The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
Eric Christensen
Recently, it seemed that no matter where I turned on the internet, someone was mentioning—and praising—Angela Carter. Maybe it was because of the recent biography, or maybe it was just…
Wading in the Cultural Shallows: How Irish Mythology Became A Commodity for Fantasy
Brian O'Sullivan
One night at a party I was introduced to a woman who proudly informed told me she’d named her baby daughter ‘Banshee’ in celebration of her Irish heritage. Even at…
Is This Normal Around Here?
Aaron Miles
So you get home to your enchanted castle, hand your coat to the golem butler who waits by the door, tut sadly at Markus; the caretaker who’s trying to fill…
Urskuul’s Reading Circle: Parasitology by Mira Grant – Series Review
Dan Sutcliffe
Spoiler Warning: This review contains some spoilers for the Parasitology series. Please read with caution if you have yet to finish the books. “Our story opens where countless stories have…
Monthly Short Story Winner: Well-Known Fairy Tales from a Different Point of View
Xiagan
We know these stories by heart – but only from the hero’s POV. Did you ever think about the motivation and justification the big bad wolf had for eating Red…
Small Press, Big Stories: Grimbold Books
Steven Poore
Small Press, Big Stories is a monthly column focusing on small and independent presses from around the world. This month’s featured publisher is Grimbold Books. This month on #SmallPressBigStories we’re…
The Emerald Blade by Steven Kelliher
Laura M. Hughes
Eight months ago, I wrote a (fairly critical) review of Valley of Embers, the first book in Steven Kelliher’s Landkist cycle. Kelliher’s debut, I felt, had a solid and interesting…
Tough Travels: Non-Human Heroes
At the start of every month, Fantasy-Faction will lead you (yes, YOU!) on a tour of the fantasy genre. From high to low, from classics to new releases, from epic…
Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn: A Look Back
Zachary A. Matzo
As fantasy readers across the world wait with bated breath for the June release of The Witchwood Crown and Tad Williams’ return to the world of Osten Ard, Fantasy Faction…
David Gemmell Awards for Fantasy: Legend Award
Michael Everest
Arthur had his sword in the stone. The Legend award has its axe on the podium. Snaga the Sender. The Blades of no Return. The axe of Druss the Legend,…
Exploring Vvardenfell: How Morrowind Created an Immersive Secondary World
Christopher Mahon
Back in 2012, I was sitting with a group of fantasy writers at the PNWA conference in Seattle. Everyone had begun rolling off their favorite authors, and soon there were…
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Joie
“The library knows its own mind…When it steals a boy, we let it keep him.” I want to be stolen by a library. Pick me! Pick me! All wishing aside,…