Dave Higgins's Blog, page 39

Rocks in My Head

Sometimes to relax, I look at photographs of karesansui (‘Zen’ gardens) or watch videos of them being maintained. A few days ago I recalled that, when younger, I found them quite boring and started to ponder whether I have actively learnt to like them or would always have developed into it. As frequent readers will … Continue reading Rocks in My Head

A Cauldron of Hot Coffee by Samantha Silver

Silver lightly flavours cosy mysteries with magic, creating crimes that aren’t always solved by investigative skill alone but can still be solved by readers who aren’t themselves witches. When Eliza Emory’s father dies just after she finishes college, she assumes she’s on her own; however, a series of impossible incidents during her first day at … Continue reading A Cauldron of Hot Coffee by Samantha Silver

They Mostly Come Out at Night by Benedict Patrick

Showing the world part through direct character experience and part through dreams and tales within tales, Patrick powerfully evokes the fearful uncertainty that presses against the edges of pre-industrial civilisation. For generations, villagers have hidden from the monsters that come in the night. Each believes the Magpie King roams the night protecting them, but noone … Continue reading They Mostly Come Out at Night by Benedict Patrick

Prop Forward for the Cricket Team

Over the last few days, disagreement over a Dungeon Master’s position has sprawled across several of my social media feeds, sparked by the assertion that the DM is another player rather than an different type of participant. One key point of contention was whether or not new rules systems had changed the role from player … Continue reading Prop Forward for the Cricket Team

The Broken Heart of Arelium by Alex Robins

Robins combines a fleshed-out fantasy society with engaging characters to create a “slumbering evil awakens” novel that embraces the tropes without seeming derivative. Twelve godlike beings drove the forces of darkness back into the depths of the earth, set walls to guard against their return, and founded twelve orders of knights to protect and advise … Continue reading The Broken Heart of Arelium by Alex Robins

As the Prophecy Didn’t Foretell

Whether it’s people being shot in Plymouth, the situation in Afghanistan, the latest IPCC statement, or another global, national, or personal matter, there are plenty of reasons to feel humans aren’t a great species. As that bleakness can grind one down, I thought I’d share a little Taoist-inspired pondering that reminds us the people we … Continue reading As the Prophecy Didn’t Foretell

Hiraeth by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth blends steampunk, zombies, youthful inexperience, and colonialism, creating a fantasy tale that provides both action and tricky choices without covering the reader in teen angst or gore. When Felicity Grant’s mostly absent father writes to say he is moving the family to the colonies, tearing her from both a life of comfort and from … Continue reading Hiraeth by Jordan Elizabeth

Purple Pyewacket

In an amusing turn of events, this drug information film is trippy enough to give me flashbacks to a past I never took. Fortunately, parody is a drug that strengthens, so if you like cats tune in. If anyone wants me, I’ll be tie-dying my black T-shirts black and watching Una Cat turn cartwheels across … Continue reading Purple Pyewacket

The Trial of Bells and Blood by Stephanie Flint

Flint blends inhuman perspectives on what is just with solid fantasy action, creating an engaging portrayal of divine interest. The novella features characters from Flint’s previous novellas The Cursed Halls of Kalecen and The Scars of Her Past. As such, possible spoilers ahead. Alia couldn’t simply let extremists devastate the city, but with their plan … Continue reading The Trial of Bells and Blood by Stephanie Flint

Is Sorcery Unnatural?

I’ve played a lot of Conan Exiles recently. As I’m playing single player, I have the ability to allow admin commands to be used in game; which raised the question of whether or not I should maintain strict separation between “I am playing the game” and “I am running the program”. After some thought, I … Continue reading Is Sorcery Unnatural?