Book Review: Farthing

Book Review: Farthing by Jo Walton England didn’t win World War Two. In fairness, they didn’t lose either. Thanks to a coalition of wealthy nobles and businessmen, Rudolph Hess’ mission was a success, and the Axis were able to negotiate a peace settlement with Great Britain. This is generally considered a great saving of British… Continue reading Book Review: Farthing

Book Review: The Book of Poul Anderson

Book Review: The Book of Poul Anderson edited by Roger Elwood Poul Anderson (1926-2001) was an influential American science fiction author, first published in 1947 and winning seven Hugos and three Nebulas for his work. By the 1970s, he was well enough known, and had a large enough body of short fiction, that DAW Books… Continue reading Book Review: The Book of Poul Anderson

Book Review: The Remnants

Book Review: The Remnants by Troy A. Skog The humans and dwarves of Pendar have long disdained their gnomish neighbors to the south. Fast-breeding but weak and disorganized, the gnomes have never been a threat before. But now King Orgle has somehow brought the gnome tribes together as an army which is invading Pendar–and winning!… Continue reading Book Review: The Remnants

Book Review: The Jayhawkers

Book Review: The Jayhawkers by Saul Cooper They called it “Bloody Kansas” as pro- and anti-slavery gangs terrorized the Kansas Territory Cam Bleeker organized some men to defend their homes, but got careless and wound up in Topeka Prison. He still has some loyal followers, and they managed to break him out. Upon arriving wounded… Continue reading Book Review: The Jayhawkers

Book Review: Exploits and Adventures of Brigadier Gerard

Book Review: Exploits and Adventures of Brigadier Gerard by Arthur Conan Doyle Napoleon had many fine soldiers in his army. But by far the finest was Etienne Gerard, Brigadier of the Hussars of Conflans. Of course, that’s his own opinion, and now he is only an old pensioner who tends his cabbage garden and tells… Continue reading Book Review: Exploits and Adventures of Brigadier Gerard

Book Review: The Hunt for Red October

Book Review: The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy Captain First Rank Marko Ramius has in a way been preparing for this moment his entire life. He’s spent decades building an exemplary reputation as a submarine officer and commander, and training a cadre of officers who are more loyal to him than to the… Continue reading Book Review: The Hunt for Red October

Book Review: The Caballero

Book Review: The Caballero by Johnston McCulley Don Fernando Venagas is close to the top of the social pecking order in Spanish California, and he knows it. He is, after all, a wealthy caballero of the pure aristocratic blood, skilled with both horse and sword. As such, he thinks little of those below his status.… Continue reading Book Review: The Caballero

Book Review: Artful

Book Review: Artful by Peter David As long time readers will recall, some years ago I read and reviewed the classic Charles Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. Towards the end, the last we see of Oliver’s friend acquaintance the Artful Dodger is in court, where he’s sentenced to be transported to Australia for thievery. (A crime… Continue reading Book Review: Artful

Book Review: Meditations on the Way of the Cross

Book Review: Meditations on the Way of the Cross by Mary Pezzulo We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by Your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world. Adapted from the prayer of St. Francis In this Lenten season, Christians prepare for the holy day of Easter by contemplating the ministry of… Continue reading Book Review: Meditations on the Way of the Cross

Book Review: Great Supernatural Stories: 101 Horrifying Tales

Book Review: Great Supernatural Stories: 101 Horrifying Tales compiled by Stefan Dziemianowicz This hefty volume collects a variety of public domain stories concerning the supernatural. While the majority fall roughly into the category of horror, some are more what we’d call “dark fantasy” and a handful are just “well, that’s a weird thing that happened.”… Continue reading Book Review: Great Supernatural Stories: 101 Horrifying Tales