Godsquatter by Gerard Heidgerken

Mashing a bit of Robert Rankin, a chunk of Kevin Smith, and a lot of potato jokes together, Heidgerken produces satire for the generation that can’t even. Gordon MacNamara works in a fast-food franchise, dreaming not of a better future but of those shifts when he gets to work the fry station rather than something …

Happy Deathday to HP Lovecraft

What better soundtrack for the day the misanthrope died than a playlist of all the songs featured in Harlem Smoke, a novel that blends Lovecraft and music? The answer is potentially a great many things: however James Champagne's choices for songs to feature do provide a pleasing change from the three threads of dark ambient, …

The Burning Alchemist by Matthew S. Cox

Cox continues his blending of fast-paced thrills, an engaging urban fantasy world, and strong characters, creating another tale of magical firefighting and not destroying the universe. This is the fifth volume of Cox’s Temporal Armistice series. Ignore the muffled giggling. There definitely aren’t spoilers just waiting to leap out beyond this point. When Brooklyn Amari …

Wangarĩ Muta Maathai

This International Women's Day, I'd like to celebrate Wangarĩ Muta Maathai, a inspiring campaigner for the environment and a fairer world. Among her many achievements are: First East African Woman to receive a PhD. Chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Nairobi. Founder of The Green Belt Movement, a Kenyan NGO focusing on …

The Zero Signal by Rick Wayne

Part biopunk thriller, part speculation on post-industrial social advance, this novel will appeal both to fans of fast-paced gritty action and thought-provoking futurism. In a possible future, advances in gene manipulation allow people to edit their own bodies as easily as we hack technology, leading to a thriving mod community. Most modders are good intentioned, …

Publishing Turtles

Over the weekend, I came across Hugh Howey's listing of his publishing values. So, I decided to try the exercise myself. Turns out my ordering of things needed for publishing is somewhat different from his. The exercise is to list groups/entities needed for publishing in order of importance. My first thought was that I agree …

Seventh Wife of the Demon King by Jordan Elizabeth

Elizabeth blends romance with politics to create a fantasy novella that does not equate personal happiness with happily ever after. Generations ago, demons conquered the kingdom. Lord Robin, one of the current demon king’s nobles, has lived a privileged by tedious life until Katherine literally crashes into him. His body reacts as if she is …

Hot Chocolate Macro

If one pleasure is good, then it seems logical two pleasures are better; however, that way might lead to the most lively awfulness. I rather enjoy Yog-Sothothery, computer gaming, and interesting recipes, so when I came across the Necro-Nom-Icon, a game that mixes Lovecraft and cooking, I felt an unspeakable draw. And once I began, …

Out of Mind by Matthew S. Cox

Cox blends wilderness survival, techo-thriller, and teenage anxiety with a fresh and interesting alien world in a way that each amplifies the others rather than conflicting. This is the second book in Cox’s Progenitor series. Possible spoilers ahead. Sima Nuvari grew up on the streets, chased by gangs and the law alike, until the day …

Create Joy in Our Native Server

Many years ago, most of the fridges of friends were accoutered with magnetic poetry kits. I discovered today via a friend that one can now play with several of the kits for free online. Spared both the annoyance of lost words and the conflict with sociability, it provided a pleasant and productive afternoon coffee break. …