Book Review: Great British Fictional Villains

Book Review: Great British Fictional Villains by Russell James For a wide swath of fiction, a well-written villain is essential.  They provide the impetus for the hero to act, scatter obstacles in their way, and act as a dark mirror to the hero’s personality.  In many cases, the villain of a story turns out to be… Continue reading Book Review: Great British Fictional Villains

Manga Review: Yowamushi Pedal 1

Manga Review: Yowamushi Pedal 1 by Wataru Watanabe The Sohoku High School Bicycle Racing Club has several interesting freshman members this year.  There’s Imaizumi, a serious competitor whose family is wealthy, so he can afford the finest bicycle racing equipment and training.  There’s the fiery Naruko from Osaka, who’s a fine sprinter despite his flashy… Continue reading Manga Review: Yowamushi Pedal 1

Book Review: Mammoths of the Great Plains

Book Review: Mammoths of the Great Plains by Eleanor Arnason On an alternate Earth, the mammoth lived into historical times, abiding with the bison and the Native Americans.   But then Lewis and Clark saw their first mammoth, and reported on it to President Jefferson and the teeming masses of the East.   This is the story of… Continue reading Book Review: Mammoths of the Great Plains

Comic Book Review: Athena Voltaire and the Volcano Goddess

Comic Book Review: Athena Voltaire and the Volcano Goddess by Steve Bryant Our story opens in Malaysia, as premiere pilot and adventurer Athena Voltaire and British agent Desmond Forsyth deal with a recently hatched garuda (a gargoyle-like creature.)  Once that’s taken care of, Athena heads back to California for a debriefing by her secret patron, millionaire… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Athena Voltaire and the Volcano Goddess

Book Review: Crime and Punishment

Book Review: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov is a law student, allegedly.  When we meet him, Raskolnikov has not been to class in some time, nor has he worked at his part-time tutoring job.  For the last few weeks he’s been just brooding in his tiny room (several months behind on… Continue reading Book Review: Crime and Punishment

Comic Book Review: Rocket Girl Vol:01

Comic Book Review: Rocket Girl Vol:01 written by Brandon Montclare, art by Amy Reeder In 1986, Quintum Mechanics developed the Q-Engine, which allowed time travel.  By 2013, they have become the most powerful corporation on Earth, owning New York City outright.  But Detective Dayoung Johansson of the New York Teen Police Department has an informant… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Rocket Girl Vol:01

Comic Strip Review: Meet Andy Capp

Comic Strip Review: Meet Andy Capp by Reg Smythe Andrew Capp is a working class chap from Hartlepool in Northeast England.  Despite his “class”, Andy’s hardly ever in work, roundly despising all forms of paid labor.  It’s up to his long-suffering wife Florrie to support them with charwoman jobs.  Andy enjoys sleeping, gambling, flirting with… Continue reading Comic Strip Review: Meet Andy Capp

Book Review: Stone Mad

Book Review: Stone Mad by Elizabeth Bear This is the second in the “Karen Memory” series, and this review may have some spoilers for the first volume, also titled Karen Memory. Karen Memery and her boon companion Priya have bought a little ranch house outside of Rapid City in Washington Territory, and are moving in together. … Continue reading Book Review: Stone Mad

Book Review: Lot’s Return to Sodom

Book Review: Lot’s Return to Sodom by Sandra Brannan Disclaimer:  I received a download of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway to facilitate writing this review.  No other compensation was offered or requested. Following the events of the previous book, In the Belly of Jonah, mine operator Liv Bergen is mostly healed up, but taking the last… Continue reading Book Review: Lot’s Return to Sodom

Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26

Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap:  Rinne Rokudo is a shinigami, a psychopomp who helps lost spirits find their way to the afterlife.  He’s part-human, and must use expensive tools to make up for his weak powers.  Between these expenses and debts saddled on Rinne by his deadbeat father Sabato,… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26