This was one of the first fantasy books I’ve ever read, given to me by the same dear person who introduced me to The Hobbit. It was one of my childhood’s favourite books, and is probably one of my all-time favourites. I’ve re-read it recently, to see how it stacks up against the changing times. […]
Fantasy
Action Choreography for Novels
This post arose out of my review of Six of Crows. I complained that many action sequences were problematic. I didn’t provide examples, to avoid spoilers and in fairness to Bardugo, but I think this subject deserves a full post. There were a few scenes in the novel, more than a passing oversight, where the […]
Book Review: Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugo
When I first came across Six of Crows I filed it under “potentially interesting” in my TBR. I then got a copy for my daughter (who’s obsessed with Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass), and it seems I matched her tastes well. I decided to give it a read too. What to expect A tale […]
Book Series Review: Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
I’ve previously read the first 3 volumes in the Dresden Files, then let it lapse for a while. This year I’ve been binge reading the rest of the series in order, and reviewing individual volumes on Goodreads and Amazon as I go. Below are my thoughts about the series as it stands to date. My […]
Spring Showers Sci-fi, Fantasy, Mystery Thrillers Box Set Giveaway
You’re here because you like reading, right? Right now, over thirty authors (yours truly included) are giving away novels, short stories and previews for you to read at no cost to yourself, except the time it takes to download this huge boxed-set. You pay nothing and they work for days, weeks and sometimes years to […]
Book Review: Black City Demon, by Richard A. Knaak
Seems like I just can’t stay away from these noir-historical-fantasy-detective blends… This is the second book in the Black City series; I’ve reviewed the first one here. What to expect This book, while a separate adventure, continues straight from the previous one and builds up on the events therein. You can expect to learn more […]
Fantasy Fiends – Dragons, Flying Phalluses, and Exploding Eyeballs!
I was honoured to be invited to the Fantasy Fiends Podcast for their 31st episode on the subject of ‘No Shortcuts!’. (The dancing gladiators have no bearing on the podcast – except that they accurately describe the spirit of the event). The podcast is hosted by Andy Peloquin And Stevie Collier, two talented fantasy authors. Every week […]
Interview Roundup – these were fun ones :)
David Ellis of TooFullToWrite was kind enough to interview me on his blog. He had some unusual questions… What would you choose as your own personal mascot or spirit animal when it comes to you and your style of writing? Felix is called “the fox” for a reason. He is cunning, relying on quick wits […]
Harry Dresden – In and Out of Togas
After I first published Murder In Absentia and started to receive fan feedback, one common comparison (which I’ve since adopted) was that Felix feels a bit like Harry Dresden in a Toga. That made me curious to learn more, and I’ve since started to read the books. This post is about my impressions of this […]
Podcast with Gabrielle Mathieu
Or rather, Gabrielle’s podcast with me 🙂 Gabrielle lived on three continents by the age of eight. She’d experienced the bustling bazaars of Pakistan, the serenity of Swiss mountain lakes, and the chaos of the immigration desk at the JFK airport. Perhaps that’s why she developed an appetite for the unusual and disorienting. Which neatly […]