Book Review: Cooked to Death

Book Review: Cooked to Death edited by Rhonda Gilliland and Michael Allan Mallory Let’s return to the world of themed anthologies, a quick way to get a sample of various authors writing on a particular topic. In this case, it’s primarily Minnesota and other Midwestern writers doing crime and mystery short stories around the topic… Continue reading Book Review: Cooked to Death

Book Review: Scarecrow

Book Review: Scarecrow edited by Rhonda Parrish This anthology is part of the “Magical Menageries” series, each volume focusing on a different type of critter. A previous volume, Corvidae, dealt with crows of various types. Thus it’s not surprising that there’s a collection featuring their archenemies. While the aesthetic of humanoid beings of straw lends… Continue reading Book Review: Scarecrow

Book Review: Generation Wonder

Book Review: Generation Wonder edited by Barry Lyga This young adult superhero anthology has the mission of creating characters across a spectrum of diversity and not being derived from previous properties. There’s thirteen stories ranging acrpss multiple subgenres, comedic, science fiction, fantasy… Let’s see how they did! “Love to Hate” by Lamar Giles starts us… Continue reading Book Review: Generation Wonder

Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Sawa takes a moment to smell the flowers.

Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood Sawa Yukimura runs a small used bookstore in Tokyo in 1931 and takes care of her adopted little sister Asahi. The bookstore is often closed, though, as Sawa is also a member of the secret government assassination squad codenamed “Nue.” She’s also the last known survivor… Continue reading Anime Review: Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood

Anime Review: Demon Slayer

In the heat of battle, Tanjiro digs deep for more true potential.

Anime Review: Demon Slayer For hundreds of years, oni (“demons” or “ogres”) have infested Japan. These monsters roam at night, finding human victims to kill and eat, usually in that order. Opposing them are the order of Demon Slayers, armed with special swords that are one of the two known ways to kill a demon.… Continue reading Anime Review: Demon Slayer

Manga Review: Devilman vs. Hades, Vol. 3

Manga Review: Devilman vs. Hades, Vol. 3 story by Go Nagai, art by Team Moon Note: SPOILERS for the first two volumes follow immediately. This miniseries crossover project was made to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of two Go Nagai series, Devilman and Mazinger Z. The first, as long time readers of this blog will remember,… Continue reading Manga Review: Devilman vs. Hades, Vol. 3

Movie Review: Kitaro (2007)

Yokai love a good party just like humans!

Movie Review: Kitaro (2007) directed by Katsuhide Motoki The Miura family has been going through some tough times. Mrs. Miura died a couple of years back, and Mr. Miura (Go Riju) never got over it. He’s developed a bit of a drinking problem, so teenage daughter Mika (Mao Inoue) has had to step up as caretaker… Continue reading Movie Review: Kitaro (2007)

Manga Review: Kitaro Meets Nurarihyon

Manga Review: Kitaro Meets Nurarihyon by Shigeru Mizuki Quick recap:  Kitaro is the last surviving member of the Ghost Tribe, a once populous group of yokai (Japanese spirits/monsters.)  His father lives on in the form of an eyeball and advises the young fellow.  Together with his untrustworthy friend Nezumi-Otoko (“Rat-Man”) and sometimes other friendly monsters, Kitaro… Continue reading Manga Review: Kitaro Meets Nurarihyon

Book Review: Black Bird of the Gallows

Book Review: Black Bird of the Gallows  by Meg Kassel Cadence, Pennsylvania used to be a mining town.  The economy never fully recovered from the mines closing down, but the town survived.  But there are some disturbing signs.  There’s an unseasonably high number of crows for February, and an even more unseasonable number of unusually… Continue reading Book Review: Black Bird of the Gallows

Book Review: The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror 2014

Book Review: The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror 2014 edited by Paula Guran Even the fastest, most dedicated readers can’t read everything that’s published each year.  Not even in relatively limited genres like fantasy or horror.  That’s where “Year’s Best” collections come in handy.  Someone or several someones has gone through the enormous pile… Continue reading Book Review: The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror 2014