Coming Attraction: The Way of Kings

 

Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.

It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them, and won by them.

One such war rages on a ruined landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where ten armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.

Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by over-powering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.

Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar’s niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan’s motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war.

The Lowdown:
Author: Brandon Sanderson GodKing of Writers
Series: The Stormlight Archive Book 1
Release Date: August 17, 2010
Buy Link: Amazon

About the author: (taken directly from his website)

Brandon Sanderson was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and now lives in Provo, Utah. Unlike a lot of writers, he wasn't born wanting to write books. The bug didn't hit him until he was in junior high, when a teacher handed him a fantasy novel for the first time.

After that, he was a goner. He went to Brigham Young University as a chemistry major, but his secret passion was to become a fantasy novelist. He eventually changed his major to English, and started writing novels compulsively.

In 2003, he finally managed to sell a book (his sixth) to Tor. At that time, he was writing his thirteenth novel and working a graveyard shift at a local hotel so that he could have time to write while he put himself through graduate school. (He eventually got a Master's in creative writing.)

Brandon is a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he served a mission for the church in Seoul, Korea. He married a wonderful girl named Emily in July 2006, and his first child was born in October 2007.


Linkage:
Tor.com Masterlist of The Way of Kings links
Tor.com 'Behind the Coverart' with Michael Whelan article
Brandon Sanderson Official Page and Blog
The Way of Kings Coverart Wallpaper
Prologue and Chapters 1-3
Chapters 4-6, audio format

July is Paranormal/Urban Fantasy Month at Tor.com!

Tor is one of the book publishers who has consistently put out books I love.  And their blogs are the ones I check out whenever I want something interesting to read.  Between the TV show rewatchs, movie reviews of snarky glory and interesting tidbits from authors about research, inspiration, etc, I love trolling around.

So when I got the notice in my mailbox that they were focusing on Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy at the blogs?  I'm there!  There will be author interviews, guest posts, original fiction, giveaways, reviews...pretty much everything you can think of.

I'll keep this post as a sticky post for easy reference and update it as new things pop up throughout the month!

Tor.com Official Start Post

Original Fiction Posts:
07/06: Olga by C.T. Adams  (urban fantasy)
Framed for murdering her sister and brother-in-law, Olga has to join together with the man she would have married and the man defending her innocence to find out who was using Earth Magic so recklessly.

07/12 The Ghost of Leadville by Jeanne C. Stein  (paranormal romance) 
Rose recounts a fateful meeting with a man named Doc Holliday and what can happen when you want too much.

07/15 Fare Thee Well by Cathy Clamp  (urban fantasy)
Lia Thantos accepted an internship at the County Morgue.  Unfortunately for her the job came with a few unexpected peculiarities that she didn't quite understand.

07/19 A Stroke of Dumb Luck by Shiloh Walker  (urban fantasy)
Kit was descended from an ancient warrior race--let's just hope that the part of her that's the warrior is enough to kick some rat-shifting ass.

07/21 Bogieman by Carole Nelson Douglas (urban fantasy)
Las Vegas 2013, Paranormal Investigator Delilah Street just found out the character Sam Spade was killed.  You think that's weird?  That's just Las Vegas.

07/22 Eve of Sin City by S. J. Day  (paranormal romance)
A short story set in Day's "Marked" universe.  Poor Eve finds herself in Las Vegas...yeah this won't go well.

07/26 Fangs for Hire by Jenna Black  (paranormal romance)
Sometimes taking a job can lead many different places.  Or not work at all, really it could have gone either way.

07/28 The Cage by A.M. Dellamonica (urban fantasy)
Werewolves werewolves...what's a person to do?


Author Guest Posts:

07/06: Timeline of a Trend by Carrie Vaughn
07/06: Homeless and Magical: Megan Lindholm’s Wizard of the Pigeons by Jo Walton
07/07: Is It Urban Fantasy? For Example: Charles Stross' Laundry Files by Brit Mandelo
07/07 The Warping of Young Minds (Including My Own) by Cathy Clamp
07/08 The Success of Paranormals: Why is the Genre Taking a Big Bite of Publishing Sales? by Caridad Pineiro
07/09 Editorial Roundtable: Paranormal Romance Heroines and Heroes by Melissa Ann Singer
07/09 Revisiting the Tramp Stamp Phenomenum by  Irene Gallo (video)
07/12 Resident Ghost by Kate Perry
07/12 Texas Ghost Fantasy: Sean Stewart’s Perfect Circle by Jo Walton
07/13 The Lasting Appeal of Urban Fantasy by Laura Anne Gilman
07/14  How I Started Reading Paranormal Romance by Ron Hogan
07/15  Real World Research or Building a Better Werewolf by Carrie Vaughn
07/15  The fantasy geography of America: Terry Bisson's Talking Man by Jo Walton
07/16 Quandaries by Kate Perry
07/19 Text me that hex, please? Kthxbai! by A.M. Dellamonica
07/21 I Speak for Trolls by Kate Perry
07/22 What Urban Fantasy Means to Me by Susan Sizemore
07/22 Because It's Shiny by Shiloh Walker
07/23 Down This Gravel Road: A Look at Contemporary Rural Fantasy by Deb Coates
07/23 The Language of Stones: Terry Windling's The Wood Wife by Jo Walton
07/23 Imagine by Heather Webber
07/24 Super Kate by Kate Perry
07/26 Carrie Vaugh's big week- Kitty Goes to War and Discord's Apple By Mark Graham
07/26 Writing the Paranormal by L.A. Banks
07/26 Finding Your Writing Tribe by Kelley Armstrong
07/26 I Blame Buffy by Cynthia Eden
07/27 What about Love? Paranormal Romance, Teens and Happily Ever Afters by Shannon Delaney
07/27 Embodying Mercy Thompson In Person and In Paint by Irene Gallo
07/27 it's all charlaine's fault. (And jim's, laurell's, oh, and josh whedon's) by C.T. Adams
07/28 An Interview with Leanne Renee Hieber by Ron Hogan
07/28 Fashion Dos and Don'ts for the Paranormal Heroine by Kate Perry
07/29 Becoming Human Again: Rebecca Maizel Discusses Her Upcoming Debut Novel Infinite Days By Rebecca Maizel
07/29 Video games aren't just for boys: The new booming market for women by Melissa Heidrich
07/29 From Cavemen to Manga and Beyond: Expressing Ourselves Through Comics by Anne Elizabeth
07/30 City as Character by Suzanne Johnson

Giveaways:
7/09 to 7/13: Paranormal Romance Grab Bag Giveaway!  **ENDED**
7/16 to 7/20: Paranormal Romance Grab Bag II: The Grabbening Giveaway!  **ENDED**
7/23 to 7/27: Paranormal Trios Grab Bag Giveaway!  **ENDED**

Misc:
Theresa DeLucci’s ongoing recaps of True Blood season 3
Book reviews by Elizabeth Bear: Margaret Ronald’s Wild Hunt, Laura Bickle’s debut novel Embers, and by Malinda Lo’s Ash.


**images taken from tor.com**

Upcoming Series Continuations (August)

I'll be updating this on a monthly basis--deleting what has been released, adding new releases, etc!

It goes without saying that this is all books that I want to read/own/get my hands on...

Releasing this Month:

Night Huntress World Book 2: Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost (8/1/10)
Stormlord Book 2: Stormlord Rising by Glenda Larke (8/1/10)
Elantra Book 6: Cast in Chaos by Michelle Sagara (8/1/10)
The Iron Fey Book 2: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (8/1/10)
Prophecy of the Sisters Book 2: Guardian of the Gate by Michelle Zink (8/1/10)
Regency Silk and Scandals Book 3: The Smuggler and the Society Bride by Julia Justiss (8/1/10)
Greywalker Book 5: Labyrinth by Kat Richardson (8/3/10)
Kiss My Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love edited by Trisha Telep (8/3/10)
Kisses from Hell  edited by Kristen Cast (8/24/10)
Anya Kalinczyk Book 2: Sparks by Laura Bickle (8/31/10)
Charlie Madigan Book 2: The Darkest Edge of Dawn by Kelly Gay (8/31/10)
Ghost Hunters Book 7: Midnight Crystal by Jayne Castle (8/31/10)
The Hollow Book 2: The Haunted by Jessica Verday (8/31/10)


Upcoming Continuations:

Romance

Blades of the Rose Book 1: Warrior by Zoe Archer (9/1/10)
Regency Silk and Scandal Book 4: Claiming the Forbidden Bride by Gayle Wilson (9/1/10)
Dragon Kin Book 4: Last Dragon Standing by G.A. Aiken (9/7/10)
Hellions of Halstead Hall Book 2: A Hellion in Her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries (9/21/10)
Blades of the Rose Book 2: Scoundrel by Zoe Archer (10/1/10)
Bachelor Chronicles: Mad About the Duke by Elizabeth Boyle (10/1/10)
Regency Silk and Scandal Book 5: The Viscount and the Virgin by Annie Burrows (10/1/10)
Legacy Book 2: Secret Legacy by Anna DeStefano (10/26/10)
Ralston Siblings Book 2: Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah Maclean (11/1/10)
Adventurers Club Book 3: Rules of an Engagement by Suzanne Enoch (11/1/10)
Dark Ones: In the Company of Vampires by Katie MacAlister (11/1/10)
Regency Silk and Scandal book 6: Unlacing the Innocent Miss by Margaret McPhee (11/1/10)
Blades of the Rose Book 3: Rebel by Zoe Archer (11/1/10)
Romantic Faery Tales Book 2: The Princess in His Bed by Lila DiPasqua (11/2/10)
Blades of the Rose Book 4: Stranger by Zoe Archer (12/1/10)
Regency Silk and Scandal Book 7: The Officer and the Proper Lady by Louise Allen (12/1/10)
Goddess Books: Goddess of Legend by P.C. Cast (12/7/10)
Regency Silk and Scandal Book 8: Taken by the Wicked Rake by Christine Merrill (1/1/11)
Ladies of Summerhill Book 2: Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James (1/11/11)
Hellions of Halstead Hall Book 3:  How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries (1/18/11)


Fantasy

Glass Books Book 3: Spy Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/1/10)
Novel of the Change: High King of Montival by S.M. Stirling (9/7/10)
Valdemar Collegium Chronicles Book 2: Intrigues by Mercedes Lackey (10/5/10)
The Inheritance Trilogy Book 2: The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin (11/3/10)
Valdemar Anthology: Finding the Way edited by Mercedes Lackey (12/7/10)
Sevenwaters Book 5: Seer of Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier (12/7/10)

Paranormal/Urban Fantasy
Parasol Protectorate Book 3: Blameless by Gail Carriger (9/1/10)
Edge Book 2: Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews (9/28/10)
Elemental Assassin Book 3: Venom by Jennifer Estep (9/28/10)
Mind Games Book 2: Double Cross by Carolyn Crane (9/28/10)
Elite Hands of Justice Book 3: Sorceress Interrupted by A.J. Menden (9/28/10)
"Mrs. Quent" Book 2: The House on Durrow Street by Galen Beckett (9/28/10)
Zombie Romance Book 2: A Darker Shade of Dead by Bianca D'Arc (11/1/10)
Allie Beckstrom Book 5: Magic at the Gate by Devon Monk (11/2/10)
Stormwalker Book 2: Firewalker by Allyson James (11/2/10)
Jaz Parks Book 7: Bitten in Two by Jennifer Rardin (11/8/10)
Delilah Street Book 4: Silver Zombie by Carole Nelson Douglas (11/30/10)
Horngate Witches Book 2: Crimson Wind by Diana P. Francis (12/28/10)
H and W Investigations Book 2: Taken By The Others by Jess Haines (1/1/11)
The Reckoners Book 2: Storm of Reckoning by Doranna Durgin (2/1/11)
Cal and Niko Book 6: Blackout by Rob Thurman (3/1/11)
Sisters of Darkness Book 2: The Demon and the Succubus by Cassie Ryan (4/5/11)
Dragon's Heart Book 2: Hidden Embers by Tessa Adams (4/5/11)
Allie Beckstrom Book 6: Magic on the Hunt by Devon Monk (4/5/11)
Elemental Assassin Book 4: Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep (4/26/11)

Young Adult

Sphinx's Daughter Book 2: Sphinx's Queen by Esther Friesner (9/28/10)
Star Crossed Book 3: Gemini Night by Bonnie Hearn Hill (9/28/10)
Morganville Vampires Book 9: Ghost Town by Rachel Caine (10/26/10)
Galahad Book 3: The Cassini Code by Dom Testa (11/2/10)
The Immortals Book 5: Night Star by Alyson Noel (11/16/10)
Need Book 3: Entice by Carrie Jones (12/7/10)
Dark Divine Book 2: The Lost Saint by Bree Despain (12/28/10)
Wondrous Strange Book 3:   Tempestuous by Lesley Livingston (1/1/11)
Soul Screamers Book 4: My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent (1/1/11)
Anastasia Book 2: Haunted by Joy Preble
Dark Elite Book 2: Hexbound by Chloe Neill (1/4/11)
Evernight Book 4: Afterlife by Claudia Gray (3/1/11)
Hex Hall Book 2: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (3/1/11)
Galahad Book 4: The Dark Zone by Dom Testa (3/1/11)
Forest of Hands and Teeth Book 3: The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (3/22/11)
Darkness Rising Book 1: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong (4/12/11)

Anthologies (where series have novellas)

The Beast Within  by Erin McCarthy, Bianca D'Arc, Jennifer Lyon (9/1/10)
The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2  edited by Trisha Telep (10/5/10)
Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite edited by P.C. Cast (10/26/10)
Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales by Tamora Pierce (2/22/11)


Otherwise
Rogue Angel: The Dragon's Mark by Alex Archer (9/14/10)
Kieli Book 3: Prisoners Bound for Another Planet by Yukako Kabei (9/28/10)
Rogue Angel: Phantom Prospect by Alex Archer (11/9/10)

All links lead to Amazon through my affiliation link.  Dates and titles subject to change.
 
Undefined Release Date

2011

Wolves of Mercy Falls Book 3: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
Seven Kingdoms Trilogy Book 3: Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore
Iron Fey Book 3: The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
Nightshade Book 2: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Other Book 2: Bloodborn by Karen Kincy
Inside Out Book 2: Outside In by Maria V. Snyder
Raised By Wolves Book 2: Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Gone Book 4: Plague by Michael Grant
Fins Book 2: Fins Are Forever by Tera Lynn Childs
Faeriewalker Book 2: Shadowspell by Jenna Black
Aurelia Book 2: Exile by Anne Osterlund
Shade Book 2: Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready
Kingdom of Xia Book 2: Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon
Immortal Beloved Book 2: Everlasting Darkness by Care Tiernan

Leland Sisters Book 3: Magic in Season by Marissa Doyle
Black Jewels Book: Twilight's Dawn by Anne Bishop
Nightshade Book 2: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Erythandra Book 2: Queen's Hunt by Beth Bernobich
Other Book 2: Bloodborn by Karen Kincy
Aurelia Book 2: Exile by Anne Osterlund
Obernewtyn Chronicles Book 7: The Sending by Isobelle Carmody
Obernewtyn Chronicles Book 8: The Red Queen by Isobelle Carmody
Halo Book 2: Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
Rhiannon's Law Book 2: The Renfield Syndrome by J.A. Saare
Faithful Book 2: Forgiven by Janet Fox
Beka Cooper Book 3: Mastiff by Tamora Pierce
Messenger Book 2: Dead on Delivery by Eileen Rendahl
Zombie Romance Book 3: Dead Heat by Bianca D'Arc
13 to Life Book 2: Secrets and Shadows by Shannon Delany
Newsflesh Book 2: Deadline by Mira Grant
Bad Girls Book 2: From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

2012

Magic Under Book 2: Magic Under Stone by Jaclyn Dolamore 
Erythandra Book 3: Allegiance by Beth Bernobich 
Newsflesh Book 3: Black Out by Mira Grant

Untitled Continuations

Alpha and Omega Book 3 by Patricia Briggs (2011)
Book Girl Volume 2 by Mizuki Nomura (2011)
Greywalker Book 6 by Kat Richardson (2011)
Caster Chronicles Book 3 by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (2011)
Madison Avery Book 3 by Kim Harrison (2011)
Princess for Hire Book 2 by Lindsey Leavitt (2011)
Prophecy of the Sisters Book 3 by Michelle Zink (2011)
Elemental Assassin Book 5 by Jennifer Estep (2011) 
Caster Chronicles Book 4 by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (2012)


All undefined book releases link to goodreads.  Titles and dates are subject to change.