Monthly Archives: October 2012

Abaddon's Gate by James S.A. Corey

Another solid effort from Daniel Dociu, Kirk Benshoff and Orbit Books. I’m glad to see them keeping continuity between covers, ’cause man, this series will look mighty fine on my bookshelf. Too bad there wasn’t a hardcover release…

Abaddon’s Gate is set for a June 2013 release.

Han Solo, Art by Mark Raats

Han Solo, Art by Mark Raats

Huh. Some interesting news out of NYC Comic Con:

The other big announcement was the reveal of a third book in the upcoming “Rebels” standalone novels, all of which focus on the main characters in the original trilogy and which take place between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.

The new book, focused on Han Solo, will be written by James S. A. Corey, otherwise known as Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, the authors of the well-received space opera Leviathan Wakes (and its recent sequel Caliban’s War).

Han Solo, Chewie, Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck all combining forces? Will this be the third Star Wars novel that I ever read? Maybe.

Qavah the Brave by Wes Talbott

Qavah the Brave (Art by Wes Talbott)

We’re all aware of the prototypical ‘tough’ heroine that floats perpetuates itself in the the Fantasy/Science Fiction/Superhero art world: clothes a-tatter, cleavage heaving, an uncomprehendingly contradictory air of both immense sexuality, helplessness and badassness. But, what about all those little girls (and boy) who are growing up and looking for a strong, female rolemodel. Whether a beautiful portrait, or an inspiring character, I’ve gathered together a collection of strong women who kids (and adults) can hopefully find some inspiration in.

When I grow up, I’m gonna be

I don’t have children, but when I do, I won’t mind one bit if they look up to characters like these and, just maybe, tell me, “Daddy, when I grow up, I wanna be a Knight, a Super Woman, A Wizard!” (Or even a Time Lord Lady.) For more art like this, check out my post on ‘Women Fighters In Reasonable Armor’

Who are some of your favourite inspirational women in Science Fiction, Fantasy or Comic Books?

The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells

The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells, Art by Matthew Stewart

From Wells’ official website:

The good Raksura news: I will be doing four Raksura-related novellas for Night Shade Books, to be released as ebooks! The first three are due next year, but I’m not sure when they’ll be released. The first two will have Moon, Jade, Chime, Balm, etc, but I’m not sure about the second two yet.

Great news for fans of Wells’ Raksura novels, of which there are many. I love to see authors expanding their universes by tackling shorter stories, allowing readers to explore the nooks and crannies that may not be suitable to full novel-length stories. If you’re interested in learning more about Wells and her work, there’s a terrific interview with her on The Mad Hatter’s Book Shelf and Book Review (*phew* that’s a long name!). The Book Smugglers have also raved about her work, saying, “The Cloud Roads can be described as traditional Fantasy in a very fundamental level but it’s also a solid, un-clichéd traditional fantasy. In fact, this is quite possibly the best thing about the book, that it takes very traditional tropes and makes them fresh and imaginative, immersing readers in a world that is truly original and awe-inspiring.”

The novellas will be published by Night Shade Books in 2013.

A Portrait of Neil Gaiman by Adrien Deggan

A Portrait of Neil Gaiman by Adrien Deggan

A synopsis for Neil Gaiman’s next novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, has surfaced, and I haven’t stopped drooling since:

It began for our narrator forty years ago, when the family lodger stole their car and committed suicide in it, stirring up ancient powers best left undisturbed.

His only defense are three women on a farm at the end of the lane. The youngest of them claims that her duckpond is ocean. The oldest can remember the Big Bang.

It’s short and sweet, but hints at all the magic that I expect from Gaiman, who explains the novel as “a fable that reshapes modern fantasy” and “a novel of childhood and memory. It’s a story of magic, about the power of stories and how we face the darkness inside each of us. It’s about fear, and love, and death, and families. But, fundamentally, I hope, at its heart, it’s a novel about survival.”

The Ocean at the End of the Lane will release on June 18, 2013, and this blogger’ll be in line at the bookstore.