Dave Higgins's Blog, page 49

The Shadow Fixer by Matthew S. Cox

Cox merges science-fiction, the supernatural, and classic detective drama to produce a story where each enhances the others. This is the sixth volume of Cox’s Division Zero series. Spoilers for previous books might leap out, rise up, or otherwise manifest after this point. After fighting creatures of the Abyss, reports of ghostly property damage and … Continue reading The Shadow Fixer by Matthew S. Cox

The Good Will Tour by Samantha Bryant

Bryant blends social roles of women, the responsibilities of power, flash powers, and fast-paced action to produce an exciting superhero tale with depth. The events in this novella occur between Books Two and Three of the Menopausal Superheroes series. There might be spoilers ahead. As part of the Unusual Cases Unit’s Good Will Tour, Flygirl … Continue reading The Good Will Tour by Samantha Bryant

Sandwiches Are Mostly Bread

I’ve been roleplaying for longer than I’ve been writing and—while the protagonists in my books don’t politely go when I close the document—I still find RPG characters have a bigger presence than those in my books, which makes creating ones I enjoy being with even more important. However—unlike writing a book—I don’t have control over … Continue reading Sandwiches Are Mostly Bread

Ghost Runner by Vera Brook

Brook combines a strong grasp of human behaviour with an imaginative technodystopia, creating a cyberpunk thriller that has both style and substance. This is the third volume in the Sand Runner series. Possible spoilers for previous volumes ahead. Reunited with Emily, the woman he loves, Kai is determined to keep her safe: but doing that … Continue reading Ghost Runner by Vera Brook

Shining a Spotlight on Me

The soon-to-be-released second issue of Mythaxis includes an interview with me. But if you can’t wait, the publisher has made the interview available for free here. The article focuses on indie publishing, so if you’re interested in the technical side of the writing business you can find my thoughts here.

Unfit Magazine: Vol. 3, ed. Daniel Scott White

United by the theme of perception vs reality but varying in themes and tone, the contents of this magazine provide engaging perspectives on whether we are defined by our experience of reality. This magazine contains six short stories themed around technology altering perception, along with a brief essay about film funding. ‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson … Continue reading Unfit Magazine: Vol. 3, ed. Daniel Scott White

Mythaxis Poetry Competition

I have been asked to be a judge in the inaugural Mythaxis Poetry Competition (spoiler: I said yes). The theme is “Predictions of the future written in poetry“. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing how everyone captures their visions of the future. The entry window 1 August–31 October 2020 so you have plenty of time … Continue reading Mythaxis Poetry Competition

The End of all Halloweens by Matthew S. Cox

Cox blends the simplicity and passion of middle-grade narratives with the grand scale of superhero fiction, creating another humorous tale that contains much to appeal to readers of all ages. This is the third book in The Adventures of Übergirl series. This review might be plotting to spoil the previous books. After saving the world … Continue reading The End of all Halloweens by Matthew S. Cox

Haemopolitics

Whilst modern portrayals of vampires are as varied as modern society, the most common trope in Western media is still the male vampire biting female prey (whether willing or not). But why does this image endure so strongly when other classic monsters are portrayed without such a clear biological divide? Unsurprisingly perhaps, a combination of … Continue reading Haemopolitics

Born of Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth

Fusing necromancy and steampunk devices with a classic Western tale of honest ranchers facing corrupt officials, Elizabeth provides a fantasy Western that has much to attract fans of either genre. Fleeing from the military after mistakenly consuming a chemical that grants the power to raise the dead, Clark Griffin is pretending to be the son … Continue reading Born of Treasure by Jordan Elizabeth