Raven Oak's Blog, page 43
March 28, 2016
Norwescon Wrap-Up
It’s Monday, the day after Norwescon 39 ended, and even though authors aren’t supposed to “tell” more than necessary, let me tell you that I am bone tired. The lack of sleep and running around with my head cut off has definitely caught up to me. Also, my voice isn’t all here. I sound like a chain smoker with laryngitis.
That being said, this tired is absolutely worth it as I had one of the best cons of my career so far, largely due to the wonderful people I met.
Being a panelist isn’t anything...
March 25, 2016
FF: Passage & Death
Passage is a book unlike anything else I’ve ever read by Connie Willis. It’s a profound book that I think everyone should read, but one that shouldn’t be read alone.
The title is apt to the topic, as for many, passage & death are interconnected. The dead pass on and into whatever, whatever being dependent upon your particular belief system.
Part of her inspiration for the book comes from her mother’s death when Connie Willis was twelve. S...
March 24, 2016
Throwback Thursday: Daughter of the Empire
What I Love about This Cover: This cover isn’t the new one. It’s the version I first picked up used from a Half Price Bookstore in Bryan, Texas. The older covers do an excellent job in showcasing the Asian slant of this world and its societal rules.
What I Don’t Love about This Cover: I wish it showcased better what an amazing main character Mara is.
Click here to view other Book Cover Throwbacks.The post Th...
NorWesCon 2016!
Today kicks off the beginning of NorWesCon 39! 4 Days of science fiction and fantasy and fandom. 
I’ll be gaming in between panels and other fun, but my schedule is below. Please stop by a panel, the reading, and the signing as time allows.
March 18, 2016
FF: Powers That Be
Anthropomorphism has been used in science fiction and fantasy for…well, as long as the genre has existed. In fact, Aesop’s fables are fraught with it, as are many religious texts. I think my first exposure to it was in reading various fairy tales, and while I understood animals acting like humans, I’d not given a lot of thought to the idea of a human being existing as part animal–at least not beyond...
March 17, 2016
Throwback Thursday: Powers That Be
What I Love about This Cover: She’s not scantily clad! Yes, I realize this is a cold looking world on the cover (and it is!), but I’ve still seen female characters in chain-mail bikinis in a snow storm because “female!” *sigh*
What I Don’t Love about This Cover: This is another cover that doesn’t really give you a good idea of what the book is...
March 11, 2016
FF: Electronic Ink Tattoos
If there’s one thing I’ve hated about tattoos, it’s the permanent-ness of them. Not because I have an issue with something being on me forever, but more that I am fickle. I change my mind all the time and tattoos are no different.
One day I really want something Firefly related on me and the next, it’s Doctor Who. I have so many fandoms that I love that I’m hard pressed to limit what would go on my skin…if I ever got ink.
My husband and...
March 10, 2016
Throwback Thursday: The Wind Singer
What I Love about This Cover: This cover is young adult in style, yet artistic enough to draw in adult readers like myself. I love the coloration and how the imagery draws me in. It makes me curious.
What I Don’t Love about This Cover: I don’t feel this cover portrays what the book is about at all. That’s okay, but it is slightly irritating.
Click here to view other Book Cover Throwbacks.The post Throwback Thursday: The Wind S...
March 7, 2016
A Book Walks Into a Publishing House
Joy to the Worlds got two more reviews recently. One of them begins with, “So an undead hunting party, a spaceship whodunnit, and a cursed family walk into a publishing house…” Quite fitting for Joy to the Worlds. You can click the review sites’ names for the full reviews.
The twists and turns will leave you gasping for breath and looking forward to the next cliffhanger. 4 out of 5 stars.
Masquerade Crew Reviews
…Pour some egg nog, snuggle in beside the Christmas tree, and get lost somewhere in...
March 4, 2016
FF: American Gods
After the scariness of Super Tuesday, Neil was excited to share the news about Wonderful Wednesday–as in the character from American Gods, which is being made into a mini-series for Starz.
This book was the 2nd book I’d read by Neil Gaiman (the first being Neverwhere), and for a long time, it sat as my favorite book of all time. (It still pops back up to #1 when I reread it. Yeah, I’m fickle that way.)The idea that culture has shifted r...
