Dave Higgins's Blog, page 65
February 22, 2019
Duel Visions by Misha Burnett & Louise Sorensen
This anthology gathers a mix of published and unpublished stories by Burnett and Sorensen, spanning the genres from overt horror to the almost meditative. ‘Black Dog’, Misha Burnett: The new custodian of a cemetery notices several different people taking the same dog for a walk: does the owner merely have lots of friends or is … Continue reading Duel Visions by Misha Burnett & Louise Sorensen
February 18, 2019
Facing in Subtly Different Directions
Someone once compared the internet to a series of tubes full of cats. While their intent was—I suspect—to comment on trends in social media, the image works equally well for finding things in a home that contains cats and tubes: both in the sense of unexpectedly finding things in a tunnel and not being able … Continue reading Facing in Subtly Different Directions
February 15, 2019
Huntress by Stephanie Flint
Mixing the most superficial of events, a beauty contest, with the enduring question of when means justify ends and a young protagonist, Flint creates a cyberpunk tale that will appeal to both fans of techno-thrillers and young adult dystopias. Koenigin Corp offers augmentations and nanite treatments that can cure someone’s ills or make them better … Continue reading Huntress by Stephanie Flint
February 11, 2019
A Growing Trepidation
The Fears of a Clown submission window has been open for slightly over a week now and I’ve already received some very creative perspectives on the theme. However, there’s still plenty of opportunity to submit; I’m interested in great fiction not whether or not someone can get a story to me as fast as possible. … Continue reading A Growing Trepidation
February 8, 2019
The Cursed Crown by Matthew S. Cox
Cox smoothly blends questions of metaphysics with grimy fantasy and diverse characters to create a young adult tale that is both deep and fast-paced, uplifting and realistic. This novel is the sequel to The Eldritch Heart. As Cox himself says at the start, sharp pointy spoilers ahead. With the twenty-five-year war against Evermoor over, King … Continue reading The Cursed Crown by Matthew S. Cox
February 4, 2019
Life Through a Pain of Glass
History shows us over and over that atrocity doesn’t come solely from a single malevolent entity, unregenerate in their inhumanity, but also from ordinary people making imperfect choices in the face of an imperfect world. And so perhaps the path to a less imperfect world is to accept that those who oppose what we think … Continue reading Life Through a Pain of Glass
February 1, 2019
NYV: Punk by K.D. McQuain
Fusing one of the archetypal devourers of life with a culture defined by the raw expression of being alive, McQuain creates a visceral take on both vampirism and modern society. Palestine, Texas, is as far from metropolitan excess as one might get. Yet even that rural isolation is too polluting for Christian’s mother to allow … Continue reading NYV: Punk by K.D. McQuain
January 28, 2019
Beneath a Three-Lobed Eye
Events reminded me of a recent discussion I had on whether Nyarlathotep might really destroy humanity and how he might do it. Unsurprisingly, my thoughts drew upon nuances of meaning: specifically, what one means by “Nyarlathotep” and “destroy”. Of all the Old Ones and other vast beings of Lovecraft’s stories, Nyarlathotep is one of the … Continue reading Beneath a Three-Lobed Eye
January 25, 2019
The Chronicles of Underrealm Collection One: A Book of Underrealm, (ed.) Garrett Robinson
Robinson gathers eleven short stories by several authors set across the history and geography of his fantasy realm, providing both an expanded perspective on it and a series of tales engaging in themselves. “Tavern Crossings”, Garrett Robinson: Lauren, called The Nightblade, tracks a rogue wizard to a tavern. Ebon, black sheep of his merchant family … Continue reading The Chronicles of Underrealm Collection One: A Book of Underrealm, (ed.) Garrett Robinson
January 21, 2019
What Time Is Now?
Is midday in the morning or the afternoon? Is it more believable that midday is in the morning or the afternoon? And why might that make the moon landings seem implausible? I took a brisk walk to a nearby business park this morning because the closest health food shop to me rents a unit there. … Continue reading What Time Is Now?
