Joe Abercrombie is a British dude. A British dude who just so happens to be making waves in the Fantasy field at the moment. His first novel, The Blade Itself, was released to critical (and fan) acclaim in 2006, with many in the UK and Canada putting it right near the top of the genre right behind Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora. Soon to be released in The United States, it is sure to garner similar critical success.

The sequel to Joe’s first novel, Before They Are Hanged was recently released in the UK and Canada and faired just as well, if not better, with fans and critics alike, firmly placing Joe, who is hard at work on the concluding novel of the trilogy, Last Argument of Kings, as an author that everyone should be keeping an eye on!

Joe writes stories brimming with charming, charismatic characters who readers just love to hate! If you’re a fan of the sharp wit in Joe’s novels (or even if you haven’t read them), I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by Joe! He’s just as dastardly and biting as any of his characters! So, without further adieu, I leave you with the interview.

Enjoy!
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Author: J.K. Rowling

Hardcover
Publisher: Raincoast Books; 1st edition
Release Date: Jul 21 2007
ISBN-10: 1551929767
ISBN-13: 978-1551929767

No one needs to be reminded at how firmly the Harry Potter phenomenon has gripped the globe. The first six novels have sold millions upon millions of copies and have created new readers out of young and old alike. So it must have been daunting indeed for author J.K. Rowling when she sat down and first put her fingers to her keyboard to begin work on the seventh, and final, installment of her mega-successful series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. How does an author, with so much pressure on her shoulders, begin to draw together the strings previously laid down through thousands of pages? In Rowling’s case: you plan.

And it sure shows.
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Being a writer is different these days. No longer are writers confined to their little cabins in the woods, shut out from all social contact until their next book tour. Instead they are now a part of a rapidly growing community of bloggers, messageboard fiends, and Internet Celebrities: and they’d better be ready and willing to take part in discussion with their fans, respond to criticism of their own works or just shoot the shit with friends they have never met in person, or they just might be left behind in the dust.

There seems to have been a tremendous shift in focus in recent days from publishers and authors alike, a shift that is taking authors off their untouchable pedestals and placing them down among their fans, in an effort to show just how real and genuine these authors really are. No longer are the days when the only contact a fan could have with their favourite authors is regulated to a yearly tour stop… if they come to your area at all.

This Internet phenomenon is an evolution of the old word-of-mouth advertising that has fueled book sales for hundreds of years. But in this new Internet-savvy world, instead of a fan being able to reach a dozen or so of their friends, blogs and message boards are now allowing this word-of-mouth to reach the eyes and ears of literally thousands of other readers. A simple post from a well established blog such as Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist, or a favourable review from a popular website like SFFworld can go great lengths in bolstering the buzz or appeal around an author’s latest work. New Fantasy authors such as David Anthony Durham, Scott Lynch and Patrick Rothfuss have benefited greatly from the positive buzz associated with their novels throughout the Blog-o-sphere.

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Like the fellow who meme’d me (Neth from Neth Space) I’m not a big fan of chain letters (which is essentially what this is). They always scared me as a kid… because they told me I’d be cursed if I didn’t send it to 27 people… and when you’re only 10 you definitely don’t know 27 people. In any case, out of respect for Neth and my fellow bloggers, I suppose I should follow along with the crazyness.

So, here goes.

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With the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows only hours away, I, like millions of other folk on the planet, am bursting at the seams with anticipation. In preparation for this, and my review that will come as soon as I finish the book, I thought it would be prudent to let my readers know a little bit about my thoughts on the Harry Potter series and what it means to me.

So, to that effect, below you will find a review/pontification on the first six novels in the Harry Potter cycle. I’ve kept any major spoilers out of the review, and there are absolutely no spoilers at all about book 7 (I’m as in the dark as anyone, I’ve made it my life duty over the past few weeks to avoid anything that remotely resembles a spoiler), but there are what some might consider very mild spoilers of general events in the first six novels, mostly concerning the general direction the series has taken. Potter-newbies should be able to read the review safely, but I thought I’d warn you just in case!

*** Warning: Mild Spoilers for Harry Potter books 1-6 *** Click “Read More” to find the review

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Before They Are Hanged

Author: Joe Abercrombie

Paperback
Pages: 448 pages
Publisher: McArthur & Co / Orion Con Trad
Release Date: April 12 2007
ISBN-10: 0575077883
ISBN-13: 978-0575077881

Joe Abercrombie’s first novel, The Blade Itself slipped under my radar for a long time. Somehow I had missed a novel that many named 2006’s best debut novel. I rectified this mistake recently by tracking down the novel and proceeding to read it, love it and write it a rather glowing review.

So it was with much excitement that I picked up the sequel, the recently published Before They Are Hanged, eagerly looking to dive back into Abercrombie’s world. A world full of despicable, charming, dastardly, funny and downright evil characters. Before They Are Hanged, and especially those aforementioned characters, didn’t let me down… too much.
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Welcome to another edition of A Changing of the Guard! When I first posted A Changing of the Guard a few weeks ago (which can be found HERE) it was met with a lot of success. So it was an easy decision to decide to make it an ongoing series of articles outlining a lot of the new and great authors entering the Fantasy field in recent years.

Before we get started I’ll just let you know that I’ve opened up the range of authors I’m taking a look at, including people like Richard K. Morgan who has several novels under their belt, as I feel that authors such as him still qualify as members of this new generation.

So, without further adieu, I send you off, hope you enjoy what you find and maybe even discover a new favourite author!

Brandon Sanderson
Website

Brandon Sanderson is a relative newcomer to the world of published writers. Sanderson debuted on the scene with Elantris, a clever and original standalone novel, and was met with critical success from both the major publications (Kirkus and Publishers Weekly) and fantasy fans alike.

When Tor Books purchased the rights to Elantris, the also purchased the rights to Sanderson’s next trilogy, the first book of which was just released. Mistborn has received as much positive praise as Elantris and looks to be a great start to a compelling new Fantasy trilogy. Sanderson was even mentioned my recent interview with the illustrious Robin Hobb as an author to keep an eye on! If that isn’t pedigree then I don’t know what is!

Elantris
US | Canada | UK
Mistborn
US | Canada | UK

Richard K. Morgan
Website

Richard K. Morgan is a bit of an anomaly on this list due to the fact that his first novel, Altered Carbon, was first released in 2002, making him not exactly a new author, but he’s not really a vet, either, so I decided his inclusion here was acceptable.

Morgan has made a name for himself by writing gritty, dystopian Sci-Fi novels, many of which feature Takeshi Kovecs, a refreshingly intriguing anti-hero with a twist. From the release of his debut novel and through to his latest release, Black Man (titled Thirteen in the U.S.), Morgan has garnered more praise with every release. Indeed, Black Man/Thirteen is being hailed by many as one of the strongest and most compelling works of speculative fiction this year.

Altered Carbon
US | Canada | UK
Broken Angels
US | Canada | UK
Market Forces
US | Canada | UK
Woken Furies
US | Canada | UK
Black Man/Thirteen
US | Canada | UK

Alison Croggon
Website

From the growing population of Australian Fantasy authors comes Alison Croggon, a poet and playwright who had her first Fantasy novel, The Gift (title The Naming in the U.S.) published in 2002. Since then she has published two further novels in the Pellinor series. The final novel of the series, The Singing is due in 2008.

Many consider Croggon’s work to be geared towards women, but Croggon herself (on her forum over at SFFWorld has stated that she has had as strong a response from male readers as she has from females, so I can say with confidence that Fantasy fans of either gender can feel confident when they pick up Croggon’s novels!

The Gift/The Naming
US | Canada | UK
The Riddle
US | Canada | UK
The Crow
US | Canada | Uk

Daniel Abraham
Website

Abraham is a newcomer to the world of full length Fantasy novels, but is well acquainted with the world of writing. His novelette, Flat Diane, was nominated for a prestigious Nebula Award, putting him into a prestigious place among his peers. 2006 saw the release of A Shadow in Summer, the first novel in The Long Price Quartet, a novel which George R.R. Martin called “A poignant human tale of power, heartbreak, and betrayal.” Big words, indeed.

Abraham has a new website, which he assures he now has the ability to update himself, and is sure to give us a good look at what he’s up to as his writing career continues to take off! On his web site he lets readers know that his current novel, A Shadow in Summer will see a paperback release at the end of July and its sequel, A Betrayal in Winter, is coming out this August!

One of the most exciting tidbits about Abraham is that he has a forthcoming novel with none other than Fantasy-darling George R.R. Martin. If that isn’t something to be excited about then I don’t know what is!

A Shadow in Summer
US | Canada | UK
A Betrayal in Winter
US | Canada | UK

Drew Bowling
Website

I just recently gave a favourable review to Drew Bowling’s debut novel, The Tower of Shadows, and for good reason: this kid can write. You’ve probably noticed by now, taking a look at the photo to the left, that Bowling is young, something not often seen in the Fantasy field. But since the rise of Christopher Paolini and his mega-successful Inheritance Trilogy the way has been paved for young authors to be given a chance at success and Bowling is one of these authors who we’re lucky slipped through the cracks.

Bowling has a flair for prose and a determination to write fun, punchy novels that are sorely lacking from the genre. It won’t be long before he carves himself a nice niche and finds an audience who will eat up anything he produces. Even at a young age (early 20′s) he’s produced a novel that’s fast, fun and entirely readable and makes him a deserving member in this edition of A Changing of the Guard

The Tower of Shadows
US | Canada | UK

This article is also published at SFFWorld and can be found HERE.