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By Matt, February 8, 2010 7:45 am

Reviewed by Matt

Disclosure: The hardback version of this novel was purchased by the reviewer’s own hard earned cash.

This novel was definitely what I would call a “cover art purchase” as I was not aware that it was being released. While we were on our weekly Friday bookstore trip, I spotted The Adamantine Palace on an end cap display. The cover art was jaw dropping, an armored knight riding an armored dragon, I knew I had to read it. Because we all known that if the cover art is cool then the story will follow suit (insert sarcastic chuckle). Actually, for the most part, The Adamantine Palace is a solid debut novel by Stephen Deas with very little weaknesses but not quite a homerun either. This is first book in a planned series known as The Memory of Flames.

This first question the reader should have about The Adamantine Palace, does the story really center around dragons? The answer is a solid yes. Mr. Deas’ spin on this subject is that only the very wealthy and royalty are allowed to own dragons. There are only two types’ of dragons, hunting and war mounts. The hunting dragons are smaller and more agile than the powerful and bulky war mounts. The breeding of the dragons is closely monitored by the Alchemists to make sure that each and every dragon is drugged throughout its life. If a dragon is taken off the drug then they turn into a very dangerous animal bent on destruction of humankind.

One of the plot threads involves a rare all white dragon, called Snow, escaping its handlers thereby being free from the power of the Alchemist’s drugs. Slowly Snow begins to realize what captivity has meant to the dragons and the prison they have kept in for a very long time. But being a dragon, which means that they are also animals with bad tempers, Snow looks to seek revenge on all humans and especially the Alchemists.

The other more predominant plot thread is a political thriller. This is pretty much of a straightforward telling for the struggle to become the next Speaker of the Realms. The Speaker is a Queen or King who is nominated into that position and will serve the next ten years as the unchallenged ruler over the realms. The current Speaker, Hyram, has agreed to follow a past agreement and name Queen Shezira as the next Speaker. But there is plot by Prince Jehal and Queen Zafir to subvert this agreement that is pretty ingenious once it all comes at the end of the novel.

For me, the two best authors of being able to structure a taught, tension filled political type fantasy story are Brandon Sanderson and Ken Scholes. Mr. Deas is just a step behind in his story as I didn’t quite feel the tension as the layers of the story unfolded. When the final betrayal hit, it was only a minor surprise as it was foreshadowed all throughout the story. I felt that the story was missing a certain level of apprehension that is created when putting characters into bad situations.

The one main quibble I had with the story was the pacing. As with any debut novel it can be alittle erratic at times. For the first hundred pages the story is building nicely and the reader is introduced to all of the characters. The novel is getting into a good rhythm when it suddenly veers to the left. Out of the blue we are introduced to the dragon Snow and its struggle to become independent. It was a very jarring transition. All the characters that the story had been following previously are forgotten for the next fifty pages or so. Eventually the two stories are then melded together. From this point forward both of the stories have equal time and everything works out fine by the end.

The other quibble I had was that there was no map. For some reason I really like referring back to a map in fantasy stories in order to keep track of the action. This is not a fair criticism to the author or the book but I just like my maps. Probably goes back to my D&D days?

While not wholly original I did enjoy the symbiotic relationship between the humans and the dragons.  They form a sort of a horse-master type of relationship.  The humans do care for their beasts, but they still are beasts who can breathe fire.   There are enough fascinating elements in the story to build upon in future volumes.

The Adamantine Palace is an above average debut fantasy novel but not quite in the same level as The Warded Man or Lamentation. It is very solid story with no major missteps or gaffs but in the end, I did not get totally suck into the story. Mr. Deas has created a very interesting world with a subculture that involves dragons which should serve for some very fascinating sequels.

Author’s site: Stephen Deas

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By Christel, February 8, 2010 6:45 am

The next book in the Rachel Morgan series entitled Black Magic Sanction comes on on February 23rd, 2010.  I wish I could get all caught up in this series so that I could enjoy this new book with you guys, but I will probably have to buy it and sit it on the shelf until I can get to it.

For a sneak peak, click on the cover to read the first chapter for free!

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By Matt, February 7, 2010 8:00 pm

While watching the game I notice several new movie trailers that caught my attention.  The more I see of The Last Airbender the more I am looking forward to his movie.

Robin Hood

The Last Airbender

Alice in Wonderland

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

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By Matt, February 7, 2010 6:45 am

Pretty slim pickings this week for geek fans.

The Time Traveler’s Wife (PG-13)

Spoiler summary: Clare (Rachel McAdams) has been in love with Henry (Eric Bana) her entire life. She believes they are destined to be together, even though she never knows when they will be separated: Henry is a time traveler–cursed with a rare genetic anomaly that causes him to live his life on a shifting timeline, skipping back and forth through the years with no control. Despite the fact that Henry’s travels force them apart with no warning, and never knowing when they will be reunited, Clare desperately tries to build a life with her one true love.

X

SG-U Stargate Universe: 1.0

Spoiler summary: “SGU” is the story of a group of soldiers, scientists and civilians, fleeing an attack, finding themselves stranded billions of miles from Earth on an Ancient ship known as the Destiny. Locked on an unknown course, they must fight to survive and find a way home. The danger, adventure and hope they find on board the Destiny will reveal the heroes and villains among them.

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By Christel, February 6, 2010 8:00 am

Reminder – Don’t forget to enter, this giveaway ends Friday, February 12!

We’ve got a great giveaway for you folks sponsored by Big Honcho Media!  Three lucky winners will receive their very own copy of My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent.

Book synopsis:  Book 1 of The Soul Screamers series — My Soul to Take — was released this past summer, and readers found out why Kaylee Cavanaugh screams bloody murder when someone’s about to die.

In Book 2 – My Soul to Save – when teen pop star Eden croaks on stage and Kaylee doesn’t wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can’t cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad’s ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend’s loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls for a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can’t possibly understand.

Kaylee can’t let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk.

Soul Screamers: The last thing you hear before you die.

Just follow these quick and easy steps to be entered

1. Send an email to robotsandvamps@gmail.com.  Please include  “My Soul to Save” in the subject of the email.

2. Provide us with your name and mailing address.  Shipping Guidelines: This book giveaway is open to participants with a United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if they have a friend in the States who can accept their prizes by mail.)

3. On February 12, Bean will choose three lucky winners from the magic RaV hat and you will be notified by email.

Its that simple… Good Luck and Happy Reading!

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By Matt, February 6, 2010 7:45 am

As a tradition, almost every Friday night Matt & Christel having been taking their daughter out to dinner and then a trip to a local bookstore. Sometimes it is a chain store, a used book store or a locally owned shop. We are trying to instill a love of books in our daughter, plus we need to find something to read for the week. These are the books that we spend our hard earned cash on. Anyway, below is our haul for the week. If you have any recommendations please let us know.

Matt

The God Engines by John Scalzi

Dust jacket summary: Captain Ean Tephe is a man of faith, whose allegiance to his lord and to his ship is uncontested. The Bishopry Militant knows this — and so, when it needs a ship and crew to undertake a secret, sacred mission to a hidden land, Tephe is the captain to whom the task is given.

Tephe knows from that the start that his mission will be a test of his skill as a leader of men and as a devout follower of his god. It s what he doesn t know that matters: to what ends his faith and his ship will ultimately be put — and that the tests he will face will come not only from his god and the Bishopry Militant, but from another, more malevolent source entirely…

Author John Scalzi has ascended to the top ranks of modern science fiction with the best-selling, Hugo-nominated novels Old Man’s War and Zoe’s Tale. Now he tries his hand at fantasy, with a dark and different novella that takes your expectations of what fantasy is and does, and sends them tumbling.

Say your prayers…and behold The God Engines.

Prince of Storms (Entire And the Rose, book 4) by Kay Kenyon

Dust jacket story: Finally in control of the Ascendancy, Titus Quinn has styled himself Regent of the Entire. But his command is fragile. He rules an empire with a technology beyond human understanding; spies lurk in the ancient Magisterium; the Tarig overlords are hamstrung but still malevolent. Worse, his daughter Sen Ni opposes him for control, believing the Earth and its Rose universe must die to sustain the failing Entire. She is aided by one of the mystical pilots of the River Nigh, the space-time transport system. This navitar, alone among all others, can alter future events. He retires into a crystal chamber in the Nigh to weave reality and pit his enemies against each other.

Taking advantage of these chaotic times, the great foe of the Long War, the Jinda ceb Horat, create a settlement in the Entire. Masters of supreme technology, they maintain a lofty distance from the Entire s struggle. They agree, however, that the Tarig must return to the fiery Heart of their origins. With the banishment immanent, some Tarig lords rebel, fleeing to hound the edges of Quinn’s reign.

Meanwhile, Quinn’s wife Anzi becomes a hostage and penitent among the Jinda ceb, undergoing alterations that expose their secrets, but may estrange her from her husband. As Quinn moves toward a confrontation with the dark navitar, he learns that the stakes of the conflict go far beyond the Rose versus the Entire–extending to a breathtaking dominance. The navitar commands forces that lie at the heart of the Entire’s geo-cosmology, and will use them to alter the calculus of power. As the navitar’s plan approaches consummation, Quinn, Sen Ni, and Anzi are swept up in forces that will leave them forever changed.

Fall of Thanes (Godless World Series #3) by Brian Ruckley

Dust jacket summary: The True Bloods are in disarray, their alliance crumbling and their armies humbled by the forces of the Black Road. Aeglyss, falling ever deeper into madness, casts a shadow across all. At the court of the High Thane, Anyara faces a savage struggle for survival against the na’kyrim’s possessed agent: Mordyn Jerain, the Shadowhand.

In the GlasValley, Kanin, the embittered Horin-Gyre Thane, plots a desperate rising against the halfbreed. But ultimately it will be Orisian, Thane of a Blood that no longer exists, who must stand face to face with a darkly transcendent Aeglyss and make the sacrifice – of himself and others – required to end the threat he represents.

FALL OF THANES is the spectacular conclusion to the Godless World trilogy, a sweeping epic of war, politics and empire.

Christel

Playing with Fire by Gena Showalter

Dust Jacket Summary: Earth, Wind & Fire aren’t just a band anymore . . .

Used to be my greatest achievement was holding a job more than three days. Now suddenly I can shoot fireballs, chill your drink, or blow-dry your hair at fifty paces with a blink of my eye!

It all started when this crazy scientist dropped something in my Grande Mocha Latte. Of course I got wicked sick. Next morning I’m waking up with this total hottie bending over me. He tells me 1)his name’s Rome Masters, 2)he’s a government agent and 3)I can control the four elements with a thought.

He seems even less pleased by my (apparently irreversible) transformation than I am . . . Because now he’ll have to kill me.

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By Matt, February 5, 2010 9:00 pm

This is pretty cool.  Felicia Day appeared on Jace Hall show in which she gets involved in lightsaber duel.  The funny thing is that she actually looks like she is very experienced in using a lightsaber.  I am impressed.

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By Matt, February 5, 2010 7:45 am

I am self admitted cover art junkie and will buy books with cool covers.  Here are a several eye catching covers put out by artist Paul Youll.  Enjoy.

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By Matt, February 5, 2010 7:00 am

The trailer for the video game adaption Tekken.

We are introduced to this violent world through the eyes of Jin Kazama, a street fighter that enters the tournament in order to avenge the death of his mother that he blames upon Tekken’s powerful and controlling Chairman, Heihachi Mishima. He knows that the only way to get close enough to Mishima to kill him is to win the tournament. With the help of Lucas, an ageing Iron Fist Champion and fight trainer, Jin makes his way through the tournament, but in doing so, he begins to uncover his own past and inner demons as well as exposing a dark underbelly to Tekken that threatens the very existence of humanity.

Release date is March 4, 2010.

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By Christel, February 4, 2010 7:45 am

Our friends at Media Masters Publicity sent RaV headquarters the 2nd book in the YA urban fantasy series by Lesley Livingston.  Darklight continues Kelley Winslow’s story, alternating between the Otherworld and the mortal realm.

Dust Jacket Summary: Faerie can’t lie . . . or can they?

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt. Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.

When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power. Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.

With breathtakingly high stakes, the talented Lesley Livingston delivers soaring romance and vividly magical characters in Darklight, the second novel in the trilogy that began with Wondrous Strange.

And – Here is a Q&A with Author Lesley Livingston:

1. Were you surprised with the huge response and instant fan base you received from your debut novel, Wondrous Strange?

I was, a little. Surprised and gratified! There’s nothing like getting your first fan mail. And when you get it before the book has even hit the shelves—when all the general public knows about it a title and maybe a plot description and cover art—you sit up and think to yourself that there is something going on here. That you’ve tapped into a wish for a certain kind of story. And then when the responses keep coming in after the book is out there and they say such wonderful things, it’s lovely and humbling at the same time.

2. Did any feedback you received from your fans influence you when writing Darklight?

I’m not sure if the (awesome!) feedback I received exactly influenced the plot of Darklight… I pretty much knew where I wanted to take the story before I started writing it… but what it did do was make me aware of just how much readers cared about these characters. They cared about them just as much as I did… and so that made me very aware of how I treated them in the second book. It made me keep a very close eye on some of them to make sure I was doing them justice.

3. Why did you select Central Park, rather than, for example, The Empire State Building or the subway, as the point where the mortal and Otherworld realms meet?

Because it’s one of the most magical places I have ever been! When I first went to New York I was wowed by the city as a whole, but I was absolutely captivated by Central Park. Even in February. It was utter infatuation at first sight. I did the touristy stuff on that trip – carriage ride, Tavern on the Green (both of which are now plot points in Wondrous Strange) but I also became fascinated by certain landmarks in the park – by the fantastic, otherworldly landscapes of the Shakespeare Garden and the Ramble and the Lake, by the statue of the Indian Hunter (a source of inspiration for Sonny Flannery and the Janus Guard in the book) and by the Carousel – which is the fourth one to stand on that spot – two previous incarnations having burnt to the ground. Back home, I couldn’t get the park out of my head. The whole place just struck me as somehow mythic. And a really good location to stick a story (obviously – I mean, writers have been doing that forever!).

4. What character in Darklight has been the most interesting to work with? What would happen if that character were real?

I introduce a new character into the story in Darklight. He’s alluded to in the first book, but only very tangentially. In this book, he comes very much to the forefront as a malevolent adversary that Sonny and Kelley find themselves facing off against. The character, like most of the Otherworldly beings in the books is based on a mythological creature but with my own particular slant that takes a much darker view of the reality behind the lore. He was a lot of fun to write.

If he were real? We should all be very worried. Personally, I would tend to avoid outdoor spaces with lots of landscaping and I might get rid of any potted plants in the house. Just as a precaution.

5. Which character most closely resembles you?

I think there’s a little bit of me in just about every character I write (yes, even the naughty ones!) but there are, of course, a few who come the closest. You might think Kelley is the obvious choice because we share a similar background in the theatre and similar experiences… but otherwise, were not all that similar. I think she’s braver than I am and maybe a little more reckless. (Also, I’m not a Faerie princess. That I know of.)

I do, however, think that Tyff (Kelley’s model/Faerie roommate) and I have a lot in common attitude-wise. Most of the things that come out of Tyff’s mouth are the same things that would come out of mine. We’ve both got the same kind of smart-ass, sardonic thing going on. Now if I just had her height, and bone structure, and wardrobe, I’d be set.

6. What songs do you think Kelley Winslow, the seventeen-year-old actress/ Faeries princess, would have on her ipod? Any special ones meant just for Sonny?

In fact, Kelley has entire playlists! (Or at least, I do—my boyfriend creates one for me for every book I write.) She’s got some Arcade Fire on there, a lot of U2, The Killers, Kings of Leon (especially Manhattan), Blue October, also some older stuff; Peter Gabriel, Springsteen, the Beatles, Robbie Robertson, The Police, Roxy Music (she likes the classics). A couple of songs that always make her think of Sonny are Dave Matthews Band’s Crush, The Waterboys’ When Ye Go Away, Clannad (w. Bono) In a Lifetime, INXS’s Afterglow…

7. Your stories are steeped in Faerie lore and Shakespearean references. How much research in these areas did you do prior to writing Wondrous Strange and Darklight?

I’ve been a Shakespearian actor for the better part of two decades now, and I have a Masters Degree in English with a specialization in the subject, so I didn’t have to do all that much active research in that respect. Same thing with Faerie lore, I suppose. I’ve been fascinated by Faerie lore since I was a kid. The stories that intrigued me the most, though, were never the ones that portrayed the Fae as tiny, sweet, sparkly things. Rather, I was drawn to the idea that these were the creatures that existed beyond the circle of firelight, or just on the other side of the threshold, or just over that far hill; things only ever glimpsed out of the corner of your eye – if you were lucky! I love the dangerous aspects of the Fair Folk. I did have to research detail stuff, and I did a lot of digging into the history of Central Park, but the rest of it, I’ve really just been researching my whole life.

8. If you could meet an infamous Faerie who would it be and why?

Puck, definitely. He’s one of my favorite characters in the Wondrous Strange series and we get along very well. I think it would be a riot to go out to a pub with him and just listen to him tell stories of all the various mischief and mayhem he’s caused down through the years. Although, I’d keep an eye out to make sure he didn’t stiff me on the bill or steal my wallet or anything like that. Also, I’d be polite. You never want to get on the bad side of a boucca. Never.

9. You’ve become a hot commodity in the urban fantasy genre. What’s next for you?

Well, what’s next is Darklight, and then the third book in the Wondrous Strange trilogy (which is, at present, nameless). Then I have another YA fantasy in the works that I’m very excited about. I’ve also got a fairly epic idea for yet another story that would involve fantasy elements and a sweeping romance. Plus, I’m not entirely convinced I’ve left the world of Wondrous Strange behind for good…there are potentially a few Otherworldly tales that remain yet to be told.