Architecture has been on my mind lately, so what’s better than a book with a review of the development of architecture throughout the ages? While this is a bit if the expansion of the usual remit of the Roman history side of this blog, I know many of you appreciate related topics like food history […]
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Books Review: ‘Doughnut’ and ‘The Outsorcerer’s Apprentice’ by Tom Holt
Every time I read one of Holt’s books (often under his KJ Parker pen-name), I end up loving it. Since I was in the mood for light fantasy and he’s known for that, I picked this one up from my TBR. What to Expect With a deft pen, Holt packs a lot into a fantasy […]
Roman titbits: Life, Laughs, and Wild Boars
This, that, a nod to Asterix in our latest collection of antiquarian curios 🙂 The picture on the is from recently uncovered Roman slave quarters in Pompeii. Readers of my novels know the attention I pay to the “invisible people” of society, those who weren’t mentioned much in the writing of the 1% elite. Because […]
Book Review: The Secret History of Food, by Matt Siegel
I love history, I love food, I love the food in history (and as a reader of this blog you’re probably aware of – and share – this passion) — so naturally this book held a great appeal. What to Expect Expect 10 chapters in rough chronological order about certain less well-known episodes or aspects […]
Book Review: A Night Owl Slips Into a Diner, by Douglas Lumsden
I loved the Southerland urban fantasy series from the moment I first came across it, so obviously jumped on this one as soon as I could. (See my previous reviews here – as well as a wonderful guest post on Meso-American things that go bump in the night!) What to Expect Expect Alex to get […]
Detecting Roman Britain
I sometimes wish I could visit Britain, where, it seems, Roman ruins are everywhere and you can just randomly fall on them. No, really – a UK farmer went for a walk, stumbled on remains of rare Roman mosaic and villa. Really pretty mosaics and I suggest you read that article, but this post is […]
2021 – A Review
Exactly a year ago I published a blog post here with the somewhat dubious title of I Quit My Job So I Could Write!. I thought I’d review how that went…
Fantasy Creatures of the Western Hemisphere
Readers of this blog know — and share — my fascination with unusual mythological creatures, and embedding them in fantasy books. So it gives me great pleasure to host a post about Mesoamerican critters from one of my favourite writers, Douglas Lumsden. Today celebrates the release of his latest novel, A Night Owl Slips into […]
Book Review: The Blacktongue Thief, by Christopher Buehlman
I first noticed this novel when Tor was promoting it, and it looked like something I’d enjoy – I’ve been in a mood for lighter fantasy recently. So, for a change, I read something in the year it was published 😅 What to Expect It’s not humorous fantasy (like say Myth Adventures), and in fact […]
TV Series Review: Domina (Season 1)
I’m a sucker for Roman-era fiction, so no surprises that I’d watch TV series set on the same background 🙂 What to expect The series follows the life of Livia Drusilla, Augustus’ wife and first empress of Rome. She was one of the most influential figures in politics and civic life of the early empire, […]
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 