Category Archives: Fantasy

Book Reviews, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Stories

2014 Nominees for the Best Short Story Hugo

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To begin with, let me wish a “Happy Independence Day!” to all of my fellow Americans.

I hope that you all have great plans for spending time with family and friends, enjoying good food and the occasional exploding item in celebration of this great nation.

Today on SF Signal I return with a Short Fiction Friday post that looks at the four stories nominated for Best Short Story for the 2014 Hugo Awards.

All the stories are available for reading for free online and are linked in my reviews. All four are fine contenders and it will be interesting to see what wins. If you’ve read them, please head over and share your opinions. If not, take some of your holiday reading time and enjoy some of what short genre fiction has to offer.

Book Reviews, Fantasy, Short Stories

Jack in the Green by Charles de Lint

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Today over on SF Signal I review the novella Jack in the Green by Charles de Lint.

I do not give it a favorable review, noting briefly some of the significant problems I came across in my reading.

As negative reviews are something you very rarely see from me, it may be of particular interest to you.

I felt comfortable in pointing out what I felt were poor choices with the structure and content of the story in part because the novella bothered me enough that it felt important to detail why and also because I am a big fan of Charles de Lint’s work and I know he is capable of so much more than what this has to offer.

I do hope you will read the review, click here to be whisked to it on SF Signal. And have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Book Reviews, Fantasy

The Memory Garden ~Mary Rickert

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It is disappointing to sit down to write a review after a satisfying reading experience only to discover that the words that most readily leap to mind are those so stripped of meaning by overuse that they are rendered virtually powerless. Such is the nature of the hyperbolic overuse of adjectives.

World Fantasy and Crawford award winning short story author M. Rickert’s debut novel, The Memory Garden, is a book that leaves this amateur reviewer keenly aware of his inadequacies when it comes to command of the English language. Words such as “enchanting” and “magical” should be utilized, along with many of their descriptive cousins, yet I fear the easy dismissal that these words might cause those worn out from the overzealous hyping of all things in this commercial age.

Dismissing a debut this lovely would be a shame.

The Memory Garden is a book rooted in seasons, those in the world outside our doors and those that form the cyclical patterns of our lives. It is a love story, though not of standard romantic fare, that celebrates family and friendship and the importance of looking beyond the veil of our own assumptions and prejudices. It is a novel that will stir your hunger for good food, beautiful gardens, and lasting relationships.

Continue reading The Memory Garden ~Mary Rickert →

Book Reviews, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Stories

Blooded on Arachne ~Michael Bishop

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Not long ago I was asked by Joachim Boaz to participate in a series of guest posts showcasing the work of author Michael Bishop. I agreed to read the first part of Bishop’s collection, Blooded on Arachne, with Boaz reading and reviewing the second half.

This was my first experience with Michael Bishop and it turned out to be a GREAT experience. I really enjoyed his short fiction and plan to read the rest of the collection. It is a special pleasure to agree to take part in a reading only to discover an author who writes the kind of fiction that excites your imagination.

You can see my thoughts on the stories I read over on Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations by clicking here.

Thanks for including me in the project, Joachim. It was a real pleasure.

Book Reviews, Comics, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Saga Volumes 1-3 ~Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples

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It would not have surprised me if the Comic Book Police had shown up at my house anytime over the last few years to officially revoke my fan-boy status. Though I faithfully buy each monthly issue of Fables and snag copies of new Hellboy comics when they are released, the actual act of reading comic books is something I have not accomplished for some time.

I have been vaguely aware of the Saga series since its release, but was reminded of its existence once again when the Hugo finalists were released last week and Saga: Volume 2 was nominated for Best Graphic Story, the award the first volume won last year, and artist Fiona Staples made the ballot for Best Professional Artist. With that in the back of my mind I found myself staring at Volume 1 in my local comic shop last Wednesday night. Staring…then buying…then going home…

…and reading Volume 1 cover to cover.

This was followed by regret for not buying volumes 2 and 3 while at the shop (which by that time was closed), and a Thursday return trip to do just that. I tried to savor the next two volumes, stretching them out through Friday before finishing.

I am now caught up with the series, which returns with issue 19 at the end of May. Despite some artistic choices on the part of the creators that seem unnecessary to me, I freely admit to being hooked on this series.

Now comes the agony of the wait for more chapters.

Continue reading Saga Volumes 1-3 ~Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples →