In 40 years no one has asked me that before! Congratulations. Seriously, I avoid thinking of style. My father was a writer/director/producer, and he had two hints for me (he didn’t imagine I’d become an author).  First was, ‘if you’re not writing action, you’re writing talking heads, and if it’s talking heads, they better be saying something important.” Second was,  “Don’t fart around, tell the damn story!” So, efficiently?  I hope so. I think my work mostly is character driven, for another thing the old man said was, “Give them someone to root for.”  That’s about as self-analytical as I can get.

Your career in publishing started out in 1982 with the release of Magician: Apprentice, the first novel in what would turn into the Riftwar Cycle, a series with 31 novels. Can you tell me a little about how this came about?

Actually, it was It was split into two volumes for paperback release in the US. In the UK, for example, it was always one novel. It’s a long story, and the short version is I learned I was a pretty good writer in college, because I could hack out papers and get A’s. After I graduated I decided to turn my hand to fiction, looking for a second income possibility. I had majored in Mass Market & Public Opinion and had done a fair bit of political stuff, but now I was working for non-profits. We had a tax revolt in California in 1978 and funding was cut, and I was instantly a full-time writer. As I said, my dad had been in the entertainment industry, and his literary agent, the brilliant Harold Matson, and he saw something in Magician, so he represented me and eventually editor Adrian Zackheim at Doubleday bought it, and from there one thing led to another and I still haven’t found that other job in marketing.

Following the conclusion of Riftwar in 2013 with Magician’s End, you headed into retirement and the world expected your legacy to live on through your work. You then burst back into the spotlight with 2018’s King of Ashes, first in the Firemane Saga. Where did the inspiration come from for this new series?

Retirement? First I heard about it. Writers don’t retire; we drop dead or get put in a home. Anyway, I wanted to take a short break, which I did, and that unfortunately went on longer than planned due to some personal, family issues. The notion for King of Ashes was actually pretty odd. As I was waking up one morning, in that lucid moment coming out of sleep but not quite awake, I thought I heard a voice ask, “Who is the King of Ashes?” Once I got over my concerns of auditory hallucinations or a transient ischemic attack, I thought, that’s a great title for a book! So I had to figure out who the King of Ashes was, and why was he important, etc. And that turned into a story.

Initial estimates were that it would be a trilogy. Is this still the case?

That’s the plan. Most of my work has been “three act plays,” though I’ve had four books in one series and two in another, but for the most part my background in theater and film makes me think in the old, “chase your character up a tree, then throw rocks at him, then let him come down gracefully and win,” trope of drama. My characters do have an annoying habit of taking off on their own sometimes with prior consultation with me, so who knows? Something else might happen, and it could be four.

For those who have read King of Ashes and are moving on to July’s release Queen of Storms, can you tell us what we should expect in the forthcoming instalment?

Spoilers are evil. So, this will be spoiler free. As noted above, in the three act play model, this is the very end of act one and goes deeply into act two, the rock throwing. Lots of bad things happen to good people, lives are profoundly changed, and as I like to do a lot, we peel the onion. We find layers below the layers were previously peeling off. So, new major players are revealed, some things are not as they seemed to be, and a good time is had by all. Except for the people who die bloody deaths, of course. Seriously, we will learn a lot more about the characters and the world in which they live.

Hava comes into her own more during Queen of Storms with a greater proportion of chapters/page time being dedicated her journey. Having followed a very logical progression to superiority, was her destiny predetermined? Or did Hava as a character dictate her trajectory while you were drafting?

It’s always the character. I often say my subconscious is smarter than I am. Hava originally was a “woman of mystery” to Hatushaly, and it read horribly. I was going to introduce her half-way through the book and I ended up trashing literally hundreds of pages writing/rewriting. When I decided to make her a life-long friend, bang! It all fell into place. And like the whole “King of Ashes,” question, another morning I woke up and a voice said, “Hava wants to be a pirate.” I had a sort of “in this part of the story we deal with what Hava is doing while the other characters are off doing that thing over there,” and again bang! It all fell into place and she took over the story. Part of the reason I partnered with Janny Wurts on the Empire series was I have never been a teenage girl, so I didn’t think I had the chops to fake writing one.  Because of that collaboration, I love writing strong women like Miranda, Sandreena, and now Hava.

King of Ashes ends with the revelation that Donte has escaped the clutches of the Sisters of the Deep but we don’t know how or why. Can readers expect more of the sinister merfolk in Queen of Storms and the final novel in the series?

That would be telling. It’s a line from an old TV show, The Prisoner, and I love using it. We will see more of Donte and deal with the magic used on him by the Sisters of the Deep, and it plugs into a much bigger reveal on powers at play in the conflicts facing all the characters. But it is not forgotten, and it shall be explained. I promise.

The Flame Guard play a greater part in Queen of Storms, attempting to reach their goal of spiriting Hatushaly off to their hidden base of operations in order to teach him to control his magic. Whilst they believe they are serving a higher purpose, in fact they may been seen as the lesser villain of the piece.

How do you as the writer tackle plotting the juxtaposition between portraying them as the good guys and them committing evil deeds to achieve their purpose?

This is sort of “writer neepery” stuff. The trick is understanding perspective. You reveal something from one point of view, and then add data which shifts the reader’s perspective. The first time I did that was in A Darkness At Sethanon, when I showed the reader the character of Guy du Bas-Tyra wasn’t a “villain” but a guy with a different agenda, one that made sense from his point of view. As for what the Flame Guard are really up to, we’ll know by the end of the series.

The introduction of the Border Ports and the Azhante provide new locales and characters in Queen of Storms while the return of past characters allows the story to speed on ahead. My question is, when introducing new elements into your narrative, do you plan ahead for their introduction? Or does the flow of the narrative cause their inception?

You plan ahead, else you’re all over the place and the story becomes a patchwork. When things show up is more a function of narrative flow.

Throughout the Firemane Saga, there are many points whereby the reader witnesses gross atrocities in the form of epic battles or sneaky assassinations. Talk me through how you formulate your character deaths with such breathtaking precision?

There is no formula, per se. What most non-writers don’t understand is reflected often with the question “did it bother me to kill off so-and-so?” The answer is always no. A character is merely one of many components of a story, which is made up of many moving parts. They serve a narrative function and when it’s done, it’s done. The manner of killing off a character is part of creating that narrative.  So if it’s “off camera,” or “up-close-and-personal,” is mostly a function of coming to the best possible use of that death in propelling the narrative and finely a satisfactory end point. Not satisfying the reader if he or she has grown attached to the character, but rather maximizing the dramatic impact of that ending. I learned early on there’s an interesting emotional response to an “off-camera” death.  Which is why when Pug returned from Kelewan in Magician, he’s told of Squire Roland’s death by Princess Carline, rather than having me show his death.  To me it’s a lesson learned from my own life, starting when I was very young and my father died in New York whole I was a little kid in California.  Not every character gets an heroic death scene.

What are you hoping readers will pull from the story?

First and foremost, entertainment. If there’s any insights into deep philosophical truths, or profound life lessons for a reader, that’s up to them. I take no responsibility for that, and am not trying to do more than spin a “ripping yarn.”

I have heard tales of you playing World of Warcraft in order to aid mapbuilding and planning of ideas. True or false? If true, what got you into the game?

That’s a conflation of things. The world building was during college, an old paper and pencil RPG. I play Warcraft because a friend got me hooked, and now play online with my kids now and again.

QUICKFIRE ROUND

• Fiction or nonfiction? Nonfiction
• Plotter or pantser? Pantser
• Favorite bookish trope? Adventure is just outside the door.
• Least favorite bookish trope? Life is a sea of teas, an endless struggle, so resign yourself.  Usually ending with someone walking alone on a beach somewhere.
• Coffee or tea? Coffee
• Beach holiday or hiking in the bush? Beach, with chair side drink service.
• Convention crowds or smaller signings? Smaller signings are more fun.
• If you could pick a single holiday destination for the rest of your life, where would it be? I live in the number one vacation destination in the US, San Diego.  So, I’m already here.
• If you could recommend five authors to the general public that are must reads, who would they be? Only five?  That’s impossible.  First five to spring to mind today (subject to change every five minutes) Ursula K. Le Guin,  Octavia Butler, Neil Gaiman, Samuel R. Delany, and Ray Bradbury, and that’s just in fantasy & science fiction.  Oh, honorable mention for that Shakespeare guy.

Will you be picking up Queen of Storms? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Raymond E. Feist, Author of ‘Queen of Storms’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

This month sees releases from loved authors such as Kevin Kwan, Sarah Henning, Michele Campbell, Paul Tremblay, and more! From fantastic fantasy to breathtaking romances, there’s something for everyone within these releases!

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Girls team up to overthrow the kingdom in this unique and powerful retelling of Cinderella from a stunning new voice that’s perfect for fans of A Curse So Dark and Lonely.

He Started It by Samantha Downing
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From the twisted mind behind mega hit My Lovely Wife comes the story of a family—not unlike your own—just with a few more violent tendencies thrown in….

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
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The iconic author of the bestselling phenomenon Crazy Rich Asians returns with a glittering tale of love and longing as a young woman finds herself torn between two worlds–the WASP establishment of her father’s family and George Zao, a man she is desperately trying to avoid falling in love with.

The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning
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The Princess Will Save You is a YA fantasy adventure inspired by The Princess Bride, in which a princess must rescue her stable boy true love, from the acclaimed author of Sea Witch, Sarah Henning.

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
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Luc O’Donnell is tangentially–and reluctantly–famous. To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship…and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. Unfortunately apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that’s when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don’t ever want to let them go.

The Wife Who Knew Too Much by Michele Campbell
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From Michele Campbell, the bestselling author of It’s Always the Husband comes a new blockbuster thriller in The Wife Who Knew Too Much.

Queen of Storms by Raymond E. Feist
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Dark and powerful forces threaten the world of Garn once more in this second novel in legendary New York Times bestselling author Raymond E. Feist’s epic fantasy series, the Firemane Saga.

The Shadows by Alex North
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The haunting new thriller from Alex North, author of the New York Times bestseller The Whisper Man.

Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power
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From the author of the New York Times bestseller Wilder Girls comes a new twisty thriller about a girl whose past has always been a mystery—until she decides to return to her mother’s hometown . . . where history has a tendency to repeat itself.

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
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The creeping horror of Paul Tremblay meets Tommy Orange’s There There in a dark novel of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition in this latest novel from the Jordan Peele of horror literature, Stephen Graham Jones.

The Book of Dragons by Jonathan Strahan
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Scott Lynch, R.F. Kuang, Kate Elliott, Ken Liu, Todd McCaffrey, Garth Nix, Peter S. Beagle, and other modern masters of fantasy and science fiction put their unique spin on the greatest of mythical beasts—the dragon—in never-before-seen works written exclusively for this fantasy anthology compiled by award-winning editor Jonathan Strahan and with art by Rovina Cai!

Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
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A riveting novel of suspense and terror from the Bram Stoker award-winning author of The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts.

Will you be picking up any of these July releases? Tell us in the comments below!

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In Queen of Storms, Declan and Hatu are both comfortable in their surroundings, protected by the Baron and his younger brother Balvern. Declan has his forge and wife to go home to, while Hatu and Hava are attempting to make their stamp on the world by rebuilding Gwen’s fathers Inn after its tragic demise. Although it progresses as expected, the reader begins to gain a better understanding into just how our protagonists view and interact with the world around them. As each slowly begins to realise just how important they are going to be should war recommence in Garn, for the most part everyone is just attempting to get on with life. I found the interactions between most of the characters in the beginning to really scratch the itch that is Feist’s signature blend of story-telling and world building. While everyone is keeping secrets and continuing on with life, one can gain a real insight into just how tough it would be to live in the countryside and attempt to seek a living. But everyone knows it would not truly be a Feist novel until tragedy hits and everything falls apart.

If you have ever read anything from this master storyteller, you will know that tragedy and conflict if where Feist really shines. When the inevitable happens and everyone’s peaceful existence begins to crumble around them, each characters’ story progresses in such a way as to be logical but exciting, nonetheless. Whether it be fighting for their home, sneaking through a crumbling city, or riding across the lush countryside, every part of the journey is meticulously planned so as to keep the audience engaged. Returning to previous destinations could have potentially felt stale but with the twists and turns of the plot and the eventual demise of certain factions, the whole thing still felt very fresh and new.

There is also inclusion of new destinations for as we all know, Feist novels seem to have endless locales in which to tell their story. Leaving the mainland, there is the discovery of lands afar known as the Border Ports, a sort of segregating archipelago of islands from which no person of Tembria has ever returned. On these islands, one feels as though they are far from any civilisation, much the same as the introduction of Coaltachin in King of Ashes – although their distance is not particularly far, their people are a special breed all of their own.

While the Sicari took the forefront in the series first instalment and are occasionally referenced throughout Queen, an all-new breed of evil is introduced so as to give the reader a sense that what they thought were the Big Bad are actually small potatoes in terms of the world of Garn as a whole. Upon the introduction of the Azhante, an order of warrior similar to the Sicari, one comes to question just what may be happening. However, until the final pages, it is almost impossible to discern their involvement in the current world order. I found this super refreshing to read as they are well mentioned but for the most part, the order is steeped in mysticism. I also loved that the Sisters of the Deep made a small but seemingly influential return, constantly lurking in the background but leaving the reader to question their true motivation.

Now, if you are after a novel that is fast paced, this is not it. Due to the convoluted nature of the beast that is Queen of Storms, it feels very long despite only being around 550 pages. It is a very long read but feels extremely expansive once you look back on its events. While you are reading it, however, beware of becoming distracted – I found myself having to go back because those seemingly pointless portions of drawn out happening turn into extremely important plot lines.

Overall, if you are a fan of Feist, I feel that you will love him more so now that Queen of Storms is releasing. I would warn you though, if you got angry at the cliffhanger that was King of Ashes, you shall feel no resolution by the end of QoS. The narrative as a whole was well paced but definitely had a few issues, mostly during the first portion when everyone is happy and there is no conflict (who needs happiness right?). The introduction of new characters and locales keeps the story feeling fresh, while the expansion on known characters gives the audience a greater insight into the inner workings of the main protagonists. Also, be aware that unlike KoA, multiple characters may have points of view within the same chapter – most of the time it is easy to pick these transitions and therefore keep track of where everyone is a whole.

Queen of Shadows is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 14th 2020.

Will you be picking up Queen of Shadows? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Dark and powerful forces threaten the world of Garn once more in this second novel in legendary New York Times bestselling author Raymond E. Feist’s epic fantasy series, the Firemane Saga.

Hatushaly and his young wife Hava have arrived in the prosperous trading town of Beran’s Hill to restore and reopen the fire-damaged Inn of the Three Stars. They are also preparing for the popular midsummer festival, where their friends Declan and Gwen will be wed.

But Hatu and Hava are not the ordinary loving couple they appear to be. They are assassins from the mysterious island of Coaltachin, home to the powerful and lethal Nocusara, the fearsome “Hidden Warriors.” Posing as innkeepers, they are awaiting instructions from their masters in the Kingdom of Night.

Hatu conceals an even more dangerous secret. He is the last remaining member of the legendary Firemanes, the ruling family of Ithrace. Known as the Kingdom of Flames, Ithrace was one of the five greatest realms of Tembria, ruled by Hatu’s father, Stervern Langene, until he and his people were betrayed. His heir, Hatu—then a baby—was hidden among the Nocusara, who raised him to become a deadly spy.

Hatu works hard to hide his true identity from all who would seek to use or to destroy him, as fate has other plans for the noble warrior. Unexpected calamity forces him to make choices he could not have dreamed awaited him.

A series of horrific events shatters the peace of Beran’s Hill, bringing death and devastation and unleashing monstrous forces. Once more, the Greater Realms of Tembria are threatened—and nothing will ever be the same again.

The post Review: Queen of Storms by Raymond E. Feist appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Previously Garn consisted of five kingdoms, each as strong and noble as the next. Until the day Lodavico, King of Sandura, betrayed the great kingdom of Ithrace and murdered its king Steveren and all the flame haired Firemanes, heirs to Ithrace’s throne. Satisfied with his conquest, Lodavico and the three other remaining realms engage in a semi-peaceful treaty, leaving the fallen kingdom in disrepair, its people losing all but a tiny spark of hope. There was a rumour of a baby who was smuggled out, the last remaining Firemane, heir to all its power should he come of age and reclaim his rightful place.

Declan is a gifted apprentice, learning his craft from the legendary Edvalt, weaponsmith to the fallen Firemane regents and possessor of the recipe for the famed king’s steel. Growing up in a small village and seeing Edvalt as a father, his existence is quiet. Until the day Oncon is invaded by soldiers from Sandura and his life changes forever.

Hatushaly lives with a secret society alongside his friends Donte, son of a master assassin, and Hava, a gifted apprentice and formidable fighter. Together they have learnt the art of the assassins, existing in anonymity, hoping to be chosen as the newest sicari. While his friends thrive in their positions, Hatu has never felt like he truly belongs. Always standing out in a crowd with his fair skin and fire-red hair.

King of Ashes is Raymond E Feist’s, author of the Riftwar Cycle, newest entry into his extensive catalogue of bestselling novels. Following the completion and release of Magician’s End in 2013, Feist headed on hiatus after being plagued with health and personal setbacks. 2018 marked his re-entry into the publishing world, coming back with a bang in April.

Any fan of Feist’s previous works would recognise his signature style of storytelling, creating rich visuals and immaculately planned out worlds—King of Ashes is no different. Coming in at 545 pages, the world of Garn is filled with lush imagery, from bloody battlefields to rundown inns and stinky docks, the reader is immersed from the very first page. When travelling through the kingdom of Ithrace, the changing scenery is both beautiful and logical. One can feel the bustle of the markets and the serenity of the open road.

The narration of King of Ashes takes the form of two perspectives—that of Hatu undergoing his education as a future sicari and through the eyes of Declan as he strives for greatness in his chosen profession of weapon smithing. Initially one may feel as though the changing points of view have no purpose as the young men involved have never been associated. By the end of the story however, it is obvious that each man has his part to play in the restoration of their once great land.

As is a standard within any good fantasy, the primary characters were extremely well written. Declan, full of determination, is ever coolheaded, logical and practical in every task he undertakes. Although his background is relatively unexplained, Feist’s mastery of the written word leads the consumer to remain interested regardless of whether the weaponsmith is forging king’s steel or traveling through the countryside. Hatu, assassins apprentice, is as fiery of hair as he is in temperament. Ever adventurous regardless of his setting, he is forever met with hardship unknowing as to why. Ignorant to his position within the world, the flame haired heir is stubborn but loyal to those to whom he is closest.

Secondary personalities are also treated with the care of a seasoned author. Every person has their place, although it is not always obvious until pivotal points within the story as to their importance. Hava and Donte remain prominently featured throughout until the untimely demise of one at the hands of external forces. Declan’s love interest is even given a story arc of her own leading to a heart wrenching crescendo in the novels closing pages.

While I would have preferred the story to be faster paced, by the conclusion of this first instalment in the Firemane series, the slow burn allowed so many facets to be explored without skimping on the details. While not full of plot twists and murdery moments, the action within carried the story to a finale which was both fitting and confirmed the readers suspicions. Towards the end, our main characters meet, albeit briefly, and then head their separate ways, a point that may lead to frustration in some and elation in others. A word of warning though – the epilogue turns everything on its head and leads to a revelation the reviewer could never have envisioned.

Overall, King of Ashes is an excellent addition to Raymond E Feist’s repertoire of hard-hitting fantasy novels. Full of lush imagery, immaculately outlined characters and a narrative which will satisfy even the fussiest reader, the cessation of Feist’s hiatus from the written word could not have come at a better time.

King of Ashes is available for purchase from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Have you read King of Ashes? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

The first volume in legendary master and New York Times bestselling author Raymond E. Feist’s epic heroic fantasy series, The Firemane Saga—an electrifying tale of two young men whose choices will determine a world’s destiny.

For centuries, the five greatest kingdoms of North and South Tembria, twin continents on the world of Garn, have coexisted in peace. But the balance of power is destroyed when four of the kingdoms violate an ancient covenant and betray the fifth: Ithrace, the Kingdom of Flames, ruled by Steveren Langene, known as “the Firemane” for his brilliant red hair. As war engulfs the world, Ithrace is destroyed and the Greater Realms of Tembria are thrust into a dangerous struggle for supremacy.

As a Free Lord, Baron Daylon Dumarch owes allegiance to no king. When an abandoned infant is found hidden in Daylon’s pavilion, he realizes that the child must be the missing heir of the slain Steveren. The boy is valuable—and vulnerable. A cunning and patient man, Daylon decides to keep the baby’s existence secret, and sends him to be raised on the Island of Coaltachin, home of the so-called Kingdom of Night, where the powerful and lethal Nocusara, the “Hidden Warriors,” legendary assassins and spies, are trained.

Years later, another orphan of mysterious provenance, a young man named Declan, earns his Masters rank as a weapons smith. Blessed with intelligence and skill, he unlocks the secret to forging King’s Steel, the apex of a weapon maker’s trade known by very few. Yet this precious knowledge is also deadly, and Declan is forced to leave his home to safeguard his life. Landing in Lord Daylon’s provinces, he hopes to start anew.

Soon, the two young men—an unknowing rightful heir to a throne and a brilliantly talented young swordsmith—will discover that their fates, and that of Garn, are entwined. The legendary, long-ago War of Betrayal has never truly ended . . . and they must discover the secret of who truly threatens their world.

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Whenever I tell people I’m an author, their next question is almost immediately “what kind of books do you write?” More often than not, I become pre-emptive in my defensiveness about the fact that I am currently writing a series of fantasy books.

It’s a response that has caused me to do much soul-searching as to why I feel this vague sense of shame about the genre I love. I think the most significant factor for this is the not uncommon perception that fantasy is somehow beneath other genres, that it reserved for childish escapism, or unhealthy adulation, for children, or people who want to remain in some way, children.

When I duly did the rounds of pitching my first manuscript to agents or publishers, for those who were accepting unsolicited manuscripts, one of the few genres which consistently was not accepted was fantasy. Yet a recent study conducted by #loveozya (admittedly with limitations on the sample, but nevertheless an interesting indicator) had fantasy as the second highest element that respondents indicated they wished to see more of in books. We are told by publishers and agents who style themselves as guardians of the literary community, that fantasy doesn’t sell, or that it’s an oversaturated market. Yet fantasy books—certainly in the young adult and new adult categories—are among the biggest movers. Think only of Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight chronicles, Leigh Bardugo’s GrishaVerse, or anything by Sarah J Maas. And that’s without going into the ‘adult’ fantasy genres of George R R Martin, Brandon Sanderson, or Raymond E Feist (just to name the first three who popped into my head).

Please don’t mistake this as a dig at the literary industry. Certainly, there are elements of it which frustrate me, and I ultimately made the decision to become an indie author rather than pursue traditional publication at this time, but that doesn’t mean that the literary industry is some behemoth that cannot see past its own shadow to actually interpret reader trends. For the most part, it is filled with people who are passionate about books, who are champions for authors, and who do a wonderful job day in day out. This article is about the malign which is often aimed at fantasy, and it seeks to explore why that perception is a silly one.

So, why should we laud the fantasy genre?

Because it is fundamentally a place where the human experience is transposed into a different environment (I could go on about the creativity and fastidiousness required to build an internal consistent fantasy world, but perhaps let’s leave that for another article) and then examined. Fundamentally, contemporary human beings are put in situations far removed from the society in which we currently reside, and the experiences they undergo—even the fabric of the world created by the author—speaks to something about human nature, some facet which the author is seeking to explore.

What is particularly startling and wonderful about this is it enables a point to be made without it becoming enmired within contemporaneous politics which can at times, leave readers resistant to actually engaging with the message itself.

Let’s take for instance one of my favourite fantasy series of all time, The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce.

In essence, Pierce’s protagonist, Alanna, disguises herself as a boy to undergo knight’s training, because she lives in a silly society where it’s deemed only men are fit for such roles. Along the way, not only does Alanna succeed in becoming a knight, but she ends up being better than basically every man around her. In the world that she creates, Pierce masterfully conveys the message that women are just as capable as men, and that success and skill is the consequence of incredibly hard work.

Or, take The Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta (author of Looking for Alibrandi—studied by many Australian year 10 English classes). The first book has a consistent thread of how the refugees from Lumatere were treated, thus making it a very meaningful commentary on how the plight of refugees is inherently determined by those upon whose mercy they throw themselves.

Or, to pluck from one of the examples I initially listed, let’s examine Leigh Bardugo’s initial Grisha trilogy.

One of its central concerns is the nature of leadership and power. The books are quietly scathing in the negligence of leaders who simply accept their power, and also cautions against power for the sake of power.

In my own books, The Ruthless Land is set in a society where men are utterly subservient to woman to the point that they are forced to veil, whereas in Queendom of the Seven Lakes and King of the Seven Lakes, one of the central conceits is the horror with which the country reacts to the prospect of a man sitting on the throne.

The above settings are oft-used ones, but more commonly with women placed in those positions of subservience. In making the suggestion that such subjugation and prejudice is fundamentally unideal, I found that making such a point in a world of my own devising, rather than having a setting that even vaguely correlated to our own world, was a far softer way to make such a point.

Obviously, at the crux of any book is the desire to tell an engaging and enjoyable story which sweeps the reader along. But I would argue in fact that what engages readers is the questions of human behaviour and experience, which are at their most interesting when they are looking to explore a particular idea, or make a particular comment about issues that in fact pertain to our everyday lives. When those issues are removed from the context of modern society yet remain engaging, it conveys to the reader the importance of these issues, as well as the way through them but crucially—without being a didactic clubbing.

To me, this is one of the most spectacular capabilities of fantasy, a magic within the genre that often goes unappreciated.

What do you think of the fantasy genre? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Hidden Power and Importance of Writing Fantasy appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Raymond E Feist has been a staple in the fantasy genre since he was initially published in 1982 with the first book in his Riftwar Saga, Magician. Following its widespread success, Feist quickly followed up the title with two more novels, Silverthorn (1985) and A Darkness at Sethanon (1986), rounding out his initial trilogy, The Riftwar Saga. Between the publication of Sethanon and 2013, Feist expanded his world of Midkemia to include another 24 publications as well as the collaborative publication of 3 novels based in Kelewan with Janny Wurts. Collectively, the 30 novels published within the period from ’82-2013 are known as the Riftwar Cycle and are Feist’s most popular works. Aside from Riftwar, Feist also has a number of short stories under his belt and the cult classic Faerie Tale, a supernatural thriller originally published in 1988. His latest publication, King of Ashes was published in April 2018 and was the subject of Feist’s attendance in Brisbane.

Upon arriving at Brisbane City Hall around 5pm, it was quite obvious that Feist had a following who were desperate to meet the man himself. Although we were just over an hour early, the line already snaked  around the building from the front doors of City Hall to almost three-quarters of the way to George St—a distance which was easily 350m, and there were still people joining until 6:20 when they finally opened the doors. Once they did, it was absolute havoc within a building which is usually so orderly and plain. Dymocks Brisbane had set up to the left hand side of the doors to the auditorium selling both signed and unsigned copies of Feist’s latest offering, King of Ashes, and people weren’t wasting time on getting their hands on the loot. Ushers were tentatively endeavouring to direct people to the upstairs balcony so the crush of people wasn’t unmanageable when everyone went to leave, but we went for floor seats because I planned on taking photos. People were pushing their way through the doors of downstairs so they could get the best view. Carefully we entered the main auditorium and found seats four rows from the stage in the middle aisle.

After we got seated, I thought I would take the opportunity to take some photos of the crowd and stage while I still had the chance. The main usher was delightful and tried to direct people around where I was perched trying to take photos of the set before Feist’s grand entrance (thank you kind sir, I got a few good shots *hat tip*). Generally speaking, the crowd was well-behaved, respectfully excusing themselves as they attempted to sneak past those already seated and courteously asking if empty seats were being held. However, there was an incident whereby I witnessed a child, whose parent had temporarily left their seat, being berated by a ‘fan’, an incident which had the potential to sour said child’s experience with the literary world. It was then a short 20-minute wait for Feist to finally appear! Following a short speech by Rebecca Randle of Brisbane City Libraries, the man himself, accompanied by the evenings MC Aimee Lindorff, entered the auditorium to riotous applause. The audience was then notified that with a 1300 strong crowd, we had doubled his Melbourne appearances number. Of course, the crowd went nuts again!

Environment will shape your story if you want it to or not. Go next door to see the King and it’s a novella, a short story — Feist on world-building.

The first question asked by Lindorff was, of course, ‘Why now?’. Feist proceeded to explain in his own quirky way that now felt like a good time to write another book. After family problems, health issues and just generally feeling crappy for a good while leading to a hiatus from writing, he woke up one morning to a voice asking him ‘Who is the King of Ashes?’. After months of wondering, more time remembering how to world build (apparently World of Warcraft helps with this, as does Dungeon and Dragons) and then finally sitting down and writing the story, the result was the first instalment of The Firemane Saga. In true Feist style, when a baby cried, he quickly proclaimed that there are critics everywhere and the questioning was once again resumed.

You and I have our own dialogue. And it happens at separate times. And only you get to hear both sides — On telling a story and the praises/criticisms he receives from his readers.

When asked about telling a story and how he builds his characters, Feist told the crowd that he simply thinks hard about what makes people ‘do the damned foul things they do’. He also made comment that the dialogue he has is two-sided, but only the reader gets to hear both of them. A sneaky comment about him having set a precedent for number of books in a series by our MC lead to a firm no from Feist, with him stating there would be only 3 books in the Firemane series to uproarious laughter from the hordes.

On whether he would do any more collaborations, Feist stated that while he would love to collab with various authors, but it’s a money thing and publishers nowadays don’t really like the idea of it. There was talk of Lucifer being renewed and the fact that Firefly never would be, Feist’s long-term publication meaning he is Harper’s longest running author, and when asked his motivation for Nakor, he firmly replied that he had no idea.

The time then came for the mass exodus so the signings could begin. As everyone began to rise from their seats, Feist made one last speech to the masses, explaining that he has been coming out to Australia since 1987 and it has become a sort of second home. He also made comment that unfortunately due to time constraints and nerve damage in his hand, he would be unable to sign more than one book per person, there would be no personal dedications, and there wouldn’t be any posed photos as there was just under two hours to get everyone out the door. With close to 1300 people all vying to be first in the signing line, the crush within the auditorium was beyond ridiculous. As everyone started to leave, Feist hung around for a little longer talking to one lady, a long-term subscriber to his mailing list, even ‘dating back to the Cornell days’. It was quite a touching moment to behold with Feist commenting that he hadn’t seen her for almost 15 years, but actually remembered her and he hoped that she would continue to read his works.

While the wait was long for signings, the general consensus was that people were happy. I spoke to a few lovely people about various signings they had been to and I sang my love of Kristoff from the roof tops—many google searches and ‘I’ll have to check him out’ ensued. The line gradually snaked through the building to the Toowong room where Feist was trying to sign all his greatest hits. Almost 90 minutes later, when it finally came time to get my book signed, Feist was ever the well-oiled machine, making quick comments to everyone and fastidiously signing everyone’s various editions. After quickly sneaking around the table and getting a giggle from Feist as I selfied away, the night was over. The hall was abandoned once again. A 2.5 hour drive home rounded out the night, and mini me was the happiest she has been since she last ‘met a famous person’.

Do you enjoy books by Raymond E Feist? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Raymond E. Feist Delights Australian Fans In Brisbane appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

If you’re after a magical world, Raymond E. Feist will transport you in King of Ashes and Sarah J Maas continues the adventures in Prythian with A Court of Frost and Starlight. Perhaps some science fiction is more your speed, if so, then check out  84K by Claire North or Side Life by Steve Toutonghi.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below what new releases you will be reading!

Furyborn by Claire Legrand
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Rielle Dardenne exposes her ability to perform all seven kinds of elemental magic, which only a pair of prophesied queens should posses: a queen of light and salvation and a queen of blood and destruction. To prove she is the Sun Queen, Rielle must endure seven trials to test her magic or be killed. A thousand years later, the legend of Queen Rielle is a mere fairy tale to bounty hunter Eliana Ferracora. When Eliana’s mother and other women begin disappearing, Eliana joins a rebel captain on a dangerous mission. Rielle and Eliana fight in a cosmic war that spans millennia with connections between them that will determine the fate of their world.

King of Ashes by Raymond E. Feist
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

The world of Garn once boasted five great kingdoms, until the King of Ithrace was defeated and every member of his family executed by another king with ambitions to rule the world. The remaining kingdoms remain on the brink of war, but rumour has it that the newborn son of the last king of Ithrace survived, taken by a secret society whose members are trained to infiltrate and spy upon the rich and powerful throughout Garn. On the island of Coaltachin, the secret domain of the Quelli Nacosti, three friends are being schooled in the deadly arts of espionage and assassination: Donte, son of one of the most powerful masters of the order; Hava, a serious girl with fighting abilities that can set any opponent on their back; and Hatu, a strange, conflicted lad in whom fury and calm war constantly, whose hair is a bright and fiery shade of red.

The Plastic Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Alvie Brechenmacher has arrived in London to begin her training in Polymaking—a new form of magic to bespell plastic. Even though she is only an apprentice, Alvie is an inventor at heart, and she is determined to make as many discoveries in the new discipline. Studying under world-renowned magician Marion Praff, Alvie’s enthusiasm reinvigorates her mentor’s work, and together they create a device that could forever change Polymaking—and the world. But when a rival learns of their plans, he conspires to steal their invention and take the credit for it himself.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

The Winter Solstice. In a week. I was still new enough to being High Lady that I had no idea what my formal role was to be. If we’d have a High Priestess do some odious ceremony, as lanthe had done the year before. A year. Gods, nearly a year since Rhys had called in his bargain, desperate to get me away from the poison of the Spring Court to save me from my despair. Had he been only a minute later, the Mother knew what would have happened. Where I’d now be. Snow swirled and eddied in the garden, catching in the brown fibers of the burlap covering the shrubs My mate who had worked so hard and so selflessly, all without hope that I would ever be with him We had both fought for that love, bled for it. Rhys had died for it.

Bandwidth by Eliot Peper
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

A rising star at a preeminent political lobbying firm, Dag Calhoun represents the world’s most powerful technology and energy executives until a close brush with death makes him a target. Like everyone else, Dag relies on his digital feed for everything—a feed that is as personal as it is pervasive, and may not be as private as it seems. As he struggles to make sense of the dark forces closing in on him, he discovers that activists are hijacking the feed to manipulate markets and governments.

Whisper by Lynette Noni
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For two years, six months, fourteen days, eleven hours and sixteen minutes, Subject Six-Eight-Four or ‘Jane Doe’ has been locked away and experimented on, without uttering a single word. As Jane’s resolve begins to crack under the influence of her new and unexpectedly kind evaluator, she uncovers the truth about Lengard’s mysterious ‘program’, discovering that her own secret is at the heart of a sinister plot … and one wrong move, one wrong word, could change the world.

84K by Claire North
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

What if your life were defined by a number? What if any crime could be committed without punishment, so long as you could afford to pay the fee assigned to that crime? Theo works in the Criminal Audit Office. He assesses each crime that crosses his desk and makes sure the correct debt to society is paid in full. But when Theo’s ex-lover Dani is killed, it’s different. This is one death he can’t let become merely an entry on a balance sheet. Because when the richest in the world are getting away with murder, sometimes the numbers just don’t add up.

What Should Be Wild by Julia Fine
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Cursed. Maisie Cothay has never known the feel of human flesh: born with the power to kill or resurrect at her slightest touch. Living on the edge of a mysterious forest, Maisie’s father warns her to stay away as men disappear and emerge with addled minds and strange stories. He doesn’t tell her that for over a millennium her female ancestors have also vanished, never to emerge—for she is descended from a long line of cursed women. But one day Maisie’s father disappears, so she must venture beyond where she encounters a strange world filled with wonder and deception where she can finally reckon with her power and come to understand the wildest parts of herself.

Side Life by Steve Toutonghi
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Vin, a down-on-his-luck young tech entrepreneur forced out of the software company he started, takes a job house-sitting an ultra-modern Seattle mansion whose owner has gone missing. There he discovers a secret basement lab with an array of computers and three large, smooth caskets. Inside one he finds a woman in a state of suspended animation. When Vin decides to climb into one of the caskets to see what happens, his reality begins to unravel, and he finds himself on a terrifying journey that asks fundamental questions about reality, free will, and the meaning of a human life.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
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When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shocked everyone that a peasant girl got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan. But now she’s targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school. A Third Poppy War is just a spark away and Rin’s powers may be the only way to save her people.

MEM by Bethany C. Morrow
Goodreads | Amazon

Set in the glittering art deco world of a century ago, MEM makes one slight alteration to history: a scientist in Montreal discovers a method allowing people to have their memories extracted from their minds, whole and complete. The Mems exist as mirror-images of their source ― zombie-like creatures destined to experience that singular memory over and over, until they expire in the cavernous Vault where they are kept. And then there is Dolores Extract #1, the first Mem capable of creating her own memories. An ageless beauty shrouded in mystery, she is allowed to live on her own, and create her own existence, until one day she is summoned back to the Vault.

Witchsign by Den Patrick
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

It has been seventy-five years since the dragons’ rule of fire and arcane magic over Vinkerveld was ended, and the Empire was born. Since, the tyrannical Synod has worked hard to banish all manifestations of the arcane across the lands. However, children are still born bearing the taint of the arcane, known to all as witchsign, and they are being hunted. Steiner believes his sister Kjellrunn bears witchsign until he’s mistakenly taken. Except it is not death which awaits Steiner, but an Academy where the children with witchsign learn to master their powers and he’s determined to protect his sister from this fate.

Check out more of this month’s book releases on our Goodreads list!

The post May Book Releases: Fantasy + Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From Victoria Aveyard’s final instalment in the Red Queen series, to new books by popular YA authors Jay Kristoff, Julie Murphy, Sarah J Maas and Rick Riordan! Then there’s a new novel from the king of horror, Stephen King! If you’re after a little fantasy, try Raymond E. Feist’s King of Ashes, or perhaps if sci-fi is more your speed, Claire North’s 84K will be perfect for you.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be checking any out!

War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning Red Queen series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive. War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Eve isn’t looking for secrets. The robot gladiator she spent six months working on is a wreck and now she’s discovered she can destroy electronics with the power of her mind, and the puritanical Brotherhood are building a coffin her size. But when Eve discovers the ruins of an android boy named Ezekiel, her entire world comes crashing down. With her best friend Lemon Fresh and her robotic conscience, Cricket, in tow, she and Ezekiel will trek across deserts of irradiated glass, infiltrate towering megacities and scour the graveyard of humanity’s greatest folly to save the ones Eve loves, and learn the dark secrets of her past.

The Outsider by Stephen King
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

An eleven-year-old boy is found in a town park, hideously assaulted and murdered. The fingerprints (and later DNA) are unmistakably those of the town’s most popular baseball coach, Terry Maitland, a man of impeccable reputation, with a wife and two daughters. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland coached, orders an immediate and public arrest. Maitland is taken to jail, his claim to innocence scorned. Maitland has a foolproof alibi, with footage to prove that he was in another city when the crime was committed. But that doesn’t save him either.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

The Winter Solstice. In a week. I was still new enough to being High Lady that I had no idea what my formal role was to be. If we’d have a High Priestess do some odious ceremony, as lanthe had done the year before. A year. Gods, nearly a year since Rhys had called in his bargain, desperate to get me away from the poison of the Spring Court to save me from my despair. Had he been only a minute later, the Mother knew what would have happened. Where I’d now be. Snow swirled and eddied in the garden, catching in the brown fibers of the burlap covering the shrubs My mate who had worked so hard and so selflessly, all without hope that I would ever be with him We had both fought for that love, bled for it. Rhys had died for it.

84K by Claire North
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

What if your life were defined by a number? What if any crime could be committed without punishment, so long as you could afford to pay the fee assigned to that crime? Theo works in the Criminal Audit Office. He assesses each crime that crosses his desk and makes sure the correct debt to society is paid in full. But when Theo’s ex-lover Dani is killed, it’s different. This is one death he can’t let become merely an entry on a balance sheet. Because when the richest in the world are getting away with murder, sometimes the numbers just don’t add up.

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

When five hyper-successful women agree to appear on a reality series set in New York City called Goal Diggers, the producers never expect the season will end in murder… Brett’s the fan favorite and the object of jealousy and vitriol from her cast mates; Kelly, Brett’s older sister is dismissed as a hanger-on by veteran cast and shares a shocking secret with her sister; Stephanie, the first black cast member and the oldest, is a successful bestselling author of erotic novels; Lauren, the start-up world’s darling whose drinking has gotten out of control, is Goal Diggers’ recovery narrative; and Jen, made rich and famous through her cultishly popular vegan food line plays a holistic hippie for the cameras, but is perhaps the most ruthless of them all when the cameras are off.

Puddin’ by Julie Murphy
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

It is a companion novel to Dumplin’, which follows supporting characters from the first book in the months after Willowdean’s star turn in the Clover City pageant. Millie Michalchuk has gone to fat camp every year since she was a girl, but this year she has new plans to chase her secret dream—and to kiss her crush, Callie Reyes. When circumstances bring the girls together over the course of a semester, they will surprise everyone (especially themselves) by realising they might have more in common than they ever imagined.

The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhadar
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

This rich, moving, and lyrical debut novel is to Syria what The Kite Runner was to Afghanistan; the story of two girls living eight hundred years apart—a modern-day Syrian refugee seeking safety and a medieval adventurer apprenticed to a legendary mapmaker—places today’s headlines in the sweep of history, where the pain of exile and the triumph of courage echo again and again.

Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now by Dana L. Davis
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Tiffany Sly lost her mother to cancer and now she has to leave her hometown of Chicago to live with the rich biological dad she’s never known and his four other daughters. She doesn’t fit into her new luxurious, but super-strict, home except the only thing that is bearable is the strange boy across the street, Marcus McKinney. But Tiffany has a secret. Another man claims he’s Tiffany’s real dad—and she only has seven days before he shows up to demand a paternity test and the truth comes out.

King of Ashes by Raymond E. Feist
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

The world of Garn once boasted five great kingdoms, until the King of Ithrace was defeated and every member of his family executed by another king with ambitions to rule the world. The remaining kingdoms remain on the brink of war, but rumour has it that the newborn son of the last king of Ithrace survived, taken by a secret society whose members are trained to infiltrate and spy upon the rich and powerful throughout Garn. On the island of Coaltachin, the secret domain of the Quelli Nacosti, three friends are being schooled in the deadly arts of espionage and assassination: Donte, son of one of the most powerful masters of the order; Hava, a serious girl with fighting abilities that can set any opponent on their back; and Hatu, a strange, conflicted lad in whom fury and calm war constantly, whose hair is a bright and fiery shade of red.

The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

The Trials of Apollo series continues in the third instalment, which is about the formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg.

Our Kind of Cruelty by Araminta Hall
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

This is a love story. Mike’s love story. Mike Hayes fought his way out of a brutal childhood and into a quiet, if lonely life, before he met Verity Metcalf. V taught him about love, and in return, Mike has dedicated his life to making her happy. He’s found the perfect home, the perfect job, he’s sculpted himself into the physical ideal V has always wanted. He knows they’ll be blissfully happy together. It doesn’t matter that she hasn’t been returning his emails or phone calls. It doesn’t matter that she says she’s marrying Angus. It’s all just part of the secret game they used to play. If Mike watches V closely, he’ll see the signs. If he keeps track of her every move he’ll know just when to come to her rescue…

Check out more of this month’s book releases on our Goodreads list!

The post May Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.