Tad Williams Unveils 'Empire Of Grass' (Book 2 Of The Last King Of Osten Ard) Official Cover

The second book of The Last King of Osten Ard won't be available until mid next year, but I am already clamoring to get my hands on a copy. Are you excited for the Empire of Grass by Tad Williams as well?

In retrospect, Williams is one of my favorite authors ever since I read one of his novels called Shadowmarch. Since then I tried to get a hardcover copy of each and every of his novels if I could ever manage. That is mainly why I am excited for this next book, and this cover reveal just multiplied it ten-fold.

Check out the cover of Empire of Grass by Tad Williams.

At this point I am not yet sure if this is the official cover for the US or the UK edition. The only thing I could say is that it is beautiful indeed. On the otherhand, my demonic OCD is telling me that it does not match the format and layout of the covers of both the UK and US edition of The Witchwood Crown (Book 1 of The Last King of Osten Ard).

Synospsis

Set in Williams' New York Times bestselling fantasy world, the second book of The Last King of Osten Ard returns to the trials of King Simon and Queen Miriamele as threats to their kingdom loom...

The kingdoms of Osten Ard have been at peace for decades, but now, the threat of a new war grows to nightmarish proportions.

Simon and Miriamele, royal husband and wife, face danger from every side. Their allies in Hernystir have made a pact with the dreadful Queen of the Norns to allow her armies to cross into mortal lands. The ancient, powerful nation of Nabban is on the verge of bloody civil war, and the fierce nomads of the Thrithings grasslands have begun to mobilize, united by superstitious fervor and their age-old hatred of the city-dwellers. But as the countries and peoples of the High Ward bicker among themselves, battle, bloodshed, and dark magics threaten to pull civilizations to pieces. And over it all looms the mystery of the Witchwood Crown, the deadly puzzle that Simon, Miriamele, and their allies must solve if they wish to survive.

But as the kingdoms of Osten Ard are torn apart by fear and greed, a few individuals will fight for their own lives and destinies—not yet aware that the survival of everything depends on them.

Empire of Grass by Tad Williams will be released on May 7, 2019.

'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald' Unleases 10 Revealing Character Posters And Final Trailer

Ten beautiful character posters have been unleashed to promote the upcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald movie. They are so fantastic indeed that I can't calm my horses. Aren't you excited to watch the movie in less than two months during its worldwide release? Update: The final trailer has been released as well!

These character posters feature so many not-so-subtle clues on the overall story and on the character detail of each one. Some revealing texts have been added to emphasize each character and the stylized icons on the corners of the posters say a lot as well. Just take the wedding ring on Queenie Goldstein's poster, for example, or it is something else? You decide...

Before jumping in to the character posters, watch the final trailer of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

Check out the character posters for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.

And the most revealing and shocking of all... Nagini the Maledictus.

Synopsis

At the end of the first film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will hit cinemas on November 16, 2018.

'The Hammer Of Witches' By James Rollins Retitled To 'Crucible' -- Plus Take A Peek On The Official Cover

The next Sigma Force novel by James Rollins had a working title of The Hammer of Witches. Now it was revealed that this same 14th book in this series is officially called Crucible, a much shorter yet still catchy title.

Since I preordered the book over Amazon a couple of months ago the thumbnail was always that of a headshot of the author. Now I am glad to share with you that the official cover has been revealed and you can see it below.

Check out the coiver of Crucible by James Rollins.

Synopsis

In the race to save one of their own, Sigma Force must wrestle with the deepest spiritual mysteries of mankind in this mind-expanding adventure from the #1 New York Times bestselling author, told with his trademark blend of cutting edge science, historical mystery, and pulse-pounding action.

Arriving home on Christmas Eve, Commander Gray Pierce discovers his house ransacked, his pregnant lover missing, and his best friend’s wife, Kat, unconscious on the kitchen floor. With no shred of evidence to follow, his one hope to find the woman he loves and his unborn child is Kat, the only witness to what happened. But the injured woman is in a semi-comatose state and cannot speak—until a brilliant neurologist offers a radical approach to "unlock" her mind long enough to ask a few questions.

What Pierce learns from Kat sets Sigma Force on a frantic quest for answers that are connected to mysteries reaching back to the Spanish Inquisition and to one of the most reviled and blood-soaked books in human history—a Medieval text known as the Malleus Maleficarum, the Hammer of Witches. What they uncover hidden deep in the past will reveal a frightening truth in the present and a future on the brink of annihilation, and force them to confront the ultimate question: What does it mean to have a soul?

Crucible by James Rollins will be release on January 8, 2019.

Updated: The Queens of Renthia #4: 'The Deepest Blue' And 'Fire And Heist' By Sarah Beth Durst Get Official Covers

The forest canopies enthralled us when we first laid our eyes on The Queen of Blood, The Reluctant Queen, and The Queen of Sorrow. Although I felt like the tales of these three books are likely complete Sarah Beth Durst brings us back into this majestic yet dangerous universe, but this time turning our gazes away from the greens of the forest and zooming our sight to the blues of the seas.

Shifting its focus, The Queens of Renthia series places new (and old) characters into yet another epic adventure amidst the furies and dangers of nature. Called The Deepest Blue, Sarah Beth Durst's new book will be in our hands early next year. A cover has been unveiled that shifts the layout and with an art that changes the mood as well.

Check out the cover of The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst.

Synopsis

The natural magic of the classic The Island of the Blue Dolphins meets the danger and courage of The Hunger Games in this dazzling, intricate stand-alone fantasy novel set in award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst’s beloved world of Renthia.

Life is precious and precarious on the islands of Belene. Besieged by a capricious ocean full of malicious spirits, the people of the islands seek joy where they can. Mayara, one of the island’s fearless oyster divers, has found happiness in love. But on the day of her wedding to the artist Kelo, a spirit-driven storm hits the island with deadly force.

To save her loved ones, Mayara reveals a dangerous secret: she has the power to control the spirits. When the storm ends, she is taken into custody by the queen’s soldiers and imprisoned with other women like her.

They vary in age and social status, but to many they are heroes who will aide the country or witches that will sacrifice themselves trying. No matter who they are, the women are sent to a terrifying place—an island filled with bloodthirsty nature spirits, and left without food, water, shelter, or any tools except their own instincts and magic. Whoever survives the Island of Testing will be declared heirs to the queen. But no matter if she wins or loses, Mayara knows that the life she dreamed of is gone.

The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst will be released on March 19, 2019.

Update: The official cover of Fire and Heist, a book inteded for much younger demographics, by the same author has gone through a drastic change. The following are the initial and the overhauled cover of the said book (in exact order).

What can you say about this overhaul?

Synopsis

Fans of Cassandra Clare and Julie Kagawa will devour this contemporary fantasy about a teen were-dragon who must steal her first treasure. But a dark discovery during her heist could put her family in incredible danger.

In Sky Hawkins's family, leading your first heist is a major milestone--even more so than learning to talk, walk, or do long division. It's a chance to gain power and acceptance within your family, and within society. But stealing your first treasure can be complicated, especially when you're a wyvern--a human capable of turning into a dragon.

Embarking on a life of crime is never easy, and Sky discovers secrets about her mother, who recently went missing, the real reason her boyfriend broke up with her, and a valuable jewel that could restore her family's wealth and rank in their community.

With a handpicked crew by her side, Sky knows she has everything she needs to complete her first heist, and get her boyfriend and mother back in the process. But then she uncovers a dark truth about were-dragon society--a truth more valuable and dangerous than gold or jewels could ever be.

Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst will be released on December 4, 2018..