Gods of the Wyrdwood is the newest book by RJ Barker. I knew I had to get my hands on it as soon as possible. I love the forest and the pitch for this series sounded super interesting, so I went in with high expectations. And it sort of met them? I’m conflicted about this one. Let’s get into it.
Orbit Books
Review: Perilous Times by Thomas D. Lee
This book is FUN. From the very start you can tell that it isn’t taking itself seriously, and I think this is one of the rare times where the Terry Pratchett and Good Omens comparisons are actually correct. The humour is so perfectly British, and despite the actual plot being a bit close to home, Perilous Times is actually quite light-hearted in it’s execution.
Review: Paradise 1 by David Wellington
In conclusion, if you love constant action, elements of horror all wrapped up in well-defined science fiction details, then go read David Wellington’s Paradise 1.
SFF Addicts Ep. 50: Animal Companions with Andrea Stewart (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Animal Companions with fantasy author Andrea Stewart. During the episode, Andrea explores the furry foundations of animal companions, including why they’re so well suited for SFF, using real animals vs. creating new creatures, what animal companions can bring to a story and its characters, writing from the POV of animals, anthropomorphism, empathy and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 49: Andrea Stewart talks The Bone Shard War, Querying, Parenthood & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with fantasy author Andrea Stewart about her new book The Bone Shard War, wrapping up The Drowning Empire series, finding a balance between writing and family, struggling in the querying trenches, her new series The Gods Below, why she loves trilogies, the validation of getting an agent, giant ground sloths and much more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 48: Morally Gray Characters with Fonda Lee (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Morally Gray Characters with award-winning SFF author Fonda Lee. During the episode, Fonda shares her “problematic faves” and untangles the moral complexity that we often find in fictional stories, including what draws us to morally gray characters, what compels authors to write them, stories that lend themselves well to moral grayness, the fine line between morally gray and evil, incorporating moral frameworks into worldbuilding and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 47: Fonda Lee talks Untethered Sky, Green Bones, Falcons & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with award-winning SFF author Fonda Lee about her new novella Untethered Sky, her series The Green Bone Saga, writing both sci-fi and fantasy, TV adaptations, the corporate vs. publishing worlds, falconry, manticores, worldbuilding and much more.
Review: The Foxglove King (The Nightshade Crown #1) by Hannah F. Whitten
Another darkly beautiful romantic fantasy by the talented Hannah F. Whitten.
Review: The Magician’s Daughter by H.G. Parry
Cozy, atmospheric fantasy set in a historical setting. The kind of book that makes you feel as if magic is real.
SFF Addicts Ep. 42: Writing Beginnings with Chelsea Abdullah (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Writing Beginnings with author Chelsea Abdullah. During the episode, Chelsea shares her takes on the intricacies of openings: why beginnings are so important (for both readers and agents/editors), balancing character and worldbuilding in an opening chapter, the pros and cons of prologues, kick-ass first lines, writing beginnings for multiple POV characters and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 41: Chelsea Abdullah talks The Stardust Thief, Folklore, Discovery Writing & More
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they chat with author Chelsea Abdullah about how she got into writing, her debut novel The Stardust Thief, folklore inspirations and 1001 Nights, discovery writing and (not) planning things, writing The Ashfire King on contract, reverse outlining and much more.