Dave Higgins's Blog, page 130
May 30, 2014
The Rise of the New Bloods, From Dark Beginnings by K.A. Hambly
Hambly manages to create a plausible and interesting background for vampires, leading to believable competing power groups. For the last two hundred years, a small tribe of vampires have lived in near isolation in the wilds of Finland. Hiding from … Continue reading →
May 28, 2014
A Taxing Choice
Despite – or perhaps because of – the Bank Holiday, it has been a busy week so far. Events seem to be slackening for the second half of the week, so my plan to not have much work to do … Continue reading →
May 26, 2014
Moonshine Superman
Last year I wrote about which superpower I might want were I to be exposed to an origin story. It appears both my thoughts and assessment of the ethical dilemma I faced were too small. I am Superman. Last Friday … Continue reading →
May 23, 2014
Brother Found by Rick Mallery
This crime novella repeatedly adds new evidence and perspectives, allowing the reader the joy of unravelling the mystery without making it too easy. Danny Meeks turned his back on the family business of theft. But the combination of inheriting his … Continue reading →
May 21, 2014
The Nitty Gritty of Self Editing a Draft
On Monday I made a guest appearance on Simon Cantan’s Nitty Gritty of Writing a Novel series. Hopefully you will enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it: What I left out was my Step Zero: read hundreds … Continue reading →
May 19, 2014
The Cult of Boy Bands
As a long time reader of Lovecraftian fiction, I have always believed I was aware of the threat of lurking cults. However, I might have failed to adequately prepare myself against those hiding in plain sight: boy bands. Colgate have … Continue reading →
May 16, 2014
Mistress of the Dancing Bones by Thomas Alexander
This fantasy novel skilfully unites vampires, ghosts, and other supernatural beings without falling into monster of the chapter syndrome. Daughter of a vampire noble, and destined to become a vampire herself, Ashia Boucher lives a life of privilege. However, when … Continue reading →
May 14, 2014
Cooking Your Books
As I have mentioned before, some old acquaintances are startled a lawyer writes speculative fiction, and some new acquaintances are startled a speculative author practised law for many years. Their puzzlement is not utterly without basis: there is some disjunction … Continue reading →
May 12, 2014
Dave Hrepr Margr Meiðmar
On Saturday we went to the Vikings: life and legend Exhibition at the British Museum. As photography wasn’t allowed, I will attempt to portray the experience through quotes and verse. I thought the crowd was thinning but it isn’t The … Continue reading →
May 9, 2014
Booster & Reeves: The Night of the Revenants by Troy Blackford
In a similar vein to Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, Blackford successfully merges classic literature with paranormal thrills. In this case, the period social comedy of P.G. Wodehouse with a thoroughly modern zombie apocalypse. Broderick Booster is happily ensconced in … Continue reading →
