The World of Robert V.S. Redick

After my review of The Red Wolf Conspiracy (2008) [US][UK] I came in contact with the author Robert V.S. Redick (V. S. stands for Von Stein) who lives in rural western Massachusetts.
He characterizes himself as "writer of fantasy, mainstream fiction, creative nonfiction and criticism." And this is true. I won't bore you with details of his writings beyond fantasy, so let's take a closer look at his fantasy scribbles. In my review I characterized the above mentioned The Red Wolf Conspiracy as followed:

"The Red Wolf Conspiracy is like a gorgeous gown. Colorful, beads, frills, buttons, ribbons, feathers, hidden pockets, scented sachets, several layers of cloth. Every detail is like a person with her own history, thoughts and plans. All bent together by a golden thread whose stich is anything but random. So far, we have discovered the surface and the first layer of cloth. But fortunately "dressmaker" Redick is working on the next layers. We expect the next delivery soon..."

As a "dressmaker" Redick has used pen and paper to tailor the next book in the Chatrand Voyage series:
The Rats and the Ruling Sea (2009) [US][UK], which will hit stores on both sides of the Atlantic on 29th of October.

"THE RATS AND THE RULING SEA begins where THE RED WOLF CONSPIRACY ended; Thasha's wedding is hours away. It is a wedding that will both fulfil the promise of a mad god's return and see her murdered. Pazel has thwarted the sorcerer who would bring back the god but both sides now face deadlock. Can Thasha be saved? Can the war between two Empires be stopped? THE RATS AND THE RULING SEA is, once again, focused on the giant ancient ship The Chathrand, but now she must brave the terrors of the uncharted seas; the massive storms and the ship swallowing whirlpools and explore lands forgotten by the Northern world, all the time invloved in a vicious running battle with a ship nearly her match. Robert Redick's new novel takes the reader further into the labyrinthine plots and betrayals that have underscored the trilogy from the beginning. We learn more about the Ixchel as they fight for survival against the Chathrand's rats, discover more about the true motives of conspirators, live with Thasha and Pazel as they face death and deceit and discover a a fabled magical city which holds the key to the Nilstone - a stone that could end the world." [Source]

Intrigued? Then view or download the prologue via Google Docs by using this link.

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. You can be sure that I will review the book as soon as it comes out. You want some good news? The Chatrand Voyage series will be continued! "Dressmaker" Redick is tailoring book three, The River of Shadows, which we will hopefully get in 2010. And this is not the end. There will be a fourth and final book, whose title is not known yet.

Do you live near London? Or do you have the opportunity to be in London on October 16th? Then read following quote which I copied from Robert Redick's blog (don't forget to visit regularly, in order not to miss the latest news of the Chathrand Voyage series):

"London's wild and wonder-packed SFF store Forbidden Planet will have a large number of copies available for sale on Friday, October 16. The reason? I'll be appearing at the bookstore to sign, chat and hang out with readers (I'm seriously psyched) from 6:00 to 7:00 PM that evening.

Hoping to meet a lot of you there. But if you can't drop by the megastore (179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR) you can order a copy from Forbidden Planet, and it should reach you well before the general release."

This is not the only opportunity to get in contact with Robert Redick. He will attend Utopiales, which is an annual international science fiction festival held in Nantes, France, from October 28th to November 1rst 2009.

I really like the Utopiales poster, which has been painted by James Gurney, who explains his work in great detail on his blog. You would like to see the poster? Then have a look at following video: