Dave Higgins's Blog, page 22

Starry Nights by S. Kovax

Kovax weaves a tale of obsession and freedom that asks whether art can be not merely beyond morals and sanity but the laws of reality as we know them. Margo Garabond’s paintings have brought her fame and riches; but success has left her needing drink and pills just to get through another exhibition opening. Hoping … Continue reading Starry Nights by S. Kovax

If It’s Good Enough for Shakespeare…

In… celebration feels like the wrong word for supporting something that doesn’t need to be in contention… In support of Non-binary Awareness Week 2023, have thee a beautiful, tragic, joyous, and painful perspective on not fitting gender roles. Two bikers wanting beer and burgers while they talk sports doesn’t stop anyone sharing a milkshake after … Continue reading If It’s Good Enough for Shakespeare…

Small Worlds by Misha Burnett

Burnett combines strange situations with characters who embrace hard work as a virtue, drawing together a range of examples of the weird being wonderful. This collection contains ten short stories in a variety of genres: “Josef: A Fable”: Josef, an ordinary man of ordinary accomplishment faces the question of whether his existence is worthwhile. Evoking … Continue reading Small Worlds by Misha Burnett

The Farce of God

Perhaps the most famous aspect of Zen is the koan, a short story or phrase that shows the truth. And, like the attempts of other traditions from across the world to capture the experience of seeing behind the curtain, they have a reputation for being obscure, poetic, and allusive; and requiring serious study to experience … Continue reading The Farce of God

Dragon Slayers’ Guild by J.D. Brink

Brink blends powerful magic and ancient myths with street-level concerns and humorous misfortunes, creating a light and complex gritty high fantasy tale. Abbey Ax’l—alchemist, mage, engineer, and detective—is determined to start a new life in Overlook and has more than enough talents to do it; however, the same people who stole her father’s legacy also … Continue reading Dragon Slayers’ Guild by J.D. Brink

There Is Sometimes a Spoon

By arcane rites, the seers of Al’Grthom tore away the veil of time, exposing a mildly humorous perspective from Viva La Dirt League on altering the difficulty of computer games. I don’t suffer the same issue about reducing the difficulty if I’m stuck but I do suffer a connected issue: no clear indication of difficulty … Continue reading There Is Sometimes a Spoon

Adventures of a Vegan Vamp by Cate Lawley

Lawley blends supernatural cosy mystery with awakening as a vampire, creating a light but not shallow urban fantasy. Waking up feeling terrible after Friday night drinks with work colleagues is a common enough experience. But in Mallory’s case, it’s days later and someone has made her into a vampire then abandoned her. Once the initial … Continue reading Adventures of a Vegan Vamp by Cate Lawley

Mohanad

This week is Refugee Week, a celebration of the contribution, creativity, and resilience refugees display despite horrific circumstances. To counter some of the dehumanising rhetoric that the UK government uses, I take this opportunity to amplify the voice of Mohanad, a refugee from the war in Sudan, who wants not to be a burden for … Continue reading Mohanad

Creature Feature: Three Monster Stories by William Meikle

Meikle blends dramatic action and uncanny creatures with a hint of biology, evoking the rip-roaring excess of classic pulps without descending into accidental parody. This collection contains three short stories, each in the style of a classic creature feature. “Into the Valley of Death”: a small unit of Scottish soldiers head into the hills in … Continue reading Creature Feature: Three Monster Stories by William Meikle

An Age of Dreams

The stereotypically Lovecraft’s protagonists are mature scholars and are unlikely to be mentioned in a more than one story, let alone appear. However, Randolph Carter is the exception, appearing in several stories at what appear to be different ages; however, in keeping with his interest in feeling and setting rather than character, Carter’s age is … Continue reading An Age of Dreams