Dave Higgins's Blog, page 48

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

Wicked Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth blends elements of political thriller and frontier action with the mystical end of steampunk to create a tale that has both style and substance. This is the third volume of The Treasure Chronicles series. Spoilers for previous books might leap out, rise up, or otherwise manifest after this point. With the army no longer … Continue reading Wicked Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

An Ode to Pith

– to Pablo Neruda The orange in the kitchen Fills the house with scent, Glowing like the sun glimpsed From the corner of my eye. But the skin wrinkles brown At the touch of the bowl, The flesh already collapsed Into the unreachable past. So I imagine its press upon my lips, Not caring it … Continue reading An Ode to Pith

The Scars of Her Past by Stephanie Flint

Flint blends the prejudices and drives common to all humans with the specifics of her world to create a tale of magical terrorism that will appeal to fans of both fantasy and thrillers. Alia left soldiering behind to become a merchant. She’s only a junior partner at the moment, but the forthcoming festival in Sastae … Continue reading The Scars of Her Past by Stephanie Flint