Dave Higgins's Blog, page 96

The Hand of Raziel by Matthew S. Cox

Cox combines a world of high-technology and gritty streets with a nuanced portrayal of characters trying to balance means and end, creating a cyberpunk tale that will hold the interest of action junkies and character-seekers alike. Orphaned at eight, Risa Black grew up among the resistance, watching the closest thing she had to family fighting […]

Psychometric Trigger Locks

As Colleen Hoover writes trigger warnings can be a complex topic. How does one balance protecting people from traumatic reminders without spoiling books for others? Perhaps the answer, and other similar advantages, lie in expanding existing book-site technology. Having known more than one person who’s suffered from a species of traumatic stress or phobia, I […]

Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’

The original trolley problem provides mental exercise enough, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some enjoyable twists on the form: A runaway trolley is about to kill philosophy professors who invent trolley problems. Will you divert it? – Peter Krantz (@peterkz_swe) August 14, 2016 And, for those of you who don’t think trolley problems are […]

Bottled by Carol Riggs

Weaving the modernity of teenage romance with the archetypes of the Arabian Nights, Riggs creates a tale that will interest fans of both character and world-building. Transformed into a genie by an evil sorcerer, Adeelah has spent a thousand years fulfilling the whims of a succession of greedy owners. Only a note from Karim, the […]

Do You Want a Revolution?

Politics isn’t easy, which is why not everyone’s doing it. Even describing one’s politics can be tricky in anything other than the most superficial of terms. However, the people who ask are often the ones who don’t listen to long and nuanced answers. So, I’ve tried to find an answer that isn’t; that captures complexity […]

A Stick To Beat One’s Tongue

Poetry is hard to define, but one of the common guides for what is “good” poetry, is conformity to tradition: does this poem follow the forms of Latin verse? Does that poem fit the structure of Shakespearean sonnets? Does this tanka reference the season and have a metaphysical shift in the middle? And such fitting […]

Witch’s Stand by Crissy Moss

Balancing world-building and political manoeuvring with a fast-moving plot, Moss creates a fantasy narrative that will satisfy readers who love depth without losing those who seek a dramatic adventure. This novel is the third volume of the Witch’s Trilogy. As such it contains spoilers of previous books. Okira has destroyed the Kraken, driving the acolytes […]

This Is Payment Protected, That Is Payment Protected,…

Payment Protection Insurance has been mis-sold; however, I found the level of advertising by claims companies seeking to recover it to be excessive – until I realised the extent of the scandal. PPI is an add-on to payment-in-instalment plans to cover some (or all) payments if you are unable for a (valid) reason, to meet […]

A Growing Category

An interesting, both for the environmental message and for the wider message of perspective changing “truth”.

Grey Ronin by Matthew S. Cox

Combining a nuanced fusion of Japanese culture and future tech with a strong focus on common humanity, Cox provides a fresh perspective on the Asian-corporate trope common to cyberpunk. This novel is the third in The Awakened series. As such this review might overwrite your surprise buffers in places. Twenty-fifth century Japan is a fusion […]