Small Press, Big Stories: NewCon Press
Steven Poore
To kick off this new monthly column focusing on small and independent presses from around the world, what better place to start than Ian Whates’ NewCon Press, which has published…
A Conjuring of Light by V. E. Schwab
Eric Christensen
Spoiler Warning: To the extent possible, I have done my best to minimize spoilers for the entire Shades of Magic trilogy. However, this is a review of the third book…
When Characters Shed Names
Nicola Alter
We real-world folks can get very attached to our names. Most of us only change them when we get married or divorced, convert to a new religion, or arrive in…
In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan
Steve Damarell
The fourth book of an ongoing series is a troublesome prospect. Stagnation and repetition are potential pitfalls, and there is no doubt that Marie Brennan totters on a precarious ledge…
Scrivener for iOS
Adrian Faulkner
Picture this. You’re sitting on your own in the doctor’s surgery and they are running 30 minutes late. Or there’s been some signalling failure and your train home is at…
The Black Guard by A. J. Smith
Aaron Miles
The Black Guard has been described as “Martin meets Lovecraft,” and doesn’t disappoint on either count. With bleak personal stories of loss and hardship, wars between rival nations and a…
The Wizard’s Dilemma by Diane Duane
Jo Niederhoff
Well, here we are. Another month, another volume of Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series. By now, you probably all know what to expect from this review: chatter about brilliantly portrayed…
Pilot X by Tom Merritt
Charlie Hopkins
What if a time traveller lived in a world where disrupting the timeline could destroy everything in the universe-except himself? Pilot X is the Ambassador of the Alendans, a race…
Relics by Tim Lebbon
Laura M. Hughes
‘I like the fact there can be so many secret places in a city filled with people. It gives me hope.’ ‘Hope for what?’ Dean frowned, unsure. He searched for…
Star Wars Aftermath: Empire’s End by Chuck Wendig
Zachary A. Matzo
Spoiler Warning: This review does not spoil Empire’s End. However, events of the first two books in the trilogy are discussed and, to a certain degree, spoiled. I’ve tried to…
Monthly Short Story Winner: Nightmares
Xiagan
Everybody knows about nightmares, so I felt that in this case an introduction wasn’t necessary. Rules: 1. This must be prose or poetry. 2. A nightmare or nightmares must be…
Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
Joie
If you have not read the Fablehaven series that preceded this book, you are missing out. I will even come right out and say that I think it is better…