Dave Higgins's Blog, page 71

Calling Cthulhu

I was reminded today that my post on another network setting out a ritual to summon Cthulhu continues to draw positive attention. Which caused me to remark to myself that I had not provided this most useful technique to readers of my blog. A lapse I herein rectify. The summoning of Cthulhu depend foremost of … Continue reading Calling Cthulhu

Cage Runner by Vera Brook

Building from a plausible technological base, Brook combines the passion of young adult dystopia with the moral greys of cyberpunk to create a fast-paced science-fiction thriller that will appeal to a range of readers. This book is the second in the Sand Runner series. Spoilers might strike from any direction. After giving away first place … Continue reading Cage Runner by Vera Brook

The April Showers F/F Sci-fi and Fantasy Book Fair

The April Showers F/F Sci-fi and Fantasy Book Fair curated by LC Mawson starts today, featuring fifteen speculative fiction books where a protagonist is in a female/female relationship. Obviously, part of my interest in April Showers comes from one of those fifteen being Seven Stones: The Complete Series. However, I also support there being more … Continue reading The April Showers F/F Sci-fi and Fantasy Book Fair

Whispers in the Code by Stephanie Flint & Isaac Flint

Inverting the trope of an exceptional teenager defying an evil government, the authors craft a tale of a young man struggling to find his place in a tyrannical but potentially necessary regime. This book is set after the events of Distant Horizon. Risk of spoilers ahead. Nineteen-year-old Tim Zaytsev fled his home to join the … Continue reading Whispers in the Code by Stephanie Flint & Isaac Flint

Pulping the Classics

I had a conversation over the weekend about whether certain genres need to be about particular things or whether they can be an aesthetic. And, as is common with discussion of genre boundaries, the discussion soon sent out a tendril into the field of literature vs. genre fiction. While the difference—if any—between literary and genre … Continue reading Pulping the Classics

Zero Rogue by Matthew S. Cox

Cox fuses the deeply flawed revenger of crime noir with nuanced portrayals of a cyberpunk future and nascent post-humanism to demonstrate that for some schmucks the only thing the future brings is more ways to end up in an alley with an aching head. This is the fifth volume of Cox’s Awakened series. Risk of … Continue reading Zero Rogue by Matthew S. Cox

Pause For Nuanced Effect

Through the vagaries of the Internet, this article proposing new punctuation marks floated across my section of the aether. While the article is satire, the underlying issue of miscommunication is very real. In the spirit of which, I’d like to propose three useful signifiers of my own. The Seriousicon A symbol for indicating that one … Continue reading Pause For Nuanced Effect

Secrets of Bennett Hall by Jordan Elizabeth

Merging the subtle horrors and uncertain evidence of Gothic novels with modern language and focus, Elizabeth creates a tale that will appeal to lovers of both classic and modern horror. This novel is the second in the Return to Amston series, and follows the Treasure series. So, spectres of the past might lurk ahead. When … Continue reading Secrets of Bennett Hall by Jordan Elizabeth

Seven Stones Complete Series Released

A slight niggle delayed the paperback edition of Seven Stones: The Complete Series; however, the EPUB and MOBI editions have just emerged. Pick up your copy from one of these fine retailers. Plagued by nightmares of shifting stone and ancient evil, Absolution Kobb, Reverend Militant of the Order of the Maker, journeys to the northern … Continue reading Seven Stones Complete Series Released

Haventon Born by Becka Sutton

Sutton blends the most famous tropes of vampire fiction with lesser-known legends, parts of other myths, and variations of their own to create urban fantasy that is fresh without seeming muddled. David’s sister was taken by vampires. Recruited by the Order shortly after, he has waged a secret war to protect his home town. However, … Continue reading Haventon Born by Becka Sutton