Tag: book review

A Realm at Stake (Audiobook Review)

August 13th, 2022
I put off reviewing this a lot longer than I should have.

It’s complicated.

I’d like to say “This was a great book!” or “This was an okay book,” or even just go wild and shred it in another of my more venomous book rants. You know, the ones that are majority of the reason I blog under an alias.

I…can’t do any of these.

Why?

I’m so delighted you asked. Brace yourselves, friends, for–

A Realm at Stake by K.C. Julius, narrated by Chris Walker-Thomson

The Drinnglennin Chronicles, No. 2

Genre: YA/New Adult High Fantasy & Adventure

Content: mild and occasional strong language, heterosexual and homosexual lovers, rape (twice), slavery, beatings, prostitution, “lessons in seduction,” touching a minor without consent, incest, murder murder murder (depicted and somewhat graphic including the murder of an infant and a young child), “conquests” of females, nudity, underage drinking, suicide, drunkenness, innuendo, obscene hand gestures (not described), kidnapping, drug use, xenophobia–did I catch it all?

Bookmarkedone Rating:

Rating: 2 out of 5.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, because few are they who may tell me what to write and live to tell the tale.

Still here?

A word of warning–this isn’t technically a review so much as it’s me hitting the highlights. The “good parts” version, plus warning you what you’re in for, (i.e., good characters, but get ready for some trauma). You can read the plot synopsis on Goodreads.

That’s not what I’m here for.

Right.

If you read the content warnings, I probably don’t need to repeat again that this is most certainly not a book for kids.

I’m going to say it again anyway.

It’s easy to get confused, with the protagonists being so young, dragons being the stuff of so many MG fantasies–look, if I got it mixed up, it’s clear it can happen. Julius was kind enough to rush in and correct me after reading my review of Portents–this was never intended for a young audience.

It’s worth repeating because I can just see some tenderhearted, crestfallen tween crying over this book, confused and absolutely crushed by a world where everything doesn’t turn out alright in the end, where rape, slavery, and war are the regular order of the day. I don’t want to see that happen.

So once an for all: adult book.

Cool.

The good news is that the second book is much more obvious about what kind of story you’re getting right out of the gate. While we started Portents with chapters and chapters of what could easily be middle-grade Chosen One fluff, there’s a scene with lovers and councils of dark wizards smack in the opening prologue.

Now that we know what we’re about?

…I kind of devoured this thing. I listened to a fourth of it in one evening without my attention flagging. If anything, I had to take little breaks to let it settle in my head and breathe because did you really have to switch POVs there after that happened?

That’s just something I do, I think. If something especially important happens in a novel, I have to get away from it for a while, mull it over, take a walk, listen to the music of characters’ lives, hopes, and dreams shattering like the most delicate glass.

(Ending scenes of The Two Towers, I’m looking at you. Tolkien knew what he did.)

Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself.

The story of A Realm at Stake is almost exactly what you’d expect after reading Portents of Chaos:
- Dragonriders ride dragons,
- King still needs to choose an heir from the four contenders presented in book 1,
- Wizard rides pony over entire continent and leaves kids unattended to get into their own trouble because he has bigger problems at the moment even if they do set the house on fire.
- There’s also a sniper assassin (but that isn’t really resolved in this book, so…I probably should not talk about it. Cue bookmarkedone refraining from cheering “yay sniper assassin for the drama!”)
- ominous ominous ominous in preparation for Book 3.
Except…it’s not.

You thought you could get comfortable with six POV characters? No, no, no, no, no! You’re not starting the book with Maura or Leif or even Borne–Julius is presenting a brand-new character in a completely different country!

To be fair, this was one of my favorite choices that Julius made in A Realm at Stake. Why?

Because for an entire novel, we’ve heard nothing but demonizing propaganda about the Helgrin warriors, and Julius opens the sequel with a fluffy wholesome scene as a boy (Helgrin) waits breathlessly for his father (more Helgrin) to return from sea.

Not only does the affection they show one another this throw everything you thought you knew about the Helgrins out the window, it’s deeply humanizing. Monsters? No, not here. Just ordinary people trying to live their lives and protect their families…and occasionally raiding seacoast towns to keep the economy running.

Bold move, Julius. Bold move.

Helgrinia itself? Oh, to be sure, it has its deep and horrific social flaws as much as Drinnglennin. But with names like Ragnar and Snorri, with longships and mead and braided blond hair? With maypole dances and occasional rape?

…It’s just Viking culture.

Like I mentioned in my review of book 1, there’s pros and cons when it comes to worldbuilding like that, deriving locations from real-world places. It’s a choice, and it’s a clear choice.

And besides. Male characters with long blond braids remind me of happy days in Rohan. It’s nice to have some variety of hairstyle.

What I do love?

The relationship between Fynn and his brother.

They have every reason to hate each other, the older to ignore the younger, the younger to envy the elder, to fight jealously for their father’s attention. But they don’t. There’s a sweet brotherly affection between the two of them, wholesome, playful and sweet. Fynn has only awe for Jared, and Jared–I think he loves his little brother, as impossible as the plot makes that out to be.

They’re forever looking out for each other, throwing their arms around one another’s shoulders, stealing one another’s mead or ale, admiring one another’s strengths (You’ve grown taller! You’re a mighty man of war!).

All hail the fluff, basically. And, as it turns out, I am very much here for sibling relationship dynamic fluff.

I almost find it more wondrous and remarkable than the dragons.

More of this, Julius, if you please!

And while we’re on the topic of the good stuff…

If I’m being honest with myself, between the Maypole dance, the spirit of good fun, food and fire, song and dance–and yes, a few too many pirates itching to get drunk–the Helgrin festival (while the sun was still up and everyone was happy, mind you) felt just a little a bit like faires I’ve been to. Felt a bit like home.

And while Fynn isn’t a sweet kid in the same sense Leif is, he still loves everyone he knows. He loves his mother, his half-brother, his father, his friends, even his brother’s friends–well, okay, he doesn’t like the lord’s wife, but she’s mean, so nobody’s going to blame him for that one–he’s just a good, wholesome kid.

So even though they’re Viking types and have ridiculous moral problems in their society–I still liked them.

Julius, I liked them. I hope you’re happy.

This is also the point in reading the book that I look into the middle distance and think “You’re going to stab this poor kid’s heart out like a ripe fruit.” When a day is too perfect in the world of some writers, we readers cower under the cliffs and trees because we know, we know better.

There’s a lot that goes on in A Realm at Stake. After being introduced into Helgrin culture, Julius drops back into Morgan the Wizard’s POV…which is when I realized that there is no recap of book 1. It’s just off to the races with Fynn in fantasy Viking land, getting ready for Midsummer, learning the intrigue of another court, listening to an old man talk about that time he had a wild dream after doing mushrooms…erm…great times, right?

I think it’s great, but if you aren’t reading one book on the heels of the other the way I am, or even worse, reading the second book without the knowledge of the first–yeah, you’re not going to have a clue who any of these people are.

And then it’s back to Whit’s POV, the most irritating and arrogant focalized character…who starts reminding us how charming he is by snapping at Morgan for not serving him to his satisfaction and finding a dryad girl hot.

Don’t love Whit.

The stakes seem higher this time. Or maybe I’m just sinking deeper, falling into the story, needing to know what happens to the characters as the stakes climb higher and higher and–

New POV chapter.

Okay, I know it was structured this way in book 1, but Julius.

Julius. You’re giving me whiplash here.

I just wanted to know what happens with the magic tree.

I say this, but it’s really half a compliment at least. It means she’s improved her writing because I want to know what happens. It matters now.

So I take a deep breath, pay the compliment, say okay, let’s read about Maura. This is fine.

And then Leif is back.

(muffled sounds of bookmarkedone screaming my boy is here! as Leif bumbles around poking and fidgeting and being a literal ray of sunshine, bouncing on the cushions, eating all the food, and talking with his mouth full–thank you for that convincing munching voice, Walker-Thomson, it was perfect)

You may continue.

And of course we get both a joust and Mob-Ball this time. Really, Julius, you spoil us.

And yes, I am required to be a Renaissance faire kid here for just a minute because, well, I’ve been to jousts.

We don’t…actually care that much about the score.

It happens in a blink, and if you aren’t watching, you could miss a near-unhorsing. If it’s a five-point hit or a three-point hit–that’s for the herald to remember, not the casual fan.

But she got the rules right, and the way the crowd reacts, the shouting and the breathless silence. So I can’t complain too much.

It’s a little reminiscent of Ivanhoe. And the voices for the vendors hawking their wares, that’s perfect.

But where there’s jousting, there’s also Borne, one of my un-favorite characters from the first book, appearing just when Leif isn’t around to smack him for getting too close to Maura. Or at least distract him! Noo, Maura, don’t get lost in his eyes, he’s a total creep, please, you deserve so much better–

I digress.

If you’ve already read the book, you may have noticed that I left out a lot of stuff that happened in the second half.

I’m not going to talk about the slavery and prostitution. I’m not going to talk about the lessons in seduction or how annoyed I am by the trope of guards not stopping to wonder what a Hot Girl is doing inside the jail. The concept of a woman’s sexuality as a weapon. The rape(s).

It’s all there. It’s not my type. It’s rough enough that I probably wouldn’t have finished the book if I hadn’t promised to review it. But here we are.

There’s good and bad. I’m trying to chin up and look for the good.

If you read the book, good luck to you. All I can say is that now you know what you’re in for.
Portents of Chaos (Audiobook Review)

July 6th, 2022
Dragons and teakettles, we’re off on another book review! Fluff your pillows and settle into the shade, because today we’re in for a story where dragons are rare but real, magic abounds, the old world order teeters on the edge of the knife, and it’s up to four kids and a wizard to save all that’s good.

Do I have your attention yet?

Presenting:

Portents of Chaos by K.C. Julius (narrated by Chris Walker-Thomson)

The Drinnglennin Chronicles, No. 1

Genre: YA High Fantasy/Adventure

Content/Trigger Warnings: infrequent mild language, archaic strong language, 1 violent death by burning, 1 named character death, some mild fantasy suspense/violence, affairs (including minors), drug use/addiction, implied domestic violence, innuendo, xenophobia (to the point of unjust internment and murder), alcohol and tobacco use, teenage marriages (including cousins), some mytho-religious content.

Bookmarkedone Rating:

Rating: 3 out of 5.

First off, a titanic thank-you to K.C. Julius for the review copy of her novel! I had a great time listening to this one, curled up, happily untangling yarn by the garrett window as I listened. If you’re interested in seeing more of her work, you can check out her website here. And as is required:

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, because few are they who may tell me what to write and live to tell the tale.

Okay! On with the review!

Where to start with Portents of Chaos?

At first, I thought it was a sweet, charming middle-grade read. A soft dragon book with just the right amount of danger and all the nostalgia of long summers spent reading adventure stories like this back when I was the age of the protagonists.

My first impulse was to call it Percy Jackson meets Eragon. We’ve got our dragons and dragon riders, our wise old wizard mentor figure, our sweet, good-natured protagonist who can’t seem to find his place in the world (or do well in school), and the hint of adventure on the breeze. And the “Sorry kid, your parents didn’t like each other for very long, get married or live happily ever after, but now you’re magic, so deal with it.” That’s very Percy Jackson.

But those aren’t the only influences. There’s a rich backstory to rival Terry Brooks’ Shannara, a definitely not-Elrond Elf King in a golden wood that’s strikingly like Lindolothlorien, the horse-loving Halla who would get along famously with Lady Eowyn of Rohan, the difficulty in picking a single target age range like Crown of Three, and the high number of changing POV chapters and political intrigue of Game of Thrones.

Still with me so far? Hang in there, we’re just getting started.

Just so you can keep track going forward, here’s a short rundown of each narrator that appears in Portents:
- Leif, a very good boy who just wants to be the best he can be,
- Leif’s grandmother (to provide more insight into Leif’s character and let you know that she’s going to be okay after the Grand Adventure starts),
- Maura, a pretty country girl with a good heart who knows how to tame wild animals and stab you in the gut if need be,
- Borne, Maura’s friend, the stereotypical young knight-errant from humble means,
- Halla, a young lady who really should inherit her father’s estate because she’s the best one suited to rule it and can ride and fight better than her brothers,
- Whit, Halla’s cousin, also nobility, a bookworm who desperately wants to be a wizard and judges everyone else as a hobby,
- and finally, Morgan, the great (albeit dishonored) wizard and orchestrator of the entire adventure.
I do love a good ensemble cast. If you really ask yourself who the protagonist is, you’d be hard pressed to choose among Leif, Whit, Maura, and Halla. And it’s terrific, because if you relate to one character but not another, someone else might connect differently. It’s a great way to widen your audience and vary perspectives.

So like I said, my first thought was that this was a middle-grade read. Leif, the original POV character, has his thirteenth birthday in the early chapters of the book, which is pretty much the sweet spot for MG leads. But Maura is fourteen, if my memory doesn’t fail me, with Halla and Whit around the same age. And more importantly, there’s a lot of more mature content that had me asking “You did what in a middle-grade book?”

We’ll get to that later.

I should clarify that while I said Shannara backstory-levels, that’s not quite fair. Leif is so curious, every time when Morgan is deep in the monologue and you expect it to become a bone-dry history lesson, Leif interrupts with yet another question, making the whole thing livelier and a lot more amusing.

I could have read an entire novel just from Leif’s POV. Frankly, I feel cheated that we didn’t get to spend more time with him arriving in Mithralyn, watching him face such deeply personal struggles that Julius set up in his opening chapters. I wanted to see him meet the Elven king. I wanted to see this little man decide if he was going to feel his lack of worth or chin up and believe in himself the way he believes in everyone else.

But no. As soon as the mist on the forest clears, we’re in Maura’s POV, which is equally interesting, but, well, she hasn’t got Leif’s innocent good-heartedness.

And I’ll admit, I have a soft spot for wizards who are literally keeping the world together and get zilch respect. Oh yeah, that’s the disgraced old guy. He travels around the country. Used to be something great, but whatever. Don’t pay him any attention.

(Wizard keeps the country from falling into civil war, has a network of loyal spies, knows almost everyone personally, knows the roads of the empire like the lines and veins on the back of his aging hand, is the only one to use good logic)

It’s a trope. It’s a trope I’m here for.

What I’m not here for is the “enchantment of charm.” Or what I usually call the “Hot Elf Queen Trope.”

Turns out I’m not a fan when the shoe is on the other foot. It doesn’t make a difference to me if it’s an Elf king instead of a queen or a mortal who does the “enchanting.” I don’t like the idea that “they were so charming I couldn’t help myself.” That the allure of someone’s physical appearance robs you of your reason and self-control so it isn’t a matter of choice–

I usually don’t get this grumpy, but if you can’t figure out why this trope is outdated bogus that breeds creeps, if you’re just cool with that idea, go read someone else’s blog. This is not okay.

It starts out subtly enough. I’ll leave out names to avoid spoiling, but it’s essentially one character trying to convince another that his parents did have feelings for each other, were happy in each other’s company…before they split up and never saw each other again.

But then it pops up later, in Mithralyn, it gets repeated by Leif, worrying that a friend has no defenses before the natural charm of the Elves and will be completely taken advantage of. Right, so even our main character is buying into this idea that someone can be so magically hot that it’s game over and the other character has no control over what happens next.

I’m so infuriated I actually can’t think of anything else to say about this. No. Just no. Don’t do this. Don’t write this. Don’t read this. And certainly don’t believe this.

Then there’s Borne.

I hate Borne.

Not at first, of course, when he sweeps in heroically and flirts with Maura the way any number of pretty boys in MG and YA books do. But what do you call the opposite of someone growing on you?

I was a little surprised when he began describing all the other girls he’d flirted with.

And then when it became abundantly clear that he was doing a lot more than flirting. And was trying to shake a girl who was interested in being more than a passing fancy.

Yeah, he’s a womanizing jerk. Someone called him a man of integrity later in the book and I was just like “NO no nope no no he’s not. There are names for boys like him where I come from. Maura needs to run before Borne takes and tires of her too, because as poetic as he is, we’ve got no proof he won’t discard her like all his other ‘conquests.’”

And how about the fact that Borne, who I don’t believe is older than sixteen, has learned most of his tricks from an association with a widowed woman…some time before the novel even starts.

Even if we try to hope for the best and say maybe it was a really young widow (two other characters were getting betrothed in their early teens) and maybe it was only a year before the novel takes place, that’s still probably an awkward relationship between an older woman and a minor.

…yeah, going to just back slowly away from that one.

Frankly, I’m a little surprised (and disappointed) the “alluring Fay” trope and Borne’s character type popped up
- In a book not intended for adults
- In a book written in the last twenty years
- In a book written by a woman (sorry, but “men writing women badly” especially in sci-fi has had its repercussions on my opinions)
This is the modern era. We shouldn’t be repeating such archaic nonsense. We have power over what we choose to do, and boys who romance and then dump unassuming girls aren’t good people. We shouldn’t pretend otherwise.

End of story.

So…yeah. By this point, I was starting to suspect this was really intended for YA. You don’t see this sort of thing for middle-grade audiences very often.

Borne isn’t the only…problematic figure in the novel. There’s also Halla’s best friend of the å Livåri…who married at thirteen and has no problem boldly hinting about her experiences.

I get it, it’s a medievalesque fantasy, and in some cultures (particularly the nobility of Europe), marrying that young was the norm. It doesn’t bother me as much as other things. But I mention it because I’ve had at least one friend who doesn’t read as many old historical-style novels as I do and was utterly scandalized by the idea. So if that type of thing bothers you, be prepared.

And the fact that two first cousins got engaged who might have actually been genetic half-siblings…

Me, I’m wondering if I should be more concerned that the å Livåri, so clearly based on the Romani, are remarked on for loose living and flirtatious dances. It’s something probably no one else would notice, paying more attention to the way Julius condemns the xenophobia in her characters and slowly reveals the humanity in every group of people, even the drug-addicted Lurkers–but it doesn’t sit well with me.

There’s a special place in my heart for all wandering peoples. Factual or fictional. Sometimes when I’m working at Renaissance festivals as my minstrel-y self, I feel a kinship to them, something between fellowship and envy.

And after this many years of performing and reading, I’ve learned that there are–certain associations people make.

It’s been hundreds of years, but some people still look down on wanderers, on performers, on people who are different. And part of that is depicting them as exotic and sensual.

A base creature or an object. Entertainment, beggars, not unique people. It’s the curse of the “us-versus-them” psychology, of having someone outside the social group, but that’s no excuse for it. Maybe I’m reading into it because I’m more sensitive to this type of slight, but it makes me uncomfortable, Julius’ depiction of the å Livåri. I hope she doesn’t unthinkingly repeat others’ mistakes. I’d so much rather if she’d left that part about the sensuality out so there’s no chance it can be misread. Maybe she’s setting it up cleverly, the way she did with the Lurkers, and I’ve only got half the puzzle in front of me.

I hope.

I say that, but the å Livåri were also among my favorites. If I’d been Halla, the first moment things started going south, Julius would have been forced to write “And she ran away with the å Livåri and lived happily ever after performing wicked good theatre and dancing with knives and now I have to go find a new fourth protagonist because that’s the end of that.”

While I’m on a roll, I might as well tackle the last sticking point for me in terms of content. Drumroll please, for the polytheistic mythology that is still obviously derived from Catholicism!

(cue maniacal bookmarkedone laughter and oh, why not, throw in a crash of thunder)

Clearest example? The Sin Eater.

I did a quick Google to make sure I was right about this, and while it’s not exclusively associated with church rituals, I’m not wrong in remembering it as a folklore item linked to religious practices, particularly Welsh Christianity.

In case you’re not familiar with it, this is an archaic ritual in which an outcast of the community would come and eat a meal at the funeral of a deceased person, symbolically “eating their sins” and ensuring them peace in the afterlife. Sort of like a human scapegoat.

You don’t read about that a lot in fantasy fiction. Why? Because it’s not prescribed anywhere in the Bible, not part of modern church practices, and it’s one of those things we just don’t talk about anymore because frankly, it’s a little bizarre.

But if you want more examples of borrowing in Julius’ mythology, there’s the fact that they still have what in a historical castle would be a chapel, complete with icons of gods and goddesses where the Catholic saints would be. And Whit’s mother spends most of her time in repentant prayer while his father is recalled as eating only plain food and wearing a coarse shirt close to his skin–two frequently quoted features of some types of medieval monastic life.

It’s just obscure traditions from Catholicism repainted with a veneer of polytheism.

One has to eventually ask the painful question: would it be uncomfortable for Catholic readers to discover a book with their faith mashed into a hybrid religion?

Or how about the fact that just when the full scope of the iconic gods and goddesses are explained, Whit proclaims himself an atheist, only interested in knowledge? As if religion always has to be restraining, something that belongs to one’s stuffy, misunderstanding parents and never to one’s self?

Guys, why do magical adventures and any type of religious faith have to be opposed? And I’m not talking about the cult-y stuff. Where are my D&D Paladin types at?

I say all this picky stuff, but the truth is that I couldn’t do that if Julius hadn’t so meticulously researched her setting. She didn’t just say here’s a dragon, here’s a castle, plop them into the page and away have fun. She found out how they really lived, the order of nobility in small earldoms and kingdoms, the social structures, the culture, the food, the language, the customs–and then she added her own magic system and unique cultural flair, not without its own share of careful thought.

Example?

“It wasn’t a practice for men of Dorf to embrace, unless they scored a point during Mob-Ball.”
I think this is from the early Maura chapters…I just scribbled it down because I was busy listening…

This says so much in just a single quote.
- Men aren’t touchy-feely in Dorf
- There’s probably somewhere in this world where it is the common practice for men to embrace as a friendly greeting
- What is Mob-Ball? Haven’t got a clue! But it’s a game that belongs to the unique culture.
See what I mean? She’s done some good writing in here. Even creating the unique characteristics and voice required to effectively pull off a book with seven different POVs takes a lot of effort and skill.

Her writing style is nice, too. She has moments of description, as all writers do, but they didn’t seem to drag on too long. If anything, I would have liked a little more description of the characters early on. I’m still not sure what Maura’s pets look like, so I’m imagining some cross of a long-haired rabbit and a fox–but that’s probably my error, tearing through it too fast to catch all the details.

It’s really hard to dislike a book with the phrase “With the prospect of pudding to come.”

And can we take a minute to appreciate the narration?

Not only does Chris Walker-Thomson have a steady voice with a very pleasant British accent, he goes all in for his reading. I’m not just talking about changing the pitch of his voice so the different characters are easier to tell apart. He changes his accent, giving some of the characters a little lilt and Maura’s Lurker a Scottish accent so thick it was almost hard to understand him.

Not that I would have changed it for anything, of course.

It’s the type of narration where it sounds like the reader really enjoys the book, like he believes in the story and wants to share it with others. It’s in the little details, the way he recorded himself twice so when two characters speak at the same time, they really do, or singing when one of the characters is performing a song.

And of course, his voice for Morgan the wizard.

As soon as I heard it I perked up. It’s Gandalf, Ian McKellen’s Gandalf, slightly gruff, with the same sonority and gentle, incredibly patient care in the tone for all he comes in contact with. It’s so similar that I can’t quite believe it isn’t intentional.

I might gripe here and there about the book, but I have no complaints about the narration. Not one.

What do I think of Portents of Chaos?

Hard to say. I don’t really think it’s one novel.

Let me explain.

I settled into the Leif sections expecting him to be the only protagonist. But if you think of it that way, look at each section carefully, there’s a lot of foreshadowing in each main character section that’s never answered. What is the deal with the “meat pie” that Leif’s granny hides in the fireplace ashes? Why does Maura’s Lurker keep popping up? What’s the deal with the crows hanging around Whit? Surely after introducing Halla’s å Livåri friends they’re going to have a larger role, right? And why do we need to know about Borne Braxton at all (really now)?

It’s more like five different novels stitched together, but then cut down to the length of the novel. It’s the sort of story where you have to read the next book if you want to get any sort of satisfaction about what happens in “the end.”

For that reason, the actual ending floored me. Epilogue? That couldn’t be right! I still had more book left, didn’t I? I felt like I’d only read the beginning and maybe the middle of something, like there was so much more left to come.

So if you like that sort of thing, Portents of Chaos is waiting! Like I said, it’s got a good flow and style that set it apart from a lot of other dragon books. And if it’s not your thing…well, thank you for getting this far and reading the entirety of this ginormous review. I may have gotten carried away.

Until next time, happy reading.
Writers of the Future Vol. 38 ARC Review (Part II)

June 21st, 2022
Back for a second round!

You know the drill by now, so if you need to catch up and read Part I here, you may do so, but otherwise, it’s on with the show!

“The Daddy Box” by Frank Herbert

TW: physically abusive relationships, mild language, innuendo

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Spoilers–I’m not a big Frank Herbert fan. So I sort of grumbled a little, settling into this one.

And the story of a boy living in an abusive household? That’s–delicate.

“The Daddy Box” is the story of an ordinary kid discovering an alien box, but what’s inside is far more complex than most people would dream.

And after reading the story, I’m still not 100% clear on why it’s called a Daddy Box in the first place?

To understand what happened to Henry Alexander when his son, Billy, came home with the ferosslk, you’re going to be asked to make several mind-stretching mental adjustments. These mental gymnastics are certain to leave your mind permanently changed.
You’ve been warned.
I can’t lie. It’s a pretty great opening.

Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 5439-5442). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Why do we call it a “Daddy Box” when “ferosslk” is so much cooler and more fitting?

Whatever.

To be fair, it has its brilliant moments. It has its way of drawing you in, wondering what this thing is, this box that looks like it could be made of jade. The protagonist has the Harry Potter/Percy Jackson vibe of a boy who just needs a good break for a change, so you start rooting for him and hating the villain without much difficulty. And it (sort of) has a happy ending, so–?

It feels like part of something bigger, some bigger world, bigger story, but at the same time, belongs only to itself. That’s all there is. But inside your mind, the story of that box is going to keep unfolding.

Not half bad. Not quite my personal cup of tea, but not bad.

Interlude: “Teamwork: Getting the Best out of Two Writers” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

It’s a nonfiction essay with some sound advice on writing with others. Cool? Cool. I learned my lesson in Part I. Back to the brand-new stories before I make another ridiculously long post.

Like skipping this will really stop me.

(maniacal laughter)

“The Island on the Lake” by John Coming

TW: 1 instance strong language, themes of suicide, the cost of knowing the future

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I came away from this one feeling like I missed some greater meaning that despite my closest reading, swept straight over my head and went whistling through the branches of the pine trees.

Or maybe it’s just what it is and I’m overly suspicious. Hard to say.

“The Island on the Lake” reads like a fairytale, fitting the old story structure that’s so familiar it’s like a comfortable worn sweater with a hole in the left elbow–go three times to your health, but a fourth to your peril, beware all types of magic for there’s always a cost, behold the forces of the world personified, ageless and knowing but lacking the innocent happy freedoms of mortal man–but it kept nagging me, why? What’s really going on here? What am I missing?

There’s some beautiful description in this one. So much that sometimes I was thinking how did you get away with this someone would have yelled at me to stop talking about the trees hours ago?

But I think it’s the little notes, the colors, that make this story beautiful.

…the days stretched on like taffy.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Location 5907). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Oranges like fading fire, and reds like dark apples.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Location 6203). Galaxy Press, Inc.

See what I mean? Gorgeous.

But it probably also didn’t help my opinion of the piece that I don’t like stories that end where you can’t feel satisfied, where you keep wondering for days with a tight feeling in your gut, hoping everyone is going to be okay.

Yeah…this is one of those.

The illustration is beautiful. I’ve–known a lot of forests in my life, and that one, that one felt…right. I’ve never been to one quite like that, but in a strange way it reminds me of the ones I know. The vines, the electric splashes of purple, the huge elephant ear leaves, the trees so much taller than the minuscule people, the lake that doesn’t throw back any clear reflection–it’s just beautiful. I probably missed the mark on this story, because I know given the chance, I’d most likely row out to that island just to meet those trees.

“The Phantom Carnival” by M. Elizabeth Ticknor

TW: some scary imagery, violent/thematic content, kidnapping, forced memory loss.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

“What makes you so sure you could?”
“Because I’m me.” Danny’s face splits in an ear-to-ear grin…
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 6524-6526). Galaxy Press, Inc.

So I wasn’t “in love” with the stories immediately prior. It happens. I settled in to this one on a rainy afternoon, tired, not really paying attention–

And promptly was grabbed, snatched, dragged, and otherwise forcefully brought into this world of story until my eyes were bugging out a little and I was flipping pages, thinking am I really reading this oh this is gorgeous what on earth oh oh YES and other (clears throat) incoherent little fangirl thoughts.

I mean…just taking a glance at my notebook scribblings…

…yeah, I’ve got nothing to say for myself.

No lie. This was amazing.

I was so excited I got on Twitter and yelled at everyone about it, spoiling my review a little…anyway.

Brace yourself for a Depression-era, rail-riding, trouser-wearing, monster-stabbing protagonist named Alice in the historical fiction/fantasy/horror/carnival short story you had no idea you needed.

You need this. You do.

It reminds me so much of stories I devoured during endless summers as a kid, watching other girls take on the world, no matter how impossible the challenge seemed. It’s spunky and voicey and unique and so well-researched on both fantastic and historical levels (screams)–I never considered a Depression-era fantasy, but now it makes so much sense I’m envious of Ticknor’s brilliance. Of course there was a secret magic world in the ’30s. Of course there was a creepy carnival and Fay kids riding the rails. Oh, naturally.

I want to go to that carnival. I know, I know, I know. But just to visit. It’s so weird and wonderful there. Just sneak in. Nobody would notice a thing.

And can we talk about the platonic friendships? I am always here for platonic friendships.

I only trusted him with my secret because he trusted me with his.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 6689-6690). Galaxy Press, Inc.

This isn’t even a review anymore. It’s just me gushing over this thing.

It’s good. Read it. Now.

“The Last Dying Season” by Brittany Rainsdon

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

TW: xenaphobia, genocide, something like possession/mind control, suspense and danger, forced memory loss

So the first thing I thought about this one was “Fuzzy socks and Narnia…this bio seems familiar…Brittany, Brittany–didn’t we read something by her before? Wasn’t she the one,” (cue frantic rustling through my ARC copy of Vol. 37 until I find “Half-Breed,” the gorgeous Dryad story from last year and much internal screaming that Rainsdon is back yes yes yes yes yes!).

Yeah. I was excited. But also–there was some trepidation. What if she couldn’t live up to her last story? What if this wasn’t as good?

No sense in holding my breath. I turned the page.

Flowers and vines were their technological hardware, storing entire libraries of data in a single seed, leaf, or flower’s DNA.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 6965-6966). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Guys. She did it. It’s good.

If her first story was urban fantasy, then this one is standard colonialist sci-fi. You know the stuff. Earth died, so humanity moved to another planet and trashed it in 20 seconds flat. You’ve read that plot before, if you’ve read any of the old stuff.

But here’s the thing. It’s Rainsdon.

…without conscience, courage becomes cruelty.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Location 7385). Galaxy Press, Inc.

(muffled sounds of bookmarkedone screaming it’s Rainsdon! from the rooftop and my neighbors mowing their lawns in fear)

So please. Allow me to be the first to introduce you to Edrei Muller, skilled geneticist and botanist on the planet Kalefe, and more importantly, a mother, in a world on the brink of collapse.

Like, you know I’ll fight for my found family dynamics, my platonic friendships, but a mother/daughter relationship? It changes the entire story. Rainsdon writes it with such tenderness, such free admission of flaws, of struggles, of love–

ARGH.

Read. Now. Go.

Interlude: “The Third Artist” by Diane Dillon

Okay, I know I said I’d skip the essays this time, but you should know that this one is a good read. I’m not a member of the visual arts community, and yet I found myself carried away by the way Dillon writes. For one reason because not only is it advice,

…it’s also a love story.

It’s the story of two artists who fell in love with each other and each other’s work and somehow figured out a way to embrace their creative passions together without scratching each other’s eyes out.

Leo and I were born in 1933, eleven days apart, 3,000 miles apart on opposite coasts, and from different worlds.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 7541-7542). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Frankly, it’s riveting. Nothing stops them. Their successful career. How many other creatives can say they managed that?

“A Word of Power” by David Farland

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

So this is a special one because it’s Farland’s last contribution to WOTF before passing away.

Yeah.

I think it would satisfy him to know that he managed to finish editing the last anthology with his name associated with it, that he had the honor of writing the story to go with the cover illustration.

It’s not every day you get a story with mammoths and robots. I mean, have you looked at the cover art?

An it’s flash fiction! Which if you don’t write SF/F is really, really hard. This genre takes a lot of explaining, so if you just throw someone in the deep end for a few thousand words, usually the best you get is gibberish and a headache.

For what it’s worth, Farland pulls it off. And he makes his characters leap off the page from the start.

But…it’s flash. You don’t get a complete ending tied up with a bow in flash. You get the opening, the beginning, something being brought to life, the first time a bird springs from the nest and beats its wings against the sky, and then–

The end. That’s all there is.

There’s just too much we don’t know. It’s scary.

But maybe that’s the point. Anytime we do anything, take any risk, it can feel like standing on the edge of the cliff. Maybe Farland’s story is there to remind us what it feels like to hope, to take the leap, to believe that there’s something good out there if we just reach for it.

And maybe he just left it open at the end so we could draw our own conclusions and fill in the blanks more eloquently and personally than he could.

Some good writing techniques really include “just be lazy.” It’s ridiculous that it works.

“The Greater Good” by Em Dupre

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

TW: affairs, abusive relationships, murder, flippant remarks about sexuality, some violently graphic imagery, suspense, forced memory loss

Presenting an intergalactic murder mystery with a sci-fi confessional and an ageless man who really just wants to have a nice dinner in peace–

I feel like I did that wrong.

I’m not wrong, though.

How do you keep peace between a team of colonists alone in space for years when they’re going to feel cooped up and start stepping on each other’s toes, ruining their marriages, and killing each other since they have all the maturity of middle-aged teenagers?

Memory erasure. Only logical option. Clearly.

And so we get Counselor Adrian Parrish, who remembers everything and has the energy of an exhausted teacher on a school trip.

Poor man.

It’s a little difficult to stomach some points, since Adrian knows all the gruesome gossip about literally every character in the story, and in such a close POV, we the readers get to hear every last morsel of it–

Right. Anybody else feeling sympathy for Adrian’s grey hairs?

But aside from that…it’s really quite fascinating. It’s all so delicate when you look at it, so close to falling apart socially, and then there’s the murder mystery…

Just know what you’re in for. And good luck.

“For the Federation” by J. A. Becker

Rating: 4 out of 5.

TW: mild language, body horror, concubinage, genetic breeding, sterilization, violence (high body count), xenophobia, interplanetary colonization

YES IT’S TIME FOR THIS ONE!

All caps. Not professional. Right. Sorry.

Okay, so it’s pretty much a smack-in-the-face opening. And then with Craig and Beth start fighting–I wasn’t sure this was going to really suit me.

I was so happily wrong.

Presenting:
- Beth, the genetically-modified assassin thug who could probably have an anvil dropped on her leg and wouldn’t bat an eye,
- Craig, her misguided but caring spouse and the politician she’s charged with protecting,
- and Sam, the son Beth would do anything for.
I am a gun, and he’s just pointed and pulled the trigger.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 8595-8596). Galaxy Press, Inc..

In the action scenes, Beth is a machine. She’s incredible. I–yes. We salute the lady tank. And in the more tender, emotional moments? She’s there.

It’s not smooth sailing. It’s messy and chaotic and painful, and they’ve got their own share of hurt and betrayal and back stabbing and I love it.

It is so hard to see an enemy an inch from my face and I can’t kill it. It breaks me.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 8535-8536). Galaxy Press, Inc.

(muffled bookmarkedone screaming)

If last year was the Year of the Granny, I’m voting this one as Good Moms. And this is another trend that I am more than ready to see become a trope because it’s going to be a long time before I get tired of complex, conflicted, beautiful characters like this.

My complaint?

The ending.

I really would like just a little hint more. I just–need to know after all that, after everything they went through, that everybody is going to be okay.

I always do complain about the endings, don’t I?

“Psychic Poker” by Lazarus Black

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

TW: strong language, some unfavorable/callous comments toward religious faith

So time for something a lot less serious than the legal standing of time travel or watching an assassin try her hardest to be a good mom.

Let’s see what happens when clairvoyants try to play cards against each other!

Yeah, there’s no more serious message here. It gets scary for the characters, but that’s it, that’s the plot.

To be fair, it’s pretty voicey, and it’s interesting to see how Black’s particular version of psychic powers work–what do you see? What do you miss?

And the protagonist, while being the Hawaiian-shirt wearing callous and selfish type, isn’t without his own merit.

Can’t hurt my kiddo if I’m just stupid lazy. I hope.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Location 8966). Galaxy Press, Inc.

The psychics are all different too, all with their own stories and backgrounds–which, of course, since the protagonist is psychic, the reader gets to know in rich detail.

Really, I should probably appreciate the clever bits of writing more than I do.

So why don’t I?

Well, besides Mr. Young getting under my skin a little, there’s a twist.

Frankly, I think I’m irritated by the twist because it feels like cheating and I really should have seen it coming.

You can be too clever, sometimes.

And that’s the end!

What did I think? Well, there were a lot of stories I loved this time. A few I didn’t, but that’s how anthologies go. I’m still delighted I got to be part of the advanced reader team and I hope I have the chance again next year.

My rating?

Bookmarkedone Rating:

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Thanks for reading, and again a huge thank-you to GalaxyPress for making this possible and for all the lovely writers who put so much effort into these stories. It’s quite easy for me to read a story and snub my nose at it, but it takes much more time to make something good.

So thanks for the adventure!

Until next time, everyone, happy reading.
Writers of the Future Vol. 38 ARC Review (Part I)

June 14th, 2022
It’s finally here! A huge thank-you to the lovely folks at GalaxyPress and Writers of the Future for including me in the advanced reader group for the third year running.

I might be a little excited about this. But since I’ve gushed over how much I love the WOTF anthology and contest plenty enough before, let’s plunge right into the review.

Like previous years, I’ll be doing “mini-reviews” of each short story in the anthology, and splitting the review into two posts so it isn’t so ridiculously long that not even the most desperate reader has the stamina to get through it. And finally:

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, grumblings, rants, and fangirl gushing are my own.

Let’s go!

L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Vol. 38 (edited by David Farland)

Genre: Adult science fiction, fantasy, and horror (anthology)

Bookmarkedone rating: (included in Part II)

“Agatha’s Monster” by Azure Arther

Rating: 3 out of 5.

TW: parent hitting a child, some suspense/drama, trauma over a loved one’s violent death, which is pretty gory

I’ve sort of been rooting for all the monsters since reading Frankenstein…and maybe before that. So as soon as Arther’s yellow-eyed, clawed, cat-eating cuddly little Martin popped onto the page, I settled in.

There’s a lot to keep track of in this one–Agatha herself, all the members of her family, the weird hybrid magical world that includes gigantic monsters and knife fighting, medieval-style tunics and leggings, but also something like TV broadcasts, your standard public school, and travel by car. It can be a little confusing if you’re not paying attention. But on the other hand, it’s definitely unique.

And Arther does a really good job of hinting at her backstory without teasing the reader, keeping you guessing until the climax when everything suddenly falls into place. It’s a potent mixture of coming-of-age, learning who you want to be and where you belong, and learning to deal with grief in your own way.

I guess my only hesitation with this one is that I don’t understand Agatha’s family dynamic. I could be reading into this, but…I don’t like her mom.

There. I said it. Maybe it’s fine, but when Agatha was fighting back against her internal emotional struggle and her mom just slapped her–I shut down. I started reinterpreting everything else (why was Agatha the one doing all the breakfast prep by herself? What’s the relationship really like here?), wondering if this was actually as unhealthy as I thought it was.

That’s not really addressed in the story. She gets her happy ending, and everything goes on. As if the family dynamic is fluff, instead of a bunch of sharp-edged, grieving characters lashing out at each other.

So…yeah. Monster hunting trauma? Great! POC representation? Terrific! Unhealthy family dynamic? Um, no. Not up for that here, sorry.

“The Magical Book of Accidental Destruction: A Book Wizard’s Guide” by Z. T. Bright

Rating: 4 out of 5.

TW: subtle commentary on gender/gender roles/sexuality, some rude humor, alcohol use

There’s so much to love about this story. The notes of Arabic-inspired fantasy. The found family dynamic. The speculative element on the nature of internet algorithms dropped into not a sci-fi like you would expect, but a high fantasy. The fact that the protagonist is a book wizard!

I know I should be focusing on the magical elements, but frankly, I’m obsessed with how the characters interact, how sharp-edged and broken they all are in their own different ways, sometimes hurting one another, and sometimes being everything they need.

It’s really nice to have a found family/sibling dynamic once in a while instead of the Hollywood standard romance. And I think this is the kind of tension/resolution that I was hoping for in “Agatha’s Monster.” The messy, painful process of learning when to hang on and when to let go. We know nobody’s perfect, but that doesn’t mean you ignore the imperfections. It doesn’t mean that you don’t try every day to learn, to be better, to love in return.

I don’t want to spoil the story, so I’ll just leave a couple of my favorite quotes to give you an idea of what you’re in for:

I spent the night crying and breaking things and drinking strong beverages. Not necessarily in that order.
I have a note scribbled in my Kindle copy here that just says “mood.”

Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Location 1303). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Though I wasn’t sure I was wrong, I had an apology to make.
Can we say “character development?”

Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 1305-1306). Galaxy Press, Inc.

And of course I’d be totally remiss if I didn’t talk about Ari Zaritsky’s accompanying illustration. In case you aren’t familiar with the WOTF anthology, every story is paired with a full-color image created by one of the winning illustrators from the competition. And Zaritsky’s is pretty gorgeous.

It’s not just the colors, the rich dark browns against the golden desert sand and blue sky. It’s the way he draws BW, the protagonist, that really caught my attention.

We don’t get a lot of description of her in the story. Just that she has her head shaved and wears a monk’s robe. She’s tough, or tries to be, but Zaritsky’s version of her–

She’s beautiful. Her eyes are an arresting blue, like the desert sky behind her, full lips a dark burgundy shade that hints at lipstick. She has an eyebrow piercing and earrings and a tattoo on her face. The expressions of the other two characters are easy to read, but hers–it’s as if she’s waiting for you to make some choice before she decides if she’s going to be derisive or angry or simply sad. She’s beautiful and feminine and mysterious. Zaritsky painted this tough character so tenderly, as if he really knows her, as if he knows how hard she fights to be strong.

It’s time to move on before I spend the whole post talking about this story.

“The Squid is My Brother” by Mike Jack Stoumbos

Rating: 5 out of 5.

TW: tentacles, symbiotes, innuendo

Okay, I’m just going to say it. I loved, loved, loved this story.

“The Squid is My Brother” is the story of an ordinary girl trying to fit into a new school–except she’s a “third-generation Neptune,” a foreign exchange student from space with a tentacled symbiote attached to her back. But it’s not a Venom type symbiote. Michaela calls it her “Brother,” and it’s just that–a friend so close that it’s part of her, a protector and confidant.

It’s so sweet and so weird. It’s perfect.

And the writing style! It’s this gorgeous combination of blank, blunt prose like you’d find in a telegram message and Michaela’s young, sometimes stinging voice as she fights back against a hostile new environment.

Examples?

Had to apologize again for telling them, “Concussion builds character.”
That’s my girl.

Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Location 1457). Galaxy Press, Inc.

And no, as I try to explain to caretakers, can’t see through my spine; spine doesn’t have eyes.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 1488-1489). Galaxy Press, Inc.

I worry I will fail lunch…there is no teacher for lunch…The other students sit in groups, and I can’t tell the rules for who sits where and why.
Again, mood.

Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 1577-1579). Galaxy Press, Inc.

This is the school story to end all school stories. Stoumbos has done it, everyone else go home!

Why? Because the bullying isn’t “why are they picking on our awesome middle grade hero everyone loves” but “she’s different, and different is scary.” It’s something plausible and painful, something real, instead of a plot device.

And the illustration of Michaela quietly drawing while her Brother’s pink tentacles frame her curly black hair? I think I love it just as much as the illustration of BW from the previous story.

It’s beautiful. I could read a whole novel of this. Scratch that, I’d devour a novel of this. Stoumbos, if you’re reading, can I have a novel, please?

It balances the overwhelmingly ordinary with the extremely weird so well. It’s creepy and sweet and it’s about being brave when you’re scared, about being who you are and holding your head up until everyone else accepts you.

It’s good, okay? It’s good.

“Gallows” by Desmond Astaire

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

TW: mild language, infrequent strong language, alcohol use, themes of loss and trauma

On to the next!

My customers will call me Gallows, and I am a discerning bartender. Everyone’s got a story to hide, and I enjoy stealing it out of them.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 1829-1830). Galaxy Press, Inc.

If you like time travel and intrigue, “Gallows” might be just the thing. It ponders the classic questions of time travel–can we change the past? Is the future predetermined–while our protagonist slowly goes from a respectable corporate compliance officer contentedly living a boring life to a more and more murdery headhunter.

It’s kind of great.

Especially since Gallows is the “I don’t think I can die,” reckless type and his partner is in the background doing a facepalm.

I honestly wish Burkey had gotten more time in the story. Not only is it cool that his partner in crime is a woman and there’s a simple friendship instead of an awkward romance, Burkey is just awesome. She’s cool in the controlled, restrained way of side characters that make you back up a step because you know they could be really scary.

They’re a great combo.

Every once in a while, the little voice in my head tells me something is a critically dangerous idea. But I’ve come to learn that I am smarter than that voice, and I ignore it.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 2126-2128). Galaxy Press, Inc.

And more than that, the story pokes at the political side of things. What happens when governments get involved with time travel? What kind of power does that have in a military/reconnaissance context? Or as Astaire puts it, what does it mean “to address tomorrow’s threat before it arrives?”

Interlude: “Boos and Taboos” by L. Ron Hubbard

Since this is a previously published essay on the writing craft, I’m going to skip the review and leave you with a few quotes. Even cutting this post in half, I’m getting carried away and I need more room to gab about fiction!

Writers were originally minstrels, of course, and the minstrels used to wander about sleeping in haystacks and begging their wine, getting paid only in gifts. We have become elevated to respectability as far as the world is concerned, but we still live that cup-to-lip existence of our long-dead brethren, and our lives, whether we strummed a lyre or a typewriter, are pretty identical.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 2322-2325). Galaxy Press, Inc.

(awkwardly shuffles out of frame with violin). Well, some of us have “become elevated.” I still get called a bard on a regular basis. And I like it.

Dear me, can’t we have some really interesting females in pulp?
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Location 2359). Galaxy Press, Inc.

(sounds of bookmarkedone screaming and cheering for revolution)

Okay, you get the idea. Moving on.

“The Professor Was a Thief” by L. Ron Hubbard

Rating: 3 out of 5.

TW: mild language, alcohol and tobacco use

So I might be a little harder on this one because the other Hubbard stories I’ve read (“Borrowed Glory,” Vol. 36, “The Dangerous Dimension,” Vol. 37) were out-of-this-world gorgeous. “The Professor Was a Thief” was good, but…not that good. At least not for me.

To be fair, it’s charming. It’s the story of Pop, an aging newspaperman about to be replaced and forced to retire, just when the biggest story of his life falls into his lap. It’s simple and straightforward and good-hearted, with the kind of feel-good ending that wouldn’t be out of place in a lot of musicals. But along the way, Hubbard uses his gift for escalating the conflict, just a little at a time, spinning out the yarn so you keep turning the pages. You can’t help but root for Pop, even if you have a pretty good hunch about how things are going to go. Sometimes you just need a story where the good guys win, especially after a grim tale like “Gallows.”

“Lilt of a Lark” by Michael Panter

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

TW: mind control, references to a “witch,” hangings, some violence, infrequent strong language, innuendo

“Are you a legend, bird boy?”
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 3650-3651). Galaxy Press, Inc.

So anybody who’s been reading this blog for very long and knows about my musician background can guess how eager I was to read this one from the moment Malkoriahmavrovianmolossus the Lark rode into view, strumming his cannotina.

I love the little poetic turns in the prose, the expressions, the alliteration, the rhythm and music of it all. I know that’s a personal weakness, but seriously, how can anyone not appreciate a good song verse tossed into a short story?

Narrow wynds and buildings huddling tight as whispering thieves….kissed by snowdrifts
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 3735-3736). Galaxy Press, Inc.

“Not all lies are like music, remember.”
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 3905-3906). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Delectable, right?

And then I turned the page to the illustration and realized my mistake.

It’s a picture of Malk in his motley, strumming his three-stringed instrument.

It’s basically a glorified ukulele. I’ve been tricked into rooting for ukulele-man.

I don’t know if that translates to non-orchestral-musician people, but that’s–that’s a pretty good prank to play on me. There’s a totally different vibe for ukulele players and orchestral musicians in terms of our disciplines (and sometimes personality?). Like comparing Malk to Kvothe the Bloodless, really. A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Macbeth. And as I kept reading, it became increasingly clear how much of a loveable idiot Malk really is. There are times that the association with a stereotypical D&D bard who rolled the dice very poorly was impossible to ignore.

And then there’s the idea that a monarch who has just forcibly taken control of a kingdom wouldn’t even, I don’t know, carry a short knife for personal protection? Are we serious? You were so clever until now!

Anyway.

It’s still well-written for all that, the little details fitting together. The sort of story you probably need to read twice to feel satisfied that you’ve caught all the twists and turns. And even if Malk is a bit of an idiot, when he gets down to the actual enchanting with music–well, I can’t complain. It’s just the way I’d have it.

Even if it would have been nice to meet some of the other mythic bards in this world. Who knows. Maybe Panter will write about a Raven next.

“The Mystical Farrago” by N. V. Haskell

Rating: 2 out of 5.

TW: partial nudity, enslavement, freak shows, abuse, implied rape, discussion of gender roles/identity, sexism, some gory details

This one…was not my favorite. I wanted to like it, at the beginning. Haskell’s a Renaissance faire kid like me and she reads Anne McCaffrey. It opens with a spooky circus. The protagonist stands in a cyclone of raven feathers in the illustration, coat and lace-up boots undeniably steampunky. Surely this would be a perfect fit for me, right?

Afraid not.

The story centers around the “crysallix,” a very tall half-bird woman. Cool, right? Well, apparently she’s a very tall half-bird woman that no man can come within six yards of without feeling the apparently overwhelming and uncontrollable desire to possess her due to the scent that an unmarried Farrago naturally exudes.

No.

I have so many problems with this I don’t even know where to start. We’re expected to believe that there’s a race of creatures that mankind has no choice but to rape because of their scent? Is that what you’re really telling me?

We’ve seen this kind of story before, going all the way back to some versions of siren songs, the persistent hot Faerie Queen trope, or even for a more modern example, the Veela in the Harry Potter series.

It’s dumb. I mean, come on. In our modern era, where we have so much knowledge, so much history behind us to learn from the mistakes of others, you’re telling me that we’re still repeating this lie about a seductively beautiful woman creature that robs a man of all reason and self-control?

It’s creepy and gross and it sends a horrible message to the reader because every single character just accepts it as “the way things are.” At least in some of the old stories, there was a way out through sheer force of will.

It’s especially weird, because I think Haskell intended this as a feminist story.

If they had seen the creature as equal to human, those who had abused her would have felt the slice of the guillotine. But because her kind did not speak a language easily understood, they were treated as less than. And the only voice she had in this world was when decent people saw wrong and strived to right it, but that did not happen often enough.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 4617-4619). Galaxy Press, Inc.

She said we were always in danger among men.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 4696-4697). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Always? Always, now? So you’re the type of writer who doesn’t believe a man and a woman can simply be friends? Isn’t that what you’re saying, between the lines?

Argh. The longer I look at this, the more I second-guess myself, turning it over, trying to prove to myself that I’m wrong about it, but never able to find any hint of it.

And it’s really a shame, because some of the little worldbuilding details like the cultural dress, feather stubble on the face, and the disguised beak are fascinating. It should have been a good story. It should have been.

But it was days after reading it, and I realized I was still angry. Not just angry, infuriated. In some ways, I still am. I think it’s going to fester with me for a long time.

“Tsuu, Tsuu, Kasva Suuremasse” by Rebecca E. Treasure

Rating: 2 out of 5.

TW: multiple violent character deaths, prostitution, themes of war, grief, and loss

So while I was already in such a chipper mood from the preceding story, this one starts with a funeral. I took some time before plunging into it, but I’m not sure it was enough.

Cons?
- It’s winter.
- It’s war.
- Everyone is freezing, starving, and dying.
- It’s really depressing.
Pros?
- We’ve got another granny protagonist! You may not remember, but I dubbed 2021 “The Year of the Granny” in SF/F because of all the sweet elderly protagonists that kept popping up. I’m remembering in particular the fight with the crochet hook by Barbara Lund’s protagonist in “Sixers” in last year’s anthology. There’s something immensely satisfying in seeing these ladies go on adventures, proving that it doesn’t matter what age you are. You can still bring wreck and ruin to the world. Or, you know, save it, if the mood strikes you.
- The primary relationship is grandmother/grandson
- It’s steeped in Russian history and folklore.
But even with that, it’s kind of hard for me to really like the story. Granted, that might be more of a me problem than anything else, but I just don’t have the stamina to watch Emily crunch through mile after mile of snow, not even daring to hope they’re going to survive.

It’s not exactly a feel-good one. At least Emily tries her best. That’s more than a lot of us can say.

Interlude: “The Single Most Important Piece of Advice” by Frank Herbert

Normally I’d skip the interlude, but I know you’re curious what the Single Most Important is, according to the author of Dune, esteemed writer, etc., etc. And since he tells you in the first paragraph, I don’t feel like quoting it is really spoiling anything.

…concentrate on story…A good story makes interesting things happen to a character with whom the reader can identify.
Galaxy Press, Publisher. Writers of the Future Vol 38 Advance Reading Copy (Kindle Locations 5373-5375). Galaxy Press, Inc.

Now just do that, right? Like it’s easy.

Ah, writing.

That’s Part I!

Only 3,500 words or so later and now you understand why I split this. You’re welcome, darling. I know, I know.

But in all seriousness, thank you for reading all the way to the end, and please check out the second half of this ginormous review next week. There’s more great stories coming!

And if I’ve wooed you with my witty descriptions of the anthology and you’re desperate to read it yourself, guess what! My ARC review this year is so late that you can! The eBook edition of Vol. 38 is out now, and the paperback releases on June 28. I don’t get reimbursed for any sales, but hey, it’s worth it just to have more people enjoy “The Squid is My Brother” and “The Phantom Carnival.”

Oops. Did I say “The Phantom Carnival?” Just pretend you didn’t hear that.

Stay tuned for Part II and until next time, happy reading!
Back by Popular Demand: Bookmarkedone’s Triumphant Return from Hiatus!

May 17th, 2022
I live!

I know I warned you, but a month and a half is a really long time to wait. So thank you, everyone, for sticking with me and not deleting the blog from your feed while I was gone.

Why was I gone?

Well…this happened

My first soloist bouquet!

…and this happened

Yeah, that’s not actually me in graduation garb. Because having my photos on here kind of kills the anonymity…
Photo by Stanley Morales on Pexels.com

And finals and a bunch of other stuff also happened, but we don’t want to talk about those.

So I’m…tired. But I’m also back. And that means Bookmarkedone is going to have a regular posting schedule again for the first time in…an embarrassingly long while.

I’ll probably take a few days off to breathe first, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming to the blog in the next few weeks:
- My review of Writers of the Future Vol. 38! It’s not technically an ARC review anymore since the eBook is available for purchase, but I’m still very proud of this one.
- Book Haul! Technically I think two book haul posts because I’m super behind!
- Music/Life off the Page update! No further details because…spoilers. Yeah, we’ll go with that.
- I went thrifting…not sure if this is important, but it was fun.
- Writers of the Future Vol. 29 review! Because I read it and I want to talk about it!
- I got tagged by Elizabeth Hyde at The Temperamental Writer! And it took me a ridiculously long time to realize it, so (whispers) I’m sorry. You can go check out her post here while waiting for mine. Or just read all her posts. That’s great too.
In the meantime, I have a colleague’s recital to attend. And I’m going to bake a cake. And sleep should probably be in there somewhere?

Until then, happy reading.
Book Review: Mechanics of the Past

January 17th, 2022
So who’s up for a book rant about alchemy, childhood trauma, steampunkery and necromancy? Oh yeah, there’s also a giant rabbit.

Refill your tea tankards and grab your cuddliest plushies, because here comes a novel centered around the question “What if instead of ‘Who wants to live forever,’ or ‘Can we change lead to gold,’ we just use alchemy to make something out of nothing and create murder and mechanical mayhem in the process?”

Book: Mechanics of the Past by K. A. Ashcomb

Series: Glorious Mishaps, No. 3

Genre: Steampunk Fantasy

Content for the Sensitive Reader: frequent PG-13 language, necromancy, kidnapping, murder, witchcraft, spirit possession, seduction, nudity, clearly implied sexual encounters, emotionally (and possibly physically) abusive family relationships, some thematic/violent scenes, incestual attraction, gambling, casual alcohol use. Discretion is strongly advised for younger audiences.

BookmarkedOne Rating: 4/10

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booktasters and the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions herein are my own. Did I mention I got a free book? Because that’s awesome.

SPOILERS CLEARLY MARKED–READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

I really wanted to love this book. There are some really nice things to be said about it. Even before I knew this was the third book, I was impressed by how Ashcomb just throws the reader into the deep end and expects them to figure things out as they go. Harriet Stowe enslaving someone in the name of greater peace? Sorry, that’s backstory. You’ll just have to wonder about it. The very first paragraph? Already in the middle of a heist. Main characters? En route to their destination, in the middle of something you don’t fully understand. And there are also little phrases like the reference to Moby Dick and “the real McCoy” that make you wonder just what combination of reality and possibility, the familiar and the strange, that this world is made of. Not to mention the things that are entirely Ashcomb’s, like “get my octopuses in a row.” And I haven’t seen someone have this much fun with footnotes since Nanny Piggins.

So what’s not to like?

Well, for starters, I’m not a big fan of swearing in books. That’s my personal pet peeve that’s probably going to be reserved for an explanatory post of its own one day. So I’ll try to set that aside for now and look at the writing instead.

Let’s begin with the characters.

A warning: there are a lot of characters in this book. And the book changes focalization every chapter, switching viewpoints from character to character, which can be…difficult. I think Sigourney Perri is the protagonist, but I could be wrong. I counted eight different focalized characters, and frankly, I might have missed one. Just so you’re prepared.

On to introductions!
- Margaret. The book opens with the reader looking through Margaret’s eyes, and to keep from spoiling too much, I’ll just say it’s a good move. She’s violent. Deliciously so. And Ashcomb tells you just enough in that opening to keep you guessing, keep you curious about what’s going on, wondering what the stakes are but feeling their height–I have a thing for heists, okay? In retrospect, I’m actually wishing Margaret were a more important character…but hey, that’s just me.
- Sigourney Perri. Anyway, as soon as Margaret’s done in the prologue, we jump to our girl, this shy thing with major social anxiety, childhood trauma, way too much guilt, and the literal ability to disappear. For all that it’s a little depressing to read her berating herself the whole time, Sigourney is the easiest for me to relate to, and she’s also one of the most dynamic characters.
- Siarl. With Sigourney comes her “plus one,” Siarl Ellis, and her luck/personal deity/pet, the Rabbit. I wanted to like Siarl more than I did. But we’re introduced to him in the middle of “we-have-been-on-the-road-so-long-can-we-please-get-out-are-we-there-yet” headache and argument combo…which is not flattering for the best and most brilliant of characters. Sigourney says he’s brilliant and kind and idealistic, but then she would, wouldn’t she? She’s supposed to be in love with him. I didn’t buy it. It isn’t until the last few chapters of the book that he actually starts to be useful, let alone a well-rounded character.
- The Rabbit, Sigourney’s second traveling companion. He seems protective of Sigourney, almost like her dad. A ridiculously irresponsible alcoholic dad, but hey. And when we say “The Rabbit?” He’s actually a rabbit. Really, all we could ask for is steampunk with a giant shapeshifting bunny. I mean, what more do you want? Oh yeah, he’s also the “god of luck.” In the most amusingly chaotic way possible.
- Rose Pettyshare: a willful banker from Necropolis (apparently the necromancy capital of the world, city of the dead, full of fog and octopuses–which we unfortunately don’t visit in the book). She’s a charming, independent little banker woman who takes fencing lessons, doesn’t like corsets, and makes too much trouble to fit in. Delightful, right? Unfortunately, she’s also a greedy little jerk. I’m incredibly regretful about that point. I actually liked Rose. But although she’s surprising in the lengths she’ll go to, in the end she doesn’t change at all–SPOILER–at the end of the book, she’s gambling all her money away just as she finally got out of debt. Of all the characters, I should dislike her the most because she sees no problem with necromancy fueling the future, and accordingly, it’s implied she has no problem with kidnapping and murder to get whatever she wants–END SPOILER.
- Percy Allread: With Rose comes her bookkeeper, who I honestly liked just because he wasn’t having any of the nonsense the other characters were actively creating. But weirdly, the interesting backstory about him comes at the very end. I was rooting for him to be the cool character, so stiff and wooden through the first half, staying out of the overblown drama, refusing to talk about himself, minding his own business (and Rose’s!) and clearly keeping so many secrets. Well, I still think he’d be an interesting character. Watching him bloom with life when he gets agitated is really a great moment in the book–but I guess I’ll have to wait for Percy to be the hero or villain I know he could be in another book. It didn’t happen in this one.
- Abigail: lady fencing instructor/gambling house owner remarkably similar to that cool lady from Enola Holmes who ran the tea shop/ladies’ martial arts parlor. I am one hundred percent okay with this being the next latest and greatest fiction trope.
- Justice: literally the ideal of justice, if you ask her. If you ask me, she’s a sulky militant who doesn’t know the first thing about what’s just and is abusing everyone and everything because she can. Ultimate power leads to ultimate corruption, as they say.
- Levi Perri: Drumroll please! Introducing our incredibly problematic alchemist who is willing to lie, kidnap, murder, soul extract, hire demons, and enslave others indefinitely to get what he wants, which is to make little gold coins and seeds out of nothing. Problematic actions include but are not limited to flashing the neighbors, being a jerk to the maid who cooks and cleans and puts up with all his nonsense, using necromancy, and contemplating the murder of his own sister. I hate Levi. I know he’s supposed to have a redemption arc, but I still think he’s a pathetic jerk of a human being. I have patience for slow books. I’m good with characters who know what they’re doing is wrong and don’t care in the least. I do not have patience for undisciplined selfish jerks who know they’re doing something wrong and just go “Ehhh. I’ll have that moral argument with myself…later.” These are fictional cowards.
- Otis: Necromancer extraordinaire who cares about himself, also himself, and only himself. Also known to be extremely sulky and a total womanizer. But he can shape shift into an otter and he’s on the run for his life, so…yeah, it’s actually hard to say if I dislike him more than Levi. I think Levi still wins worst character, which is saying a lot.
- The Random Deaf Mechanic (or he who crafts pomander goldfish): also a focalized character for one chapter. His scene is so brief I honestly forgot about him, but he seemed nice. Less problematic than the gang we spend the most time with, actually.
Next up is the plot. I’ve already hinted this is about Levi’s alchemical machine going one step further than “lead into gold” by challenging “nothing (except necromancy) into gold.” But it’s also about family–Levi and Sigourney are estranged siblings finding their way together again.

And there’s nothing wrong with that, a resolution between siblings. But turning something to gold? We’ve seen that before, dozens of times, in different trappings. It’s a familiar refrain.

But a giant rabbit who can control probability and is called the “god of luck?” Now that’s something you don’t see every day!

Honestly, I wish Ashcomb had explored this more. Of course, being that I’ve stumbled into this series only in book three, it could be my wish has already been granted. But in this book, it stays in the background. Ashcomb comments that there’s a chaotic rabbit casually causing havoc as people crash into each other and the fabric of reality wears thin because he’s bored today as if she were saying “It was foggy in Threebeanvalley today.”

So much unexpected possibility.

There’s also the fact that Siarl and Sigourney are in the middle of the “third act breakup” for the entirety of the book.

Awkward. Very awkward.

I wanted to like them together. I like a light, sweet romance where it’s all in a glance, surreptitious hand-holding and occasionally setting the world on fire and bleeding out villains for each other. When it’s up to you the reader to realize how much emotion is hidden in every shy, tender gesture. I wanted to think Sigourney had found a protector against the noisy, chaotic, social world, a friend, someone who saw the beauty and goodness in her even when she was invisible, when she was at her worst–and I couldn’t do it.

So much of the book, Sigourney is thinking “This isn’t going to work,” and trying to push him away. Even when they say “I love you,” it sounds wooden, like “How are you?/I’m fine.” Reflexive and empty. There isn’t even the tension, the slipping feeling of knowing their relationship isn’t working. It just feels dead.

…And since Ashcomb’s book at heart is about how messy, complicated, and vital family dynamics and relationships are…this didn’t work well for me. I really wish it had. It’s such a complex, beautiful, important subject! But somehow it all just felt hopeless and dark.

And while we’re on the subject of relationships, let’s go back to Sigourney and Levi. Early on, it’s pretty clear Sigourney was abused as a kid. Alcoholic dad, neglectful mom. And where does Levi fit into this picture?

Not that Sigourney’s mother and father had been horrible people. They’d been just indifferent towards her. It was her brother, Levi, who’d had a twisted mind. He’d tormented Sigourney her whole childhood, being violent towards her in the name of curiosity. He had never been reprimanded by their parents, who saw their firstborn son as perfect and a miracle, unlike Sigourney. She was a burden. One extra mouth to feed, and the most despicable sort: a female.
K.A. Ashcomb. Mechanics of the Past (Kindle Locations 379-382), emphasis mine.

In context, that sounds like Levi was physically abusive to his sister. And considering what he’s willing to do later in the book, even considering Sigourney a means to an end, I don’t think that conclusion is a big leap of logic.

Yeah. That’s not okay.

SPOILER

And this is the brother who gets off scot-free at the end of the novel. Other characters lose friends, health, freedom, but he gets a second chance at messing everything up all over again. No lasting repercussions.

He doesn’t deserve to blame Sigourney for escaping an abusive relationship. He doesn’t deserve her apology. She has nothing to apologize for. And yet at the end of the novel, it’s as if they pretend that line about him being violent “in the name of curiosity” never happened and they can just blame their parents and move forward together. Either it’s a continuity error or it’s a relationship that’s really, really messed up.

If it were up to me, I’d tell Sigourney to get as far away from him as possible. You don’t trust people like that. Not until they’re ready to prove to you they’ve changed. And locking you in a closet with the intention to use you for alchemical purposes is not a sign of familial feeling.

Levi’s an abusive jerk who deserves everything he got and then some.

END SPOILER

Look, I could probably keep ranting about this book for days, but this post is already so long I’m going to bet only three people will make it all the way to the end. I’ll skip to my last point.

I could argue that there’s too much chit-chat, that the action scenes are often a little slow, but what I’d really be getting at is the moralizing.

Every time one of the characters has to do anything, they think.

A lot.

I don’t mean you’re getting to see their process and see the change in character towards redemption or corruption. That would be something. This is more of a daydream on a particular topic, the author’s warm-ups, if you will. It’s philosophizing, moralizing on a topic, and to prevent it sounding too preachy, Ashcomb never gives a definitive conclusion “This is right and good” or “This is wrong.”

Personally, I don’t think it works. A little subtlety would go a long way. This much time, with no conclusion to the moral argument just feels like the characters can’t make up their minds, just poorly justifying their actions when they’ve never known anything about logic in their entire lives.

It would be one thing if it happened a handful of times. But we’re talking about the beginning of almost every chapter. And the result of that many long moral arguments with literally no moral is that the reader is annoyed. You zone out and start to wonder about the characters–do you believe in anything? Do you care about anything? If you don’t believe something is right–how do you even do anything? How do you make decisions? How do you get out of bed in the morning? How do you know you aren’t just making the world worse and worse for everyone? Does that even matter to you? I mean, these are the characters who have been through a lot. You’d think they’d learn some core principles eventually, even if it’s as something as simple as Sigourney hating violence or alcohol because of her upbringing. Tell me they feel something, believe something, right?

But no. There are motivations, like Levi’s desire for the alchemical machines to work, Rose’s desire for money, Justice’s for power. But as far as believing in anything? Their logic is flawed. Stupid, even. Lazy. They don’t follow the thread of moral reasoning to its heart because they don’t want to. They’re weak cowards. They already know that the only reason you shouldn’t think is because you already know you’re wrong.

I don’t have patience for those kind of people, characters or otherwise. I don’t care if it feels right in the moment. I’m not going to wait around while your decisions lead to someone else bleeding out in the ditch.

Know who you are. Know what you do. You can’t run from the consequences. The very fabric of the world won’t allow it. And that’s true no matter what universe you’re in.

So…yeah. That’s Mechanics of the Past. Like a lot of independent or small press books I run into, I feel like with a little more press and a lot more editing, the raw potential could have been shaped into something really great.

As it is…K. A. Ashcomb, if you’re reading, I hope I didn’t crush your dreams too badly. You wrote three books, and more than once in those first few pages I caught myself smiling at your humor. So congratulate yourself on your accomplishments, join the growing club of people who hate my little blog (because I promise I can take it)–and go write another book.

I believe in you.
ARC Review: Writers of the Future Vol. 37 (Part II)

January 7th, 2022

So as promised, here is the second half of my Writers of the Future Vol. 37 review. If you missed the first post, you can read it here. Or just go out of order and read this post and then that one. Sometimes it’s a backwards day.

Right. I don’t have anything else important to say, so on to the good stuff!

The Phoenixes’ War by Jody Lynn Nye

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

So if you’ve been paying attention to the WOTF contests, you know this story is special even among the anthology pieces because it’s inspired by the cover art and is a companion to Jody Lynn Nye’s story from Vol. 36–which I didn’t have a lot of nice things to say about.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of phoenixes and I’d been dying to read a Nye story because my local library didn’t have Mythology 101 (the shock and horror of the injustice still smarts, I know), but “The Phoenix’s Peace” just wasn’t my thing.

You can read last year’s review if you’re that curious.

Unfortunately, I’m not much more impressed by this second installment than I was by the first. It doesn’t use the same tropes that annoyed me the first time, but it just seems–kind of pointless. The plot seems like it’s going to be violent and painful (I mean, “Phoenix’s War,” hello), but at heart it’s just a royal boy trying to pass a chivalrous test to impress the girl he’s engaged to with cult magic fluffed on top. Everything that happens could have easily been avoided. And when that’s the case…well, it’s a hard sell to get me to pay any attention to anything else.

On the other hand, I might have been transferring my grumpiness from the previous story onto this one. Only way to find out is to read it yourself.

Soul Paper by Trent Walters

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: the stereotypical abusive asylum, electroshock therapy, themes of death, loss, and racism.

The illustration for this one is beautiful. As for the story about a grandfather and granddaughter, and music as its own kind of magic?

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know I had to be on board with that.

It’s a sad story. Sad and kind of beautiful. And colorful. It’s nice to have a young protagonist once in a while, in between all these serious adults doing science and worrying about magical things. She’s ordinary. And she’s spunky. Honestly, she reminds me a little of my mom, the way she’d tell stories about herself when she was young, having fun, getting into trouble. In the best way.

An example?

The stories often lacked women. I pointed out that either the boys had to self-replicate or they needed women. So the stories started to get more women, but a few featured self-replicating boy armies.
L. Ron Hubbard. Writers of the Future Vol 37 ARC Copy (Kindle Locations 5655-5657). Kindle Edition.

See? Spunky. It’s pretty hard for me to dislike this girl.

But one of my favorite lines, one that’s probably going to be rattling around in my brain for a while as I get the violin out of the case and into my hands?

Silly old song, right? But why do you know it? Why do people try to steal its bars for their own songs? It’s got a piece of someone’s soul fluttering there. If you don’t feel it, you haven’t heard it played with the right feeling or you haven’t got soul yet.
L. Ron Hubbard. Writers of the Future Vol 37 ARC Copy (Kindle Locations 5778-5780). Kindle Edition.

I’m not sure I can argue with that.

The Skin of My Mother by Erik Lynd

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: body horror/some disturbing imagery, plotting murder, some strong language.

A word of caution. Outside of the annual WOTF anthologies, I don’t read much horror. The inside of my mind is scary enough.

So I’m probably not the ideal reader for this one. Don’t get me wrong, it was interesting. The opening descriptions are great, the little details of sounds, smells, drawing you in as if you’re there, sitting in the car with Elise. And at the risk of misquoting Chekhov, when you start with a gun like that, your audience is going to pay a little more attention.

On the other hand…

I kind of…knew what was going to happen.

Not like I could guess every plot point. That would be ridiculous. But just as I’m moseying along through the story, before the characters are fully introduced, I’m like “Oh, that’s her mom. Clearly that’s her mom. No, you’re not going to pull this off, honey. You can try. Yup, the gun comes out now…okay, that’s a little weird, oh, that’s a little gross, okay, makes sense, moving on.”

In other words, not too many surprises. And since I don’t read the genre, I kind of expected there would be.

The ending’s dark. And creepy. If I liked that kind of thing, I’d say it’s good. But I don’t, so I’ll say it’s descriptive and unfortunately memorable.

(Cue sounds of bookmarkedone regretting editing this part of the post at 1:30 a.m.)

Death of a Time Traveler by Sara Fox

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Content Warnings: themes of death, grieving, depression, losing a loved one.

What happens when a time traveler dies? Is time an endless loop? How do you love someone that’s there sometimes and gone others, who is always changing while you stay the same?

Okay, time travel is both tricky to write and endlessly fascinating. Fox masters both. And while I’m not a big fan of a story that takes place mostly around a hospital bed (too hopeless. Too sad. Too much disinfectant.), the idea of being “temporally challenged,” that there’s a side to time travel you can’t control, that isn’t all sunshine and roses, it’s really good. And I love the idea that being “temporally challenged” runs in families, but it doesn’t matter if you’re related by blood.

And of course there’s the lure that time travel offers in any story. That maybe there’s the hope that we can change our future, if nothing is set in stone, even the past.

The Battle of Donasai by Elaine Midcoh

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: mild language, themes of battle, genocide, and PTSD–no graphic scenes.

This one is a little more idea-oriented than action-oriented–the author has a clear idea of what they’re trying to get across, and it’s more a discussion of topics than pulp fiction. I didn’t feel my heart race, but I did feel myself leaning in, thinking hard.

My attention was caught as soon as we are introduced to Linae, this tired, “please let me rest” character with the moniker of Destructo and a villainous reputation to match it.

I love going behind what the surface reputation is, looking at characters that have legends built up around them, just to see what that person thinks of it all. The truth is that we all aren’t what people think we are. The contrast between the two versions mesmerizes me.

And beyond that, it’s great to watch Linae and the other characters deal with their weaknesses and strengths, watch them suffer as soldiers and see them take hold of their own choices. Sometimes fighting is the answer. And sometimes it isn’t. And watching someone learn to tell the difference, to puzzle their way out, it’s a sight to behold.

Interlude: The Rewards of Imagination by Craig Elliott

Skipping over the nonfiction again because it can’t compare to the lure of fiction. I’ll just leave you with one quote from this one to give you an idea of the kind of advice you’re getting.

I was once told that a dragon I painted didn’t look like a dragon, and I needed to repaint it. Think about that for a second. Nobody has ever seen a dragon, so how can one idea of a dragon ever be incorrect?
L. Ron Hubbard. Writers of the Future Vol 37 ARC Copy (Kindle Locations 6982-6985). Kindle Edition.

The Museum of Modern Warfare by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Content Warnings: mild language, PTSD, some graphic/traumatic battle imagery, implied extramarital affair.

You know, in one of my first creative writing classes, we were warned off writing characters with psychological scars from war unless we had personal experiences to draw on because they are so hard to write respectfully and convincingly.

That being said, “The Battle of Donasai” and “The Museum of Modern Warfare” both pass any test I could make for them. You feel for the characters in these stories. You know they’ve gone through a lot.

The protagonist in “The Museum of Modern Warfare” is witty and ironic and deals with her pain the only ways she knows how–and sometimes that means ignoring it. No matter who we are or what we’ve gone through, I think we can all relate to this story. We’ve all got somewhere we never want to go back to. We all have someone we’ve lost, a hero, a friend.

So even though it’s a lot of sand in the opening descriptions (and a reminder of why I have trouble with harsh alien geography), and a lot of pain, that idea of looking back so you can finally move forward is worth hanging on to.

A Demon Hunter’s Guide to Passover Seder by Ryan Cole

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: heavy flirtation, monsters/demons, religious imagery.

It’s not often that I get to read a fantasy story with a Jewish background. And it’s well-researched. If Cole isn’t Jewish, he’s taken the time to read about the Passover Seder, the traditions that are part of the holiday…and a lot of more folklore-related demonic stories.

At heart, it’s a simple story about family with monsters chucked in (because hey, if you can’t solve your problems, try fighting a giant demon monster together and see if that helps you work things out. Can’t hurt!), simple and sweet. It’s about a little brother trying to hold his family, their traditions, sacred.

I guess I just hesitate over this one for the same reason I hesitate over any story that uses religion as a plot device (Paradise Lost, Good Omens, I’m looking at you). It’s because I’m always afraid some idiot is going to read it and think that’s what people in that religion believe. And when something is that personal, that sacred…

Again, that’s just my personal reservation. If you enjoy it, great, enjoy it. Just don’t confuse religion with fiction, for all our sakes.

Hemingway by Emma Washburn

Rating: 3 out of 5.

This one was just lovely. And the colors in the illustration are so bright and charming. It feels like a fairytale. And everyone, even hardened adult sci-fi writers, needs fairytales.

I wonder if it’s because the author is so young, still in high school, that this story captures something a lot of mature writers have lost. There’s a dreamlike quality to it, a kind of carefree beauty that you get when you are only telling the stories that go wherever they want to, only telling them to yourself. No pressure about plot or in media res or action, just a beautiful, floaty fairytale.

And seriously now. Classic books, a cup of tea, and a house on the ocean? What more could anyone possibly ask for?

On the other hand…

The ending is very sad. And I’m a little concerned because there’s a fine line between accepting death at the end of a full life and tones of suicide in writing. The latter is something I never support in any writing, so I desperately hope I’m misinterpreting. In fact, let’s just pretend I didn’t say anything and that I’m imagining nonsense. The rest of it is too sweet.

Half-Breed by Brittany Rainsdon

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: 1 instance foul language, themes of bullying, xenophobia, self-harm.

Okay, hold on to your hats, tea, and wayward pets, because this is my favorite story from the second half of the book. I was looking forward to this one as soon as I read Rainsdon’s bio. It’s hard to believe a person who likes Narnia and fuzzy socks is anything but likeable.

I was not disappointed.

This story is gorgeous. And it’s the kind of story I needed to hear, that I think a lot of us need to hear. It’s hopeful and unique and beautiful. It’s one of those puzzles that you try and try to figure out, a situation where there seems to be only two options, both of them full of misery and failure, and that isn’t all there is. You aren’t trapped. You don’t have to be alone.

It’s beautiful.

And trees. I have a major weakness for dryads. Rainsdon’s are exceptional urban fantasy creations. I never would have thought of writing them this way, and that’s what makes her story so delightful.

And that’s Writers of the Future Vol. 37! Thank you for reading and one more round of congratulations to the new writers who wrote and typed and dreamed against all odds and won their hard-earned place in the anthology.

Until next time, happy reading!
ARC Review: Writers of the Future Vol. 37

December 28th, 2021

So after a long break and a lot of sleep (which I really, really needed), it is my immense pleasure to be on the advanced reading team for Writers of the Future Vol. 37, and to review one of the best new science-fiction and fantasy anthologies in the world.

Not to brag or anything.

I’m just kind of excited.

And the good news about my advanced review turning into a late-December very not-advanced review is that the book is already out. So you can read my gushing review and then run off and buy your very own shiny new copy!

But to clarify:

A Disclaimer: I received a complementary ARC of WOTF Vol. 37. I do not receive any compensation for sales of said volume and all thoughts and opinions herein are my own (because we all know trying to convince me to say something I don’t want to about a book is even more foolish than forcing a rhinoceros into a smoothie shop).

And just so you know what you’re getting into:

Like last year, I’m reviewing each story in the anthology separately, because they are all so unique and different that just hitting the highlights of the volume or even leaving a single one out would create an impossible choice. And for the record? The anthology is really good this year. I usually pick one or two stories that are my favorites, but right from the start I kept thinking “Ooh, I like that one too!” And each one was better than the last, one after the other, like I was drinking tea and listening to the most science-fiction-y Scheherazade that anyone has ever met.

Not to get ahead of myself.

Finally, the review is in two parts because it’s a wonderfully fat little book and I can’t gab about all the things I like without creating a mega-long post that literally three people on the internet would have the patience to read.

Okay.

Brew your tea and settle into your blanket forts my friends, because this book is well worth the wait.

The Tiger and the Waif by John M. Campbell

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Content Warnings: 1 instance strong language, mild peril.

When I say each story is better than the last, I should also say that the first one is jaw-dropping in its own right.

I mean, what more could we ask for than a sassy AI kitten who disapproves of Catwoman?

We’ve seen evil AI and friendly AI (Roombas, I’m looking at you), but an AI cat? Just typing that makes me happier than I know how to express.

But even beyond the inventiveness of the idea, Campbell explores this frankly gorgeous concept–does it matter if it’s my programming making me feel the way I do if I still feel it? Does being synthetic or artificial make emotions fake or unimportant?

Yeah, that’s going to haunt me for a while.

In the very best way.

Sixers by Barbara Lund

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Content Warning: alcohol use, themes of war, some violence.

So after reading “How to Train Your Demon” by Lisa Lacey Liscoumb in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (which you should also totally check out), I’m dubbing this the Year of the Granny in the SF/F world, and anybody who wants to fight me can go home. Because having more fantasy stories feature sweet grandmotherly ladies as protagonists is about the most unpredictable and wonderful genre trend I can think of.

The protagonist of “Sixers” fights a man with a crochet hook. I love her. A lot.

It’s just so refreshing to watch her struggle with pain and being tired and have that unique, motherly perspective while also getting the job done, whether it’s looking after someone else or getting down to murder.

The rest of the characters are equally diverse and wonderful, and Lund’s version of magic creates as many problems as it fixes.

They get into so much trouble and they get banged up and take time to rest and I can’t, just go read it, okay?

The Enfield Report by Christopher Bowthorpe

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Content Warnings: some disturbing scenes of torture, a character is drugged.

This third one was frankly gorgeous in a way I was neither prepared for nor able to comprehend. It’s more the standard sci-fi that we all expect–otherworldly exploration, alien races coming into contact with the (sometimes inhumane) human population, scientific research–but at the same time, it isn’t.

The colors. I can’t get over the colors. Most of the story takes place inside a sterile lab, but the way Bowthorpe describes it–the oranges, yellows, greens–you don’t notice the bite of disinfectant in your nose or how white and unfriendly everything feels. When you’re there, it feels like home.

And the plot!

I should have seen stuff coming. But I didn’t. Not until it fit so perfectly into place. And the characters, the conclusion, the way they fail and fail and fail and try to get up again–

(screams)

Look, if you don’t have the anthology in your online book-shopping basket by now, what are you doing?

The Widow’s Might by Elizabeth Chatsworth

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: violence, including bombings; crossdressing

The nature of anthologies is usually that you can’t love every story. Unfortunately, “The Widow’s Might” isn’t at the top of my list.

I wanted to like it. Women banding together to save the most charming little tea shop through the power of pockets in their dresses? What could possibly go wrong?

Well. It’s…problematic.

My first pet peeve is the dead pet trope. I get it, our pets mean a lot to us. Believe me when I say I know.

But is a dead pet really the best springboard for killing people?

And although it’s nice once in a while to see a corruption arc instead of a redemption arc, the moral of this story ties my gut in knots. Replacing one gang with another isn’t a great plan, even if the new one seems to have a moral high ground.

In some situations, that just means they have a psychological superiority that allows them to do any dangerous, cruel thing they want.

Am I overthinking this?

Probably.

Am I wrong?

No. I am not.

Interlude: Magic Out of a Hat by L. Ron Hubbard and On “Magic Out of a Hat” by Orson Scott Card

“Magic Out of a Hat” is a really interesting look at how to write a short story, as presented by the founder of the contest. But since it’s technically writing advice and thus nonfiction, I’ll skip over it here and let you draw your own conclusions.

On to more stories!

The Dangerous Dimension by L. Ron Hubbard

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I am always pleasantly surprised when I read a Hubbard story. I guess it’s because I heard of him first through his…kookier reputation.

He is, however, a fine writer.

“The Dangerous Dimension” was a stabbing gasp of fresh air after I spent two weeks critiquing nonfiction essays.

Ha. It’s a gasp of fresh air any day.

The urgency of that story, the idea that given ultimate power, even the most educated, the most brilliant person will do exactly the opposite of a good thing, will fall flat on his face, will be utterly ruined–

It’s probably quite accurate, although I say so begrudgingly. Wishing, as always, it were otherwise.

I say this a lot, but the story is gorgeous. It feels like a Halloween story C.S. Lewis’ Professor Kirke would tell his fellows to laugh at their shaken expressions. So many tweedy little professors somehow being the most adventurous of us all. My brain was still echoing with it a long time afterward, the shock of its awe throbbing in my skull.

And although I may bring the curse of Equation C down upon my head–

I cannot entirely dismiss the possibility of the negative dimension.

How to Steal the Plot Armor by Luke Wildman

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: some mild language, innuendo.

Luke Wildman might win the best bio this year. I mean, who doesn’t want to read a story written by “a figment of your imagination?”

The story itself is from your typical Once and Future King-style wizard’s perspective…which means it’s not typical at all.

It’s also quite funny.

There were a few unladylike snorts of laughter coming from my corner of the book hoard. The wizard is just so done with everything, and frankly, I don’t blame him, not one bit.

Sometimes I think we all want the noisy world to leave us alone with our books and our tea (or stronger beverage…)

It’s really, really delightful. And not in a silly, jokey, are-you-kidding me type of way. Although on the surface, it’s very fairytale-like with touches of D&D, the plot is honed brilliantly so everything comes full circle and nothing is quite what it seems. Tropes are turned on their head. And there’s a serious, dark note underneath all the humor about what it means to be a hero.

In other words, it’s fabulous. I would very much like a novel of this wizard’s adventures, Mr. Wildman, if you are listening, please.

Please?

This illustration might be my favorite too–I love all the magical objects just hanging inside the frame, the soft colors of the wizard’s blue robe, the “please get out of my house” vibes, everything.

The Redemption of Brother Adalum by K. D. Julicher

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

Content Warnings: violence, battle sequences

I think this story is the answer to the question posed by “The Widow’s Might.” Julicher knows what happens when there is unlimited power, even with the best intentions. “The Redemption of Brother Adalum” is crushingly sad, but at the same time–it’s a relief. It’s a relief to see that the struggle is there, the struggle even within yourself, knowing you can’t be the measuring rod of goodness to the world, that you have failed and will fail again, and that’s okay.

Maybe I’m reading too closely again. But isn’t that what these types of stories are for?

And could we please give the author a round of applause for using a monastery setting and not making it exceptionally cultish or including the “evil Abbess” trope?

Also bear spirits. Did we mention bear spirits? Like a best friend? Except with a psychic connection? And a bear?

The Argentum by Anj Dockrey

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Content Warnings: mild flirting, themes of death, some peril.

This is kind of like Ursula K. LeGuin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” in the sense that after reading it, you don’t want to do anything except stare into space.

All those colors, the shapes, the smells of that world. One of the main reasons I have trouble with interplanetary sci-fi is that I don’t like the idea of living in a place that’s hostile to human life–I like feeling safe to breathe. “The Argentum” is the first story about a planet humans were clearly never meant to inhabit that I would buy a ticket to visit right away. There’s all the pain and struggle and grime and death that infects such stories. But that world–it is one of the most beautiful places. The food, the sunsets, the rocks and minerals, the characters–

And can we please award this one the prize for cutest sci-fi fluff romance of the year?

Even though the author seems to say that hope is a coping mechanism and faith is an evolutionary advance to keep us from despair and destroying our mental selves?

I doubt that’s the way she really meant to phrase the sentiment, so I’m not sure if it’s fair to complain about that. There are also lot of characters, which are a little difficult to keep track of, but my real complaint is the ending.

It ends.

That’s it. I was really kind of angry after I finished reading this one, but then I realized most of what I was angry about was that I don’t feel like the ending is the end of the story. I want to know what happens next.

Kind of desperately.

(Anj, if you’re reading…Please?)

That’s about the halfway point for the anthology. There are still great things in the second half (including Brittany Rainsdon’s “Half Breed!”), so be sure to stay tuned for the second installment.

In the meantime, may you always have a bookmark when you need it, a cuddly dragon, and very happy reading.
Book Giveaway Winners!

November 15th, 2021

It’s finally time! Mine is the pleasure to announce the two lucky winners of our first BookmarkedOne giveaway!

A little refresher for those who weren’t fanatically reading each recent installment of my blog:

Amy Bartelloni, in association with my review of the first Children of Camelot book, has graciously agreed to give away a signed hard copy of The Children of Camelot and an ebook bundle of the three-book series to two lucky winners.

Drumroll, please!

Our winners are:

Shaina F., of The Beauty of a Story (winner of the signed copy of The Children of Camelot)

and

Sarah S., of Sixty-Something Trees (winner of the complete series).

A hearty congratulations to both of you! You have some happy hours of reading ahead of you.

Thank you to everyone for following this adventure from review to giveaway. And while you’re not perusing my dragon-related posts, feel free to check out more of Amy Bartelloni’s work on her website and the blogs of the two lovely ladies above.

Or, you know, if you’re ambitious, finish that NaNoWriMo novel this month and come ask me to review yours!
Author Interview: Amy Bartelloni and the Children of Camelot

October 18th, 2021

Please raise your tea tankards and coffee chalices for Amy Bartelloni and our first author interview on bookmarkedone!

Amy Bartelloni is the author of The Children of Camelot, a delightful new Arthurian retelling with dragons, magic, familiar faces, and all the bright new characters one could ask for. Be sure to enter our giveaway for a signed copy of The Children of Camelot and a three-ebook bundle of the entire series. You can also check out Amy’s other writing here on her website.

Now, without further ado…

What inspired The Children of Camelot? Was there a specific book you read or moment when you thought “This is it. This is the book I’ve got to write?”

Amy: I had that first chapter in my head for so long, I just wasn’t sure where to go with it. I can still see that mountainside and the lights and the questions it brings up in my head – the problem was, I couldn’t answer those questions! Not right away. I started to write it out as a YA fantasy, but the characters weren’t speaking to me. So I would tinker with it, put it down then pick it back up. It never really left me alone 🙂 It wasn’t until I found the Arthurian connection that the story really started to flow.

Bookmarked: That scene watching the colored lights from the cliff is one of my favorites. It’s so easy to imagine being there with Arynn’s hair catching in the cold breeze, the lights blinking out in the dark–I’ll stop before I hijack this post into a ramble about that one moment.

How did you go about writing The Children of Camelot? Was there a lot of research, or did you know right away what characters/parts of the story you wanted to include?

Amy: I knew the basic story of Camelot, but once I knew who these characters were, I did have to do a lot of research. Obviously I changed the story up a little bit. I do not believe Lancelot is a dragon in the original story :). But once things started to come together, the story flowed really smoothly. Writing is its own kind of magic, really. I love that part of creating,where the story comes out and the characters and plot are formed. Sometimes when I’m in between projects or feeling badly about marketing, I forget how amazing that magic of creating a story can be. I love it.

Bookmarked: Far be it from me to criticize the original Arthurian myths we all love so well…but Lancelot as a dragon is one thing I consider an improvement to the story. And writing as magic is something that I guarantee you I gab far too much about. There’s just something about it that doesn’t seem possible–and yet, marvelously, painfully, wonderfully, is.

Who are a few of your favorite authors? Do you think they influence your writing?

Amy: I’m a really wide reader and I LOVE a good story. I’m not sure it’s possible for the books you’ve read not to influence you in some way. That said, while I LOVE YA and fantasy in particular, my favorite authors tend to be out of the genre I write. In YA I do love Cassie Clare, Holly Black and Stephanie Garber’s to name a few, but give me something by Neil Gaiman, Jasper Fforde, or Grady Hendrix and I’ll spend all day reading. Stephen King is a old favorite too – I am a Constant Reader. I also really like the self help genre.

Bookmarked: Shameless plug for my review of Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones, then! I recently stumbled on Neil Gaiman’s short story “Chivalry,” about an elderly lady finding the Holy Grail in a thrift shop…and as a frequenter of thrift shops myself, I’m not sure I could entirely rule out the possibility. It’s a lovely read. I think I’m crushing hard on that story…

What’s one of your favorite pieces of Arthurian myth?

Amy: There is so much to unpack in Arthurian myth, isn’t there? The Children of Camelot series is based on the very basic parts of the known myths, but in my research I became interested in many of the lesser known knights. There are so many side stories I’ve thought about telling. I particularly like the story of the Lady in the Lake. In my series she only appears briefly, but there is such a rich history there that’s worth exploring.

Bookmarked: Ooh, yes, the Lady in the Lake is so fascinating. One of my bookish friends is rooting for me to write a piece about Avalon someday. I’ve always been utterly enraptured by the idea of that place.

Do you have a favorite character/scene in The Children of Camelot, or do you “love them all equally?”

Amy: I do love them all equally :-). But I’m really partial to the character of Mordred, I think he makes an appearance in book 2, and plays a greater role in book 3. Without spoiling anything, he’s got a great redemptive arc that I was both surprised and heartened by. My writing style is what they call a “pantser” in that I don’t outline, I write by the seat of my pants. I actually call my first draft my outline because I often have to go back and fix continuity issues or plotlines. It’s not something I recommend because it adds a lot of work, but I have to let my characters talk to me naturally and Mordred was a real surprise.

Bookmarked: Oh, Mordred could use a redemptive arc once in a while. Detestably evil or not, I’ve read a few retellings that just make me sad for the poor boy. Now I’m curious what you’re up to in Book 2.

Amy: One of my favorite scenes was when Arynn is standing in the upper terraces and decides whether to go with Malik on a grand adventure or stay in her safe life on the island. She takes one last look at the island and decides to take a leap. It’s such and act of faith and bravery and adventure. It’s the point her whole life changes, when she chooses truth over safety.

Bookmarked: Definitely a powerful moment for the character! Although if I may–you don’t spend nearly as much time exploring those upper terraces as I would like. I could probably read a whole book set just in that slightly creepy, skin-tinglingly magical place. Not to mention the view.

Tell us about Gen One and your Andromeda series! Do they have any similarities to Children of Camelot or are they something totally different?

Amy: I think my writing style is probably similar but the genres are different. Gen One is a YA science fiction about the idea of AI and robots taking over the world. I really loved exploring the character of Gen, and what it is that makes us human. I think it’s a great story and an exciting plot, but I love exploring those deeper issues of humanity in fiction. I actually have a sequel called Gen Two that I’ve written and will eventually publish. Andromeda was my first published series, and I loved the idea of YA dystopian because you can build the society from the ground up. Those characters are very close to my heart.

Bookmarked: “What it is that makes us human” is a theme I’ve noticed cropping up in my work as well…even more so lately. It’s such a complex idea to explore, especially when people don’t act human in the way they treat each other. I often find that writers’ debut novels are some of their best, even if their writing gets stronger later, just because they’ve spent so much time mulling over all the experiences and ideas they have. I’m sure Andromeda is no exception.

What’s next? What new adventures do you see on the horizon?

Amy: Hmm, now you have me thinking about going back to re-edit Gen Two! I considered publishing some short stories in the Children of Camelot world. In particular there is a story about Malik’s parents that’s been swimming around my head, but in the meantime I’ve started something completely different. I keep coming around to the idea of Atlantis – it makes an appearance in my Children of Camelot series. I started to play with a lot of “what if’s” around the city and the legend. There are a lot of possibilities there, and I have a cast of possible characters. I’m not sure what kind of adventure they’re going to take me on, but like Arynn, I’m ready to take that leap!

Bookmarked: I hope I get a chance to review Gen Two when you finish it! And as for Atlantis, well. Amy, I think you’re trying to present me with cake only to drizzle fudge on top. I can’t wait to see what you write next!

Thank you for reading! Be sure to check out my review of The Children of Camelot and enter our giveaway (free books, guys! What more could you possibly ask for?), which will run until November 15.

More exciting things are coming soon, but until then, happy reading!

Tag: book review

A Realm at Stake by K.C. Julius, narrated by Chris Walker-Thomson

The Drinnglennin Chronicles, No. 2

Genre: YA/New Adult High Fantasy & Adventure

Bookmarkedone Rating:

Portents of Chaos by K.C. Julius (narrated by Chris Walker-Thomson)

The Drinnglennin Chronicles, No. 1

Genre: YA High Fantasy/Adventure

Bookmarkedone Rating:

Where to start with Portents of Chaos?

And can we take a minute to appreciate the narration?

“The Daddy Box” by Frank Herbert

Interlude: “Teamwork: Getting the Best out of Two Writers” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

“The Island on the Lake” by John Coming

“The Phantom Carnival” by M. Elizabeth Ticknor

“The Last Dying Season” by Brittany Rainsdon

Interlude: “The Third Artist” by Diane Dillon

“A Word of Power” by David Farland

“The Greater Good” by Em Dupre

“For the Federation” by J. A. Becker

“Psychic Poker” by Lazarus Black

Bookmarkedone Rating:

L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Vol. 38 (edited by David Farland)

Genre: Adult science fiction, fantasy, and horror (anthology)

Bookmarkedone rating: (included in Part II)

“Agatha’s Monster” by Azure Arther

“The Magical Book of Accidental Destruction: A Book Wizard’s Guide” by Z. T. Bright

“The Squid is My Brother” by Mike Jack Stoumbos

“Gallows” by Desmond Astaire

Interlude: “Boos and Taboos” by L. Ron Hubbard

“The Professor Was a Thief” by L. Ron Hubbard

“Lilt of a Lark” by Michael Panter

“The Mystical Farrago” by N. V. Haskell

“Tsuu, Tsuu, Kasva Suuremasse” by Rebecca E. Treasure

Interlude: “The Single Most Important Piece of Advice” by Frank Herbert

That’s Part I!

Book: Mechanics of the Past by K. A. Ashcomb

Series: Glorious Mishaps, No. 3

Genre: Steampunk Fantasy

BookmarkedOne Rating: 4/10

The Phoenixes’ War by Jody Lynn Nye

Soul Paper by Trent Walters

The Skin of My Mother by Erik Lynd

Death of a Time Traveler by Sara Fox

The Battle of Donasai by Elaine Midcoh

Interlude: The Rewards of Imagination by Craig Elliott

The Museum of Modern Warfare by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

A Demon Hunter’s Guide to Passover Seder by Ryan Cole

Hemingway by Emma Washburn

Half-Breed by Brittany Rainsdon

The Tiger and the Waif by John M. Campbell

Sixers by Barbara Lund

The Enfield Report by Christopher Bowthorpe

The Widow’s Might by Elizabeth Chatsworth

Interlude: Magic Out of a Hat by L. Ron Hubbard and On “Magic Out of a Hat” by Orson Scott Card

The Dangerous Dimension by L. Ron Hubbard

How to Steal the Plot Armor by Luke Wildman

The Redemption of Brother Adalum by K. D. Julicher

The Argentum by Anj Dockrey

How did you go about writing The Children of Camelot? Was there a lot of research, or did you know right away what characters/parts of the story you wanted to include?

Who are a few of your favorite authors? Do you think they influence your writing?

What’s one of your favorite pieces of Arthurian myth?

Do you have a favorite character/scene in The Children of Camelot, or do you “love them all equally?”

Tell us about Gen One and your Andromeda series! Do they have any similarities to Children of Camelot or are they something totally different?

What’s next? What new adventures do you see on the horizon?