And that's part of what this is about. Pre-orders are very important to authors. They build confidence at the retailers and ensure an initial pulse of buying that helps a title make the best-seller lists where it attracts further attention and sales.
Reviews this early didn't happen with The Wheel of Osheim, The Liar's Key, Prince of Fools, Emperor of Thorns, or King of Thorns. They did happen with Prince of Thorns, and there's a reason for the similarity. Red Sister is my first new world since 2011. It's a new style, a new direction. The aim of giving out review copies six months early is to ensure that old readers are encouraged into the new world, and that new readers are encouraged to try an 'old' author.
If you didn't like or read The Broken Empire and The Red Queen's War ... this is something different. Perhaps you'll give it a chance!
My US and UK editors, my beta reader, and the majority of the people who have read Red Sister so far say it's the best book I've written. I can't judge my own work, but I'm getting a good feeling about this one.
Red Sister's first six blog reviews were by readers who were very keen on my previous work, so it's encouraging to see that existing readers are loving what they find. The next test is to see what new readers think!
From SF&F reviews:
"I must admit that I went into the new book with high expectations, and a little trepidation. Could the new book, the new world, the new characters – could they excite, horrify, depress and elate, could they explore the human condition as well as his preceding works? Just to get it out of the way, the answer was an emphatic yes. This is a book very distinct from everything that came before; what it has in common though is a narrative that pulls no punches, and characters that are beautifully, brokenly, repellently, cleverly human."
Read the whole review on the blog, and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
From Booknest:
"It had never crossed my mind that I would read a greater story than that of Kvothe the Arcane. I had never thought it was possible to find a greater character than the Emperor Jorg Ancrath. I had never even slightly considered that there might be a fantasy world out there toppling that of Τhe Final Empire, and most definitely, I had never thought that i could love a book more than The Night Angel. But here we are."
Read the whole review on the blog, and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
From TOMunro:
"Several reviewers I have seen have simply described it as Mark Lawrence's best book yet. Given the quality of the preceding six volumes, such a verdict sounded suspiciously like hyperbole. Indeed that was my first thought, but after 552 pages of Nona's often bloody story, describing Red Sister merely as his best work seems too faint a praise."
Read the whole review on the blog, and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
From The Blogin' Hobgoblin:
"Wow where to start? I am kinda at a loss for words. That might be because it is 7:15 am and I was reading for the last 6 hours straight and I am exhausted. But I think it’s more likely that my brain just can’t contain all of the awesome that I read in that 6 hour stretch."
Read the whole review on the blog, and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
From Graham Austin-King's Random Mutterings:
"The prose is what we have come to expect of Lawrence. Lyrical and bordering on poetry in many instances. There is a dark beauty to the author's writing which makes it hard to put down and I am already waiting for the sequel."
Read the whole review on the blog and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
From Parmenion Books
"I’m not sure if i should be immensely grateful to Mark Lawrence or curse him soundly? This has been book 7 for 2017 for me, and i’m not sure i want to be in a position of think i’ve just read what is highly likely to be the best book i will read this year. But that’s the case, any other author is going to have to smack the ball way way out of the park to top this read."
Read the whole review on the blog and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
From Richard M. Bray
"It’s important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size.
That’s the first line of RED SISTER, which has taken its rightful place as my favorite Mark Lawrence novel."
Read the whole review on the blog and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
That’s the first line of RED SISTER, which has taken its rightful place as my favorite Mark Lawrence novel."
Read the whole review on the blog and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
From you and i books
"Nona is one of my favourite characters in fiction. Lawrence has created one of the most engaging fantasy worlds that my mind has allowed me to visit."
Read the whole review on the blog and if you like it, then 'like' it on Goodreads too to let your friends know.
A detail from the real cover!
You and Brent weeks are currently my favourite authors. Stories more about the characters and less about the impending doom and imminent threat. Happy to see something new from you, preorder secured.
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't get an ARC. . . Bummer!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will. Ace is phasing approvals to avoid a review filled October and then crickets until April.
DeleteHow about the publishers should send out all the review copies to those lucky buggers who are going to get them and make them promise not to write a review until February? Or write one now AND later!
ReplyDeleteI presume the phased release is to keep up a constant trickle charge of enthusiasm, spiked by the big folks (FantasyFactuon et al.) closer to narrative release
DeleteI would purchase this now, but I want to listen to this book. Listening is more relaxing for me. It actually helps me with anxiety and that is why Authors like Mark are total heroes. Of course, if I hear the word "Camel" in the first chapter. I may have a panic attack. Definitely getting this! ;)
ReplyDeleteShut up and take my money. That blurb with all four of those series sold me instantly (even though I was already gonna buy it because Mark's books are awesome). Still waiting on my Grim Oaks copy of the Broken Empire omnibus :'(
ReplyDeleteAccording to Shawn of Grim Oak: "The books are supposed to ship to me on November 23. Should have them by November 29, I would think. Then I'll start shipping them out."
DeleteWoo!! I can't wait to go through and sticky note my favorite passages :D
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