Fort Freak, the latest and greatest installment of the Wild Cards series, will hit shelves on June 21. I really mean it when I say “latest and greatest”—personally, of the four (so far) new WC volumes published by Tor, I think Fort Freak is the strongest. (And that’s saying something. We worked hard on the others.) The lineup is stellar, and the stories terrific. (Probably because I didn’t even pitch for this book. I wasn’t there to drag down the quality.)
This volume takes place in and around a previously unexplored piece of the WC universe: the NYPD’s Fifth Precinct, square in the heart of Jokertown. (Think Fort Apache, The Bronx with mutants and superpowers.) It’s a great entry to the universe.
But if you’re on the fence about it, you can read the first story in the book for free…
…at Tor.com.
Melinda Snodgrass, WC co-editor and longtime wordsmith, wrote the first story in Fort Freak. Her contribution, The Rook, is online now for your enjoyment. Give it a read and meet some of New York’s finest. (And while you’re at it, check out that cover art! Yowsa.)
But what to do once you’re read Melinda’s story, and you can’t wait until June 21 to read the rest of the book? GRRM has you covered with another excerpt, this one from none other than Cherie Priest. (Didn’t I tell you it was a stellar lineup?)
More Wild Cards news is in the offing, but that’ll have to wait for a little while yet.