An Interview with JASON M. HOUGH

August 26, 2015August 24, 2015 Civilian Reader Interview Darwin Elevator, Del Rey, Dire Earth Cycle, Exodus Tower, Jason M Hough, Plague Forge, Sci-Fi, Titan Books, Zero World

Let’s start with an introduction: Who is Jason M. Hough?

He’s me. I’m him. Oh! I see what you mean. Let’s see… These days I’m a full-time author. Perhaps more accurately I’m a full-time author and a full-time father, since I’m always doing both to some extent. Before that I designed video games, did 3D animation, made mobile software that utilized machine learning and contextual awareness, and other things not quite as interesting.

Your next novel, Zero World, is published by Titan Books (UK) and Del Rey (US). It looks pretty excellent: How would you introduce it to a potential reader? Is it part of a planned series?

Thanks! The quick intro is that it’s a bit like “James Bond meets Total Recall”, though of course such things are always lacking. So let’s say it’s a futuristic spy thriller featuring a assassin who, upon completing his missions, has his memories reset to the pre-mission state. He’s sort of embraced this “feature” about himself, and lives his life to give himself the best chance of success when he’s out doing… whatever it is he does. Continue reading →

New Books: March #2

March 28, 2015August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Christopher Golden, Dan Simmons, David Levien, Debbie Johnson, Del Rey, Eve Darrows, Gallery, Harlan Coben, Hodder, JF Lewis, Jo Fletcher Books, Keija Parssinen, Kristi Charish, Lachlan Smith, Lindsey Davis, Lucasbooks, Mike Lawson, Owen Laukkanen, Paul S Kemp, Ravenstone, Robert Karjel, Scott McCloud, Shane Kuhn, Simon & Schuster, Sue Tingey, Tim Lebbon, Titan Books, Transworld, Zachary Brown

A few more thrillers this time around, most of which I bought – this has been part of a conscious decision on my part to read more non-SFF books. Mainly because I think I’m overdosing on those genres, and I feel like I’m missing out on authors I ordinarily would love to read.

Featuring: Zachary Brown, Kristi Charish, Harlan Coben, Eve Darrows, Lindsey Davis, Christopher Golden, Richard Kadrey, Robert Karjel, Paul S. Kemp, Shane Kuhn, Owen Laukkanen, Mike Lawson, Tim Lebbon, Scott McCloud, Keija Parssinen, Dan Simmons, Lachlan Smith, Sue Tingey

[GIF from Black Books – a fantastic, curmudgeonly UK TV comedy series. Recommended.] Continue reading →

Cover: THE SKULL THRONE by Peter V. Brett (Voyager)

March 2, 2015March 2, 2015 Civilian Reader Covers, Upcoming Del Rey, Demon Cycle, Fantasy, Most Anticipated 2015, Peter V Brett, Skull Throne, Voyager

The US cover for THE SKULL THRONE, Peter V. Brett‘s fourth Demon Cycle novel, was released a while ago (at end). Today, Voyager Books finally unveiled the UK artwork (right) – Starburst Magazine had the exclusive first reveal. It’s pretty good. Here’s the book’s synopsis:

The Skull Throne of Krasia stands empty.

Built from the skulls of fallen generals and demon princes, it is a seat of honour and ancient, powerful magic, keeping the demon corelings at bay. From atop the throne, Ahmann Jardir was meant to conquer the known world, forging its isolated peoples into a unified army to rise up and end the demon war once and for all.

But Arlen Bales, the Warded Man, stood against this course, challenging Jardir to a duel he could not in honour refuse. Rather than risk defeat, Arlen cast them both from a precipice, leaving the world without a saviour, and opening a struggle for succession that threatens to tear the Free Cities of Thesa apart.

In the south, Inevera, Jardir’s first wife, must find a way to keep their sons from killing one another and plunging their people into civil war as they strive for glory enough to make a claim on the throne.

In the north, Leesha Paper and Rojer Inn struggle to forge an alliance between the duchies of Angiers and Miln against the Krasians before it is too late.

Caught in the crossfire is the duchy of Lakton—rich and unprotected, ripe for conquest.

All the while, the corelings have been growing stronger, and without Arlen and Jardir there may be none strong enough to stop them.

Only Renna Bales may know more about the fate of the missing men, but she, too, has disappeared…

The Skull Throne is published by Voyager on April 9th, 2015. It is published in the US by Del Rey on March 31st, 2015. I received an eARC from Del Rey recently, and I intend to get started on the novel in about a week or so.

Also on CR: Reviews of The Painted Man, The Desert Spear, The Daylight War, The Great Bazaar & Brayan’s Gold and Messenger’s Legacy.

New Books (February #1)

February 14, 2015August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Ace Books, Andrzej Sapkowski, Ben Mezrich, Cecilia Ekbäck, Christopher Fowler, DAW Books, Del Rey, Den Patrick, Fantasy, George R.R. Martin, Gollancz, Jean Hanff Korelitz, Joe Abercrombie, Joe Schreiber, John Clarkson, John French, Justina Robson, Lee Kelly, Mark Alder, Marshall Ryan Maresca, Michael Alan Nelson, Michael Christie, Michael Moorcock, Michel Bussi, Myke Cole, Nicolle Wallace, Peter Orullian, Rowena Cory-Daniells, Saga Press, Sci-Fi, Stephen Marche, Steven Harper, Toby Clements, Urban Fantasy, Ursula le Guin, William Dietz

Featuring: Joe Abercrombie, Mark Alder, Michel Bussi, Michael Christie, John Clarkson, Toby Clements, Myke Cole, Rowena Cory Daniells, William Dietz, Cecilia Ekbäck, Christopher Fowler, John French, Steven Harper, Lee Kelly, Jean Hanff Korelitz, Ursula le Guin, Stephen Marche, Marshall Ryan Maresca, George R.R. Martin, Paul McAuley, Ben Mezrich, Michael Moorcock, Michael Alan Nelson, Peter Orullian, Den Patrick, Justina Robson, Andrzej Sapkowski, Joe Schreiber, Harry Turtledove, Nicolle Wallace Continue reading →

New Books (Jan-Feb 2015)

January 24, 2015August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books 4th Estate, Ally Carter, Ben Tripp, Caitlin Kittredge, Chris Evans, Dave Bara, Del Rey, Del Rey UK, Dick Wolf, Douglas Coupland, EJ Swift, Erika Johansen, Erika Swyler, Gallery, Gollancz, Hammer, Harper, Ian Tregillis, JL Bourne, Maria Dahvana Headley, Mark Stay, Mats Strandberg, Michael Moorcok, Naomi Novik, Neil Gaiman, Orbit, Patricia Briggs, Peter V Brett, Royce Scott Buckingham, Sara B. Elfgren, Thomas Dunne, Thomas Dunne Books, Titan Books, Voyager, Wayne Gladstone, Will Wiles

Featuring: Dave Bara, J.L. Bourne, Peter V. Brett, Patricia Briggs, Royce Scott Buckingham, Ally Carter, Sara B. Elfgren, Chris Evans, Neil Gaiman, Wayne Gladstone, Erika Johansen, Caitlin Kittredge, Michael Moorcock, Naomi Novik, Mats Strandberg, Mark Stay, E.J. Swift, Erika Swyler, Ian Tregillis, Ben Tripp, Will Wiles, Dick Wolf Continue reading →

Second Look: THE GREAT BAZAAR and BRAYAN’S GOLD by Peter V. Brett (Tachyon)

January 6, 2015January 6, 2015 Civilian Reader Review Brayan's Gold, Del Rey, Demon Cycle, Fantasy, Great Bazaar, Novella, Peter V Brett, Tachyon Publications, Voyager

Tachyon Publications will be releasing a new edition of Peter V. Brett‘s first two Demon Cycle novellas, The Great Bazaar and Brayan’s Gold on July 14th, 2015. Naturally, this means new cover art, too (above), so I thought I would re-post my original review from 2011. I’ve updated the review just a little, given that I have since read The Desert Spear and The Daylight War, which I hadn’t at the time. If you’ve been reading CR for a while, you’ll be familiar with the fact that I love Brett’s writing and the series is easily one of my favourites, across all genres. The series is published in the US by Del Rey and in the UK by Voyager. The fourth book in the series, The Skull Throne, is due to be published at the end of March 2015. And I really can’t wait…

***

Two short stories set in the world of the Demon Cycle

From the dangerous world of the Demon Cycle comes the early adventures of Arlen, Peter V. Brett’s quintessential fantasy hero. These exciting origin tales follow Arlen as he learns to navigate a world where the elemental forces of evil conjure themselves from the earth each night.

Humanity has barely survived a demonic onslaught by using magical wards that protect their cities and homes. Only a handful of mercenaries and explorers risk traveling after the sun sets. Arlen, seeking adventure and fortune, is barely protected by the warded armor upon which he has inscribed intricate defensive runes. From a journey ferrying a wagonload of dynamite to a mountain stronghold, to a dangerous mission to recover desert treasures, Arlen faces friends and enemies with a strong arm and a cunning wit.

I won’t give any more synopsis before the break, as I don’t want to offer any spoilers for new readers. So, if you haven’t read The Painted Man(The Warded Man in the US), then I recommend you go an do that immediately, before diving into these.

In this eBook, we get a pair of short stories focussing on one of the main characters from The Painted Man, Arlen Bales. Both of the stories have been released previously as limited editions by Subterranean Press, and are so rare that they’re now selling for $400 in some places! Thankfully, the eBook is way more affordable, so I snapped it (and The Desert Spear) up for my Kindle as soon as I finished The Painted Man.

A superb, short foray back into the world, I really enjoyed reading about Arlen and his early adventures again. These two stories are perfect for fans who need a fix before the next book’s release. Continue reading →

New Books (November #2)

November 23, 2014August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Black Library, Brandon Sanderson, Chris Evans, David Baldacci, Del Rey, Elizabeth Bear, Gallery Books, Gav Thorpe, Harper Collins, James Enge, James M. Hough, Jesse Kellerman, Joe Haldeman, John French, John Love, Jonathan Kellerman, Michel Faber, Olivier Truc, Open Road, Poul Anderson, Tor

Featuring: Poul Anderson, David Baldacci, Elizabeth Bear, James Enge, Chris Evans, Michel Faber, John French, Joe Haldeman, James M. Hough, Jonathan & Jesse Kellerman, John Love, Brandon Sanderson, Gav Thorpe, Olivier Truc Continue reading →

Review: RIVERS OF LONDON by Ben Aaronovitch (Gollancz)

November 4, 2014November 4, 2014 Civilian Reader Review Ben Aaronovitch, Del Rey, Gollancz, London, Midnight Riot, Peter Grant Series, Rivers of London, Supernatural, Urban Fantasy

The first Peter Grant novel…

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit – we do paperwork so real coppers don’t have to – and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England.

Now I’m a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden . . . and there’s something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair.

The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it’s falling to me to bring order out of chaos – or die trying.

I finally got around to reading it! I actually pre-ordered this before it came out, and promptly… didn’t read it. (And somehow lost my first edition hardcover, which is most annoying…) I was going through a phase when I didn’t want to read anything set in London and then got distracted by myriad other things. As I am wont to do. Anyway. I’ve now begun the series, and I will certainly be reading the rest of it. This was a lot of fun, and a must-read for all fans of urban fantasy. Continue reading →

New Books (October)

October 30, 2014August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books 47 North, Anne Rice, Arrow, Ben Lerner, Brian Cox, Debbie Viguie, Del Rey, Doubleday, Edward St Aubyn, Genevieve Cogman, Gollancz, Jasper Kent, John Grisham, John Sandford, John Twelve Hawks, Justin Richards, Kate Griffin, Kazuaki Takano, Little Brown, Lynne Truss, Marie Brennan, Mark Charan Newton, Michele Cook, Mira Grant, Mulholland, Neal Asher, Nicholas Kaufmann, Paolo Bacigalupi, Patrick Rothfuss, Peter F. Hamilton, Peyton Marshall, Putnam, Random House, Sam Sykes, Sebastian Rotella, Simon Unsworth, SJ Watson, St Martin's Press, Stephen King, Tor, Transworld, Wilbur Smith, William Gibson

Featuring: Neal Asher, Paolo Bacigalupi, Marie Brennan, Genevieve Cogman, Brian Cox, William Gibson, Mira Grant, Kate Griffin, John Grisham, Nicholas Kaufmann, Jasper Kent, Stephen King, Ben Lerner, Peyton Marshall, Mark Charan Newton, Anne Rice, Justin Richards, Sebastian Rotella, Patrick Rothfuss, John Sandford & Michele Cook, Wilbur Smith, Edward St. Aubyn, Sam Sykes, Kazuaki Takano, Lynne Truss, John Twelve Hawks, Simon Unsworth, Debbie Viguie, SJ Watson

Continue reading →

New Books (September/October)

October 7, 2014August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Abaddon, Adam Brookes, Al Ewing, Alec Worley, Angry Robot, Berkley, Blake Butler, Christopher Buehlman, Claire North, Del Rey, Gillian Anderson, Graeme Simsion, Hamish Hamilton, Harper, James Luceno, John Sandford, Kelly Armstrong, Knopf, Lauren Beukes, Lee Henderson, Matthew Smith, Michael Carroll, Michael Harvey, Mitch Albom, Orbit, Peter F. Hamilton, Peter Watts, Pierre Pevel, Putnam, Pyr, Quercus, Rajan Khanna, Simon & Schuster, Sphere, Steffen Jacobsen, Tana French, Todd Moss, Vintage, W. Bruce Cameron

Featuring: Mitch Albom, Gillian Anderson, Kelly Armstrong, Lauren Beukes, Adam Brookes, Christopher Buehlman, Blake Butler, W. Bruce Cameron, Michael Carroll, Al Ewing, Tana French, Peter F. Hamilton, Michael Harvey, Lee Henderson, Steffen Jacobsen, Rajan Khanna, James Luceno, Todd Moss, Claire North, Pierre Pevel, John Sandford, Graeme Simsion, Matthew Smith, Peter Watts, Alec Worley Continue reading →