Historically Accurate
Laura Graham
Writers who set their stories in the future? Those guys have got it easy; they can see everything happening in the world around us, and use that to inform their…
The Pros and Cons of Worldbuilding Using Unfamiliar Cultures
Jay Kristoff
When I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing a steampunk novel, I gave myself a few provisos. The first was that I’d avoid the rose-colored goggles point…
The Wounded Guardian by Duncan Lay
Dan Hanks
Under the bright blue skies and Antarctic winds of an Australian winter, I happened across local fantasy author Duncan Lay enthusiastically undertaking a signing outside a bookstore. Sleeves rolled up…
Dreamsongs: A Retrospective – Book One by George R. R. Martin
Dominic Stevens
George R. R. Martin is not just one of the most popular writers in fantasy right now, but in fiction full stop. Game of Thrones has been one of the…
Fantasy As Escapism: Avoiding Boredom or Uncertainty?
Eric Christensen
In my last Fantasy-Faction article, I quoted a recent article in The New Yorker by Arthur Krystal in which he denigrated genre fiction, suggesting that readers rely on it as…
Relapse by Blake Northcott
Kit
Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers for book one: Vs. Reality. Read with caution if you have yet to finish the first book. Earlier this year, I reviewed Ms. Northcott’s…
Faerie-Tales: The New “Thing” in Fantasy Entertainment
Rachel Riegel
First it was vampires and then it was zombies. Now it’s faerie-tales. What will the next fad be? Necrophilia and bestiality? Supernatural teen pregnancy? Oh, wait. I forgot. Twilight already…
Laura Lam Interview
Leo Elijah Cristea
Laura Lam’s book—Pantomime—might not be released until after the New Year, but already she’s beginning to make her stamp on the YA fantasy world, with excellent advance reviews and a…
Historical Fantasy vs. Historical Fiction
Ashley Barnard
It has been almost eight years since I’ve been on stage — twelve since I’ve been in a major role — and yet I still have the Actor’s Nightmare at…
In a State of Wonder: The Worlds of Adam Christopher
Sandra Norval
Creating a world is a tough job so once it’s done, you can’t blame writers for wanting to protect their creation. Not quite so with Empire State. Angry Robot launched…
Fantasy Influences: Ancient Greek Mythology – Part Two
Victoria Hooper
You can read part one of this series here. In the last article, I looked at Greek mythology’s influence on fantasy, including the hero’s quest and what he or she…
Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff – Review
Overlord
Being a Martial Artist, when I saw the cover of Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff my jaw dropped. Then, flipping the book over, I saw the following testimonial from Patrick Rothfuss…