UK/AU/NZ

The Wall of Night series is one story told in four parts, but each part has it’s own unique arc as readers will have seen in both The Heir of Night and The Gathering of the Lost.

So with today (in the US/UK; tomorrow in NZ/AU) being Publication Day (yay!) I thought readers might like to know which of the series’ characters, particularly the major characters, they can expect to see return in Daughter of Blood.

Here are some of the main players (excepting those whose inclusion might count as a spoiler), with a few introductory lines to keep you going until today’s official release date (on US and UK time) clicks over:

From Among Our Protagonists:

Malian (w00t!) — since she is, after all, the Heir of Night and the series’ mainmost of main characters. 😉

‘The dust motes swirled, the day’s dirt and sweat and fading warmth mingling with the scent of the pines. Malian adjusted her head-wrapping against both breeze and grit, then stretched, feeling every mile of the day’s painstaking journey. Turning away from the parapet, she looked down onto the caravan hostelry, which occupied a whole town block facing the wall …’
(Chapter 14, Crow)

Kalan (yahoo!) — “because” he’s the series’ second mainmost character and pretty durned important to the DAUGHTER arc, to boot.

‘Time to move, Kalan thought—but he still took care over his armor, paying attention to every buckle and binding. In Emer, a knight learned how to arm himself, but it felt odd to be doing so without any of the comrades he had lived and fought alongside for the past five years. He slid the longsword and scabbard with the hydra device onto his belt and buckled it on …’
(Chapter 5, Blood Warrior)

Asantir (awesome!) — well, just because (as you keep writing to tell me) she is made of awesome, yanno…

‘Asantir smiled, an expression reminiscent of the slender blade Taly carried in her boot. “Although the forsworn guards,” she said softly, ” were as much a murder weapon as the arrows they loosed. The hunt for those who forged the weapon, and directed it, is not yet done. And won’t be, until they are all dead.” ‘
(Chapter 20, Emissaries of Night)

Raven (huzza!) — because after all, if Robin Hobb *hearts* Raven …  😉

‘Moths circled a lantern in the open doorway, but the corner where Raven sat was largely in shadow, although neither the gloom nor the cloth head-wrapping could disguise his taciturn demeanor. He looked well-worn, almost exactly like the hedge knight Malian had first met in the Long Pass …’
(Chapter 14, Crow)

Garan (waves cap!) — who seems to be carving out a consistent part in the story, together with the rest of his eight-unit.

‘Garan thought that what the Towers of Morning priests called guest quarters was more like an entire wing of their great keep, in which he and the rest of his eight-guard rattled around like pebbles. They had been occupying it for a week now …’
(Chapter 13, Watch and Ward)
.

USA

From The Antagonists’ Ranks:

Arcolin: You may recall that he was the Darksworn envoy to Emer in The Gathering of the Lost.

‘“What’s the alternative? …” Arcolin shrugged. “The agent who wounded me got lucky, that’s all. Still, regrettable though the boy’s death was, it … left us free to deal with the Southern Realms in our own way.” ‘
(Chapter 2, The Serpent Prince)

Nirn: Whom we last encountered in Ij …

‘ … Before he reached the upper level, another tall figure with startling, bone-white hair had appeared at the balustrade. A flare of lightning reflected through the windows in a way that made it seem to emanate from the white-haired man, but no rumble of thunder followed …’
(Chapter 2, The Serpent Prince)

Emuun: Also last seen for certain in Ij …

‘“The difference,” Emuun’s voice said, out of the rift, “is that Aranraith perpetrates his cruelties because he loves them, whereas my object is to terrorize and so weaken my enemies.” As he spoke, the fissure spat a small cloud of grit toward the shield, but it exploded in midair, well clear of the burnished gleam.’
(Chapter 19, Rift)

Nindorith: Like Arcolin, he crossed Malian and Kalan’s path in Emer.

‘ … it was Nindorith who answered, a roll of quiet thunder out of the air.

“The maelstrom stirs, Lady.” He paused, and Ilkerineth knew they were both listening, waiting for another chill whisper out of the void. “It begins again.”
(Prologue)

And so, indeed, it does, begin again…

See you back here later on today. 🙂

On January 11 I kicked off the second part of my “avid reader” special, in which several of the most avid readers I know are sharing their Most-Anticipated Reads of 2016.

You met Karen McMillan in December when she shared her 5 Top Reads of the past year. Now she’s back with a very interesting looking list for 2016 — a goodness I was determined you weren’t going to miss out on, even in Daughter of Blood publication week. 😉

[If there isn’t a current cover, I’ll either deploy one from an earlier book in a series, 
or use none.]

—

Karen McMillan’s Five Most-Anticipated Reads of 2016

I am fortunate to be in the know of many books that are coming out in 2016. Here are some that I can’t wait to read:

A French Wedding by Hannah Tunnicliffe

 Ensemble-cast Love Story

I loved Hannah Tunnicliffe’s last novel, Season of Salt and Honey, for the well-drawn characters, great sense of place, and the emotional connection she created. Her new novel, A French Wedding, sounds every bit as good! A French Wedding, I’ve been told, is a novel filled with love, lies, fights, friends and feasts which reads like a love triangle between The Big Chill, Chocolat and Les Petits Mouchoirs (Little White Lies) and will, undoubtedly, become a favourite ensemble cast love story for readers.
.

Much Ado About Shakespeare by Donovan Bixley

Historical fiction

Donovan Bixley has to be the most talented illustrator in New Zealand, and he is best known for his fabulous children’s books. But for Much Ado About Shakespeare, he has created something very different – fantastic drawings and writings of an imagined life of Shakespeare, perfect for children and adults. I’ve only seen some of the pages, but can already see this book will be incredible. Perfect timing too, as 2016 is the 400^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
.

Scarlet and Magenta by Lindsey Dawson

Historical fiction

I’ve been fortunate to read the manuscript for this book, so I’m looking forward to when it is published! Set in the Bay of Plenty during the 1880s, Scarlet and Magenta is a powerful and fascinating historical novel that vividly brings the sights and sounds of the time to life. Violet Sutton arrives from London into the tiny town of Tauranga. Beautiful, headstrong, opinionated – and with a sad past, and in an unhappy, abusive marriage – she is soon causing rumours and scandal amongst all the dutiful members of ‘proper’ society. Scarlet and Magenta is Lindsey’s ninth book, so readers are in accomplished hands!
.

[Untitled] Liane Moriarty

Contemporary fiction

There isn’t a title for Liane Moriarty’s new book, but I can’t wait to read her latest offering! She is the author of The Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies – both of which have been bestsellers around the world. And you shouldn’t be fooled by this author. You start out reading something that at first glance appears to be light commercial fiction, but once you are hooked in, you quickly discover the author has a knack of writing about some very meaty subjects. Rumour is she will be touring NZ in 2016. I sure hope so!
.

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

Historical Fiction

This is another book that I have little information about, although this recent feature offers some clues. But I love the diversity of Emma Donoghue’s books, so can’t wait to see what she will surprise us with next. Her last novel, Frog Music, inspired by a real-life murder case in the 1870s in San Francisco, was entirely different from the author’s international sensation, Room. Emma Donoghue is an accomplished writer, who writes books rich in detail and with original and believable characters. I’m sure The Wonder, will be, well, wonderful!

~ Karen McMillan

—

Karen McMillan is the author of Unbreakable Spirit and The Paris of the East — but despite this typically modest bio there is a great deal more to Karen’s writing and industry career, which you can read about in more detail here. She is also on Twitter: @KarenMcMillanNZ

—

To read the first two installments in this Top 5 series, click on:

UK/AU/NZ

USA

Actual Publication Day is 26 January in the US and UK, so ‘effectively’ that means Tuesday night here in New Zealand, but “in reality” our Wednesday.

And in fact the 27th is official publication day here in NZ and also in Australia.

So here’s what’s happening (da-DAH-dum):
.

Publication Day Events Here

On Tuesday, I’ll kick off the AU/NZ 26th with a feature on The Major Wall Of Night Series’ Characters You Can (Definitely) Expect To Meet Again In Daughter Of Blood.

The official, Publication Day celebratory post will go up Tuesday evening when the clock ticks over into the 26th in the US and will remain featured on the blog throughout Wednesday 27 (that being AU/NZ Publication Day.)

Celebrations will include a book giveaway (fully international) and the Tuckerization draw previewed here on Friday. Basically everyone who comments on the celebration blog post throughout the 26th/27th will be entered in a draw to give their name to a character in The Chaos Gate, the fourth and final novel in The Wall of Night series. Details of the draw and conditions of entry will be set out in the post.

Regardless, I hope lots of you will drop by — your presence will definitely give publication day the “crown of good company.” 🙂

In a headsup for the rest of the week, I’ll be unveiling Daughter of Blood’s Tuckerization character on Thursday 28, so I hope you’ll stop by again for that. The winner of the Publication Day giveaways and Tuckerization draw will post on Friday 29.

—

Publication Day Events Otherwhere:

USA

Correction(s): Sharon advises me that she will be running our interview on Tuesday 26 (US, EST), not Monday 25 — my bad, and apologies to Sharon & the ismellsheep flock. I have also altered the below to reflect that only 1 book is being given away: The Heir of Night. Again, the prior error is entirely “my bad.” :-/

On Monday 25 (US Eastern Standard Time) I will be interviewed by the wonderful Sharon Stogner on genre site ismellsheep, where she will be giving away a copy of The Heir of Night (to US readers only, though, I’m sorry.)

On Tuesday 26 (US Central time) I will:

— have a guest post on SF Signal, on Writing Heroines In Daughter Of Blood and The Wall of Night series

— be doing an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit Fantasy with Steve Drew and all the crew there — so do drop by and “ask me something.” 😉

I also have a guest post scheduled for TOR.com but am unsure of exact timing on that one, aka “Watch This Space” — or more accurately, TOR.com’s space. 😉

On Thursday 27 (US, EST) I will be interviewed on speculative fiction book blog The Qwillery for the first time — I’m looking forward to it.

And I’ll definitely be tweeting all these events, so if you’re on Twitter, watch my feed.

UK/AU/NZ

There are more guest spots coming up after that, but I’ll announce them closer to the time they arise.

So, deep breath: not quite “there” at last, but almost …

I think we should have some fun with this—waddya reckon? 😉

USA

UK/AU/NZ

My first pre-publication interview posted this week on “I’m Shelf-ish” book blog. Here’s a sampler:

To read the full interview, click on:

I’m Shelf-ish Interview

Plus there’s a giveaway running for The Heir of Night/ The Gathering of the Lost, although I’m afraid it’s only for US/CAN readers — but if you’re from the US/CAN or know somewhere there who might be interested, check it out.  😉

I’ll be back later today to update you on what’s happening for Publication Week.

USA

USA

~ by Andrew Robins
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Analysis of message log transcript recorded between crew of freetrader Mistral and natives of “Origin Point”, location 58 Eridani Analogue Reference 1

Recording started 47.96 days elapsed time – mission 14.

Transcript analysis performed by Mission Director Didi Turner, Ramadan Collective.

Supporting contributions: RI “Lepanto” (Native Affairs Specialist), Huia Turner (Contact Specialist)

Raw transcript as follows:

Received 47.96: “Greetings fellow normal biological humans who are not my enemies, it is I the human that you know as Captain Valentine Power who is talking to you in the manner that normal humans use to communicate with other individual humans who are separate from them and yet still not their enemies. How is your day?”

Received 47.97: “You will see that I have started my communication with useless words just as a normal human would – even though these words serve no purpose.”

Transmitted 48.04: “Hi Captain Valentine Power, it is Tinkerbell the fairy princess here. Are you the same Valentine Power who was Captain of the Lepanto 412 years ago?”

Received 48.23: “Yes it is I. I have continued in the manner which is normal for biological beings of my type, which is normal human. I created the beings that we all call children and I lived through them as is usual in the normal fashion. I am now not going to have my sub-units all say ‘I don’t believe in fairies’, because this would be a hostile act and we are not enemies despite the fact that you are an individual consciousness that is not me.”

Received 48.24: “Tinkerbell the fairy princess, are you still there?”

Transmitted 48.25: “Hi Captain Valentine Power who is a normal human, Tinkerbell the fairy princess just died. My name is Handsome Smurf, and I would like to ask you the following questions:

1. Who is fighting who on the planet’s surface? We have detected a nuclear exchange, which seems to be still ongoing.
2. Why have you launched vessels towards the “Lepanto”?
3. What happened to the rest of the “Lepanto’s” crew?”

Received 48.43: “Hello Handsome Smurf. I am going to answer your questions now in a truthful fashion that you should believe in and trust because I have not caused the death of Tinkerbell the fairy princess:

1. There is no nuclear exchange occurring on the planet’s surface. The native population has been very kind to me and the food is very nice.
2. No vessels have been launched towards the “Lepanto”.
3. The rest of “Lepanto’s” crew continue to exist as part of me, which is normal.”

Transcript ends

“Lepanto” informs us that a series of missile strikes on the planet’s surface destroyed the transmitting station shortly after the last message was received. Our own sensor data is sketchy, but confirms some high energy exchanges going on at that time, so this seems to be a plausible scenario.

Note: “Lepanto’s” sensors appear to be significantly better than expected. When questioned about this “Lepanto” is cryptic – merely referring to a “vastly extended sensor baseline which aids efficiency.”

Principal Findings:

1. The Vader consciousness we were communicating with clearly retains access to certain information about human culture and society. This is demonstrated in multiple ways throughout the transcript, but most clearly in that it knew who Tinkerbell was and how to kill her;
2. Just as clearly, it does not understand humans. The attempts at deception were clumsy, and it still seems to struggle with the concept of humans existing as individual consciousnesses;
3. Note From Contact Specialist Huia Turner: “The fact that it tried to deceive us, even though it was so bad at it, is important. It is reasonable to assume that deception is a technique that it is unfamiliar with, and unpractised at – yet it tried it. This felt like a technique that it was learning – from us. We need to watch for this.”
   

Supporting Material Provided by RI “Lepanto”:

“Captain Valentine Power was suborned when in the normal course of duty she accessed the “Lepanto’s” gestalt from her crew quarters, roughly three hours after the return of contaminated crew and materials from the surface of Origin Point, after our first mission to that planet.

During this three hour window it would have been possible for the entire crew to be suborned, but this did not happen. Apart from the already contaminated crew members from the original landing party, no other crew members were suborned until after the Captain had succumbed.

After long analysis of these events I have drawn the following conclusions:

1. Captain Valentine was infected via the “Lepanto” gestalt;
2. The controlling Vader intelligence that was directing the suborned crew members from the landing party, believed that suborning Captain Valentine would mean that it would immediately control all crew members;
3. That there was some good reason not to suborn crew members individually, if this could be avoided (see speculation below) …

Relating to point three above, based on subsequent events I can speculate that:

1. Given that a copy of Captain Valentines consciousness is present on Origin Point, that the original process was controlled from there;
2. Given that a separate and distinct Vader identity now resides within the “Lepanto” gestalt, then it seems likely that the original, planet-based identity faced some sort of restriction on its ability to retain control over a large number of Vader sub-units, at a long distance – and that it hoped by suborning the Captain it would only have to control one.

This last is speculation, but it is consistent with the observed facts, and may represent a possible weakness in Vader society that can be exploited at a future date.”

NOTE (Didi Turner): We have checked the original schematics for NRR Vessels of “Lepanto’s” type and we note that the Ship Gestalt in those days was a completely separate system from the old-style electronic computers that were extensively utilised back then – as opposed to the integrated systems we use today.

Nonetheless, the fact that our current destination is a vessel that apparently contains a fully active Vader consciousness that has had 412 years to adapt to and learn its environment is extremely concerning. It also begs the question, how has RI Lepanto managed to survive?
.

Check back in on Saturday 30 January for Episode 8 of 58 Eridani.

—

You can read the previous issues by clicking on the following links:

Introducing 58 Eridani, a Game Log

58 Eridani Episode 1

58 Eridani Episode 2

58 Eridani Episode 3

58 Eridani Episode 4

58 Eridani Episode 5

58 Eridani Episode 6

—

Andrew Robins is a long time reader – and sometime reviewer – of science fiction, fantasy and history. People pay him to test stuff, which most of the time is more fun than it has any right to be.

To check out Andrew’s book reviews, see “Book Reviews for ‘on Anything, Really’” in the right-hand side bar.

I have been more than a little swamped by life outside of books of late, which means that I won’t be having the elaborate, on-blog book launch bash that I’ve put on for my previous books. The Daughter of Blood celebration will be a very modest affair, quiet even—afternoon tea & cakes, rather than champagne and caviar.

Although, in fact, I rather like tea and cakes …

… But one thing I won’t be leaving out is the Great Book Launch “Tuckerization” opportunity.

Just to remind y’all, “Tuckerization” is when someone’s name is used for a character in a work of fiction. Yes, indeed, it’s a potential opportunity for you to be immortalized in a work of fiction.

Since the launch of The Heir of Night, I’ve been doing a Tuckerization for each of the subsequent books in The Wall Of Night series. So Jan Butterworth gave her name to a character in The Gathering Of The Lost and Cheryl Graham won the launch contest to give her name to a character in Daughter Of Blood — a character who will finally be unveiled on the blog next week, following publication. (Tis all under wraps until then.)

But on publication day itself, together with virtual tea and cakes and generally celebrating Daughter of Blood, I shall also be featuring the Tuckerization opportunity (aka “competition”, but only in the sense that ‘there can be only one’, so if I get more than one entrant there will be a draw) for the fourth and final Wall of Night series’ novel, The Chaos Gate.

So this post is just a headsup to look out for it on the 26th—although, in fact, it will be the 27th here in NZ. (Launch Day will displace Big Worlds on Small Screens from its regular slot, but Rebecca will be back on Wednesday 3 February instead.)

UK/AU/NZ

With Daughter of Blood almost upon us — the final, official version — I can’t help reflecting a little on deleted scenes, of which there are quite a few.

So waddya reckon, should I share some of them with you here?

I really think I could… But should I?

What do you think, dear readers?

USA

Shall we only stick with the final, official version, or would you like a taste of what didna make the author’s cut*?

I shall eagerly await your wise guidance. 😉

*Because this is material that was ruthlessly discarded long before even 
my beta readers or my editor got to see it.

Almost

Here!

Yes, my dears, it’s that time–just on week left until Daughter of Blood is finally published on 26 January (US and UK), which is 27 January here in New Zealand and Australia.

I’ll be doing an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit Fantasy on the 26th (AU/NZ 27th) and will also have an interview on my friend Sharon Stogner’s ismellsheep genre site.

I’ll be back with more details for both of those closer to the time–and I do hope you’ll consider dropping by and asking me a question on the AMA, so I won’t feel lonely “out there, among the English.”* 😉
(Although you do have to sign up/sign in for Reddit Fantasy, I believe, so I’ll understand if you prefer not to.)

Then on the 30th (although it may post a little later), I’ll be doing a podcast interview with Paul Weimer, Kate Elliott and Courtney Schafer, talking world-building, writing great characters, and magic systems—and all with the crown of excellent company!

A little later still, after 5 February, I’ll also be doing a blog interview with Mary Victoria—once she’s had a chance to read the book!

—

*An Amish admonition apparently, "the English" being non-Amish Americans.:)

The Woods of Westermain

I

Enter these enchanted woods,
You who dare.
Nothing harms beneath the leaves
More than waves a swimmer cleaves.
Toss your heart up with the lark,
Foot at peace with mouse and worm,
Fair you fare.
Only at a dread of dark
Quaver, and they quit their form:
Thousand eyeballs under hoods
Have you by the hair.
Enter these enchanted woods,
You who dare.

II

Here the snake across your path
Stretches in his golden bath:
Mossy-footed squirrels leap
Soft as winnowing plumes of Sleep:
Yaffles on a chuckle skim
Low to laugh from branches dim:
Up the pine, where sits the star,
Rattles deep the moth-winged jar.
Each has business of his own;
But should you distrust a tone,
Then beware …

… Enter these enchanted woods,
You who dare.
…

by George Meredith, 1828 – 1909

—

As I mentioned last week, I am starting my year in poetry by featuring poems that concern trees. I am wondering if it is coincidence that both my poems to date are Victorian … The Woods of Westermain is a rather long poem, and quite “dense” in terms of word style and material as well, which is why I’ve only used an excerpt today — but I think it gives you the “feel” of the work.

Also on trees, check out Sunday’s post on “treemail”: love letters to Melbourne’s trees.

Last week, I kicked off the second part of my “avid reader” special—and this time some of the most avid readers I know are sharing their Most-Anticipated Reads of 2016.

Paul is not only a book reviewer, but also podcaster, and a Mind Meld convenor on SF Signal: let’s see what he’s most looking forward to reading this year.

—

Paul Weimer’s Five Most-Anticipated Reads of 2016

Once upon a time, before the internet, before I discovered Locus, this question would have been more of an aspirational question. I hope that there will be a new Raymond Feist next year! Maybe there will be a new C.J. Cherryh? A new epic fantasy series would be nice. But what actually was coming soon? Little clue. With the introduction to me of the Locus Forthcoming List, and later, lists on the Internet, social media from authors and publishers, podcasts and blogs and interviews, that problem is long gone. I already had a large list of books I wanted to read in 2016, even before 2015 was finished.

Here are just five of the many books I am excited to get to read in 2016:

Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, Lois McMaster Bujold

Space Opera

Ever since I discovered the novels of Miles Vorkosigan, I’ve been hooked on the fiction of Lois M Bujold. Her Space Opera universe and set of characters are like none other, a complex and complicated saga spanning worlds and decades, and generations. With Miles aging, she has started to explore other characters as major protagonists, such as his cousin, “that idiot” Ivan, in Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance. In this newest book, we return to Cordelia Vorkosigan, widow of the late Aral Vorkosigan, and mother to Miles. She’s up to something, and what does Admiral Oliver Jole have to do with it? If you give me fast penta, I will still tell you I want to read this book.
.

Every Heart a Doorway, Seanan McGuire

Portal Fantasy

I’ve heard good things about this novella from McGuire for months and months now. Portal Fantasy seems to be a burgeoning thing, again, in SFF. McGuire’s novella, however, plans to deconstruct the portal fantasy by showing what happens to the people who go through the portal and return to the real world, and have to deal with mundanity again. I’m ready to step through.
.

The Edge of Worlds, Martha Wells

Fantasy

I’ve been a fan of Martha Wells work from the beginning of her career, and I think her novels and stories of the Raksura are a full maturation of her skills, her particular brand of fantasy, and are a fascinating world of characters and races and beings to explore in the bargain. The Edge of Worlds continues the story of the Indigo Cloud clan of Raksura and I look forward to exploring the Reaches once again to learn the newest adventures of Moon, Jade, and the rest of their fractious family group.
.

Company Town, Madeline Ashby

Science Fiction

Ashby’s science fiction is sharp, futuristic, detailed and thoughtful. Company Town brings her back into her near-future zone of augmentation, and artificial persons, and adds a layer of a mystery noir plot to the proceedings on a gigantic oil rig in Canadian water. I’m on board!
.

A Gathering of Shadows, V.E. Schwab

Fantasy

Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic nearly made it onto my Top 5 for 2015, and it was my first introduction to her work. A Gathering of Shadows continues the story of Lila and Kell, in a universe of parallel universe Londons: the former a thief who wants to be a pirate, and the latter one one of the few mages left who can travel between these Londons. I look forward to worldwalking across worlds to see how these characters, and these Londons, continue to collide.
.

~ Paul Weimer

—

Paul Weimer is a writer, gamer, blogger, podcaster and ubiquitous genre enthusiast. At venues ranging from Skiffy and Fanty, to SF Signal, SFF Audio and beyond, he can be found exploring the world of science fiction and fantasy. He can be found on his own website http://www.skyseastone.net/jvstin, on twitter @princejvstin, and many other places on the internet.