Dave Higgins's Blog, page 87

Possession of Property

Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate. – Ambrose Bierce Yes, the title is a double entrendre.

A Bitter-Sweet Disagreement

Our tale begins in fair Verona. Where two families, Costi and Moretta, equal in iniquity, unite in discord. From ancient grounds froth new dispute, and uncivil words make civil hands unclean. From two foes sprang forth our lovers, Julia and Romolo, fair of form and well-composed. For was ever thus that fine similarity does lead … Continue reading A Bitter-Sweet Disagreement

Mercury in Retrograde by Merethe Walther

Focusing more on character than detailed nuances of technology, Walther creates a science-fiction tale with as much tension as a spy thriller. Aralyn Solari used to be one of the best smugglers of her generation – until the authorities suddenly ended up one step ahead. After three years in the galaxy’s worst prison, all she … Continue reading Mercury in Retrograde by Merethe Walther

Permission To Travel

With the United Kingdom adopting a cabin-baggage device ban similar to that of the United States of America, discussion of the arbitrary (and purposeless) nature of the ban has increased. However, what if there is a purpose; not in what is banned, but in what is not. Disdain for the ban centres around two arguments: … Continue reading Permission To Travel

Game of Bones

“Preston Williams, your life is spent.” That’s one realistic mask. Obviously, some new road safety campaign. “That’s not cool! Last thing I need is like a heart attack.” Bony as fuck. Let’s see how committed they are. “If you’re Death, then you’ve got to let me play a game. Not chess. We’ll play Hide and … Continue reading Game of Bones

Kasper Mützenmacher’s Cursed Hat by Keith Fentonmiller

Weaving a thread of the fantastical through the very real history of prejudice in mid-twentieth century Europe and America, Fentonmiller provides a compelling insight into some of the ways facing cruelty can turn a person cruel without allowing hope to be overwhelmed by the bleakness of concentration camps and race riots. Kasper Mützenmacher owns a … Continue reading Kasper Mützenmacher’s Cursed Hat by Keith Fentonmiller

Happy Death Day to You, Dear

To celebrate the anniversary of HP Lovecraft’s death, have five minutes of cosmic dread.

A Better World

The Akathi gave us unlimited clean energy. And then the murders started. At first, no one connected them; one more death a week somewhere in the world. Then someone noticed the pattern: torn apart by nails and teeth; no attempt made to hide the body, but never any witnesses. A few whispered about the Akathi. … Continue reading A Better World

The Nightblade Epic, Volume One by Garrett Robinson

Blending the coming-of-age tropes of the classic quest with a more realistically imperfect world, Robinson creates an immediately accessible fantasy while avoiding a sense of pastiche or staleness. While this collection is closer to young adult than epic fantasy, it has the complexity to engage readers with greater experience of fantasy and life in general. … Continue reading The Nightblade Epic, Volume One by Garrett Robinson

And Justice From All

To mark International Women’s Day, Google+ invited me to share a photograph of a woman who inspires me: I chose Her Honour Judge Brown. Not because there is something specific about Her Honour that inspires me, but because I found a photograph of her before I found one of one of the another female judge … Continue reading And Justice From All