It's News To Me #38

Hope you're holiday season's going great. I have a short one this week, but in January, I'll be back in action with reviews and updates aplenty.

News

On behalf of Tor.com, Tor Books, Microsoft/343 Industries, and Halo Waypoint, I’m excited to present two exclusive chapter excerpts of HALO: Cryptum, the hugely anticipated first novel in a trilogy by Hugo and Nebula award-winning science fiction legend Greg Bear in the New York Times bestselling “Halo®” series. Chapter one will go live on Tor.com at *1 PM eastern today* while chapter two will simultaneously be available at halowaypoint.com, the official Halovideogames franchise web site. HALO: Cryptum will be available nationwide on January 4, 2011.

HALO: Cryptum takes place 100,000 years before the events of the Halo games and serves as a great entry point into what has become one of the most successful science fiction franchises of all time. These two exclusive excerpts will be the first place to begin this deep exploration into the time of the Forerunners, the creators and builders of the Halos. Almost nothing has been revealed about this ancient race. This new series will delve deep into the reign of these enigmatic beings, and tell the epic story behind one of the great mysteries of the “Halo”universe: the complete disappearance of the Forerunners from existence, while also revealing an amazing tale of human origins.

An icon in the science fiction community, Greg Bear has penned such critically celebrated international bestsellers as Eon and The Forge of God. His recent novel Hull Zero Three was published in November by Orbit Books and met widespread acclaim. Bear’s talent for taut narratives, intellectually rigorous themes, and realistic, appealing characters make him the most qualified author writing today to begin a new chapter in this blockbuster franchise.

Greg Bear will also be appearing with special guests from 343 Industries at University Books in Seattle for an exclusive signing and launch event on January 4^th, 2010 at 7 PM.

Here's the first chapter for a preview.

Movies/TV/Videos

And that's the news...at least to me.

The 20 SF/F Book Giveaway

20 BOOKS - ONE WINNER TO RULE THEM ALL

Every year in an effort to reduce some of the strain on my poor shelves, I hold a large giveaway of some of the notable lit of that year, with a few random surprises thrown in. Might there be a Towers of Midnight signed by all of Team Joran, Leigh and Mr. Doherty himself? At the very least, I can guarantee a Tai'Shar Malkier sticker.

Giveaway Rules

Want just under two dozen books for free? Done. Just follow these simple giveaway instructions for your chance to win (giveaway runs till 1/10/10 @ 11:59 PM EST):

1) E-mail me [bloggeratf@gmail.com] your name and address, with 20 BOOKS, as the subject. Snarky comments increase your chances of winning and the snarkiest comment of the week gets free entries for future giveaways.
2) Sign up for site updates either in RSS or with Friend Connect on the side. This will also let you know about future giveaways!
3) Think happy thoughts.
4) (OPTIONAL) Share or link to any post on the blog--this earns you brownie points as well as increasing your (if you have made it this far) already significant odds.
5) There is no rule number five. I just like odd numbers.

CANCELLED: Stargate Universe (SGU)

I give up. By force of repeated cancellation of the few SyFy shows I enjoy watching, I now despair that any series I like on television will survive for more than two seasons.

Stargate Universe had everything going for it. A great cast, some awesome writers and consultants (Scalzi), some amazing CGI and a plot that was finally going somewhere. But no, now it is going nowhere. The cancellation of SGU is a real blow for every fan!

Stargate Univese (SGU) Cancelled

It's News To Me #37

I'll try really hard to keep some posts going through the holidays, but I'm making no promises. Once finals are over I'm headed home to California immediately and nice weather will ensue. :)

Cover Art

Lots of good stuff came out the other day:

This one just looks awesome, I'm glad it's gotten a bit of a face lift from the last. And a blurb:

Summer is the season of war in the Free Cities. Marcus wants to get out before the fighting starts. His hero days are behind him and simple caravan duty is better than getting pressed into service by the local gentry. Even a small war can get you killed. But a captain needs men to lead — and his have been summarily arrested and recruited for their swords.

Cithrin has a job to do — move the wealth of a nation across a war zone. An orphan raised by the bank, she is their last hope of keeping the bank’s wealth out of the hands of the invaders. But she’s just a girl and knows little of caravans, war, and danger. She knows money and she knows secrets, but will that be enough to save her in the coming months?

Geder, the only son of a noble house is more interested in philosophy than swordplay. He is a poor excuse for a soldier and little more than a pawn in these games of war. But not even he knows what he will become of the fires of battle. Hero or villain? Small men have achieved greater things and Geder is no small man.

Falling pebbles can start a landslide. What should have been a small summer spat between gentlemen is spiraling out of control. Dark forces are at work, fanning the flames that will sweep the entire region onto The Dragon’s Path — the path of war.

Then here's the next volume following the great debut, Shadow's Son. This artwork is done by Michael Komarck again for the US edition, and below you'll find Chris McGrath's work on the UK edition:

I'm torn as to which I like better. I think I had this same problem with Shadow's Son.

News

Lots of bloggers are getting gigs with Tor lately and I have to say I'm a bit jealous. :D

Fantasy - Aidan Moher (A Dribble of Ink)

Steampunk - Ay-Leen the Peacemaker (Beyond Victoriana)

Science Fiction - Mark Chitty (Walker of Worlds)


From Orbit, N.K. Jemisin's news two book series has been acquired and tentatively titled Reaper and Conqueror.

In the city-state of Gujaareh, peace is the only law. Along its ancient stone streets, where time is marked by the river’s floods, there is no crime or violence. Within the city’s colored shadows, priests of the dream-goddess harvest the wild power of the sleeping mind as magic, using it to heal, soothe… and kill.

Movies/TV/Video

A new interview with Alistair Reynolds is at First Tuesday Book Club.

Un:Bound Video Edition is up and running and I have to say I'm impressed:



And in movies, here's the newest Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides (the title coming from Tim Powers' novel, which should be arriving at my doorstep any day now). Loved every one, so I don't think this will disappoint:



And that's the news...at least to me.