Shadow Prowler by Alexey Pehov

Shadow Prowler is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a while. It is written first-person, something that seems to be hard for some authors to pull off. However, I think Alexey Pehov did it very well. His main character, a thief named Shadow Harold, was delightfully sarcastic and witty, something that only we (the readers) get to see on occasion as Shadow Harold doesn’t always voice his thoughts or opinions. Between that and the non-stop action, I found this book a lot of fun and was sorry to have it end. I am very much looking forward to the second book in this series, Shadow Chaser, but it is not scheduled to be released (in English) until April 2011.

Shadow Prowler was first published in Russia in 2002 as Stealth in the Shadows. Apparently it was a huge hit in that country, with international book rights being subsequently snapped up by Tor Books for six figures (U.S. rights), Simon & Schuster (U.K. rights, pre-empting the trilogy with a six-figure deal), and Piper (Germany). Shadow Prowler is Book 1 in “The Chronicles of Siala” series. Here’s the official blurb:

After centuries of calm, the Nameless One is stirring.

An army is gathering; thousands of giants, ogres, and other creatures are joining forces from all across the Desolate Lands, united, for the first time in history, under one black banner. By the spring, or perhaps sooner, the Nameless One and his forces will be at the walls of the great city of Avendoom.

Unless Shadow Harold, master thief, can find some way to stop them.

Shadow Prowler is the first in a trilogy that follows Shadow Harold on his quest for a magic Horn that will restore peace to the Kingdom of Siala. Harold will be accompanied on his quest by an Elfin princess, Miralissa, her elfin escort, and ten Wild Hearts, the most experienced and dangerous fighters in their world…and by the king’s court jester (who may be more than he seems…or less).

Reminiscent of Moorcock’s Elric series, Shadow Prowler is the first work to be published in English by the bestselling Russian fantasy author Alexey Pehov. The book was translated by Andrew Bromfield, best known for his work on the highly successful Night Watch series.

Hardcover published in the U.S. by Tor Books
Release date: February 2010, 400 pages

Alexey Pehov’s website: http://www.alexeypehov.com

For more info, here’s my affiliate link to Amazon. (If you place an order through this link, I do get a small commission.)

Free E-book: Naomi Novik’s “His Majesty’s Dragon”

Here’s another good summer read. And the price is right! You can get a free e-book copy for Kindle, Nook, iPad (with the Kindle app), Sony Reader, and PDF. Here are the links:

Kindle (includes iPad and iPhone using the Kindle app)
Sony Reader
Nook
PDF

Happy reading!

Summer Giveaway: Psalms of Isaak (Books 1 and 2) by Ken Scholes

Summer has officially begun at our house. My kids’ last day of school for this year was Friday and so summer vacation really, truly is upon us. It seems one of the questions for summer always is, “What are you going to read this summer?” I have to work (although I thank God that I can and have a job), but I can always make time for another book or two.

I was thinking about this and looking through my bookshelf at the books I haven’t read yet and decided I really need to make some space on my shelf. In fact, my husband heartily agrees. He he.

And so…to celebrate the beginning of summer, I am giving away two books from my personal collection, the first two books in the Psalms of Isaak series by Ken Scholes: Lamentation (Book 1) and Canticle (Book 2). Here are the official blurbs from the publisher (Tor):

Lamentation: An ancient weapon has completely destroyed the city of Windwir. From many miles away, Rudolfo, Lord of the Nine Forest Houses, sees the horrifying column of smoke rising.  He knows that war is coming to the Named Lands.

Nearer to the Devastation, a young apprentice is the only survivor of the city – he sat waiting for his father outside the walls, and was transformed as he watched everyone he knew die in an instant.

Soon all the Kingdoms of the Named Lands will be at each others’ throats, as alliances are challenged and hidden plots are uncovered.

This first novel from an award-winning short fiction writer will take readers away to a new world – an Earth so far in the distant future that our time is not even a memory; a world where magick is commonplace and great areas of the planet are impassable wastes. But human nature hasn’t changed through the ages: War and faith and love still move princes and nations.

Canticle: Come back to the Named Lands in this sequel to Ken Scholes novel Lamentation.

It is nine months after the end of the previous book.  Many noble allies have come to the Ninefold Forest for a Feast in honor of General Rudolfo’s  first-born child.  Jin Li Tam, his wife and mother of his heir, lies in childbed.

As the feast begins, the doors of the hall fly open and invisible assassins begin attacking.   All of Rudolfo’s noble guests are slain, including Hanric, the Marsh Queen’s Shadow.  And on the Keeper’s Gate, which guards the Named Lands from the Churning Waste, a strange figure appears, with a message for Petronus, the Hidden Pope.

To enter the drawing, send a email to: contests@(no-spam)fantasyandfaith.com. Make sure to remove “(no-spam)” before you send the email. Please include your physical address so I know where to send the books if you win. (U.S. addresses only, please.)

One more thing. If you want more than one chance to win, tell a friend. If they enter the contest, have them include your name in their email and you will be entered again–another entry for every friend who signs up. You must enter by midnight, Sunday, June 27. Good luck!

Preview: The Way of Kings, Brandon Sanderson

The powers that be at Tor have decided to post a preview of Brandon Sanderson’s new book coming out this Fall. The Way of Kings is Book 1 in a new series titled, “The Stormlight Archive.” It is scheduled to hit the shelves August 31 of this year.

To read the preview, go to: http://www.tor.com/wok
(Free registration is required.)

Faerie Week Giveaways on Suvudu

Suvudu has declared this Faerie Week and is celebrating with a few giveaways. Here’s the info:

The Prizes: There will be a total of five (5) prizes awarded: one (1) Grand Prize Winner and four (4) Consolation Prize Winners. Want to see what each will receive? Here’s the breakdown:

• Grand Prize
  • One (1) signed edition of The Practical Guide to Faeries
  • One (1) copy of The Fairies Art Studio
  • One (1) signed copy ofGodmother by Carolyn Turgeon
  • One (1) Advanced Reader Copy of Truthseeker by C.E. Murphy
• Consolation Prize(s)
  • One (1) Advanced Reader Copy of Truthseeker by C.E. Murphy

Timeframe: Monday, May 24 – Monday, May 31 2010

Note: Sweepstakes end on 11:59 PM EDT (U.S.), on May 31. All entries received thereafter will not be entered. Though we love all of our readers equally, this sweepstakes is only open to United States residents.

To check it out, go to Suvudu.com

Interview with Author Jill Williamson–CSFF Blog Tour, Day 3

(This is the third day of the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy blog tour for Jill Williamson’s By Darkness Hid. To read my posts from yesterday and the day before, click here: Day 1 and Day 2.)

Today we wrap up the CSFF blog tour for Jill Williamson’s fantasy novel By Darkness Hid. I’ve been looking at the other bloggers’ posts and so far it’s been a great tour.

Now I have the privilege of posting the results of an interview I conducted with Jill. Thank you, Jill, for being so gracious and patient with all of us bloggers this week. And now for the interview:

What led you to write “By Darkness Hid”?

My son and I were walking past house that had burned down. There was a tree in the yard that was half charred and half leafy green. I thought it was so cool. So I ran home and Photoshopped the tree. It’s the same tree that is the header on my website.

I also had a weird dream about a woman soldier who was on a mission to rescue the heir to the land. His transport had been in an accident and he was taken to a hospital on the wrong side of the city, the dangerous side. He was in a coma. But there was another guy in the hospital room who had amnesia. And only I knew that the coma guy was an impostor. Amnesia guy was the real heir. And the soldier woman was going to be the one to figure it all out.

How long did it take you to write the book?

I spent a couple months creating my storyworld. I started writing in December 2007. It took me a little over a month to write the first draft. I spent the next six months rewriting it, getting critiques from my critique group, and rewriting some more. The book was done when I showed Jeff Gerke my first chapter at the Oregon Christian Writer’s conference that July.

Who was your favorite character to write? What is your favorite thing about that character?

Achan is my favorite. I like that he is sarcastic and hates fancy clothes. I like that he calls Vrell, Sparrow.

Who are your favorite authors and who inspired you to become a creative writer?

In the Christian market, my favorite author is Frank Peretti. The Harry Potter books inspired me to write fiction because Christians in my community were arguing about whether the books should be read by Christians. Also, my pastor at the time, Pastor Joe Torosian, read my first chapter and encouraged me. He told me I was telling, not showing, and he told me that this was a worthy calling and I should go for it.

If you could be any character from a fantasy book, who would it be and why?

I would be Princess Leia. Because she’s smart and tough and a princess and she gets to marry Han Solo. J Plus she’s got spunk.

Now that the first two books in the Blood of Kings trilogy are published, I see there is one more book left. When can we expect to see that hit the shelves?

If all goes well, book three should be out April 2011.

Are you working on any new projects?

I am polishing up that first book of mine. It’s a Christian Agent Cody Banks-type story called The New Recruit. I’m also brainstorming a new fantasy story that I’m excited about. And I get to draw a brand new map!

How can readers find you on the web?

I’m everywhere! My website is www.jillwilliamson.com. I’m also on Facebook, MySpace, Shoutlife, Shelfari, GoodReads, Twitter, Amazon…

On top of that, I run two blogs. The first is Novel Teen Book Reviews at www.novelteen.com. It’s a website that reviews clean teen fiction. This is a great resource to see what books are available in the Christian market for teens. The other blog is for teen authors, though adult authors may find some useful tips too. www.teenageauthor.com.

Again, thank you, Jill, and thanks to everyone else who stopped by. If you haven’t read By Darkness Hid yet, I hope we have convinced you to get a copy soon. If you love good Christian fantasy, I encourage you to support Jill by purchasing a copy if you can. If we support good, strong Christian fantasy, hopefully it will encourage more publishers to produce more of the same!

Great tour, guys.

Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Gina Burgess
Beckie Burnham
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Sarah Flanagan
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Joleen Howell
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
Rebecca LuElla Miller
New Authors Fellowship
John W. Otte
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
James Somers
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
KM Wilsher
R.L. Copple