I loved Knox’s AltEarth blend of historical-fantasy since I first saw (the excellent Goblins at the Gate), so I was very keen to try this latest installment, especially as it’s promising a mystery. What to Expect Expect a classic tale of mystery, where the protagonists – in this case, a band of actors – are […]
Historical Fantasy
Book Review: Comeuppance Served Cold, by Marion Deeds
Historical-fantasy blends are my favourite genre, and the Roaring 1920’s is one of my fav periods, so of course this drew my attention. What to Expect Expect a half-heist half-revenge story, told in a somewhat non-linear way (lots of skipping back and forth). The story mostly follows Dolly White, with occasional other points of view, […]
Book Review: Unremarkable, by Geoff Habiger and coy Kisse
I love the 1920’s and historical fantasy, so any combination is an obvious allure 🙂 What to Expect Expect a short novel about a good Jewish boy from Chicago getting caught in the notorious gang wars between AL Capone and Bugs Moran. Not only is that bad enough, but there’s a supernatural twist that bubbles […]
Book Review: A Practical Guide to Conquering the World, by KJ Parker
The Siege is one of modern fantasy most unique series, coming from one of the best authors out there, so of course I jumped on the latest (and probably last) installment. What to Expect Expect a story happening in parallel to the previous novels. This could be a different starting point (at least for those […]
“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: 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 […]
Eclectic Musings (and Murderous Muses)
Salvete! Gratam hac nocte scriptor collectio… Err, nope. My Latin is still horrible. Welcome to tonight’s collection of random musings — mostly murderous muses 🙂
Book Review: A Dead Djinn in Cairo, by P. Djèlí Clark
I previously enjoyed Djèlí Clark’s “The Haunting of Tram Car 015“, so was looking forward to more stories set in the same world. What to Expect This story establishes the world, but many of the same elements as from Tram Car 015 are explained in either story. The stories are short and interesting enough for […]
Book Review: Purple and Black, by K.J. Parker
I love KJ Parker’s pseudo-Byzantine fantasy, and this short read was up to his excellent standard. What to Expect An epistolary tale, a series of exchanges and communiqués between (mainly) the emperor and his fried whom he sent to govern a frontier province. (The title refers to the ink used in those missives – purple […]
Book Review: The Haunting of Tram Car 015, by P. Djèlí Clark
I love the mix of historical fantasy and am fascinated by Middle Eastern cultures, so jumped on this as soon as I heard about it. What to Expect A Steampunk-ish world, where in the early 20th century Egypt – after releasing magic in the mid 19th century – has risen to a world power and […]