Weekly Update #191

Editor's Notes

The Internet is a buzz about BBC's adaptation of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, which premiered in Britain this weekend. I have talked about this show a lot over the last few weeks, so like Amazon's The Man in the High Castle, I decided just to list some of the articles I noticed below in the Links to the Multiverse section instead of writing another summary. Plus, I didn't want anything spoiled, but if you aren't worried about that, go check them out.

And now the news...

Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Trailer

Well the trailer for the next installment in the somewhat historical Assassin's Creed series (I mean let's be honest, they do get a lot wrong) was released last week. Let's take a look:

Is anyone really surprised they went to Victorian London? Yep, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate is certainly trying to cash in on the popularity of steampunk. I guess it is only a matter of time before we see a full game set in World War II, but why not the American Civil War before Victorian London? Seriously, how cool would it be playing as an escaped slave as he knocks out Confederate Templars behind enemy lines?

Anywho, if you want to learn more about Assassin's Creed Syndicate, checkout the gameplay walkthrough or check out this video from the Nerdist that (allegedly) will tell you everything you need to know.

Alison Morton continues her book tour for Aurelia

Friend of The Update, Alison Morton, has broken the Internet again with her tour for her new book Aurelia, the fourth installment in the Roma Nova series. I already shared the plot summary on last week's Weekly Update and on New Releases, so go click on one of those links if you want to see what the story is about. That being said, you can still see what Alison has been up to by checking out her guest post (and giveaway) on Brook Cottage Books, her interview on Christina Courtenay's site and her interview (and giveaway) at Unusual Historicals. Plus learn how her talks with Liesel Schwarz (Sky Pirates) at Foyles Bristol and Rossiter Books went from the author herself.

Links to the Multiverse

BBC's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

Another Magical Promo for Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell at Dread Central.
Drama filmed in York Minster to be shown on BBC on Sunday at The Press.
Georgian magic of old England on the BBC at Herald Scotland.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: the best UK fantasy in years at Den of Geek.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, partly shot at Oakwell Hall at The Huddersfield Daily Examiner.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: restoring the magic to England at The Telegraph.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell Will Get American Debut This Summer at Pop Matters.
Should I watch Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell on BBC One on Sunday? at Gloucestershire Echo.
What to Watch on TV: Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell at London Evening Standard.

Books & Short Fiction

2015 Campbell Award Shortlist at File 770.
Author Ian Tregillis On Why Fictional Worlds Need Fictional Technologies at io9.
Five Books That Broke Sacred Writing Rules (And Yet We Love Them) at Tor.
Linguistic Landmines: A Time Traveler’s Guide to Regency England at Tor/Forge Blog.
Marie Brennan and Mary Robinette Kowal on the Brave New Worlds Tour at Fantasy Literature.
My Favorite Bit: Brooke Johnson talks about THE BRASS GIANT at Mary Robinette Kowal's blog.
New Folio Society Edition of Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle at Fine Books Magazine.
On My Radar: Time Salvager by Wesley Chu at SF Signal.
Re-release of Jerry Yulsman's novel, Elleander Morning! at The Counterfactual History Review.
Review: The Apollo Quartet by Ian Sales at SF Signal.
Review: The Fifth Heart by Dan Simmons at SF Signal.
Review: The Holocaust Averted by Jeffrey Gurock at Times Higher Education.
Review: Joe Steele by Harry Turtledove at Azure Dwarf.
Review: Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear at The Qwillery.

Counterfactuals, History & News

5 Ridiculous Cold War Myths You Probably Believe at Cracked.
Did the Greenland Colonists Flee to Join the Native Peoples of America? at Tor/Forge Blog.
Dreaming a Different Apollo: Part One at DSFP's Spaceflight History Blog.
Harriet Tubman is your potential replacement for Jackson on the $20 at The Washington Post.
Liberland president arrested by Croatia for trespassing in 'no man's land' at Fox News.
Nation Entranced as Supermodel’s Husband Is Implicated in Ball Firmness Scandal at Slate
The Summerhall Historical Fiction Festival in Edinburgh – Review by Paul F Cockburn at Alt Hist.
Victory Day, Ukraine, Communism, and Fascism Through a Counterfactual Prism by Gordon Hahn.
We should never forget - the Soviets won World War II in Europe at The Independent.
What If Corbusier Had Been Born in Germany? at The Counterfactual History Review.

Film & Television

Agent Carter Going West at File 770.
Documentary On Biggs Darklighter, A Character Mostly Cut From A New Hope at io9.
Natalie Portman to play Jackie Kennedy in film about the four days after JFK was shot at Daily Mail.
Outlander 1.14: All that Jazz at Paul Levinson's Infinite Regress.
Ripper Street to Return to Amazon with Two More Series at Geek Syndicate.

Games

Readers mourn Ozzy Osbourne’s dragon-riding simulator and other canceled games at AV Club.
Review: Wolfenstein: The Old Blood at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Interview

Michael J. Martinez at Reddit.

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Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.