The Source
As you loyal readers know, I’ve been all about the Messenger these days, as he (sometimes she) has been bringing me an endless stream of awesome books. It’s one of the great ironies of life that in HS and college when I had nothing but free time to read, I was broke and had to scrimp and save just to buy cheap paperbacks. Now that I finally have money to buy nice hardcover books, they come free and I have no time to read. Alas…
But I digress.
While waiting for the Messenger is fine and good and gives a touch of excitement to the morning drudgery, sometimes, when you just can’t wait for something, it is best to go to the Source. In this case, the Random House building on Broadway and 57th street. Specifically, the office of Del Rey Books. Where the magic happens.
Unable to wait another SECOND to hold The Desert Spear in my greedy little hands, I made my way uptown to that mecca of books, and was united with my true love at last:
Here are a couple of pix of the book with an American quarter held against it for scale.
Note the thick-assedness of this 583 page monster. 240,000 words is no joke. Many readers claimed to have read The Warded/Painted Man in one night. I’d like to see you try it here, people!
Do you need more proof that Desert Spear is awesome? This month’s Romantic Times gives it 4.5 stars, and there is a nice little review in the Library Journal. I also saw an advance copy of the Booklist review, and it almost made me cream my shorts.
While I was in the office of RH publicist David Moench, I noticed an ARC of Naomi Novik’s Tongues of Serpents sitting on his desk. I have been a Novik fan ever since I saw her verbally slap Peter S. Beagle on a panel at San Diego ComicCon a few years ago after he off-handedly belittled her sub-genre. I have nothing against Beagle of course, but it was great to see such chutzpah in a young new author to stand up to a giant of the industry like that…and win. I started reading His Majesty’s Dragon that very night, and loved the hell out of it. Best talking dragon book ever! Suck it, Eragon.
Ironically, I had just done a search on last night Amazon for Naomi’s next book, and saw that it wasn’t out until July. Imagine my surprise to see it on David’s desk.
“Who do I have to fight for one of those ARC’s?” I asked. Something in my cold, even tone told David I wasn’t joking, and he handed over his own copy immediately.
“I can get another,” he said.
Score.
When I got home, I saw the Messenger had come after all, this time with a super-delicious and oddly appropriate treat. It was a copy of the Warriors anthology by George RR Martin and Gardner Dozois, sent to me by the incredibly awesome Dot Lin at Tor books. I was most excited for the new GRRM Dunk & Egg novella the anthology contains, but I was thrilled to see that amongst the other fantastic authors involved in the project was another story by Naomi Novik, and one by Peter S. Beagle!
Score.
Oh my. That cover for TDS looks mighty tasty in person. The only way it could have been improved is with some shiny lettering like WARRIORS.
I can’t imagine excited covers what you’re feeling to finally have TDS in your hands.
Massive congrats, Peat. Can’t wait to get a copy myself. Be interested to hear what you have to say about the Novik, too.
I’d add a little scratch and sniff to Aidan’s suggestion of shininess. Never did understand why that sensual wonder fell out of fashion…
Quarter photo says it: that thang izzzz BIIIG!
I really can’t wait to see it on the shelves in my local Borders! (The last time I went there was not a single copy of The Warded Man in stock [I look every time])
The cover looks fantastic. š
Thanks for including an object for perspective’s sake. I’d like to point out that The Desert Spear is considerably larger than a US quarter.
Also:
Best. Cover. Ever.
Man, did that first paragraph need editing! It reads much better now. This is what I get for juggling three projects at once.
The book looks beautiful. I wonder if there is a way to buy just the dust jacket, so I can clothe my ARC in it.
That is one beautiful book [and funky series of serendipitous events]! I also love that the Messenger has achieved immortalisation-implied through the medium of capitalisation.
Love it.
Ooh! Ooh! I got a phone-call from home yesterday telling me that I have a letter waiting for me there with a return address for some guy called “Peter V Brett”?
My whole uni class looked at me when I squeeked “ohmygodohmygodohmygod!” I am a calm, collected person….who can’t wait to go home at Easter. XD
Many readers claimed to have read The Warded/Painted Man in one night. Iād like to see you try it here, people!
Well, English isn’t even my first language and I devoured a certain British fantasy novel (600+ pages) on the day it was released.
So I take you up on that.
4 weeks to go…if my Amazon preorder won’t arrive at excatly the release day I consider to start a protesting demo *lol* š It looks very nice indeed! <3
But "Suck it Eragon"? Really? That made me sad š
I don't say that the Eragon books are the "bestest" ;)) talking dragons books ever, but I did enjoy them.
That looks awesome and Noviks work has been on my list to read for awhile now.
Is the UK/Ireland cover for the desert spear different from the US one as I remember the Painted/Warded Man had different focus in regards author name and title?
Either way I have had TDS pre-ordered for a long time now and can’t wait to get my hands on it.
I did read this post and I wish I didn’t.
So many nice books, but first I’m broke, second I have no time…but I WANT THEM ALL!
Is there any chance to get them after you read them?
Moj…I wanna read TDS right now, and not to back to study…
Can’t wait for you to post a new thread in which you write how to get one of your bookplates.
Kathy, that was a good-natured “suck it”. š Eragon wasn’t my cup of tea, but I’m not putting down anyone that enjoyed it. Tastes vary, and that makes the world a more varied and wonderful place.
Patrick, the unstoppable awesomeness of Larry Rostant’s UK covers from Voyager has finally infected the US. The Desert Spear will have the same cover art on both sides of the pond, as does the paperback of the first book.
Awesome cover, Peat. I can feel your pride oozing across the ethernet…