Giveaway: Two Copies of Dancer's Lament by Ian C. Esslemont!

The generous publicity team over at Tor Books have offered me two copies of Dancer's Lament to giveaway! If you haven't heard or read my review of Dancer's Lament, it's the first in a prequel trilogy set in the popular Steven Erikson/Ian C. Esslemont Malazan universe prior to the events of The Malazan Book of the Fallen and the founding of the Malazan Empire. Dancer's Lament is not only a good backstory of Dancer and Kellanved for fans of the series, but also a great place for new readers to start too!

So how can you enter to win a copy? 

1. If you're already a fan of the Malazan series, simply comment on this post or the associated reddit post with what your favorite book in the series is and why.

2. If you've not read any of the Malazan books, simply comment on this post or the associated reddit post with what's got you interested in the series and why.

3. The giveaway will be open until Friday, May 27th at 11:59PM.

4. On Saturday, May 28th, I will select two winners by inputting names into a randomizer.

5. I will reply to the comment (or PM on reddit) of the two selected winners with instructions to send me the mailing address they would like the copy sent to. I will then forward this info to Tor for fulfillment.

You do not need to follow the Deviant Worlds blog to be eligible for this contest. Though you are more than welcome to join the community. Good luck on the giveaway, and don't forget to share!

Dancer's Lament by Ian C. Esslemont

“If you corner him there will be bloodshed. And I do not like bloodshed.’ 
Dorin arched a brow. ‘Really. You don’t like bloodshed.’
‘No. It’s messy and unsophisticated. There are better ways of doing things.’
‘Such as?’
Wu brightened, flashed his yellowed crooked teeth. ‘My ways. Lying, trickery, deceit, cheating, or just plain patience. He will come to us.” -Ian C. Esslemont, Dancer's Lament

Blurb: Esslemont's all-new prequel trilogy takes readers deeper into the politics and intrigue of the New York Times bestselling Malazan Empire. Dancer's Lament focuses on the genesis of the empire, and features Dancer, the skilled assassin, who, alongside the mage Kellanved, would found the Malazan empire.

Interview: E.J. Stevens

Welcome E.J. Stevens to Deviant Worlds!

To start things off, do you read much science fiction or fantasy? If so, what are your favorite authors and favorite books by those authors?

I love speculative fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy. My favorite authors include Glen Cook (Black Company), William Gibson (Neuromancer), Alastair Reynolds (Revelation Space), Jim Butcher (Dresden Files, Codex Alera), Faith Hunter (Jane Yellowrock), and Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega). I also have an enduring love of Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Do you have a favorite sub-genre that you find you gravitate to? 

My favorite sub-genre is Urban Fantasy, with Grimdark a close second.

The Friday 5: Popular Series I Want to Read

The saddest part about this week's top 5 list? I own the first book in every single one of these series already. I've heard such good things about each of these that over the last couple years I've picked up these titles and they've been in my TBR. But alas, I get distracted so easily in my reading. So without further ado, this weeks list is 5 Popular Series I Want to Read. Be sure to leave me you're top 5 in the comments below!

(Graphic Novel) Michael Moorcock's Elric Vol. 1: The Ruby Throne by Julien Blondel

Blurb: Elric, the albino emperor, has ruled Melniboné for millennia - a feat made possible through magic and various herbs that serve to strengthen and prolong his life. However, Elric's empire is crumbling before him and now his envious cousin and prince of Melniboné, Yyrkoon, plots to claim the Ruby Throne for himself. 

     Yet when Elric's people come under the threat of a pirate attack, Elric believes that he can once again restore his authority and regain their faith by defeating the pirates. However, the true cost of this task will force him to reveal his allegiance to the dark Arioch, the most dominant of the Lords of Chaos...

Format: Elric Vol. 1: The Ruby Throne is a graphic novelization by Julien Blondel of Michael Moorcock's hit series beginning with Elric of Melnibone. I am reviewing the Kindle ebook version of the graphic novel which was 64 pages in length. The course of the 1st volume takes place with the events of the first Elric novel in beautiful artistic detail.

The Friday 5: Authors that Deserve More Attention

The Friday 5 is a weekly event here on Deviant Worlds. Every Friday I present a top 5 list related to the science fiction or fantasy genre. This week's Friday 5 is Author's that Deserve More Attention. These are authors that have found traditional publishing success, but aren't the buzz their good work should be in the fantasy circles. Basically, these are the authors I wish were more popular in the genre. As always, leave me your list in the comments below!

My Favorite Fantasy Quotes - Part 2

I previously posted part 1 of My Favorite Fantasy Quotes in which I shared some of my favorite lines from fantasy books I've read. Below I've listed more great lines I've read and saved over the years. Some of them are words of wisdom and some just give me chills every time I read them. As always, leave me some of your favorite quotes in the comments below!

The Friday 5: Great Fantasy Sites I Follow

The Friday 5 is a weekly event posted here on Deviant Worlds. Each week I create a personal top 5 list relating to the genres of Fantasy and Science Fiction. This week's topic is my Top 5 Great Fantasy Sites I Follow. These are other fantasy based sites around the web I love to lurk on and do not contribute content to.
Here they are:

Sword of the North by Luke Scull

Blurb: As Davarus Cole and his former companions were quick to discover, the White Lady’s victorious liberation of Dorminia has not resulted in the freedom they once imagined. Anyone perceived as a threat has been seized and imprisoned—or exiled to darker regions—leaving the White Lady’s rule unchallenged and absolute. But the White Lady would be wiser not to spurn her former supporters: Eremul the Halfmage has learned of a race of immortals known as the Fade, and if he cannot convince the White Lady of their existence, all of humanity will be in danger.
 
Far to the north, Brodar Kayne and Jerek the Wolf continue their odyssey to the High Fangs only to find themselves caught in a war between a demon horde and their enemy of old, the Shaman. And in the wondrous city of Thelassa, Sasha must overcome demons of her own.