Mark Lawrence Interview – Red Sister (2017)
Peter Tr
One could argue that the phrase, “Work until you no longer have to introduce yourself,” perfectly suits Mark Lawrence. I’m pretty sure no one in this community can say they…
Tough Travels: Beginnings
Laura M. Hughes
This is not an April Fools’ Day trick. Tough Travelling is back! At the start of every month, Fantasy-Faction will lead you (yes, YOU!) on a tour of the fantasy…
Sieges and Siegecraft – Part One: Attackers
Aaron Miles
Throughout the bloody pages of innumerable fantasy books there are countless examples of the siege in fiction. From epic wars that last for years to brutal assaults that are swift…
The Heart of Stone by Ben Galley
“There will always be wars. And I will always fight them.” Task is a soldier like no other. For one thing, he’s not human. For another, following orders is not…
Nicholas Eames Interview – Kings of the Wyld
Those who follow my reviews over on Booknest may already know that I found Kings of the Wyld one of the greatest debuts I’ve ever read. I even took a…
Tabletop Tuesday: Bored of Games . . . Board of Life?
Geoff Matthews
All right, I’m sorry for the title pun. Let me just say that now, but it seemed too good an opportunity to waste. This past year I’ve got hooked on…
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
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…