Star Wars Episode VIII Officially Titled 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'

Enough with the introductory texts... Here is the official title reveal and teaser poster for Star Wars Episode VIII, or more officially known as Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski. Many of the cast and characters of Episode 7 will be back and will be joined by new-comers. The movie will star Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher (rest in peace), Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Benicio del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran.

Star Wars: The Last Jediwill hit theaters on December 15, 2017.

Cover Reveal: 'The Stone In The Skull' By Elizabeth Bear, With Cover Art By Richard Anderson

I was saddened when my supposed to be birthday gift for last year was cancelled or postponed. Yes, I am talking about The Thorn of Emberlain by Scott Lynch (I am not bitching or complaining, I am simply saddened)... It hurts when his originally set publication date has to be scrapped, but one good thing about this author is marrying his fellow fantasy author, Elizabeth Bear.

Now, don't let Lynch shadow over Elizabeth Bear as she has the chops to be known and famous on her own right. I first heard of her when Karen Memory was released, but even before then she already has a worthy fandom when she released The Eternal Sky trilogy. And I am hoping that her new novel, The Stone in the Skull, will totally put me on board the wagon this time. It will be the first book in the Lotus Kingdoms series set in the same world as the Eternal Sky series. Just check out the cover of said new and upcoming book with cover art crafted by Richard Anderson.

I am always fascinated by the works of Richard Anderson (aka flaptraps art). From the covers of Dinosaur Lords series by Victor Milan, to Brian Staveley's Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne -- and to many other stunning covers -- these covers give off a surreal feel to it adding to the mystery of the story. I like it when the facial features of the chacracters in the cover are vague, leaving off a bit of imagination for the readers.

Checkout the cover of The Stone in the Skull by Elizabeth Bear.

Synopsis

The Gage is a brass automaton created by a wizard of Messaline around the core of a human being. His wizard is long dead, and he works as a mercenary. He is carrying a message from a the most powerful sorcerer of Messaline to the Rajni of the Lotus Kingdom. With him is The Dead Man, a bitter survivor of the body guard of the deposed Uthman Caliphate, protecting the message and the Gage. They are friends, of a peculiar sort.

They are walking into a dynastic war between the rulers of the shattered bits of a once great Empire.

The Stone in the Skull by Elizabeth Bear will be released on October 10, 2017. You can read more on Tor.com.

'The Empty Grave' Continues Or Ends Lockwood & Company Series By Jonathan Stroud

I am really looking forward to how the Lockwood & Company series fares -- especially wanting to know the fates of Lookwood, Lucy, George and Holly (and don't forget their now colleague Quill Kipps). Only I am a little anxious after hearing a few months ago that this will be the last book in the series. I almost thought we are not even halfway through the series, because there are still much to learn in this believable, creepy, and scary -- yet exciting -- world.

This series moves on with the fifth book called The Empty Grave and it will be published just in time for my birthday this year. This could be a wonderful gift idea. I just need anyone to confirm that this isn't the last book in the series, please. So far no official cover has been released yet, but the synopsis has already been revealed, and you can read it below.

Synopsis

Five months after the events in THE CREEPING SHADOW, we join Lockwood, Lucy, George, Holly, and their associate Quill Kipps on a perilous night mission: they have broken into the booby-trapped Fittes Mausoleum, where the body of the legendary psychic heroine Marissa Fittes lies. Or does it?

This is just one of the many questions to be answered in Book 5 of the Lockwood & Co. series. Will Lockwood ever reveal more about his family's past to Lucy? Will their trip to the Other Side leave Lucy and Lockwood forever changed? Will Penelope Fittes succeed in shutting down their agency forever? The young agents must survive attacks from foes both spectral and human before they can take on their greatest enemy in a climactic and chaotic battle. And to prevail they will have to rely on help from some surprising--and shadowy--allies.

Jonathan Stroud once again delivers a rousing adventure full of danger, laughs, twists, and frights. The revelations will send readers back to Book 1 to start the series all over again.

The Empty Grave (Lockwood & Co. Book 5) by Jonathan Stroud will be released on September 12, 2017.

Malka Ann Older's Second Centenal Cycle Book, Null States, Gets Official Cover And Synopsis

I think it is safe to say that I started enjoying cyberpunk through Eoin Colfer, especially on his Supernaturalist book... and could the Artemis Fowl books be considered as well? Working in the IT industry makes me long for stories that have somethings to do with my field as they triggered the techie spirit animal in me.

Malka Older's Infomocracy is a breakthrough hit on this field and it's a no brainer to not even/at least consider reading it. One would almost think it is a stand alone novel and what a delight it is to discover that it will have a sequel called Null States.

Check out the cover of Null States (Centenal Cycle #2) by Malka Older.

Synopsis

Null States continues the Centenal Cycle, the series beginning with Infomocracy

• The book The Huffington Post called "one of the greatest literary debuts in recent history"
• One of The Washington Post's "Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2016"
• One of Kirkus' "Best Fiction of 2016"
• One of Book Riot's "Best Books of 2016"

The future of democracy is about to implode.

After the last controversial global election, the global infomocracy that has ensured thirty years of world peace is fraying at the edges. As the new Supermajority government struggles to establish its legitimacy, agents of Information across the globe strive to keep the peace and maintain the flows of data that feed the new world order.

In the newly-incorporated DarFur, a governor dies in a fiery explosion. In Geneva, a superpower hatches plans to bring microdemocracy to its knees. In Central Asia, a sprawling war among archaic states threatens to explode into a global crisis. And across the world, a shadowy plot is growing, threatening to strangle Information with the reins of power.

Null States: A Novel (The Centenal Cycle) by Malka Older This title will be released on September 19, 2017.

Cover Reveal: 'Age of Swords: Book Two of The Legends of the First Empire' by Michael J. Sullivan

I got to admit I am new to the works by Michael J. Sullivan, but that does not mean I wouldn't want to jump in and immerse my self into his epic worlds. With that said I've been greatly considering buying and then reading Age of Myth, the first book in his The Legends if the First Empire series. I see some great reviews of it, but I am yet a little hesitant...

My resolve has been hardened lately when I saw the cover of the second book in the series called Age of Swords. It's simplistic design is all for me. So I said to my self that I will buy both books at the same time and hopefully be patient enough to wait for books three through five. (I told you that bluish covers -- this time bluish green -- just draws me in... I can't help my self.)

Check out the cover of Age of Swords: Book Two of The Legends of the First Empire by Michael J. Sullivan

Synopsis

The gods have been proven mortal and new heroes will arise as the battle continues in the sequel to Age of Myth.

In Age of Myth, fantasy master Michael J. Sullivan launched readers on an epic journey of magic and adventure, heroism and betrayal, love and loss. Now the thrilling saga continues as the human uprising is threatened by powerful enemies from without—and bitter rivalries within.

Raithe, the God Killer, may have started the rebellion by killing a Fhrey, but long-standing enmities dividing the Rhune make it all but impossible to unite against a common foe. And even if the clans can join forces, how will they defeat an enemy whose magical prowess makes the Fhrey indistinguishable from gods?

The answer lies across the sea in a faraway land populated by a reclusive and dour race who feels nothing but disdain for both Fhrey and mankind. With time running out, Persephone leads the gifted young seer Suri, the Fhrey sorceress Arion, and a small band of misfits in a desperate search for aid—a quest that will take them into the darkest depths of Elan. There, an ancient adversary waits—an enemy as surprising as it is deadly.

Age of Swords: Book Two of The Legends of the First Empire by Michael J. Sullivan will be released on June 20, 2017.