By Samantha Payne

Very much an urban Fantasy, Storm Front is a stunning debut novel by Jim Butcher; an avid gamer from Missouri. Storm Front is the first instalment of an on-going series that, as this review is written, has 17 books under its belt. The series also has a TV show to its name, though unfortunately it was cancelled after only one series. There is talk however of reviving the series anew sometime in the future.

By Samantha Payne

Fantasy. Does it weave words of magic through your mind? Or does it jump from the page and hit you in the face with its sword hilt? Fantasy is a genre that can mean many things to many people. It can inspire love, hate, laughter and sadness. It can inspire your own mind to open up to the possibilities within our own world. It can cause you to catch the maddening bug of writing; where an idea will smack you across the back of the head when you’re least expecting it, prompting you to dive for the nearest writing utensils like something possessed. It can be a way of life.

So how can we possibly begin to define such an elusive creature as is Fantasy? Why is it so compelling for so many readers? I will try my best to pin it down, but please don’t come chasing me with torches and pitch forks if I don’t get it quite right. Fantasy has so many definitions, that it’s impossible to find the ones that resonate perfectly with the genre. I will list a few below with my reasoning whether they are a good fit or not.

By the IWG Book Team

The Elevator Pitch, that terrifying thing where you have to sell your entire concept for your book/film/TV show in the length of time it takes to travel in a lift. The I'm With Geek site have all come together to create pitches for their sections given a title to work from, and now, it is the Book Team's turn to present our own ideas under the title of Rings in the Rainbow. How have our team interpreted the title, and whose pitch is the best? Check them out below (a couple even have accompanying book covers!), and be sure to let us know your favourite in the comments!

By Samantha Payne

A highly prolific author, James Patterson was born in Newburgh, New York. It will come as no surprise then that one of his most famous characters hails from New York City; Detective Michael Bennett. With so many books to his name, one does wonder how he does it. He more often than not works alongside a co-writer when working on one of his novels; considered a controversial move in this writer’s opinion. He is an outspoken supporter of books and reading, he is especially passionate about encouraging children to read; often turning up in person to read to groups of young children. This shows that he is serious about his passion for books and reading, as he often gives up his own time and money to promote all things literature.

By Samantha Payne

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve experienced that no man’s land between books when you just don’t know what you want to read. That inexplicable feeling of pickiness whenever perusing online, at the local bookstore or library. The worse thing I’ve found when looking for a new book is to look at its reviews. 

By Samantha Payne

The Magician’s Apprentice is a fascinating novel filled with political intrigue and conflicting opinions on the controversial topic of war. This particular novel is set hundreds of years before the events in Trudi Canavan’s debut trilogy, The Black Magician Trilogy. Though it is a prequel, it is advised that you read the above trilogy first as it will introduce you to the world and the events in this stand-alone novel will be put into a greater perspective.

By Samantha Payne

I have a lot of respect and not a small amount of good-natured jealously for this woman. Born in Kew, Melbourne in Australia, from a young age she was interested in the creative crafts of writing, art and music. Fascinating how a love for the creative side of life often begins during childhood. She obtained an Advanced Certificate in Promotional Display at the Melbourne College of Decoration after deciding to follow the career path to becoming a professional artist. This was where she also received an award for Highest Aggregate Mark in Art Subjects in 1988. 

By Samantha Payne

Blurb:

Deep in the folklore of Tallinor lies a dark story of betrayal and destruction, the story of a powerful sentient called Orlac who once razed the famed city of Caremboche, and almost destroyed the entire land. . .

Now, all sentients are feared and, once discovered, subjected to the barbaric practises of bridling and branding. But in a village far from the royal city, a young man, Torkyn Gynt blazes with great power and healing abilities. In order to fulfil his destiny, Tor must leave his home – and his love, Alyssa – to become apprentice to the royal physic.

The trouble is, Tor has no idea how important he actually is. His only guides are a man who is no longer a man and a mysterious woman who appears to him in his dreams. Aware of the magnitude of his powers but unsure to what end he is to use them; Tor embarks on a journey that can only end in triumph or betrayal.

By Samantha Payne

Film adaptations, the phrase now fills me with dread. Why? It all began with the announcement of the first Harry Potter movie. The little excited nine year old that was me, waited with eager anticipation with her big brother; who by the way was the one who read the first book to her. She watched the movie with wide eyes, feeling the thrill when she recognised scenes from her beloved book. She and her brother discussed, at length, the merits of the film; only discovering a few minor things left out but it was otherwise an excellent film. Slightly older now, she went to see the second film and was much the same impressed by its accurate portrayal of the story. It was the third film that her disappointment in the film series began. The changes and story elements that were missing were starting to become more glaringly obvious to her and she found herself not being able to enjoy the movie because of them. This disappointment grew as the series progressed. She loved the actors who played the familiar characters but it was the distorted way in which the story was told that disturbed her. This experience is why I no longer trust a film adaptation of a book to be anything compared to the book itself.