November 2007
2007-11-28 22:21:22
In the last Alayne chapter in AFFC, Littlefinger says something about Westeros having to survive the reign of the three queens after the war of the five kings. I guess the first two are Cersei and Margeary but who's the third queen? Does Littlefinger know about Dany or is he alluding to the crowning of Myrcella or Sansa?
2007-11-26 16:50:59
Dabel Brothers Productions have plans to release officially licensed prints of characters and scenes from several different fantasy series, and are asking you -- the fans -- for your opinion!
The poll is multiple choice, and you can check all the ones that apply (i.e. if you're interested in all three, check all three).
Examples of two of the sorts of images they might present are these early sketches (which would be inked and fully colored by production time):
Prince Benedict of Amber
Whiskeyjack of the Malazan Bridgeburners
The latter has been created in consultation with Steven Erikson, and has received his approval.
ETA: I should add that Linda and I have gotten a sneak peek at some of the proposed images for the Ice and Fire prints, and they will likely knock the socks of quite a number of you off.
Extra edit: There is now a second poll with more questions, found here. Please vote in that one too!
The poll is multiple choice, and you can check all the ones that apply (i.e. if you're interested in all three, check all three).
Examples of two of the sorts of images they might present are these early sketches (which would be inked and fully colored by production time):
Prince Benedict of Amber
Whiskeyjack of the Malazan Bridgeburners
The latter has been created in consultation with Steven Erikson, and has received his approval.
ETA: I should add that Linda and I have gotten a sneak peek at some of the proposed images for the Ice and Fire prints, and they will likely knock the socks of quite a number of you off.
Extra edit: There is now a second poll with more questions, found here. Please vote in that one too!
2007-11-26 11:05:57
So, who here has read In the Eye of Heaven by David Keck? What are your thoughts on it?
I have to say that I didn't like it too much. Below is an excerpt from my review at the blog about why I didn't like it in general terms - I've gone ahead and spoilered it since some might consider it spoilerish at times.
I have to say that I didn't like it too much. Below is an excerpt from my review at the blog about why I didn't like it in general terms - I've gone ahead and spoilered it since some might consider it spoilerish at times.
QUOTE
SPOILER: In the Eye of Heaven
Hmm…where to start? First off, things begin in a confused mess. Perhaps Keck wanted an heir of mystery or maybe he just didn’t want to be accused of laying everything out all nice and pretty-like. The result for me was a complete break down in just what Keck was trying to communicate to me as the reader. I spent the first half of the book in almost constant confusion as to what was going on, who was who, etc. The confusion moderated to merely abundant for the second half of the book.
The goal seems to have been for the world and its history to slowly become clearer at things progressed, while avoiding the temptation to resort to infodumps. This led to problems since Durand is really a rather clueless young man and needed the infodumps almost as badly as the reader – so Keck introduces Heremund the Skald (a skald is a medieval Scandinavian bard or minstrel – I had to look it up). Heremund simply knows everything that is needed to know at the time and he immediately completely trusts Durand and guides him through the world. Now, Durand has the tendency to jump around and end up in all sorts of tricky situations, many of which end up in separation from Heremund. However, there is no need to worry since Heremund always appears (no matter how far across the kingdom Durand has traveled) just when he is needed most.
Conveniences in the plot are rather numerous, with Heremund just being the most glaring. In another example, late in the story Durand suddenly becomes an expert sailor just in time to save an entire ship from certain destruction in a scene that as far I could tell did nothing to advance the plot anyway.
In addition to these surficial annoyances, some of the deeper implications bothered me as well – for anyone worried about potential (minor) spoilers, I suggest skipping the rest of this paragraph. The background plot basically surrounds the actions of a king that seems to be something of an idiot who nobody really likes anyway. In the name of honor, Durand and a bunch of other knights are completely loyal to said king, even though he has borrowed way more money than he can pay back to the people and blown it all on a distant war that is rather unpopular with the general population. About half of the kingdom’s nobility favors complete support of the king and forgiveness of his debts – the other half wants to de-throne him (did I mention the part about his ascendancy to throne being controversial). Even if the parallels with today’s world were unintentional, the blind loyalty to bad leaders that is at the heart of so many motivations in this book just doesn’t agree with me.
The goal seems to have been for the world and its history to slowly become clearer at things progressed, while avoiding the temptation to resort to infodumps. This led to problems since Durand is really a rather clueless young man and needed the infodumps almost as badly as the reader – so Keck introduces Heremund the Skald (a skald is a medieval Scandinavian bard or minstrel – I had to look it up). Heremund simply knows everything that is needed to know at the time and he immediately completely trusts Durand and guides him through the world. Now, Durand has the tendency to jump around and end up in all sorts of tricky situations, many of which end up in separation from Heremund. However, there is no need to worry since Heremund always appears (no matter how far across the kingdom Durand has traveled) just when he is needed most.
Conveniences in the plot are rather numerous, with Heremund just being the most glaring. In another example, late in the story Durand suddenly becomes an expert sailor just in time to save an entire ship from certain destruction in a scene that as far I could tell did nothing to advance the plot anyway.
In addition to these surficial annoyances, some of the deeper implications bothered me as well – for anyone worried about potential (minor) spoilers, I suggest skipping the rest of this paragraph. The background plot basically surrounds the actions of a king that seems to be something of an idiot who nobody really likes anyway. In the name of honor, Durand and a bunch of other knights are completely loyal to said king, even though he has borrowed way more money than he can pay back to the people and blown it all on a distant war that is rather unpopular with the general population. About half of the kingdom’s nobility favors complete support of the king and forgiveness of his debts – the other half wants to de-throne him (did I mention the part about his ascendancy to throne being controversial). Even if the parallels with today’s world were unintentional, the blind loyalty to bad leaders that is at the heart of so many motivations in this book just doesn’t agree with me.
2007-11-19 12:43:30
2007-11-17 03:42:16
Some of us talked about this at CD's leaving do: does anyone fancy some sort of Christmas BwB thingy next month? I'm suggesting the weekend of 14th/15th because it's not immediately before Christmas AND I'll have failed my exams by that point and won't be worrying about uni any more.
Would we just want to do something on the Saturday (15th) or on the Friday night as well?
At CD's do we were talking about maybe having a meal in that pub (where we were), can't think what it's called right now (and anyone who asks if my google is broken can FOAD) but I'm totally open to suggestions on locations, times etc.
Who's in?
Would we just want to do something on the Saturday (15th) or on the Friday night as well?
At CD's do we were talking about maybe having a meal in that pub (where we were), can't think what it's called right now (and anyone who asks if my google is broken can FOAD) but I'm totally open to suggestions on locations, times etc.
Who's in?
2007-11-15 10:16:20
Not sure why the first thread was locked(too long?), but I was enjoying the discussion. Haven't heard anything from the Not a Blog for awhile. This new information (as in lack of information) makes me change the distribution curve for the release date from a normal shaped one to a bimodal one. He is either on the verge of announcing completion or he is under serious pressure to finish from the publisher or HBO or whatever and at least a year away.
2007-11-13 08:53:03
Hey everyone,
There's been a lot of discussion as to how we're going to throw this Denver bash at smaller cons and get-togethers all over the place. I did not want to make it seem as if any decisions were being made without discussing it with everyone.
So please, if you have any ideas for the parties, fund raisers, special activities, etc... share them here and we can all discuss them. If you have any sort of surprise you're considering, or questions about anything, or just want to cuss me out, please email me about it. (williamlexner at gmail)
We're attempting to organize the festivities so that chaos can be avoided. X-Ray is in charge of the budget, and if she says we can't afford it... we listen or she will beat me.
The theme that has been tossed around for this years Worldcon is Wildcards. Opinions?
There's been a lot of discussion as to how we're going to throw this Denver bash at smaller cons and get-togethers all over the place. I did not want to make it seem as if any decisions were being made without discussing it with everyone.
So please, if you have any ideas for the parties, fund raisers, special activities, etc... share them here and we can all discuss them. If you have any sort of surprise you're considering, or questions about anything, or just want to cuss me out, please email me about it. (williamlexner at gmail)
We're attempting to organize the festivities so that chaos can be avoided. X-Ray is in charge of the budget, and if she says we can't afford it... we listen or she will beat me.
The theme that has been tossed around for this years Worldcon is Wildcards. Opinions?
2007-11-12 06:13:11
Just had word from Transworld in the UK, they will publish " Return" on 11 August 2008.
Depending on when precisely PS Publishing decides to release their special edition, some might like to get the $150 SE after all.
Depending on when precisely PS Publishing decides to release their special edition, some might like to get the $150 SE after all.
2007-11-10 19:12:08
2007-11-09 17:25:57
I do not think it will be Bernnie or Davos. Unfortunately, it wil probably not be Cersei either. But I'm not sure who will be first! Actually, I expect that there will be several that die in this book, but I'm looking for the FIRST important death. If not I will go into shock because this IS GrrM here.
After a LOT of thought, my bet is on Stannis!
What do you think?
After a LOT of thought, my bet is on Stannis!
What do you think?
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