Author Archives: Michael

October 2020 Releases From Aconyte Books

Over the last few months I’ve been having a lot of fun reading the first titles to be published by Aconyte Books – the new ‘novels division’ of Asmodee Games. While I’m not much of a board gamer, so I’m not really familiar (yet) with the worlds these stories are illustrating, I am a big fantasy and science fiction fan, so the idea of a whole heap of new settings to explore is pretty exciting! I mean, that’s the joy of reading IP fiction, right? Aconyte’s release schedule is absolutely packed full of great-sounding books, so I thought it might be useful to take a look at everything that’s coming out this month. For each title I’ve included links to my reviews and author interviews where available!

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The Doom of Fallowhearth – Robbie MacNiven

Robbie MacNiven’s first novel for Aconyte Books, The Doom of Fallowhearth is the first in a new series of novels set in Terrinoth, the world of Descent: Journeys in the Dark. When Lady Kathryn, the Baroness of Forthyn’s daughter, disappears under strange circumstances, three of the legendary Borderlands Four reunite to search for the missing noblewoman. While their best years might be behind them, these most famous of adventurers bravely (or rather reluctantly, in the case of ageing rogue Logan Lashley) head north to the town of Fallowhearth to search for signs of what caused Lady Kathryn’s disappearance. Little do they appreciate the danger they’re stepping into, however, as their search brings them into conflict with suspicious locals, lurking monsters and a powerful darkness hiding in the sinister Blind Muir forest.

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Monthly Roundup – September 2020

It’s time for another look back at all the books I’ve been reading over the last few weeks, but this time I’ve taken a slightly different approach and called this a Monthly Roundup, rather than the usual Monthly Highlights. The main difference is that I’m going to include a quick sort of ‘life update’ as well as the reading recap, partly to provide a bit of a heads up about what to expect from Track of Words for the next few months and partly as a bit of an outlet for myself. Feel free to read as much or as little of this as you’re interested in – no obligations either way!

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Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott – via Grimdark Magazine

Happy UK publication day to Unconquerable Sun, the fantastic first instalment in a new sci-fi trilogy from Kate Elliott! Published by Head of Zeus, this is billed as ‘gender-swapped Alexander the Great in space’, which is a great elevator pitch if ever I heard one. I was delighted to receive an advance copy of this brilliant book, and my review is live over on the Grimdark Magazine site. I’d love for you to head over there and check it out, but if you just want my essential thoughts on the book then how about this: I spent virtually an entire day unable to put this down, and my overriding thought upon finishing it was a desperate frustration at knowing that the second book isn’t available yet!

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Richard Lee Byers Talks The Head of Mimir

Welcome to this Track of Words Author Interview, in which I’m talking to Richard Lee Byers about his new novel The Head of Mimir, from Aconyte Books. This kicks off a new range called Marvel Legends of Asgard, with Richard choosing to write about the character of Heimdall for this first instalment in the series. Releasing alongside the first Marvel Heroines novel, this comes out in ebook and US paperback editions on the 6th October, with the UK paperback released in November.

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Tristan Palmgren Talks Domino: Strays

Welcome to this Track of Words Author Interview, in which I’m talking to Tristan Palmgren about their new novel for Aconyte Books, Domino: Strays. It’s the first volume of a new series of novels labelled as Marvel Heroines (being released at the same time as the first instalment of Marvel Legends of Asgard), and promises to bring this well-loved comic book character to life in a different way to what we’ve seen before. It’s available to order now in ebook and paperback editions!

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RAPID FIRE: Robert Rath Talks The Infinite and the Divine

Welcome to this instalment of my Rapid Fire series of quick author interviews, in which I’m chatting to Robert Rath about his debut novel for Black Library, The Infinite and the Divine. This exciting new Warhammer 40,000 title is the first full novel to feature the ancient technological menace of the necrons as its protagonists, and promises to be something a little different to the usual Black Library fare. It’s available to pre-order as of Saturday the 3rd October.

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XX – Rian Hughes

Part modern ‘hard SF’ novel, part homage to vintage SF, part intertextual blend of traditional narrative, epistolary sources, visual media, graphic design and much more, Rian Hughes’ debut novel XX is not for the faint-hearted, but rewards a brave reader with a genuinely unique, utterly mind-blowing experience. Take a mysterious signal from outer space, a bunch of senior scientists from assorted space agencies, and a cutting-edge tech startup staffed by a trio of fearless young innovators, and throw in the possibility of first contact with an alien species (in a very modern way). Filter this story through the lens of augmented reality, fold in a strong theme of modernism, lashings of mind-bending maths and science and even a story within a story, and what you get is out of this world in theme, style, intent, complexity and – ultimately – impact.

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Robbie MacNiven Talks The Doom of Fallowhearth

Welcome to this Track of Words Author Interview, in which I’m chatting with Robbie MacNiven about his first novel for Aconyte Books – The Doom of Fallowhearth. Well known for his Warhammer fiction, Robbie is now turning his attention to Descent: Journeys in the Dark, which is still pretty bleak but a little different to the usual grimdark. This book kicks of Aconyte’s range of Descent novels, and will be published as an ebook and US paperback on the 6th October – the UK paperback is due a little later in November.

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: David Annandale Talks Curse of Honor

Welcome to this Track of Words Author Interview, my ongoing series of quick interviews with authors talking about their new releases. These are short and sweet interviews, with the idea being that each author will answer (more or less) the same questions – by the end of each interview I hope you will have a good idea of what the new book (or audio drama) is about, what inspired it and why you might want to read or listen to it.

For this interview I spoke to David Annandale, whose new novel Curse of Honor is his first from Aconyte Books, and kicks off their new range of Legends of the Five Rings fiction. It’s published in the US (in paperback) and as an ebook on the 6th October, while the UK paperback is due out in November. If you fancy a bit of fantasy horror, and whether or not you’re already familiar with this particular setting, I can strongly recommend this great novel!

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