A Box Without a Label

The National Trust is potentially facing a formal probe over its investigation into links between its properties and slavery. Do I think this is warranted? Seventeen. Earlier this year the National Trust released a interim review with the catchy title Connections between colonialism and Properties now in the care of the National Trust, including links …

Thomasine by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth blends the tropes of folk horror with the intensity of teenage belief, creating a story that asks “what if everyone really was watching you?” Thomasine was born in the same small rural town in the USA as her father, her grandparents, and most of her other relatives. Her childhood was filled with nightmares of …

Pear Chutney

One of things that the previous owners of our house left was an established pear tree. It was in need of decisive pruning when we moved in, so—between that and the weather conditions—it didn't fruit much. However, this year it is fruiting heavily (even with both my wife and I eating at least one pear …

The Nuclear Frontier by Matthew S. Cox

Cox blends fragments of modern US life with universal human reactions to create a post-apocalyptic world that provides both action and emotional depth. This novel is the fifth in the Evergreen series. Risk of spoiler contamination beyond this point. A day where the electricity works in Evergreen is starting to become a day of celebration …

The Comfort of a New Bright Age

Arthur C. Clarke commented that "[t]wo possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying." As a Lovecraft fan, I feel the morbid joy of considering the second possibility, of envisioning a world where the only path to comfort is to turn away from the universe toward …

Wavebreaker: Flood by A.J. Norfield

Norfield builds on the plots established in the first half of Wavebreaker, providing new perspectives and conflicts without contradicting the established world. This novel is the third in the Stone Wars series. Possible spoilers ahead. Trista and Dalkeira are, officially at least, welcome within the Minai; however, the acceptance of outsiders strains relationships that already …

Theme Tune to My Un-Life

Many authors name music as a major inspiration for their work: they have a theme song for their lead character, they create a specific playlist for drafting each book, they have go-to songs for particular types of scene. I am the other kind of author. Rebecca Linam's forthcoming article on music influencing writing in Issue …

Subversive by Colleen Cowley

Combining the struggle for equal rights with paranormal romance, Cowley crafts a tale that will appeal to fans of urban fantasy and romance alike. Wizards rule the United States of America and only men can cast magic. Beatrix Harper spends her days working as a shop assistant to pay for her younger sister’s education and …

What a Way to Make a Hobby

Last Friday, Athena Scalzi bravely stated that some computer games are too difficult for her to enjoy. As someone who gets more from the story than from collecting achievements and trophies (does that come as a surprise to anyone in the audience?) I too dislike games that require nigh perfect skill to proceed at all. …

The Dragons of the Mist by Stephanie Flint

Flint blends ancient dragons with romance and a little comedy to produce a tale that will appeal equally to both those looking for more of Cirena and those seeking something different from the norm without losing the essentials of fantasy. The novella is the sixth in Flint’s Legends of Cirena series. However, the story neither …