• Home
• Author A-Z
• Top 100 Fantasy Books
• Young Adult's Fantasy Books
• Children's Fantasy Books
• About Us
• Contact Us
• News

Fantasy news round-up, August 24, 2010

James Cameron warned del Toro not to direct the Hobbit
James Cameron has revealed that he advised Guillermo del Toro not to direct The Hobbit because of Peter Jackson’s strong links to the franchise. Del Toro spent several years in New Zealand working on the fantasy prequels, only to drop out earlier this year. Lord Of The Rings director Jackson is now the frontrunner to helm the JRR Tolkien adaptations.

"I was telling Guillermo for a long time to get out of that thing because there is only room for one captain on the ship. Instinctively I knew that Peter was going to take over and do the movie. Guillermo, to his credit, didn’t listen to me and wanted to do continue and had some great designs – and I have seen all the designs."

Shawn Speakman on George RR Martin and the delays surrounding A Dance With Dragons
In a fascinating article on Random House’s Suvudu blog, Shawn Speakman recently wrote:

“I believe the lateness of A Dance With Dragons has very little to do with George’s time away from the keyboard and his extra-curricular activities-time he was taking before Feast when the books were coming out more timely-and more to do with writing himself into a possible corner. For years George has wrestled with the Knot and it has defeated him at almost every turn. In short, if he hasn’t found a solution to the Knot by now, he may never… We know Dance has been difficult to complete because it is the middle part of the series where characters and events have to be lined up just right for the march toward the eventual climax of the series. … What’s changed for George since 2000 is the complexity of the series and entering the all-too-important middle part of the story where delicate care must be given. That’s why, in my opinion, these last two books have been difficult to write. When freewriters enter those parts of their stories, it causes chaos because they have given no forethought to what comes next.”

Syfy reiterate that they will not be picking up Legend of the Seeker 
After persistent pressure from Legend of the Seeker fans, Syfy has once again confirmed that it will not be picking up the cancelled series. The message came in a Twitter post from Craig Engler, Syfy’s head of digital media:

"Dear #LegendoftheSeeker fans. I appreciate your passion, but the Twitter not so much I’m sorry but we’re unable to pick LOTS up."

Syfy had already said more than once that it wasn’t interested in the series, but apparently has had to reiterate its position to stop the steady, in-box-clogging flow of irate/pleading fan emails and tweets.

Durham University to offer Harry Potter course
Students are being given the chance to sign up to the UK’s first course focusing on the world of Harry Potter. The Durham University module uses the works of JK Rowling to examine prejudice, citizenship and bullying in modern society. So far about 80 undergraduates have signed up for the optional module, part of a BA degree in Education Studies. Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion will be available for study next year.

Book sales reach 15 month peak
Book sales have been higher than last year for the fourth consecutive week, the first time the market has experienced continuous growth over a four-week period for almost 15 months. According to Nielsen BookScan’s "Total Consumer Market" panel of some 6,500 UK book retail outlets, just over £2.5m more has been spent on books over the four-weeks to 14th August period in 2010 than last year—up 2.1%, and up 3.3% on the same period in 2008.

Posted: August 24th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: George RR Martin, JK Rowling, JRR Tolkien

First look at the brand new Game of Thrones teaser trailer

HBO has released the first teaser trailer showcasing its new fantasy series, A Game of Thrones based on the books of George RR Martin, which will premiere in 2011.

Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.
It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, 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. King and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men… all will play the ‘Game of Thrones.’

A Game of Thrones book review

Game of Thrones cast:

• Mark Addy – Robert Baratheon;
• Alfie Allen – Theon Greyjoy;
• Sean Bean – Eddard Stark;
• Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – Jamie Lannister;
• Peter Dinklage – Tyrion Lannister;
• Michelle Fairley as Catelyn Stark;
• Jack Gleeson – Joffrey Baratheon;
• Iain Glen – Ser Jorah Mormont;
• Kit Harrington – Jon Snow;
• Lena Headey – Cersei Lannister;
• Harry Lloyd – Viserys Targaryen;
• Richard Madden – Rob Stark;
• Rory McCann – Sandor Clegane;
• Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen;
• Sophie Turner – Sansa Stark;
• Maisie Williams – Arya Stark;
• Isaac Hempstead Wright – Bran Stark;
• Ron Donachie – Ser Rodrik Cassel;
• Jason Momoa – Khal Drogo;
• Donald Sumpter – Maester Luwin.

Posted: June 18th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: George RR Martin

Emilia Clarke to play Daenerys in Game of Thrones recast

There is news of another recasting on HBO’s Game of Thrones. Last month Tamzin Merchant, who originally had been cast as Daenerys, left the project. It has now been announced that young and relatively unknown English actress  Emilia Clarke has been cast in the role of the exiled noblewoman.

Clarke most recent role was in the British drama, Doctors.

About Daenerys
Daenerys is a member of House Targaryen, the former royal family of Westeros, descending from Aegon I and his sister-wife Rhaenys. Her father was King Aerys II, and her mother was Aerys’s sister, Queen Rhaella. Daenerys was conceived during Robert Baratheon’s rebellion known as the War of the Usurper that would ultimately end her family’s reign. Before she was born, her pregnant mother and her brother Viserys fled the royal seat at King’s Landing for the safety of Dragonstone, the family’s ancient home.
Daenerys was born as a fierce storm struck Dragonstone, and so was called "Stormborn."

About Game of Thrones
As warden of the north, Lord Eddard Stark counts it a curse when King Robert bestows on him the office of the Hand. His honour weighs him down at court where a true man does what he will, not what he must … and a dead enemy is a thing of beauty. The old gods have no power in the south, Stark’s family is split and there is treachery at court. Worse, a vengeance mad boy has grown to maturity in exile in the Free Cities beyond the sea. Heir of the mad Dragon King deposed by Robert, he claims the Iron Throne.

• A Game of Thrones book review

Posted: May 25th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: George RR Martin

Unique Dothraki language created for Game of Thrones series

David J. Peterson, an expert on languages, has been chosen to create the Dothraki language for HBO’s upcoming fantasy series Game of Thrones.

Executive producers David Benioff and DB Weiss needed a language for the Dothraki, George RR Martin’s race of nomadic warriors, so they turned to the Language Creation Society (LCS). The LCS solicited and vetted a number of proposals for the Dothraki language from its pool of experts, with Peterson’s proposal ultimately being selected by the team.

Peterson drew inspiration from George RR Martin’s description of the language, as well as from such languages as Russian, Turkish, Estonian, Inuktitut and Swahili. The Dothraki language now has its own unique sound, extensive vocabulary of more than 1,800 words and complex grammatical structure.

“In designing Dothraki, I wanted to remain as faithful as possible to the extant material in George RR Martin’s series. Though there isn’t a lot of data, there is evidence of a dominant word order of adjectives appearing after nouns, and of the lack of a copula. I’ve remained faithful to these elements, creating a sound aesthetic that will be familiar to readers, while giving the language depth and authenticity,” says Peterson.

A Game of Thrones is the first volume of a fantasy trilogy: the most powerful, original and absorbing new epic since Stephen Donaldson’s Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. The first volume of George R R Martin’s glorious high fantasy tells the tragic story of treachery, greed and war that threatens the unity of the Seven Kingdoms south of the Wall. Martin unfolds with astonishing skill a tale of truly epic dimensions, thronged with memorable characters, a story of treachery and ambition, love and magic. Set in a fabulous world scarred by battle and catastrophe over 8000 years of recorded history, it tells of the deeds of men and women locked in the deadliest of conflicts and the terrible legacy they will leave their children. In the game of thrones, you win or you die. And in the bitter-cold, unliving lands beyond the Wall, a terrible winter gathers and the others – the undead, the neverborn, wildlings to whom the threat of the sword is nothing – make ready to descend on the realms of men. A Game of Thrones begins the most imaginative, ambitious and compelling fantasy epic since The Lord of the Rings. Thronged with memorable characters, it unfolds with astonishing skill a tale of truly epic dimensions. There have been many pretenders to the throne of Tolkien: now at last he has a true heir.

Posted: April 20th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: George RR Martin

Fantasy news round-up – April 14, 2010

Harry Potter to be re-cloaked
JK Rowling‘s Harry Potter series is to be given a fresh set of covers. Publisher Bloomsbury has taken the decision to give the books a facelift in a bid to attract new buyers and boost sales. The publisher has seen profits fall by 35 per cent in the past year in the absence of a new Harry Potter book. It is hoped that the fresh image will appeal to a new generation of readers and offset the profits lost to there not being an eighth novel.

New From HarperCollins: The CS Lewis Bible and A Year with Aslan
In conjunction with the new Dawn Treader books to be released this October, HarperOne will also release The CS Lewis Bible and A Year with Aslan: Daily Reflections from The Chronicles of Narnia. The CS Lewis Bible is one of the most anticipated Bibles of our time. This NRSV Bible provides readings comprised of over 600 selections from Lewis’s celebrated spiritual classics, a collection that includes Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed, The Four Loves, and The Weight of Glory, as well as letters, poetry, and Lewis’s lesser-known works. Each reading, paired alongside relevant passages in the Bible, offers C. S. Lewis as a companion to a reader’s daily meditation of scripture. As people engage in their devotional Bible reading, they will also gain insight from his writings and spiritual journey as they invite Lewis into their spiritual discipline. A Year with Aslan will select the most thought-provoking and poignant passages from all seven books in the series, and provide reflective questions that get the heart of what matters most.

Ted Nasmith’s latest project with a Sean Bean connection
According to George RR Martin’s “Not a Blog” the latest Calendar of paintings of locations from his “Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy series will be illustrated by none other than LOTR illustrator Ted Nasmith. According to Martin’s website, the calendar will be debuting from publisher Bantam Spectra at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con in July.

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ to be released as app
Philip Pullman, of the His Dark Materials trilogy, has already made a name for himself among many as anti-religious, whether you think he deserves derision for it or not. And his latest novel, due in stores May 4th, will likely only further cement his religious detractors. "The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ" tells the story of Jesus and his twin brother, Christ. Pullman, who wanted to comment on "the dual nature of Jesus Christ." Enhanced Editions and Canongate have released an app for the book, priced at $16.99, that includes the full text of the tale, the audiobook read by Pullman, and more than 20 minutes of interviews with the author. It was released on Palm Sunday, and is available now on iTunes.

Apple iBooks now available through App Store
Apple has launched iBooks, the company’s official e-book reader for the iPad. The app uses a shelf metaphor to display ePub titles a person has imported through iTunes, or bought through the iBookstore, to which the app opens access. A copy of Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne is included by default; books can be sorted title, author or genre, or manually rearranged.

2009 Bram Stoker Awards Winners
Superior Achievement in a Novel: “Audrey’s Door” by Sarah Langan
Superior Achievement in a First Novel: “Damnable” by Hank Schwaeble
Superior Achievement in an Anthology:  “He Is Legend: An Anthology Celebrating Richard Matheson” edited by Christopher Conlon
Brian Lumley and William F Nolan received lifetime achievement awards by the Horror Writers Association.  The Complete list of winners can be seen here.

Posted: April 14th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: AA Milne, CS Lewis, George RR Martin, JK Rowling, Philip Pullman

Fantasy news round-up – April 11, 2010

Game of Thrones re-cast sees Ehle replaced by Fairley
Michelle Fairley is set to replace Jennifer Ehle as Catelyn Stark in the HBO production of Game of Thrones. Ehle played Catelyn in the pilot episode but the Irish-born Fairley will step into her shoes for the remaining nine episodes. The fantasy series, based on the George RR Martin books, also stars Sean  Bean, Lena Headey, Mark Addy, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Peter Dinklage. Fairley is also set to play Mrs. Granger, a muggle dentist and mother of Hermione in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Production will begin this June in Belfast.

A Game of Thrones book review

More delays expected on Guillermo del Toro’s The Hobbit
Information has come to light on yet another delay for Guillermo del Toro’s The Hobbit. The accusatory finger is pointing unwaveringly at MGM’s financial situation. Pre-production for the double feature began mid-2008 with del Toro, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens writing the scripts but the project was riddled with lawsuits with New Line and the Tolkien Estate, reaching a settlement in September 2009 when New Line had to pay an undisclosed sum to the estate. Jackson then revealed in November 2009 that the anticipated finish date for the scripts would be the beginning of 2010, delaying the start of production by several months to the middle of summer. Filming was due to take place throughout 2010 in New Zealand (a break is planned half way through shooting to allow del Toro to edit The Hobbit while sets are readied for the second part) with del Toro renovating the Hobbiton sets in Matamata. Jackson has kept the Rivendell scale model from filming The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as the Bag End set, which he has used as a guesthouse. With the court case sorted, things seemed to be going a bit too smoothly. Now MGM, which holds the distribution rights – and $3.7 billion debt – is causing problems for the little man with hairy feet’s quest. Warner Bros and MGM have an agreement to produce and distribute the films but MGM’s financial difficulties have delayed them. TORn’s source said, “At this stage we are all working and hoping for the best case scenario. Without a doubt, the MGM situation carries great importance.”

The Hobbit book review

Health and safety fears scupper Pooh sticks race
Winnie-the-Pooh fans were left high and dry when the World Pooh Sticks Championships were cancelled because the Thames was flowing too fast. The event, which is in its 27th year and is held on the river in Little Wittenham, was scrapped today because of Environment Agency fears over health and safety. On Saturday the agency put up red flags warning off boats on a stretch of the Thames from Radcot Lock to Hurley Lock and organisers said they were unable to get their safety boats to Days Lock. In its 27-year history no one has ever fallen into the water and it has only been cancelled once before – in 2001. Pooh sticks was invented by the writer AA Milne as a game for his son, and first featured in his book, The House at Pooh Corner. Each year up to 3,000 people from across the world attend the championships and it raises about £1,500 for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and local charities. About 150 people who still turned up to the event, unaware of its cancellation, were given cups of tea.

The Gruffalo will soon be available in Arabic
Arab parents will soon be able to read one of the world’s most popular bedtime stories to their children in their own language, with The Gruffalo to be published in Arabic for the first time. Eleven years after The Gruffalo’s release, Arab children will finally have access to the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler thanks to a deal between Bloomsbury Publishing and the Qatar Foundation. Bloomsbury, the UK company behind the Harry Potter series, will become the first western publisher to launch a full catalogue out of the Middle East next week when it unveils six new books in Qatar. The catalogue, led by an Arabic edition of The Gruffalo, which has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide, is a result of the partnership Bloomsbury forged with the Qatar Foundation in 2008 aimed at promoting the reading culture in the Middle East.

Stephenie Meyer’s new vampire book will benefit the Red Cross
When Stephenie Meyer published "Breaking Dawn," it brought to an end her wildly popular "Twilight" vampire saga. So any new book in the pantheon is both unexpected and welcome. On Tuesday, fans were thrilled to learn that "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner," a new novella, will be available in June. Now that it’s out there, Meyer is making two charitable moves with the novella. From June 7 to July 5 it will be available for free download at breetanner.com. Secondly, for each actual sale of the book — which costs around $10 online — $1 will be donated to the American Red Cross. On her website, Meyer specifies that the donation will be designated to provide relief to victims of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, and others in need. In addition to supplying emergency relief, one of the primary missions of the American Red Cross is "the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products.

Posted: April 11th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: AA Milne, George RR Martin, JRR Tolkien, Julia Donaldson, Stephenie Meyer

Warriors: including new novellas from George RR Martin, Robin Hobb and Peter S Beagle

The world’s most talented science fiction and fantasy writers have grouped together to pen a collection of stories, all with warriors as the central theme.

Fantasy fans will be eager to get their hands on a copy of Warriors, particularly as it features a George RR Martin novella set in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. Those impatient for the release of A Dance with Dragons (we are quite happy to wait thank you very much) will have something to assuage their hunger on, for a little while.

Fantasy Book Review favourite Robin Hobb has also contributed to the collection although we are unsure if her short story will expound on any of her earlier works. We are, like many I am sure, always eager to read more about Fitz and the Six Duchies.

Warrior also features new stories by Peter S Beagle and Tad Williams.

“People have been telling stories about warriors for as long as they have been telling stories. Since Homer first sang the wrath of Achilles and the ancient Sumerians set down their tales of Gilgamesh, warriors, soldiers, and fighters have fascinated us; they are a part of every culture, every literary tradition, every genre. All Quiet on the Western Front, From Here to Eternity, and The Red Badge of Courage have become part of our literary canon, taught in classrooms all around the country and the world. Our contributors make up an all-star lineup of award-winning and bestselling writers, representing a dozen different publishers and as many genres. We asked each of them for the same thing—a story about a warrior. Some chose to write in the genre they’re best known for. Some decided to try something different. You will find warriors of every shape, size, and color in these pages, warriors from every epoch of human history, from yesterday and today and tomorrow, and from worlds that never were. Some of the stories will make you sad, some will make you laugh, and many will keep you on the edge of your seat.”
George RR Martin

Here is a complete list of the authors that have contributed to Warriors:

• George RR Martin
• Diana Gabaldon
• David Weber
• David Ball
• Peter S. Beagle
• Lawrence Block
• Gardner Dozois
• Joe Haldeman
• Robin Hobb
• Cecelia Holland
• Joe R Lansdale
• David Morrell
• Naomi Novik
• James Rollins
• Steven Saylor
• Robert Silverberg
• SM Stirling
• Carrie Vaughn
• Howard Waldrop
• Tad Williams

Posted: March 22nd, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: George RR Martin, Robin Hobb

Ryan Colucci to produce screen adaptation of George RR Martin’s The Skin Trade

Mike The Pike Productions, Inc. and Oscar Award contender Ryan Colucci, have entered into a partnership agreement securing Colucci as a Co-Producer on the screen adaptation of George RR Martin’s The Skin Trade. The werewolf novella, recently optioned by Mike the Pike Productions, is described as something one could only expect from the mind of world-renown, award-winning fantasy author, George RR Martin.

"We couldn’t be happier to have signed Ryan to the team for Skin Trade," said Mark B. Newbauer, CEO/President of Mike the Pike Productions. "This is quite a coup for MTP and its shareholders as Ryan is more than a producer by title, he’s an accomplished producer with solid industry deals and contacts in every aspect of the industry."

Colucci, after graduating from USC’s prestigious Peter Stark Producing MFA Program in 2004, joined Snoot Entertainment as Producer on the CG-animated feature Battle for Terra. The film positioned Colucci as one of the youngest producers to contend for an Oscar Nomination in his category as it was included in a handful of films contending for Oscar Nominations for Animated Feature in this year’s upcoming ceremony.

In 2007, Ryan Colucci, along with acclaimed director Mike Newell, teamed up with Warner Brothers Pictures to produce Terry Brooks’ Shannara fantasy series.

"Just like I am with the Shannara series, which I’m co-producing with Warner Brothers, I have been a devoted Martin fan my whole life and it is exciting to be a part of bringing one of his books to the screen. Mark and his company, Mike the Pike Productions, have done an amazing job securing the rights and it was important for me to hear that they did not want to spit out a movie for the sake of turning a profit, but actually make a great film, first and foremost, with profits we can all be proud of on many levels at the end of the day. I am confident that with my producing background steeped heavily in visual effects together with Mike the Pike, we can make a gripping film that George RR Martin enthusiasts are excited about, while doing his vision for the world of lycanthropes justice," said Colucci.

Newbauer agrees: "Ryan’s vision is very much in line with ours on this project with a personality conducive to a partnership that I feel will turn a profitable project with mass appeal. We both see eye to eye on just about every aspect of the story in terms of adapting it to the screen with an original creative vision while maintaining a sense of loyalty for the rich universe of dark, compelling character, tone and lore created in Martin’s much praised novella."

Colucci says what drew him specifically to "The Skin Trade," "Is that it is a thrilling Raymond Chandler-esque detective story at heart, but it just happens to involve werewolves. I’m fascinated with the concept that these creatures of myth can exist in our society right under our noses. And master craftsman George RR Martin keeps the audience on the edge of their seats with the twists and turns of the case."

The Skin Trade is the chilling story of a werewolf out for more than blood. When a string of grotesque killings begins to strike her small town, private detective Randi Wade becomes suspicious. The grisly murders remind her all too much of her own father’s death over 20 years ago. Now there is a killer in town who not only slays his victims, but also takes their skin. Undaunted, Randi prods the police as the murders continue, each more brutal than the last. When a close friend suddenly becomes a target, he is forced to reveal a startling secret about himself and Randi is quickly pulled into a dark world within her own town where monsters exist and prey on the living.

Posted: February 19th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: George RR Martin

Work on A Dance with Dragons progressing well, says George RR Martin

There is some good news for A Song of Ice and Fire fans impatiently awaiting the release of the fifth instalment in the series, A Dance with Dragons, and that is that George RR Martin, the series’ unfairly put-up-upon author is 1,261 pages into writing it.

The Guardian’s Alison Flood reported that "the American Tolkien" has poked his head above the parapet again, telling fans that A Dance with Dragons has now become the second longest volume in his series, that he’s been knocking off chapters and having "good, productive" days of writing. Huge excitement ensued from readers, but Martin attempted to douse the flames. "Jeez, guys. Calm down," he said on his blog. "This is why I hate to do updates. I say I have good day, and immediately I have 100 people deciding this means that Dance is finished. I’m not the oracle at Delphi … When I finish Dance, you’ll know it. I will write something like this: ‘I have finished A Dance with Dragons.’ You won’t need to parse any hints." (The Guardian)

A Dance with Dragons
The last of the Targaryons, Daenerys Stormborn, the Unburnt, has brought the young dragons in her care to their terrifying maturity. Now the war-torn landscape of the Seven Kingdoms is threatened by destruction as vast as in the violent past. Tyrion Lannister, a dwarf with half a nose and a scar from eye to chin, has slain his father and escaped the Red Keep in King’s Landing to wage war from the Free Cities beyond the narrow sea. The last war fought with dragons was a cataclysm powerful enough to shatter the Valyrian peninsula into a smoking, demon-haunted ruin half drowned by the sea.

• George RR Martin biography
• A Game of Thrones book review
• A Clash of Kings book review
• A Storm of Swords 1: Steel and Snow book review

Posted: February 17th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: George RR Martin

My Most Anticipated Books of 2010

With the beginning of a new year come resolutions, gym memberships, budgets and more. But, honestly, none of that really matters in the face of some of the books that are coming this year. So here’s a small taste of what is coming in 2010 from some of fantasy’s best, and why I’m looking forward to them.

Crack’d Pot Trail by Steven Erikson

It is an undeniable truth: give evil a name and everyone’s happy. Give it two names and . . . why, they’re even happier.

The intrepid necromancers Bauchelain and Korbal Broach, scourges of civilization, raisers of the dead, reapers of the souls of the living, devourers of hope, betrayers of faith, slayers of the innocent and modest personifications of evil, have a lot to answer for and answer they will. Known as the Nehemoth, they are pursued by countless self-professed defenders of decency, sanity and civilization. After all, since when does evil thrive unchallenged? Well, often: but not this time.

Hot on their heels are the Nehemothanai, avowed hunters of Bauchelain and Korbal Broach. In the company of a gaggle of artists and pilgrims, stalwart Mortal Sword Tulgord Vise, pious Well Knight Arpo Relent, stern Huntsman Steck Marynd, and three of the redoubtable Chanter brothers (and their lone sister) find themselves faced with the cruelest of choices. The legendary Cracked Pot Trail, a stretch of harsh wasteland between the Gates of Nowhere and the Shrine of the Indifferent God, has become a tortured path of deprivation.

Will honour, moral probity and virtue prove champions in the face of brutal necessity? No, of course not. Don’t be silly.

With Dust of Dreams released late last year, Erikson, author of the wildly popular Malazan Book of the Fallen series, has released another novella in his Bauchelain and Korbal Broach series. I’m yet to read any, much to my disappointment, but hopefully with the release of the fourth novella I’ll rectify that and read all of them. Very excited for more Erikson.

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks

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.

Brent Weeks is an author that I enjoy, most of the time. I read his first book, The Way of Shadows, and liked it but didn’t keep reading. The book didn’t grab me entirely, but I am told that I am wrong (my girlfriend, if you needed to know and hadn’t guessed). So I’m really looking forward to his next series.

The Desert Spear by Peter V Brett

The sun is setting on humanity. The night now belongs to voracious demons that arise as the sun sets, preying upon a dwindling population forced to cower behind ancient and half-forgotten symbols of power. These wards alone can keep the demons at bay, but legends tell of a Deliverer: a general—some would say prophet—who once bound all mankind into a single force that defeated the demons. Those times, if they ever existed, are long past. The demons are back, and the return of the Deliverer is just another myth . . . or is it?

Out of the desert rides Ahmann Jardir, who has forged the warlike desert tribes of Krasia into a demon-killing army. He has proclaimed himself Shar’Dama Ka, the Deliverer, and he carries ancient weapons—a spear and a crown—that give credence to his claim. Sworn to follow the path of the first Deliverer, he has come north to bring the scattered city-states of the green lands together in a war against demonkind—whether they like it or not.

But the northerners claim their own Deliverer. His name was Arlen, but all know him now as the Warded Man: a dark, forbidding figure whose skin is tattooed with wards so powerful they make him a match for any demon. The Warded Man denies that he is the Deliverer, but his actions speak louder than words, for he teaches men and women to face their fears and stand fast against the creatures that have tormented them for centuries.

Once the Shar’Dama Ka and the Warded Man were friends, brothers in arms. Now they are fierce adversaries. Caught between them are Renna, a young woman pushed to the edge of human endurance; Leesha, a proud and beautiful healer whose skill in warding surpasses that of the Warded Man himself; and Rojer, a traveling fiddler whose uncanny music can soothe the demons—or stir them into such frenzy that they attack one another.

Yet as old allegiances are tested and fresh alliances forged, all are blissfully unaware of the appearance of a new breed of demon, more intelligent—and deadly—than any that have come before.

The Painted Man (The Warded Man in the US) was the first book by newcomer Peter V. Brett, and I enjoyed it tremendously. It was simple, and fun, and really interesting. Some books aim for complicated and epic but fail to remember to make it fun and interesting. So I am really looking forward to the sequel.

The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch

After their adventures on the high seas, Locke and Jean are brought back to earth with a thump. Jean is mourning the loss of his lover and Locke must live with the fallout of crossing the all-powerful magical assassins the Bonds Magi. It is a fall-out that will pit both men against Locke’s own long lost love. Sabetha is Locke’s childhood sweetheart, the love of Locke’s life and now it is time for them to meet again. Employed on different sides of a vicious dispute between factions of the Bonds Sabetha has just one goal – to destroy Locke forever. The Gentleman Bastard sequence has become a literary sensation in fantasy circles and now, with the third book, Scott Lynch is set to seal that success.

I’m a really big fan of Lynch and his Gentleman Bastard series. I loved the first two, and I can’t wait for this book to be released because we finally get to meet Sabetha, an oft mentioned never seen character. And really, what’s life without more stealing?

A Dance with Dragons by George RR Martin

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance once again–beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has three times three thousand enemies, and many have set out to find her. Yet, as they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

To the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone–a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, will face his greatest challenge yet. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

And from all corners, bitter conflicts soon reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all.

It’s been a dirty great long time since the last book in Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, and I am really excited for the fifth book in the series which, I’ve been told by a lovely and reliable source, will be coming out in November of 2010. More Jon Snow and more Daenerys Targaryen is a sure fire way to get me excited.

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.”

An escalating rivalry with a powerful member of the nobility forces Kvothe to leave the University and seek his fortune abroad. Adrift, penniless, and alone, he travels to Vintas, where he quickly becomes entangled in the politics of courtly society. While attempting to curry favor with a powerful noble, Kvothe discovers an assassination attempt, comes into conflict with a rival arcanist, and leads a group of mercenaries into the wild, in an attempt to solve the mystery of who (or what) is waylaying travelers on the King’s road.

All the while, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, forced to reclaim the honor of the Edema Ruh, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived. Under her tutelage, Kvothe learns much about true magic and the ways of women.

In The Wise Man’s Fear Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.

Easily the most anticipated book of 2010 (I hope) is Patrick Rothfuss’s long awaited sequel to his massively popular and successful The Name of the Wind. The Wise Man’s Fear has been thrown around as a title coming soon for awhile now, and we can only hope that this year does indeed bring us the next in this wonderful series. Patrick Rothfuss has, in my mind, easily secured himself a place in the top 10 fantasy writers of all time. Let’s hope he can secure it with the next book.

And that’s it for me. There are probably going to be a lot of books that didn’t make this list simply because I don’t know about them, or I don’t know the authors. But I have no doubt there are going to be some surprises for FBR this year, as there is every year. And please, leave your comments as to what you’re looking forward to and what I missed.

Posted: January 5th, 2010
Author: JoshSHill
Categories: George RR Martin, Peter V Brett, Scott Lynch, Steven Erikson