Frostborn: An Excellent Edition to the Genre

Another great review for Frostborn.This one appears at Books, Crafts and Beats, which is, I believe, the blog of a librarian in the Denver, Colorado area. I'm very happy with the opening line of the review:

"Masters of the fantasy genre like Tolkien and George RR Martin have set the bar very high for this genre but Lou Anders' book, the first in a proposed series, is an excellent addition to the genre."

And their closing paragraph:

"This story is one of those rare books that will appeal to both girls and boys. The themes explored: wanting to fit in with one's peers, dual heritage, wanting to chart one's own course different from your parents are universal. Although we learn little about Karn's four sisters and his mother except in one small mention, Thianna for her part has an important female mentor who teaches her important skills. I highly recommend this book for grades 4-7."

Shop Picacio

Today, newly-crowned Hugo-winning artist John Picacio has just unveiled a webstore. Offered for the first time are special, limited-edition prints of all twelve of his pieces from the 2012 Song of Ice and Fire calendar, as well as prints of his work on Elric of Melnibone, and select new and classic covers. I especially love his Elric work, but one of my favorite pieces of all is the print of "Girl with Microphone," which is one of the pieces I art directed and which will be the cover of Brenda Cooper's forthcoming novel, The Creative Fire (Book One of Ruby's Song).

Game of Thrones

John Picacio's GRRM Calendar

George RR Martin has posted a (possibly not final) image of the cover of the 2011 and 2012 A Song of Ice and Fire Calendars. Ted Nasmith is the illustrator of 2011 and John Picacio of 2012. Both look amazing, but I'm particularly excited by the Picacio. George says, "This may not actually be the final cover, but it should give you a good taste of the spectacular work that John is doing. He tells me he's determined to make this calendar the best work he's ever done." Excited.