nasty parasites - since before Jayné was born. Now it's up to Jayné to avenge her uncle's death and continue his mission - if she can survive her first week on the job.
REVIEW:
Originally I thought that MLN Hanover was a new author so I was really looking forward to seeing what would occur in a paranormal genre that’s heavily laden with almost mythical heroes, vamps and of course magic weilders, so when I learned that the name was a pseudonym for an author whose fantasy titles I loved I was a little apprehensive as I didn’t want to ruin my own reading pleasure with a title that didn’t fit into what they did.
What unfurled however was a well thought out, cunningly crafted title with a new take on magic, were’s and other “riders” which made this a tale that I could really get my teeth into and when added with a good sense of prose, some decent action and a whole host of chaos with casualties based on the lead characters choices I found it a story I couldn’t leave alone. Add to this some interesting dialogue which when backed with all the traits that I like from Daniel Abraham’s writing (solid characters having to deal with a world that’s given them lemons) with a good dash of flaws and it was a story that left me wanting more. I’ll look forward to seeing where it goes.
Hail Mighty Readers,
Our friends over at Mullholland Books have let us know about this opportunity for you to become a Mullholland Blogger and to get ahead on the published titles from them the details are as follows:"Do you love suspense fiction? Crime novels, thrillers, police procedurals and supernatural suspense? If you love these books then Mulholland Books is the imprint for you, bringing exciting American thriller writers to the UK alongside British crime authors who deliver what thrill-hungry fans demand.Mulholland Books UK are offering you the chance to become a MULHOLLAND DRIVER in 2012 – one of a team of bloggers who get the chance to read and review Mulholland Books ahead of the curve. We have developed an online community of crime and thriller readers and would love to offer you the chance to be a part of it.We are looking for two new additions to the team, book lovers who can’t get enough of compelling, fast-paced, page-turning reads. If you would like to become a Mulholland Driver please send an email to lucy.zilberkweit@hodder.co.uk explaining why you’d like to join us, the name of your blog and your address. We will then post you a copy of the fantastic GUILT BY ASSOCIATION by Marcia Clark – email us your review for a chance to win spot on the team.Looking forward to hearing from you all soon!"
Everything that exists in our universe possesses a dual nature.
There is first the literal (or physical) nature. Then there is the symbolic (or ideal) nature.
This principle is nowhere more evident than in the world of literature. The events of a story, the characters, the setting, all the various elements that compose a narrative work…all of these can be analyzed from a symbolic (ideal) perspective. Sure, there’s a blazing mountain of ghosts in the hero’s path, but what does that truly MEAN? A red hawk crosses a witch’s path as she stumbles from her hovel…what is the deeper meaning of the occurrence? I teach a combined class of English Language Arts and History called Humanities. My partner, a history teacher, continually reminds our students that it’s not enough just to know WHAT happened in history; it is far more important to know the SIGNIFICANCE of a historical event. The dual nature of events is displayed clearly in this study of the past. What did it MEAN that the Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated? What was the significance of Napolean’s obsession with defeating the Russians? To get the most out of a work of literature, a study of history, or the latest great book you’re reading, you must look beyond the literal/physical and strive to understand the symbolic/ideal elements of the story unfolding in your mind. Often such understanding is second nature to a reader—we pick up on symbolism, connections, metaphor, imagery, and other types of figurative language without even trying. These are natural tools that allow us to convey and understand comparisons, deeper connections, and meanings beyond the literal. “My love is a red, red rose,” does not have to be explained. We instinctively “get” the metaphor.Usually writers work by instinct, weaving literal and figurative language as a loom spins cloth. Yet it’s not only about what a writer intends to put in the story. It’s also important what the reader brings to the story: life experience, education, existing tastes, prejudices, culture, and insight. When two minds (or souls) converge in the meeting of writer/reader, we find the true magic of synergy unleashed, and the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. This is the power of literature, as well as other forms of art that involve output/receiver relationships.When it comes to SEVEN PRINCES, a lot of people have been asking me to describe the book. Distilling years of hard work into a brief description can be a difficult process. Sure, I’ve said “It’s about blood,” and “It’s about young people living in the shadows of their legendary fathers,” and “It’s about the subjective nature of reality.” Yet none of these descriptions encapsulates what the entire novel is actually ABOUT.On its literal/physical surface, SEVEN PRINCES is about brave, conflicted souls doing the best they can in a world full of ancient menace, strange sorcery, and brutal warfare. Yet on the symbolic/ideal side, that same novel is about love, hate, vengeance, history, family, destiny, honor, justice, betrayal, murder, romance, death, and magic. Yet none of those statements is going to express the complete wholeness that is the book itself. There is only one way to understand that wholeness—reading the novel. When you bring your own consciousness to bear upon a work of art (such as a novel), you spark that synergy and actually join the creative process of fiction. Fiction itself possesses a dual nature: It takes both a writer who writes and a reader who reads to create the phenomenon that is a story. Like magic itself, two forces come together and create something unique and special: the experience of reading a narrative.What I tried to do was to write the novel I most wanted to read. I’m of the belief that a writer does his best work when writing to please himself. The best rock albums are created this way as well. In fact, I believe that the very best works of art (regardless of medium or genre) are created as fulfillments of a creator’s singular vision. The manifestations of his or her obsessions. In cinema these types of storytellers are called “auteurs.” They bring a personalized vision to life onscreen and share it with a mass audience. Writers do the same thing, only our personalized visions show up on the page, then later in the “mental theatre” of the reader’s mind. However, when it comes to writing, the reader brings far more to the story than the watcher of a movie. A lot of the “heavy lifting” is done by the reader: instead of detailed set pieces created by the work of an artisan team, the reader supplies the background visuals based solely on the writer’s choice of words and evoked imagery. In a movie, the music will often determine the mood, but when you read a book, it’s all YOU. Even the physical appearances of the characters are ultimately determined by the reader—not the writer—because words are limited. 
Words carry meaning, but they are far more interpretive than pictures. This is why movies based on books are usually a let-down. Unless you make the movie yourself, how can it possibly live up to the images that book conjured in your mind with its unlimited budget and boundless special effects? Don’t get me wrong—I love movies. But reading a book will always be a more personal, and therefore a more meaningful, experience.SEVEN PRINCES is an epic adventure waiting to happen. Like all things in our universe, it possesses a dual nature. It is equal parts Writer and Reader. Literal and Symbolic. Epic and Intimate. Real and Magical. It is an arcane spell in need of casting.All you need to do is open the book…and start reading.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
An ancient necromancer slaughters the king and his court in front of the unbelieving eyes of crown prince D'zan. From that moment, his life is consumed by one thought - to regain his throne. Others will join him, some will oppose him. In a world where men and giants fight side by side against ancient monsters and new powers, only one thing is sure - war is coming. Blood will run and princes will clash. Seven princes. Seven destinies. All will be legend.
REVIEW:
If you love a good fantasy story then you really have to try this debut from John R Fultz. It has all the elements to please readers with dark villains, a characters decent into evil alongside peoples fighting to save their world from a creeping darkness. Add to this giants, magic and of course plenty of swordplay and the reader has a treat in store but when backed with a solid authorly voice alongside cracking prose and character’s that you want to get to know and overall it’s a title that’s hard to put down.
Finally throw to the mix a world with infinite possibilities, an author who plays for keeps and I suspect that there will be a vast number of readers who will fall for this authors writing completely. Great stuff.
Release Date: 05/01/11
SYNOPSIS:
abylon Steel, ex-sword-for-hire, ex… other things, runs the best brothel in Scalentine; city of many portals, two moons, and a wide variety of races, were-creatures, and religions, not to mention the occasional insane warlock.
She’s not having a good week. The Vessels of Purity are protesting against brothels, women in the trade are being attacked, it’s tax time, and there’s not enough money to pay the bill. So when the mysterious Darask Fain offers her a job finding a missing girl, Babylon decides to take it. But the missing girl is not what she seems, and neither is Darask Fain. In the meantime twomoon is approaching, and more than just a few night’s takings are at risk when Babylon’s hidden past reaches out to grab her by the throat.
Babylon Steel sees the start of an an exciting new fantasy series.
REVIEW:
OK, so you’ve gone through a truck load of fantasy, you’ve slaughtered thousands with Conan, defended your homeland from invading armies and stood up against the oppressor. Yet you still want more and something a little different to boot. So what are you going to do?
Well my advice to you is try this title from Gaie Sebold. It’s dark, it is twisted and it has characters that the readers will love. The world is one that has a realistic flavour and when you add mystery into the adventure alongside a hint of forgotten realms and the reader really will be in for a treat. Finally add to the concoction solid prose, great twists and a story that kicks ass from start to finish and you really will be kicking the New Year off with a bang. Cracking.
Release Date: 02/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The dark origins of the Warhammer World are soaked in blood. Epic wars between kindred races reshaped the continents, vase civilisations rose and fell, the dead walked the earth in legions. This is an age of mighty heroes who like will never be seen again, such as the man-god Sigmar and Caledor, the Phoenix King of the elves. It is also an era of dread villains like the Witch-King Malekith and Nagash, the Lord of the undead. In these troubled times, dragons still flock the skies and magic exists that can doom or save the world.
It is an age of legend.
REVIEW:
I love a short story compendium and for me, the Black Library really pulls out the stops with these titles as it allows the reader to try an author that they may not have had chance to see before. It’s a great way to launch new talent such as Sarah Cawkwell, whose previous Warhammer 40K novel, The Gildar Rift (out last month) was a real triumph.
Not only do you get new names but established hands of the Star War’s Universe like Paul S Kemp who writes a mean fantasy tale. Back that up with the old hands to the Warhammer world like Gav Thorpe and Clint Werner which guarantee’s some old favourites return. All in, this is a cracking release and one that I had a lot of fun with which is a cracking way to begin the New Year.
OK, this is another game that we're looking forward to as massive fans of the whole South Park Franchise. Whilst details are currently a little sketchy here's what is currently know:
“South Park: The Game” is an epic role-playing adventure that will allow the user to befriend Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny and explore the quiet little mountain town like never before.“Our goal is simple: to put creative talent first,” said Danny Bilson, EVP Core Games, THQ. “Matt and Trey are arguably two of the most important comedic talents of their generation. Bringing their vision of South Park to the interactive space is a dream-come-true.”The finished game will be available for the following platforms:Xbox 360PS3PCMore as we find out.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The story of how Alexander the Great conquered the world - first crushing Greek resistance to Macedonian rule, then destroying the Persian Empire in three monumental battles, before marching into the unknown and final victory in India - is a truly epic tale that has mesmerised countless generations of listeners. He crammed more adventure into his thirty-three years than any other human being before or since, and now for the first time a novelist will tell the tale in a single suitably epic volume. The combination of Alexander's life story and Christian Cameron's unrivalled skills as an historian and storyteller will ensure that this will not only be the definitive version for many years to come, but also one of the most exciting historical epics ever written.
REVIEW:
OK, so you want an historical fiction title that will not only impress but one that will give you real characters that have a more 3D feel as well as being people you can associate with. You also want a story that concentrates on giving you factual information without a lot of hocus pocus and tales about divine intervention alongside a story that allows you to get to know the principle players with a realistic feel with the events that shaped them.
Well look no further as this new book by Christian Cameron about the story of Alexander the Great comes to the fore. He’s rounded, he is talked about in the third person and the things that can make a king a villain are also present as the events that shaped his life are brought to the reader’s attention. It’s wonderfully descriptive, the characters are fascinating and above all else it’s the story of Alexander that everyone should read as it allows you to see the man, the not the mythical figure that has made his way through antiquity.
Finally add to this Christian’s wonderful writing style, with cracking prose, a wonderful sense of pace and when backed with an instantly identifiable writing style, it’s a book that is going to take a hell of a lot to beat this year especially in the award season, and lets face it, that’s saying something considering how early this one’s out.
Release Date: 09/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
How do you make a fortune from the bloodlust of millions? One sadistically savvy businessman (Samuel L. Jackson) has created an empire with his brutal, fight-to-the-death gladiator website. His newest warrior is David Lord (Kellan Lutz), a kidnapped fireman, now imprisoned and forced to fight for his life. To buy his freedom, Lord agrees to do a series of lethal bouts. But as the body count escalates, and with his most challenging battle remaining, Lord unleashes a torrent of bloody carnage and reveals a secret that threatens to tear down the entire enterprise. Also featuring Daniel Dae Kim (TV’s Lost) and Nina Dobrev (TV’s The Vampire Diaries).
REVIEW:
OK, there are times when you want a film that you don’t have to think with. You want blood, you want combat and you want a crime edge to it. So what do you do? Well for a child of the Video, you know the concept pretty well where a guy ends up fighting in an arena for his life against all comers. It’s an often used plot with films such as American Samurai, Unleashed as well as TV shows such as Angel (The Ring), A-Team (Pro’s and Cons) alongside the original series of Star Trek (Arena) all utilising it to their own ends. So what does this film add?
What this offering from Sony presents to the viewer is a film with some decent effects, a simplistic storyline and to be honest some wooden acting from the principle cast which clearly demonstrates that it isn’t intended for much more than a glut of blood. OK, that said, on the plus side I wanted something to watch with a beer and this did the job, yet with Samuel L Jackson staring I did expect something a little more than what I was presented. All in its OK but don’t expect anything Oscar worthy for your cash.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Tune in. Turn on. Change History America in the Sixties is a country at a crossroads: Vietnam, the civil rights movement, the Cuban missile crisis, the sexual revolution, FBI, CIA and LSD. A new president, John F. Kennedy, is promising change. While some people believe in the future, others conspire to control it. Chandler Forrestal is a man whose life is changed for ever when he is unwittingly dragged into a CIA mind-control experiment. After being given a massive dose of LSD, Chandler develops a frightening array of mental powers. With his one-in-a-billion brain chemistry, Chandler's heightened perception uncovers a plot to assassinate President Kennedy. Propelled to stop the conspiracy, Chandler becomes a target for deadly forces in and out of government. Chased across America, will Chandler be able to harness his 'shift' and rewrite history? Both heart-stopping and thought-provoking, "Shift" is a new calibre of thriller set at the collision of Sixties counter-culture and the rise of dark forces in world government.
REVIEW:
I love a conspiracy thriller as much as the next guy but when you get one written by the creator of Heroes and add another thriller writer (Dale Peck) into the mix, you know it’s a no holds barred title that takes the reader into a world of denial and negligible culpability as the principle character alongside some well-known cameo’s take the reader on a journey of double dealing, politics and back stabbing where your closest confident can swiftly become your deadliest enemy.
Add to this a cracking sense of delusional paranoia and a plotline that’s so wickedly twisted you just can’t figure out the route until the final page and overall it’s a story that will thrill as well as enthuse the reader. Crackingly well written and definitely something different to a lot of titles already out there. I really expect a TV series of this at some point shortly.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Imagine there was a supernatural chiller that Hammer Films never made. A grand epic produced at the studio’s peak, which played like a cross between the Dracula and Frankenstein films and Dr Terror’s House Of Horrors...
Four passengers meet on a train journey through Eastern Europe during the First World War, and face a mystery that must be solved if they are to survive.
As the ‘Arkangel’ races through the war-torn countryside, they must find out:
What is in the casket that everyone is so afraid of? What is the tragic secret of the veiled Red Countess who travels with them? Why is their fellow passenger the army brigadier so feared by his own men? And what exactly is the devilish secret of the Arkangel itself?
Bizarre creatures, satanic rites, terrified passengers and the romance of travelling by train, all in a classically styled horror novel.
REVIEW:
Christopher Fowler is perhaps best known for his Bryant and May Detective series so I was a little apprehensive when I discovered that he was writing a horror story for Solaris, not that I doubted that he could do it, but when an author is established in one genre, it is often hard for the reader to adapt to them in another.
That said, I really shouldn’t have worried as a lot of the skills utilised in the crime genre translate wonderfully to the horror. As usual with Christopher’s writing you have top notch characters, solid prose and of course when added to an illustrious history of British Horror Giant, Hammer, then it’s a tales that’s as gripping in the bound form as the celluloid was for me growing up.
Add to this, a few magical twists alongside an identifiable authorly voice which will leave the reader in no doubt about what a treat this title is with the odd sleight of hand trick. Cracking.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Following on from Tom's life with six cats in UNDER THE PAW, he now picks up the story in TALK TO THE TAIL, updating readers on what has happened with his feline friends as well as looking back for more confessions about his animal-loving past. Readers of Tom's previous book will be delighted to read what has happened to his six eccentric cats. Why does Janet keep bringing 1980s sweet wrappers into the house? Will 24-hour surveillance of The Bear, using a state-of-the-art cat GPS system, finally solve the mystery of his wanderlust? Tom also writes about his bumbling forays into the remainder of the animal kingdom. He attempts to overcome his crippling fear of horses with disastrous results, chase ostriches in Kenya, put his hand into a tiger's mouth for 0.9 seconds and he meets his 'alter-doggo' -- the spaniel Tom regularly walks who likes to roll around in dead animals. Where will it all end? Will he give in to temptation and get a dog, a goat or even more cats? With this soppy creature-obsessive, anything is possible. Gerald Durrell has lots of family and other animals, but Tom Cox has MY ANIMALS AND OTHER FAMILY.
REVIEW:
Like Tom, I have a secret identity. I too am Cat-Man, able to rip open pouches at the speed of light, with the super power of tickles and able to hold conversations with my feline friends (and yes, they do swear at me.) What this title does is bring more exploits of Tom’s six “friends” to the reader so they can enjoy the journey through a man’s everyday life with these extraordinary friends which will make you laugh, occasionally cry but always with a story to keep you interested.
Add to this a wonderfully talkative writing style that will appeal to the reader, a great sense of finding the right thing at the right time to keep the reader happy and a book that will strike more than the occasional chord with the reader.
Release Date:05 /01/12
SYNOPSIS:
In this sweeping epic set in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, a rogue French knight named Vallon accepts a dangerous commission: he must travel to the ends of Europe in search of four rare gyrfalcons demanded as ransom for a Norman knight held captive by Seljuk Turks in Anatolia. Accompanied by a young English falconer and a Sicilian scholar, Vallon sets out on a quest that takes him from Iceland to Greenland to Russia and south to Byzantium. On the nine-month journey the company is joined by other adventurers. Together they brave raging seas, icy arctic wastes, treacherous rapids. They fight furious battles against Normans, Vikings and steppe nomads, pit their wits against warlords desperate to steal their precious cargo. And these are not the only perils they face, for among their company is a man who will stop at nothing to prevent them from fulfilling their quest. At more than 200,000 words, Hawk Quest is one of the most vast, utterly thrilling historical adventures ever written.
REVIEW:
I’m always dubious when a publisher claims that the book was many years in the making but when I picked up this debut from Robert I could see the clear depth of research that went into it. It’s solid historically, has some cracking concepts and when you add detailed facts to the mix about all manner of things from climbing to handling of falcons then it’s something that really takes the reader back to the time period concerned.
Add to this great characters, some interesting prose and of course a pace that matches the time period to engulf the reader into a world of war as well as historical significance that they simply cannot pass up. Finally throw into this a world where choices have consequences and the characters have to live with them and it’s a story that I couldn’t put down. Prepare for a few late nights.
I’m a rather reluctant writer. Not for me a rush of blood when confronted with a sheet of blank paper. So I was surprised when I found myself embarking on an epic historical novel that would take me more than five years to complete. At the outset I rated my chances of success as slim. After all, I was in my mid-fifties, and I guessed that publishers wouldn’t be falling over themselves to buy a 250,000-word debut novel.It turned out that Hawk Quest was the book I’d been waiting most of my life to write. A falconer since boyhood, I’d long been intrigued by accounts of birds of prey being used as ransom payments in the Middle Ages. That was the germ of the idea which sprouted into the tale of three adventurers who set off to the ends of the earth in search of four rare gyrfalcons demanded as ransom for a Norman knight held captive in Anatolia. Although set in the 11th centry, the story gave me scope to explore many elements of personal interest – not just falconry, but also travel in wild places, battles with the elements and a whole host of enemies, the forging of friendships, the way characters develop under hostile circumstances. I even found room for two love stories and a major sub-plot.When I’d written about 60,000 words, I showed the typescript to my agent, Anthony Goff of David Higham Associates. ‘Int-er-est-ing,’ he said very slowly, then made me beef up the action and get rid of some irrelevant characters. When he saw the revised version, he encouraged me to go on writing, saying that the more complete the book, the better his chances of selling it.So I wrote another 80,000 words and showed it to Anthony again. This time he told me that since I was so close to the end (in fact I had another 100,000 words to go), I might as well finish it.I wrote Hawk Quest in three stages, researching and revising in the morning, writing new material in late afternoon and evening, when I find the words flow more freely. During the long interludes when I wasn’t working on the book, I scraped a living any way I could. I drove trucks and taxis, worked in a warehouse, took a stall at antique fairs, flogged stuff on eBay, taught Creative Writing at an Adult Education Centre … I even found myself hired to re-write a thriller by a multi-millionaire tax exile. That enterprise came to an end when the Australian authorities launched a criminal investigation into his business affairs. I finished the book in early 2010 and my agent promptly made me re-write the ending. He was quite right. I don’t usually have difficulties with openings, rarely struggle during those difficult middle sections, but I often find myself stumbling awkwardly over the finishing line. It took me three months to complete the revisions, and when Anthony read the final version, he said, ‘If we don’t sell it, you can console yourself with the thought that you’ll never write a better book.’ A great compliment, but by now I was broke and my wife and I agreed that if I didn’t get a sale, we’d have to sell our house.Well, Anthony did sell it. Three publishers bid for it at auction, and it was finally bought by Sphere, who have done a terrific job steering it to publication. My editor, Daniel Mallory, has consulted me at every stage, responding to feedback about editorial changes, maps, cover design and copy. Hawk Quest couldn’t have found a better home.Soon after the UK deal, I got my first foreign sales; to date the rights have been bought by nine overseas publishers, including Orbit in the United States. That’s something I’m particularly pleased with, because Orbit specialises in Fantasy and Sci-Fi, and Hawk Quest will be their first historical novel.So what were the successful ingredients? Good luck, of course, coupled with an ability to string words together, perseverance, excellent agents and editors. Above all, though, I think I was fortunate in coming up with a good story, by which I mean a compelling and original narrative peopled with interesting characters motivated by complex (sometimes secret) reasons for achieving a near-impossible goal. It sounds so simple, but in practice it isn’t. I should know. I’m now writing the sequel to Hawk Quest. This time my adventurers are off on a diplomatic (and not so diplomatic) mission from Constantinople to Song China. In some ways working with established characters makes the task easier, yet still there are days when it feels like every word has to be hacked from stone. And there is always the nagging fear that, however hard I try, the sequel won’t measure up to the original. Fortunately these doubts never quite overmaster the pleasure of creating something that maybe, some day, someone will read and say, ‘I enjoyed that.’
Release Date: 02/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
As the Horus Heresy divides the Imperium, Corax and his few remaining Raven Guard escape the massacre at Isstvan V. Tending to their wounds, the bloodied Space Marines endeavour to replenish their numbers and return to the fray, taking the fight to the traitor Warmaster. Distraught at the crippling blow dealt to his Legion, Corax returns to Terra to seek the aid of his father – the Emperor of Mankind. Granted access to ancient secrets, Corax begins to rebuild the Raven Guard, planning his revenge against his treacherous brother primarchs. But not all his remaining warriors are who they appear to be… the mysterious Alpha Legion have infiltrated the survivors and plan to destroy the Raven Guard before they can rebuild and threaten Horus’s plans.
REVIEW:
Whilst I’ve been into the Horus Heresy for quite some time this one in the series, which whilst OK, didn’t quite hit the same spot or level that quite a few of the others did for me as personally I felt that Gav tried to cram a little too much into the title and whilst succeeding didn’t get it in enough detail to make it convincing enough for myself as a reader. It does have some decent characters, it has some acceptable prose, but considering it’s during a pivotal point in mankind’s civil war then it should have perhaps split the plot between two titles to allow them to be explored fully rather than rushing through to get to the meat of the tale.
All in, it is a middle of the road title for the series which in my opinion is a great shame as the rich and vivid tapestry really has all the elements available to create something a little special with enough freedom for the authors to move within the established structure.
Release Date: 02/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The Word Bearers are among the most feared and reviled of all Chaos Space Marines. Fierce warriors with a fanatical religious zeal, they blaze across the galaxy in the service of their dark gods. Worlds will burn, and entire civilisations will fall before the fury of the XVIIth Legion.
This omnibus is the definitive collection of Anthony Reynold’s popular Word Bearers series, following the cruel exploits and machinations of First Acolyte Marduk and the 34th Host. Gathered together for the first time, the novels Dark Apostle, Dark Disciple and Dark Creed are concluded with the all-new short story Torment.
REVIEW:
The compendium of the Word Bearer series by Anthony Reynolds who takes the reader to the dark side as we follow the exploits of First Acolyte Marduk within the three tales Dark Aposttle, Dark Disciple and Dark Creed. It has a top notch plot line, cracking prose and above all else a character that’s unpredictable as he schemes, fights and double deals his way to his goals.
It’s a cracking read, has lots of wonderful moments and of course, as a compendium its sheer value for money almost worthy of the rank of Word Bearer itself. Top notch entertainment.
Hail Mighty Readers, In another look forward on the game front we bring to you Darksiders 2, it runs timeline wise at the same period as the original and having looked at these two ads we think you'll agree that it looks like a top notch game thats built upon the success of the first.PromoDeath LivesThe story is as follows:Awakened by the End of Days, Death, the most feared of the legendary Four Horsemen, embarks upon a quest to restore mankind, and redeem his brother's name. Along the way, the Horseman discovers that there are far worse things than an earthly Apocalypse, and that an ancient grudge may threaten all of Creation . . . Can DEATH really become mankind's savior? The original Darksiders, released in January 2010, received critical acclaim including the Best Fantasy Game 2010 award from IGN. Darksiders followed the story of WAR, wrongly accused of starting the apocalypse, on a quest to reclaim lost honor and take revenge on those who wronged him.This game will be available on the following formats in the Summer of 2012:Xbox®360 Playstation®3 PCWii UTMTo keep up to date sign up on facebook: Darksiders
Release Date: 02/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Having recovered from his grievous injuries, Warmaster Horus leads the triumphant Imperial forces against the rebel world of Isstvan III. Though the rebels are swiftly crushed, Horus’s treachery is finally revealed when the planet is razed by virus bombs and Space Marines turn on their battle-brothers in the most bitter struggle imaginable. Ben Counter brings the opening trilogy of this bestselling series to explosive life as the Horus Heresy begins!
REVIEW:
We’re always looking for ways to save not only time but to have a kickass way of doing so. So when we have the opportunity to enjoy an audio book it’s a real joy to be able to sit back and listen to it, whether its to help you get relax or whether its to help use up journey time.
What this five CD (yes that’s right I said five CD’s) audio book does is bring the Horus Heresy to life from the pages of the full length novel published originally in 2006 and gives you a story that will live within the imagination for quite some time to come. Add to this the sheer value for money aspect to this (£20) and the expert reading by Martyn Ellis (who was Tuck in Warner Brothers New Adventure of Robin Hood) and it’s a sheer joy to listen to. Cracking fun for all.
Hail Mighty Readers,Well its a new year, so we thought that we'd let you know about a game thats captured our imagination and one that we're looking forward to playing.Risen 2: Dark Waters Plotline:Many horrible years have passed since the Gods abandoned the world and the titans rose from the confines of their prisons. They devastated everything in their path with unstoppable force. However, there is a place on the southern tip of the Old Empire which still seems safe from the clutches of the Titans – the “Crystal Fortress” in Caldera. It is the headquarters of the Inquisition and a place of refuge for the people. It is repeatedly attacked by sea monsters, and supply ships are sunk en route. Nobody knows how long the walls will hold; food and weapons are gradually running out. The nameless hero, devastated by the developments on Faranga, now drowns his sorrows in rum in the harbour town Caldera. As the situation grows more and more dire due to the shortage of food, he sets out on a mission to put an end to the sea monsters once and for all. During his adventurous journey he not only faces new and immense challenges, he also meets old acquaintances who help him on his quest. This game has been created by Deep Silver and Piranha Bytes and will be available currently in February 2012.In addition to this you can see developer diaries here:Episode 1Episode 2Finally to whet your appetite you can watch the trailer here.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
The compelling new novel from the Cartier Diamond Dagger winner and "Sunday Times "bestseller.
When a 17-year-old Moldovan boy is found dead on Hampstead Heath, the case falls to DCI Karen Shields and her overstretched Homicide & Serious Crime Unit. Karen knows she needs a result. What she doesn't know is that her new case is tied inextricably to a much larger web of gang warfare and organised crime which infiltrates almost every aspect of London society.
Several hundred miles away in Cornwall, DI Trevor Cordon is stirred from his day-to-day duties by another tragic London fatality. Travelling to the capital, determined to establish the cause of death and trace the deceased's daughter -- an old acquaintance from Newlyn -- Cordon becomes entangled in a complicated situation of his own. A situation much closer to Karen's case than either of them will ever know.
Brilliantly plotted and filled with rich, subtle characters, John Harvey's latest novel reveals him once again as a masterful writer with his finger firmly on the pulse of twenty-first century crime.
REVIEW:
I loved John’s Darker Shade of Blue so when this book arrived I really couldn’t wait to start it, it has a gripping writing style that is not only unique but something that a lot of other authors could learn from as for me he really does seem to get better and better with each passing title. Add to this cracking prose, a wonderfully twisted novel and a few sleight of hand tricks that will help keep you guessing and as a reader I was more than sated by the stories conclusion.
If you love a good crime title written by an author in the know about police procedures as well as a writer who can twist the readers emotions to his own will then you really have to read Harvey. All in this was cracking good fun and a great way to start the New Year.
Hail Mighty Readers,Author Friend of the blog Scott Oden, has been spending a bit of time thinking about Ancient Greek Zombies. So much so that he is looking to put together an anthology of stories from established as well as new authors.The guidelines to date are:1) Stories MUST take place before the end of the 1st Century BC.
2) Stories must be between 3,000 and 7, 000 words (this is firm unless you have prior permission — or you’re the one true Stephen King).
3) Deadline TBD
Send your submissions in standard manuscript format (txt or doc) to Scott at scottoden (at) gmail.com. As an historical author, despite the presence of the shambling and unquiet dead, he does insist on settings and portrayals of the ancient world that ring true. Do your research . . . then add zombies.
So far theres interest from a number of known authors, so it could be a great opportunity to get your first published story out there.For more info contact Scott via his blog, The Wine Dark Sea's.All the best to all submitting,Gareth and Lady Eleanor
Release Date: 18/01/12
Friend of the blog, Julie Campbell is on a whirlwind blog tour and we were lucky enough to grab some of her time as its all about her new book available on Amazon (in the US, UK) as either an E-Book or a hardcopy.
Release Date: 05/01/12
Release Date: 01/01/12
Release Date: 15/09/11
Release Date: 15/09/11
Release Date: 23/12/11
Release Date: 03/10/11
Release Date: 05/01/12
Release Date: 05/01/12
Everything that exists in our universe possesses a dual nature. 
Words carry meaning, but they are far more interpretive than pictures. This is why movies based on books are usually a let-down. Unless you make the movie yourself, how can it possibly live up to the images that book conjured in your mind with its unlimited budget and boundless special effects? Don’t get me wrong—I love movies. But reading a book will always be a more personal, and therefore a more meaningful, experience.
Release Date: 05/01/11
Release Date: 02/01/12
OK, this is another game that we're looking forward to as massive fans of the whole South Park Franchise. Whilst details are currently a little sketchy here's what is currently know:
Release Date: 05/01/12
Release Date: 09/01/12
Release Date: 05/01/12
Release Date: 05/01/12
Release Date: 05/01/12
Release Date:05 /01/12
I’m a rather reluctant writer. Not for me a rush of blood when confronted with a sheet of blank paper. So I was surprised when I found myself embarking on an epic historical novel that would take me more than five years to complete. At the outset I rated my chances of success as slim. After all, I was in my mid-fifties, and I guessed that publishers wouldn’t be falling over themselves to buy a 250,000-word debut novel.
Release Date: 02/01/12
Release Date: 02/01/12
Release Date: 02/01/12
Hail Mighty Readers,
Release Date: 05/01/12
Hail Mighty Readers,