The Planetbreaker’s Son by Nick Mamatas
PM Press’s Outspoken Authors imprint published The Planetbreaker’s Son (2021) by Nick Mamatas. The slim book includes the titular novella, the SF story “Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring, Ring,” a personal essay called “The Term Paper Artist,” and an interview with Mamatas hosted by Terry Bisson.
Honestly, the quirky interview with these two guys was worth the price of the book for me.
In a brief statement at the beginning of “Ring,
February 18th, 2021. Marion Deeds´s rating: 5 | Nick Mamatas | Short Fiction | SFF Reviews | no comments |
James Herman Banning was a Black American aviator, part of the Bessie Coleman Aero Club in Los Angeles, and the first black pilot to fly across the continental United States.
Contests:
Waukegan Public Library’s Ray Bradbury Writing Contest announced its winner: Orton Ortwein. Waukegan is Bradbury’s birthplace.
Writers, Writing, Reading, Books:
Scott Edelman offers hors-d’oeuvres with Mary Robinette Kowal in this episode of the Eating the Fantastic podcast.
L. Penelope Guest wrote this essay for Locus back in August,
February 17th, 2021. Marion Deeds | World Wide Wednesday | no comments |
Dr. Evelyn Caldwell is a geneticist specializing in cloning, at the pinnacle of her career: The Echo Wife (2021) begins with a banquet at which she is given a prestigious award. At the same time, Evelyn is at a low point in her personal life. She’s a prickly loner and a workaholic, and her husband Nathan has recently left her for another woman. What makes matters far worse is that Nathan, a far less brilliant scientist than Evelyn, has stolen Evelyn’s research to clone Evelyn herself to grow himself a new wife,
February 17th, 2021. Tadiana Jones, Jana Nyman and Kelly Lasiter´s rating: 4 | Sarah Gailey | Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 5 comments |
Death Weavers (2016) is the fourth of five novels in Brandon Mull’s FIVE KINGDOMS series. This is a fun adventure that I’d recommend for middle grade readers. You’ll want to read the first three books, Sky Raiders, Rogue Knight, and Crystal Keepers, before picking up Death Weavers. I’ll assume you’ve read them and I may include minor spoilers for those earlier installments in this review.
February 16th, 2021. Kat Hooper´s rating: 3.5 | Brandon Mull | Audio, Children | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Because I got an ARC of Hearts of Tabat, the second book in Cat Rambo’s TABAT QUARTET, in 2018, I read it before the first book. I thought that would have a negative impact on my reaction to Book One, Beasts of Tabat, but as I was reading, my brain reset itself, and when I got to the end I was almost as shocked as if I hadn’t had some inkling what was coming.
February 15th, 2021. Marion Deeds´s rating: 4 | Cat Rambo | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Marion: I had a hiatus in my revision-a-thon, and I was so happy! I got to read for pleasure! And not my own stuff over and over. I’m about to finish Daniel Jose Older’s Shadowshaper Legacy, the third book in his YA fantasy trilogy. Older expands the shadowshaper lore and takes us back to the history of the magic, and Sierra’s roots. The final few chapters are suspenseful and I can’t wait to see how they prevail against the army of adversaries they face.
Terry: It was another week in which my attention was mostly riveted on politics,
February 14th, 2021. Tim Scheidler | Status Update | no comments |
B.P.R.D. (Vol. 11): The Black Goddess by Mike Mignola (writer), John Arcudi (writer), Guy Davis (art), Dave Stewart (colors), and Clem Robins (letters)
The Black Goddess is the second volume of the Scorched Earth Trilogy, and it continues the events started in Volume 10: The Warning. But it also is a story that is far into the Hellboy universe, and thus this is not a good place to start reading. Begin with Hellboy volume one and read that series before reading the B.P.R.D.
February 13th, 2021. Brad Hawley´s rating: 4.5 | Mike Mignola | Comics | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Beginning in the middle of the 19th century, explorations began in the ancient Mayan city complex known as Tikal, in a remote and inaccessible area of northern Guatemala. In the 1880s, a systematic clearing of the area commenced, as well as a recording of the manifold marvels that were being discovered in this centuries-old site. (And when I say “centuries,” that is perhaps an understatement, as it has since been established that Tikal’s heyday was from A.D. 200 – 900.) Perhaps stimulated by news reports of this Central American wonder,
February 12th, 2021. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4 | Roy Norton | Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
Valentine’s Day is around the corner!
Love is in the air and everyone’s thoughts turn to romance.
Five years ago we asked readers about their favorite fantasy and science fiction romances. We thought we’d check in again to see if there are any updates to your lists.
Who are your new (and all-time) favorite SFF couples, and why?
And, are there any SFF couples that you really despise? If so, why?
As usual, one random commenter picks a book from the stacks.
February 11th, 2021. FanLit | Giveaway!, Thoughtful Thursday | 27 comments |
Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
Princess Thanh was a royal hostage for many years in the northern country of Ephteria before being sent back to her home country of Bình Hải. Two years after her return, she’s a disappointment to her mother, the empress, who hoped that Thanh’s time in Ephteria would give her insights into that country’s government and culture, making her more useful as a diplomat. It’s especially important now that an Ephterian delegation is arriving, certain to make demands and threats that will encroach on Bình Hải’s independence.
February 11th, 2021. Tadiana Jones´s rating: 3.5 | Aliette De_Bodard | Short Fiction, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Do it! One of the best things I've read in recent years.
This reminds me. I want to read Addie LaRue.
We’re in total agreement David!
I felt just the same. The prose and character work was excellent. The larger story was unsatisfying, especially compared to…
Hmmm. I think I'll pass.