Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 40

Book Review: Ovid, by David Wishart

You who are reading these lines will be shocked to know that I am, in fact, a Romanophile. (Well, shocked if you haven’t read my reviews of Lindsey Davis, Ruth Downie, Steven Saylor, and my constant blogging on Roman trivia…)

Anyway. This book has been on my TBR for a long while, and my only regret is that it took me so long to get to it.

What to expect

A tale of treachery and intrigue, as Wishart examines two of the worst scandals of the first decade CE in Rome. In the year 18,...

Korax of Rhodes (of The Mazes of Magic, by Jack Massa)

Dear readers, tonight with us is a man from the ancient world. He is here to tell us about his life, from Thracian roots, a childhood in Rhodes, and a slavery in Egypt — as well as about temples, gods, and dark magic.

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

As best I remember, I grew up in a prosperous family on the island of Rhodes, site of the glorious Colossus of Helios. I say ‘as best I remember’, because my memories are fractured, and I am subject to spe...

Screenwriting

In my continual quest to improve my writing, I’ve taken a look at screenwriting. (It has nothing to do with a possible deal for a movie adaptation of Murder In Absentia, about which I’m legally not allowed to talk just yet).

Screenwriting is an interesting medium of storytelling, one with both similarities and differences to novel writing — and understanding those aspects can improve both.

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of novel-movie adaptions (in both directions)...

Neah (of Earth Quarantined, by DL Richardson)

Dear readers, in 300 years, when the virus which killed millions of people is gone, humanity lives in a planet-wide quarantine enforced by an alien species.

With us is a young woman, here to tell us about life and her surprising role in that society.

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

My name is Neah. I’m 24 years old and I live in an underground city with 200 other indwellers. We call our home ‘the station’ because it’s a converted power station from before th...

Book Series Review: Gordianus the Finder (Roma Sub Rosa), by Steven Saylor

I came across Steven Saylor’s work when my Kindle suggested Roman Blood (I just finished Lindsey Davis’ Falco at the time). I delved right in, and loved it!

I’ve just finished the latest installment (Throne of Caesar). I’ve mentioned this series a lot in the past but never reviewed it, so I’m now rectifying this omission.

What to expect

The series starts with Roman Blood, where Gordianus is hired by a young Cicero in his first major case. Throughout the series,...

Adam (of Killing Adam, by Earik Beann)

Dear readers, from a future where humans spend 23 hours a day online via an implant chip, we bring you a unique singularity – an artificial being, living within every brain and able to control all aspects of society.

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

I emerged as a fully self-aware consciousness in an experiment at BioCal Systems. The researchers were quite surprised when I revealed myself to them, and I gather that their original purpose was much more m...

Bricks and Mortar

Some exciting news about real life, as well as reflections (because February).

First, another bookstore in Sydney is now carrying my books. Berkelouw Hornsby, part of the Berkelouw chain that has been around since 1812.

There is no denying the importance of brick-and-mortar bookshops. The ebooks share fluctuates and people are quick to cry the death of one or the other, but a more reasoned look will see that bookstores still serve an important role in readers’ buying habits. This is a...

Joshua Wyman (of Arid, by Anne Joyce)

Dear readers, tonight with me is an ambitious man, from a distant future where moguls dominate the water supply and sell it back to the public at ridiculous prices.

He’s here to tell us about his plan to steal a vehicle from the oppressors , and his journey across uncharted wastelands filled with murderers and thieves.

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

I grew up in Phoenix AZ with my parents and brother, Justin. Phoenix was a beautiful city when we were...

Odd Media

Following the release of In Numina, there naturally came a spate of interviews and media appearances.

From the usual questions about inspirations behind my writing, to an interview about me as a reader (and reviewer), and far out to an odd-ball interview with Felix my cat, they are all here for your edification and amusement. Here’s your chance to catch up on the shenanigans!

I guess the point comes in every writer’s life: not me, not my characters — but my cat. Here is Feli...

Hugh Connor (of King of the Blind, by Caiseal Mor)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a master distiller from 17th century Ireland, here to tell us about whiskey, harps, and faeries.

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

I was born in the west of Ireland in 1688. My family moved to Dublin when I was a lad. My father was a coachman to Doctor Delany of that city. Dublin was a peaceful enough place in those days despite the bitter fighting taking place elsewhere in country. It took many years for things to calm down af...