Star Wars with occasional sarcasm
There’s a little film coming out on DVD on the 23rd. You may have heard of it: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Coverage abounds. Head over to The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet for the most complete coverage of the launch party. (May I have a chocolate fountain for Christmas?)
And there are rumors of a June 11 or 18 2005 release date for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. (You’ll have to scroll down the page to see the story.) Should be nice weather for a lineup in June.
For Halloween, J.K. Rowling gave her fans a surprise – three chapter titles from the next novel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Price. In true HP style you have to work for them – or, you can just check out these handy screenshots.
Ancient Greek students everywhere rejoice at the prospect of something new to read. In a story pointed to by MuggleNet, they’ll soon be releasing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher’s) Stone in Ancient Greek.
There’s also a version in Latin, for those so inclined.
Some high schools are assigning graphic novels for students to read. I think it’s brilliant, especially for kids for don’t have much time with regular reading. Comics as gateway drugs… I love it!
And I don’t know about you, but learned a hell of a lot more from Sandman than I ever did from Huck Finn or Wuthuring Heights.
I’ve been rereading Robin Hobb’s Liveship Trilogy to take the sting of my rereading of the NJO. (Seriously, Mr. Salvatore? Show don’t tell.) and on a lark I checked out her web site for some random info… And she’s posted a tiny bit regarding her next trilogy in the FAQ:
I’m working on a new trilogy, with the very tentative working title of Soldier Son. You may have read that the title was going to be Second Son. Actually, that is the title of an excellent work by Jennifer Fallon. I had just read the first book of it, and given it a recommendation, and the title must have been clinging to the edges of my brain cells when I was asked for the title of MY new trilogy. Very sorry for all the confusion! I’m not saying much more about my new work in progress right now, as it is very easy for me to talk an idea to death and then feel like I’ve taken all the fun out of actually writing it.
Google turned up a bit more, including a summary of sorts. Alas, the series doesn’t seem to take place in the same world as the Farseer and Liveship novels, but I’m not going to whine too much.
If you’re a Hobb fan, you can keep up with the news and speculation at this fan board or Fitz is Stupid, a community on Livejournal.
After the last one, I’m not sure why I do, but for those who are interested, the newest book in the apparently neverending Pern saga, “Dragonsblood”, will be released in the US on January 25, 2005. Information is available both at Anne McCaffrey’s website and at her son the author’s website.
The plot? Well . . . watchwhers, time travel, dragons and firelizards getting sick, more time travel, and probably the now-typical massive continuity problems that characterize the Pern books. But the cover, especially the UK cover, is purty.
First Anne Rice got rid of her editor. Now she’s responding to bad reviews on Amazon. There is no doubt in my mind that the woman is crazy. If you can take the snark and mockery, check out the thread on fandom wank.
Sci-Fi Channel has two teaser trailersand a gallery up for their EarthSea mini-series. There’s also a short Q&A with the producer, mostly regarding the accuracy of the production.
We have been neglecting our duty in supporting the work of our favorite authors. One who’s been quietly putting books out at an alarming pace, lately, is Timothy Zahn author of many of our favorite Star Wars books.
Just released:
The Green and the Gray – A married couple in New York find themselves protecting a child who turns out to be a refugee alien. The bookcover does it way more justice than I ever could. Just go get it!
Dragon and Soldier – This is book two in Tim’s young adult series. (Yes. Book two. We missed book one!) It features a 14-year-old thief who, while on the run, makes friends with a dragon who’s also on the run and trying to save everyone from a rather nasty fate.
What we missed:
Dragon and Thief – Book one of the series above. It has come out in softcover to coincide with the release of Book Two’s hardcover.
Fantasy is the new chick lit? Interesting article on the rise – and fall – of ‘trend’ genres.
Speaking of trends, the Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell hype continues… Even my mother’s ordered it.