Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with bestselling author R.R. Virdi about his acclaimed novel The First Binding, how Jim Butcher and The Dresden Files inspired him, starting out in self-publishing and how that compares to traditional publishing, the power of stories across time, writing as work (even though we love it), genre bullshit, mythology, Star Wars and much more.
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Review: The Grace of Kings (The Dandelion Dynasty) by Ken Liu
Synopsis One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time Two men rebel together against tyranny—and then become rivals—in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards. Hailed as one of the best books of 2015 by NPR. Wily, charming Kuni Garu, a […]
The Diamond Device (Accidental Capers, 1) by M. H. Thaung
This is a review in conjunction with the 2023 Self Published Science Fiction Contest (SPSFC2 for short!) The Diamond Device is one of six semi-finalist that the judging team, Team Escapist, is reviewing as they seek a finalist to move forward in the competition. Synopsis After diamond power promises to replace steam, an unemployed labourer […]
TBRCon2023 Highlight: The Importance of Diverse Futures (Panel)
Every week, we are highlighting a panel from TBRCon2023, looking back on the amazing variety of panels that we had the honor of hosting.
This week, join moderator/author/editor Xueting C. Ni and authors Micaiah Johnson, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, Alex White, Khan Wong and Ciel Pierlot for a TBRCon2023 author panel on “The Importance of Diverse Futures.”
So…You Want to Read Manga?
Before I really get into things, I want to preface this post by saying that I have very limited experience with manga. To be honest, I’ve only been reading it for about a year and a half – though I have read A TON in that span. I grew up on Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Dragon […]
Review – Light Bringer by Pierce Brown
Summary The Reaper is a legend, more myth than man: the savior of worlds, the leader of the Rising, the breaker of chains. But the Reaper is also Darrow, born of the red soil of Mars: a husband, a father, a friend. Marooned far from home after a devastating defeat on the battlefields of Mercury, […]
My Top 11 reads of 2023 so far
Why top 11? Because I’m a maverick, that’s why. Somehow, we are now half-way through 2023 (more than half-way, I never met a deadline I couldn’t blow through) and I’ve barely made a dent in my TBR pile. It’s reassuring to know that as the robots compete with carbon dioxide to put a permanent spanner […]
SFF Addicts Ep. 60: Science in Fantasy with Kritika H. Rao (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Science in Fantasy with author Kritika H. Rao. During the episode, Kritika hypothesizes about the role of science, including how she incorporated science into her debut novel, balancing science with philosophy and esotericism, how science can affect character, plot, language and worldbuilding, science tropes and stereotypes, the work of Michael Crichton and more.
The Words of Kings and Prophets (Gael Song #2) by Shauna Lawless
Synopsis Ireland, 1000 AD. Gormflaith is unhappily married to Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, and although a queen she struggles with her limited position. As an immortal Fomorian with the secret gift of magic, Gormflaith has a burning desire: to find and destroy the hidden fortress of her sworn enemies, the Descendants, who seek […]
Review: The Archive Undying (The Downworld Sequence #1) by Emma Mieko Candon
Emma Mieko Candon is clearly a very talented writer, she’s created this incredibly unique world filled with fascinating ideas and intricate characters. The idea of AI Gods who corrupted and ruined the cities they created and kept is what really hooked me. Add in humans who can communicate with these AI and control what I imagined as huge mechs, this is a great book for anyone who loves a complex tale with sci-fi elements.
Mid-Year Reflections: From Enchanted Forests to Deadly Space
Someone pinch me… I don’t believe it’s the end of June and we’re halfway through 2023. I’m excited to bring you my favorite books so far of 2023.