Book Review: Tempests and Slaughter

Book Review: Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce Arram Draper is a magical prodigy, but he’s still only ten years old (even if he tells his classmates he’s eleven.) So he’s really excited to be allowed to go to the circus with his father and grandfather while they’re in town. And yes, the elephants are really cool, especially when one saves him… Continue reading Book Review: Tempests and Slaughter

Book Review: King Solomon’s Mines and Other Adventure Classics

Book Review: King Solomon’s Mines and Other Adventure Classics compiled by Sterling Publishing Company This is another bulky compilation of public domain stories, concentrating this time on tales of adventure and derring-do in exotic locations. Indeed, the book is broken into sections by terrain–desert, jungle, South Seas islands, and other scenes unfamiliar to their readers. There’s twenty-five stories in total, but let’s begin with those… Continue reading Book Review: King Solomon’s Mines and Other Adventure Classics

Book Review: Broken Blade

Book Review: Broken Blade by Kelly McCullough A few years back, Aral had it pretty good.  He was a Blade of Namara, the goddess of Justice, who meted out her punishment to the powerful wealthy and upper-class people who abused their position and oppressed those below them.  He even had a cool moniker, Aral Kingslayer,… Continue reading Book Review: Broken Blade

Book Review: Writers of the Future, Volume 34

Book Review: Writers of the Future, Volume 34 edited by David Farland Disclaimer:  I received a download of this book through a Goodreads giveaway for the purpose of writing this review.  No other compensation was offered or requested. Back before he became involved with…you know, L. Ron Hubbard was a prolific author of stories for… Continue reading Book Review: Writers of the Future, Volume 34

Book Review: Raising Steam

Book Review: Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett Moist von Lipwig has come a long way since his days as a petty con artist.  He’s a (mostly) respectable married man who manages the Ankh-Morpork Post Office, Mint, and Bank.  True, his management is mostly just taking a friendly interest in the employees who do all the… Continue reading Book Review: Raising Steam

Manga Review: Oh My Goddess! Volume 27

Manga Review: Oh My Goddess! Volume 27 by Kosuke Fujishima Keiichi Morisato is an engineering undergraduate at the Nekomi Institute of Technology when his overbearing upperclassmen stick him with watching the all-male dorm over a holiday weekend.  (It’s not like it’s going to interfere with his social life.)  Getting hungry, Keiichi tries to order delivery,… Continue reading Manga Review: Oh My Goddess! Volume 27

Book Review: Respectable Horror

Book Review: Respectable Horror by K.A. Laity Horror is a wide-ranging genre, which can be tailored to a variety of tastes.  Some folks prefer their scary fiction with a maximum of gushing blood and sharp objects being plunged into soft flesh; others like a more genteel approach that emphasizes the subtle wrongnesses and growing atmospheric… Continue reading Book Review: Respectable Horror

Book Review: The Collected Stories of Robert Silverberg, Volume 9: The Millennium Express (1995-2009)

Book Review: The Collected Stories of Robert Silverberg, Volume Nine: The Millennium Express (1995-2009) by Robert Silverberg Robert Silverberg (1935-still alive as of this writing) is one of the longest-running science fiction authors, having made his first sale in 1953.  Especially in his early years, Mr. Silverberg has been prolific, with his non-series short fiction… Continue reading Book Review: The Collected Stories of Robert Silverberg, Volume 9: The Millennium Express (1995-2009)

Comic Book Review: Essential Defenders Vol. 6

Comic Book Review: Essential Defenders Vol. 6 written (mostly) by J.M. DeMatteis, Pencils by Don Perlin The Defenders are one of Marvel Comics’ more oddball teams, beginning with a line-up of Doctor Strange, Hulk, Silver Surfer and the Sub-Mariner, four of Marvel’s most powerful characters who did not belong to other teams.  After a couple… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Essential Defenders Vol. 6

Comic Book Review: Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo

Comic Book Review: Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo story by Jai Nitz, art by Cliff Richards Chato Santana used to be a drug dealer and gang leader in East Los Angeles.  At some point he became linked to a vengeful demon and gained pyrokinetic abilities.  El Diablo used those powers to rule his neighborhood,… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo