Dave Higgins's Blog, page 94

Weremage by Garrett Robinson

Robinson takes one of the classic tropes of fantasy, the peasant who rises to defend a kingdom, and asks what might happen next? Once the immediacy of the threat passes, how would someone with no experience of national politics or the mundane issues of leadership handle the responsibility that comes with having become a hero. … Continue reading Weremage by Garrett Robinson

Hard Yet Squishy

Classic pulp fantasy serials were of the major inspirations for Seven Stones, so I’ve followed Misha Burnett’s exploration of the pulp revival with some interest. I’m not sure if Seven Stones fits all the criteria (and as it’s only inspired by pulp there’s no reason it should), but the discussion is interesting; so I thought … Continue reading Hard Yet Squishy

Some Nitty, Some Gritty

The Nitty Gritty Writing Podcast now has a third co-host, Edward Sullivan (who publishes under David Ulnar-Slew). And, in clear evidence of the universe being more than random, he joined on a week I couldn’t make the broadcast: so you lucky mooks didn’t have to miss out. Of course, I am now jealous that he … Continue reading Some Nitty, Some Gritty

Chiaroscuro – The Mouse and the Candle by Matthew S. Cox

Cox combines an action-packed tale of vampiric unlife with an interesting twist on the trope of being a predator to one’s own species. Packed with both interesting world-building and complex characters, this novel contains much that will appeal to both classic-vampire fans and paranormal-romance fans. Father Antonio Molari has spent his vocation as part of … Continue reading Chiaroscuro – The Mouse and the Candle by Matthew S. Cox

Tea, Coffee, or a Poke in the Eye?

I came across this rather amusing list of reasons why stone tablets are the ideal text medium. Unshockingly, it’s a satire of the debate over whether paper or electronic books are better; and it does that well. However, I disagree with the articles assertion that the debate is settled. Human minds are pattern-seeking. Which means … Continue reading Tea, Coffee, or a Poke in the Eye?

She Dares to Walk in Shadows

I’ve just finished She Walks in Shadows (ed. Silvia Moreno-Garcia & Paula R. Stiles), and I have to say one of the criticisms levelled at it seems to be true. Fortunately. She Walks in Shadows is an anthology of Lovecraftian stories written by women, each of which has a significant female character in it. As … Continue reading She Dares to Walk in Shadows

The Remnant Vault by Robert Scott-Norton

Scott-Norton mixes visceral techno-horror with complex characters to create a narrative that will appeal to both cyberpunk and police procedural fans. This book is the second in the Tombs Rising series. Thus, this review reveals fragments of the past. Following the death of his wife and the man who killed her, and the revelation his … Continue reading The Remnant Vault by Robert Scott-Norton

As Below, So Above

This morning, the internet gnomes presented me – among other things – an article by Austin Hackney on three big mistakes he made on his writing journey. My first thought was that they would good advice for any writer. My second was that they were good advice. I recommend reading the entire article: however, if … Continue reading As Below, So Above

Keep Your Hands on My Stack

An interesting overview of how cryptocurrencies might change the economy and other areas of life: I definitely agree that money is a convenient fiction, and can see plenty of fun ideas for science-fiction futures in this – from the utopian to the dystopian. However, I see the real issue not as obstacles to use of … Continue reading Keep Your Hands on My Stack

Genesis Redux by Dylan S. Hearn

Hearne mixes complex, gritty politics with technology just beyond our own to create a dystopia that is both surprising and all too familiar. This novel is the third volume in the Transcendence Trilogy. As such, the remainder of this data file poses a risk of corrupting the users surprise file for previous volumes. Nico Tandelli … Continue reading Genesis Redux by Dylan S. Hearn