Alex C. Telander's Blog, page 80
May 10, 2012
“Throne of the Crescent Moon” by Saladin Ahmed (Daw, 2012)
Saladin Ahmed has been on the writing scene for a little while, publishing stories in the likes of Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show and StarshipSofa, as well as receiving praise from the likes of Publisher’s Weekly and Locus. And now he arrives with his first novel, the surprisingly slim, but action- and detailed-packed Throne of the Crescent Moon, the first in the Crescent Moon Kingdoms series.
Welcome to a world and a land that you might think at first is familiar, but you will soon find is unique and complex and compelling and exciting. This is the world of the Crescent Moon Kingdoms, where the djenn and ghuls are at play with people’s lives, while the holy warriors and Khalifs vie for control and power and domination. It is a busy world with many different and unusual people, but Saladin Ahmed skillfully introduces the readers to the necessary few one needs to know.
Our main character and hero, albeit elderly and worn, is one Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, who enjoys his quiet time and his tea in his middle age. His story and history is that of one of the greatest ghul hunters the great city of Dhamsawaat has known, but he is now being called back for one last time to use his power and magic for good, after the family of a good friend is murdered, and ghuls appear to be involved. Fortunately, he has the help of young Raseed bas Raseed, his assistant and holy warrior who is extremely skilled with the curved, notched sword, so long as he is delivering God’s justice. And then there is Zami Badawi, a young girl who is now the leader of her people, but also the last of her people and is looking to avenge them.
Ahmed hasn’t only created a complex world with compelling characters, but a magic system that is fresh and captivating. When Adoulla casts his magic, using passages from the holy writ imbued with his powers, the ghuls are obliterated, but the magic comes at a cost, as he finds himself weakened after the casting each spell. Then there is the fascinating Zami who has the incredible ability to turn into a terrifying lion. The three together present a formidable army.
Throne of the Crescent Moons is a delightful fresh fantasy story, featuring a new host of gods and magic that don’t fall under the common western paradigm, set in a fun world that will have readers quickly tearing through the 270-page book and anxious for more.
Originally written on March 14, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Throne of the Crescent Moon from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
May 9, 2012
Goal Achieved: I’m Going to Have my Own Bookstore, Sort of
A couple years ago I did a post on having one of my life goals achieved, this one was having my review quoted on the cover of a book. I don’t have too many life goals at this point (I expect I’ll come up with a few more the older I get), but yesterday I had another one of those goals I’ve always wanted approved.
Within a few months, hopefully some time in July, I will be running my own bookstore . . . sort of. The bookstore will in fact be part of the Dimple Records stores. Dimple Records is a mom and pop small-chain company that sells new and used CDs, DVDs, video games and even vinyl. They currently have seven stores around the Sacramento area and within a few months will be opening their first bookstore, selling used and new books at prices competitive with Amazon.
I will be one of the people running and working in this store. I’ve always wanted to have my own bookstore; it’s been a dream of mine for some time, and while this will be very much a Dimples Records bookstore, I will be able to apply the 8+ years of knowledge and sales and merchandising I’ve picked up at multiple stores to this new store and do things right.
To say I’m excited is putting it mildly. I’ve already put a lot of work in preparing this potential store — though I didn’t know this would be the end result — in sorting the books and organizing and shelving them. I know it’s going to take a lot more work to get there as a store. But on the day I help the customer at “my store,” it’s going to feel pretty great.
May 8, 2012
Book News: Book Report for Week of May 6 on Forces of Geek
Toni Morrison to Receive Medal of Freedom
President Barrack Obama announced recently that renowned author Toni Morrison has been chosen to receive the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom,awarded to “individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Locus Finalists Announced
Last week, the Locus Science Fiction Foundation announced its finalists for the 2012 Locus Awards, winners of which will be announced at the Science Fiction Awards Weekend in Seattle on July 15-17, 2012.
May’s Reads From SF Signal
SF Signal has revealed its top releases in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror for the month of May with 148 titles.
Cover for Next Halo Book
The cover for the next Halo book, The Thursday War by Wendy Traviss, has been revealed by its publisher, Tor. The book will be released on October 2, 2012.
May 7, 2012
Cracking the Century – Almost There!
Okay guys, I’m at 100 downloads for “Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers” and 98 for “In That Quiet Earth”. Anyone who hasn’t got them yet, remember they’re completely free, just follow the links and lets push these babies well over 100!
May 6, 2012
Cracking the Century
Okay guys, I’m at 95 downloads for both my books – “Unquiet Slumbers for the Sleepers” and “In That Quiet Earth”. Anyone who hasn’t got them yet, remember they’re completely free, just follow the links and lets push these babies over 100!
May 3, 2012
Faces of Publishing Interview with Michelle Brower, Agent for Folio Literary Management
Alex C. Telander: What was it that made you decide to become an agent, and when did you know?
Michelle Brower: An agent came to my college to speak, and I was totally amazed- you can get paid to read books and talk to people all the time? I didn’t know for sure that was what I wanted to do, but I got an internship and that sealed the deal.
Alex: How did you become an agent?
Michelle: Oddly enough, I answered an ad on Craigslist for a part-time internship. Once I started, I didn’t want to stop, and worked my way up to agent within that company.
Alex: What does an ordinary day look like for you?
Michelle: I usually start in the morning answering emails from the night before and returning calls. I usually have at least a few meetings or phonecalls scheduled every day, and I have lunch with an editor 2 or 3 times a week (sometimes more!). I often have drinks with an editor after work- really, the only time I have to read or edit happens after work or on the weekends.
May 1, 2012
Book News: Book Report for the Week of April 29th on Forces of Geek
Microsoft Invests in Barnes & Noble
Today it was announced that computer giant Microsoft has invested $300 million in a subsidiary of the Barnes & Noble Nook ereader. Microsoft will own 17.6% of the Nook subsidiary, valuing it at $1.7 billion. Unsurprisingly, Barnes & Noble shares are up more than 70% pre-marketing trading, and it seems clear which side Microsoft is taking in the competitive Kindle vs. Nook ereader battle. Microsoft will also begin providing a Nook application on its new Windows 8 platform.
Blackout
The final book in Mira Grant’s Newsflesh Trilogy, Blackout, is due out May 22 (my birthday!). Here’s some tidbits on what readers can expect from the book, as well as some fun puzzles to solve from the publisher, Orbit, and a giveaway of all three book in the series from SF Signal.
Stephenie Meyer Troubles
An interesting article from Quill & Quire discussing some of the more disliked authors in the publishing world, including David McKee and Stephenie Meyer.
Jackie Collins Self-Publishes
Bestselling author Jackie Collins is self-publishing a book, The Bitch, in a new version. On her website, she talks about why she’s doing this.
[CONTINUE READING . . .]
April 30, 2012
BookBanter Column: The Art of the Book Review Part II – Fiction vs. Nonfiction on Forces of Geek
There are many different types of books that have been published; all shapes and sizes, lengths – some short, some very short; some long, and some behemoths! Accordingly, there are many different types of reviews to go with these books. Sometimes there is a correlation: a short review for a short book, a long review for a long book (I tend to do the latter, especially if it’s a long book that I enjoyed, such as Under the Dome and The Way of Kings). But when it comes down to the type of book, different thoughts and processes need to be employed, especially in the case of the fiction book versus the nonfiction book.
The Fiction Review
When it comes to writing a book review on fiction, the two parameters to keep in mind are the story and the characters. (There’s a minor third, writing, that I will get to later.) I’m a story kind of guy, so if it’s a good story, I’m hooked right away, and that tends to be what I look for in a book I’m interested in reading. I certainly get picky with books that take a while to get going, especially if the world isn’t interesting enough to get me engaged or at least keep me interested. The second parameter is character, which can pretty much always save a book, even if the story isn’t doing it. Now, I’m not saying that a terrible story can be miraculously saved by a strong character or two, but a story that doesn’t really seem to be going anywhere, or is dragging along, trying to pick up steam, can be kept alive with its characters. Some people read books solely for characters, and decide to read certain books on this premise. Characters can be interesting, or complex, or have some unusual tic that the reader may identify with or just keeps them interested; or it can be all these things.
April 27, 2012
“Tuck” by Stephen R. Lawhead (Thomas Nelson, 2009)
In Stephen R. Lawhead’s conclusion to the King Raven trilogy, readers get to enjoy it from the viewpoint of the jolly and redoubtable Friar Tuck, who has been around since the first book, Hood, and on through the second, Scarlet. But little has been seen in the abilities of this clergyman, until now, who is bravest and shines brightest at his most important moment.
It seems the Normans simply won’t give up, and King Raven, also known as Rhi Bran Hood to the people of Wales, must muster not only his skilled foresters, but incite an entire revolt from his people, based mainly in his kingdom of Elfael. With the treacherous Abbot Hugo and the evil and bloodthirsty Sheriff de Glanville, it will take everyone working together to bring these Normans to their knees once and for all and send the firm message to King William the Red that King Raven and his Welshmen will not be crushed.
Lawhead rounds out the trilogy in a great way, bringing it all to a satisfying close, but still with plenty of action and subplots and complex goings on. Again blending the history with the Welsh mythology, it is a very enjoyable read seen through the eyes of a new character. If Hood was the tasty appetizer, and Scarlet the delicacy of a main course, then Tuck makes for a delicious and perfect dessert
Originally written on March 12, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Tuck from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
April 26, 2012
“Scarlet” by Stephen R. Lawhead (Thomas Nelson, 2007)
Stephen R. Lawhead returns with the second of the King Raven trilogy, after Hood, doing an excellent job of making it feel fresh and new: this tale is told from the viewpoint of someone completely new, Scarlet, who knows little of this “King Raven” character or what he can do to aid him.
The book opens with the framing tale of Scarlet, who is in prison and sentenced to be hanged. In the brief time before his execution, Scarlet tells his story of losing everything and becoming a forester where he meets this King Raven. At first challenged to an archery contest, he reveals his extreme skill, rivaling that of King Raven, better known as Bran, and soon becomes a valuable member of his “merry men.” But Bran needs a skilled warrior like Scarlet to fight back against these Normans steadily taking control of Wales, as William the Red doles out more land to his cutthroat barons. The book comes to its climax as Scarlet must choose whether to be executed, or to give up the secret location of King Raven and his men.
Lawhead continues to spin a great legendary yarn, blending the world of possible historical fiction with Celtic mythology, all with a fresh eye through a new character. He also does a great job of playing on the many fabled stories and clichés everyone knows about Robin Hood, though tweaking them a little to make them all the more entertaining. If you enjoyed Hood like a delicious starter or appetizer, then Scarlet is a tasty main course!
Originally written on March 12, 2012 ©Alex C. Telander.
To purchase a copy of Scarlet from Amazon, and help support BookBanter, click HERE.
