Full of very big (and small) ideas, this is science fiction for people who love science. I went in blind so I had no idea where it was going, and loveFull of very big (and small) ideas, this is science fiction for people who love science. I went in blind so I had no idea where it was going, and loved the ride. Switching characters, styles, settings, and even sub genres with every chapter, it could be frustrating for some people, but for me the big ideas held it all together as much as a straightforward story would in a more typical book.
I hope the Netflix show doesn’t fuck this up, but I doubt it’ll be able to capture the sense of awe at the power and peril of science. Like, this is essentially a murder mystery where an abstract concept is the victim. Good luck with that!
Luckily we have the book. I might have to give the sequels a shot too. ...more
As with any anthology, I liked / was grossed out by some stories more than others, but the majority here are great if you're into short splatterpunk. As with any anthology, I liked / was grossed out by some stories more than others, but the majority here are great if you're into short splatterpunk. There is a lot of raw talent among these authors, though sometimes grammar errors distract from it. Stick around after the credits for a bonus story!...more
Short bits of the subtle horror and anxiety associated with everyday modern life. Despite being written in the 50s, a lot of it is still relatable herShort bits of the subtle horror and anxiety associated with everyday modern life. Despite being written in the 50s, a lot of it is still relatable here in 2021. I'm a guy and most of these stories are about women, and some difficulties specific to women (maybe some specific to Shirley Jackson too), so for me it was partially relatable, but partially better understanding how other people see the world. These stories, all of them pretty similar, put you in the heads of the characters very effectively....more
My favourite book about buying illegal bugs with bitcoin.
I heard about this book from Mr. Frank on the Bizzong podcast, who named it his favourite bizMy favourite book about buying illegal bugs with bitcoin.
I heard about this book from Mr. Frank on the Bizzong podcast, who named it his favourite bizarro novel of the year. Mr. Frank has good taste.
George Billions has a sort of effortless style that makes the novel easy to read as it moves along at a good pace. I think “pace” applies differently to the bizarro genre. Bizarro stories risk blowing their loads too early, starting off with an outlandish premise, which makes for a flat arc where it’s just weird followed by more weird.
I prefer what Billions has done here, which is to start with a rather innocuous stoner predicament and a trendy topic rooted in the real world, then gradually ramping up the weirdness.
I highly recommend giving this odd little book a chance....more
Look, as an approaching-middle-aged dude, I’m not this book’s target audience, but I enjoyed it a heck of a lot anyway. The Gatsby Kids and the OutlawLook, as an approaching-middle-aged dude, I’m not this book’s target audience, but I enjoyed it a heck of a lot anyway. The Gatsby Kids and the Outlaw of Sherwood tells the story of three siblings with normal, troubled childhoods, who, with a wink to C.S. Lewis, are transported to another world through the shower at their school. Except maybe it’s not quite another world, but a myth from our world’s past—in this case, that of Robin Hood. A neat twist is that it’s not quite the Robin Hood we all know, but a younger version, which makes him more relatable to both the characters and the aforementioned target audience.
The book is well-written, and moves at a good pace, so even at novella length, a lot happens. Even with a distracting smartphone nearby, I can see kids delightfully devouring this book and the rest of the series.
Michaud includes references at the end for further reading on the historical aspects. It’s a small touch, but the added promise of education and message of integrity makes this a no-brainer for parents looking for a wholesome gift....more
The Gift is a well-written novella about a family dealing with loss, in a story spanning several generations. Feel-good inspirational stories aren’t nThe Gift is a well-written novella about a family dealing with loss, in a story spanning several generations. Feel-good inspirational stories aren’t normally my thing, but this one avoids some cliches that could have made it overly sappy, so I enjoyed it quite a bit. While it takes place at Christmas, the holiday isn’t the focus. In fact, there’s a shift away from the main setting introduced in the first few chapters, and that’s when things really pick up.
My favourite part was an unexpected sub-story about a struggle against nature. After that, there is some light religion involved, but thankfully it avoids any preachiness. The writing is sharp throughout, and it feels like just the right length to tell the story that needed telling.
It says something that even a horror-novel-loving, non-religious person like myself could enjoy this little story, so I’d say almost anyone would enjoy it....more
A murder mystery set in an alternate history in which Rome rules Europe. I'll be honest: I know very little about the culture or history of the Roman A murder mystery set in an alternate history in which Rome rules Europe. I'll be honest: I know very little about the culture or history of the Roman Empire, so a lot of the details in Dying to be Roman were likely lost on me. There is a glossary of the world's vernacular at the back, which helps, but it can still be hard to follow what's going on due to a combination of a lot of new words and a fast pace.
That said, the latter half of the book clicked better with me, maybe because I got used to it after spending some time in the world. The romance elements gave the story more humanity, and there is some harsh violence that comes out of nowhere. At least for me, that more explicit light and darkness helped inject some life into the story's later pages.
Ancient history buffs will find a lot to like here, but even the rest of us just looking for a good romance-sprinkled mystery will get something out of this novella if they stick with it....more
I believe the author (me) did a pretty good job with this one. It's more mature than the first book, with the focus shifting to characters over actionI believe the author (me) did a pretty good job with this one. It's more mature than the first book, with the focus shifting to characters over action, but it still maintains a pretty good pace. It's the middle book in a trilogy and it shows, with a few plot threads left unresolved, setting up the next book. Kind of lame for the author (again, myself) to leave everyone hanging like that. 4.5 stars. We'll see how the third book turns out....more
Intercrossed tells the story of Maryelle, a young woman who is able to transform into a coyote at will. It's an interesting world, where the conflict Intercrossed tells the story of Maryelle, a young woman who is able to transform into a coyote at will. It's an interesting world, where the conflict doesn’t really come from the werecreatures' abilities, but from the politics and hierarchy of how the various creatures organize themselves. That leads to the gushy center of the plot: Maryelle falls for a prince of the werecoyotes, and his society frowns upon him cavorting with non-royals like her.
This is very YA, and very romance. It contains everything you'd expect from that combination, and leaves out everything you wouldn't (e.g., no sex. It's not even clear if they got in any doggy-style sessions between all the drama). The dialogue is snappy, which is good, because it carries most of the plot and characterization. It's fast-paced and pretty short. I appreciated the rapid pace, because if it lingered any longer on any one plot development, it could easily have gotten too repetitive.
I can't give the book five stars, because I'm REALLY not the target audience for this (I got a free copy in exchange for a review, in case you're wondering how I came across it), and there are a few issues here and there, but I enjoyed this quick read. Fans of YA shifter romance will likely find everything they're looking for here....more
The Sleeping Pool is quite unlike other fantasy novels. For one thing, it takes place in a real location: the Chinhoyi Caves in Zimbambwe. I really enThe Sleeping Pool is quite unlike other fantasy novels. For one thing, it takes place in a real location: the Chinhoyi Caves in Zimbambwe. I really enjoyed the idea of exploring a real location with fantasy, especially a place I know next to nothing about. It's not exactly educational, given the heavy reliance on fictional elements, but it gives the story a unique flavor.
The story revolves around a man who runs into some trouble around the caves, and his twin brother Shaun's attempts to rescue him. There is a side plot about Shaun's business dealings that provides a nice break from the main story once in a while, and bit of romance thrown in, without it becoming the focus of the book. It's a well crafted plot, especially once it gets going. The writing is clear, for the most part, with some clever turns of phrase that keep it interesting. There are hints at deeper mysteries, too, nicely setting up a series.
I can't quite give it a perfect rating, because it could use some editing to iron out some typos and grammar issues, but they never distract too much from the story.
The Sleeping Pool is well worth a read, especially for those seeking a dip into something a little different....more
I wrote this, so maybe I'm a bit biased. I think it's pretty good though. 4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Good job, me.I wrote this, so maybe I'm a bit biased. I think it's pretty good though. 4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Good job, me....more
Fourth-wall breaking meta-fiction commenting on events that happened days before. It's amazing that we live in a time when this book can exist. Plus, Fourth-wall breaking meta-fiction commenting on events that happened days before. It's amazing that we live in a time when this book can exist. Plus, it's actually fun to read, especially if you are familiar with the larger Tingleverse (which includes Chuck's social media feeds in addition to his past books). I hope he wins!...more
Wow, what a novel. On the surface, this is a rather episodic story about nomadic werewolves, exploring the hidden corners of werewolf myths and the plWow, what a novel. On the surface, this is a rather episodic story about nomadic werewolves, exploring the hidden corners of werewolf myths and the places where they run up against the real world. A lot of time is spent examining the properties of werewolf piss.
The writing style paints with negative space. Mongrels drops beautiful splashes of words that let the reader fill in the blanks and infer meaning. There’s always a deeper real-world implication under the supernatural story on the surface, but it’s never simple. Never 1:1.
That extends to meta commentary on the purpose and meaning of horror stories themselves, like other great recent horror novels like A Headful of Ghosts. It’s done in a different and more subtle way here, however.
Even ignoring all that, it’s a damn good werewolf novel....more
This is one of those books with such an irresistible premise, that I couldn't help buying it immediately after I read the description. It's a simple iThis is one of those books with such an irresistible premise, that I couldn't help buying it immediately after I read the description. It's a simple idea: teens play a game in which the person tagged has to change their life in the next fifteen minutes.
The book takes that idea and runs with it, becoming a sort of Fight Club for teenagers. It works, given the struggles all young people have with identity. And the book doesn't judge the characters; even when things go wrong, it's not preaching that a break from our pre-established lots in life is necessarily a bad thing.
The writing sometimes drops pronouns in a weird, distracting way, but I got used to it. Good read. ...more
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