July 5, 2019
I am so excited! This year, for my resolution project, I’m rewatching the Star Wars franchise. I chose it because I love Star Wars, and I thought it would be fun to re-watch the movies in order of release date, with perhaps a bit more of a critical and appreciative eye than I have before. This month’s installment: Star Wars Episode III:…
July 4, 2019
Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts (2018 — 2019) Written by: Yu Tomofuji Series: Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts (Vol. 1-5) Genre: Manga (Fantasy) Publisher: Yen Press Why I Chose It: Working in a bookstore, I’ve read a lot of things based off what customers ask for (not what they recommend — no disrespect, but everyone recommends…
July 3, 2019
The Perfect Assassin (2019) Series: Chronicles of Ghadid, Book 1 Written by: K.A. Doore Genre: Fantasy Pages: 350 (Trade Paperback) Publisher: Tor Why I Chose It: I have a love-hate relationship with assassin stories, because on one hand, murder is bad! Assassins are not admirable people, right? On the other hand, fictional assassins are often fun to read, super-skilled, and…
July 2, 2019
I’m fond of Lovecraftian fiction, as you can see from my thoughts on Ruthanna Emrys’s fiction here and here. So when Mira Grant announced that her latest Subterranean Press novella was her first dip into actual Lovecraft territory, I might have squealed a little inside. The fates, and the publisher, smiled upon me and granted me access to an eARC…
July 1, 2019
They might not be raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens, but that doesn’t mean that we love them any less. Welcome back to My Favorite Things, the weekly column where we grab someone in speculative circles to gab about the greatest in geek. This week, we sit down with Odyssey Writing Workshop Graduate Erin Roberts, whose short story, “Sour…
June 29, 2019
Hats off to all you magical people out there! I mentioned in last week’s roundup about us not getting rain in my corner of Japan, then wished for your help in securing said rain through whimsical, unscientific means, and voilà! It rained! Not all week, but in long-enough spurts to actually mean something to the poor, dried-out land around here.…
June 28, 2019
Welcome to the Speculative Chic Book Club! Each month, we invite you to join us in reading a book that is voted on by YOU, our readers. Following a short review, please feel free to discuss the book in the comments! The Bone Clocks Written by: David Mitchell Genre: ????? Pages: 641 (Kindle) Publisher: Random House Premise: Following a terrible…
June 27, 2019
Zero Sum Game (2018) Written by: S.L. Huang Series: Cas Russell Book 1 Genre: Science Fiction (Audio Book) Length: 11 hours 43 minutes Publisher: Tor Why I Chose This: I originally read Zero Sum Game back in 2014 when it was a self-published e-book, and I remember finding it a real page-turner. Earlier this year, the book was revised and…
June 26, 2019
Ladycastle (2017) Written By: Delilah S. Dawson Illustrated By: Ashley A. Woods and Rebecca Farrow Genre: Fantasy Graphic Novel Pages: 112 pages Paperback Publisher: BOOM! Studios Why I Chose It: I heard it mentioned on the Writing Excuses podcast. A castle full of women saving the day their own way? Heck, yes. Sign me up. The premise: When the King…
June 25, 2019
Gunmetal Magic (2012) Written by: Ilona Andrews Series: Kate Daniels #5.5 Genre: Urban Fantasy Pages: 326 (Paperback) Publisher: Ace Why I Chose This: My 2019 Resolution Project for Speculative Chic is to read the books in the Kate Daniels series and finish up with a first read of the final book. I first read Gunmetal Magic in 2012. The Premise: Some people…