Jason Waltz > Recent Status Updates

Eden, "River of Blood": fun bloody battle, mercenaries, survival, escape, subterfuge, beastmen, chaos, death, adventure!

Cavazos V, "The Gift": dark after being light, so it hits harder. Not the best written, yet a dastardly Chaos tale.

Akers story is Da Bomb!

Hocking, "The Darkflame Deception": good to read a new Archivist tale! This one's a doozy, mystery, crime, betrayal, death, sorcery. Well written.

Simmons, "Five Beneath the Palace of Kalgranis": delightful read, my favorite thus far. Loads of danger, dangerous alliances, even more dangerous action, and then a mad scram for survival! Good story!

Blackwood, "The Camp of the Dog": once upon a time this style of storytelling was in vogue. Ugh. I probably would have liked this as a youth, as I read lots of similar. Now it's too antique, too rigid, too silly. A lot of hubbub about so very little, with an outcome none today would write because none today would want it.

First time at the pool with my pool read in over a year. Picked up as if I hadn't left anything behind. Only had to reread one page. Something to be said about these simple bullet point PI stories. Decent mystery, tough guy conversations, lots of building tension.

Wolf, "Spoils of War": what a great author name! Good, dark, bloody, horrific, creepy Chaos story.

Martinez, "The Orpheus Job": fun story told in a well-written and fun style. I'd read more of these Sword n Sorcery characters.

Spencer, "Legacy of Dragons": fun epic fantasy story, strong argument to be called "Legacy of Giants" but I'll not quibble. I enjoyed the heroine. I will quibble about...well, technically the anthology does not bill itself as Sword n Sorcery, but using 'Sword and' in the title sorta does...second story far more magical and epic than anticipated.

Aryan, "The Unworthy": an oddity of a story, again spending a lot of work and telling to get to the climactic fizzle. I didn't connect with any character let alone the protagonist. Treaded water with this one.

Morris, "Gilt and Glamour": very colorful, long, and convoluted. Mostly enjoyable, though the swift climax/denouement were a bit abruptly simple.

Intriguing yet quite dismal.

Willingham, "The Mistress of Spiders and the Hooded Crow": I find Bill Willingham to be a fascinating storyteller and this little story keeps his streak solidly alive. It is short, too, a particular talent Bill has, in writing right, fun tales. This one held me in suspense as I began wondering where/when the heist was, so I walked right into it.

Finn, "The Beer Run": banger of a fun start. Since I know Mark, I actually read/heard this story in his voice. He is a born storyteller and this is a fine, fun, fantasy heist. My only quibble is I seriously doubt that there will ever be a time no one is looking for them after this caper.

Mark Finn opens things up with a terrific and fun foreword - totally and appropriately setting the stage.

Fascinating introduction by the translator and then the preface by the brothers. It is quite interesting to discover so many variants and versions of a fairy tale, even under reworded or totally differently worded titles. Research this was bought for, though I believe enjoyment comes along with.

Good stuff here.

Never read a book of letters before. I don't intend to pick up the habit, but I did wish to read the real exchanges between REH and HPL and, as I am working my way through my books on and about REH, it's the moment to do so.

Interesting to note that even in 1933 the casual suing for injury and the protecting of criminals were already things. Guess I would have thought that all began in the 60s/70s.

"The Last Time I Kissed You" is a melancholy piece that moves slow but consistently. Stan makes a decent character and we can feel his loss. A bit methodical for me.

Kyme, "Sanctity": much Chaos evil and fierce knights fighting! Lots of mayhem and battle and valor. Also confusing a bit, with time jumps, scene jumps, and a bunch of names mingled.

Steve is the worst created character Bob Howard ever wrote. In this one chapter alone he's changed personality, beliefs, desires, and abilities.

This is so outstandingly cringe worthy I am flummoxed. I'd cease reading it but now I've become a train wreck junkie. I do not see how this could be auto-biographical by any means.

Vardeman, "Purification": vile demon possession writ well! Decently exciting tale of skaven and treachery and valor.

Wraight, "Premonition": ok, simple story, of conquest and beast men.

Rubin, "The Blood Dagger of Dilgare": passably entertaining S&S-ish. Obviously a newer writer, so that's cool, with a decent story, some okay action. Better writing and editing would have helped. Author did have a great answer in the interview about having a striking opening paragraph.

Iss 1 sets up a good start to this new version of Bruce and Bat.

Finally getting into this, checking out "The Zoo" in one full shot.

I am truly at a loss for words regarding this story. I cannot fathom that these words come from the same mind and fingers of he who created so much passion and thunder.