You ever find that you like a book more and more the longer you think about it? I didn't overly love The Gunslinger (1982) [US] [UK] when I finished it, but the more I keep thinking about it, the more I really like what King has done here.
I read that Stephen King considers The Dark Tower series to be his magnum opus and The Gunslinger is quite an enjoyable start to a series that, word has it, gets a bit wordy toward the end.
After putting The Stand down at around 300 pages last year I really can't believe I entered King's mind again so soon. I hated almost all of the characters in The Stand and had a terrible time moving forward. Luckily, The Gunslinger is only 300 quick pages, instead of the massive 1100 or so in The Stand. Not to mention, a couple of blogs and SFFWorld forum members have been talking up the series, so here I am.
First, I have to say I love the cover art. It not only speaks of the story, but automatically gets you in the right mood for The Gunslinger. This tale is ominous and vast, it's desolate and post-apocalyptic and the cover says it all.
Told in five parts that were originally published separately in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, this is the tale of the last gunslinger pursuing "the man in black" through a parallel world that echoes our own world in many ways. Some of those being old, run-down gas pumps, train tracks and memories of singing "Hey Jude".
At first it was difficult to see what the gunslinger's motivations were in tracking the man in black and they aren't really made clear until we have a few flash-backs to the gunslinger's earlier travels and his youth. This made moving forward through the novel a bit labored, but the last 50 or so pages are definitely worth it as we're given more and more glimpses into the gunslinger's life.
Each new place in the gunslinger's travels, we find people desperately clinging to life in any way they can. Each time, the gunslinger finds subtle traps which have been put in place by the man in black to keep the gunslinger at bay.
Although slow at times and almost as confusing as Erikson's Malazan series (but more linear), The Gunslinger has some great moments that stick with you. The overall tone of the novel is very dark and ominous and I think King is one of the only authors I can excuse for not having a map, which would only detract.
When Should You Read This?
Read The Gunslinger when you're ready to start a huge series and I mean "huge" in terms of page count and world. While The Gunslinger could probably be read as a stand-alone (if you ignore the last couple pages), it is definitely a springboard to the rest of the series with several unresolved and newly created elements coming in at the very end.
Furthering my efforts to reduce my overcrowded shelves, one lucky reader will be the beneficiary of these three books:
Pray to your gods of luck, cash in your bonus entries, and wish a blight on any winners but yourself. As usual, good snark with your entry increases chances of winning and rewards bonus entries for future contests.
Giveaway Rules
Want a copy of all these books for free? Done. Just follow these simple giveaway instructions for your chance to win (giveaway runs till 4/15/10 @ 11:59 PM EST):
1) E-mail me [bloggeratf@gmail.com] your name and address, with "THREE" in caps, 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.
Every now and then I go over to Amazon, jump to Science Fiction & Fantasy and then hesitantly click on on Bestsellers. The experience was truly a revelation. The top 25 Science Fiction & Fantasy Bestsellers list contains not a single book I have read and only one I am remotely tempted to read.
Am I reading the wrong books?
I recognize virtually all the authors, including Charlaine Harris, Stephenie Meyer, and Jim Butcher (I have actually read a book by Butcher). That said, I can't dream of reading anything by these authors. Its all just too urban fantasyish for my tastes.
My first rule of book buying is never buy anything with a half dressed person on the cover. This rule eliminates about 90% of the erotic/romance fantasy out there. The only decent series in this category that I have broken the rule for and enjoyed (if you stop at book three) is Kushiel's Legacy by Jacqueline Carey. That is the exception though, not the rule. Looking at the Amazon list again, 7 of the 25 books there have women in various states of undress. I won't get into the number of hooded characters on the covers, as the post might just degenerate into a rant.
Thank you blogosphere.
Browsing my sidebar instantly provides a list of at least five books I am comfortable reading. I don't really think I am strange or weird for not liking anything on the amazon list. I know that many of you feel the same way, although some of you don't.
Looking at the list, I can't help but think that I am a minority reader within a minority of readers. The fact that Amazon doesn't have an Urban Fantasy subsection within or outside of Science Fiction & Fantasy is somewhat shocking. Aren't they the largest online retailer? Yes, they most definitely are. You would think they could spend some time organizing their books so that people like me don't have to click on the third page of bestsellers to start seeing books I want to read.
Ok, amazon has gotten enough hate lately so I won't go too hard on them. It isn't their fault they hire incompetent list-makers.
What does all this mean?
I'm sad. I though the books I read were widely accepted and read. I guess I was living in a dream where writing ability trumped naked women on covers. I guess I was wrong. As I slink back to my niche within a niche that is the spec fic blogosphere, I invite your reflections on this disturbing topic.
Hello and welcome to issue #13 of my Weekly Roundup. A lot of things have happened within this week. That is the reason why you have had to wait some hours longer to read this Roundup. Spring weather left my region on Friday. Now it is colder, the sky is gray and it rains a lot. But I'm fine. I received great books and mails. And I enjoyed the pleasure of Twitter. Unfortunately my time for Twitter is limited due to my work. Anyway look forward to May. Seak and I are making plans for some combined reviews.... Enjoy reading
German proverbs, sayings and idioms Spring Tiredness . . . Blood
Books
In Weekly Roundup #08 I posted about Wintercraft (May 2010, ISBN-13: 978-0755370962) which the upcoming debut novel by Jenna Burtenshaw.
"Ten years ago Kate Winters' parents were taken by the High Council's wardens to help with the country's war effort. Now the wardens are back...and prisoners, including Kate's uncle Artemis, are taken south on the terrifying Night Train. Kate and her friend Edgar are hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane -- the High Council's most feared man -- recognises Kate as one of the Skilled; a rare group of people able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. His spirit was damaged by the High Council's experiments into the veil, and he's convinced that Kate can undo the damage and allow him to find peace. The knowledge Kate needs lies within Wintercraft -- a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume. But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft. To help Artemis, Edgar and herself, Kate must honour her pact with a murderer and come face to face with the true nature of death." [Source]
A blurb without cover? Does this make sense? No, of course. But instead of the cover I like to present you the atmospheric Wintercraft trailer....
Like my good friend Harry Markov - the unbelievable guy behind Temple Library Reviews - I would like to spread word about The Ninth Avatar (2010, ISBN-13: n 978-0984207046) by Todd Newton. This debut novel has been self-published in 2009. Then it has been picked up by Trappdoor Books. What is the book about? "Wizards have wondered for generations when a human would ascend to become the Ninth Avatar, and what would happen when they did. Opinions differ, but the Ninth Pillar of Magic—that of Darkness—is feared by many whether they use magic or not. When Starka, an outcast priestess of the magic loathing Cathedrals of Myst, receives a prophecy heralding this ascension, a new force rises to threaten the entire known world. The Carrion army, a race of transformed humans bearing black horns and an unquenchable thirst for blood, destroys every city it comes across. Their leader, Zion, has only one goal: to become the living embodiment of magic that is the Ninth Avatar. Aiding Starka in her quest to halt this are DaVille, a mysterious warrior bent on killing the Carrion leader; Cairos, a wizard from the betrayed city of Illiadora; and Wan Du and Lady Mayrah, a man and woman from rival nations now decimated by the Carrion. Amidst all this turmoil, Wadam, a Cardinal of Starka’s faith, seeks to seize control of Myst for himself and thereby subjugate the female leaders. With the world in peril Starka must find the means to prevent these things, or die trying." [Source] And now tell me which kind of cover would you expect? Left or Right?
UNBELIEVABLE!! A a difference like day and night!! The left picture shows the cover of the self-published edition. The right one shows the result of the Trappdoor Books cover art department.
Finally some more good news! Co-blogger Seak will get a copy of The Ninth Avatar soon. So expect a great review in April!
This week I received a package from Cassandra Ammerman, publicist at Tor.com. I knew that Alec tried to get some books for me but I was not sure what to expect. I opened the package with shaky fingers and ...... found two books - one ARC and one paperback. Both books have been written by one author. I speak about Kage Baker who died in January 2010 at the age of 57. Maybe you know her famous Company series. Let's start with The Empress of Mars (2010, ISBN-13: 978-0765325518) which is a novel set in the world of the Company.
"When the British Arean Company founded its Martian colony, it welcomed any settlers it could get. Outcasts, misfits and dreamers emigrated in droves to undertake the grueling task of terraforming the cold red planet--only to be abandoned when the BAC discovered it couldn't turn a profit on Mars. This is the story of Mary Griffith, a determined woman with three daughters, who opened the only place to buy a beer on the Tharsis Bulge. It's the story of Manco Inca, whose attempt to terraform Mars brought a new goddess vividly to life; of Stanford Crosley, con man extraordinaire; of Ottorino Vespucci, space cowboy and romantic hero; of the Clan Morrigan, of the denizens of the Martian Motel, and of the machinations of another Company entirely, all of whom contribute to the downfall of the BAC and the founding of a new world. But Mary and her struggles and triumphs is at the center of it all, in her bar, the Empress of Mars. Based on the Hugo-nominated novella of the same name, this is a rollicking novel of action, planetary romance, and high adventure."
That sounds very promising for me. Let's have a look at the ARC of Not Less Than Gods (2010, ISBN-13: 978-0765318916) which is the ninth book in the Company series. Gulp!!! Should this mean I have to buy and read the other eight books before?? I turned the book, read the back and was relieved:
"Now that the main story arc of Kage Baker's Company novels is completed, she has embarked upon a goup of novels set in the same world and investigating some of the same characters. She has written the story of the young life of Edward Fairfax, who lives in a secretly steampunk version of Victorian England, and in a Europe filled with covered and hidden advanced technologies."
That convinced me to put away every other book and start to read . I know that's crazy!! But I tell you after 106 pages I DIDN'T REGRET! Expect a review soon..... This is the US cover and the blurb:
"Edward is an idealist, and as he grows into manhood, it becomes apparent that he is some kind of superman. He can think faster than normal people, has the utter charm to persuade others, and possesses physical strength. He has been manipulated from birth, created for hidden purposes, and now as a young man is sent on a European tour, as a spy and and an assassin. Edward the idealistic assassin - perhaps the most dangerous man alive."
I can promise you that I will definitely read more Company novels!
Blogosphere
Let me start this part with three questions. Do you like calendars? Do you like fantasy? Do you like ASOIAF? OK, it is not fair to work with abbreviations but in this case I could not withstand. ASOIAF means A Song Of Ice And Fire, a gorgeous series by George R.R. Martin. In July 2010 the new A song of Ice and Fire 2011 Calendar (ISBN-13: 978-0553808001) will be published. Artist Ted Nasmith painted 12 castles located in Westeros, the world of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. I find the pictures more than impressive. And I think it is not only a calendar for fans...
Ever heard from the great series The Malazan Book of the Fallen? All these incredible books written by Steven Erikson. There is a community called Malazan Empire. They offer a lot of information but I found it difficult to enter this community as a newcomer. Therefore I read the first book in the series - The Gardens of the Moon - in 2009 on my own and I have been blown away. Then I won a copy of The Gardens of the Moon (2009, 10th anniversary edition,ISBN-13: 978-0593065068) and I thought by myself that this right cause to reread the book which is so far the only book of the whole series I read. As I found out I'm not the only one who wants to read/ reread which is great. If you want to read/reread the series and to talk about it then I highly recommend to have a look at following posts: Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen: Joining forces by Mihai (Dark Wolf) and The Malazan Re-read of the Fallen: Introductory Post by Stefan Raets and Bill Capossere. Enjoy reading!
I have to avow that I like Twitter a lot. Why? If you follow the right people (publishers, authors, publicists, reader, blogger) you can get a lot information about books AND you can get books. From Monday to Friday I use the most part of my lunch break for Twitter. Let me share my story from Friday with you. I read following tweet by beautifulbooks:
"If anyone wants to #FF us that would be grand. Would make my day to get to 200 followers by the end of the day."
My answer:
"@beautifulbooks I'm follower 203. So you reached your target. Maybe you get 222 by the end of the day ;)"
Then I have had a look at Beautiful Books website and found instantly to books I would like to read. Therefore I twittered:
"@beautifulbooks just had a look at your website and found instantly two interesting books: Sweet Smell of Decay and A plague of Sinners :)"
And this was the totally unexpected answer:
"@ediFanoB Excellent! DM me your address and I'll send you a copy of Sweet Smell."
Of course I sent my address. This is the book I will get. Expect a review within the next three months. The Sweet Smell of Decay (2009, ISBN-13: 978-1905636426) by Paul Lawrence which is the first book in a new series entitled The Chronicles of Harry Lytle.
"Firmly located in Restoration England, these are universally enjoyable novels which combine wonderful period detail and atmosphere with a riveting page-turning quality.
It's London,1664, and Harry has a big problem. He's just discovered he has a young cousin, Anne Giles, and he’s had the pleasure of meeting her for the first time – mutilated and laid out on the slab for an autopsy. His father has tasked him with job of tracking down Anne’s murderer. Harry has some robust assistance from one David Dowling, a resourceful and impressively well-built, but equally hygiene-deficient, butcher. Together they follow a trail of blood, conspiracy and corruption that takes them to the dark and murky corners of Restoration London, featuring a great cast of ne'er-do-wells, cheeky wenches, harmless witches, likeable villains, and not a few unsavoury fellows keen on sending Lytle and his companion to an early grave." [Source]
One more book settled in my favorite town London...
Do you like the books by Tad Williams? I do. And so have been tickled pink when I - thanks to my Goodreads contact and my Google Reader entries - found out that there are two new interviews with Tad Williams are available. Jason Baki, the good guy behind KAMVISION, interviewed Tad Williams recently. Peter Williams, a member of the new blog Speculative Book Review, posted his interview with Tad Williams today. Well done Jason and Peter. I think interviews is one of things which should have to add to the blog in future. I still need to work on my interview skills. And I hope to present you my first interview within 2010... Tim will tell.
Movies
There has been I time where I played games like Morrowind, Oblivion, The Watcher. I liked them a lot. And then I discovered the book blogosphere abyss. I stopped playing.... Within this week I found the trailer for The Witcher 2. Assassins of Kings. That could be a reason to play again.... Watch the trailer. ATTENTION: There is blood, a lot of blood......
Quotes Did you watch the Witcher 2 trailer? Then you know why I searched BLOOD quotes for you. Blood, the juice of life, vampire nutrition, Dexter - blood spatter analyst, ......
"Dexter Morgan: Blood. Sometimes it sets my teeth on edge, other times it helps me control the chaos ” [Source]
"Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.” Mary Hirsch
"The word 'politics' is derived from the word 'poly', meaning 'many', and the word 'ticks', meaning 'blood sucking parasites'.” Larry Hardiman
"Aristotle was famous for knowing everything. He taught that the brain exists merely to cool the blood and is not involved in the process of thinking. This is true only of certain persons.” Will Cuppy
Disclosure: Assume all links are affiliate links (i.e., we get paid a small percentage). That helps run the blog and do what we do, which is mostly reading more books.
You ever find that you like a book more and more the longer you think about it? I didn't overly love The Gunslinger (1982) [US] [UK] when I finished it, but the more I keep thinking about it, the more I really like what King has done here.
