I hear those words, the words of my writing professor when I was an undergraduate. 20 something old me would love this and move Show Me, Don't Tell Me
I hear those words, the words of my writing professor when I was an undergraduate. 20 something old me would love this and move on; 50 year old me was annoyed.
This was not my first McCarthy, but it might be my last for a good bit.
A measure of how much I enjoyed a read is how long it took me to finish. This was a good 30 days, mostly from indifference....more
This is set-up for the final volume. I will definitely read the whole series all the way through when I get my hands on volume 10. This is so good, I This is set-up for the final volume. I will definitely read the whole series all the way through when I get my hands on volume 10. This is so good, I dread it ending. ...more
Weir might have a mold that he doesn’t stray far from, but it works for this page turner. I started this on a flight from Alaska to the east coast. ThWeir might have a mold that he doesn’t stray far from, but it works for this page turner. I started this on a flight from Alaska to the east coast. The only reason I didn’t finish it in two days was due to a busy conference. As soon as that was over, I spent a morning in my hotel finishing this fun read. ...more
This isn’t a book for everyone. This is a book for fans of Sword & Sorcery and fans of Campbell.
Some of these stories I have encountered in Andrew OfThis isn’t a book for everyone. This is a book for fans of Sword & Sorcery and fans of Campbell.
Some of these stories I have encountered in Andrew Offut’s Swords Against Darkness series, which are long out of print and no longer readily available like leaves on the grass at used book stores.
It’s not difficult to find RC’s Mythos stories in various collections, but finding his (few) S&S stories, and COMPLETE (!) for the first time is a great service to fans.
Admittedly, this is an uneven collection, but if you have rose colored nostalgic glasses such as my own, you need/want this book.
Shout out to DMR books: they bring old-school (often hard to find) books such as this and showcase new talent. If you are a fan of Sword & Sorcery, Sword & Planet, and great adventure stories, seek them out!...more
I liked the story up until the ending. The writing was good throughout. Over the past couple of years, I have become a David C. Smith fan.
The “about”I liked the story up until the ending. The writing was good throughout. Over the past couple of years, I have become a David C. Smith fan.
The “about” section at the end was interesting to me. Smith wrote this decades ago for a magazine that never saw the light of day; in the 90’s he landed the opportunity to publish with a a small press.
It is hard to come by these days, but DMR books managed to get a few copies and advertised them for sale on a Facebook group I am a member of. I snatched up a copy.
I read it in one sitting on a short flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks. Even though the ending let me down, it was a fine airplane read.
It is illustrated and published in a pulp magazine format, which fits the feel of it perfectly. If you get the chance to snag a copy, do so....more
I’m honestly not sure what rating to give this book.
Reaction 1: it collects the original Eric John Stark stories by Leigh Brackett. Nearly 10 years aI’m honestly not sure what rating to give this book.
Reaction 1: it collects the original Eric John Stark stories by Leigh Brackett. Nearly 10 years ago, I was subscribed to Paizios Planet Story line. From those I read The Secret of Sinharat and People of the Talisman; both of which are Re-writes of “Queen of the Martian Catacombs” and “Black Amazon of Mars”, respectively. I DID NOT KNOW THOSE NOVELS WERE RE-WRITES!
Naturally, I was excited to read the originals all in one book. The stories themselves are solid works of Sword & Planet. In my opinion, ERB might have started it, but Leigh Brackett was better at it.
Reaction 2: I was happy this was an illustrated book. I was unhappy with the illustrations produced by StarTwo. They are fine as illustrations go, but they did not match well with how I depict Eric John Stark and his world in my head.
Reaction 3: This might have been a misunderstanding on my part, but I thought I read on Cirsova’s announcement page that there was an introduction written. This volume contains zero introductions and would have benefited greatly from short, well thought out and smartly written introductions to each of the three stories. Instead, I found myself combing the internet for such.
So yeah, great stories, but the art felt all wrong and no essays. It made for an uneven ride. ...more
Four shorts make up issue 300 (Marvel Legacy #). Jim Zub takes a bow with a Conan and Belit story. Wraal the Devourer of Souls makes a short appearancFour shorts make up issue 300 (Marvel Legacy #). Jim Zub takes a bow with a Conan and Belit story. Wraal the Devourer of Souls makes a short appearance in the fourth tale. The biggest news is Marvel is setting this title aside (temporarily?) to debut King Conan #1 in December. Jason Aaron is back on as writer. I was not craze-balls over his 12 issue run, but it did have moments of greatness. I remain optimistic, but will miss Jim Zub. ...more
Tales from the Magicians Skull stays strong with each issue. This one will get lots of attention as it has a Fafhrd and Gray Mouser pastiche by NathanTales from the Magicians Skull stays strong with each issue. This one will get lots of attention as it has a Fafhrd and Gray Mouser pastiche by Nathan Long that is approved by Fritz Leiber’s estate. Nathan Long writes that he hopes the fans will see it is a worthy homage. This fan did. Taking the Twain into the world of theater seems a wonderful choice, and with Leiber’s background, I’m shocked he never did so himself.
Doubtless there will be disappointed fans, perhaps even angry fans. With a cow as sacred as the Gray One and his hulking Northern partner, it is impossible to please all; however, Mr. Long won this fan over.
Issue six also sees the return of John C. Hawking’s Benhus. The dastardly King’s Blade is a favorite of mine. This tale of mysterious wands and wards does not disappoint.
Howard Andrew Jones returns his character of Hanuvar to the pages of the Skull. I like this series, and now that I have read books 1 and 2 of HAJ’s Ring-Sworn Trilogy, I am a fan of HAJ. Seek him out.
I cannot remember if Greg Mele’s Azatlan is new to TftMS, but new or not, his story delivers the stuff.
James Enge’s Morlock Ambrosius is definitely not new to the magazine (or elsewhere for that matter). I did not immediately warm to Enge’s Morlock tales, but this one was short, with just the right touch of bitter.
Violette Malan’s Mercenary Brothers have appeared before. I enjoy the adventures of Dhulyn and Parno. This might be the weakest story between the covers, but trust me, if this is the weakest link, than there is little room for complaint.
The included essay about Fritz Leiber by Michael Curtis is short, but sufficient and gives a good back on the history of the Twain and Leiber.
If you have not jumped onto the Tales From the Magician’s Skull bandwagon, this is a great starting point. Many of the characters repeat from issue to issue, but you will not be lost. ...more
Middle books often slow, but HAJ keeps the same pace he set in the first. His writing style is quick, descriptive without inflation. This is epic fantMiddle books often slow, but HAJ keeps the same pace he set in the first. His writing style is quick, descriptive without inflation. This is epic fantasy, but written from a student of Sword & Sorcery.
I’m not willing to jump into too many more series. As I prepare to enter my 50’s, I feel I must limit myself, or never get to all those books I wish to read.
But, an epic fantasy that is a trilogy and not a multi-phonebook-sized frenzy AND it’s not Grim Dark, it has characters I can actually like? I was too intrigued to resist temptation.
Lucky me, I finished this just a few weeks after book 3 was published. I offer another jab at those overstuffed Grim Dark buffet style books—no waiting years between sequels!
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