Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Steff Humm
The popularity of Noelle Stevenson’s 2012 webcomic Nimona led to its release as a printed graphic novel earlier this year, which immediately leapt to the top of the New York…
fantasy
Painting With Grey: The Development and Popularity of “Gritty Fantasy”
Idlewilder
In the last ten years, the fantasy community has seen an upsurge in the popularity of so-called “gritty fantasy”. However, this sub-genre of fantasy is evident even earlier than this.…
The Builders by Daniel Polansky
Zachary A. Matzo
Daniel Polansky is an interesting guy. I say this having never met the man and reading exactly 50% of his published output. He reminds me of Warren Ellis (the writer,…
Swords and Scoundrels by Julia Knight
Aaron Miles
Swords and Scoundrels is the first book of the Duellists Trilogy following the lives of siblings Kacha and Vocho, master duellists thrown out of the guild and into adventure. Think…
The Traitor by Seth Dickinson
Lucy Hounsom
The Traitor is a great example of modern political fantasy – as such, it’s entirely new to me. I’ve not read A Song of Ice and Fire so cannot view…
Song of Susannah by Stephen King
James Davies
Wow, did this series get super weird. I don’t even know where to begin with Song of Susannah (SOS as I like to think of it). Considerably shorter than Wolves…
The Iron Dragon’s Daughter by Michael Swanwick
Jonathan Thornton
This review contains spoilers. Read with caution if you have yet to finish the book. The changeling’s decision to steal a dragon and escape was born, though she did not…
The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
This review contains spoilers. Read with caution if you have yet to finish the book. “Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall; Death is the fifth, and master of all.” N. K. Jemisin’s…
Under A Colder Sun by Greg James
Geoff Matthews
A city in peril, a king with a daring plan, a mysterious bandit and a guard driven by idealistic honour. It all makes for a good set-up and promises a…
For Your Consideration: Fantasy Podcasts
If you’re anything like me, you spend a considerable amount of time commuting to and from work. And while satellite radio, streaming music and audiobooks can alleviate some of the…
What Makes A Good Protagonist?
From the humble page all kinds of fantastic characters can spring to life: dashing heroes, devious villains and everything in between. But only a few of these creations will reach…
The Use of Drugs In Fantasy
Ben Galley
As fantastical as our genre is, there has always been some leakage from the real world to the ones lodged between the pages we devour. Love, war, anger, sex, despair,…