The November Books
Announcing the 31st book in the Library subscription
Castalia Library is pleased to announce that the November-December 2024 book for Castalia Library will be A SEA OF SKULLS Volume 2 by Vox Day. This is the fifth in the Arts of Dark and Light epic fantasy series. Volumes 1 and 2 will be produced and shipped together in the spring; the interiors are being proofed one more time and then will go off to the printers. Below is one of the interior images created specifically for Volume 2.
If you’re not familiar with AODAL, dozens of reviews have been published on Amazon, including this very favorable one.
Only Tolkien is Better!
This was an absolutely PHENOMENAL book from start to finish! Better than the first in the series! The depth of worldbuilding found in here is rivaled only by Erikson's Malazan, Greenwood's Forgotten Realms, Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, and Tolkien's Middle-Earth. Nobody has yet beaten Tolkien. And in my opinion, nobody ever will. Day hasn't beaten the world of Malazan in my opinion either, though AODAL is certainly the better series overall. But Day has certainly surpassed Forgotten Realms in depth, even if Day's world isn't as huge, and has, after this book, surpassed Martin's work in quality and scope, even if we're only considering the first 3 books in ASOIAF since the last 2 are simply nowhere near as good.
The strengths of the first book continue to shine in this sequel. The characters are well-developed and multifaceted, the world is rife with intrigue, and the overarching plot is compelling, culminating in an electric final battle that pits multiple armies, races, and perspective characters against each other, and, by the end, a traitor is exposed. One aspect that particularly stands out is the author's grasp of medieval tactics and strategy. It's rare to find an epic fantasy author that shows a coherent understanding of medieval warfare, especially these days.
In other Library and Castalia House news:
The October-November-December History book is A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF MILITARY BOOKS UP TO 1642 featuring an introduction by Sir Charles Oman
The HYPERGAMOUSE crowdfunding campaign has passed its third stretch goal and the second stretch goal has been announced. Librari may be interested to know that a leatherbound edition is one of the rewards, as well as a leatherbound edition of SIGMA GAME.
STUDIES IN THE NAPOLEONIC WARS has reached the warehouse and shipping notifications will be going out shortly.
The stamp design for SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is being completed.
