Book Review: Tarnished by Rhiannon Held
(You can see my review of the previous novel, Silver, here. I’ve also conducted an interview with Rhiannon about Tarnished.) Back in 2012, I interviewed then-debut novelist Rhiannon Held about Silver, a new urban fantasy novel involving werewolves (oh noes). In truth, I was skeptical at the time; I didn’t think much of urban fantasy […]
Book Review: Breach Zone by Myke Cole
(Note: There are some minor details about the previous books in this review. I don’t honestly think they’re that spoiler-y, but you’ve been warned.) I am deeply ashamed that I have not yet written a proper review of Myke Cole’s various works. He’s been on my podcast three times, and I have yet to review […]
On Richard Phillips’ A Captain’s Duty (a Book Review)
Most of you know the story. In 2009, the merchant vessel Maersk Alabama was hijacked by four Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia. Her captain, Richard Phillips, was taken hostage and was not freed until several days later when a Navy SEALs team shot and killed the pirates. It became a national story almost immediately: […]
Book Review: Birds and Birthdays by Christopher Barzak
(Note: This will be a long review. If you want the short version, it’s this — go buy the book, because it’s bloody good.) In 2007, Christopher Barzak released One For Sorrow, a supernatural YA novel that so successfully encapsulated the terrifying experience of adolescence that it became one of my favorite novels of the 2000s. […]
Book Review: In the Lion’s Mouth by Michael Flynn
(Note: This review was originally intended for publication, but certain professional and personal obligations prevented its completion. My apologies for its lateness, but I could not sit on this version any longer. Thanks to Abigail Nussbaum and others who viewed it in earlier incarnations.) Michael F. Flynn’s In the Lion’s Mouth is a space opera […]
Book Review: Silver by Rhiannon Held
Every time I read an urban fantasy, I remind myself that I am not the primary audience. After all, much of what I dislike about urban fantasy are the very things I dislike about bad books. Stereotypical characterization, repetitive narratives, and repetitive tropes (if I see one more tramp stamp cover I’m going to blow […]