I adore Matyszak’s works for bringing daily life in antiquity to the modern reader. Our perceptions of life in the classical era are influenced so much by contemporary writers that were from and concerned with the 1% plus Hollywood’s misappropriation and misrepresentation, that Matyszak’s works are a breath of fresh air. What to Expect The […]
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Book Review: NPCs, by Drew Hayes
I was in the mood for something light and quick (and fantasy), and found NPCs languishing in my TBR pile. Now I’m glad I pulled it out 🙂 What to Expect When a group of careless adventurers dies in a local pub from mushroom poisoning, a few of the locals decide to impersonate them rather […]
Book Review: License to Quill, by Jacopo della Quercia
I heard many good things about License to Quill from someone whose taste I trust (my dearest fan ;-), and being a historical fiction fan the book held a natural interest. What to Expect London, 1604/05. On the backdrop of King James VI of Scotland becoming James I of England, of the brewing Catholic-backed Gunpowder […]
Footwear follow-up: Where to?
A while ago I wrote at length about Roman Footwear — which, I assure you, goes much beyond the traditional “sandal” ubiquitous in modern writing. While the post addressed how you’d wear street shoes on your way to a dinner party only to change into slippers once you got there, there were still a lot […]
“Waste Management” in Ancient Rome
If you’ve read any of my stories, you know the main tenets they’re based on: Ancient Rome, an Occult Mystery — and a trip down the sewers… It’s not a Felix’s Mystery unless he’s literally dumped in it at least once! In the current WIP of In Victrix, one of the main villains is in […]
Book Review: Dominus, by Steven Saylor
I loved Saylor’s previous Roma and Empire novels (as well as his Gordianus series), so was naturally keen to read this latest installment. What to Expect A continuation of the Pinarii’s observation of Roman history, covering the period from Marcus Aurelius to Constantine the Great. Saylor has chosen an old patrician family, and has placed […]
Book Review: A Master of Djinn, by P. Djèlí Clark
Finally a full-length novel in Djèlí Clark’s steampunk Cairo series! What to Expect After three short stories / novelettes, Djèlí Clark delivers us a full length novel in the wonderful world of Fatma el-Sha’arawi! The shorts won many accolades and awards (deservedly), and this novel keeps the quality. The novel is set on a backdrop […]
Book Review: The Constellation of Alarion and Other Stories, by John Houlihan
I previously read and loved Houlihan’s d’Bois novels, so was interested to explore his other writing. What to Expect A collection of ten short stories (the last a novelette), covering the breadth of speculative-fiction: science-fiction, fantasy, and touches of horror. Themes range from light top dark, from geopolitical to intimately emotional. What I liked I […]
Fleeting Footwear Fashions in Ancient Rome
Romans were notorious for their sandals (and for anyone who ever visited Italy, still are). Felix has been known to talk about how private investigators wear out their shoes only slightly less legionaries, pounding pavement day in and day out. The whole series, in a homage to swords-and-sorcery, have been called ‘swords and sandals.’ When […]
Sci-Fi Book Bundle – wait, what?
Yeah, I know, Sci-Fi isn’t a typical subject of this blog. But I do occasionally read Sci-Fi… and even help publish it. my good friend Eric Klein’s The One (which I previously loved and reviewed) is participating in a 20-book bundle that’s just too good not to pass along! The Space Adventure Book Bundle! From […]
