Fantasy Books

Looks like a few people got Kindles for Christmas. With e-book sales skyrocketing from $62 million in 2008 to $863 million in 2010, its no surprise. While people purchased hardcovers prior to Christmas to give as gifts, Kindle Fire sales will likely push hardcovers out of the top five for a while. Also notable that smaller, bite-size books are rising in popularity along with e-books. A Modern Witch, below, is available for $1.99 for the Kindle. Its going to be a wild ride in 2012.

1. 11/22/63: A Novel (Kindle) by Stephen King
2. A Modern Witch (Kindle) by Debora Geary
3. A Game of Thrones (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
4. A Dance with Dragons (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
5. A Clash of Kings (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin

The hardcover versions of the latest by King and Martin take precedence this Christmas week, as it seems like giving a physical object still feels more appropriate as a gift for the moment.

1. 11/22/63: A Novel (Hardcover) by Stephen King
2. 11/22/63: A Novel (Kindle) by Stephen King
3. A Dance with Dragons (Hardcover) by George R.R. Martin
4. A Dance with Dragons (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
5. A Game of Thrones (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin

Stephen King sits on top this holiday season, with George R.R. Martin continuing to sell novels like hot cakes.

1. 11/22/63: A Novel (Kindle) by Stephen King
2. 11/22/63: A Novel (Hardcover) by Stephen King
3. A Dance with Dragons (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
4. A Game of Thrones (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
5. Mary’s Son (Kindle) by Darryl Nyznyk

The Alloy of Law reviews are pouring in, but sadly the biggest news is the passing of Anne McCaffrey. We have lost one of the greats. Her craft will be continued by the current crop of talented fantasy authors, and you can check out interviews with a few current greats like R.A. Salvatore, Patrick Rothfuss, Lev Grossman, Terry Brooks and Daniel Abraham below. Also, Brandon Sanderson talks about writing the Infinity Blade novella. Cool stuff.

• Review: The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
• Review: The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson @ Fantasy Book Review
• Review: The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson @ Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin’ News & Reviews
• Review: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie @ The Rocky Mountain Collegian
• Review: The Gunslinger by Stephen King @ BestFantasyBooks
• Review: The Prodigal Mage by Karen Miller @ Fantasy Book Review
• Review: Neverwinter by R.A. Salvatore @ Grasping for the Wind
• Interview: R.A. Salvatore @ Geeks of Doom
• Interview: Patrick Rothfuss @ Gollancz
• Interview: Daniel Abraham @ Black Gate
• Interview: Lev Grossman @ MTV
• Interview: Paolo Bacigalupi @ Grasping for the Wind
• Interview: Lev Grossman @ i09
• Interview: Terry Brooks @ Suvudu
• Interview: Felicia Day @ Los Angeles Times
• Interview: David Anthony Durham @ If You’re Just Joining Us
• Authors: Anne McCaffrey dies at 85 @ NY Times
• TV: First look at Game of Thrones: Season 2 @ Fanboy
• Video Games: Brandon Sanderson on Infinity Blade novella @ IGN
• Video Games: Game of Thrones: Genesis review @ EuroGamer
• Video Games: Game of Thrones: Genesis review @ Video Game Writers

Stephen King continues to dominate the holiday season, but George R.R. Martin is still scooping up large swaths of bestseller weeks. Its likely Martin will rank first for the annual review.

1. 11/22/63: A Novel (Kindle) by Stephen King
2. 11/22/63: A Novel (Hardcover) by Stephen King
3. A Dance with Dragons (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
4. A Game of Thrones (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
5. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Audiobook) by Gregory Maguire

Stephen King takes first and second this week, with two different formats of the same novel. A Dance with Dragons remains strong, with The Allow of Law by Brandon Sanderson making its debut in fifth.

1. 11/22/63: A Novel (Kindle) by Stephen King
2. 11/22/63: A Novel (Hardcover) by Stephen King
3. A Dance with Dragons (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
4. The Night Circus (Kindle) by Erin Morgenstern
5. The Alloy of Law (Kindle) by Brandon Sanderson

George R.R. Martin continues to own the majority of books in the top 5 with Erin Morgenstern holding first place. Stephen King’s latest rounds out the top 5 this week.

1. The Night Circus (Kindle) by Erin Morgenstern
2. A Dance with Dragons (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
3. 11/22/63: A Novel by Stephen King
4. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
5. A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

A few reviews this week, but the real story is the interview onslaught, kicked off by a Brandon Sanderson sitting down with Fantasy Magazine, and continuing with a plethora of interviews with authors like R.A Salvatore, George R.R. Martin, Lev Grossman, and others.

• Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K Rowling @ Best Fantasy Books
• Review: Gauntlgrym by R.A. Salvatore @ Fantasy Book Review
• Review: The Crippled God by Steven Erikson @ Fantasy Book Review
• Interview: Brandon Sanderson @ Fantasy Magazine
• Interview: R.A. Salvatore @ Apex Book Company
• Interview: George R.R. Martin @ The Sound of Young America
• Interview: Lev Grossman @ The Agony Column
• Interview: Peter V. Brett @ Fantasy Faction
• Interview: Ursula K. Le Guin @ Vimeo
• Interview: George R.R. Martin @ MTV Geek
• Interview: Daniel Abraham @ MTV Geek

George R.R. Martin drops down to fourth, with a slew of new books making the top five. The Night Circus continues its reign in first place.

1. The Night Circus (Hardcover) by Erin Morgenstern
2. A Touch of Night (Kindle) by Sarah A. Hoyt and Sofie Skapski
3. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Kindle) by Lewis Carroll
4. A Dance with Dragons (Kindle) by George R.R. Martin
5. Marysvale (Hardcover) by Jared Southwick

Reviews of The Magician King, American Gods and Goliath this week, along with interviews with George R.R. Martin, Lev Grossman, Tad Williams and Terry Brooks. The Times profiles Jim Butcher, and A Game of Thrones makes first appearances in the comic book and video game industries.

• Review: The Magician King by Lev Grossman @ BC Book Review
• Review: The Magician King by Lev Grossman @ Geeks of Doom
• Review: American Gods by Neil Gaiman @ Best Fantasy Books
• Review: Goliath by Scott Westerfield @ BoingBoing
• Interview: George R.R. Martin @ PRI
• Interview: Lev Grossman @ Functional Nerds
• Interview: Lev Grossman @ Bookotron
• Interview: Tad Williams @ Bookotron
• Interview: Terry Brooks @ Suvudu
• Profile: Jim Butcher @ The New York Times
• Comic: A Game of Thrones #1 @ Geeks of Doom
• Comic: The Guild – Clara @ Geeks of Doom
• Video Games: A Game of Thrones: Genesis trailer @ YouTube
• Funny: Winterfell Weather Report @ Geeks of Doom