Dave Higgins's Blog, page 16

Futureshlock

Rick Wayne, a fine crafter of weird worlds, published a Substack post yesterday about how the 2020’s aren’t the cyberpunk future that was predicted and the course of human progress shows the future isn’t reliably what we expect. It’s not an academically rigorous proof—which most readers might see as an advantage—but it is an engagingly … Continue reading Futureshlock

Review: DREVO Tyrfing v2 TKL Keyboard

As someone asked about my mechanical keyboard during a voice chat a little while ago, I decided to deviate from my usual book reviews to do a quick keyboard review of my DREVO Tyrfing. Robustness/Reliability The keyboard is solid enough to not distort or slip while being light enough it can be swiftly and easily … Continue reading Review: DREVO Tyrfing v2 TKL Keyboard

Starving Isn’t Manly

Having just come out of the far side of some house renovation, my mind has been turned recently toward life skills—especially the one’s considered typically masculine. Some of the work (such as injecting damp-course) is clearly specialist work, but other parts fall within the DIY space; so, I greatly enjoyed knowing enough about how to … Continue reading Starving Isn’t Manly

They Call Her Monster by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth creates an engaging variation on the trope of werewolf families living unnoticed among humans, blended with a classic crime noir plot and a troubled hero. After the death of her parents at the hands of assassins, Mariah Thorn is taken in by her mother’s friend, the co-leader of the Clinton werewolf clan. Blaming herself … Continue reading They Call Her Monster by Jordan Elizabeth

Not With a Frown But a Wassail

This coming Thursday is the Festival of Borrowed, a recognition of the connectedness of humans to the wider world and its future. Yvonne Aburrow, who created it, sees it as a reminder—which it is—but I see the celebration. Aburrow sets out some things one might do if one wishes to participate, some more expansive than … Continue reading Not With a Frown But a Wassail

The Witch’s Lens by Luanne G. Smith

Smith returns to the source of modern vampire myths, creating a supernatural thriller that offers a rich world and characters rather than relying on subtle differences from other modern horror and urban fantasy for its charm. Separated from her husband by the Great War, Petra Kurková discovers she has the ability to capture ghosts on … Continue reading The Witch’s Lens by Luanne G. Smith

Sorry About the Racket

Dearest Reader, Since my last communication, I have stopped at the small village of Yew Taube, wherein my search for local legends uncovered fragments of what could be a lost Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera. I transcribe below the parts that survive and shall haste to advise should on of the various leads for a … Continue reading Sorry About the Racket

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