Blog Archives
Edition 6: Book Review: The Salem Witch Society by K. D. Shields
Reviewed by Damien Smith
The Salem Witch Society is the debut novel from K.D. (Kieran) Shields and it’s a cracker. The book is historical fiction set over several months in 1892 Maine, around the 200th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials. A brutal murderer is on the loose and appears to be attempting to recreate some arcane ritual.
Edition 7: Book Review: The Twelve by Justin Cronin
Reviewed by Sophie Yorkston
Back in the South, we rejoin the adventurers from The Passage (reviewed by SQ Mag previously), who have joined the last remaining militarised encampment of survivors. Justin Cronin’s The Twelve begins by rejoining the vanquishers of Babcock, one of the most vicious of the twelve vampires (infected) created by a secret U.S. government agency.
Edition 7: Book Review: Unidentified Funny Objects edited by Alex Schvartsman
Reviewed by Damien Smith
I came across Unidentified Funny Objects when the open call first went out. It caught my attention because for the life of me I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen a humourous speculative fiction anthology and, as the editor points out in his foreword, I’m not alone here. So it was with high hopes and a hint of nerves that I submitted a story of my own for scrutiny. Within 24 hours it had been received, read, evaluated and summarily (albeit rather kindly with a couple of encouraging words of advice) rejected.
Edition 7: Book Review: The Vision by Heather Graham
Reviewed by Mysti Parker
I met paranormal romance author Heather Graham quite by accident at an author reception the night before the 2012 Southern KY Book Fair. I’d heard of her, of course, but had never read her work. The plethora of spooky titles on her table the next day intrigued me, so I decided to dive (you’ll appreciate this choice of word) into her bibliography with a very recent work–The Vision.
Edition 8: Book Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger
Reviewed by Mysti Parker
While looking for a book to review for this month’s edition, I came across this fascinating cover and title and knew I had to take a look. When I read the description, I knew I’d have to give it a try. Now that I’ve read the first book in Gail Carriger’s ‘Finishing School’ series, I can see why this YA author has accumulated a legion of fans.
Edition 8: Book Review: Bluegrass Symphony by Lisa L. Hannett
Reviewed by Damien Smith
Bluegrass Symphony is the first collection from South Australian author Lisa L. Hannett. Each story feels carefully crafted to fit in to the same world, though it is never specified where or when exactly this world is. It has the feel of the Deep South in the not-too-distant past. It is also never specified where each story takes place in relation to the others, but they are woven so carefully that there is the constant feeling that characters fleeing one plot will come crashing through the middle of another.
Edition 9: Book Review: Skies of Fire by Zoe Archer
Reviewed by Mysti Parker
In choosing a book to review for this issue of SQ Mag, I confess a hidden agenda. I’ve taken an interest in steampunk, particularly that of the romantic variety and want to read as many as I can to research those elements for my own fiction writing. I’m happy to report that this book served both purposes well. For the sake of our magazine, I’ll stick to a simple review.
Edition 9: Book Review: The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter
Reviewed by Damien Smith
Parallel worlds and the travelling thereto are nothing new in speculative fiction, however The Long Earth is noteworthy even before you open it as it is the first collaboration between two stalwarts of speculative fiction: Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter.
Edition 10: Book Review: The Daedalus Code by Colin F Barnes
Reviewed by Damien Smith
I’ve not previously had the pleasure of reading anything by Colin F. Barnes before, but I came across him recently on the wonderful medium that is Twitter. A brief conversation later and I decided to take the plunge on an unknown author and take a look at The Daedalus Code—a cyberpunk novella set in an all-too-believable future. I’ve since found out Barnes has another novella, a novel (very soon to be two novels) and a bunch of short stories under his belt. Not to spoil this review before it starts, but more of his work has suddenly made it to my ‘To Read’ list.
Edition 10: Book Review: Sygillis of Metatron by Ren Garcia
Reviewed by Mysti Parker
In looking for another steampunk variant to review for this edition, I had the timely fortune of sharing a table with a writing friend, Ren Garcia, at this year’s Fandom Fest in Louisville, KY. I had purchased this book at the 2012 event and hadn’t read it yet (shame on me). While he shared with me all about the League of Elder series, I knew I had to jump in, and I’m happy that I did.
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