Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Deep Worldbuilding with award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi. During the episode, Paolo delves deep into worldbuilding, laying out how to create immersive worlds, his worldbuilding process, deep vs. broad worldbuilding, keeping track of details, lived-in worlds, worldbuilding in YA and short stories, “stacking” world/plot/character and more.
Blog
Review: Ruin (The Faithful and the Fallen #3) by John Gwynne
Synopsis: The Banished Lands are consumed by war. Calculating Queen Rhin has conquered the west and high king Nathair holds the cauldron, most powerful of the Seven Treasures. At his back stand the scheming Calidus and a warband of Kadoshim, dread demons of the Otherworld. They plan to bring Asroth and his host of Fallen […]
Review: Deep Black (Arcana Imperii #2) by Miles Cameron
If you loved Artifact Space you’re gonna love Deep Black! You’re going to be breathless from all the action, only to catch it long enough to be either cocooned by the warm found family feels or devastated by the emotions and romance. You will be amused, bemused, worried, entertained, stressed, and impressed. And you’re going to love every second of it.
Author Chat: Kristin Osani (The Extravaganza Eternia)
Kristin (she/her) is a queer fantasy writer who lives with her husband in northeastern Japan, where she works as a freelance Japanese-to-English translator when she’s not wordsmithing, working on nerdy cross-stitching, or cuddling her two cats. THE EXTRAVAGANZA ETERNIA is her debut novella from Ghost Orchid Press. You can find her on Bluesky @kristinosani.bsky.social, Instagram @Kristin.Osani, or […]
Review: Wistful Ascending (The Hybrid Helix) by JCM Berne
Synopsis A superhero space opera for grownups. For fans of Guardians of the Galaxy or Invincible.Like Dragonball Z but wish it had a little more hard science fiction in it? The il’Drach Empire spans half a galaxy, built on the feet and fists of their Powered hybrid children. At eight Rohan of Earth learned that […]
Book Review: Girl of Hearts (The Luck Gods #1) by J. Gabriel Gates
TL;DR Review: A fun, fresh, and fast-paced urban fantasy with neurodivergent representation done right. Synopsis: Four tribes of ruthless demigods rule over luck in our world. Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades. To save her mom, Aggie must join them… As a future scientist, I don’t believe in gods or in luck. My OCD is […]
Review: Reign & Ruin (Mages of the Wheel #1) by JD Evans
Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans delivered a compelling blend of political intrigue within a Middle Eastern inspired world, scorching romance, and a meticulously crafted magic system that kept me engrossed from start to finish.
Jade Legacy (The Green Bone Saga #3) by Fonda Lee
Synopsis Jade, the mysterious and magical substance once exclusive to the Green Bone warriors of Kekon, is now known and coveted throughout the world. Everyone wants access to the supernatural abilities it provides, from traditional forces such as governments, mercenaries, and criminal kingpins, to modern players, including doctors, athletes, and movie studios. As the struggle […]
Review: The Black Sun (The Tales of Askalon Book One) by Sebastian P. Melang
Synopsis “—when found, the bodies bore no signs of injuries, other than the eyes that appeared as if they had burned out from the inside and turned into stone; dark, black, like obsidian.” So reads the report, which Lorian holds in his hands. As an inquisitor and servant to the aristoi—noble and sublime beings revered […]
Book Review: The Quiet Room (Rabbits #2) by Terry Miles
Summary The lore and legends around the underground game known as Rabbits gain new dimensions in this twisty tale set in the world of the hit Rabbits podcast. After nearly winning the eleventh iteration of Rabbits, the mysterious alternate reality game so vast it uses the entire world as its canvas, Emily Connors suddenly finds […]
Review: Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
Synopsis: To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There’s Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: “Can I go inside your heart?” When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the same question, over and over . . . […]
Book Review: Voice of War (Threadlight #1) by Zack Argyle
TL;DR Review: A dark, high fantasy that slowly grows more epic. Fast-paced action, great characters, and a compelling story. Synopsis: Three lives come together in this modern epic fantasy where magic users go missing, old gods return, and creatures of light ravage the land. A high general with a dark voice in his head that […]