Category Archives: Fantasy

Quickly, now

Posted on February 12, 2020 by

A big trip is coming up, and before departure I’m racing through some last minute e-books from the NYPL (see below). Can’t send them back un-read! I’m also pulling out a nearly abandoned manuscript to revive/revise for a writing retreat … Continue reading →

Posted in Am reading, Am revising, Fantasy, Fiction, Humorous, short stories | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Weird combinations and scary dreams

Posted on January 27, 2020 by

Yep, I’m definitely craving odd-ball books these days. Here are 2 more for your consideration: Fragile Things, Neil Gaiman (2006, 2013, NYPL e-book). Another collection of Gaiman’s writings, most of which come a là macabre. The book includes short stories … Continue reading →

Posted in Am reading, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic, Historical research, Horror, Humorous, Macabre, Science fiction, short stories | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Flotsam and Jetsam

Posted on January 19, 2020 by

4 books reviewed here, and from them you’ll get a sense of my odd taste in reading these days. No particular reason for it — each one spurred by happenstance, satisfying a yen, or whatever. Lud-in-the-Mist, by Hope Mirrlees (1926, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Am reading, Fantasy, Mystery, YA Lit | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Shore leave ends

Posted on November 23, 2019 by

Last night I finished The Secret Commonwealth (Vol 2 of Pullman’s follow-up series to His Dark Materials) and sent it back (virtually, and virtuously) to the NYPL. By now, another patient reader has begun this dark and compelling tale. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Am reading, Am revising, Fantasy, NaNoWriMo, Seafaring, short stories | Tagged , | 7 Comments

A penny for the guy

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

Happy Guy Fawkes Day! To wind up Witch Week, we’re exploring a political fantasy by Diana Wynne Jones appropriate to this day of “gunpowder treason and plot“. Head over to Calmgrove to read our discussion of Cart & Cwidder. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Villains, Witch Week | Tagged | 1 Comment

Evil too close to home

Posted on November 4, 2019 by

What’s that police van doing here, you ask? Well, it’s a subtle reference to the title character in one of Diana Wynne Jones’ fantasy novels, whose villain Jean Lee (from Jean Lee’s World) discusses in detail in today’s Witch Week … Continue reading →

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There’s more than one kind of wolf

Posted on November 2, 2019 by

Today’s Witch Week post, from my WW2019 co-host, Chris at Calmgrove, is all about the despicable and heinous, the selfish and greedy — the altogether dreadful villains of Joan Aiken’s Wolves Chronicles. Whether you know Aiken’s series well, or are … Continue reading →

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Images most horrifying

Posted on November 1, 2019 by

Day 2 of Witch Week, and I’m honored that my review of villains in graphic novels is featured today over at Calmgrove. And someday I may explain all about the Bat-winged Hamburger Snatcher, who is, alas, NOT included in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Graphic Novel, Science fiction, Villains, Witch Week | Tagged | 4 Comments

A frosty queen

Posted on October 31, 2019 by

First up for Witch Week, Laurie from Relevant Obscurity explores Narnia’s arch villain, Jadis. Read what Laurie has to say about this infamous evil queen at Calmgrove. And as a little Halloween treat, this oldie from Sesame Street:

Posted in Fantasy, Witch Week | Tagged | 2 Comments

Witch Week 2019 Begins

Posted on October 30, 2019 by

Witch Week — 7 days inspired by the writings of Diana Wynne Jones and dedicated to the appreciation of fantastical books — is here at last. This is the second year that Chris at Calmgrove and I have co-hosted the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Villains, Witch Week | Tagged | 1 Comment