Brent Weeks's Blog, page 13
August 7, 2019
Real Life Fantasy: Heat-reactive metals
When we shared that crazy rectangular iceberg a while back, we said there would be more about bismuth in the next RLF entry.
Oops!
I’m cheating a bit with this entry, and directly quoting the online Encyclopedia Brittanica entry for bismuth:
“Bismuth is a rather brittle metal with a somewhat pinkish, silvery metallic lustre. Bismuth is the most diamagnetic of all metals (i.e., it exhibits the greatest opposition to being magnetized). It is hard and coarsely crystalline. It undergoes a 3.3 percent expansion when it solidifies from the molten state. Its electrical conductivity is very poor, but somewhat better in the liquid state than in the solid. With respect to thermal conductivity, it is the poorest of all metals except mercury.
Although it does not tarnish in air at ordinary temperatures, bismuth forms an oxide coating when heated and is oxidized rapidly at its boiling point of 1,560 °C. The yellow colour of this oxide distinguishes it from those formed by other metals. At red heat, bismuth reacts with steam, but it is not affected by cold, air-free water; it combines directly with sulfur and with the halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine). The element is not attacked by hydrochloric acid, and only slightly by hot sulfuric acid, but it is rapidly dissolved by either dilute or concentrated nitric acid.”
The bold and italic sentence above is what makes bismuth so dang cool.
TL;DR –
A chunk of regular old bismuth.
And this is rainbow magic oxidized bismuth!
Similarly, here’s what happens when you expose bars of titanium to different wavelengths of light:
Found this gem on Reddit a while ago. Link in pic.
Speaking of Reddit, I also found a video of a person torching a brick of pure copper: https://bit.ly/2TrWsrP]
The thing is, oxidation does some pretty wicked things to many of the elements found on Earth… And thermodynamics (ie heat, or the lack thereof) changes everything. The amount of heat needed to catalyze a chemical reaction depends on the element or compound, atmospheric pressure, density, volume, etc.
Aaaaand, as some of you may know, we humans have trace amounts of several metals in our bodies–each essential to our good health.
LiveScience comes through again! Thanks y’all.
Calcium (that’s right, calcium is a metal!), cobalt, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, and zinc are the primary metals found in humans.
You see where I’m going with this?
Drafters use the chemical compounds in their bodies to create luxin. The same compounds that exist in all of us. Being lightsick, like being hungover, stems from a person’s body chemistry being out of balance (which is why hydration and electrolytes are so helpful in recovering from too much… drafting).
So my question for you, faithful Chromeriacs, is this: is The Lightbringer Series epic fantasy… Or science fiction?
The post Real Life Fantasy: Heat-reactive metals appeared first on Brent Weeks.
August 1, 2019
THE BLINDING KNIFE: Reread with The Fantasy Inn
The Lightbringer re-read is in full swing, and the fine folks at The Fantasy Inn read book #2 (The Blinding Knife) shared the full review on their website yesterday. Go forth, click through, tally ho! Or something.
ALSO: Barnes & Noble had special edition signed copies of THE BURNING WHITE available for pre-order…. Until yesterday evening, when they sold out. (!!!) Stay tuned for more news on the availability of signed copies, the audiobook, and tour stops!
Meanwhile, you should go pre-order a second copy of the book from your favorite purveyor of fine literature, for that friend or family member who will flip out when they open it as their extra special Halloween present from their new favorite person (you).
This lady loves alliteration almost as much as laughter.
The post THE BLINDING KNIFE: Reread with The Fantasy Inn appeared first on Brent Weeks.
The Blinding Knife: Reread with The Fantasy Inn
The Lightbringer re-read is in full swing, and the fine folks at The Fantasy Inn read book #2 (The Blinding Knife) shared the full review on their website yesterday. Go forth, click through, tally ho! Or something.
ALSO: Barnes & Noble had special edition signed copies of THE BURNING WHITE available for pre-order…. Until yesterday evening, when they sold out. (!!!) Stay tuned for more news on the availability of signed copies, the audiobook, and tour stops!
Meanwhile, you should go pre-order a second copy of the book from your favorite purveyor of fine literature, for that friend or family member who will flip out when they open it as their extra special Halloween present from their new favorite person (you).
This lady loves alliteration almost as much as laughter.
The post The Blinding Knife: Reread with The Fantasy Inn appeared first on Brent Weeks.
July 26, 2019
July Q&R video is live!
Happy Friday!
Here’s the July 2019 edition of my FB Q&R series:
The post July Q&R video is live! appeared first on Brent Weeks.
July 23, 2019
Real Life Fantasy: Heat-reactive metals
When we shared that crazy rectangular iceberg a while back, we said there would be more about Bismuth in the next RLF entry.
Oops!
[image here, along with brief explanation of bismuth]
Related, here’s what happens when you expose bars of titanium to different wavelengths of light:
[image, followed by explanation]
And when you torch a brick of pure copper:
[image, explanation]
The post Real Life Fantasy: Heat-reactive metals appeared first on Brent Weeks.
Fan Art Tuesday: Victoria Campbell
Hi friends!
In this edition of Fan Art Tuesday, we’re featuring illustrations of a few Lightbringer characters from the talented and illustrious Victoria Campbell (v3ici) :
Liv Danavis
Andross Guile
Gavin Guile
Karris White Oak
Kip Delauria
You can find more of Victoria’s work on their website, Instagram, and Twitter. They also have a Patreon page.
The post Fan Art Tuesday: Victoria Campbell appeared first on Brent Weeks.
July 15, 2019
The Burning White is one of Indigo’s Most Anticipated Books!
Hi there, friends in Canada!
Indigo Books & Music is running a “Most Anticipated” promotion this week, with 40% off the upcoming titles they’re most excited about… and THE BURNING WHITE is one of their picks.
The sale runs July 15-21 (that’s today until Sunday) only, so grab your copy ASAP!
The post The Burning White is one of Indigo’s Most Anticipated Books! appeared first on Brent Weeks.
July 9, 2019
THE BLACK PRISM: Reread with Daniel Greene
Just in case you missed it, Orbit is hosting a Lightbringer reread in advance of the release of THE BURNING WHITE! Daniel Greene kicked off the festivities with his (re)review of The Black Prism:
Fantasy Inn has taken up the mantle, and are working on The Blinding Knife in July. Stay tuned for more updates!
The post THE BLACK PRISM: Reread with Daniel Greene appeared first on Brent Weeks.
Lightbringer Re-Read: THE BLACK PRISM
Just in case you missed it, Orbit is hosting a Lightbringer reread in advance of the release of THE BURNING WHITE! Daniel Greene kicked off the festivities with his (re)review of The Black Prism:
Fantasy Inn has taken up the mantle, and are working on The Blinding Knife in July. Stay tuned for more updates!
The post Lightbringer Re-Read: THE BLACK PRISM appeared first on Brent Weeks.
July 4, 2019
THE WAY OF SHADOWS is a Kindle Daily Deal
Amazon is offering THE WAY OF SHADOWS as a Kindle Daily Deal for $2.99. A steal at twice the price! (This is also Brent’s affiliate link.)
This smokin’ hot deal won’t last long–open up that Amazon app and buy a copy! Your brain will thank you.
Reasons to buy a(nother) copy of Night Angel #1 for Kindle:
You want to protect your [signed] copy
Your friend/parent/coworker/cousin/roommate/sibling borrowed it months ago & refuses to return it
It’s your bookworm friend’s/parent’s/coworker’s/cousin’s/roommate’s/sibling’s/partner’s birthday
Someone you care about/random stranger asked for a book recommendation
You’ve read Lightbringer 500 times and need a new series to get into
You want to read along while you listen to the audiobook
You’re welcome!
The post THE WAY OF SHADOWS is a Kindle Daily Deal appeared first on Brent Weeks.
