Cover Confusion - An International Incident Edition

A couple weeks back Saladin Ahmed unveiled the Polish cover for Throne of the Crescent Moon.

I thought: Not bad. A little too hooded for my likes. And who knew Ahmed was taking a crack at writing the novelization of the new Tron movie? In all seriousness Throne of the Crescent Moon is an awesome book and I can't wait for the sequel. However, a few days later Brent Weeks showed off the German cover for The Blinding Knife.

Notice any similarities? I'm not sure where the image itself originated. It could be a case of stock art that anyone can buy, the same designer reusing art in a different region, or even one of the publishers licensing the art to the other. It definitely falls in line with the style of the Night Angel books which were well used internationally.

Speaking of The Blinding Knife, I finished it just last week and it was just as good as The Black Prism. Probably even better. Man, Weeks knows how to stab someone in the back and twist it. Also, Ahmed just released an eBook short story collection called Engraved on the Eye. Check it out. I know I will.

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Cover Unveiled for Perfect Shadow by Brent Weeks

Wow. That is all that really comes to mind when I sit here and stare at Raymond Swanland's latest piece done for the Subterranean Press limited edition of Perfect Shadow. Perfect Shadow is Brent Weeks' novella prequel to the Night Angel series that I've mention a couple times prior and Sub Press certainly did it justice.

I have had the opportunity to read the story as it is out in eBook form through Orbit books (it's great for fans of the trilogy), but I've been negligent in reviewing it as I'm waiting for my hardcopy to show up, which it appears is getting closer. To those collectors out there you'll want to get your pre-order in soon as the Publisher is anticipating Perfect Shadow being sold out upon publication. Luckily I got my order in months ago.

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Cover Unveiled for The Black Prism by Brent Weeks (French Edition)
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Cover Unveiled for The Black Prism by Brent Weeks (French Edition)

Art by Miguel Coimbra

Brent Weeks' The Black Prism (reviewed here) hits shelves in mass market form this week for those like their books cheap, but fat.  But coming in October from Bragelonne will be the French debut of The Black Prism and they have gone a different route than Orbit's version of the cover.  The art is by Miguel Coimbra whoso far has best captured the look of the magic from the world of the Lightbringer Trilogy . Bragelonne rarely disappoints me with their art selection and this is no exception.

For those longing for the next volume The Blinding Knife you'll have to wait until around September 2012. Weeks has put up the first 3 sample chapters on his site for those who want a taste now. And while I'm at it here is the trailer for The Black Prism, which is one of the best book trailers I've ever seen.




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ANNOUNCEMENT | Brent Weeks' novella Perfect Shadow on Preorder

A deal has been struck for Brent Weeks' novella Perfect Shadow, placed before the events of the Night Angel Trilogy, to be published in a signed limited edition hardcover from Subterranean Press. The story will also be part of Orbit Book's digital short program, but this will most likely be the only print edition limited to 1,000 copies. So if you're a big fan of Weeks jump on this before it sells out as it will surely do before it is even printed.

The Foul, Unnatural Murder of Gaelan Starfire & the Birth of Durzo Blint

“I got a bit of prophecy,” the old assassin said. “Not enough to be useful, you know. Just glimpses. My wife dead, things like that to keep me up late at night. I had this vision that I was going to be killed by forty men, all at once. But now that you’re here, I see they’re just you. Durzo Blint.”

Durzo Blint? Gaelan had never even heard the name.

***
Gaelan Starfire is a farmer now, happy to be a husband and a father; a careful, quiet, simple man. He’s also an immortal, peerless in the arts of war. Over the centuries, he’s worn many faces to hide his gift, but he is a man ill-fit for obscurity, and all too often he’s become a hero, his very names passing into legend: Acaelus Thorne, Yric the Black, Hrothan Steelbender, Tal Drakkan, Rebus Nimble.

But when Gaelan must take a job hunting down the world’s finest assassins for the beautiful courtesan-and-crimelord Gwinvere Kirena, what he finds may destroy everything he’s ever believed in.

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INTERVIEW | Brent Weeks on the Durzo Novella and More

The Night Angel series established Brent Weeks as part of the new school of Epic Fantasy authors going for the darker path while also embracing his own twisty style of story telling.  In the past Weeks mentioned his intention to return to the world of Night Angel, but not until after he finished the Lightbringer series, which  started strongly with The Black Prism.  But he has a special treat in store for all the Night Angel fans out there.  As mentioned earlier Brent Weeks has just finished a Durzo Blint short story. I couldn't help but try to find out more and Brent was kind enough to answer my questions.

WARNING: If you haven't read the Night Angel series there is something mentioned below that can be considered a spoiler.

MH: This Durzo novella sort of came out of nowhere. What made you want to delve back into Durzo's history? Fan response or have you always had this story in mind?

WEEKS: First, I should throw a caveat in here. Technically, it's a novelette--it's 16,000 words (60-ish pages), and a novella is 17,000 to 40,000. But I called it a novella in my tweet because, heck, who's ever heard of a novelette? So readers should expect like a really long short story, rather than a short novel. I'm an epic fantasy writer, so I'm incapable of writing a short novel. However, blowing way past the limits of a short story--that, I can do.

My sneaky idea, which I have no idea if it will really work out, because the creative mind loves what it loves, is to do one Durzo short story between each of the Lightbringer novels. That way, I'm keeping something alive for the fans of Night Angel, I'm getting to experiment and do something different while engaged in a multi-year project, and I'm showing more of the world I'll eventually come back to after Lightbringer is finished. Durzo has been around for a long time, and I've always thought it would be fun to tell more stories about him.

The story came out of nowhere because it's got a really different flavor. I demand more of my readers in this one. Quite honestly, I didn't know if I could pull it off. So I didn't want to sell it before I wrote it and then be obligated to turn in something--because that something might not have been that great. And I worked on it for a couple weeks at the end of the summer, didn't think it was going anywhere, and then got caught up in touring, and then after touring sat down to work on the next Lightbringer book--but this stupid thing just started scratching to get out. Now that it has, I'm really quite proud of it.

MH: Does the novella have a working title? And what sort of release is planned? Your publisher Orbit announced a few months back a short fiction eBook program so that was brought to mind.

WEEKS: Well, since Orbit has only just received the story, I probably shouldn't tell you my brilliant title ideas (or crappy ones), in case those get rejected in favor of something else. Because then I'll get fans writing me, saying, "But I thought you had another short story, called X! This one was terrible. I want to read that one!"

What sort of release is planned? Ha ha ha. You think there's a plan? The Orbit short fiction program will probably be its first home, and I definitely have some other hopes--but nothing's been signed yet, so I better sit on that one.

MH: What can we expect from the novella? Does it take place right when Durzo gets his powers or earlier when he was becoming someone important in the land of Midcyru?

WEEKS: The bulk of the story is literally how Gaelan Starfire becomes Durzo Blint. So you'll see a younger Momma K, assassinations, ka'kari and more. I think it stands on its own, but it will be much more rewarding if you've read the Night Angel trilogy. I don't do a lot of hand-holding in this story. You can catch things, or just miss them. It moves really fast. I did have moments where I thought, "I could easily turn this into a full length novel." And if I didn't feel an obligation to fans to finish Lightbringer in some relatively reasonable time frame, I might have entertained those thoughts more, because this was really fun to write.

MH: What's next for you? Vacation to some fabled island where authors can relax or are you jumping into the next Lightbringer novel?

WEEKS: When I sent my agent this Durzo story for his comments, he gave me some great suggestions, and then at the end, he said, "Great story, brilliant, wonderful. Now get back to work."

So I'm back to working on Lightbringer 2: tentatively titled The Blinding Knife.

MH: Thanks for your time!


Brent Weeks is the New York Times best-selling author of The Way of Shadows, Shadow's Edge, and Beyond the Shadows. To learn more about Brent Weeks visit his blog or follow him on twitter.

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NEWS | Brent Weeks Turns in Durzo Novella

According to Brent Weeks' twitter we'll be getting his first short work ever published. And it will be related to the Night Angel Trilogy to boot. Weeks said:

You ever wonder how Durzo became Durzo? Well, I just turned in a Durzo Blint novella that tells.

No word yet on title, publisher, or release date. There is a chance this is for Orbit Books new program for short fiction or it could even be something for Sub Press.  Novellas usually max out at 50,000 words so I'm keenly interested in how long this will be, especially since Brandon Sanderson's novella recently turned into a full blown, albeit shorter than the rest, Mistborn novel called Mistborn: The Alloy of Law. More as it develops. Whatever happens I'm about as excited as Weeks is in the above picture to have some more Durzo.

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REVIEW | The Black Prism by Brent Weeks (Orbit)

I was lucky enough to get an early review copy of The Black Prism, but actually put it down after only 20 pages. I had just finished The Way of Kings the prior week and worried it was too similar in themes and style of magic. Rather than risk reading The Black Prism and judging it based off Kings I decided to hold off and read it from more a fresh perspective. Little did I know that would be about 6 books later. When I finally got knuckle deep into The Black Prism I decided I made the right call. Sometimes distance does help perspective.

The Black Prism opens on the fields of a long dead battle from the Prism War with Kip wandering around before day break in search of luxin, a substance that drafters of light (magic wielders) can create and bend to their will. Kip is the poor fat teenage boy of his village who nearly everyone pities because of his infamous and drug addled mother. What Kip doesn't know is he is bastard to the most powerful drafter in the world, Gavin Guile, also known as the Lord Prism of Chromeia and figurehead of the predominate religious/magic order. As the Prism he can control the whole color spectrum and work wonders with his abilities.

The Black Prism is among the new wave of Flintlock Fantasy, which seem to becoming more in vogue the last few years. At least in this volume the guns don't add much to the world except in a couple short scenes. Otherwise it is the magic that keeps your attention with the grey characters we've come to love from Weeks.

The magic system is one of many facets that make The Black Prism standout from other Epic works The system is amazingly detailed and believable. Drafters are able to absorb light and create objects both large, small, and intricate with it. Each color of the spectrum has its own characteristics and uses. Some are more moldable. Some more discrete and others stronger. And a very few people have the ability to draft more than one color. What Gavin can do with his abilities is truly awing at times. Performing drafting magic does have a cost for the drafter, which makes the use of the magic very believable. It is all in the eyes. The color wrights who have overdone their use of magic were a nice touch, especially those crazy blues.

Many of the main characters appear at first blush to be typical archetypes, but Weeks managed to surprise me again and again with the depth they have. His greatest strength as a writer to date has been hiding secrets in plain site yet still making them just difficult enough to decipher that you have to laugh at yourself for not realizing the truth. All the characters hold secrets and as they are revealed each is in turn bigger than the last.

Weeks often leaves you wondering who the real hero is and whichever way you go you will be sure to change your mind as the story unfolds. The Black Prism has a whole Man in the Iron Mask angle that came off fresher than I expected as he created a character with some serious psychological problems.  There are some flaws mostly with character development.  Kip could have used some more background development in connecting the reader to his mentality and curt tongue possibly with an added scene involving his mother earlier on. And the the ladies didn't seem to be used to their utmost, but in this regard Weeks has laid the groundwork for bigger things for them in future volumes.

Weeks blew my expectations away as the story zooms though leaving you wanting more, but still satisfied at being introduced to this world and its major players. For those that were thrown off by a certain aspect of the first section to The Way of Shadows have no fear as there is none of that here. The Black Prism is still quite a brutal book with a high body count and some very gruesome scenes, especially one towards the beginning. It wouldn't be a Weeks novel without him pushing the envelope to give characters justification for their actions. I give The Black Prism 8.5 out of 10 hats. The ending builds momentum well for the next volume. For fans of Epic Fantasy with a gritty edge this is a must and the start to a very strong trilogy. Orbit has created a fun little game/quiz to tie-in with the book that helps you figure out what color drafter you are.


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FREE FICTION | The Black Prism by Brent Weeks sample chapters

Orbit has the first 3 chapters of The Black Prism by Brent Weeks up on their site, which certainly gets my Epic Fantasy juices going.  Thanks to TheBlackPrism.net for the tipoff. Also, a word of warning. I bet these are not the final version as Weeks only recently finished the manuscript and edits are still underway, but this is the best glimpse we've gotten so far especially after the spoilery synopses to date.

The Black Prism
Chapter 1
Kip crawled toward the battlefield in the darkness, the mist pressing down, blotting out sound, scattering starlight. Though the adults shunned it, he’d played on the open field a hundred times–during the day. Tonight, his purpose was grimmer.

Reaching the top of the hill, Kip stood and hiked up his pants. The river behind him was muttering obscenities, or maybe that was the warriors beneath its surface, dead these sixteen years. Kip squared his shoulders, ignoring his imagination. The mists made it seem he was suspended, outside of time. But even if there was no evidence of it, the sun was coming. By the time it did, he had to get to the far side of the battlefield. Farther than he’d ever gone searching.

Even Ramir, wouldn’t come out here at night. Everyone knew Sundered Rock was haunted. But Ram didn’t have to feed his family; his mother didn’t smoke her wages.

Gripping his little belt knife tightly, Kip started walking. It wasn’t just the unquiet dead that might pull him down to the evernight. A pack of giant javelinas had been seen roaming the night, tusks cruel, hooves sharp. They were good eating if you had a matchlock, iron nerves, and good aim, but since the Prisms’ War had wiped out all the town’s men, there weren’t many people who braved death for a little bacon. Rekton was already a shell of what it had once been. Thealcaldesa wasn’t eager for any of her townspeople to throw their lives away. Besides, Kip didn’t have a matchlock.

Nor were javelinas the only creatures that roamed the night. A mountain lion or a golden bear would also probably enjoy a well-marbled Kip.

A low howl cut the mist and the darkness hundreds of paces deeper into the battlefield. Kip froze. Oh, there were wolves too. How’d he forget wolves?

Another wolf answered, farther out. A haunting sound, the very voice of the wilderness. You couldn’t help but freeze when you heard it. It was the kind of beauty that made you shit your pants.

Wetting his lips, Kip got moving. He had the distinct sensation of being followed. Stalked. He looked behind himself. There was nothing there. Of course. His mother always said he had too much imagination. Just walk Kip. Places to be. Animals are more scared of you and all that. Besides, that was one of the tricks about a howl, it always sounded much closer than it really was. Those wolves were probably leagues away.

Before the Prisms’ War, this had been excellent farmland. Right next to the Umber River, suitable for figs, grapes, pears, dewberries, asparagus–everything grew here. And it had been sixteen years since the final battle–a year before Kip was even born. But the plain was still torn and scarred. A few burnt timbers of old homes and barns poked out of the dirt. Deep furrows and craters remained from cannon shells. Filled now with swirling mist, those craters looked like lakes, tunnels, traps. Bottomless. Unfathomable.

Most of the magic used in the battle had dissolved sooner or later in the years of sun exposure, but here and there broken green luxin spears still glittered. Shards of solid yellow underfoot would cut through the toughest shoe leather.

Scavengers had long since taken all the valuable arms, mail, and luxin from the battlefield, but as the seasons passed and rains fell, more mysteries surfaced each year. That was what Kip was hoping for–and what he was seeking was most visible in the first rays of dawn.

The wolves stopped howling. Nothing was worse than hearing that chilling sound, but at least with the sound, he knew where they were. Now… Kip swallowed on the hard knot in his throat.

To continue reading: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3


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MISHMASH | A Whole Bunch O'Stuff

General Hatter Stuff:

I saw Alice in Wonderland last night in 3D.  It was a fun movie that moved along at a nice clip, but the ending was very anticlimactic and very predictable.  Also, the 3D didn't enhance the experience at all for me or my wife. However, the story was a nice melding of Lewis Carol's Alice stories along with the Jabberwocky poem with strong special effects.  Anne Hathaway was wasted doing a bad Snow White impersonation.  Overall I'd give it a B-.

I'll be going on a much needed vacation next week.  Yeah to those of us with family who own property near the beach in Florida.  Don't worry I've plenty of articles already written to tide you good readers over until I return.  Also, I'll probably be twitter from time to time because I just can't help myself and it is so easy.  Right now I'm in the midsts of selecting books for the trip which is always equal parts torture and joy.  Joy because I get to see what it is I have to read and I know I'll get to read nearly a book a day.  But it is also torture as I like to float between different types of books and I never know what kind of mood I'll be in when I finish one and move on to the next.  This generally means I'll end up bringing too many books.

So far I know I'll be bringing Empire in Black and Gold, but I'll probably be focusing on non-review copies for the most part since they've been feeling a bit neglected as of late.  To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis and Strata by Terry Pratchett will definitely be coming with.  I'm between Neal Asher's The Skinner or Alastair Reynold's Pushing Ice as well since they are both authors I haven't tried in long form yet, but I know I only want to bring one.  If anyone has an opinion on which it should be chine in in the comments.  The common tread between all these books is they have been lent or recommended to me.

Lastly, my review index has been updated for those who use it, which is always more people than I would have ever guessed.

Cover Stuff:

First up for completion sake since I've talk about it so much we have the newly minted cover of The Black Prism, which is definitely much stronger than the first try. It also sets the tone apart from the Night Angel series, but still gives Weeks a distinctive look. I do miss the color bit from the first cover a little since color magic is involved, but this does have a much edgier feel about it.

Aidan also has the cover for Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings, which is the first to a projected 10 book series. Yikes! That is a commitment to know that from the start it'll probably be ten years at least before the series is wrapped up and probably more since Sanderson has other commitments to tend to.  A lot of people have been knackering the cover, but the coloration keeps catching me every time I see it.

Book Stuff:

Debut author Amelia Beamer will be serializing her novel The Loving Dead starting next week.  It will begin with the first 4 chapters and than one chapter will be released every Monday until Night Shade's official publication in July.  I've been really intrigued by this book since I heard the title and read the short pitch. Here is the description:

The Loving Dead is a zombie-comedy-romance that reads like the love-child of Chuck Palahniuk and Christopher Moore. It tells the story of Kate and Michael, twenty-something housemates working at the same Trader Joe’s supermarket, who are thoroughly screwed when people start turning into zombies at their house party in the Oakland hills. The zombie plague is a sexually transmitted disease, turning its victims into shambling, horny, voracious killers after an incubation period during which they become increasingly promiscuous. Thrust into extremes by the unfolding tragedy, Kate and Michael are forced to confront the decisions they’ve made, and their fears of commitment, while trying to stay alive. Kate tries to escape on a Zeppelin ride with her secret sugar daddy — but people keep turning into zombies, forcing her to fight for her life, never mind the avalanche of trouble that develops from a few too many innocent lies. Michael convinces Kate to meet him in the one place in the Bay Area that’s likely to be safe and secure from the zombie hordes: Alcatraz. But can they stay human long enough?

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RECOMMENDATIONS | Books Read Recently But Not Reviewed

My reading habits are still a bit ravenous, but lately I've cut back on reviews a tad to focus on certain books that I have a bit more to say about.  It doesn't mean the below are not quality reads and in fact that is quite to the contrary as many were very enjoyable and authors I'll keep reading.  Plus reviews are coming for a few of these books, so it can also be thought of as coming attractions.  I have a few interveiws in the pipeline as well.

Ariel: A Novel of the Change by Steven R. Boyett - Recommend for Urban Fantasy and Apocalyptic lit fans. A cult classic returns for a second serving. The setting is earth, but after all technology stops working and magic develops along with magical creatures appearing out of nowhere. At first I wasn't too sure about Ariel as the title character is a talking unicorn, but the realism is high and Boyett's twisting of Fantasy works well. I'll be reading the follow-up Elegy Beach shortly to see what Boyett has done to this world 30 years into the change with a review to follow.

The Sad Tale of the Brothers Grossbart by Jesse Bullington - Highly Recommend.  One of the most original books I've read all year.  Bullington gives folktales a spin that is classic yet feels strangely modern.  Review to come.

Lamentation: The First Book of The Psalms of Isaak by Ken Scholes - Highly recommend.  Lamentation is a very pleasing start to a series that deserves a wide readership.  Scholes is going far places with these books and I'll be there for every step of the way. He manages to mix genres, cultures, and create memorable characters in a rich world.

Canticle: The Second Book of The Psalms of Isaak by Ken Scholes - Highly recommended.  The Second Book of The Psalms of Isaak is even better than the first and gives the characters depth along with breaking the world open.  Layers and layers of intrigue are developed.  I did happen to interview Scholes recently because I thought so highly of his work.  I'll be following this series very closely.

The Sword-Edged Blonde by Alex Bledsoe - Highly recommended.  Action packed and fun.  This cross of Detective and Swords & Sorcery is a lethal combination to your sleep.  Review to come. A few people caught a sneak peek of my not even half formed thoughts a few days back when I hit the post instead of save button. I promise the final review will make much more sense.

Beyond the Shadows: Book Three of the Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks - Recommended.  I'm sorry I took so long to finishing the last of the Night Angel series.  It is a worthy conclusion to the story arc. Weeks has earned his place in the new gritty Fantasy regime with the likes of Abercrombie and Lynch.

The Android's Dream by John Scalzi - Recommended.  This is so much better than I was expecting given the unusual premise.  It succeeds in all its goals with humor all along the way.  Scalzi again proves he is one of the most entertaining voices in Science Fiction.

How to Make Friends With Demons by Graham Joyce - Recommended.  This is what we'd get if Nick Hornby tried his hand at Paranormal Fiction.  Review to come.

The Club Dumas by Arturo Pérez-Revert - Recommended for Mystery fans.  In some circles this is compared to The Shadow of the Wind, which I can kind of see yet it is not as memorable or as heartrending. However, this is one of those big twist reads that definitely surprised me.  Also, the Johnny Deep movie The Ninth Gate was based off The Club Dumas, but this is a case of the book being light years better than the movie and also the movie changed the last third of the story.

Not a Star by Nick Hornby - Recommend for Hornby fans. This novelette is only about 70 pages in big type, but it was an enjoyable read. The opening lines just make you fall into this story:

 "I found that my son was the star of a porn film when Karen dropped an envelope through our letter box. Inside the envelope was a video and little note."

Hornby's cinematic short take works, but you'll want more.  This would definitely be a good taste for someone who hasn’t read him before.


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Cover Unveiled for Brent Weeks's The Black Prism

Brent Weeks has become a huge name in Fantasy over the last year with the success of the Night Angel Trilogy.  The Black Prism is set in a different world from Night Angel, where instead magic is based on colors.  The cover art stands up to what was done with The Way of Shadows, but doesn't do much else. The energy coloration on the hand does look good though  The Black Prism will also be Weeks's hardcover debut releasing August 25th in the US.  Here is the blurb from Amazon.:

Set in a world where color is the basis of all magic, Gavin Guile is the current Prism - and one that happens to have many secrets. Secrets like his brother Javen, who he defeated in the great war years earlier and now keeps in a dungeon below his home. Or secrets like his son Kip, a young man raised in another land who has yet to realize the full extent of his powers.

As Kip begins to learn the truth behind Gavin and Javen's great schism, he will also learn that time is running out for the world as they know it. For the Prism is not what he seems to be, and there are greater powers afoot than could ever have been imagined.

I say bring it on.  The Night Angel series more than lived up to expectations and shows Weeks can write great characters in highly realized settings.


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MISHMASH | Brent Weeks's Black Prism Description, Another Gaiman Odd Story, & a New Cover

Not much has been released previously about Brent Weeks's next series Black Prism except this small blurb found on the Brent Weeks site:

It’s set in a new world. Think more 1500 Mediterranean Sea, rudimentary fire arms and magic together. Woot. But don’t worry, it’s not a pirates-and-their-peg-legged-mateys book. Cross my heart. But there are awesome characters, lots of action, much cooler magic this time out, secrets, lies, betrayal, and butt-kicking. You know, the good stuff. 

But I have finally tracked down a somewhat meatier description [Edit: Weeks has said through Twitter that this is no longer totally accurate so beware as he is still writing]:

The world attempts to heal in the aftermath of a savage war, which took place sixteen years ago. Now all is ordered and controlled by the world's only magic school, the Chromeria, which keeps a tight political reign on all nations through its acolytes' highly-sought abilities. By manipulating the colour spectrum, these gifted individuals gain access to great power, and the head of the Chromeria is the most powerful of his generation. Supposedly. Gavin defeated his malevolent twin Jarven at the height of the last war but Jarven's prison won't hold him for much longer. Balance is vital in a world where magic controls all from the weather, to the harvest to war. Now that balance is about to change.

It looks as though the first volume from Black Prism is tentatively set for an August 2010 release in the UK from Orbit. Orbit's UK and US schedules are generally pretty close so we should see it here in the states around the same time.  Given Weeks's receiving New York Times Best-seller status I'd expect a hardcover release.

One of my earliest reviews was for Matthew Sturges's Midwinter (seen here), which I enjoyed quite a bit more than most other reviewers it seems.  It was an early candidate for one of my top reads of the year, but given the exceptional reads that have come out since it has fallen down the ladder somewhat.  However, I'm still looking forward to the follow-up The Office of Shadow, which Pyr has just released the cover for with the art done by Chris McGrath.  The Office of Shadow should be released the first half of 2010.

Lastly, over at Amazon UK they have listed a new book called The Tales of Odd by Neil Gaiman.  This edition will have the entirety of Odd and the Frost Giants and a second Odd story which continues his journey.   Here is the description to The Tales of Odd:

The two stories in this exciting novella follow the adventures of the intrepid young Viking Odd. As a brave and solitary twelve-year-old, in the first tale, he endeavours to free three Norse Gods trapped in the bodies of an eagle, a bear and a fox; then, in the second, a few years older, taller and stronger he sets off on a testing and epic journey to the Holy City of Jerusalem. But of course with Neil Gaiman's wit and style the stories transcend the normal and become humorous, rich and layered tales of a life lived courageously.

My bet willl be that the second Odd story will be published solo in the US next year.  As a reminder, the first 25 pages or so of Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Front Giant's is available here.


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Brent Weeks' Night Angel Trilogy Movie Option

Congratulations to Brent Weeks! According to Publisher's Marketplace, film rights to New York Times best-selling author Brent Weeks' NIGHT ANGEL trilogy have been sold to actor Cam Gigandet (the antagonist in "Twilight") who will develop the project with his agency William Morris Endeavor.

I can't really see a studio going all the way to making 3 movies and being very faithful to the books. Yet I could see how the whole trilogy could be condensed down to a decent fantasy/action movie, but they may lose the souls of the characters with trimming. Either way I wouldn't pass-up watching it. I really need to read the concluding volume Beyond the Shadows.

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