Ari Marmell
Encyclopedia
Ari Marmell is an American novelist and freelance role-playing game
writer.
Planeswalkers game-setting, and published by Wizards of the Coast, followed in November of 2009.
His first novel that was not based on a role-playing game was 2010's The Conqueror's Shadow. Reviewing the novel for Booklist
, Krista Hutley wrote, "This action-packed, morally gray fantasy has an intriguingly twisty plot, full of magic and political intrigue." Reviewer Clay Kallam wrote that it "has a lot going for it, but it still didn't leave me completely satisfied." The sequel to The Conqueror's Shadow is 2011's The Warlord's Legacy. Library Journal
wrote that it "fills a vital niche in the fantasy adventurer genre, one occupied by the heroes of Michael Moorcock's Elric Melniboné
novels and C.S. Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy
."
In 2011, Marmell's novel, The Goblin Corps was published by Pyr. The Goblin Corps drew interest not only for Marmell's talented writing, but also for the fact that, unlike many fantasy novels, it followed the story from the perspective of the traditional "bad guys": the goblins themselves.
In February of 2012, Pyr is also scheduled to release Marmell's Thief's Covenant, first in his "Widdershins Adventure" Young Adult series. Thief's Covenant will be followed by Witch Hunt, the second "Widdershins Adventure" novel.
and Wizards of the Coast
. Iggwilv’s Legacy was his first opportunity to revisit one of the old classics (a few references to the Caves of Chaos
he squeezed into Frostfell Rift notwithstanding).
since he was nine. He attended college at the University of Houston, graduating in 1996.. He currently lives in Austin, Texas
with his wife, George, and two cats.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
writer.
Novels
His first novel, Gehenna: The Final Night, was published in 2004 by White Wolf Publishing. Agents of Artifice, a media tie-in novel set in the Magic: The GatheringMagic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
Planeswalkers game-setting, and published by Wizards of the Coast, followed in November of 2009.
His first novel that was not based on a role-playing game was 2010's The Conqueror's Shadow. Reviewing the novel for Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
, Krista Hutley wrote, "This action-packed, morally gray fantasy has an intriguingly twisty plot, full of magic and political intrigue." Reviewer Clay Kallam wrote that it "has a lot going for it, but it still didn't leave me completely satisfied." The sequel to The Conqueror's Shadow is 2011's The Warlord's Legacy. Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
wrote that it "fills a vital niche in the fantasy adventurer genre, one occupied by the heroes of Michael Moorcock's Elric Melniboné
Elric of Melniboné
Elric of Melniboné is a fictional character created by Michael Moorcock, and the antihero of a series of sword and sorcery stories centering in an alternate Earth. The proper name and title of the character is Elric VIII, 428th Emperor of Melniboné...
novels and C.S. Friedman's Coldfire Trilogy
Coldfire Trilogy
The Coldfire Trilogy is a science fiction/fantasy trilogy written by Celia S. Friedman. It includes:*Black Sun Rising *When True Night Falls *Crown of Shadows .-Synopsis:...
."
In 2011, Marmell's novel, The Goblin Corps was published by Pyr. The Goblin Corps drew interest not only for Marmell's talented writing, but also for the fact that, unlike many fantasy novels, it followed the story from the perspective of the traditional "bad guys": the goblins themselves.
In February of 2012, Pyr is also scheduled to release Marmell's Thief's Covenant, first in his "Widdershins Adventure" Young Adult series. Thief's Covenant will be followed by Witch Hunt, the second "Widdershins Adventure" novel.
Role-playing games
He has written extensively for the role-playing game industry, including White WolfWhite Wolf
White Wolf is a publisher of role-playing games, notably the World of Darkness.White Wolf may also refer to:*White Wolf , a location in Yosemite National Park*White Wolf , a Canadian heavy metal band...
and Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast
Wizards of the Coast is an American publisher of games, primarily based on fantasy and science fiction themes, and formerly an operator of retail stores for games...
. Iggwilv’s Legacy was his first opportunity to revisit one of the old classics (a few references to the Caves of Chaos
The Keep on the Borderlands
The Keep on the Borderlands is a Dungeons & Dragons module by Gary Gygax, first printed in December 1979. In it, player characters are based at a keep and investigate a nearby series of caves that are filled with a variety of monsters. Designed to be used with the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, it...
he squeezed into Frostfell Rift notwithstanding).
Personal life
Marmell was born in New York State, but moved to Houston, Texas when he was one year old. He has been playing Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
since he was nine. He attended college at the University of Houston, graduating in 1996.. He currently lives in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
with his wife, George, and two cats.