It's getting more and more tempting to binge-read the whole series (and my husband is actively supporting this plan, which is NO HELP). But I'm holding steady to a trade paperback at a time to really appreciate the intricate story line and excellent artwork. Invincible Vol. 7: Three's Company Robert Kirkman (writer) Ryan Ottley (penciler, … Continue reading Review: Invincible Volumes 7-9
Review: “Wild Type” by J.K. Ullrich
Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of this short story as part of the full novel Syzygy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This short story acts as a great supplemental material to the novel Syzygy. I enjoyed the insight into the character of Lily's life in her youth, especially through effective use … Continue reading Review: “Wild Type” by J.K. Ullrich
Review: “The Battersea Barricades” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short story) by Jodi Taylor
Finally, some "history" of the world of St. Mary's! Taylor's authorial voice makes pages and pages of expository narrative delightful rather than boring. Even more fascinating, this time she's not talking about something "real" -- this time the historical events are all from her imagination. I loved every intricate detail of it. The more specific … Continue reading Review: “The Battersea Barricades” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short story) by Jodi Taylor
Review: Invincible Volumes 4-6
My husband has been reading over my shoulder so that I fully appreciate what I'm absorbing. It's fun to point out cool panels and discuss things with him. Invincible Vol. 4: Head of the Class Robert Kirkman (writer) Ryan Ottley (penciler, inker) Bill Crabtree (colorist) Rus Wooten (letterer) This collection of issues felt like a … Continue reading Review: Invincible Volumes 4-6
Review: Syzygy by J.K. Ullrich
Disclaimer: I received an electronic version of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Even though the majority of the characters, including the two point of view characters, in this book are teenagers, this never feels like a young adult novel. Instead, it's an intriguing look at two opposed post-apocalyptic societies … Continue reading Review: Syzygy by J.K. Ullrich
Review: An Argumentation of Historians (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #9) by Jodi Taylor
Call me blasphemous, because I am a huge fan of this series...but I'm getting a bit bored with fighting Clive Ronan. I still enjoyed the hell out of this book, despite the slow start. One thing I did appreciate about it is seeing the evolution of St. Mary's relationship with the Time Police. They'll never … Continue reading Review: An Argumentation of Historians (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #9) by Jodi Taylor
Review: Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles #2) by Frank Herbert
Read as part of Comic Book Girl 19's online Dune book club. Picking up a sequel 13 years after reading the first book should have made the book completely inaccessible. However, a quick trip through the Dune Wikipedia entry and I was ready to go. So ready, in fact, that I devoured this book in 2 … Continue reading Review: Dune Messiah (Dune Chronicles #2) by Frank Herbert
Review: Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens edited by Patricia Bray & Joshua Palmatier
This was a fun anthology that I easily read over the course of a weekend of airplane flights. The stories were dissimilar enough that they were easily distinguishable, despite the thematic elements that tied them all together. I especially enjoyed that the stories did not all take place in England or even Europe, and that … Continue reading Review: Clockwork Universe: Steampunk vs Aliens edited by Patricia Bray & Joshua Palmatier
Author Interview with Nicholas Conley
I've had the pleasure of reviewing two projects by Nicholas Conley, so I jumped at the chance to pick his brain about his latest novel. Intraterrestrial was a wild ride, and you can find my review of it here. ABOUT THE BOOK Adam Helios is a bully magnet without many friends. When he starts hearing a … Continue reading Author Interview with Nicholas Conley
Review: A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1) by Madeleine L’Engle
I read this novel for my 2018 Resolution Project over at Speculative Chic, the other blog I contribute to. This year, I resolved to fill a gap in my knowledge of the science-fiction classics and read the book before the film comes out in March. I succeeded! You can find my full review at Speculative … Continue reading Review: A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1) by Madeleine L’Engle
Cleveland ConCoction Schedule
This weekend, I will be attending Cleveland ConCoction for the third year! This is one of my favorite conventions in terms of how authors are treated and the variety of events. I made some great friends last year that I can't wait to reunite with. The convention is a new hotel this year, farther from … Continue reading Cleveland ConCoction Schedule
Review: City Ash and Desert Bones by Laurel Myler
Disclaimer: This book was produced by the publishing company that also publishes my current series of novels; however, I purchased a hardcopy version of this novel for full price. The mystery about Reesa, one of the narrators and main characters of this novel, hooks you from the very first line of the book. As reminders … Continue reading Review: City Ash and Desert Bones by Laurel Myler
Review: ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times by Andrew MacLean
A post-apocalyptic story starring a strong female character and her adorable pet cat? This should have been right up my alley. But despite the art being streamlined and stunning, the story never quite grabbed me. Though the internal narration conceit was very cool, it seems the author erred on the side of "less is more" … Continue reading Review: ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times by Andrew MacLean
Con Report: Farpoint 2018
Last weekend, I attended my first Farpoint convention! You could say that I got my start in speculative fiction as a Star Trek fan, so it was nice to get back to my roots, as it were. FRIDAY Since this is a "local" convention for me, I commuted from home rather than staying at the … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2018
Review: Intraterrestrial by Nicholas Conley
Disclaimer: I received a free electronic version of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. This is one of those speculative fiction books whose actually genre is hard to pin down. Though the medical issues lend a realistic air to the story, the adventure Adam embarks on feels more like science-fantasy … Continue reading Review: Intraterrestrial by Nicholas Conley
Review: Before the Awakening (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
Finn's story: This story, while well-written in the technical sense, was by far the weakest of this trio. If not for my husband encouraging me onward, I might have put the entire book down. I understand that the book was released before the film, and that the authors don't necessarily get all the information they'd … Continue reading Review: Before the Awakening (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
Review: The Weapon of a Jedi (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Jason Fry
This book boiled down to "Just how did Luke get so good at using a lightsaber, anyway?" Which is an important question to ask, in the continuity between the films A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. Unfortunately, the reality of the the limitations established in the Star Wars universe at that point in … Continue reading Review: The Weapon of a Jedi (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Jason Fry
Review: “Christmas Past” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short story) by Jodi Taylor
Though this review won't get posted until after the holiday itself, this story was easily one of my favorite Christmas presents this year. Taylor blows me away with her ability to weave humor and heartbreak into the same passages. Though this story didn't have quite as much of the usual St. Mary's shenanigans, it was … Continue reading Review: “Christmas Past” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s short story) by Jodi Taylor
Review: Moving Target (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Cecil Castellucci & Jason Fry
This was an excellent Star Wars young adult novel that succeeds at showing realistic decisions that must be made in war, and how people involved in those wars end up making essential decisions regardless of how much power or authority they might have. I also appreciated that Princess Leia is given much authority and agency … Continue reading Review: Moving Target (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Cecil Castellucci & Jason Fry
Review: Shattered Empire (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka
One of my biggest pet peeves about most war movies is how the characters celebrate at the end of a big battle as if everything is going to be easy from there on out. This graphic novel shows how the opposite is the case and does an excellent job of leading into how the remnants … Continue reading Review: Shattered Empire (Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens) by Greg Rucka