Previous SFF Author: Angie Frazier
Gulliver of Mars by Edwin L. Arnold
Editor’s note: Because it’s in the public domain, Gulliver of Mars is free in Kindle format.
On those rare occasions when it is discussed at all today, British author Edwin L. Arnold’s final book, Lt. Gullivar Jones: His Vacation, is primarily spoken of as a possible influence on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter novels. But this, it seems to me,
March 21st, 2018. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4 | Edwin L. Arnold | Free!, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 9 comments |
Starman’s Quest by Robert Silverberg
Editor’s Note: Being in the public domain, Starman’s Quest (1958) is available free in Kindle format. You can add audio narration for $2.99.
There’s an author’s note attached to various versions of Starman’s Quest at Amazon that goes like this: “This book is a very early and not very good work of the author, who has tried to prevent the issue of a new edition of it. Unfortunately, since it is no longer protected by copyright,
August 9th, 2017. Kat Hooper´s rating: 3 | Robert Silverberg | Audio, Free!, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 4 comments |
Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Editor’s note: Carmilla is free in Kindle format because it’s in the public domain.
Giving Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla (1872) a 4-star rating feels a bit like critiquing my cat’s life choices. Sure, she could act more like a cat, and she could definitely make more sense from time to time — but ultimately, I love her and that ought to be enough.
Carmilla truly begins when Carmilla (surprise) arrives somewhat suddenly at the summer home of Laura and her father.
March 28th, 2017. Skye Walker´s rating: 4 | Joseph Sheridan Le_Fanu | Free!, Horror, Short Fiction, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 6 comments |
The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Editor’s note: This title can be purchased free on Kindle.
The Chessmen of Mars, Edgar Rice Burroughs’ fifth JOHN CARTER novel out of eleven, first appeared in serial form in the magazine Argosy All Story Weekly from February to April 1922. It is easily the best of the Carter lot to this point; the most detailed, the most imaginative, and the best written. Carter himself only appears at the beginning and end of the tale.
December 13th, 2016. Sandy Ferber and Tim Scheidler´s rating: 4 | Edgar Rice Burroughs | Free! | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
Mr. Meeson’s Will by H. Rider Haggard
Editor’s note: Mr. Meeson’s Will is free in Kindle format
Mr. Meeson’s Will was first printed in book form in October 1888, after having first appeared earlier that year in The Illustrated London News. It was H. Rider Haggard’s 11th novel (out of 58), and one in which his experiences as both a writer and aspiring lawyer were given vent. The novel is at once a tale of adventure,
December 9th, 2016. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4 | H. Rider Haggard | Free!, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
“The Uncarved Heart” by Evan Dicken (Nov. 2016, free at Beneath Ceaseless Skies, 99c Kindle magazine issue, 0.99£ UK magazine issue)
It’s hard to tell what someone is really made of, at least until you crack them open. Some have hearts fragile as spun glass, quick to break and impossible to put back together; others have iron in their chests heavy enough to weight the whole of their being.
November 28th, 2016. Katie Burton, Kat Hooper, Tadiana Jones and Marion Deeds | Clifford D. Simak, George R.R. Martin, Kurt Vonnegut, Theodore Sturgeon | Audio, Free!, Hugo Award, Nebula Award, Short Fiction | SFF Reviews | 3 comments |
Doctor Therne by H. Rider Haggard
Hard as it may be to believe, there was a time in English history when the populace vigorously refused to be protected against the smallpox scourge that so often ravaged the countryside. Indeed, to this day in the 21st century, there are still many people around the world who view vaccination against disease an unsafe practice, and refuse to partake of its proven benefits. Back in 1796, when English doctor Edward Jenner first demonstrated the usefulness of introducing cowpox into an individual to prevent smallpox,
April 15th, 2016. Sandy Ferber | H. Rider Haggard | Edge, Free!, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | no comments |
Today Fantasy Literature welcomes Philip Reeve, whose most recent novel, Railhead, is accruing rave reviews (including ours). Jana chatted with him about Easter eggs within his novel, his thoughts on grimdark, and more. One lucky commenter will win a copy of Railhead!
Jana Nyman: I recently discovered that Railhead is being adapted to film, so congratulations are absolutely in order! How excited are you to see your novel morph from page to screen?
April 12th, 2016. Jana Nyman | Philip Reeve | Free! | Author Interviews, Giveaway! | 9 comments |
Today, Mark Andrew Ferguson visits Fantasy Literature to celebrate the paperback release of his well-received debut novel, The Lost Boys Symphony, which brings mental illness, time travel, and the bonds of friendship into a compelling and cohesive whole. He was kind enough to talk with Jana about his novel, sharing insight into his writing process and an upcoming project. One lucky commenter will win a copy of The Lost Boys Symphony!
Jana Nyman: I appreciated your treatment of Henry’s mental state: you took a serious approach with a very real illness and added a fantastical layer to it,
April 5th, 2016. Jana Nyman | Mark Andrew Ferguson | Free! | Author Interviews, Giveaway! | 12 comments |
Colonel Quaritch, V.C.: A Tale of Country Life by H. Rider Haggard
Here is a free Kindle Version.
Almost 120 years before British author J.K. Rowling faced the pressure and the problem of how to follow a string of phenomenally successful novels, another British writer was faced with the same dilemma. H. Rider Haggard, between the years 1885 and 1887, had come out with four of the most popular novels of the late Victorian era: King Solomon’s Mines (1885);
December 16th, 2015. Sandy Ferber´s rating: 4 | H. Rider Haggard | Free!, Stand-Alone | SFF Reviews | 2 comments |
Previous SFF Author: Angie Frazier
What a fascinating exploration of Edwige Fenech's contributions to the giallo genre! I love how the post highlights her unique…
Pretty challenging book. Cut by half, speed up the cadence. Trying to figure out the plot, the main point of…
Thanks for the kind words, Marion! Coming as they are from a professional writer, they are much appreciated!
Wonderful review, Sandy.
The "body count" bothered me a bit less because being dead seemed more like an inconvenience than anything else... unlike…