Dave Higgins's Blog, page 15

Synth by P.J. Marie

Marie blends realistic social politics with an engaging take on vampires, creating a thriller that balances a lightly supernatural world with a tense thriller plot. The Reborn are a civilised people, needing blood to survive but abhorring the idea of succumbing to bloodlust like the vampires of legend. Officer Valya Gorski has devoted her life … Continue reading Synth by P.J. Marie

Life, Consciousness

There are many pressing questions that face each of us every day. But none more pressing than “Should I have another cup of coffee?”. A question that is so forcefully obvious in having the answer “Yes!” that it can distract one from considering why one should have another cup. Work continues on our house and, … Continue reading Life, Consciousness

City of Storms by Kat Ross

Combining the tension and moral challenges of thrillers with a magical system that is shaped by the user’s character rather than a multiplicity of rules, Ross creates urban fantasy with the feel of crime noir. To the Via Sancta, emotionally resonance tattoos offer a way to free humanity from its cruellest instincts and allow a … Continue reading City of Storms by Kat Ross

Burning the Sun’s Braids: New Poetry from Tibet, ed. & trans. Bhuchung D. Sonam

Stitched from multiple voices speaking of multiple experiences and reactions, this collection of poetry weaves a portrait of a land where “fearsome military guards like tigers and leopards / Are even devouring the butter lamps” (“My Vision Of The Potala”, Dhi Lhaden) where people still find the courage to “every now and then … say … Continue reading Burning the Sun’s Braids: New Poetry from Tibet, ed. & trans. Bhuchung D. Sonam

Dancing in the Rivers of Slight

I am (at the time the wonders of modern technology post this), having the damp course in my house replaced. As neither vigorous hacking nor injecting of complex chemicals are tasks one safely performs around live cables, this means my router is… will be being… have has will being was disconnected which is an irksomeness … Continue reading Dancing in the Rivers of Slight

Hungry Gods: Superhero Fantasy Action Adventure by J.D. Brink

Brink mixes over-the-top powers and fights of superhero fiction with the tenser investigation of a gritty conspiracy thriller, creating a tale that might be précised as zombie noir. When a giant lizardman attacks Opal Bay, budding superhero Spitball races in to defeat it on live television, an act that attracts the attention of the US … Continue reading Hungry Gods: Superhero Fantasy Action Adventure by J.D. Brink

A Grave Choice

Having just surfaced from playing a psychopomp of indeterminate qualities in the vampire LARP I run, this rather spiffy collection of thoughts on non-binary Viking graves by the equally spiffy Yvonne Aburrow is of doubly timely interest.

The Pacifist’s Doom by Matthew S. Cox

Set in a world where magic instead of technology was the primary force of progress against the fragile armistice of a war that started before time itself, Cox weaves a tale about the most important of questions: why do people want to destroy everything when they could flump on a sofa and watch television? Having … Continue reading The Pacifist’s Doom by Matthew S. Cox

Remaining the Same

A joyous commonly accepted time division to you all! As is traditional for the time, I have set a resolution: To avoid the risk of overcommitting and failing, I have decided on a good but not unfeasible 1920×1080. I have also, as the neo-gurus advise, considered whether my job is something I love: After brief … Continue reading Remaining the Same

Madness From the Sea: Cthulhu’s Lure by Jonathon T Cross

Basing his plot in the fundamental uncertainty that defines cosmic horror, Cross evokes Lovecraft’s most famous creation without descending into pastiche or stale reprise. Rather than strive to forget the recurrent dreams of a tentacled god calling to her or discuss them with her husband Donnie, Frances shares them pseudonymously with an online community, swiftly … Continue reading Madness From the Sea: Cthulhu’s Lure by Jonathon T Cross