Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 27
February 4, 2020
Book Review: The Grey Bastards, by Jonathan French
The Grey Bastards is a shining example of SPFBO winner, and I’m reading through them to get all the best indie voices. This novel didn’t disappoint — the accolades are well deserved!
What to expectA classic epic fantasy, starting small and building up to a grand finale, through many twists of betrayals, revelations, and battles. Following the adventures of Jackal, a half-orc warrior that together with his fellows is all that stands between the orcish invasion and the...
January 30, 2020
Hemlock Connal and Morgan Burns (of Another Dead Intern, by Joel Spriggs)
Dear readers, tonight with me is a preternatural investigator (a private investigator specialising in the supernatural), and her latest intern.
Hemlock: Hi, I’m Hemlock Connal, Preternatural Investigator.
Morgan: I’m Morgan Burns, Professional Intern.
Hemlock: We first work together in Another Dead Intern, hopefully no spoilers, but also working together in a short Holiday ditty called Little Drummer Boy.
Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?Hemlock: My mother...
January 28, 2020
Series Review: Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch
I’ve read the first novel in the series, Rivers of London, a few months back. I quite liked the premise, so naturally delved down that rabbit hole. Here’s a review of the whole series to date: seven books, a couple of novellas, six graphic novels, and assorted shorts.
What to ExpectAaronovitch created an excellent urban fantasy world around London. Peter Grant, the protagonist, is a police constable at the start of his career. One strange observance while he’s guarding a...
January 23, 2020
Perry Caduca (of The Gifts Of Life, by Oliver Smuhar)
Dear readers, tonight we print an interview with a young man for an IT job — covering such aspects as his ability to teleport, evil armies, and beasts made of smoke.
PERRY: [Crud, am I nervous! I can do this! It’s just a job interview. IT, I know… I know computers! Yeah. I can do this. I marched into the room, my chest heaved, but I was a champion. The manger eyed me down with half a groan.]
MANAGER: Perry! Grab a seat please.
PERRY: Yeah. Cool, cool, cool. No whackers…
MANGER: Shall...
January 21, 2020
The Editing Process (or, Playing in the Big League for Fun and Profit)
I’ve talked about my writing process (and how to make the muse work for you slash keep track of rabid characters and twisty plots), so now it’s time to talk about editing (and how to keep your sanity).
For the curious, there are three reasons why I’m blogging about this: one, it forces me to explain it coherently, which means I understand what and why I’m doing better and can improve upon it; two, people seem to find it helpful; and three, because procrastination 
January 16, 2020
Galtas Morellis (of the Godblind Trilogy, by Anna Stephens)
Dear readers, tonight we print an overheard conversation between a a hapless royal records keeper and a newly elevated lord, about the latter’s clandestine service to the royal family.
‘Just a few questions, milord, so that the nobility might get to know you. Help to grease the wheels of public occasions. And, of course, His Majesty King Rastoth is curious about the prince Rivil’s new companion.’
Edric somebody or other, the royal record keeper, sat opposite the new Lord Galtas...
January 14, 2020
Book Review: Goblins at the Gate, by Ellis Skip Knox
Guess what? I found an historically-based, military style epic-fantasy on the backdrop of ancient Rome. Can you guess how quickly I jumped to read it?
Goblins at the Gate is a masterpiece blending historical and epic fantasy elements. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys military epic fantasy and ancient Rome.
What to expectAn epic fantasy tale on the historical backdrop of late 4th century Rome (or rather, the Eastern part of the Roman empire). The story starts with the remote invasion...
January 13, 2020
#AuthorsForFireys – Or, Don't Buy My Books
Last week I participated in the #AuthorsForFireys Twitter “auction”. A lot of wonderful people posted something — books, author services, whatever — for others to bid on and raise money for Australia.
I managed to raise AU$ 250 this way, which isn’t bad for an indie, and is certainly welcome for Australian firefighters.
But I want to do more.So, simply, I’m going to leave this running till the end of summer (coincidentally, also my birthday). I thought...
January 9, 2020
Silhouette (of The Alex Caine Series, by Alan Baxter)
Dear readers, tonight with me is a gifted martial artist, a non-human, shape-shifting Kin who fights the supernatural elements in our world.
Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?Well, not to be evasive, but a lady should never discuss her age. And while I’m really no lady, I’ve been around for more than a few normal human lifespans, me not being human and all. Well, not all human, anyway. So where I grew up is hard to describe. It was rural in a way nowhere...
January 6, 2020
#AuthorsForFireys – Do a Good Deed (and get a Good Book)
If you’ve ever seen my posts of social media, you’ll know that I care deeply about environmental issues. With the current devastation sweeping across Australia, authors across the globe are running a fund-raiser for the brave firefighters (most of whom are volunteers) at the front line.
Rules are simple. It’s an “auction” over on Twitter. You reply with your pledged donation, and bidding closes on 11pm Sydney time on Saturday 11th Jan 2020. I’ll notify the...
