Book Review: Dark Waters

Book Review: Dark Waters by Robin Blake Disclaimer:  I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway on the premise that I would review it.  My copy was an Advance Reading Copy, and there may be minor changes in the final product. It is the Year of Our Lord 1741 in the small but bustling English… Continue reading Book Review: Dark Waters

Book Review: The Jewels of Aptor

Book Review: The Jewels of Aptor by Samuel R. Delaney This is the first novel by Samuel R. Delaney, published in 1967.  He was one of the first successful African-American science fiction authors, as well as one of the first openly gay SF writers, and certainly the most successful person so far to be both.… Continue reading Book Review: The Jewels of Aptor

Open Post: Wedding

Open Thread: Wedding Went to my cousin’s wedding on Sunday; she married a Norwegian guy. Big church service with the families showing off their musical talents and my cousin’s father the preacher giving the homily. Got to ride in a stretch limo for the first time to and from the reception.  Considerably less comfortable than… Continue reading Open Post: Wedding

Book Review: Murder for Revenge

Book Review: Murder for Revenge edited by Otto Penzler This is another themed anthology, this time around the concept of revenge.  That’s a pretty loose theme as these things go.  It’s got a big-name author list going for it though. “Like a Bone in the Throat” by Lawrence Block starts the book off strong with… Continue reading Book Review: Murder for Revenge

Manga Review: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica Volume 1

Manga Review: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica Volume 1 by Masaki Hiramatsu & Takashi Tensugi A couple of years back, there was a surprise hit anime titled Puella Magi Madoka Magica.  While many magical girl stories have dark undertones beneath their fluffy, candy-colored exteriors, Madoka went full on into very dark places by twisting some of the standard… Continue reading Manga Review: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica Volume 1

Book Review: The Spider #7

Book Review: The Spider #7 by Grant Stockbridge When the Shadow kickstarted the pulp hero magazines in the 1930s, it was no surprise that a similar character, the Spider, was featured at a rival publishing house.  Written under house name Grant Stockbridge (usually Norvell Page), the Spider was wealthy socialite and amateur criminologist Richard Wentworth.… Continue reading Book Review: The Spider #7

Book Review: Who Died in Here?

Book Review: Who Died in Here? edited by Pat Dennis Themed short story anthologies are a perennial favorite for genre fiction.  “Best of” collections tend to feature heavy overlap with other best ofs, while single-author collections have to rely on the reader being willing to pick up a particular author’s work.  Themes allow the authors to… Continue reading Book Review: Who Died in Here?

Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents the Trial of the Flash

Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents the Trial of the Flash by Cary Bates & Carmine Infantino Barry Allen, the Flash, is finally moving on from his wife Iris’ death, and is about to marry his new love, Fiona Webb.  But on the day of the wedding, Flash learns that Iris’ murderer, Professor Zoom has escaped imprisonment.… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Showcase Presents the Trial of the Flash

Book Review: The Guns of Navarone

Book Review: The Guns of Navarone by Alistair MacLean There are more than a thousand British soldiers trapped on a small island off the Turkish coast, and the Germans are sending a huge force to smash them.  The British Navy wants to pull them off, but the only route that can be taken goes right… Continue reading Book Review: The Guns of Navarone