Book Review: The Architect and the Castle of Glass by Jade Mere
Jade Mere’s debut work with Dreamspinner Press, The Architect and the Castle of Glass, takes readers on an adventure to a strange castle in a distant land, where the main character, Tahki, is faced with the greatest architectural challenge of his life, that may or may not lead him to love. A high fantasy novel with touches of steampunk that mix with fascinating class systems, The Architect and the Castle of Glass is a coming-of-age tale that follows a troubled path. And while it may not be a complete stunner, it’s a comfortable novel that has some great themes and a solid ending.
Speculative Fiction in Translation #4: Francesco Verso, Italy and Japan
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SFiTEpisode4FrancescoVersoItalyAndJapan/Sfit-Episode4-FrancescoVersoItalyAndJapan.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSItaly and Japan dominate this week’s episode, which includes SFT updates for April and an interview with the very talented and very busy Italian author/editor/publisher Francesco Verso. Rachel fills you in on the Chinese, Italian, Korean, Dutch, French, and Spanish short SFT available in the past month, several novels, excerpts you can read online, reviews, and a new feature on her site: Daniel Haeusser reviewing short SFT each month. With new stories and books coming to our attention each week, make sure to check the SFT website for updates. Enjoy, and keep reading! A bientôt! Show notes:
Signal Boost #39 — Joseph Brassey (Dragon Road) and Michael R. Underwood (Born to the Blade)
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFSignalBoost39BrasseyUnderwood/Sandf–SignalBoost39–BrasseyUnderwood.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSIn today’s episode of Signal Boost, Paul talks to Joseph Brassey about the second book in his Drifting Lands series, Dragon Road. Careful, because there are spoilers for the first book in the series, Skyfarer, which you should definitely go read right away. When you’re ready, listen to Joseph discuss how he likes to explore what makes good characters good people, what type of redemption arc he has written, and a little bit about how comedy and his improv background inform his writing. Then Paul is joined by our very own Michael R. Underwood to talk about his brand new Serial Box Publishing project, Born to the Blade. They discuss the process that Mike went through to get Born to the Blade from a concept to a Serial Box project and what it’s like to work with 3 other authors (Marie Brennan, Cassandra Khaw, and Malka Older) in a collaborative story-telling process, including what changed from the original concept. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Book Review: The Green Man’s Heir by Juliet McKenna
The story of Daniel Mackmain, son of a Dryad, inspired by Juliet McKenna’s 2012 story “The Roots of Aston Quercus”, is told in her new novel, The Green Man’s Heir. The Green Man’s Heir combines a strong sense of place with a confident use of rural fantasy to create a strong character and excellent worldbuilding.
Book Review: Born to the Blade by Mike Underwood, Cassandra Khaw, Marie Brennan and Malka Older
Imagine a place where diverse and very different polities come to meet, to trade, to conduct diplomacy, to intrigue. Amidst large and scheming powers in a world on the edge of conflict and war, this is a shining beacon, all alone in the night. Imagine a group of ambassadors who come to meet at this place. They have agendas, factions, goals, hopes, fears that they bring with them from across known space. And what they do will not only change their lives, but the destinies of worlds far beyond theirs. No, this is not Babylon 5*. For this place is a trio of islands in the sky; the diplomats and ambassadors are skilled with swords and blade-based magic. Welcome to the world of Serial Box’s latest serial, Born to the Blade.
Signal Boost #38 — At ICFA — The Dell Award Finalists
https://media.blubrry.com/skiffyandfanty/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/archive.org/download/SandFSignalBoost38DellAwardFinalists/Sandf–SignalBoost38–DellAwardFinalists.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Podcast Index | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | RSSIn today’s episode of Signal Boost, Shaun, Julia and Joyce sit down with the finalists for the Dell Award for Undergraduate Excellence in Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing at ICFA! They talk to Arthur Davis (the 2018 Dell Award Winner), C.E. McGill, Brittney Hubley, and Alexandra Barr about their experiences at ICFA, their work and influences, and becoming Dell Award Finalists (you, too, can submit to the Dell Award)! We hope you enjoy the episode! (This is a live recording, so please excuse the audio!)
