Dave Higgins's Blog, page 32
March 25, 2022
St Barlaam’s Day: Crime was never meant to be this funny by R.B. Taylor
Taylor skilfully applies the forms of political satire to the tale of a band from an East London estate, creating a tale that is likely to appeal to fans of Tom Sharpe, Antony Jay, and Jonathan Lynn. With representatives of three major labels having agreed to attend their next gig, St Barlaam’s Day think things … Continue reading St Barlaam’s Day: Crime was never meant to be this funny by R.B. Taylor
March 21, 2022
Health Potion
Whether I’m standing firm against the imperfect in my own situation or trying to ease the lives of others, I find cooking and eating a tasty meal is a great restorative. Given the world at the moment, it seemed like a good moment to share a recipe that I enjoy in case it might aid … Continue reading Health Potion
March 18, 2022
The Full Scoop by Kitty Jones
Jones blends the emotional shakiness common to the beginning of all romances with a strong focus on character and realistic events, creating a tale of two women falling in love that is not defined solely by their being women. The death of Leanne’s wife drops her into a malaise. Her best friend keeps telling her … Continue reading The Full Scoop by Kitty Jones
March 14, 2022
Alchemical Divorce
Over the weekend, I re-encountered the theory that Lovecraft’s fiction is a thin veil of fantasy over occult secrets shared with him by Aleister Crowley. While I am greatly fond of the mythos surrounding both men, so would feel joyous if this were true, I find it sadly implausible. Lovecraft’s letters, the primary source for … Continue reading Alchemical Divorce
March 11, 2022
Sin City Assassin by Cynthia Vespia
Vespia blends urban fantasy with gangster tropes, creating a heist-gone-wrong thriller that will also appeal to fans of gritty vampire action. This novel is the third in Vespia’s Vegas Vigilantes series. Spoilers are possible. After waking up with almost-total amnesia and a bullet wound to the head, Nico discovered her exceptional agility makes her a … Continue reading Sin City Assassin by Cynthia Vespia
March 7, 2022
International Women’s Day 2022: Carla Denyer
As International Women’s Day 2022 is tomorrow, today’s post is a short paean to the rather inspiring Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party since 2021. Her years reading mechanical engineering, working in the renewable energy sector, and serving as a Bristol City councillor are filled with many great achievements, but here are a few … Continue reading International Women’s Day 2022: Carla Denyer
March 4, 2022
Mission: Improper by Bec McMaster
McMaster fuses behaviours common to all humans with an engaging mix of fantasy and Victoriana, creating a novel that offers something for fans of both paranormal romances and steampunk thrillers. This novel is set after the events of some of McMaster’s London Steampunk novels and might include characters from those. Thus, this review might contain … Continue reading Mission: Improper by Bec McMaster
February 28, 2022
Helping Ukrainians
With President Putin blithering about special preparations for his ego-props, the news this morning pushed an especially drear vision of the world. I firmly believe humanity can do better, but it isn’t effortless keeping that belief alive. If you’re suffering from the same niggling doubt that ordinary individuals can do something meaningful in the face … Continue reading Helping Ukrainians
February 25, 2022
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Bradley coats the myth of Arthur in the mud of early British history, creating a story that gives a voice to those who are not the shining knights of legend without in turn making them in turn more hero than human. Set a generation after the withdrawal of the Romans, this novel retells Arthurian legend … Continue reading The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
February 21, 2022
The Most Awful?
Between the alien structures that are abstruse debate over mythos taxonomy and the endless mud plains that are emotive debate over whether someone should read his works at all, I sometimes chance across more interesting artefacts, such as the question whether worship of Cthulhu is foolish or wrong. I say probably, but not for the … Continue reading The Most Awful?
