More Fantasy Novels by Teenage Boys

Random Househas a new fantasy novel out called The Tower of Shadows, the first in a trilogy about young wizards fighting over a sharp dagger, written by college sophomore Drew Bowling*.* This is the publishing giant's second teenage guy author who has produced a coming-of-age-with-swords trilogy – the other is, of course, Christopher Paolini, author of Eragon. Obviously the company is hoping that the teenage boy formula will work again. Bowling, who started the book when he was in high school, even talks the way Paolini does: He describing himself as a dreamer who is deeply affected by the beauty of landscapes (Bowling prefers Venice, while Paolini loves rural Montana).

My hopes for The Tower of Shadows are low at best. Here's a chunk from the Random House blurb:

Untold ages ago, vainglorious spirits battled with the three gods in abid for dominion over all–only to be defeated and banished below theearth to fester in their unquenchable evil. One of these vengefuldemons eventually broke free and rained bloody death upon an innocentvillage in the land of Ellynrie. Few survived. The Starcross brothers,
mere children orphaned by their parents’ slaughter, suffered verydifficult fates . . . When Cade Starcross reappears, he immerses himself in a secret study ofthe blackest arts, and a grim dance of destiny begins. His humanitywithered by grief and his mind twisted by his apprenticeship todarkness, Cade seeks to use sorcery to wreak vengeance on his demonnemesis. But in order to succeed, a dagger of unearthly power wroughtby the gods themselves must be found. And the blood of Cade’s brother,
Corin Starcross, must be spilled.

Starcross brothers? "Grim dance of destiny"? This is just poop, people. At least Paolini has some imagination and a love for dragons. But Bowling just has a book contract. Here's hoping that the teen boy fantasy trilogy thing ends now.
The Tower of Shadows [via Sci Fi Wire]