Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 18

Cemented Curses: Roman Remains

Back to our usual programming, here’s a selection of a few notable finds I came across pertaining to ancient Roman life. From the futuristic relevance of microscopic analysis of ancient cement, to virtual tours in the places where it was put to use, to — of course — the obligatory hilarious ending.

If you want to find out more about the enticing tablets on the left — read on!

The Past and Future of Cement

First, an analysis of Roman cement that helps ...

Alexander Southerland (of A Troll Walks into a Bar, by Douglas Lumsden)

Dear readers, tonight we conduct our interview in a bar, pretending to be the bartender for a private investigator and summoner of elementals.

He’s here to tell us about trolls and shape-shifters, witches and femmes fatales, and murder investigations that take him from dangerous dark alleys to the dazzling lights of downtown Yerba City.

What’ll it be, buddy?

Whiskey. Neat. Leave the bottle.

Here you go.

Thanks. Slow night?

It’s early. It’...

Book Review: Battle Ground, by Jim Butcher

I’ve read the first half of this story (see my review of Peace Talks) back in July, and of course I jumped straight into this novel as soon as it came out.

What to Expect

Expect the culmination of the two-part story starting with Peace Talks. As usual, Butcher delivers an intense thriller-paced, larger-than-life adventure for Harry Dresden. If you haven’t read the previous novels (really, the rest of the series), this is not the place for you. If you did enjoy it so far, go...

George Whitfield (of Love, Politics, and Survival, by Rebecca Rose)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a high-ranking government official, talking about political coups and machinations.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

My name is George Henry Whitfield and I have lived in the suburbs of Waldovia my entire life. I had a happy and typical enough childhood for those fortunate enough to be in the upper class, being blessed to have two parents who gave us a proper upbringing.

Did you have any favour...

Book Review: Forgotten Peoples of the Ancient World, by Philip Matyszak

Matyszak is one of my favourite historians (because archaeologists and historians are much more deserving of celebrity culture than actual celebrities

Mayor Jack (of Buku, by Jennifer Anderson)

Dear readers, tonight with us is the antagonist from a dystopian adventure. He’s here to give us a different perspective on his world and the protagonists.

Tell us a little about you and your family.

My name is Mayor Jack Oldham. You can just call me Mayor, if you wish, because that’s who I am to the people of Camp Five and that’s who I will forever be. This is my village. My domain.
Now, it’s true I was born Brantley Oldham. Can you believe that? Brantley? My oldest...

Book Advertising: Lesson 1

During the last week of Oct I ran a promotion on Murder In Absentia and In Numina, in conjunction with some advertising. This post is about my experiences, what I learnt, and what I will be doing in the future for book advertising and marketing.

(Note to readers: If you’d like not to miss out when I do book promotions (and get Felix’s adventures on the cheap — he’d appreciate that, cheapskate that he is), just join the mailing list!)

From here on, I assume that this will in...

Orion (of The Great Orion, by S.P. Joseph Lyons)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a champion from a series we’ve visited before. He’s here to tell us about dreams, death, destruction, and love.

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I was born in the underbelly of the Universal arena, a place people go to fight to the death for glory. My mother had been a slave mage and had been killed when I was very young. After surviving in the shadows, and hiding from the guards, I was rescued an...

Book Review: How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It, by K.J. Parker

I’ve read the previous novel (Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City) just recently, and there was just no doubt I’d read this one as soon as it comes out.

What to Expect

Events in this book take place seven years after the previous one, with the The City still besieged all around by the horde camped outside its walls (although luckily they have the sea port open). Some of the important characters from the previous novel are still quite active in managing all the warfare side...

Sunita Kumar (of Murder Planet, by Adam Carpenter)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a security officer from a merchant spaceship. She is here to tell us about rebels, inhospitable planets, murder teddies, and tyrannical governments.

Good morning Mrs Kumar, so, let’s start with an easy one. Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I grew up on a space station orbiting the planet Kilkenny in the Union of Irish Stars, part of a family of Spacers. Being part of a nomadic people meant that there ...