“Pines” by Blake Crouch was one of the best books I read last year and was # 3 in my Top Ten reads of 2012. So it was to my great pleasure that I came across this news on Blake’s Facebook page that announced the following: 

“Fox has announced the first two event drama series it has put in development: Wayward Pines, from M. Night Shyamalan and Chad Hodge and the FX Prods. Division.” 

“Based on the best-selling novel Pines by Blake Crouch, Wayward Pines is an intense, mind-bending thriller evocative of the classic cult hit Twin Peaks. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in the bucolic town of Wayward Pines, ID, on a mission to find two missing federal agents. But instead of answers, Ethan’s investigation only turns up more questions. What’s wrong with Wayward Pines? Each step closer to the truth takes Ethan further from the life he knew, from the husband and father he was, until he must face the terrifying reality that he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive. Wayward Pines was written on spec by Hodge (The Playboy Club) and executive produced by Shyamalan, Hodge, Donald De Line (Green Lantern) and Ashwin Rajan (After Earth).” 

This is simply fantastic, as I believe the book's plot will transition greatly on the TV screen if handled competently. I for one can’t wait to hear more about this project and I’ll be sure to update readers with more news as it gets revealed. 

Triumph Over Tragedy is an anthology organized by R.T. Kaelin with vital and unflagging assistance by Sarah Chorn of Bookworm Blues. R. T. had written this deeply personal and amazing blog post about his own experiences and how it has shaped his writing. 

This anthology has garnered a whole host of amazing authors and here’s the entire list of contributors: 

• Robert Silverberg (Hugo & Nebula Award winner) 

• Marion Zimmer Bradley (Locus Award winner) (donated by the MZB Literary Trust) 

• Timothy Zahn (NYT Bestseller & Hugo Award winner) 

• Michael A. Stackpole (NYT Bestseller) 

• Elizabeth Bear 
• Bryan Thomas Schmidt

• Michael J. Sullivan 

• Mark Lawrence 

• Bradley P. Beaulieu 

• Philip Athans 

• Adrian Tchaikovsky 

• Tobias Buckell 

• Stephen D. Sullivan 

• Rick Novy 

• Jean Rabe - 

• Tim Marquitz 

• Maxwell Alexander Drake 

• SM Blooding 

• Erik Scott de Bie 

• Alex Bledsoe 

• Elisabeth Waters 

• R.T. Kaelin 

• Ari Marmell 

• Matt Bone 

• Sarah Hans 

• Rob Rogers 

• Jaym Gates 

• C.J. Henderson 

• Marian Allen 

• Bryan Young 

• Donald Bingle 

• Janine Spendlove 

• T.L. Gray 

• Steven Saus 

• Addie King 

• Vicki Johnson-Steger 

• Tracy Chowdhury 

• Doris Stever 

So basically the anthology is now live on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. With all the proceeds from this wonderful anthology going directly to the American Red Cross to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. I believe it's imperative for us speculative fiction readers to help by buying this wonderful anthology. I did and I hope more of you jump in and help out as well. 

Tim Marquitz has had quite an eventful year in 2012 and like last year wherein he put an amazing anthology focusing on Monsters and apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic themes, this year he has turned his head towards urban fantasy. I couldn’t be more excited for it as urban fantasy is something that I enjoy and with Tim’s editorial skills, I can’t wait to see what stories he picks for this anthology. Learn more about this upcoming anthology on his blog and to know more about Tim, read this fascinating new interview with him over at Fantastical Imaginations. 

Teresa Frohock along with a bunch of talented folks recently completed a fascinating project about Gender bending and reader perceptions. Read more about the results and the project over on her blog. Plus there’s a bonus, readers get to read these 10 fascinating shorts: 

#1 - Bearna by Jamie Sears 

#2 - The Ballad of Sophie Nu by Dirigible Elephant 

#3 - The Education of Rebecca Cavendish by Alice Leakey 

#4 - Untitled by Jackson Harris 

#5 - Untitled by S.A. Daniels 

#6 - Untitled by Kyle Schuler 

#7 - The Hated by A.K. Reid 

#8 - White Space by T.J. Breckenridge 

#9 - The Sea-Folk’s Price by Z. Riddle 

#10 - Meghan's Bike by Marian Westwood 

Lastly among the blogosphere, there have been several wonderful and diverse "Best of 2012" lists. I would like readers to take a look at the following ones from some of my fav. bloggers and find out what my fellow book-lovers have found amazing among the books they have read last year: 

- Fantasy Book Café 

- Only The Best Sci-fi & Fantasy 

- The Mad Hatter’s Book Review Blog 

- The Book Smugglers 

- The Speculative Scotsman

Note: Teresa Frohock & Tim Marquitz pictures courtesy of the authors themselves. "Best of 2012" pic courtesy of Milwaukeemag.com

1] Blood Song by Anthony Ryan  – This was simply the best book I’ve read in this year by a long way and as far as debuts go, it stands proudly among those by Scott Lynch and Patrick Rothfuss. The book has a narrative structure that is similar to The Name Of The Wind and also a protagonist whose talents propel him in his military school setting. However that’s not the only shining point, there are several mysteries that are present in the story and the world settings and not to mention there’s also the devious narrative voice that makes it hard for the reader to decide on the veracity of the tale being narrated. Lastly I think Anthony Ryan might be the next best thing to come out of the Indie market and hopefully time will tell if he will be the successor to David Gemmell’s rich fantasy legacy.

2] The Coldest War by Ian Tregillis – This book was the find of the year for me. Featuring a cold war scenario but with wizards, assassins, magic, and a sadistically devious antagonist. The story was terrific on so many levels and showcases some terrific plotting skills on the author’s part as certain parts in the first book make so much sense. Excellent characterization, terrific storytelling and a flair for combining magic with history makes Ian Tregillis an author to watch out for with utmost glee.

3] Pines by Blake Crouch – Since the last couple of years, Blake Crouch has pretty much been at the top of thriller lists everywhere. This year with Pines, he took his sales and storytelling abilities to a whole another level. Featuring a plot that mixes Twin Peaks, X-files and something else, Blake hit a terrific home run with this one and with the recent news of a possible F/X adaptation, things are simply looking better and better.

4] Mage’s Blood by David Hair – Mage’s Blood was a surprisingly great read for me. It was epic fantasy done correctly and had world settings that were a bit different from the pseudo European ones that have become a cliché unto themselves. David Hair transitioned nicely from his YA books onto the epic fantasy scene with this series opener and if it is any indication of the events to come then I can only anticipate the thrills to be read ahead.

5] The King’s Blood by Daniel Abraham – Daniel Abraham had noted the less than enthusiastic reader response to his debut series and had announced that this series would be more traditional and give his version of all the classical fantasy tropes. With the second volume he gave the readers another reason for his fame to spread further. Expanding the story and character cast, Daniel is writing a series that will be known for its exceptional prose as well as terrific characters.

6] Red Country by Joe Abercrombie – Joe Abercrombie returns with a bloody fantasy western tale and so does another famous creation of his. This book was highly anticipated and barring a couple of small issues, it delivered on all of its promises. Ripe with bloody battles, dark humor and a certain less-than-ten-fingered warrior, Red Country is Joe Abercrombie at his visceral and cruel best, a standalone tale that is not to be missed.

7] Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews – What do I say about this author duo, with every book, they top reader anticipation and hopes while delivering a quality story. This book is a standalone with a different narrator however for fans this is no hiccup and the storyline further expands the world of Kate Daniels while leaving readers eagerly awaiting Magic Rises. An excellent effort and a must read for all urban fantasy readers.

8] Spirit’s End by Rachel Aaron – This was the conclusion to Rachel Aaron’s debut series and what a conclusion it was. Featuring revelations that were world shattering along with some truly mind boggling action sequences. Featuring a wide character cast along with those characters that we have come to love, Rachel skillfully brought each character arc to a poignant conclusion. Rachel Aaron shows that she is here to stay and the fantasy genre is richer because of it.

9] The King Of Thorns by Mark Lawrence – Mark Lawrence is a revelation to the field of dark fantasy. With his debut he single handedly showed what a sinister and twisted imagination he possessed. With the sequel volume he shows his plotting skills and further growth on his protagonist’s part. King of Thorns is a better sequel and one that opens up the story by introducing further complications in to Jorg’s lovelife as well as imperial ambitions. I for one can’t wait to read the conclusion to Jorg’s ambition and plans in Emperor Of Thorns.

10] The Tainted City by Courtney Schafer – Courtney Schafer is another author that jumped on my radar last year with her fantastic debut. In The Tainted City, Courtney does more and reveals a strong mystery storyline while introducing the readers to Ninavel and the entangled relationships of blood mages. With a captivating storyline and equally captivating character cast, Courtney wowed readers all over again. The stage is set for an epic conclusion to the Shattered Sigils trilogy and I have every hope that Courtney will deliver in a big way.

10] Blood Of The Underworld by David Dalglish – David Dalglish continues to wow with his action packed, twisted fantasy stories and a similar case is present in the first installment of his new trilogy. David unleashes a new storyline featuring his most beloved character The Watcher, with the caveat that this trilogy will be less of a standalone nature and more congruent in its overall plot arc. This book made for some terrific reading and has me hooked for its sequels. As far as such stories go, you simply can’t ask for anything better from newer, talented writers.

Honorable mentions: With so many great books, I of course had to consign two-three good books from this list. Those titles that didn’t make the list are Sharps by K.J. Parker, Demon Squad: Echoes Of The Past by Tim Marquitz and Cold Days by Jim Butcher. While Cold Days was a great return to form by Jim Butcher, K. J. Parker and Tim Marquitz continued to showcase their excellence in their respective genres.

1] Blood Song by Anthony Ryan – Hands down a debut for the decades, this one was worthy of the acclaim that was awarded to Scott Lynch, Pat Rothfuss and Joe Abercrombie. I feel A. Ryan will gain further multitudes upon his traditional Publishing re-release in July later this year and for me this book simply heralded a talent that will join Joe Abercrombie’s heights and perhaps eclipse him as an icon of British fantasy.

2] Daughter Of The Sword by Steve Bein – If not for Anthony Ryan, Steve Bein’s debut would be my top choice for the debut of the year. Combining historical fiction within a thriller setup with the addition of enchanting POV characters, Bein has written a debut that mixes genres with ease and yet manages to proclaim its uniqueness. Daughter Of The Sword is an epic story that cannot be precisely defined by genre settings or its blurb. Read it for what it is; an epic tale that proclaims the emergence of a major talent.

3] Govinda by Krishna Udayasankar – This was a debut that wasn’t read widely due it being released only in the Asian subcontinent. However this just is a loss for most international readers who want to read about fantasy set in different regions and times. This is socio-political fantasy retelling of the Indian epic of Mahabharata. For a tale that is so widely known, the author managed to rewrite in such a way that it seemed fresh to most of the well-versed readers. Tantalizing in scope and with a wide character cast, this debut is another one for the charts for the author’s audacity to present a rather unique take on an epic that easily qualifies as the longest epic ever.

4] Throne Of The Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed – This was another debut that eschewed the typical pseudo-European settings to give us a strong sword & sorcery story. Saladin Ahmed has been known for his eclectic short stories and here he thoroughly showcased his excellence at the longer format as well. Throne Of The Crescent Moon was another winner from the DAW stable and this debut managed to pack a strong punch in lieu of its slim size. Very much recommended and I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel volumes to see where Saladin takes the story next.

5] Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole – Myke Cole is a revelation, simply put he’s a gift that urban fantasy needed badly. With his debut he managed to bring the complex geopolitical real-world scenario to an often-myopic urban fantasy landscape. Control Point is the first salvo in a world that is experiencing turmoil unlike any other and we get a close-in look at these bombastic happenings. The sequel promises to further widen the character cast and world settings, thereby making it an eagerly awaited book to see how Myke develops the story further.

6] The Rook by Daniel O’Malley – This was an oddball book that dripped charm in an unconventional way and with a strong mystery at its heart, managed to keep me captivated and often chuckling to its wry and spirited climax. Daniel O’Malley marked himself out with this enterprising story and shed the clichéd trappings of the urban fantasy genre thereby earning full marks for his wonderful debut effort. I hope to read the sequel whenever the author gets to it and will be reading whatever the author writes next.

7] The Dead Of Winter by Lee Collins – This was a late surprise for me as I nearly missed this one. I read it very late in the year however I was very enamored by this historical horror story. Lee Collins has to be applauded for trying out such a twisted storyline within the western settings, also helping is the narrative voice and we get another awesome character in Cora Oglesby. I’ll be reading the sequel soon to see how the author develops the series and characters further, but as far as debuts go this was a cracking read.

8] Land Of Hope And Glory by Geoffrey Wilson – This was an alternate historical story wherein a certain tumultuous event in the history of Anglo-Indian relations is reversed brilliantly. Focusing on an England that has been colonized by the Rajthanan Empire, the author showcased a world that is discovering the effects of Sattva-Punk. With some rather nice twists and an enticing magic system, the author conveniently hooks the readers and makes sure that his debut will mesmerize most readers that dwell in to his curious world setup.

9] The Black God’s War by Moses Siregar – This was an Indie debut that was released in 2011 but I got my hands on it an year later. Featuring a very intriguing world scenario with facsimiles of Greece and India, the author showcases a war from both sides along with an equally intriguing magic system and a diverse character cast. This debut is the first salvo in a world that is yet to reveal all of its secrets, with the pending release of the sequel trilogy, I’ll be among the first to see how Moses Siregar develops this world further.

9] Scourge Of The Betrayer by Jeff Salyards – Another great debut from Night Shade who have continued from their great effort last year. Jeff Salyards’ debut was a different one in its approach and was more than a bit confusing. This was a ploy by the author as he immerses the reader as well as his protagonist in to a world and story that will shake his very foundations. With an Erikson-like approach, Jeff manages to put out a quality story and mark himself out as an author to watch for.

10] Blood Skies by Steven Montano – Writing a story that mixes military fiction, post apocalyptic themes, vampires and much more, Steven Montano distinguished himself rather quickly with his debut. Since then I’ve read the first three books of his debut series and I’ve to say that the promise shown in the debut volume is heartily developed. Another good indie debut that is eclectic in its approach and heartily summarized by the author in this wonderful post.

NOTE: All right I fibbed, there are more ten books in each list but in my defense, it was really hard to  narrow them down to ten each. So kindly overlook the odd numbers and  if you must, blame the authors for writing such good books.

NEW AUTHORS TO LOOK OUT FOR -

Every year I’m on the lookout for newer authors who match my reading interests. This year was again an exciting one for me in various genres. As I’ve discovered many authors and quite a few excellent books. So here are the authors whom I'm most excited to have discovered within the last year (in random order):

Anthony Ryan – Simply the author of the year and a writer from whom I have very high expectations for his forthcoming books. With his excellent characterization, epic story style and twisting of familiar fantasy tropes, A. Ryan has really shown his talent and for me he remains the absolute find of the year.

Steve Bein – Another author whose skills had let me slack jawed, combining an epic story featuring an LOTR like object with captivating characterization, Steve Bein is someone who I’ll follow diligently and with some rather high expectations.

Myke Cole – A writer and a soldier who combines his love for the written word along with that of his job to create a story that manages to give the readers a series that will have them on tenterhooks.

Ian Tregillis – Simply put he was a hidden gem even though he made his debut a couple of years ago. His books have left me stumped as to how such a talented author can be so under appreciated among the SFF crowd. I hope more readers discover his wonderful writing style and give the Milkweed Triptych trilogy a try as it’s simply ingenious to say the least.

Krishna Udayasankar – A law professor by profession and with a penchant for mythology and folklore, Krishna Udayasankar showcased her versatility with her debut and what a terrific one it was. She’s another writer who wowed me with her writing skills and now I can only expect the best from her for the foreseeable future.

 Lastly it was a great year for me in terms of books and also since I was "Tuckerized" into a world that I very much love to read about. As far as fanboy moments go, this has to come in the top 5 for me. To find out which book was I featured in, you have to locate the one with the most salacious narrator/POV and therein you'll find me playing a small and hopefully significant part :)

Official Ilona Andrews Website
Order Magic Bites: A Special Edition of the First Kate Daniels Novel HERE
Read FBC’s Review of “Magic Bites” & “Magic Burns”
Read FBC’s Review of “Magic Strikes” & “Magic Mourns”
Read FBC’s Review of “Magic Bleeds” & “A Questionable Client”
Read FBC’s Review of “Magic Slays” & “Magic Dreams”
Read FBC's Review of "Retribution Clause" & "Magic Tests"
Read FBC’s Review of “Gunmetal Magic”
Read FBC’s Interview with Ilona Andrews

In support of the December 31, 2012 publication of Ilona Andrews' “Magic Bites: A Special Edition of the First Kate Daniels Novel” — Fantasy Book Critic is giving away THREE SIGNED COPIES of “Magic Bites: A Special Edition of the First Kate Daniels Novel” courtesy of the authors!!!

To enter, please send an email to fbcgiveaway@gmail.com with your Name, Mailing Address, and the subject: MAGIC BITES. Giveaway will end on 27th January 2013. Thank you for entering and Good Luck!

GIVEAWAY RULES:
1) Open to Anyone WORLDWIDE.
2) Only One Entry Per Household (Multiple entries will be disqualified).
3) Must Enter Valid Email Address, Mailing Address + Name.
4) No Purchase Necessary.
5) Giveaway will end on 27th January 2013.
6) Winner Will Be Randomly Selected and Notified By Email.
7) Personal Information Will Only Be Used In Mailing Out the book To the Winner.

Ever buy a pair of boots—or shoes or jeans—and while they fit, they don’t really “fit.” Not yet. They haven’t molded to your contours. You haven’t broken them in.

As a writer, there’s a “breaking in” period when you leave one fictional world that you’ve painstakingly developed and nurtured to begin a new fictional world. And I know that, as a reader, there’s a little bit of adjustment that also goes along with following a favorite author from one series into another, new set of books. It takes some getting used to.

I spent many years and six books developing my Chronicles Of The Necromancer/Fallen Kings Cycle world of the Winter Kingdoms, and writing in that world was as comfortable as slipping into a favorite pair of jeans or a well-worn pair of boots. I knew the neighborhood. I understood the culture like a native. I knew the characters well enough that I would sometimes dream in their voices. It was home.

Then those stories came to a natural resting point and I decided to create a new series in a totally new world with very different characters, which begins with Ice Forged. And the process of breaking in the new boots began again.

This time around, however, I knew what to expect. I knew it would take a while to hit my stride, to feel at home. I gave myself time to get to know the characters and their world. I sat with the story, explored the culture, and questioned the characters in my mind, and they became real to me. It’s a gradual process, like learning to feel at home in a new city. For a while after you move, everything seems strange. Then one day, like magic, you know where you’re going without thinking about it. And you realize that you’re home.

Just as I went through an adjustment moving from one series to another, I know readers of my first six books will also feel a little displaced. The worlds, characters, and cultures are very different, but I believe they are each intriguing in their own way. Yes, there’s a pang when you miss a favorite character, but my hope is that the concept of Ice Forged and the new series will intrigue readers enough to get past the “new kid on the block blues” and that they will move into the new neighborhood with me and share the adventure.

There are lots of stories I still hope to tell in my world of the Winter Kingdoms, but the plot line takes a natural break for a while, and as readers of my books can attest, I’ve put my characters through an awful lot—they deserve a chance to put their feet up and have a few beers. Duty will call them back to action soon enough.

In the meantime, c’mon over to my other world and explore the Ascendant Kingdoms Saga, beginning with Ice Forged. It’s full of new favorite characters you haven’t met yet, a whole new world to explore, and an impossible quest (or two). Their story begins with the end of the world. Come join the adventure!

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Gail began writing fiction as a child and she was always a voracious reader since childhood, she frequently chose to read books with a supernatural slant, including folktales, compilations of regional ghost stories and gothic mysteries. She credits the TV show Dark Shadows with her life-long fascination with vampires. She discovery SF and fantasy during middle and high school and that has fueled her writing journey. She graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with an M.B.A. in Marketing and Management Information Systems.

Gail is also the author of the Chronicles of the Necromancer series (Solaris Books) and The Fallen Kings Cycle (Orbit Books). For more about Gail’s books and short stories, follow her on Twitter @GailZMartin, and join her for frequent discussions on Goodreads. 

Official James Rollins Website 
Official Rebecca Cantrell Website 
Order the book HERE 
Read the first three chapters HERE 
Read Fantasy Book Critic’s review of City Of Screams 

AUTHOR INFORMATION: James Rollins is a pseudonym for Jim Czajkowski and is the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of seventeen novels including the SIGMA Force series which was optioned for film adaptation by Dino De Laurentis, the Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull novelization, and the Jake Ransom YA books. He also writes fantasy—The Banned and the Banished and The Godslayer Chronicles—under the pen name James Clemens. Besides writing, Jim holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine and is an avid spelunker and certified scuba enthusiast. 

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Rebecca Cantrell was inspired by a faded pink triangle pasted on the wall of Dachau Concentration Camp and time spent in Berlin, Germany in the 1980s to create the Hannah Vogel series. These novels have won the Bruce Alexander and Macavity awards and been nominated for the Barry and RT Reviewers Choice awards; her critically-acclaimed cell phone novel, iDrakula, was nominated for the APPY award and listed on Booklist’s Top 10 Horror Fiction for Youth. She and her husband and son just left Hawaii’s sunny shores for adventures in Berlin.

OFFICIAL BLURB: An earthquake in Masada, Israel, kills hundreds and reveals a tomb buried in the heart of the mountain. A trio of investigators—Sergeant Jordan Stone, a military forensic expert; Father Rhun Korza, a Vatican priest; and Dr. Erin Granger, a brilliant but disillusioned archaeologist—are sent to explore the macabre discovery, a subterranean temple holding the crucified body of a mummified girl.

But a brutal attack at the site sets the three on the run, thrusting them into a race to recover what was once preserved in the tomb's sarcophagus: a book rumored to have been written by Christ's own hand, a tome that is said to hold the secrets to His divinity. The enemy who hounds them is like no other, a force of ancient evil directed by a leader of impossible ambitions and incalculable cunning.

From crumbling tombs to splendorous churches, Erin and her two companions must confront a past that traces back thousands of years, to a time when ungodly beasts hunted the dark spaces of the world, to a moment in history when Christ made a miraculous offer, a pact of salvation for those who were damned for eternity.

Here is a novel that is explosive in its revelation of a secret history. Why do Catholic priests wear pectoral crosses? Why are they sworn to celibacy? Why do the monks hide their countenances under hoods? And why does Catholicism insist that the consecration of wine during Mass results in its transformation to Christ's own blood? The answers to all go back to a secret sect within the Vatican, one whispered as rumor but whose very existence was painted for all to see by Rembrandt himself, a shadowy order known simply as the Sanguines.

In the end, be warned: some books should never be found, never opened—until now...                      

FORMAT/INFO: The Blood Gospel is 496 pages long divided over five numbered Parts and further sub-divided over sixty-six numbered chapters along with a prologue and epilogue and also includes Acknowledgments. Narration is in the third person via various characters, namely Erin Granger, Sergeant Jordan Stone, Father Rhun Korza, Bathory, Tommy and a few other minor POV characters. The Blood Gospel is the first book of the Order Of The Sanguines series.

January 8, 2013 marks the North American Hardcover and e-book publication of The Blood Gospel via William Morrow. The UK edition (see below) will be published on April 11, 2013 via Orion.

ANALYSIS: I’ve been fascinated by this book trilogy when it was first announced back in late 2009/early 2010. There was scant information about it and I had to wait for a while before I could come across more information. I have compiled most of it in this blog post and that was before I spoke with Jim and came to know about what it really entailed. Its safe to say as an idea it’s a fantastic one and I was very curious to see how Jim and Rebecca pooled their skills to execute it.

The Blood Gospel begins in the past, as is the norm for most James Rollins thrillers and this time it goes back to a historic and brutally infamous event, the Massada massacre! We begin with our current timeline wherein Dr. Erin Granger is excavating some ruins in Caesarea, Israel; she gets alerted to the events that have occurred in Masada, Israel. Tommy is a young man who is facing the last legs of his life as a result of skin cancer, however due to certain strange occurrences. He becomes embroiled in the same events and will soon come to know that life is infinitely more complex than the cancer cells in his body. Jordan Stone is the Special Forces soldier that was introduced in the City Of Screams short story and here we get to know him better.

Rhun Korza is the Vatican priest who is sent to investigate the strange events of Masada wherein he encounters Erin, Jordan and a few others who have their own interests of course. Thus begin the events that form the crux of the plot of the first Blood Gospel volume. This book shares all the characteristic trademarks of James Rollins’ work however there is also the presence of Rebecca Cantrell who lends her excellent characterization skills to create a hybrid product from which it is very hard to discern which part was written by whom.

Getting down to the awesome bits of the book, beginning from its historical points to the current set up. The book’s main plot is a grand mix of plot threads that feature a lot of secrets and rituals of the Catholic Church and the authors give us their reasons for these facts which make for a very interesting read. There’s also the transposition of certain facts onto the story that add to the intrigue factor and of course with all the plot twists, it becomes very hard to put down the book. The book has a very structured feel to it and the pace is also substantial wherein the reader is constantly urged if not forced to turn the page to find out what happens next. There’s also the horror mix to the storyline, which makes perfect sense from the story’s point and is a first for both authors. This book is a very curious mix of thriller, horror and urban fantasy genres and also has a very pulp feel to it.

Another point that I would like to highlight is that the book involves a lot of Christian mythology and deals with some pretty heavy matters of the Catholic faith but this book cannot be classified as Christian fiction. Even though the subject matter deals with religious stuff, the authors have taken care to present it in a very objective manner. I enjoyed this aspect of the story as I found it informative without being obnoxious or even stodgy. The book is also partly dedicated to Anne Rice and after reading the story; I can say it is very appropriate.

One of the things that I wanted to talk about in regards to this book is characterization. In the past SIGMA books; characters could easily be drawn into the good guy/bad guy camp. With this book, I had hopes that this factor would have been bettered with Rebecca’s help and I’m glad to say that there’s definitely an upswing to things. Of course you will not find characters as rich as in A Song Of Ice And Fire but there’s definitely hope for the future Blood Gospel titles. Lastly the only other point that I felt that the book could have done better is developing the background mythology.

CONCLUSION: James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell deliver a story that is unlike anything they have written individually. The sum of their efforts is definitely more than the equal of their individual parts and becomes a book that will definitely earn them legions of fans. Mixing fascinating mythological aspects with the supernatural and basing it in a contemporary setting, the authors give us a tale that will have the readers salivating for more. Give The Blood Gospel a try to find out why this book will be such a big hit with thriller and urban fantasy fans.

Official Author Website
Order Witch Bane HERE
Read an excerpt HERE
Read Fantasy Book Critic's review of Witch Bane
Enter to win Witch Bane paperbacks and e-copies (WORLDWIDE)

Tim Marquitz recently released a sword and sorcery standalone called WITCH BANE. So I invited him to answer a few questions about his new book and the upcoming projects he’s involved in. So enjoy this mini Q&A and be sure to grab a copy of WITCH BANE.

Q] Welcome back to Fantasy Book Critic, Tim. Since the last time I interviewed you, you have branched out in terms of your books as well as in regards to your skills. How do you look upon this growth?

TM: Thanks, Mihir. Glad to be back.

I think my progression has a lot to do with my influences not being confined to a single genre as well as the evolving publishing world. Unlike a lot of “traditional” authors, I don’t feel as though I need to brand myself with a singular style. Able to self-publish without concern for genre, I simply write the stories that come to my head, be it fantasy or horror, novel or short story. I’m not bound to a publisher that mandates what I write or has spent money creating an identity.

As far as my skills go, the idea is to get better every single time I sit down at the keyboard. It’s all about growth. Doing something different with every story, there’s a lot of room for me to explore new ideas and ways to put them down.

Q] Please tell us about your new release Witch Bane, beginning from its inception to its eventual form.

TM: Witch Bane has been sitting around for a couple years now. Simple in concept, it was my first real attempt at writing fantasy less steeped in the elements of horror. It’s definitely more in the sword and sorcery/adventure vein of the books I grew up on: Elric, John Carter, etc. It’s small scale but written to be entertaining and fast.

I’d been submitting it to numerous agents and publishers since its completion, but for every new opportunity that arose, the book seemed to slip through the cracks. I finally decided just to release it myself.

Q] With this book, you make a return to fantasy after the Dawn of War trilogy. How would you say this book is different from that trilogy?

TM: Witch Bane was actually written before any of the Blood War books. Its scope is much smaller, the story a tiny fragment of the world rather than the epic concepts of the Blood War books. Witch Bane is more focused on story with far fewer points of view and called down to be more personal.

Q] A curious thing about your book’s protagonists is that almost all of them have had troubles in relation to their family (parents, children or spouses who are missing murdered, dead or estranged). These specific sets of troubles often power the story and the protagonists. What do you feel about this pattern?

TM: I think that idea is ingrained in who I am. My parents got divorced early in my life and I spent some time between them and the families that formed after the fact. There’s always been a sense of division in my life and my studies of Sociology have only built upon those foundations.

For me, the world isn’t about happily ever after, it’s about as happy as can be. Life is difficult, it’s fractured and short and violent and confusing, and a lot of that stems from our relationships with our families. I feel it’s only natural to write about the schism I see and have experienced.

Q] A series of yours that I’m enthralled by is the Demon Squad series. After the fourth book’s incredible climax, I have to ask when is DS 5 getting released?

TM: Thanks. I’m planning on releasing DS5: Beyond the Veil in late February or March of 2013. I’m plotting the book now and don’t expect it to take too long to write.

Q] What’s next for you in 2013, can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

TM: I’ve a number of things going on right now, and who knows what else will pop up. I’ve a story in an Angelic Knight Press anthology, No Place Like Home, coming out in January. I’ve also managed to convince the great people of Triumph Over Tragedy (R.T Kaelin and Sarah Chorn) to include one of my stories in their anthology. There are a ton of amazing authors in there, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Michael J Sullivan, and Mark Lawrence, just to name a few, and all the proceeds go to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief.

Along with DS5, I’m also planning a new urban fantasy novel, which might evolve into a series depending on how it works out. I’ve also just signed a contract with a great publisher to release my dueling serial killers novella at the end of 2013. More on that as allowed. Lastly, of the planned works, I’m partnering once more with Angelic Knight Press to release another anthology around September 2013. This time it’s going to be a book of urban fantasy stories.

Beyond that, I have no idea.