'Death Wizard' Captures Magic of Potter Series
By KAREN HAYMON LONG
Published: October 21, 2007
Link: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct/21/ba-death-wizard-captures-magic-of-potter-series/?life
The Death Wizard Chronicles: Book One — The PitBy Jim Melvin (Rain Publishing Inc.)
Adult Harry Potter and Eragon fans can get their next fix with Jim Melvin’s six-book epic The Death Wizard Chronicles. Book one (The Pit) and book two (Moon Goddess) are out now. The other four will follow once a month beginning in November.
In The Pit, Melvin's imagination and writing equal that of J.K. Rowling, author of the fantastically popular Harry Potter series, and Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon and Eldest. Some of his descriptions — and creatures — even surpass theirs.
His fantasy takes place on the Triken, a world of ancient rulers, of good vs. evil, love vs. hate.
His hero, Torg, wizard king of the Tugars, is a “Death Knower,” who has died and come back to life stronger than ever many times over the centuries. Torg oversees a peaceful people threatened by an evil ruler, Invictus.
In exchange for the freedom of nuns and monks imprisoned by Invictus, Torg agrees to imprisonment in a pit in a monstrously grotesque frozen mountain called Asubha. No one expects him to survive.
But through his magical powers, great strength and by dying and resurrecting, he survives all that's thrown at him: a monstrous snow giant, demons, evil sorcerers, a cruel spider and giant worm monsters.
Melvin's descriptions of these monsters make them seem frightfully real. That's especially true of the demon Vedana, Invictus' grandmother, who forces Torg to impregnate her.
Melvin's hero may not have the youthful appeal of Harry Potter, but he's compelling enough to hook those who read The Pit.
Karen Haymon Long is the Tribune's book editor.
Book review of The Pit
Book One of The Death Wizard Chronicles
Jim Melvin
Rain Publishing
Published: Oct. 8, 2007
Link: http://virtualwordsmith.blogspot.com/2007/10/book-review-pit-by-jim-melvin.html
The Pit is the first of a six-book epic fantasy series called The Death Wizard Chronicles. It is an incredibly dark, yet inspiring book that turns the typical good versus evil parable right on its ear.
After reading the first five pages of The Pit, I wasn't sure I was going to get through it. By page six, Jim Melvin was off and running, creating a new world, new theories, new perspectives — a new twist on the age old story of good versus evil. I was hooked!
I should probably, in the interest of full disclosure, tell you I'm not a huge fan of the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre. Sure, I've read Tolkien, McCaffrey and Robert Jordan, but the only reason I stayed with them was the amazing writing, the vivid descriptions and the sheer entertainment value of each. And, oh yeah, the fact that those particular authors have always left me thinking long after I closed the books.
The Pit is beautiful — gorgeous, even — yet it is also dark and deep and vibrant. There is a fine line between love and hate. The distinction can be a bit foggy at times. Jim has illustrated that fine line. It is possible to feel sympathy for someone you hate, as well as despise someone you love.
I fell into this book. Time disappeared, as well as the chores that needed to be done, the bills that needed to be paid, and virtually everything else that had been chasing itself around in my head. This book is inspiring, entertaining, and I want to say absolute escapism, but after I finished reading I found myself pondering what I had just read. Escapism doesn't typically elicit that reaction in me.
I am purposely not sharing much about the story or the plot, because anything I say could quite possibly take away from the pleasure of discovering this book on your own. The Pit is fabulous, but don't take my word for it. Go get a copy, set aside some time and fall in love the way you did with the first book that truly grabbed you.
Mary Evelyn Lewis is editor of the Virtual Wordsmith, a popular writers’ blog
4) Jim Melvin’s newspaper features, press releases, blog appearances
Aug. 1, 2007 / Writer’s Wednesday: An interview by Allie Boniface with Jim Melvin
Hi Jim! Thanks for joining us today.
1. Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born in … (complete interview here:
http://allieboniface.blogspot.com/2007/07/writers-wednesday-interview-with-jim.html)
Sept. 11, 2007 / Feature in the Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail
PENDLETON, SC — Sitting on the table in front of Jim Melvin is a book. Its cover is black and reads: “The Death Wizard Chronicles.” It shows a simple picture of a wizard at the bottom of a long, narrow pit.
Mr. Melvin lifts the book … (complete story here: http://www.independentmail.com/news/2007/sep/11/clemson-author-sign-first-work-his-six-book-series/)
Oct. 10, 2007 / Q / A with Mary Evelyn Lewis of the Virtual Wordsmith
1. Who are you?
I was born in … (complete interview here: http://virtualwordsmith.blogspot.com/2007/10/interview-jim-melvin-author-of-pit-book.html)
Oct. 26, 2007 / Front-page feature in the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
To write his six-volume epic fantasy series The Death Wizard Chronicles, Jim Melvin followed the usual method: Think about the books for 25 years, leave a stable career to write them in your mid-40s, study Buddhism, read The Complete Idiot's Guide to Martial Arts and Horses for Dummies.
And, of course, create a compelling main character … (complete story here: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/26/Books/Novelist_grows_into_t.shtml)
Oct. 27, 2007 / Book Talk blurb in the St. Petersburg Times
Jim Melvin (The Death Wizard Chronicles), 3 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble Tyrone, 2501 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg. Link here: (http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/28/Books/Book_Talk.shtml)
Other quick mentions:
On SFsite.com
The Pit: The Death Wizard Chronicles, Book 1 by Jim MelvinRain Publishing (trade, 290 pages)Publication date: September 2007, Canada & USA
In the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times
DEATH POWER: Jim Melvin presents “The Pit,” Book one of “The Death Wizard Chronicles,” at Cyrano’s Bookshop, 390 Main St., Highlands, 1-3 p.m. 526-5488.
Oct. 10, 2007 / Mr. Media audio interview:
http://www.mrmedia.com/2007/10/jim-melvin-001-death-wizard-chronicles.html
Oct. 24, 2007 / Liquid Lunch radio interview with Thatradio Show:
http://media.podhoster.com/thatradio/liquid_lunch_2007-10o-24_-_author_jim_melvin_singer_jordan_faye_liz_welsh_who_send_out_cards.mp3
Oct. 26, 2007 / Tampa Bay’s Media Talk video interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diwrV1x_bcA
Nov. 9, 2007 / Blog Talk Radio interview with Michele Paiva, Part 1:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yoga/2007/11/09/Author-Jim-Melvin
Nov. 18, 2007/ Blog Talk Radio interview with Michele Paiva, Part 2:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yoga/2007/11/19/jim-melvin
Nov. 19, 2007 / Let’s Talk About It with Tilly Rivers radio interview:
http://media.podhoster.com/thatradio/lets_talk_about_it_with_tilly_rivers_2007-11n-19.mp3
10) Jim Melvin’s readings, signings, events
Sept. 13: Reading and signing, Pendleton Books and Baskets, Pendleton, S.C. (864-646-5893)Oct. 6: Reading and signing, Osondu Booksellers, Waynesville, N.C. (828-456-8062)Oct. 14: Signing, Cyrano's Bookshop, Highlands, N.C. (828-526-5488)Oct. 20: Signing, The Open Book, Greenville, S.C. (864-235-9651)Oct. 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Talk, reading, and signing, Times Festival of Reading, St. Petersburg, FL (727-893-8523; www.festivalofreading.com)Oct. 28: Signing, Barnes and Noble, St. Petersburg, FL (727-384-5200)
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