Kyle Robert Shultz's Blog, page 11

Announcing the Phoenix Fiction Writers Anniversary Sale!

[image error]You thought Christmas was over, didn't you? Far from it.

The Phoenix Fiction Writers group, of which I'm a member, is currently having a massive anniversary sale on all of their books! You can get all sorts of great prices on both ebooks and paperbacks from brilliant indie authors over the next few days (including mine!).

What? I'm a brilliant indie author, aren't I? Well, reasonably clever, anyway.

Be sure to stop by the Phoenix Fiction Writers website and browse through what's on offer. The...

A Free Christmas Short Story: Someday at Christmas!

Those who are up to speed on the Beaumont and Beasley series and the Crockett and Crane books will know that there are intriguing links between the two series. Specifically, they know that there are two characters who really, by rights, ought to meet each other.

Well, today, that's going to happen. It's time for the very first crossover between my two fantasy series, a short story called “Someday at Christmas.” 

[image error]

This story is FREE for all my email subscribers to download. This page will let...

Doctor Who Series 11: A Step Backward for Quality and Equality

 

[image error] even though I still planned to tune in for the Thirteenth Doctor's first episode. That article dealt with my concern that, in short, the Thirteenth Doctor would no longer be “The Doctor.” Based on how the series was being marketed by the BBC, I expected Thirteen to put the emphasis on gender politics from the very beginning and make the entire ten-episode run...

Doctor Who S11 Finale: The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos Review

[image error]

Even at the end of a very imperfect series of Doctor Who, there's always a glimmer of hope once we reach the finale. If anything really cool is ever going to happen in a given year of Who–like the shock return of a familiar character, or some startling reveal that changes canon–the series finale is probably when it's going to happen.

However, this is Series 11. And now that I've seen all ten episodes set to air this year, I can say without reservation that 2018 is the worst year Doctor Who h...

Doctor Who S11E9: It Takes You Away Review

[image error]So. That happened. I liked it. Let's talk about it.

The Doctor and her friends go a bit further afield than usual in “It Takes You Away,” dropping in on a cabin in the wilds of Norway. And then they go even further than that. At first, it seems like business as usual–a scary, probably alien menace in the woods, a scared little girl, a vanished father. Nothing out of the ordinary for the TARDIS crew.

Then things get weird. Really weird. And kind of amazing.

I will be delving into spoilers in t...

Doctor Who S11E8: The Witchfinders Review

Another historical episode of Doctor Who Series 11. Yikes, right?

Hold on. Don’t run off just yet. This story is better than the historicals we’ve had so far, and is quite fun and engaging for the most part. However, it still ticks the obligatory social-justice boxes, which will inevitably put off quite a few viewers. So while I enjoyed it, I still can’t deny that it’s a part of the problems plaguing the current era of Doctor Who.

[image error]

The Quick and Spoiler-Free Verdict

The Witchfinders uses a cr...

Doctor Who S11E7: Kerblam! Review

I’m finally reviewing this episode, very late. I know my lack of Doctor Who posts lately following an article on the show’s recent drop in quality would seem to indicate that I’m losing interest in the program. Which…isn’t an entirely inaccurate synopsis. I haven't seen the finale yet (no spoilers, please, though I doubt anything of great significance happened). Series 12 has been delayed until 2020, and while I'd usually consider such news to be a big disappointment, I've been let down so fr...

Antiheroes Short Story Spotlight: The Astoundingly Mortal Peril of Denna Dorwen

 

[image error]

In case you haven't heard, the members of the Phoenix Fiction Anthology have collaborated on an anthology of short stories, to be released on November 17. It's available for pre-order right now. The entries focus on the theme of antiheroes, and they're all amazing. Including mine.

What? I'm really happy with how it turned out. Stop judging me.

We're not here to talk about my story, though. Today, I want to tell you about Nate Philbrick's contribution to the collection: “The Astoundingly Mo...

Is Doctor Who in Decline?

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of headlines, posts, and comments about fan reactions to the political and social subtexts of Doctor Who Series 11. The media sums it up as, “A few whiny, sexist, bigoted viewers don't like the new Doctor Who…but real fans love it! Pay no attention to those falling ratings behind the curtain!”

[image error]Meanwhile, the negative fan reaction is essentially, “Doctor Who has gone full PC…or, more accurately, NPC. The show we loved is dead and it's not coming back. I'm done wi...

Doctor Who S11E6: Demons of the Punjab Review

[image error]In the latest episode of Doctor Who, Yaz does The Thing. The Thing which practically every companion does at some point, and which never ends well.

“Can I go back and meet my [insert relative here]?”

Seriously, it's like they're asking for the grandfather paradox. Or, in this case, the grandmother paradox. The Doctor consents, but predictably, she comes to regret it. “I'm too nice,” she laments. Yes, Doctor, you most definitely are.

And so, we have “Demons of the Punjab”, Doctor Who's second...