May 16, 2013

Richard III and The Cousins War Series by Philippa Gregory {0}

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The White Queen by Philippa Gregory. RRP $19.99. Published by Simon & Schuster

Richard III looks to remain firmly in the spotlight this year. York and Leicester are still at battle over the rights to his recently-discovered remains, the history books are being reprinted thick and fast, and the BBC has adapted Philippa Gregory’s The White Queen into a ten-part television series.

Ricardians can breathe easy, however, Philippa Gregory is one of the few historical novelists who doesn’t depict Richard III as the traditional Shakespearean tyrant we are so familiar with.

Read More (336 words, 2 images, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

By Category: Historical Fiction Tags: , , , , , ,

Apr 24, 2013

Harry Through the Ages : Seven New Covers for Harry Potter {0}

harry-potter-sorcerersEarlier this year, Scholastic announced that they would be releasing a boxed set of Harry Potter books featuring new covers designed by critically acclaimed artist Kazu Kibuishi, author of the graphic novel series Amulet . The books will be released in September 2013 to coincide with the 15th anniversary of the U.S publication of the first book.

“The Harry Potter covers by Mary GrandPré are so fantastic and iconic,” said Kibuishi. “When I was asked to submit samples, I initially hesitated because I didn’t want to see them reinterpreted! When illustrating the covers, I tried to think of classic perennial paperback editions of famous novels and how those illustrations tend to feel. In a way, the project became a tribute to both Harry Potter and the literary classics.”

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By Category: Book Covers, Children's Books Tags: , , , , ,

Apr 15, 2013

The Literary Cat – Cat as Catalyst {2}

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The cat versus dog argument is as old as time. In The Curious Incidence of Dogs in Publishing  Daniel Engber argues that while cats rule the internet, dogs reign in print. Alison Flood responded with Are cats top dogs in the world of literature?, claiming that literary cats still hold the crown.

Read More (681 words, 9 images, estimated 2:43 mins reading time)

By Category: Children's Books, Random Thoughts, Vintage Books Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Apr 10, 2013

Why the Doctor Can’t Fall in Love – Science Fiction, Fantasy and the Romance Argument {0}

Asylum of the DaleksWaris Hussein, director of the very first Doctor Who serial starring William Hartnell, voiced his disapproval at the romantic undertones in some of the story-lines of the recent Doctor Who series. Rather he called it “sexuality”. I’d rather call it what it is. It’s called love. And it’s something you’ll find in most every epic tale ever told, dating back to when stories were passed on in song and poetry.

Read More (421 words, 3 images, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

By Category: Fantasy Books, Random Thoughts Tags: , ,

Apr 6, 2013

Frank Victoria’s Art Blog {0}

Fantasy_copyright_flatFVEvery fantasy and science-fiction fan loves a good cover. I discovered Frank Victoria’s artwork on the covers of The Chronicles of the Tree by Mary Victoria ( his wife and my favourite new fantasy author). I particularly loved the artwork for Chronicles of the Tree, not just because they captured the immense scope of the world Mary created, but that they also have that wonderful ethereal quality which was once so traditional to fantasy cover art.

Modern cover art is evolving into stark, minimal covers with more branding and little storytelling. An exceptional cover should encompass all that is integral to the story, and that is just what these do.

Read More (245 words, 5 images, estimated 59 secs reading time)

By Category: Book Covers, Fantasy Books Tags: , ,

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