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The Prophecy Keepers now available within UK Kindle store

Melaine Bryant’s young adult series, The Prophecy Keepers, is a firm favourite with us here at Fantasy Book Review and the great news is that it is now available for purchase from within the Amazon UK Kindle Store.

As we said at the time “The Prophecy Keepers is entertaining, educational and above all excellent” and we highly recommend this book to young adults who love their fantasy.

So what is the series all about?

There is an ancient legend in the memories of the humans of Niwengeard, that a time will come when Darkness will fall upon the kingdoms of Earde and one will rise who threatens all species. It has been foretold that at this time, a Gifted human child possessing the powers of the magical races-the empyreals-will be born to lead a revolution against the Darkness. But this memory is hazy, like the memories of the beginning of time, of the Creators, of the First and Second Destructions, and even of the empyreal races who share the humans’ world. So when a fairy named Rædan appears before fourteen-year-old Lisandra Ackart and tells her that the time of the Third Destruction has begun and that she is the Gifted One, she doesn’t believe him. When a series of strange events leaves her hundreds of miles from home, Lisandra is thrust unwillingly into the heart of an epic struggle that has spanned millennia, a conflict between the races of the Dark and the races of the Light. Now that struggle is nearing its end, and Lisandra must find the twenty-three Keepers of the ancient Prophecy, each of whom holds a single piece of the key to saving Earde from the Darkness. But first she must find a way to stop the Dark Queen, Lucifæra-who the Light Ones believe is behind the sudden disappearance of thousands of fairies-and her mysterious hexagonal charm.

Read the Fantasy Book Review of The Prophecy Keepers (9/10)

There is also a brand new book trailer for The Prophecy Keepers that can be viewed below:

For more information on Melaine Bryant and the world of The Prophecy keepers, visit http://www.empyreanhillbooks.com/theprophecykeepers/home.html

Posted: September 1st, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

BVC welcomes Jerry Weinberg as its newest member

On Thursday, August 19th, 2010, Book View Café welcomes Gerald (Jerry) M. Weinberg as its newest member. Weinberg incorporates his knowledge of science, engineering, and human behaviour, as well as his years as a consultant in his writing.

Early in his career, he was the architect for the Mercury Project’s space tracking network, and designer of the world’s first multi-programmed operating system. Winner of the Warnier Prize and the Stevens Award for his writing on software quality, he is also a charter member of the Computing Hall of Fame in San Diego and the University of Nebraska Hall of Fame.

In addition to his non-fiction on human behavior and leadership, Weinberg also writes "nerd novels" such as The Aremac Project, First Stringers, Second Stringers, The Hands of God, and Mistress of Molecules – about how brilliant people produce quality work. For his debut, Weinberg is offering his science fiction novel First Stringers, three free chapters every Thursday at http://www.bookviewcafe.com. First Stringers is also available as an ebook in several DRM-free formats.

Weinberg has plans to make his other fiction (eight novels) and select non-fiction titles available at Book View Café in the future. Watch Gerald Weinberg’s bookshelf (http://www.bookviewcafe.com/index.php/Gerald-M.-Weinberg/) at Book View Cafe for details.

Posted: August 19th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

Discover the darker side of Oz

Scott Stanford’s Dorothy: The Darker Side of Oz is an original novel that runs parallel to Frank L Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The author’s intentions are to keep the essence of Baum’s classic whilst offering greater insight into the characters and focusing on the journey that Dorothy takes to get home.

As Dorothy awakes in Oz there’s no sunshine in Munchkin country, just a twisted race enslaved by the Eastern witch, and a crooked path of yellow bricks she has to take to the mysterious Emerald City, a place ridden with sinister secrets.

To get home the orphan girl treks the magical land, sometimes beautiful though often deadly, seeking help from the great wizard of Oz. The young girl struggles through a vast land of new sights, unfamiliar villages, and endures the dark forest, finding strange friends along her way. Cautiously trusting a peculiar scarecrow, he accompanies Dorothy through Oz, finding a tragic tin-man on their travels, and the cowardly lion; a victim to Mr Jack’s infernal carnival. The animal’s only hope is to be saved by Dorothy and her friends, but the ringleader and his obscure show have other plans for them.

Dorothy’s enchanting journey takes her through new, peculiar and amazing countries as Oz unveils itself. The strange friends must fight to overcome the rivers of mist, the deadly poppy fields, and beyond; whilst Kalidahs, Hammerheads and other macabre creatures stand in their way…and if they reach the Emerald City, they my find more than they bargained for.

To get back to Kansas the young girl must survive the dangers of Oz, find the mysterious great wizard, and most of all, avoid the dead-lands of the West, where the evil witch Outika breeds her carnivorous pets, and watches the strange friends’ every move. This isn’t the Oz you know, and Dorothy may never leave.

Available now through all major booksellers, including Amazon, Waterstones, and Fastprint, with limited signed editions and prints available through the novel’s official website; www.darkersideofoz.com

Scott Stanford was born in a small Welsh village in 1984, and after studying Milton’s Paradise Lost, alongside reading Bret Easton Ellis’s American Psycho started writing himself. His works spanned from epic poems to film, and amidst a number of feature scripts and other projects came a debut novel. Since then he’s been working as a novelist, and even turned down working with Samuel L. Jackson in the process.

Posted: August 17th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

Book lovers flocking back to Irish libraries

There is fantastic news from Ireland as book lovers flock back to libraries in big numbers.

In the midst of the recession, the network of 359 public libraries has reported a rise in the numbers of people visiting to read newspapers, attend lectures, use the internet and borrow books, CDs and DVDs.

Members of the public borrowed a record 13.8 million books and two million multi-media items during 2008.

There were more than 14.2 million visits to Irish public libraries in 2008, an increase of 17pc since 2002.

Galway City and County Librarian Pat McMahon reported a 16pc rise in borrowings over the past two years. He said the library was a vital "social space" as it was one of the few places people could go for free and spend a few hours.

Source: The Irish Independent

Posted: August 16th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

HarperCollins acquire four-book fantasy series by Michael Grant

HarperCollins Children’s Books has bought a four-book series by Michael Grant, author of Egmont’s Gone series.

Rachel Denwood, publishing director, bought UK and Commonwealth rights from HarperCollins US for an undisclosed sum. The first book in the fantasy series, which is aimed at readers 9+, is called Magnificent Twelve: The Call.

The publisher described the book as being about "Mack McAvoy, an unlikely hero whose only outstanding feature is the number of phobias he has. But when a fast-talking golem delivers the news that an evil force is rising after centuries of rest, it’s time for Mack to step up. Cue a globetrotting adventure that requires Mack to gather a team of 12 extraordinary children who could hold the key to saving Earth".

The book will be published in January 2011, with a second to follow in September.

Denwood said: "I’m thrilled that Michael is coming to HarperCollins UK for his new 9+ venture. We know how much kids love that very special blend of fantasy, action and laughs – and that’s exactly what Magnificent 12 delivers."

Source: TheBookseller.com

Posted: July 27th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

Warrior of Rome series continues with book three, Lion of the Sun

Fantasy Book Review is currently reading and reviewing its way through Harry Sidebottom’s Warrior of Rome series. A tale of historical fiction, set in the third century AD during the decline of the Roman empire, we recently reviewed the first book in the series, Fire in the East, and will be shortly moving onto the second book in the series, King of Kings.

Fans of the Warrior of Rome series will be pleased to learn that July 22, 2010 will see the publication, in hardback, of the third book in the series, Lion of the Sun.

Betrayed by his most trusted adviser, the Roman Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Sassanid barbarians. The shame of the vanquished beats down mercilessly like the white sun, as the frail old emperor prostrates himself before Shapur, King of Kings.

Ballista looks on helplessly, but vows under his breath to avenge those who have brought the empire to the brink of destruction with their treachery. One day, maybe not soon, but one day, I will kill you… But first he must decide what price he will pay for his own freedom.

Only the fearless and only those whom the gods will spare from hell can now save the empire from a catastrophic ending. Ballista, the Warrior of Rome, faces his greatest challenge yet.

Dr Harry Sidebottom is a Fellow of St Benet’s Hall and lecturer at Lincoln College, Oxford, where he specializes in ancient warfare and classical art. He has an international reputation as a scholar, having published widely on ancient warfare, classical art and the cultural history of the Roman Empire. Harry is originally from Newmarket, Suffolk and he now lives with his wife and two sons in Cambridgeshire. See http://www.harrysidebottom.co.uk/ for more information.

Posted: July 19th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

Due out in August: TimeRiders – The Day of the Predator by Alex Scarrow

The second instalment in The TimeRiders series, The Day of the Predator, will be published on August 5, 2010.

This highly original and page-turning epic thriller series will take readers on a rollicking rollercoaster ride through time and history. Perfect for both boys and girls aged 11+, it’s a high-octane adventure combined with a wildly entertaining and superbly crafted ‘what if’ story.

TimeRiders: Day of the Predator book trailer

From rock guitarist, graphic artist, computer games designer, adult thriller writer to children’s author, Alex brings his unique vision and gaming background to create a truly spectacular series.

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912.
Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010.
Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2029.

But all three have been given a second chance – to work for an agency that no-one knows exists.
Its purpose – to prevent time travel destroying history . . .

Alex Scarrow used to work in the music industry, then he became a graphic artist, then he decided to be a computer games designer.

Finally, he grew up and became an author. He has written a number of successful adult thrillers (including Ellie Quin, Last Night and October Skies), but it’s young adult fiction that has allowed him to really have fun with the ideas and concepts he was playing around with when designing games. He lives in Norwich with his son, Jacob, his wife, Frances, and two very fat rats.

Following the success of the first TimeRiders book, Puffin has now signed up author Alex Scarrow to write a nine book series.

Posted: July 15th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

Australian fantasy author Rowena Cory Daniells signs three-book deal

Jonathan Oliver, commissioning editor of Solaris Books, has concluded a three-book deal with Australian fantasy writer Rowena Cory Daniells. The agent is John Jarrold, and the deal is for World English Language. The books are due for publication in 2012.

Solaris have just published the first volume of Daniells’ King Rolen’s Kin trilogy, The King’s Bastard successfully in July 2010, with the second and third volumes following in August and September this year.

The new series is called The First T’En and follows the fate of a tribe of dispossessed mystics, the T’Enatuath.

Rowena Cory Daniells first became involved in speculative fiction in 1976. Since then she has run a bookshop, then a graphic art studio where she illustrated children’s books, had 6 children in 10 years, sold nearly 30 children’s books and an earlier fantasy trilogy internationally, established R&D Studios and served on the management committees of state and national arts organisations. She lives by the bay in Brisbane with her husband and children, and has a Masters in Arts (Research).

Posted: July 15th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: John Jarrold, Latest News

Fantasy news round-up, July 9, 2010

A round-up of the latest fantasy-related news published during the first week of July 2010.

The Hoose at Pooh’s Neuk
A.A. Milne’s beloved children’s classic, Winnie- the- Pooh, was written in 1926 and has since been translated into many world languages including Breton, Frisian, Catalan and Scots. Following the success of his Scots version, James Robertson has gone on to produce a translation of Milne’s follow up book, The House at Pooh Corner, now with the beautifully assonant title, The Hoose at Pooh’s Neuk. Here are a couple of examples, the first spoken by Pooh, the second by Eeyore:

“I like gabbin wi Rabbit. He speaks aboot wice-like things. He uses wee easy words, like Whit aboot denner? and Help yersel, Pooh.”

“I widna wunner but that there micht be a guid blatter o hail the morn’s morn. Jist because it’s braw the-day doesna Mean Onythin.”

Today’s vampires simply not scary enough
When Neil Gaiman speaks, people in the comic and book industry tend to take notice – so when the award-winning creator picked up his CILIP Carnegie Medal for his gothic kids’ story The Graveyard Book and shared his thoughts on vampires, it seemed like a pretty important moment. Gaiman is, not surprisingly, tired of vampires. He made this brutally clear when he compared the glut of vampire movies, books, and paranormal romances cluttering up the popular entertainment landscape to an infestation of cockroaches.

McKellen could walk away from The Hobbit
Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he may not reprise his role as wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit. The British actor, who is currently touring New Zealand with a stage production of Waiting For Godot, told Good Morning that he isn’t "sitting waiting" for the fantasy movie to get made.

He said: "Well I’m not under contract and my time is running out and I’m enjoying working in the theatre and frankly, I would like to race after doing Waiting For Godot, get on with doing another play but we’ll have to see. I don’t give the producers the impression that I’m sitting waiting."

The Hobbit has been plagued by production problems, with the departure of director Guillermo del Toro and co-financier MGM’s solvency issues delaying the movie. It has recently been reported that Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is negotiating a return to the director’s chair.

Meet the Gruffalo in Ealing
Are there any youngsters out there brave enough to meet the Gruffalo? The character from the popular children’s books by Julia Donaldson and Alex Sheffler will be appearing in person at special events at the borough’s libraries. Parents can bring along a camera and take a picture of their child with the Gruffalo. The session will include join-in reading aloud from the books and Gruffalo colouring activities. Due to the popularity of this event, some libraries will be taking bookings. Please contact the library in advance to book where necessary. The dates are Northolt Library (020 8825 7296) Friday August 20, 10.30am and 2.30pm; Pitshanger Library (020 8825 7278) Saturday August 21 at 10.30am and West Ealing Library (020 8567 2812); Saturday August 21 at 2.30pm.

Pullman sees his name up in lights
Philip Pullman has seen his name put up in lights at a revamped youth theatre after donating £100,000 to the project. The His Dark Materials author was the biggest single donor to the £7.4m campaign to rebuild the Pegasus Theatre, in East Oxford. He unveiled the building frontage and the friendship tree on Monday, before touring the auditorium and giving a short speech. His donation enabled the theatre to attract a further £200,000 in funding. As part of the celebrations Mr Pullman also launched the theatre’s new friends scheme, which offers supporters more ways of being involved in Pegasus and contributing financially. Building work has finished on the new structure, with fitting out, hiring staff and other preparatory work taking place over the summer in readiness for its grand reopening on September 4.

Posted: July 9th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News

Chris Dolley’s French Fried

Book View Café has announced the publication of French Fried, the unfortunate, yet true account of English author Chris Dolley’s harrowing first eight months in France. The book has been described as “A Year in Provence with Miss Marple and Gerald Durrell”.

Upon surviving a difficult move to a foreign country, Dolley and his wife soon discover their life savings and Dolley’s identity have been stolen. Adding insult to injury, the authorities have no time for his problem so with the "help" of an 80 year-old mother-in-law, he tracks the criminals himself through the bureaucracies of France, Spain, Ireland, and Great Britain.

French Fried is an account of the author’s hilarious, yet frightening journey through a nightmare of international crime.

You can read chapter one for free here, and purchase the book itself here.

Fantasy Book Review interviewed Chris Dolley in February 2010.

Posted: July 7th, 2010
Author: Lee
Categories: Latest News