Robert V. S. Redick has accomplished something rather extraordinary in his new fantasy adventure novel, The Red Wolf Conspiracy, the first in what I predict will be an eagerly awaited series. His accomplishment is in crafting a story that is a throwback to the days of the European Adventure story writers--Stevenson, Dumas, Scott and the like--a tale that is a gripping page-turner accessible to all ages. I seek stories like this constantly and seldom find them. Here we have a good one. The characters are memorable and fully realized, from the lowly tarboy Pazel Pashkendle to the unwilling young bride Thasha to the half-mad captain Nilus Rose to the powerful sorcerer Ramachni. As the story proceeds, we come to know and care about all of them, the good and the bad, the high and the low. We want to know their fates, and we will follow the writer to wherever we need to go to learn what they are.

It is a spirited and exciting journey. By crafting the bulk of the tale aboard the mega-ship Chathrand, the author has created what is essentially a seafaring tale that reminded me of every good seafaring tale from Moby Dick to Treasure Island to everything by Patrick O'Brian. All the necessary elements are there, and you can practically taste the salt water on your lips and feel the grit of it on the pages. I look for and expect a feeling of honesty and reality in my fiction choices, no less so in fantasy than in other forms, and I was not disappointed here. From the description of the ship and its component pieces to the intricate and dangerous relationships between the characters aboard her, it all rang true.

I don't find many books that I wish I had written, but every so often one comes along. I think the last one was Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Here is another. I admire this book for its scope and its power, its language and its imagery, and its fine tight-rope plotting. I could not put it down. I am betting a lot of other readers won't be able to put it down either.

So trust me on this one; you won't be disappointed. Except, of course, like me you have to sit by patiently waiting for the next book. The anticipation is akin to what I experienced growing up with chapter books, when it seemed that every single installment ended in a cliffhanger, and the characters and I were all left hanging together. In an effort to minimize the damage to our fingernails, I will use whatever magic I can conjure up to prod Mr. Redick onward towards completion of book two. You have my promise.

Terry has answered your March questions!

Visit the Ask Terry section to read his responses as well as ask him some new questions!

Labels: Ask Terry

In many of his novels, Terry discusses and places under a microscope the importance of technology in the development of mankind.

In our world, we have come to a similar impasse, making choices that will affect our future.

Terry asked me to post this article about that very thing. Del Rey publicist David Moench, the man responsible for sending Terry out on the road on our every year, has conducted an interview with five newspaper print book reviewers about the dying of print media and the rise of the digital age in book reviews. It is an important article and interview. Please take the time to read it.

It can be found here: The Future of Newspapers and Book Coverage

Over the last twelve years my fate seems to have been intertwined with that of Terry Brooks. I have maintained a web presence devoted to his work during that time and have gained a really good friend in the process.

A few years ago I decided to try my hand at writing a book. Terry was there supporting my decision from the beginning. I wrote Song of the Fell Hammer, a generic epic fantasy, and it was roundly rejected because of it. Many of those who rejected the book asked if I had something more original. I didn't at the time but I had a good idea.

Many of you have been following the path I am on as I grew that "good idea," and many of you ask after its realization, The Dark Thorn. So I thought I'd update you all in hopes of minimizing my received emails.

The Dark Thorn is finished. I am currently editing it. A prominent agent has already asked to read it based on the first four chapters. When I finish editing it in the next few days he will receive the manuscript.

And then it is out of my hands.

To read more about my editing process—and to read about how Terry edits too—visit my post on Suvudu at The Love-Hate of Editing!

And I'll be sure to keep you all current on what is going on with The Dark Thorn.

And Terry Brooks, of course!

Labels: Editing, The Dark Thorn

Say goodbye to Paris Hilton!

Here is the really really really real US cover for A Princess of Landover:


What do you think?

To vote whether you like the cover or not, visit The Official Poll!

Labels: A Princess of Landover, Covers, Landover

On late February and early March, Terry and his wife Judine traveled a world away to Dubai for the Dubai Literary Festival. Dozens of writers from all genres joined them! Terry had a great time there and, after touring the city and the United Arab Emirates, ended up with some great ideas for new book settings!

Here is Terry saying hi to the fans!


View more photos from the trip in the Pictures section of the website!

Labels: Tour

It seems as though my little April Fool's joke was taken all too seriously by some people!

The cover for A Princess of Landover below featuring Paris Hilton is a joke, a gag, an antic, a farce. It is not real, in other words. No, the real cover will be posted sometime in the next week I would imagine. And it's a far sight prettier than the April Fool's cover I posted, I can tell you that!

More to come soon! Stay tuned!

Labels: A Princess of Landover, Covers

Del Rey Books and Suvudu.com have teamed up to showcase the cover to the forthcoming new novel, A Princess of Landover!

Here it is:

To get the whole story and how Paris Hilton became involved with the Universal Pictures Landover movie, click HERE!

Labels: A Princess of Landover, Covers