Jason Waltz > Recent Status Updates

"2 Silvers for a Song of Blood" is a poetic tale woven of a bit of dreaminess a bit of memory a bit of bravery a bit of sorrow a bit of anger a bit of recompense and a bit of love. The Rogue must have a wondrous story behind him, eh?!

Buhlert creates a compelling plot populated with at least 3 characters worth further getting to know, but this story was insufficient for it and they.

Well new-to-me author Nathaniel Webb spins a doozy of a tale in "The Spine of Virens Imber" - which is a great title come story's end! I definitely wish to read more of this Shar the Spearman.

Didn't connect with Oden's crawler. Far too little belief she'd actually do what we were asked to believe she was, so unable to find a suspension of disbelief enough to buy the story.

Matt John's "Gift of Gallah" is super powerful in several layers, from the hero's personal demons to the Great Gallah itself to the poignant denouement. The writing is soulful and passionate. Yet the haunting shade seems inconsistent, one time possibly meaning one thing, another possibly holding a different meaning, to finally leaving uncertainty about any meaning. It appears simply a foil for the hero to share thru.

The Sengezian Kyembe is a new, unique creation spawned by the mind of J.M. Clarke, whose storytelling, while rough, spins a powerfully violent tale with a dash of humor.

Laughing quite a bit while reading this one. Lots of sexy non-vampires getting hot n heavy. Like a poor man's crime or espionage thriller. Giggling while I'm waiting for some heavy fisticuffs action.

Lindberg's "Embracing Ember" is simultaneously erotic, bloody, and unexpectedly humorous.

Shh. Don't tell anybody but I'm laughing quite a bit with my first paranormal romance apparently.

Physical book here btw. That "Breath of Death" dude tells a decent story but seems a little whiny, eh? Probably should have retained the tavern-setting-sharing-his-tale-for-ale bracketing and interludes too.

HAJones, Dabir and Asim once more share their grand adventure asea against sorcerous and serpentine might.

Markitan's "Wanna Bet?" was roguish fun!

Whitney's story is definitely filled with lots of action, yet I nodded off a few times while reading it. So not sure what that means.

Clark brings us a little of Turkael's youth with a lot of attitude and a massive amount of manliness to back it up! Love the matter-of-fact ending.

Hocking rips this book open with a pulse-pounding bloody betrayal and vicious vengeance tale!

I disagree with the reviewer's take on Brunner - I found nothing absurd in those tales! Same reviewer did give some nice thoughts on SSOC, Roy Thomas, and Conan. The reviews are a mixed bag, informative but of unknown qualification. The covers are fantastic though. I think they'll be worth the price, but we'll find out. The first sidebar factoid on H. Rider Haggard was pretty cool.

David C. Smith is an elegant writer. His opening story, regardless of all the thunder and violence and danger thrumming about it, is really simply about Akram. About the immortally cursed/blessed warrior and also about the surprising idea the serpent people are not always the immediate enemy. It was indeed a strange and not so well known world.

Clint & Brunner made it within these covers! Wide range of titles reviewed by a group of disparate quality - but the cover pix are dope!

Fun read. Great plan, but can see where even the infallible planner cannot account for the proclivities and feelings of his compadres. Sweet quote: "Authority was like passing ice: somebody ended up with none."

So far so fun! A playful story told entertainingly. The 3 primary characters are nicely rounded with action rather than so much telling. Looking forward to the great con ahead.

I'm reading a physical book with pages; once again Goodreads doesn't allow me to make the distinction. I like recording my thoughts, otherwise I'd leave this stupid app. Anyway, book talk: off to a good beginning describing our principal characters.

Great reads thus far!

Finally appears on GR! Far into the zine, but loving this one! Dooley's story is simply terrific, one of the best short stories ever read! Direk had to down a couple mugs of calming brews when he discovered his tale followed that one.

I do not think this collection means to me what it means to others. "Palace of the Androgyne" is meh.

Been a lot more fun to be read now that the mystery is afoot and the opinions and guesses are coming out. Graham is doing quite well on writing the Inspector's bit.

Very well-written section on the police interrogations/interviews of all the suspects - lovely and humourous depiction of the Inspector doing his inspecting. Best part of the book so far.

"The Saga of Adalwolf" is a well-wrought tale told well. Believable characters, events and outcomes. Strikes a nice S&S tone throughout, though a few spots could have been trimmed in this otherwise very good long story, not something you find too often. One of the strongest stories in the collection.

Now we've got some action. After being told in advance who is dying and how and then being told everything and I mean everything about every possible suspect. I already know I won't be reading this author again, but I'll see this through. As the Inspector says, this time the advantage is his and I'd like to know if he keeps it so.

"The Ecology of the Unicorn" began marvelously, descended into Silverberg inanities and feeble Pratchett-ness, then ended rather well. I almost quit reading it tho. One S&S tale thus far, and that mildly.

"The Movements of the Ige" - reminiscent of old style science fiction and not for me.