I'm surprised that most God of War fans even know what books are, but if anything is going to get them to read, it will be a novel starring everyone's favorite marzipan-colored, mass-murdering psychopath. Del Ray has today announced that it will be publishing two God of War novels, with the first one written by Martin Stover and due out in March 2010.

"In the novel GOD OF WAR, Kratos, the game's protagonist, is a great warrior who seeks revenge on the God of War Ares for the deaths of his wife and child," explains Del Ray. "On his journey to Olympus, Kratos must battle great monsters of legend--and fight his own inner demons. Kratos' quest will take him through a world of Greek mythology transformed, in which the familiar legends take on a terrifying new life--from the Aegean, where Kratos will grapple with the Great Hydra, to the depths of Hades, where Kratos will face death itself, to the heights of Mount Olympus."

So far, I've not bothered to read any videogame novels (although I kind of want the Dragon Age one Brad told me about). I might be willing to give this a spin though, out of sheer morbid curiosity. I love me some God of War, and I'm infinitely amused by the idea of the game in book form. Who knows? Maybe it'll be a modern day classic to rival anything Homer is said to have written.

Or at least have some steamy sex scenes with sizzling gypsies.

US, July 13, 2009 - NEW YORK, NY – Del Rey, an imprint of Ballantine Books at the Random House Publishing Group, announced today that Del Rey Books will publish two novels based on the God of War video game series. The first novel, GOD OF WAR, will be written by author Matthew Stover and will release in March 2010.

In the novel GOD OF WAR, Kratos, the game's protagonist, is a great warrior who seeks revenge on the God of War Ares for the deaths of his wife and child. On his journey to Olympus, Kratos must battle great monsters of legend--and fight his own inner demons. Kratos' quest will take him through a world of Greek mythology transformed, in which the familiar legends take on a terrifying new life--from the Aegean, where Kratos will grapple with the Great Hydra, to the depths of Hades, where Kratos will face death itself, to the heights of Mount Olympus. With all the thrilling action that got fans hooked on the game, the novel GOD OF WAR takes us deeper into this fascinating world.

ABOUT THE GAME:

Developed exclusively for the PlayStation® family of products, the God of War series is a multi-million unit-selling franchise. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica Studios, the God of War video game brings epic battles to life with stunning graphics and an elaborate plot that puts Kratos at the center of carnage and destruction as he seeks revenge against the Gods who have betrayed him. For more, visit www.godofwar.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

MATTHEW STOVER is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars New Jedi Order: Traitor, Star Wars: Shatterpoint, and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, as well as The Blade of Tyshalle, Heroes Die, Iron Dawn, and Jericho Moon. He lives in Chicago with artist and writer Robyn Fielder.

ABOUT DEL REY:

Del Rey Books (http://www.delreybooks.com) was founded in 1977 as an imprint of Ballantine Books, a division of the Random House Publishing Group, under the guidance of the renowned Judy-Lynn del Rey and her husband, Lester del Rey. Del Rey publishes the best of modern fantasy, science fiction, and alternate history. In 2004 it expanded by launching Del Rey Manga, which has grown to be a major force in the U.S. graphic-novel field.