Fantasy Book News » Robin Hobb

Fantasy Blogosphere: May 9, 2010

Jeff — Sun, 09 May 2010 13:00:23 +0000

Pairs galore this week, as we feature two interviews with Jim Butcher, and a review and interview with Tad Williams. Check out the reviews of Guy Gavriel Kay and Adrian Tchaikovsky’s most recent works, and don’t miss the US dates for Robin Hobb’s Dragon Haven tour.

Review: Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay @ The Wertzone
Review: Dragonfly Falling by Adrian Tchaikovsky @ Elitist Book Review
Review: The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams @ King of the Nerds
Interview (audio): Jim Butcher @ The Dragon Page
Interview: Jim Butcher @ The Absent Willow Review
Interview: Joe Abercrombie @ The David Gemmell Legend
Interview: Tad Williams @ SFF World
TV: George R.R. Martin comments on the HBO series @ The Los Angeles Times
Authors: Robin Hobb’s US tour dates for Dragon Haven @ Fantasy Book Review

Fantasy Blogosphere: May 2, 2010

Jeff — Sun, 02 May 2010 13:00:17 +0000

When it rains it pours, and this week we bypass any book reviews for updates from Patrick Rothfuss and George R.R. Martin on their next books, A Wise Man’s Fear and A Dance with Dragons. Big events seem to come in threes, and in a week where we get updates from two of fantasy fiction’s heavy hitters, we also get wind that Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series is to be adapted by Ron Howard as a movie trilogy. There’s other stuff going on, but honestly, these three items take the cake for probably the week, the month, and up until this point, the year. So I’ll stop now, go check ‘em out!

Release: Patrick Rothfuss reveals release date for A Wise Man’s Fear @ Fantasy Book Review
Interview (audio): George R.R. Martin talks about A Dance with Dragons @ The Dragon Page
Interview: R.A. Salvatore @ Gamasutra
Interview: Peter V. Brett to write Red Sonya comic @ Suvudu
Film: Ron Howard to adapt Stephen King’s The Dark Tower as trilogy @ ScreenCrave
Author Blogs: Robin Hobb on fantasy settings @ Borders SciFi
TV: Legend of the Seeker to be cancelled @ IGN
Art: One of Frazetta’s best preps for auction @ iNewswire

Fantasy Blogosphere: March 21, 2010

Jeff — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:00:21 +0000

Reviews galore, an interview with R.A. Salvatore, an update on Scott Lynch, and news about The Hobbit film. What more could you ask for? Okay, how about an update from Ursula K. Le Guin on her crusade to uphold the rights of authors everywhere in this digital age? You got it.

Review: A Young Man Without Magic by Lawrence Watt-Evans @ Fantasy Book Critic
Review: The Magicians by Lev Grossman @ Sophisticated Dorkiness
Review: Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb @ SciFi Fantasy Fiction
Review: Realms of the Dead by Various (including R.A. Salvatore) @ Grasping for the Wind
Interview: R.A. Salvatore @ The Author Hour
Personal: Scott Lynch update @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
Rights: Ursula K. Le Guin on Art, Information, Theft and Confusion @ Book View Cafe Blog
Music: Michael Moorcock’s writing playlist @ The New York Times
Movies: Ian McKellen says Guillermo Del Toro to begin filming The Hobbit @ Geeks of Doom

Fantasy Blogosphere: February 14, 2010

Jeff — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:33:10 +0000

We kick off this week with a review of A Feast for Crows over at The Wertzone, and follow it up with reviews of books by Daniel Abraham, Mark Chadbourn, R.A. MacAvoy, and Robin Hobb.

We’ve also got some great interviews this week, featuring Robin Hobb, David Drake, and the first sci-fi author interview we’ve ever highlighted with Daniel Suarez. I heard the interview with Daniel Suarez on The Dragon Page podcast this week, and even though we cover mainly fantasy topics, this interview is just too good to miss. I love the idea of an author knowing more about internet security than the federal government, and will likely check out Daemon.

And finally, the e-book market is getting a bit rowdy, with Amazon and Macmillan doing a bit of bickering over prices this week.

Review: A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin @ The Wertzone
Review: A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham @ Only the Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review: The Silver Skull: Swords of Albion by Mark Chadbourn @ Fantasy Book Critic
Review: The Book of Kells by R.A. MacAvoy @ ScienceFictionFantasy.blogspot.com
Review: Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb @ MercuryNews.com
Interview: Robin Hobb @ SciFiChick.com
Interview: Daniel Suarez @ The Dragon Page
Interview: David Drake @ Bookotron
News: Amazon and Macmillan throw elbows over e-book prices @ The Boston Phoenix

Fantasy Blogosphere: February 7, 2010

Jeff — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:00:09 +0000

We’ve got a boatload of reviews this week, covering everything from more recent titles like The Gathering Storm and Dragon Keeper to young classics such as A Storm of Swords, The Hero of Ages and The Lies of Locke Lamora. The Stormcaller by Tom Lloyd also looks promising, having potentially been looked over in a year when other authors like Scott Lynch were making their big debuts. The Dragon Page recently intervieweed Gail Z. Martin, and Ursula K. Le Guin continues to fight for her rights against Google. We cap off a stellar week with news of an inmate in Wisconsin being prohibited from playing D&D in prison. What will inmates want next, a renaissance festival on prison grounds?

Review: The Price of Spring by Daniel Abraham @ Fantasy Book News & Reviews
Review: A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin @ The Wertzone
Review: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson @ Unbound
Review: Arms-Commander by L.E. Modesitt Jr. @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
Review: The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson @ A Fantasy Reader
Review: The Stormcaller by Tom Lloyd @ Only the Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch @ Intelli-Gent Reviews
Review: Nightchild by James Barclay @ Fantasy Book News & Reviews
Review: City of Torment by Bruce R. Cordell @ Fantasy Book Critic
Review: Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb @ SuperFastReader
Interview: George R.R. Martin @ Suvudu
Interview: Gail Z. Martin @ The Dragon Page
News: Ursula K. Le Guin vs Google @ CBC News
News: Inmate loses appeal to play Dungeons & Dragons @ NYDailyNews.com

Fantasy Blogosphere: January 24, 2010

Jeff — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:00:15 +0000

If our last Fantasy Blogosphere post was the most eclectic yet, then this is the most abundant. Chock full of review goodness, this post features reviews of books by Robin Hobb, David Anthony Durham, Ken Scholes, George R.R. Martin, Guy Gavriel Kay, Daniel Abraham, James Barclay and Terry Pratchett, and a triage of Jim Butcher reviews from NextRead. Pat’s got a fresh interview with Joe Abercrombie, and there’s exciting news all around; its looking like we’re really going to see A Game of Thrones as an HBO series, R.A. Salvatore signs for 6 additional Forgotten Realms books, and the movie rights for Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy have been optioned. What a great time to be a fantasy fan!

Review: The Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb @ Fantasy Book Critic
Review: First Lord’s Fury by Jim Butcher @ Fantasy Book Critic
Review: Acacia by David Anthony Durham @ A Fantasy Reader
Review: Canticle by Ken Scholes @ Adventures in Reading
Review: A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin @ The Wertzone
Review: White Night by Jim Butcher @ NextRead
Review: Small Favour by Jim Butcher @ NextRead
Review: Turn Coat by Jim Butcher @ NextRead
Review: Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay @ The James Review
Review: A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham @ The Stamp
Review: Dawnthief by James Barclay @ Ty’s Book Review
Review: Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett @ SF Signal
Interview: Joe Abercrombie @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
News: GRRM A Game of Thrones HBO series looking more likely @ Geeks of Doom
News: R.A. Salvatore signs new book deal with WotC @ The Wertzone
News: Movie rights optioned for Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy @ BSC Review

Top 10 Fantasy Books for 2010

Jeff — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:00:51 +0000

Here’s my list of the books I’m most excited to read in 2010. The first three are not released yet, and are possibly the most highly anticipated fantasy novels slated for (potential) release in 2010. Picks 4-6 are historical fiction, or some twist on the sub-genre. Books 7-9 are continuations, if not necessarily in the same series, of authors I’ve already read at least once. And my final pick is a classic thrown in for good measure.

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

I know its been five years since A Feast for Crows. But Pat over at Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist has this book slated for release in 2010, and he knows George R.R. Martin personally. Coincidence? Hopefully, for legions of A Song of Ice and Fire Fans, its a bit more.

The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch

The first two books in Scott Lynch’s fantasy debut series have redefined the meaning of action fantasy. Saying the third book in this seven book series is highly anticipated is like saying Tiger Woods made a boo-boo. In other words, its going to be huge.

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

Patrick Rothfuss delivered a home run with his first novel, The Name of the Wind, and rightfully earned himself a seat among the top dogs in the fantasy novel industry. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that we’ll see this one drop in 2010.

Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson

With a degree in anthropology, Steven Erikson’s ability with characterization should be fantastic. Gardens of the Moon is the first book in the ten book Malazan Book of the Fallen series. With historical fiction gaining traction in the industry and the popularity of the later novels in this series recently, I’m interested to get Erikson’s take on fantasy novels.

Acacia by David Anthony Durham

Durham has traveled the world, and lived in Scotland for a number of years, before landing in California as a Creative Writing professor at California State University. He’s made a name for himself writing novels involving The American Civil War, Carthage and the war with the Roman Republic. Acacia is his first attempt in the epic fantasy genre, and has made some noise in the industry.

Lamentation by Ken Scholes

Ken Scholes is a new name for me, and really a new name in the fantasy industry with his first novel Lamentation having been published in February 2009. The second novel in the series, Canticle, was released to even higher acclaim, which prompted me to jump on board and catch up with the series.

Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

I read the first book in Jim Butcher’s urban fantasy series, Storm Front, in 2009. While I’m definitely continuing that series, I’m really interested to see Butcher’s take on epic fantasy, which thankfully he has provided in the form of The Codex Alera series. This six book series has received some great reviews, and if anything like his urban fantasy series, you can be sure you’ll be in for a treat.

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson has been the talk of the industry in 2009, with his co-authoring of the most recent book in Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy series. I read the amazing Mistborn in 2009, and I’m hoping that with The Well of Ascension the trend continues.

Shaman’s Crossing by Robin Hobb

I read Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb in 2009, and while Shaman’s Crossing is not set in the same world, I’m hoping for some more great writing from Hobb. This one has received somewhat of a mixed batch of reviews, but with the grace that Hobb pulled off Ship of Magic, I decided to be the judge myself.

The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

What’s a year of fantasy book reading without a classic thrown into the mix? I’ve decided to add to my blend of classic fantasy literature by adding The Dragonbone Chair, seasoning appropriately, and simmering for a few weeks.

Top 10 Fantasy Books of 2009

Jeff — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:00:11 +0000

Okay, so I want to make sure we’re clear before diving in: this is not a list of the best fantasy books released in 2009, but rather the top books read and reviewed here at Fantasy Book News in 2009. That said, there are some newer books, and some classics, but overall this is an elite list of fantasy novels that any avid reader should check out. And away we go.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

While this series is going on fifteen years, I gave a re-read to the first novel in the Song of Ice and Fire series in 2009, in audio book format. The book still has the same enchanting effect as the first time I read it, and is still the standard to which I compare most other fantasy books, and absolutely any epic fantasy books. Check out the full review of A Game of Thrones.

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

The second book in Lynch’s seven book Gentlemen Bastards series delivered what many creative people struggle to accomplish time and time again: give the audience a better experience than the original. Red Seas Under Red Skies upped the stakes from The Lies of Locke Lamora, and hit ended up hitting a grand slam. Read the full review of Red Seas Under Red Skies.

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

This whopping freshman fantasy novel by Rothfuss completely transports you to another world, which is one of the goals that every fantasy novel aspires to. Believe me, I read most of it while lounging poolside in Araxa, Brazil, and I can’t tell you how many times I forgot my beautiful surroundings for the world that Rothfuss creates. Check out the full review of The Name of the Wind.

The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

The quintessential fairy tale, The Last Unicorn is simply a beautiful story. Get lost in a world of fantasy and magic, complimented with a fantastically original plot and a genuine sense of humor. Read the full review of The Last Unicorn.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn is an absolutely beautiful novel. Its got everything that a fantasy reader looks for: insanely original devices, characters you can identify with, tons of action, and wholesome undercurrents. We have a full review of Mistborn over here.

The Lies of Locke Lamora

Not falling to far behind the second novel in this series is The Lies of Locke Lamora. Lynch’s city of Camorr is a truly devilish one, and creates the perfect backdrop for the thieving ways of his characters to thrive. Redefining exactly what is knows as ‘action fantasy’, Lynch’s debut is definitely not one to be missed. Check out our full review of The Lies of Locke Lamora.

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

Another truly original idea is explored with fantastic characterization. Plus, who doesn’t like a novel with pirates? Check out our full review of Ship of Magic.

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

The oldest book on our list is certainly not any less of a quality read. Kushner’s ability with conversation is unmatched. If you’re up for a fast paced sword dueling adventure, this one is for you. Read our full review of Swordspoint.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

The final two books on our top 10 list for 2009 belong to the urban fantasy genre. Neverwhere is perhaps the benchmark for all current urban fantasy, and is a classic fantasy read. Sort of a modern take on Alice in Wonderland. Check out our full review of Neverwhere.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Arguably the reigning urban fantasy king, Storm Front is the first in Jim Butcher’s uber-popular Dresden Files series. Storm Front is an extremely fast-paced hilarious take on the genre. Read our full review of Storm Front.

Fantasy Blogosphere: December 13, 2009

Jeff — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:00:44 +0000

Everyone is gearing up for the holidays, and this means two things: people are talking about the best books from 2009 (gift ideas!), and people are talking about the most anticipated books form 2010.

We start off with a healthy assortment of reviews, get into a pair of fantastic interviews (check out Rothfuss & Abercrombie – they’re downright hilarious), and top it off with some industry news, recaps of 2009 and outlooks for 2010. I should note that Pat over at Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist seems to be doing everything right this holiday season, hence the need to link to him four times. Great stuff.

Review: The Infernal City by Greg Keyes @ Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review
Review: Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie @ Adventures in Reading
Review: Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia by Brandon Sanderson @ Fyrefly’s Book Blog
Review: The Magicians by Lev Grossman @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
Interview: Robin Hobb @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
Interview: Patrick Rothfuss interviews Joe Abercrombie @ Patrick Rothfuss’ personal blog
Industry: E-book controversy @ Fantasy Book News & Reviews
Ratings: Best Fantasy Books Ever, a list by Lev Grossman @ The Week
Outlook: Most anticipated fantasy books of 2010 @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
Top 10: Speculative fiction books of 2009 @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
Top 10: Anticipated fantasy novels of 2010 @ Fantasy Book Critic

Fantasy Blogosphere: November 22, 2009

Jeff — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:33:12 +0000

Check out a Thanksgiving-sized helping of fantasy book reviews this week, including a pair on The Magicians by Lev Grossman, Pat’s review of The Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb, and reviews of books by David Anthony Durham, Terry Brooks, and more.

We’ve also got news on The Dark Tower film project, Choose Your Own Adventure books make it to Kindle publication, and I give my take on the worst ending in fantasy books over at Grasping for the Wind.

Review: The Magicians by Lev Grossman @ Bird-brained Book Blog
Review: The Magicians by Lev Grossman @ Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin’ News & Reviews
Review: Servant of a Dark God by John Brown @ Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin’ News & Reviews
Review: The Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb @ Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist
Review: The Other Lands by David Anthony Durham @ King of the Nerds
Review: A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks @ Drying Ink
News: Choose Your Own Adventure books now available on Kindle @ Fantasy Book News & Reviews
The Worst Endings in Fantasy/Sci-Fi @ Grasping for the Wind
Dissed: Industry producer/directors turn down The Dark Tower project @ movie-moron.com