Wednesday, November 11, 2009US Noonshade review by Elitist Book Reviews. Love them.Well, as you can possibly guess, the latest review for Noonshade is rather lovely so I thought I'd link it from here for you. But first, a wee quote: Multiple plots are detailed and woven together in an incredible fashion. The story yanked us along and we loved every minute of it--all the way up to, and including, the satisfying conclusion. At this time we would like to remind you all that this is, in fact, the second book of a trilogy. So let us repeat this. There is a satisfying conclusion. Let there be much rejoicing in the land! Told you these boys knew exactly what they are talking about. Go read the whole thing here. And if you haven't done so, it really is worth bookmarking the site. Not just for me (though clearly that is reason in itself) but because they are delivering fine interviews from good authors and reviewing a healthy number of books and doing it really well. Like I say. Love them. Friday, September 18, 2009US Dawnthief reviews still coming in...OK folks, another. And another goodie. Find Cindy Hannikman's full review for Fantasy Book Critic here but in the meantime, here's a quote... "Dawnthief is everything a fan of epic sword and sorcery fantasy could want. It has great battle scenes, realistic characters, and a great plot line that keeps readers wanting to read on until the end." Love that sort of stuff. Friday, September 04, 2009Another US review for DawnthiefSo far so good... excellent fantasy book reviewer, Jeff C, had this to say: "First off, I thought Dawnthief was fan-freaking-tastic! If you don't count the KJ Parker novella, this is my second top 5 of 2009 caliber book in a row." But you really need to read the whole review. It can be found here. It's the sort of review that makes you blush. There's a mention for that Abercrombie fella in there too. Apparently, I am like him, only cleaner. I can but agree. Joe doesn't shave nearly enough. Friday, August 28, 2009US Reviews for DawnthiefWith Dawnthief just on the shelves, the reviews are starting to come in. RT Book Reviews gave Dawnthief Four Stars, rating it a 'compelling page turner' “Barclay writes an action-driven story that draws the reader along. The dialogue is witty and modern. You can’t help but get caught up in this fast-paced and humor-leavened tale; it’s a thoroughly fun read from beginning to end.” And the excellent Elitist Book Reviews blog said: "We want you to picture a collaborative dream in which Gemmell and George R.R. Martin worked together. You have the intense, fast-paced, heroic action of Gemmell mixed with the brutal tone that Martin is famous for. Sound awesome? It should, and that is exactly the type of novel Barclay gives us with DAWNTHIEF." Read the whole review here and then bookmark them for future reference because they clearly know EXACTLY what they are talking about. More reviews as they happen but in the meantime, tell all your US domiciled friends and family to go buy, buy, BUY! posted by James Barclay on Friday, August 28, 2009
 Monday, June 22, 2009Inaugural David Gemmell Legend AwardFriday 19th June, Magic Circle HQ, London. And a result that surprised many. The award was won by Andrzej Sapkowski for Blood Of Elves ahead of the favourite, Joe Abercrombie. As Joe himself said, not too big a surprise when you see Mr S's popularity and sales figures. Even so, I think it was a result that set the stall for the DGLA as a truly international award and that can only be good. Joe will undoubtedly win one of these years and I might even make the shortlist sometime. The event itself was a terrific occasion. Ideal venue, relaxed atmosphere and style and many a glass raised to the memory of David Gemmell. I did my bit, opening the event with the call to arms speech of Druss on the walls of Dros Delnoch and then, later, running the auction. Got to say I had GREAT fun doing the auction. And people were very kind to say they'd enjoyed it too. I left with my ego suitably buffed and I hope I'm invited back to do it again next year. David Devereux and I are threatening to show up in white tie which I think would be rather splendid. The search has begun for an opening speech for next time as I think doing the same one each time would get tired very quickly. i was very pleased with my delivery of the speech and again, would welcome the chance to do another next year. Or perhaps a two-hander... All in all, a great event and gorgeous prizes for winner and nominees made by the Raven Armoury. Thanks to all, particularly Debbie Miller, for making it a night to remember. Oh, and finally a massive big-up to Bragelonne for their magnificent support. As always, gentlemen, you are close to perfect. posted by James Barclay on Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 29, 2008Brand and Ross and Andrew SachsAm I missing something? Never mind that the row over their programme is STILL going on. Unbelievably. We are told that Brand and Ross are brilliant and edgy and take risks and sometimes this means they get it wrong. OK. Can someone help me with what is risky or edgy about leaving puerile and immature schoolboy messages on Andrew Sach's answerphone? Wow. Clever stuff. Certainly not something that 13 year old boys might do. Takes a sharp and smart mind to dream up such genius. No point in sacking them. They'll both be in other jobs before they've left the BBC. Why not take them to a quiet room and explain what being funny entails. It might take a while in Brand's case. I must be old because I have never so much as lifted a lip molecule to one of his gags. Ross just should know better. Wednesday, August 08, 2007Thought For The DayIf my six month old son, Oscar, fights as hard for world peace in the future as he does against falling asleep at the moment, we can look forward to the cessation of all conflict around the globe. Wednesday, June 27, 2007Thought for the dayTo own a dog is to know that you are less interesting than a pile of deer crap. Labels: Dogs Thursday, February 22, 2007Five things you didn't know (and probably didn't want to)Mark Chadbourn (may he be slightly injured in a freak typing accident), fellow fantasy author and owner of the excellent www.jackofravens.com blog as tagged me. I understand this to mean I have to reveal five things about me that you are unlikely to know. So here goes: 1) I hate wobbly fat on meat. It is the texture and consistency that is such a disgrace and it makes me seriously nauseous. Crispy bacon fat is just fine and dandy. 2) I broke my right arm in three places when I was a wee lad of six. A very bad break I'm assured. All I did was fall off a climbing frame. I still remember the numbness and also the odd feeling when the plaster came off. After six weeks with my forearm encased, I had to concentrate to keep it by my side or it would float up around my head. Just for a while. Honestly. 3) My worst heckler threw an onion at me. I was in a pub doing my one-man show 'The Goalkeeper' in pursuit of my Equity Card. Apparently, the gentleman in question didn't enjoy my take on the profession and a pickled onion missed me but only barely. It was not the high point of my acting career. I completed the show and beat a hasty retreat. I finally got my Equity card doing a children's Winnie the Pooh show with a friend of mine. 4) I used to suffer from a stammer. I was quite young. 10 or so, if I recall. It is a horrible thing and mine wasn't even severe. And can I just point out to you non-stammerers that the two crappest things you can do to a person with a stammer are; finish their words for them and mimic their problem. Just don't... they are acutely sensitive already and you will make it a whole lot worse. 5) I used to be a tournament standard paintball player. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, when paintball was relatively new, I turned up for a day's play and fell in love with it. I came back again and again and was eventually invited to join a team called 'The Turks'. It was a real bank account drainer but a fantastic time. We played almost every weekend, trained during the week and on my non-playing days I worked at the site to earn the money to buy gun and paint. While I was a member of the team, our finest moment was coming second in the Mayhem European Open 1990. And we should have won. I won't bore you with the details, it still hurts a bit even now. I still turn out and play occasionally but not for a team any longer. So there you go. Apparently I have to tag three friends (what a great networking tool, eh?) so I tag Dave Mutton, Stan Nicholls and Lizzy Hill. Don't blame me, blame Chadbourn. Tuesday, January 16, 2007Richmond and CO2 chargingWe read that Richmond Borough Council (which includes my part of Teddington) plan to increase resident parking charges for those evil folk who drive gas guzzling cars. I wanted to check a few things so have just written to Councillor Lourie. I thought I'd share the text with you... Dear Mr Lourie, I have read about the plans to charge higher resident parking fees for ‘4x4s and other gas guzzling cars’ with interest. I’m all for action on emissions. Indeed when I bought my 4x4, I made sure that it’s emissions were in line with most normal family saloons, same goes for its fuel economy and safety rating. I have off road parking so in my quiet corner of Teddington I actually won’t suffer from increased resident parking charges. That does not stop me being really worried about the basis for imposing these charges so I just wanted to check that you were going to be scrupulously fair about their imposition. Not being apprised with how you will determine which vehicles should be charged your proposed increases, I am assuming that what you will do is physically measure the CO2 output of every single car applying for a resident’s parking permit within the borough rather than just go by the manufacturer’s stated emissions. At the least, you will be asking that any vehicle requiring an MOT provides proper recent measurement of their current emissions status. As I’m sure you’re aware, poorly maintained cars, those that are simply a good number of years old, many vans, mini-buses, diesel vehicles old and new to name but a few, can emit CO2 far in excess of anything pumped out by many modern 4x4s. I know as a member of Richmond Council you will want to impose any rules and higher charges fairly and not discriminate on the basis of any popularist assumptions. Please confirm that will be the case and outline same for public consumption. |
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