This is the third book in Isobelle Carmody‘s THE OBERNEWTYN CHRONICLES, marking the point where the series takes on a truly epic quality. Seriously, this instalment is twice the size of the first volume, and the next one is even larger!
Elspeth Gordie is one of many so-called Misfits that dwell in the safe haven of Obernewtyn, a place where those with psychic abilities (whether they’re telepaths, coercers, beast-speakers or far-seekers) can live in peace and secrecy.
November 30th, 2017. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 4 | Isobelle Carmody | Young Adult | SFF Reviews | no comments |
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood was once, via a review of her work, once taken a bit publicly to task by Ursula K. LeGuin for not wanting her books (specifically The Handmaid’s Tale, Oryx and Crake, and The Year of the Flood) to be labeled “science fiction,” because, LeGuin speculated, Atwood did not want to be relegated to the genre ghetto. Atwood, however, responded that it was merely a definitional issue.
November 29th, 2017. Bill Capossere, Stuart Starosta, Rebecca Fisher and Kat Hooper´s rating: 5 | Margaret Atwood | Audio, Edge, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
In World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, Max Brooks provides an oral history of the global conflict against the undead. In the introduction, the narrator explains how this account focuses on the human element rather than just the statistical details of World War Z. The text shifts from the experiences of one survivor to the next.
The history begins in China. Dr. Kwang Jing-shu recalls when he encountered the “Patient Zero,” a child,
November 27th, 2017. Ryan Skardal and Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 4 | Max Brooks | Horror, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |
The Crystal Heart by Sophie Masson
I’ve always enjoyed Sophie Masson‘s books, and it would seem she’s written something of an unofficial trilogy based on the stories of Rapunzel (The Crystal Heart), Cinderella (Moonlight & Ashes) and Beauty and the Beast (Scarlet in the Snow). All of them are based on old familiar fairy tales, but take the opportunity to flesh out the characters and expand the tales into fully-fledged adventures,
November 20th, 2017. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 3 | Sophie Masson | Stand-Alone, Young Adult | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
Scarlet in the Snow by Sophie Masson
Sophie Masson‘s unofficial fairy tale trilogy is linked only by the presence of feya (powerful fairies) and certain geographical locations, which hint that Scarlet in the Snow, Moonlight & Ashes, and The Crystal Heart all exist in the same world, though none of the stories or characters ever interact.
Each one is based on a traditional fairy tale, with Scarlet in the Snow providing some interesting twists on the story of Beauty and the Beast.
November 15th, 2017. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 4 | Sophie Masson | Stand-Alone, Young Adult | SFF Reviews | no comments |
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip
As one of Patricia McKillip’s earlier works, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld provides an interesting comparison to her first publication Riddle-Master, a dense trilogy that made the most of her trademark poetic-prose. On the other hand, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a relatively slim volume with a clear concise style and a straightforward story. Since then, McKillip has managed to successfully merge the aspects of both works in her later works,
September 19th, 2017. Rebecca Fisher and Jana Nyman´s rating: 4 | Patricia McKillip | Stand-Alone, World Fantasy Award, Young Adult | SFF Reviews | no comments |
The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox
In many ways this is a strange book in both content and format, but once you read the first few chapters and get used to the way in which the story is told, The Vintner’s Luck (1998) is a compelling, page-turning read from an author whose style reminds me of a slightly more refined Joanne Harris.
Sobran Jodeau is a young vintner in early nineteenth century Burgundy; lovelorn and a little drunk when he wanders into his vineyards one summer night.
August 30th, 2017. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 5 | Elizabeth Knox | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
The Crowfield Demon by Pat Walsh
In The Crowfield Curse (2012), young William and his friends and allies righted a long-ago wrong at Crowfield Abbey and faced down the terrifying Unseelie King. But now another evil is rising at the abbey — one that has even the Unseelie King running scared.
The Crowfield Demon is even better and spookier than The Crowfield Curse. I didn’t realize how familiar the abbey had begun to feel after one relatively short book;
August 29th, 2017. Kelly Lasiter and Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 5 | Pat Walsh | Young Adult | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
If the idea of a heist aboard a sentient train traveling at faster-than-light speeds appeals to you; if said heist involves assumed identities, the theft of a very old and valuable artifact, and a criminal thumbing his nose at a family-run corporation/empire; if you like believable romance and honest-to-goodness fun, then Philip Reeve’s latest YA novel, Railhead, is for you. (If none of that appeals to you, read on anyway: I may be able to change your mind.)
In a galaxy filled with novelties like sentient trains who travel at faster-than-light speeds on specially crafted rails through K-gates stationed on nearly a thousand worlds and moons,
July 26th, 2017. Jana Nyman, Rebecca Fisher and Bill Capossere´s rating: 5 | Philip Reeve | Stand-Alone, Young Adult | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
The Curse of Sleeping Beauty directed by Pearry Teo
Is this a good movie? No. Is it a fairly entertaining way of filling in a rainy afternoon? Sure.
There are actually a lot of things about The Curse of Sleeping Beauty I enjoyed: it has a unique visual style that’s a sort of fantasy/steampunk mash-up, and a story that’s half-horror, half-fairy tale (with a dash of ghost story thrown in for good measure). The acting ain’t bad, and though the twist is pretty obvious, I felt satisfied at having correctly guessed what it would be.
July 5th, 2017. Rebecca Fisher´s rating: 2 | Film / TV | SFF Reviews | 1 comment |
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.
COMMENT Was I hinting that? I wasn't aware of it. But now that you mention it.... 🤔
So it sounds like you're hinting Fox may have had three or so different incomplete stories that he stitched together,…