Dave Higgins's Blog, page 6

Betrayed by Stephanie Flint & Isaac Flint

The Flints combine a traumatised protagonist with evidence the situation is not as it seems, creating a young adult speculative thriller that focuses more on the difficulty of discovering whether there is a conspiracy than it does on dramatically striking a martial blow against oppression. This is the second book in the Deceived series. Rescued … Continue reading Betrayed by Stephanie Flint & Isaac Flint

Trolling for Answers

I’m currently playing Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, a survival-crafting game set after the novels about dwarven efforts to clear the Mines of Moria again. And I have had some most Tolkienesque moments, including killing trolls by tricking them into sunlight. As one might expect, absent nearby sunlight, facing a troll can challenge … Continue reading Trolling for Answers

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Ruff acknowledges the parallels between being a human in a world not designed for them and a black person in an openly racist society, creating cosmic horror that neither ignores the racism in Lovecraft’s work nor preaches about it. For a black person in 1950’s USA, travel is filled with unexpectedly lost bookings, police harassment, … Continue reading Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Another Year of Cat Cushionry

Another year of not posting on the exact day and have not taking a photograph because I am, in that moment, a cat cushion. So, as before, we shall celebrate the anniversary of Una’s arrival with a picture taken at another point by my wife. Given Una Cat was noticeably more social than before while … Continue reading Another Year of Cat Cushionry

Way of the Sword by J.D. Brink

Brink reframes the classic fantasy trope of a young villager setting forth to fight great evil, creating a tale where heroism is about the difficult choices to be heroic rather than a matter of destiny or external situation. This novel was previously published under the title Tarnish and is available in both an adult and … Continue reading Way of the Sword by J.D. Brink

Words on Turning

A joyous semi-consensual time division to you all. In celebration, a haiku that is semi-connected. A fork in the path Ahead a tangle of hills A sparrow takes flight

Seasons Meepings

As we spiral inevitably into the darkest of days, may you find new ways to revel.

Advent Ghosts: Beneath the Grave

A joyous Yule to all. As in previous years, I have drawn forth brief horror for Loren Eaton’s Advent Ghosts project. This year, my hundred words touch on a subject close to my liver: Lovecraft’s horrors. Beneath the Grave Lovecraft wrote from life. People laugh… if they even know who he was. Even I believed … Continue reading Advent Ghosts: Beneath the Grave

The Elias Network by Simon Gervais

Gervais blends fast-paced action with a conflicting web of allegiances and motivations, creating a tense portrayal of covert governmental assassination. Recruited by a covert program within the US Department of Homeland Security, for the last ten years Caspian Anderson has secretly been the feared assassin Elias. At first his latest mission, eliminating Leon Aldrich—a banker … Continue reading The Elias Network by Simon Gervais

Fanned Out

Trampled and face down A shattered dove in the mud The fox rejoices