Book Reviews, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short Stories

Short Fiction Friday, now with “Exciting News”!!!

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(Art by Pavel Elagin)

Isn’t that a beautiful illustration? Go on, give it a click and it will open in a larger window so that you can get a really good look at it. Pavel Elagin’s creation, used as the cover for the latest issue of Lightspeed Magazine, is a quintessential summer image. It brings back memories of the first appearance of the fireflies every year as the weather warms.

Today over on SF Signal I review this, the June 2013 issue of Lightspeed. At the risk of sounding like I am pimping my own work, I highly recommend that you check out the review as this issue had a wide variety of worthwhile science fiction and fantasy. A visit today may be of particular interest to those participating in the Once Upon a Time Challenge as the current free fantasy offering is “Princess Lucinda and the Hound of the Moon” by Theodora Goss. It is a lovely, sweet fairytale that I am sure you will enjoy. The current science free science fiction offering is “The Ballad of Marisol Brook” by Sarah Grey and it is an empowering story with a female lead that juxtaposes the Big Studio days of old Hollywood against a world in which immortality is no longer a dream, at least if you are very rich.

And the exciting news???

Continue reading Short Fiction Friday, now with “Exciting News”!!! →

book news

Anyone up for an interactive reading experience?

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It has been a few months since I have participated in a group reading experience and I am experiencing the itch (whoa, that sounds like a terrible personal problem, doesn’t it?)

TMI aside, I have been enjoying Daniel Abraham’s work in collaboration with Ty Franck writing as James S.A. Corey. Their first novel, Leviathan Wakes, is one of my favorite reads of the year and I am nearly mid-way through the second novel, Caliban’s War. This series that he is currently working on, The Dagger and the Coin, sounds intriguing, especially given that reviews I read talk about the emphasis on character.

Orbit books just announced today that for the month of June you can pick up a copy of The Dragon’s Path on Ebook for just $2.99 and in addition you get a copy of Leviathan Wakes. [Okay, actually it is the other way around, but for the purposes of this group read, just go with it]. If you click here you can use this site to launch into the site from which you want to purchase your Ebook.

Additionally, the book has been out for some time and so it should be easy to pick up in used bookstores or your local library.

What I am proposing is a group read that begins on July 5th and before I set up a reading schedule and commit to this I wanted to gauge your interest. If you think you might want to do an epic fantasy read together, let me know in the comments section. If you would like to host a week of questions covering a section of the book, please let me know that as well.

book news, Film News

This Book Can’t Be Filmed!!! Oh but why?

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I recently came across an article that io9 posted late last year entitled “10 Science Fiction Novels That Will Definitely Never Be Movies”. One of the novels cited was the Hugo and Nebula award-winning novel, Among Others, by Jo Walton. Charlie Jane Anders wrote:

“But it’s almost impossible to imagine Among Others working as a movie, for the exact reasons that it works so well as a book – the blend of memoir, beguilingly strange fantasy and book criticism depends on Walton’s voice, and there’s almost no way to pull out the bones of the story without including all of the musings on classic 1970s novels and storytelling, and the responsible use of magical powers.”

In the comments Jo Walton chimes in:

“Among Others will never be a movie because I keep saying no whenever I get nibbles of interest from Hollywood — because I agree with you.”

If you have read Among Others you no doubt agree.

I do too.

Except for the fact that I believe something special could be done in regards to adapting this novel cinematically. By “Hollywood”?…well, no. But by one or more very special film makers?

I would like to see them try.

Continue reading This Book Can’t Be Filmed!!! Oh but why? →

Art/Photography

Spectrum Memories: Charles Vess

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Today I want to return to the May 17-19 weekend to revisit Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 2 in order to talk about Charles Vess. I have been a fan of the work of Charles Vess since first discovering it in his World Fantasy Award winning run on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman with the Midsummer Night’s Dream storyline. His work hearkens back to illustration greats like Arthur Rackham, his visions of the realm of Faerie having an ethereal quality that gives his art the kind of unique impact that Rackham enjoyed in the golden age of British book illustration. My fondness grew when I discovered the illustrated version of Stardust, compiled in four issues by Vertigo comics. All these years later any time I see a book cover and/or interior illustrations created by Charles Vess, it brings back a rush of memories of that first discovery and sparks within me that childlike dream of a fantastical realm just beyond the veil.

You can imagine, then, how thrilled I was to see Charles Vess listed as one of the Special Guests at this year’s Spectrum Fantastic Art Live.

Continue reading Spectrum Memories: Charles Vess →

Book Reviews, Short Stories

Short Fiction Friday: Two “Wild Cards” stories from Tor.com

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Last weekend I had the privilege of spending the weekend at Kansas City’s longest-running science fiction convention, ConQuest. In its 44th year, ConQuest boasted a powerful lineup with Author Guest of Honor Patrick Rothfuss, Artist Guest of Honor John Picacio, and a visit from George R.R. Martin. After seeing this stellar group throughout the weekend, I found it very serendipitous to discover two new stories set in the Wild Cards universe created by George R.R. Martin. Additionally, John Picacio created the artwork for both stories.

I was able to see original art for the image shown here of the button man and I assure you John’s pencil work is incredible.

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The two new stories featured on Tor.com’s website were acquired and edited by George R.R. Martin. One is written by Cherie Priest and the other by Paul Cornell.

I’ve enjoyed Priest’s work for some time and had been anxious to try Cornell’s. I was not disappointed by either effort.

For those unfamiliar with the Wild Cards universe, as I was, Paul Cornell’s story gives enough background information to get you up to speed. I mention in my review that I felt that Cornell’s story shares a kinship with the Newford tales of Charles de Lint.

Cherie Priest’s story has a great noir vibe that stays consistent throughout. Her protagonist is flawed but you cannot help but be intrigued by him and his unique problem.

To read the stories themselves, and/or to check out my non-spoiler review, head on over to SF Signal. Otherwise, I hope everyone has a great weekend and get lots of reading done.

Eclectic Musings of a Renaissance Geek