Remember when you could download the (most awesome) Neil Gaiman novel American Gods for free (it’s mentioned in there somewhere)?
Well, that was just a single book, from a single author, for a finite period of time. Another publisher, however, has taken it to the next level.
Suvudu now has a permanent, free, online library of downloadable books. What they’ve done…something I will call a “stroke of genius” is post complete manuscripts of the first book in five different series. See what they’re doing? They’re like the crack dealers of sci-fi/fantasy lit! And there’s nothing I like better than sci-fi/fantasy fiction mixed with gratuitous analogies to illicit drug manufacturing/distribution.
The site says that they will add more titles as time goes by. That, hands down, rocks hard…and long…and hard…and also long. Ever want to read Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb but not sure you wanted to spend the money? Well, shit birthday, you don’t even have to drive your car over the damn library now. How slick is that?
By the way, I’m totally downloading that book right now cause the main character’s name is Fitz.
And now, one last piece of Watchmen related stuffs. I was planning on rereading the novel before the movie, but that didn’t happen. Probably for the best. It’s been a few years since I’ve read it, so I’m guessing I’ll be less critical that way (and I already know the big stuff that’s changed, i.e., no skid, no black ship). But, if you’re new to the Watchmen and you want a bit of a primer, or you’re like me and you need a quick refresher, check out this “What the Informed Viewer Needs” post (thanks for the link, Mojo) which will give a good, quick intro to the characters, make you laugh, and briefly consider how f’ed Alan Moore is.
Shiny Toy Guns — When They Came For Us
Ah. I’ve read the whole Assasin’s Apprentice trilogy and personally liked it. I skipped the second trilogy, set in the same world but with different main characters, The Liveship Traders, and have the first two books in the the third trilogy, The Tawny Man, which goes back to Fitz’s story.
Robin Hobb, the author, also writes under the name Megan Lindholm, you might’ve read her stuff? Sci fi?
From what I’ve read on boards and reviews, people are pretty mixed about Fitz. Some say he’s the ultimate Sue, some really like him, some acknowledge he’s a Sue and like him. As a main character in a book, I don’t think many characters can help being a little Sue-ish (coughHarryDresdencough), but I liked Fitz and didn’t think he fit the Sue mold. I mean, as much as a main character with special powers could. If anything, the books are a harmless diversion to waste some hours.
Yeah giving out free books is always a good deal. The crack analogy is an apt one. That’s what happened to me with the Legacy of the Force series. I downloaded the first book in audio for free and now I can’t stop reading the rest of the series. Damn addictive star wars novels. As a side note, I highly recommend this series. It has a very different perspective on a hero’s fall from grace. You have a hero who falls to the dark side for the good of the galaxy. Evil through selflessness. Plus there’s plenty of Wedge still being awesome in his 60′s.
I would be cursing the publishers for taking my hard earned money but I get them at such a discount it’s really not too bad.