Book Reviews, Science Fiction, Short Stories

A Problem of Proportion ~John Scalzi

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Each week it gets more and more difficult to share anything about the newly-released episode for fear of spoiling the story for those who are either behind on their episodic reading or are waiting to read the story in its entirety when it comes out soon in novel form.

This past Tuesday saw the release of episode eleven of The Human Division, leaving us with only two more to go. “A Problem of Proportion” returns readers to the Clarke with Lieutenant Wilson taking center stage. The crew of the Clarke find themselves interacting with a crew from the Conclave and in so doing find what could be a key piece of the puzzle of who is orchestrating the attacks that begin in episode one.

Whenever we are with the Clarke I am a pleased reader and this week was no exception. I continue to be concerned about how this can possibly be wrapped up satisfactorily with so little time left but that has not stopped me from enjoying the experience and looking forward to each week’s episode.

If you want to join me for a more detailed discussion of the story, please follow after the break.

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Book Reviews, Fantasy, Short Stories

With Tales in Their Teeth, From the Mountain They Came ~A.C. Wise

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(Image Credit)

A.C. Wise’s “With Tales in Their Teeth, From the Mountain They Came” is a tale of words, or rather the pain caused from the lack of them and the healing that can come from surrounding oneself with words, written and more importantly spoken. When Alba’s lover dies in the war she leaves their home by the sea and goes up the mountain to the Library, becoming an Acolyte in service of the mysterious Librarians. Lost in the silence of the library the words pile up inside Alba until she can no longer contain them and as she speaks into the silence, Alba, and the world around her, begins to transform. A beautiful story, celebrating words.

When I first read this story back in the January 2013 issue of Lightspeed I was taken by how much the theme of words and their importance resonated with me as a reader and as a writer (albeit only of blog posts); it also struck me as a short story that encapsulates the reasons why I host an annual reading event focused on fantasy, folklore, mythology and fairy tales. When that became apparent I knew that it would be a story I wanted to share come Spring. Although thick snow blankets every surface outside my front door, the melancholy beauty of this story ignites a passion for the season of new beginnings, celebrating once again the power of the written word shared with others.

I strongly encourage you to go read ““With Tales in their Teeth, From the Mountain They Came” and then come join us for a spoiler-laden discussion following the break. Sharing it is my gift to those who also revel in the importance of words.

Continue reading With Tales in Their Teeth, From the Mountain They Came ~A.C. Wise →

book news, Challenges

Once Upon a Time VII

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(Art by Melissa Nucera)

“Come away, O human child: To the waters and the wild with a fairy, hand in hand, For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.”

~William Butler Yeats

The calendar in the Northern Hemisphere may officially designate March 20th as Spring, but the forecast of rain, sleet and snow beginning Thursday and carrying through the weekend makes that difficult to believe. Over the voice of wind and cold I can still here that voice telling us that it is indeed time to once more “come away”.

It is that voice that beckons us to Middle-earth and Newford, that calls out from the gap in the village of Wall and from the world of London Below. It is the voice that packs so much promise into four little words…

“Once upon a time…”

Perhaps you too have heard that voice whispering on the spring wind, or perhaps Old Man Winter continues to drown out the sound; either way that time has come: Once Upon a Time is here!

Thursday, March 21st begins the seventh annual Once Upon a Time Challenge. This is a reading and viewing event that encompasses four broad categories: Fairy Tale, Folklore, Fantasy and Mythology, including the seemingly countless sub-genres and blending of genres that fall within this spectrum. The challenge continues through Friday, June 21st and allows for very minor (1 book only) participation as well as more immersion depending on your reading/viewing whims.

Don’t like the word “challenge”? We have something special just for you.

Come away, and I’ll tell you more…

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Book Reviews, Science Fiction, Short Stories

This Must Be The Place ~John Scalzi

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Episode 10 of John Scalzi’s novel The Human Division breaks with form while holding with form. In the past 9 episodes readers have been treated to stories alternating between the Clarke and its crew and other events happening in the universe. This week we leave behind the Clarke, as per schedule, but travel home with a member of the crew–Hart Schmidt of the Diplomatic Corp.

Schmidt has returned to his home colony of Phoenix for the annual Harvest Day celebration, the one time a year he steps away from his job as assistant to Ambassador Ode Abumwe, to visit his wealthy, ambitious and connected family. As we all know from personal experience, nothing says family like the drama that ensues during the holiday season.

In previous stories Hart has been relegated to being a sidekick of sorts to Harry Wilson. “This Must Be The Place” gives Schmidt an opportunity to shine on his own and John Scalzi allows Schmidt to make the most of this opportunity, including reassessing who he is and what he does for a living.

While it is hard to see how John Scalzi will be able to wrap up the conspiracy in the three remaining episodes of The Human Division, this was a nice fleshing out of one of the more interesting characters in the story.

Hereafter there be spoilers.

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book news

Stardust Read-Along

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(Image copyright Charles Vess)

“A philosopher once asked, “Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?”

Pointless, really…”Do the stars gaze back?” Now that’s a question.”

~Neil Gaiman, Stardust

Neil Gaiman’s novel Stardust is one of my cherished treasures; it is one of those books that can only be described as “magical” because of the way in which it simultaneously opens a door to draw me in while at the same time coming inside of me and making itself at home. Choose a printing with Charles Vess illustrations, as it was originally released, and you have something exponentially more special.

As my annual Spring reading event, the Once Upon a Time Challenge, is about to kick off its seventh year (official sign up on Wednesday, March 20th), it seemed only fitting to journey back to the village of Wall for an adventure with Tristan and Yvaine. While journeys of this sort often start out alone, I thought it would be more fun to extend the invitation to anyone who would like to come along.

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Eclectic Musings of a Renaissance Geek