Dave Higgins's Blog, page 33

Who Invited You?

Lucy Westenra delicately fading in her bedroom surrounded by lace and comfort is potentially the image that most strongly marks the shift from vampire-as-hungry-monster to vampire-as-gothic-romance. However, it also raises an interesting question: if Dracula needs to be invited, who let him into Lucy’s room? The answer might be that no one did because the … Continue reading Who Invited You?

Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore

Pescatore mixes character-driven political plot with sweeping prophecies and mighty sorceries, creating epic fantasy that has heroic protagonists without collapsing into a simplistic good-vs-evil binary. Disguised as foreign diplomats and secretly aided by the heir to the throne, Gabriel and his companions attempt to end the tyrannical rule of the King of Lirin. However, when … Continue reading Where Shadows Lie by Allegra Pescatore

Trekking into the Jungle

The side border in our back garden is bursting forth in glorious florality. This clump of Cretan Rock Tulip is doubly joyous to me because it was one of Jasper Cat’s favourite places to lurk when bravely exploring but it is also beautiful for itself; so you are commanded to be joyous!

First Bite: A Limited Edition Vampire Romance Collection, (ed.) Kay Elle Parker & A.M. Olenick

This anthology collects eight novellas and one short story, spanning styles, time periods, and genres, each of which features some form of vampire romance. “Quicksilver: A Hunter’s Mission”, April A. Luna: When Quicksilver finds herself urgently in need of blood, she is forced to hunt a human rather than rely on stored blood; unfortunately, Clive … Continue reading First Bite: A Limited Edition Vampire Romance Collection, (ed.) Kay Elle Parker & A.M. Olenick

Sometimes You Follow the Ox

Truth is a cold coal Grasped from the heart of the fire Dead trees come alive

Savant by Jim Alexander, Will Pickering, Finn Cram, & Jim Campbell

Alexander, Pickering, Cram, and Campbell reference the art and sensibilities of classic sci-fi comics without being constrained by them, creating a graphic novel that will appeal equally to fans of aesthetics and plot. Possessing the ability to experience the emotions of others, Lode has travelled the universe chronicling the lives of the dying. When the … Continue reading Savant by Jim Alexander, Will Pickering, Finn Cram, & Jim Campbell

A Bit Batty

With the opera cape flaring wide behind his besuited arms Count Dracula seems almost to taunt the world with the obviousness of his bat-nature. Viewed purely as cinematography, the image is powerful and pleasing but would Dracula be so obvious? It is easy to suggest it comes from an overweening arrogance or a dissonance from … Continue reading A Bit Batty

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

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

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