Dave Higgins's Blog, page 45

The Friar’s Lantern by Greg Hickey

Hickey mixes theories of mind, characterful situations, and reader choice to produce a book that is both an interesting story and a blurred mirror on the reader’s free will. You are offered a place on a scientific study into whether human choices can be predicted a week in advance. You are a potential juror in … Continue reading The Friar’s Lantern by Greg Hickey

Recently wife’s avocation with Japanese language and cult...

Recently wife’s avocation with Japanese language and culture has expanded into making traditional Japanese meals. And, as both a loving husband and someone who enjoys good food, I have been supporting this in two ways. First, by using my experience of cooking to suggest tweaks to the recipe. Second, and more importantly, by adding some … Continue reading

How to Stop a Vampire War in Six Easy Steps by Matthew S. Cox

Cox mixes the politely lethal conflict of medieval nobles or mafia dons with the unique threats and approaches of vampirism to create urban fantasy with pace and complexity. This novel is the eleventh volume of Cox’s Vampire Innocent series. The previous books have plenty of enjoyable misunderstandings and reveals… it would be a shame if … Continue reading How to Stop a Vampire War in Six Easy Steps by Matthew S. Cox

Upon Boxes

Inspired by a conversation with my wife, I’ve added a “First in Series” category for reviews. While I feel it’s a useful addition, it’s rather self-explanatory and the time spent adding existing reviews didn’t generate any engaging stories. So, here’s a somewhat creepy short film to add some interest to the post: Stucco (Janina Gavankar, … Continue reading Upon Boxes

Through Thick and Thin: A Menopausal Superhero Short Story Collection by Samantha Bryant

Bryant blends the cinematic display of classic superhero fiction with the emotional nuances of real life to create fast-paced action that focuses on women and minorities but will not appeal only to them. This collection contains four short stories set in The Menopausal Superheroes universe, revealing details of events not shown in the novels. As … Continue reading Through Thick and Thin: A Menopausal Superhero Short Story Collection by Samantha Bryant

Little, Big: Talking with John Crowley

A little while ago, Mythaxis Review offered me the chance to interview John Crowley. The finished conversation has just been released. While perhaps best known for Little, Big (winner of one of the several World Fantasy Awards that he holds), John Crowley’s work spans many genres, fiction and non-fiction, books and documentary films. In conversation … Continue reading Little, Big: Talking with John Crowley

Radical by Colleen Cowley

Blending the tension of an espionage thriller with magic and the nature of love, Cowley creates a tale that will appeal to both fans of fantasy thrills and those of character-driven romance. This is the second book in Cowley’s Clandestine Magic series. Possible spoilers ahead. For generations, the lie that only a few men are … Continue reading Radical by Colleen Cowley

A Box Without a Label

The National Trust is potentially facing a formal probe over its investigation into links between its properties and slavery. Do I think this is warranted? Seventeen. Earlier this year the National Trust released a interim review with the catchy title Connections between colonialism and Properties now in the care of the National Trust, including links … Continue reading A Box Without a Label

Thomasine by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth blends the tropes of folk horror with the intensity of teenage belief, creating a story that asks “what if everyone really was watching you?” Thomasine was born in the same small rural town in the USA as her father, her grandparents, and most of her other relatives. Her childhood was filled with nightmares of … Continue reading Thomasine by Jordan Elizabeth

Pear Chutney

One of things that the previous owners of our house left was an established pear tree. It was in need of decisive pruning when we moved in, so—between that and the weather conditions—it didn’t fruit much. However, this year it is fruiting heavily (even with both my wife and I eating at least one pear … Continue reading Pear Chutney