Dave Higgins's Blog, page 68

Windcatcher by A.J. Norfield

Norfield places the classic war story of a small squad trapped behind enemy lines in an interesting fantasy world, then mixes in his own version of dragons. When an ancient relic is stolen from the Tiankong Empire, Aeterra’s long-term trading partner, it is politically expedient to have Aeterra recover it for them. Accompanied by a … Continue reading Windcatcher by A.J. Norfield

Short Foray into Another Dimension

The Autumn Issue of Dimension Bucket magazine includes my short story “Fish Out of Water”, along with some other great stories and essays. Grab your e-copy from the publisher here. The publisher intends to release print copies soon for those of you who like to hold books. Advertisements

Time to Live by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth fuses an urban fantasy world free of the usual creatures with key tropes of young adult fiction to create something both fresh and familiar. Seventeen-year-old Banon Andreeta is a child of Clan Genae. Her parents believe she is merely a rebellious teenager, ignorant of her lineage and the powers it will bring; however, her … Continue reading Time to Live by Jordan Elizabeth

Davetopia Physically Manifests

Last week, my wife and I moved house; so we now own our own property. Today, I emptied the last of the many removals boxes and finished assembling my PC. The cats are of course horrified and curious simultaneously. They are too flighty for actual photos, but here’s a representation of their reaction: Given the … Continue reading Davetopia Physically Manifests

Sophie’s Light by Matthew S. Cox

Cox weaves the tropes of ballads and fairy tales with a fine focus on individual character to create a darkly fantastical tale that adapts to its readers’ perceptions and life experience. For the last two years, Sophie has lived with a troll in the centre of the Forgotten Forest. Forced to clean never piles of … Continue reading Sophie’s Light by Matthew S. Cox

Casting Shadows Like Nets

As some of you might have noticed, I’m not the most social-media obsessive of people; I’m not even on Facebook. However, I do find Google+ a not inhospitable place. Unfortunately, it is closing down next year. So, in preparation, I’m auditioning a couple of new social media sites: MeWe: mewe.com/profile/5bbc7ccb2ee15f2bb8b1... Pluspora: pluspora.com/people/a49b62c0adda01364... It’s too early … Continue reading Casting Shadows Like Nets

Stone and String by Stephanie Flint

Flint mixes a youthful viewpoint with magic capable of resurrecting the dead to create brief but poignant perspective on the death of a family member. This short story takes place at the same time as events in Magic’s Stealing , but does not share characters or primary plot arcs with it. Edyli’s younger sister, Akymi, … Continue reading Stone and String by Stephanie Flint

UnOccult Secrets

Matt Larkin (author of some rather spiffing riffs on Nordic mythology) posted an article recently suggesting fantasy novels can benefit from the lack of systematized magic. While I find his arguments engaging, for me the best answer lies in what is revealed rather than what is systematized. Larkin’s thesis is that magic—at least magic that … Continue reading UnOccult Secrets

Unelmoija: Paradox by Elle Boca

Boca balances the mutability of the past with temporal inertia to create a time-travel story that is neither burdened with the irrevocable nor rendered insipid by the opportunity to redo things until they are right. This book is the fifth in Boca’s Weeia series. Potential spoilers for previous volumes ahead. Convinced that Amy’s father, Thomas … Continue reading Unelmoija: Paradox by Elle Boca

Clawing Back Sanity

The home and garden centre around the corner has one stand of Halloween decorations but half a floor of Christmas paraphernalia. The carols have started. The online retailers have started their reminders to shop early. With only the Conservative Party Conference remaining true to the mix of horror and hearkening back to a mythical past … Continue reading Clawing Back Sanity