I discovered George RR Martin about 4 years ago, when a colleague recommended the first in the Song of Ice and Fire series, A Game of Thrones. I was slightly less enlightened back then in regards to fantasy literature, my to read list was quite limited and as such, I eagerly picked up the Thrones.

Within 2 weeks, I had devoured not only A Game of Thrones, but also A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. I pre-ordered A Feast of Crows the moment it was announced in 2005, and locked the door in my office so I could read uninterrupted. Granted, I didn’t actually have a lock on my door at the time, so I was forced to use a chair against the doorknob, but I digress.

After Crows, as the impatience of waiting for book 5 began to tear at my very being, I began looking into other works of Martin, hoping that I could find a few pieces to keep me occupied.

I had heard that a couple novellas had been written, set in the Song of Fire and Ice Universe, the first titled The Hedge Knight and its sequel The Sworn Sword. While I never found the opportunity to read either of these, I did pick up The Hedge Knight in graphic novel form and it was absolutely gorgeous, both in art and in story telling. Now, I’m sitting on the porch waiting for The Sword Sword in that format, which will be hitting shelves this summer.

The reason for my Martin musing today is because I saw that a new novel authored by him and a few others called Hunter’s Run at the book store, and was curious to see if anyone else had given it a run through before I attack it.

Also, anyone else get into the Wild Card series?

At the very least, a little more Martin goodness might help tide the real hunger until A Dance of Dragons leaps into my hands. In the meantime, should any of you have the misfortune of not having read A Game of Thrones, you are doing yourself a great disservice.

In other news, there are a few fantasy/entertainment related news stories that I found interested, that I thought would share:

- Sam Raimi is producing a syndicated series based on Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series. Called Wizard’s First Rule, the first season is comprised of 22 episodes and is going into production this may. While this may excite Goodkind fans, let me remind you that Raimi is also responsible for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. If Wizard’s First Rule follows them in theme and camp, I will join the rest of you in the mass weeping.
- The Stephen Sommers directed GI Joe feature film has added to the cast Dennis Quaid as General Hawk, Channing Tatum as Duke, Ray Park as Snake Eyes, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Heavy Duty and Sienna Miller as the Baroness. I trust Sommers to make a fun popcorn film, and I think with this cast he can pull it off.
- Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct the Two-part adaptation of The Hobbit. I doubt anyone can match what Jackson did, but Toro might do a decent job. First film would hit theatres in 2010.

And that’s it for me playing newshound for the day. I’ll meet you in the forums to discuss further.

- Because I Can.

Hey,

Since you're finally into fantasy and all, I have a series or 2 that might be of interest in the mean time while you wait for George's new novel (which I as well am waiting for!!!).

1. Jack Whyte and his tale of before, during, and after Camelud with some weird twists. Merlyn is not a magician, but rather explained by theory, of how people may have thought him to be one. It's basically 9 novels intermingled through 1 storyline from when Rome left England up to the end of Arthur. I know you're thinking not another story about Arthur... That's what I thought too. But they were really well written novels and they kept me inticed for a long period of time. The first book is called The Singing Sword. Try it, you would be amazed.

2. Ian Irvine and the Well of Echoes series, which is about Tiaan, a artisan who makes controllers for big mechanical spider things, to fight against a breed of big bird like creatures, who are trying to destroy the human civilization. Again, not your typical fantasy, and way out in left field, but a really good read, and faster than the above. There are 4 books in the series and a new series just came out that continues the story further with one of the main characters from the Well of Echoes series.

If you have any thoughts about some other fantasy novels, let me know so I can find something to read in the mean time as well. I'm getting impatient with authors putting out good work but waiting until the anticipation bleeds for the next novel in the series.

Cheers,

NIck 2523

--> I like my coffee black, just like my metal.

Actually, isn't Jackson still in the process of making the Hobbit?

I haven't actually read Wild Cards or Hunters Run, but a great George RR Martin novel is 'Fevre Dream', a story about vampires, on a steam boat, in the South just before (I think) the American Civil War.
It 's a very good book, even though, looking over the description I've just given, it must sound a little strange, but I assure you, you won't regret giving it a try!

I have a good hunch about the WFR mini-series.

I dunno

If WFR ends up like Hercules or Xena, I will lose all faith in Raimi. I think this may be his one chance to redeem himself from the horrors that he has produced and actually made networks play. Was there even a fan base for either of those shows??? I know I watched one episode and gave up because of lack of acting, and general craptacular basis. But, I try to remain optimistic, here's hoping?!

After the piece of heaven called Spider-Man 3, I think he's up to transferring Rich, Kah and Zedd to the great masses.

Piece of heaven? I remind you of Peter strutting his emo stuff in a jazz club. A JAZZ CLUB of all things. Also, Gwen being a giant airhead kinda grated with my sensibilities.

Relating to Mr. Martin, I've also been anxiously awaiting Dance of Dragons. Really thought he'd make a 4 book set, but I can't say I'm dissapointed with his decision to make it longer. Unfortunately, I keep having visions of great authors who have passed on before finishing their works (Frank Herbert, Roger Zelazny, and Robert Jordan come to mind) and I can't but hope that Mr. Martin finishes his series before too much longer. Also, does anyone else read Melanie Rawn's Exiles series? I got books one and two for Xmas like 2 years ago and have been waiting for book 3 so I can finish the series off... anybody have any news on that?

Jackson is only signed to Produce the films for now. And if I may, for I work and live in Hollywood, del Toro is a terrible person to Direct these films. Although he has proven the technical know-how to pull them off, I and may in the bizz believe that he does not have a good sence of story in order to pull off the films. All we can hope is that Jackson keeps him on a short leash!!

Wait I really can't tell here but are you being sarcastic about Spidy 3??? I hope? Because that movie was a joke! Batman 3-5 anyone??? Raimi signle handedly destroyed that franchise… but its only my opinion =)

LOLz strutting his emo stuff

I tried the first 2 or 3 wildcards about 15-ish years ago and was not too impressed then. I have grown quite a bit since then though so might give them another shot. I believe he was the editor not the author of all of them and as such the stories and quality bounced around. Kind of like Asprins Theives World series...

Intrigued by the Wizards First Rule series... but fail to see how they can possibly do it well... It is really hard to translate the anguish and emotions of the first book to the screen. Not impossible, but tough. The sense of being the character and feeling what he feels is a result of excellent writing and pace and description... that will undoubtedly get lost in translation... sigh.

As for a post above looking for something to read while waiting for Dragons... there are a brazillian suggestions throughout these threads... but off the top of my head, check out the early works of these authors: (recommended series in brackets)

Dave Duncan (Seventh Sword, Man of his word, Kings Blades)
David Eddings (Belgariad, Malloreon)
Terry Brooks (Shannarra)
Anne McCaffery (Pern, Crystal Singer)
Mercedes Lackey (Last Herald Mage, Heralds of Valdemar) avoid everything else
Terry Goodkind (First 3 Wizarads First Rule series, stop after 3)
Robert Jordan (Wheel of time.)
Patrick Rothfuss (Name of the wind, only 1 book out right now, 2nd in June)
Weiss and Hickman (Deathgate Cycle)
Tad Williams (Memory, Sorrow and Thorn)
Elizabeth Moon (The Deed of Paksennarrion)
Guy Gavieral Kay (Summer Tree)
Orson Scott Card (Ender Series, Songs of Earth, Alvin maker)
Robin Hobb (Farseer)
Patricia A McKillip (Riddlemaster of Hed)

These are my standbye's that I have read more than once each... most more than twice.

Got this from www.terrygoodkind.com so I don't see why it would be wrong. Sounds like Wizard's First Rule may very well be going the Xena/Hercules route. Even Rob Tapert is involved.


WFR TV Show
Posted: 1/29/08
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DADT TAKES SAM RAIMI’S “WIZARD’S FIRST RULE” TO THE SYNDICATION MARKETPLACE FOR A FALL 2008 LAUNCH

BURBANK, Calif. – Disney«ABC Domestic Television is bringing a new first-run, live-action weekly series to the syndication marketplace for a Fall 2008 launch, it was announced today by Janice Marinelli, president, Disney«ABC Domestic Television. From Executive Producer Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man," "Spider-Man 2," "Spider-Man 3" and "The Evil Dead"), the one-hour weekly series is based on Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth, which follows the extraordinary transformation of woodsman Richard Cypher into a magical leader who joins with a mysterious, beautiful woman to stop a bloodthirsty, sinister tyrant.

"We are thrilled to offer a network-quality show to the syndication marketplace from the studio that brings us ‘Lost,’ Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Desperate Housewives,’ 'Criminal Minds,' 'Ghost Whisperer' and the new Lifetime hit 'Army Wives,' together with the talented team behind ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ and ‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys,’" said Janice Marinelli, president, Disney«ABC Domestic Television. "The time is right to introduce a captivating new series from this well-established and successful genre that is sure to be an attractive fit for stations across the country."

"We’re very excited to move into the first-run syndication arena," said Mark Pedowitz, president of ABC Studios, "especially with Sam Raimi, a visually dynamic filmmaker who's mastered the fantasy genre."

"Terry Goodkind is a brilliant author and I fell in love with his books, reading them with my family," said Executive Producer Sam Raimi. "In discussing these incredible storylines and rich characters with my friends and partners Robert Tapert and Josh Donen, we agreed that 'Wizard's First Rule' would make an amazing television series -- one that could be produced with compelling, self-contained episodes."

Goodkind’s popular epic fantasy series The Sword of Truth are international bestsellers that have been translated into over 20 languages. Goodkind’s first installment Wizard’s First Rule was published in 1994 and ten additional titles have subsequently been released.

"Wizard’s First Rule" will be produced by ABC Studios, marking their first venture into broadcast syndication. Production is slated to begin on the 22-episodes this May. Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert ("The Grudge," "Xena: Warrior Princess," "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Cleopatra 2525"), "Joshua Donen ("The Quick and the Dead") and Ned Nalle (production executive for "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys") serve as executive producers.

I found the first three wild cards. It is collaborative fiction, but they hold together as great books. Martin has a great character and the whole thing is done very well. Do check it out. There are something like 18 books in the original series. I haven't found anything beyond book three.


Check out Steven Erickson's Malazon Book of the Fallen. FANTASTIC series. Has as much depth as Martin and is very unique. Just a great all around series.

I would not hesitate to venture and say that A Song of Fire and Ice embodies a true fantasy fiction and that you're missing out quite a bit if you haven't been introduced. I've only discovered it last year, and realize how incomplete my life was without it

i picked up the first Martin book about a year ago. a little over a month later, i was finished with all four. I was distraught to find out that he had written the first in 1995 - 11 years ago, which average out at about 2 3/4 years for each book. i am an impatient person. And Martin, the son of a bitch, leaves you on the edge of your seat like no other author can. Its like watching a great suspense movie, and just as the killer is about to strike, the movie ends and you have to wait three years for the sequel.

Also sohmer, Martin recently release a 2-volume set of his short stories, called Dreamsongs. Its definently worth reading.
(ps its funny you should bring up martin i just started rereading a Game of THrones a few days ago)

I enjoyed the hell out of the Wild Cards books when I was younger, and even spent a few years in an rpg based around them. How's that for geeky?

And by the way, why haven't you read "The Name of The Wind" yet?? Why hasn't EVERYONE? It's the best book I've read in nearly ten years!

Wild Cards really is very good. As I know it, the series is partially based on one of the old style RPG games Martin gamemastered - I'd give my right arm to have been there. My favorite will always be Croyd and the Alien, though I did like Kid Dinosaur. Speaking of Croyd the Sleeper, I wonder why Sohmer took his creator, Zelazny, off his "up next" list. I always thought he and Martin sort of went hand in hand; The first time I picked up a Zelazny book was upon reading Martin's mournful testimony to the man as a friend and pseudo-mentor on his website. But as to Martin, I do hope he gets going. If he dies before he finishes A Song of Ice and Fire, it would be almost too much to take after Jordan.

Wild Cards is a really good series. It has it's highs and lows, and some characters you love (Croyd, the Turtle) and some you hate (Bagabond), but all in all, it's well-written and has an interesting take on super heroes in the post-WW2 era and how we'd react to them. It's kind of dark, but it's good anyway.

Also, I don't know if you have or have not read the Chronicles of Amber, but I highly recommend 'em. Read them again if you have already!

I'm ready feast for crows right now. I'd read the others years ago, but due to personal turmoil in my life at the time I missed this one when it came out. I just got to the part where Briene (sp?) the female knight has her shield repainted. the emblem she chooses is "Dunk the Lunk's" emblem. so sir Dunken the Tall was in the employ of her ancestors when he passed away, or possibly judging by her size Eagamon raised Dunk up to nobility when he became king. Did you notice this too?

oh, get the legends of fantasy II book. that where I read the first novelization of Dunk's story.