Assaph Mehr's Blog, page 51

Sweetnettle the Lobli (of The Malevir Series, by Susan B Marcus)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a little sprite, from a faraway fantasy world.

He is here to tell us about the dangers that afflict her world, about the return of dragons, and about the other wonderful and wondrous creatures that inhabit it. 

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

I am a Dragonwolder sprite called a Lobli, about 18 inches high. I see the world from the height of your knee cap. Dragonwolder is my world, a broad and varied land mass surrounded by se...

Excerpt: Memento Mori, by Ruth Downie

I’ve raved in the past about Ruth Downie’s excellent Medicus series. I’ve interviewed her protagonist Ruso, and at the end of the month we’ll be publishing a highly-entertaining interview with his wife Tilla on The Protagonist Speaks (I suggest you subscribe to that blog so you don’t miss it – the interview is delicious!).

It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the launch of Memento Mori, the eighth Medicus Mystery. Ms Downie’s words will no dou...

Tobias (of The Court of Broken Knives, by Anna Smith Spark)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a foul-mouthed cynical mercenary. He was hired to lead his rag tag troop to the capital city, infiltrate the Palace, and take down the decadent and indifferent Emperor.

He is here to tell us about the Yellow Empire, about ordinary soldiers and gritty heroes, epic battles and blood-soaked revenge.

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

I grew up in village in Immish. Immish is rich country. My village is piss-poor. I lived with my m...

State of the Onion

It’s a well kept secret that the end of February marks a time of reflection for yours truly. In (very) ancient Rome this was a time of purification (februum), following which the new year began in Martial vigor. Now it’s just time for cake (because cake).

While my cake might have, err, other Roman numerals on it, it’s as good a time as any for some introspection and review. I won’t repeat what I wrote in the end-of-year post. Instead, I’ll just jot below some up...

Anastasia Savoy, aka Tazia (of the Written by Birds trilogy, by S M Henley)

Dear readers, tonight with me is half-demon, Tazia of Savoy.

After a century and a half of servitude, she’s finally managed to shake off her shackles and wants to celebrate her freedom. But a psycho angel has interrupted her plans, and instead of a life of tequila on the beach, she’s been forced into an alliance to save the demon who was her jailer.

With a father in Hell, a dead lover, and a demon gangster on her tail, Tazia is here to tell us of her complicated life.

Erm, Tazia, tell...

The View from the Other Side

This piece of flash fiction was written specifically for the Dreamtime Dragons anthology. I’ve announced it previously here, but thought I’d make this flash fiction available on the site to increase the anthology’s visibility and as encouragement to go and get a copy (plenty of good authors in there, and all proceeds go to charity).

It’s also a break from this year’s (so far) binge of Roman-related posts. I do write fantasy, you know.

A home is more than a...

Denman Malkuth (of Dance of the Butterfly, by Scott Carruba)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a man from an old European family. He swears that he is protecting humanity from a great threat, but is refusing to divulge details – for our protection, it seems.

So secretive, in fact, that we believe we have an antagonist on our hands.

He is here to tell us of his competitive and clandestine family.

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

I grew up in a small town in Germany, one you’ve likely never heard of. It was very ni...

Book & Series Review: Erast Fandorin by Boris Akunin

I’ve recently finished reading the latest (to be translated) Erast Fandorin mystery – All The World’s A Stage. I’ve talked about this series before, so it’s a good opportunity to review both the series and the latest volume.

Overall, this is one of the best historical-detective mystery series out there. It is intelligent, engaging, and just different enough to be in a class of its own. It’s not surprising that in his home country of Russia, Akunin out-sell...

Tom Islip (of Shadows of the Lost Child by Ellie Stevenson)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a boy from Victorian Curdizan, a fictional version of York, England.

He’s here to tell us about his life, and how it changed when he met Alice. Alice, you see, is from our own time – though she can visit the past, and interact with Tom and his mates.

Read on to find out about Tom’s life and time-crossing adventures.

Tell us a little about where you live. What’s it like?

Curdizan Low? Well, I like it, but I doubt you would. If I say, back st...

Book Rreview: Philip Matyszak’s Gladiator: The Unofficial Manual

Following Matyszak’s 24 Hours in Ancient Rome (because, y’know, he has a great style balancing  information and readability), I sought out his other books. Gladiator touches on a subject core to the third Felix Novel – In Victrix – so I started with it.

What to Expect

A witty, lighthearted non-fiction description of the lives of gladiators in the height of the Roman empire, around the time of Commodus. Matyszak explores various aspects of Gladiatorial life, from histo...