August 30, 2017
When someone mentions fantasy book covers, inevitably a stereotypical image pops up. One of knights standing near dragons, perhaps a chain-mail bra-clad woman with him. Or at least, that’s what used to be the norm. As today’s standards of what’s “cool” and socially acceptable continue to shift, so do the covers of speculative fiction books. Fantasy, science fiction, and horror…
August 16, 2017
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2004) Written by: Susanna Clarke Genre: Historical Fantasy Pages: 866 (Kindle) Publisher: Bloomsbury (UK)/Tor (US) Why I Chose It: This book was my Resolution Project 2017 goal for Speculative Chic. Long story short: I picked up the gigantic hardback edition in 2005, and it’s been anchoring my To Be Read pile ever since. Finally bought the…
August 15, 2017
When she isn’t answering your Dear Sherry letters, our resident Writing Coach, Sherry Peters, is taking her own advice to Just Write. Today, we’re happy to share the news of her book release! Mabel the Notorious Dwarf is the latest in the Ballad of Mabel Goldenaxe YA fantasy series. The titles of the books may speak for themselves, but the…
August 14, 2017
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 Maria V. Snyder, author of popular Chronicles of Ixia series…
August 8, 2017
It is 1983, and I am thirteen and hunting for dragons, on a winter Boulder, Colorado day with crystalline skies so clear that I know it is below freezing outside. But I brave the elements anyways, for I want dragons, and I have five dollars and some change earned from household chores. I take the RTD bus 204 downtown, and…
August 3, 2017
The Curse of Chalion (2001) Written by: Lois McMaster Bujold Genre: Fantasy Pages: 502 (Mass Market Paperback) Series: The World of the Five Gods Book 1 Publisher: Harper Voyager Why I Chose It: The World of Five Gods was first brought to my attention about ten years ago when I decided that reading the Hugo Winners list would be a…
August 2, 2017
Clariel (2014) Written By: Garth Nix Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Pages: 419 (Trade Paperback) Series: Old Kingdom (Book 4) Publisher: HaperCollins Why I Chose It: I read Sabriel, the first in the Old Kingdom series, back when I was a teenager, and it quickly became one of my favorites, full of unique magic, truly scary bad guys, and even a…
August 1, 2017
Ever since Game of Thrones debuted on HBO in 2011, awards have been heaped upon it — and with good reason. Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s sweeping epic fantasy novels (the series is officially named A Song of Ice and Fire), it features an excellent cast, top quality effects and costuming, the exceptional soundtrack skills of Ramin Djawadi, and of…
August 1, 2017
This year’s Hugo ballot saw a brand new and somewhat experimental category: Best Series. Many were nominated, and the final tallies offered nominees from all corners of the science fiction and fantasy umbrella. One nominee in particular made my heart sing: the October Daye Books by Seanan McGuire. If you aren’t familiar with the series, this is how McGuire herself…
July 26, 2017
The cover art for A Natural History of Dragons was what first attracted me to The Memoirs of Lady Trent series by Marie Brennan. That and its title. I have a degree in biology and a passion for dragons so this seemed like the perfect juxtaposition of those two interests. And it was. It so was. Brennan also managed to…