Dave Higgins's Blog, page 55

A House Without Windows Has No Light

Paul A Kramer’s talk below comes from the perspective of the US Immigration debate; however, with Boris Johnson proposing a strict points-based immigration system for the United Kingdom, Kramer’s insight resonated with me. You will be unsurprised that, as an artist myself, I am uncomfortable with reducing any human being to a single measure of … Continue reading A House Without Windows Has No Light

Disparaged Vampire Cat by Tyrolin Puxty

Puxty blends madcap events with visceral threats to create a tale that is both urban fantasy and a pastiche of it at the same time. This novel is the second in the Colt Harper series. So you have only yourself to blame if you spoil the first book by reading on. After an enforced stint … Continue reading Disparaged Vampire Cat by Tyrolin Puxty

Anent The Most Lively Fuzziness

Last night, while attempting to pet Jasper as he demanded without having my arm closer than he allowed it, I was struck with a great revelation: Lovecraft’s portrayal of the Elder Things as five-sided, pseudo-vegetable, barrels concealed their true forms. Both Jasper and Una frequently demand fusses while simultaneously complaining should I move my body … Continue reading Anent The Most Lively Fuzziness

Treasure, Darkly by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth blends cowboy action with a touch of steampunk technology and magic to create a tale that might appeal to both fantasy and western fans. Clark grew up in the brothel where his mother works, sneaking the occasional valuable from her clients’ clothes while they’re distracted. However, when the flask of absinthe he steals from … Continue reading Treasure, Darkly by Jordan Elizabeth

Cucku

A poetry community to which I belong selected one of my haiku for October Poem of the Month. Which obviously brought me joy, but also highlighted how subjective the experience of poetry can be. A little cuckoo Echoes from beneath my feet A cave in winter The haiku is part of an ongoing series shaped … Continue reading Cucku

Ordinary Problems of a College Vampire by Matthew S. Cox

With a title that is both descriptive and ironic, this novel blends the issues of attending college (and attending college as a vampire) with the decidedly not ordinary issues of being blamed for one’s maker’s actions and sharing a house with two ill-disciplined sources of magic. This novel is the seventh in the Vampire Innocent … Continue reading Ordinary Problems of a College Vampire by Matthew S. Cox

Catio Furniture

Greetings anaclowderian thumbbearers. As previously mentioned, Jasper and Una have undertaken a throughout test and optimisation of the inside of the house. However, in the year since we moved they have also improved the outside of the house. For example, while the rainproof sitting space next to the back door is acceptable, the scrunchly cushion … Continue reading Catio Furniture

Curse of the Amber by Kathryn Troy

Troy balances universal human qualities with unsettling magics, to create a novel that will appeal to fans of both supernatural horror and paranormal romance. When Asenath Hayes uncovers not just a mummified man in the peat bogs of Anglesey but the best preserved one in recorded history, she hopes it will provide the sort of … Continue reading Curse of the Amber by Kathryn Troy

Really Real?

One of the most common statements in writing advice (and something that I mention in my book reviews) is that readers are likely to enjoy a story more if events and actions are realistic or plausible. One of the theories for why this is is that it allows readers to better imagine they are there. … Continue reading Really Real?

Wild, Dark Times by Austin Case

Case filters Abrahamic dualism through the lens of post-modern subjectivity to create a religious thriller that both relies on artists rather than academics and treats the mystery at the heart of things as genuinely magical rather than merely political. Elizabeth Megalos works as a bank teller in St. Louis, another art-school graduate who gave in, … Continue reading Wild, Dark Times by Austin Case