February 1st, 2008 by 2xKnight
The book giveaway threads have been closed. I printed up the names of all the people who entered and drew names at random. Well, I did that twice since there were 2 books to giveaway.
Check your e-mail if you entered the giveaway.
January 28th, 2008 by 2xKnight
The book giveaway ends on January 31, 2008. There are only a couple of days left to sign up and win a book. All you need to do is make a post in the Contests and Giveaways forum on the FanaticSpace Forums. There’s no cost to sign up and there’s no cost if you win, it’s completely free.
Right now there are only a handful of entries. You have a very good chance of winning.
January 26th, 2008 by 2xKnight
I’ve got some good news for you today. There’s a chance that the blog will be updating more often in the future. Yay!
Have I found more time to post? Have I suddenly become less lazy? Have I become more organized?
No, no and hell no.
January 15th, 2008 by 2xKnight
Check out our Erec Rex Book Giveaway. You could win a hardback copy of Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye Or Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness. Both books have been signed by the author, Kaza Kingsley!
Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness continues Erec’s adventures in Alypium. Can it improve on the strong beginning of the story found in Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye?
Erec returns to the Kingdom of the Keepers when he learns that Balor Stain may become King. The only way to stop Balor is to return and perform the quests to become King himself.
It won’t be easy. Baskania has been hard at work in Erec’s absence. A cleaver PR campaign to cast doubt on Erec has taken hold. No one even believes that he is Erec Rex. What they do believe is that Erec cheated during the competition and that Balor Stain is the real winner.
How do you help people that don’t want your help?
How does The Monsters of Otherness stack up against The Dragon’s Eye?
Pretty darn well. The story moves forward and you start to get a look at the overall structure of the story. Kaza has said that part of the basis of the story is the trials of Hercules. The quests that Erec has to perform are certainly Herculean.
The first book, Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye, was a great introduction to the world of Erec Rex. The Monsters of Otherness is where the action really gets started. Not only do we get to see Alypium again, we also get to see some very different parts of the magical world.
Magical and mythological creatures were talked about quite a bit in the previous book. This time they’re a huge part of the story. The magical world of Erec Rex is expanded and explored. Erec’s history is expanded too. We learn a little more about his past and why he is so important in this book.
What I liked
Everything from the First Book. All the strong points of the first book are still there.
Mythological Creatures. I really enjoyed Kaza’s version of the creatures of myth and legend. There’s some pretty cool stuff going on in Otherness.
Snail Mail. I just found that funny. I guess it appealed to the geek in me.
Jam Crinklecut. The best butler ever.
What I didn’t like
Rosco Kroc. To be fair, I don’t think he’s supposed to be likeable. He seems affable and charming to some of the characters in the book, but I think the reader is supposed to be suspicious of him. That isn’t why he made the list though. He’s mentioned here because of my theories about him. I won’t leave any spoilers here, but I’ll start a discussion about it in the forum if you want to check it out.
Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness is a great follow up to Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye. It not only retains the charm and action of the first book, it builds on it. It expands the magical world and ups the stakes for Erec.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who has read The Dragon’s Eye. I’d also recommend reading the Dragon’s Eye if you haven’t already, just so you can read this one.
I’m already looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.
: Fandoms, Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Kaza Kingsley, Erec Rex, Balor Stain, Jam Crinklecut, Rosco Kroc, Kingdom of the Keepers, Alypium, Otherness, The Dragon’s Eye, The Monsters of Otherness, Magic, Mythology, Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse, Hercules, Quests January 11th, 2008 by 2xKnight
Contests and giveaways are something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time now. I think this is the perfect way to kick things off. So not only can you win the books so graciously provided by Kaza Kingsley, you can come back for a shot at some other great stuff.
There are 2 prizes you can win. You can win an autographed hardback copy of Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye or an autographed hardback copy of Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness.
Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye
Sign up for the FanaticSpace Forums
Go to the Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye contest thread (in the Contests and Giveaways forum)
Write about why you want to win the book
Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness
Sign up for the FanaticSpace Forums
Go to the Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness contest thread (in the Contests and Giveaways forum)
Write about your favorite part of book 1 Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye
Easy huh?
At the end of the month I’ll lock the threads, then I’ll look through ‘em and pick the winners.
Why Separate Threads?
That’s simple. That’s to avoid spoilers for the folks entering to win the first book. There might be people entering that giveaway that have already read the book. I just don’t want anything to ruin it for those who haven’t.
These rules will also be posted in the contest threads.
You can only enter once. Pick which one you want to win and enter that giveaway.
Only one forum membership per person. Anyone caught trying to use more than one membership will be disqualified. It’s also possible that they will be banned from future giveaways.
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. Future giveaways may be open to other countries. It depends on what the prize is.
No Spoilers in The Dragon’s Eye thread. This is the first book after all. We want people to be able to enjoy it. Right?
All decisions are mine and mine alone. Just letting you know to blame me and not Kaza. It’s my site and my responsibility. Screw ups are my fault.
Good Luck!
: Fandoms, Books, Fantasy, Fun Stuff, Free Stuff, Win, Prizes, Giveaway, Contest, Erec Rex, The Dragon’s Eye, The Monsters of Otherness, Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye, Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness, Autographed, Author, Kaza Kingsley January 10th, 2008 by 2xKnight
I had a chance to ask Kaza Kingsley a few questions recently. I tried to cover the comparison of Erec Rex to Harry Potter, how she views her works and her interaction with her fans. Here are the questions I came up with. Some of her answers surprised me.
She’ll be checking in during her blog tour, so feel free to ask her your questions in the comments.
2xKnight: Harry Potter is huge, any book that resembles it in any way is going to be compared to it. So I have to ask a couple of questions involving that series.
How do you think your books stack up against JKR’s?
Kaza Kingsley: Oh, that’s a wicked way to start … you bad boy! From my perspective, and I’m sure others would look at it in other ways, I can break down a few things between the two series.
HP: I love her voice. Love the Brit accent and humor.
ER: More action. Erec does a lot more on his own, gets no help from a Dumbledore-type character. No sitting through a year of school. Erec’s adventures take him into the wilds of Otherness, all alone (save a butler.)
HP: A great escape
ER: A great escape (I hope!)
There – you made me do something I hate to do! I really think they are two series, along with a lot of other fantasy series, that hopefully each stands on their own for their readers.
I’ve had a lot of kids tell me, in fan mails, and in person, that they like my series better than the Potter one. I am sure, however, theirs is not the only opinion. I love the Harry Potter series, myself.
2x: Who would win in a fight, Harry or Erec? Oh, and none of that “They’d be on the same side” stuff either, just assumed they were both tricked into thinking the other one was evil…
KK: This is a fun one! And a toughie.
For one, it would depend of weather Erec is wielding a scepter at the moment. In that case, there is no question. Erec’s power with the scepter far overshadows Harry’s wand abilities.
But, since Erec is not currently in possession of the scepter, and has no wand, I think he’d be toast. Erec has a remote control that could help him do magic, but he can barely do anything with it. The only thing he has learned is to move objects a bit – and he doesn’t do that well.
Now, when they reach full maturity, in the future, when Erec has learned to use his dragon eyes and has acquired the huge powers he’s gaining as he goes through the quests to be king, I think he’d win hands down.
2x: One last HP question then we can move on…
If there was one part of JKR’s success you wouldn’t want… What would it be?
KK: I really don’t know! I can tell you a lot of parts I would want! But I do wonder if that amount of fame might somehow disconnect you from who you really are. Maybe she can’t just go into a grocery store without getting bugged. That would get old.
2x: Ok, the 1 Billion Pound Gorilla has been acknowledged. (HA! English currency joke)
KK: :}
2x: In a lot of fantasy stories that contain magic there’s an entire system set up to explain it. Could you give us a brief overview of how magic works in Erec’s world?
“Jason, thank you so much for the interview! You asked some really fun questions. I’ll be checking the site and answer any reader questions that might come up! Also, below is a baby picture of me - each site I’m visiting has a different baby picture (I’ll be growing older as the blog tour progresses!)” — Kaza Kingsley
KK: One crucial theme is that magic existed everywhere in our world, until something happened in our past that made us “Losers” lose our memory of magic, and made it all reside in the Kingdoms of the Keepers, “Keepers” of the magic. Of course I know the specifics of this. Some has already been revealed. Thanatos Baskania has played a role in keeping us Losers away from the knowledge of magic – and he created the Kingdoms of the Keepers as well.
Magic is all around us – carried in channels called “Aitherplanes” via the “Substance.” Something has happened to the substance that is making it so that we can no longer see or do magic in Upper Earth. It’s skewed now, so that most of the substance is concentrated in the Kingdoms of the Keepers. But this problem in the substance is causing many other problems, especially in the Kingdoms. Nobody seems to know how to fix it, either.
So, in the Kingdoms of the Keepers, magic manifests in three main ways.
2x: How did you decide on that system?
KK: Constant questioning. The more things I came up with, the more I had to ask, “Would this work in this situation,” and “What if this happened?” The rules have to be firm and consistent to work and be believable. That said, it is not all spilled out in Book One. Readers learn as Erec does.
One of the things that bothered me in the Harry Potter series (and I can’t believe I’m saying this, it’s hard saying anything negative about such great books) is that there were a few glitches. For one, there are rich and poor wizards. Yet, they have wands and can make or attain anything. So why can’t they create money or expensive items if they want them? The whole thing about rich and poor wizard families made no sense to me.
I’m sure someday someone will find glitches in Erec Rex. It’s probably unavoidable. But I’m working hard to keep it from happening.
2x: If a movie were made from your books, who would you
like cast in it?
KK: I’m not sure. One thing that I’d love, though, if it was possible, was if I could have a small walk-on role in each film. Kind of like Hitchcock did.
2x: Would you want the movie to be live-action, or animated?
KK: Live-action. Definitely. Animation can be great, but it makes viewers a little more removed, makes the story a little more childish.
2x: Would you agree to give up creative control on the movie for a giant pile of money?
KK: Um … yes! Maybe if I have more money in the future I’d change my mind about that. But, for now, the giant pile sounds really good…
2x: Would you do it for a Scooby Snack?
Sorry… wrong interview.
KK: Rhat repends on row big the Rooby Racks rare.
2x: What do you think of fan created works, such as fan fiction?
KK: I actually haven’t read a lot of fan fiction, but I’ve recently met people who have written some. I think anything that gets people writing is great.
I would be honored if people thought enough of Erec Rex to write fan fiction based on it. It would be fun to read, too. But I might have to wait until I’m done writing the series before I read it, to make sure nobody else’s ideas infiltrated my own with the story!
2x: If you could write a book in someone else’s world, which one would you choose? 
KK: Oz. Hands down. I just loved that series so much. I’ve even thought about doing some kind of rewrite of it, making it more accessible to today’s youth. Because there’s a lot of great stuff in there.
2x: What author would you consider letting write a book in your world?
KK: Aside from fan fiction, I wouldn’t want another author to write in the Erec Rex series. I just have too clear of an idea where I want it to go. Maybe when it’s finished it would be fun to see side books by Tom Robbins or Steven King. What different takes they would have!
2x: If you could collaborate with any writer, who would you want to work with?
KK: Mann … collaborating would be so weird for me! It might be really fun, but I’m so used to making all the decisions in my fantasy world.
I think it would be really fun to collaborate in a pure comedy book. Something like silly lists, funny commentary. So, I guess, I’d go with Steve Martin He’s funny and smart, too.
2x: From looking at your blog, it seems like you’ve been doing a lot to promote your books and meet your fans. How has that gone?
KK: That has been one of the best parts of this journey for me. I love writing, but it’s a very solitary activity. I’m alone in my world a lot. But then, on book tours, I get immersed in the opposite experience, which is a very social one. I think an author’s life is kind of schizophrenic like that.
I love the contact with fans, and the email and letters I get from them. It really makes me feel like what I’m doing is worth while. When I can connect with a person like that it feels great. I just got a really sweet message tonight off my website. It really means a lot to me!
I am trying to do everything I can to help Erec get known, and it means a lot of traveling. It’s been fun, I’m glad to do it. I just wish I could look into one of my Inquizzles and find out how well the series will end up doing!
(An Inquizzle is a magic object that answers 1 question absolutely correctly, but it will only answer “Yes” or “No”. –2xKnight)
2x: What’s your favorite part of interacting with your fans?
KK: I think one of the best things I’ve done is have an open discussion lunch at some local schools. It’s a really informal thing, where kids who are into the Erec Rex series sit around with me and shoot questions off the top of their heads. It really amazes me to hear some of the things they come up with!
2x: When you meet your fans, what makes you think “Oh God, not again!”?
KK: You have to understand – I’m kind of in love with my fans. So it’s really hard for any of them to upset me. They love my work – I completely appreciate them! Maybe if one of them was always throwing up on my shoes…
2x: In all the interviews and discussions you’ve had about Erec and the books, what’s the one question you dread to hear?
KK: “So, this book is just like Harry Potter, right?”
2x: What is the question you’d most like to answer?
KK: “How does it feel to have the most successful book series in the world?”
(Ya gotta have dreams…)
I’d like to thank Kaza Kingsley for being kind enough to answer my questions. I’d also like to encourage you to ask her your own questions. This is a great opportunity to satisfy your curiosity, but try to keep the spoilers to a minimum. Ok? 
: Fandoms, Books, Fantasy, Fun Stuff, Young Adult, Author, Kaza Kingsley, Blog Tour, Interview, Q and A, Q & A, Erec Rex, Magic, Fan Fiction, Fans, Harry Potter, JKR January 8th, 2008 by 2xKnight
Check out our Erec Rex Book Giveaway. You could win a hardback copy of Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye Or Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness. Both books have been signed by the author, Kaza Kingsley!
I want to get this out of the way first. The books do share some generic fantasy elements.
That’s just part of fantasy. Lots of books before Harry Potter used those, and lots more will. Shoot, it doesn’t even need to be books. Plenty of RPGs share the same kind of framework.
Are we all on the same page now? Good.
Erec Rex is a normal 12 year old living with his mom and five siblings. Only… things aren’t so normal. Erec is troubled by “cloudy thoughts”. Thoughts that take over and compel him to do things. What they make him do is often strange, but never bad. Erec is worried that someday that might change.
Erec wakes up to find his mom missing. His “cloudy thoughts” make him go look for her. What he finds is something he never expected. A world different from the one he grew up in. A world of magic.
This world is amazing, but it has it’s own problems. King Piter of Alypium is in bad health. Piter’s kingdom is deteriorating because of his illness. A new King of Alypium must be chosen, so a competition is being held to find Piter’s successor.
Along the way Erec finds friends that want to help him, enemies that want to stop him and questions about his own past. The only way he’s going to find his mother and get back home is by competing to become the new King.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I did what I normally do when I want to find out more about a book, I checked the reviews at Amazon. I can sum up a lot of those reviews for you right now. “It’s just like Harry Potter, but I kept reading and really liked it. I can’t wait for the next one.” Now you see why I started this review the way I did.
I’ve read a lot of fantasy. There are books that are just as similar, but were written long before Harry Potter. Now, if you like Harry Potter then you’ll probably like Erec Rex. Erec Rex is a solid fantasy book.
What I liked
What I didn’t like
A couple of things about springball bugged me, mostly it was the “Super A Team”. I kept picturing a team comprised of… a crack commando unit sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Alypium underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as springball players. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can play against the Super A Team.
Woah, sorry. I went back to the 80s again didn’t I?
Invented sports tend to bother me. Actually, any sports bother me.
Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye is not Harry Potter, but if you enjoyed Harry’s adventures then you’ll enjoy Erec’s as well. It’s rooted in myth and legend, with some pretty cool updates.
I would definitely suggest this book to younger readers. They probably won’t be picturing Mr. T and George Peppard playing springball like I did.
I think older readers of fantasy would enjoy it as well for the references to mythology.
: Fandoms, Books, Fantasy, Reviews, Erec Rex, King Piter, Alypium, The Dragon’s Eye, Magic, Mythology, Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse January 5th, 2008 by 2xKnight
I was contacted by author Kaza Kingsley about a month ago. Looks like FanaticSpace is going to be participating in a blog tour. This will be my first one, and if things go well it might not be the last.
Here’s one of the questions, come back on January 10 to see how she answers.
Who would win in a fight, Harry (Potter) or Erec? Oh, and none of that “They’d be on the same side” stuff either, just assume they were both tricked into thinking the other one was evil…
Kaza Kingsley was kind enough to send me review copies of the first 2 Erec Rex books. I was going to hold a giveaway once I’d read the books. I just can’t bring myself to do that, since she took the time to autograph them to me. Don’t worry though, I will be holding an Erec Rex book giveaway. I just won’t be giving up my copies.
Kaza Kingsley is the author of the Erec Rex book series. The Erec Rex books are fantasy books for young adults. They’re filled with mythological references and a dramatic story. Just the kind of books I like. Perfect.
Whoops, almost started the reviews early.
If you’d like to know more about Kaza Kingsley then stop by during the tour, she’ll be checking in to read the comments and answer your questions. I’d also suggest you check out her blog, The Memory Mogul.
To learn more about the Erec Rex books check out the Official Erec Rex Website. You can also get a sneak peek at the books.
First 3 chapters of Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye (Book 1)
First 2 chapters of Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness (Book 2)
A blog tour is an online version of a book tour for authors. Several sites agree to post an article about the books or author. Fans get to say hi, ask question and get to know them. The posts are scheduled to run consecutively, much like the appearances on a book tour.
It sounds like a great way for fans to interact with an author they like and with each other. How could I say no?
Here are the sites participating and the dates scheduled.
January 7 – A Fort Made of Books
(The tour post is up Kaza Kingsley interview)
January 8 – Books4Ever
January 9 – Baseballs and Bows
January 10 – Fanatic Space Blog
January 11 – Bibliophile’s Retreat
( And Now Presenting Kaza Kingsley and her Erec Rex Series )
January 12 – Children’s Literature Book Club
( Kaza Kingsley is here today! )
January 13 – Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-A-Holic
( Kaza Kingsley Blog Tour 2008 )
January 14 – A Year of Books
( Blog Tour )
January 15 – Author Chris Rettstatt’s blog
( Kaza Kingsley and Erec Rex )
January 16 – Deliciously Clean Reads
( Kaza Kingsley on Blog Tour HERE! )
January 17 – Into the Wardrobe
January 18 – Real Gurlz Magazine
( Our Interview With Kaza Kingsley )
January 19 – Chauceriangirl
( Guest Starring: Kaza Kingsley )
Bonus Days
January 20 - Kaleb Nation
( Interview with Kaza Kingsley )
January 21 - The Jay
( The Jay Interviews Kaza Kingsley )
January 22 - Young Adult (& Kids) Books Central Blog
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Make sure to check out the Blog Tour, and be sure to come back here on January 10.
: Fandoms, Books, Fantasy, Fun Stuff, Internet, Blogging, Blog Tour, Kaza Kingsley, Erec Rex, The Dragon’s Eye, The Monsters of Otherness January 3rd, 2008 by 2xKnight
I’m interested in pretty much everything about comics, especially the old school stuff. When I got a copy of The Comic Book Makers for Christmas I was pretty excited. It gives you a glimpse behind the scenes of the early days of comic books. It’s written by Joe Simon, the creator of Captain America and writer/artist/editor for some true classics, with some extra material written by Jim Simon.
The early days of the comic book industry was filled with drama. If you think the stories in the comic books were wild, you should hear what the people making them got up to. There’s plenty of stories that will shock and amaze you.
This book was written by someone who was there for a few amazing stories himself. So you get to know the story from the inside. Even if you’re familiar with some of these, like I was, reading a first hand account of them puts things in a whole new light.
The Comic Book Makers is filled with pictures and art. Covers from a wide range of comics, personal photos and even original character sketches of classic heroes.
I expected a few pictures. This book is filled with ‘em. First appearances of different characters, iconic images as well as books and characters that never quite made it big.
Seriously, I would have loved this as a comic art book, but it has more than that. There are pieces of non-comic art by Joe Simon and others. You get to see how truly talented these guys are.
On top of all that there are pictures of some of the legends of comics. The creators themselves hard at work making the magic come to life. Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and of course Joe Simon.
If you’re a fan of comics you need to check out this book. Not only will it give you insight into what it takes to make comics, it’s darn entertaining. Much like the comic books discussed in this book, it’s filled with the unexpected.
I loved reading this book. I highly recommend it.
December 19th, 2007 by 2xKnight
I’ve been thinking about the book reviews I’d like to start doing on FanaticSpace. The problem I’m having right now is choosing a book. Do you have any suggestions?
Right now I’m kinda leaning towards doing a review of a Discworld book. I have 2 reasons for this.
Ok, you caught me. That’s really one reason. That just makes my need for suggestions all the greater.
If you have any suggestions leave a comment. I’d really appreciate it.
