Tales of the Ketty Jay by Chris Wooding

Just stumbled across Retribution Falls a week ago and it's a really fun read so far, about a quarter in. Was wondering if anyone knows of any other books like this, with the kind of Firefly-esque vibe going on.
 
@ Darksbane

Yeah, it's going much better so far. I'd just tried to wedge too much into it the first time round, and it was going all bloaty and out of control (well, bloaty in comparison to the last two, anyway). Chris no like the bloat.

The IJ is more than likely staying in. I'm actually writing the chapter when he/she/it first makes an appearance now, so it really depends on how it plays in the context of the rest of the story. If it works, then I don't have to change the title. :)
 
It would be nice if you don't have to change the title, because The Iron Jackal sounds great, so hopefully it works out. Awesome to hear that things are going well, and thanks for the update.
 
Having just finished Black Lung Captain , I can safely say Mr Wooding is on my "get giddy like it's christmas and I'm 5 years old" buy on day 1 list.

Retribution Falls and BLC are (along with Best Served Cold) likely my favourite reads of the last few years.

Can't wait for Iron Jackal !
 
Absolutely loved Retribution Falls, and cannot WAIT to pick up Black Lung Capatain. Just a matter of time. I found it a refreshingly good book, and quite akin to Firefly in some instances. I approve.
 
I finished The Black Lung Captain, hats off to Chris for making lightning strike twice. I loved it and am eagerly awaiting The Iron Jackal. I don't know if there are any plans afoot for this, but I'd love a map of Vardia.
 
I just finished "The Black Lung Captain, and all i can say is that i love it. I really like the charecters, and my favorite is clearly Crake, and his little Golem.
 
I really enjoyed seeing the return of the Century Knights in The Black Lung Captain and the fact that along with the ones we knew, we got a couple of others that were new to the readers. I hope this is something that continues in the series. They're kind of like Vardian superheroes.
 
Bastard said:
I don't know about you guys, but I enjoyed Black Lung Captain more than Retribution Falls. I think overall the character interaction was stronger ....
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just finished BLC and was going to write a few words but Bastard pretty much nailed it: i enjoyed RF, i _really_ enjoyed BLC.

a few random thoughts to add:

- very much liked the way the world opened up in BLC, felt like the Ketty Jay and crew were part of a large, sad and beautiful place. i think there comes a point in a fantasy series where you either 'feel at home' in the place or you do not. in BLC i very much did.

- as Bastard said, the character interaction really bloomed in BLC, and one got the satisfying comfort that each of them was very much an interesting individual in their own right, even Slag (the cat) which is no small achievement.

- appreciated that the ghost of 'Firefly' was not overbearing in BLC where it did, at times, feel that way in RF. my wife dropped RF because of this (we're big fans of 'Firefly'), she felt it was too close for comfort. not a problem in BLC i'd say, they've become their own people this time 'round.

i'm definitely on board for 'Iron Jackal', whether it morphs into something else or not. guess i'm just a bucklepunk fan-boy now! :)
 
I picked up Falls yesterday. its 5 books down the list but i have high hopes.
 
Another update from Chris on his blog: seems August is still possible for The Iron Jackal? Screw that. I demand that it be ready for August! :p

A little off topic, but also noted in Chris' update is that The Braided Path is going to be re-released sometime around April. This is great news, as I've been trying to get a copy of this but haven't been able. I had sent Chris a PM about this, and looks like he hopped right on it. Seems he really is my bitch. :D;)
 
Hobbit said:
Really?

Because I have a copy of this hefty tome:

http://www.amazon.com/Braided-Path-Omnibus-Collection-Acclaimed/dp/0575078812 and got it pretty easily in the UK. Is it a US/Canada issue?


Well done Chris for sorting it, though.

Mark
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Sorry. I should have said I've been having a hard time finding it new. I don't really like to buy used books, especially when it comes to my favourite authors. I'm not knocking people who buy used, as I've seen many authors say that people buying their books used doesn't bother them in the slightest, but I prefer that the author get as much support from my purchase as possible. And if there is going to be a worn book on my shelf, I prefer that it be me that made it that way. :)

EDIT: Also, I had plans to buy it used but Chris had indicated that something like this was on the horizon, so I had decided to hold off. Now that it is definitely coming out, I'll wait. I have plenty of books to read in the meantime.
 
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No: I've got to admit mine wasn't second-hand, and that I wasn't meaning second-hand.

This often happens though: books disappear off the bookshop shelves without me realising it. Not the first time this has happened!

Mark
 
The edition that was linked has just gone out of print, I believe, and the new edition mentioned is replacing it, with some Larry Rostant art (so it should be great).

I really like the one-volume omnibus edition that exists already, though. It's great quality, plus I picked it up randomly at Forbidden Planet on a whim before going to the Pat Rothfuss signing, only to find Chris unexpectedly there so he signed it for me. Result!
 
Yeah, it went out of print around the beginning of September, which happened to be right around when I had the urge to read it.

But a question for Chris. You had mentioned before that you were going to try writing the Iron Jackal back into the book. Did you manage to do this, or is there still a possibility of a title change?
 
Update again:

Chris Wooding said:
Frosty Christmas Updates!

I’m over half way through The Iron Jackal and motoring. Still looking good for an August release, although it will require some heroics from the editorial team and production department behind the scenes.
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Yes! Next year is going to fantastic. I really hope this hits shelves in August, I don't like waiting. But good to hear the writing is going well, Chris.

And the cover art of the US edition of The Black Lung Captain is fantastic. Almost makes me want to buy another copy of the book.
 
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