Dave Higgins's Blog, page 46

The Nuclear Frontier by Matthew S. Cox

Cox blends fragments of modern US life with universal human reactions to create a post-apocalyptic world that provides both action and emotional depth. This novel is the fifth in the Evergreen series. Risk of spoiler contamination beyond this point. A day where the electricity works in Evergreen is starting to become a day of celebration … Continue reading The Nuclear Frontier by Matthew S. Cox

The Comfort of a New Bright Age

Arthur C. Clarke commented that “[t]wo possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.” As a Lovecraft fan, I feel the morbid joy of considering the second possibility, of envisioning a world where the only path to comfort is to turn away from the universe toward … Continue reading The Comfort of a New Bright Age

Wavebreaker: Flood by A.J. Norfield

Norfield builds on the plots established in the first half of Wavebreaker, providing new perspectives and conflicts without contradicting the established world. This novel is the third in the Stone Wars series. Possible spoilers ahead. Trista and Dalkeira are, officially at least, welcome within the Minai; however, the acceptance of outsiders strains relationships that already … Continue reading Wavebreaker: Flood by A.J. Norfield

Theme Tune to My Un-Life

Many authors name music as a major inspiration for their work: they have a theme song for their lead character, they create a specific playlist for drafting each book, they have go-to songs for particular types of scene. I am the other kind of author. Rebecca Linam’s forthcoming article on music influencing writing in Issue … Continue reading Theme Tune to My Un-Life

Subversive by Colleen Cowley

Combining the struggle for equal rights with paranormal romance, Cowley crafts a tale that will appeal to fans of urban fantasy and romance alike. Wizards rule the United States of America and only men can cast magic. Beatrix Harper spends her days working as a shop assistant to pay for her younger sister’s education and … Continue reading Subversive by Colleen Cowley

What a Way to Make a Hobby

Last Friday, Athena Scalzi bravely stated that some computer games are too difficult for her to enjoy. As someone who gets more from the story than from collecting achievements and trophies (does that come as a surprise to anyone in the audience?) I too dislike games that require nigh perfect skill to proceed at all. … Continue reading What a Way to Make a Hobby

The Dragons of the Mist by Stephanie Flint

Flint blends ancient dragons with romance and a little comedy to produce a tale that will appeal equally to both those looking for more of Cirena and those seeking something different from the norm without losing the essentials of fantasy. The novella is the sixth in Flint’s Legends of Cirena series. However, the story neither … Continue reading The Dragons of the Mist by Stephanie Flint

Death is Just the Beginning

People have died due to Covid-19. But has it really been that many? And were they people who might have died anyway? Even if one accepts the pandemic isn’t as lethal as the majority of the science submits, that isn’t the only negative impact. Surviving the virus isn’t the same as being fine again. Recovering … Continue reading Death is Just the Beginning

Nuclear Summer by Matthew S. Cox

Cox continues his plausible portrayal of a possible post-apocalyptic society with the longer-term dilemmas and challenges that come once a settlement has survived the initial struggle to form. This novel is the fourth in the Evergreen series. Risk of spoiler contamination beyond this point. Nearly a year after nuclear war shattered the United States, Harper … Continue reading Nuclear Summer by Matthew S. Cox

Una Nation, Una Way

Today’s political debate is extremist and anti-expert, replacing any inclination toward trusting knowledgeable individuals to create nuanced solutions with the requirements that everyone has to have an opinion on everything and everyone’s opinion is equally valid. I suspect my thoughts are already relatively well known to readers; however, Una’s aren’t. So I asked her for … Continue reading Una Nation, Una Way