Blog Posts

Blog Posts

The Disquieting Guest — Universal Monsters and the Passing of the Gothic

/

Another week, another story on the attempt by Universal Studios to create a “Monsterverse,” leading to another bit of fretting on my part. I agree with the points in this piece, and I’ve already written about why I think the approach is misguided (at best), but after some online conversation with some friends, I am increasingly of the opinion that Universal’s project would be doomed no matter what the approach. Much as it pains me to admit it, we may be past the era in which any revival of these characters would stand a chance.

Blog Posts

Book Review: Patchwerk by David Tallerman

/

Dran Florrian’s latest invention, the capstone of his scientific career, sits in the hold of the transcontinental airship he is traveling in. Palimpsest, a way to access parallel universes, is a powerful invention, powerful enough that a rival of his, and an ex-lover, would do anything to get it. In short order, the scientist is learning that espionage and feats of daring aboard an airship, and damage to Palimpsest itself, soon mean that it’s not just Dran that is fighting for the object with his antagonists, but his own counterparts in parallel universes are struggling with their counterparts in other worlds. And Palimpsest itself may have ideas about its, and Dran’s, future. Patchwerk, by David Tallerman is a novella from the Tor.com novella publishing program.

Blog Posts

Book Review: Swords and Scoundrels by Julia Knight

/

Vocho and Kasha are duelists, or were, once upon a time. In these less enlightened times, not only are they no longer in the Duellists Guild, the Guild itself isn’t quite the institution it once was, after the fall of a King and the rise of a new order. Vocho and Kasha take whatever jobs they can to survive, and those jobs often involve the liberation of goods and funds from the more well off. However, the problem of being highwaymen is that sometimes you wind up with a cargo far beyond what you bargained for, a cargo that several factions are looking to capture, or destroy, with the fate of cities and even a kingdom in the balance. Now, with such a hot potato, the pasts of Vocho and Kasha seems poised to catch up with their present. Swords and Scoundrels is the first in the Duellists Trilogy from Julia Knight. Julia Knight, under the name Francis Knight,  is also known for writing the Fade to Black series.

Torture Cinema Polls

Torture Cinema Poll for February 2016: What should we watch next?

/

The new season begins soon, and that means more Torture Cinema!  We haven’t asked you to vote since before our Childhood Destruction editions of the TC feature.  Now, we’re back to the listener-voted format. You know the drill.  VOTE! As always, if you want to suggest a movie for us to discuss on this feature or Shoot the WISB, a topic for general discussion, a guest to include, and so on, you can let us know on our Suggest a Topic page!

Announcements and Errata

2016 Season Begins: Expectations and Suggestions!

/

The new year is upon us.  Oh, heck, who am I kidding?  It’s been upon us for weeks, and boy is 2016 turning out to be a SF/F tornado of emotion! The good news is that we’re going to have new episodes soon.  That means more interviews, more discussions, more movies, and more torturous adventures full of drinking, grumpy debate, and merriment! So, with that in mind, here are a few things to expect from us in 2016:

Blog Posts

Book Review: COLD IRON by Stina Leicht

/

High, epic fantasy is perhaps my favorite genre. Yet, its books can easily turn tired and formulaic. Epic fantasy also tends to reach high page counts, both in a given novel and within a giant series, filled with a rich tapestry of characters and world building. But in so doing they can also become bogged-down with superfluous detours and asides. They can balloon into the unmanageable. What I adore about Stina Leicht’s Cold Iron, the first entry in a series entitled The Malorum Gates, is that that she effectively tinkers with many of the genre conventions, merging them with elements more typically stressed in other fiction, while keeping the joy of epic fantasy intact in a hefty read. Nels and his twin sister Suvi are Kainen royalty in the nation of Eledore, and heirs to the throne. The Kainen are an ancient line of magical humanoids capable of compelling other people and animals. But while Suvi is capably ready to lead, Nels remains unassured, hiding his secret weakness in the Kainen magic expected from his genes. At a moment of crisis, Nels’ inability in traditional strengths leads him to breaking taboo, and thereafter following a path developing other talents in the Eledorean military, shunned from royal court.

Scroll to Top