August 28, 2020
I first read Weaveworld in high school in 1988. I think it was the third Clive Barker book I read, with The Damnation Game being the first. At the time, a friend of mine volunteered at our local library and wanted to impress me, so he snagged an audio copy of The Damnation Game. I think I still have the…
July 17, 2020
At Speculative Chic, we feature a lot of authors who share everything from their favorite things to the inspiration for their work. But why not also share their fiction? Welcome to Fiction Friday, where you’ll be able to sample the fiction of a variety of authors, including those who write at Speculative Chic! Today, we’re featuring Errick Nunnally, whose name…
June 26, 2020
At Speculative Chic, we feature a lot of authors who share everything from their favorite things to the inspiration for their work. But why not also share their fiction? Welcome to Fiction Friday, where you’ll be able to sample the fiction of a variety of authors, including those who write at Speculative Chic! Today, we’re featuring Michelle Renee Lane, whose…
June 3, 2020
Technically, this is a reread, but it’s a reread with purpose. Robert Jackson Bennett is one of my favorite writers, slipping onto my auto-buy list. The thing is, it wasn’t always that way. I read The Company Man, and didn’t like it. So then I read Mr. Shivers and didn’t like it. After that, I read The Troupe and almost…
February 19, 2020
Howdy, dear Chicers! Well, it’s February, which means groundhogs, candy hearts, and, if you’re like my friend Tom, one birthday every four years. February is also a wonderful time for a discussion about the perks and perils of writing. Imagine it, if you will: Two people, a man and a woman, sitting across from one another in matching leather armchairs.…
January 1, 2020
Ninth House (2019) Written by: Leigh Bardugo Genre: Urban Fantasy/Horror Pages: 480 (Hardcover) Publisher: Flatiron Books Why I Chose It: Because it’s been on my radar for some months now, after reading a sample somewhere on the web. Because I love secret magical societies in university settings. Because the premise was compelling. Because the cover was slinky and pretty. The…
August 8, 2018
Servants of the Storm 2014) Written by: Delilah S. Dawson Genre: YA/Dark Fantasy Pages: 384 (hardcover) Publisher: Simon Pulse Why I Chose It: I love Delilah Dawson’s work and this book about a storm that is a demon really sounded like a fun ride. The premise: Dovey learns that demons lurk in places other than the dark corners of her mind in…
March 14, 2018
Of Lips and Tongue (2016) Written by: A.G. Carpenter Genre: Dark Fantasy, Southern Gothic Pages: 113 (Kindle) Series: Touch Trilogy Book 1 Publisher: Falstaff Books Why I Chose This: I’ve heard amazing things about this book and been looking for something dark to sink my teeth into. The premise: Delaney Green is one of them that don’t burn. Possessed of the…
March 7, 2018
The Changeling (2017) Written by: Victor LaValle Genre: Dark Fantasy Pages: 431 (Hardcover) Publisher: Spiegel & Grau Why I Chose It: I have wanted to read a longer work by Victor LaValle ever since I reviewed his The Ballad of Black Tom for last year’s Hugo Awards. I enjoyed way the novella explored racism and Jazz Age in New York…
December 15, 2017
Here at Speculative Chic, we’ve made a habit of focusing not just on the mainstream popular science fiction and fantasy of the current day, but also highlighting the hidden gems. Today, we’re pleased to celebrate the publication of a new poetry collection, Sheet Music to My Acoustic Nightmare, by Speculative Chic contributor Stephanie M. Wytovich. Take a break from the merriment…